The Great Era of Siheyuan

Li Wenqiang passed on some of the troublesome things he had originally prepared to Zhu Ling, and he felt no pressure at all, believing that she could do it well.

Walking on Qianmen Street, Li Wenqiang was thinking about Chen Xueru's situation. He didn't know how she was doing.

When we arrived at the door of the small western-style building, we saw seven or eight people setting up dining tables and counters inside. If there were no problems, we should be able to open for business tomorrow.

"Is Chen Xueru here?"

Li Wenqiang walked into the shop and asked, looking at the newly renovated shop.

After hearing the voice, the people working inside all stopped and turned to look at him.

"Hello, who are you? What do you want to do with our boss? If it's not urgent, you can tell me and I'll tell her when she gets here!"

At this time, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties came over and asked politely.

"Isn't she here?"

Li Wenqiang was a little surprised. Logically, she should be here today. He didn't see her when he came from Xueru Silk Shop just now. He thought she was here. Now it seems that she should be at home.

"Yes, our boss is not here, so I am in charge here for the time being. If you have anything to say, you can tell me."

The middle-aged man looked at Li Wenqiang and said generously that if he hadn't seen that he was dressed decently, he would have ignored him.

"When do you open here?"

Li Wenqiang looked around and asked curiously.

"We'll prepare the pots and pans in the store today and open it tomorrow. If you're free, you're welcome to come and support us!"

The middle-aged man spoke politely, but he kept his eyes on him and was somewhat wary of his behavior, fearing that he was a colleague coming to cause trouble.

"Okay, I'll come over when I'm free!"

Having seen almost everything that needed to be seen, Li Wenqiang left after saying this.

The shop was now filled with tables, chairs and benches. If they were all occupied, more than a hundred people could sit there! Based on one dollar per meal, the daily turnover here was at least three thousand dollars. After deducting 75% of various taxes, the remaining amount should be more than one thousand dollars.

Selling the ingredients to Chen Xueru at cost price would probably make her go crazy with joy. Li Wenqiang had already thought of ways for her to express her gratitude.

After looking at the situation, he found that there was no problem and he was too lazy to look for her again. He had given her everything he should give, and the rest was up to him.

At the gate of the steel rolling mill, an old man was helping a deaf old lady walk inside with a smile on his face. They didn't expect the old lady to come over so quickly.

"Hey, I haven't been here for many years! Back then, this was all Lou's property, but now it's all owned by the government! In the past, this was called Zhenhua Steel Rolling Mill, and there were hundreds of workers there. Now it looks much bigger and more impressive than before!"

The deaf old lady walked while pointing at the surroundings and confidently introduced the changes around her to Yi Zhonghai.

"Old lady, now that the government is in charge, the steel mill is definitely better than before. Look at the newly built factory building here. There are more than 3,000 workers in total, which is several times more than before. The treatment of our workers is also much better than before. All of this should be thanked to the government!"

Uncle Li said with a smile.

“Haha, yes, we should thank the government!”

The deaf old lady also responded with a smile, but the smile on her face looked a little strange, as if she was mocking him.

The two of them soon arrived at Director Yang's office. When Director Yang saw the deaf old lady, he stood up and greeted her with a smile.

"Old lady, long time no see! Please take a seat! I'll go get you a cup of tea!"

After Director Yang finished speaking, he came over and invited her into the house.

The old lady didn't hesitate and sat down on the sofa with the help of an old man.

"It's been a while since we last met. I didn't expect you still remembered me!"

The deaf old lady said politely, and the old man stood aside without saying a word, watching her perform.

"Come, old lady, have some tea! Look at what you said. I still remember the land reform and housing distribution in 1951. Thanks to your support, my work was so smooth. I have been too busy with work these years and have no time to visit you. I wonder how you are doing. Are you okay?"

When Director Yang talked about this, he still missed the scenes of the past.

"It's amazing that you still remember an old woman like me. I'm in good health, thanks to Xiao Yi's help over the years, otherwise I wouldn't know where my old bones would be buried!"

The deaf old lady said with emotion.

"No, no, old lady, you are too serious. Respecting the elderly is a tradition in our courtyard. You are the ancestor of our courtyard, and it is our duty to respect you!"

Yi Zhonghai said nonchalantly, but a smile appeared on his face.

"Really? I didn't expect Master Yi to be such a warm-hearted person!"

Director Yang looked at him meaningfully and said.

"No, no, this is what I should do. As the eldest uncle in the hospital, it is my duty to help the elderly in need. I don't deserve any praise!"

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand and shook his head.

"Old lady, is there any difficulty in coming to see me today? If you have anything, please tell me. I will try my best to help if I can!"

Director Yang looked at the two of them and decided not to play dumb with them, so he asked directly.

"Xiao Yang! The reason I came here today is this. Xiao Yi is usually an honest and kind person. He does good things without leaving his name and keeps silent when he is bullied. I heard a rumor that someone is making up a rumor about him, saying that he has ideological problems and will not let him participate in the work-level assessment. Tell me, how can someone who respects the elderly be a bad person? I came here today to ask you to help him make the decision. Don't let the good guy feel disappointed!"

The deaf old lady held his hand and said with deep sorrow.

"Old lady, I will investigate this matter carefully and will definitely give Master Yi justice. What do you think?"

Director Yang looked at her and said.

"Then you better hurry up and don't delay Xiao Yi's assessment. I think this must be the work of Li Wenqiang from our yard. I heard that the little bastard is a buyer in your factory. I don't know what he does every night. You have to investigate him thoroughly!"

The deaf old lady was very angry when she mentioned Li Wenqiang.

"Okay, I'll send someone to investigate him carefully. Old lady, you have to believe that we will never wrongly accuse a good man."

When Director Yang heard the name Li Wenqiang, he suddenly remembered the handsome young man he saw at the door of Li Huaide’s office. Could this matter be related to him?

He didn't say that he didn't know all the employees in the steel rolling mill, but he could tell a few about those who worked in the administrative building. Although Li Wenqiang had not worked here for a long time, he had seen him a few times and they were acquaintances. He didn't believe that such a sunny boy would be someone who would speak ill of others behind their backs.

"Okay, Xiao Yang, I'll trouble you with this matter today. I won't disturb your work anymore. I'll leave first!"

The deaf old lady stood up and walked outside, and Yi Zhonghai carefully supported her.

"Old lady, please go slowly. I'll take you there!"

Director Yang followed beside him with a smile.

"No need, I'm not that strong yet! No need to send me off, I can walk on my own!"

The deaf old lady had already reached the stairs as she spoke.

"Okay then, I won't see you off, Master Yi, wait a moment, I have something to tell you!"

Director Yang looked at Yi Zhonghai, waved, and then returned to the office.

Yi Zhonghai looked at the deaf old lady, then looked at him, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Go ahead. I can go back by myself. Don't delay your work!"

The deaf old lady seemed to understand what he was thinking, and she left after she finished speaking.

Yi Zhonghai heaved a sigh of relief when he saw this. This was good, as it saved him from being embarrassed. On one side was the old lady who was helping him, and on the other side was the leader. It would be bad not to listen to either of them.

"Director Yang, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Yi Zhonghai returned to the factory director’s office and said.

"It's nothing. I just want to tell you that the old lady is old. Let her rest at home and don't bring her to the steel mill."

Director Yang looked at him expressionlessly and said calmly.

"Hey, Director, I didn't ask this old lady to come here. This has nothing to do with me!"

Yi Zhonghai argued cunningly.

"It doesn't matter who asked her to come. What matters is that I don't want to see her coming here again. Do you understand? I will help you with your matter, but you have to remember what I said, okay?"

Director Yang said seriously.

She could ask him for help with a trivial matter that happened more than ten years ago. Did she really think he was serving her? If she wasn't afraid of being accused of being ungrateful, she would have driven her away long ago!

"Okay, I'll pay attention next time!"

Yi Zhonghai felt a little happy, but also a little bitter, as he had offended Director Yang.

"Okay, you go down!"

Director Yang simply waved his hand and sent him away. He was thinking about Li Wenqiang and decided to find an opportunity to have a good talk with him.