1959Siheyuan, a Turnaround

"When Dajiang was chatting with the head of the security department, he heard that the factory was going to expand, so he thought about getting Xinchuang and me into the factory as temporary workers. But I never expected that Deputy Director Li would agree so readily and even arranged for Xinchuang and me to work in the purchasing department."

After Li Dahu finished speaking, his face was full of relief.

Fortunately, he went to the steel rolling mill with Xinchuang and Dajiang, otherwise such a good thing would never have happened to him.

"Hold on, Dahu, are you saying that this time you not only got food in return, but you also got jobs as workers?"

The village chief's face was full of disbelief and he looked at Li Dahu in surprise.

"Yes, it's absolutely true. Brother Dajiang didn't have time to explain it to us in detail, but this is what happened. Xinchuang and I have both registered the forms, and we can start work tomorrow with our documents!"

This sentence was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a thousand waves.

The villagers opened their eyes wide in shock, and their eyes were full of disbelief.

For a moment, the whole village seemed to be paused. Everyone fell silent. There was deathly silence all around, as if the only sound one could hear was one's own heartbeat.

The village chief stood in the middle of the crowd, his hands trembling slightly, his face showing an expression of both excitement and shock.

His lips moved but no sound came out, as if he was still immersed in this sudden surprise.

After a long while, a burst of exclamations broke out from the crowd.

"Is this... is this true? They are going to work in the steel mill?"

"Our village is really full of talented people! First it was Li Dahe, then Wang Dahua, and now even Li Dahu and Li Xinchuang are going out to work as workers. It's really amazing!"

"They have finally made it. The village chief will be so happy that he won't be able to sleep tonight!"

"Haha...I'm happy even if I can't sleep!"

"..."

The villagers were whispering to each other, their words filled with joy.

After a long time, the village chief finally came to his senses. He walked up to Li Dahu and Li Xinchuang and patted their shoulders heavily with his hands.

"Okay! Okay! You guys should work hard in the future, learn more from your brother Dajiang, and don't forget to help each other!"

Li Dahu and Li Xinchuang nodded firmly, their hearts also full of expectations for the future.

"Don't worry, village chief! We are working in the steel mill. We will definitely help each other and strive to get regular jobs as soon as possible!"

"Yes! Dad, we will all listen to Brother Dajiang, and we brothers will stick together!"

Li Dahu and Li Xinchuang confidently assured the village chief that they would work hard at the steel rolling mill and live up to his expectations.

The village chief was delighted. He waved his hand and said proudly, "Today, let the village canteen braise three pig heads and the remaining offal from yesterday. Tomorrow, let Xin Chuang and Da Hu take them to Sijiu City to give to Da Jiang."

When the villagers heard this, they immediately became happy. Although they might not be able to eat much meat, it would be good to have some soup.

Everyone knew that it was thanks to Li Dajiang that the village had so much food and wild boar meat.

The villagers are full of gratitude to Li Dajiang.

However, amidst all the joy, only Li Weiguo's second grandfather Li Quanzhen looked thoughtful after hearing the news.

When he heard that Li Dahu was coming back in a truck, he was also shocked.

He followed the crowd to the village brigade, hid in the outermost corner, and watched the movements inside quietly. He did not even go forward when the villagers were carrying food.

After the truck left, he heard that Li Dahu had become a temporary worker in the steel mill, and he began to think about it.

His eldest son, Li Dahu, never listened to him since he was young, but was close to his eldest brother's family.

If Li Dahu were to take this job, it would be better to let his third son Li Datao, who listens to him the most, take it.

The third son is filial and obedient, and the salary he earns in the future will surely flow into his pocket continuously.

By then, he will definitely be living the same comfortable life as before.

Thinking of this, he made up his mind to ask his third son to come over to discuss it tonight.

That night, in the village cafeteria.

A big pot of braised pig's head, a big pot of pork offal soup, and two large baskets of multi-grain steamed buns.

There was plenty of pork soup, and as for the multi-grain steamed buns, every adult in the village had two, and every child, big or small, had one.

Even with just this, the villagers looked very satisfied after eating.

They finally had a full meal and no longer had to drink cold water to fill their stomachs at night.

When the village chief's family learned that Li Xinchuang had become a temporary worker in the steel rolling mill, the whole family was overjoyed.

After Li Xinchuang's wife Zhao Liying heard the news, her already pretty face was even more beaming with smiles.

When I married Li Xinchuang, I thought that he was the son of the village chief. Although he didn't have much ability, at least I wouldn't starve in the future.

Unexpectedly, she now has such good fortune to become a worker's wife.

When I think about Li Xinchuang becoming a worker in the future and getting a permanent job, there is a hope that my children will take over.

Her heart was so excited, as if she saw a beautiful life in the future.

On the other hand, Li Dahu's wife Chen Suzhi cried with joy when she heard that Li Dahu was going to be a temporary worker.

She feels that this year is a lucky year for her family.

Ever since Li Dahu recovered, good things have happened one after another in the family.

She looked at Li Dahu, her eyes full of joy and relief. The feeling of happiness was indescribable and she just kept crying.

However, at this moment Li Quan was at home.

Li Quanzhen asked his daughter Li Xiuzhi to call his third son Li Datou over. The family sat together under the dim light and discussed matters concerning Li Dahu's work.

Li Quanzhen's face was serious and his eyes glanced back and forth between his third son and daughter.

He had just expressed his thoughts and asked his daughter Li Xiuzhi to go and call for help, but he didn't expect that she also wanted to go to the old city to work as a worker.

But in Li Quanzhen's opinion, a daughter can never be as close to him as a son.

If he wanted to take Li Dahu's job, he would naturally give it to his third son Li Datao.

Li Datao and Li Xiuzhi sat around the table on the kang, quietly waiting for their father to speak.

Li Quanzhen first said, "Datao, have you heard that your elder brother is going to work as a temporary worker in the steel mill?"

Li Datao was slightly stunned, then nodded and said, "Of course I heard about it. My eldest brother is really lucky. Not only did my uncle spend money to buy medicine for him to treat his illness, he also found a job for him."

His voice was filled with jealousy, and he had completely forgotten the difficult days when Li Dahu was sick and his family had nothing to eat or drink. He never envied Li Dahu at that time.

Li Xiuzhi also said: "My eldest brother is so lucky. I heard that Weiguo sent them food a while ago, but he didn't even send some for my parents. He is really unfilial."

Li Xiuzhi knew very well what her father's purpose was today, and she kept saying bad things about her elder brother.

After all, only in this way can her father help her get her job back.

Li Quanzhen listened to his son and daughter and continued, "Li Dahu didn't listen to me. He wanted to go to Sijiucheng as a temporary worker. He can't get past me. Don't worry, I will talk to the village chief myself about this matter."

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Datao's eyes. He thought that since his elder brother couldn't go, this job would definitely fall on him.

He pretended to be hesitant and said to Li Quanzhen: "Dad, is this okay? The factory has already made the decision and I heard that the forms have been filled out!"

Li Quanzhen said firmly: "Why not? I'm Li Dahu's father. If I don't let him go, he can't go. As for the form, go ask your brother Dajiang for another one!"

He looked so confident that if you didn't know him, you would think the steel mill belonged to him!