Siheyuan, Me and the Yu Sisters

Zhang Renkang first returned to the courtyard. It was almost time to get off work, so it was no big deal for him to leave a little earlier.

As soon as Zhang Renkang arrived at the gate of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, before he even pushed the car up, he heard Yan Bugui's voice at the gate.

"Da Mao, where did you get this chicken?"

When Zhang Renkang entered the yard, he saw two old hens hanging in front of Xu Damao's handlebars and a sack of things on the back seat. Seeing Zhang Renkang coming back, Yan Bugui and Xu Damao greeted him with a smile.

"Ren Kang is back"

Zhang Renkang smiled and said

"Brother Damao, have you returned from the countryside?"

Xu Damao said with a smile

"Brother Renkang, I found a lot of good things this time. Take a look at these two old hens and some mountain products. They're pretty good, aren't they?"

Zhang Renkang smiled and replied

"That's right. It seems that Brother Damao has worked hard."

Xu Damao nodded and heard Yan Bugui say

"Hey Damao, was this chicken given to you by someone from the countryside?"

Xu Damao nodded and said

"More than that, look at this sack of mountain products, they were all given by fellow villagers from various villages."

Yan Bugui said with a smile

"Da Mao, you see, Third Uncle has been taking care of you a lot, right?"

"That uncle hasn't eaten this wild mushroom yet, give him some to try."

Xu Damao was not happy when he heard Yan Bugui was eyeing his mountain products. With Zhang Renkang in this life, Sha Zhu had been punished to clean the toilet, and he could not be arrogant in the courtyard. Xu Damao naturally did not have such an urgent need to win over Yan Bugui to target Sha Zhu and Yi Zhonghai. How could you ask a villain like him to share the profits with you if you were useless? Xu Damao quickly refused.

"Uncle, this won't do. I have to stew some wild mushrooms for Ezi to nourish her. I don't have much to give you."

Yan Bugui is not willing to take advantage of it, and then said

"Your third aunt is good at making chicken soup. Why don't you let her make it so that we can drink it all at once?"

Xu Damao was unwilling to drink the wine mixed with water by Yan Bugui and refused.

"Let's talk about it in a few days. Let me see if these two chickens lay eggs. If they do, let's keep them for now."

Then he said to Zhang Renkang

"Brother, I heard that you became the deputy director of this cafeteria today? Or a section-level cadre?"

Zhang Renkang smiled and said

"Well, the leader appreciated me and I just made the appointment today. It's only at the deputy section level."

"Brother Damao is well-informed about this news. You can even find out about it in the countryside?"

Xu Damao said with a smile

"I just went back to the factory to put away the machines, and when I heard people in our department talking, I knew it was Brother Renkang. Last time, I told you that you have a bright future, and you got promoted in just a few days."

Yan Bugui was confused when he heard this. Zhang Renkang has become a cadre in the past few days? He is a section-level cadre, not a so-called small cadre like a team leader? How much is the salary of a section-level cadre? Their vice-president is the deputy section chief, and his salary seems to be 80 yuan? Zhang Renkang is also an "eighth-level chef" with a salary of yuan. This must be yuan? How old is he? How can this be possible?

Yan Bugui asked in surprise

"Renkang, have you really become a cadre? At the department level?"

Zhang Renkang said with a smile

"Uncle, just appointed today, deputy, deputy"

Yan Bugui finally believed it. This thing couldn't be fake. Not to mention Xu Damao was here, Yi Zhonghai and his men would come back and confirm it. Yan Bugui said excitedly

"Renkang, you are the first cadre in our courtyard. We have to set up two tables to celebrate."

Zhang Renkang laughed and said

"Uncle San, your awareness is not good enough. Being a cadre is to serve the people. Why are you celebrating?"

"Besides, look at the renovation situation over there. Do I still have money?"

Yan Bugui said unwillingly

"Renkang, I'm not asking you to be extravagant. It's not a big deal if we just put two tables together in the yard to have some fun."

Yan Bugui had a good calculation. If Zhang Renkang set up a banquet, he would need at least one or two meat dishes. Besides, he had a large family, so even if he had to spend a dime or two on food, he could still make it back. He could go hungry in the morning, eat as much as he could at noon, and save at night. That way, he would have enough money for food for the day. He could then keep accounts for him and charge him a fee. He could save a dime a day.

Zhang Renkang didn't know what Yan Bugui was thinking, but he was too lazy to invite those bastards in the hospital. He said with a stern face:

"Uncle, you need to learn some great spirit. I think there is something wrong with your thinking."

Ignoring him, he said to Xu Damao

"Brother Damao, I don't know that you haven't been home these few days. My house is being renovated. Can you lend me your other house for 20 days? I'll pay the rent for you."

Xu Damao hadn't been home for a few days and didn't know what was going on with Zhang Renkang. When he heard that Zhang Renkang wanted to rent his house, he thought about it.

"I have two rooms at home. I can divide one into two spaces for myself and Ezi to live in. I can also rent the other one to Zhang Renkang. He is an official now. Maybe I can ask him to help put in some good words for me so that I can get a job."

Say

"Brother Renkang, that's no problem. I have to go back and talk to your sister-in-law about the rent. That..."

How could Zhang Renkang not know what he meant? How could Xu Damao know that his house was robbed? What was the point of discussing it? He just wanted to benefit himself. Zhang Renkang took out a big black ten from his pocket and handed it to Xu Damao.

"This is one month's rent, how about I rent it for a full month?"

Renting a house here is only five or six yuan a month, but Zhang Renkang paid twice the price. Yan Bugui wanted to rent his own house to Zhang Renkang so that his family could squeeze in. Seeing Zhang Renkang being so generous, Xu Damao smiled with wrinkles on his face and said,

"Brother, you can stay here if you want. I have no problem with that. It's mainly about your sister-in-law."

Zhang Renkang nodded and said

"I understand. That's fine. That's settled then."

Zhang Renkang didn't care about this little money. It was a compensation to Xu Damao. As he said that, Zhang Renkang and Xu Damao pushed the cart towards the middle courtyard. As soon as they entered the middle courtyard, they saw a red figure coming towards them. Xu Damao was dazzled. Qin Jingru was now in her prime, less than eighteen years old. With her hair changing into a radiant color, and Zhang Renkang carefully preparing a Su-style skirt and leather shoes for her, she looked even more radiant and beautiful. Before, Xu Damao either dealt with village girls and widows or female workers in the factory. He had never seen such a beautiful and lively girl.

Xu Damao was dazzled when he heard the welcoming girl say

"Brother Renkang, are you back from get off work?"

Zhang Renkang said with a smile

"Well, what about the two from your sister's family?"

Xu Damao came back to his senses and asked

"Do you know Renkang? Who is this?"

Qin Jingru was annoyed when she saw Xu Damao's lecherous eyes. Now Qin Jingru had no other thoughts. She just wanted to tie Zhang Renkang up and marry him to live a good life in the city. She would not consider anything else. Zhang Renkang smiled and said

"This is Qin Huairu's cousin, Qin Jingru. You haven't seen her since you went to the countryside for a few days."

When Xu Damao heard that it was Qin Huai Rujia's cousin, he thought

"The girls in Qin Huairu's family are all pretty. He should go to Qinjia Village to have a look next time. But why is Qin Huairu's cousin so familiar with Zhang Renkang?"

Xu Damao said calmly

"Oh, you are Sister Qin's cousin. I am your neighbor in the backyard. My name is Xu Damao. I am a projectionist at the steel mill. Nice to meet you."

Qin Jingru ignored Xu Damao and asked

"Brother Renkang, can you still stay there tonight? I just saw the craftsmen have already dismantled everything for you."

Zhang Renkang said with a smile

"I just discussed with Damao, I will rent another empty room in their house during this period."

Xu Damao continued:

"I have two large rooms, bigger than Jia's, just perfect for renting to Brother Renkang."

Zhang Renkang didn't want to waste any more time. He wanted to go back and take a look at the situation. Besides, he didn't plan to use Qin Jingru to plot against Xu Damao. As for what Xu Damao did in the countryside, he could just take the time to let Lou Bancheng catch him when he went to the countryside.

"Jingru, I have to go back first. I have to see how Master Wang and the others are doing."

Without waiting for Qin Jingru to reply, he pushed the cart back to the backyard. Xu Damao wanted to continue talking to Qin Jingru. He had been envious of Qin Jingru's pretty appearance for a long time, but Qin Jingru saw Zhang Renkang and went back to Jia's house.

Xu Damao shook his head and thought about finding an opportunity to find out the truth. He followed Zhang Renkang back to the backyard. Zhang Renkang had just parked the car when he saw Ergou coming out. Seeing Zhang Renkang coming, he said

"Boss, I'm back from get off work."

Zhang Renkang nodded and smiled, handed Ergou a cigarette and asked

"Where is your master?"

Er Gou quickly took it and said

"The master has gone to the carpenter's place, and now our window has been opened. Look, the surrounding area has been carefully polished. Now we just have to wait for the carpenter to finish the frame so we can seal the window."

Zhang Renkang took a closer look. If it weren't for the fact that people nowadays work carefully, this would be a right angle when you gesture, and it would be very flat when you touch it with your finger. He went into the house and took a look. All the floors have been polished, waiting to be laid and aligned tomorrow. In addition, they have carefully leveled the wall.

Ergou said

"Boss, after the floor is laid, I will thoroughly putty this wall twice, and then touch it up with white paint. It will be absolutely bright and spacious."

Zhang Renkang said with a smile

"I am convinced by your ability, I will wait for you to hand over the house when the time comes."

After chatting and laughing for a while, Zhang Renkang went to Xu Damao's house and took the key of another room. Lou Xiao'e had already moved back to her own home. Xu Damao didn't know when Lou Xiao'e would come back tonight.

Zhang Renkang cleaned up the rented house. There was nothing much to do, just made the bed and swept the dust. That was all he did for a while.