Chapter 117

Liu Guangqi grinned and said, "A daughter is still a daughter. It's your fault that you are not in a hurry."

"Is it any use for me to be anxious? This is not just my problem."

Yan Jiecheng still cared about this a lot. After all, he was Li Jiandong's second apprentice. It was okay that he had a child later than Jia Dongxu, but Liu Guangqi was the sixth child, and he was depressed that he had a child later than him.

If I had known earlier, I should have held the wedding with Yu Li earlier, maybe the child would have been born by now.

The night passed.

The next day, Li Jiandong prepared food coupons in advance, as well as some other types of coupons and wore them with him, and then went to the steel rolling mill.

As soon as he walked into the office, Li Jiandong boiled water to make tea, but before the water boiled, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Li Jiandong replied, and the door was pushed open from the outside. Hu Haodang walked in and said, "Deputy Director Li, I'm here."

Now that the weather is getting hotter, it is inevitable that the workers will be distracted while working. Li Jiandong can understand even if they are just being lazy.

If you don't leave a message, it would be impolite, so those who are a little polite will visit in the morning, no later than 10 o'clock at the latest.

Qin Huairu said this to Li Jiandong as she took out a new set of clothes from the closet and handed it to him.

Safety issues cannot be solved by just talking. Since Li Jiandong is a leader, he must lead by example.

Of course, Li Jiandong was also afraid of the worst, so he made it seem as if he had a hard time getting so many tickets.

As the eldest uncle in the courtyard, I can't just watch other people's families not having enough food to eat while I have meat and fish every day. I will not be jealous until everyone can eat well. This is human nature and it cannot stand the test.

Hu Haodang didn't expect that Li Jiandong was really capable and could get so many votes.

You have to know that Deputy Director Dai is in charge of the logistics department, and it is very difficult for him to get a few hundred kilograms of food.

At work, Li Jiandong did not force Hu Haodang to change his address, because there was a gap in their current status, and if they addressed each other randomly, it would seem that there was no sense of boundaries.

In the countryside, people don’t visit other people at noon, otherwise would they invite you to have a meal or not?

"Alright, I'm embarrassed to say this, just go back to work, I'm also going to leave the workshop."

Hu Haodang sat down and watched Li Jiandong put tea leaves into the cup.

Although they did not retain their rural household registration, Zhou Rong's father was the only laborer in the family. His income as an eighth-level worker was not low, but the various tickets he received were less than half more than that of an ordinary low-level worker.

After a busy day, Li Jiandong returned home and called Liu Guangqi and gave him two hundred kilograms of food coupons.

Hu Haodang and He Daqing are the same type of people. Although they like to drink, they will not talk nonsense after drinking.

After getting up in the morning, Qin Huairu prepared breakfast and called Li Jiandong to get up and eat.

Li Jiandong took the underpants Qin Huairu handed over, took off the old ones and put on the new ones, then the shorts and vest.

If we keep it, no one will have much surplus food.

Hu Haodang said gratefully.

"You and Qiunan are going back to your hometown today. You have to leave early and don't go too late. Otherwise, if you go too late, people who don't know will think you are just going there to eat for free."

Either they get drunk and pass out, or they just drink and say nothing.

After all, it is heavy physical work, and the income is really low in summer. The fear is that the mental energy will be exposed and cause safety accidents.

Only when the senior leaders at the top conduct more inspections can the junior leaders below be encouraged to pay more attention.

Deputy Director Dai and Hu Haodang are old drinking buddies, so it is impossible for him to be deceived.

As for other people in the hospital, Li Jiandong also gave them some money privately.

Then he sealed the tea can and put it in the drawer, then reached into his pocket, took out a large stack of bills and handed it to him.

"Here are 1,000 jin of food coupons. Take them back and use them first. If you don't have them next time, tell me in advance. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to get them if time is tight."

Food is so scarce now, and the two hundred kilograms of food coupons that Li Jiandong took out can somewhat improve the lives of the other party's family.

The weekend is coming soon.

Li Jiandong said this out of caution, although he knew very well that Hu Haodang was very tight-lipped.

If you eat, others will have to eat one less meal.

The weather is hot now, and clothes are washed almost every day. Qin Huairu has time now, and she also likes to serve Li Jiandong.

"Deputy Director Li, thank you so much. If you need me in the future, just ask me, Lao Hu, and I will do my best to help you."

When Zhou Rong’s father came to Beicheng before, Li Jiandong learned about her family situation.

He nodded and said, "Old Hu, sit down first."

Li Jiandong smiled and drove Hu Haodang away. After sending him away, he waited for the water to boil, made some tea, and then went to the workshop to check the work.

"I know. It's not far. We'll be there in an hour and a half."

Li Jiandong felt that even if he was extremely hungry, he would definitely do whatever it takes.

As you can imagine, it is really not easy to get a few food coupons nowadays.

Ding Qiunan had already told Qin Huairu that she wanted Li Jiandong to take her back to his hometown.

This is not a question of money, but the lives of more than 20 people in my hometown.

Get dressed, wash your face and brush your teeth.

While Li Jiandong was eating, Qin Huairu had already prepared a shoulder bag for him.

A journey of one and a half hours is not very far, but in such a hot day, you will definitely feel thirsty. There is a canteen and a few eggs in the backpack, which can be used as a temporary solution if you are thirsty or hungry on the road.

In addition, Li Jiandong also prepared some gifts. After all, he was going to someone's home, and it would be wrong to go empty-handed.

The gifts were not very expensive, just some candy and oil. Although they were only a few dollars, they were of high quality. Especially the candy required a non-staple food ticket, which ordinary workers could only get during the Chinese New Year and could not get at all when they received their salary.

"Master's Wife, good morning. Is Master ready?"

Ding Qiunan has arrived. Today she has two big pigtails, revealing her smooth and beautiful face.

Qin Huairu went up to him and said:
"It's almost time. Your master will leave after dinner. Qiu Nan is getting more and more beautiful. She needs to find a good family to marry. Do you have a sweetheart? If not, how about Master's wife help you choose one?"

Ding Qiunan is 25 years old this year. A woman of this age would have been married a long time ago.

Qin Huairu is only two years older than her, and at this age she was already pregnant with her fourth child.

"No need, Master, I'm not in a hurry."

Ding Qiunan was a little nervous. She wondered if Qin Huairu knew something and that was why she wanted to marry her off quickly.

In fact, she was totally overthinking it. Not to mention that Qin Huairu had no idea that she was in love with Li Jiandong, even if she knew, she would not interfere easily. If something really went wrong, wouldn't that be a slap in her man's face?
Qin Huairu was really worried about Ding Qiunan, and after hearing this, she educated her.

"Don't be in a hurry, you're almost an old maid. I tell you, Qiunan, marriage is the top priority for us women, you can't ignore it."

"Yes, I know. Thank you, Master."

Ding Qiunan was obviously just being perfunctory, and Qin Huairu couldn't do anything about it.

At this time, Li Jiandong had finished his breakfast. He wiped his mouth with a towel and rinsed his mouth with some water.

Said to Qin Huairu: "Let's go."

"Slow down on the road."

"understood."

Li Jiandong casually put on his shoulder bag, held the gifts for Ding Qiunan's family in one hand, and walked out with the car keys in the other hand.

Qin Huairu and Ding Qiunan followed behind him.

Yan Bugui was fiddling with his fishing rod in the front yard, preparing to go out fishing.

"Old Li, where are you going?"

"I'm taking Qiu Nan home. Are you planning to go fishing again?"

Yan Bugui grinned and said:
"Of course I'm going fishing. The water level in the river has dropped a lot due to the drought this year. It's easier to catch shallow-water fish near deep water than before. Some people have caught big fish every day these days, so I'm going to try my luck too."

Li Jiandong smiled and said, "Good luck to you. If you catch a big fish, you have to treat us to a meal."

"no problem."

It was rare for Yan Bugui to be generous, and of course he was only generous to Li Jiandong.

After all, Li Jiandong had helped his family a lot, even though Yan Bugui was stingy.

But he is not completely stingy, as can be seen from the fact that he picked up scraps to give to Sha Zhu for his retirement when he was old. In fact, Old Yan is also a person who knows how to repay kindness.

It was getting late, so Li Jiandong didn't continue chatting with Yan Bugui. He got on his scooter and left with Ding Qiunan.

After leaving the city, the road became much bumpier.

On this kind of dirt road, even if Li Jiandong has the maximum driving skills, he can only slow down, otherwise it will easily cause pain in his tailbone.

There were almost no people on the endless avenue, and the shade of the trees on both sides blocked the sun, so it wasn't that hot.

Ding Qiunan, wearing a straw hat, was hiding in the right side of the truck bed and said to Li Jiandong,
"Master, when we get home later, if that person is really here, can you pretend to be my partner? Otherwise, I'm afraid he will continue to pester me."

Li Jiandong also didn't want Cui Dake to continue to harass Ding Qiunan.

But there's this thing called role-playing.

It always sounded a bit like a conspiracy when Ding Qiunan said it. "That's not good. It's okay for you to lie to that man, but you can't lie to your parents too."

Ding Qiunan said:

"I didn't intend to lie to my parents, I would tell them the truth after I chased that man away.

If they still force me, I will try to go back less often in the future. Anyway, if I get married, I will go back even less often. "

Ding Qiunan has been troubled by this matter recently. What makes her most uncomfortable is that her parents have also been "bribed" by Cui Dake.

Although, their original intention might be for her own good, after all, Ding Qiunan is indeed not young anymore.

But no matter what, he did not join forces with outsiders to capture his daughter.

No matter how much he said, wasn't it because Cui Da was likely to get the food? If he was just an ordinary worker, Ding Qiunan felt that her parents would definitely not agree.

So this time she asked Li Jiandong for help, just to let Li Jiandong crush Cui Dake in all aspects. As for lying to her parents, Ding Qiunan had never thought about it, because she also knew that Li Jiandong would never marry her, and there was no point in lying because it would be exposed sooner or later.

"Okay, if you don't explain after everyone leaves, then I'll explain it to your parents."

Li Jiandong agreed to Ding Qiunan's plan, which should be the simplest and most effective method.

at the same time.

Just as Ding Qiunan had guessed, Cui Dake was visiting her home.

He brought five kilograms of peanuts and two bottles of white wine today, which was in line with Ding Qiunan's father's preference. Peanuts and wine are a perfect match.

As for Ding Qiunan's mother, Cui Dake did not give her any special gifts. Women are responsible for cooking at home, so giving her some rice, flour and vegetables would make her mother very happy.

Years ago, Ding Qiunan rejected Cui Dake.

When Cui Dake came to Ding Qiunan's house for the first time, Ding Qiunan's parents didn't like him very much.

At that time, the old couple just felt that Cui Dake looked treacherous and didn't look like a good person.

But as Cui Dake always brought something with him every time he came, I started to like him more and more.

In fact, it cannot be blamed on Ding Qiunan's parents for being realistic. Women of this era are more realistic. They get married just to find someone to live with, and a man's ability is much more important than his handsomeness.

Before, Ding Qiunan's family had no worries about food and clothing, so she could remain proud and refused to bow down for a few pieces of silver.

But now, her family is not having a good time, and the food that Cui Dake brought seems particularly helpful.

"Uncle, Qiu Nan should be able to come back today. It's almost ten o'clock now. Has she not received the message?"

Cui Dake asked anxiously.

The first time he saw Ding Qiunan, he was attracted by her beauty.

However, the real reason why he pursued Ding Qiunan so madly was not just because Ding Qiunan was good-looking.

It was because he knew that Ding Qiunan was registered at the steel rolling mill, which was a North City household registration.

For example, their machine repair shop belongs to the town.

Although there are quotas, they still have a rural household registration, but the workers do not get land, so there are quotas to compensate.

But the number of quotas is much smaller than that of North City.

In town, the machine repair shop is already a top-notch place.

Cui Dake is an ambitious man. If he wants to continue to climb up, he must switch to a bigger platform.

If he could marry Ding Qiunan, he could enter North City with the help of her household registration.

By then, with a little more effort, Ding Qiunan's workstation will be transferred over and the household registration will be completely converted to Beicheng.

It has to be said that Cui Dake is an ambitious man, but it's a pity that Ding Qiunan's parents cannot see through his thoughts and think that this man is infatuated with their daughter.

Dad Ding smiled and said:

"Dake, don't worry. I asked someone to deliver this letter. She will definitely be back today, probably around ten o'clock."

Ding Qiunan always comes back at about the same time, after all, the bus departure time is fixed.

Ding's mother also echoed:

"Dake, my Qiunan is shy, and if you are so anxious, it will scare her.

Now Qiunan's father and I are both optimistic about you, you need to calm down and take your time."

Cui Dake thought to himself, isn’t this what I mean by taking it slow?

It has been nearly half a year since the beginning of the year, and I have given gifts to you two old guys seven or eight times.

I think the two of you are addicted to taking advantage of me, so you deliberately let your daughter push me and ask me to give you more gifts, right?
However, Cui Dake just thought about this in his mind. He finally persuaded Ding Qiunan's parents to agree to call their daughter back to help him matchmake.

If he really said that, wouldn't all the previous efforts be wasted?

"Yes, Auntie is right, but Qiunan and I are not young anymore. The longer we put this off, the more people will laugh at us. Don't you think so, Auntie?"

Mother Ding nodded:

"Yes, yes, Qiunan's father and I are also worried about this. You said that this girl is good-looking, has good character, and has an impeccable job, but she has not made any progress in finding a partner. If you, Dake, hadn't taken the initiative to find her, I would be worried to death about her."

"Okay, stop talking so much. Hurry up and pour some water to cool it down. Don't let your daughter be left without water when she comes back later."

Dad Ding was a little unhappy to hear this. He was different from Mom Ding.

I always feel that my daughter, who now works at a steel rolling mill in North City, should find a man from North City, even if he is just a worker.

Cui Dake firstly has a bad household registration and secondly is too cunning.

Although he came to give gifts every time, Dad Ding just felt that he was not worthy of his daughter.

If it weren't for Aunt Ding whispering in his ear all day long, he might not have been willing to agree to this marriage.

"Yes, let the water cool down first."

Only then did Mother Ding remember to pour a bowl of water from the thermos and place it on the stove.

At this time, a "puff puff puff" sound came from outside the door, gradually approaching.

Cui Dake worked in a machine repair factory, where the factory director had a car. When he heard the familiar voice, he thought it was Director Liu coming.

I ran out quickly, and saw from a distance an unfamiliar man riding a scooter carrying Ding Qiunan towards me.

At this time, Dad and Mom Ding also came out.

Seeing that it was her daughter in the bowl, Ding's mother immediately called out, "It's Qiunan, our daughter is back."

Dad Ding frowned slightly and said nothing.

It was not until the boy arrived that Ding Qiunan got out of the car and called out, "Dad, Mom, I'm back."

At this time, Li Jiandong also got out of the car and walked to Ding Qiunan.

Ding Qiunan took his hand, hugged his arm and said, "Brother Jiandong, let me introduce you, these two are my parents."

Ding Qiunan called Li Jiandong in the same tone as Qin Huairu. This one word alone made her very excited, and she hugged Li Jiandong even tighter.

Li Jiandong knew that this girl would smuggle contraband, but now that things have come to this, he can only endure it for now.

Smiled and said:

"Hello uncle, hello auntie."

Mother Ding was a little stunned. She looked at her daughter and the man whose arms she was hugging, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Dad Ding also frowned and even forgot basic etiquette.

Cui Dake got anxious when he saw this and asked, "Qiu Nan, who is this man? Why did you bring him home?"

Ding Qiunan glanced at him and ignored him.

Instead, she introduced him to her parents: "Mom and Dad, this is my boyfriend Li Jiandong, haven't you been urging me to find a partner?
In fact, Brother Jiandong and I have had feelings for each other for a long time, but we just never revealed it.”

Ding Qiunan said this, looking at Li Jiandong with affection in her eyes.

How she wished this was true, but unfortunately Li Jiandong was too embarrassed to look at her.

"Nonsense."

Father Ding growled.

He really wanted his daughter to find a boyfriend sooner, but he couldn't just find any man and bring him home.

The man in front of me looks to be in his 30s. At this age, if he is still not married, there must be something wrong with him.

Of course, it is also possible that this is his second marriage, which would be an even bigger problem.

Mother Ding also advised:
"Qiu Nan, you didn't lie to your parents, did you? How come you suddenly have a partner? And Mr. Li, you must be over 30 this year, right? My Qiu Nan is still a girl, do you think you two are suitable for each other?"

Li Jiandong was speechless. He is already 39 years old this year.

I'm almost 40.

However, perhaps because of his strengthened body, he doesn't look much different from nine years ago.

Most people who see him would think that he is around 30 years old.

(End of this chapter)