Chapter 191

He immediately took action. Taking advantage of the time difference when the reservoir staff were transferred, Jia Dongxu rushed to the fish pond. His eyes turned red when he saw the fish pond.

Those fish had just been poured into the pond and were still floating on the water, not yet fully recovered.

He grabbed a stick and dug the fish over, grabbed a fish with each hand and ran away.

"Hey, Dongxu, make another run. There are four of us, and each of us can catch one. Look how good this fish is. It must weigh three pounds."

Yan Bugui's eyes turned red. If he had two people, wouldn't that mean he would have two big fish?

"Uncle, my legs are weak and I don't dare to go. There are exactly two of them. My brother and I will each have one. We will go back now."

Jia Dongxu was also smart. He had learned how to be cunning when riding a tricycle, so there was no way he would be tricked by the old man into working as a laborer.

Li Zhiguo said hurriedly, "Yes, Dongxu and I will go back first. It's hot, so we should bring the fish back early. Besides, it's already noon, so we need to eat."

"No, you're leaving now?"

Mr. Yanbu is so stupid. We agreed to team up to clean up the mess, but you guys want to run away first?

"Yeah, this place is not good. I won't come to the suburbs anymore. It's boring."

After saying this, Li Zhiguo ran away with Jia Dongxu to avoid any more trouble.

"Dad, what should I do?" Yan Jiecheng panicked. He wanted to eat fish so badly.

"What else can I do? I'll keep watch for you, and you go and catch two. Even Jia Dongxu can do it, so why are you so afraid?"

Yan Bugui was anxious. The fish pond was right in front of him and he couldn't miss it.

"Dad, I really don't dare!"

Yan Jiecheng shook his head violently and almost cried. He was not even as good as Jia Dongxu.

However, Li Zhiguo and Jia Dongxu returned all the way to the city. Before they got home, they found a restaurant and asked the kitchen staff to help them process a fish so that they could have a good meal.

There was one fish left, so they split it in two and each took half of it back.

"Brother, I have to cook the fish before my mother gets off work." Jia Dongxu didn't want his mother to take advantage of him, and there wasn't enough to eat.

"That's a good idea. I can't do that. I'll eat later."

Li Zhiguo also hid the fish after returning home, and ate it secretly with his wife later.

In the afternoon, Yan Bugui and his son also came back, but in the end they did not dare to catch fish, and their work was in vain.

……

Time flies, and it was the end of August in a blink of an eye. Li Zhiguo had already registered his eldest son Guan Xiang at Red Star Primary School, and had also prepared all the necessary school bags, stationery, etc.

In addition, I have enrolled my younger son Chaoyang in the Dazhalan Kindergarten, and we pick him up at home for lunch at noon.

My second son, who studies chess, will continue to study in the senior kindergarten class in Qianmen Street for one year and then go to primary school one year later.

At the same time, all three sons were studying, which was quite a burden!

"Zhiguo, this month's two thousand yuan for household expenses is a dividend, you take it."

Chen Xueru handed over two thick stacks of money, totaling two hundred bills.

"Look at you. I've already told you that I have money and I can't spend it all. You can save it for yourself."

Li Zhiguo didn't go to answer it. He had money but couldn't spend it, but it was also uncomfortable to save too much.

"Then put it in your bag." Chen Xueru put the money in the man's backpack. They were an old couple, so why should they be so reserved?

"Oh!" Li Zhiguo sighed, then stood up to close the curtains. Although this was on the second floor, he still had to be careful.

Later, he said, "Xue Ru, the neighborhood committee director should retire."

"She should have retired long ago. She was 55 last year. It was the Great Steelmaking Movement that delayed her retirement until now. Why are you asking about this?"

Chen Xueru was sitting in front of the dressing table combing her hair, as they were going out together soon.

Li Zhiguo sat cross-legged on the sofa, shook off the cigarette ash, and said, "Let me suggest an idea. I want you to take over the position of director of the neighborhood committee."

"What? I go to the neighborhood committee, carry a bag all day, and take care of those trivial matters? I'll go crazy."

Chen Xueru quickly shook her head. She had no interest in the neighborhood committee.

"You really don't want to go to the neighborhood committee?"

Li Zhiguo was not surprised, because he knew his concubine's personality very well.

"I really don't want to. I'm doing well in the silk shop. Besides, if I go to the neighborhood committee, who will be the private manager?"

Chen Xueru has become accustomed to her current life and feels it is pretty good.

"Okay, then I'll ask Xu Huizhen to go to the neighborhood committee. I think she'll be happy with it."

Li Zhiguo did not force it. He thought that he had younger brothers and sisters who could support him.

"If Xu Huizhen wants to join the neighborhood committee, then I will go too."

Chen Xueru suddenly changed her mind and decided to compete with Xu Huizhen again.

"Don't worry, I'm just talking about my intention. Now is a disaster year, and Director Auntie still has to continue working."

After a pause, Li Zhiguo continued, "The silk shop and the tavern were public-private joint ventures that were pilot projects. They were launched in 1955, and according to the contract, they were to be closed in 1965, a year or so earlier than other joint ventures.

At that time, it will be collectively owned, and there will be no private manager. You can't be an ordinary employee, so I am considering letting you join the neighborhood committee to avoid being held accountable later."

Chen Xueru turned around and said, "Don't we have you? If there is no private party, there is also the public party."

"I can not!"

Li Zhiguo shook his head and said, "I have other plans here, Xueru, you see, scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans.

Merchants have the lowest status, followed by cadres. Don’t think it’s wrong, cadres are nothing special.

Only workers and farmers are the most reliable. In two days, on September 1st, my human resources and social security relationship will be transferred to the Beijing Pump Factory. "

"What pump factory? You want to be a worker there?"

Chen Xueru was a little confused. Could it be that the wind was changing? Was there going to be some big move like public-private partnership?

Li Zhiguo had no choice but to say, "Oh, that's right, I'm the deputy director of the Beijing Pump Machinery Repair Branch, working part-time!"

"Ah! When did you become a deputy factory director? How come I didn't know about it?"

Chen Xueru was confused. She could brag about this, but no, she couldn't tell anyone about it. But it made her happy.

"The process is not important! Well, I can't stay there for long. The pump factory is in the northern suburbs, too remote.

My plan is that after the public-private partnership ends in a few years, I will resign from my positions as public manager and street cadre.

I'm working full-time at the factory. Don't worry about the reason. Just listen to me and you won't go wrong."

After a pause, Li Zhiguo continued, "So, the position of the neighborhood committee is very important. You and Xu Huizhen, as the chief and deputy chief, can keep the silk shop and the tavern, and wait for the opportunity to contract them back in the future."

"Governing the country, I understand. I knew you were ambitious and would do great things."

Chen Xueru's eyes lit up, and the more she looked at him, the more she liked him. But she couldn't help but say, "Then you don't have to quit your job as a street cadre. That would be such a pity."

"Well, it's not really resignation! It's just a leave of absence. Director Li is still here, right? Maybe I'll come back when he retires?"

Li Zhiguo smiled and said that he could not stay in the factory for long. In the future, all the factories in the city, including those in the suburbs, would have to relocate one after another or go bankrupt.

So, maybe he will come back to be the director of Qianmen Street Office. Although he is just a small leader, he can strangle the necks of small businesses such as Qianmen Street and Dazhalan.

Even if a big leader from other places comes to Zhengyangmen or the street office, he has to be polite, because there are no small officials in the capital.

Chen Xueru said hurriedly: "Then you are going to move here in the future, right?"

"Of course, I will move here in the future. Little rich woman, when I get old, will you still support me?"

Li Zhiguo put out his cigarette butt, but he hadn't cleaned up yet because he thought the two thousand yuan would be difficult to take and there would be another round.

"Yes, I will support you for the rest of your life. I am your little woman and you are my big man."

Chen Xueru said as she stood up and closed the curtains...

"Tuk-tuk!"

"Mom, Uncle Li, have you guys decided where to take me?"

Xue Yi was shouting outside the door, already getting impatient.

"I'll be right there, um..."

……

On September 1st, Li Zhiguo got up very early, but did not ride his bicycle. After a simple breakfast, he sent Guan Xiang to school.

But I'll only give it to him this time. Boys shouldn't be spoiled too much.

"Dongxu, good morning! Shazhu, you're here too!"

"Hey, Yu Shui is going to school now, I'll send him there too."

Sha Zhu only sends gifts once or twice throughout the year.

"Hello, Brother Li! Jingru, let's go together."

He Yushui ran out of the house. She was one year older than Qin Jingru and was also in junior high school. They went to the same school.

"Okay, Sister Rainwater."

Qin Jingru came out with them. Yesterday, her brother-in-law took her to register and paid the tuition. School officially starts today.

"Yushui, you and Jingru go first. Walk farther and be careful." Li Zhiguo looked at his watch, wondering if they would be delayed.

"I'll take you there."

Sha Zhu originally wanted to send his sister off, so they went together.

But when he reached the corridor in the front yard, he couldn't help but look back. He saw Li Zhiguo with Guan Xiang and Jia Dongxu with Bang Geng, both of whom had sons about to go to primary school.

But he is still single. No, he must find a wife before the New Year. She has to be a virgin, no worse than his brothers.

"Hello, Brother Li." Chen Bihua also came out holding Xiaodang.

Li Zhiguo stretched out his hand and pinched Xiaodang's cheek, then said with a smile: "I just want to have a daughter, Xiaodang, who calls me daddy."

It was just a joke, but I didn't expect Xiaodang to yell as soon as he opened his mouth, "Dad!"

"Oh, you're so clever."

Li Zhiguo smiled and took a few candies and put them in Xiaodang's hands. What could a two-year-old girl understand?

He just doesn’t know who to find to give birth to his daughter. He can’t just have a son without a sweet little cotton-padded jacket.

Jia Dongxu and Chen Bihua both smiled, not taking it seriously, just a joke.

"Hello Uncle Li!"

Banggeng was greedy. Even his sister had candy, so he wanted to eat it too, and he loved to collect candy wrappers the most.

Li Zhiguo thought for a moment, then took out a few more candies and put them in Guan Xiang's hand, saying, "Son, eat them with Banggeng."

"Good dad!"

When Guan Xiang saw the five candies in his hand, he gave one to Bang Geng, peeled one for himself, and put the remaining three in his trouser pocket.

"It's so sweet."

Banggeng was eating the candy, looking very happy, but his eyes kept looking at his sister's hand and Guan Xiang. Why was he the least?

Li Zhiguo has been testing his son in the past month, just like before. He thought Guan Xiang would give two candies to Banggeng and keep three for himself. It seems that he doesn't know his son well enough.

This kid actually inherited his calculating mind? He didn't even need to be taught, it feels like he learned it all by himself.

This made him wonder whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. When choosing a person to take care of the elderly, he must choose someone who is loyal, open-minded, not stingy, and will not bully others.

In fact, Sha Zhu fits these characteristics quite well, with a mature face and looks honest. As for his mind, as long as he can be fooled, he is still open to his own people.

As for being stingy, Shazhu is stingy only to outsiders but very generous to people he has a good relationship with.

When it comes to playing pranks on people, Sha Zhu knows how to do it, but he doesn't have the heart to do it, so he can't do it thoroughly.

Although Sha Zhu still has many flaws, he is already the best in the whole hospital. No wonder Yi Zhonghai and the old lady chose Sha Zhu.

Li Zhiguo suddenly had a funny thought, Shazhu is five years younger than him, maybe he can take care of him when he is old?
This is a joke. He will first train Guan Xiang. If he feels that he is not capable enough, he will switch to Xue Yi. If that still doesn't work, he will switch to Chao Yang... If the main account is useless, he will train the secondary account!

"Well, let's go too."

"Okay, brother!"

Then, the two brothers brought their two sons to the front yard, where they met Yan Bugui and decided to set off together.

Also traveling with them were Yan Jiekuang and Yan Jiedi, two unlucky children who also went to elementary school.

"Hello, Brother Li." Yan Jiedi greeted quickly.

"Jie Di, long time no see."

Li Zhiguo said as he took out two candies and stuffed them into the girl's hand. He had watched her grow up since she was a child. He had held her in his arms many times when she was little and had fed her oranges.

"Thank you, Brother Li."

Yan Jiedi was so happy, this was candy, something she couldn't even eat during the Chinese New Year or other festivals.

"Brother, I'm here too." Yan Jiekuang came over with a flattering look on his face.

"You are quite clever, kid. I will give you two candies as well."

Li Zhiguo reached out and rubbed the boy's head. All the kids in this yard, including Banggeng, had been killed by his head-patting trick.

"Thank you, brother!" Yan Jiekuang had just finished speaking when he suddenly heard footsteps from behind.

"Brother Zhiguo, I'm here too." Yan Jiefang came, running while holding his shoes, having gotten up late.

"No, you are still in elementary school?"

Li Zhiguo stretched out his hand and ruffled Yan Jiefang's hair.

Yan Bugui's old face turned red, and he whispered, "Jiefang was demoted because of his poor grades."

"I'll take one candy, cut it in half. Don't delay, let's go."

Li Zhiguo took Guan Xiang out of the yard first and thought, repeating a grade is quite popular nowadays. Whenever a student fails an exam too many times, the teacher will suggest parents to let the student repeat a grade. Otherwise, all the learning will be in vain and the student won't be able to get into junior high school.

Qin Jingru actually didn't get into junior high school. She used connections to get in. Since her household registration was not in the city, it was easier for her to get in. She was like a transfer student. But it was not possible to get into high school. She had to force herself to pass the exam.

When the group arrived at Hongxing Primary School, Li Zhiguo saw that his son was arranged to sit in the first row. This was too much. He requested to sit in the third row and not sit at the same table with Banggeng.

Banggeng was in the same class and sat in the sixth row, which was pretty good.

The three children of the Yan family also went to their respective classrooms. Yan Bugui was not in a hurry and chatted with them for a while.

"Li Zhiguo, Jia Dongxu, you see how heavy the burden is for me. There are three people in my family studying, and the tuition alone is 15 yuan a year."

"Uncle San, don't panic. Isn't Jie Cheng going to start work soon?"

Li Zhiguo shook his head, ignored the conversation, and left with Jia Dongxu.

When they got outside the school, Jia Dongxu whispered, "Brother, do you have any candy? Give me one to satisfy your craving."

"Dongxu, you are such a grown-up, yet you still act like a child."

Li Zhiguo still gave a few candies to the Dongxu brothers and ate one himself. It was so sweet!

However, Yan Jiecheng went to the street office early in the morning. He had been informed before that he had to go there to confirm the information again today before he could be assigned a job.

He had arrived early enough and there was already a long line at the door. He even ran into several of his junior high school classmates.

Because he repeated a grade, others had been waiting for more than two years, but he was not panicked at all. Those who had given him gifts were immediately very happy.

"Yan Jiecheng, you didn't get into high school."

The students gathered together and started chatting.

"I was sick during the two days of the exam. I was a bit unlucky."

Yan Jiecheng made an excuse that he missed the exam by 50 points in his first year, and after repeating the year, he missed the exam by 55 points, so he was too embarrassed to continue studying.

"It's a good thing you didn't pass the exam and are waiting for a job like us."

"That's right, Yan Jiecheng, you must have heard about it. A factory has been built outside Dongzhimen. It's an electric blanket factory. I don't know what it's used for, but it can generate foreign exchange."

"I heard from a relative that the electric blanket factory is looking to recruit 300 apprentices. Our neighborhood is close to the factory so we have an advantage and will be given priority. Junior high school students like us who failed the entrance exam will have a chance to work in the factory."

When Yan Jiecheng heard this, he suddenly realized something was wrong and asked hurriedly, "If everyone can enter the factory, then they don't need to give gifts?"

"What gifts should we give? Those who are uneducated and old will probably give gifts, but we don't need them.

Besides, your father is so stingy, how could he be willing to give it to you?"

Some classmates started joking, and they all knew what kind of person Yan Jiecheng's father was.

Yan Jiecheng was confused. He went to confirm the information in a daze and got the procedures on the spot.

"Yan Jiecheng, tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, you go to the Labor Bureau to get the stamp at this address, and then you can go to participate in the on-the-job training."

"Great, thank you."

Yan Jiecheng was both happy and heartbroken, as if he had been cheated out of sixty yuan by that brother.

He waited at the door for a while, waiting for the classmates to gather together. Anyone with a junior high school diploma was assigned a job.

He could not stay any longer and rushed to the primary school. He happened to meet his father after class and told him what happened.

"Oh, I was tricked by Li Zhiguo. I said that I felt something was wrong that day."

Yan Bugui slapped his thigh and almost fainted from the heartache.

He understood it immediately. Li Zhiguo must have known about the electric blanket factory in advance and used this information to make 60 yuan, a string of mushrooms, a bottle of soy sauce, and a bag of black fungus from him.

"Dad, can I get the money back?"

Yan Jiecheng was even more heartbroken because he would eventually have to earn this money and pay it back to his father.

"Don't even think about it. I'll go find Li Zhiguo and ask him to find you a good master."

If it were someone else, Yan Bugui would have the confidence to get the money back, but that was Li Zhiguo, it was heartbreaking.

……

But after Li Zhiguo returned to the hospital, he said, "Dongxu, when you take over Geng in the afternoon, pick up Guan Xiang as well. I have something to do and will be back late today."

"Okay, brother, don't worry, I'll make sure Guan Xiang is brought back safely."

Jia Dongxu has nothing to do anyway, so he can just pick up and drop off the kids from school, and he doesn't have to do housework.

"Okay, then I'm out."

Li Zhiguo took his bicycle and went to the steel rolling mill to complete the resignation procedures. This time he was really leaving the company.

(End of this chapter)