Chapter 207

"Ah! Can I get into college by studying on my own?"

Tang Chunyan also felt that it was unreliable. If it were that simple, there wouldn't be so many students who failed the exam.

"Um... no problem." Li Zhiguo finished washing up and asked, "Is Hongxing okay in kindergarten?"

"He's fine. He likes to play with other kids."

Tang Chunyan becomes proud when talking about her child. Whenever she takes her child out, others always praise Hongxing for his good looks.

"That's great! I have to go out first, we can talk later."

Li Zhiguo followed him. Xue Yi had just started first grade a few days ago, so he had to go and check on him. He also had to visit his little daughter. He was quite busy!

The second aunt came out of the house at this time. She had been observing for a long time and was sure that the bad boy and Tang Chunyan had no private relationship, they were just neighbors.

As the days passed, nothing major happened in the courtyard.

Except that Yan Jiecheng wanted to find a wife, but was rejected by Yan Bugui, there was no further news.

Li Zhiguo took a long vacation, but he would go to school from time to time to attend classes, improve his Russian, hold club meetings, meet with representatives of poor students from other schools, etc. His life was quite fulfilling.

Qin Huairu had a hard time. Although her husband didn't go to class, he still had a lot of homework every day, and she copied it all.

Li Zhiguo used this to test the accuracy and also to help Yu Shui check his homework. It was time-saving and meaningful.

Over at Qianmen Street, he originally thought that the lady director of the neighborhood committee should retire, but who knew that she was so enduring and was still sticking to her post.

In a blink of an eye, the end of the semester, New Year's Day, and New Year's Eve passed, and it was the spring of 1961, and the most difficult period arrived.

It was at this time that Li Zhiguo miscalculated the safe period, causing Qin Huairu to accidentally become pregnant with her third child. Although she had considered having children before, she was not ready yet.

It’s no wonder that there are so many birds in the countryside. When you shoot birds all day long, you’re bound to fail sometimes.

"Zhiguo, I want to keep the child."

Qin Huairu touched her belly. She wanted to have a daughter. She wanted to have a son before, but now she had two. Plus, her husband liked daughters, so she also paid attention to him.

"What are you talking about? Of course you have to stay. It's not like our family can't afford to raise them. It's no problem even if you have three children."

Li Zhiguo thought that he really had to be more careful in the future. Three children were enough. He couldn't devote all his energy to his children for the rest of his life.

"Hey! Then I'll take good care of him."

Qin Huairu was happy. She was the only daughter-in-law in the courtyard who wanted to have three children. This was quite an achievement.

This news could not be concealed and soon spread throughout the hospital.

Xu Damao was the first to come to the door, "Sister Qin, congratulations! Li Zhiguo, you will have three children soon, and you will enjoy happiness when you are old."

"Da Mao, it's not easy to raise three children. I'm still studying, and the family depends entirely on your sister Qin."

Li Zhiguo guessed what the boy was thinking and wished he would have a few more children so that they wouldn't have to snatch the little red star away in the future.

As for this matter, he really doesn't intend to destroy other people's families. There is no need for that, and the impact is too bad.

Xu Damao said hurriedly, "Sister Qin, you have worked so hard. I will go to the commune later and see if I can find two old hens to give to you."

"Xu Damao, you are too polite."

Qin Huairu sometimes didn't understand why Xu Damao was so concerned about her having children.

"It's nothing, we are all from the same courtyard."

Xu Damao said a few more words and went home happily.

"Zhiguo, do you think Xu Damao is a little abnormal sometimes?"

Qin Huairu wanted a man to analyze the situation for her.

"Don't pay attention to him. He's been watching too many porn movies, so his mind is a bit confused sometimes."

Li Zhiguo thought for a moment and said, "When you are about to give birth at the end of the year, let Mom bring Chaoyang back. Chaoyang will also go to elementary school here next year."

"Well, Jingru will graduate from junior high school next year and can help take care of the children at home."

Qin Huairu knew that men had ways to get more food, so she had to be careful and eat secretly.

Besides, people in rural areas no longer eat in canteens. Instead, food is distributed according to work points. People can raise chickens at home, and every family has a small private plot of land.

Each family can grow some seasonal vegetables to meet their daily food needs, and can also raise chickens and ducks.

At this time, Qin Huairu said again: "Zhiguo, are you really going to take the college entrance examination in July?"

"Well, maybe there's no need to take the test!"

Li Zhiguo has also been working on this matter recently. After more than half a year, the work-study society has developed to some higher education institutions. This matter has been reported in newspapers many times and has even been imitated all over the country.

It can also be implemented in poor areas, for example, mobilizing students to go to the commune to collect grain in exchange for compensation, which can also be considered as work-study.

At the beginning of this semester, the admissions office of Beijing University of Chemical Technology contacted him and wanted to offer him a place in the university, but he refused.

In fact, don't underestimate chemical engineering universities. Graduates can become technicians in large enterprises right after graduation, and their development direction is engineers. Once the reform and opening up comes, they can switch jobs and work on their own.

Chemical products are very profitable. The modern industrialization process is inseparable from chemical engineering. Just take the most common plastic as an example. Who can miss it?

However, due to the bad working environment, he had no choice but to decline. It was still early, so he had to wait and see, as he could learn from others' experience.

As long as he spreads the word that he wants to study at Tsinghua University, people from Peking University will come to him, there is no rush.

A few days later, on April 6th, just after Qingming Festival, the peach blossoms in Beijing were in full bloom, which was half a month later than in the south.

However, not many people are in the mood to appreciate it. Year after year, even the most optimistic people can’t bear it anymore.

The average weight loss per person is over 10 kilograms, and some even lost 50 kilograms. If Wang Duoyu were here, it would be very easy for people to go bankrupt.

Just hold on until the good snow comes in winter, and you’ll be able to take off next year.

In fact, next year will also be a disaster year, but the disasters will be weakened, the affected areas will be reduced, and grain production will be relatively recovered.

This gave people hope, and they survived, and a second baby boom broke out.

On this day, Li Zhiguo originally planned to go to school in the afternoon, but something big happened that suddenly disrupted his rhythm.

Pian Ye couldn't bear it anymore and decided to sell his ancestral property to develop in the Northeast.

Qin Guangyou came to the courtyard to inform him, and he went to the silk shop, although there would be many opportunities to buy a courtyard house in the future.

But Pian Ye’s yard is really nice, with a good port, high standards, and is well preserved.

There is no reason to give it to Xu Huizhen, and if he buys it, it's a big steal, and he can also get a reward from Xu Huizhen.

"Xue Ru, where is Mr. Pian?"

He walked into the store and looked around, but saw no one.

Chen Xueru said hurriedly: "Pian Ye went to the tavern to drink. He is going to resign anyway."

"What's going on with him? Why would he go to the Northeast to develop his career? Has he run out of money?"

Li Zhiguo thought, it’s only 10,000 yuan, and it earns interest when deposited in the bank. How long has it been? It will be gone in less than a year?
Even if he sells the ancestral property, he won't be able to hold on for long. It seems to be really the case. In the original drama, Pian Ye has never been truly wealthy. Is this his fate of being a spendthrift?
"I don't know either, and he won't tell me. By the way, Mr. Pian said he wants to sell the yard to you."

Chen Xueru couldn't express her admiration for her man, he was such a foresighted person.

"late!"

Li Zhiguo shook his head. "Pian Ye is a big mouth. He will definitely tell others about this when he goes to the tavern. How can I dare to buy it if it is made public?"

"Oh, why didn't I think of that? I forgot to remind him. Then go and find him back."

Chen Xueru was so anxious that she wanted to go out. This yard was bought for Xueyi, and now it was almost hers, she couldn't miss it.

Li Zhiguo quickly stopped the man and said, "It's too late for you to go. It's okay. I can't buy it, but you can. I will be a witness and sign a three-party agreement.

Privately, Pian Ye sold the house to you, and publicly you lent him the money. You both signed the agreement, but I kept it for safekeeping.

Pian Ye is a man of his word and he won't go back on his word, and I'm not afraid of him going back on his word.

Even if this matter is investigated in the end, it will end with you.

I will punish anyone who dares to investigate. As long as I am safe, no one can stop me. This courtyard belongs to our son.

We agreed that I would pay, but now I can’t, and I have to use your money.”

"It's okay. Mine is not yours. Besides, this is the yard I bought for Xue Yi."

Chen Xueru looked very happy. It was good that you had this intention and knew how to treat everyone equally. She was the co-wife and Xueyi was the legitimate son.

"That's right. Then you stay in the store. I'll go to the tavern and talk to Mr. Pian. I'll go to his house later to sign the agreement.

As for the price, Pian Ye likes to bid high. No matter how much he bids, you can just cut it in half. If he is not happy, I will come out to make peace and increase it to 60% at most. You two can just have a quarrel and the deal will be done.”

Li Zhiguo thought it was fine this way, as he would not be personally involved. But in fact, Pian Ye understood that Chen Xueru was only holding the shares on behalf of others, and by giving him an extra 10%, he was giving face.

"Hey, I'll do whatever you say."

Chen Xueru happily sent the person to the door, then hurried to the inner hall to put on some makeup and earrings. A woman dresses up to please herself.

…Front Door Bistro!
Pian Ye ordered three side dishes: small rice noodles, pickles, and pickles.

Rice sausage sounds high-end, but it’s actually mainly made of starch with some spices. In previous years, meat was added to it, but this is no longer necessary.

The tavern couldn't even sell peanuts and soybeans, and had to rely on pickles to go with the wine.

At this moment, after a few drinks, Pian Ye started chatting idly, and during the conversation he mentioned the matter of resigning.

"Master Pian, you are going to the Northeast to join your sister, don't you have enough money?"

Cai Quanwu happened to be in the store and couldn't help but ask.

"We are not short of money, but we still need to make money. We don't know when this disaster will end."

Mr. Pian was wearing nice clothes, a pair of leather shoes, a watch on his wrist, and a bicycle parked in front of the tavern. His wife at home should also have a set of such clothes.

I also gave my wife a sewing machine, a radio and other things, but after buying the sewing machine, I never used it once and just treated it as a decoration.

At the end of last year, I got excited and hired workers to renovate the yard and buy some furniture.

In addition, his sister agreed to give him 800 yuan, but he ended up transferring 2,000 yuan in installments.

All these cost money. Until a few days ago, when he went to the bank to withdraw money again, he suddenly found that half of it was gone. In less than a year, he had only 5,000 left of the 10,000 he borrowed. He withdrew another 500. He couldn't sit still anymore and wanted to find a way to make a lot of money.

"Old Cai, your wife is pretty good, but she's just not lucky enough to get my house... Oh, I won't say any more."

Pian Ye is also smart. He knows he shouldn't bring it up, but he just can't control his mouth. At least he stopped in time.

"Mr. Pian, what room are you talking about?"

Cai Quanwu's eyes lit up, there must be something going on.

"No, I didn't say anything. I've finished my drink. I'm going to take a walk."

Pian Ye quickly slipped away, rode his bicycle to the post office to mail a letter to his sister, and contacted them so that he could go there soon to seek refuge. He wanted to go to the Northeast to trade in grain.

The price of food on the black market is too high nowadays, so high that it is frightening, and the profits are tempting.

Cai Quanwu couldn't sit still anymore, so he turned around and went to the backyard. His wife was pregnant with her third child and usually rested at home, so he would take over when he was free.

"Huizhen, something happened!"

"What's the matter? You're in such a hurry."

Xu Huizhen is now sorting out her daughter's old clothes to give to her soon-to-be-born baby, which can also be used by boys.

"It's Mr. Pian. He just mentioned that he wants to go to the Northeast to live with his sister. He also mentioned the house. I wonder if he wants to sell his ancestral property. His house has three courtyards."

Cai Quanwu is really concerned about this. Although she has a house to live in now, she is afraid that her ex-husband He Yongqiang will come back and cause trouble one day. Besides, wouldn’t it be better to buy another house?

"Oh, this is a big deal, where is Pian Ye?"

As Xu Huizhen spoke, she suddenly remembered that it was not very convenient to be pregnant.

Cai Quanwu shook his head, "Pian Ye let the cat out of the bag and left on the spot. How about we go to his house later and ask him."

"Old Cai, don't wait until the evening. Mr. Pian and his wife are at home. Go now. If you are late, the yard might be sold. Large yards like this are in great demand now. No one is willing to sell them."

Xu Huizhen got up quickly. She was thinking that she would have a third child soon. Not to mention that He Yongqiang would come back to fight for the ancestral property, even if there were three children, she would need to buy more property.

"Hey, where's Mr. Pian?"

Li Zhiguo stopped the car and walked into the pub, but he didn't see anyone. Given Pian Ye's style, he wouldn't finish drinking so quickly.

"Manager Li, you are here."

Zhao Yali hurriedly ran out from the counter. She was Manager Li’s confidant, and now she was able to become the manager of Gongfang thanks to Manager Li’s promotion.

"Yali, where is Mr. Pian? I have something to talk to him about."

Li Zhiguo didn't settle down yet, as he still had to buy a yard. His wife was pregnant with their third child, and he would have to find a yard in the future, which was really worrying.

"Pian Ye just left for a while, it seems like something happened."

Zhao Yali reached out and helped brush the dust off Li Zhiguo's shoulders, not afraid of gossip.

"Ok!"

Li Zhiguo thought that it would be okay to just go to the person's home.

"Is Xiao Fan here?"

"Yes, Xiao Fan, Manager Li is here."

Zhao Yali shouted quickly.

Soon Fan Jinyou ran over from the cafeteria next door, "Manager Li, you're looking for me."

Although Li Zhiguo has not been the public manager since last year, no one dares to look down on him because he still holds a cadre position in the subdistrict office.

"Xiao Fan, I'm here to see Mr. Pian, and I want to chat with you for a while."

Li Zhiguo put his arm around Fan Jinyou's shoulder and muttered something, "Let's set up a plan. This villain will be useful in the future."

After giving the instructions, he went to Pian Ye's house, and saw Lao Cai's tractor at the door, so he knew that the couple had come to find him.

Li Zhiguo thought about it and did not go in. He turned around and went back to the silk shop. Originally, he wanted Chen Xueru to go and talk, and it was not convenient for him to show up.

But Chen Xueru took him to the office first.

Later, he looked at his watch and realized that he had wasted more than an hour.

"Xue Ru, you are messing up the matter!"

Li Zhiguo lit a cigarette. Although he was quite handsome, buying a house was not his first priority.

"Zhiguo, you are too concerned. I haven't even seen you yet, how can you sell the house? Let Xu Huizhen go and talk first, and we'll go over there."

Chen Xueru is not a stupid person. She keeps a cool head and figures out the key.

"Xue Ru, what you said makes sense. This time will also pass."

Li Zhiguo certainly knew the key, but Xu Hui was really not simple. This little woman had the aura of a man's gang.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Chen Xueru didn't dare to delay any longer. If she missed Pian Ye's yard, she didn't know when she would have another chance.

Even a broken ship has three thousand nails. It is unlikely that a family that still has three courtyards will have to sell its ancestral property.

……

In Pian Ye's courtyard, Xu Huizhen looked at it and liked it more and more. It was so spacious and grand.

"Aunt, this house is really nice."

Pian's wife smiled and said, "Of course it's good. This is the ancestral property passed down by my grandfather. It's a standard three-courtyard house. It was renovated at the end of last year."

"Aunt, if this house is sold, where will you and Mr. Pian live?"

Xu Huizhen calculated the money she had and thought that if she put all of it in, she should be able to buy it.

“This yard was left by my grandfather. We have two rooms outside the backyard. We can block the door when the time comes and it won’t have any impact.

Pian Ye and I went back to our hometown in Jichun. There was an ancestral house there, which was reserved for Pian Ye's sister to live in and to recruit a live-in son-in-law.

It's just that the son-in-law is not good, so my sister has been asking your grandfather for money."

Speaking of this, the film's wife gets a headache.

This is normal. In the previous dynasty, officials who came to the capital to serve would buy houses. If the house in their hometown is still there, they might retire and return home.

Xu Hui was really happy, "Aunt, look, how much is this house? I'll buy it."

Who knew that Pian Ye's wife shook her head and said, "Hui Zhen, I want to sell the yard to you. You said we are neighbors and we are so familiar with each other.

But this matter has to be decided by Mr. Pian, and we can only make it after he comes back."

"Then I'll come over in the evening. You must ask Mr. Pian to keep the yard and sell it to me."

Xu Huizhen had no choice. The head of the family was not there, so she couldn't force the purchase.

Old Cai was also very happy. This courtyard was so great. His wife had lost her third child, and it might be a boy. He had to buy such a big house to prevent her ex-husband from coming back.

The couple looked at the yard again and had to leave now, giving Pian Ye time to come back and discuss things with his wife.

Not long after the two of them left, Li Zhiguo came with Chen Xueru. They deliberately walked in another direction to avoid meeting them on the road. Although they were not afraid of arguing with Xu Huizhen, they still wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble before things were done.

"Zhiguo, this mansion of Mr. Pian has a golden pillar gate. In the previous dynasty, we couldn't live there no matter how much money we had. We had to be officials to live there."

"Yeah, but I'm an official too!"

Li Zhiguo looked at the majestic courtyard gate, which was second only to the palace gate and Guangliang gate.

(End of this chapter)