Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

Yan Jiecheng changed into new clothes and went to the No. 2 National Cotton Mill to meet Cuihua.

...

Looking at Sha Zhu who was having fun, Li Xiaodong frowned: "Second Uncle, where did these firecrackers come from?"

He didn't spend a penny on firecrackers at this wedding, which was obviously an unreasonably luxurious event.

"It's all public funds. I'll pay it first and then deduct the money back from everyone's red envelopes." Liu Haizhong's eyes narrowed into slits with excitement.

It feels so wonderful to be an official.

He seemed to have an endless source of wealth just by writing.

Li Xiaodong gave Liu Haizhong a thumbs up.

As soon as he took office, he realized the essence of being an official. He is indeed a power-loving person.

Amidst everyone's blessings, the two returned to the house, and Yu Li began to take care of herself in front of the mirror.

Today is an important day, and she is determined to dress herself up beautifully and not embarrass Brother Xiaodong.

She looked through the mirror and saw Li Xiaodong slowly taking off his shoes beside the bed with a puzzled frown on his face.

"Today is our big day, why are you thinking about sleeping now?"

"There are so many enthusiastic neighbors outside helping me, I just need to rest assured. Besides, because it is a 'big' day, I have to rest well."

Li Xiaodong took off his Zhongshan suit as well, lay down on the bed, and pulled up the quilt to cover himself.

Yu Li suddenly understood Li Xiaodong's "secret code" and her cheeks turned red. She spat softly, "Scoundrel!"

But her heart was full of anticipation.

Yan family residence.

Yan Jiefang dressed up carefully and rode his bicycle to meet his bride.

The No. 2 National Cotton Mill is located in the XC District, and the round trip takes about an hour.

Yan Bugui and his three aunts began to busy themselves with setting up the "banquet hall".

The matchmaker Jia Zhang arrived early, sat at the eight-immortal table, crossed her legs and tasted candy leisurely.

"This Yan Jiefang is so stingy that he doesn't even want to buy milk candy. He only buys Cuban candy."

Jia Zhang searched the plate for a long time but couldn't find the milk candy. In a fit of anger, she put all the remaining candy into her pocket.

Yan Bugui saw it clearly from the side but did not dare to say anything.

Cuihua hasn't even entered the house yet, so we can't offend the matchmaker.

The banquet hall was arranged, the stove had been set up, the chef Balizi was in place, and Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiedi were squatting in front of the stove preparing to make a fire.

Yan Bugui always felt that something was wrong, and after thinking hard for a long time he still couldn't figure out the reason.

Finally, it was the aunts who reminded him: "Why didn't anyone come to give gifts?"

Indeed, the invitations had been sent out long ago and everyone had promised to come, but now no one was to be seen.

"Maybe it's because everyone gets up late on the weekends, so I'll go door to door to urge them to stay up."

As soon as Yan Bugui stood up, he saw Sha Zhu, Liu's two children, and seven or eight neighbors walking in from outside.

They carried packages of various sizes on their shoulders.

Yan Bugui hurriedly stepped forward to greet them with a smile on his face: "Everyone is so polite. It's really not necessary to bring so many things to the banquet. Just bring the gift money."

The three aunts frowned. Sha Zhu was not a generous person, which made them feel that something was wrong.

Sure enough, Sha Zhu said, “Uncle San, you only think about the good side, these are all prepared for Xiaodong’s wedding.

Your ingredients are still at the market, and the grocery store owner, Mr. Wang, is as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, waiting for you to buy them!"

When Yan Bugui heard this, he suddenly panicked and hurriedly stopped Sha Zhu.

"Even the furniture of Li Xiaodong's family was provided by the girl's family. Where did he get the money to buy so much meat?"

He saw with his own eyes that the sack was filled to the brim with at least fifty kilograms of meat.

"This is none of your business!" Sha Zhu confronted Yan Bugui fearlessly.

"So, you all went to attend Li Xiaodong's wedding?" Yan Bugui suddenly realized at this moment.

"Yes, it's in the backyard. The stove is already set up."

Sha Zhu was busy with his work and didn't bother to get entangled with Yan Bugui, so he just walked around him and went into the backyard.

Yan Bugui suddenly became full of confidence.

He turned around and said to Yan Jiefang: "Light the fire and let everyone see the true strength of our Yan family."

...

The backyard is bustling with activity at this moment.

"Light, light and blessing, light up the fire."

"Silly Zhu, take your two stupid disciples and go cut the meat."

"Lao Wang, Lao Liu, go get all the stools out from each household."

"What? No place to put the food? Xu Damao, take someone to the deaf woman's house and move the bookcase where the certificates are placed and the table over. Oh, and move the chairs from the deaf woman's house as well!"

Liu Haizhong stood on the pile of bricks and gave orders condescendingly. Today, he seemed to have satisfied his desire to be a leader.

"Also, Second Aunt and He Yushui go to the door to set up a table to collect money."

"The women are picking vegetables."

"Women, bring over all the pots, bowls, and utensils from each household."

...

In the lively atmosphere, everyone was in high spirits.

Soon, the whole family will be able to enjoy the feast, not for others, but for themselves.

Although everyone felt that there seemed something wrong with Li Xiaodong lying on the bed, no one questioned it.

Without Li Xiaodong's consent, they could only go to Yan's house to eat radishes and cabbages.

...

At nine o'clock in the morning, the rising sun hung lazily between the densely packed tube-shaped buildings, casting a faint golden light.

At the entrance of the courtyard, there are two mottled black lacquered tables.

In one photo, Second Aunt and He Yushui were sitting, and in the other, Yi Zhonghai and Third Aunt were sitting.

Xu Damao stood in front of two tables.

Xu Damao now understands that Liu Haizhong works so hard just to show off himself.

There will definitely be people from the steel rolling mill coming today. If the news spreads, it will show that his second uncle is very capable.

This way, your chances of promotion are even greater!

He Liu Haizhong wants to be an official, and I Xu Damao also want to be an official.

Therefore, Xu Damao handed his affairs over to Lou Xiao'e and went home to change into new clothes.

He wore a brand new grey Mao suit and a white shirt, and he even put some saliva on his hair to make it look shiny.

It is as smooth as a mirror, even a fly will slip on it.

My Damao is about to show his face!

...

---

Outside the courtyard gate.

Whenever there were guests visiting, Xu Damao would always bow to greet them.

"You're here."

He took the red envelope with both hands, handed it to He Yushui for registration, and then responded loudly.

"One guest is named Li, and Wang Mazi's gift money is one dollar and two cents."

The voice and manners were just right, as if he was a waiter from a teahouse of old times.

The faces of the second aunt and He Yushui turned gloomy, and the corners of Yi Zhonghai and the third aunt's mouths trembled.

"One guest named Li, and a gift of one dollar and two cents from Lady Liu."

"One guest named Li, and Zhang Mu's gift money is one dollar and two cents."

...

After Xu Damao shouted for eighteen times, Yi Zhonghai could no longer hold back. He slammed his cane on the ground, making a thumping sound, and said, "Xu Damao, are you serious? Are you going to shout at all these people?"

Xu Damao looked at the dozens of families waiting in line to pay the gift money, and the corners of his mouth rose: "Uncle, what you said is wrong. When people pay the gift money, I have to report it. This is the old rule! There is no one over there, why don't you go and have a rest."

Yi Zhonghai's face suddenly turned gloomy and he was speechless.

Mr. Yan, you really made me suffer.

Yi Zhonghai regretted it deeply.

I sat in the cold wind for two hours, but no one came to give me a gift. It was really embarrassing.

At this moment, a dozen people riding bicycles suddenly came to the door.

They are well-dressed and have a strong aura.

When Jia Zhang saw strangers, she stopped cracking melon seeds.

If there were no guests at Old Yan's house, Old Yan would definitely not let the chef cook.

She also has two enamel basins!

"Comrade, are you here to give gifts? Please come this way." Jia Zhang decided to compete with Xu Damao.

The people who came were comrades from the convoy, led by Niu Yong.

Although he didn't understand why there were two tables at the entrance of the courtyard, he didn't ask any more questions when he saw Yi Zhonghai sitting at the gift list table.

As the uncle of the courtyard house, it was natural for Yi Zhonghai to accept gifts on behalf of Li Xiaodong.

"Comrade Yi Zhonghai, this is a gift."

As he spoke, he took out a thick stack of banknotes.

Jia Zhang's breathing became rapid, and the Yan family's fortunes seemed to be changing!

Yan Bugui, who had been hiding at the back, couldn't help but stand up, his eyes sparkling.

These people look unfamiliar, could they be Xie Cheng’s friends?

I don't care about that anymore. It's better to have someone give me a gift than to have nothing.

However, the next second, he froze.

Yi Zhonghai stood up awkwardly, his face slightly red, and tried to push back the gift money.

"Captain Niu, this is inappropriate..."

"What's inappropriate? Lao Yi, are you here to sabotage us today?" Yan Bugui asked anxiously.

Old Yi is too much to refuse the gift money that is right in front of him.

Niu Yong also realized that something might be wrong, and explained: "We are from the motorcade, and we are here to attend Comrade Li Xiaodong's wedding."

"That's right, Li Xiaodong is my master." Niu Meng looked alert.

Yan Bugui: "..."

Jia Zhang: "..."

"Hey, brothers from the team, this way please."

The two were confused, but Xu Damao reacted and quickly bowed to invite them to join the next team.

Looking at the long line, he felt a little embarrassed and pointed to the resident in front and said, "Old Liu, those who come from afar are all distinguished guests. Please let the comrades in the motorcade line up first."

...They lined up to hand over the red envelopes, and Yan Bugui felt morally impacted.

Jia Zhang took the opportunity to sneak over, grabbed a handful of candy and stuffed it into her pocket, curled her lips and said, "Li Xiaodong is such a liar."

Niu Yong handed over the red envelope, took the wedding candy, and then took Niu Meng, Shan Xiaolin, Lao Bai and others to the backyard.

...

The auntie in charge of collecting the red envelopes seemed a little embarrassed.

The neighbors in the yard each gave 1.2 yuan, but the members of the team each gave 10 yuan. How should this account be handled?

"Let's give it all to the public. Li Xiaodong didn't pay for the wedding banquet anyway!" Xu Damao came up with a bad idea.

He Yushui glared at him and said, "This is a token of our colleagues' kindness. Brother Xiaodong will repay them in the future. In my opinion, one yuan and twenty cents should be given to the public, and the rest should be considered as Brother Xiaodong's personal expenses."

The aunt nodded in agreement, divided the money into two parts, and gave one part to He Yushui: "You are still thoughtful."