Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

Zheng Juan said worriedly: "But her body is not fully recovered yet!" Zheng Guangming explained helplessly: "I said so too, but my mother insisted on going, and I couldn't stop her."

Zheng Juan sighed and said nothing more. She turned her head and looked at Li Weidong and Niu Meng, forcing a smile.

"Brother Li, Sister Niu, let me get you something to eat first. Brother Li, have breakfast first and then rest." Niu Meng learned about the Zheng family's financial situation and felt full of sympathy for this sister who was a few months younger than her.

Li Weidong gently pulled the corner of Niu Meng's clothes, signaling her not to speak. Although Niu Meng didn't understand why, she still chose to remain silent because she trusted Li Weidong's decision.

After Li Weidong stopped Niu Meng, he smiled and said to Zheng Juan, "Okay, just make something to eat, we are not picky." Zheng Juan readily agreed, and then turned to Zheng Guangming, "Guangming, take your brother and sister into the house, I will go to prepare food."

"Okay, sister!" Zheng Guangming nodded obediently, and then welcomed them: "Brother, sister, please follow me!"

Looking at the sensible Zheng Guangming, Li Weidong felt very distressed and wondered if he could help them. Zheng Juan and Zheng Guangming's life was too hard. Even if Zhou Bingkun was a good partner, they would have to go through decades of hard life with him until they were old.

The three of them walked into the house. Although the facilities in the house were simple, it was very clean, and it could be seen that the people living here were very hardworking. Zheng Guangming took the initiative to pour hot water for them and wanted to bring some candied haws to entertain them, but Li Weidong stopped him.

"Juanzi's brother, stop being busy, let's chat." Zheng Guangming agreed, and then introduced himself: "My name is Zheng Guangming, you can call me Guangming."

Li Weidong smiled and nodded: "Okay, Guangming. I saw you playing with glass. Did you grind it yourself?" Zheng Guangming admitted it. He said that his eyesight was not good, so he used it to feel the light.

"By the way, I have some old bottles in my car that I can't sell. I'll find time to bring them to you. I won't need them anyway." After hearing this, Zheng Guangming finally smiled. Children from poor families can easily feel satisfied.

Li Weidong rubbed Zheng Guangming's head again and felt great. He asked, "How old are you?"

"I'm 11 years old."

"Do you like school?"

Hearing Li Weidong's question, Zheng Guangming hesitated for a moment: "I like it, but my family conditions do not allow it."

Niu Meng watched Zheng Guangming's performance quietly, and a wave of tenderness surged in her heart. She secretly touched Li Weidong, then whispered in his ear: "Master, can we help him?"

Li Weidong did think about this. If they hadn't met Zheng Guangming, he might not have taken the initiative to intervene. But now that they have met, it seems a bit inappropriate to do nothing. However, he did not agree immediately. As the saying goes, "a drop of water is repaid with a spring of water." Helping others requires careful consideration to avoid doing good things with bad intentions and instead creating resentment. So he said, "Observe first."

Niu Meng knew Li Weidong's character, and seeing him say this, he knew that he had agreed, so he nodded happily. Maybe Zheng Guangming saw that Li Weidong and Niu Meng seemed a little bored, so he stayed with them to chat. Li Weidong found that although Zheng Guangming had not received formal education, he knew a lot of words. Even with Zheng Juan's teaching, she herself was only at the level of the third grade of elementary school, which showed that Zheng Guangming had an amazing talent for learning. Coupled with his good character, it would be a pity if he missed his studies. By the time he was able to go to college, many years had passed. A talent who is both talented and well-behaved would be a waste if he is not used. What Li Weidong is doing now may cause trouble once it is exposed. It is very important to have a few reliable assistants. What else is more reliable than someone who has been trained since childhood?

Just as Li Weidong was thinking about how to help the Zheng family, Zheng Juan opened the door curtain and walked in. She walked in front of Li Weidong with a pot in her hand, opened the lid, and inside was steaming hot Wowotou. Zheng Juan nervously said to Li Weidong and Niu Meng: "Brother Li, Sister Meng, we don't have enough rice to cook porridge. I steamed some Wowotou. You can just eat it."

Li Weidong and Niu Meng exchanged glances, knowing in their hearts that these steamed buns were most likely borrowed by Zheng Juan from others. There was not even rice to cook porridge at home, so how could there be cornmeal to make steamed buns? But they did not expose Zheng Juan, as there was no need to expose her scars. Li Weidong picked up a steamed bun first, smiled and said to Zheng Juan: "Sister, you have worked hard, I am already very hungry, so I will not be polite to you."

Zheng Juan smiled and said, "Why are you being polite? We are all family!"

Then, Niu Meng also picked up the steamed buns and started eating. Zheng Juan and Zheng Guangming watched silently without touching the food. This was for entertaining guests, and they were reluctant to eat such good food. Li Weidong noticed this and stopped after eating two steamed buns. Looking at the three remaining steamed buns in the pot, he took out two and stuffed them into Zheng Juan's pockets, saying, "What are you doing? Eat quickly!"

Zheng Juan refused: "Brother Li, we have already eaten, this is for you and Sister Meng."

Zheng Guangming's throat was dry and his eyes showed desire, but seeing that his sister didn't want to eat it, he didn't dare to accept it and handed the steamed bun back to Li Weidong.

"I'm full, you guys eat quickly, otherwise it will get cold and won't taste good."

Zheng Juan was reluctant to accept it at first, but seeing her brother's eager eyes, she knew that if he didn't eat it, he would insist on not eating it. So she took the steamed bun and tasted it bit by bit, with satisfaction on her face. Li Weidong gave the remaining steamed bun to Niu Meng. This apprentice was a typical foodie, and Niu Meng was not polite and filled his stomach with a few bites.

After eating and drinking, Li Weidong stretched comfortably. It seemed that it was almost noon, so he said goodbye to Zheng Juan and left the Zheng family with Niu Meng. He didn't dislike the environment here, but if he stayed here, Zheng Juan would have to prepare food for them. They were already in a difficult situation, and there was no need to add to the burden.

On the way back to the machinery factory, Niu Meng couldn't help but say to Li Weidong: "Master, I will leave some money for the Zheng family when I go back. It's not easy for them."

Li Weidong shook his head and said, "No, the money you leave can only solve temporary difficulties, not long-term problems. I will find a way to find a job for Zheng Juan."

After hearing this, Niu Meng said nothing more. Since Li Weidong had already made the decision, he would naturally handle it properly.

After returning to the machinery factory, Li Weidong asked Niu Meng to return the bicycle, while he went to the factory office and asked the clerk to send a letter of acceptance to the steel plant.

When Li Weidong returned to the dormitory, he was surprised to find two packs of cigarettes, a bag of wild ginseng and a letter hidden under the bed sheet. The envelope contained industrial coupons that could only be used in Jichun, but he found that these iron coupons could be exchanged for cash. Li Weidong understood that this was hush money, and he accepted it with a smile, thinking that it would come in handy.

After packing up the tickets, Li Weidong went to Niu Meng's room and asked her to come out. The master and apprentice went to the nearby supply and marketing cooperative together. They left with nothing in their hands, but came back with large and small bags.

Niu Meng looked at Li Weidong worriedly and asked, "Master, will the Zheng family's daughter accept it?"

Li Weidong said confidently: "Don't worry, I have made arrangements."

Niu Meng nodded, and the two walked and talked, heading straight to Zheng's house. When they arrived at Zheng's house, Zheng Juan and Zheng Guangming were washing hawthorns in the yard, preparing to make canned hawthorns. The brightly colored hawthorns were covered with tempting syrup, which was a delicacy for the children and a source of livelihood for the three members of the Zheng family. The brother and sister washed them carefully, and their hands were frozen red even in the cold winter.

Seeing the hawthorn, Li Wei suddenly had an idea: There shouldn't be hawthorn strips and hawthorn slices in this era, right? Their production process is not complicated, the cost is low, and if they are well made, they can also become a stable source of income. In addition, this kind of food has a long shelf life, so there is no need to worry about unsalable products.

Thinking of this idea, Li Weidong called Shen Juan, "Xiao Shen!" Shen Juan, who was busy, turned around and saw Li Weidong and Niu Meng standing outside the door, with a look of joy on her face. She quickly wiped her hands and stood up: "Brother Li, Sister Meng, you are here!"

Niu Meng asked curiously: "Yes, are you preparing canned hawthorns?"

"Yes, Sister Meng, do you want to try some?" Shen Juan immediately rinsed some hawthorns and handed them to Niu Meng and also to Li Weidong.

At this time, Zheng Juan noticed the cardboard boxes in Li Weidong and Niu Meng's hands, and thought that this might be a gift for her, but she was worried that she could not accept their gifts. After all, she already owed a lot.

Li Weidong noticed Zheng Juan's gaze and handed the carton to her directly: "Xiao Zheng, these are food for your family."

Zheng Juan quickly shook her head and refused: "No, I can't take your things." Li Weidong explained: "This is not free, there are conditions."

"What conditions?" Zheng Juan asked curiously.

"It's not convenient to talk here, let's go inside first." Li Weidong said, and walked into the house first, followed by Zheng Juan. After entering the house, Li Weidong put the cardboard box on the table and motioned Zheng Juan to sit down.

"Xiao Zheng, we have been through difficulties together. Now I know you. I have a task that needs your help. Last time when I watched a movie with Sister Meng, I found that the local specialties are very good. If they can be brought to Beijing, they will definitely sell for a good price. But I can't stay in Jichun all the time, so I would like to ask you to help me buy some specialties. I will take care of the transportation, you only need to be responsible for purchasing them and putting them at the designated location, and someone will come to pick them up."

Li Weidong did not beat around the bush. In addition to industrial products, Jichun also has rich local specialties, such as ginseng, mink fur, birch bark paintings, Sanbao wine, etc., which are rare commodities in Beijing. Li Weidong has sufficient sales channels and transportation resources, and it depends on whether Zheng Juan is willing to take over.