Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Xu Damao drank the porridge in a few mouthfuls, took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and said, "Sister Wang, I'm going back today. Please take these things." Then he took out five yuan from his pocket and handed it over.

"Will you come to see me again in the future?" Sister Wang reached out and took it.

"Sister Wang, I, I'm not young anymore. It's time for me to find a wife and live a stable life..." Xu Damao stuttered a little. In his previous life, Xu Damao was a law-abiding citizen. He had never cheated on his wife or had a mistress, not to mention that he didn't even know how old this mistress was.

"Da Mao, thank you, thank you. Without you, my mother and I would not be able to survive." After saying that, Sister Wang covered her mouth and ran away.

Xu Damao felt a little uncomfortable as he watched the gradually disappearing figure, but he had to keep going, otherwise it would be a big trouble if he was caught, especially during those years when the storm was brewing, and people might even die.

After touching his empty pockets, he finally understood why Xu Damao only had 400 yuan in savings after working for so many years. This was not only physically demanding, but also financially demanding. And there were many such lovers. Xu Damao could only suck his teeth when he thought of them.

I spent two points to buy a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes. I smoked all the pack yesterday when I was drinking. At this time, Secretary Wang came over with a smile and said, "Da Mao, you should go back after lunch. I have arranged for someone to go hunting in the mountains this morning. I will bring you some game."

"You don't have to bring the things. I was ignorant in the past and did a lot of extortion. I'm sorry to my fellow villagers. I won't be the same again. I, Xu Damao, have turned over a new leaf. Besides, I still have to go to the Dongtai Brigade." Xu Damao said a little embarrassedly.

"Hey, in the past it was all about getting what we needed. We can't let people work for free, right? If it was a transaction before, now it is a gift, and we are willing to do it. Listen to me, finish your lunch before leaving. I'll send someone to deliver a message to the Dongtai Brigade. It's only about ten miles away, so it won't delay the movie showing in the evening." Secretary Wang said.

Xu Damao did not refuse the invitation, mainly because it was not far from Dongtai Brigade and it would only take about half an hour to get there. So he started chatting with Secretary Wang about this and that.

Time passed quickly and it was noon. The militiamen came back carrying their prey. They were lucky this time and encountered a small herd of wild boars. The female wild boar was shot by the militia captain, and the other small wild boars were also shot. Only three were left. The others fled under the leadership of the male wild boar. The hunting team also shot three hares and five pheasants, which was a good harvest.

Secretary Wang immediately arranged for the commune's butchers to kill pigs and distribute the meat. At noon, he used wild boar meat to make a pork stew with vermicelli. Everyone ate it with great pleasure. This was a rare improvement in the food.

After having a good meal and a good drink, Xu Damao took two pheasants and a hare and headed for the Dongtai Brigade. The road was even harder to walk on this time, not to mention that he had to carry such heavy equipment. So when Xu Damao walked a distance and there was no one around, he threw all his things into the space and took them out when he was almost there.

It was indeed much easier to ride on the bike, and soon I arrived at the Dongtai Brigade, where I was warmly received again as expected. Xu Damao finished the movie as planned, stayed here for another night, and returned to the steel rolling mill in the morning with the gifts given by the fellow villagers.

The entrance of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill

As usual, Xu Damao smoked cigarettes and chatted with the security guard for a few minutes before riding his bike to the office building. As usual, he unloaded the equipment first, then went back to his office to chat with his colleagues, and it was only until noon.

Xu Damao went to the cafeteria to eat with his colleagues. This time, no one dared to stir the spoon for him. The miserable condition of Sha Zhu last time was still vivid in people's minds. He was still lying in the hospital and had not been discharged yet.

After lunch, Xu Damao returned to his "secret base", leaned on the bed, and smoked a cigarette. This money is still not enough to spend, and there are so many young widows waiting for me. I have to give everyone something to appease them. Other systems are very generous, why is my system so stingy? Did I get a fake system?

As Xu Damao was thinking, he suddenly remembered that his section chief Yang Chao had mentioned to him not long ago that he wanted to arrange an apprentice for him, and also said that if he taught well, he would be rewarded handsomely. At that time, in order to protect his position as the only projectionist in the factory, he had evaded the question, and now thinking about it, it seemed a little strange.

Section Chief Yang might want to arrange a relative or friend, or he might be conveying a message for a certain leader. After all, the eight major officials these days are not just for show, they have decent jobs, high salaries, little work, and many hidden benefits, which makes people feel proud when they tell others about it.

The previous Xu Damao didn't know the twists and turns here, but how could Xu Damao, who had lived a new life, not understand it? The original owner had worked in many factories and had seen a lot of human relationships and personnel struggles. If a person or a position is indispensable and irreplaceable to the company, then you will just stay there for the rest of your life. Do you still want to get a promotion and a raise? Dream on.

You are stuck in the middle. The people above you think you are ignorant of the current situation, and the people below you hate you for blocking their way. At that time, you will be like a rat pulling a bellows, and you will be unpopular both inside and outside.

The more Xu Damao thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. A few days ago, Section Chief Yang told him that the Propaganda Department was going to nominate a deputy director, which might be an exchange. Unfortunately, he didn't think of that at the time. He simply stopped smoking and sleeping, got up from the bed, and headed straight for the section chief's office.

Just as I was about to go out, I remembered it would be bad to go empty-handed. I remembered that I had earned more than a hundred points for signing in these few days, so I spent ten points to exchange for seven or eight big apples. I put them in the cloth bag given by the system, and went straight to the section chief's office.

Xu Damao knocked on the door first, and after hearing someone shout "Come in", he went in with his things. He put the cloth bag on the table and said, "Chief, I brought the apples that the villagers gave me this time for you to try."

"Oh, it's Damao. You just came back, right? I haven't seen you for three or four days." Section Chief Yang said.

Xu Damao said, "Yes, Chief. I went to two places this time and showed four movies. I just came back to catch my breath and came to see you."

The two chatted for a while, and seeing that the atmosphere was harmonious, Xu Damao said, "Leader, I thought about the matter you told me last time. Now the screening task is heavy, and our comrades in the countryside also have high demands for spiritual life. I really can't handle it by myself. How about arranging two apprentices for me? That will help me share some of the burden, right?"

Section Chief Cui took out a cigarette and handed it to Xu Damao. Xu Damao quickly lit it for the section chief and then for himself. Section Chief Cui blew out a smoke ring and used the cigarette to light Xu Damao. "I knew you were a smart guy. You can figure it out yourself. Before the meeting yesterday, Deputy Director Li kept praising you for your strong ability, high awareness, drive, decisiveness, and willingness to take responsibility. He also wanted to recruit you into the organization!"

"To tell you the truth, when I told you about the apprenticeship a few days ago, it was Deputy Director Li who asked for the position for the son of the director of our district meat processing plant, and he was interested in the job of projectionist. I think your case this time is almost certain." said Chief Cui.

Xu Damao was happy in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. "Thank you so much this time, boss. Besides, no matter what job I do, I am still under your leadership. You see, you can raise one sheep or a flock of sheep. How about we just..."

"Okay, go down and rest first, I'll think about it."

"Okay, that's fine. I'll just go and maintain the equipment." Xu Damao stepped out and closed the door gently.