Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Xu Damao said, "Okay, since you are so willing to do so, and Jie Cheng and I grew up together, I will help you, but you must not let this news out."

"I understand, I understand. If you fail to plan, you will fail!" Yan Bugui said with some pride.

"So what kind of job do you plan to have Jie Cheng do in the factory?"

"Ah? This is still a choice!"

"The steel mill is recruiting more people after the Chinese New Year, so there are more vacancies. Normally, there wouldn't be so many options."

"I have never worked in a factory and I don't understand these things. Damao, do you have any recommendations?" asked Yan Bugui.

"Right now the workshop has the greatest demand for fitters and blacksmiths, while electricians have it relatively easier. Why don't you ask Jie Cheng for his opinion and then let me know later." Xu Damao didn't want to make decisions for him to avoid being blamed.

"Okay, I'll ask Jie Cheng later."

"Uncle, I'll go back and prepare the food. Chef Nan will be here to cook soon." Xu Damao put the half bag of sweet potatoes on the back seat and pushed the cart home.

Arriving at the backyard, Xu Damao shouted towards Liu Haizhong's house, "Auntie, please ask Uncle to come to my house for dinner after get off work!"

A lady opened the door and looked out. "It's Damao. OK, I get it."

"Ezi, Ezi, come and help me open the door." Xu Damao shouted towards the inner room with things in both hands.

With a "creak", the door was opened from the inside, "Brother Damao." It turned out that it was He Yushui who opened the door.

"Oh, it's rainwater. There's something outside. Please help me get it."

"Ok."

Xu Damao put the bag in the corner and said, "Second Uncle gave me some sweet potatoes. I'll roast some for you."

"Okay, okay, I'm a little hungry."

Xu Damao took off his coat, took a few sweet potatoes and put them on the stove cover. He flipped them and said, "Let's have something delicious tonight. I called Nan Yi and his wife and Uncle One and Uncle Two to come over for dinner to celebrate the purchase of a TV."

"It's up to you to decide. But the food that Brother Nan cooks is really delicious, and I miss Qiu Nan a little bit. If his house is built soon, I can move in. Then I will have another place to go."

The three of them chatted, but Yu Shui's face was red all the time and she lowered her head, not daring to look at Xu Damao. After about half an hour, the three sweet potatoes were baked.

"You two should let it cool for a while before eating. It's still a little hot after being grilled. I'll go to the kitchen to prepare the food first." Xu Damao said.

Here, Xu Damao entered the kitchen and started to kill chickens and fish. He was very busy.

Nan Yi and his wife returned home directly after get off work. As soon as Nan Yi opened the door, the sharp-eyed Ding Qiunan saw a brick on the ground with a piece of paper underneath.

Ding Qiunan pointed at the note on the ground and said, "Brother Yi, look at the ground."

Nan Yi picked up the note and read it, "Let's go, Damao wants me to cook again. Let's go back to the house, pack up and change clothes, and then go to Damao's house for dinner."

The couple walked into the house hand in hand, washed and dressed, changed their clothes and went out. When they arrived at the courtyard, people who also worked in the steel mill greeted Nan Yi from time to time. These days, everyone in the factory basically knew that the new Nan Yi was not only a good cook, but also had a very good temper. He never shook the spoon for the workers. Compared with Sha Zhu, he was like heaven and earth.

Xu Damao had prepared everything that needed to be prepared in advance and was sitting by the stove eating sweet potatoes, with a few roasted on the stove. Lou Xiao'e and Yu Shui were lying on the sofa rubbing their stomachs. They hadn't moved for a long time. They had eaten a lot of dried fruits and snacks, and with a piece of roasted sweet potato, they were really full.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, "Da Mao, I'm here."

"Qiu Nan, come in quickly. Why are you knocking on the door?" Lou Xiao'e and her two daughters put down their hands that were rubbing their bellies and stood up to greet them.

Nan Yi and his wife pushed the door open and walked in. "Wow, the smell of roasted sweet potatoes. Damao, your cooking skills are pretty good. You're almost as good as me."

"It's just cooked. Do you want to try it first?"

"Give me a piece, I'll let it dry first."

"Xiao'e, did your family buy a TV?" Ding Qiunan saw the TV on the low cabinet against the wall as soon as he entered the door.

"Well, the ticket was given to Damao by the leader. He bought it this morning because he was afraid I would be bored." Lou Xiao'e said with a smile.

"Oh, I want to move here as soon as possible, so that I can not only chat with you often, but also watch TV. You don't know, but reading Chinese medicine books has given me a headache recently." Ding Qiunan said.

"So how are you doing with your studies? When do you plan to take the exam?"

"I've only learned the basics, and I don't dare take the exam now. I'm sure I won't pass it with my current level, and I'm too lazy to humiliate myself, so I'll just learn slowly. Let's go to the inner room and I'll take your pulse."

The three girls went into the inner room together, and laughter could be heard from time to time. "Da Mao, what good things have you prepared tonight?"

"We have chicken, duck, fish and meat. I have basically prepared everything and am just waiting for you, the chef, to come. The first and second uncles in the yard will also come over soon, and we will have a good drink." Xu Damao said.

"Okay, just hold it for a while!"

"Brother Nan, when are you going to decorate?"

"The weather will be warmer in March, and I can save some more money. I'm afraid the money you lent me is not enough. Building a house and furniture will cost a lot of money." Nan Yi said.

"What do you think of my decoration? I did it right after winter for my wedding. The craftsmen there are all pretty good and they are honest people. If you don't have any decoration masters you are familiar with, I can introduce them to you. They are also affiliated with our street office and have an impeccable reputation." Xu Damao thought of Master Li and Master Zhao who had decorated his house, so he tried to get them a job.

"Okay, that's them. Take me to find them when you have time. My requirements are not too high. Let's make an appointment first and start work when it gets warmer in spring." Nan Yi said.

"Okay, I'm free these few days. Let's go in the evening. The master's house is not far from here. I also want you to move in earlier so that I can have free meals every day." Xu Damao said with a smile.

"Okay, that's settled."

"I went to a trust store this afternoon and bought some old items. I plan to put the things in the warehouse in front of your yard tomorrow for rotation. I'm telling you in advance so you don't think that a thief has come in." Xu Damao said.

"Okay, you can keep it as long as you want. It's almost time, come and cook with me." Nan Yi knew that Xu Damao's cooking skills were also very good. Although not as good as his, they were not much worse.

"No, what else should I do when you come? I'm going to lie down for a while. I've been busy for two days and didn't get much rest today. I'm so tired." Xu Damao evaded. Nonsense, cooking for yourself is a last resort. Who wants to eat something smoky and hot when you can eat ready-made food?

"You are really lazy. Okay, I'll cook it myself and you just wait to eat." Nan Yi shook his head helplessly and went to cook.