Siheyuan: Bringing Warehouses to 1959

Lou family, study.

Lou Zhenhua's hair was not yet gray at this time, and he had a strong scholarly air, and he did not look like a big businessman. His wife, Tan Yali, was dignified and did not panic when faced with the misfortune. Because she took good care of herself, she still looked very young.

The apple of the Lou family's eye was not in the study, nor were the other children of the Lou family. Only Xu Damao's father, Xu Fugui, was sitting obediently on the chair.

"Fugui, have some tea, don't be shy!" Lou Zhenhua said in a amiable manner, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known that there are so many hidden talents in your courtyard, and that there is actually someone who knows a senior leader of the First Ministry of Machine Building."

"Mr. Lou, I dare not take credit for it." Xu Fugui began to promote his son, "It's the ability of our Xu Damao. Don't underestimate him as just a projectionist at your steel mill, but he is very motivated and knows how to make friends. Zeng Wangcai has a good relationship with him."

"Hey, what about my steel mill? That's old news!" Lou Zhenhua reminded him sternly, "The steel mill is a state-owned factory. I am just a shareholder."

"Yes, yes, I said the wrong thing!" Xu Fugui hurriedly admitted his mistake.

In fact, Lou Zhenhua’s current situation is very embarrassing, and only he himself understands this embarrassment.

It is true that Lou Zhenhua, who was nicknamed Lou Bancheng, was rich and had more money than he could spend in several lifetimes, but his money could only buy him a comfortable life, not a stable social status.

There is no need to elaborate on this point. Even Zeng Youqian's tailor shop has been merged, so how could the Lou family possibly escape?

Nowadays, businessmen in Beijing, or those who can barely be considered businessmen, who are doing well like the boss of Tongrentang, take the lead in responding to the call and sign public-private partnerships so that they can have a relatively stable social status. However, not everyone is willing to exchange the wealth accumulated by several generations for status.

Those who saw the opportunity quickly ran away, but for some reason Lou Zhenhua did not run away, but he had already realized that something was wrong.

It is a pity that such a wealthy man has lost his former charm and speaks cautiously.

"Fugui, I'll remember this favor and won't forget it. When the dinner starts, remember to speak!" Lou Zhenhua regained his composure.

"Of course, definitely!" Xu Fugui nodded again.

Afterwards, Tan Yali called the maid Wu Ma in, sent Xu Fugui downstairs to wait, and called Lou Xiaoe at the same time.

After Xu Fugui left, Tan Yali put away her smile and said, "Let's make it clear first. No matter what Zeng Wangcai does, if Xiao'e doesn't agree, this thing won't work. When will our Lou family poach someone to find a son-in-law? What a joke."

"Oh, my lady, it's already so late." Lou Zhenhua said with a wry smile, "Do you think our Lou family is still the same as before? If you are not careful, all your wealth will be gone. Money is not a blessing, but a curse.

"The lives of a whole family are at stake, but it's not as good as face? I regret it now. The eldest brother and his friends got married too early, but the partners were not suitable. Now only Xiao'e is waiting to get married. What else can I do?"

Seeing her husband's seriousness, Tan Yali softened her attitude, "But, you just asked, Zeng Wangcai has a girlfriend and is engaged, so... can this work?"

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate!" Lou Zhenhua sighed, "Our Xiao'e looks just like you, she's pretty, and our family is not poor, most people can't curry favor with her, but didn't you see Xu Fugui constantly saying good things about his son? Can't you see his little thoughts? He's thinking about our Xiao'e, huh, why don't you go take a piss and look in the mirror, anyone dares to have such an idea, it's ridiculous."

Xu Fugui’s thoughts naturally could not be hidden from Lou Zhenhua. Lou Zhenhua was an old fox, otherwise he would not have felt a sense of crisis.

However, whether he regrets his decision now or not, only he himself knows.

Rich people think differently from ordinary people. At this time, Lou Zhenhua was thinking about adding a vest to his family through marriage to increase their sense of security.

However, the older generation of meritorious officials today really do not love money, and they will not let their descendants marry the descendants of businessmen like Lou Zhenhua.

The worker big brothers, the peasant brothers, and the people's soldiers are the popular ones nowadays.

"Is it possible that Xu Fugui has exaggerated the image of Zeng Wangcai? How could a place like a Siheyuan produce such a talent?" Tan Yali asked in confusion.

"No, if Zeng Wangcai doesn't come to the banquet, then Xu Fugui is exaggerating." Lou Zhenhua said confidently, "Zeng Wangcai must have something special to come here. Besides, he is a young man in his twenties who has become a platoon leader after only a few months in the army. This is extraordinary."

“Is the platoon leader amazing?”

"Being a platoon leader is not that great. What's great is how quickly he became a platoon leader. You probably don't understand the promotion mechanism in the army. If you know a little bit, you will know why it's so great."

After hearing what her husband said, Tan Yali became very curious about Zeng Wangcai. She wanted to see what kind of person this young man who was praised by her husband who was so arrogant was.

Just then, Lou Xiao'e came.

At this time, Lou Xiao'e still had long hair, a little baby fat, and very fair skin, like a porcelain doll.

If Zeng Wangcai saw Lou Xiao'e at this moment, he probably would not agree with Lou Zhenhua's point of view. Zeng Wangcai, who has seen countless beauties, would probably not think that Lou Xiao'e is very beautiful. He would only think that Lou Xiao'e has an outstanding temperament.

People have different aesthetic tastes. As to whether Lou Xiao'e is beautiful or not, most people would not deny that the Lou Xiao'e in the Siheyuan period and the Lou Xiao'e who returned from the port city are completely different, even though the latter is older.

"Xiao E, sit down, your mother has something to tell you." Lou Zhenhua winked at Tan Yali.

Tan Yali nodded helplessly: "Xiao E, a young man will come to our house for dinner later, you can come with us..."

"Mom, I never attend strangers at home..." Lou Xiao'e suddenly understood what her parents meant, stood up and said shyly, "I won't eat, and I won't get married!"

At this time, Lou Xiao'e was only nineteen years old, so it was inevitable that she would be a little shy.

"I didn't ask you to get married. You can just take a look. It's okay if you don't eat. It's okay to take a look, right?" Tan Yali knew that her daughter was a bit stubborn. She didn't dare to tell her husband's intentions. She patiently advised, "You are not young anymore. You can't stay single for the rest of your life. The young man who came this time is good. He looks energetic. He is a platoon leader in the army and is about the same age as you..."

No one knows a girl better than her mother. Tan Yali praised Zeng Wangcai in the way that Lou Xiao'e liked, which actually moved Lou Xiao'e. However, she only agreed to take a look and not go to eat.

That girl is not in love?

Just as we agreed on this, the time was almost up and the maid, Wu Ma, said that the guests had arrived at the door.

Lou Xiao'e stomped her feet and ran away.

Lou Zhenhua and Tan Yali did not delay and hurried downstairs to greet Zeng Wangcai at the door.

Zeng Wangcai, dressed in military uniform and full of heroic spirit, walked into the Lou family and took the initiative to greet them: "Director Lou, Mrs. Lou..."

This address is very formal and suitable for the situation of a first meeting, but it is not what Lou Zhenhua wants.

The moment he met Zeng Wangcai and saw Zeng Wangcai's shoulder badge, Lou Zhenhua was convinced that Zeng Wangcai was a rare candidate for son-in-law.

Similarly, Tan Yali, who was originally reluctant, was very satisfied after seeing Zeng Wangcai.

The couple smiled, and Lou Zhenhua said kindly, "This is not the outside world, so you don't have to address each other so formally. If you don't mind, I'll call you Wangcai, and you can call us uncle or aunt, how about that?"

Xu Damao, who was standing behind him, felt a jolt in his heart. This didn't seem right. Why did it feel like a father-in-law was looking at his son-in-law?