Siheyuan: Silly Pillar is Kind

Sha Zhu strode back home, but the house was empty. He scratched his head, turned around and walked towards the deaf old lady's house in the backyard. As soon as he stepped into the house, he saw a lady sitting there, chatting with the deaf old lady and a man.

The first lady spoke: "Zhu Zi, you are finally back! Your uncle wants to talk to you tonight, come to my house later."

Sha Zhu replied with embarrassment: "Auntie, I'm so sorry, I have to go out for something tonight, so I may not be able to come. But what on earth do you want to talk to me about?"

The lady frowned and sighed, "What else could it be? It's because you now have the purchasing power for the canteen, and those families in the courtyard are having a hard time, so they wanted you to help take care of them. They found your uncle last night, and your uncle couldn't refuse because of personal feelings, so he wanted to ask you to come over and discuss countermeasures together."

Sha Zhu wondered in his heart, which families need help? He looked around the yard and found that some families were indeed living in difficult circumstances. Although they could not survive, they could only barely make ends meet.

After thinking for a while, Sha Zhu said, "Auntie, I really don't have time to go over tonight. How about this, you can tell Uncle Yi that there is no problem in helping him, but the number of people is limited. I can directly accept a share of two or three yuan a month, but if it's more, I'm afraid I can't do anything."

After saying that, Sha Zhu spread his hands helplessly, indicating that he had done his best.

"Well, okay, I'll tell your uncle later and ask him to pass it on to others."

"Oh, by the way, Madam Dayi, regarding this matter, you can just go and ask Master Dayi to handle it. Don't come to me again."

The lady looked embarrassed and said, "This is not good! It would be great if this favor was remembered by you."

"Hey, I always treat Uncle Dayi as my own uncle, so I don't take such trivial matters to heart. If there are any families who need to be informed and I happen to be away from home, please tell my wife."

"Okay, that's fine, Zhuzi. I'll go home and make lunch first."

After watching the lady open the door and leave, Zhang Ran quickly walked up to her and asked, "Brother Zhuzi, didn't we agree to go to Lao Mo for dinner today?"

"That was indeed the original plan, but the head of the supplies department just called me for something, so I had to go over there. I'm so sorry, my wife!"

"It's okay, don't worry about it. Oh, by the way, I want to show you the stuff I just bought. I guarantee you'll like it."

"Okay, let's go, grandma!"

The deaf old lady looked at the two people leaving and a smile appeared on her lips.

......

When Zhang Ran got home, she saw the bed filled with all kinds of items, and she felt a sense of accomplishment. She introduced them to her family one by one, "Look, there are two sets of quilts here, which I and my aunt brought back together; then I bought two basins, soap, towels and other daily necessities."

After listening to Zhang Ran's introduction, the husband nodded with satisfaction and asked, "Then the money at home should have been used up, right?" Zhang Ran smiled and replied, "Yes, it's all spent. If I had been able to spend more money, I would have wanted to buy something else!" The husband also expressed his understanding and said that he would bring the money home tomorrow.

Then, the husband asked Zhang Ran to heat up the food in the lunch box and eat with the old lady. He also planned to buy a chicken tomorrow and cook for everyone. Zhang Ran was very happy to hear that and asked her husband what kind of chicken he wanted to eat, such as chicken nuggets with potatoes or chicken stewed with mushrooms. The husband asked Zhang Ran to buy the ingredients according to her preferences.

After explaining these things, Sha Zhu walked out of the courtyard and went straight to the door of Master Kang's house.

When he saw that a screen wall was being built at the door, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He thought: Wouldn't it be too ostentatious? After all, they were just an ordinary family. Would such a high profile bring unnecessary trouble? ?

"Master Kang, are you planning to build a screen wall here?" "Yes, this is what Comrade Wang ordered."

"Don't do this for now. Also, the decoration should not be too luxurious. Just a slightly new look will do. Otherwise, it will be too ostentatious and easily arouse jealousy."

"I see. You just need to be low-key, right? I have experience in this matter. I will personally check the paint when I choose it. I guarantee that you will be satisfied."

"That's good, Master Kang, have you exchanged all the money?"

"I'll give it to you right away." After saying that, Master Kang took Sha Zhu to a remote corner, then turned around and quietly took out a package from a hiding place.

Sha Zhu stared at the eight thick stacks of banknotes in his hand, carefully put them into his backpack along with the bag, said hello to Master Kang, and left.

It was still early, around five o'clock, and he came to Quanjude and selected six plump ducks, two of which he put on the table to enjoy, two of which he prepared to bring to Liu Dezhe, and the remaining two he took home for Zhang Ran to taste.

The roast duck needs to be roasted on site and will be freshly baked after about an hour.

After Sha Zhu paid the bill readily, he did not leave immediately, but continued to ask the waiter about the types of drinks.

When he learned that the store currently only had two fine liquors, Wuliangye and Fenjiu, he ordered three bottles of each without hesitation, then walked out of the store and stood quietly waiting.

The table was filled with the fine wine he had just purchased, but Sha Zhu was not worried that someone would steal it.

After all, people are very simple and kind at this moment. Since you have decided to entertain guests, you must naturally show the grace and sincerity of the host.

According to common sense, when inviting guests to dinner, one should arrange for a guest to drink with them, but Sha Zhu changed his mind and thought that Section Chief Liu might have something important to discuss with him later, so he gave up the idea.

Time passed quietly, and half an hour had passed before Liu Dezhe and Deng Hairong slowly arrived at their destination on their bicycles.

When they saw He Yuzhu standing upright in front of Quanjude from afar, they couldn't help but feel more admiration for Director He.

Seeing Sha Zhu approaching with a big smile on his face, he said enthusiastically: "Haha... Chief Liu is honored to be able to attend the banquet today, which really gives me, He Yuzhu, enough face!

Come, come, come... please come in quickly!"

"Haha... Director He, you are too polite! We clearly agreed that I would be the host, but you came before me. I am so sorry, I am so sorry..."

"Hey, it's my honor to invite the leader. Let's talk inside."

After the three of them sat down one by one, He Yuzhu looked at the leader opposite with a smile on his face and asked softly: "Leader, I see that you are in a good mood today. What kind of wine do you think is more suitable for us to drink?"

"Oh my, these are all good wines. Wouldn't it be a waste to give them to me?" The leader waved his hand and said with a smile.

"Leader, you are wrong to say that! Only people like you who are both talented and virtuous are worthy of such fine wine! Besides, your visit to my humble home has given me, He Yuzhu, enough face! Just based on this friendship, I even think that the grade of this wine is not high enough!" He Yuzhu responded quickly, and picked up the bottle of wine on the table, ready to fill the leader's glass.

"Hahaha... Director He has a really powerful tongue... In that case, I'll take advantage of Director He's kindness today and try some Wuliangye. Not many people would invite me to drink on weekdays! Hahaha..." The leader laughed heartily, expressing his appreciation for He Yuzhu.

Hearing his leader say this, He Yuzhu was secretly happy. He felt that this was a great opportunity to get closer to his leader. If he could successfully go to Chief Liu's house and sit down, perhaps things would go much more smoothly in the future.

So he went on to say: "If you like it, I will prepare more good wine to honor you in the future. I'm just worried that my sister-in-law won't open the door for me!" His words revealed his intention to further deepen the relationship with the leader.

At this time, Section Chief Liu cast his eyes towards his nephew Deng Hairong and nodded slightly. Deng Hairong understood and immediately took over the conversation: "Director He, what are you talking about? I am very familiar with my brother-in-law's family. I will personally take you to visit them someday."

Ha ha...

A few people then chatted about interesting things in the factory, and the atmosphere on the table became more intense...

As the roast duck was served, Sha Zhu filled the glasses for everyone. He said softly, "Boss, you know I'm just a cook and I'm not very good at talking. Please forgive me if there's anything I did wrong."

Liu Deze also knew that it was time to get down to business. After drinking a glass of wine, he said, "Director He, this meal must have cost a lot."

"Yes, it's a lot, but I can still come once a month."

"Director He has a high salary. Anyone who cares knows that there is a subsidy for the leaders' special meals, and they also go to the kitchen extra. It's a lot when you add it up."

Sha Zhu waited for Liu Dezhe to continue speaking.

"Do you want to earn more?"

"Leader, please see..."

"It's like this. I'm just a small fry. The real people who do the work are the big guys. I'm just doing things for them, but I can really make a lot of money."

Sha Zhu thought about it and said, "If it has anything to do with the people on the southeast island, I have no power to do anything about it."

"Look at what you are thinking. We are just responsible for the materials. How can anything else have anything to do with us?"

......

"Don't tempt me. I can't resist temptation."

Sha Zhu is not going to release the eagle until he sees the rabbit. You know, there are too many people involved in the reselling of materials. But this is also the best opportunity to join a circle.

Liu Deze cleared his throat and said, "The materials are fixed. You just need to put the money there each time. I will be responsible for all the procedures for entering the factory. You just need to sign. All those above the section level can be entertained in the small canteen. I won't go there, but I will sign, which is another part."

Sha Zhu thought for a moment and said, "What can I get? I have plenty of money!"

"Oh, then this is a bit difficult to handle. Aren't you short of money?"

"Head Liu, I'm competing for the position of canteen director. Although I'm not a high-ranking official, I still want to get to know the higher-ups."

When Chief Liu heard this, he realized that he was being disdainful of his low position. He narrowed his eyes and began to think.

Sha Zhu was not surprised and continued to invite a few people to drink, as if nothing had happened just now!

But the conditions have been set, it depends on whether the other party can satisfy me.