Siheyuan: Selling antiques? Only making 28,000 RMB from 30,000 RMB

At this time, Yi Zhonghai also came over. He was an old resident in the yard and was highly respected. Seeing that everyone was there, he also sat down and said, "I just heard that you unblocked the toilet. Great job! Our yard needs everyone to work together to maintain it."

Zhou Dong nodded, "Yes, Uncle Yi, we are all responsible for the affairs of our yard."

Everyone was chatting animatedly when they suddenly heard a noise coming from the door. Brothers Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu were arguing fiercely, and everyone rushed over to see what was going on.

"What's wrong with you two?" Zhou Dong asked.

Liu Guangtian said angrily: "He stepped on the vegetables I just bought!"

Liu Guangfu was not to be outdone, "You put it in the middle of the road yourself, can you blame me?"

Seeing this, Zhou Dong quickly tried to persuade them: "Stop arguing, brothers, what's there to argue about? Just talk it out."

Qin Huairu also came over to help, "Yeah, brothers, don't ruin your relationship over such a small matter."

After some persuasion, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu finally calmed down. Liu Guangtian scratched his head embarrassedly, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have put the vegetables in the middle of the road."

Liu Guangfu also lowered his head and said, "I shouldn't have stepped on the vegetables. We brothers should be more careful next time."

Zhou Dong patted their shoulders and said, "Okay, the matter is resolved. Don't quarrel again in the future."

At this time, the deaf old lady came out of the house, leaning on a cane. Seeing everyone gathered together, she asked in confusion, "What happened?"

Everyone hurriedly explained, and the deaf old lady nodded, "You young people, you have to be more tolerant of everything and don't quarrel at every turn."

Zhou Dong smiled and said, "Yes, old lady, we all need to be more tolerant in the future."

Just like that, a small storm passed, and the yard returned to peace. Zhou Dong sat under the eaves of his house, watching the setting sun gradually setting in the sky, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that although there are many trivial troubles in life, with these neighbors who are as close as family, everything has become less difficult.

While he was thinking, Jia Dongxu came back from outside with a bag in his hand. Seeing Zhou Dong, Jia Dongxu smiled and greeted him: "Zhou Dong, why are you back so early today?"

Zhou Dong responded with a smile, "Brother Dongxu, I don't have anything to do today, so I'll come back early to chat with everyone."

Jia Dongxu nodded. "That's good. You're always so busy that you need to rest more."

As the two were chatting, Jia Zhang came out of the house. When she saw Zhou Dong, she smiled kindly, "Zhou Dong, come in and sit down. Grandma has cooked your favorite red date porridge for you."

Zhou Dong nodded gratefully, "Thank you, grandma. I'm a little hungry."

Jia Zhang smiled and led him into the house, and Jia Dongxu followed. The house was steaming, and the aroma of red date porridge filled the air, making people's appetites grow. Zhou Dong took the bowl handed over by Jia Zhang, tasted it, and praised: "Grandma's cooking skills are getting better and better, this porridge is really delicious."

Jia Zhang smiled kindly, "As long as you like it, eat more and don't be hungry."

While eating, Jia Dongxu suddenly said, "Zhou Dong, I want to discuss something with you."

Zhou Dong raised his head and looked at him puzzledly, "What's the matter?"

Jia Dongxu sighed and said, "I've been in some trouble at work recently, and I'd like to ask you for help."

Zhou Dong put down the bowl and asked seriously, "What's the trouble? Tell me, I will help if I can."

Jia Dongxu paused and said, "It's like this. A project I'm responsible for at work has a problem. My boss is very unhappy and it may affect my promotion. I know you have some connections in this area, so I would like to ask you to help me think of a solution."

Zhou Dong pondered for a while and said, "Brother Dongxu, this matter is indeed a bit tricky, but I will do my best to help you. Tell me the details first, and I will see if I can find some connections."

Jia Dongxu nodded gratefully and explained the whole story.

Zhou Dong finished his red date porridge, still thinking about Jia Dongxu. As the sky got darker, people in the courtyard went home one after another, and the courtyard became quiet. Zhou Dong decided to go to the steel mill where Jia Dongxu worked to see for himself.

The next morning, Zhou Dong got up early, packed up, and headed straight to the steel mill. The mill was located in the suburbs of the city, and Zhou Dong walked a long way to get there. The factory gate was mottled, and the workers at the gate hurried in and out, all with tired faces.

Zhou Dong found Jia Dongxu and saw that he looked worried. He asked hurriedly, "Brother Dongxu, what's going on?"

Jia Dongxu sighed, "Come with me, I'll show you around." He led Zhou Dong through the factory and into a noisy workshop. The roar of machines and the sound of hammers were deafening. Jia Dongxu pointed to an old machine that was about to fall apart and said, "This rolling mill is old and always has problems, but the factory is short of funds and can't afford a new one, so it can only barely maintain it."

Zhou Dong frowned, carefully observed the machine, and looked at the surrounding environment, and found that the equipment in the entire workshop looked old and backward. He asked: "Does the factory director know about this?"

Jia Dongxu smiled bitterly, "Of course the factory director knows, but he can't do anything about it. Funds are tight and everything is stretched."

At this time, a worker in worn-out work clothes came over, saw Jia Dongxu, and complained: "Dongxu, this machine has a problem again today. I'm afraid our batch of goods will be delayed."

Jia Dongxu shook his head helplessly, "I see, I'll take care of it right away." He turned to Zhou Dong and said, "You see, this is the problem. If the machine breaks down, the entire production line will have to stop."

Zhou Dong thought for a moment and said, "Brother Dongxu, I have a friend who works in a machinery factory. I can go ask him if he can get some old equipment to temporarily alleviate your predicament."

Jia Dongxu's eyes lit up, "That's great, Zhou Dong, thank you!"

Zhou Dong nodded, "It's okay, Brother Dongxu, we are brothers, and we should help each other when we have difficulties. I will go to him now to see if I can help you solve the problem."

He left the steel mill in a hurry, thinking about how to help Jia Dongxu overcome the difficulties. Zhou Dong thought of his friend Zhang Jianhui, who had worked in the machinery factory for many years and might be able to help. So Zhou Dong rushed to the machinery factory and found Zhang Jianhui who was busy in the workshop.

"Brother Jianhui!" Zhou Dong couldn't wait to say as soon as they met, "I want to ask you for help with something."

Zhang Jianhui looked up and saw that it was Zhou Dong. He smiled and said, "Hey, Zhou Dong, why are you here? Just tell me what you want to say."

Zhou Dong briefly explained Jia Dongxu's situation. Zhang Jianhui listened and nodded. "I understand. Let's put it this way. We have a few old machines in our factory. Although they are old, they can still be used. I can discuss with the factory director to see if I can sell them to you at a low price."

Zhou Dong said gratefully: "That's great, Brother Jianhui, thank you for your help."

Zhang Jianhui waved his hand, "Why are you being so polite to me? Wait a minute, I'll go talk to the factory manager." He turned around and went to find the factory manager, while Zhou Dong waited in the workshop.

After a while, Zhang Jianhui came back with a smile on his face, "The factory director agreed. I will sell these machines to you at a low price. It's a favor."

Zhou Dong was very grateful, "Thank you, Brother Jianhui, this really helped us a lot!"

Zhang Jianhui patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's okay. Brothers don't talk about this. I'll arrange for someone to deliver the machine to you in a moment."

Zhou Dong returned to the steel mill and told Jia Dongxu the good news. Jia Dongxu was so excited that he almost cried, "Zhou Dong, thank you so much! With these machines, our production can return to normal."

Soon, several old machines from the machinery factory were delivered to the steel rolling mill. Zhou Dong and Jia Dongxu led the workers to install and debug the new machines, and the entire workshop came back to life. Seeing the machines running again, Zhou Dong was relieved.

Jia Dongxu came over and patted Zhou Dong on the shoulder. "Zhou Dong, this time it's all thanks to you. All the workers in our factory thank you."

Zhou Dong smiled and said, "It's nothing, Brother Dongxu, we are all neighbors, and it's our duty to help each other."

The matter was resolved, and Zhou Dong returned to the courtyard in a good mood. In the evening, the courtyard became lively again, with children chasing and playing in the courtyard, and neighbors gathered together to chat. Qin Huairu came over with a plate of steaming buns and said with a smile: "Zhou Dong, you handled this matter very well today. Come, try the buns I just steamed."

Zhou Dong took the bun, took a bite, and said with satisfaction: "Sister Huairu, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Qin Huairu smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. You helped Dongxu so much today. Everyone admires you."

At this time, Yi Zhonghai also came over and patted Zhou Dong on the shoulder, "Zhou Dong, you handled this matter very well today, and everyone saw it."

Zhou Dong said modestly: "Uncle Yi, it's all thanks to everyone's help. I can't do anything by myself."

Yi Zhonghai nodded. "You are a modest child, but you did a great job today. The relationship between neighbors in our courtyard should be like you, helping each other."

Liu Haizhong also came over and said with a smile: "Zhou Dong, you are such a treasure. If anyone has any problems, they can always come to you."

People in the yard gathered around him, praising Zhou Dong one after another. Zhou Dong felt warm in his heart, thinking that with such neighbors, life would be sweet even if it was hard.

Just as everyone was chatting excitedly, there was a sudden knock on the door. When the door opened, it turned out to be Yan Bugui, who looked solemn and said breathlessly: "Oh no, the deaf old lady fainted!"

When everyone heard this, they were in a mess. Zhou Dong was the first to react and asked hurriedly, "Where did you faint?"

Yan Bugui pointed to a house not far away and said, "In her own room."

Zhou Dong rushed into the deaf old lady's room without saying a word and saw her lying on the ground with a pale face.