Siheyuan: I became a truck driver

"Uncle Yan, the day is coming soon, and it's time to make some arrangements. I'm going to go out this afternoon and buy some peanuts, melon seeds, candies, etc., and then find someone to help cut some wedding characters to set the mood."

Yan Bugui was stunned, and nodded several times immediately, "You are right, we need to prepare peanuts and melon seeds, and also some tea. Relatives and friends can't just drink water when they come. But you don't need to ask others to cut the wedding characters, just ask me directly."

Xiao Aiguo interrupted, "Well, we have to find you. We thought about this two days ago. If you don't do it, we will have to buy a ready-made one."

Yan Bugui waved his hand, "Hey, old man, what are you talking about? Xiao Yun is getting married, and the big expense is all about money. It's such a waste of money to buy this wedding character. I happen to have red paper at home, so cutting twenty or thirty pieces is not a problem. It's guaranteed to be enough, but..."

At the end of his speech, Yan Bugui suddenly stopped.

Xiao Yun saw through his thoughts and said immediately: "Okay, Uncle Yan, I know what you are thinking. Don't buy peanuts and melon seeds for the New Year this year. I will share some with you when the time comes."

Yan Bugui clapped his hands immediately, feeling very happy. More than twenty "囍" characters were only two square meters of red paper, which would only cost a few cents if bought outside. Now that he had exchanged them for peanuts and melon seeds, it was such a good deal.

He immediately said, "Okay, Xiao Yun, you are getting more and more open in doing things now. To be honest, besides this, do I have anything else prepared for you?"

Xiao Yun became interested. "Oh, I used to see other people's weddings, and neighbors gave furniture as gifts. How come Uncle Yan also prepared furniture for me? But I don't think you are the kind of person who spends money."

Yan Bugui blushed, "Hehe, Xiao Yun, it stands to reason that you are getting married, and it doesn't matter if I am of my generation or not, but your grandfather sent a tea tray and quilt to my family, and he was happy when my child was born, so I should return the favor."

Xiao Yun hummed, "Where is it? Take it out and have a look?"

Yan Bugui said sternly, "Child, this thing is a gift for weddings. Now the wedding day has not come yet, how can I show it to you? You will know the day after tomorrow."

Xiao Yun glanced at Yan Bugui. His cotton-padded jacket was covered with patches, so he probably couldn't give him anything too valuable. Although he said it was a gift for a special day, he felt it was not worthy of the occasion, and his expectations disappeared instantly.

"Xiao Yun, besides this, I have another matter I want to discuss with you. I have prepared the tables and chairs for the banquet for you. There are a total of 20 tables. If you see any leftover dishes, can you give me some? You know, my family lives a tight life. If you agree, I guarantee that my family will have a comfortable New Year."

Xiao Yun spit out a mouthful of water, almost putting out the stove, "What? Twenty tables, Master Yan, even if I'm a landlord, I can't afford more than twenty tables."

Yan Bugui was stunned for a moment, "A lot... a lot?"

Xiao Yun immediately raised his voice, "Of course it's more! I don't have many relatives, and if you count my grandfather's old friends and my friends, ten tables are enough."

"You still want to set up 20 tables, that's too extravagant, you're relying on leftovers to celebrate the New Year. If I do that, I won't be able to afford to fix the kang if it collapses and I'll have to sleep on the floor, how can I have money to live on?"

"If that's the way it's going to be, I might as well just go to your house for dinner after we get married. I can't afford to eat anyway."

Yan Bugui smiled awkwardly and said, "It's fine if you pay for the food."

"Fuck you! It's okay, but no, no, twenty tables are too many." Xiao Yun immediately rejected Yan Bugui's proposal and immediately expressed his own ideas.

"When the time comes, we'll set up two big pots in the yard. I'll try to find some meat and ask Brother Zhuzi to make a stew. We'll use another big pot to steam dry food. As for whether it's cornmeal or Erhe noodles, we're not sure yet."

"As for the rest of the dishes, fried peanuts, gold-wrapped silver, salted duck eggs, small stir-fried vegetables, just serve whatever you can find. It's almost Chinese New Year and many things are not available."

Yan Bugui's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he kept swallowing his saliva. He suggested, "Why don't you go to the grocery store? There's a lot of meat there. I passed by there today and everything is ready-made."

Xiao Yun took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, then smiled and replied unhappily: "Uncle Yan, if your family has no money to live on, why don't you go to the bank to check? You're just talking nonsense. If I go to the bank, I need money to buy it. Will you pay for it?"

Yan Bugui gave a stiff smile twice, then said goodbye and left, as if he was afraid that if he stayed any longer he would really have to pay.

After Yan Bugui left, only Xiao Aiguo and Xiao Yun were left in the room. Xiao Aiguo took out a cloth bag from his inner pocket and handed it to Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun took it and opened the three-layer package, only then did he see a stack of money and bills inside.

Xiao Aiguo said slowly at this time: "Use this money to buy some meat. You will only get married once in your life. It is worth spending a little more money to celebrate it in a grand manner. Don't let others look down on you."

Xiao Yun didn't say anything, but counted the money silently. After finding out the amount, he couldn't help but exclaimed, "Oh, more than 400 yuan? That's a lot? But I can't use it." As he said that, he handed the money to Xiao Aiguo.

"Sir, I tricked Master Yan about the banquet. Our factory director said he would be responsible for setting up the banquet and we don't need to spend any money. I'm going to go to the factory now and ask about it after I get my salary. If he provides the ingredients, we can save money."

Xiao Aiguo looked at Xiao Yun with some confusion in his eyes, "The factory director pays? Why would someone who is not even related to you pay you?"

Xiao Yun shook his head, put on his coat and prepared to go out. "I don't know, who cares? I guess he did it because I saved someone. I can't think of anything else."

Having said that, Xiao Yun walked out of the house.

Xiao Aiguo sat on the edge of the kang, muttering to himself, but he didn't understand what was going on.

As soon as Xiao Yun walked out of the house, he ran into He Yuzhu. The two greeted each other and walked together.

"Xiao Yun, what's going on? Are you very busy getting married soon?" He Yuzhu asked as he walked aside.

Xiao Yun did not refute. "Oh, that's right. I'm busy buying things, cleaning the house, and worrying about the banquet. I have no time to spare. I haven't brought back the furniture I asked the carpenter to make yet. Let's wait until tomorrow. I'll find a cart to bring it back tomorrow."

After he finished speaking, Xiao Yun suddenly asked, "Where are you going? Didn't you get your salary early in the morning?"

He Yuzhu blushed, "I...I'm going to find Yi Jie. Our relationship is heating up quickly and we're talking about getting married."

Xiao Yun raised his eyebrows, feeling that he had underestimated He Yuzhu, "Okay, go ahead, you won't be able to see her tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

He Yuzhu's face froze. "What does Xiao Yun mean? What do you mean I can't see her anymore?"

Xiao Yun hissed helplessly, "I'm getting married tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, you have to help me clean up the dishes and stuff, how can you be free if you're so busy?"

He Yuzhu just reacted, patted his head and said "Oh" many times: "Oh oh oh oh yes yes yes yes, I must help you, so tonight, I will buy some food and bring Yushui to your house to eat, and by the way, we can talk about the issue of the dishes."

Xiao Yun did not refuse the proposal.

Not far out of the alley, the two went their separate ways.

When Xiao Yun arrived at the steel mill, he was the first to join the queue to collect wages. Although it was noon, there were still many people who didn't even have food to eat and wanted to line up here. As the Chinese New Year was approaching, everyone wanted to get their wages early and have a holiday early.