Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Early in the morning on the second day of the Chinese New Year, guests came to the Xu residence in Beiqijia. They were none other than Xu Damao's brother-in-law and sister, a family of five. Miao Yongqian was holding a gift, while Xu Xiaoling and her son and daughter were knocking on the door.

Xu Zhilu had sharp ears and went to open the door first.

"Uncle, aunt, happy Chinese New Year."

"Jiajia, ok. Is everyone at home?"

"Grandpa and grandma, my dad and mom are all here, and everyone else is still lying down. It's freezing cold, and the quilt is the most intimate thing."

"How come you heard the knock on the door?"

"I just need to go to the bathroom. Come in, it's warm in here."

Xu Zhilu welcomed Xu Xiaoling and her family of five into the house.

"Grandpa, grandma, my aunt is here." After saying that, she ran back to her room and continued to sleep.

Xu Damao really got up today. He came out to greet them when he heard the sound.

"Yongqian, Xiaoling, you guys are here so early, why don't you come over for lunch today? It's so cold, what if the children get frozen? Jinlong, Jinfeng, Jinju, come in quickly, it's warm over there with grandma and grandpa."

The three children shouted "Uncle" in unison and followed Xu Damao's instructions and went into the house.

My brother-in-law and sister also followed into the room, took off their coats and hung them on the coat rack.

Xu Damao personally made hot tea for his brother-in-law and handed him a cigarette.

After Xu Xiaoling recovered, she immediately came to Xu Damao.

"Brother, I came early today because I have something to discuss with you."

"Xiaoling, we are the only siblings in our family. If you have any problem, just tell me. Don't be polite. I will help you with whatever I can do."

"It's all Jinlong's business. He will graduate from the Electric Power School in half a year. Although there is no problem in assigning him a job, you know, I only have this one son, and I want him to have a better future."

"Xiaoling, what do you think?"

"Brother, isn't it said that Huo Huo has connections in the United States? Can you help Jin Long go to the United States to study abroad? Going out to gild yourself will give you a chance to move up the ladder when you come back?"

Xu Damao didn't reply to the girl directly. He smoked a cigarette and looked at his brother-in-law beside him, "Yongqian, what do you mean...?"

"Brother, that's not what I meant. Actually, I have already arranged a job for Jinlong, and he will work at the Xuanwu District Electricity Management Office. I even paid a favor of 500 yuan for this. Xiaoling suddenly remembered that Zhiquan and the others went to the United States before the New Year, and she also wanted Jinlong to go out and gild himself. So, she couldn't sleep this morning and came here directly. In fact, whether he goes out or not, he still has a stable job. Jinlong has already secured a job, but she did this at the last minute. I'm almost fifty years old, and I really don't want my son to go far away. I feel empty inside and I can't stand it."

"Hey, Yongqian, you're worried that your son will go out and never come back. Indeed, Huohuo never came back.

Xiaoling, I think Yongqian is right. Don't think that you will be fine after you go out to gain experience. Have you ever thought about how much has changed in four years? The State Electric Power Department is such a good unit. While you are still working in the unit, Yongqian is a leader now. He can spend 500 favors to get him to the District Electric Power Management Office. With some experience, he may become a deputy director. I agree with Yongqian's idea. I think we should listen to the child's own ideas first. Xiaoling, go to Dad's room and call Jinlong over. I will ask him."

After a while, Xu Xiaoling pulled her son Miao Jinlong over.

"uncle."

"Jinlong, your mother just said that she wants you and sister Hanhan to study abroad in the United States. What do you think? Do you have any plans for your future? Your father has already arranged a job for you, the Electricity Management Office in Xuanwu District, as a cadre."

"Uncle, I don't want to go out. My grades are not that good, and I know nothing about English. I can't compare with Hanhan and the others. My dad has already discussed my job with me, and I'm quite satisfied with it. The most I can do is take correspondence courses to get a college diploma after I start working. It's much more stable." Miao Jinlong looked very proud.

Xu Damao looked at Xu Xiaoling with a disappointed look.

"Xiaoling, look, Jinlong's idea about his future is so correct. You are adding unnecessary trouble and may even ruin Jinlong's bright future."

"No, brother, I have a higher starting point after studying abroad."

"Mom, I really don't want to go out. Also, Dad, Mom has something to tell me today. I'm dating someone at school, and we've agreed to get married after graduation. Her family agrees, too."

Xu Xiaoling looked incredulous. "No, no, son, when did this happen? Why did you hide such a big thing from your family? Who is that woman? What does she do? What's going on at home?"

"Mom, that's my classmate who lives in Xicheng. My dad knows her family. She's Deputy Director Mo of the Xicheng District Electric Power Bureau."

As soon as Miao Yongqian heard Deputy Director Mo, he knew who it was.

"Hey, kid, why didn't you tell me about this matter earlier? If I had known Mo Xudong, why would I have sought favors from other people? Son, is what you said true or false?"

"Of course it's true. I have to go to her house tomorrow to wish her a happy new year. Mo Liying has also found a job, also in Xuanwu District, at the Information Center of the Electric Power Bureau. So, Mom, I don't want to go abroad for four years, or I'll be out of luck when I come back."

Xu Damao laughed loudly, "My nephew, you have a way. You have managed to find a wife without making any noise. Not bad, not bad. How about this, tomorrow you will go to the Mo family to pay New Year's greetings. This will be the first time that the future son-in-law will officially visit them, so the gift can't be light. When you go back later, your uncle will prepare a gift for you tomorrow. As for what your wife likes, you can ask sister Hanhan to see if she has anything suitable for girls. Ask her to find one for you and tell her that it was me who asked you to do so."

"Uncle, is this possible?"

"Of course you can. If Hanhan doesn't have it, then go find Dandan. They originally brought you New Year gifts. But don't make trouble now. They are still asleep, wait until they wake up. I don't dare to make them wake up, so don't provoke them, otherwise the gifts will fly away. Go, play with Jianjian and the others for a while."

"Thank you, uncle. I'll go then."

Miao Jinlong happily left the house and went straight to his cousin's room.

"Xiaoling, look, a good in-law relationship was almost ruined. Yongqian, do you know Director Mo?"

"Yes, he knew me. He used to be like me, doing on-site maintenance. But he has a higher education than me, so he has been promoted to deputy director for several years. I am only the head of the maintenance department now. There is a gap of two levels. I didn't expect that my son could get in touch with his daughter. Now it is more stable. Xiaoling, good news, good news. Give up the idea of ​​studying abroad. My son is completely ignorant and can't speak the language. What can he do if you let him go abroad?"

Xu Xiaoling has been silent for a while now. She originally thought that her nephew in the United States could send his sister to study abroad, so her son should be able to do the same. But she didn't know that her son has found a girlfriend and a job now, so why would he think about other things? She was too eager to do things and ended up messing things up.

The good news added fun to today's lunch, and Miao Jinlong suddenly became the focus of the table.