Siheyuan: Returning to 61 to collect waste

Although Yi Zhonghai is a seventh-level fitter and is deeply respected by everyone, the level of deputy factory director is different after all. He understands that some things are indeed difficult to force.

Ye Chuan didn't mind it, and put on a sarcastic smile: "Uncles, do you think that in this world, you are the smartest and we are all fools?"

Yi Zhonghai was stunned, and then retorted: "Kid, what do you mean by that? If you don't believe me, go to the steel mill and ask Director Li!"

Ye Chuan laughed contemptuously and said, "You clearly know that we can't find Director Li, and you also know that he doesn't want to see us, otherwise why would you make such a provocation?"

Yi Zhonghai helplessly spread his hands and said with a smug look: "If that's the case, I'm also innocent, and I did give something to the factory director.

His failure can't be blamed on me, right?"

His nonchalant look was extremely irritating.

Ye Chuan's sarcastic smile did not fade at all, and his fingers stopped touching his trouser pocket out of inertia.

He realized that this was China in 61, not the 21st century.

“Uncles, I can’t figure it out.

The alcohol and cigarettes have been delivered. If you can't get the job done, you want to exchange them for the house? Could it be that Director Li is your son, or you are really desperate and have lost your mind? "

Ye Chuan's rude words completely disregarded his dignity and he started to accuse her almost to the point of tearing her face apart.

Yi Zhonghai's smile suddenly became awkward. This kid hit him right in the sore spot. It was so hurtful.

Ye Yongshun was also shocked. He reflected on his neglect just now. He didn't want to offend his son. Yes, he was just a high school student. He was very smart and as clever as himself.

The neighbors also began to gather and discuss this little fight. Qin Huairu hugged the child, Jia Zhang pulled the stick, and Jia Dongxu stood aside with a cigarette in his mouth, watching.

Everyone laughed when they heard Ye Chuan's words, even Jia Dongxu was no exception, as if the person being criticized was not his master.

Jia Zhang's face was radiant. She said to Yi Zhonghai, "Master Yi, you are a seventh-level fitter, so what? In the end, you still don't even have a child. Look at our family, we have so many people and we are so prosperous!" Yi Zhonghai was so angry that his face turned blue. He pointed at Ye Chuan and spoke for a long time: "You... really don't know how to appreciate what you have. You don't work in the steel mill, but instead you go to pick up garbage. You are simply a rotten wood that cannot be carved!" He then turned to the neighbors and said sarcastically: "Everyone, take a good look. Our alley is full of workers from the steel mill, and this Ye Chuan actually wants to pick up rags. I arranged a job for him but he didn't appreciate it. It's really a shame for our courtyard!"

Not many people knew that Ye Chuan had joined a material recycling company. When people heard him talk about collecting scrap, an image of a ragged, smelly man immediately popped up in their minds.

"How could this happen? Everyone here has a decent job, so how could a scavenger suddenly appear?"

Someone chimed in, "Yes, you can't dump garbage in the yard!" Jia Zhang also said sarcastically, "My Dongxu has been promoted to a fitter. The difference between people is really incomparable!"

Ye Chuan felt a little bit amused and helpless. This old fox like Yi Zhonghai was so skilled in playing these tricks.

"Grandpa Yi, do you mean to look down on the material recycling company? Comrade Ren once said that all people are born equal and there is no distinction between high and low occupations.

Otherwise, we should go to Director Wang to ask him whether the steel plant workers are really nobler than the material recycling workers? In my opinion, you have a deviation in your thinking, and there is a big problem!" Yi Zhonghai's face froze when he heard this, and he began to realize that Ye Chuan was unusual. He used to be taciturn, but today he was eloquent and his words were to the point.

It is indeed wrong to divide occupations into high and low levels, and he is very clear about the priorities of this matter.

If the matter really gets to the neighborhood office, it might create a bad impression on Director Wang.

However, Yi Zhonghai was angry and ashamed at this moment, and was unwilling to help him solve the problem: "I... huh, I don't bother to cause you trouble!" After saying that, he turned around and went home angrily.

"Wait!" Ye Chuan suddenly shouted.

Yi Zhonghai turned around in surprise. Didn't this guy want his help? Why did he call him again? "Grandpa Yi, is your memory not so good? Do you think that the things I promised to do for you are nothing?"

"What exactly do you want?" Yi Zhonghai shouted angrily.

"Of course you have to return the favor!" Ye Chuan said as a matter of course.

"I told you, the things have long been given to Deputy Director Li. You can go and ask for them yourself!" Originally, Ye Yongshun wanted to make a big deal out of a small matter, but his son's words made him suspicious. He felt that Yi Zhonghai had embezzled his two bottles of Xifeng liquor and a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes.

He felt his throat rolling, but finally he held back and didn't speak.

"Since you are so determined to make a big deal out of this, even though we are poor, we dare not be afraid of you who are rich and powerful." Two bottles of Xifeng liquor cost six yuan, and a pack of Daqianmen liquor cost three yuan and ninety yuan, which adds up to ten yuan.

The amount is not much, but these two goods are in-demand commodities that require tickets.

Especially for Xifeng and Daqianmen tickets, the prices are even higher than the value of the items themselves.

The invoices that he had obtained with great difficulty fell into Yi's hands, and now how could he tolerate it being taken back? "What do you say you are going to do?" Yi Zhonghai looked alert.

"According to the invoice alone, these are worth twenty-one dollars.

It’s better to go to the street office and find a fair place to seek justice.

If that's not enough, just take him to the police station and ask Deputy Director Li to come forward to testify about your behavior: How can you give gifts without doing anything? "

"You..." Yi Zhonghai was at a loss for words for a moment, feeling panicked, as those things were indeed taken by him privately.

If Deputy Director Li is involved, what will be the future prospects of his factory career?

The neighbors gradually understood the situation and were amazed at the generous measures Ye Yongshun took for his son. They privately discussed that Deputy Factory Director Li was not a very honest person.

After Yi Zhonghai calmed down a little, he said sincerely: "Master Ye, please be considerate. I will go to Deputy Director Li tomorrow to ask for mercy and see if I can..."

Before he could finish, Ye Chuan interrupted and said, "Don't worry, I have decided to work at the material recycling company.

Tomorrow I will go directly to the subdistrict office to explain the matter clearly and let Director Wang give me justice!"

Seeing that he could not persuade them, Yi Zhonghai was quite annoyed. He announced unwillingly: "Okay, I give in. These two bottles of wine and one cigarette will be my compensation. I will go buy things for you right now. Don't count on me in the future!"

After saying that, Yi Zhonghai turned around and left. Faced with Ye Chuan's indifferent attitude, he returned empty-handed.

Ye Chuan had a victorious smile on his face and did not show any mercy to stop him.

As the crowds around dispersed, the excitement gradually cooled down.

Ye Chuan glanced at Qin Huairu vaguely. Although she was already married, her charm could not be concealed. No wonder Han Zhu fell in love with her at first sight.

Han Zhu looked at her back obsessively, his eyes full of admiration, without any concealment.

Ye Yongshun sighed helplessly and said to his son: "Hey, Chuanzi, let's go back!"

After returning home with his parents, Ye Chuan finally took a close look at this new environment.

No wonder Yi Zhonghai kept talking about it. The Ye family’s house occupies a large area, especially the parents’ bedroom, which is nearly thirty or forty square meters, and there is enough room for additional partition space.

However, the room was simply furnished, with the only furniture being two camphorwood boxes and a dining table with two long benches on the table.

The thermos and yellowed enamel pot placed on top look quite retro and bear the traces of time.

Despite its simplicity, the house was kept clean and tidy, and the old stains on the window panes were wiped away without a speck of dust.

The walls are covered with newspapers in an orderly manner, showing the test of time.

Ye Yongshun sat down at the table, poured two cups of hot tea and handed one to his son.

Ye Chuan was stunned by the sudden change in mood. He then took the tea and drank it in one gulp. The words just now did make him feel a little tired.

"Chuanzi, do you really want to work in the material recycling company?" Ye Yongshun asked with concern.

Ye Chuan nodded firmly and replied: "Dad, I have no intention of staying in the workshop as a worker, and the office is not realistic either.

I think the recycling company is more suitable, the work is flexible and not too much work.”

After hearing this, Ye Yongshun felt a little emotional. He knew that the child was comforting him.

Young people today are scrambling to work in large factories, but it is even more difficult to get into state-owned units like steel mills.

The mother Liu Yue beside him added worriedly: "Husband, will this annoy Yi Zhonghai? Do you want to give up those things?"

Ye Chuan responded calmly: "Mom, don't worry, it's just Yi Zhonghai.

Now that you have decided to offend, there is no need to shrink back!" Then, he smiled and said, "Besides, Uncle Zhao in the factory is no ordinary person.

He enjoys considerable prestige in the factory and has connections in the street office and even in the factory.

We don’t need to please him.”

Ye Chuan has an idea in his mind - you should never owe others anything in your life unless they can really repay you.

Be a simple person. If you like to get along with others, then do so. Otherwise, don’t say a word.

This idea was also recognized by Ye Yongshun and Liu Yue, who could only nod silently in acceptance.

It was approaching dusk, and this body had not enjoyed a proper meal for many days. Now Ye Chuan felt a little hungry.

"Mom, what time is dinner?"

Liu Yue came to his senses at this time and realized that it was almost time for dinner, so he hurried into the kitchen to get busy.

In this era, there was no food for a grand banquet. Cooking was extremely simple and dinner could be placed on the table in just twenty minutes.

Looking at the meal in front of him, Ye Chuan felt bitter in his heart.

Three bowls of extremely thin porridge, with a few pickled vegetable stalks and two blackened steamed buns in the middle.

The only meat dish was just simple stir-fried cabbage with meat, which was so bland that it was not appetizing.

"Kids, come and eat!" Liu Yue and Ye Yongshun called out while sitting at the table.

Faced with this situation, Ye Chuan had no choice but to sit down reluctantly. He lowered his head and took a sip of the thin porridge. He vaguely tasted some rice paste. He would never feel full with such an amount of food.

"Son, you and dad will each have half of the steamed corn bread. Eat well and go to bed early. You have to go to the street office to get the letter of recommendation tomorrow morning." Liu Yue continued.

Ye Chuan nodded silently.

Although there were only two steamed buns on the table, he could see that his mother was reluctant to let her taste them, which showed how tight the food situation was at home.

He picked up the steamed bun, tore it into two pieces, and reluctantly handed it to his mother.

"Mom, eat half." After saying that, he took a bite with difficulty, but found that the taste was extremely rough and he almost choked.

Ye Chuan slowly rubbed the food in his mouth, suppressing the uncomfortable feeling, and a slightly hot burning sensation appeared in his throat.

"No need, Mom. You and your father need strength to work. It's weak if you eat less." Liu Yue was a little touched. This was the first time that the child took the initiative to take care of his mother.

Ye Yongshun did the same and also divided the steamed bread into two halves and finished one half in just a few bites.

"I don't need to eat too much. I can just hold on for the morning and eat in the cafeteria during lunch break. It's always more juicy."

But Liu Yue quickly corrected him, "That won't work! You need physical strength to work, you can't eat too little, how can you work without strength?"

Ye Yongshun seemed a little impatient, "Stop talking so much! I'll eat in the cafeteria tomorrow at noon. Just be patient in the morning and it'll be over. Hurry and eat!"

Seeing this, Liu Yue wanted to say something else, but after seeing her husband's eyes, she lowered her head and took a bite of the steamed bun, tears in her eyes.

Ye Chuan sighed inwardly, it's just half a steamed bun, why bother with it? He pushed the remaining portion back to his father and said, "Dad, you eat it, I'll only have half.

I have been lying down for the past two days and have lost my appetite.”

The whole country, including my family, is starving. It has been the third year and everyone has become more or less accustomed to it.

It was already a good situation for the Ye family to have steamed bread as their staple food. If Ye Yongshun did not have a job in a steel factory, such treatment would be unimaginable.

Although Yi Zhonghai was a seventh-level fitter with a generous salary and received a lot of coupons every month, his current situation of having money but nowhere to buy food meant that the food on the table was always mainly steamed buns, which was slightly more sufficient than that of the Ye family.

Everyone in the yard looked haggard, and many were even swollen, except for Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu was satisfied as he was able to get more food as he pleased because of his work in the cafeteria.

Most of the neighbors were as poor as the Ye family, eating only two meals of steamed corn bread a day, and it was already difficult to fill their stomachs.

In his previous life, every meal for Ye Chuan was complete only if it had meat.

Now he had no appetite for the meal, as he knew that this was the reality of his current survival.

Food scarcity was the main factor behind the introduction of a voucher system two years ago to combat inflation.

In the early days, only the capital city could purchase food with coupons, which led to a large number of people flocking to the capital city for frantic shopping, causing a surge in prices.

Although prices have dropped now, it is still difficult to buy food.

There is a constant stream of people queuing up at the cooperative with money and receipts. If you arrive a step late, you may get nothing. People have to get up early every day and race against time to queue up to ensure that they can buy enough food to fill their stomachs.

After dinner, before six o'clock, the courtyard fell into silence. The neighbors were too tired to go out to chat or play, so they all went to rest at home early.

After night fell completely, the Ye family also prepared to turn off the lights and go to sleep.

Ye Yongshun was washing his feet when there was a knock on the door.

There was a smile on Ye Chuan's lips. If his guess was correct, the person outside the door was Yi Zhonghai.

Due to his special status, Yi Zhonghai chose to visit in the dark and deserted hour so that he could return the wine and meat without losing face. Otherwise, his dignity as a manager would be lost.

If the delivery of wine and food at night and the delivery of food late at night were discovered, Yi Zhonghai would definitely be uneasy, afraid that others would discover his secret.

With his cloth shoes dragging, Ye Yongshun stood up and opened the door. As expected, Yi Zhonghai was standing at the door with an embarrassed look on his face.

He called out to Ye Yongshun: "Uncle?"

Yi Zhonghai held a sack in his hand and said firmly: "I want to return it in person, so that we don't owe each other anything.

This time, I admit defeat."

After saying this, Yi Zhonghai left immediately without waiting for Ye Yongshun to answer. This might be the most embarrassing mistake he had ever made in his long time of managing the yard.

Because the gifts given by the Ye family were of extraordinary value, even during the Chinese New Year, Yi Zhonghai only drank a little Erguotou and was reluctant to spend money to buy Xifeng liquor.

In his eyes, two bottles of good wine and a pack of precious cigarettes were like treasures. Normally, they would cost thirty or forty yuan in the market. What kind of efforts did Ye Yongshun make to obtain these vouchers?

After sighing and closing the door, Yi Zhonghai became a completely offended person to the Ye family.

"Dad, was that Yi Zhonghai just now?" Ye Chuan, wearing slippers, walked out of the room and asked.

Ye Yongshun nodded, took out the wine and cigarettes and put them on the table, looked at them carefully and said, "He spent two months to collect only two of these three coupons. Uncle is really ruthless. He got them all in one go."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yue couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "Oh, what a generous move! He can get it all back in one go."

Ye Chuan smiled lightly and analyzed: "Mom, I think this must be the batch of cigarettes and alcohol that Dad sent."

Hearing this, Ye Yongshun looked at his son in astonishment, nodded and confirmed, "Yes, one of the bottles of wine had a damaged label. That was the bottle I gave you."

"Isn't this a bit too much, uncle? I have always regarded him as an honest man.

"Liu Yue was quite dissatisfied.

"Mom, you'll get used to it after a while.

"Ye Chuan pretended to yawn to cover it up. After all, it was not appropriate to reveal details such as Yi Zhonghai delivering rice to Qin Huairu in the middle of the night and tricking the honest Sha Zhu into relying on him for the future.

Jia Dongxu has not died yet, Qin Huairu is not a widow yet, and Sha Zhu is still in his prime at the age of 23. Saying these will touch the sensitive nerves of his parents, and they will think something is wrong with them.

"Xiaochuan!" Ye Yongshun called out to his son when he noticed that he was about to leave.