Siheyuan: How the Little People Live

Ye Wenwu walked out of the office, stretched himself, and showed a barely perceptible smile on his face. He knew that Director Yang summoned them to inquire about the progress of the project, which meant that things had developed to a certain extent, and nearly a month had passed, and the superiors might soon pay attention to the matter.

He knew very well that once his superiors began to pay attention, Director Yang would not be able to continue to delay and would eventually have to bow to him. At that time, he would firmly take the position of the new department director, and no one would be able to take it away. Thinking of this, Ye Wenwu couldn't help but feel proud, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, there was a loud slapping sound in the office. Ye Wenwu shook his head helplessly, thinking: "If I had known this, why did I do it in the first place?" If Director Yang had given him more appreciation and support, perhaps the situation today would not be so embarrassing. But now that things have come to this, he cannot change the past.

However, Ye Wenwu knew clearly that his attitude today had completely angered Director Yang. Although he was not an unforgivable person, he did not give Director Yang any face this time.

. . . . . .

When it was time to get off work in the evening, Ye Wenwu and his cousin Zhang Xingbang rode their bicycles to buy some vegetables and returned to Hongxing Siheyuan.

As soon as I entered the front yard, I heard some quarrels in the Yan family, but there were indeed very few people gathered at the door.

Ye Wenwu put the bicycle on the corridor, and his cousin Zhang Xingbang immediately asked:

"Wife, what's going on with the Yan family?"

My cousin's wife Liu Mei stood at the door and looked around. Seeing that there was no one around, she closed the door.

"Xingbang, Wenwu, I just heard about this. I heard that Yi Zhonghai took the Third Uncle's money, but nearly a month has passed, and it seems that he hasn't done anything about the Third Uncle's family. The Third Uncle is angry at home."

Ye Wenwu's mind moved, he had already guessed what the third uncle wanted to do with Yi Zhonghai?

It should be because of the work problem of his eldest son Yan Jiecheng. The third uncle also came to him at the beginning, but he said there was no rush and to wait. It seems that the third uncle did not listen to him in the end and went to find Yi Zhonghai.

"Okay, let's not discuss this matter at home. We'll just have to wait and see. It has nothing to do with our family anyway."

Ye Wenwu quickly interrupted his cousin and his wife, as they wanted to ask him a question.

My cousin Zhang Xingbang and his wife Liu Mei were both a little lazy, so they started to work and prepare dinner.

As expected, as more and more people got off work in the compound, everyone knew that the first uncle Yi Zhonghai had taken money from the third uncle Yan Bugui but had not done anything for him.

The home of Yi Zhonghai in the Central Courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai sat on a chair with a dark face. He had just entered the yard and heard those rumors. He was so angry that he wanted to go to Yan's house and confront Yan Bugui face to face.

He thought to himself, "How could Yan Bugui do this? I have clearly tried my best to find a job for his son, but it just takes some time and opportunity! Now the whole compound knows about this, what will happen to my reputation?"

Thinking of this, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but sigh, his heart full of helplessness and grievance. He decided to go to Yan Bugui to have a good talk later and make things clear, so as not to let these rumors continue to spread. At the same time, he also hoped to restore his reputation and make people in the compound believe in him again.

"Zhong Hai, why don't you go to the Yan family first and take a look."

The aunt frowned and looked at her husband with a worried look on her face.

"Alright!"

After thinking for a while, Yi Zhonghai felt that he should go and check out the situation. After all, if this matter continued to ferment, it would not be a good thing for him.

"Dong dong dong..."

Yi Zhonghai arrived at the door of Yan's house. Before he could knock on the door, he heard a fierce quarrel coming from inside the house. His face suddenly became gloomy, and he secretly wondered how to deal with it. After a long while, he finally made up his mind and reached out to knock on the door gently.

At this time, in the Yan family's house, the third uncle Yan Bugui was so angry that his face turned red, and he was furious at his eldest son Yan Jiecheng. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and the two couldn't help but look at each other, and a sly light flashed in their eyes.

With a creaky sound, the door of the Yan family slowly opened. Yan Jiecheng, the eldest son of the Yan family, stuck his head out and saw that the person standing at the door was Yi Zhonghai, an old man. He immediately opened the door wider.

"Uncle, why are you here?"

"Dad, an uncle is here."

When the third uncle Yan Bugui heard the knock on the door, he immediately came out of the house with an expression of surprise and joy on his face: "Oh, Lao Yi, why are you here! Come in, come in." He invited enthusiastically.

Uncle Yi Zhonghai looked at Yan Bugui, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, but he still forced a smile: "Old Yan, you really embarrassed me today..." After saying that, he took a deep look at the backs of Yan Bugui and his son as they left, and then followed them into the house.

After entering the room, Yi Zhonghai could no longer suppress his dissatisfaction, and said to Yan Bugui in a serious tone: "Old Yan, you put me too passive today. Is there anything you can't tell me in private? Now the whole compound knows about this, how do you want me to deal with it?" There was obvious blame in his words, and his eyes became sharp.

However, the third uncle Yan Bugui did not expect Yi Zhonghai to question him so confidently. He felt that although his actions were somewhat inappropriate, it was after all because of Yi Zhonghai's incompetence. Therefore, he could not help but feel a little annoyed.

"Old Yi, what do you mean by this? We never said a bad word about you in the yard. Why do you lose your temper at me as soon as you come in? What do you want to do?" Yan Bugui asked without showing any weakness, with a hint of anger and grievance in his voice.

Although Yan Bugui deliberately made such a fuss with his son Yan Jiecheng, he actually just wanted Yi Zhonghai to hear it. After all, they were talking behind closed doors. Even though his voice was a bit loud, it didn't matter if others heard it.

Yi Zhonghai didn't expect that Yan Bugui would lose his temper with him, and anger welled up in his heart. After all, no one had dared to talk to him like this in all these years!

But in the final analysis, he was still a thoughtful person. He knew that if he continued to fight hard, there would be no point in him coming here, so he took a deep breath.

"Old Yan, I'm not blaming you, it's just that everyone knows what you're doing now. You taught me how to operate it, and I've already made some progress in the factory. I've already established good relationships with them. Now that you've made such a fuss, I..."

The third uncle Yan Bugui was a little suspicious. After all, the matter had been delayed for so long. Today, as soon as he made a fuss, there was some progress on his side. Wasn't it too coincidental? However, for the sake of his own job, he couldn't cling to this glimmer of luck.

When the third uncle Yan Bugui heard this, he immediately smiled and said to the first uncle Yi Zhonghai with a smile: "Old Yi, look at me, I'm so sorry, I misunderstood you. Don't worry, I will definitely handle the affairs of our compound. When the time comes, I will explain it clearly to everyone one by one. It's just... when can Xie Cheng enter the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill?"

A proud look flashed in the eyes of the uncle Yi Zhonghai, thinking: I finally fooled Yan Bugui. In fact, he had no intention of helping Yan Bugui. He never thought of letting the Yan family enter the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, but this did not prevent him from continuing to fool Yan Bugui.

So, Yi Zhonghai put on a helpless expression, sighed and said: "Old Yan, don't be too anxious. There has been some progress in this matter, but the main problem is that the relevant departments have not been established yet, so those officials' children in the factory have not been able to get in."

After hearing this, Yan Bugui's doubts immediately dissipated. He thought: So that's how it is, it seems that I really misunderstood Yi Zhonghai. Since the children of officials in the factory have not entered yet, I can only wait patiently. Thinking of this, Yan Bugui nodded quickly to show his understanding.

Of course, he also had some doubts whether Yi Zhonghai was fooling him, after all, there was no evidence without evidence. However, he felt that he could find out this kind of thing by asking around at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, so he suppressed his doubts for the time being.

"Old Yi, look at what I did today. I am so embarrassed! You must stay today. I will ask Jie Cheng to go out and buy some cooked food. I will also ask Jie Cheng to call Auntie over. You can eat here. Consider it as my apology from Yan Bugui. Otherwise, I will feel guilty."

Uncle Yi Zhonghai sneered in his heart, thinking: "Sure enough, Yan Bugui is a stingy guy. He has to worry about such a small matter for so long." But he still pretended to be friendly and said with a smile: "Old Yan, how can I be so embarrassed? I haven't finished my work for you yet and I come to your place to eat..."

Before Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, he was interrupted by his uncle Yan Bugui. Yan Bugui waved his hand and said, "Hey, Old Yi, don't be polite to me! We have known each other for many years. What's a meal? If you refuse again, you will be giving me no face!" Then Yan Bugui turned to Yan Jiefang and shouted, "Jie Kuang, go and call your aunt to have dinner together."

Then Yan Bugui glared at his eldest son Yan Jiecheng, then reached into his pocket and began to search. After a while, he finally pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, opened it carefully, and revealed some money and money tickets inside. He looked at these things distressedly, hesitated for a moment, but finally handed them to Yi Zhonghai.

"This is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it." Yan Bugui said.

Although he was a little reluctant, he knew it was a necessary sacrifice. Moreover, he remembered that he had already given so much money to his eldest son Yan Jiecheng, so it didn't seem a big deal to put in a little more now. After all, what he cared most about now was to get Yi Zhonghai to help him solve the problem as soon as possible.

"Thank you for your help, Master Yi. I believe you must have a way to solve this problem. As long as you can help, our whole family will be very grateful." Yan Bugui continued.

Yi Zhonghai took the handkerchief, took a look at the money and meat coupons inside, and nodded to show that he understood. He was secretly proud of himself, thinking that his status was recognized, and at the same time he was satisfied with Yan Bugui's generosity.

"Don't worry, Old Yan, I will do my best. However, this matter may take some time and energy to deal with." Yi Zhonghai comforted.

Yan Bugui nodded quickly: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. As long as you can get things done, time is not a problem. I believe in your ability."

After saying this, Yan Bugui breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He looked forward to Yi Zhonghai being able to successfully resolve this issue.