Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

When Liu Guozheng arrived at the office, the delivery truck had not left yet. Huang Qiuxia and Zheng Jiandong also opened the door of the front yard shop and started their day's work.

According to Liu Guozheng, the weather was getting colder, so they could just open the store at 10 a.m. However, Huang Qiuxia and her husband were very stubborn, saying that they could sell more things and make more money if they opened the store earlier.

So, early in the morning, I returned to the office from Hope New Village in a delivery truck.

After greeting Huang Qiuxia and the other person, Liu Guozheng went into the backyard. With Huang Qiuxia and the other person there, Liu Guozheng didn't need any help in the front, so he was happy to have some free time.

"Brother Zheng."

Today's delivery driver was Liu Guangtian. When he saw Liu Guozheng coming in, he hurriedly stood up and greeted him.

"Just sit down in broad daylight. Don't be so polite all the time."

Liu Guozheng waved his hand, motioning Liu Guangtian to sit down. He went to the storage room to get some fruit, washed it and put it on the coffee table, then handed Liu Guangtian an apple.

Liu Guangtian didn't say anything polite. Liu Guozheng had already told him not to be polite, so it would seem fake if he was polite again.

"Brother Zheng, this apple tastes really good."

"If it's delicious, eat two more."

These are the new apples harvested this year. The 500 acres of apple trees in the village have reached their peak fruit-bearing period. The yield is getting higher every year, and the taste of the apples will also get better every year.

It has only been about five years since the trees were planted. As the trees age, the taste will get better and better. When the trees are about 15-30 years old, the yield and quality will be even higher.

In fact, the factory employees have no shortage of fruits to eat. Not to mention the gifts given out on holidays, the canteen provides fruits for daily meals. They are all common seasonal fruits in the north, and occasionally some fruits from the south.

But who can eat enough cucumbers, pears and dates?

This is especially true for Liu Guozheng, whose mantra has always been to have two pieces of fruit before and after meals.

"Brother Zheng, I have something that I don't know how to say."

"Tell me."

Liu Guozheng also realized that Liu Guangtian must have something to do, otherwise he would not have waited for him to come. He had not returned yet, and it was obvious that he was waiting for him.

"Brother Zheng, I'm sorry."

"Why do you say that?"

Liu Guozheng asked with some confusion.

To be honest, Liu Guangtian has done a good job in the factory in recent years. He is obedient, does not cause trouble, has a good relationship with his colleagues, and has a harmonious family. In May last year, his wife gave birth to a big fat boy for him.

The couple both work in a food factory. Their combined basic salary is more than 100 yuan, not to mention some hidden benefits in the factory. They don’t need to pay for food, clothing, and housing. If they have a cold or fever, the factory has a special medical room, which also doesn’t cost any money. In the future, when their children grow up, they can go to New Hope School for free.

The couple has not spent any of their salary over the years and has saved it all. Liu Guozheng roughly calculated that it is about 5,000 yuan.

These conditions instantly killed most of the workers in the steel mill.

The moment Liu Guangtian said sorry, Liu Guozheng subconsciously suspected whether he had done something wrong to the factory.

It was not until Liu Guangtian explained the reason that Liu Guozheng realized where the apology came from. It was because Liu Haizhong came to cause trouble for the office last month.

Liu Guangtian felt sorry for the office and Liu Guozheng. After thinking for a long time, he made up his mind to go to Liu Guozheng to admit his mistake.

Liu Guozheng laughed dumbly and comforted him: "Guangtian, you are you and your father is your father. These are two different things. Don't feel burdened."

"Brother Zheng, I...I am thinking about severing my father-son relationship with Liu Haizhong, so that they won't do anything to embarrass Brother Zheng in the future."

Liu Guangtian was not stupid. Although Liu Haizhong and his two sons ended up with broken legs, he knew that Liu Guozheng had shown mercy. Later, he heard that Nie Yuanying, whose legs were broken, died in the hospital for some unknown reason. Many people suspected that Liu Guozheng had someone do it, but it was just a suspicion without any evidence.

"What are you thinking, kid? Even though your relationship as father and son is not good, it's not to the point of severing the relationship. After all, they are still your parents who gave birth to you and raised you. Don't even think about severing the relationship. You still have to visit them during the holidays and fulfill your responsibilities. Don't think too much about other things."

Liu Guozheng had never expected that this guy would have such an idea. Is it true that people who are close to vermilion will be red, and people who are close to ink will be black? Or is it true that people who grow up in a den of beasts will develop in the direction of beasts?

"But.."

"Don't say but. People live their lives on reputation. You must have known about the situation at No. 95 Courtyard. In the past, matchmakers often visited the court. But in recent years, even if they personally went to the court to ask for matchmakers, no one was willing to act as a matchmaker for the people at No. 95 Courtyard. This is the backlash of having a bad reputation."

"I understand, Brother Zheng."

"If the relationship is not good, then have less contact. Just send gifts during festivals. Even if you fall out in the future, no one will say that you, Liu Guangtian, are bad. Just do what you should do, and that's all."

"Uh-huh."

"Also, you have done well in the past few years. Your section chief has often mentioned you in private and is very satisfied with you. Keep up the good work in the future. It's not a big deal if you don't have any skills. As long as you are obedient and work hard, I can't say that you will make a fortune, but at least you will have no worries about food and clothing in the future. I don't need to tell you this, you can figure it out yourself. I guess you two have saved a lot of money in the past few years, right?"

"Hey, Brother Zheng, not much, not much."

When talking about the money saved in the past few years, Liu Guangtian chuckled. Everyone has an account in his heart and knows how to calculate it. Only he himself knows whether it is good or bad.

"Hahaha, that's enough. Just do your job well, be a good person, fulfill your duty as a son, and then live your life peacefully. That's better than anything else."

"I see, brother Zheng, thank you."

Liu Guangtian bowed very solemnly. If Liu Guozheng didn't dislike others kneeling, he would have kowtowed to Liu Guozheng twice.

Since he met Liu Guozheng, he has known what life is.

"Okay, let's go to Yard 95 to see Master Liu, and don't forget to come back for lunch."

"Uh-huh."

Liu Guangtian wiped his tears and left. He bought some things from the front and carried them to Yard 95. Of course, his employees bought things at cost price.

After reading for a while, Liu Guozheng started to prepare lunch. Anything would be fine for one person, but not for four people, so at least he would have to make a big pot.

After lunch, Liu Guangtian drove back to the factory. His worries were resolved and he felt like a completely different person.

Huang Qiuxia and her husband were in the office. Liu Guozheng stayed there until five in the afternoon and then went back early by car.

When I walked near the public toilet, I saw a man, a young man who had not been seen for a long time. He was wearing a tattered jacket that I didn't know how many times he had used it, and he was carrying a bag. He had just come out of the public toilet.

When he saw Liu Guozheng's car, his envy was mixed with a hint of hatred.

He felt that he looked familiar. After the car passed by, Liu Guozheng suddenly remembered that this guy was the "eldest master" of the Jia family: Banggeng.