Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

Leisure time usually passes very quickly, so quickly that it becomes yesterday before you have time to sigh.

In front of the office, the noise rose and fell, like a vivid symphony.

The children play to their heart's content in this free space, and their laughter is as clear and sweet as silver bells.

Liu Guozheng and Lou Xiaoe sat behind the counter, casting gentle glances at the group of innocent little ones.

Liu Guozheng couldn't help but feel a faint emotion in his heart: Perhaps, the carefree childhood is really the purest and happiest time in life. The world at that time was simple and beautiful, and the whole world was singing for you.

"Brother Zheng, it's great to be young." Lou Xiao'e suddenly said softly, with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. She looked at the children playing, as if she had traveled through time and space and returned to her childhood.

Hearing this, Liu Guozheng shook his head helplessly, but a doting smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "My silly wife, we are not old now."

He muttered to himself: Women's minds are sometimes hard to figure out. However, this warm atmosphere made him feel extremely satisfied and happy.

Liu Guozheng and Lou Xiaoe sat quietly behind the counter, enjoying the rare tranquility and beauty. The surrounding noise seemed to have disappeared, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats and breathing.

"Liu Guozheng, give me ten sausages and two pounds of beef."

It was almost noon when Liu Haizhong, who rarely showed up at noon, showed up at the office to buy something for the first time. While talking, he deliberately turned sideways to show off the red armband with the word "Captain" printed on his left arm in front of Liu Guozheng.

Brothers Liu Guangqi and Liu Guangfu also followed suit, turning sideways to reveal the red armbands on their left arms, with smug smiles on their faces.

Liu Guozheng knew clearly that these three men were obviously here to show off.

But he was wondering how Liu Haizhong had suddenly become the captain of the patrol team. Was there another power struggle in the steel mill?

Looking at the smug smiles of the father and his two sons, Liu Guozheng couldn't help but wonder how long their smugness could last this time.

As soon as Liu Haizhong and his son left, Lou Xiaoe couldn't help but laugh and said, "Brother Zheng, you said Liu Haizhong and his two sons are really funny. They have to show off wearing a red armband."

Liu Guozheng smiled slightly and said, "Everyone in their courtyard is like that."

"Now I understand why Dabao and Yu Li never returned to live here after they moved out," Lou Xiao'e continued.

"Maybe." Liu Guozheng nodded.

Sure enough, Xu Damao, who came to have lunch at noon, brought the latest news from the steel mill. Liu Guozheng's guess was correct—Li Huaide once again sat on the throne of director of the steel mill's Revolutionary Committee and became the helmsman of the steel mill again.

It turned out that Deputy Director Fan Tong drank too much at the drinking party yesterday, and as everyone was chatting, they mentioned last year's department store incident, saying that there was a mysterious gunman whose identity has not been found yet.

People who often get drunk know that when they drink too much, they become talkative and will talk about everything from astronomy to geography, as if only in this way can they prove their knowledge.

Fan Tong also had this problem. When he was drunk, he liked to show off. He claimed that he knew who the gunman was in the department store incident last year, saying that he was a distant relative of Director Zhou. Just this one sentence was remembered by someone with ulterior motives. After the drinking party ended, this person immediately found Li Huaide.

Li Huaide is a smart man, and he certainly won't let go of the opportunity. After enjoying the benefits of power, he is now on the edge and is always thinking about regaining his position as the head of the steel mill. Obviously, he succeeded.

Fan Tong, Director Zhou was demoted, especially Director Zhou was demoted directly to the bitter and cold Great Northern Wilderness, his distant relative had to eat a peanut.

After Li Huaide regained power, the first day he promoted his own confidants, or those who were brainless and obedient, such as Liu Haizhong.

Of course, Xu Damao was also promoted to deputy chief of the purchasing department, mainly in charge of the purchase of unplanned materials.

At noon, Xu Damao ran back to eat for free. On the one hand, it was because he was craving for the food in the office, and on the other hand, it was because of the matter of the steel rolling mill and Hope New Village renewing their cooperation.

As long as he has Liu Guozheng's support, his life as a deputy section chief will be extremely easy.

"Brother Zheng, I am now the deputy chief of the purchasing department. You have to help my brothers more." Xu Damao looked excited, and his mustache was dancing happily.

"That's right, Damao, but," Liu Guozheng changed the subject, Xu Damao immediately became nervous and said quickly: "Brother Zheng, you are not still holding on to what happened last year, are you?"

Xu Damao was very nervous, fearing that Liu Guozheng would refuse to cooperate with the steel mill. If that happened, he would rather quit his job as deputy section chief.

"Why are you in such a hurry, kid? What I want to say is that you have to go talk to Uncle Gu about the cooperation. I have basically let go of all the village affairs now." Liu Guozheng looked at Xu Damao's anxious look and couldn't help laughing.

In fact, what Liu Guozheng said makes sense. Whether it is the village, school, or food factory, they all have their own supervisors. He only controls the general direction and does not interfere in the specific management and operations.

"Brother Zheng, you're breathing so heavily when you talk, it scares me to death." Xu Damao said, patting his chest.

"You kid, are you blaming me? You got anxious before I even finished speaking." Liu Guozheng said with a smile.

"Hey, Brother Zheng, I'm just scared." Xu Damao scratched his head a little embarrassedly, and then said, "Brother Zheng, I'll go back to the village with you guys tonight. I'll go have a drink with Uncle Gu."

Liu Guozheng said casually: "You decide for yourself."

Xu Damao was delighted when he heard Liu Guozheng's words. He knew that as long as Brother Zheng didn't object, the matter would be settled.