At noon, Yan Jiecheng went to the No. 1 canteen for lunch with Liu Haizhong. In fact, everyone working in the compound preferred to go to the No. 1 canteen, because if they ran into Sha Zhu while getting food, they could at least order more dishes. Of course, if they had a conflict with Sha Zhu, they would stay as far away as possible.

Today, Sha Zhu didn't get his food at the window, but that didn't stop Yan Jiecheng from showing off. When it was Yan Jiecheng's turn to get his food, he looked inside and spotted Sha Zhu.

“Shazhu, you’re in the cafeteria too?” Yan Jiecheng said.

"What do you mean I'm in the cafeteria too? I'm in the cafeteria every day, okay? Hey, Yan Jiecheng, what are you doing here?" Sha Zhu was a little surprised to see Yan Jiecheng.

"Hey, what do you think? You didn't expect that, did you? I'm working at the steel rolling mill now, and I'm a permanent employee. My second uncle said that in a few years, when I become a level three worker, my salary will surpass yours."

"You little brat, trying to get attention here? Wait until you become a level three worker before you talk. Let me tell you, some people never reach level three in their entire lives," Sha Zhu said deliberately, trying to provoke him.

"No way. I heard that as long as you work hard, you can achieve that in a few years. I was even planning to work hard and become a team leader or something. Isn't Xu Damao a team leader?"

"By the way, Shazhu, when did you become a team leader?" Yan Jiecheng deliberately brought up the topic he didn't want to discuss.

"Go eat your food. Don't block the way and prevent other people from getting their food."

Sha Zhu dismissed Yan Jiecheng. But the news that Yan Jiecheng was working at the steel rolling mill had already spread among the workers in the courtyard before the end of the workday.

"Uncle, your son Jie Cheng has become a full-time employee at the steel rolling mill. Are you treating everyone to dinner tonight?"

Some of the early-arriving folks saw the Third Uncle and teased him. Everyone knew that trying to get food out of the Third Uncle was incredibly difficult. They were just saying this to pass the time.

"Haha, thank you, thank you. I'll definitely treat everyone when I have time." Yan Fugui was a proud man and wouldn't refuse directly, so he resorted to stalling tactics.

Those who returned home kept congratulating Yan Fugui, while some clever ones secretly approached him when no one was looking.

"Uncle, who did your Jie Cheng use to get into the steel rolling mill? I have a nephew who has been unemployed for many days and can't find a job. We were all hoping he could get into the factory. We heard that Jie Cheng suddenly became a permanent employee, so we thought we'd ask him."

Someone who considered himself to have a good relationship with Yan Fugui asked.

"It doesn't require any connections. The factory was short-staffed, and seeing that Jie Cheng was good in all aspects, they sent him there." Yan Fugui lied through his teeth.

The Jia family.

"Dongxu, did that brat Yan Jiecheng get a job at the factory and become a full-time employee?" Jia Zhangshi asked.

“It should be. I saw him talking to himself in the cafeteria today, and I also saw him with us after get off work. I heard he was in the forging workshop with Liu Haizhong.” Jia Dongxu said while eating his cornbread.

"How did he get in? If possible, get your wife in too, then our whole family will be rich." Jia Zhangshi had a very optimistic idea.

The child's household registration and food ration are now tied to his mother, meaning the whole family relies on Jia Dongxu's ration alone. When there's not enough, they can only buy expensive grain on the black market, or they have to resort to begging for food elsewhere.

If Qin Huairu could also get a job in the factory, her household registration and grain rations could be transferred to the city, and her whole family would be dual-income earners, making them the only ones in the compound with this arrangement.

"The third uncle said that the factory found Yan Jiecheng, but I think he probably bought the spot on the black market. This third uncle is usually stingy, but I didn't expect him to be so generous at a critical moment."

Jia Dongxu ignored Qin Huairu's longing gaze and answered Jia Zhangshi. Qin Huairu had also long wanted to get into the factory; it would be a turning point in her life. Unfortunately, she did get a job, but she ended up taking over Jia Dongxu's shift.

"Pah! The Yan family, why would the factory hire them? Just because they're stingier than others, or because they're poorer? No matter how much money they spent, given Yan Fugui's personality, he'll make it back," Jia Zhangshi analyzed.

"By the way, his family didn't mention treating everyone to a meal or anything? When I go out later, I'll have him treat the whole hospital to a meal."

The same things and discussions happened in the compound, but very few people actually knew that the matter was related to Xu Damao.

-------------------------------------

After finishing his meal, Yi Zhonghai went to Yan Fugui's house.

"Old Yan, you've really done something big without making a sound. Your family's life will be much better from now on." Yi Zhonghai started by flattering him.

"Haha, Lao Yi, I appreciate your kind words. I hope that all my brothers and sisters will be stronger than the last." Yan Fugui took the opportunity to show off his many children and good fortune.

"That's right, that's right. Old Yan, your family has such a big celebration, shouldn't you be hosting a party? In all this time, your family's event is the most significant. And you're the third oldest man in the courtyard, you should set an example for the whole courtyard."

We all help each other out in our compound. Since you have a happy occasion and are quite well-off, you should at least help everyone with the meals first.

Yi Zhonghai revealed his true intentions. He had no choice; the Jia family members were all sitting in his house and wouldn't leave, insisting that he come here.

"Old Yi, to tell you the truth, this time our family has suffered a huge loss. To get Jie Cheng's job, I've put all my savings into it, and we're even in debt."

I was just thinking of discussing with you whether we could hold a general meeting of the entire courtyard to raise funds, like you did for the Jia family before. Don't worry, my family will remember everyone's kindness and will repay the courtyard in the future.”

Yan Fugui is always the one scheming against others; no one can ever scheme against him.

"That won't do. The Jia family's situation was a temporary emergency, but yours is different. Besides, you're the third uncle, and if we arrange a donation for you, people will say that we uncles are abusing our power for personal gain." Yi Zhonghai quickly dissuaded him from this unrealistic idea.

"What should we do? My family is completely out of food right now. Old Yi, could you lend me some to tide me over? I won't ask anyone else for donations; asking you won't be considered abusing my power."

Don't worry, we'll pay you back as soon as Jiecheng gets his salary.

Yan Fugui's move can be considered a series of attacks.

"Alright then, I'll bring it to you when I get back." Yi Zhonghai never expected that he would end up bleeding himself instead of Yan Fugui, whom he wanted to bleed.

“Dad, this old man was so easy to talk to. I should have lent you more; after all, there was no interest.” Yan Jiecheng said as Yi Zhonghai left.

"You don't know anything. Yi Zhonghai has been here for so many years, doesn't he know what kind of person I am? The reason he came here today is just to try and get something from me."

"You're working under Liu Haizhong now. He's worried I'm getting too close to Liu Haizhong, so he's deliberately giving me some benefits. At this crucial moment, Yi Zhonghai is thinking I should at least consider the money he lent me; I shouldn't be too biased."

Yan Fugui explained. They're now each getting what they need.