Chapter 96 Don’t worry about what will happen in the future, just get the status you can get first

When they saw Xiao Ai coming back, but the electricity in the shed was not working, Wang Xiaofeng and Cheng Lin naturally knew that things were not going well.

Cheng Lin clenched his fists, but Wang Xiaofeng didn't even mention the electricity issue. Instead, she changed the subject and said, "Sister, do you have anything else to do? If you don't, come make pancakes. Cheng Lin and I will go out for a walk."

Shi Xiaoai glanced at her watch and found that it was already nine o'clock.

Knowing that she was talking about going to the elementary school gate, I walked up and took her place.

Shi Xiaoai glanced at the basin where the dough was being fermented and found that half of the dough that had been fermented in the morning had been eaten. She felt a little relieved.

I know that although the power outage has delayed some customer flow, today's business is not bad.

Cheng Lin went over and picked up the bamboo basket containing the stone buns, but Wang Xiaofeng did not go with him.

Wang Xiaofeng went to the shed and pushed out the small cart that she had brought in the morning, and then put a pile of new dishes and chopsticks that she had bought yesterday on the cart.

Then she came over and filled a small steel pot with half a pot of rice, and then took a small porcelain pot with a lid and filled it with half a pot of braised vegetables.

Finally, she put all these things and a small bowl of tea eggs into a new bamboo basket wrapped in a quilt.

Looking at these items that were not on the stall at all, Shi Xiaoai was very curious and asked, "Where did you get these things?"

"I just asked my mother to bring it over. My sister was hospitalized before and my mother used these things to deliver meals to the hospital. I thought they would be good for storing our braised food." Shi Xiaoai explained.

After that, she called Cheng Kai, then looked at Shi Xiaoai and said, "Sister, is it okay for you to be here alone? If it's okay, I'll take Kai Kai to the bus station again."

Shi Xiaoai knew that this girl was arguing with the bus station today, and she guessed that business there must be pretty good.

Hearing her say that, he quickly smiled and said, "What's the problem? Aren't Mingrui and Mingxi still here with me?"

The three of them left, and only the mother and her two daughters were left in front of the stall.

From the time they returned to the stall in the morning until now, all the experiences in between made Mingxi and Mingrui worried along with everyone else. Now it was finally quiet, and the two little guys all leaned against their mother, clinging to her quietly.

Mingrui and Mingxi grew up with Shi Xiaoai.

After returning to the city, they saw their father and the family conditions were much better than before. All these changes changed the personalities of the two children compared to before.

I have become more cheerful, generous and willing to communicate with others.

Octavia got rid of his precocious temperament and began to regain some of the mischievousness and innocence that a child should have.

Mingxi was actually quite cunning and mischievous when she was in the countryside.

Now she has learned to act like a spoiled child, to act coquettishly to adults, and even to take advantage of adults' kindness to her to occasionally throw a tantrum.

It seems that he is not as easy to take care of as before, but in fact, Xiao Ai understands that this is a good thing for the child.

After all, only when children are truly at peace in their hearts and in front of people who truly love them, will they completely relax and show their truest selves.

But now Mingrui and Mingxi, one on each side, brought a small stool and sat next to Shi Xiaoai. Mingrui said nothing, silently fanning the fire with a piece of cardboard.

Mingxi doesn’t know what he can do?

She grabbed the corner of Shi Xiaoai's clothes and twisted it in her hand, occasionally looking up and secretly glancing at her mother.

Seeing the two children like this, Shi Xiaoai's heart suddenly ached.

She had always known that these two children were particularly sensitive, but she had never expected them to be this sensitive.

It seems that they were scared by the previous power outage.

Of course, another possibility is that when I was not around, the adults did not know how to be discreet when speaking, and the two children heard some of what they said.

They can't tell the truth from the false and just worry.

It’s around nine o’clock, when the tea stall business is the slowest.

Especially now that there are no lights in the shed, people who used to come here to drink a cup of tea, chat, and avoid the wind no longer come.

There are only two or three customers sitting in the whole stall at the moment.

Faced with this situation, Shi Xiaoai stopped making pancakes.

She washed the children's hands and then moved two empty tables into the shed.

She spread the quilt that had been placed there to keep the children warm on the table, and she put Mingxi and Mingrui on the table to let them sleep.

"Mom, I'm not sleepy. I can help you with the work."

Mingrui frowned and said to Shi Xiaoai like a little adult.

Mingxi also nodded quickly: "I can work too. Mom, I can help you count the money!"

Shi Xiaoai hugged the two little ones and kissed each of them on the forehead.

Then she gently comforted them, "Mom knows that our Mingrui and Mingxi are the best. You two could have done it. It's just that there's nothing to do right now, and Mom can handle it all by herself. You two can sleep peacefully. Don't worry, you don't have to be afraid of anything with Mom here!"

Hearing that their mother was willing to talk to them about this topic, the two children finally stopped hiding their feelings and showed worried expressions.

Mingxi grabbed Shi Xiaoai's arm and asked anxiously, "Mom, they won't tear down our stall, will they? We won't be driven back to the countryside again, will we?"

The child sobbed and said, "I don't want to go back to that place. I don't want to be hungry."

Mingrui clenched his fists tightly and said angrily, "Mom, don't be afraid, let's fight them! If anyone bullies us, I'll fight them with you! Beat them to death!"

Although he said the harshest words, tears welled up in the child's eyes and it was obvious that he was filled with fear.

Shi Xiaoai didn't know what the two children heard.

At this moment, I just feel the fire in my heart rising up!

I just want to catch those gossipers and cut them into pieces!

She bent down and held both children in her arms, earnestly promising, "Our stall is fine, don't worry too much. The power outage is because of a faulty line. Grandma Yu has already sent someone to fix it, and it will be fixed in two days at most."

Just be good and don't run around these two days. You don't have to do anything else. Mom is here!

You all know how powerful Mom is. All those bad guys were defeated by Mom.

Don't be afraid, no one can bully us, and it is even more impossible to drive us back to the countryside.

This is our home, we will stay here and not go anywhere. Have you forgotten that you promised Dad today that you would wait for him at home!"

When their father was mentioned, the two children's eyes lit up at the same time, and then they nodded heavily at the same time.

Mingxi suddenly cheered up, clenched his fist and swung it into the air!

She said, "Yes, my dad will be back soon. No one can drive us away. If anyone dares to bully us, I'll let my dad beat him!"

Obviously, in the little girl's heart, Cheng Yang's stature has surpassed her mother.

We had gotten up early in the morning and cried a lot, and then there was a power outage. The two children had actually been exhausted for a long time and were all sleepy and tired.

After calming down, Shi Xiaoai coaxed her a few more times, and the two of them fell asleep quickly.

Shi Xiaoai stood by the table for a long time without moving. She looked at the children's sleeping faces quietly for a while, then reached out to wipe away the tears from the faces of the two babies.

Then he took off his coat and covered them with it before walking out.

Her face looked very calm at this moment, as if nothing had happened.

But in reality, my heart was surging with anger, which was surging over and over again!

She wasn't that angry at first, and she didn't take the shady things she encountered in business to heart.

But causing her child to be so frightened is absolutely intolerable!

Shi Xiaoai took a deep breath, calmed her mind, and while skillfully baking the stone buns, she began to think about the report she would hand in to Director Yu in the afternoon.

She knew that this report had to be written well, as it was related to the success or failure of her next plan.

The rich aroma of fried dough sticks spreads more easily outdoors, and it didn’t take long before the whole place was filled with this mouth-watering fragrance.

Anyone who passes by here will be attracted by the fragrance.

Soon a pedestrian on a bicycle stopped in front of the stall, walked over and bought two stone buns.

After a while, two cadres came over with handbags, who looked like they were going out to do some business. They came over to take a look, and probably couldn't resist the temptation of the fragrance, so they simply ordered a bowl of braised pork rice each and two stone buns and sat at the door to eat.

Once there is one, there will be two, and the tea stall will be busy again.

Shi Xiaoai herself didn't understand why so many passers-by came today?

Perhaps this must be thanked.

After all, although they moved the table outside, the workbench has always been inside the shed.

In other words, apart from those who originally planned to come here to buy food, other people who occasionally pass by, especially those who ride by on bicycles, would not be able to smell such a rich aroma.

Although this road is a main thoroughfare, it is not a market and it is unlikely that people pass by in groups.

Therefore, the tea stalls did not experience the congestion and long queues that existed in the past.

But the guests never stopped coming.

Shi Xiaoai originally said that she was not busy in the morning, but in fact, from the moment she sat down to make steamed buns, there was a constant stream of people coming to the tea stall.

So when Cheng Lin sold all the stone buns in the basket and came back to get another one, he was surprised to find that there were only a few buns left in the basket!

Cheng Lin's craftsmanship is now very good. He immediately replaced Shi Xiaoai's position and started to be self-reliant.

When he finally baked enough steamed buns for himself, Kaikai ran back panting.

When he came over, he shouted, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, Sister Xiaofeng asked me to bring another basket of stone buns over!"

As he said this, he placed a bamboo basket on the table...

Thanks to the opening of a new sales channel, business today was no worse than usual. Not only that, the braised pork rice was once again sold out before noon.

Thinking that they would not be able to do business at the night market without electricity, Cheng Lin and Wang Xiaofeng were unwilling to go home in the afternoon. They were determined to stay and continue to set up the stall.

"Sister-in-law, you take the three of them back. Xiaofeng and I will stay here. I'll watch over the stall in the afternoon, and let Kaikai come over and continue to go to the bus station with Xiaofeng. Anyway, we can't work at night, so it's okay to watch over a little longer in the afternoon."

Shi Xiaoai now doesn't understand what happened during the time she was away in the morning?

If it were any other time, Cheng Lin would have jumped up and down when he saw Shi Daxi and the others doing such mischief! If he didn't run to fight, he would definitely have cursed them out.

But today, he didn't complain a word from beginning to end, not even a word, he just tried his best to do what he could.

Shi Xiaoai understood that the child was afraid of putting her in trouble and was worried about her.

She didn't explain much.

After hearing this, she nodded and said, "Okay, if you two want to stay here, that's fine. I'll go back and braise the meat for this afternoon, and then make some noodles."

As she spoke, she reached out and took Kaikai in her arms, saying to him, "Come back with me. I've made lunch. You can bring it to your brother and sister later."

The little guy nodded in agreement immediately.

Shi Xiaoai was taking her three children and the things they needed for lunch home. Halfway through the journey, she met Aunt Liu who was hurrying over. The old lady was holding a large bamboo basket wrapped in cotton wool.

Seeing them, the old lady asked in surprise, "You're back? I said I'd bring you food! I just made it. Let's have buns for lunch today. Big buns with three fresh fillings. They're delicious."

Aunt Liu opened the lid of the bamboo basket as she spoke.

Looking at the large basin full of pure white bread, Shi Xiaoai said with a smile, "Auntie, this is too much. Did you use up all the white flour in your house? You won't be able to live for the rest of the month?"

Aunt Liu glared at her in disapproval and said, "It's such a rare opportunity to make dumplings, and yet you're so reluctant to give up even that little bit of flour? You're going home now, so take yours and I'll give the rest to them."

Knowing that the old lady was preparing the food for them sincerely, Shi Xiaoai didn't hesitate.

She took out half of the buns from the basin and went home with the children.

With the buns, Shi Xiaoai no longer has to cook lunch, and she has a lot more free time.

After taking the children to finish their meal, she let Kaikai take the two younger ones to bed. She went to the kitchen to let the dough rise, put the meat in the pot to stew, and then started writing the report at the kitchen table.

The report Shi Xiaoai wrote was divided into three parts. The first part, of course, detailed the tea stall's operations. She didn't write about revenue generation, as people at that time didn't pay much attention to money.

She mainly wrote about the issue of placement of unemployed people.

A small tea stall accommodated two returned urban youths and an unemployed young man (Cheng Lin and Cheng Yang had obtained temporary residence permits and were also temporary residents of Yunhe Lane), and the government did not need to spend a penny on resettlement fees. This in itself was a good selling point and worth promoting.

In the second part, she looked ahead to the future and explained the basis for the large-scale promotion of such an operating model.

At the same time, they also emphasized Yunhe Lane’s determination to make this kind of community snack shop bigger and stronger.

Of course, the most important thing is to show their determination and make a serious promise that they will recruit more educated youth and unemployed young people to solve the difficulties for the government.

The third and final part is the most important.

In this section, Shi Xiaoai raised the difficulties they encountered - there was no temporary worker system.

Shi Xiaoai made it clear that without a temporary worker system, they couldn't prove they were a legitimate collective unit. Without official recognition from higher authorities, they couldn't recruit workers in an upright manner.

After all, even unemployed young people can't work as private helpers, right?

Moreover, if the collective does not give them a clear name, the tea stall business will not be able to continue.

Otherwise, if they continue to develop, will they be reported as taking the capitalist road? Will they be accused of illegally hiring workers?

No one can bear such a big hat being put on them.

Shi Xiaoai clearly remembered that it was still only 1980!

Although the seeds of individual economy had already begun to sprout at this time, the state's regulations to encourage individual business would not be officially promulgated until July 1981.

This policy provision only encourages unemployed young people to engage in individual business and allows local governments to lease some service industries and businesses to individuals in a planned manner.

At the same time, the policy also clearly stipulates that "when hiring workers, no more than five apprentices can be hired."

This means that self-employed individuals and private businesses are actually walking in a gray area.

Either no one cares, or they arrest you without negotiation.

Why was Shi Xiaoai so in no hurry to expand her business? Why did she choose to pay more to keep them tied to the office? It was to prevent problems before they occurred.

This is also the reason why she is writing this report now.

No matter what happens in the future, you must first get the status you can get.

She wrote the report, checked it carefully, and after making sure there were no problems, she copied it stroke by stroke and put it in an envelope.

By this time, the braised meat had been cooked and the three children had woken up from their beds.

Shi Xiaoai packed up her things and took her three children to the tea stall.

It was around two in the afternoon and there were hardly any customers.

Cheng Lin and Wang Xiaofeng were sitting in the shed, one of them taking a nap leaning against a table.

The same situation was happening in Shi Daxi's shop across the street. He and several of his hired assistants were all sitting on small stools, chatting in front of the stall.

When Shi Xiaoai came over, those people deliberately raised their voices, and someone even whistled in a mean way, and then burst into malicious laughter.

Shi Xiaoai ignored them, handed the three children to Cheng Lin and Xiaofeng, and went to find Director Yu with the report.

Director Yu was very satisfied with the report she wrote. Seeing that there was still early time, he immediately decided to go to the district today to submit the report.

It was obvious that what happened in the morning had also angered the old lady, making her fully aware of the importance of improving the reputation of the office.

After leaving the office, Shi Xiaoai did not go back, but took the bus to the textile factory.

When she arrived, the workers in the factory's three shifts were just getting off work, and the factory gate was bustling with activity.

Shi Xiaoai walked over and grabbed a friendly-looking woman and said, "Auntie, do you know Yang Hui from the printing and dyeing workshop? I want to talk to her about something."

The female comrade looked at her and asked, "Who are you?"

Shi Xiaoai quickly introduced herself: "I'm from Yunhe Lane, and I'm a neighbor of Yang Hui."

Hearing her say this, the man let down his guard and pointed to the back, saying, "Those people over there are from the printing and dyeing workshop. Go ask them what shift Yang Hui works in. They should know."

Shi Xiaoai quickly thanked them and ran towards the group of people.

The group of people over there were all young girls in their twenties. It was obvious that they had just come out of the shower and their hair was still a little wet.

The textile factory has high wages, good conditions, and high requirements for recruiting workers. At least these girls all look energetic and pleasing to the eye.

Shi Xiaoai walked over and asked the same question again. Then the prettiest girl in the group stopped, looked at her and said, "I'm Yang Hui."

Shi Xiaoai didn't expect that she would ask the real person all of a sudden. She was stunned for a moment, then smiled at her.

Said: "I am Shi Xiaoai, I live in Courtyard 17, Yunhe Lane, you may not know me..."

"I know you." Yang Hui interrupted Xiao Ai before she could finish her words.

Shi Xiaoai was stunned again.

Yang Hui pointed to the wall beside the factory and said, "Let's go over there and talk if you have anything to say."

After saying goodbye to his coworkers, he walked towards the wall first, and Shi Xiaoai hurriedly followed.

Finding a deserted spot, Yang Hui stopped and smiled at Shi Xiaoai. "Wang Xiaoyun and I work in the same workshop, and we have a good relationship. You know Wang Xiaoyun, right? Her mother's last name is Liu."

"I know, I know. She is Aunt Liu's daughter and Xiaofeng's sister." Shi Xiaoai replied quickly.

Hearing about this kind of relationship, her tense heart relaxed a little and she said, "My family lives across from Aunt Liu's, and we have always had a good relationship."

"Well, Xiaoyun told me that Xiaofeng is working with you now. Although I've never met her, I've heard a lot about you."

Yang Hui paused and asked, "What brings you to me today? Is it related to Courtyard No. 1?"

Shi Xiaoai didn't expect that she was so smart. Before she even mentioned anything, she could immediately think of that.

Seeing her like this, Yang Huixian smiled. She spread her hands and said bluntly, "We're not familiar with each other and have never met before. What else could have made you come all the way to see me except Courtyard No. 1?"