By the time they got off work, the news of Lin Wencui's appointment as an official had already reached the courtyard.
Lin Wencui, the deputy director, is a genuine official, unlike some class leaders, group leaders, or section chiefs. She is a nationally recognized cadre.
Everyone in the courtyard was envious. This was the first cadre in the courtyard, why wasn't it me? 87.5 yuan a month, how could she possibly spend it all?
Liu Haizhong was so jealous he was practically going crazy. Lin Wencui was just a woman; how could she possibly become an official?
How come I, Liu Haizhong, the dignified second uncle of a courtyard house, can't become an official? Does that mean I, Liu Haizhong, am not as good as a woman?
Liu Haizhong couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it and continued drinking.
Before long, Liu Haizhong's eyes were bloodshot from drinking. His second aunt watched from the side, thinking to herself, "Sigh! I wonder which unlucky kid will suffer tonight?"
Meanwhile, Sun Dajiang's family was celebrating Lin Wencui's birthday at a restaurant, and they had also invited some leaders and friends. Everyone was toasting and talking about the future, creating a lively atmosphere.
By the time the family finished eating and returned to the compound, it was almost 9 o'clock. After washing up, they went to bed.
The next morning, after finishing their breakfast, Sun Dajiang and his wife were about to go to work when they ran into Yan Bugui at the gate.
"Dajiang Wencui, good morning! Getting ready for work?"
Sun Dajiang understood that Yan Bugui was waiting at the door early in the morning, probably to ambush him. His purpose was obvious, but he didn't want to offend someone who was smiling, so he returned the greeting.
Good morning, Uncle! Have you eaten yet?
"You've eaten, Dajiang. Your third uncle heard that Wencui became an official, so he came to congratulate you."
Listen to that, that explains their purpose; now it's time to ask for a treat.
Sun Dajiang chuckled inwardly, "You want me to treat you? I'll pay for nothing!"
It's not that Sun Dajiang is stingy; he can afford to spend this much money. The problem is that the people in the courtyard eat your food and then badmouth you behind your back. They never stop taking advantage of you. In short, it's a complicated situation.
Thinking of this, Sun Dajiang said politely.
"Thank you, Uncle. It's just bad luck. The former deputy director was transferred, which is why Wencui got the better deal. It's nothing, nothing at all."
Sun Dajiang also made a comment, which made Yan Bugui's lips twitch.
"Look, is this even human language? It's not worth mentioning. If you keep talking like that, you'll have no friends."
Thinking of this, Yan Bugui continued.
"Yes, yes, yes, this is nothing to you, Dajiang, but it's a different story for our compound."
Wen Cui was the first person in our institute to become an official, which was a step forward for our institute.
"Look, the neighbors in the compound are also happy for Wencui and are all thinking of celebrating with her. When should we throw a few tables?"
"Thank you then, but even great people advocate thrift these days, so I won't let my neighbors spend money to celebrate for me. Alright! Uncle, you're busy, I'll go to work now."
Yan Bugui was stunned. "Was that what I meant? Or was my wording too roundabout, and Sun Dajiang didn't understand?"
While Yan Bugui was still imagining things, Sun Dajiang and his wife had already walked away.
It wasn't until the two had walked far away that Yan Bugui realized what had happened, and he stomped his feet in anger.
When the neighbors in the courtyard learned that Sun Dajiang wouldn't be hosting a dinner party, they were all furious and started cursing.
"That ungrateful wretch would rather treat outsiders to a meal than treat the people in our compound to a meal."
"That good-for-nothing Lin Wencui, I curse her to have a son without an anus, no, no, I curse her to have a grandson without an anus."
The one who hurled the most insults was Jia Zhangshi. Of course, Sun Dajiang wasn't here. If he were, he might have slapped her across the face.
Ultimately, Lin Wencui's attempt to become an official ended without a resolution within the courtyard.
...
On a weekend morning at 10 a.m., Sun Dajiang and his family got into a car at the entrance of the courtyard house and drove away.
Today was the day I had arranged with Lou Bancheng, and to show how important it was, Lou Bancheng even sent a car to pick me up.
The neighbors in the courtyard house were envious again, saying, "Look at him, he just became an official and a car is already picking him up."
Sun Dajiang was unaware of these words, and his family had already arrived in front of Lou Bancheng's villa.
Lou Bancheng and his family were already standing at the entrance of the villa to greet them.
After getting out of the car, the family was welcomed into the villa, where they exchanged pleasantries.
Sun Zhengguo was also shocked by the Lou family. The Lou family was too luxurious. Even he, a person of later generations, was shocked. Can you imagine how luxurious the Lou family was?
No wonder the Lou family was among the first to fall when the winds picked up; even if Xu Damao hadn't reported them, the Lou family would have undoubtedly collapsed anyway. What we've seen is just the tip of the iceberg.
Just as Sun Zhengguo was in shock, the group arrived in the living room, and after they sat down, the servants served tea.
The adults chatted and drank, while the younger siblings ate snacks on the table. Only Sun Zhengguo was bored and could only casually look around at the decorations.
Lou Xiao'e, ever since Sun Zhengguo got out of the car, had been staring at him with her beautiful eyes.
Sun Zhengguo knew all this, but what could he do about it?
“Making a mess is something Sun Zhengguo never dared to think about. It’s not that Lou Xiao’e isn’t beautiful, but that she can’t. What would happen to her whole family if she made a mess? You know, Lou Xiao’e’s family had no choice but to run away.”
Therefore, Sun Zhengguo knew perfectly well that Lou Xiao'e had feelings for him, but he could only pretend not to know.
After chatting for a while, a servant came to say that the food was ready and they could eat.
The Lou family really put a lot of effort into today's meal, with everything from birds in the sky to animals on the ground and swimming in the water.
With the addition of Sichuan cuisine master Liu Dachuan's personal cooking, it was absolutely delicious, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
After the meal, and after the servants served tea, Sun Dajiang didn't mince words and went straight to the point.
"Mr. Lou, first of all, I want to thank you for your hospitality to our family. Secondly, I also want to thank you for your help with my wife's election for deputy director a couple of days ago, wasn't it you who helped her?"
Lou Bancheng smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
“What I did was a small matter, insignificant compared to my daughter’s situation. Brother Dajiang, please don’t take it to heart.”
It was only then that Lin Wencui realized that Lou Bancheng had helped her become the deputy director, and she couldn't help but sigh, "Every sip and every bite has its own destiny."
After both sides explained the situation clearly, the atmosphere became more harmonious.
An hour later, Sun Dajiang took his leave, and Lou Bancheng did not try to stop him. Instead, he took out a small box that he had prepared and handed it to Sun Zhengguo.
"Zhengguo, I won't say much in thanks. This is a small gift from Uncle Lou. Please accept it."
When Sun Zhengguo saw what Lou Bancheng handed him, he didn't know whether to accept it or not, so he looked at Sun Dajiang.
Sun Dajiang shook his head after seeing the pleading look in his son's eyes.
Lou Bancheng noticed this action and, before Sun Zhengguo could refuse, forced it on him.
He continued speaking from the border.
"Why are you being so polite with Uncle Lou? Come visit often in the future, and let Xiao'e thank you properly."
Only after the car had driven far away did Lou Bancheng slowly turn his head and say something to Lou Xiao'e.
Do you like it?
Lou Xiao'e nodded subconsciously, then remembered something, quickly shook her head, and ran away with a blush on her face.
Lou Bancheng looked at his daughter's expression thoughtfully, and an idea had already formed in his mind.
(I really like the character Lou Xiao'e, but her family situation is very contradictory to this era. I've described this character so much, I don't know how to continue writing. I'd appreciate guidance from the great writer Minglu.)
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