Even if Zhou Haiqin was very frugal, she still couldn't cook without rice... Now things are better, with Fatty's salary, although it's only 18.5 yuan, it can still get a lot done.
Zhou Haiqin counted the money, took out 5 yuan and handed it to the fat man; but to her surprise, he refused to take it: "Mom, take 3 yuan from my salary and give it to my three older sisters. You keep the rest to help with household expenses."
All three people, all three pairs of eyes, looked at the fat man. Chen Yan pursed her lips tightly, and Chen Fang's voice trembled as she spoke: "I, I don't want your money."
Hearing the commotion, Chen Gangqiang and Chen Rong came out as well. Old Chen nodded: "He's earning a salary now, and he can support the family. Let's do as he says."
Chen Rong also said, "I have a salary, I don't need your money. Second brother and third brother, each of you take 1.5 yuan, spend it sparingly."
After telling his family about what had happened recently, it was already quite late, so Fatty decided not to go back to the courtyard house today.
Returning to the familiar yet unfamiliar room, seeing everything arranged as before, Fatty asked Chen Fang, "Third Sister, why didn't you tidy up the room?"
As Chen Fang made the bed for him, she said, "That's fine, I'll get married sooner or later anyway."
"Hey... Did your parents set you up with someone again?" the fat man asked her.
Chen Fang sat cross-legged on the bed and sighed, "I don't like that person, but my parents both say he's a good person."
These words reminded the fat man of his wife in another world.
They met through a blind date, which was like a transaction. Following the principle of equivalent exchange, you stated your point of view, and I stated mine. If they felt their values were somewhat compatible, they would try dating for a while.
There was no affection or love involved, but both families felt it was a good match, so they decided to get married.
In short, it's about finding each other family and companionship. So that in the future, when everyone else is happily reunited with their families during holidays, you won't feel like crying...
"Third sister, have you ever thought about why people get married?"
Chen Fang hadn't really considered this question before, and asked softly, "Why?"
"Of course, it's to find someone you can confide in! When I get married, I want to find someone who, even if everyone says I'm bad, will still protect me without hesitation and speak well of me. Even if I were to commit a crime, she would still keep watch for me without hesitation! Look at criminals, they all have a close accomplice when they commit crimes!"
Chen Fang stared at him blankly for a long time. Then she suddenly jumped off the bed and ran outside without even putting on her shoes: "Mom, something terrible has happened! My little brother says he's going to commit a crime!"
"..."
Time is like a river, flowing ceaselessly past everyone, taking away naivety and ignorance, leaving behind memories and growth.
1964 was drawing to a close. The Red Star Factory remained bustling with activity, and the people and things that were so familiar remained unchanged. But beneath this calm surface, many things had quietly changed.
The hottest topic lately is that Sha Zhu's arm was fractured by someone, and he was hospitalized for more than 20 days. Now he can't flip a wok or cook.
Inside the steel rolling mill, he even had someone report him. They accused him of having an improper relationship with Qin Huairu, violating labor discipline, bullying coworkers, and stealing food from the canteen…
There were six whistleblowers in total. In addition to five people, including Brother Yang, there was also a neighbor of Sha Zhu: Xu Damao.
Outside the canteen, under the sun, Brother Yang offered a cigarette to Fatty with a fawning look on his face: "Fatty, the word 'bullying' that you taught me is now popular. Many workshops are using it."
The fat man lit a cigarette and asked them, "How have you guys been lately?"
Brother Yang sighed: "It's neither good nor bad. Even I am dispensable. My parents don't like me at home, and my team leader doesn't like me in the workshop. Only you, Fatty, treat us like human beings."
You can't reason with someone like Brother Yang. It's like slipping on a rainy day; if you accidentally slip and fall, you can't expect someone to help you up without exchanging drinks for drinks and tea for tea.
After chatting with Brother Yang for a while, Fatty returned to the cafeteria and bumped into Liu Lan as soon as he entered the kitchen.
"What are you doing? Don't you keep an eye on things?" Liu Lan complained to the fat man while rubbing her chest.
Just as the fat man was about to speak, she said, "The leaders from our brother unit are staying for dinner tonight. Sha Zhu is taking care of his grandpa, so Deputy Factory Director Li has assigned this task to you."
Making special meals for the boss is something we have to be proactive about. Every time we cook for the boss, the fat guy earns a favor.
Aside from the industrial vouchers he could receive, he didn't keep any of the good food and dishes, letting Aunt Pang and the others take them home.
When Sha Zhu was around, they worked hard for him, but it all turned out to be for nothing.
All the credit goes to Sha Zhu; the leader gets half and he gets half. As for those who assist him, they at most get a few words of thanks.
The fat man was much more generous. Everyone knew his family's financial situation, but he still shared all the benefits with everyone.
Every time Zhao Lao Er saw his two children enjoying their food with happy expressions, his gratitude towards the fat man would grow even stronger.
Others, like Aunt Fatty, insisted on introducing Fatty to a potential partner; Liu Lan, in particular, lusted after his body and was always looking for an opportunity to sleep with him…
In the kitchen, Sha Zhu, as usual, sat there with his arms slung over his shoulder like an old man.
As Brother Yang said, Fatty's relationship with him is neither good nor bad. It's as if the whole thing never happened; at least on the surface, things are fine.
If Fatty hadn't been familiar with Sha Zhu's character, he might have actually been fooled by him.
The most interesting thing is that Qin Huairu even came to question him once.
The day after Sha Zhu and Xiao Yang's fight, Qin Huairu stormed over to the fat man's door that night and said, "Your master is injured, you know that, right?"
The fat man nodded: "I know, it's all over the factory today. They're saying that the foreman got into a fight with someone."
One says "master," the other says "teacher," they're not on the same wavelength, how can they possibly have a conversation like that?
Sha Zhu does 10 things, Qin Huairu needs to know 9 of them, and pretends not to know the 1.
Qin Huairu knew that Sha Zhu had just hired someone to deal with Fatty, but Fatty was unharmed, while Sha Zhu was beaten up, and not badly, his arm was even broken!
What a coincidence!
But despite her suspicions, she had no proof that the fat man was responsible. Besides, what Sha Zhu had done before was something that couldn't be brought up openly.
Qin Huairu could only try a different approach: "I heard that everyone in your cafeteria went to see your master, but you didn't?"
"Who's spouting this nonsense? I'm going to slap them across the face."
After finishing his angry outburst, the fat man gasped for breath and said, "Auntie Pang, Master Wang, Liu Lan, Zhao Lao Er, and I... none of us went!"
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