"Da Bao, listen to what this bastard is saying!"
Xu Damao gritted his teeth and grimaced, wishing he could drown Sha Zhu in a latrine with his eyes. "Now he knows how to burn incense and pray to Buddha? Why didn't he do this sooner? He's so annoying!"
“They’re just trying to compete for the position of manager,” Wang Dabao replied casually, then frowned and said, “Da Mao, I’m not trying to criticize you, but you can’t just stand by and watch. You have to take action. But one thing, don’t just talk the talk like Sha Zhu. You have to come up with something that will impress everyone.”
Xu Damao listened very attentively. After returning home from Shazhu's place in the morning, he had barely slept. His drowsy mind was filled with fantasies of his victories after donning the Third Uncle's battle robe.
The order of actions, the sequence of actions, who to target first and who to target later—it's all all planned out.
If Sha Zhu interferes at this moment, and he loses his position as the head steward, he will regret it to death.
Therefore, the most urgent task is to suppress Sha Zhu's arrogance and let the neighbors in the compound know that Xu Damao is the best candidate to do practical things for everyone.
"Da Bao, you tell me, I'll listen to whatever you say. As long as I can become the Third Uncle, you'll never be short of food and drink in the future."
At this moment, Xu Damao couldn't care about anything else. He was obsessed with the idea of being on equal footing with Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui.
Wang Dabao chuckled: "Da Mao, you see, there are only about twenty households in our compound. See if you have any mountain produce or eggs that you brought back from the countryside. You can buy some eggs at the pigeon market, one for each household. But Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui might need to bring one more, or some mountain produce."
"Don't follow Sha Zhu's example. Anyone can talk a good game, right? We need to let the neighbors see tangible benefits. Let them know that after you become the head of the household, you can work for everyone's benefit. Comparing the two, who do you think everyone is more inclined to support?"
After a moment's thought, Xu Damao stomped his foot and gritted his teeth, saying, "I'll do it, Da Bao, that's what you say."
"Xu Damao, keep an eye on things! What are you doing, wandering around with that chamber pot like that!"
Liu Guangtian strolled up from behind, and upon seeing Wang Dabao in front, his expression immediately changed. "Uncle Dabao, you're here to empty the chamber pot too? This is such a small thing, why do you need to do it yourself? From now on, I'll take care of your chamber pots. It's on my way anyway."
As he spoke, Liu Guangtian took out a cigarette and lit it for Wang Dabao. Xu Damao turned his head and looked, but he didn't get a single cigarette.
However, not getting a cigarette was no big deal. Liu Guangtian's eagerness left Xu Damao a little confused. When did Wang Dabao become so popular in the courtyard? Even Liu Haizhong and his son Liu Guangtian were rushing to curry favor with him.
Something's not right, it's just really, really not right!
Xu Damao frowned, planning to ask Wang Dabao how he had managed to subdue the father and son when no one was around.
"Oh, Guangtian, you're too kind. I usually take care of things before bed and rarely use a bedpan, so I won't trouble you." Wang Dabao chuckled, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "Is your husband getting enough eggs lately? Old Liu does heavy work at the factory; he can't afford to be malnourished!"
"Who can argue with that?"
Liu Guangtian nodded, holding the chamber pot, a helpless look on his face. "Eggs have been hard to come by lately, and my dad is almost going to go hungry."
Wang Dabao glanced at Xu Damao and winked almost imperceptibly.
Xu Damao was initially a little confused, not understanding what Wang Dabao meant, but after carefully considering his previous conversation with Liu Guangtian, he began to understand.
"Hey Liu Guangtian, how about this, when I go to the countryside I'll ask around in the commune. If the price is okay, I'll help your family buy them." Xu Damao said with a droopy face. "If you're really in a hurry, my family has a few more, you can lend them to us first."
Upon hearing this, Liu Guangtian was overjoyed, but then a look of doubt appeared on his face.
“Xu Damao, this isn’t like you. If you don’t explain clearly, my family won’t let you help collect these eggs.”
"Guangtian, what are you saying? Da Mao is just trying to be helpful. The compound is about to elect a manager, and Lao Liu can just say a few words for him."
Wang Dabao didn't hide anything and spoke frankly. Actually, there was nothing wrong with that, since Sha Zhu was openly trying to win people over.
“Uncle Da Bao, since you’ve said so, even if Xu Damao refuses to lend me the eggs, I’ll still make sure to relay your message when I get back.”
Liu Guangtian took out cigarettes again, reluctantly pulled one out, and handed it to Xu Damao, "Then I'll trouble you to help me find out some prices. If the price is right, I'll buy some back."
Xu Damao took the cigarette, lit it himself with a match, and said with satisfaction, "Don't worry, if all else fails, I can go to the factory's purchasing agent and borrow some from them."
After emptying the urinal, Wang Dabao didn't relieve himself and quickly left the public restroom.
There's no other reason than that the smell inside was just too strong.
That thing is almost touching the tip of their buttocks. I really don't know how these people can squat down like that. In a few days when it gets cold, if they suddenly take off their pants and squat down, their anuses will be pierced.
Wang Dabao shook his head and walked back with the chamber pot in his hand.
"Dabao, Dabao, slow down, wait for me, wait for me!"
Yan Bugui jogged up from behind, grabbed Wang Dabao's arm, bent over and panted for a moment before adjusting his glasses and speaking, "I saw you chatting animatedly with Xu Damao and Liu Guangtian up ahead. Were you talking about Xu Damao wanting to compete for the position of manager?!"
"Old Yan, it seems you're quite concerned about this matter."
"Sigh, how can I not care?"
Yan Bugui released Wang Dabao's hand. "Ever since Lao Liu announced the appointment of young cadres, there have been quite a few people with this idea. As far as I know, there's Zhou Shengli from the front yard, Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu from the middle yard, and Xu Damao from the back yard."
As he spoke, Yan Bugui suddenly looked at Wang Dabao and said, "Hey Dabao, haven't you ever thought about being a good manager? If you're interested, I'll go to the neighborhood committee with Lao Liu and put in a good word for you!"
"I appreciate your kind offer, Lao Yan, but I'm used to being lazy and don't want to be tied down."
As Wang Dabao walked, he said, "Old Yan, what do you think of Xu Damao?"
“Xu Damao…” Yan Bugui hesitated for a moment, then said, “Damao is a good person, but is it a bit inappropriate to let him do the work of a steward?”
"Old Yan is mistaken. Da Mao is a generous and quick-witted man. I personally think he is very suitable for the position of mediator."
Wang Dabao said earnestly.
Yan Bugui grinned slyly upon hearing this, and patted Wang Dabao on the shoulder: "Dabao, tell me the truth, did Xu Damao give you some benefits? Otherwise, why would you speak up for him like this!"
"I'm just stating the facts."
Wang Dabao shrugged helplessly. "Besides, if Xu Damao becomes the manager, it won't do any harm to our courtyard, will it?"
"That's true."
Yan Bugui nodded, then seemed to remember something, "But now Shazhu also has this idea, I'm just afraid he'll cause trouble if he fails to be elected."
"That's what's giving Xu Damao a headache."
After saying that, Wang Dabao walked towards the backyard.
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