After saying goodbye to Yan Jiecheng, Wang Dabao pushed his bicycle toward the Intermediate People's Court.
Thankfully, Yan Bugui isn't a violent parent like Liu Haizhong, otherwise he would definitely have given Yan a beating with a belt that night. However, poor Yan Jiecheng will definitely miss out on two pickled vegetable strips for dinner.
Getting Yan Bugui to give up his position as the third-in-command is much harder than getting him to quit being the goalkeeper.
Wang Dabao came home early today; it wasn't even five o'clock yet.
Jia Zhangshi moved a stool and sat by the pool, sewing shoe soles. No matter who came to wash clothes or fetch water, she would chat with them for a few words with a smile.
Those unaware of the inside story would truly be intimidated by the old woman's gentle demeanor. In fact, who has seen such a kind-faced Jia Zhangshi in the last ten years? The warm greetings that flowed from her mouth were like a northwest wind on a cold winter night, blowing on everyone who went to the pool.
Sha Zhu hurriedly carried a tarpaulin and strode out through the moon gate in the backyard. His face lit up with joy the moment he saw Wang Dabao.
"Hey, Da Bao, you're off work early today! You have to come over for a drink later."
Sha Zhu walked over as he spoke, “Although there aren’t any fancy dishes, the taste is absolutely authentic. Don’t let my one hand fool you, it doesn’t affect my skills.”
Wang Dabao was almost speechless at Sha Zhu's words, "craftsmanship." Indeed, he had never heard of anyone doing craftsmanship with two hands; the man was certainly too well-off.
"Zhu Zi, what's this in your hand?"
Wang Dabao wanted to call him Sha Zhu, but he held back the words. Given their current relationship, calling him Sha Zhu would be a bit inappropriate. "Let's skip dinner today and wait until you take over before we celebrate properly."
Sha Zhu nodded: "Okay, although I tidied up a bit today, the environment is still a bit bad. The inside is all blackened by the fire. That's why I got a tarpaulin from the old lady and need to seal the windows."
"Brother Da Bao, if you can help me tonight, please put in a good word for me and vote for me. I promise you I will treat you well in the future."
"Alright, as long as you say so, Zhu Zi, you don't trust me?"
Watching Sha Zhu's departing figure, Wang Dabao shook his head. Sha Zhu has been having a rough time lately. Winter is coming soon, and his house was burned down by a stick. Isn't this bullying an honest person?
But what the hell does this have to do with me?
The backyard was quiet. Through the curtain, I could see that Xu Damao's front door was tightly closed and the lock had been changed.
After moving the bicycle into the house, Wang Dabao moved the stove to a different spot, placing it near the door of the inner room so that the living room could also benefit from the warmth even with the door open.
The house was always laid out like this. Unlike the larger rooms of the other residents, his room was warmer when the door was closed.
The weather is getting colder every day. Even if he goes to the island farm to stay overnight, he will still spend some time here. He can't just make do.
Wang Dabao lit the stove and began boiling water to make tea.
After drinking a whole pot of tea, the room gradually warmed up, and Wang Dabao lay down on the sofa and drifted off to sleep again.
I hadn't slept for long when there was a knock on the door.
Wang Dabao sat up helplessly, rubbed his face, and went to the door. He opened the door and saw Xu Damao.
Xu Damao didn't come empty-handed. He was carrying two bags in his left hand and a bottle of baijiu in his right. Inside the bags was an oil paper bag, which Wang Dabao smelled as braised meat.
"I brought some food and drinks, you can make do with it here."
Xu Damao smiled and said, "Let's discuss tonight's plans again, you two brothers."
Wang Dabao stepped aside and said, "Da Mao, you're really rolling in money lately!"
"That's right, brother, I'm not short of money, and I'm not short of anything."
"Alright, let's drink then."
The two spread out their food on the coffee table, but before they could even pick up their chopsticks, there was another knock on the door.
This time, it was Liu Haizhong who came to inform Wang Dabao that there would be a hospital-wide meeting at seven o'clock and sincerely invited him to his home for a drink.
As a result, Wang Dabao stepped aside, and Liu Haizhong then saw Xu Damao sitting on the sofa.
"Old Liu, Jin Damao brought some wine and food. Don't leave, let's have a drink together."
"Oh, it's Second Uncle! Perfect timing, saves me the trouble of inviting you. Come and sit down." Xu Damao had already recognized Liu Haizhong's voice and knew there was no way to avoid it. Based on the principle that the other party would be of great use in the next stage, he invited him.
Seeing Xu Damao there, Liu Haizhong hesitated. Of course, he didn't want to miss the opportunity to drink with Wang Dabao, since it would be something to brag about in the factory later.
"Da Mao is here too. Okay, Da Bao and I, you two wait for me a moment while I order some more dishes."
With that, Liu Haizhong strode towards his home.
Liu Haizhong was a man who cared a lot about his reputation. When Wang Dabao said that Xu Damao had brought the food and drinks, he felt embarrassed to sit down and eat, for fear that Section Chief Wang would look down on him.
However, what he didn't know was that whether he brought food or not, it was all the same to Wang Dabao!
After Liu Haizhong left, Wang Dabao shrugged at Xu Damao and said, "Just wait and see, Old Liu will be a big help to your election this time."
“Dabao, it’s not that I’m trying to stir up trouble, but that old bastard Liu Haizhong is cunning. You’d better stay away from him in the future.”
Xu Damao glanced at the door twice and lowered his voice, saying, "He's not as bad as Yi Zhonghai. That old bastard is petty, holds grudges, and harms others without benefiting himself."
"Don't worry, Damao, I know what I'm doing."
Wang Dabao chuckled and patted Xu Damao on the shoulder, "Now that you want to run for mediator, you still need Lao Liu's help."
Xu Damao understood everything he said, and his assessment of Liu Haizhong was spot on. However, what the other party didn't know was that Liu Haizhong wouldn't dare to plot against him at all.
After chatting for a few minutes, Liu Haizhong returned with a plate of scrambled eggs and a bottle of wine.
Wang Dabao looked at the large plate of scrambled eggs with some surprise: "Old Liu, how many eggs did you fry? It's such a big plate!"
"Not much, just adding another dish."
Liu Haizhong chuckled and placed the scrambled eggs on the coffee table. "Your sister-in-law just made these, they're still hot. Da Bao, you should try them."
Wang Dabao didn't stand on ceremony, picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. He couldn't help but marvel at how skilled Old Liu's wife was at frying eggs. Even a master chef like Sha Zhu would have to admit defeat.
Under Liu Haizhong's watchful gaze, Xu Damao also picked up a piece with his chopsticks and exclaimed in the same way, "Auntie Er's cooking skills have really improved. You won't find anyone in the entire city of Beijing who can fry eggs this well."
Wang Dabao picked up the wine bottle and filled the bottles for the two of them.
"Old Liu, Da Mao, there may have been some conflicts between you two before. Let me offer a toast, and let bygones be bygones. We need to look at the long term, right?"
"This second cup is to congratulate Old Liu on becoming the head of the compound. I believe that under Old Liu's leadership, the residents of the compound will have a better and better life!"
"This third cup is to wish Damao a successful promotion to the position of Manager San..."
"This fourth cup..."
"Brother Da Bao, Brother Da Bao, have some food first, then we'll drink!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
