Thanks to Xu Damao's "assistance," Liu Haizhong's family has had no shortage of fried eggs lately.
Two bites of egg, a sip of wine, and the chopsticks will never be used a third time.
Liu Haizhong enjoyed his drink, but the matter Liu Guangtian had mentioned lingered in his mind.
"Old Liu, don't think too much about it. Ever since Yi Zhonghai stepped down from his position as the steward, many people in the compound haven't given him a friendly look. Maybe he's realized his mistake and wants to make amends now."
Old Liu's wife tidied up her sons' bowls and chopsticks, and put a large piece of egg into Liu Haizhong's bowl. "I ran into Yi Zhonghai a couple of days ago, and he smiled at me too. This old Yi has no airs at all now. He only knows how to maintain good relationships in the government now that he's an official. Where was he before?"
"I've worked with Yi Zhonghai in the hospital for so many years, so I know him quite well."
Liu Haizhong lowered his eyes, as if recalling the past. "Yi Zhonghai has always been petty and vengeful. His current unusual behavior suggests he has a bigger scheme. There's definitely something fishy going on here!"
Liu Haizhong's position as an old man was hard-won; after so many years of hard work, his dream had finally come true. How could he possibly be willing to hand it over before he even got comfortable in it, let alone give it to Yi Zhonghai?
He had heard about Yi Zhonghai's recent underhanded dealings in the courtyard, but he didn't take it seriously because he had an alliance with Wang Dabao, Yan Bugui, and Xu Damao.
But things are different now. Yi Zhonghai has turned his attention to his own son and begun to infiltrate Liu Guangtian's mind.
This made Liu Haizhong realize the crisis, and he immediately lost his interest in drinking. "I'll go ask Guangtian again."
After putting down his cup, Liu Haizhong walked into the house.
Liu Guangfu was squatting on the ground, enjoying his cigarette, when the door was suddenly pushed open and Liu Haizhong entered.
Seeing Liu Guangfu's smug and self-satisfied appearance, Liu Haizhong was furious but managed to restrain himself from kicking him to the ground.
Liu Guangtian also jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed), staring blankly at Liu Haizhong.
Afterwards, Liu Guangtian recounted the whole story to Liu Haizhong again. Liu Haizhong pondered for a long time before speaking.
"He's trying to win people over, and who knows what other tricks he has up his sleeve. We need to be careful and not fall into his trap."
"Dad, is it that serious?"
Liu Guangtian was a little incredulous. "Unless that old dog Yi Zhonghai hasn't had enough of being beaten, how could he, a childless man, dare to set a trap for our family? He must be tired of living!"
"You know nothing! Yi Zhonghai will never be content to step down from his position as the eldest son. He will definitely try every means to regain his position." Liu Haizhong sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), lit a cigarette, and then tossed one to each of his two sons.
The brothers Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu looked as if they had received a reward from the emperor, their faces filled with tears of gratitude.
Liu Haizhong nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Do you think Yi Zhonghai got his level eight fitter job for nothing? He's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve. And you're telling Guangtian to learn the skills properly? That's nonsense. Just look at Jia Dongxu. He's been a level two fitter for over ten years. If the master doesn't teach, where will the apprentice learn the skills?"
"That's just empty talk and platitudes, just to win your favor. After all, saying nice things doesn't cost money."
"Dad, now I understand. That old bastard Yi Zhonghai is a real scoundrel. He says that his apprentice Jia Dongxu is like a son, but he doesn't teach him any skills at all!"
Liu Guangtian stood obediently on the ground. Except for meals, Liu Haizhong sat down, and the two brothers were not allowed to stand. "But why is he trying so hard to please me?"
Liu Haizhong shook his fat head: "Didn't I just say that he's trying to lull you into a false sense of security so he can set a trap for you to fall into later?"
Liu Guangfu had just finished smoking on the ground and had his fill of cigarettes. He hadn't been willing to smoke the cigarettes Old Liu had given him, so he had left them behind his ear. After listening to the conversation between Old Liu and his second brother, he pondered for a while and then said, "Dad, Yi Zhonghai is a vicious man. It seems we should also inform Yan Bugui, Xu Damao, and Uncle Dabao. We can't fall for that old man's scheme."
The father and his two sons exchanged a glance and nodded silently.
The front yard, the Yan family's house.
"Dad, why are you sighing so much while eating?" Yan Jiecheng asked, stuffing a cornbread into his mouth and looking at Yan Bugui with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you sighing? Old Yi has been acting strangely lately, and it's making me uneasy!" Yan Bugui picked up a small piece of pickled vegetable, took a quarter of it, and chewed it vigorously. "It seems Old Yi still has his eyes on the position of steward!"
Although he had already discussed this matter with Xu Damao, he was still worried until he came up with a solution.
Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao are both hardliners, while Yan Bugui is the only one who is a good-natured person. If it is necessary to squeeze out a manager, then he is undoubtedly the best choice, which is why he is so worried.
Of course, Xu Damao is currently acting as a mediator. If the observation period is over and the street office does not agree to Xu Damao serving as the mediator, and Yi Zhonghai happens to regain his reputation in the compound at that time, then things will be difficult.
If Yi Zhonghai continues to act like a big shot in charge, even a fool would know that Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong won't have a good life.
"Sigh, I'm afraid Yi Zhonghai might cause some trouble, and then it will be difficult for everyone."
Yan Bugui swallowed the pickled vegetable strips, picked up the bowl and slurped down two big mouthfuls of mixed noodles porridge. "Haven't you seen Yi Zhonghai trying to win people over in the courtyard all day long? He even wanted to help me move the flowers when he came back from get off work tonight. It's not the first time he's seen me move flowers in all these years. Why did he suddenly think of helping me now? Isn't he up to something?"
Yan Jiecheng frowned: "Dad, why are you worried about this? Even if Yi Zhonghai comes back to power, he'll just be ousting Xu Damao. What does that have to do with you?!"
"It's not as simple as you think."
Yan Bugui squinted at the naive eldest brother and said, "Do you know why your dad and I aren't the eldest uncles, but Yi Zhonghai is? It's because he's smart, he's a respected eighth-grade fitter in the factory, and he knows how to speak official jargon and platitudes."
"Do you think he'll make things difficult for me and Lao Liu if he becomes the mediator again?!"
Yan Jiecheng was taken aback, scratched his head and nodded: "Dad, you're right. You and Liu Haizhong fought him before. Don't be fooled by his smiling face now. Once he has the power to control us, he will definitely find a chance to punish us."
"Dad, brother, please eat. Don't worry, he won't dare."
Yan Jiekuang didn't take it seriously at all. "With my Uncle Dabao here, this is nothing."
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