Xu Damao returned home happily, only to find himself eating cornbread and pickled vegetables for dinner. Most of his salary and savings went towards buying and storing food, leaving him with very little besides funds specifically for dates. He was like a modern-day spendthrift, spending the first half of the month and then eating dirt the second half.
Just as Xu Damao was thinking about how to make money, Yan Fugui delivered himself to his door.
"Da Mao, time to eat." As soon as Yan Fugui came in, he saw what Xu Da Mao was eating and instantly felt much better. This guy always dresses up so smartly, but he eats the same things as him.
"Uncle, would you like something to eat?" Xu Damao asked.
"I've already eaten that. Besides, is this all you, Da Mao, are treating people to dinner?" Yan Fugui said with a hint of disdain for Xu Da Mao.
"Hehe. Uncle San, is there something you need?" Xu Damao asked directly, skipping the preamble.
"Oh, it's just a small matter. You mentioned earlier that you'd help Jiecheng find a job, is there any progress on that?"
"Well, there's something to tell you about this. I went to that person's house again today, and they agreed, but the price is a bit high, 1100 yuan, and payment is due within a week."
Also, they don't allow bargaining; it's either fine or not. Please think it over, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. He reserved a week for you because of me; otherwise, he would have transferred it to someone else.
Xu Damao originally intended to give Yan Fugui 1,000 yuan, but the old man's disdainful look earlier hurt him, so he temporarily increased the price by 100 yuan, letting them taste what it's like to eat dirt.
Well, it seems like this is how Yan Fugui's family always eats.
"Da Mao, no way! Didn't you say it was 1000 yuan last time? How come it's gone up again? How can you do business like this? Raising the price at the last minute is dishonest." Yan Fugui jumped up immediately when he heard the price increase of 100 yuan. This was going to kill him.
"Uncle, they didn't agree to 1,000 yuan. Besides, this isn't a business deal. They saw that your Jiecheng was pitiful doing odd jobs outside every day, so they helped Jiecheng get a job. This money is compensation you gave them."
"This is a completely different matter, you must remember that," Xu Damao said.
"I'll remember, I'll remember. But Da Mao, could you help Uncle San lower the price?"
"Uncle, they really don't need the money. They're only giving you a week to consider it because we have a good relationship. Otherwise, they would have given it to someone else long ago."
"Alright, I'll go home and think about it, and give you an answer as soon as possible." Yan Fugui walked home with a helpless expression.
The 1100 yuan wasn't high compared to the market price for this workstation, but it exceeded Yan Fugui's expected price. He had originally planned to pay 1000 yuan, but suddenly having to pay an extra 100 yuan felt like he had worked for free for three months—how could he bear that?
Xu Damao felt perfectly at ease; it was better for others to be broke than for him. Lately, he was thinking about getting married and getting a promotion and raise—both of which required money. It seems that it's the same in any era.
The next morning, Yan Fugui intercepted Xu Damao again as he was about to leave for work.
"Da Mao, let's just do things the way they say. Get things done as soon as possible. Give me an answer about whether it's a face-to-face handover or some other procedure," Yan Fugui said, sporting a black eye.
"Okay, I'll go ask when I get to work." Xu Damao pushed his bike away, but turned back halfway.
"Uncle, I've been running around doing all this for you. Now that it's all done, won't you treat me to a meal? Also, if anything happens in the compound in the future, you have to look after me."
"Alright, you'll have to tell me about it, Damao. I'll remember your kindness." Yan Fugui was actually pleased to hear Xu Damao say that. If Xu Damao hadn't asked for anything, he would have been thinking about how much benefit Xu Damao had gained from this matter.
After arriving at work, Xu Damao went to the radio station to work as usual, but unexpectedly, he was kicked out by Wang Minzhi.
"My parents said they want you to come over for dinner this weekend. Um, don't come over these next few days. That brat Li Tong is spreading rumors everywhere, and now everyone's watching me."
Wang Minzhi said a few words hurriedly outside the door and went back inside, but there were other people in the broadcasting station laughing.
Since I couldn't visit my future wife, I went to report to my supervisor. I first went to the personnel department to inquire about transferring my employment status. I discovered that there were many intricacies involved, but the most important thing was that the supervisor agreed.
I then went to report to Ma Xiangqian, the head of the Organization Department. This Minister Ma was a powerful figure in the unit, at least more powerful than the current Director Li of the Logistics Department, since he was in charge of the performance evaluation and promotion of all ordinary employees in the factory.
Xu Damao, though in a low-ranking position, held a somewhat special role; all the factory leaders knew him, and he could even occasionally get a free drink with them. However, before that, Xu Damao had been aimlessly drifting along, ultimately failing to make a name for himself, until the winds of change picked up.
Things are different now. His goal is clear: to get the quota for the conversion from worker to cadre.
Xu Damao mentioned to Minister Ma whether he met the requirements, and the minister neither confirmed nor denied it, but offered some encouragement. Xu Damao didn't expect it to be so easy for him; he just wanted to secure a position first and then compete later, knowing that these things always required effort.
The bleeding naturally requires replenishment, and the Third Uncle is his temporary replenishment device.
"Uncle, you can just give me the money. I've brought the letter of introduction with you. Just write Jiecheng's name on it, and you can start work tomorrow." Xu Damao showed the letter of introduction to Yan Fugui and Yan Jiecheng as soon as he got home.
This small letter of introduction can change a person's fate. Yan Jiecheng, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed, repeating the words over and over before finally turning his gaze to Yan Fugui.
Comrade Lao Yan has always been clear on matters of principle. He doesn't skimp on money when it comes to spending it. He simply took a cloth bag from home and pulled out a stack of ten-yuan notes.
"Da Mao, count it. If it's missing, I won't take responsibility once we leave," Yan Fugui said, grimacing and trying to hide his heartache.
"I still don't trust you, Uncle." As soon as Xu Damao finished speaking, he started counting the money, not a penny less.
Yan Jiecheng watched, breathless; he had never seen so much money in his life. For a moment, he even considered giving him all the money; he wouldn't need to work.
"Uncle, I've received the money. Here's the letter of introduction for you. Jie Cheng can go directly to the personnel department at the factory to report. Do you want me to take Jie Cheng with me, or should he go by himself?" Xu Damao didn't mind offering a service.
"I'll go with you tomorrow," Yan Jiecheng said first. This guy is always a coward when it comes to important matters; no wonder Yu Li has him completely under her thumb after marriage.
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