"Uncle, don't let Xu Damao invite you for drinks. He's just trying to fool you; it doesn't count. Come to my house tomorrow night, and I'll invite a few of you uncles for drinks. I promise you'll be treated to the best food and drinks."
Just as Xu Damao and Yan Fugui were chatting in the front yard, someone came in and interrupted them.
"Hey, Dongxu, what's the good news today? Tell me quickly," Yan Fugui asked. Xu Damao was also curious about why his son was so happy today. Although his family wasn't as stingy as the Yan family, others usually couldn't get a good deal from them.
Normally, they would occasionally eat something nice themselves, but they would never share it with others. Even his master, Yi Zhonghai, wouldn't get a single piece of meat.
The person who came in was Jia Dongxu. He had been at the door listening to Xu Damao and Jia Dongxu's conversation for a while. He had been quite annoyed by Xu Damao's boasting. Normally, he would have kept his annoyance to himself, but not today.
"Haha, that's why I say Uncle San is a cultured man. He guessed right away that I had something good to do."
"Xu Damao, I asked around, and your current position as section chief is the same as your previous group leader. The rank hasn't changed, except you're in charge of a few more people. How many people are you in charge of now?" Jia Dongxu asked.
"Six," Xu Damao answered cooperatively.
"Only six? Then your position as group leader isn't very high. Dude, I'm a group leader now, and I manage eight people, two more than you."
Haha, aren't you envious?
Jia Dongxu stood to the side, mocking Xu Damao. You know what? Today's comparison, finding himself actually surpassing Xu Damao, was incredibly satisfying, a truly exhilarating feeling. So, he decided to add an extra dish when treating everyone tomorrow.
It turned out that Xu Damao's appointment as group leader had given the young people in the compound a boost of morale, and they all dreamed of getting a position of some authority. The others, lacking the necessary qualifications, could only dream about it.
But Jia Dongxu was different. Not only was he a young, level-three worker, but his mentor was Yi Zhonghai, a man of considerable influence in the workshop. So, Jia Dongxu approached Yi Zhonghai and expressed his desire for advancement.
"Dongxu, you've finally figured it out. Your master has been doing well technically for so many years, but I haven't held any official position. Why? It's because when I was young, I only knew how to study technology and didn't pursue progress. Later, I fell behind step by step."
Don't worry, your supervisor and the workshop foreman have a good relationship; they'll definitely put in a good word for you.
Yi Zhonghai is now somewhat grateful to Xu Damao. Because of Xu Damao's encouragement, even the usually laid-back Jia Dongxu is now willing to improve.
So, Yi Zhonghai approached the workshop director, hoping to secure a position for Jia Dongxu. As a technical leader, Yi's words carried weight in the workshop. However, promotions required certain procedures and couldn't be completed quickly, yet Yi kept urging him on.
Today, the workshop director noticed Jia Dongxu training his apprentices and suddenly had a brilliant idea for a suitable position for Jia Dongxu – the apprentice group leader, who would specifically assist in managing the apprentices.
There are currently eight apprentices in this workshop, all nominally under the management of Jia Dongxu. Each apprentice has their own mentor, who teaches them technical skills, while Jia Dongxu relays and explains documents and directives to them.
Jia Dongxu's position as group leader was also temporary, verbally appointed by the director. Once the apprentices were graded, they were no longer under Jia Dongxu's management, so his personnel were not fixed.
However, it must be said that among the many young people in the workshop, Jia Dongxu is one of the more technically skilled, which is why the workshop director was willing to give him a temporary position.
That evening, Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu hosted a dinner for the workshop director, which is why they returned around the same time as Xu Damao. Yi Zhonghai went to the restroom, while Jia Dongxu returned first.
"Dongxu, how many dishes should we prepare for tomorrow? Do you need your aunt to come and help?" Yan Fugui, thinking it would be foolish not to take advantage of the situation, prepared to bring his family to freeload a meal.
"Uncle, look at what you're saying, how can we let Auntie do these things? Don't worry, I'll have Huairu bring the dishes to Auntie in advance tomorrow."
Also, Da Mao, remember to come with us tomorrow. Let me tell you, you need to learn from your brother Dongxu how to conduct yourself. Not only should you respect the leaders of the compound, but you should also care about their families. But don't worry, I'll remind you constantly; after all, we're all from the same compound.”
Jia Dongxu was suddenly promoted to temporary team leader today, which greatly increased his sense of responsibility. In addition, with Xu Damao, whom he considered his rival, by his side, he actually managed to get the Jia family, who never let others take advantage of them, to promise to serve some dishes to the Yan family.
So sometimes, people are forced into certain situations by their environment.
"Dongxu, are you really treating me tomorrow? Then I'll take it seriously. Let me tell you, at the bars I've been to lately, there are always at least three meat dishes, and the drinks can't be bad either. I'm thinking, Dongxu, since you're the group leader, your treat can't be bad, right?"
Xu Damao was tending the fire from the side.
"Da Mao, you don't know Dong Xu at all. I watched Dong Xu grow up. He's quite a character, always so magnanimous. Of all your generation, he's the one I have the most faith in. I always said Dong Xu would become a big leader, and look, he is now one. He'll be even more extraordinary in the future."
Also, when it comes to treating people, you should learn from your brother Dongxu. If Dongxu is going to treat, it'll definitely be good. You don't need to remind him of these things, right, Dongxu?
When Yan Fugui heard Xu Damao speak, he started to coordinate. The two hadn't rehearsed, but they were very in sync.
"That's right, that's right, Third Uncle, Damao, don't worry, just watch out tomorrow. I'll arrange it now. Huairu, Huairu, come out quickly, I have something to arrange for you. Tomorrow I'm treating some uncles and Damao to dinner, so go to the market tomorrow morning to buy some good vegetables."
Remember, there can't be less than three meat dishes, and the staple food is just white flour steamed buns. Also, that good wine we hid away for the New Year, we'll drink it tomorrow.
Jia Dongxu had been talking outside for a long time, and Qin Huairu already knew about it, so she came out to see what was going on, which led to the scene described above.
Qin Huairu was unaware of what had happened, but her long-standing submissiveness prevented her from offering any objections; she simply nodded.
But his family only gave him a small amount of money each month to buy vegetables and grains, so there was no extra money to buy meat and vegetables.
"Hopefully, Dongxu will give up the idea of treating us after he sobers up tomorrow morning," Qin Huairu thought to herself.
At this moment, Yi Zhonghai also returned. Hearing what Jia Dongxu said, he did not raise any objections, but simply asked Qin Huairu to take Jia Dongxu home to rest.
For Yi Zhonghai, Jia Dongxu's invitation to dinner for the residents of the compound was something he was happy to see. He supported Jia Dongxu's efforts to build good relationships with the residents, gain a good reputation, and contribute to his retirement business.
He was afraid that Jia Dongxu would lack ambition, listen to Jia Zhangshi all day long, and make enemies everywhere in the compound.
The next day, after Jia Dongxu sobered up, he indeed did not remember his promise from the previous night.
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