Siheyuan: Starting from 1958

Despite the hatred, Bang Geng is still inseparable from the Jia family at this moment.

Having just been released from prison, penniless and without a place to live, he could only suppress his resentment towards Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai.

Faced with Qin Huairu's pleading suggestion, even though Banggeng was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to nod and say, "Mom..."

"I'll listen to you..."

"I'll go to the surrounding construction sites first thing tomorrow morning and find a job that can earn me some money."

Qin Huairu was unaware that Bang Geng was already resenting her. She thought that Bang Geng had taken her earnest advice to heart and was very happy, so she immediately replied.

"My Banggeng is so good, he knows how to be considerate of his own mother..."

“Now I’m the only one in the family earning money outside. My monthly income is only a little over forty yuan. Before, it was just me and your grandma in the family. If we saved a little, we could send you ten yuan out of the forty yuan.”

“Now that you’re back, there’s another mouth to feed in the family. Forty-odd yuan a month definitely won’t be enough to support the three of us.”

"As long as Banggeng goes out to earn money, our family can live a good life."

"Once your salary is higher and your job is stable, you can slowly save up some money, and then we'll buy a house outside. At that time, Mom will definitely find you a beautiful wife."

Construction is underway everywhere in Beijing these days, so as long as you're willing to put in the effort, finding a job isn't difficult.

But finding a satisfactory job is difficult.

The next morning, both Yan Jiecheng and his brother, as well as Bang Geng, found work as laborers at a nearby construction site.

As for getting a job as a factory worker, don't even think about it.

Whether it's a state-owned factory or a private enterprise, once they learn that these people have just been released from prison, they refuse to let them in, even if they voluntarily lower their wages, in order to avoid trouble.

Working as a laborer on a construction site means you won't have so many complicated rules and regulations.

They'll take anyone who's young, willing to put in the effort, and doesn't slack off.

However, none of this has anything to do with Wang Dong.

As the year draws to a close, Wang Dong has returned to Beijing from Huai County.

With his wife's holiday limited and his parents-in-law needing to take care of their son, Wang Dong had to handle all the New Year's preparations by himself.

But at this moment, Wang Dong's mind was not on preparing for the New Year.

With Dongjun Restaurant around, if we need anything to eat at home, we can just have it delivered directly from Dongjun Restaurant; Wang Dong doesn't need to lift a finger.

The day after returning to the courtyard house, Wang Dong invited Zhang Linbao to the Dongjun Restaurant, which was the closest restaurant to his home. He specifically requested a small private room, and the two of them ate alone without anyone else accompanying them.

Compared to a few years ago, Zhang Linbao is clearly much more mature now.

Despite feeling somewhat reserved in the face of Wang Dong's attention, she maintained a completely calm expression.

"Brother Wang... there's already enough food on the table... tell the waiter not to bring any more, otherwise the two of us won't be able to finish it." Zhang Linbao quickly stopped the waiter who was still bringing out dishes.

Wang Dong didn't waste any words and said directly, "Fine... if you say you're not going, then we won't go..."

"Let's eat and chat..."

"I heard from Chen Li that you studied mechanical manufacturing in college and that you will be starting work in a few months after the New Year. Have you decided where you are going? Do you have any ideas?"

"Although your brother Wang has left the steel rolling mill, your sister-in-law is still a cadre..."

"If you have any ideas, you can tell me. I'll definitely help if I can." "We're not only neighbors in the same courtyard, but your mom also helps me take care of my child, so we're even closer. Please don't feel embarrassed."

Seeing that Wang Dong's face was full of sincerity and he didn't seem to be joking, and also knowing from Aunt Zhang's words about the character of Wang Dong and his wife, Zhang Linbao immediately stopped talking nonsense.

"Brother Wang..."

"I studied mechanical engineering, so I definitely want to work in a factory..."

"But many state-owned factories in Beijing have started to lose money due to poor management, and I'm worried that there won't be much of a future for me if I go there."

"But I don't want to be a cadre..."

"Compared to all that backstabbing and social maneuvering, I'd much rather do research and produce products..."

"Many of my classmates thought that there was no future in working in state-owned factories, so they wanted to become cadres..."

"I haven't decided yet..."

"Brother Wang, you used to be a cadre in a steel rolling mill, so you've seen a lot. Could you give me your opinion on whether it's better to work in a state-owned factory or in the system..."

Wang Dong thought for a moment and replied, "If I were to analyze it... both paths have their advantages and disadvantages."

"There is no doubt that working in the system brings more rights than working in a factory."

"But the income of those who work in the system is definitely not as high as that of those who work in factories, and those who work in the system are not necessarily going to work in Beijing. Just like your sister-in-law, she may be transferred away from Beijing at any time."

"It depends on you..."

Zhang Linbao immediately replied, "I definitely don't want to be transferred out of Beijing."

“My mother is getting old and definitely can’t travel around with me. I am her only son, so I must stay in Beijing to take care of her and support her in her old age.”

At this point, Zhang Linbao seemed to have made up his mind, gritting his teeth as he replied, "Then I'll go to the factory..."

“Brother Zhang, you know the development of various state-owned factories in Beijing better than I do. Which state-owned factory do you think is the best for me to join?”

"Although we may not be able to get assigned to a factory, the school will have us fill out an expression of interest when we graduate, so there is still a good chance that we will be assigned to the factory we want."

Wang Dong did not respond to Zhang Linbao's words.

After quickly taking a bite of food, he said, "Lin Bao..."

"I have an idea that only your sister-in-law knows, not even my parents-in-law know about it..."

"Although I have left the steel rolling mill, I can never let go of it in my heart."

"Without the steel rolling mill, there would be no Wang Dong today. The steel rolling mill played a very important role in my success."

"I heard that steel rolling mills are now operating at a loss and are only able to survive thanks to subsidies from higher authorities."

"One should never forget kindness and gratitude. I have always wanted to help the steel rolling mill out of its predicament."

"But the steel rolling mill is a state-owned factory with all sorts of rules and regulations, so I couldn't help even if I wanted to."

"So a very bold idea came to mind: one day I would buy the steel rolling mill that was on the verge of bankruptcy, become the factory manager, and do everything I could to revive the steel rolling mill and make it come back to life."

"Your sister-in-law and I started preparing for this a long time ago, but because the higher-ups have no intention of selling the steel rolling mill, and there is no precedent for selling a state-owned factory to a private individual, this matter has not been carried out."

"But I believe that as the steel rolling mill's losses become increasingly severe, and one day even the higher-ups run out of money to subsidize it, they will definitely agree to sell the steel rolling mill to me." (End of Chapter)