Siheyuan: Starting from 1958

When her sister-in-law saw that Wang Dong was avoiding the main point and not explaining the matter of "taking over the steel rolling mill" to her at all, she became anxious on the spot and asked again.

"Brother-in-law...you still haven't told me about taking over the steel rolling mill?"

"Why did Zhang Linbao, who was perfectly fine, have to go to the steel rolling mill? And you even had to use your connections to get him assigned there..."

"Many state-owned factories in Beijing are better than the steel rolling mill. If you want to find connections, you should go to other state-owned factories. Why go to the steel rolling mill? There must be some secret I don't know about..."

"Speak quickly..."

"Otherwise, I'll stay here with you all today and not leave."

Seeing that his sister-in-law was sticking to them like a leech, and since she wasn't an outsider, Wang Dong considered it for a moment and decided to take the initiative.

"Brother-in-law...you want to buy the steel rolling mill? How is that possible?" Chen Li's first reaction was disbelief. She stared wide-eyed at Wang Dong and asked incredulously.

"No matter how poorly a steel rolling mill is managed, it still has several thousand workers and a lot of production equipment. Even if it loses money, it's still worth tens of millions. Does our family have that much money?"

"Don't scare me, will you?"

Wang Dong answered confidently, "We don't have that much money right now, but we will in two or three years."

"Even if I had the money now, the policy does not allow me to sell the state-owned steel rolling mill to a private individual."

“Once the policy allows me to sell the steel rolling mill to a private individual, I will naturally have money.”

"We will definitely be able to take over the steel rolling mill smoothly at that time."

“Zhang Linbao studied mechanical engineering. He should spend a few years at the steel rolling mill to learn more about the real situation there.”

"When I buy the steel rolling mill in the future, he will be the first factory director after the steel rolling mill is transformed into a private enterprise."

Upon hearing this, the shock on Chen Li's face was immediately replaced by redness, and she said, "Brother-in-law..."

"It's not fair..."

“Zhang Linbao is an outsider, and you helped him find a job before he even graduated. You even plan to make him the director of the steel rolling mill in the future…”

"I'm your sister-in-law, why do you help outsiders find jobs but not me?"

Seeing Wang Dong's embarrassed expression, his wife Chen Jun quickly came to his rescue: "What's the rush?"

"Your brother-in-law could forget anyone but you..."

"The reason I didn't discuss this with you is because your brother-in-law felt the time wasn't right yet..."

"Since we've brought this up, let's have a proper chat."

“You were already a section-level cadre before you went to university. If you want to continue being a cadre after graduation, you will start from the section-level no matter where you go, saving you many years of hard work compared to others.”

"Of course, if you think there are too many rules for being a cadre, you can also come out and work with your brother-in-law..."

"In your brother-in-law's words, our family business will be growing in the future, and we will definitely need a trustworthy person to help manage the accounts. It just so happens that you are studying this in Europe."

"So the position of our family's CFO will definitely be yours from now on..."

“Our family has so many businesses, and apart from your brother-in-law, no one can control you… What’s there to worry about?”

The sister-in-law, who had just been somewhat envious of Zhang Linbao, instantly became obsequious, turning to Wang Dong with a fawning expression and asking, "Brother-in-law... are you really planning to make me your CFO..."

Wang Dong shook his head and replied, "The position of CFO will definitely be reserved for you..."

“But we definitely won’t give it to you when you first graduate…” “Your abilities are limited; even if we push you to the position of CFO, you won’t be able to hold onto it.”

"If you don't want to be a manager anymore, go to Dongjun Hotel as the finance manager after graduation. First, manage the finances of one Dongjun Hotel well, then manage the finances of all Dongjun Hotels well, and finally you can become the finance director."

Compared to being a Party cadre and being controlled by others, Chen Li definitely preferred the position of a financial director, second only to the Party leader. Without thinking, she replied, "Brother-in-law, sister..."

"I won't work for the government; after graduation, I'll go straight to Dongjun Hotel as the finance manager..."

"I'm a college graduate who worked in finance at a steel rolling mill for so many years. I don't believe I can't even be a good financial manager at Dongjun Hotel."

"That's settled then..."

At this point, Chen Li, in high spirits, spoke again: "Sister...brother-in-law...have you heard?"

"Yan Fugui from the front yard spent his whole life scheming, even targeting his three sons, but in the end, he lost everything and got nothing."

"Today I heard someone in the courtyard say that after Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang were released, they not only took several hundred yuan from Yan Fugui, but also reduced the fifty yuan that Yan Jiekuang had to hand over to Yan Fugui every month to fifteen yuan."

"Before Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang were released from prison, Yan Fugui would brag in the yard every day, saying that after the two brothers got out, he would have three people to support him in his old age and that he would definitely have more money than he could spend in the future."

"And now look what's happened..."

"Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiecheng have been released, but Yan Fugui's pockets have not only not bulged, but have become increasingly sparse, and even his monthly pension has decreased by several tens of yuan."

"Before dawn today, someone saw Yan Fugui wearing a hat, covering himself up completely, and carrying a snakeskin bag to collect scraps in other streets."

"Today, many neighbors in the courtyard are laughing at him. He's schemed his whole life, and he's even swindled away all his family ties..."

Father-in-law Chen Dehui rarely chimed in with a comment: "Daughter..."

"Do you believe it or not... Yan Fugui's worst days are yet to come?"

"His eldest and second sons are divorced now, and he doesn't have a wife yet."

“When the three brothers get married and find wives, their family relationships will definitely become more complicated.”

"The whole family is crammed into those two rooms in the west wing of the front yard. Yan Fugui has no other income besides his pension, so he will definitely be disliked by his daughters-in-law, and the conflicts will only increase."

Sister-in-law Chen Li instantly became gossipy and immediately asked her father-in-law, "Dad..."

"Then do you think Yan Fugui and his wife will be kicked out of the courtyard house by the three Yan brothers..."

“Anyway, they are out of prison now and will definitely find jobs and support themselves. Yan Fugui will not only be unable to help them, but will also become a burden to the three brothers.”

Chen Li's father-in-law rolled his eyes at her and replied, "You're just stirring up trouble..."

Chen Li immediately chimed in: "It's because Yan Fugui schemed against us before..."

“I remember it clearly. Once, Yan Fugui plotted against his brother-in-law at a hospital-wide meeting.”

"If my brother-in-law hadn't been prepared, he would have been ambushed."

"Don't underestimate me just because I was young back then. I remember those accounts perfectly well."

“Back then, my brother-in-law helped them so much, even bringing them leftovers from the steel mill. But Yan Fugui not only didn’t thank my brother-in-law, he conspired with Yi Zhonghai and others to scheme against him.”

"I'll hold this grudge against them for the rest of my life." (End of Chapter)