Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 672 Is the good time about to end before he takes office?
three days later.

Despite the slight pain in her lower abdomen, Qin Huairu hunched over as she cooked at the stove.

Zhang sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), her triangular eyes fixed on her daughter-in-law's every move, afraid that she would steal food!

Wait for the food to be prepared and served.

Needless to say, the family immediately sat down to eat, while Qin Huairu went to breastfeed Kuihua.

They fed him for a little while before he came to the table.

But all that was left on the table was scraps, which Qin Huairu had gotten used to, and she ate calmly.

Jia Zhangshi took a bite of her cornbread: "Qin Huairu, your postpartum period is almost over. When are you going back to work?"

Qin Huairu said calmly, "A couple of days? Isn't it too early?"

Qin Huairu was secretly hoping to postpone the procedure. She had only had the IUD for a few days, and her stomach was aching from time to time, but fortunately, it wasn't having a major impact.

Madam Jia glared at her and snapped, "What do you mean by 'a couple of days'? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

"Don't give me that nonsense. Everyone has had children. When I gave birth to Dongxu, I still went to work in the fields. Why are you so delicate?"

Qin Huairu muttered to herself, but on the surface she complained, "Mom, the steel mill is all heavy work, and I haven't even finished expelling my lochia yet. You're trying to kill me!"

Jia Zhangshi said fiercely, "I don't care. Anyway, we're almost starving. You figure it out."

At this point, Qin Huairu was filled with anger: "Mom, Dongxu's compensation is several hundred yuan. You're telling me we don't have any money? Do you even believe that yourself?"

"In just two months, I didn't buy a sewing machine, a bicycle, a radio, or anything else. How did I manage to spend it all all at once?"

Madam Jia was immediately embarrassed; she knew perfectly well how much money she had.

But she's shameless enough.

He slammed the chopsticks to the ground; the wooden chopsticks bounced off the table and rolled to Qin Huairu's feet.

"Qin Huairu, don't even think about taking my retirement money! It's all mine, you shameless slut!"

Qin Huairu argued forcefully: "How can that be your retirement money? That's Dongxu's pension, it's the family's money, several hundred yuan of retirement funds, you can't spend it all in your lifetime!"

Jia Zhangshi didn't care about all that; touching her pension was tantamount to going against her.

"I don't care! If you don't go out and earn money next month, then our whole family can prepare to starve to death!"

As soon as Jia Zhangshi adopted her attitude, Qin Huairu's momentum immediately vanished.

If you don't have money, you won't dare to cause trouble.

Qin Huairu pleaded, "Mom! Just give me some money, let's get by for now! I'll pay you back after I recover and go back to work."

Madam Jia scoffed, "You're dreaming! Let me tell you, Qin Huairu, don't even think about taking my pension, or I'll fight you to the death!"

Seeing Jia Zhangshi's money-grubbing attitude, Qin Huairu knew she wouldn't get any money from her, and felt extremely aggrieved.

He swallowed his grievances along with the steamed bun.

Madam Jia, not one to back down, retorted, "The Jia family doesn't support idlers! You'd be content if Bang Geng starved to death, wouldn't you?"

"Woo~"

Qin Huairu was so angry that she cried. She threw down the steamed bun and ran out crying.

Seeing the bright lights of the Yi family home, she went straight there to pour out her grievances.

"Old man, old woman, please have mercy and save me!"

When Yi Zhonghai saw Qin Huairu run in crying, he jumped up and asked, "Little Qin, what's wrong? What happened?"

Qin Huairu wiped away her tears and pleaded, "Uncle, we have no money at home, and we really can't make ends meet. Please, please help me!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai and the old woman were stunned. Who in the courtyard could be short of money? Only the Jia family could not possibly be short of money.

Several hundred yuan, and it's all gone in just two months.

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai remained unmoved, Qin Huairu tearfully recounted in detail what had just happened.

"Uncle, I know this is wrong, and I'm ashamed to ask you for help, but I really have no other choice. My mother is going too far; she won't give me any money, and I haven't even been able to properly recover after giving birth."

Yi Zhonghai then realized that Qin Huairu had come to borrow money, but he had no intention of lending it to her at all.

Whether Jia Dongxu is dead or alive, the Jia family is a bottomless pit, and no amount of money can fill the Jia family's hole.

The Jia family is like a greedy creature, only eating money and never spitting it out.

After thinking for a moment, Yi Zhonghai sat down and slowly said, "Little Qin, you know that this old lady is not in good health. I have a bunch of apprentices under me, and I don't have much money."

"I've thought about it, and it's not that it's not good for you to go to work now. Although you're not fully recovered, you can't do much since you've just started working at the factory, and the foreman won't make you do too much. Your job will be quite easy."

"Okay, I'll talk to the director later and ask him to let you do less work. I don't think the director and everyone else will refuse."

"Oh, I almost forgot, the factory hasn't told me about your job filling in yet. Maybe they forgot, so you don't have to go so early."

Qin Huairu could tell that Yi Zhonghai had no intention of helping at all: "Uncle, I'm still in my postpartum period, and even if I were, I wouldn't be able to do it."

Yi Zhonghai didn't answer Qin Huairu's question, but just said to himself, "Sigh, if you don't agree, there's nothing I can do. Why don't you go ask someone else?"

"Fine, I'll listen to what the old man says."

Even Yi Zhonghai won't help me. Given the Jia family's popularity in the courtyard, who else in the courtyard can help me?

Qin Huairu had no choice but to agree to Yi Zhonghai's plan and slunk home.

"Oh, so you finally decided to come back? I thought you were never coming back after you left," Jia Zhangshi said sarcastically.

When Qin Huairu ran away, Jia Zhangshi was terrified, fearing that Qin Huairu would really run away and not come back, and that she would die a miserable death.

Qin Huairu ignored Jia Zhangshi completely, while Jia Zhangshi continued talking to herself.

However, these words only fueled Qin Huairu's rebellious spirit.

Once I start working, I will absolutely not give the money to Jia Zhangshi.

When I have some free time, I'll find all the money that Jia Zhangshi has hidden. The Jia family's estate is only so big; I don't believe I can't find it.

The next day.

The last working day of April.

workshop.

As soon as he arrived at work, Guo Da Piezi went straight to Yi Zhonghai.

"Yi Gong, could you please go back and remind Jia Dongxu's wife to come to work next month?"

"Alright, alright." Yi Zhonghai nodded, not expecting that Guo Da Piezi would still remember this matter. He had hoped to delay it for a few more days.

"I almost forgot, the day after tomorrow is May Day. You can bring her over after the holiday."

Fortunately, the day after tomorrow is Labor Day, a three-day holiday. Combined with the weekend, it will be a four-day mini-holiday.

That's good news.

"By the way, Director Guo, Jia Dongxu's wife just finished her postpartum confinement. She's not feeling well, so I don't know what to do with her."

"She can't do any heavy work since she came here, otherwise she'll easily develop a chronic illness."

Guo Da Piezi nodded and said kindly, "Don't worry about that. I've thought about it. For the first two months, I'll let her do some light work so she can get used to it."

"However, after two months, we'll have to work like regular apprentices, since we're in a workshop."

"By the way, go back and talk to her and see if she can switch to another department. After all, we do a lot of heavy work here."

Yi Zhonghai nodded: "Okay, I'll go back and tell her."

While outwardly agreeing, Yi Zhonghai actually had no hope that Qin Huairu would change jobs.

There is absolutely no way Jia Zhangshi would contribute any money.

He couldn't possibly waste his goodwill by helping Qin Huairu.

Jia Dongxu didn't leave behind any favors or connections before he died.

The labor protection department wouldn't change jobs for someone who has nothing to do with them.

Qin Huairu only has a junior high school diploma. If she had a high school diploma, she might have had a chance to change jobs. The factory didn't want to waste her talent by having her work in the workshop.

Given all the possibilities, Qin Huairu will definitely continue working in the workshop.

"By the way, how will Qin Huairu's work be arranged after she arrives? Who will be her mentor?"

Guo Da Piezi waved his hand: "I haven't thought about it yet, we'll talk about it later. But her master will be a female worker, after all, men and women shouldn't touch each other."

Yi Zhonghai looked at the dozen or so female workers in the workshop. Although there were not many of them, they were all elites.

But they are deeply influenced by the truth that "women can hold up half the body" and are able to endure hardship.

Most of the workers were at level two, a few at level three, and two at level four. Although their numbers were small, the female workers were just as capable as the male workers, and compared to Jia Dongxu, they were even more impressive.

"Okay, I understand. I'll let them know after get off work."

"Thank you for your trouble." After saying what he had to say, Guo Da Piezi turned and left.

get off work.

Yi Zhonghai went to the Jia family immediately and told Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu about Guo Da Piezi's arrangements.

"Ah~" Qin Huairu sighed regretfully, "I thought I could forget about it. Luckily, it's the May Day holiday, so I can rest for a few days."

Jia Zhangshi glared at Qin Huairu with her cold, cloudy eyes: "What? Qin Huairu, what do you want to do if you're not going to work? Do you want to laze around at home and sponge off your parents?"

"I don't care! If you don't go out and earn money next month, then our whole family can prepare to starve to death!"

Qin Huairu felt upset after being warned.

Yi Zhonghai added, "The work in the workshop is heavy and plentiful. You'd better find a way to change jobs before you start work."

"After all, this is a project that will affect the next few decades, so it's best to make plans early."

Hearing this, Qin Huairu's heart tightened: "Uncle, do you think there's any way to change jobs?"

"Find someone to replace it, or bribe the logistics department. These are the only two options."

After all, it's a job at a steel rolling mill. Even if you're looking for someone to replace you, you'll be looking for someone inside the mill. You can forget about hiring someone from outside.

But the current environment is not good. Even those who are about to retire are stubbornly insisting on waiting until the difficulties are overcome before resigning. They can't change jobs even if they want to.

The only solution now is to bribe the people in the logistics department.

Qin Huairu looked at Jia Zhangshi pitifully: "Mom!"

"No way! No one can touch my retirement money. Dongxu can do it, and so can you. Don't even think about taking my money."

As expected, Jia Zhangshi remained resolute and refused to budge.

Yi Zhonghai frowned: "Jia Zhangshi, have you thought this through? This is Xiao Qin's job for the next few decades. If you don't change it now, you won't have the chance later."

"The work in the workshop is not easy. Xiao Qin is physically weak, and if he works there for too long, he might develop a chronic illness."

Madam Jia spat out, "Bullshit! You've been doing this for decades, and you're still doing just fine, aren't you? Your health is perfectly good too."

“Wang Cuihua, the female worker in the outer courtyard, worked until she was about to give birth while pregnant and nothing happened. What are you pretending to be, a rich young lady? There’s nothing you can’t do.”

"I think you're just lazy. You want to touch my money? Don't even think about it! No way!"

"go away!"

After saying that, Jia Zhangshi pushed aside Yi Zhonghai, who was blocking her way, and left directly.

"Uncle," Qin Huairu said, her eyes brimming with tears, looking at Yi Zhonghai, "only you can help me."

Yi Zhonghai shook his head, feigning helplessness: "Xiao Qin, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that I have no other choice."

“If you want to do other work, I, as an eighth-grade worker, can help you get transferred to the workshop and take care of you, but if you want to be transferred out, I really can’t do anything about it.”

Given Yi Zhonghai's status as an eighth-grade worker, transferring someone out wouldn't be difficult; it would just require owing someone a favor.

Among Yi Zhonghai's apprentices, apart from Jia Dongxu who was a level two worker, the others were at least level three workers, and most of them were level four or five workers.

Being Yi Zhonghai's apprentice at least provides some assurance that things won't go too badly in the future.

But why would Yi Zhonghai be willing to do something so thankless and exhausting?

Then, changing the subject abruptly, he sighed and said, "Little Qin, if you had just graduated from high school, I wouldn't even need to tell you, you could have transferred to another department right away. Sigh!"

These words immediately made Qin Huairu regret her low educational background and lack of skills, and she felt inferior.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but nod secretly; the matter was settled.

"Xiao Qin, get ready. After Labor Day, I'll take you to the steel mill."

"Don't worry, with me here, the other workers won't bully you. If anyone bullies you, just tell me. My level eight worker certificate is still somewhat useful."

"Thank you, sir." Qin Huairu could only accept this fact helplessly.

Yi Zhonghai turned and left.

"What should I do?" Qin Huairu was extremely worried and at a loss, pacing back and forth at home.

“Working in a steel rolling mill is so tiring, how can my body take it? I need to change jobs, but I don’t know anyone.”

People thrive when they move, but trees die when they're moved; I have no choice but to change jobs.

We said we wouldn't change it back then, but now that things have come to this, are we just going to sit here and wait to die if we don't change it?
Qin Huairu couldn't help but think about who in the whole courtyard would be suitable to replace her, and then a thought suddenly came to her mind about someone.

"Oh, right! Yan Jiecheng, he's a ticket seller, his job is easier, he can definitely get a switch!"

"Although the work is a bit worse than that of the steel rolling mill, it's not impossible to make up for the difference with money."

Thinking of this, Qin Huairu rushed straight to the Yan family.

"What? You want to settle by exchanging jobs? This is a job at a steel rolling mill. Have you thought it through?"

Yan Bugui stared at Qin Huairu in disbelief, dumbfounded.

“That’s right, I’ve made up my mind. You know my situation, right? How can a woman like me handle the work in the workshop?”

"Doesn't this just mean the ticket seller's job is easier? We can switch."

The three aunts were extremely excited, looking at Yan Bugui; this was great news.

They racked their brains trying to get Yan Jiecheng into the steel rolling mill, but they never expected the opportunity to come here.

Yan Bugui was also very excited, but he forced himself to calm down: "Xiao Qin, I'd like to change jobs too, but there must be other conditions, right?"

Qin Huairu was secretly pleased; this matter could be discussed.

"To be honest, Uncle, there are indeed conditions. After all, I have a job at a steel rolling mill, which is much better than Jie Cheng's ticket seller job. Don't you think so?"

“That’s right.” The two nodded.

"I switched to this great job for nothing. I'm at a disadvantage, and I need to make up for the difference to balance it out, don't you think?"

"That's right, it definitely needs some supplementation. How would you like to do it?"

"Money, we'll make up for it with money." Qin Huairu gave five thumbs up: "500 yuan."

"500? No, that's too many."

Yan Jiecheng bought it for 400 yuan, although the job at the steel rolling mill was not bad and worth more than a thousand or eight hundred yuan.

But now it's Qin Huairu who's asking for help, and besides, there has to be a negotiation process.

"How much? How much is Third Uncle planning to give?"

"300 at most."

"No, 300 is too little. It's not easy for either of us to back down. How about 400?"

"400?" Yan Bugui and the third aunt exchanged a glance, hesitating for a moment, as this price was not cheap.

An older woman whispered a reminder: "Honey, this could be an opportunity."

Yan Bugui gritted his teeth, secretly hesitating: "I have to negotiate this price with him and see if he agrees. If he doesn't agree, there's nothing I can do."

"to make."

Seeing that she hadn't agreed, Qin Huairu was a little disappointed, but she didn't believe that Yan Jiecheng would give up this promising job.

"I'll wait for your reply." With that, he turned and left.

Qin Huairu's figure hadn't gone far when the Third Aunt tightly gripped Yan Bugui's arm, her face anxious, as if to express why Yan Bugui hadn't agreed directly.

"No rush, we need to discuss and reach a settlement. If it's a good match, it won't run away," Yan Bugui said through gritted teeth.

"Go and take out all the savings in the house, and see how much we have?"

The whole family was waiting for Yan Jiecheng to return.

Qin Huairu happily went home, waiting for Yan Bugui's good news.

"Where have you been!" Madam Jia shouted as soon as she saw Qin Huairu return.

Seeing Jia Zhangshi's unhappy expression, Qin Huairu felt even more pleased.

"none of your business!"

"Hey!"

(End of this chapter)