Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 795 A Small Loss Isn't a Loss

The next day.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was unusually oppressive.

The families whose tickets were confiscated last night were all gloomy and sighing.

Those who didn't go gathered in small groups, whispering about the terrifying moments of the previous night at their doorsteps or by the taps.

"Have you heard? Uncle San's thermos flask coupons were rare items. He took them as soon as he got them, and lost five cents!"

"Pshaw, what's that compared to what happened to Old Li's family in the backyard? They bought several yards of cloth ration coupons, hoping to get their son a new outfit for his wedding, and now it's all gone!"

"If you ask me, that old hag Jia Zhangshi deserved it the most! I heard she went with five yuan in her pocket, wow, she really went all out, and what happened? She didn't even have a penny left! Haha, let her be greedy!"

"Shh—keep your voice down! That old shrew has sharp ears. If she hears you, she'll be blocking your door and yelling at you for three days straight!"

"Afraid of her? She hasn't even cleaned up her own mess! I heard she tried to extort money from Yan Laoxi on the street? Tsk tsk, shamelessness knows no bounds."

The atmosphere at the center of the discussion—the Yan family—was not so tense.

Yan Bugui emerged quickly after one night, having spent very little money.

In contrast, Jia Zhangshi was much more unlucky than him.

You don't know until you compare, and once you do, Yan Bugui is incredibly fortunate and in a great mood.

"A small loss isn't a big loss! Hehe~"

The old woman was sweeping the floor when she heard the gossip in the yard and became very unhappy.

"That damned Jia Zhangshi! She's having such a hard time, dragging everyone down with her! Husband, if she dares to cause trouble at the school, we'll fight her to the death!"

"Sigh~" Yan Bugui waved his hand: "Fight? What can we fight with? She's a tough nut to crack, and a barefoot person has nothing to fear. Why should we bother with her?"

"She's like a mad dog now, biting anyone she sees. If we just ignore her, everything will be fine."

"Besides, Jia Zhangshi has to get past Qin Huairu first. Five yuan is a lot of money; it's enough for one person's food."

"If Qin Huairu works for a month and takes everything into account, she can only save a few dollars. If she loses five dollars, how can she not feel the pinch? How can she not hold a grudge against her mother-in-law?"

Yan Bugui seemed to already see the chaos that would engulf the Jia family, and a malicious anticipation arose in his heart.

This expectation was soon confirmed.

Inside the Jia family's house, the air pressure was so low you could wring water out of it.

Banggeng and Xiaodang huddled in the corner of the kang, not daring to breathe. Kuihua also sensed something was wrong, but dared not cry out.

Like a mouse that had made a mistake, Jia Zhangshi pretended to be busy by the stove, carefully turning the spatula in her hand, but her triangular eyes kept sneaking glances at Qin Huairu, who was sitting on the edge of the kang with a livid face.

Her cautious demeanor suggested she was afraid of incurring Qin Huairu's wrath.

Although the money was her own.

But in Qin Huairu's eyes, this was Jia Dongxu's compensation money.

Jia Zhangshi spent the money but didn't get a single ticket. In her eyes, this was no different than dancing on Jia Dongxu's grave!

“Mom,” Qin Huairu’s voice was as cold as ice, “you stole a whole five yuan last night. Now, where’s the money? Where are the receipts?”

Jia Zhangshi stiffened her neck and stubbornly argued, "I...I was doing this for the family! I wanted to get some cloth coupons to make new clothes for you and the rest of you, but who knew I'd run into that damned policeman and that jinx Yan Laoxi!"

"Third Uncle?" Qin Huairu stared straight at him: "What does this have to do with Third Uncle? Are you making trouble for someone again and trying to pin it on them?"

"How can it not be his business!" Jia Zhangshi's voice suddenly rose.

"If he hadn't been arguing and fighting with that ticket scalper at the supply and marketing cooperative entrance, would Lei have been attracted? Would everyone have ended up getting into trouble?"

"My money and my tickets were all ruined by that old coffin-like bastard! If he doesn't compensate me, who will? I... I was even thinking of going to confront him again today! If he doesn't pay me back, I'll make a scene at his school!"

The more she talked, the more convinced she felt she was in the right, and her spittle flew everywhere.

"You still want to cause trouble?!" Qin Huairu was so angry that she trembled all over and suddenly stood up from the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Aren't you embarrassed enough? Five dollars is gone, so be it. Let's just consider it a lesson learned!"

"If you go and cause trouble for Teacher Yan again, even at the school, and ruin his reputation and job, do you know how deep that enmity will be? Teacher Yan isn't without temper!"

“His three sons are all grown up! Do you think they can just stand by and watch you bully people like this? If he says something else and makes things difficult for Banggeng, will Banggeng still be able to hold his head up?”

Qin Huairu's barrage of questions left Jia Zhangshi speechless.

She dared to curse heaven and earth, but when it came to her grandson Banggeng's future, she was also hesitant.

"Mind your own business! If you dare to cause trouble for your master, see how I deal with you!" Qin Huairu scolded.

After being severely scolded, Jia Zhangshi dared not cause any trouble for Yan Bugui.

"All day long, there's nothing but trouble, and you can't even do it well!"

The courtyard was bustling with noise, chickens flying and dogs barking, but to Li Kailang, it was as if he were separated by a transparent glass wall.

"I thought there wouldn't be much to do these next few days, but I never expected something big to happen."

Sensing the uneasy atmosphere in the courtyard, I occasionally overheard gloating whispers.

Li Kailang stroked his chin, thinking he would have nothing to do, but he never expected such a big thing to happen.

Fortunately, he was all alone and didn't have a great need for ration coupons.

The industrial vouchers did have some impact on him, but not a significant one.

at the same time.

Supply and marketing cooperative.

The long line still stretched for dozens of meters from the threshold.

The procession moved extremely slowly, like earthworms wriggling with difficulty.

The reason was simple: a new, still-wet notice was posted at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative.

"In response to the call to action and to ensure supply, starting today, there is a daily purchase limit per person. Please purchase carefully."

"The purchase and resale of tickets and vouchers are strictly prohibited; violators will be severely punished!"

Two street office officers were also watching the group intently, their eyes sharp as eagles, keeping a close watch on any possible violations.

With police officers maintaining order nearby, the group was even less likely to act recklessly.

Although there are purchase limits, with so many people coming to buy, the sales staff naturally can't remember everyone, so it's not unreasonable to have to queue up again.

If all else fails, you can buy from other supply and marketing cooperatives.

As for reselling tickets, nowadays only ticket scalpers can do it; who among the general public would do that if they didn't have enough for their own families?

There were also complainers in the team.

"What kind of situation is this! Only one card per person per day? When will we ever be able to redeem it?"

"Sigh, everything was fine yesterday, but today the rules have changed. Everything should have been settled yesterday."

"I wonder if there are any thermos bottles left! We couldn't get one yesterday, and with this queue today, I doubt we'll get one!"

"Even cigarette coupons are rationed? My dad's counting on these tobacco leaves!"

"If only I had known!"

A sigh.

The shouts and reprimands of the street office staff could be heard from time to time:
"Line up! Don't push! Pushing won't help! Follow the rules!"

"Hey you! I'm talking to you! Stand in line properly! Don't try to take advantage of the situation!"

"Purchase on behalf of others? No way! Anyone who dares to do so will have their goods confiscated!"

The queue moved slowly but was remarkably orderly. However, not everyone could endure such a long wait.

Just then, the sharp-eyed Yan Bugui spotted Li Kailang.

His eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had seen an oasis in a desolate desert.

"Hey, Li! Li! I was just looking for you!" Yan Bugui waved vigorously at Li Kailang.

"Third uncle."

Yan Bugui was even happier to see Li Kailang coming over.

"Little Li, you've come at the right time. Can you do me a favor? As the saying goes, everyone has to go to the bathroom sometimes. Could you help me relieve myself for a little while? Just a short while! I'll be right back!"

Li Kailang's gaze swept over the hopelessly long queue; how long would it take to get through?

If Yan Bugui doesn't come back halfway, wouldn't he have to keep waiting in line?

This would be impossible for anyone else, but it's not impossible for Yan Bugui.

"Uncle, look at this notice." He pointed to the eye-catching notice at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative. "Proxy placement is strictly prohibited. The comrades from the street office are all watching."

"Look at what you're saying. It's strictly forbidden to queue for others, but what you did wasn't queuing for others. At most, it was just queuing for someone else temporarily. It's nothing. Others do it too."

Just then, an example appeared not far away, and Yan Bugui quickly pointed: "Look, isn't that it?"

Seeing this, knowing he couldn't escape, Li Kailang had no choice but to nod: "It's not impossible, but let's make it clear first, I can only help you queue for a little while. If you don't come back, I'll leave."

"Don't blame me if you have to queue up again later."

"Don't worry, it'll only take me a moment, it won't keep you any longer," Yan Bugui assured him, patting his chest.

He actually had this little scheme of his, but Li Kailang saw through it, so now he had no choice but to behave himself.

"Okay, go ahead then, I'll help you queue for a bit."

"Oh, thank you for your trouble." Yan Bugui immediately broke away from the group and headed straight for the public toilet.

Li Kailang cut in, and the people behind him in the line didn't object.

He could only stand there listlessly, slowly inching forward from where Yan Bugui had been.

Just as he was getting bored, things got lively.

About seven or eight people ahead of Li Kailang, a middle-aged man in faded work clothes was trying to peer at the back of the line while standing on tiptoe.

A moment later, a young woman wearing a floral cotton jacket and with two braids came running up, panting, with an apologetic smile on her face: "Second Uncle! I've finally found you!"

"Little Cui'er, quick, stand here with me!"

The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief and quickly pulled his niece into the line, making sure she stood close to him.

This seemingly ordinary action was like a spark thrown into a pile of dry tinder.

Hey! What are you doing?!

A burly man standing behind the middle-aged man immediately objected, his loud voice instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"Don't you know the rules? One person, one seat! No cutting in line! It's clearly written on the sign! You're blatantly disrupting order!"

The middle-aged man blushed and argued, "Comrade, this...this is my niece. She just went to the restroom and will be back soon."

"Going to the toilet?" The burly man sneered, his voice growing louder, clearly intending for the officer to hear.

"Pah! Who would believe that! I've been standing behind you for so long, ever since you came to queue, and I haven't even seen your niece once."

"Everyone knows what you're up to! Are you saving a spot for someone else? Today your niece 'goes to the toilet,' tomorrow his sister-in-law 'buys water,' everyone's doing this, how are we supposed to keep up with the queue? Do we deserve to wait for hours?"

"Exactly! No reserving a spot!"

"Yes! The notice is posted there, one person per row!"

"We've waited in line for so long, why should we let someone cut in?"

The crowd behind them was immediately incited by the burly man, and they began to condemn him in a cacophony of voices.

The middle-aged man who was being accused and his niece, Xiao Cui'er, blushed and couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Two street office staff members wearing red armbands immediately came over upon hearing the noise, their faces stern and their eyes sharp: "What's all the noise about! What's going on?"

The burly man immediately pointed at the middle-aged man and Xiao Cui'er, indignantly shouting, "Comrade! They cut in line! This man is saving a spot for his niece!"

Little Cui'er was on the verge of tears: "I didn't! I really did go to the toilet just now, and asked my second uncle to watch the spot for me."

"Watch the position?" One of the older officers frowned, his tone stern.

"The notice clearly states: No queuing on behalf of others! No reserving a spot for someone else! Queuing means queuing step by step yourself! If you don't queue, you're not allowed!"

"Unless someone can testify that your niece was actually here in the first place, you're going to have to queue up again!"

"Did you hear that! Comrade is brilliant!" the burly man shouted triumphantly, and the crowd behind him echoed in agreement.

"Please make an exception this time, just this once, and don't let it happen again," the middle-aged man pleaded.

"No way!" another officer said even more firmly.

"Rules are rules! If we make an exception for you today, others will follow suit tomorrow! And the team will fall into chaos!"

"You two, come out right now! If you want to buy anything, go back to the back of the line!"

"Yes! Let's queue up again!" many people echoed.

The crowd erupted in cheers again, as if they had won a battle.

He vented all the resentment he had accumulated while waiting in line on the unfortunate uncle and nephew.

Seeing the two of them slink away under the gloating gazes of the crowd, they were too embarrassed to stay in line.

Not long after the noise subsided, Li Kailang felt a light tap on his shoulder.

Looking back, it was Yan Bugui, his forehead slightly sweaty.

"Oh, Xiao Li, you've worked so hard! I really feel bad about it!"

While Yan Bugui spoke politely, his eyes swept across the distance the team had traveled, like searchlights.

He was quite disappointed to find that he had only moved less than three meters since he left.

He quickly returned to his original position and "replaced" Li Kailang.

"Did nothing go wrong? I think I heard some noise up ahead just now?"

"That's good, that's good! You're still the most reliable person, Xiao Li!"

Yan Bugui nodded repeatedly, then suddenly seemed to remember something, a warmer smile spreading across his face as he lowered his voice.

"Little Li, look, since you're already here, why don't you line up and buy something? Your third uncle sees that you live alone and your family must be lacking some daily necessities, right? It's hard to get thermos flask coupons and cloth coupons, but look at these sugar coupons and cigarette coupons, you can still buy one today, why not buy one if you don't want to!"

Yan Bugui was calculating: Li Kailang was young and strong, and since he only had one person to feed, he didn't need much for tickets. He encouraged him to line up and buy tickets, in case Li Kailang bought tickets that Yan Bugui didn't need.

For example, sugar coupons might be able to be "scrambled" from him at a price lower than the black market price.

Even if he doesn't distribute the money evenly, he doesn't lose anything himself; on the contrary, it makes him seem like he cares about his neighbor.

Li Kailang could easily see through Yan Bugui's intentions.

He gave Yan Bugui a half-smile, a look that made Yan Bugui feel inexplicably uneasy.

"No need, I don't need to buy anything, Uncle, you can take your time queuing."

After saying that, Li Kailang strode away.

(End of this chapter)