Yan Jiecheng's Leisurely Life in Siheyuan

Chapter 104 Xu Damao's Promotion

After leaving Yan Jiecheng's house, Xu Damao immediately changed his tune and began to mutter curses at Yan Jiecheng.

"Pah, he's just a deputy director, yet he acts all high and mighty in front of me. What a piece of trash."

"Yan Jiecheng, you just wait, there will be a time when you'll be begging me for help."

……

After Xu Damao finished venting, he suddenly remembered what Yan Jiecheng had just said.

When Yan Jiecheng talked about Li Huaide's appreciation for talent and his statement that as long as one has talent, something felt off.

It seems like the pronunciation of the word "才" is a bit heavy. Am I overthinking it?
No, no, this can't be me overthinking it; this must be Yan Jiecheng giving me a hint.

This Yan Jiecheng is really something, he always likes to beat around the bush when he speaks, can't he just say it directly?

After complaining about Yan Jiecheng, Xu Damao started making plans again.

If Li Huaide is really as greedy as Yan Jiecheng said, then things will be much easier.

After careful consideration, Xu Damao ultimately decided to trust Yan Jiecheng.

Having made up his mind, Xu Damao went to his parents' house.

After some persuasion, Xu's father finally decided to trust his son one last time and gritted his teeth to hand over the golden Buddha to Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, this is our family's most treasured possession. I'm handing it over to you now. Whether you use it to build connections or spend it outside, it's entirely up to you."

"But I'm reminding you, our family isn't like the Lou family. It wasn't easy for us to save up this much. When you make a decision, you must think it through carefully so you don't regret it later."

It must be said that Mr. Xu is a very open-minded person. Parents who can support their children so strongly are rare in this era.

Xu Damao looked at the golden Buddha in front of him and couldn't help but hesitate.

This is a golden Buddha statue; even in this era, it would be extremely valuable.

Is it worth it to exchange it for an uncertain opportunity?
However, in the end, Xu Damao's desire to improve himself prevailed.

After carefully wrapping the golden Buddha in a package, Xu Damao took it to the residential building where Li Huaide lived.

When Li Huaide opened the door and saw Xu Damao, he was taken aback.

Only after seeing the package Xu Damao was carrying did she smile and let Xu Damao in.

After entering the room, Xu Damao first secretly looked around the living room. Seeing that there were no outsiders in the living room, Xu Damao opened the package and revealed the golden Buddha inside.

"Director Li, this is a treasure I obtained by chance. I don't know anything about it, so it's fine for me to keep it. I thought I'd bring it to you."

Li Huaide was very displeased with Xu Damao's blunt words and wanted to kick him out.

But after seeing the golden Buddha, I just couldn't bring myself to say those words.

After a long while, Li Huaide finally looked away from the golden Buddha and addressed Xu Damao.

"Xu Damao, what are you doing? What kind of person do you take me for, Li Huaide?"

Faced with Li Huaide's weak and unconvincing rebuke, Xu Damao knew in his heart that this trip had not been in vain.

However, Xu Damao, who often attended banquets hosted by leaders, knew that he should give the leader a way out at this time.

After thinking for a long time, Xu Damao finally blurted out a sentence.

"Factory manager, I obtained this item by chance, and I would appreciate it if you could help me appraise it."

Li Huaide was truly speechless about Xu Damao; this guy couldn't even offer a way out.

However, considering the preciousness of the golden Buddha, Li Huaide had no choice but to accept this offer. "Da Mao, since you don't understand, I'll take the trouble to help you, so you won't suffer any losses."

If Xu Damao knew anything about unspoken rules, he should have continued along with Li Huaide's words at this point.

However, Xu Damao was different. After hearing what Li Huaide said, Xu Damao was a little uneasy and spoke again.

"Director Li, I've worked as a projectionist in the propaganda department for many years. Do you think it's possible for me to be promoted?"

Well, after Xu Damao said that, Li Huaide was certain that this guy was indeed a blockhead.

If Li Huaide hadn't been genuinely tempted by the golden Buddha that Xu Damao sent, Xu Damao's fate might have been quite uncertain.

Li Huaide looked at the golden Buddha and, after some deliberation, said...

"Da Mao, you've worked in the publicity department for so many years. The factory knows all about your hard work and contributions. Don't worry, the factory will never overlook such a hardworking employee as you."

With Li Huaide's words, Xu Damao finally felt relieved and immediately patted his chest to assure him.

"Director Li, as long as I, Xu Damao, can advance further, I will follow your lead without hesitation. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west."

Li Huaide didn't take Xu Damao's pledge of loyalty to heart. In his mind, the people he needed and the people who needed him were not on the same level of importance.

After giving Xu Damao a few perfunctory words and sending him away, Li Huaide picked up the golden Buddha and examined it carefully.

……

Li Huaide was the kind of person who would do favors once he received something.

On the third day, Xu Damao's appointment was announced via radio.

When Xu Damao heard the broadcast announcement that he had become the head of the projection section of the propaganda department, he became a little giddy.

In his view, no matter what official position one holds, as long as it has a "leader" title, one is a cadre, and his status undergoes a dramatic change.

But he didn't know that he, the head of the projection section, was just a figurehead, and was actually a worker in lieu of a cadre position; he wasn't a proper cadre at all.

After the announcement over the loudspeaker, Xu Damao came to the third canteen triumphantly and showed off to Sha Zhu.

In fact, the position of squad leader Sha Zhu was pretty much the same as the nominal position of section chief Xu Damao, since both received an extra two yuan in subsidies each month.

This is also something that Sha Zhu doesn't quite understand regarding the intricacies of cadre appointment.

He could only helplessly watch as Xu Damao showed off in front of him.

……

When Yan Jiecheng learned from his wife that Xu Damao had been promoted, he was initially quite surprised.

In his view, Li Huaide, despite his many flaws, was very concerned about his own interests.

How could he possibly promote Xu Damao, who is ignorant and incompetent and offers him no help whatsoever?

It should be noted that even he was only valued by Li Huaide after he made some achievements at the ironworks.

However, after learning that Xu Damao had only been promoted to head of the projection section, he felt somewhat relieved.

Filming Section? The propaganda department didn't have this position before.

It seems that Li Huaide is well aware that Xu Damao has no real ability, which is why he created the film screening stock to fool Xu Damao.

However, Xu Damao's triumphant mood greatly displeased Lou Xiao'e.

After learning that Xu Damao had been promoted, Lou Xiao'e went to Yan Jiecheng's house indignantly and gave Fu Linlin a good rant.

(End of this chapter)