Siheyuan, my new life

Upon hearing Xu Fugui announce the end of the hospital-wide meeting, many residents, who were already freezing cold, quickly chimed in, saying it was alright and that they were all thinking of going home to warm up.

Suddenly someone shouted, "Uncle, today is the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. The New Year is just around the corner, but we are still short of many things for the New Year. How about you go out and find some grain and pork? We've worked hard all year, so we should at least make some white flour dumplings for the elderly and children at home for the New Year."

The residents who were about to turn around and go home stopped when they heard this. Several residents started arguing, meaning they wanted Xu Fugui and the other two managers to organize everyone to go to the black market again.

Xu Fugui glanced at Yue Xiangqian sitting beside him. He could clearly see the corners of Yue's mouth slightly upturned, and his eyes revealing undisguised sarcasm. In the detention room of the steel mill's security department, after learning about the attitude of the residents of the courtyard from Xu Damao, the two of them had already discussed it beforehand. They would never do such a thankless and foolish thing again. They risked leading the people of the courtyard to buy things on the black market, but when things went wrong, the residents all stood by and watched. Some even gossiped and talked behind their backs. From now on, let them figure it out themselves. If their two families really needed to go to the black market, the two of them would be enough to accompany them. After what happened that night, the two of them could tell that the other knew some martial arts. With their skills, they could easily deal with three or five robbers who blocked the road.

Yue Xiangqian also noticed Xu Fugui's gaze, so he nodded slightly towards Hao Aiguo, who was sitting opposite him, and continued to remain silent without saying a word.

Xu Fugui picked up the enamel mug in front of him and tapped it on the octagonal table a few times. Everyone present shut their mouths and looked over with bright eyes.

Xu Fugui gave a bitter smile and said loudly, "I understand everyone's feelings, but as you all know, because of the incident last time we took several households to the black market in the old imperial city of Xicheng, my second uncle and I were not only detained for three days, but also fined 100 yuan. Moreover, we wrote a guarantee at the security office, promising that we would never go to the black market again. If we go to the black market again, the security office will consider it a repeat offender and deal with it seriously. In addition to legal punishment, they will also notify our employers to dismiss us from our jobs."

Xu Fugui paused deliberately at this point, his eyes fixed on the disappointed expressions on the faces of the current residents. He picked up the now-cold tea and took a small sip.

Chaos erupted immediately, with many people arguing amongst themselves. Someone shouted, "Uncle, your manager can't just ignore us residents! We need to get through the New Year first, no matter what!"

Xu Fugui sneered inwardly after hearing this. He had already made himself clear enough. The last time they were caught at the black market, they were each fined 100 yuan. Yet these people kept quiet about it. If he and Yue Xiangqian went to the black market again, they would be detained or even lose their jobs if they were caught. But these guys only thought about their own lack of food and pork, and not a single one of them put themselves in their shoes.

Standing at the back of the crowd, Guo Yongping stared in astonishment at the scene before him, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Truly, this was the infamous "Qin Man Siheyuan" of all realms! Everyone was constantly complaining about their own family's difficulties, yet not a single person spoke a word of justice for Xu Fugui and that second uncle. They were truly embodying selfishness to the fullest. Although he hadn't seen the likes of Yi Zhonghai, the Moral Celestial Venerable; Liu Haizhong, the Filial Piety Father; Yan Bugui, the Abacus Master; Jia Zhangshi, the Necromancer; or Qin Huairu, the Bloodsucking White Lotus, in person tonight, the mere words and actions of these people had shattered his worldview.

Guo Yongping suddenly saw He Daqing, who had been sitting upright in front of the main house in the middle courtyard, get up and walk back home, while He Yuzhu sat happily in the chair that his father had just vacated, looking at the chaotic scene with a grin.

Guo Yongping immediately realized that He Daqing was now the director of the canteen at the training base of the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, a legitimate state cadre. These people were openly discussing going to the black market in front of him. Although he couldn't speak up to stop them, he could only hide at home and pretend he didn't know anything.

Seeing that the crowd was starting to lose their composure, Xu Fugui glanced at Hao Aiguo, who was deliberately keeping a gloomy face but couldn't help but show excitement in his eyes. He sneered inwardly, "You arrogant fool, you think you can step on me and make a fool of me? Just wait and see how you cry later."

Xu Fugui tapped the enamel mug on the octagonal table several times. After the room quieted down a bit, he said loudly, "Everyone, my second uncle Yue Xiangqian and I are now criminals. We really dare not organize you all to go to the black market anymore. Otherwise, if we get caught, we will not only be detained and fined, but we will also be fired from our jobs. However, our third uncle Hao Aiguo has a wide network of connections and many ways to help. These things are just a piece of cake for him. Please ask him for help."

Upon hearing this, everyone present immediately realized that it was true. Recently, Hao Aiguo's wife had been showing off in the courtyard, saying that her husband and the workshop director were like brothers, with an extremely close relationship. Her eldest uncle, Xu Fugui, and second uncle, Yue Xiangqian, had been detained and fined by the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, but her husband, Hao Aiguo, had gotten away with it.

So everyone immediately started talking to Hao Aiguo, telling him to organize everyone to buy grain and pork on the black market.

Hao Aiguo, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, never expected that Xu Fugui would shift the blame and put him in such a precarious position. He was sweating profusely with anxiety, but seeing Xu Fugui and Yue Xiangqian sitting there calmly, he had an idea. He immediately picked up his enamel mug and slammed it on the table, loudly proclaiming, "Everyone, be quiet! They say a snake can't move without a head. Uncle Yi is the leader of our courtyard. This kind of thing has to be organized by Uncle Yi. I'm just Uncle San, who's in charge of things. I have to listen to Uncle Yi in everything."

Xu Fugui stood up with a cold laugh: "Third Uncle is too modest. My abilities are limited. Tomorrow I will go to the neighborhood committee to resign from my position as the head of the household. From now on, our No. 95 courtyard will still have to rely on you, the capable head of the household." After saying that, he walked directly to the backyard.

Yue Xiangqian also stood up: "I will also go to the neighborhood committee to resign tomorrow." After saying that, he walked towards his home.