Siheyuan, my new life

Although Xu Fugui and Yue Xiangqian's sudden announcement that they wanted to resign as the steward surprised everyone present, they couldn't care less about that now. So, they started arguing with the dumbfounded Hao Aiguo. Since the first and second stewards had already said they were quitting, they could only turn to the only remaining steward, the third steward.

Hao Aiguo's mind was in complete turmoil. He hadn't expected Xu Fugui and Yue Xiangqian to propose resigning as the steward. He knew that the simplest way to get rid of the trouble was for him to resign as well, but he had worked so hard to get this position, how could he give it up? However, how should he resolve this problem? He was well aware that organizing the people in the compound to go to the black market was extremely risky, but he couldn't just refuse outright, otherwise, if it caused dissatisfaction among the people, his position as steward would be in jeopardy.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Hao Aiguo's mind: Yes, since Xu Fugui could shift the blame, he could also drag others down with him.

Hao Aiguo then raised the enamel mug in his hand and smashed it twice. The crowd immediately fell silent, their eyes fixed on him with intense interest, all eager to hear what Hao Aiguo would have to say.

Hao Aiguo deliberately coughed loudly twice before speaking, "Since Xu Fugui and Yue Xiangqian would rather resign as the head of the neighborhood committee tomorrow than continue organizing everyone to buy grain on the black market, then we can't force them anymore. As the only head of our No. 95 courtyard house now, I certainly won't stand idly by. However, our courtyard house is a collective, so all residents must work together to overcome this difficulty. Right now, almost every household is short of grain and pork for the New Year. We can't just think about going to the black market, after all, the prices of grain and pork there are too high. I'm sure everyone's wages can't afford it, right?"

Hearing Hao Aiguo's words, many people nodded in agreement. Indeed, the price of flour on the black market had increased four or five times, and pork was two or three yuan per pound. No family could afford this if it continued. Clearly, Hao Aiguo meant that there was a way to get cheaper grain and pork. So someone immediately urged impatiently, "Uncle, stop being so mysterious. Tell us your good idea quickly. We will definitely remember your kindness."

Hao Aiguo said with a hint of pride, "Have you all forgotten that there are two cadres in our courtyard at No. 95? One is the director of the canteen at the training base of the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and the other is a purchasing agent in the purchasing department of the steel rolling mill. I believe that with the help of these two, they can definitely get you guys some cheaper grain and pork."

The crowd erupted in a flurry of chatter. Indeed, as the head of the canteen at the security training base, getting grain and pork was a piece of cake for He Daqing. Although no one had seen the food at the deaf old lady's house in the backyard, the aroma alone was enough to make many mouths water. He Daqing and his son, both cooks, definitely had ways to procure cheap grain and pork. As for the young man who had just moved into the courtyard, he worked as a purchasing agent at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. That job was lucrative; even a little bit of his earnings would be enough to live a life of luxury.

Guo Yongping never expected that this damned steward, the Third Uncle, would actually set his sights on him. Moreover, judging from the heavy breathing of the residents, they were clearly also interested. As expected of the infamous "Qin Man Siheyuan" in all the heavens and myriad realms, it seems that if he doesn't show his power, he will be seen as a pushover. But let's see what He Daqing does first.

Before He Daqing could even come out, He Yuzhu, who had been sitting on a chair in front of the main house of the courtyard watching the commotion, jumped up. He pointed at Hao Aiguo and shouted, "Hao Aiguo, are you out of your mind? My dad had already gone home while you were discussing buying grain on the black market. You know he's a government official. You guys were so brazenly discussing going to the black market in front of a proper government official. My dad didn't stop you on the spot because we all live in the same courtyard and he was giving you face. I didn't expect you, Hao Aiguo, to be so audacious as to try and take advantage of my dad. Is your brain full of shit? You actually dared to incite the courtyard residents and force the canteen director of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill's security training base to get you cheap grain. Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about the three words 'security department'? Fine, fine, fine, tomorrow I'll report to the leaders of the security department. Don't you have a senior brother who's a workshop director? I'll report him too!"

Everyone present, including Hao Aiguo, was stunned by He Yuzhu's angry outburst. At this moment, the door of the main room in the middle courtyard opened, and He Daqing, with a gloomy face, strode out. He coldly stared at the dumbfounded Hao Aiguo: "Hao Aiguo, you've got some nerve, daring to openly force state cadres to engage in speculation and profiteering. Fine, I, He Daqing, will remember this." Turning to his son, he instructed: "Zhuzi, go home, wash up, and go to bed. You have to go to the training base canteen early tomorrow morning to work overtime."

He Yuzhu, who had just been furious, obediently agreed, picked up a chair, and walked into the main room of the central courtyard. He Daqing snorted heavily, turned around, went home, and closed the door.

Before everyone could recover from their shock, they suddenly heard several crisp claps from behind, and everyone involuntarily turned around to look.

The young man who had just moved into courtyard house number 95 was clapping his hands at a leisurely pace.

Guo Yongping's figure was somewhat blurred in the night. He sneered and said, "This is the first time in my life that I have attended a general meeting of the entire courtyard. I originally thought I was just here to join in the fun, but I never expected that the third uncle in charge of your courtyard at number 95 would be so audacious as to openly instigate the residents of the courtyard to force state cadres to undermine the unified purchase and sale policy. I don't know if this uncle is ignorant or if he thinks he has a powerful backer. It doesn't matter. Tomorrow morning I will report to the leaders of the purchasing department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. Let the leaders judge everything right and wrong."

Having just been reprimanded by the He family father and son, Hao Aiguo already felt humiliated and had lost face. He never expected that a young man who had just moved into this courtyard would dare to criticize him. He couldn't suppress his anger any longer.