Siheyuan, my new life

After seeing off Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide, Section Chief Zhao Xiangdong directly pulled Guo Yongping out of the office and went to the Personnel Department and Finance Department to complete the formalities. Obviously, these two departments had been notified by the leaders in advance, so Guo Yongping's formal employment procedures and salary and benefits promotion procedures were completed quickly.

The two returned to the office of the third section. Guo Yongping quickly took out a pack of Peony cigarettes, handed one to Zhao Xiangdong with both hands, and said sincerely, "I'm sorry to have troubled Section Chief Zhao with all this. I won't say thank you. Let's see each other on business from now on."

Zhao Xiangdong took the cigarette, lit it with a match, took a satisfying puff, and said cheerfully, "Xiao Guo, since we're all members of this big family, let's skip the formalities. I'm really happy for you. You got promoted early and even got a raise. You should make more money. Now that you're living alone in Beijing, you should try to save as much money as possible. When you reach marriageable age in a couple of years, I'll have your sister-in-law look out for a suitable partner for you so you can settle down and start a family soon."

With Guo Yongping's extraordinary perception, he could naturally sense that Zhao Xiangdong was genuinely happy for him. To be honest, he was also very happy to be promoted ahead of schedule and receive a raise.

With the grain he obtained through shady dealings on Guijie Street, and the large quantities of pork and mutton he purchased at great expense, Guo Yongping wasn't worried about his procurement tasks. Although he could eventually be promoted through the ranks, according to the normal procedure, it would take him at least two or three years to accumulate seniority and have a leader's support; otherwise, he would remain sidelined. He was currently a level 23 clerk, with a basic monthly salary of fifty yuan, plus various subsidies and benefits, totaling over fifty-six yuan.

With the "Heaven Rewards Diligence System" at his disposal, along with the high-tech products he obtained from signing in, and the 10,000 yuan cash he received for his first sign-in, Guo Yongping had spent most of it on Guijie Street. However, he was not short of money at all. Moreover, once he fully utilized his planting and breeding space, money would just be a number to him. Especially in this day and age, you can't buy many things just by having money without receipts.

These past two days, each sign-in only yielded 100 merit points, but Guo Yongping wasn't disappointed. His immediate priority was to figure out how to obtain merit points. Relying solely on the 100 merit points earned from daily sign-ins would take forever to accumulate enough to purchase the high-tech products he coveted in the system's shop.

At that moment, the decision regarding Hao Aiguo's punishment came over the loudspeaker outside. Zhao Xiangdong and Guo Yongping immediately shut their mouths and listened quietly to the broadcast.

After the first broadcast, Guo Yongping frowned slightly and his breathing became a little heavier before returning to normal.

After the broadcast was finished three times, Section Chief Zhao Xiangdong said with a smile, "This Hao Aiguo has only himself to blame. He's just an ordinary workshop worker. Instead of studying his skills and trying to improve his technical level as soon as possible, he insisted on stirring up trouble. This time, he shot himself in the foot. I guess he should behave himself for a while."

Guo Yongping sighed softly, “Section Chief Zhao, I just moved into that courtyard house, and I originally intended to get along well with my neighbors. After all, I'll be living there for many years, barring any unforeseen circumstances. If any neighbor is really struggling and comes to me for help, how could I stand idly by? As you may know, my uncle left me a lot of money. The day before yesterday, I sent some national grain coupons and a thousand yuan to my hometown in Henan Province to improve the lives of my parents and relatives. Even so, I still have a lot of money. If any of my neighbors are truly in trouble, I will definitely try my best to help them. But Hao Aiguo's actions are aimed at ruining my reputation. I can use my own money to help families in need, but I will absolutely not misappropriate a single penny of public funds. As you know, I have practiced martial arts since childhood, and martial artists have a higher level of perception than ordinary people. I can clearly sense that Hao Aiguo is full of malice towards me. Of course, I won't let such a treacherous person get his way, which is why I chose to report him to our steel mill.”

Section Chief Zhao Xiangdong was clearly quite satisfied with the young man before him. He patted Guo Yongping on the shoulder and said sincerely, “I was a little worried at first. You know, with the decrease in the share of grain supply, some well-connected purchasing agents have naturally become popular figures in the eyes of many. The reason is simple: these people are eyeing the supplies that purchasing agents acquire, especially grain and meat. To be honest, we are just ordinary people with flesh and blood. Who doesn't have a few relatives and friends? If our relatives and friends ask for help, we often find it hard to refuse. However, everything has its limits. If it's just occasionally helping relatives and friends solve a small grain shortage, that's human nature. But you absolutely cannot use your position to engage in speculative activities like buying low and selling high. That's playing with fire and getting burned. You know, there are no secrets that can remain hidden forever. Once discovered, your life will be over. We deal with money and supplies every day in the purchasing business. If you have greed in your heart, you'll get into trouble sooner or later.”

Guo Yongping solemnly said, "Thank you for your reminder. I will definitely adhere to the bottom line in the future and will never make such a low-level mistake again."

Section Chief Zhao Xiangdong chuckled softly: "Xiao Guo, now that you're working and living alone in Beijing, you have far fewer constraints than those of us with families to support. Especially after what happened with Hao Aiguo, I believe your neighbors in that courtyard house will generally stop asking you for favors. Although it might seem to affect your relationships with your neighbors a little right now, it also avoids a lot of trouble. To be honest, since the grain ration was reduced, I've often had people I'm on good terms with come to me hoping to get some cheap grain and meat from me. Luckily, I've basically stopped going to the countryside to buy things, which is how I manage to deal with those who come to my door asking for help. Actually, even my own family isn't getting enough grain, let alone pork. My family hasn't eaten meat for almost two months."