He Daqing, do you know how I've lived these past years?

"Mother, you're back."

Jia Dongxu, looking pale and sickly, handed a bowl of cold water to Jia Zhangshi, who was weary from her journey and carrying a bag of rotten vegetable leaves.

Looking at Dongxu's righteous face, Madam Jia couldn't help but shed tears and said:

"My son, you've suffered so much. It's all your fault for being such a useless father. Your mother is also sorry for making you suffer."

Jia Dongxu shook his head and said firmly:

"Mom, you've suffered the most. Next year I'll be 18 and can start working. Things will definitely get better then."

Madam Jia asked with a look of surprise:

"Who told you to go to work, and where to go to work?"

So Jia Dongxu took out some silver dollars and recounted what had happened in He Daqing's room.

After carefully putting away the silver dollars, Jia Zhangshi's face alternated between pale and flushed. She had known about this for a long time, but Yi Zhonghai had always made excuses whenever she asked him to handle the matter.

"Dongxu, we'll have to rely on your Uncle Jia for this. We'll wait for He Daqing at the gate tomorrow morning to go together, otherwise you won't be able to get into the factory next year."

"Eat your food, eat more vegetables. I'll save this money for you when you get married."

……

the next morning

"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I really drank too much last night."

He Daqing woke up early in the morning and found his wife, Zhonghai, lying next to him.

Zhonghai's wife simply got up expressionlessly, put on her clothes, turned around, looked deeply at He Daqing, and said:

"I, Cuilan, am not a shameless woman. Let's pretend last night never happened. As for Yushui... if no one else can take care of Yushui in the future, you can bring her here."

He Daqing watched Cuilan walk out, lit a cigarette, and smacked himself on the head a few times.

At that moment, the door to the next room opened, and He Yuzhu came out and said:

"Dad, hurry up and cook! Yushui is starving and crying. I have to go to work at the restaurant later."

He Daqing suddenly remembered that he was supposed to go to Jia Gui's place today, and hurriedly called out:

"You're such an idiot, Zhu! Couldn't you go outside and buy something, or eat at your Aunt Cuilan's? You can leave the rainwater there too. I have to go to work today."

As she spoke, she rushed out, followed closely by Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu at the courtyard gate.

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to turn around, Liu Guangqi and Xu Damao came out from the backyard carrying satchels and said:

"My silly Zhu, can't you go out and buy something to eat?"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu clenched his fists and ran over, knocking both men to the ground with a single punch each.

"I told you not to call me 'Silly Zhu,' or I'll beat you up."

"Silly Zhu, what are you doing?"

Just then, a loud voice rang out. He Yuzhu looked up and saw a burly man with a prominent belly, as described by wrestling masters, running towards him. He also hurriedly ran towards his room.

Xu Damao also hurriedly said to Liu Guangqi beside him:

"Guangqi, if your dad asks later, just say we fell there ourselves, and Shazhu helped us up. Otherwise, we'll get two more beatings when we get home tonight."

Liu Guangqi asked, dumbfounded:

"Besides Sha Zhu, who else dares to hit me? Who else!"

Xu Damao got up speechlessly and ran straight towards the courtyard gate.

"Is Guangqi alright? Did that idiot Zhu try to hit you? He's really gone too far! I'll beat his dad until his nose is swollen and his face is black and blue!"

Liu Haizhong carefully helped Liu Guangqi up and said,

"Dad, my face is bruised and swollen. I need to go to school, or I'll be late!"

With that, he ran off to chase after Xu Damao.

"Hmph, isn't this just your father wanting to test your studies? After all, I'm only a primary school student..."

Bah! A highly educated person who only graduated from elementary school.

He then walked out of the courtyard and headed towards the steel plant.

……

Chuntao Hutong

"Bump"

After a few knocks on the door, a furious roar erupted from inside the courtyard:

"What are you banging for? Trying to kill me this early in the morning? Well, I'll grant your wish today."

Jia Gui, furious, opened the door and saw He Daqing and Jia Dongxu, with Jia Zhangshi panting beside them. He also remembered the promise he had made the night before.

After asking Jia Zhangshi what was going on, he patted Jia Dongxu on the shoulder, looked at his determined eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then told the three of them to meet at the steel mill gate.

He then pulled out a motorcycle, started it, and rode away.

He Daqing and Jia Dongxu watched the motorcycle drive away with envy, then headed towards the steel factory.

All along the way, there was only Jia Zhangshi's constant complaining.

Lou's Steel Plant gate

The dashing Jia Gui sat on his motorcycle, lit a cigarette, and enjoyed the flattery and fawning from those around him.

A fat man in the distance clenched his fists, watching Jia Gui in the crowd with a mixture of anger and envy in his eyes, but he hesitated to step forward.

Jia Gui also spotted the lone figure standing in the distance at a glance. Looking at the increasingly familiar-looking fat man, he suddenly recalled the night he had beaten up the fat man a while back.

Now that he's in power, Boss Le is very strict in punishing those who oppress the people, so he wants to make amends.

So he got out of the car and yelled:

"Why are you all crowding around here? Don't you have work to do? Get out of here!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding crowd also hurriedly entered the factory.

Jia Gui walked up to Liu Haizhong with a smile and said:

"Dude, we drank too much that night, please forgive us if we did anything wrong."

"Now that I, Brother Jia, am a minor official, whatever you need, I'll help you solve it."

Liu Haizhong hesitated for a moment, thinking of the pistol Jia Gui had pointed at his head that night. But you know, the need was real. It was all because he'd seen that canteen helper that night; a month later, he was pregnant.

So he said weakly:

"It's alright. I was also at fault that night. Sir, my wife is pregnant now, and there's only one room in the yard. It might not be enough for three children."

Jia Gui hesitated. He knew the situation of the courtyard very well; he had investigated everything before. Even the place he was currently living in belonged to someone else, but that person dared not make a fuss. Now the deeds to the houses were all his, and many were private properties. Some people owned dozens of houses, especially those from the previous dynasty.

So he asked uncertainly:

"Are you admitted to the hospital for the first time or several times?"

Upon hearing that there was hope, Liu Haizhong quickly replied:

“I now live at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. That room was rented to me by the factory when I was promoted to junior apprentice. There are only five households living in the entire three-courtyard house; the other rooms are all empty.”

Jia Gui knew the address immediately. He had previously heard that the boss had dined at the Lou family's house and that Lou Zhenhua was planning to rent out the entire courtyard to apprentices at the factory. He laughed heartily and said:

"It's alright, Master Jia will take care of this for you. I know your courtyard; I've been there several times. How many rooms do you need?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong excitedly exclaimed:

"Sir, three rooms, one room for each of the three children."

Jia Gui agreed and told him to wait there. Liu Haizhong also asked a passing worker to help him get leave from the management office and waited on the side.

A short while later, He Daqing and his two companions came running over. They were all familiar faces; sometimes, fate is truly wondrous.

Jia Gui greeted the platoon leader stationed at the steel plant and then led everyone into the plant, heading towards Steward Lou's office. Steward Lou was an all-around capable old man who handled affairs at the plant during the day and managed household chores at the Lou family home in the evening.

"Butler Lou, long time no see, come have a smoke."

Butler Lou happily accepted the cigarette, lit it for Jia Gui, and then lit one for himself, saying:

"Director Bai came by a while ago. I wonder what brings Director Jia here?"

Jia Gui chuckled and said:

"I'm here to recommend a skilled craftsman to your factory, and I also have some family matters to discuss with you."

Then, pointing to each person, he began to introduce them:

"He Daqing, a master of the Tan family cuisine, possesses exceptional culinary skills."

"This is my nephew. My cousin Jia Fugui had an accident at your factory, and he's here to fill in for him."

"This is Liu Haizhong, who lives in Nanluoguxiang. His family has many children, so one room isn't enough. They want a few more rooms; three rooms for three children."

After giving He Daqing a deep look, Butler Lou smiled and said to Jia Gui:

"Since Director Jia has come in person, you should still give him face."

"How about this, since He Daqing is such a good cook, and we're treating someone to lunch today, let's try his cooking. If it's good, he can become the cafeteria manager."

"Since your brother had an accident here, it's only natural that your nephew comes to work here. I'll help him find a good mentor."

"As for Liu Haizhong's matter, it's even easier to resolve. Director Jia is here today. If you have money, I can arrange for you to sell the apartment to him for your own private use."

Liu Haizhong was also stunned by the sudden surprise, while He Daqing kept his head down and remained silent. It turned out that Shan Chu's private savings were arranged by Tan Yali through Butler Lou.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi, who was standing nearby, hurriedly pulled Jia Gui aside and said:

"Uncle, our Jia family also needs a private room, for Dongxu's wedding."

Upon hearing this, Jia Gui became furious. "Your family has no money and you want two rooms? Do you expect me, Jia Gui, to pay for them?"

But looking back at the handsome and polite Dongxu, and remembering how many years she hadn't been able to take care of him, and how he was old enough to be getting married, her heart softened.

He said to Butler Lou:

"The Jia family wants a private room,"

Feeling the sharpness of Jia Zhangshi's fingernails, Jia Gui turned around and glared at her fiercely before turning back to look at Steward Lou.

……