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

"Who are these people? They don't even respond when I call them. But if Jia Dongxu can take over his father's job, so can I."

"I'm afraid I can't go to my master's place, and I won't go to my father-in-law's either, so I can only try my luck at the steel factory."

After making up his mind, He Yuzhu didn't greet the stunned Jia Dongxu again, and ran towards the steel factory with the rainwater in his arms.

As soon as the dejected Jia Dongxu returned home, Jia Zhangshi shouted with joy:

"Sister Jin, this is my son, Jia Dongxu. He works at Xiaxing Steel Plant and is a great working-class proletarian."

A middle-aged woman wearing a red outer robe smiled and nodded, saying:

"Your son is handsome, with striking features. I'll take care of finding him a wife."

Mrs. Jia was also very happy and took out two silver dollars to express her gratitude repeatedly.

The matchmaker, having received her payment, said:

"Mrs. Jia, the neighborhood has been promoting this lately, urging everyone to hurry to the bank to exchange their old money for banknotes. It seems like all the old money will be worthless soon. You should take note."

Madam Jia shook her head indifferently and said:

"It's alright. Back in the warlord era, we used silver dollars; when the Japanese came, we used silver dollars; during the Civic Party era, we used silver dollars. I think the People's Party should still be able to use them now, it's just that those flanges aren't worth much."

Matchmaker Jin nodded and said:

"Yes, that's how it should be in theory, but I heard that the excess should be distributed according to class composition."

My family owns several large houses. They were our ancestral home during the Daoguang era; we have all the land deeds and other documents.

They admitted it during the warlord era, they admitted it when the Japanese came, they admitted it even during the Kuomintang era, they admitted it all, it's just that they're afraid..."

Madam Jia patted the matchmaker on the shoulder and said:

Why think so much? What's yours will always be yours, and what's not yours will only cause trouble if you keep it.

The matchmaker nodded and took her leave, but before she could even step out of the room, Jia Dongxu grabbed her.

"Auntie, I've found someone I like named Qin Huairu. He's from a village outside the city, but I don't know where he is. Could you help me find him?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi, standing nearby, was furious and her eyes blazed with anger. She hurriedly said to the matchmaker, Jin:

"Sister Jin, don't worry about the child, just do as I say and go find him."

After saying that, he pulled Jia Dongxu back and, smiling, escorted the matchmaker all the way out of the courtyard.

Then, in a fit of anger, he ran home and yelled:

"Go kneel down in front of your father. Let me tell you, your wife can only be from the city. People from the countryside don't deserve her, you know that?"

Jia Dongxu forced himself to speak:

"Mother, you're from the countryside too."

Madam Jia Zhang also plopped down on the ground, pounded her fist on the ground in front of Old Jia's portrait, and burst into tears.

"Old Jia, why did you leave us so early? I, a widow, raised your child single-handedly, and now he won't even listen to me."

Jia Dongxu hurriedly got up to pull Jia Zhangshi away, and only after informing her that she had met the woman introduced by the matchmaker did Jia Zhangshi stop crying.

He looked out the window and sighed deeply.

He Yuzhu rushed through the security checkpoint at the entrance and, led by one of the soldiers, arrived at the personnel department.

But I was stunned when I went inside; there was also an old man named Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai also rushed to the factory. He had just come from the canteen manager to the personnel department when he saw He Yuzhu arrive.

With a quick glance, he said to the section chief:

"Section Chief, this is He Yuzhu, the son of He Daqing, the former canteen manager of our factory."

Before the section chief could speak, he knelt down and said:

"Section Chief, I don't know what the current system is, but in the past, there were cases of sons inheriting their fathers' jobs in the factory. I beg you, please let my child work in the factory."

Upon seeing this, He Yuzhu was also moved and went to help Yi Zhonghai, whispering:

"Grandpa, get up!"

The head of the personnel department also hurriedly stood up from his chair, took a few quick steps, and helped Yi Zhonghai up.

Yi Zhonghai, pretending to be an elder, said:

"Zhu Zi, kneel down and beg the section chief!"

Then he said to the section chief:

"Section Chief, this child is pitiful. His father, He Daqing, abandoned his family and ran off to Baocheng with a widow, completely ignoring his and his sister's plight."

I'm his next-door neighbor. If he gets a job in the factory, he can at least support himself and his sister. If I help him out, he'll definitely be able to grow up."

The section chief looked at He Yuzhu kneeling on the ground and said:

"Alright, stand up. A real man remembers that there's gold under the flag."

"You could have taken over your father's job, but you're not old enough. How about this, you go to the cafeteria. I'll write a certificate, and you can take it to the cafeteria manager."

He Yuzhu was so excited he didn't know what to do. He had a job! He had a job!

I knew it! If Jia Dongxu can do it, so can I.

Before he could even get up, Yi Zhonghai, who had already received his work certificate, pulled him out the door.

"The section chief is very busy. Go report to the cafeteria manager first; work is important."

He Yuzhu thought Yi Zhonghai's words made sense, so he followed him to the cafeteria.

"No, we don't need you anymore. You either go to the workshop, or we'll find another place."

The cafeteria manager spoke seriously, and even nodded to Yi Zhonghai behind him.

He Yuzhu waved his work certificate anxiously.

“I have proof here. My father is He Daqing, and my family has been poor peasants for three generations.”

The cafeteria manager also scoffed:

"What can I do if the positions are full? Go back to the personnel department and talk to them yourself."

Seeing He Yuzhu slumped there, looking utterly dejected, Yi Zhonghai's lips curled into a smile as he approached.

"Director, I'm Yi Zhonghai, a level six fitter in the fitter's workshop. This child's father, as you know, abandoned his children and a widow to run off to Baocheng. Now he's all alone. Please have pity on him. I'm an old man in his courtyard, I can't just ignore him. Here's some money, please have a drink, Director."

The cafeteria manager took the bills without even looking at them, then turned to He Yuzhu and said:

"Young man, you're not old enough yet. Come to the canteen when you're older. But regardless of your skills, you can only start as a kitchen helper."

He Yuzhu nodded helplessly.

A moment later, holding a letter of introduction for delayed onboarding, he bowed deeply to Yi Zhonghai in gratitude and hurriedly ran towards the security office at the factory gate.

I was still worried about leaving Yu Shui there alone.

Yi Zhonghai finished having tea with the director in the office, then said goodbye and left.

The director poured some more water, spat out the tea leaves in his mouth, and couldn't help but sigh:

"Daqing, it's not that I don't want to help you, but you said your son will come back to the factory after he finishes his apprenticeship in two years. It's only right that you take care of me and I take care of your son."

But your son came two years earlier. The key point is that you only talk the talk, while others actually give me money.

Just like this tea, I'll pour it away once it gets cold.

……

"Brother, I'm so hungry!"

Hearing Yu Shui's words, He Yuzhu touched his belly and said:

"Let's go buy some steamed buns,"

Touching the few bills shoved into his pocket, he inwardly groaned.

"I'm out of money! I'm out of money!"

"That son of a bitch He Daqing, I'll never speak to him again. He might as well die out there."

"And my father-in-law and his family ruined my future; I will never acknowledge you again in this lifetime."

"Sigh, if only Yi Zhonghai were my dad..."

……