Silly Zhu's Moving: The Old Neighbor's Nightmare

"Three main rooms, one side room, and one cellar. Each room costs 250 yuan, and the cellar costs 100 yuan, for a total of 1100 yuan."

After deducting the land cost of 250 and the cost of the pillars, we will add another 850 yuan to your house.

"Zhu Zi, do you have any more questions? No, we'll proceed with the procedures now," Director Wang said.

"Oh, no problem, Director Wang. Just give me 650 yuan, and you can donate the remaining 200 yuan for me."

When I came over, I saw something nearby: the Committee for Resisting U.S. Aggression and Aiding Korea.

We received donations from social relief committees and other organizations. Our resources are limited, but we also have a patriotic heart.

"I don't dare to donate too much openly, but I can still donate a little more secretly," Sha Zhu said.

"This young man is quite something, donating so much. Did your dad agree? Is your house going to be canceled?" Director Wang said in surprise.

Although 200 yuan can only buy a bicycle, you should know that it's not a small amount of grain either.

Moreover, an ordinary worker only earns about 20 yuan a month, which is almost a young man's annual salary.

"Sigh, my dad's going to another city soon, so he can't control me. I'll just ask my foreman for help with building the house."

I'd appreciate it if Director Wang could do me a small favor and introduce me to a construction team. I still have some money on me.

"My dad left me some money when he left. My master gave me all his apprentice wages. I'm not short of money," Sha Zhu said.

"Okay, I'll help you out. You're a good young man. I'll have to get everyone together to spread the word about you in the neighborhood."

Hearing this, Sha Zhu broke out in a cold sweat. He hurriedly said,

"Director, please don't! You can't publicize this for me."

"This is a good thing, why can't we publicize it? At least let everyone learn from your spirit," Director Wang said, puzzled.

How can I explain this? I can't just say I want to keep a low profile.

"Director Wang, my dad went to work in another city, leaving only my sister and me, two underage children, behind."

My neighbors know I have money now, and they all come to me to borrow money.

You see, these past few days, there have been rumors circulating about my dad on the streets. A few days later, my dad passed away.

I suspect the neighbors are spreading rumors about my dad again, and I don't want to get involved.

Donating 200 yuan requires publicity. If I were to donate all the gold and silver fish jewelry in my online space...

They shouldn't be put under surveillance, lest they be turned into spies. Donations still have to be made secretly.

As they were talking, Xiao Li walked in carrying a stack of documents.

He said, "Director, some documents need Zhuzi's signature. We also need to go to other departments to complete the procedures."

"Okay. Zhu Zi, since you don't want to publicize it, then forget it. This note is a donation certificate I wrote for you. Keep it safe."

"Go with Xiao Li. The property certificate is done. For the rest, bring the property certificate and your household registration book."

Go with your dad to the police station and get a new household registration booklet.

We'll hold the house for you for a few days. Once you've moved all your things out, just come to the military control office and let them know.

"If you need anything in the future, just come to me," Director Wang said.

Sha Zhu thanked Director Wang and followed Xiao Li through the procedures.

"Zhu Zi, you donated money. Where did you donate to? Let me see." Silly Zhu quickly put the note in his pocket.

"There's nothing much to see, I'll just donate ten yuan."

"You're kidding me, it's only ten yuan. You need Director Wang to write a certificate for you, but I doubt Director Wang will even bother with you."

"Brother Li, I'm only 16 years old. I want to go to the steel rolling mill to take over my dad's job."

"We haven't received any wages yet. The compensation money is needed to rebuild the house. Where can we get more money to donate?" Sha Zhu said.

"Oh, you're going to work at a steel rolling mill. I heard the benefits there are pretty good. What kind of work will you be doing there?"

"Hehe, Brother Li, I'm going to work as a cook, my dad's chef."

I was also a cook, and I went in to prepare large meals for the workers. I'm a pretty good cook.

Let me tell you, brother, I studied at Fengzeyuan for three years.

My master is a top-notch Shandong cuisine chef; I should at least have a vocational school diploma or equivalent. I'll treat Brother Li to a meal sometime.

"Zhu Zi, you're such a smooth talker. At your age, you've probably been doing odd jobs at Fengzeyuan for three years, haven't you?"

"When I have time later," I said. "I work in a government department. When is 'later'?"

Give me a specific time: tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or the weekend?

Sha Zhu was embarrassed. "Brother Li, you said we could go to any restaurant anytime, even today."

If you want to try my cooking, I guess the house will have to be built soon. I'll be staying at my master's house on Qianmen Street for the next couple of months.

"Let's skip it today, I have some things to do this afternoon, but don't forget about it, kid."

"Don't worry, I will never forget it."

Next, Xiao Li took Sha Zhu to several departments to sign documents, pay taxes, and go through the procedures.

After finishing, Sha Zhu asked Xiao Li, "Brother Li, thank you for running around helping me. I still don't know your full name."

"This is my job. I'm older than you, so you can just call me Brother Li."

My full name is Li Jianguo, hehe, I changed it when the government checked my household registration.

How about that, pretty cool, right? I'll let you in on a little secret: my household registration used to say "Li Ergou."

Li Ergou, what can I say about this name? It's Li Ergou's domineering life.

Sha Zhu said, "Brother Gou, no, that Brother Li, this Brother Jianguo..."

I estimate there must be hundreds of thousands or even millions in our country. Look at the names of the neighbors.

Zhang Jianguo, Ma Jianguo, Wang Jianguo, Zhao Jianguo. And let's just say there are quite a few people with the same name as Li Jianguo.

“Who says otherwise? Old Li from the department next door just had a daughter and insisted on naming her Li Jianguo. My colleagues all openly tease me about it,” Xiao Li said with a bitter expression.

Sha Zhu said, holding up the documents in his hand.

"Brother Li, I've finished with this certificate, and it's almost noon. I don't know if my dad will be able to come over. I can finish the rest after lunch. How about we find a small restaurant nearby and grab something to eat?"

Brother Li shook his head and said, "No, thank you. Our department doesn't eat until after 1 a.m., and we're still very busy. I won't see you off. Maybe next time."

"Okay, goodbye then, Brother Li," Sha Zhu said.

After Sha Zhu finished speaking, he left the Military Control Commission. He Daqing didn't explain where he was going or when he would return. "Go home and wait," he thought.

When Sha Zhu returned to the yard, it was very quiet.

Only one or two women were having lunch with their young children in front of their houses.

Sha Zhu gave a perfunctory greeting and arrived at the central courtyard, but there was no one at the Jia family's gate.

Presumably they were eating inside, Yi Zhonghai's wife came over from the backyard carrying a bowl.

Seeing Sha Zhu, he smiled broadly and said, "Zhu Zi, what are you doing at home? Didn't you go to learn how to cook?"

"Oh, Aunt Yi, I'm off today. My dad brought me back yesterday to take care of some things, but I don't know what he went on. Just wait here. I was at home this morning, but I didn't see you, Aunt Yi."

"I'm chatting with the old lady in the backyard. Have you eaten? I'll make you some noodles," Aunt Yi said.

"No need, Aunt Yi, I've already eaten out. I'm coming back to take a nap. You should go back and rest too. Don't worry about me."

As he spoke, Sha Zhu opened his door and went back inside.

In 1951, Aunt Yi was only thirty-one or thirty-two years old. It was unclear whether she had a gynecological problem.

It really is Yi Zhonghai's problem; he still hasn't had a child, which puts him under immense pressure and earns him the disdain of his neighbors.

Yi Zhonghai openly shifted the blame for his inability to have children onto his aunt.

Because she doesn't have children, she especially likes children and takes good care of Yushui.

Other people's children have parents and relatives, but He Daqing is a carefree and irresponsible person, so how could he take good care of the rain? That's why Aunt Yi often helps him out.

They say a woman should follow her husband wherever he goes, whether he's a chicken or a dog. How did you end up following Yi Zhonghai? Old Gou Yi, you really are a dog.