The Life of a Son-in-Law in a Courtyard House

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu quickly replied, "My relationship with our director is alright, but my relationship with the deputy director isn't so good."

I won't go to them about this; I'll go to our Deputy Factory Director Yang. We have a good relationship, and he really approves of my cooking skills.

Upon hearing this, Yang Dalin understood immediately. The director he confronted in the drama probably hadn't become the official director yet, and neither had Factory Director Yang.

However, Yang Dalin felt quite comfortable with his intentions, so he still gave him a few words of advice.

"Brother Zhu, thank you first. I've figured out my work situation myself, so you don't need to worry about it. If I can't solve it, I'll come to you again."

However, based on what you just said, I have a few words of advice for you.

"You need to cultivate a good relationship with the leadership, or you could try to oust the deputy director of your cafeteria and completely destroy him. Otherwise, if he becomes the director, you'll be in big trouble."

Sha Zhu glared at him, refusing to believe it: "Grandma, I make a living by cooking. He dares to mess with me, just try it."

Yang Dalin saw that he still did not understand the seriousness of what was to come.

So I said a few more words: "Brother Zhu, do you think your salary is high? He might not dare to mess with you openly, but he can prevent you from getting promoted or raising your salary."

Right now, it's just the two of you spending money, and you have enough to live on. But what about when you get married and have children?

Knowing that Yan Bugui earns only forty or fifty yuan a month, why does he keep complaining about being poor every day?

Having a child means it's no longer just about the two of you being fed and the whole family not having to worry. The child needs nutrition, clothes, schooling, and eventually, they'll get married; everything from food and drink to diaper changes costs money.

You're currently a level nine chef earning 31 yuan a month, right?

But who would complain about having a high salary?

You'll have so many things to spend money on in the future.

You need to improve your relationship with your colleagues and strive for a promotion as soon as possible, the higher the better.

"If your salary is higher, does that mean you'll have a better chance of finding a wife? Does that mean you can save up a good dowry for Yushui? Yushui is sixteen already, and marriage isn't far off. You should think about it carefully."

(The cooks' wages are divided into ten levels, with level 10 being the lowest at 27.5 yuan, level 9 at 31 yuan, and level 8 at 35.5 yuan. This is the opposite of the workers' wages. Yi Zhonghai's wages are the lowest at level 1 and the highest at level 8. In the drama, Sha Zhu's salary of 37.5 yuan includes a 2 yuan subsidy from the canteen supervisor.)

When Yang Dalin took Aunt Qi and the others out after they had changed their clothes, they saw that Sha Zhu was still in a daze.

She then added provocatively, "I heard that Xu Damao's trip to the countryside is worth half a month's salary. You don't want to earn less than him, do you?"

To deal with Sha Zhu, you have to provoke him by using his rival.

Then Yang Dalin left behind the spirited Sha Zhu and called Grandpa Qi to go out together.

As soon as they stepped outside, they encountered a jeep that had been sent to pick them up.

This car was sent by that big shot Gong from the First Ministry of Machine Building.

Grandpa Qi sat in the front passenger seat, while Yang Dalin and Aunt Qi had to squeeze into the back seat.

It was a bit crowded, but better than riding a handcart.

At 7 p.m., in a private room at the Quanjude flagship store, there were five children on Yang Dalin's side and seven parents representing each family across from him.

There were twelve people in total, sitting at a large table. However, there was an empty seat next to Yang Dalin, and it was unclear who else would arrive later.

Three roast ducks were served, along with a number of other dishes, and the wine served was Xifeng liquor.

Yang Dalin was not at all reserved, chatting and laughing with everyone, eating and drinking as usual. Every now and then, Yang Dalin would roll up a roast duck for Qi's mother and daughter.

They were shy, but Yang Dalin wasn't so reserved.

This table of food, with a roast duck costing eight yuan and several other dishes, would easily cost at least forty or fifty yuan.

No wonder people say that it's always good to be rich; without money, you'll just starve to death in this day and age.

Ordinary people really can't afford this; even a month's salary for Sha Zhu wouldn't be enough to fill this table.

When everyone had almost finished eating, a middle-aged man suddenly entered the private room. He was very tall, almost 1.9 meters, with dark skin, like a big black bear.

He looked to be in his forties, but Yang Dalin didn't quite believe his own judgment, mainly because people, especially men, generally look older these days.

This man walked with a very straight back. Although he was wearing a Zhongshan suit, Yang Dalin could tell at a glance that he must have a military background.

After the man came in, he greeted everyone and called out to the leader, Gong, "Dad, I'm sorry, I'm too busy at work and I'm late." Then he sat down in the empty chair next to Yang Dalin.

The guest of honor is Uncle Qi, Yang Dalin is the deputy guest of honor, and there should be a fourth person sitting next to him.

This spot was reserved for this middle-aged man.

As soon as Grandpa Gong saw this person come in, he quickly greeted him.

He then introduced, "Everyone, listen to me. Let me introduce you. This is my son-in-law. Coincidentally, he also has the surname Qi. He is Qi Desheng. He was transferred from the military and worked at the freight station of the railway station under the Ministry of Railways. Let me introduce Desheng to you."

Yang Dalin suddenly understood why he had been called here; it was probably related to his work.

It was a little awkward when Grandpa Gong was introducing himself.

Yang Dalin calls Leader Gong "Grandpa," but he can only call Qi Desheng "Brother."

So, seeing that Qi Yulan was younger than him, Qi Desheng could only call her "Auntie" as well.

It was Aunt Qi who spoke up, suggesting that everyone should discuss their own perspectives, which resolved the awkward situation.

Qi Desheng is actually only in his thirties, but years of war have taken their toll, leaving him with injuries and a demanding job, making him look much older than his age.

After Qi Desheng toasted everyone, Grandpa Gong and Grandpa Wang from the grain bureau finally explained why they had invited Qi Desheng.

Everyone wanted to find Qi Baogen and Yang Dalin a job.

Yang Dalin's guess was right; Grandpa Qi went to work as a warehouse keeper at a grain station near Nanluoguxiang.

There's not much work to do, and it's quite relaxing. After all, Grandpa Qi is nearly fifty years old, and he's too old to be assigned heavy tasks.

Although Grandpa Qi may earn less, the grain station is a place that many people envy these days.

Not only can you buy good grain, but you can also make some extra money.

And they'll also receive a retirement pension in the future.

Yang Dalin was assigned to work under Qi Desheng, who was the deputy stationmaster of the freight station at the Beijing Railway Station.

Considering Yang Dalin's strength, he was initially assigned the position of a formal loader at the freight station, rather than an apprentice for other jobs at the freight station.

This allowed Yang Dalin to skip the apprenticeship stage directly.

Then, he was actually made to run alongside the trucks at the freight station, doing loading and unloading while learning how to drive and repair vehicles.

After I get my driver's license, I'll be transferred to the driver's fleet to work as a driver.

Being a driver is a good job. Nowadays, being a driver among the eight key positions is a job that you wouldn't trade for being a county magistrate.

There is a subsidy of one yuan per day for long-distance driving, and an additional 60 cents per day for driving in the city.

Nowadays, drivers not only need to know how to drive, but also how to repair cars.

This is a process that requires long-term learning.

Aunt Qi was thrilled to hear that it was such a good job and immediately wanted to toast Grandpa Gong and Station Master Qi.

As a result, Yang Dalin stopped them, and he and Grandpa Qi toasted everyone together.

Yang Dalin didn't hesitate to say no; he thought the job was pretty good these days.

Why not? I heard the driver can be armed, so I have to take it no matter what.

Dinner lasted until after nine o'clock. Before leaving, Yang Dalin was secretly given two tickets by Grandpa Wang from the Grain Bureau: a bicycle ticket and a radio ticket.

Grandpa Wang said it was all contributed by everyone, so don't be shy, just take it.

After thanking him, Yang Dalin accepted the gift.

I do need a bicycle, but I'll give the radio ticket to Grandpa Qi.

One for each person. Grandpa Qi has a cart, so he probably doesn't need a bicycle. Giving him a radio ticket would be just right.