Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

"With my abilities, I'll go deep into the world and I refuse to believe I can't make a name for myself."

Xie Hongqi comforted her with a joking smile, but deep down he was still reluctant to give up his job; he had an attachment to it.

Furthermore, Xie Hongqi looked down on self-employed individuals from the bottom of his heart. They were a mixed bag, with all sorts of people, and their methods were not clean. The more Xie Hongqi met, the more contemptuous and disdainful he felt.

Let him work with these people and interact with them.

...It would be better to just shoot him and call it a day.

Chapter 807 A Hot Potato, Special Supply for White People

"Did Jianguo say that?"

Upon learning that Jian Guo wanted the two families to have a lively gathering together that evening, Sha Zhu couldn't resist asking again out of curiosity.

Yang Jianguo has never been a person who likes crowds, so why did he suddenly take the initiative to suggest that both families should have a lively time together?

Did the rain say something, or did it have something to say...?

"Yes, Jianguo, Yang Jianguo said that the one who lives across the street from you is definitely him."

He Yushui replied irritably, pouting and looking unhappy. She was extremely displeased that she hadn't been able to get her man a job transfer.

If I had known, my family wouldn't have given him so many gifts.

At that moment, in the main room across the hall, Qi Tongwei was making a New Year's call to his old colleagues in the capital to wish them a happy new year, and casually mentioned someone named Xie Hongqi.

"What's this person's reputation like? I heard he seems to have offended someone."

"Xie Hongqi... Ah, you mean Xie Tietou, right!"

When this person was mentioned, the other party opened up completely, talking about him with great relish, "To be honest, this person is quite capable, but he is too unruly. Not many people can control him, let alone use him."

"For an ordinary leader, having such a troublemaker under their command is a blessing if they just hope he doesn't cause any trouble."

Xie Hongqi was quite well-known in the system. He was reckless and had learned some martial arts skills from somewhere. He was daring and aggressive, and was highly regarded when he first became a criminal police officer.

However, later, as he violated the rules several times, others seized on his misdeeds, and on one occasion, he almost allowed a suspect to escape.

He was sidelined and became the mascot and legend of their institute.

However, this legend is not positive, but negative...

"He's a bad example now. Why did you even think of asking about him? Let me tell you, if you want to use this guy, you have to think about how to discipline him and get him under control first. Otherwise, this stubborn guy will give you a real headache."

After listening to his old colleague's conversation, Qi Tongwei casually made an excuse and hung up the phone. He then told his father-in-law about the situation and made several more calls, subtly inquiring about Xie Hongqi's condition each time.

As expected, Xie Tietou's reputation was remarkably consistent.

"It seems this is indeed a hot potato."

Yang Jianguo nodded and chuckled, "So, it's up to you whether you want to take on this hot potato or not. Anyway, I didn't say anything, I just told her to go back and tell your Uncle He that the two families will have a lively gathering tonight."

Qi Tongwei was also considering whether or not to take on this hot potato.

Although Xie Hongqi has a bad reputation, no one can find fault with his skills; everyone applauds him.

If you want to be a hot potato, you have to be tough enough yourself.

Otherwise, what's the point of pretending if you're so easily crushed?

If used properly, this person is definitely a formidable asset. When facing major and difficult cases, we need to put people like Xie Hongqi in charge.

If he were sent to a border town, he would be a great talent; it would be a waste to keep him in the capital.

But in my own region, there aren't that many major cases waiting to be handled. I can't just keep him in check most of the time and then release him at a critical moment.

That might just cause you trouble.

"How about we meet tonight and decide? What do you think, Dad?"

Yang Jianguo smiled casually and said, "It's up to you. I won't interfere. Whether you accept it or not, no one can criticize you."

As evening fell and darkness descended, Yingzi turned on the lights in the yard and saw Teacher Ran peeking out from across the street. "Sister-in-law, Zhuzi is almost ready. You can come over after you've tidied up. I'll have the kids set up the table first."

Hearing this, Yingzi's face lit up with joy: "What? Dazhuang and Xiaozhuang are back?"

"Ah, I just got home."

Teacher Ran waved into the house and said happily, "What are you standing there for? Come and say hello to your Aunt Yingzi."

Two fat, big-eared boys came out side by side, grinning like two Maitreya brothers, and happily bowed to her, saying, "Auntie, Happy New Year!"

"well."

Yingzi checked her pockets and realized she didn't have any red envelopes. She said, "You two wait a minute," and turned to go back inside.

"Auntie, no need, please don't take the red envelope. We're both so old."

"Exactly, he's a father now, it would be a laughing stock to accept red envelopes now."

When Dazhuang and Xiaozhuang saw this, they kept telling her not to follow the rules from when she was a child. Now that she's a father, there's no reason for her to accept red envelopes.

If people find out, they'll laugh at them for the rest of their lives.

Yingzi came out of the house with two packs of cigarettes in her hand. "Auntie knows, she understands this principle. No red envelopes... Here, this is your Uncle Yang's treasured pack, one pack for each person, not one more."

The packaging box was snow-white, with no markings on it, only the five bright red characters "Serve the People".

This is a genuine special supply item, produced outside the planned schedule, not sold to the public, and only supplied to the military, leaders, and certain regions.

Yang Jianguo has a lot of quotas every year, but he rarely smokes. In his family, only Tongwei is a heavy smoker. In previous years, he would give them to his former subordinates, colleagues, friends, and son-in-law.

The extras were assigned to Zhiyuan so he could use them for social engagements.

When Yingzi saw Dazhuang and Xiaozhuang today, she took it upon herself to take two of their dishes as a New Year's gift for the two boys.

"Oh my, I really want to take this, it's a good item!"

Da Zhuang took one look and held it in his hand, reluctant to let go. This was no ordinary counterfeit cigarette but genuine, specially supplied cigarettes.

Putting aside the taste, just take this pack of cigarettes home, put it in a conspicuous place, and anyone who comes by will be startled and treat us with utmost respect.

This stuff is truly non-circulating; unless you get it from someone with a quota, there's no other way to obtain it. Even if you have real money, you can forget about getting your hands on it.

"Then just take it. I gave it to you to keep it."

Yingzi took a few steps back, and seeing that the two of them no longer refused to accept the gift, she happily inquired about their recent situation.

Yingzi also had feelings for Dazhuang and Xiaozhuang.

After all, she had watched these two children grow up. After Zhiyuan and Zhiyi went abroad, these two boys were the most mischievous in the yard every day.

Our family and Sha Zhu's family have a close relationship, living right across from each other. We often help look after each other and he comes over for a meal.

If there's anything good to eat, Sha Zhu and Teacher Ran will send them over. How could they not have feelings for each other?

It had been several years since they last saw each other, and Yingzi was truly happy to see them again. They were both still the same, safe and sound. "Zhiyuan and Zhiyi are back too. They took the kids out for a walk today, and they should be back soon. Have dinner tonight, you young people can get together and chat."

Chapter 808 A Perfect Match, Sha Zhu's Realization

At night, the light bulbs hanging from the tree branches along the corridor illuminate the courtyard full of withered branches and ash.

The large round table in the center of the courtyard was already overflowing with food; Sha Zhu had used his best skills to cook a large table of delicious dishes.

Thanks to Xiao Dang's help, the ingredients delivered from the cafeteria had all undergone preliminary processing in the kitchen, otherwise he really wouldn't have been able to prepare this table of delicacies.

"Come, everyone, please take your seats. Please sit down first."

Sha Zhu, wearing an apron and holding a large ladle in one hand, shouted for everyone to sit down quickly, just like he did more than 20 years ago when he was a canteen cook at the Hongxing Factory.

His hair was a bit whiter and he had more wrinkles on his face, but his voice was still loud and powerful, showing no signs of aging.

"Sit, everyone, sit down."

Yang Jianguo took his seat first, followed by the others, but a few seats were deliberately left empty next to him.

Those were Sha Zhu and his wife, Widow Qin, and Zhiyuan and Zhiyi's family.

Today is a family dinner, so naturally the whole family should sit together. We can't just do whatever we want and not know the rules.

"Huai Ru, sit here."

Yang Jianguo gestured for Qin Huairu to sit down, and then reached out to stop Yingzi, who wanted to help, saying, "There are so many people here today, so don't bother. Just sit here and let the young people do the legwork."

"My uncle is right, Auntie, don't move, we're here!"

Da Zhuang, who had just sat down on the stool, got up again, patted his brother on the shoulder, gave him a look, and walked into the house.

Tongwei also wanted to get up, but Zhiyi stopped him, saying, "You sit and talk to Dad, I'll go."

In front of outsiders, she always knew how to save face for her man.

A man's face is his family's face. Yang Zhiyi wouldn't allow anyone to embarrass her family, so how could she slap herself in the face?

"Dad, let me pour you some first."

Tongwei dismantled the Wuliangye liquor on the table. Although it was Yang Jianguo who suggested it today, it was Shazhu who arranged everything from beginning to end.

He also brought the Wuliangye. Sha Zhu told him to keep the few bottles of Moutai he had at home, saying, "We can drink your good wine on a good occasion in the future. Today, this Wuliangye is enough."

"Uncle Zhu, Wuliangye isn't even considered a good wine. Your current level is way too high."

Zhiyuan made a joke, and Shazhu laughed and scolded, "Look at this kid, even good wine can't shut him up. He has to talk back to me. Be careful, or I'll rub salt into his mouth."

"It's good to add more. I've gotten used to living in the Northwest, and my tastes are getting stronger and stronger."

Yang Zhiyuan pointed to the copper pot on the table and said, "Now, if I were to eat this authentic Beijing copper pot hot pot again, it really wouldn't taste the same."

The worse the economy of a region, the heavier the taste in food tends to be, and the more salt they consume compared to coastal areas.

Firstly, it's a custom; secondly, poor economic conditions mean more physical labor, and people who don't eat much won't have enough to eat and won't have the strength to do heavy work.

"You shouldn't have to do any strenuous work at your company, right?"

With Xiao Dang keeping an eye on the cooking process inside, Sha Zhu casually pulled up a stool to sit down and rest his feet, and chatted with the children for a bit.

Zhiyuan is an extraordinary child; he is thoughtful, insightful, and exceptionally capable.

When he returned, he only needed to think it through; without even asking Jianguo, his education and abilities would have been enough to keep him in an important department in the capital.

Even if you don't go to the capital, you can establish yourself in any city.

If he wanted to, he could work for a foreign company or a private company, and he would probably be earning tens of millions a year by now.

But he chose the most difficult path, dedicating himself to supporting the development of Northwest China.

That place is truly desolate!

Even if we don't talk about when he went there, now it's still just a bunch of yellow earth mounds, full of bandits and village bullies, with impassable roads, fierce locals, and a shortage of money and manpower. The locals are desperately trying to leave.

Only a fool like him would run to such a miserable place.

"Uncle Zhu, there's no such thing as dividing work into such small categories. If you can do it, do more; if you can't, do less. Everyone should do their part, and it's all for the country!"

The accent of "Silly Pillar" sounded very familiar, almost exactly like his father's.

"Row."

Sha Zhu gave a thumbs up and shook his head repeatedly, saying, "I'm impressed. No wonder you're your father's son, you're exactly the same."

Yang Jianguo didn't say anything, but the uncontrollable upward curve of his lips betrayed the pride in his heart.

Even as his father, Zhiyuan couldn't find fault with him.

The only thing I have to say is that I live too far from home and don't come back often.

It's so difficult for these parents to even see their grandson.

"Uncle He, it's time. Why are you still sitting down? Hurry up."

Sha Zhu wanted to say something more, but Xiao Dang popped out of the house urging him to hurry up and cook, because he had to cook this signature dish himself.

"I'm coming."

Sha Zhu walked along with a spatula, saying, "You guys eat first, I'll cook two more good dishes. Let's drink until we drop tonight."

The table erupted in lively chatter, with people pouring drinks, exchanging New Year's greetings, discussing the current situation, and talking about life...

Once Sha Zhu sat down at the table and everyone was present, Yang Jianguo nudged him with his elbow, "Zhu Zi, why don't you get up and say a few words to everyone?"

Sha Zhu, holding his drink, joked, "Is it appropriate for me to say this? Only someone as important as you, the big boss, would do it."

"You're the star of the show today, I'm just here to freeload."