The train driver in the courtyard

Chapter 449 Fried dumplings project, staying up late on New Year’s Eve, group visit
Leave the section chief's office.

Li Aiguo went to the Materials Department to receive funds and raw materials for the instant noodle project.

One hundred yuan in capital, plus flour, soybean oil, salt and other miscellaneous things, filled a sack full.

Looking at Li Aiguo carrying the sack, Section Chief Zhou of the Materials Department checked the bill again and again.

It's not that these supplies are too much. After all, for such a large maintenance section, this amount of stuff is not even a drop in the bucket.

The point is...the project name on the ticket is too outrageous.

【Fried rice dumpling project】

Can this thing also be called a project?
Or is it that the locomotive depot needs to change its business direction and stop playing with big trains? It’s time to open a restaurant?

This change is of great importance!

Just when Li Aiguo was about to leave, Section Chief Zhou scratched his head and asked in a low voice: "Driver Li, are our locomotive depot planning to open a state-owned hotel? I happen to have a sister-in-law who is unemployed at home. I wonder if you can"

Out of the office.

Regardless of whether it is the Spring Festival Gala or the "Spring Festival Gala", as long as you can watch TV, it is a happy thing.

"Brother Patriot, why are we making so many dumplings?" Miss Chen asked after finishing her meal, cracking melon seeds.

"You, wish yourself well."

Inside the dimly lit house.

Li Aiguo stood up, walked out of the house, and shouted towards Zhang Gangzhu's house.

"Aiguo moved the TV set out. It is said that there will be a party tonight."

Xu Damao ran out when he heard the noise and moved a square table.

Sizzle.
The oil pan gurgled.

"Okay."

"I heard there is a Spring Festival gala tonight. You move a table and we move my TV set to the courtyard for the Chinese New Year. We will make everyone happy."

Today she spent the whole day making dumplings, and she felt like her whole body had turned into dumplings.

It was Xu Damao's first time to come into close contact with a television, and he couldn't help but touch the bright buttons.

The oil can was placed on the rear frame of the bicycle, and the sack was hanging on the front bumper.

"Zhou Ke, the Chinese New Year is coming soon, why are you looking so sad?"

As the last pot of dumplings came out, Chen Xueru twisted her sore waist and stood up with her hands on her lower back.

"Patriotic brother, do you have a problem with me?" Zhang Gangzhu opened the door and ran out.

"You'll know then."

Li Aiguo was riding his bicycle to go back.

"No, we haven't danced yet. It's such a strange thing, so we just wanted to join in the fun."

The more fried dumplings the better, and it’s best to let everyone know that he invented instant noodles by frying dumplings.

The bicycle was lying in front of him, and Li Aiguo took out a cigarette and handed it over.

Li Aiguo regretted asking Section Chief Zhou's sister-in-law if she was serious?

"Party? On TV?"

Xu Damao was so frightened that he shrank his neck, unwilling to do so, but he could only retract his hand.

"Patriotic brothers, use my Eight Immortals table. It's an antique table and it's sturdy!"

Zhou Ke lit a cigarette and sighed: "Didn't our locomotive depot hold a social dance?"

Huang Shuxian is a clerk in the education office, responsible for counting applicants. This kid is looking for death.

"By the way, there are two kilograms of rice dumplings here. You can take them back and give them to my aunt and uncle to try."

Now that he has project funds, he has to continue researching the instant noodles project.

He didn't know how to explain this so-called 'fried dumpling'.

"Spring Festival party?" Zhang Gangzhu looked confused.

The three of them moved the TV into the compound, found a wire, and plugged it in.

"What? Did you sign up?"

Snapped!
Zhang Gangzhu slapped his hand away and widened his eyes: "Don't touch it. If it breaks, I will become a pig for you."

Li Aiguo suddenly slapped his forehead: "Yes, that's not the name now, it should be "Spring Festival Gala"."

Li Aiguo patted Zhou Ke on the shoulder and expressed his deep sympathy for him.

Li Aiguo: "."

After handing the dumplings to Zhou Ke, Li Aiguo rode his bicycle and went straight to the courtyard.

After taking only two steps, he saw Zhou Ke walking over with his head hanging down.

The TV set is placed in the courtyard. Although the program has not started yet, it has quickly attracted many people.

"You're just a cliché, it's a TV show."

"Oh, hurry up and eat!"

It was not dark yet. In order to save electricity, Li Aiguo asked Xu Damao to watch the TV while he went back to the room to study.

Chen Xueru came over quietly, moved a stool and sat next to him, her right hand habitually becoming dishonest.

"Brother Patriot, today is the day for that."

"Which one?"

"It's the one who gave birth to the baby in Pai Pai." Chen Xueru's face turned red.

Li Aiguo put down the book, hugged her and kissed her passionately.

"Slow down, there are so many people outside, Zhang Gangzhu and Xu Damao are both there, please lock the door first and close the curtains."

Chen Xueru gasped for air. Li Aiguo had been busy these days. She really missed him, but she was still worried about being seen.

Li Aiguo stood up and closed the door. When he returned to the bedroom, Chen Xueru had already closed the curtains.

The two of them looked at each other with burning eyes.

This is not the time to chat, only concrete actions can be used to relieve the hunger and thirst in the heart.

"Brother Patriot," Chen Xueru said softly, throwing herself into Li Aiguo's arms.

An hour later, the two calmed down and lay hugging each other on a pillow.

Li Aiguo smelled the woman's unique scent and felt a sense of emotion in his heart.

This girl Chen Xueru is made of water.

After being married for so long, he always felt new and strange.

Chen Xueru also took a rest at this moment, took a few breaths, put a pillow under her buttocks, took Li Aiguo's big hand, and whispered: "Brother Aiguo, the second brother and his wife came back from Baoding a few days ago, and I went back , the couple seemed angry."

Li Aiguo did not answer the call.

He only met Chen Xueru's second brother Chen Xingyi and second sister-in-law a few times and didn't know much about them.

I just feel that the second sister-in-law has a tougher personality.

"The second brother wants to be transferred back to the capital to work, but the second sister-in-law is unwilling." Chen Xueru continued.

"Our capital is a Category 6 area, and wages are much higher than in Baoding."

"Yes, it's just that the second sister-in-law's family has long regarded the second brother as their son-in-law." Chen Xueru sighed, "Also, the procedures for transferring people across regions are very troublesome. Liu Guangqi in our compound is also in Baoding, and he has already I want to adjust it back, but Liu Haizhong has tried many methods, but nothing works."

The two were chatting.

Xu Damao's shout came from outside: "Patriotic brothers, turn on the TV!"

"and many more."

In response, Li Aiguo and Chen Xueru were dressed neatly.

Chen Xueru supported the wall and walked away, while Li Aiguo felt refreshed.

Usually on New Year's Eve, everyone will stay at home and stay up late.

However, there are very few entertainment activities these days, and one of the few activities is watching movies.

Movie tickets cost 20 cents each, and most people are reluctant to spend this money.

Hearing that there was TV to watch, the residents all had a quick meal, moved stools and chairs, and dragged their families to the backyard.

The Jia family and Yi Zhonghai's family gathered together for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Yi Zhonghai set up a big table at home, and his aunt cooked five or six dishes herself.

Jia Zhang, Qin Huairu, Jia Dongxu, the husband and wife, and the deaf old lady all gathered around the table.

After eating and drinking, a few people chatted.

Jia Dongxu picked up the wine glass and toasted Yi Zhonghai: "Master, I was fucked badly by that boy Li Aiguo this year. Thanks to you for taking care of me."

"What a good boy!" Yi Zhonghai took the wine glass, drank it down in one gulp, and said twice: "Li Aiguo is indeed not a good guy. Didn't we just beat him half to death in the first place, and we didn't beat him to death, so why should he?" Violence will be repaid!"

Mrs. Jia Zhang squinted her eyes and said coldly: "Blow up my house. Li Aiguo and I have sworn hatred."

The deaf old lady also said: "Li Aiguo sent my eldest grandson into the fence. He will die a good death!"

Qin Huairu and Auntie didn't say anything.

They felt that several people had gone crazy.

Just when several people were scolding Li Aiguo, the third aunt shouted from the door: "Aunt, Aiguo, please bring out the TV and invite everyone to watch TV. I heard that there is a Spring Festival gala program tonight, won't you go?" "

Several people immediately stopped talking.

"Let's go, as a master, I have to maintain order." Yi Zhonghai's expression remained unchanged, he picked up the stool and left.

"I have to take care of my wife." Jia Dongxu supported the strong aunt.

Aunt: "."

Jia Zhang snorted coldly: "Li Aiguo is not a good guy. I will take a closer look later to make him waste more electricity."

Qin Huairu wanted to remind Jia Zhang's compound that electricity consumption was calculated on a per-unit basis, and Li Aiguo did not have to pay extra, but he did not say so.

"Mom, let me help you move the stool."

Almost in the blink of an eye, the people who had been scolding Li Aiguo just now all ran towards the backyard.

The deaf old lady looked at the empty room and was on the verge of tears: "You also want to take my old lady with you!"

It gets dark early in winter.

When Li Aiguo took Chen Xueru out of the house, it was already dark.

Many people came to the courtyard, and there was no room for them to stand in the courtyard.

Some young people also occupied the commanding heights in advance, such as the big trees in the compound and the roof of the deaf old lady's house.
Li Aiguo saw the "custodian" Xu Damao at a glance.

This guy was bragging to a woman in her thirties, talking with great interest.

He Yuyu and Aunt Liu were sitting in the front row. When they saw Li Aiguo coming out, they quickly waved to him: "Brother Aiguo, I've got a good place for you."

When Xu Damao saw Li Aiguo coming out, he realized that he had a heavy responsibility and quickly drew a clear line with female comrades.

He looked at Li Aiguo: "Brother Patriot, shall we start?"

"let's start."

Li Aiguo raised his wrist, checked that the time was almost up, and nodded at Xu Damao.

Xu Damao rushed to the TV and said to the audience: "Everyone, be quiet. In order to allow you to celebrate the New Year in peace, my good brother, Comrade Li Aiguo, moved the TV out and invited you to watch the TV!"

Isn’t his selfless behavior of uniting the masses worthy of croaking! "

哗

There was warm applause.

Qin Huairu saw Chen Xueru, who was struggling to move, slowly sitting in the front row with the support of Li Aiguo in the crowd, with a trace of envy in his eyes.

"Chen Xueru is really lucky."

Mrs. Jia Zhang was eating melon seeds. When she heard this, she sighed: "Isn't there just a TV set to watch Li Aiguo play? When we grow up, buy me a cinema."

Li Aiguo was very happy to hear this.

Don't tell me, in the original work, Bangge inherited the entire courtyard, became a billionaire, and could indeed afford a movie theater.

However, in this world, Banggeng has no hope.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the program officially begins.

The motor screen dimly lit up, and a beautiful melody came out.

"Spring Festival Gala" is not so much a party as it is a documentary film.

In this film, there are famous writers, performing artists, model workers, combat heroes and famous business people.

The first program was the Beijing Youth Home Friendship Chorus singing "We Sing for You". Compared with later galas, there is less of a gorgeous stage, but a bit more realism. The content is impassioned, tactful, elegant and lyrical, making people remember it.

Li Aiguo was watching with great interest, when suddenly a small hand quietly reached out and grabbed his hand.

Li Aiguo turned his head and took a look.

At some point, Chen Xueru was already leaning on him.

This girl is really brave. Didn't you see that the old women all curled up their lips?
"Don't make trouble, someone is watching."

"I don't care, let's let them covet us as an old couple." Chen Xueru bit her lips. She didn't want to be separated from this rough man.

There was no other way, so Li Aiguo could only gently hold her waist.

This scene made all the unmarried young men jealous.

Yan Jiecheng touched the third uncle's shoulder: "Dad, I'm going on a blind date next year."

"Didn't I already have a photo with you? It's the one in the workshop." The third uncle stared at the TV, for fear of missing the picture and suffering a big loss.

Yan Jiecheng was helpless: "I don't want the workshop anymore. I met a new girl named Yu Li."

"What does she do?"

"no job."

"No!"

Yan Jiecheng: "."

He raised his head to look at the bright moon and let out a long sigh.

There are ten programs in the party, totaling 78 minutes.

Time flies and it’s ten o’clock before you know it.

The party is over.

The residents dispersed.

"Well"

Li Aiguo's body was almost stiff at this time, and he pushed Chen Xueru: "The party is over."

"Ah, so fast." Miss Chen finally came to her senses, straightened up quickly, her face turned red.

Li Aiguo stood up and stretched his neck, called Zhang Gangzhu, and moved the TV into the house. Seeing that it was getting late, he and Miss Chen cooked a pot of dumplings.

The rule of the New Year is to eat dumplings at twelve o'clock in the evening on New Year's Eve, which means eating dumplings at midnight on New Year's Eve when we say goodbye to the old and welcome the new, which represents the "New Year's Eve".

Li Aiguo didn't believe these things at first, but Chen Xueru said it categorically. This was the old rule.

have to.

Eating dumplings in the middle of the night won't help you gain a few pounds, so why should you be out of tune with others?

Chen Xueru's craftsmanship is already very good now.

The dumplings are all wrapped like ingots. The ingot dumplings are tumbling in the boiling water, which means a lot of money.

As soon as Li Aiguo took the bowls, chopsticks and spoons, Chen Xueru stepped forward first: "Brother Aiguo, can I help you serve the rice?"

This made Li Aiguo suspicious.

But soon, he understood.

bang.

He picked up the second dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth, but his teeth were stuck on something hard. Li Aiguo pinched it out and found it was a dime coin.

"Ah, patriotic brother, you got the coin, you must have good luck this year!" Chen Xueru's pretty face was filled with smiles, and she looked like she was ecstatic with surprise.

But her acting skills were still too stiff, and the hint of guilt in her eyes was still not hidden from Li Aiguo's eyes.

Li Aiguo didn't point it out at all.

He was just curious, was there any unlucky child who had ever swallowed a coin in a dumpling?
If the coin is really swallowed, how should it be expelled?
Master Lu said that when a man is full, he starts to miss women, and Li Aiguo is no exception.

The night is getting darker.

The flowers bloom again.

"Daughter-in-law, would you like to eat popsicles first today?"

"Hmm~" Chen Xueru said with a blushing face.

"Hehe~" Li Aiguo felt himself grinning.

Suddenly a dime fell on the ground. Chen Xueru's legs went weak and she squatted down.

Crackling.

At twelve o'clock in the middle of the night, the loud sound of firecrackers rang out outside.

The atmosphere in the house was also very lively.

for a long time.

Li Aiguo trembled and muttered to himself.

"In 1957, here I come!"

The next day.

"bang bang bang"

Just after dawn, there was a rapid knock on the door.

What followed was He Yuyu's cheerful shout: "Patriotic brother, sister-in-law, I wish you New Year's greetings."

"This girl is really impatient." Li Aiguo yawned, sat up and put on his clothes.

Well, Chen Xueru sipped on his face, stretched and said, "Yu Yu is still a child. Besides, today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, so we can't sleep in."

The two sisters-in-law get along quite harmoniously now, just like real sisters.

After putting on his clothes and shoes, Li Aiguo took Chen Xueru and opened the door.

"puff"

He Yuyu knelt on the ground, clasped his hands in fists and kowtowed.

"Brother, sister-in-law, I wish you good health and happiness in the New Year and a fat boy as soon as possible."

There were a lot of auspicious words, and Li Aiguo took out five cents angrily.

"Thank you, brother!" He Yuyu took it with a smile, kicked it into his pocket, and said with a smile: "After the group meeting, shall we go to the temple fair?"

"Okay." Li Aiguo yawned and said with a smile.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. According to the old rules in the capital, everyone will go to the temple fair.

In addition, in a few years there will probably be no more temple fairs, so of course you can’t miss it.

"Uncle Patriot, I kowtow to you."

At this time, Hai Long and Haitao from Xu Damao's family, and the children from Zhang Gangzhu's family also gathered around.

They all kowtowed to Li Aiguo and Chen Xueru.

New Year greetings were a festive event, and Li Aiguo was not stingy and gave them two cents each.

After receiving the money, the children dispersed and ran towards other houses.

They can earn several cents this morning. With this money, they can buy candied haws at the temple fair.

Logically speaking, adults don’t have lucky money.

What Li Aiguo didn't expect was that when he was serving dumplings to Aunt Liu, Aunt Liu also took out two bills from her pocket.

One piece costs fifty cents, one piece costs one dollar.

Li Aiguo put the dumpling bowl on the table and waved his hand quickly: "Auntie, this is impossible. I am an old person, how can I ask for lucky money?"

"No matter how old you are, you are still a child in my eyes. Just take it."

Aunt Liu pretended to be angry, but Li Aiguo had no choice but to give up and let her put the fifty cents into his pocket.

As for that dollar, it was New Year's money for Chen Xueru.

The reason why it is twice as much as that of Li Aiguo is because Chen Xueru is a new wife and her new year's money will be doubled in the first year.

Looking at Aunt Liu who followed the old rules, Li Aiguo couldn't help but smile.

"clang clang"

Just when Li Aiguo picked up the bowl and ate dumplings, there was a sound of breaking gongs outside, followed by Yi Zhonghai's shouts.

"Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Everyone has had breakfast and gathered in the middle courtyard. We will have a group meeting in the courtyard."

In this year and month, most units will hold group visits.

The unit leaders came to the stage to say a few words, summarizing this year's results and looking forward to the coming year.

There is no other place to hold a group visit in the compound except the courtyard.

Li Aiguo originally did not plan to participate, but Chen Xueru was very interested.

"Brother Patriot, there are so many people and it's so lively, let's go."

"Good good."

Li Aiguo stuffed the dumplings into his mouth.

Boom.

Another coin.

He grinned, took out the coin, and looked at Chen Xueru who was snickering.

He felt that Chen Xueru had the idea of ​​letting him wear dentures as soon as possible.

"Xue Ru, can we not put coins in the dumplings next time?"

"No, Aunt Liu said, this is the old rule."

"." Li Aiguo took a deep breath and said, "Can it be replaced with candy bars?"

"No. This is the old rule."

"."

Li Aiguo wanted to tell Chen Xueru that old rules are not always good traditions.

Like washing men's feet, it deserves to be carried forward.

Putting coins in dumplings can only make your men wear dentures sooner.

However, looking at Chen Xueru's firm eyes, Li Aiguo gave up this idea.

To change a woman's mind is sometimes even more difficult than going to heaven.

After the two of them finished eating, when they came to the middle courtyard, the three stewards had already set up a table under the big camphor tree.

There were many people gathered around. Li Aiguo and Chen Xueru found a corner, disappeared among the crowd, and decided to be quiet spectators.

Almost all the residents in the compound are here, including Liu Guangqi and his wife who came back from Baoding.

Yi Zhonghai was very satisfied.

He stood up with a smile and bowed his hands to the surrounding residents: "Everyone, this is the first year for a group meeting in our compound. Our compound is also a collective, and the steward is the leader of the collective. Leading everyone to live a good life."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Damao touched Li Aiguo: "Brother Patriot, I have only heard of leaders. What is a leader?"

"A group of sheep must have the leader walking in front, and the rest of the sheep follow behind."

"He is not the leader of the factory, so why should he be the leader?"

"It's not easy to be the leader. You might end up with eggs." Li Aiguo clasped his arms.

"what happened?"

Xu Damao put his ear closer and Li Aiguo whispered a few words.

He was at Weizhuang a while ago and had a lively chat with the old Wangtou who was herding sheep, and he knew what was going on with the leader.

Xu Damao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he raised his hand and said: "Master, I heard that the sheepherder mentioned that if you want to be the leader, you need to tie a stick with a rope to the two back legs of the sheep. If you walk fast, you might trip over the stick and hit the egg."

As soon as these words came out, the onlookers burst into laughter.

"If the sheep's eggs are beaten with a stick too many times, they will become infertile. Master, is this the same situation for you?" It was Nan Yi who spoke this time.

He had already held a grudge against Yi Zhonghai for obstructing his marriage.

"You guys?" Yi Zhonghai's face suddenly turned red and he wanted to scold the two of them on the spot, but thinking that today was the first day of the Lunar New Year, he had no choice but to give up.

"I'm just a metaphor. Okay, here I wish everyone happiness, good health and all the best. I wish you all a happy New Year."

"Now the second uncle will speak!"

Amidst the roar of laughter, Yi Zhonghai could only end his speech hastily and handed the floor to Liu Haizhong.

(End of this chapter)