Siheyuan: There are three little cats at home

Chapter 515 A little bit worse

"Qingzi, come in."

Xu Damao heard Xu Qing calling him outside the door, holding fried peanuts with shells in his hands. He opened the door from the house and let Xu Qing in. He closed the door and said to Qin Jingru who was sitting on the hot kang:

"Hurry and grab two handfuls of peanuts for Qingzi."

Then he sat at the table with Xu Qing and said:

"Qingzi, do you have anything to do with your brother tonight?"

Xu Damao, who was wearing a sweater and chewing peanuts, did not forget to take out his cigarette and handed one to Xu Qing.

"Qingzi, eat some peanuts. I went back to my parents to get them a few days ago. You can try them."

Qin Jingru felt a little reluctant, but when she saw Xu Qing coming home, she still grabbed two handfuls of peanuts and placed them in front of Xu Qing. A smile appeared on her face, and her words did not show any displeasure.

After all, Xu Damao had warned her long ago.

Whoever you mess with in the courtyard, don't mess with Xu Qing's family.

Qin Jingru didn't take this seriously when she first married into the compound.

But after living in the courtyard for many years.

She also gradually understood that Xu Damao was absolutely right.

Xu Qing was promoted to section chief at Red Star Factory No. 3, then went to university for further studies, and was later promoted to Factory Director of Red Star Factory No. 5.

Until the year before last, I left the factory and opened my own grain station and meat factory.

There is no other person in the compound who can do these things.

Whether you have the ability or not is one thing, but more importantly, it is inappropriate for a branch director to give up the management of thousands of people. People without great courage will not dare to do this at all.

However, not only did Xu Qing resolutely resign as soon as the country reformed, but his business was also booming in the past two years.

Even in the first half of this year, she had heard people in the courtyard talking privately, saying that Xu Qing had emptied his family's money in order to set up a meat joint factory, and that Sha Zhu and the first man of the intermediate courtyard had borrowed a lot.

But it was almost the end of the year, and she didn't see how hard Xu Qing and Jing Hong were living.

We still eat and drink as usual, white flour steamed buns and pork are available every now and then.

Of course, this is the relationship between Xu Qing's opening of a grain station and a meat factory.

However, although Qin Jingru came from the countryside, she was very thoughtful.

Compared to her cousin Qin Huairu, who also came from the countryside, she has many more evil thoughts.

I always felt that if Xu Qing and Jinghong's life were really bad, how could they dare to keep white noodles and pork, and if they didn't sell them quickly, they would eat them all at home.

It is true to say that if the country reopens today, life will become easier for people in the city.

But she, Xu Damao, and the other families living in the compound had never been able to eat white-flour steamed buns like Xu Qing's family.

As for eating meat, I can eat meat almost every week this year.

But overall, there is still a big gap between her family's life and Xu Qing's family.

What's more, people in the courtyard respect Xu Qing very much.

This is not a matter of whether you have money or not, and whether your life is good or not.

It's the aura that slowly builds up in how you behave and treat others.

If you are rich, you will naturally be looked down upon by others. If you become a high official, you will also be looked upon with admiration.

But it is not convincing from the bottom of my heart.

And now Xu Qing, since last year, is no longer the head of the fifth factory of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. To put it bluntly, she feels that without her official title, she is no different from a retired old worker.

But Xu Qing still gained the respect of everyone in the courtyard. Even her cousin Jia Zhang didn't say that she and Xu Qing's family had made trouble in the courtyard in the past two years.

How could Qin Jingru embarrass Xu Qing?

Besides, Xu Damao was still here, so she had to put on a good show no matter what, so as to avoid being seen neglecting Xu Qing and having sex with her when she went to bed at night.

"Qingzi, you eat the peanuts first, and I'll make you tea."

Qin Jingru turned around and went to the kitchen.

Xu Damao glanced at Qin Jingru and secretly felt that he was quite sensible today and didn't eat peanuts. Seeing Xu Qing take the cigarette, he asked again:

"Qingzi, what good can you do if you come to my brother's place tonight?"

Xu Qing held the cigarette handed to him by Xu Damao, smoked it in no hurry, and said with a smile:

"There's nothing good that can happen to me, but it's my third brother who will be the current director of their factory starting tomorrow. This is a great thing."

A few days ago, Xu Qing didn't mention anything about Feng Ming to everyone in the courtyard, not even Silly Zhu.

At this time, Xu Damao's eyes suddenly opened, his pupils dilated, he grinned, and asked hurriedly:

"Qingzi, Feng Ming is going to be the acting director of their factory immediately. Will he be the chief or the deputy?"

Xu Qing put the cigarette in his hand behind his ear, grabbed the peanuts and peeled them and said:

"Brother Damao, my third brother Feng Ming, do you think he should be the deputy director? It must be a full-time position, not the top leader. He is not in the mood to worry about a deputy director position."

Xu Damao nodded and couldn't help but said happily:

"That's right. With Feng Ming's cleverness, if I were him, I wouldn't even consider the deputy director when making plans."

After saying that, Xu Damao suddenly said:

"Qingzi, then we can't celebrate Feng Ming tonight. I still have a few bottles of wine at home. Please call Feng Ming and Aiguo over to my room. I'll ask Qin Jingru to cook some dishes. The four of us brothers will have a good time. Drink."

Xu Qing shook his head and said: "Brother Damao, forget it today, let's wait another day. From tomorrow on, Feng Ming will only be the current factory director. If we want to celebrate, he must officially become the director of their factory no matter what. If he says otherwise, I'll come over." Looking for you and other things."

Xu Damao made a sound, opened his mouth and said, "Qingzi, what is the main reason why you want to see me, brother?"

Xu Qing went straight to the point:

"Brother Damao, do you have any foreign exchange coupons on hand?"

Xu Damao was startled, and his heart thumped. He held the cigarette he had just lit at the corner of his mouth, took two puffs, and thought:

"Qingzi, do you want foreign exchange coupons?"

Xu Qing rubbed the peeled peanut kernels off, threw them into his mouth, and nodded.

Xu Damao leaned back, looked at Xu Qing, and whispered:

"Qingzi, tell me first, brother, why do you want foreign exchange coupons? How much do you want?"

Xu Qing saw that Xu Damao's habit of inquisitiveness had returned. He lowered his head and peeled the peanuts in his hands. After Qin Jingru walked away with the enamel vat that had just made hot water and brewed Tieguanyin in front of him, he said calmly:

"I'm going to buy hearing aids for my grandparents. Aiguo and Fengming and I don't have enough foreign exchange coupons, so I'd like to borrow some from you."

Xu Damao suddenly understood. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Qin Jingru, who was walking back to the edge of the Kang and sitting down, and thought:

"Qingzi, brother, I don't have much in terms of foreign exchange certificates. I just met an acquaintance these days and bought some, not much, but..."

Xu Damao paused, lowered his voice, and leaned into Xu Qing's ear: "If you want a lot, I can help you find a way to get some. Brother, I have a way."

Xu Damao leaned over and finished speaking, then winked at Xu Qing and said, "Qingzi, this kind of hard currency is not easy to deal with. I am the only one who can handle it. Most people don't even think about it."

Xu Qing saw Xu Damao calculating whether he could borrow this to benefit himself and make some money, and smiled calmly:

"Brother Damao, I don't want much, so I don't need to go to so much trouble. As much as you have, let me borrow it from my brother first. When I'm done with it, I'll give it back to you if I have more."

Xu Damao rubbed his chin with his hand and thought about it secretly.

Seeing this, Xu Qing slowly peeled the peanuts and continued:

"I really need to use a lot. Fengming's wife, Xiujuan, works at the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. She asked her overseas friends to exchange some foreign currency for one piece. I don't find it troublesome."

Xu Damao was a shrewd man and heard the hidden meaning of Xu Qing's words. He puffed on his cigarette and began to think slightly in his mind.

With the current capabilities of the three Xu Qing brothers, if they really want to get foreign exchange coupons, there are many ways.

There was no premium at all when he got it, and the exchange rate was one to one, which was much better than him struggling to exchange it from other people in the country.

Xu Qing alone, with his current ability, most of the people he interacts with are leaders of various units or business bosses.

The level is high and the status is not low.

Just ask and you will get it.

Thinking of this, Xu Damao gave up the idea of ​​helping Xu Qing get foreign exchange coupons. He reached into his bulging trouser pocket and dug for a long time. He took out a handful of one-yuan foreign exchange coupons and five ten-yuan ones, handed them to Xu Qing and said:

"Qingzi, sixty-nine, please click."

Before Xu Qing could say anything, Qin Jingru, who was sitting on the edge of the Kang, snorted coldly. “Xu Damao, where did you get the foreign exchange coupons?!”

Qin Jingru's sharp eyes felt a little unbalanced when she saw Xu Damao taking out more than sixty yuan.

She didn't know that Xu Damao had saved so much behind her back.

"Qin Jingru, you didn't see me talking to Qingzi, you bitch, why did you interrupt?!"

Xu Damao turned around and glared at Qin Jingru. He had borrowed 700 yuan from Xu Qing in July, but he still hasn't told her yet.

Hearing Qin Jingru interrupt, she quickly interrupted.

It saves Qin Jingru from asking Xu Qing something he shouldn't know.

Seeing this, Xu Qing didn't rush to pick up the foreign exchange coupons that Xu Damao put in front of him. He ate half a dozen peanuts and drank two sips of hot tea from the brick teapot. Seeing that Qin Jingru didn't speak anymore, he glanced at Xu Damao and then picked up the foreign exchange coupons. , when Xu Damao’s noodles were ordered once.

"Brother Damao, I borrowed these sixty-nine for now, and I will return them to you as soon as they are reversed."

"Hey, it's okay. Brother, I'm not going to the Friendship Store to buy anything at the moment. I'll just leave it here. Take it and use it."

Xu Qing heard what Xu Damao said. After putting the foreign exchange coupons on his body, he stood up and prepared to go back.

As Xu Damao walked outside the house, he put his arm around Xu Qing's shoulders and started talking.

When they arrived in the courtyard, Xu Damao whispered:

"Qingzi, brother, the seven hundred I borrowed from you last time, when you return it to me, can you also turn it into foreign exchange coupons?"

The backyard was dark and there was no one around at the moment.

Although lights were on in every house, no one came out.

The weather was cold and the night was cold, so Liu Guangtian's young son shrank down and ran out of the house. Taking advantage of the darkness, he unbuttoned his pants and peed in front of Liu Guangfu's brick house. He lifted his pants and turned around. He ran back to the house and slammed the door.

Xu Qing glanced twice, turned back to Xu Damao, frowned and whispered:

"Brother Damao, seven hundred yuan can be exchanged for foreign exchange vouchers. It's not that I'm unhappy, brother. The problem is that foreign exchange vouchers were just issued this year. If I can get more than seven hundred yuan without asking anyone, why would I need to find someone just now?" You borrow it.”

When Xu Damao came out of the house, he didn't have his coat on, and he was still wearing a sweater on his upper body. He put his hands in his trouser pockets and pressed them tightly against his body. Seeing Xu Qing say this, he frowned.

He also knew that things would be difficult to handle, so he would not seize the opportunity and wanted to test Xu Qing.

If only Xu Qing could pay him back everything with foreign exchange coupons.

Then if he flips his hand, he can make a fortune no matter what.

When it comes to scheming in the courtyard, Yan Bugui is powerful, but Xu Damao is never willing to show weakness.

However, Xu Damao's idea was wrong. Xu Qing didn't want to ask anyone to get foreign exchange coupons, so he planned to borrow some from the people in the courtyard.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be looking for him tonight.

Xu Damao pondered for a long time, almost trembling with coldness, sighed and gave up:

"Then Qingzi, just leave it like this. We'll talk about it later. I'm going back to the house now, so you should go back and rest."

After Xu Damao finished speaking, he turned around and hurried back into the house, trembling.

The next morning.

Under the misty sky, Xu Qing and Jing Hong got up early and went out as usual, pushing their motorcycles and bicycles towards the outside of the compound.

It's not yet time to pay nine, but it's really freezing. The ground in the courtyard is frozen to a hard texture. The urine that Liu Guangtian's son peed last night even froze on the walls of Liu Guangfu's house.

The air was biting and biting. Xu Qing and Jinghong were fully armed, wearing woolen gloves, scarves, black cotton earmuffs, and sheepskin hats.

As soon as they stepped out of the gate of the compound and stood in the alley, Xu Qing and Jing Hong rode their respective cars and drove towards the entrance of the alley. After turning onto the street, Jinghong went to Dongdanliang Station, and Xu Qing rode his motorcycle. Rush to the suburban meat factory.

At five o'clock in the afternoon, Xu Qing was in the office of the meat factory, wearing a scarf, and said to Er Mazi, who went to the countryside once a week:

"Brother Mazi, it's winter now, and there's nothing to do in the countryside. When you go to the countryside to collect pigs tomorrow, you can pick up my two cousins."

Er Mazi covered the teapot, sat in front of the stove and said:

"No problem, Qingzi, don't worry, I'll remember this."

Xu Qing put on the scarf Jinghong knitted for him, put on his gloves, opened the door curtain and went out, turned to Er Mazi and said:

"Brother Mazi, it's getting cold. Please be careful on your way to the countryside tomorrow."

"understand!"

Er Mazi responded with a grin, placed the teapot on the hot stove lid, and sent Xu Qing out of the office.

Xu Qing got on the motorcycle, stretched out his scarf to cover his mouth and nose, raised his hand to let Er Mazi go back to the office to warm up, then started the motorcycle and left the meat factory.

Today he plans to go to the Friendship Store to look at hearing aids. He has 329 yuan in foreign exchange coupons. If it is enough, he will go directly and buy them.

My grandparents’ hearing is getting worse and worse, and it’s very distressing to not have hearing aids.

When it got dark, Xu Qing went straight to the Friendship Store as soon as he returned to the city. He parked his motorcycle at the door, locked it, stepped in, and said to the female salesperson who spoke fluent foreign languages:

"Comrade, do you have any hearing aids? Let me see."

The salesperson looked at Xu Qing, standing at the counter without moving, and said:

"Comrade, have you got the foreign exchange coupons? We only accept foreign exchange coupons here."

"I know, please help me get my hearing aid."

As Xu Qing spoke, he took off his gloves and put them into the pocket of his leather jacket. He rubbed his hands and looked at the dazzling array of things on the glass counter. While looking at them, he took out foreign exchange coupons from his trouser pocket.

After a while, the salesperson took out two lower boxes, placed them on the counter in front of Xu Qing and said:

"These are the only two left. I've been putting them up for more than a year, but no one wants them. The one on the left is 600, and the one on the right is cheaper, 350."

When Xu Qing heard the price, he was startled. He looked up at the salesperson and said, "Comrade, three hundred and fifty is not cheap. Can it be any less?"

"Indispensable, the price is not set by me. They are all foreign gadgets. Before this year, they were sold to foreigners in the embassy. Among us domestic people, who is willing to spend money to buy this thing? It is not as big as a palm. The price is mine. Everyone thinks death is expensive."

The female salesperson said and looked at Xu Qing: "Comrade, are you using it for your lover or your child?"

Xu Qing responded: "Buy it for my grandparents."

"Hey, comrade, I'm not too talkative," the salesperson opened the box and revealed the hearing aid inside. "The elderly in your family are elderly. This thing can improve hearing, but I don't think it's wrong. If you have the money to buy this thing, give it to the elderly." Isn’t it better to buy some good things, eat and drink more and pay homage to the store? "

Xu Qing said with a smile: "You are right. There is a lot of things to buy at home, but the old man has poor hearing. I am thinking about buying a hearing aid for him to wear."

The salesperson yelled, pointed at the 350 hearing aid and said:

"Then just buy this one. It works anyway. There's no need to buy the expensive one."

Seeing that the salesperson was warm-hearted and reasonable, Xu Qing pinched the foreign exchange coupon in his hand and said:

"Three hundred and twenty-nine, just a little bit close, just be accommodating."

The salesperson shook his head and said: "It's really not possible. I just go to work and can't make the decision. How about you go back and collect some foreign exchange coupons and come back in a few days?"

Xu Qing frowned, leaned on the counter and said, "I'm just afraid that someone will buy it next time I come here."

"No, you are the tenth person who has inquired about this thing since I started working, and you have only sold one. Among the few people before, except for a foreigner, you have bought the remaining two. Still waiting."

Xu Qing thought about it for a while, put the foreign exchange coupons back on his body, wiped his face with his hands and said:

"Comrade, if not, I'll leave you my home phone number. Could you please help me keep an eye on this 350 yuan hearing aid in the next few days? If anyone comes to inquire about you, tell me in advance,"

"Hey, your house is equipped with a telephone," the salesperson said with surprise on his face when he heard Xu Qing's words.

He looked at Xu Qing again and saw that Xu Qing was wearing a radar watch on his wrist. He raised his eyebrows and said:

"Comrade, where do you work? Are you a high-ranking official? No wonder you are willing to spend money to buy hearing aids for the elderly at home."

Xu Qing lowered his head and used a pen to write on the yellow note, handed it to the salesperson and said:

"I'm doing some small business by myself. I don't have any units. You put it away and I'll leave first."

Xu Qing put on his gloves again, waved to the salesperson who greeted him, turned around and walked out of the Friendship Store, took out the key, unlocked the rear wheel of the motorcycle, rode up, and walked along the busy street towards Go back to the compound.

There is still more than 20 yuan left in the foreign exchange certificate, so I can only come back in a few days.

The female salesperson in the Friendship Store clutched the note in her hand and looked at Xu Qing outside the store with a playful look in her eyes.

Seeing that Xu Qing was about to leave, he ran out from behind the counter, stood at the door and shouted:

"Comrade, my name is Yanzi. Remember to look for me next time you come."

(End of this chapter)