Siheyuan: There are three little cats at home

Chapter 540 Collecting Payment

"We are all brothers, so we don't need to worry about anything."

Xu Qing stopped the buns in his hand, took a sip of rich rice soup and said:

"I have some friendships with the directors of the several small breeding farms set up by the state in the western suburbs. Don't worry about the piglets."

San Huzi coughed slightly and nodded, a look of embarrassment flashed across his face.

He knew quite a few people, but most of them were just like him, running around all day long and making a living for themselves. They had neither much education nor were they officials. The people Xu Qing came into contact with were not on the same level as him.

Xu Qing had been the director of the No. 55 Factory of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. He was also a senior intellectual. He was a high school classmate and a college classmate, all of whom had promising futures.

Moreover, he also knew that Xu Qing's ability was inferior to that of Xu Qing.

Xu Qingneng can open a meat factory and a grain station. He cannot do these things.

Money was one thing, and the most important interpersonal relationship was, he had vaguely felt a few years ago that if it weren't for Xu Qing's help and assistance, his situation would not be as good as it is now.

The group of buddies who used to make a living as a second-hand dealer with him can barely make enough to fill their stomachs now.

Several of them had not saved enough money to marry a wife until this year and had been living their lives in idleness.

Compared to him, it's not as good as that.

Er Mazi had the foresight to know whether he was helping Sanhuzi or something. Piggy could not be obtained and he was not familiar with anyone. He knew better that if it hadn't been for Xu Qing, he would have spent the past two years after he left the Third Red Star Steel Rolling Plant last year. He didn't know what to do, and he might not be as good at it as San Huzi, so he didn't disturb Xu Qing's conversation with San Huzi, and ate pumpkin buns, praising the deliciousness to San Huzi's mother.

Sanhuzi's mother sat aside and felt indescribably happy when she heard Ermazi praising her for making good buns today.

However, her attention was focused on listening to her son discussing business with Xu Qing, and she listened quietly without interrupting.

She comes from a womanly family. Although she is old, she doesn't know much and knows very little. She doesn't dare to open her mouth easily for fear of saying something wrong.

Until I saw Xu Qing chatting with San Huzi for a long time, the rice soup in front of me was no longer steaming and was a little cold, so I got off the kang, took the rice soup, returned to the kitchen, and scooped out some hot food from the pot and mixed it in .

The snow is still falling in the courtyard outside the house, and it is getting a little heavier. The wind is blowing the snowflakes in the air, and the sky is still gloomy, with no intention of completely clearing up or brightening up.

Xu Qing and Er Mazi each ate two pumpkin buns and drank a bowl of rice soup, and they were both exhausted.

Originally, they ate a lot on the big stove in the canteen of the Meat Factory, but when they came to Sanhuzi's house, they ate a lot more.

Er Mazi crouched slightly while walking and hiccupped.

San Huzi and his mother sent Xu Qing and Er Mazi out of the house. At this time, several dogs in the yard were wagging their tails and showing off their joy.

A layer of snow has fallen on the ground, as thin as cashmere, and the dog's paw prints are like winter plum blossoms.

After Sanhuzi handed it to Xu Qingyan, he gave another one to Ermazi, coughed twice and said:

"Qingzi, Ermazi, you two go back to the meat factory slowly. It's snowing and the road is difficult to walk."

Sanhuzi's mother handed the cloth bag containing five pumpkin buns to Ermazi and asked him to take it back to the meat factory.

Xu Qing wanted to refuse, but Er Mazi had already accepted it, so he had to smile and thank him:

"Auntie, thank you. There is a shortage of noodles or meat at home. Tell Sanhuzi and I will have someone bring it to you."

Sanhuzi’s mother smiled and said:

"There is no shortage, Xiaoqing. Ever since you opened the grain station, you have brought me noodles from time to time. This year, I set up a meat joint factory, and I have people bring me some meat every now and then. Auntie, I feel embarrassed!"

Xu Qing smiled and said: "Auntie, it's nothing. You help me raise dogs, and you help me keep an eye on the grain station warehouse at night. I give you wages. You ask Sanhuzi to return it to me every time, so I can only give it to you." Here are some noodles and pork."

"You kid, it's true!" Sanhuzi's mother said with a smile, "You open a grain station or a meat factory to make money. How can I ask for it every time? I asked Sanhuzi to give you money, and you also If you refuse to accept it, you can’t do this again. My aunt’s family is lacking everything. My Sanhuzi, his wife, and my Meijuan often bring things back to me. I have enough to eat by myself.”

After Sanhuzi's mother finished speaking, she quickly added:

"By the way, Xiaoqing, if you and De Er's clothes are torn, bring them to Auntie and I will sew them for you."

Xu Qing hummed, and headed back to the meat factory under the watch of San Huzi's mother and San Huzi.

The snow was falling really hard. Xu Qing returned to the office of the meat factory. After staying there for a short while, the factory yard became completely white.

When it got dark in the evening, after Hui Dehai's master and apprentice and the two quarantine officers left, Xu Qing gave a few words to the four workers in the breeding workshop and the concierge Lao Suntou, and then left with Er Mazi.

Xue Linwan was a little smaller, but it didn't stop. When Xu Qing and Er Mazi rode their bicycles back to the city, a lot of things fell on them.

At the intersection, Xu Qing and Er Mazi separated and went home.

At this time, there are the most people and the most cars on the street.

The bus is always full of people, adults and children, all together.

Cyclists, in groups.

The 'banye' riding a three-wheeler was weaving in and out of the crowd, shouting "Borrow the light!".

Xu Qing turned the front of the bicycle and moved slightly out of the way, letting the tricycle behind him, which was laden with cargo, go first.

He has no intention of buying another motorcycle.

I haven't considered it recently. After all, I have ridden a motorcycle and it feels pretty good.

But what he wanted to buy more was a car.

He had this idea before buying a motorcycle last year.

It’s just that cars are very expensive these days.

As far as the current situation is concerned, he can't afford it yet.

The meat factory didn't make much money this year, but the grain station's business was quite prosperous.

But the money required to buy a car is not a small amount.

An ordinary axle truck made in Shanghai costs about 15,000 yuan.

For ordinary people in this era, working for ten years is not necessarily enough to make money.

If Xu Qing hadn't set up a meat factory this year, and combined the money he earned from opening a grain station last year with his family's savings, he would be able to do just that.

But the problem is that life at home cannot be overstated.

So, he didn’t buy it right then.

As for this year, Xu Qing took a deep breath, letting the cold air rush into his throat, and gave up the idea.

It’s expensive. If you really want to buy it, you’ll inevitably have to borrow money from everywhere.

Moreover, his top priority is to find a way to get a truck that can pull pigs and grain for the meat processing plant and grain station warehouse.

Forget about bridge cars.

As long as the business of the meat factory improves, buying a truck will not be a big deal for him.

However, domestic pig raising has not reached a large scale, and the problem of pig collection has not been solved. How can the business prosper?

The grain station can still make money.

In addition to Jinghong and Xiaoya selling grain to customers in the store, several branches of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill have signed contracts with him.

Last year was the first year, this year is the second year, and there are still eight years to come.

If the water flows slowly, you can definitely earn the 15,000 yuan to buy a bridge car.

Even for a few branch factories, it is impossible to take away all the grain for several years at once, nor to settle the payment at once.

But no matter what, no matter what he does next year, he will definitely get a truck.

Hire a car all the time.

This is also an expense, although the cost is not high each time.

But after one year, it is not a small amount of money.

Xu Qing rode his bicycle, thinking on the bustling street, while returning to the compound.

Suddenly, he saw two brothers, Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang, in the crowd, but ignored them. Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang also saw Xu Qing, and the three of them passed by without saying a word.

Xu Qing didn't bother to pay attention to someone who even calculated his own parents' money. What would he care about?

Besides, some time ago, the two of them followed Yan Jiecheng into the backyard to make trouble. Xu Qing didn't clean up the matter himself. It was because of the face of Yan Bugui and his wife, and their friendship with him who had lived together in the compound for many years.

Otherwise, in early October, he, Aiguo and Feng Ming would have cleaned up the matter on the spot in the compound.

Back in the compound, Xu Qing saw Xu Damao and Yi Zhonghai standing in the front yard at the door of the third uncle Yanbu's noble house.

But Yan Bugui looked very depressed, with his head raised high and drooping. He said nothing or said a word. Even the bicycle he cherished on weekdays did not show up as soon as he got off work as usual. Just wipe it with a rag.

Xu Qing remembered the two brothers Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang he had just seen near his alley, and he suddenly understood.

I guessed that the third uncle in the front yard probably made the two sons who came back just now angry.

Otherwise, how could the third uncle, who rarely looked sad in the courtyard, look like this today.

You must know that Yan Bugui, who is shrewd and has a good face, will never expose his embarrassment and family affairs to everyone in the compound easily.

"Xiaoqing is back!"

Yi Zhonghai said wearing the thick blue work clothes issued by the factory.

Although after many years, the color of the work clothes has turned a bit white from the washing, she still wears it on her body, but she doesn't want to wear it even once.

Xu Qing stopped, stood in the front yard and responded with a smile, and also said hello to the third uncle Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui still had a sullen face, even darker than today's weather. He hummed and held the glasses on the bridge of his nose with his hands to hide his embarrassment.

Xu Damao was wearing an almost khaki jacket with a military coat on top, with a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. He turned around and walked to Xu Qing and said:

"Qingzi, your wife came back earlier than you today."

Xu Qing held the bicycle handlebars with both hands and nodded.

Xu Damao followed Xu Qing back to the backyard and said on the way:

"By the way, Qingzi, Aiguo didn't see anyone yesterday, and I haven't seen anyone today either. Is he on a business trip?"

Xu Qing stepped into the middle courtyard and pushed the bicycle on the path: "Well, I went on a business trip early yesterday morning."

Xu Damao puffed out the smoke from his mouth, wrapped his military coat tightly with his left hand and said, "No wonder I haven't seen anyone else for two days in a row."

Xu Qing didn't respond and asked:

"Brother Damao, did the third uncle have another quarrel with his sons, Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang?"

Xu Damao shrugged his shoulders and said:

"That's right. Yan Jiefang almost started to have sex with the third uncle. If the third aunt hadn't called me and the first and second uncles, there might have been a good show in our courtyard tonight."

Xu Qing didn't ask any more questions, and glanced at the night. He and Xu Damao passed through the middle courtyard and headed back to the backyard.

He didn't care about the family affairs between the third uncle and his children.

Besides, it's not convenient to get involved.

It's okay to live in a compound, but there are many things that you can't control.

Just like today, it's okay to break up the fight.

But what happens next? No one in the compound will get involved.

However, when Xu Qing came back today, Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang had already left. They had an argument with Yan Bugui, but he didn't catch up.

But even if I catch up, I don’t want to care.

If it were last year, I would have advised him to live in a large compound.

But this year, it's impossible.

The incident that Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang had with Yan Jiecheng could not be said to be like a fish bone stuck in his throat, but it was also like snowflakes floating into the corners of his eyes, making him slightly uncomfortable.

It's one thing to pay attention or not.

I'm sorry to turn this page around. Xu Qing hasn't said it generously yet, just like a Bodhisattva enshrined in a temple.

Besides, even if he is a clay figurine, he still has a certain amount of anger.

Xu Qing returned to the backyard, chatted with Xu Damao for a few words, and then went home directly.

At midnight, the snow stopped.

In the early morning, as soon as Xu Qing came out of the house, he saw that the entire compound was covered with snow.

Yesterday it snowed from noon to three o'clock in the morning, which was more than the previous games plus one.

The weather is still freezing, and every snowfall makes the chill even more intense.

It’s already turned nine, but that’s not it.

Xu Qing didn't wear gloves. He stood at the door of the house for a while, and his hands were red from the cold.

At nine o'clock in the morning, he was sitting in the office of the meat factory and saw the sun coming out of the window. The sunlight was dazzling and dazzling, making the snow in the factory yard shine like silver.

Er Mazi opened the door curtain, came in tremblingly, stood at the door stamping the snow on his feet, and cursed:

"This weather is much colder than yesterday!"

Xu Qing picked up the steaming enamel teapot at his hand, took a sip of hot tea, warmed his body and said:

"Brother Mazi, it's almost the end of the month. This Thursday is New Year's Day. Tomorrow and tomorrow, we will go to Hongxing Factory No. 3 and Factory No. 5, as well as several other Guitar branches, to collect this year's payment."

Er Mazi stood in front of the stove, warming himself up and said:

"Qingzi, that's no problem. Brother, I haven't been around our third factory for a long time. I don't know how your master, Lao Zhang, and Brother Dequan and Zhou Pingtai of our third workshop are doing lately."

Xu Qing heard Er Mazi say this and said:

"Then tomorrow morning, let's go to the third factory first."

"Row!"

Er Mazi replied with a grin.

Suddenly, Xu Qing and Er Mazi went directly to the No. 3 Hongxing Steel Rolling Plant in the morning.

Received by Silly Pillar.

Silly Zhu became the director of the canteen, and he was responsible for the food in the factory. No matter what the canteen purchased, he had the final say.

Xu Qing sat on Sha Zhu's office paper and looked at it, feeling good.

Not much has changed since the previous canteen director was there. The table is still the same one that has been used for more than ten years. The red paint has fallen off, and the broken table legs are screwed with wires and leaned against the wall.

There were several newspapers spread on the table, two permanent pens, a bottle of ink, and a color calendar with the year 1981 written on it.

Er Mazi opened the calendar, took a look, and said to Silly Zhu, who came back with two enamel teapots:

"Director He, is that okay? New Year's Day has not yet arrived, and the wall calendar has been put up first. It is a colorful and illustrated one produced by the film company. There are photos of female stars on every page. You can help me get one too. I'll go back with Qingzi in the afternoon and put it in our office."

Silly Zhu bared his teeth and said with a smile: "Er Mazi, if you want it, go to Xu Damao from our hospital. He has been doing all kinds of things recently. He sets up stalls in Tianqiao and Tiananmen Square every day."

Er Mazi said hello, took the enamel teapot from Shazhu, held it in his hand, and while sipping the freshly brewed tea, he bent over and looked at the photos of celebrities on the calendar.

Xu Qing was not in the mood to care about that and said to Silly Zhu:

"Brother Silly Zhu, have you finished the note?"

Silly Zhu responded: "I asked MCA to take it to the factory leader to sign it. When he delivers it later, you can take it to the Finance Department to settle the payment."

(End of this chapter)