Siheyuan: There are three little cats at home

Chapter 550: Your father-in-law’s dumplings are edible, but your master’s dumplings are disgusting?

The dusk is dark, the wind is cold and the sky is cold, and the night is coming slowly, like the sea water.

Xu Qing rode along and saw construction in no fewer than six places on the street.

Nowadays, everything is being renovated. This can be regarded as the biggest change in the city after the redevelopment.

Xu Qing rode his bicycle and turned slowly into the alley of his father-in-law's house. Then he stopped at the door of the compound and pushed to go inside.

However, at this moment, he suddenly heard the rapid ringing of a car bell behind him. He turned around and saw that it was his brother-in-law Ma Jiefang and Wu Yuemei who had left work.

"Brother-in-law, when did you come?"

Ma Jiefang raised his head very high. He was wearing a brand-new Chinese tunic suit, dark blue in color, and a briefcase hung on the handlebars of his bicycle. It was still made of artificial leather and had a black face, but it was not the one he had used for many years, but looked like he had just bought it.

Xu Qing stopped and said, "I just got here. Are you and Yuemei off work?"

As soon as Ma Jiefang stopped his bicycle, he got off the bicycle and said with an air of dignity:

"I just got off, I'm just coming back."

As Ma Jiefang spoke, he glanced at the mutton and pork carried on the back seat of Xu Qing's bicycle, and said with a smile:

"Brother-in-law, your meat factory is no longer in business. Why do you bring so much meat today?"

Xu Qing smiled and said:

"Have you forgotten about the Chinese New Year?"

"Ah? Really? It was so fast, I didn't even notice."

Ma Jiefang scratched his hair and immediately said with joy:

"Brother-in-law, I was promoted today. The announcement from the main factory yesterday was broadcast by the loudspeaker of the third factory radio station today to the whole factory."

"Okay, Jiefang, the New Year is coming soon, and I have become the deputy director of the factory. How does it feel?"

Ma Jiefang shook his head: "I don't feel much. I'm happy, but there are several deputy directors in the factory. It would be better if I could be promoted to full-time today."

Xu Qing smiled silently and said:

"Liberation, don't get the advantage and act like a good boy. There are now thousands of people in the third factory, and you have become the deputy director. How many people are envious and jealous, so be content."

Wu Yuemei was riding her bicycle slowly. At this time, she reached the gate of the compound, stopped, got off the bicycle, and said to Xu Qing:

"Fifth brother-in-law, let's go back to the courtyard and talk."

Xu Qing was pushing the bicycle while chatting and laughing with Ma Jiefang.

"Brother-in-law, do you remember that Deputy Director Li of our No. 3 Factory? He was the one who turned into a queen and became the director of the factory's 'G Committee' because of his connections."

Xu Qing responded: "I know."

Ma Jiefang lifted the rear wheel of his bicycle, entered the courtyard and said, "I resigned yesterday. I heard that I plan to go into business."

Xu Qing said oh and didn't care.

Wu Yuemei on the side turned to glance at her man, her eyes faintly said:

"Envy?"

Ma Jiefang said hurriedly: "Yuemei, what are you talking about? I just became the deputy director of the factory. I would envy someone who resigned?"

Wu Yuemei snorted and said nothing more.

Xu Qing walked between the two of them, smiling bitterly in his heart. These two couples were a bit interesting.

"Liberation, why didn't our dad come back with you two?"

Xu Qing asked aloud.

"Hey, he's busy," Ma Jiefang said with a grin, "Everyone in the third factory knows about the news that I was promoted to deputy factory director today. My dad's old guys dragged him to treat him as soon as he got off work. .”

"I still paid for it!"

Ma Jiefang said, pretending to have a heartbroken expression on his face.

Xu Qingle said: "The colleague you usually work with didn't ask you to treat him?"

"Why not? I gave all my money to my dad today and I don't have a penny left. They said that after the factory has a holiday in a few days, I have to treat them to a good meal!"

While talking, Xu Qing saw his mother-in-law coming out of the house and called out "Mom."

Ma Jiefang also opened his mouth and said, "Mom, my brother-in-law is here and specially brings meat to our family."

Ma Jiefang's mother ignored her son and looked at her son-in-law, whom she hadn't seen for a long time. Her face showed happiness and she said with a smile:

"Xiao Qing, you kid, come here as soon as you come. Get something every time. Come inside to warm yourself up. Don't freeze."

After saying that, he opened the door curtain and let Xu Qing quickly enter the house. As for his son, he rolled his eyes and said, "I made dumplings and went to your house to call your wife and children. By the way, where is your dad?"

"My dad went out to drink. He won't be able to come back for a while."

As Ma Jiefang said this, he stopped his bicycle and hurriedly turned towards the house where he and Wu Yuemei lived.

Ten minutes later, Xu Qing and Ma Jiefang were sitting together, eating hot dumplings that had just come out of the pot.

Ma Xiaojun was holding a wine bottle and standing aside to pour the wine.

Wu Yuemei and her mother-in-law were still working in the kitchen. Xu Qing picked up the dumplings in the bowl in front of him and fed them to his eldest nephew.

Ma Xiaojun bit it and said cheerfully, "Thank you, uncle."

Ma Jiefang said proudly: "Brother-in-law, is my son still polite?"

Xu Qingyile asked, "Did you teach me or did Yue Mei teach me?"

Ma Jiefang slapped his chest, straightened his back and said, "Fine, otherwise, can he obediently serve us two drinks today?"

Xu Qing smiled and did not respond.

Ma Xiaojun chewed the dumplings and muttered:

"Uncle, my brother Hongzhi, why didn't he come to my grandma's house with you?"

Xu Qing stopped his chopsticks, looked at Ma Xiaojun and said, "Hongzhi is at home, your uncle and I haven't gone back yet this afternoon."

Ma Xiaojun nodded and saw that Xu Qing's wine glass was empty. He quickly grasped the bottle with both hands and continued to pour wine.

Xu Qing and Ma Jiefang ate for a while. When they saw their mother-in-law coming out of the kitchen, they stopped eating. They sat and chatted for a while. When they saw that it was completely dark outside and their father-in-law hadn't come back yet, they brought some food from the meat factory. After putting down the pork and mutton, he stood up and said:

"Mom, Jiefang, Yuemei, I'm leaving first. I have to go to my master's house."

When Ma Jiefang heard this, he took his mother, daughter-in-law, and children to send Xu Qing out of the compound.

As soon as Xu Qing left, everyone in the compound where Ma Jiefang lived immediately exploded and said to Ma Jiefang's mother:

"Sister-in-law, you are so lucky. You have given birth to five daughters and a boy. All of them are great. Your Jiefang was promoted to deputy director in the factory today. Your little son-in-law is even more amazing. The director of the fifth factory is also I have done it, and in the past two years, I have opened a grain station and a meat factory. Today, I came to our hospital and gave you pork and mutton. Oh, I look at you, you are young and old."

"Isn't that right? The business at Xuqing Grain Station is very good. Last time I went there to buy grain, I had to wait in line for a long time to buy it."

Ma Jiefang heard what everyone in the courtyard said to each other, and thought to himself:

"That's not true. Who am I? Who am I, my fifth brother-in-law? Just be envious of me!"

Ma Jiefang's mother smiled and said: "Hey, my son, who was promoted to deputy factory director after just one day of wandering, is just a blind cat who ran into a dead mouse. It's nothing."

My little son-in-law, on the other hand, is a poor man. His parents died early and he became the head of the family early. It is really not easy for him to lead a life like this. "

Ma Jiefang's mother stood at the main entrance of the compound chatting with the neighbors, while Xu Qing was already riding a bicycle, carrying the remaining pork and mutton on the bicycle, out of the alley and onto the street, using the light of the street lamp to look towards Master, old Zhang, went over. He hasn't been to his master's house for a long time. He always went there the year before last. After he opened the meat factory last year, he was too busy during the holidays and had no time.

The grain station is busy with business, and the meat processing plant is also running continuously.

Xu Qing couldn't even remember what he did on National Day.

The bicycle chain was a little rusty and made a squeaking sound. Xu Qing pedaled twice and rode to a street light. He got off the bicycle and kicked his feet twice. He turned over and continued to his master, Lao Zhang's house.

It was already past eight o'clock in the evening, and there were still many pedestrians on the road.

Public security in the city has improved, and the economy is improving little by little. There are many young men and women watching movies on New Year's Eve.

Xu Qing hasn't been to the cinema for a long time.

Although it only cost one or two cents to watch a movie these days, he really didn't have the time or the inclination.

"Romance in Lushan", released last year, became a hit and was highly praised by young men and women.

His younger sister Xiaoya also mentioned it to him several times.

But Xu Qing had just built a meat factory at that time, and he went to the countryside with Er Mazi to collect grain and pigs.

No one is in the city, so there is no chance to go to the cinema.

A gust of wind blew in the face, bringing a chill. The cold Xu Qing sneezed. He put his thoughts away and saw the courtyard alley where his master, Lao Zhang, lived. He turned the handle of the car to the right and entered the dark alley.

"Master, Master, Happy New Year."

Xu Qing pushed his bicycle, walked into the compound, and shouted towards Master Lao Zhang's house.

"Xiaoqing, are you a brat?"

Lao Zhang's voice came from the lighted room, and then the door was opened.

Xu Qing saw his master coming out to greet him and said with a silly smile:

"Master, there is no rest."

"Waiting for you, I knew your brat was coming over tonight, so I purposely didn't wash my feet early."

Xu Qing pushed the bicycle and stopped at the door of the master's house. He picked up the meat on the back seat of the bicycle and said with a smile:

"Master, here are the sheep and pigs that were just killed in our meat factory today."

Lao Zhang saw it through the light from the room and immediately blamed:

"You brat, if you don't take out the money yourself and sell it, what will you do with it for me?"

His words were full of sternness, but he was very happy in his heart. He raised his hand to open the door curtain and said:

"Quick, come inside to warm up."

Xu Qing responded and walked in carrying ten pounds of meat.

When he looked up, he saw Zhang Zhenlian, a junior sister he hadn't seen for a long time, getting off the kang.

Xu Qing was stunned, "Zhenlian, when did you come back?"

Zhang Zhenlian pulled on her shoes and said, "I just came back this morning. It's the New Year's Day, and the Spring Festival will be in a few days. I came here specially to spend the New Year with my parents."

After Zhang Zhenlian finished speaking, she smiled and her two dimples were exposed, which was really pretty.

Xu Qing handed the meat to the junior sister who was reaching out to take it, took off her scarf, looked at the younger junior sister who had gained weight and had a rounder face and said:

"Zhenlian, where is your child? Why didn't he come back with you?"

"At my house, his grandma has been helping to take care of him. He just had a cold two days ago, so he didn't dare to bring him to my parents' place."

Lao Zhang was wearing a military coat. When he saw his apprentice standing talking, he clapped his hands and said:

"You brat, sit down quickly. We are all members of our family. Don't be restrained. Have you eaten? Your wife made dumplings today. This is what we eat in the city during the Chinese New Year. The nanny hired by your family should have made dumplings too, right? ?”

Xu Qing heard the sound and laughed and said: "Master, I haven't gone home yet. I just came from my father-in-law's place. My mother-in-law is also making dumplings to eat today."

Lao Zhang laughed and said, "That's right. How can we not eat dumplings during the Chinese New Year? Your wife made a lot of them today. Knowing that you didn't come home on New Year's Day, I left some for you today. Just wait."

"Master, I ate it at my father-in-law's house."

Xu Qing sat on a chair and lit the fire.

"What? Your father-in-law's dumplings are edible, but your master's dumplings are disgusting?"

Xu Qing hurriedly waved his hand, "Master, I will eat. Isn't it enough if I eat?"

"This is so true!"

Lao Zhang was in a good mood. He took off his military coat, put it on the kang, and turned around and entered the kitchen.

Zhang Zhenlian handed the teapot with hot water just poured into it to Xu Qing and said:

"Brother Xu Qing, I heard from my dad that you became the director of the fifth factory of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill a few years ago. Later, you resigned. The director was improper and opened a grain station and a meat factory."

Xu Qing took a sip of hot water, held the enamel teapot to warm his hands, and nodded.

Zhang Zhenlian’s fat body twisted slightly, her eyes blinked and she said:

"Brother Xu Qing, don't you regret resigning as the factory director? My dad has so many apprentices, but you are the most powerful and became the factory director!"

Xu Qing smiled and thought:

"I don't like being an official. I followed my master and I have no regrets. My second brother is patriotic. He has a better future as an official than me. He succeeded me as the director of the fifth factory.

As for me, I can run a grain station and a meat factory, and the money I earn can support your sister-in-law and me. "

Zhang Zhenlian nodded with a smile on her face and said:

"Brother Xu Qing, if you have the ability, you can succeed in anything you do! I believe in you too!"

Lao Zhang came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of steaming dumplings and a small dish of vinegar. Hearing the chat between his daughter and his apprentice, he laughed and said:

"Daughter, you go to the kitchen and help your mother take out the chopsticks and wine cups. Xiaoqing and I will have some drinks."

Xu Qing took the bowl from his master and said:

"Master, my brother-in-law Ma Jiefang was promoted to deputy factory director today. I heard from him that my father-in-law invited someone to drink. You didn't go today?"

Lao Zhang put the vinegar dish on the table and said:

"That's Lao Ma's son being promoted to deputy factory director, and it's not you, so I won't join in the fun.

Besides, you are my apprentice and someone who has been the director of the branch factory. If I come over, I will not lower our status. "

When Xu Qing heard the master's words, he couldn't help laughing.

Lao Zhang raised his finger and pointed at the dumplings and said:

"Try it quickly. Your wife's pickled cabbage filling is no worse than your mother-in-law's."

For a moment, Xu Qing didn't know how to answer the master's words, so he stretched out his hand and pinched a dumpling from the bowl. Before the junior sister could bring the chopsticks, and without touching the vinegar plate, he threw it into his mouth, chewed it twice, and turned towards the kitchen. Direction:

"Master's wife, the dumplings you made today are the same as those made by my mother-in-law. They are very delicious!"

Lao Zhang sat aside and burst into laughter instantly.

The cold wind blew loudly outside the house.

But he couldn't hide Lao Zhang's laughter.

Zhang Zhenlian came out of the kitchen with chopsticks, a wine cup and a bottle of Erqu, handed them to her father and Xu Qing, and then ran into the kitchen to help her mother serve the food and drinks.

"You brat, come on and let us have a drink first."

Lao Zhang picked up the wine bottle, poured the wine, and said:

"You brought this bottle of Erqu to me. I've never been willing to drink it with others. This time we both drank it all."

The clear liquor gurgled from the mouth of the bottle, the dumplings in the bowl were steaming, and the fire in the stove roared. Xu Qing looked at the master whose hair was getting grayer every year, and couldn't help but say:

"Master, I'll cover all your drinks from now on!"

(End of this chapter)