Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 146 Discussing Re-employment
Ever since Jia Zhang became so powerful, Yi Zhonghai no longer wandered around the courtyard.

When he had nothing to do, he would always go to the backyard to find Zheng Weiguo, inviting him to dinner and giving him gifts, which scared Zheng Weiguo.

Just as February began, Yi Zhonghai found Zheng Weiguo again. This time, Yi Zhonghai took He Yuzhu to Zheng Weiguo's home in the backyard. Zheng Weiguo couldn't save face, so he agreed to go to Yi's house for dinner in the evening.

After Yi Zhonghai returned home, he started to make arrangements. He Yuzhu was the head chef. He had agreed to this task on his own initiative. However, Li Cuilan was under Yi Zhonghai's command. Li Cuilan sighed, but still started to get busy.

In the evening, Li Cuilan did not eat at home. After cooking, she took two dishes to the front yard and gave the room to a few gentlemen.

He Yuzhu was there to keep them company. Yi Zhonghai and Zheng Weiguo sat opposite each other. Yi Zhonghai specially bought a bottle of Fenjiu and filled it up for them.

Yi Zhonghai said: "He Yuzhu is a great chef, the inheritor of authentic Tan family cuisine. Xiao Zheng is in for a treat."

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "I've heard that Director He doesn't cook in the factory, so I can't eat even if I want to. I have to try it this time."

The three of them took a sip of wine and started eating. He Yuzhu's cooking skills were impeccable and Zheng Weiguo praised him highly.

He Yuzhu felt a little embarrassed by the compliment and said, "Engineer Zheng, please stop complimenting me. Besides, there are many people in this hospital who are better cooks than me."

Zheng Weiguo was surprised and said, "Is there anyone with better skills than you?"

Yi Zhonghai picked up a glass of wine, toasted Zheng Weiguo, and said, "Yes, there is. The third son of the Yan family in the front yard, his cooking skills are said to be good enough to be a royal chef."

Zheng Weiguo was surprised again, thinking about the young man he had no impression of, and asked, "Is he a chef?"

"Not really. He works at the Institute of Archaeology. He is a college student, majoring in history." He Yuzhu said.

Zheng Weiguo developed a strong interest in Yan Jiekuang. After all, everyone has his or her specialties, and it is rare to find someone who has top abilities in two areas.

At this time, Yi Zhonghai picked up the cup and said to Zheng Weiguo: "Mr. Zheng, I have to toast you. I have something in my heart that I want to tell you. Come and drink this cup first."

Zheng Weiguo heard that this was a serious matter, and said, "You are a senior, just tell me what you want to do, and I will do whatever I can."

Yi Zhonghai clinked glasses with Zheng Weiguo and drank half a cup. Yi Zhonghai said, "You know, I was an eighth-level fitter when I retired. I'm retired, but I'm bored at home. Do you think the factory needs anyone? I can go and help out, but I don't want any salary."

When Zheng Weiguo heard this, he knew that Yi Zhonghai had not yet adapted to retired life. But Yi Zhonghai was a senior engineer after all. The factory really had this idea and wanted to re-employ some senior engineers, but the details had not been confirmed yet. What were they waiting for? They were waiting for Director Yang, who had been demoted, to take over.

Zheng Weiguo looked at He Yuzhu, who was stunned, thinking that this was related to him? He also looked at Zheng Weiguo.

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said, "Mr. Yi, please stop calling me "you" all the time. You should just call me Xiao Zheng. I am not as old or experienced as you. You are worshipping the wrong Buddha."

Yi Zhonghai was stunned, and He Yuzhu didn't understand what was going on. He looked at Zheng Weiguo, who continued, "Our technical department proposed the rehiring of senior engineers, and the middle and senior leaders all agreed, but this matter needs to be decided by one person. I heard that Comrade He Yuzhu has a very good relationship with this leader."

He Yuzhu's mind was a little slower, and he looked at Zheng Weiguo in confusion. Zheng Weiguo said, "It's your former Director Yang. He will be reinstated soon. He has to make the final decision on this matter."

When He Yuzhu heard this, his eyes widened and he asked loudly, "Really? When did this happen? How come I, as the canteen director, have never heard of it?"

Zheng Weiguo said: "It has been decided. He will take office before the New Year. But if Yi Gong is to be rehired, he will have to wait until after the New Year."

Yi Zhonghai's heart suddenly settled down, and he said with a smile: "That's also thanks to your technical department's suggestion. Come on, have a drink." He Yuzhu was also very happy. He had always been Director Yang's man in the steel rolling mill, not to mention the relationship with the big leader.

The host and the guests were all very satisfied with the meal. Zheng Weiguo's alcohol tolerance was not to be underestimated. Yi Zhonghai and He Yuzhu simply could not drink more than Zheng Weiguo.

Starting from the next day, Yi Zhonghai's lifestyle changed a lot. He started reading some reference books again and became more friendly to the people in the courtyard and his family.

There was still no progress in Yan Jiekuang's work, but the later Director Zhu was about to be transferred. As for who would be his successor, Yan Jiekuang was not yet able to know, but Yan Jiekuang did not take it to heart. In his mind, the Institute of Archaeology was just a stopover for him, and he would leave when the time came.

When Yan Jiekuang had nothing to do, he would take Tiantian back to the courtyard. Tiantian was extremely reluctant because the shadow cast by Yang Ruiping had never been erased.

Back at the courtyard, Tiantian was wherever Yan Jiekuang was. Yongchang and Yongxin watched Tiantian humming and groaning, but Tiantian ignored him because Yang Ruiping was right there. Yang Ruiping glared at him and Tiantian turned behind Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Yongqing also started chasing after Tiantian when he saw them. Tiantian was very smart. When he saw Yongqing and Yongfang, he lay down on the ground and pretended to sleep.

The Yan family said that Tiantian had become a smart person and knew how to find ways to hide away. It was still okay when Yan Jiekuang was at home. But if Yan Jiekuang was not at home, Tiantian would not stay in the courtyard for a minute and would go straight back to Yuer Hutong.

Yan Jiekuang wanted to cultivate feelings with Lian'er, but Lian'er had a special liking for Tiantian and liked her very much. Tiantian was also very smart, as if he knew that this would be the mistress. He kept wagging his tail at Lian'er and following her closely.

Yan Jiekuang returned to the front yard and stayed with Lian'er in the back yard every day. Yan Bugui happened to be coming home from work. Seeing Yan Jiekuang sitting there drinking tea, he frowned and said scoldingly, "You don't even work properly. What time is it? Did you leave early?"

Yan Jiekuang was stunned and said, "Dad, I didn't offend you, didn't you know my shift before? You came back early because nothing happened."

Yan Bugui did not listen to Yan Jiekuang's explanation and said, "Now the country has just recovered, we should all work harder and contribute to the country. How can you retire early?"

Yan Jiekuang then realized who had given his father a boost. His serious attitude towards work was awe-inspiring, but it was not suitable for him.

Yan Jiekuang did not explain and continued to drink his tea. Yang Ruiping said, "I've been working for the past two days and I've eaten gunpowder."

Yan Bugui was about to retort, but when he saw Yang Ruiping's unfriendly look, he immediately shut his mouth.

Yang Ruiping still didn't let him go, saying: "When you took sick leave and slacked off, why didn't you say you would stick to your post? When you were wandering around the streets of Dazhalan and Liulichang every day, why didn't you think about contributing to the country?"

Yan Bugui instantly wilted when he heard this, but he still muttered, "That's because the situation is different. I'm just correcting my work attitude."

Yang Ruiping rolled his eyes at Yan Bugui and said, "I don't know what the new principal has promised you to turn you into this. I wonder how long you can hold on."

Yan Bugui said: "I am now back to work, earnestly training the next generation for the country. I have a long way to go."

"The road is not far. You will retire in two years. Why is it so far? You can go visit my mother when you have nothing to do. You must first value filial piety before you can do a better job. Remember to bring more food coupons." Yang Ruiping continued.

Yan Jiekuang couldn't hold it back any longer, and laughed loudly, which made Yan Bugui so angry that he said directly, "You take care of the New Year's goods this year. It's for your business anyway."

Yan Jiekuang suddenly stopped laughing, as he was going to bleed heavily again.

(End of this chapter)