I am Jia Dongjin in the Siheyuan (Courtyard House)

Chapter 59 Affiliation

The Liu family's house is located in the backyard of the courtyard house.

Liu Haizhong was urging his wife, "Bring me the hood, and that black outfit too, even in broad daylight."

"We still have ten eggs at home, why the rush? Are we going to the pigeon market tonight?"

"You don't know anything! Eggs will definitely be hard to buy in the future. If I don't stock up, what am I going to use to swing a sledgehammer?"

Liu Haizhong was a blacksmith. Although his salary was high, blacksmithing was physically demanding. His rations were much higher than other trades, but he only ate grain without eggs or meat to supplement his diet, so he didn't have the strength to swing a sledgehammer. One or two eggs a day were both a treat and a necessary but unavoidable expense.

"Snap"

"oops"

The sound of hitting a child rang out again from the Liu family home. Liu Guangfu looked aggrieved, his eyes filled with tears as he choked out, "Why are you hitting me? I did my homework very well today, and the teacher praised me. I didn't do any homework all day."

"Snap"

"oops"

Seeing his youngest son's tear-streaked face, Liu Haizhong laughed smugly, "Your old man's in a good mood today, so I'll spank you, okay?"

"Snap"

"oops"

After chasing away his youngest son, Liu Guangfu, Liu Haizhong didn't go out to chase after him. Instead, he pointed at his second son, Liu Guangtian, and said, "Don't be so smug, you little brat. When we get back from Pigeon Market tonight, I'll teach you a lesson for not doing your homework and making me unhappy."

Liu Guangtian: "..."

"That's just how I am. I hit the kids when I'm happy, and I hit the kids when I'm not. Are you going to admit defeat?"

Liu Guangtian was speechless and choked with emotion.

*Slap!* *Slap!* *Slap!*

"Ouch!" "Ouch!" "Ouch!" "Please spare me, help me!"

"You dare to call for help? You've got some nerve!" Liu Haizhong drew Seven Wolves from his waist and looked at his second son with a cruel expression.

*Slap!* *Slap!* *Slap!*

"Ouch!" "Ouch!" "Ouch!" "Please spare me!"

The neighbors looked at Liu Guangfu crying and listened to Liu Guangtian's pitiful cries and pleas for mercy. Although they felt sorry for him, they all ignored him.

Liu Haizhong has this bad temper. Apart from his eldest brother Liu Guangqi, he treats Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu like enemies. He beats the children whenever he has a reason to, and he beats them even more when he has nothing to do.

At first, the neighbors tried to persuade him, but the more they tried to persuade him, the more violently Liu Haizhong beat him. Over time, the neighbors gradually became numb and no one paid any attention to the trivial matters of the Liu family anymore.

"Unkind parents, unfilial children, beasts!" The deaf old woman in the backyard had no children of her own. She was so angry that she kept hitting the blue bricks on the ground with her cane and muttering curses.

"Grandma, why are you so angry? It's not worth it. It's a common occurrence. Everyone in the neighborhood is used to it." After saying that Liu Haizhong had hit the child, Yi Zhonghai brought up the issue of rationing again.

"A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. This is a disaster for others, but it's a good thing for you and Shazhu!" The deaf old lady closed her eyes, pondered for a long time, and then murmured.

"Oh, what do you mean?" Yi Zhonghai looked surprised, wondering if he had misheard.

"Zhonghai, I live with you and your husband. We always have more food than we can finish. Reducing the ration by 10% shouldn't be a big problem. Just make sure to stock up on more meat and eggs, since they're definitely hard to find."

After the deaf old lady finished speaking, she glanced cautiously outside and then lowered her voice, saying, "Zhonghai, your chance has come. As long as you get promoted to Grade 8 worker and help out the people in the courtyard, this old man will still be yours. That's why Director Wang didn't promote Liu Haizhong. Liu Haizhong isn't capable enough, so the courtyard still needs you, Zhonghai. Now your opportunity has arrived. As for Shazhu, he's the cook. If the cook doesn't steal, the harvest won't be plentiful. Even in a famine, the cook won't starve. Shazhu's wife is coming too."

"Yes! That makes sense."

These words were like a wake-up call. Yi Zhonghai slapped his thigh. He only had a vague draft in mind, but the deaf old lady had drawn up a blueprint and pointed out the thoughts of Director Wang of the street office.

The house-grabbing incident is now history. As time goes by, many people have gradually come to understand the situation and believe that although Yi Zhonghai was not entirely at fault, the police punishment was too severe. Director Wang of the street office probably shares a similar view.

Therefore, Director Wang's decision not to promote Liu Haizhong to the rank of "elder brother" indeed suggests his intention to reinstate Yi Zhonghai to his original position.

After thinking it over, Yi Zhonghai suddenly realized what was going on. He excitedly stood up and paced around the room.

"Good, look ahead, it's dark and deep, that must be the thieves' den." The deaf old woman closed her eyes and began to sing a line from a traditional opera.

For many days afterward, the Yan family would leave early and return home mysteriously after dark, with large and small coarse grain bags being delivered to their home one after another.

Although the others were not as obvious as the Yan family, they still moved around like ants, buying all sorts of food.

"Director Wang, are you free now? I'd like to report something to you."

"Oh, why don't you call me Aunt Wang, just call me Director? What's the matter? I have a meeting to attend later." Director Wang of the neighborhood office looked at Jia Dongjin in surprise. This kid must be dealing with official business. If he wanted to ask for something personal, he would definitely call her Aunt Wang. It makes people feel sweet inside.

After the house-grabbing incident, Director Wang dared not judge people by their appearance anymore, and for the first time, he developed a psychological aversion to good-looking men.

"Director Wang, I have two requests to make of you."

"Oh, so the report has turned into a request for something. Okay, what are the two things?"

When Jia Dongjin asked for a favor, Director Wang felt much more at ease and even cracked a joke, something she rarely did. Just moments before, her heart had been pounding, fearing that something strange might happen at the No. 95 courtyard house.

Jia Dongjin spoke calmly and made a request: he asked the neighborhood committee to encourage people to use various spaces to grow melons and vegetables, which would not only respond to national policies but also allow people to reap some benefits and soothe their emotions.

"Good, good, Jia Dongjin, this is a great thing, and it's also part of our street office's work. I'll bring it up at the meeting later. No problem, I can agree to it right now."

Director Wang slammed her hand on the table, readily agreeing to the task. If done well, it would be a resounding achievement. Her mood instantly lightened, and she continued, "Is there one more thing?"

"Director Wang, I can repair radios and would like to better serve the people under the supervision of the neighborhood committee."

Jia Dongjin carefully chose his words. He knew how terrible difficult times could be, but he had never experienced them himself, so he wanted to make several preparations. That's why he thought of repairing radios before the New Year. People who owned radios were probably well-off, and it was not shameful to earn money to support their families.

However, he was worried about speculation and profiteering, so he decided to follow the example of matchmaker Lao Cai Wang and prepare to earn some small money without fear of hardship.

Seeing that Director Wang was puzzled by the word "supervision," Jia Dongjin quickly explained to Lao Cai and Matchmaker Wang that he dared not get involved in speculation and profiteering, but he wanted to serve the people. He said that he had to work during the week and could only repair radios for an hour after get off work, or on his rest afternoons, he could repair radios for half a day.

"Director Wang, I'll bring my own tools. I just need a place to shelter from the wind and rain and where I can plug in electricity. The street office can decide on the wages. I just want to serve the people," Jia Dongjin said in conclusion.

"No problem, I agree even if you don't call me Aunt Wang. I agree to you repairing radios for people for free." Director Wang was in a good mood and joked again.

Seeing Jia Dongjin's embarrassed expression, and considering he was the first to offer advice, Director Wang raised his hand and smiled, "I heard you found a fairy to be your wife, and you probably want to earn money to get married. To support your marriage, the neighborhood committee agrees to your request to register your business there. The neighborhood committee will take 30% of your earnings, which will be donated to elderly people living alone and those in need, or used for office expenses. In return, the neighborhood committee will provide you with an office and will not charge you for electricity. How about it, any problems?"

The policy does not allow ordinary people to do business, but both sellers and buyers have objective needs. Therefore, Director Wang does not object to affiliation, which also facilitates unified management and allows the street office to have some extra income, which is a good thing for everyone.

For example, Wang the matchmaker and Lao Cai are such a couple. Of course, the scale must be controlled, and violations of policy are absolutely not allowed.

"Aunt Wang, no problem, I guarantee I'll serve the people."

After achieving his goal, Jia Dongjin called out to Aunt Wang again.

"Remind someone that prices must be lower than the market price, and if you say you'll make a 30% profit, then make it 30%. Make sure to issue receipts for all payments and expenses, and keep clear and complete accounts. If you dare to underpay even a penny, you should learn about embezzlement. You can also learn from Lao Cai; he learned his lesson from being punished."

Director Wang smiled and picked up the documents, preparing to go to the meeting.

Before leaving, Director Wang whispered, "The first thing is very good. Last year, you were a speculator and you owed Aunt Wang a huge favor. Now it's settled. From now on, you will never owe Aunt Wang a favor again."

Seeing Jia Dongjin's confused expression and feigned innocence, Director Wang casually switched to a cold demeanor: "Song Tao from the scrap metal recycling station, Brother Liang from the repair shop, He Yuzhu from the courtyard house, Master Huang from the Yingbin Hotel... Do you really think we can't investigate you? It's only because you're relatively honest that the Jia family can't do without you, humph!"

Jia Dongjin: "..."

A cold wind blew against his face, and Jia Dongjin, who had just ridden his bike home, shivered. Only then did he realize that he had just broken out in a cold sweat.

Sure enough, humans can't compete with machines. If they really want to investigate you, they can find out exactly how old you were when you wet the bed.

It seems that affiliating with the street office is a good move. The profits are lower than those from squatting on the street, but there are no more worries about speculation. I am not much different from Lao Cai.

Jia Dongjin thought about it all the way home, and only came to his senses when he got home. He turned around and started turning the soil with the stick.

"Dongjin, what are you doing?"

He Yuzhu walked over, and He Yushui also looked at the Jia family uncle and nephew with curiosity.