Siheyuan: Since 1962

Chapter 18 Fire Pit
The front yard, the third uncle’s house.

Aunt Yan sat on the bed mending her youngest son Yan Jiekuang's clothes and asked in confusion, "Old man, didn't you say yesterday that you would treat Wei Min to a meal today? It's already so late. If you don't go, everyone will probably be asleep."

"What do you know? I'm sure Wei Bing and Wei Hong will be back today. They must be chatting with each other right now. If I go there later, I can save a meal."

Yan Bugui sat back in his chair, squinting his eyes and speaking calmly, a look of complacency on his face.

If you don't plan well, you will be poor. This money is saved bit by bit.

"You are really amazing, old man. Why didn't I think of that?"

Aunt Yan immediately smiled when she heard this. Every meal saved is a meal saved. Although the situation is better this year, who knows if it will return to the same situation as in previous years. It would be more reassuring if there is some surplus food at home.

"It's just an act. I guess Wei Min knows what's going on. This kid's brain has been getting better and better recently. He's not as easy to fool as Sha Zhu. I think he must have seen through Lao Yi's plan. He has been avoiding Lao Yi these days. When I'm not around, if he has any problems, please help him out. This kid might be the most promising one in our courtyard."

Yan Bugui whispered a warning, fearing that his wife would really treat him as a fool and fool him.

He saw what happened this morning. Lao Yi couldn't even get in the door. He didn't want to have the same relationship with Lao Yi.

Zhou Weimin is now a well-known figure in the factory. Maybe his boss will have to ask him for help in getting a permanent job in the future.

"How can I help? I'm usually not in the yard. At most I can help look after the house, but he can't see it."

Aunt Yan wanted to agree, but then she thought that Zhou Weimin really didn't need her help.

"When boiling water, boil an extra pot. Zhou Weimin doesn't have a wife at home. It's more heartwarming to have hot water for him to drink when he comes back."

Yan Bugui stood up happily and stretched. He had thought about this matter a long time ago. It was just a matter of spending some firewood, so it was not a loss.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. Are you going over now?"

Seeing him stand up, Aunt Yan put down the clothes in her hands and handed him the coat hanging on the head of the bed.

"I heard some noise. The guard brother and sister must have gone back to their room. Now is a good time to go over there."

Yan Bugui took the clothes, thought for a moment, then took out a bottle of wine with three taels of wine left from the cupboard, and walked out of the room carrying it.

He walked a few steps across the yard and knocked on Zhou Weimin's door.

When Zhou Weimin heard the noise, he first went back to the inner room and put the wooden box into the space, then he took two quick steps over to open the door.

When he saw that it was Yan Bugui, he slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, it's Teacher Yan. Look, I forgot about this. Let's go inside and talk about it."

"Oh, it's not your fault. I forgot this morning. The guards are coming back today, so you guys should get together."

Yan Bugui waved his hand, walked into the house and put the wine on the table. He glanced at the leftovers that had not yet been put into the cupboard and said with a smile, "Wei Hong's dishes are really good. I wonder which boy will be lucky enough to marry Wei Hong as his wife in the future."

"Hey, Teacher Yan, Wei Hong learned this trick from Yu Shui. The one who married Yu Shui is lucky. He will never go hungry in the future."

Zhou Weimin added a set of bowls and chopsticks and casually changed the topic away from his sister.

Among the men in this courtyard, none of them can be his brother-in-law.

However, his words made Yan Bugui think differently.

He poured wine into the two people's glasses with a strange look on his face, and said with a smile: "Wei Min, you are not interested in Yu Shui, are you? If you really have this idea, Third Master will lose face and help you to get married."

"Ahem, Mr. Yan, don't say that. How could I set my sights on Yu Shui? Even rabbits don't eat grass near their burrows. I've always treated her as my sister since she was a child. I don't have that intention."

When Zhou Weimin heard this, a mouthful of wine got stuck in his throat and he almost choked to death. He wiped his mouth and hurriedly explained.

If He Yuzhu hadn't fallen into the pit yet, marrying He Yushui would still be something he could consider. But if he married He Yushui now, he would be jumping into the fire pit.

Anyone can marry He Yushui, except someone from the yard. If they do, they will have to support the widow together with Sha Zhu.

"That's all I'm saying. You're old enough, so it's time for you to consider getting married."

Seeing that he did not seem to be lying, Yan Bugui secretly thought it was a pity, otherwise if he could have succeeded in being a cheap matchmaker, he would have been able to get a lot of benefits.

"Teacher Yan, you know the situation in my family. There is no adult to help me, my brothers and sisters are still in school, and no matchmaker will come to my house. My situation depends on fate, and there is no rush."

Zhou Weimin shook his head and smiled bitterly, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and continued, "Let's not talk about this anymore. You came to see me these two days. You must have something to tell me. Don't keep me in suspense. I will definitely help you if I can."

"It's not a big deal. I heard that you got a permanent job, so I came to ask if you are in charge of the factory's kitchen purchasing now."

Yan Bugui was not very clear about the affairs of the Purchasing Department, nor did he know what the twists and turns were. He was not sure whether Zhou Weimin would be in charge of procurement in this area in the future, so he asked a lot of questions.

"Teacher Yan, you have to thank Sha Zhu. If you had come to me yesterday, I really wouldn't have known. Today, the leader gave the order. From now on, I will be responsible for the canteen's procurement. From what you said, you want me to collect something?"

Zhou Weimin did not hide it and gave a positive answer with a smile.

Canteen purchasing is a serious job, and he is not the only one doing it, so there is nothing to hide.

"Hehe, you know the situation of Uncle Three's family. Sixteen people depend on my salary to make a living. I was thinking of going fishing and getting lucky and catching a big fish, but we can't eat it all. So I came to ask if you would accept it."

Yan Bugui coughed dryly, but did not say any empty words to save face. He just lowered his voice a little and stated the purpose of his visit.

"Of course I will. I will buy any fish that weighs more than two kilograms. But, Mr. Yan, let's make a deal. I will buy fish according to the factory's price. It's not as good as the one in Gulou. Don't accuse me of taking advantage of you when the time comes."

Zhou Weimin did not shirk his responsibility. This was a matter that was good for both of us. There was no need to make things difficult for everyone and make them uncomfortable.

However, to be on the safe side, he still mentioned the price issue in advance to avoid offending people for no reason and turning a good thing into a bad one.

"I know this, of course. Just follow the price given by the factory. Thank you in advance, uncle."

When Yan Bugui saw him nod, he immediately confirmed the matter and his old face was filled with a smile.

"Don't worry, Mr. Yan is too polite."

Zhou Weimin waved his hand and went to pour some wine, but found that there was no wine in the bottle anymore. He couldn't help but twitched the corner of his mouth.

Yan Bugui is really good at scheming. He really did it at all. After we finished talking about the things, he drank all the wine. That's really amazing.

"Wei Min, Third Uncle is leaving now. If you have any problems in the future, come to Third Uncle. I will definitely help you if I can."

At this time, Yan Bugui also stood up and said goodbye with a smile, picked up the bottle of wine and went out.

He accomplished one of the two tasks today, which was worth the three ounces of wine he brought.

It's just that his eldest son is too disappointing, Zhou Weimin looks down on him and avoids the issue of finding a husband for Wei Hong.

Otherwise, if he could marry Zhou Weihong, his family would be prosperous in the future.

What a pity...

Newcomer, new book, please collect, recommend, and invest, thank you!
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(End of this chapter)