Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

Chapter 392 Misunderstanding resolved
Bai Ling was genuinely curious about how much the older women in the courtyard would earn this month after working so hard.

I'm even more curious about their expressions when they slap these wages onto the faces of these grown men in the courtyard.

What I'm most curious about is whether the status of these middle-aged women in the courtyard will change at home because of the wages they're about to receive!

Yes, even before the founding of the People's Republic of China, we had already proclaimed the slogan that women hold up half the sky, and it was even written into law.
To safeguard women's rights!

However, the idea of ​​valuing sons over daughters is so deeply ingrained in our culture that it has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
In practice, it is extremely difficult to implement.

Take the courtyard house, which hasn't been seen in a long time, for example. A phrase that the old and young men in the courtyard often say is...
"If a woman doesn't listen, just beat her up, and all the problems will be solved!"

Listen to what kind of talk this is!

The key is that if it's really the woman in your family who made a mistake, then you can hit her if you want.

In many cases, however, the woman has not done anything wrong at all; it is clearly the man who is at fault!

But to save face, you still beat someone up for no reason, that's really outrageous!

Even worse, some of these brainless individuals, just to prove they aren't afraid of their wives and dare to beat them, will actually pick fights and beat their wives for no reason!
You're totally insane!
Even the courtyard houses in the capital city, where everyone is a social elite, look like this.

What about looking at the whole country?

How much worse would this situation be if Bai Ling couldn't see it?

Therefore, she really wanted to see if women's status at home would change after they were able to earn money and support their families.

She wanted to use the actual situation of the courtyard house to verify whether the views that Ximen Lang inadvertently uttered were correct, which is why she asked this question.

And then, sure enough.

Upon hearing this, the previously lively crowd immediately fell into a silent silence.

Even He Yuzhu, who was known for his boasting, began to become quiet and reserved.

Seeing that the vast majority of those present had become like this.

"what's the situation?"

Completely bewildered, Ximen Lang promptly turned to Yi Zhonghai, who seemed unaffected, for an explanation.

"Master Yi, what's going on? Everyone was fine just a moment ago. How did things turn out like this in such a short time?"

Just like Liu Haizhong seeking official position and Yan Bugui seeking wealth.

I have no particular hobbies in my life.

After being severely reprimanded and punished by Director Wang, they are now seeing the light after the storm has passed.

Yi Zhonghai, who asked for nothing in return but wanted Ximen Lang to find a way to cure his and his wife's sexual problems and to have a child, was looking to cultivate a good relationship with Ximen Lang.

Therefore, he saw that Ximen Lang had finally thought of him and asked him a question.

Yi Zhonghai immediately put on a warm and welcoming smile, and began to sincerely answer Ximen Lang's questions.

"Hey, it's all because of their meager wages. In our department, besides me, Master Liu, and Teacher Yan, the three of us earn a little more, while the rest of us only get around 40 yuan at most."

“They used to be so arrogant at home because of their meager salary of thirty or forty yuan. They acted like old men, and they wouldn’t even lift a finger to help if a soy sauce bottle fell over, let alone do laundry or cook.”

"But now... Of course, I've only heard this, so I can't guarantee it's true. The old women in our compound are earning at least 30 yuan a month! The slightly better ones are making over 40 yuan!"

"They're making more than those grown men. With such a huge difference, do you think they can be happy?"

Of course, if it were just a slight difference, that would be fine.

After all, the money really did end up in their family's pockets, and their lives were indeed better than before.

The problem is that as the income of these middle-aged women skyrocketed, they also immediately became more assertive!

It's impossible to go back to the way things were before, where I would scold them or even beat them up all the time!
Even something as mundane as washing clothes and cooking, which they would never normally touch, and would feel ashamed to do even touch, they have to do, otherwise they'll definitely get scolded by their wives!
"Do you think they can be happy?"

Isn't it?
It should be noted that the men in the courtyard, young and old, included even Yi Zhonghai.

Influenced by social trends and the patriarchal mindset passed down through generations, they all have some degree of male chauvinism deep down.

But now, a group of grown men are actually sitting around the pool doing some washing and rinsing work.

It's so sudden; anyone would find it hard to accept.

As for why these tasks must be done by the men, why can't they share the workload?
"They pay by piecework, unlike us who get a fixed salary with maybe a bonus. The more they do, the more they earn! A guaranteed base salary plus commission!" (I felt that a pure piecework system in Beijing wasn't realistic or in line with the mainstream, so I changed it to a guaranteed base salary plus commission.)
"Plus, the factory has just been set up, and the production tasks are quite heavy. Under such circumstances, everyone is doing as much as they can! As long as they don't die, they'll work themselves to the bone!"

"Work alone takes up all their time, so of course they don't have the time or energy to do these other things!"

"The children have all been sent to school. So, the work basically falls on the shoulders of the men, young and old."

After a detailed explanation, Ximen Lang finally understood what was going on.

Then, everyone present was ridiculed by Ximen Lang.

"Serves you right! Who told you to beat and scold your wives all the time? You bunch of old men deserve to experience what their wives go through every day! So you won't just keep causing trouble all the time!"

As for He Yuzhu, the most outspoken among them.
"Go ahead and be arrogant! You were jumping around a bit earlier, why aren't you jumping around anymore?"

The group of grown men were thoroughly embarrassed by the mockery, but since what Ximen Lang and Yi Zhonghai said wasn't entirely wrong, they couldn't say anything.

Helpless, everyone could only accept the outcome after Yi Zhonghai repeatedly persuaded them that everyone was in the same boat, no one was any better than anyone else, and that they should learn from Teacher Yan and see how smoothly Teacher Yan accepted things.

This visible change is something Bai Ling is naturally very happy to see.

Therefore, even though it has only just begun, the effects are already evident.

And the results are remarkable!
I was already very curious about the wages of the women in the courtyard houses, and now that I hear Yi Zhonghai say that the wages are relatively low, they are at least 30 yuan.

Bai Ling immediately made the suggestion.

"Ah Lang, after we're done here, let's go to the lighter factory and see what's going on. Let's see how Aunt Wang's business is going, and whether it's really as Master Yi said, that at least 30 yuan is involved."

This suggestion struck a chord with Simon Lang.

Therefore, it's simply impossible to refuse.

Ximen Lang immediately nodded in agreement.

"Isn't this absolutely necessary?! Since we're already here, we have to go and take a look over there!"

In fact, his excessive curiosity made Ximen Lang reluctant to even collect the hundred or so yuan in wages and bonuses that were about to be paid.

Until Bai Ling repeatedly stated...
"Don't worry, they pay by piece over there, it's complicated, but there's no way it will be delayed."

Ximen Lang then abandoned his idea of ​​running over there right now and continued to queue up with the old and young men in the courtyard.

Then, belatedly, Ximen Lang realized that something was wrong.

It wasn't the salary or anything that was wrong, but rather the man next to him, Yi Zhonghai. Although his smile was still that signature honest smile, Ximen Lang felt that he was somewhat different from before.

He became more open-minded and sincere.

You have to understand that he used to dislike me the most, and I've never given him a kind look.

But now he's turned out like this, what happened?
I really don't understand, I can't figure out what kind of trouble Yi Zhonghai is up to this time.

Ximen Lang nudged Bai Ling's arm and asked in a low voice.

"What's going on? Isn't it us two who are the least respected by Lao Yi? Especially me, he looks at me like I'm a piece of cake the moment he sees me."

"Why are you being so kind today? And the last time you handed out medicine, you were so sincere and attentive. Do you know what's going on? Could there be something fishy going on?"

Ximen Lang finally realized the problem.

One look at him not only made him much more cheerful, but his style also gradually began to resemble that of Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong.

He was indeed much better than before, who was two-faced. It seemed that he had really been woken up by Director Wang's scolding.

It does look much better now.

In addition, Yi Zhonghai has done a really good job during this period.

Not only is he very serious about his work, but he can definitely be called an activist.

Even the professor, who used to be secretive and only teach a small portion of his skills while keeping the majority to himself, has started to learn from Liu Haizhong and no longer treats his skills as a gold mine, unwilling to teach them.

In their studies, they are not ashamed to ask questions. They learn from young people with strong learning abilities without hesitation.

Therefore, Bai Ling did not target Yi Zhonghai any further.

Instead, they say what they mean.

He answered directly.

"He's just an ordinary old foreman at a steel mill. At most, he can only see the sky above the workshop and the courtyard. What kind of trick could he possibly have up his sleeve?"

"Then what is he doing?"

Ximen Lang genuinely didn't understand.

I think it's definitely necessary, and it's time to clear up these misunderstandings.

In Beijing, there is indeed a need for this, and it is hoped that through this incident, Simon Lang will shift some of his focus to healthcare.

He then spoke to Hao Pingchuan, who was standing next to him and whom we couldn't tell whether he was genuinely stupid or just pretending.
"Help us line up, we need to go over there to talk to you."

After saying that, he gave Yi Zhonghai, who had been eagerly watching them, a wink.

Then, Bai Ling led the bewildered Ximen Lang to a relatively secluded spot nearby.

Then, Yi Zhonghai had just arrived.

Without any preamble, Bai Ling greeted them directly.

"Who's going to talk, you or me?"

Upon hearing that this was about to be a showdown, Yi Zhonghai, who had been waiting for this day for ages, quickly expressed his...
"After all, it's my own business, so I'll say it."

After saying that, to Ximen Lang's astonishment, Yi Zhonghai knelt down before him with a thud.

Then, he slapped himself across the face.

Goodness, that was so unexpected!

This scared Ximen Lang.

Ximen Lang quickly pressed down on Yi Zhonghai's hand, which was about to continue, and hurriedly asked.

"What's going on? Get to the point! What are you doing?!"

Once Ximen Lang's hand gripped her wrist like an iron clamp, she couldn't move at all.

While secretly amazed by Ximen Lang's immense strength, Yi Zhonghai hurriedly recounted to Ximen Lang his mental journey over the past month, as well as everything that had happened in between, down to the smallest detail.

Ximen Lang was completely stunned, his expression incredibly complex.

Yi Zhonghai then concluded.

"Actually, I really have to thank Director Wang. If she hadn't scolded me in time and woken me up, I would still be living in this small courtyard, confused and not knowing what I really wanted, and still thinking of ways to oppose you!"

"It's thanks to Director Wang's timely scolding that I truly understood that what I wanted was never to be the king of the courtyard house and to manage it so tightly that it was impenetrable."

"It's fear, the fear that when my wife and I get old and can't move around anymore, what will happen?"

Seeing that Ximen Lang clearly wanted to say something after hearing this, Yi Zhonghai waved his hand.

“I know Dongxu is a good kid, and he's reliable. But no matter how good he is, and no matter how filial he is to me, he's still not my own son!”

She truly laid her heart bare for Ximen Lang to see, which deeply moved him.

Yi Zhonghai then spoke.

"It was only after Director Wang scolded me that I realized I'm no different from Lao Liu and Lao Yan. My family's future is entirely dependent on you. So, so..."

Although Yi Zhonghai didn't explicitly state what he wanted to do, they had already talked to this point, and Ximen Lang was already crying and sniffling. If he still didn't understand what Yi Zhonghai's demands were, then he was truly stupid!

After all the commotion, it turns out it's still about the children and the elderly.

Moreover, compared to those who do all sorts of nonsense behind my back, which makes me feel disgusted, this is definitely much better.

Ximen Lang's attitude softened.

"Although I can't fully empathize with you, I can understand your feelings to some extent."

After saying that, seeing Yi Zhonghai kowtowing to him and swearing to be his slave, it was truly outrageous.

One sentence.
"If you keep acting like this, even if I could help, I won't!"

This decisive action brought Yi Zhonghai back to a somewhat normal state of mind, after he had been living in fear and anxiety.

Ximen Lang then said.

"It's really just a small matter, isn't it? It's not a big deal, why are you making such a fuss?"

"Okay, let me prepare, do some research, and consult with a professional doctor. As long as it's not congenital, normally there shouldn't be any problems. At least you won't feel as desperate as you do now."

　I originally wanted to delve deeper into the relationship between the man and woman at the beginning, but after thinking about it for a long time, I finally didn't dare to start writing. Instead, I took out the story of Yi Zhonghai and wrote about it.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)