Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

As the Liu brothers walked further and further away, the third aunt's face turned very ugly.

"Pooh."

"You ill-mannered brat, so what if you got a job as an apprentice in a steel rolling mill? What's there to be so proud of?"

The three women spat on the ground, feeling very displeased.

She never expected that even Liu Guangtian would have a job now? And he was even an apprentice at a steel rolling mill?

Her son, Jiefang, will soon turn sixteen. It would be great if he could also become an apprentice at the steel rolling mill, so that her family would have another person to earn money.

"What a pity."

With a sigh, the third auntie couldn't interfere in other people's business and could only continue watering the flowers.

But she couldn't stop talking. As soon as she saw the older women in the courtyard, she told them about Liu Guangtian getting a job as an apprentice at the steel rolling mill, which greatly shocked the older women in the courtyard.

The news spread by word of mouth, and soon all the elderly people in the compound who weren't at work knew about it, causing a stir throughout the entire compound.

Many elderly people shared the same thought as the third aunt, and came to Liu Haizhong's house to find Liu Guangtian, wanting to ask him how he got into the steel rolling mill as an apprentice, and whether their children could get in, etc.

Aunt Erda wasn't home at the time, and Liu Guangtian didn't invite the aunties and grandmas in the courtyard to come in and sit down. He and Liu Guangfu went outside and told them that he had borrowed 600 yuan from a friend to buy a job, which greatly disappointed the elderly men and women.

However, they still congratulated Liu Guangtian, after all, the current Liu Guangtian is not the same Liu Guangtian as before, now Liu Guangtian has a job.

Just as a group of elderly men and women were gathered around the Liu family's house, Aunt Er walked into the yard carrying a bamboo basket containing six eggs and a large cabbage.

As soon as she stepped into the front yard, the third aunt smiled at her and said:

"Second Aunt, you'd better hurry home and check on things! Something terrible has happened to your family! Your Guangtian is in big trouble. He started working as an apprentice at the steel rolling mill today, and he even brought back his work clothes and safety equipment."

Upon hearing this, the second aunt clearly didn't believe it and asked in surprise:

"Hey, Auntie, you're not kidding me, are you? Someone can get into a steel mill in broad daylight? Don't try to fool me!"

"Hey, I saw Guangtian come back with his work clothes and safety equipment with my own eyes. I even asked him about it. If you don't believe me, just go home and see for yourself."

Hearing what the third aunt said, the second aunt asked with some doubt, "Third aunt, is this true?"

"It really is real, more real than real gold."

"Okay, I'll go home and check right away."

Seeing that the third aunt didn't seem to be lying, the second aunt quickly walked towards the backyard.

As soon as she reached the backyard, she saw the elderly men and women standing at her door. She quickly walked into her house.

As soon as she arrived at her doorstep, she saw Guangtian standing there, and the clothes he was wearing were indeed the work clothes from the steel rolling mill.

She pushed through the crowd, walked up to Liu Guangtian, and asked in surprise:

"Guangtian, you really got a job as an apprentice at the steel rolling mill?"

Liu Guangtian, looking smug, said irritably, "Can't you see I'm wearing the steel rolling mill uniform?"

Hearing that Guangtian's tone wasn't very good, Second Aunt wasn't angry and quickly asked:

"No, Guangtian, how did you get into the steel rolling mill?"

Liu Guangtian rolled his eyes: "I borrowed 600 yuan from a friend to buy a job spot, so what? Don't worry, you don't have to pay me back. I'll pay my friend back slowly when I make money in the future."

The two brothers didn't like their mother at all; on the contrary, they loathed her.

Every time the two brothers were whipped, their mother would stand by and mock them, and she would even stop them, closing the door to prevent them from escaping. The two brothers had long hated their mother.

Upon hearing the definite answer, Auntie Er asked again, "Guangtian, how much do you earn a month as an apprentice?"

Liu Guangtian, somewhat annoyed, asked, "Sixteen yuan, what's wrong?"

Auntie Er nodded: "Okay, Guangtian, after you get your salary, give the money to your dad to save. I'll have your dad pay you back. You just need to give your dad 15 yuan every month. I'll talk to your dad tonight and ask him to leave you one yuan for pocket money."

Upon hearing this, Liu Guangtian's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at his mother and roared:

"On what grounds?"

"Let me tell you, you're dreaming. I won't give you a single penny. We can split up, I've had enough of you."

"That's right, Mom, you're being too cruel. My brother only earns 16 yuan a month, and you're asking for 15. What can he do with the remaining yuan?" Liu Guangfu said through gritted teeth.

Seeing the attitude of Liu Guangtian and his brother, the second aunt was not angry and nodded:

"Guangtian, if you're not willing to give it, there's nothing Mom can do. When your dad comes home tonight, you can talk to him yourself."

As she spoke, Aunt Er carried the bamboo basket and walked into the house.

Upon seeing this, the elderly people in the courtyard all dispersed.

They originally wanted to ask Liu Guangtian how he got into the steel rolling mill, but now that they know the answer, they don't want to get involved in Liu Guangtian's family affairs.

"Brother, what should we do?"

After everyone left, Liu Guangfu looked at Liu Guangtian, feeling very anxious.

Liu Guangtian waved his hand: "Guangfu, don't worry, I will never hand over my salary to them. At worst, we can split up. Anyway, I have a job now, so I won't starve even if we split up."

"Brother, what about me?" Liu Guangfu asked anxiously.

Liu Guangtian sighed: "Guangfu, I asked the street office staff yesterday. I'm sixteen years old now and I'm getting a salary, so they can separate from me and won't have to take care of me anymore. But at least they'll give me a room."

"As for you, you're not even sixteen yet and you don't have a job. They can't just abandon you until you can support yourself. But don't worry, Guangfu, you'll just live and eat with your parents. If I cook something delicious, I'll invite you to eat with me."

Hearing this, Liu Guangfu felt somewhat wronged, and could only let out a long sigh in the end:

"Oh well."

Liu Guangtian knew very well that with his monthly salary of 16 yuan, if he didn't save money, he would have a hard time supporting himself, let alone Guangfu. If he also had to support Guangfu, the two of them would definitely go hungry.

After all, the current grain price is too high. If the ration is not reduced and there is no need to buy expensive grain, his 16 yuan a month should be enough to support Guangfu.

He still owes Wang Feng six hundred yuan. If he doesn't keep a careful budget, when will he ever be able to pay it back?