Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

Qin Huairu was very happy on her way to the third canteen.

Now she's been transferred to work in the kitchen, where she can eat a free lunch every day and often take food home – this is her ideal job.

Soon, led by Secretary Zhang, the two arrived at the third canteen.

Director Zhu of the cafeteria just received the notification and is already waiting for them at the entrance of the third cafeteria.

"Director Zhu, I'll leave Comrade Qin Huairu to you. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now," Secretary Zhang said.

Director Zhu nodded: "No problem, Secretary Zhang, you can go ahead and do your work. I will make arrangements for Comrade Qin Huairu."

After Secretary Zhang left, Director Zhu said to Qin Huairu, "Comrade Qin Huairu, come with me."

"Why."

The two walked into the kitchen of the third canteen. The canteen staff had just finished serving the workers' meals and everyone was cleaning, wiping tables, mopping floors, etc. Only He Daqing had nothing to do and was lying on a recliner in the kitchen with his eyes closed, pretending to sleep.

"Clap clap clap".

Director Zhu clapped his hands forcefully and shouted, "Come here, everyone!"

Soon, the kitchen staff put down their mops and rags and came over. He Daqing also opened his eyes. When he saw Qin Huairu following behind Director Zhu, he immediately showed a look of confusion and bewilderment.

Aunt Wu and Liu Lan also saw Qin Huairu. They didn't know why Director Zhu had brought Qin Huairu there, but they wisely didn't ask any questions.

"Let me tell you all, this is Comrade Qin Huairu. She will be working in the third canteen from now on. Lao He, I'm entrusting her to you."

"Okay, Director Zhu, don't worry, I will arrange Comrade Qin Huairu's work."

He Daqing didn't ask any more questions and nodded in agreement. He wasn't some fool like Sha Zhu, who dared to show disrespect to his superiors. Wasn't that just courting death?

"Yeah, Lao He, do a good job. I have faith in you. Just don't follow Sha Zhu's example."

Director Zhu said something half-jokingly, and walked out of the kitchen without giving He Daqing a chance to speak.

After Director Zhu had walked away, He Daqing turned to Qin Huairu and asked, "Qin Huairu, what happened? Weren't you doing well in the fitter's workshop? Why were you transferred to the kitchen?"

Aunt Wu and Liu Lan also looked at Qin Huairu with suspicion, waiting for her answer.

Qin Huairu smiled slightly: "It's nothing. I just wasn't used to working in the fitter's workshop. Our workshop director didn't think I was cut out to be a fitter either. I guess our workshop director told the higher-ups about my situation, and then they transferred me to the kitchen."

Upon hearing this, everyone rolled their eyes. Did they think we were idiots? Were we so bad at metalworking that we could be transferred to the kitchen? Why not just clean toilets?

He Daqing didn't want to ask any more questions, since it wasn't his business anyway. He had no liking for Qin Huairu at all, and Qin Huairu still owed Sha Zhu more than 500 yuan.

"Qin Huairu, everyone is cleaning now. Could you grab a rag and help wipe the table?"

"Okay, Uncle He."

Qin Huairu smiled and nodded, then picked up a rag and joined the others in wiping the table.

Seeing this, Aunt Wu and Liu Lan didn't greet Qin Huairu and went about their own business. They both knew very well what kind of person Qin Huairu was, and neither of them liked her.

......

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Wang Feng and Qin Jingru returned to courtyard number 95 from courtyard number 28. As soon as they reached the front yard, they saw Yan Fugui carrying a fishing rod and a bucket, walking in front of them. It was obvious that he had just returned from fishing.

Hearing the sound of a bicycle being pushed, Yan Fugui turned around and saw Wang Feng. He quickly walked over with a fawning smile.

"Wang Feng, I have two big carp here, do you want them?"

Wang Feng looked at the bucket and sure enough, he saw two big carp, one of which should weigh about a pound and the other at least two pounds. There were also several small fish, some weighing less than an ounce.

"Old Yan, you're really lucky today! You caught two carp this big?"

Yan Fugui grinned and said, "Wang Feng, how about it? I'll sell it to you at a discount. Let me tell you, this carp soup is very nourishing. Why don't you buy it and give it to Jingru to help her recover?"

Wang Feng rolled his eyes: "Old Yan, I can't afford your fish. You should look for somewhere else. By the way, Old Yan, you're doing a great job as a primary school teacher. You get a salary and can also go fishing during work hours to earn extra money."

Upon hearing Wang Feng's words, Yan Fugui immediately became anxious.

"Wang Feng, don't talk nonsense. I didn't have class this afternoon, so I went fishing. Okay, forget it. I'll go find Xu Damao when he gets back."

"Hehe, go ahead."

After saying that, Wang Feng and Qin Jingru walked towards the Intermediate People's Court.

Qin Jingru didn't say a word the whole time. She really disliked the Yan family. Before, Yan Jiecheng stole her family's chickens, and the Yan family members were always thinking about taking advantage of her. Did they really think everyone owed them something?

People who never think about giving anything and only think about taking advantage are ignored in the countryside. Once someone has been taken advantage of by you, they will be wary of you for the rest of their lives.

Back in the house, Qin Jingru took out a piece of pork belly from her bag; this was for Lu Banxia to practice her cooking skills.

Qin Jingru basically doesn't need to cook anymore. While her belly isn't too big yet, she needs to make sure Lu Banxia masters her cooking skills.

She brewed a pot of tea, poured a cup for Wang Feng, and said:

"Brother Wang Feng, do you think my parents will come to our compound after they returned to Qin Family Village today and told my uncle and aunt about Qin Huairu?"

After taking a sip of his tea, Wang Feng thought for a moment and said, "The chances are pretty high. My aunt and the others didn't know about Qin Huairu's situation before, but now that they do, they'll probably come and support her no matter what."

Qin Jingru sighed: "Yes, when I first married into this family, Qin Huairu begged me not to tell my uncle and aunt about her situation. I didn't want to upset them either, so I just told them that Qin Huairu wasn't doing well and didn't say anything more."

"Now it's all out in the open. They've found out anyway, Brother Wang Feng. You see, it probably won't be long before my uncle and aunt arrive."

"Come on, come on. It's not like we can't afford to feed you. You might even see Jia Zhangshi get a beating," Wang Feng laughed.

"Hehe, if my eldest uncle and aunt come, then my second uncle and aunt, as well as my parents, will definitely come too. I wonder if Jia Zhangshi can take a beating?"