Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

Noon on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month.

After having lunch at home, Wang Feng went to the steel rolling mill. The mill was closed for the afternoon cleaning, and as the deputy section chief, he had to go there.

When we arrived at the Purchasing Department 3, Ma Hua, Zhang Dali, and Li Jianjun were all in their office. This time, they knew to open the doors and windows before smoking, so it wasn't as smoky as before.

Wang Feng walked into the office and said with a smile, "Oh, everyone's here?"

"Wang Feng, you've finally arrived."

"Brother Wang."

Zhang Dali said speechlessly, "We're just waiting for you, the section chief, to assign us work. Wang Feng, you better get to work and start doing it. After we finish cleaning, we'll go get the New Year's supplies and then go home for the New Year."

Wang Feng laughed, walked to the desk, took out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes, and offered one to each of them.

"Don't rush, we have all afternoon, it's still early. Come on, have a smoke."

The group took the cigarettes and lit them. Wang Feng also lit one and said, "You guys have been terrible these past few months. Even Ma Hua hasn't completed his task for two consecutive months."

Li Jianjun rolled his eyes: "What can we do? Heavy snow has been blocking the roads since last month, we can't even get out, let alone go to the countryside to buy supplies!"

"That's right. Even if the roads weren't blocked by heavy snow last month, there's nothing for us to buy these days. Do you think we're all monsters like you, who can just casually go into the mountains and find a few wild boars?"

Ma Hua scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said awkwardly, "Brother Wang, my younger brother went missing a few months ago. I spent a lot of time looking for him, so... so..."

Wang Feng looked at Ma Hua and asked, "How is it? Did you find him? How old is your brother? He should be around ten years old, right? How could such a grown man just disappear like that?"

Ma Hua sighed and said with a bitter face, "My younger brother is fourteen years old this year. I've searched the whole city, but I haven't heard a single word from him. It's as if he's vanished into thin air."

Upon hearing this, Wang Feng patted Ma Hua on the shoulder and comforted him, "You'll find someone eventually."

"Yes, thank you, Brother Wang. Don't worry, I will definitely do my job well in the future."

Although Ma Hua knew that Wang Feng was just trying to comfort him, he still thanked him.

Several months have passed; if they wanted to find him, they would have found him long ago. His mother has come to terms with it now. Her youngest son is gone, but she still has an older son, and life goes on.

Wang Feng nodded, stubbed out his cigarette, and instructed, "Let's get started. Finish the cleaning as soon as possible so we can go home."

"Dali, go wipe the windows. Jianjun, clean the desk and chairs. Mahua, go get a mop and mop the floor."

"Okay."

The group agreed and got to work, each doing their assigned tasks. As for Wang Feng, the deputy section chief, he didn't need to do anything; he just needed to supervise them.

While Wang Feng and his group were cleaning the office, the various workshops in the factory also began cleaning. Some were wiping the machines, some were doing maintenance, and some were mopping the floors. They were working enthusiastically.

The factory won't be operating this afternoon. We'll finish cleaning up and collect our New Year's supplies before the holiday. As for wages, they were already paid yesterday to avoid a hectic day.

Today, all the workers are highly motivated. After a year of hard work, the happiest time is the Chinese New Year holiday.

Qin Huairu was also very happy today. She received two catties of flour and half a catty of pork. She also heard that there was candy. In addition to Wang Mazi and Tieguai Li's share, Li Huaide's extra compensation, and Guo Da Piezi's assistance, it was another day of great harvest.

She had something on Guo Da Piezi, and he would give her ten yuan every month. He would also give her one or two extra food coupons when the factory provided extra meals.

Moreover, Guo Da Piezi is a cadre, so he receives more supplies than ordinary workers. Even if he only gets half this time, it's still quite a lot.

When it's time for the New Year's Eve dinner, their family will be able to enjoy a hearty meal of dumplings again.

......

2:30 p.m.

Under He Daqing's arrangement, the people in the kitchen cleaned up the mess. Qin Huairu went to the workshop to find Wang Mazi and Tieguai Li, and the three of them went to the square to line up for supplies.

Long queues had already formed in the square, numbering more than a dozen. Supplies were being distributed one by one, and those who received them all wore satisfied smiles.

It has to be said that Qin Huairu's methods are indeed sophisticated. Wang Mazi and Tieguai Li are completely under her control. Not only do they often lend her money, but now, although Wang Mazi and Tieguai Li still dislike each other, they no longer attack each other when they see Qin Huairu together as before.

The supplies were distributed quickly, as they were all pre-packaged. Workers only needed to give their names and the rating form issued by the workshop director, and the logistics department would have them sign it before they could collect the supplies and leave.

After queuing for more than ten minutes, it was finally Qin Huairu's turn. She gave her name, took out the Class A certificate that Director Zhu had given her, and smoothly received two jin of flour, more than a dozen fruit candies, and half a jin of pork.

The factory stipulates that the workshop director must rate the workers at the end of the year. Those who perform well throughout the year can be rated as Grade A and receive the best pork when supplies are distributed. Those rated as Grade B can only receive wild boar meat. If they are rated as Grade C or D, they can only receive wild rabbit meat or fish.

Both are half a pound of meat, but the difference is huge. Pork sells for more than ten yuan per pound on the black market, but fish can only sell for four yuan per pound.

After Qin Huairu received her supplies, it was Wang Mazi and Tieguai Li's turn. After they received their supplies, Qin Huairu simply smiled at them and casually touched their hands. Wang Mazi and Tieguai Li then obediently handed over their supplies to Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu, Wang Mazi, and Tieguai Li's actions were witnessed by Li Huaide, who happened to be passing by. Li Huaide's face instantly darkened, and without saying a word, he went back to the factory director's office with a livid face.

Wang Feng and Zhang Dali finished cleaning up and were just arriving at the square to collect supplies when he witnessed Qin Huairu, Wang Mazi, and Tieguai Li pulling and tugging at each other.

Seeing how Qin Huairu had managed to swindle the supplies from the two old bachelors in no time, Wang Feng had to admit that Qin Huairu was amazing. Her methods of swindling old men were truly unparalleled, comparable to those of the young fairies of later generations.

Shaking his head, Wang Feng didn't bother to observe Qin Huairu anymore. After Ma Hua and the others lined up, he went straight to the logistics department.

As a cadre, he didn't receive his supplies in the square; the logistics department arranged a special distribution point for cadres.

When Wang Feng arrived at the logistics department, he didn't even need to register; he just signed his name, and the logistics staff handed him the supplies with a smile.

After collecting the supplies, there was nothing more for him to do, so he rode his bicycle back to courtyard number 95.