Siheyuan: A master brewer starts with a jar of bone-strengthening wine!

Next was Liu Haizhong—his materials were complete, his receipts were all in order, and he reported everything smoothly. The entire courtyard was divided into three parts: the front courtyard, the middle courtyard, and the back courtyard. How many households lived in each house was already engraved on the doorplate: No. 7 Nanluoguxiang, a total of 27 households and 146 people.

Filling out forms takes quite a long time.

After sweeping the backyard, it's time for the middle yard.

"The first family in the Intermediate Court, the Jia family... Sister-in-law, is there anything you want to report?" Liu Haizhong looked up at Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi immediately replied, "Two hundred coal briquette coupons! Plus two jin of kerosene coupons—for lighting!"

Yi Zhonghai bowed his head and took notes.

Before you know it, an hour has passed.

He rubbed his aching temples: "Next... Sha Zhu, it's your turn!"

"Yes, sir!" He Yuzhu responded, "Two bench tickets for an old man!"

Yi Zhonghai sighed: "Zhu Zi, bench tickets? The street has been sold out for a long time."

"Then let's change it!" He Yuzhu exclaimed urgently. "The roof leaks and the roof is drafty; we need to install a baffle. I need a piece of wood, and a timber ration coupon!"

"no."

He Yuzhu's face darkened: "Then give me two hundred catties of coal coupons! The stove at home is practically smoking!"

Still no.

He jumped to his feet: "Yi Zhonghai! Are you playing a fool with me? My Aunt Zhang gets everything as soon as she opens her mouth, but when it's my turn, I'm left with nothing—are you really out of money? Or do you simply not want to give anything at all?"

"Do I have to give you something in return before you'll start writing?"

Yi Zhonghai smirked: "What a coincidence—there are only two hundred catties of coal briquette tickets this month. Aunt Zhang arrived first, so the tickets are hers."

"Heh..." Yan Bugui spoke slowly from the attic, a smile plastered on his face. "Silly Zhu, and Da Mao, aren't you two really close to Liu Dong? He's the director of the steel rolling mill now! You're so close usually, why can't you ask him for a little help with this little problem? Maybe he'll just transfer some coal briquette tickets to you with a single word!"

swipe-

Everyone in the hospital turned their heads in unison, staring at Yan Bugui and Yi Zhonghai.

Everyone understood immediately: the three big shots were putting on a show, specifically targeting Liu Dong's weakness!

Whoever gets close to Liu Dong will be bullied.

Tsk... I really need to be more careful in the future. When I meet Liu Dong, I'll just nod and that's it. I won't eat with him or talk to him too much. If I anger these three old men, life will be tough.

Ring ring—

A crisp bicycle bell suddenly rang out at the gate of the courtyard.

Skillful!

Liu Dong rode his bicycle in, with Chen Xueru on the back, and pushed open the door to come in.

He's back?

The three old men's faces immediately relaxed, their smiles as broad as if they'd just found some money: "Liu Dong's here? What perfect timing! We were just talking about you!"

Yi Zhonghai raised his voice: "The ticket registration meeting is halfway through, and you've arrived just in time! Tell me, what kind of tickets do you need? Let's register together and get it done in one go!"

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuzhu interrupted, "Brother Liu Dong, don't believe him! Da Maoquan and I just reported it, and he dismissed us with a simple 'no'!"

"Nonsense!" Yi Zhonghai frowned. "There really aren't any left! If there were, would I refuse to approve it?"

"Alright, alright, stop arguing." Liu Haizhong waved his hand. "Liu Dong, tell me the truth, what are you lacking?"

Liu Dong knew exactly what was going on, but he just smiled and said, "I don't lack anything, so I won't report anything."

"If you don't report it once, you won't report it next time? And you won't report it year after year?" Yi Zhonghai narrowed his eyes, a little smug. "I don't believe you can stay away from this stuff in your entire life."

Liu Dong nodded: "That's right, I really won't report this to you anymore—and I'll never contact you again, okay?"

Yan Bugui was taken aback: "Then... if you don't report it, how will you buy things?"

"Foreign exchange certificates," Liu Dong said casually. "Go to the Friendship Store and buy whatever you want."

"Huh?" Yan Bugui subconsciously touched his forehead.

—Forgot about that! They've got plenty of cash in their pockets!

Yi Zhonghai stared blankly, unable to respond for a moment.

Liu Haizhong tentatively asked, "How many foreign exchange certificates have you saved? Enough to last a lifetime?"

Liu Dong smiled and said, "Not much, just over fifty thousand yuan."

"puff--"

Yi Zhonghai spat out the mouthful of tea he had just taken a sip of.

fifty thousand?!

hiss……

Let alone a lifetime, even if three generations of a family spent it together, they probably wouldn't be able to spend it all!

We were still figuring out how to use the ticket to pay him, but he didn't even bother to look at the ticket stub—he just swiped foreign currency!

This round is completely ruined.

"Brother Liu Dong... what should we do?" He Yuzhu scratched his head. "My coal briquettes are almost gone, and the tickets still won't be approved."

Xu Damao chimed in, "That's right! Me and Shazhu didn't even manage to get a single thread!"

Liu Dong laughed: "Isn't this blatant targeting?"

He patted the two of them on the shoulder: "Don't worry. I'll take the day off tomorrow morning and go to the subdistrict office. I'll also talk to Director Zhang about our office's situation—whether there really aren't any tickets, or if someone is hiding them in the cabinet. We'll find out in person."

"Okay, you guys continue with your business, I'll be leaving now."

After saying that, he waved, got into his car, and drove Chen Xueru out of the courtyard. The three old neighbors sitting at the small square table turned pale instantly.

They weren't afraid at all when others went to the neighborhood committee to file complaints; but Liu Dong? That was no joke!

He is not only a factory cadre, but also a martyr's family member with a red certificate - his father sacrificed his life for the country, and the "Glorious Family" plaque issued by the government is hanging on the door!

When the director of the neighborhood office meets the families of martyrs, he has to personally pour water, move chairs, and listen attentively; if Liu Dongzhen were to ride his bicycle over there and bang on the table to reason with them, the matter would immediately escalate, get heated, and be filed in the archives!

At best, you'll get a scolding; at worst, you might face a coordination meeting, a written self-criticism, and a retrospective investigation to determine responsibility!

Liu Dong turned around and went home, slamming the door shut behind him.

Chen's mother leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Liu Dong... do you really have over 50,000 foreign exchange certificates?"

Liu Dong nodded: "The factory received a big order, which I negotiated overseas. The higher-ups gave me a reward according to policy."

"Then don't tell anyone!" Chen's mother waved her hand, "Those people in your compound are short-sighted and petty. If you reveal your secrets, who knows what they'll be gossiping about behind your back!"

Liu Dong chuckled: "I'm afraid, but this time it's really out of the question—the factory is holding an awards ceremony in a couple of days, and the list and figures will all be posted on the wall. There's no point in hiding it now!"

Anyway, Yi Zhonghai and the others will find out sooner or later, so he's too lazy to hide it!

"Oh, right!" Liu Dong suddenly remembered something and turned to Chen Xueru. "Xueru, there's something I need to tell you—I was awarded 55,000 foreign exchange certificates by my superiors. I figured we wouldn't need that much, so I decided to donate 50,000 to the Veterans Affairs Office to help the families of martyrs make a living."

"I'm just saying hello, not to discuss anything, but to let you know—I hope you'll support me!"

"It's alright!" Chen Xueru readily agreed. "You did the right thing! Those few sheets of paper are just waste paper in our hands, but when they reach those who truly need them, they become real money, warmth, and a reflection of conscience!"