Douluo's Blue Silver Family

Chapter 264 Onboarding

After distributing the wedding candies, Xu Damao went door-to-door to invite everyone to his house for dinner that evening.

Of course, in this day and age, it's impossible to invite everyone, and even if you had the means, you wouldn't dare to.

After all, everyone had a ration in those days. You could buy things, but as an ordinary worker, you couldn't possibly have that many grain coupons, meat coupons, tobacco and alcohol coupons, etc.

Although Lou Xiao'e's family is certainly well-off, no one would do that unless they were an idiot. If they encountered someone who felt resentful, they might report them, and you would be in big trouble.

Haven't you noticed how low-key Lou Xiao'e's family is these days? Even the man she married was chosen from a good family background. Otherwise, Xu Damao might not have been able to marry Lou Xiao'e, and there's a chance he could have in his next life.

Therefore, if each of the more than ten households in the courtyard sends a representative, that's considered hosting a dinner party.

When it comes to hosting a meal, Uncle San is definitely the most enthusiastic. This way, Uncle San's family can save on another meal. You could say he's good at managing his household, or you could say he's stingy.

However, the third uncle had no choice. His salary alone was enough to support six people, and in those days, it was quite an achievement that no one had starved to death.

Although Yan Jiecheng has now graduated and is doing odd jobs outside, earning a little income, it's not much.

Moreover, jobs are hard to find these days, and many factories aren't hiring yet. Not only that, but without a job, it will be difficult to find a wife in the future.

Yan Jiecheng was able to find a wife later because he worked as an apprentice in a machinery factory, which provided him with some job security.

...

The next morning, Yuan Changqing was woken up by Yuan Dongfang. Today was also the day for Yuan Changqing to report to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

On the way to the steel rolling mill, Yuan Changqing followed Yuan Dongfang and watched the people going to work along the way. Everyone was full of fighting spirit, which was also a microcosm of this era.

Now is an era in which workers are the masters of their own destiny. Everyone is working hard to build a better country. Although life is tough, their spirits are high.

Moreover, seeing the slogans unique to this era written on the walls on both sides of the street, Yuan Changqing also had a job and began to slowly learn to integrate into this world.

When I arrived at the gate of the steel rolling mill, I didn't see many people; everyone had already started work.

Yuan Dongfang led Yuan Changqing to the gatehouse at the factory entrance, took out the letter of introduction obtained from the street, registered there, and then they were allowed to enter.

Factories in this era were equipped with guards, and the guards were armed. This was especially true for large factories like steel rolling mills with tens of thousands of employees.

Yuan Changqing walked along the road in the steel rolling mill and thought to himself, "Wow, this place is really big."

As they walked, Yuan Dongfang said to Yuan Changqing, "The steel rolling mill is big, isn't it? You'll be working here from now on. Let me tell you about the situation here."

Although Yuan Changqing knew some things about the steel rolling mill, he only knew the general outline and had never actually worked there, so he certainly didn't know as much detail as the people who worked there.

Then, Yuan Dongfang continued, "The steel rolling mill has two gates. The gate we just came through is for workers to go to and from get off work, and the other gate is for transporting and receiving goods and materials."

"Also, our factory has eight workshops and three canteens. Your dad works in the first canteen, and Sha Zhu from our compound works in the third canteen."

"In addition to these, the steel rolling mill also has its own staff housing, bathhouse, barbershop, daycare, and primary school. The Hongxing Primary School, where the third uncle in our compound lives, is run by the steel rolling mill."

"Furthermore, in summer like now, the factory provides cold drinks, and in winter, the staff housing has centralized heating. That's the basic situation of our steel rolling mill. You'll gradually learn more once you start working here."

Hearing this, Yuan Changqing also sighed, saying that this factory was just like a small society.

Yuan Dongfang led Yuan Changqing to the personnel department. After showing him the letter of introduction, Yuan Changqing, who had already made arrangements for Yuan Dongfang, only needed to register and became an apprentice in the steel rolling mill canteen.

After Yuan Changqing registered, he took the slips of paper from the personnel department and went to the logistics department. There he received meal tickets, two sets of work clothes, and gloves, and then went to the first canteen with Yuan Dongfang.

After arriving at the No. 1 canteen, Yuan Dongfang introduced Yuan Changqing to everyone there, and they learned that Yuan Changqing was Yuan Dongfang's son.

When assigning tasks, Yuan Dongfang did not show favoritism towards Yuan Changqing. As an apprentice, he should still do what he was supposed to do.

However, since Yuan Changqing was the son of Yuan Dongfang, the head of the canteen, he didn't start by washing dishes and vegetables, but instead began learning how to chop vegetables.

The steel rolling mill has 10,000 employees but only three canteens, so the workload for each canteen is quite heavy.

Yuan Changqing felt that even just chopping vegetables made his arms feel like they weren't his own.

Seeing everyone working in an orderly manner and performing their duties, Yuan Changqing could only persevere, though his pace slowed down towards the end.

By noon, after the workers had eaten, they were finally able to rest for a while.

Yuan Dongfang then asked, "Changqing, how are you feeling?"

Yuan Changqing said with a wry smile, "Dad, I never expected this. It feels like I've cut my hand off while chopping vegetables. My arm is still sore and weak."

Yuan Dongfang said, "It's always like this in the early stages. After all, we have to prepare so many meals every day to ensure that the workers can have enough to eat."

"However, once you get used to it after a while, you'll get used to it."

Yuan Changqing nodded and said, "I know, I just haven't gotten used to it yet."

The day passed just like that. After get off work, Yuan Changqing went back to the courtyard house with Yuan Dongfang.

However, as Yuan Changqing walked, he kept rubbing his right arm.

Although chopping vegetables isn't physically demanding, constantly chopping them is like running out of lubricant; just like a machine wears out, it will eventually break down.

Looking at Yuan Changqing's appearance, Yuan Dongfang laughed and said, "Alright, stop rubbing. What kind of behavior is this in public? When we get back, I'll find some liniment to rub on it, and you'll feel much better after a night's rest."

Back at the courtyard house, the third uncle was already waiting at the gate. This happened every day, just to see if he could swindle something from others.

That's why this place is called "A Courtyard Full of Birds," because Yuan Changqing felt that none of the main characters in the courtyard were normal people.

As the third uncle watched Yuan Dongfang and Yuan Changqing walk through the gate one after the other, he asked uncertainly, "Changqing, are you going to work at the steel mill with your dad?"

Yuan Changqing didn't mention going to work in the courtyard, so most of the people in the compound were unaware that he already had a job.

Yuan Dongfang then interjected, "It's just an apprenticeship. I had to pull a lot of strings to get it done. Otherwise, given the current job market, I wouldn't even be able to think about it."

Yuan Dongfang said this to shut up the Third Uncle and prevent him from asking for his help.

After all, Yuan Changqing and Yan Jiecheng were classmates, and neither of them got into high school. Yan Jiecheng is still doing temporary work outside.

After hearing Yuan Dongfang's words, the Third Uncle probably understood the implication. He had asked Yuan Changqing if he had a job before, just to see if he could help Yan Jiecheng solve his job problem. In reality, he just wanted to get something for free.

However, Yuan Dongfang interrupted and blocked his way.

The third uncle said somewhat sheepishly, "That's a real wage boom! I don't even know when my son Jiecheng will be able to find a job!"

Yuan Changqing then realized what was happening and said, "Third Uncle, as the person in charge of our courtyard, you must have a way to help Yan Jiecheng find him. You've just chosen the wrong person."

After hearing Yuan Changqing's words, the Third Uncle also carefully pondered their meaning.

Yuan Changqing continued, "Third Uncle, you can stay here and guard the gate. My dad and I are going back now."

"Hey, Changqing, what are you talking about? What do you mean by guarding the gate? I'm protecting the safety of the compound," the Third Uncle retorted.

"Yes, yes, Uncle San has really worked hard for the safety of the compound," Yuan Changqing said with a smile.

"You young people really have no respect for elders," the third uncle said with displeasure.

Yuan Changqing ignored what his third uncle was saying and went straight home.

...

After returning home, Jiang Fen asked, "Changqing, how was work today? Are you adjusting well?"

Yuan Changqing replied, "Mom, I haven't gotten used to it yet. I chopped vegetables for several hours today, and even now my right hand feels like someone else's; it's sore and weak."

Jiang Fen quickly pulled Yuan Changqing aside and said, "Then Mom will apply some medicated wine for you later, that will relieve the pain a lot."

At this moment, Yuan Dongfang took out a bottle from the bedroom and said, "Changqing just hasn't adapted yet. He'll get much better after a while."

Then, the bottle was opened, and a strong smell of medicinal wine wafted out.

Then, with Jiang Fen's help, Yuan Changqing applied medicated wine to his right arm and rubbed it vigorously until it became hot before stopping.

...

When Yan Jiecheng returned home that evening, he heard his third aunt mention that Yuan Changqing was already at work. Immediately, a look of envy appeared in Yan Jiecheng's eyes.

Later, while having dinner at Uncle San's house, Yan Jiecheng said, "Dad, look, Changqing already has a job. When are you going to help me find one too? It's not a long-term solution for me to keep doing temporary jobs like this."

"Besides, if I don't have a job, how am I supposed to get married?"

When the third aunt heard that it would be difficult to find a wife without a job, she panicked and said, "That's right, husband. In two years, Jiecheng will be of marriageable age. Do you think we should find him a job first?"

The third uncle then said, "Do you think I don't want to look? It's not that jobs are hard to find these days. If I had a way, I could get someone to work right after graduation."

Yan Jiecheng said somewhat dejectedly, "I can't keep doing temporary jobs forever."

The third uncle then added, "However, something Changqing said today gave me a reminder, but it might come at a price!"

Thinking of this, a look of heartache appeared on the Third Uncle's face.

Yan Jiecheng immediately perked up and hurriedly asked, "Dad, what did Changqing say?"

The third uncle said, "I saw Changqing go to work today, so I was wondering if Yuan Dongfang across the street could help you find a job too."

"However, Yuan Dongfang blocked me. But later, Changqing said that I had approached the wrong person. I thought about it carefully and realized that even if I approached Yuan Dongfang, I wouldn't be able to solve my job problem."

"Why?" Yan Jiecheng was still only eighteen years old and didn't quite understand.

The old man explained, "Yuan Dongfang must have paid a heavy price for Changqing's work, so it's pointless to look for him."

"But we can always ask other people in the compound!"

Instantly, Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Dad, when are you going to ask for me?"

Then the third uncle said, "Jiecheng, let me make this clear first: you will definitely have to pay a price for your job problems."

"But, and I mean 'but,' if you get the job, these costs will be deducted from your salary."

"Furthermore, you will have to contribute a portion of your income to the household every month from now on."

Yan Jiecheng then asked, "What kind of price will be paid?"

The old man shook his head and said, "How would I know? We haven't even had anyone take care of it yet. We'll find out once it's done."

"Alright!" Yan Jiecheng could only agree helplessly.

Yan Jiecheng's idea was to solve the work problem first and think about other issues later.

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(End of this chapter)