Courtyard House: In this life, I have a new home!

Yi Zhonghai caught a glimpse of the deaf old woman's eyes and instantly understood that she had her eye on the recliner. He had originally intended to buy it, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his moralistic tendencies kicked in, and he was quite adept at spouting platitudes.

"Then I'll get some bamboo, and you can make one for the old lady, okay?"

Yi Zhonghai's eyes darted around, and he started calculating. How much is bamboo worth? The real value lies in the craftsmanship.

"What, you want to get me to do things for free?"

Li Weidong threw the hat back with a single sentence.

These days, who gets labeled as "exploiter"?

Those two words will certainly not end well.

"No, no, that's not true! How did I exploit you?"

Yi Zhonghai turned pale with fright.

"Tsk tsk, making me work for free, isn't that exploitation?"

Li Weidong said unhurriedly, "Even those landlords and rich people aren't as ruthless as you, making people work for nothing. At least they give you something in return."

"I...I..."

Yi Zhonghai was momentarily confused, feeling that something was off about what was said, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"We're all neighbors, we should help each other out."

Yan Bugui jumped in to smooth things over, "Didn't Lao Yi treat everyone to pig's head meat?"

"Oh, is that an invitation to everyone? How many people can he invite?"

Li Weidong looked disdainful. "It's just a few of you. Besides, helping each other out requires a good relationship and the other party has to be willing."

"You, Yi Zhonghai, are taking our family's compensation money. When Xiaorou asked you for a loan, you wouldn't give her a single penny. What kind of neighbor are you?"

Sweat dripped down Yi Zhonghai's forehead like rain.

"Trying to force Xiaorou to comply?"

Li Weidong sneered, "I'll remember this. We'll settle the score later."

"No, what did I force her to do? Only you can receive that money."

Yi Zhonghai quickly made up an excuse, "I withdrew the money early because I was worried you wouldn't have enough. It's one thing that you don't appreciate it, but you've also misunderstood me."

The onlookers, who had initially been skeptical, were now filled with admiration after hearing his explanation.

Li Weidong shook his head inwardly. This Yi Zhonghai truly lived up to his reputation as a gentlemanly swordsman; he was indeed quite skilled at deceiving people.

"Yes, yes, Lao Yi also has some oversights. Wei Dong, please don't misunderstand."

Yan Bugui quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

Liu Haizhong stood to the side, her large pregnant belly bulging, her eyes darting around, without saying a word.

At this moment, Lin Yurou came out and said, "Brother Dong, put all the potatoes in. We can have another meal tomorrow."

"Four is enough, we mainly want to win chicken."

Li Weidong waved his hand dismissively, "No need to save money, we're just lucky to have the means."

Yi Zhonghai's face was ashen as he quietly squeezed through the crowd. The deaf old woman had already carried her stool back into her house.

"Grandma, I'll bring you some braised pig's head later; your dear grandson is making it right now."

Yi Zhonghai followed him inside.

The deaf old woman's lips trembled, and her voice was muffled: "Zhonghai, you need to make a decision quickly. Otherwise, who will listen to you talking here?"

Yi Zhonghai sighed, looking helpless: "I know, this can't be rushed. I originally thought he was just a new apprentice, easy to work with, but who knew..."

"Oh, right, he's still holding onto two workstations."

"You want to save one for Qin Huairu?"

The deaf old woman smirked, revealing a hint of mockery. "This matter might not be so easy to handle. You'd better keep your affair with Qin Huairu a secret."

"If word gets out, you'll be ruined, and no one can save you."

"Besides, that little brat holds a grudge. Yesterday, I said a few extra words at the meeting, and he's been keeping a close eye on me ever since."

"He cooked instant noodles for lunch today, and I asked Xiao'e to buy them under her own name. But that guy let Xiao'e eat them at his house and wouldn't let her take them out."

The deaf old woman swallowed hard, making a gurgling sound. The aroma wafting over at noon made her drool with envy.

Yi Zhonghai chuckled dryly and rubbed his hands together: "It's a waste to leave the workstation in his hands. Even if we give one to Lin Yurou, there will still be one extra."

"With his qualifications, he'd definitely need a working woman to be a good match for him."

Yi Zhonghai knew perfectly well that Li Weidong's conditions were what they were, so he was the one choosing other people's partners.

Just then, the aroma of braised chicken wafted over, and the deaf old woman slurped her saliva again.

"That damned bastard, he's making such delicious food again. He doesn't even know how to show me any respect..."

She couldn't continue speaking halfway through her sentence.

Yi Zhonghai frowned: "He has money, and more tickets than us. But eating like this won't last more than a few days."

The deaf old woman rolled her eyes at him: "If he has money, why can't he get tickets?"

The deaf old woman knew this matter very well; she was very familiar with it.

As the two were talking, Liu Haizhong's excited voice suddenly boomed out: "Director Yang, look! This is Section Chief Li's residence! Section Chief Li, why don't you come out and greet Director Yang, Deputy Director Li, and Secretary Zhang!"

Upon hearing the commotion, Yi Zhonghai immediately went out of the deaf old woman's house. Looking up, he saw Liu Hai, a middle-aged man, bowing and scraping with a fawning smile, leading five people through the hanging flower gate.

If you gave him a tail, he would look exactly like a wagging dog.

"Director Yang!"

Yi Zhonghai quickly went to greet him.

He saw clearly that behind Director Yang, who was leading the way, were Deputy Director Li and Secretary Zhang. Behind them were two drivers, each carrying a bag. Anyone could tell that one bag contained rice and the other flour, each weighing fifty jin (25 kg).

"Hey, Director Li, what brings you here?"

Li Weidong clapped his hands and walked out.

He had just finished setting up the bamboo bed when Xiao Xi started rolling around on it.

"Dr. Li, this is Director Yang, and this is Secretary Zhang."

Li Huaide quickly introduced the situation.

Factory Director Yang said with a smile, "Dr. Li, I'm so sorry. I wasn't here when you came to our factory for your job interview. That's why I've come to visit you in person."

Two bags of white rice and flour were placed on the corridor railing. The two drivers put the bags down and left.

In those days, a hundred catties of fine grain was more precious than anything else. When Jia Zhangshi saw the two bags of things at her own door, her eyes reddened.

Right now, every household is receiving cornmeal, and it's the coarsest kind at that, which is nothing compared to the finely processed cornmeal in supermarkets in later generations.

"Blind bastard, can't you see we're starving? And you still want to send it to people who eat meat every day."

Jia Zhangshi cursed, spitting as she spoke, "It would be better to use that money to help us out."

Liu Haizhong had just come out of the toilet when he saw the factory director, deputy director, and Secretary Zhang getting out of two jeeps at the gate. He bounced around as if his buttocks were on springs and went to greet them.

Upon learning that they had come to see Li Weidong and had brought two bags of grain, Liu Haizhong quickly led the leaders into the courtyard. He didn't stop talking, spreading the news along the way, and Jia Zhangshi naturally heard everything.

"Mom, say less! If word gets out, how will I stay at the factory?"

Jia Dongxu turned pale with fright. "Can't you watch your mouth? Don't you know who you're insulting?!"

"They can't hear me."

Jia Zhangshi was still putting on a brave face, but then she changed the subject, "That damned idiot Zhu, that pig-headed guy still hasn't finished? He dawdles over everything he does."

"He dared to skip work again today, and didn't even bring our family lunch. He needs to pay him back!"

Under the eaves of the main house, Sha Zhu was squatting there, braising a pig's head. Bang Geng, Xiao Dang, and Huai Hua were watching from the side.

The aroma of braised chicken wafted over, and Banggeng muttered curses under his breath, his expression and tone a perfect replica of Jia Zhangshi.

Xiao Dang pulled Huaihua towards the backyard. Huaihua had a finger in her mouth, and as they walked, she kept looking back at the pig's head meat bubbling in Shazhu's pot.

"Sister, let's go, there won't be any for us later."

Although Xiao Dang is young, she is very shrewd and knows that the sisters will never get any of the good food.

"Mmm, Sister Xiaoxi will give us delicious food."

"It's a locust flower," Huaihua said softly.

Li Weidong exchanged a few polite words with Director Yang and the others, but Director Yang's eyes were immediately glued to the electric fan on the table.

"Dr. Li, is this the electric fan you made? Wow, the craftsmanship and workmanship are truly impeccable."

Factory Director Yang nodded repeatedly.

"Then let's sit down and talk over a drink. I've also finished drawing the blueprints for the electric fan; I'll have the factory manager take them with him later."

Li Weidong modestly declined slightly.

"You've even drawn up the blueprints? Dr. Li, that's amazing!"

Li Huaide gave a thumbs up.

Factory Director Yang and Secretary Zhang circled the electric fan several times, their eyes shining.

"Old Zhang, if we report this, our factory will really gain recognition."

Factory Director Yang's voice was filled with excitement, "I think we should set up a special workshop just for this."

When Lin Yurou and He Yushui moved out the octagonal table, Secretary Zhang was still thinking about the workshop.

"It's not just about setting up a workshop; it's about building an entire branch factory."

Secretary Zhang's eyes lit up. "Once we get the blueprints, we'll rush to deliver a batch of goods first, and then we can discuss the branch factory."

Factory Director Yang paused for a second, then his mind raced.

If the branch factory is actually built, there will be a huge increase in management positions. His old comrades will finally be able to get decent jobs. With job openings more than doubling, who wouldn't be tempted by such benefits?

Just then, Li Weidong came out with the blueprints and handed them to Factory Director Yang.

"Three leaders, let's sit down and talk."

Li Weidong greeted them, "I've divided the electric fans into three levels: high, medium, and low. The main structure is the same; the medium and high levels are just some decorative additions and changes to the appearance."

"Okay, I'll hand over the drawings to Engineer Hao tomorrow and have him start construction according to them."

Factory Director Yang couldn't stop smiling.

At this moment, Lin Yurou, along with He Yushui, carried the eight-immortal table from the main room to the courtyard. Four stools were set up, and dishes were served one by one.

The first dish was braised chicken with potatoes, steaming hot. The tomato slices were ready, sprinkled with a thick layer of white sugar—sugar was a precious commodity these days. The preserved eggs were cut open and drizzled with vinegar and soy sauce. The duck necks were chopped into small pieces and neatly arranged on a plate. Canned beef was poured directly into a large bowl, and braised eggs were cut into wedges and arranged around the edge of the plate. A large bowl was piled high with spiced peanuts. Finally, two cans of yellow peaches were poured into a small white porcelain bowl.

Eight dishes were served in no time.

These dishes were all made according to how Li Weidong taught Lin Yurou when he went into the house to get the blueprints. The ingredients were all taken from the cupboard.

Secretary Zhang's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he stared at the table laden with food. These days, who could casually put together such a feast?

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong stood to one side, their faces extremely grim.

Four stools were arranged around the table, clearly indicating that there was no place for them.