Era: A college student came to the courtyard house

Upon entering the house.

Xu Damao's voice then reached his ears: "Brother, I have one more dish here, it'll be ready soon."

Fang Yuan looked over upon hearing the sound and saw Xu Damao wearing a white apron and personally cooking. He immediately praised him loudly, "Brother Xu, you're such a good man! You can show movies and cook."

"Are you worried about your sister-in-law, afraid that she might accidentally get burned or scalded?"

In fact, these days, if a woman marries a man and still makes him cook, the woman will be gossiped about by the neighbors.

Unfortunately, Xu Damao married Lou Xiao'e, the daughter of the capitalist Lou Bancheng. She had never lifted a finger since childhood and only knew how to eat; she was incapable of cooking.

The young couple inside the room burst out laughing when they heard Fang Yuan's words.

Fang Yuan placed two bottles of white wine on Xu Damao's cabinet and glanced at the dishes.

Wow, that's impressive.

Stir-fried cured pork with black fungus, stewed chicken with mushrooms, a box of luncheon meat, peanuts, and shredded potatoes being stir-fried in a pot.

They really don't know how to restrain themselves when they have money.

Aside from peanuts, any of the dishes on this table would be something that ordinary families only see during the Chinese New Year.

Fang Yuan thought to himself: Xu Damao is just too high-profile; he doesn't know the meaning of "hiding".

When he returned from the commune on weekdays, he would swagger into the courtyard with the gifts people had given him.

While other families were eating coarse food and cornbread, your family was eating fish, meat, chicken, and duck soup every few days. Anyone would be envious!

In addition, this guy has a long face, always smiling to his superiors but giving them the cold shoulder, and he doesn't know how to control his words, which definitely makes him even more hated.

"You're here, why did you bring alcohol? Brother, aren't you just embarrassing me?" Xu Damao glanced at the two bottles of Lotus White wine and immediately pretended to be displeased, but in his heart, he couldn't help but think more highly of Fang Yuan.

Ever since he learned that Fang Yuan had gone to the Inspection Department to become a section chief, this guy has very consciously changed his address from "Little Fang" to "Brother".

Unlike Sha Zhu, who is a straightforward and unpretentious "roughneck," Xu Damao may have average intelligence, but he has high emotional intelligence and is very perceptive, especially towards people of higher rank than him.

Therefore, although he didn't say it, he greatly admired Fang Yuan, who became a cadre right after graduating from university.

"Not at all, I just think this wine is pretty good, so I brought it over for you to try," Fang Yuan replied casually.

Whether it's true or not, it's always nice to have someone thinking of you. Xu Damao immediately said happily, "Then we can save that for next time. Let's drink the Erguotou I bought today."

"Alright, then I'll go along with whatever the host says."

After Fang Yuan finished speaking, he sat down at Lou Xiao'e's invitation.

Then, looking at the room's layout, he was surprised to see two books: "Jane Eyre" and "The Island Hero's Tale," which Lou Xiao'e must have been reading when she had nothing else to do at home.

In no time at all.

Xu Damao took off his apron, carried a plate of shredded potatoes to the dining table, and said, "Brother, all set."

Fang Yuan picked up the Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) on the table, unscrewed the cap, poured some for Xu Damao first, and then filled a glass for himself.

Lou Xiao'e did not sit at the table. She told the two of them to "drink slowly" and then took a copy of "Jane Eyre" into the inner room.

As the two exchanged toasts, and after a few drinks, the atmosphere gradually shifted from casual conversation to discussions about the Red Star Steel Plant.

Since Fang Yuan traveled back in time, he has seen quite a bit of the world and knows a little bit about everything. He can respond to whatever Xu Damao said earlier with a clear understanding.

But whenever Xu Damao mentioned a certain cadre from Hongxing Steel Plant, he would shut up or give a perfunctory reply, becoming a listener who only listened without speaking.

As a result, Xu Damao didn't get anything out of him, but he did get a lot of gossip and rumors.

Gradually, Xu Damao realized that he couldn't get any information about the leaders from Fang Yuan, so he steered the conversation back to himself.

Xu Damao downed the ounce of liquor in his glass in one gulp, then said with a sullen expression, "Brother, what kind of fate do you think I have?"

Fang Yuan knew the real issue was coming up. If this meal were to be eaten without any reason, then Xu Damao wouldn't be Xu Damao.

As Fang Yuan turned around, he gave a thumbs up and said, "Brother Xu, your family's conditions are quite good in our neighborhood. Is there anything you're not satisfied with?"

Xu Damao paused, organized his thoughts, and said, "That's not what I meant. You know I'm not very old, but I'm someone who wants to improve. Why can't I ever get into this field?"

Upon hearing that Xu Damao wanted to become an official...

Fang Yuan was too embarrassed to tell him directly that he had lost his mind.

In his view, since Xu Damao chose Lou Xiao'e in the first place, he was destined not to become an official at this stage.

At this time, when the organization selects people, it first looks at their class and then their abilities.

Little did people know that Jiang Defu in "Our Parents' Love" gave up his personal promotion opportunity in order to marry An Jie, which is the best proof of this.

If someone as famous as him is like this, then what about a nobody like Xu Damao?

If anyone dares to sign his promotion form, it's like planting a time bomb inside themselves.

Who knows when your opponent might blow you up, taking you to pieces along with them.

But he couldn't just say it out loud. Fang Yuan slowly picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of black fungus, chewed it, and swallowed it before leisurely saying, "Brother Xu, you always say you want to advance your career and get some official position, but do you even know what being a cadre is for?"

"Wouldn't that make you look impressive when you go out..."

Before Xu Damao could finish speaking, Fang Yuan shook his head and interrupted, "Brother Xu, you might not like what I'm about to say."

"Brother, tell me, tell me!"

Seeing that Fang Yuan did not directly state that there was no hope, Xu Damao immediately perked up.

Fang Yuan took a sip of wine, whetting everyone's appetite before calmly saying, "To put it bluntly, you need to adjust your mindset first. You've married such a good wife as Sister E. If you still insist on becoming an official, then no matter how many people you ask, no matter how strong your connections are, or who helps you, in the end you'll only end up with nothing."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao immediately deflated, gulped down a large mouthful of wine, and said dejectedly, "So, according to you, I'm just not destined to be a leader in this lifetime?"

"That's not necessarily true," Fang Yuan said with a smile.

Upon hearing these words, Xu Damao immediately jumped up from his stool. Realizing his lapse in composure, he quickly poured wine for Fang Yuan.

"Brother, teach me how to do it, and I'll definitely repay you after it's done."

Seeing Xu Damao's impatient look.

Fang Yuan took out the special-supply white Zhonghua cigarette that Lin Zhihua had given him when he left Wu Jinxi's house that day, and handed one to Xu Damao.

"Wow, bro, that's impressive."

Xu Damao's eyes widened as he slowly took the cigarette with both hands.

It's no wonder he found it strange.

These days, the cigarettes from Zhonghua are secretly called "Ministerial Cigarettes." They can't be bought with just ration coupons or money. You need to get a certificate from your work unit, and it has to be a unit of a certain level. Then the supply and marketing cooperative can use the certificate to apply for a quota.

Immediately, Fang Yuan's status in his mind rose another notch.