The Life of a Son-in-Law in a Courtyard House

Old Li looked to be in his forties. He wasn't very tall, only a little over 1.6 meters. Perhaps because he was short and worked in the cafeteria, he wasn't fat, but rather quite robust.

Old Li put down the rabbit he was holding, took out another one and looked at it. He said with great satisfaction, "Great, great, this has solved my problem of having no rice to cook."

Old Li put the rabbit in a sack, placed the large ladle on the table next to him, grabbed Yang Dalin's hand, and shook it vigorously, saying, "Good brother, thank you. Come with me to the canteen, we'll weigh it, and I'll definitely give you a good price."

After saying that, he pulled Yang Dalin away, carrying the rabbit in one hand and holding Yang Dalin's hand with the other.

Yang Dalin reminded him, "Brother Li, the spoon, the spoon has fallen."

When Lao Li turned around, he saw that Dou Xiaolong had already handed him the spoon.

Old Li took the spoon, but unexpectedly, Old Li's grip was quite strong. Yang Dalin wasn't unable to break free; he just went with the other man's lead. Then he turned his head and said, "Brother Long, I'll go straight back after I get to the cafeteria."

Dou Xiaolong waved his hand, then, perhaps remembering something, his expression changed and he said, "Dalinzi, what your brother Jun told you earlier is a secret. You can't tell anyone."

Yang Dalin responded, "Okay, I understand."

After going downstairs, Yang Dalin and Lao Li arrived at a row of bungalows next to the building.

This is the canteen and kitchen, as well as the canteen's storage room.

As soon as Old Li entered the storage room, he shouted, "Jianjun, bring me a large scale."

There was another door in the storage room leading to other rooms, and the sound was coming from that door.

"Master, come right away."

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man, who looked to be in his early twenties, came through the door carrying a large scale.

Old Li introduced, "This is my apprentice, Ma Jianguo, you can call him Brother Ma. This is Captain Dou's brother from our unit. By the way, what should we call him, brother?"

Yang Dalin introduced himself: "My name is Yang Dalin, hello Brother Ma."

Old Li, upon hearing that he was Yang Dalin, grabbed Yang Dalin's hand and shook it up and down: "You're Dalinzi! I've heard many comrades talk about you. I heard you've helped catch quite a few thieves. You also helped catch that human trafficker last time, right? Not bad, you're a good comrade."

"Don't leave yet. I'm preparing dinner for the comrades on night duty. Eat here before you go, and try my cooking."

Yang Dalin waved his hand and said, "No, Brother Li, I worked overtime last night and slept at the office. I have to go back for dinner today. I'll come back another day, brother, to try your cooking."

Old Li looks like a cook from the army; he's as capable as a soldier and a straightforward person. I just don't know how good his cooking is. Yang Dalin guesses he's definitely not as good as Sha Zhu. He should hurry home.

Old Li offered to stay for dinner several more times, but seeing that Yang Dalin really wouldn't stay, he had no choice but to give up.

Ma Jianguo was asked to take all the rabbits out and weigh them in a lighter bag.

This way, they can check the rabbits while freeing up Yang Dalin's sack.

To be honest, a sack is quite heavy. If the price is calculated according to the price of meat, Old Li would be at a disadvantage.

Yang Dalin saw through it but didn't say anything; it was right for them to check the rabbit.

A sack weighs at least two pounds; if we don't convert it to the price of meat, wouldn't that be taking advantage of the company?

Old Li is quite methodical in his work.

Eight rabbits weighed a total of 36 jin (approximately 18 catties), while pork now sells for more than 5 yuan per jin on the black market.

Prices weren't that high at the beginning and middle of the year, but now it's almost Chinese New Year.

The price of pork on the black market has skyrocketed, and if you go too late, you might not be able to get any.

Five yuan wasn't expensive. Yang Dalin remembered that at the most expensive time, a pound of fine grain coupons could sell for five yuan, not to mention pork.

The price will likely go up next year.

After his apprentice finished weighing the meat, Old Li said, "Brother, I heard that pork on the black market is over five yuan a pound. This is rabbit meat. Although it's not as good as pork, I won't remove the skin. How about I give you four yuan a pound?"

Goodness, Old Li's price isn't low.

If you don't remove the skin and include the bones and rabbit skin, it's four yuan per pound, which is really a good deal.

However, Yang Dalin would definitely disagree.

"No," Yang Dalin quickly shook his head.

When Lao Li heard Yang Dalin say this, he thought Yang Dalin thought he was complaining about his low offer and was about to speak up.

Yang Dalin quickly continued, "No, no, that won't do. Brother Li's offer is too high. I originally said it was a gift for your company, but Brother Long insisted on calculating the cost. And Brother Li is offering such a high price, it's definitely not appropriate."

We are a company, we can't calculate based on black market prices, otherwise it will be difficult for you to explain.

Let's just say one yuan per pound. Besides, you haven't even peeled it yet; the bones are still on."

Yang Dalin hadn't intended to ask for money. Since the other party insisted on giving him money, one yuan per kilogram would be enough as a token.

Although one yuan is more than 70 cents or 80 cents a pound of pork used to be, these are difficult times.

It definitely cannot be calculated based on normal years.

Old Li initially thought he had set the price too low, but the seller thought the price was too high and deliberately lowered it significantly.

At one yuan per pound, if anyone can buy wild rabbit meat at this price, Old Li will thank his ancestors for eight generations.

Moreover, everyone who gets to eat rabbit meat should thank him.

Unfortunately, it can't be calculated that way. Besides, Yang Dalin isn't even from this unit. He has already done the branch office a favor. It would be unreasonable for our canteen to take advantage of him again.

And if you were to actually charge them one yuan per kilogram for rabbit meat, how would the canteen's purchasing department manage?

Furthermore, the branch office has a slush fund, and every comrade receives a food allowance.

It really can't be considered that little.

Old Li pulled Yang Dalin aside and said, "Brother, I appreciate your kindness, but the price really can't be that low. You've already helped us a lot. If the other brothers find out that our canteen is taking advantage of you, how will we face them?"

Also, if we give you a price that's too low, our canteen purchasing staff won't be able to do their jobs.

He can only buy a limited amount of meat outside of his plans when he goes out. If I were to charge you one yuan per pound, I would be taking away his livelihood.

Do you understand?

After saying that, Old Li raised an eyebrow.

After thinking about it, Yang Dalin understood the reason.

Indeed, Lao Li bought rabbit meat for one yuan per kilogram, but the purchasing agent bought it for four yuan. When the logistics manager looked at the accounts, he couldn't help but think that the purchasing agent had pocketed a huge price difference.

Another reason is that rabbit meat will be so cheap then, and the boss asked Lao Li to increase the purchase volume. Lao Li asked Yang Dalin, "Where are you going to get so many rabbits?"

He also lacks the space for cultivating spiritual springs.

So sometimes when you're working at the company, you really can't just look at personal relationships.

Furthermore, since the branch office has a slush fund, it's really inappropriate to give it too cheaply.

Yang Dalin thought it through and said, "I understand, Brother Li. How about this, we'll skin the rabbits and weigh them, say 32 jin, and price them at 3.5 yuan. When you report the bill, please note that this batch of rabbits is a special case and cannot be calculated according to normal standards."

Old Li thought about it and agreed. Then he grabbed Yang Dalin's hand and shook it up and down, saying, "That works, brother. On behalf of all the comrades in the branch office, I thank you again."