Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 405 Daliang, I want to ask you for a favor.

The three of them entered the restaurant, found a seat, and had just sat down when Liu Caixia walked over with a smile.

"Brother Yuanchao, there are two fish and a little over a pound of meat left in the kitchen. We can make most basic dishes. What would you like to eat?"

"Sis, it's my treat today. You'll have to ask my old comrade what he wants to eat."

After He Yuanchao finished speaking, he gestured to Li Hongtao with his lip, indicating that Liu Caixia should ask him.

Li Hongtao was pondering the relationship between He Yuanchao and the restaurant waitress when he heard this, and immediately feigned displeasure, saying:
"Da Liang, what are you saying? I'm making you treat me on my turf, aren't you just slapping me in the face?"

Thinking about how busy Li Hongtao had been these past two days, He Yuanchao felt embarrassed to let him treat him, so he quickly smiled and took over the conversation:
"What's the big deal, instructor? With our relationship, it doesn't matter who treats us, why be so particular?"

"Since we don't need to be so particular, you shouldn't insist on treating us."

Li Hongtao glared at him and said in a tone that left no room for refusal, "Hurry up and order the food quickly, and then let me pay the bill quietly, or I'll really get angry with you."

……

The two argued back and forth about who should treat, leaving the young soldier watching in astonishment.

Liu Caixia didn't take it seriously. This kind of situation is too common in Northeast China. If they finish drinking, they'll even fight over who pays the bill. The two of them just arguing, which is nothing compared to this.

He Yuanchao had just bought her a scarf today, and deep down Liu Caixia didn't want her younger brother to spend money. But she didn't know why the two of them were having this meal, and she was afraid that her good intentions might backfire, so she stood aside and watched for a long time without saying a word.

Finally realizing the matter was settled, Liu Caixia felt reassured. Seeing Li Hongtao finish speaking, before He Yuanchao could reply, she preemptively said:
"Hey! You two, stop arguing. If you wait any longer, the restaurant will be sold out. You order first, and I'll go to the kitchen to see if we can make it. If we can, you can discuss who pays."

Li Hongtao had also eaten out before, so he naturally knew the rules of state-run restaurants at this time. Usually, the staff would wait at the counter for customers to order and pay themselves. He guessed that the reason the staff came to order today was because they knew He Yuanchao.

At this moment, he thought the waitress was getting impatient, so he gave Liu Caixia an apologetic look and said:
"Yes, yes, the waiter is right. Daliang, stop dawdling and order quickly. Don't let the two of us delay their work."

Seeing that Liu Caixia felt a little embarrassed because he had been standing there for so long, He Yuanchao listened to Li Hongtao's words and stopped arguing. He then named two dishes.

Seeing that He Yuanchao had ordered two dishes and then stopped talking, Li Hongtao naturally understood what he meant. Without saying anything more, he glanced at the menu hanging on the wall and then ordered two more dishes and a bottle of Fenjiu liquor.

Three people can eat four dishes, with both meat and vegetables, which is more than enough to fill them up. In this era, people value hard work and frugality, and they cherish food. No one would be extravagant or wasteful just to save face.

Seeing that neither of them seemed to be ordering food, Liu Caixia didn't ask any further questions. She simply said, "I'll go check in the kitchen," and then turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Although He Yuanchao and Li Hongtao had not seen each other for many years, they did not seem estranged because of their contact over the past two days. As soon as Liu Caixia left, the two chatted warmly.

The main topic of conversation was the people and events from my old unit days, with the most discussion revolving around my former commander, Chen Gang.

After more than half a year, He Yuanchao had digested most of the original owner's memories and had no problem dealing with Li Hongtao.

They recounted two harmless embarrassing stories, and He Yuanchao and Li Hongtao burst into laughter, reminiscing even more about the days when they fought side by side in various battles.

The young soldier standing nearby wasn't familiar with He Yuanchao and couldn't join the conversation, but listening to their conversation, he couldn't help but show an envious expression on his face.

Especially after hearing that a newly enlisted soldier had been promoted three ranks in a week, going directly from soldier to company commander, they wore expressions of eager anticipation, as if they couldn't wait to take his place. He Yuanchao and Li Hongtao were chatting animatedly until Liu Caixia returned from the kitchen, at which point they stopped talking.

Hearing that all four dishes they ordered could be made, the two got up again and argued over who would pay.

This time, the argument didn't last long. Seeing that the two were about to tear each other apart again, Liu Caixia simply took the money and tickets from Li Hongtao's hand.

Watching Liu Caixia go to the service counter to get change, Li Hongtao, having achieved his goal, patted He Yuanchao on the shoulder and smiled smugly:

"Alright, Daliang, you can't argue with me now! I have to say, the waiter has good taste; he knows who the host and the guest are."

Having already paid, what could He Yuanchao say? He could only sit back down in his chair with a reluctant expression.

Seeing He Yuanchao's expression, Li Hongtao was secretly pleased, but said aloud:
"It's no big deal! It's just a meal. If you really want to treat me, you can do it when I go to Kyoto. And it has to be Peking duck. If you try to refuse, I won't accept it."

Hearing this, He Yuanchao became interested and couldn't wait to ask:
"Instructor, you're going to Kyoto. When are you going?"

Now that He Yuanchao has most of the original owner's memories, he no longer resists contacting his former comrades. He knows the importance of connections and has long planned to maintain good relationships with these comrades.

When He Yuanchao asked about this matter, a hint of hesitation flashed in Li Hongtao's eyes.

He took out cigarettes from his pocket and offered one to He Yuanchao and the young soldier, then lit his own cigarette, took a puff, and said:

"You know a bit about my situation. I joined the army because my parents and brothers were killed by the Nationalist soldiers. I don't have any immediate family members left now."

"I'm facing a career change now, and your sister-in-law is from Kyoto. I'm thinking of going to Kyoto to see if I can transfer my work registration there."

"It shouldn't be too difficult to find a solution."

He Yuanchao had met demobilized soldiers from other provinces and cities who had settled in Kyoto, and had also learned about the situation. He flicked the ash from his cigarette and said:

"As far as I know, Kyoto City's resettlement of demobilized soldiers follows the general principle of 'returning to where they came from, properly resettling them, and ensuring that each gets what they deserve,' but there are exceptions."

The resettlement office will also take into account family factors, such as the situation of spouse and parents. In your case, you can apply to register your household registration at your sister-in-law's house.

As for the specifics, I'll inquire about it when I return to Kyoto, but I estimate the problem shouldn't be too serious.

Hearing He Yuanchao's words, Li Hongtao unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. The question of where to be placed after being demobilized had troubled him for a long time.

On one hand, there was his wife's request, and on the other hand, he didn't want to return to the place where his parents were murdered.

After He Yuanchao finished speaking and saw that Li Hongtao did not respond, he assumed that Li Hongtao was worried and comforted him:
"Instructor, you don't need to worry too much. There's a shortage of educated cadres all over the country right now. Someone with a high school diploma like you doesn't need to worry about finding a job. As long as you apply, you'll probably get it most of the time."

"Sigh! How can I not worry before things are settled?"

Li Hongtao sighed, then looked troubled and said, "Daliang, I want to ask you for a favor."

(End of this chapter)