Restarting life in Siheyuan

"Of course I have something to do. I've also got you a spot at the grocery store in the family quarters. How can you thank me?"

The family quarters are improving their community functions. With the support of the city and the cooperation of various departments, the non-staple food store, supply and marketing cooperative, grain and oil store, and market in the family quarters have been completed, which can solve some employment problems for the families of the steel mill employees.

Since Yu Li came to him, he thought this young wife was not bad. After she helped to look after the vegetable garden a few times, he agreed to give it a try. Zhu Xuefeng then recommended Yu Li. He didn't expect that Lao Yang would act so quickly.

"Oh, so soon, when can she come to work?"

"Next Monday, next Monday. The grocery store started to close yesterday, and it will be closed for a few days. However, we have agreed that she can only be considered a temporary worker in the logistics of our factory. If she wants to be promoted to a regular employee, firstly, it depends on her performance, and secondly, she has to wait for the quota to come down."

"Okay, a temporary worker is good. I think she's young and literate. It would be a waste for her to be idle. She might as well come out and serve the families of our workers. You've been a great help. Haha, I'll have to ask her to come and thank you in person."

"It's not surprising. Who wants this? Just tell me. When will the car I want be available? I'm bragging now. Our minister is waiting. Don't make a fool of myself."

The vehicle factory used the car project as an excuse to bring Zhu Xuefeng into Professor Xu's team. Zhu Xuefeng basically spent his extracurricular time in the past six months in the vehicle factory, so of course Lao Yang asked him.

"Don't worry about that. We will definitely deliver your first qualified car before National Day."

Old Yang patted Zhu Xuefeng on the shoulder, very happy. He called Old Xia in the morning and he said that the situation was very difficult. Now Zhu Xuefeng's reply made him feel reassured. Old Xia has become bad and actually set an ambush for him.

"If this is done, it will be better than any thanks. Hahaha, you said it, so don't fail to deliver it when the time comes."

Zhu Xuefeng is fully aware of the progress and technical challenges of the car project. "Don't worry, you can't trust me. You have to trust Professor Xu. He is as anxious as you are and wants to complete the project as soon as possible."

"Yes, Professor Xu is a good comrade. It's a pity that I wanted him to take over the management of the institute's related business, but now it seems that I can't count on him.

"But leader, I still suggest that we develop along the path of engineering vehicles in the future. If we can make small cars, we can make a few first."

Upon hearing this, Lao Yang became a little serious. "I thought about what you said last time. It is indeed necessary. But Xiao Zhu, maybe I am too ambitious. I want to ask, since you said that if we really build our cars, they will be no worse than the most advanced ones in the world, can we still use the method of the motorcycle project and focus on exports to continue to earn foreign exchange?"

"Well, leader, I can't comment on your idea. Let me put it this way. I personally think it is very difficult, at least much more difficult than the motorcycle project, but it is not impossible to try. You should consult the higher authorities and partners for their opinions."

Lao Yang threw out a cigarette and the two lit it. "When the car is really built and proven to be good in every way, of course we have to seek the opinions of the higher authorities and Dongsheng Company. It hasn't come out yet, so I have to have an idea myself. Now Lao Chen is not here, so I can only ask you. You know a lot about these things."

"Please don't flatter me." Zhu Xuefeng stood up and pushed open the back window. As soon as the cigarette was lit, according to the previous rules, the smoke would not stop until the matter was finally resolved.

"I know my own abilities. I know you want to ask why it is much more difficult than the motorcycle event."

Zhu Xuefeng turned around and sat opposite Lao Yang again.

"Leader, at that time, small-displacement motorcycles were a blank in the international motorcycle market, and there was no established market. When our new product appeared, there was basically no competitor except Fuso."

Lao Yang spat out, "I understand. You mean that the foreign auto market is relatively mature. If you want to penetrate the enemy, you will be resisted by them. It is more difficult than opening up a new market. There will be considerable resistance, right?"

"That's about it. Of course, it's definitely difficult, but we are confident that we can make cars that are no worse than theirs, so we have the confidence to face difficulties. The key to market development still depends on our partners, as they are the leaders in market development. If we listen to their suggestions, I think we may gain something."

Lao Yang nodded. "What you said makes sense. No matter how difficult it is, we have to give it a try. No matter how difficult it is, it's better than handing it over to the Ministry of Commerce."

Old Yang was inspired. This time Secretary Liu led a team to participate in the Canton Fair. It was a grand scene, but in the end they returned empty-handed. Dongsheng Company did not make any sales. The diesel engine trucks with excellent performance were only sold two, and each was priced at less than 7,000 US dollars, more than half lower than the current price in Europe and the United States. After the secretary came back, the morale dropped all of a sudden.

He took another deep breath and exhaled faintly, "Cars are much more expensive than small-displacement motorcycles, and the market demand is definitely different. According to the concept of consumer groups you mentioned, our products can only look for opportunities in North America and Europe first. This is much more difficult than motorcycles."

Since Lao Yang started to earn foreign exchange by running a factory, he has become extremely concerned about information in this area. In addition, Secretary Liu's setback this time gave him a clear understanding of the concept of consumer groups.

The two chatted for a long time before Lao Yang watched Zhu Xuefeng leave. No matter what, the small car project had to come up with something suitable before considering the rest. As long as Dongsheng Company was willing to take over, it would not be like Secretary Liu, who made a lot of noise but little results. Dongsheng Company had to find a chance to talk again and give the truck project a try.

Zhu Xuefeng had not expected that Lao Yang would come up with the idea of ​​letting Dongsheng Company try to export cars and trucks. This job is not easy. He just briefly talked to Lao Yang about the difficulties. In fact, the biggest problem is that the Hong Kong government is not blind. It conducted a surprise inspection on the small motorcycle project last time.

The small-displacement motorcycle is a gray area, and they don't have this thing in their own country, so there won't be much of a backlash. But it would be different if the whole vehicle was exported from Hong Kong. Hong Kong doesn't have an automobile industry now, and this thing can't just pop up out of thin air like the small motorcycle project. It is the crystallization of the wisdom of modern industry. Dongsheng Company, which was established only two years ago, can suddenly come up with this kind of capability. No one would believe that there is no trick behind it.

But Zhu Xuefeng still decided to give it a try. Let's see whether it succeeds or not. At least it seems possible to sell it to the peninsula. Or, Zhu Xuefeng suddenly had an idea and thought about Jeddah, where there was a sufficient supply of goods. It might be possible to operate. This was an excellent springboard.

After his mind became clear, he came up with a new idea. Zhu Xuefeng wanted to turn around and continue discussing it with Lao Yang, but finally stopped. It was still early for the car project, and there was no need to discuss it now.

Today is Saturday again. Overtime is no longer arranged for general positions in the steel rolling mill, so Zhu Xuefeng returned to the compound. The two women were also away from home today.

Now that Lou Xiao'e has married, Zhu Xuefeng is embarrassed to ask Sha Zhu to help prepare dinner, so he often comes home to cook it himself. He rode his scooter very fast and just entered the outer yard when he saw an unfamiliar young woman entering the front yard. He guessed that she was a relative from someone's family.

At this time, my younger brother and sister had already returned home from school. When they entered the front yard, they just happened to see Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng coming from the back yard.

"Sister-in-law Yu." Zhu Xuefeng greeted her. Yu Li looked up and smiled, seemingly reluctantly.

"Big brother is back."

"Sister-in-law, I have something to tell you. Your business is done." The good news made Yu Li a little out of control. She covered her mouth with both hands in surprise, and asked in surprise after a while.

"Really? It really worked?"

Zhu Xuefeng looked at Yan Jiecheng who was silent on the side, feeling a little surprised, but still nodded.

"Sister-in-law, it really worked out. I'll report next Monday, but I've agreed that I'll start as a temporary worker first."

"I know, I know, brother, thank you, thank you so much..."

The great news made Yu Li incoherent. She was so excited that she wanted to grab Zhu Xuefeng's hand, but Zhu Xuefeng let her go without leaving a trace.

"Sister-in-law, we have finished talking. We still have one day tomorrow. You should take care of the household affairs and report in the day after tomorrow. I have to go back to cook. See you later."

Watching Zhu Xuefeng turn and leave, Yu Li realized that she owed him a big favor this time. It was an unspoken rule among everyone that it would cost three hundred yuan to hire a temporary worker, and Yu Li certainly couldn't afford that money. Besides, she didn't think the other party would want it. Looking at the man standing there stupidly, Yu Li said happily to Yan Jiecheng.

"Did you hear that? It's done. It's really done. I have to tell mom right away."

Yan Jiecheng didn't seem as excited as Yu Li, and silently said, "If you also go to work, my mother won't be able to handle the family affairs alone in the future. You have to take time to help more."

Yu Li didn't think much about it and nodded, "Of course, it's a family matter, everyone has to lend a hand, hurry up, we have to make our parents happy."

The last time Zhu Xuefeng casually asked Yu Li about her work, the third aunt was very concerned. Yu Li knew that her mother-in-law would definitely support her going to work, but the man's attitude was a little strange. Yu Li didn't think much about it. Maybe she was really worried that there were too many people in the family and her mother-in-law couldn't handle it alone.

This good news made the whole family of the third uncle very happy. The third uncle even took the initiative to drink a small cup. Now that his wife can also have an income, life will only get easier and easier in the future. It is no longer the case in previous years that a family of six relies on his salary alone. Even if he is promoted to team leader, he will only make a few dollars more a month, which cannot fundamentally solve the problem. Although his son also goes to work, the expenses of getting married and having another person still make him feel very burdened. Now it's good, with one more person to share the burden.

"Xiao Li, from now on, this salary should be handed over to your mother. Let her manage it together. Our family will definitely be more prosperous."

After drinking a glass of wine, the third uncle's face turned slightly red and his eyes were shining. His joy could be felt even through the glass.

Yu Li was stunned by her father-in-law's suggestion. The reason she looked for a job was that she wanted to live separately with her husband in the future. How could she hand over such a salary? She forced a smile.

"Dad, this isn't appropriate. I've been bothering you for almost a year since I reconciled with Chengdu, and I don't feel good about it. When I get my salary, I can start my own business, so Mom can relax a little."

The third uncle's eyes narrowed, but he still smiled and said, "You silly child, we are a family, why are we talking about two different things? We are all in the same yard, so it is more appropriate for the family to be together in harmony. If you two keep quarreling, it will cause trouble. People who don't know will think that you two are fighting to separate the family."

Yu Li was so irritated by her father-in-law's speech that she was speechless. She was anxious and secretly glanced at her man. However, Yan Jiecheng seemed fine and was only focused on eating. Yu Li was anxious and kicked the man under the table. Only then did he look up.

"Dad, this doesn't seem appropriate. We are both married, and I have already paid my salary. If I ask Yu Li to pay as well, wouldn't we both be working for nothing? It's the same as if Yu Li didn't have a class. We still have no money in our pockets. We can live together, but I have to pay less for a while. Otherwise, we will lose a lot of money."

"How can you talk to your father like that, kid? What do you mean by working in vain?" Upon hearing what her son said, the third aunt was unhappy. What do you mean by working in vain? If that's the case, then wouldn't it be in vain for her and her husband to raise four children?

"Boss, that doesn't make sense. We calculated it at the time. We calculated this number of months. You have to accept it."

The third uncle put down his chopsticks and looked at Yan Jiecheng with a confident look.

"I admit it. If Yu Li hadn't paid me more wages, I should have paid them in advance. That's not wrong, right?"

Yan Jiecheng also thought that he was right. Since he wanted to speak, he would just speak out. He didn't care if his father was looking at him.

"There's one thing you missed. We didn't ask you to pay for your wife's living expenses this year. Since we're living together in the future, you should also pay for her living expenses. Have you thought about paying for her living expenses for a whole year?"

"That's right, big brother. Our parents are here now. It's no use dividing the fire. If you tell others about it, people will laugh at you."

The second son, Yan Jiecheng, rarely expressed his opinion with a snort. He is already seventeen years old this year and will be facing the college entrance examination soon. He has a lot of things to think about, and this time he stood on his parents' side without hesitation.

"Sister-in-law, please stay and eat with us. I like the food you cook. I'm tired of my mother's cooking after eating it for so many years."

Yu Li has been here for a year. Although she has been educated many times, she was still shocked by her father-in-law's words today. Judging from the implicit meaning in his words, she had been eating free meals for a year. Her father-in-law's words made her feel cold in her heart. This family must be divided. Her mother-in-law, who has always been considerate, did not say anything at this time, which made her panic. She could only give Yan Jiedi a helpless smile.

"Dad, let Yu Li and I go back and discuss this matter."

Although it was unexpected for him to be asked by his father for a year's living expenses for his wife, he was not shocked. His father had always been so shrewd and this time he caught him by surprise. Yan Jiecheng's mind was in a mess and he had no mind to think.

Seeing the man speak, Yu Li could only stop talking and accept it silently.

The peaceful atmosphere became depressing and silent. After the meal, each family member had their own thoughts and watched their son and daughter-in-law leave. There was no smile on the third uncle's face, and the trace of drunkenness he had just felt disappeared without a trace.

"Boss, this matter..."

"Don't worry about it. Just leave it like this. Their wings are not strong enough yet, so they can't fly. But sooner or later they will ask for a separation. We'll talk about it then. Take care of the second child first. He has an exam in less than two months. If he doesn't pass, I'll have to find him a job." (End of this chapter)