The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 39: Live and learn

"Of course, I don't want to sell such a good thing." Old Liu held the jar and couldn't let it go. "First of all, tiger bones are rare in themselves, and there are so many old medicines, and it took fifty years to brew it. Although it is not a rare treasure, it is also precious."

"That's not the case." Liu Hua smiled. "That guy has a big appetite. He doesn't want money. If there is a job introduction letter, he is willing to exchange two jars for it."

Old Liu nodded: "You really have a big appetite. Two jars of tiger bone wine cannot be exchanged for a letter of introduction. If you can add the recipe, I can consider it."

My mother poured out the water in the basin, wiped her hands and said, "You have a big appetite. The recipe is what they use to make food. In ancient times, it was passed down to men, not women. Do you think you can trick me into it with just a job introduction letter?"

My mother thought for a moment and said, "I do have a letter of introduction here from the street office. Why don't you use it to exchange for some wine? If that doesn't work, ask him to pay some more money."

Liu Hua shook his head: "Forget it. The requirements of the subdistrict office are high. Who knows who will be working there? If something goes wrong, they will blame you."

Old Liu nodded and said, "That's right. I'll look for a job these two days to see if I can find one. Your grandparents need such good wine. I also have several old leaders whose backs and legs are not in good condition."

Liu Hua waved his hand: "No, I'll ask Li Huaide for a letter of introduction when I go to work on Monday."

"Your deputy director." Mom shook her head. "You are a new kid in the factory, and you asked the deputy director for a letter of introduction. If you are capable, people will think that we have poor upbringing."

Liu Hua smiled proudly: "When you are away for three days, you should look at him with new eyes. Now, your son is no longer the little boy he was before. I am also an important figure in the steel mill now."

Old Liu looked at his son's smug smile and felt so angry that he slapped him on the forehead.

"Why are you hitting me?"

Old Liu said disdainfully: "You have only been in the factory for a few days, and you dare to be so arrogant. If I don't give you a slap in the face, you don't know how high the sky is and how deep the earth is."

"I'm telling the truth." Liu Hua kept complaining: "I just wrote a safety production proposal to Li Huaide a few days ago, which was approved by the leaders of the department. Now our factory is also conducting safety production training."

My mother asked happily, "Really? This is a good thing. Your grandparents will come over later. Tell them the good news and let them be happy too."

"It's not over yet." Liu Hua said proudly: "I have designed an oil extraction machine in the past two days, and I am conducting intensive experiments. If it succeeds, it can be used as a National Day gift for our factory. At that time, it is estimated that it will most likely be erected on site at the Daqing Oilfield."

The mother happily hugged her son and said, "Good son, you really made your parents proud. Tell me what you want to eat today. I will go to the welfare store to buy it for you."

"You can do whatever you want. I like to eat anything you make."

When his mother went to the welfare club with the bamboo basket, Lao Liu pointed at his son and said, "Go make some tea. I want to chat with you. I have some good tea in my study."

When Liu Hua brought two teacups, Lao Liu took one and took a sip: "How much tea did you put in here? It's so strong."

"I just grabbed a handful. What do you want to talk to me about?"

Lao Liu put down the teacup and said, "You just said you went to the black market. You are quite courageous. You dare to go to that place, where there are all kinds of people. Aren't you afraid that someone might get into trouble?"

"They are mainly doing business and exchanging what they have." Liu Hua said with a smile: "The black market now is different from the past. In the past, it was all dirty stuff. Now it's just that the policy doesn't allow it. There are not so many robbers and murderers. There are rules."

"I can't argue with you, so you better avoid this place in the future."

Old Liu suddenly thought of something, stood up and went into the study. After a while, he took out a wooden box and handed it to Liu Hua. "What is this?"

Liu Hua opened the box and found a Browning, two magazines and a box of bullets inside.

"Didn't your grandfather say that he would give you a real thing after you become a regular employee?" Old Liu said with a smile, "The certificate is downstairs. I made it myself."

Liu Hua couldn't stop smiling and couldn't wait to start playing with it.

"I'll make it clear in advance that this thing is for your self-defense. You are not allowed to take it out unless it is absolutely necessary." Old Liu warned: "Although there are many of these things on the market, once this thing is used, it will be a big case."

Liu Hua nodded: "I know what I'm doing. Uncle Deng just found someone to teach me how to use this thing a few days ago. When I have time, I'll go to the security department's shooting range and practice a bit."

"Old Deng and I have been comrades for many years. With him at the steel mill, I am relieved about your safety." Old Liu said with a smile: "You should have been promoted to a regular employee now, right?"

Liu Hua nodded: "I was converted to a regular employee last week, and the calculation started from last month. After that, I was promoted to a higher level."

Old Liu blinked: "That shouldn't be the case. What does Li Huaide mean?"

"I helped the factory's transportation department solve a big problem. I also helped Li Huaide get a few cars." Liu Hua said proudly: "It's a matter of reciprocity. Li Huaide must take care of me."

While the father and son were chatting, Liu Hua's mother came back quickly and went straight into the kitchen to busy herself.

Not long after, my grandparents also came over. The old couple devoted their entire lives to the military industry of their country and were very principled.

Seeing her grandson at home, the grandmother happily took Liu Hua's hand and asked about his well-being, while she kept muttering that her grandson had lost weight.

Grandpa is an upright man. Seeing how much his wife loves her grandson, he knocked on the table.

"Okay, you're not thin at all. I look pretty strong and energetic."

Grandma complained, "What do you know? You are so careless. My grandson's cheeks used to be puffy, but now they are much thinner."

Liu Hua smiled and said, "Grandma, this happened a long time ago, at least before 1958. How could I not lose weight during those three years of disaster?"

"Then come back more often and ask your mother to buy you some delicious food to nourish you."

"I come back every week for a bite to eat."

After the greetings, the old man began to examine his grandson's professional level, asking questions and answering them. After half an hour of inspection, the old man nodded with satisfaction.

"Good, you have a solid grasp of the basics. If you had had this drive when you were in school, you could go to college now, and a good one at that."

Liu Hua said jokingly: "The old saying is right, 'You only regret not having studied enough when you need it'. So, it's normal that I didn't study hard when I was in school. You can learn as long as you live, and it's not too late to study hard now."

　Ask for monthly tickets and collection
　　
　
(End of this chapter)