Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 269 The household registration is done

Xiaowei said to Sister Shang, "I think Xiaohui is right. I'll look for distributors in the meantime, set up more outlets, and get some of everything we know how to do. We'll see what sells well. We'll decide on the final plan after the New Year, okay?"

Sister Shang said, "Okay, I'll go in then. You hurry up and order the boxes." She turned and walked towards the old building, glancing enviously at the cars a few times.

Xiao Wei turned to Hao Xiaodong and said, "Brother Hao, I've thought about it, and I think we should find a few professional boiler operators. What you guys said is making me a little worried. My dad will help you out before the New Year, and then he can do something else after the New Year."

Hao Xiaodong said with a smile, "Actually, I've always thought the same thing, but I've been too embarrassed to say it. This thing is fine as long as nothing's wrong, but if something happens, it's a big deal."

Xiao Wei said, "Then Brother Hao, can you help me find some reliable and skilled workers? Find two people to work shifts with you, two for the day shift to handle slag removal and one for the night shift. Your brother and Brother Yu can work shifts for now."

Hao Xiaodong said, "Old Yu works the night shift, and my brother works the day shift. The furnace here is too big, so let's find two more people to work in three shifts. It'll be easier for them."

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, you can take care of things during the day if you're free. Since you're the class monitor, I'll leave this to you."

As they were talking, Liu Hongliang and Director Li of the power supply company walked into the courtyard together.

Xiao Wei hurriedly went to greet him: "Uncle Li, what brings you here?"

Director Li smiled and handed a file bag to Xiao Wei, saying, "Your household registration is done here. Your brother's school is the Fifth Middle School. If you think it's okay, you can take your brother and the household registration book to Principal Chen this afternoon."

Xiao Wei took the file bag and said, "Thank you, thank you so much, Uncle Li. Uncle Li, this is my dad, this is my mom, this is my boyfriend, and this is my younger brother. Mom and Dad, Xiao Hong, this is Director Li from Longcheng Power Supply, who helped us with our household registration." Xiao Wei held the file bag in his hands and introduced Director Li and his parents to each other.

Xiao Wei's father came over, shook hands with Director Li, and raised his right hand to invite him inside: "Come in, Brother Li, have a seat."

Xiao Wei's parents accompanied Director Li to the living room. Xiao Wei said to Liu Hongliang, "My dad doesn't really need a car now, so you can drive the Hiace for now. Tonight, take Sister Shang and the others home to familiarize yourself with the route. Then you can pick them up and drop them off at get off work, and deliver goods over there. You can take a nap during the day at noon. When the drivers come, you can be the shift leader, and we'll arrange things then, okay?"

Liu Hongliang nodded and said, "Okay, is everything alright now? I'll drive home to get some things, and I'll just stay here from now on."

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, you can arrange it yourself. Is that room ready?"

Liu Hongliang laughed and said, "You didn't go in to check? I had Master Gong do it for me, haha, that's awesome. By the way, Master Gong said he'd get about six hundred yuan for those people, when will he pay them?"

Xiao Wei said, "Let's calculate it all together when we get paid. Just remind me before you pay me. What's with that room of yours that makes you so happy? Come on, let me see." He pulled Liu Hongliang towards the old building, when Chen Hui came out of the dining room halfway there and called out, "What are you two doing?"

Xiao Wei waved, Chen Hui ran over, and the three of them entered the old building.

The main entrance of the old building is in the middle, with the front and back doors directly facing each other and connecting to each other. There is a guard room on each side of the front and back doors.

The guard room, which was about 27 or 28 square meters, had been completely transformed. It was now fully equipped with tables, chairs, and cabinets, and the floor was covered with wood flooring. Instead of beds, there were tatami mats. There was a place to change shoes as soon as you entered, and then two steps up the stairs led to the beds. Drawers were installed on the sides of the stairs to store shoes.

The old, dilapidated walls and ceiling were covered with wooden planks, making it look like a small wooden house, which was actually quite nice.

The three men took off their shoes and went inside. Liu Hongliang waved his hand and gestured around, laughing as he said, "How about it? Not worse than yours, right?"

Chen Hui said, "It's much better than where we live, so luxurious! They even have wall coverings. Xiao Wei, are we just letting him live in such a nice place for free? Shouldn't we charge him some rent or something?"

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "I think it's a good idea. I'm just figuring out how much to charge."

Liu Hongliang said, "Let's go, I'm going home to get my things. My dad only agreed yesterday, and if we don't hurry, he might change his mind." The three of them put on their shoes and came out. Xiao Wei said to Chen Hui, "Director Li is here, why don't you go and greet him?"

Chen Hui nodded, and the two walked towards the living room. Liu Hongliang ran over, opened the front door, and drove back to get his things.

Upon entering, Xiaowei's father was talking to Director Li, while Xiaowei's mother sat beside him with her younger brother in her arms.

Chen Hui greeted him, "Uncle Li, you're here, thank you." He offered Li a cigarette, which Director Li accepted with both hands. Although registering a household in the early 90s wasn't as difficult as it was in the 70s and 80s, it was still a process that ordinary people couldn't complete in a month or several months. The procedures were so complicated that people today can hardly imagine them.

Back then, how many families were separated for decades because of a small amount of money?

In the early 90s, food relations were not as tense as before, but it was still not easy to transfer household registration. It was not until the late 90s that household registration transfer was truly liberalized, but it still required a lot of running around. You couldn't get it done in a few months or half a year.

Director Li lit his cigarette and said, "I think they're almost all set up, right? Is this one burning yet?"

Chen Hui lit a cigarette for Xiao Wei's dad and said, "That's about it. The only thing is that classes haven't started yet. We're planning to go after the New Year, which is just a few days away."

Director Li said to Xiaowei's father, "These kids are so capable. They got all these things done in just a few days, and they're doing a great job. You guys are really lucky."

Xiao Wei's dad laughed and said, "He's always getting things done. We still need you uncles and elders to help out, otherwise nothing would get done. I won't say thank you for helping us so much this time. If you think highly of us, come over often. If there's anything we can do to help, just let us know."

Director Li smiled and waved his hand, "You're welcome, you're welcome. Don't say that. Helping is what I should do. I know some people in Longcheng. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to help. I'll definitely help if I can. Everyone has their own difficulties."

Chen Hui said, "Of course. I'll need your help a lot in the future, Uncle Li. I won't say thank you in words; it's all in my heart."

Director Li put down his teacup, smiled, and said, "That's only right. If you need anything, just give me a call, or come directly to the bureau to find me. Brother Zhang, if you have time, come visit me at the bureau. You guys are busy, I have a meeting at the bureau and will be heading back soon. I just came here today to get acquainted with the place." He stood up.

Xiao Wei's parents both stood up, and Chen Hui asked, "Uncle Li, how did you get here? Do you need a ride?"

Director Li said, "No need, my car is outside, you all go ahead with your work." Everyone went out of the house, crossed the yard and walked towards the gate. Director Li pointed to a row of cars parked there and said, "Is this an Omega? You can drive this car back."

Chen Hui nodded and said, "Yeah, I drove it back yesterday. What's up?"

(End of this chapter)