Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

After exchanging a few more polite words, Zhou Feng got up and took his leave.

The matter has been settled, and the gifts have been given. Why are you still bothering them here?

Li Huaide was exceptionally kind, not only escorting Zhou Feng all the way to the office building entrance, but also waving goodbye to him warmly as he left.

The passing workers and cadres all turned their heads to look at him, and the smarter ones secretly memorized Zhou Feng's appearance.

People who receive such courtesy from Deputy Factory Director Li are worth getting to know better in the future.

Zhou Feng, who had just walked out of the office building, was still thinking about his conversation with Li Huaide that day when he heard someone calling him from behind.

"Zhou Feng! Zhou Feng! Wait!"

It was none other than Xu Damao, who was itching with anxiety.

He didn't go back to the propaganda department at all; he just wandered around the office building, waiting for Zhou Feng to come out so he could find out what was going on!

Seeing that the other party was about to leave the factory, Xu Damao disregarded the people around him, quickly took a few steps, grabbed Zhou Feng's sleeve, and said urgently, "So, Deputy Factory Director Li agreed, right? Do I have enough influence? Can you just say it and it's settled? I, Xu Damao, have some influence at the steel rolling mill!"

Zhou Feng couldn't help but find it amusing to look at Xu Damao's smug face as he continued to seek credit and reward.

Anyone with eyes can see that those two bars of soap are more important than Xu Damao in getting this done!

After all, Li Huaide only said a few polite words to Xu Damao in front of Zhou Feng, and his actual attitude towards him was not that good.

But in front of Xu Damao, he could only vaguely agree with a few words: "Yes, yes, Director Li is very polite, saying he will consider this matter."

"consider?"

Xu Damao chuckled and adopted a lecturing posture, familiarly putting his arm around Zhou Feng's shoulder.

"Brother, you don't understand, do you? That's how bosses talk! 'Thinking about it' means it's pretty much a done deal! Your purchasing job is secure! So, tell me, how are you going to properly thank your brother?"

"Don't worry, don't worry, I will definitely thank you properly."

Zhou Feng smiled and agreed, then continued walking out of the factory.

Xu Damao, humming a little tune contentedly, returned to his propaganda department.

As for how to express his gratitude and what to use to do so, he would have to have a good talk with Zhou Feng that evening.

One piece of pork is definitely not enough.

Meanwhile, in Li Huaide's office after seeing Zhou Feng off.

Li Huaide took a deep breath, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.

Although the other party couldn't see his face, he still adopted a respectful posture while talking on the phone.

"Boss, Comrade Zhou Feng contacted me this morning... Yes, he expressed a desire to participate in the purchasing... Yes, yes, I understand, I guarantee I will cooperate fully... Rest assured, I know the rules, I will never inquire or leak anything!"

After hanging up the phone, Li Huaide finally let out a long sigh of relief, leaned back in his chair, and looked at him with a complicated expression.

The higher-ups are taking this Comrade Zhou Feng so seriously, even using such a high-level security channel!

He didn't even dare to think about what secrets this guy had.

All I know is that within the jurisdiction of the Third Steel Rolling Mill, I must serve this little devil well, and that will be absolutely the right thing to do!

After leaving the steel rolling mill, Zhou Feng returned to the courtyard house but was stopped by Yan Bugui before he even entered.

"Hey, Uncle, you're a bit late today. It's so late, haven't you gone to school yet?"

"No rush!"

Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses, a hint of urgency flashing in his small eyes, and lowered his voice.

"Zhou Feng, I've contacted a few more families, and they all have a lot of good stuff. I even brought some over for you in advance. How about coming over to my house tonight...?"

Zhou Feng chuckled inwardly. This old coward Yan was really going all out for that little bit of grain and eggs; he was really putting in a lot of effort.

It's quite remarkable that someone as calculating as him would take the risk of bringing the goods home ahead of time.

"Sure, Uncle, what could I possibly worry about if you handled things well? I'll come over to your house tonight when you get off work."

Meeting Yan Bugui's expectant gaze, Zhou Feng nodded, and the former immediately beamed with joy, happily riding his bicycle out of the courtyard.

As evening approached, Zhou Feng was greeted not by Yan Bugui, but by Xu Damao, who had come riding back from the steel rolling mill in high spirits!

"Zhou Feng! Open the door! I'm back!"

As soon as Zhou Feng opened the door, this guy squeezed in sideways, plopped down on the best chair in the room without any politeness, crossed his legs, raised his chin high, and glanced at Zhou Feng out of the corner of his eye.

"How about it, Zhou Feng? Now you know what kind of influence I have at the steel mill, right?"

Xu Damao glanced sideways at Zhou Feng, tapping his fingers smugly on his knee: "As for Deputy Factory Director Li, it's just a matter of me showing up! You think you've got the purchasing agent job in the bag?"

Zhou Feng was extremely annoyed, but he had to maintain appearances, so he quietly poured him a bowl of plain water.

"Yes, yes, thanks to my brother Mao for making the connection. I've prepared all the thank-you gifts you promised."

As he spoke, Zhou Feng pulled out a piece of pork belly about an inch wide and two eggs from his kitchen. He had prepared these when he returned from the steel mill.

Xu Damao's attitude was completely different from that morning. He didn't even look at the pork belly that Zhou Feng had prepared, and leaned forward to check it.

"Comrade Zhou Feng, normally we brothers wouldn't speak so formally to each other! But you don't know, because of this matter, I've used up all the favors and face I've accumulated over the years! Deputy Factory Director Li is the kind of person who won't act until he sees a clear benefit..."

After Xu Damao finished speaking, a shrewd look appeared on his face. He skillfully rubbed his right thumb and forefinger together towards Zhou Feng, the meaning of which couldn't be clearer.

You'll have to pay more!

Zhou Feng sneered inwardly, but feigned ignorance: "Brother Da Mao, what do you mean by this? Didn't we agree beforehand that it would be a piece of fatty pork belly about an inch wide? I even prepared two extra eggs for you!"

"Meat? Eggs? What are those?!"

Xu Damao's voice instantly rose in pitch, even becoming somewhat shrill.

"Zhou Feng, go out and ask around. Can you really accomplish something this big at the steel rolling mill with just this little bit of stuff?"

"What's the most precious thing these days? Human kindness! I've risked everything I have for you this time!"

He held up five fingers and waved them in front of Zhou Feng's eyes: "Here's the deal, I won't ask for more from you! Besides the meat and eggs, give me this amount of cash! Also, at least ten catties of rice and flour each! Then we'll be even!"

Seeing the five fingers he stretched out, Zhou Feng was so angry he laughed.

"No, Brother Da Mao, your appetite is way too big. I just asked you to show me the way, but you've made it sound like I asked you to take over the steel rolling mill!"