The Life of a Son-in-Law in a Courtyard House

Yang Dalin first thanked the man in military uniform: "Brother, it's not that I don't want to join the army and serve the country, it's that I'm afraid I won't have enough to eat if I go there. I still have to support my family. My aunt only earns 23 yuan a month and has to feed the whole family. She took me home from the relief station, and I can't not repay her kindness."

If there were a war, I would be duty-bound to go, especially to fight against the Japanese and the Americans. But look at us now, there is no war, and it is a difficult time for the whole country. I guess the army doesn't have much food. I'm afraid that if I go there, I won't have enough to eat and I won't be able to exert my strength.

Besides, as you've seen, my house is full of women, not a single man. I'm worried that Aunt Qi and the others might be bullied.

The man in military uniform fell silent. Yes, there's no war now, so there's not much potential for development there. Besides, the army can only provide enough food for most people these days. Someone like Yang Dalin, who is strong and expends a lot of energy, probably wouldn't be able to get enough to eat in the army.

Because everyone in the military has a ration; you can't eat as much as you want.

Unless you join the navy or air force, but those two branches don't offer connections, and they also have high educational requirements.

Moreover, everyone knows to some extent why Qi Yulan adopted Yang Dalin. It's certain that the Qi family mother and daughter were somewhat ostracized in the courtyard. By sending Yang Dalin to the army, she ended up making Dalin worry about the family.

So he said, "Okay, it was my fault for not thinking things through. I'll think about it some more. My surname is Zhang, and my name is Zhang Kangri. I'm from the Capital Military Region. The first child you found who was abducted was from my family. That day, your sister-in-law was taking the child back to her hometown to visit relatives. Luckily, she ran into you, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable. If you ever need anything, Dalinzi, come to me."

Yang Dalin quickly called out, "Brother Zhang!"

Then the others introduced themselves.

Some worked in the education bureau, some were from the supply and marketing cooperative system, some were junior factory cadres, and the old man in the Zhongshan suit who spoke on behalf of everyone at the beginning was even from a ministry.

He was a leader in the First Ministry of Machine Building, no wonder he was able to speak on behalf of everyone.

The position was high enough, and there was even a jeep to ride in. The other person in a high position was that old man in the Zhongshan suit and glasses from earlier, Mr. Wang. He was a leader in the city's grain department, and nowadays the grain bureau was an entity that everyone needed to curry favor with.

Unlike later generations, when the grain bureau had declined, nowadays every department, from the grain bureau to the grain stations, needs to curry favor.

Because food is what everyone needs most right now.

Upon hearing this, Yang Dalin was surprised to learn that the group of children he had saved were all from such prominent backgrounds.

Wow, I can reach the top in no time!

Originally, Grandpa Wang wanted to introduce Yang Dalin to a job at a grain station. Nowadays, jobs at grain stations and supply and marketing cooperatives are basically the best for ordinary people.

However, even if he gets in, he'll start from the lowest level. Comrade Xiao Yang's salary will be low. Although there may be some job benefits, it won't be as much as he earns doing odd jobs.

Everyone knows that Yang Dalin works at the train station, where he can get free meals and even buy some to take home. He's very strong; he can do the work of three or four other people. He earns a lot and eats a lot too.

He wasn't transferred from the military with a rank to civilian life, so he wouldn't immediately receive a high salary. Even if Yang Dalin were assigned a permanent position, he would only be able to start from the lowest level and wouldn't be able to earn a very high salary.

Mr. Gong Jingye from the Ministry of Industry said that they would reconsider the matter and then discuss it again. He invited Mr. Yang Dalin's family and Mr. Qi's family to dinner tomorrow night.

Make sure Yang Dalin and Grandpa Qi are on time for the appointment, which will be held at Quanjude Restaurant near Qianmen.

Yang Dalin could not refuse, so he agreed.

The parents also left their home addresses, and those who had phone numbers left theirs as well.

He also invited Yang Dalin to visit him when he had time, and Yang Dalin agreed.

They don't need to tell me; I'll go anyway.

Outside, Director Wang Hongxia and Aunt Qi had already divided the items, and Director Wang even wrote a note for them.

I'm going to transport the items directly to the street warehouse later.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Grandpa Gong, Grandpa Wang, and others said their goodbyes. Yang Dalin and Director Wang Hongxia led everyone to see them off at the gate, where they either took a car or rode a bicycle and left.

Director Wang Hongxia borrowed Grandpa Qi's cart and, along with two assistants, took the rest of the gifts away.

Director Wang Hongxia never expected that Yang Dalin would be such a lucky star, not only bringing honor to the neighborhood but also introducing her to several people of higher rank than herself.

What excited her most was meeting Leader Wang from the Municipal Grain Bureau.

This is a highly sought-after relationship.

The streets need food too.

The guests left, and the neighbors who had come to watch the spectacle also went home.

And quite a few people were actually envious of the things that were sent over.

Several others watched with envy, not leaving, hoping to gain some advantage.

Among them were Yan Bugui and Qin Huairu.

Yang Dalin made an excuse, saying, "Everyone, hurry home and have dinner. I haven't made dinner yet, so I won't keep you any longer."

Yang Dalin then closed the door, blocking those greedy eyes from seeing him.

Otherwise, with so many people watching, how am I supposed to divide the food?

Yan Bugui and the others then reluctantly left.

Yang Dalin didn't see Yi Zhonghai's shifty gaze from the crowd.

Grandpa Qi was still there, and Yang Dalin divided the remaining items into two equal parts.

The remaining items are seven things: candy, pastries, apples, noodles, flour, rice, and canned goods.

It's all food, and it's something everyone needs.

Yang Dalin had originally planned to have Grandpa Qi finish his meal there and then help him take his things home.

As a result, Grandpa Qi refused no matter what, and then said that he only wanted one serving of noodles, one serving of flour, and one serving of rice, and he didn't want anything else, saying that Qi Yulan's family had many children, so he should save them for more to eat.

They even said they wanted these things, feeling they were getting a great deal, and wouldn't want any more.

He felt ashamed to accept even this, so he didn't eat, took the three items, and left.

Alright, Yang Dalin knows Grandpa Qi's temper, so if he doesn't want it, he doesn't want it.

I'll just share the good stuff I get from signing in with Uncle Qi occasionally.

Everyone was overjoyed to see so much stuff at home.

Yang Dalin peeled the sugar cubes for his aunt and the two sisters.

This time, the candy is the famous White Rabbit Creamy Candy.

For people of Gong's and Wang's level, getting some of this kind of milk candy is much easier than for Yang Dalin.

However, this is only two jin (1 kg), and I estimate that they don't have much at home.

Qi Xiaoning, who loves sweets, smiles so sweetly when she eats a piece of candy that it could bloom into a flower.

"Brother Dalin, this candy is really delicious, it has a milky flavor."

Yang Dalin knew it was delicious, so he peeled off a piece and put it in his mouth. It did taste good.

Then he said, "It's delicious. This candy is produced in Shanghai. It's White Rabbit Milk Candy, which is the original ABC Mickey Mouse. It costs five yuan a kilogram. Legend has it that seven candies are equivalent to a cup of milk. Ordinary people like us can't buy it now."

You two sisters need to be more careful with your food from now on. If we run out of food, it'll be difficult for me to buy you anything in the next few years.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Qi realized how precious the candy was, and immediately grabbed the rest, saying, "It's so expensive, I'd better hide it well."

Qi Xiaoning tried to stop her mother, but was slapped on the back of her hand again.

Qi Yanhua remained calm and unassuming, smiling sweetly as she looked at Yang Dalin with a candy in her mouth.

That look in his eyes could stretch even a thread into a line.

She must be feeling incredibly happy inside.

It's even better than eating candy.