The strong fisherman in the courtyard

. . . . . .

evening.

Wu Qiangguo brought Liu Lanfang to Li's house to express his gratitude to Li Ming for delivering vegetables during the day, and also brought some things over.

The two women were chatting politely with each other, while the two men were smoking and chatting in the living room.

"Next week on my weekend, when I go out for a walk and buy groceries, you can come with me. I bought a few pounds of potatoes today!" Father Li said happily, crossing his legs.

He expressed satisfaction with his son's act of delivering vegetables to the Wu family. He felt that this was like his own pig trying to eat the cabbages of the neighboring family. As a caring father of his son, Comrade Li Weiguo expressed his support.

"Okay, it's just right that you take me for a good stroll in Sijiu City. I haven't had much of a stroll before!"

"But why didn't you buy some more potatoes today? Although they are not as good as cabbage, more is not bad!" Wu Qiangguo asked puzzledly.

"We have a lot of vegetables at home. I say little because we plan to pickle the cabbage. We are afraid that there will be no fresh ones in the future, so we plan to prepare some in advance." Comrade Li Weiguo said calmly.

"Well, it looks like you guys really don't need a sack like ours. It's really comforting to have a purchasing agent at home!" Comrade Wu Qiangguo was quite envious.

Whatever you do at home, there will be leftovers. Whatever you do, there will be something in hand. It’s really like that!

The two families chatted for a while, and then the three members of the Wu family went back from the Li family to rest. Apart from anything else, it was indeed a good thing to have a neighbor like the Li family in this day and age!

end of the month.

Office of Section 3, Purchasing Department of Steel Rolling Mill.

"No, something's wrong, Lao Zheng, the looks from the four of you make me a little uneasy. Why do I feel something is wrong?"

Li Ming was sitting on a chair, Zhou Tian was massaging him behind him, and on his left hand side, Wu Gang was holding an enamel pot filled with Gaosujiu, with a fragrant aroma of tea; on his right hand side, Wang Jun was standing in place, handing Li Ming the Daqianmen he had just taken out.

Zheng Ping in front hurriedly struck a match to light it for Li Ming. The four salted fish from the purchasing department's third unit were mainly in a butler style today.

As for the five new guys, they looked at their nominal masters with surprise. Although they had the honor of seeing it once before, this was the first time they saw them serving people like this.

When Zheng Ping heard what Li Ming said, a trace of unnaturalness appeared on his face. Li Ming felt that this bastard was pretending to be shy, and he stepped back with the chair in disgust.

"Old Zheng, if you have something to say, just say it now. Don't force me! If you give me such a disgusting expression again, I will throw you out!"

Zhou Tian, ​​who was bumped from behind, laughed out loud, "Haha, I told you, this operation by the four of us will definitely work, haha!"

The left and right bodyguards standing beside Li Ming also laughed out loud.

Zheng Ping finally spoke, "Well, Chief, I'm getting married on the 8th of next month, and now we can't get the ingredients, so..."

Li Ming rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Damn it, I thought you were greedy for my body! Why don't you just say it directly? Why are you being so shy!"

Zheng Ping smiled, "Hey, I'm just thinking about serving the Section Chief. We all know how hard you work, don't we?"

"Yeah!"

"Master is right!"

'"Thank you for your hard work, Chief!"

Li Ming laughed as he watched the group of people in front of him being so servile. "Alright, alright, stop interrupting me. Old Zheng, just tell me what you need and I'll get it for you!"

"It's already the end of the month, why don't you hurry up!"

When Zheng Ping saw Li Ming was about to throw away the cigarette butt, he quickly brought the ashtray over for Li Ming to use, showing how considerate he was!

"Just the same as what Old Wu had last time, the main thing is that it's missing a little meat!"

"Okay, I'll take care of it. It happens that the Yan brothers and I live in the same courtyard, so I'll ask them to help me bring the things over this time, so that I don't have to go there alone, which is troublesome!" Li Ming agreed directly. It's not like they won't pay, right?

This is a top priority event like getting married, so there is nothing wrong with him taking out some chickens and fish. However, if he is going with others this time, he can just bring the ones that have been killed in advance. Anyway, they can be processed directly in the space, so they are a fresh batch!

"Thank you, Chief!" Zheng Ping said loudly.

"Anything else?"

The four salted fishes collectively shook their heads to indicate that everything was fine. They were as happy as weasels that had stolen a chicken. It was not bad to have a reliable and capable superior who was also a friend.

At least there is no pressure to get married at this special time.

They have been purchasing agents for so many years, so money is definitely not a problem. Under normal circumstances, grain and meat would not be a problem, but who can blame the current environment for being like this?

Fortunately, they still have a capable section chief who has helped them a lot. Now, two of the four salted fish who are not in a hurry to get married have been caught, and it is estimated that it is only a matter of time for the remaining two.

"I say." Li Ming turned to look at Zhou Tian and Wang Jun, "If you two need help with your marriage, don't learn from that bastard Old Zheng. Tell me in advance, otherwise I will be anxious and angry!"

Chapter 437: Qin Huairu is not popular

Laughter rang out again in the office of the third unit. Just this atmosphere alone was enough to make the other two units envious. At the end of every month, when people from the other two units came to deliver grain, they were always in a miserable state. It was only after doing this unplanned purchase many times and becoming familiar with it that these people from the other two units were able to slowly complete the monthly task required by the steel rolling mill.

Steel rolling mill fitter workshop.

In the workshop where Jia Dongxu and Yi Zhonghai worked, Jia Dongxu is gone now, but Jia Dongxu's wife has been here for some time.

However, although Qin Huairu got Jia Dongxu's quota to work in the factory, he still needed to start from scratch. On the first day Qin Huairu arrived, he was taken to the workshop by the workshop director and asked one by one if there was any old master who could take another apprentice.

As it turned out, everyone was a discerning person and realized that Qin Huairu was not cut out for this kind of job. In the end, no one was willing to take Qin Huairu with him, and in the end, Yi Zhonghai became the one to take over.

"Huairu, you haven't polished this part well. It's still a long way to go. You need to practice more, otherwise you won't be able to get a permanent job with your current level." Yi Zhonghai's workstation was right next to Qin Huairu. He sighed when he saw the part that Qin Huairu had spent nearly a whole morning polishing.

He originally thought that Jia Dongxu was stupid enough, but he didn't expect that Qin Huairu was so smart that she couldn't handle serious matters. No wonder no one wanted her at that time.

But Qin Huairu is the wife of his deceased apprentice after all. If he doesn't accept Qin Huairu, who knows what troubles will happen to the steel rolling mill!

Qin Huairu listened to Yi Zhonghai's teachings with difficulty and embarrassment, but for some reason, it was difficult for her to listen, especially because she always felt that many people around her were looking at her with malice. Well, Qin Huairu felt that others were laughing at her.

"Okay, I understand, Master Yi."

Yi Zhonghai shut up after hearing Qin Huairu's feedback and continued with his work.

Although Yi Zhonghai took over the hot potato of Qin Huairu, he did not regard Qin Huairu as his apprentice. He could only watch and teach him, which could be heard from the way Qin Huairu addressed him.

If possible, Yi Zhonghai didn't want, or even hoped, for Qin Huairu to work in the fitter workshop. She was indeed not suitable for this line of work.

But if you ask Yi Zhonghai to use his connections to transfer Qin Huairu to another position, that is even more impossible. Jia Dongxu has already sunk such a huge cost, and it is even more impossible for Yi Zhonghai to waste it on Qin Huairu. So Qin Huairu can only stay in the fitter workshop for the time being.

If she works hard, that would be fine, but if she fails the internship period and is transferred to some other place, then Yi Zhonghai can't do anything about it.

In the evening, in the courtyard of the steel rolling mill.

Li Ming came back early from the steel mill with the Yan brothers. He had just prepared dinner at home, and it was ready for cooking just in time for Li's father and his family to get home from get off work.

"It's time to eat, but I'm starving. The factory required a lot of tasks today, and I just managed to finish them in a hurry." Comrade Li Weiguo smelled the aroma of food when he returned home.

All of a sudden, most of the tiredness from working a day in the steel mill disappeared in an instant. As a result, as soon as he put his butt on the bench, he was chased by Li's mother to wash his hands.

Only after everyone in the family washed their hands did they start to prepare for today's dinner.

"By the way, Mom, a colleague in our department is getting married in two days, on the 8th. I will go there on the 7th with the Yan brothers from the outer courtyard, and I won't be back at night." Li Ming suddenly thought of Zheng Ping's wedding today and told it at the dinner table. After all, he would need to stay out all night to avoid worrying his family.

Mother Li nodded. "Okay, I understand. I'll come back early in the evening. It's cold now, so you should wear something warmer."

"Hehe, don't worry."

"Do you have any money left?"

Before Mrs. Li finished her words, Old Li interrupted, "Does our son need any money for the gift?"

"I'm short of money, but he won't be short of money!"

Mother Li ignored Comrade Lao Li and continued to say to Li Ming with a smile, "It's good that you are not short of money. If you are short of money, tell me. I guess your father's small treasury is almost full again!"

"And the same goes for Ruirui. If you need money, tell mom. The small treasury your dad has saved is for the two of you."

The brother and sister were delighted and looked at Comrade Li Weiguo with a look that said "May you be lucky".

Old Li suddenly felt that the food in his mouth no longer tasted good, but he clearly often changed the hiding place of his small treasury, so how could this woman find it every time?

"It's okay, just save it until the New Year. There will definitely be more during the New Year!" Li Ming added silently.

"Yes, yes, yes. This year, my brother and I's New Year's money all comes from Comrade Li's small piggy bank!" The leaky and black-hearted father also added a stab in tacit understanding at this time.

After hearing this, Father Li stood up and started to clear the table. He would rather wash the pots and dishes than continue to be sad here, although he was the one who did this job every night.

But for some reason, he was extremely happy today!

. . . . . .

7th, afternoon.

Li Ming had prepared the chicken, fish and meat at Yan's house in advance. They had been killed in advance. The weather was not too hot, so there would be no problem in cleaning them up tomorrow. He could just wrap them up and sink them into the water tank.

The preservation measures at this time are so simple and effective.

"With you two brothers here this time, it saves me a lot of trouble." Li Ming smiled as he looked at the Yan brothers, each carrying two baskets.

He also carried a large basket on his back.

"Hey, then shall we set off now?" Yan Wang was very excited about this kind of thing. He was young and liked the fun.

Although Li Ming is not very old, this is his second life, so he is naturally more calm. To be honest, if he doesn’t have to go, he would rather the gift be presented without the person present...

"Let's go, let's go now. Let's spend the night over there and catch up on some sleep when we come back the next day!" Li Ming took the lead, carrying a large basket and leading the two brothers out of the courtyard.

Zheng Ping’s home is not far away, only about half an hour’s walk. For people nowadays, this distance is very easy and there is no problem at all.

As soon as the three brothers reached the entrance of the alley, they saw Zhou Tian and Wang Jun standing at the entrance acting as welcoming boys. Although these two men were old boys, who knew they were not married?

Chapter 438: Another visitor from the Street Office

"Old Wang, Mingzi is here, stop looking at the young widow and go over to help!" Zhou Tian kicked Wang Jun, causing him to stagger.

Wang Jun still looked embarrassed. What the hell, what's wrong with looking at the young widow? Can't you lower your voice? What if the young widow hears this and doesn't allow me to watch?

Wang Jun was cursing under his breath, but his movements did not slow him down at all. Two of them came up to the three of them, and each took two baskets, then they formed a team and walked into the alley.

Zheng Ping's home.

When Zheng Ping saw the five of them coming in with these things, his face was so smiling that his eyes were almost invisible. He smiled slightly and came up to them cheerfully, and handed the money to Li Ming.

"Old Zheng, you spoke late this time, so we didn't bring any live fish like last time, but they were all killed this morning, so there's no problem eating them tomorrow!" Li Ming took the cigarette and took a puff.

"Well, be content with what you have. Besides, since you killed it in advance, it will save me a lot of trouble. I can just have someone sink it in a water tank!" Zheng Ping said nonchalantly.

It’s good to have it. He said it a little late. It’s not as good as what that bastard Wu Gang said earlier last time. He is already very satisfied!

"That's fine. See if there's anything else you can help me with. Don't be polite. I'm here to help today!" Li Ming said with a smile.

"That's right, Brother Zheng, you can just order us around!" Yan Xing echoed from the side. Both brothers had smiles on their faces. It was a great thing that their own people were getting married. They came to help, and when they got married in the future, others would definitely come too.

Human relationships are all about this kind of back and forth!

"No, you just come and play together, everything else has been arranged!" Zheng Ping really arranged everything. These days people advocate simplicity, and their family didn't make things complicated. It's good to keep things simple.

Li Ming and three others chatted with Zheng Ping for a while, then found a place to play poker. If nothing unexpected happened, they would play until tomorrow noon, eat lunch, and then go back to sleep.

. . . . . .

Time went on, and before we knew it, winter had come again in the old city. Two years of the three-year winter were about to pass.

Every year around the time winter comes, people in this city start stockpiling winter vegetables. This happens every year.

Li Ming sat in the yard basking in the sun, enjoying the hard-earned warm sunshine. These few months were not wasted. After all, his physical fitness had improved a little. He also snatched two lottery chances from the beasts in the courtyard.

"System, open the panel."

【Host】: Li Ming

[Skills Possessing]: Pistol mastery (top level), Bajiquan (top level), Fishing (top level), Weakness Strike (language-oriented), Art of Language, Street Parkour (minor success), Locust Stone Throwing Technique (top level), Sichuan cuisine (top level), Shandong cuisine (great success), Antique Appraisal Skills (top level), Lock Picking (top level).

【Number of draws】:5.

[Physique Template]: Li Yuanba [Development Progress 98%]

[System Items]: Colt m1860 revolver*1, a box of 0.44-inch black powder bullets, a gun license, a locust stone production line, a disguise mask, a voice-changing button, 2 pounds of jasmine tea, 2 boxes of Zhonghua cigarettes, 2 boxes of Maotai liquor, 1 kitchen knife, 1 baseball bat, 2 Jerry's firecrackers, 1 watch ticket, 1 sewing ticket, 1 radio ticket, 1 bicycle ticket, 5 oil tickets, 2 sugar tickets, set of house deeds for the second courtyard {Paoju Hutong), set of house deeds for the third courtyard, set of house deeds for the first courtyard (Qianer Hutong).

After admiring his own panel, Li Ming closed the interface with satisfaction.

"Winter is about to come again. Damn, the winter in this city is so damn hard to bear!" Li Ming complained, shaking his head.

Even though he has lived in this second life for more than 20 years, he is still more or less not used to this temperature. The main reason is that there is no floor heating now, and heating basically depends on coal stoves and his righteousness!

evening.

Today, Li's mother specifically told Li Ming that he didn't need to rush to cook in the evening and to wait for her to come back and clean up. In the evening, Director Wang from the Street Office would bring people to the courtyard to inform about the situation of this year's winter vegetables.

Basically every courtyard house in the street office had to be notified, so Li's mother directly asked Comrade Lao Li to buy cooked food for dinner.

When the time came, Li Ming simply waited outside the gate. He had nothing to do anyway, so he might as well go and greet them.