The strong fisherman in the courtyard

Li Ming shook his head. "It's okay. I've made up for the sleep I had."

Front yard, Yan's house.

Yan Fugui looked at the pile of food in the corner of his house, and then glanced at Yan Jiefang who was eating.

"Jiefang, how many kilograms of food do you have?"

Yan Jiefang didn't even raise his head, "20 kilograms!"

In the past month, in order to get these 20 kilograms of food, he ran so much that his legs became thinner, and he needs to eat more and more dry food every day!

That’s it, and I haven’t finished it yet. There’s only one week left in this month, and the remaining 15 kilograms are still empty.

Yan Fugui nodded with satisfaction when he heard what Yan Jiefang said. His son did a good job. If he worked hard this month, maybe he wouldn't have to go to the black market to buy food.

It's just that I eat too much every day! Yan Fugui shook his head silently, but thinking of his monthly salary, he still endured it.

"If we work hard in the remaining week, we should be able to finish the collection." Yan Fugui said with a smile, holding a cigarette in his mouth.

Yan Jiefang shook his head. "I've been to all of Beijing, so I'm not sure. If I can't collect enough, I'll go to the black market and buy a few pounds. I have to get my salary anyway."

"It doesn't matter if I earn less."

The smile on Yan Fugui's face disappeared. Asking him to make less money is like asking for his life. Seeing Yan Fugui's face falling, Aunt Yan hurriedly stepped in to stir up trouble.

"It's good to be liberated. It's not easy to be on the job for the first month."

Yan Fugui snorted, and Yan Jiefang ignored the old man. After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth and stood up, "I'll go out for a walk."

Yan Jiefang left after saying this, as he was too lazy to talk to Yan Fugui.

Backyard, Liu Haizhong's house.

Compared with Yan Fugui's family, the atmosphere in Lao Liu's family was quite good. At least the five members of the family were talking and laughing at the dinner table.

"Guangqi, how much grain have you harvested recently?" Liu Haizhong took a sip of wine and picked up an egg with chopsticks for his daughter-in-law.

Liu Guangqi raised his head. "30 kilograms, still 5 kilograms short, but there is still a week until the end of this month, so it shouldn't be a problem."

Liu Haizhong and Aunt Liu both nodded with satisfaction. They were quite confident in their eldest son's ability to get things done.

"That's right. If it's really not enough, then just go to the black market and buy some. You can't give up your salary just for those five kilograms of food, right?" Liu Haizhong said with a smile, looking very amiable.

Liu Guangqi nodded and said, "Don't worry, I have no problem with that. But Yan Jiefang in the front yard is in trouble!"

The whole family immediately became interested. Liu Haizhong quickly put a few peanuts into his mouth, took a sip of wine, and threw a cigarette to his son. It was obvious that he regarded the news about the Yan family in the front yard as a snack to go with his wine!

Liu Guangqi laughed, "Yan Jiefang only managed to get 20 kilograms of food. It may not be easy for him to get the remaining 15 kilograms this week!"

"If we go to the black market to buy food, that stingy Yan Fugui will definitely be unhappy!"

"That's true. After all, if we buy food on the black market, we will earn less. It will cost that old man's life! Haha!" Liu Haizhong laughed very happily. You were asked to come to their house to show off before. Are you happy now?

The only child of the Jia family went out to play again with a limp. He said he went out to play, but no one knew what he did specifically. However, it made it convenient for Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi to talk.

"Mom, do you have any news?" Qin Huairu asked Jia Zhang in the room while leaning against the door frame with a cigarette in his hand.

Jia Zhang shook her head silently, "No, what about you?"

Qin Huairu took a deep breath. Now she doesn't cough when she smokes. "No."

"You have to keep looking, even if it's just for Banggen and for yourself."

Jia Zhang nodded without saying a word.

Although it is embarrassing to hear a mother-in-law find a husband for her daughter-in-law, she still has to do it.

After all, there are four mouths to feed at home, and now Banggeng is in this state, the Jia family has no choice but to do this!

. . . . . .

The next day.

Qianer Hutong.

Li Ming hasn't been here for a while. Apart from coming here every month to get his salary, he rarely comes here. So today, Boss Li is going to come and take a look at his first business.

In the yard, next to the stone table.

Niu Lili was reporting to Li Ming with a notebook in her hand, while Wang Da, Wang Er, Niu Zhuang and Ma Hua were taking inventory of the goods, which was their weekly task.

Today happened to be the day when Li Ming was taking inventory, and Ma Hua was also there, so at least he didn't have to worry about preparing lunch today.

"Yes, it seems that our business has remained strong recently!" Li Ming picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said with a smile.

His business is indeed much better than that of the Liu brothers. After all, it was the first business he established.

There was also a look of joy on the little girl Niu Lili's face. After all, the better the business here, the better life they would live.

"Okay then, have we encountered any problems in our business recently?" Li Ming asked with a smile.

There was a strange look on Niu Lili's face, as if she was considering whether what she was about to say was a problem.

Li Ming saw through it at a glance, smiled and shook his head, "If you really have something to say, just tell me and we can handle it together."

"What could possibly stump so many of us?"

Niu Lili nodded her head and said, "Brother, it's not a big deal. It's just that many people in Qian'er Hutong have lost things recently."

Chapter 534: Little thief, it’s a pity that it’s not a good joke…

Li Ming immediately became interested and turned to look at the others, "Come here, it's a good opportunity for you to take a break!"

The people who were busy were also tired, so they came over and sat around the stone table. Although they knew it, wasn't it time for them to make the decision?

Li Ming passed out cigarettes to everyone and then let Niu Lili continue talking.

It turned out that the problem of lost items in their area had been going on for nearly half a month. Previously, it was around Qianer Hutong, but recently it was getting closer and closer to their hutong.

If it were an ordinary family, they might be able to call the police or something, but they have food stored here. If this is made public, wouldn't it be like a mouse looking for a cat?

But the thief hasn't come here yet. But this is why Niu Lili and the others are worried. They can't just hope that the thief won't come here, right?

Li Ming stretched out his finger and tapped the table. "Do you have any good ideas?"

"We've been keeping an eye on him for some time, and we don't believe that we won't be able to catch him. But we're still undecided about what to do with him once we catch him!" Wang Er directly stated their current thoughts, and they were still concerned about the food storage on their side.

But you can't ask them to move because of a thief? That's even more ridiculous.

"Are you sure you can catch him? Things get lost all the time in our area. Someone must have called the police. Maybe the police station is also investigating."

Wang Da curled his lips, "Then they should catch them! If they can be caught immediately, we won't have to worry about it."

Ma Hua and Niu Zhuang nodded in agreement.

"That's right, but the problem is that this has happened for a long time and they haven't caught anyone yet!"

"That's right. We've been really troubled by this mess lately. If you hadn't come over today, we would still be worried. We might have to go look for you in a couple of days!"

Li Ming laughed out loud when he heard what Niu Zhuang said, "These are all trivial matters, but are you sure you can catch him?"

Wang Da and Wang Er looked at each other, and the two men grinned like bears, "Yes!"

"Wang Da said!" Li Ming was very satisfied with the two brothers. They were originally on the gray road. Snakes have snake paths and rats have rat paths.

"Recently, my brother and I went to ask those hooligans we knew before, and they said that there are some younger people who often go to their stalls to sell goods recently. I guess that's it."

"But no one has seen it, only heard about it."

Li Ming listened silently, "There is no smoke without fire. Since there are rumors like this, then there must be something like this."

"Young man, hey, damn, it reminds me of the thief in our courtyard!" Li Ming grinned, "But this kid's hands and feet have been crippled recently, so logically he shouldn't have such a skill!"

"Brother Li, are you talking about the thief in your courtyard?"

They had all heard of it. After all, being beaten and having an arm and a leg broken for stealing was a rare thing. The most important thing was that the man was not very old.

"That's right, but we don't have any evidence now." Li Ming half closed his eyes and began to recall the recent whereabouts of their Siheyuan Banggeng.

He didn't think it would be such a coincidence, but who made Jia Geng have a criminal record?

"Don't worry, brother. As long as we want to find it, we will definitely find it. If they have the ability, they will stop attacking!" Wang Er patted his chest and said.

"Okay, I also have acquaintances in the police station. When you catch this bastard, I will hand him over to my acquaintances there. This way we will be safer." Li Ming nodded, agreeing.

"Then let's keep an eye on him from now on!"

"That's right, Ma Hua, don't come. You still have to go to work. We brothers will take turns to watch over you when the time comes!"

Ma Hua's family knew their own business, so they didn't reject their kindness and nodded, "Okay, I'll come over frequently to cook for you during this time!"

"Let's not talk about it for the time being. I'll leave this lunch to you. Haha!" Li Ming said with a grin.

Ma Hua smiled and nodded, then walked towards the kitchen. It was already past ten o'clock and there were many people in the courtyard, so it was a perfect time to cook.

Time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, another week had passed.

In front of the police station.

Zhou Tieniu and his apprentice Li Tie were outside chatting with Li Ming.

"Mingzi, I should thank you this time for bringing me the credit so timely!" Zhou Tieniu said with a smile, hugging Li Ming's shoulders warmly.

Li Ming nodded indifferently. It was just a coincidence that Zhou Tieniu just came to the important point of promotion, which consolidated Zhou Tieniu's promotion.

Zhou Tieniu is no longer a senior police officer, but a deputy sheriff. He is very powerful! At least he can be regarded as a good person in the small area under the jurisdiction of their police station.

Without a doubt, this is good news for Li Ming.

"Brother Zhou, you are too polite. It's just a coincidence that these little bastards are stealing from my friend." Li Ming said with a smile, without any intention of taking credit for it.

Zhou Tieniu's impression of Li Ming was a little better. "Okay, okay, we'll see you later, haha!"

"It's easy to talk about."

Li Ming exchanged a few polite words with Zhou Tieniu before leisurely strolling towards the courtyard of the steel rolling mill.

I guessed wrong this time. It has nothing to do with the Bang joke. It's just that a few gangsters were desperate.

Wang Da and Wang Er waited for a week and finally caught the trio. After they were done they beat up the three of them, leaving them with panda eyes for almost a week. Do you think they wouldn't be ruthless?

But no one cared about these three thieves. Banggeng's arms and legs were all broken, but in the end, the matter was left unresolved.

As for the profession of thief, hey, there is no human rights in the old city at that time. To be honest, the whereabouts of the family that was beaten by Bang Geng were found later.

The problem is that the person has gone to the Magic City! Where can we find him? Besides, who would be willing to take care of such a trivial matter if he is so young? The Jia family is also ignorant, so no one cares.

If you commit a petty crime, no matter how far that person goes to Shanghai or even to the sea, I will catch you!

After finding a deserted place on the road, Li Ming took out a backpack from the space, which was filled with five big watermelons. Well, he found that backpacks were very convenient recently, so he simply threw several into the space, and in the end he got two straw hats!

In the hot summer, Li Ming went out for a trip and just happened to bring some watermelons back home!

Chapter 535 Treating Guests to Eat Watermelon

The steel rolling mill courtyard, front yard.

Li Ming dug out a rubber tube from the old house and plugged it into the faucet. He then moved a large vat to the front of the door and filled the vat with water. Then he took the five large watermelons in his backpack to the sink to wash them.

There were quite a few aunties and ladies in the yard at that moment, so Li Ming did not take out the watermelon. Instead, he put the basket directly under the faucet to rinse it, to avoid being seen by more people and causing trouble for himself.

After putting the watermelon into the water tank on ice, Li Ming moved a stool and waited for his family to come back while guarding his watermelon.

I raised my wrist to check the time. It was 5 o'clock. I guess everyone would be back soon.

"Son, why are you here?" Li's mother wondered when she saw that her son was not at home today, but was guarding a big vat in front of the old house.

Li Ming pointed at the water tank but didn't say a word. There were a lot of people coming back from get off work at this time, and he had a lot of watermelons. If someone shamelessly opened his mouth, what should he do?

Besides, if there were fewer beasts in the courtyard, he wouldn't have hidden them so much. If the watermelons didn't taste better after being chilled in water for a while, he would never have been out to pick up these watermelons.

Mother Li looked at her son who was keeping her in suspense and walked forward with a smile. Then she looked down and saw five round and shiny watermelons floating in the jar. The moment she saw the watermelons, her hot temper seemed to be cooled down a little.

"You stay here, close the lid and wait for your father to come back. I'll go back and cook for you!" Mother Li was in a good mood. After giving Li Ming instructions, she went home happily.

Is there anything better than having a piece of cool watermelon after dinner on a hot summer day?

Li Ming was like a door god, welcoming his father and sister behind the door of the old house. Of course, there was also the girl Wu Xuanxuan, who was also very curious and brought the old Wu couple over to take a look.

"Uncle Wu, you can come home after dinner. I have to take care of my watermelons!" Li Ming smiled and patted the big vat, making a "bang bang" sound.

Wu Qiangguo gave Li Ming a thumbs up. Well done! He liked this capable kid!

He also wanted watermelon, but the problem was that the situation was still bad this year, and he didn't know where to eat. Where in the city could I buy watermelon? Even if there was, it might not be his turn to buy one!