Chapter 147: Arranging Everything

The family of three, Jia Dongxu included, arrived at Qin Family Village, and Qin Huairu briefly explained Jia Dongxu's idea to her father.

"Dad, what do you think of Dongxu's proposal?"

"It's fine, I think it's quite good, and Lao San is indeed suitable. Huairu, you and your mother go cook, Dongxu, I'll take you over there."

"Okay."

The father-in-law and son-in-law stood up and walked toward the home of Qin Dabao.

"Lao San."

"Second Brother, Dongxu, why have you two come?"

"Dongxu, you tell him."

"Right, Third Uncle, I have a job opening in the Procurement Section here, I wonder if you...?"

"Hmm~"

"Dad, go! Then we can often go to the city to play in the future."

"...."

Before Qin Dabao could even open his mouth, Qin Jingru had already agreed impatiently. During this period, her studies had progressed rapidly, and Qin Dabao had also taken her to the city a few times to play; this girl had her heart set on getting into the city.

"Done. Dongxu, how much money for this job?"

"This..." Jia Dongxu hadn't thought about wanting money at all, and couldn't help but shift his gaze to his father-in-law.

"Lao San, we are all family, no money needed."

"Let's do this. I don't have much money at home, and moving to the city might require some settling in. Dongxu, I'll give you my salary for the next year."

"Third Uncle, this..."

"It's decided."

"Fine, Lao San, then let's do as you say."

As the father-in-law and son-in-law walked on the road back home, Jia Dongxu couldn't help but say:

"Dad, I didn't intend to take Third Uncle's money."

"I know, but Lao San has a strong-willed personality; he wouldn't accept it if it were given for free. It's better to just follow his wishes."

"Then I'll have Huairu use this money to buy you cigarettes and wine when the time comes."

"Hahaha, fine."

As for Qin Dabao's house, he was also considering whether to move to the city to live. Looking at Qin Jingru's expectant eyes, Qin Dabao shook his head with a smile.

"Jingru, you want to go to the city?"

"Of course, there are so many delicious and fun things in the city."

"Fine, give your dad some time, I'll look for a house."

"Mm, okay."

Jingru was not stupid; to live in the city, one must first have a house, but she was already looking forward to it in her heart.

Besides Zhang Ping'an and Jia Dongxu's side, the other group of eight also listened to Wu Qiang's advice and found people among their relatives they deemed capable of doing the job, which, of course, also involved a fee.

In the span of one week, all personnel for Procurement Section Two had arrived, a full twenty-two people, and Li Huaide also came over to provide some simple motivation.

The Section Chief and Deputy Section Chief naturally could not avoid giving speeches.

"Before you came, your introducers should have told you the rules. I will repeat them here once more..."

"Therefore, do not think that just because you have entered the factory, you can rest easy. If you cannot complete your tasks, you will still be finished."

"You have one month to familiarize yourselves with the procurement process, and they will also diligently guide you. I hope everyone can stay after three months."

After the meeting dispersed, Qin Dabao found Zhang Ping'an.

"Ping'an."

"Brother Dabao."

Just as Zhang Ping'an had guessed, Jia Dongxu's opening had ultimately fallen to Qin Dabao.

"Ping'an, do you know where there might be an extra house?" Qin Dabao struggled for a long time before asking.

"Brother Dabao wants to move into the city?"

"Yes, I have that intention."

"Mm~ Brother Dabao, I'll give you an answer in these two days."

"Done." Qin Dabao hadn't expected to find one immediately either.

The first thing Zhang Ping'an thought of was his maternal grandparents' Siheyuan. During the Three Years of Difficulties, when refugees entered the city, if it were left vacant, it would certainly be requisitioned.

Zhang Ping'an did not want the perfectly good courtyard to be ruined; after all, the refugees were a mixed bag, and if someone were to occupy the nest like a cuckoo, it would be troublesome to deal with.

If he could have Qin Dabao look after it, it would certainly be much better, but all of this had to be asked of his grandparents.

In the morning, Zhang Ping'an taught the four people how to procure in the countryside, and at noon, Zhang Ping'an settled Zhang Tiezhu and the other two in.

"Tiezhu, you three stay here first, and we'll tidy it up when the weather gets warmer."

Zhang Ping'an had already had the craftsmen plan this place out simply; the five rooms of the Daozuofang were enough for the three of them to use for marriage in the future, though for now, there was only one large heated brick bed.

"No need, Brother Ping'an, having a heated brick bed here is enough."

"Fine, then we'll talk about it after spring begins."

After work, Zhang Ping'an contacted his eldest uncle, Dong Dali, through Wang Weiguo.

"Done, Ping'an, wait for the call at this time tomorrow."

"Okay."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Ping'an saw Wang Weiguo smoking in the corridor.

"Finished calling?"

"Yes, thanks, Uncle Wang. My grandfather will return the call at this time tomorrow."

"Alright, then come over early."

"Okay."

Zhang Ping'an left behind two packs of China cigarettes and went home, while Wang Weiguo happily lit another one.

"Where did this kid get such good stuff?"

Zhang Ping'an currently had over two more cartons of China cigarettes in his space; the one he had given to Li Huaide in his office previously, Zhang Ping'an had simply let his old man smoke.

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an had Wu Guohua take the three Tiezhu brothers to familiarize themselves with Sijiucheng first; he planned to handle the specific details of going to the countryside after the New Year.

In the afternoon, Zhang Ping'an waited for his grandfather's phone call.

"Ping'an, you handle the arrangements for that Siheyuan as you see fit; the deed is also in the iron box in the brick crevice at the head of the bed in the master bedroom."

"Your eldest uncle and the others and I will likely not go back in the future; it will be enough if you come to see us when you have time."

"Alright, Grandfather, I will go see you and Grandmother when I have free time."

"Mm."

Returning home, Zhang Ping'an took the keys and went to his grandfather's courtyard; it was also a two-section compound, and everything inside was fully equipped.

Zhang Ping'an first collected the deed, then put all the furniture, bottles, and jars that looked like they had some age into his space; the quilts were no exception, he took them all, as they might come in handy in the future. He left the pots, bowls, and ladles in the kitchen untouched.

Thinking that Qin Huairu's eldest brother also had no place to live, and his wife and children were still in Qin Family Village, he decided to just rent the West Wing Room and the East Wing Room to them.

In the evening, Zhang Ping'an returned and went to the Jia Family; once he mentioned it to Qin Huairu, she was naturally overjoyed.

"Ahem, this is for rent to you all, let's say three yuan a month. Once the Rolling Mill allocates housing, have your brother move over there."

"Alright, Uncle, I thank you on behalf of my eldest brother."

"It's nothing, we aren't outsiders."

Returning home, Zhang Ping'an also told his mother about this matter.

"Mm, you handle it as you see fit."

Dong Dani knew her son had his own ideas and that there was deep meaning behind everything he did, so she had no objections to this arrangement.

"Good."

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an found Qin Dabao and told him he had found a place to live.

"Brother Dabao, that is a residence left behind by my grandfather; I can only rent it to you all to live in, for a monthly rent of three yuan."

"Done, thank you, Ping'an. Once the factory allocates housing, I will move out."

"Done, there's no rush." There really was no rush; in any case, Zhang Ping'an wouldn't urge them to move for ten or eight years.

"Good, good, good."

Originally, Qin Dabao hadn't held out much hope, at most he would have gone back and disappointed Qin Jingru, but Zhang Ping'an had brought him a surprise.

Since he had already decided to let people live there, he might as well let the three cousins move over too. Zhang Ping'an found them in the workshop and told them his idea.

"Really, Ping'an?"

"Really, but it's only for rent."

"Good, good, good. Once the factory allocates housing, we will move out."

The three cousins were all very happy; who would want to squeeze into a smelly collective dormitory if they could have an independent room to live in? Plus, they could also bring their wives and children over.

"Fine."

Having arranged everything, Zhang Ping'an let out a long sigh of relief; the courtyard would not suffer any major destruction in the next ten years.