[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-good-life":3,"chapter-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-good-life-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-29":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Siheyuan: The Salted Fish's Beautiful Life",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2103872,3398,"Chapter 29: Popular","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-29",29,"\u003Cp>Steel Rolling Mill\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway there, Cao Cao Weiguo and Xu Xu Damao parted ways, and he rode his bike to the nearby supply and marketing cooperative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bought a pack of Daqian Sect cigarettes with a show of pretense, rode into an alley, and when he came out, his bike was loaded with a large bag of candies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brought the candies into the factory and grabbed a handful for everyone he met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coworkers who received the candy beamed with joy and offered a few kind words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering the kitchen, he gave everyone a handful of fruit hard candies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every handful Cao Cao Weiguo grabbed was at least twenty pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These twenty-plus pieces of candy weren't stingy; they were genuinely generous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single piece of candy cost at least one cent, enough to trade for several steamed buns; it was a luxury people only dared to eat during the New Year to satisfy their cravings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo buying a bike and handing out candy, then becoming a director and handing out candy again—he had truly sweetened the mouths of these people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By handing out handfuls of candy, Cao Cao Weiguo gained a great deal of goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After distributing the candy, Cao Cao Weiguo began directing the work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kitchen was soon bustling with activity, the sounds of washing and chopping vegetables incessant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Cao, Shen Gong from the Third Workshop is looking for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A kitchen helper walked in carrying vegetables and called out happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the start of the workday, the stream of people looking for Cao Cao Weiguo had not stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exception, these people were all here to introduce a romantic partner to Cao Cao Weiguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, it made the bachelors in the canteen green with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Shazhu, who had just received a round of criticism, looked dejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the coworkers talk about Cao Cao Weiguo, he felt even more jealous and miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was nearing thirty and still single; even matchmakers didn't want to come to his door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo was in his early twenties, and the people lining up to introduce him to someone were endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the coworkers' discussion, Qin Qin Huairu couldn't help but have her own little thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had a cousin who was young and pretty, just right to introduce to Cao Cao Weiguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Cao Cao Weiguo could become a couple with her cousin, wouldn't he help her family in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sihe Academy\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo pushed his bicycle into the courtyard, a roasted chicken hanging from the handlebars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Weiguo, you actually splurged on a roasted chicken!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This roasted chicken is really plump.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did you buy that roasted chicken? I could smell the fragrance from far away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The neighbors looked at the roasted chicken with glowing eyes, their mouths watering with greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Uncle rubbed his hands and approached. \"Cao Weiguo, come eat at my place tonight. I have a bottle of fine wine I’ve been saving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo laughed. \"Third Uncle, let’s do it another day. I already made plans with Brother Xu this morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Uncle asked, \"Xu Xu Damao is treating you to dinner again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang Geng saw the roasted chicken and shouted greedily, \"Grandma, I want to eat roasted chicken!\" ===== CHAPTER 52 =====\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi dragged Bang Geng back into the room. \"Eat, eat, eat—all you know is how to eat. Only animals like to eat chicken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo ignored Jia Jia Zhangshi, put his bike away at home, and carried the roasted chicken to the Xu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Xu, try the roasted chicken I made.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao Weiguo, don’t bring anything next time you come over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao took the roasted chicken with a beaming smile and warmly invited Cao Cao Weiguo to sit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Xiao’e walked out of the kitchen with a dish. \"Cao Weiguo, you got off work quite late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao said, \"What do you know? Cao Weiguo is a leader now; he has a lot of work and things to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo laughed and said, \"Not busy, not busy. I just spent some time in the kitchen making a roasted chicken, which delayed me a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table was set with dishes, each one a hearty meat dish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao brought out a bottle of fine wine. \"Cao Weiguo has been promoted to Deputy Director; this is such a big happy event, we must drink a few more cups.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Xiao’e said, \"Cao Weiguo is so capable; he will definitely have a smooth official career in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo thanked them. \"Thank you, Brother Xu! Sister Xiao’e!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao and Lou Xiao’e treated him with great hospitality, and the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Uncle walked into the room holding a bottle of wine. \"You guys are fast; you’ve already started eating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao said unhappily, \"Second Uncle, I’m treating Brother Cao Weiguo to dinner; why are you interfering?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Uncle laughed and said, \"Hey, it’s just that I was confused last night and offended Cao Weiguo. I feel bad about it and wanted to offer some wine to apologize to Cao Weiguo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo said, \"Second Uncle, you’re being too serious. I know that wasn’t your intention; you were provoked by Seeing Shazhu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Uncle said happily, \"That’s why Cao Weiguo is a leader; he really has a keen eye for detail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Xu Xu Damao heard that Seeing Shazhu was involved, he immediately perked up. \"That grandson Seeing Shazhu, he never has good intentions. He’s a total troublemaker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Xiao’e kicked Xu Xu Damao in disgust. \"We’re eating; stop spouting such nonsense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao laughed sheepishly. \"I just can’t suppress my anger; that bastard Seeing Shazhu is just too infuriating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Uncle said fawningly, \"Cao Weiguo, although it was Seeing Shazhu who stirred up trouble, the Second Uncle didn’t act right last night either. Please be the bigger person and don’t hold it against me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo said, \"Second Uncle, look at what you’re saying. I forgot about that little matter after a night’s sleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Uncle said happily, \"Alright, with those words, the Second Uncle can put his heart at ease. Let this wine be my gift to you for your promotion to Deputy Director.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo took the wine with a smile and looked at Xu Xu Damao to ask, \"Brother Xu, since the Second Uncle is already here, why don’t we invite him to eat together? It’ll be livelier with more people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao laughed and said, \"Since Cao Weiguo has spoken, of course that’s no problem. Second Uncle, please take a seat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Uncle said happily, \"Then this old man will be thick-skinned and sit down. If we’re talking about this courtyard, you two are the only ones with real ability; the others don’t count.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Xiao’e got up to get a set of bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen and poured a glass of wine for the Second Uncle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the addition of the Second Uncle, who was obsessed with officialdom, every three sentences were about national affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xu Damao was no less impressive, able to brag and chat, claiming to be well-informed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sang in harmony, talking about everything from the factory to the countryside, from the streets to the Sihe Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Xiao’e curled her lip as she listened, and Cao Cao Weiguo patiently chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drinking someone else’s wine, he couldn’t very well tear down their stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Xu Xu Damao’s house, they ate meat and drank wine, clinking glasses in a lively atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made the Third Uncle, the First Uncle, and the other neighbors envious and jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang Geng smelled the fragrance and kept shouting that he was hungry, clamoring to eat meat and chicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi cursed with hatred, and Qin Qin Huairu felt annoyed and restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu: \"Mom, stop cursing. It won’t be good if they hear you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi scolded angrily, \"Qin Qin Huairu, you cheap woman, have you taken a liking to Cao Cao Weiguo? I’ve only cursed a few times and you’re already unhappy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu said, \"Cao Cao Weiguo, Xu Xu Damao, the Second Uncle—which one of them is easy to mess with? If you curse like this and they hear you, or if it reaches their ears, will our family have any good days left?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Qin Qin Huairu said this, Jia Jia Zhangshi calmed down, her face gloomy as she stopped talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu thought for a moment and said, \"Mom, what do you think if I introduce my cousin Qin Qin Jingru to Cao Cao Weiguo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi said angrily, \"Hey, you cheap bone, Cao Cao Weiguo bullies our family, and you’re still rushing to introduce him to a partner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu suppressed her anger and explained, \"Mom, can’t you look at the long term? Cao Cao Weiguo is all alone, has money and power. If I introduce my cousin to him and it works out, Cao Cao Weiguo will be our relative. Won’t he and my cousin help our family then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi’s eyes lit up immediately, like a jackal seeing a fat sheep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu’s idea wasn’t bad; although Cao Cao Weiguo’s character was poor, he was indeed doing well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Jia family had such a \"good relative,\" life would be much easier in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi slapped her thigh and said, \"What you say makes some sense. Then let’s let that animal Cao Cao Weiguo have the advantage for now. Once we’re relatives, see if I don’t empty out his family fortune.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu reached out her hand. \"Give me some travel money. I’ll go back to my maiden home this weekend and bring Qin Qin Jingru over quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi covered her pocket and waved her hand. \"Go, go, go. What I’ve saved is all for my old age. If you’re introducing a partner to Cao Cao Weiguo, go ask Cao Cao Weiguo for the travel money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Uncle’s household\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family sat around the dining table, drinking thin porridge and eating steamed buns, the pickled vegetables divided by the stalk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Aunt said with a smile, \"Old Yan, you don’t know—Yu Yu Haitang’s miserable look; you didn’t even need her to speak to know she regretted it to death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Li’s face looked ugly. \"Mom, how can you say that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how bad Yu Yu Haitang was, she was still her own sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Aunt said, \"Can’t I tell the truth? Am I lying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Li frowned. \"The truth is the truth, but you can’t say it like that. She’s my sister, after all, and a relative of our family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Uncle held his bowl and nodded. \"Yu Li is right. Mother of the children, pay attention to how you speak in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Yan Jiecheng asked with concern, \"Is Yu Yu Haitang willing to go on a blind date with Cao Cao Weiguo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Aunt said with a smile, \"Yu Yu Haitang is willing, of course. However, it still depends on whether Cao Cao Weiguo is willing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Uncle said, \"I’ll go find Cao Cao Weiguo in a bit. Even if I have to wear my tongue down, I have to get him to nod.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Yan Jiecheng said excitedly, \"Dad, this matter must be pushed forward quickly. Cao Cao Weiguo is incredible now. If we become relatives, I can bask in his glory in the future.\" ===== CHAPTER 53 =====\u003C\u002Fp>",1949,"2026-06-16T06:41:09.589Z","2026-06-16T08:22:04.667Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","e3b9c30431e813b1889b7ef5ce3d905a981b9fc5f13c6eaa903b8e75c93880de","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-30","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-28",843,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsiheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-cover.gif"]