Chapter 55

Deaf Granny said angrily, "Look at Cao Cao Weiguo, he settled down and got himself a wife, the two of them are like glue, living a sweet and comfortable life. Why can't you just settle down and go on a blind date? That Zhang Zhang Caiyun is such a good girl."

Sha Zhu curled his lip and said, "That Zhang Zhang Caiyun is just a tomboy, she looks like a man no matter how you look at her."

"You! You! You're really going to be the death of me!"

Deaf Granny was so infuriated by Sha Zhu that she nearly fainted on the spot.

Sha Zhu hurriedly supported Deaf Granny: "Don't be angry, Granny. Sooner or later, I'll marry you a beautiful and filial granddaughter-in-law."

Cao Household

After the couple arrived home, they put their things away and started working in the kitchen together.

Since Cao Cao Weiguo had promised to treat Xu Xu Damao and his wife to a meal, he couldn't be perfunctory or vague about it.

When Xu Xu Damao treated him, he always served substantial dishes.

Courtesy demands reciprocity; he couldn't fall short.

The couple chatted while tidying up the ingredients.

Cao Cao Weiguo gave Song Song Yulan a brief introduction to the neighbors in the courtyard.

"Cao Weiguo, what exactly is the relationship between Brother He and Sister Qin?"

"Them? It's hard to say, but it's very likely they'll end up together."

"End up together? You mean marriage?"

"Mm!"

"Brother He has never been married and he's quite capable, so how..."

"Familiarity breeds affection, I suppose!"

Cao Cao Weiguo said earnestly, "Wife, keep your guard up. It's best not to associate with the Jia family. That family is very troublesome, especially Jia Jia Zhangshi; she's been cursing me constantly."

Song Song Yulan said angrily, "How can she curse people? If she curses you again, just watch me deal with her."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed, "It's enough that you're on your guard, wife. Avoid those kinds of people whenever you can; there's no need to get worked up over them. If you don't haggle with a gentleman, he will repay you twofold; if you don't haggle with a petty person, they will have no way to deal with you."

After preparing the ingredients, Cao Cao Weiguo nimbly started the fire and heated the wok.

Song Song Yulan played the supporting role, their cooperation remarkably tacit.

Before long, the aroma of the stir-fry drifted outside.

Even the vegetable dishes were stir-fried by Cao Cao Weiguo until they were mouth-wateringly fragrant.

"So fragrant!"

"That must be tomato and egg stir-fry!"

"It seems to be from the Cao house. Cao Cao Weiguo's skills are truly amazing!"

"To make even a dish of tomato and egg stir-fry look so tempting!"

The neighbors in the courtyard were salivating, wishing they could run over to the Cao house to beg for a meal.

Xu Xu Damao smelled the aroma and shouted excitedly, "Ezi, hurry up, grab the liquor and let's go eat something good at Cao Weiguo's place."

Lou Xiao'e was busy grooming herself and said impatiently, "If you're in such a rush, go ahead. I'm still doing my hair."

Xu Xu Damao curled his lip, "We're just visiting a neighbor, and you're still fussing over your appearance. You really are a handful."

Lou Xiao'e said, "We are guests; being unkempt is rude."

Xu Xu Damao said, "You really do have the airs of a capitalist, so many stuffy rules."

The couple went back and forth; if not for the fact that they were going to be guests at the Cao house, they might have come to blows.

By the time they arrived at the Cao house, they were still in a mood where they found fault with everything.

Cao Cao Weiguo gave Song Song Yulan a look.

The couple divided the work.

Cao Cao Weiguo entertained Xu Xu Damao, while Song Song Yulan kept Lou Xiao'e company.

Good food and good wine!

Enthusiastic hospitality!

Soon, the atmosphere at the dinner table became lively.

Even the initially grumpy Lou Xiao'e was chatting and beaming with Song Song Yulan.

After a few cups of wine, Xu Xu Damao started bragging about his film projection exploits again.

Cao Cao Weiguo tactfully chimed in with flattery, which made Xu Xu Damao drink more and more happily.

"By the way, Brother Xu, do you know the person in charge of the commune's breeding farm?"

"Which commune are you talking about?"

"Any commune's breeding farm will do."

Xu Xu Damao said proudly, "If you put it that way, I do know a few. I know the ones at Red Star Commune, Bright Commune, and Haishan Commune. We've had many drinks together in the past."

Cao Cao Weiguo said, "Brother Xu, could you help build a bridge? The factory is always short on meat. If you can help with this, the factory leaders will definitely remember your contribution."

Xu Xu Damao immediately perked up: "Brother Cao Weiguo, tell me more. If I can help, can you get me a government position?"

Cao Cao Weiguo said, "I can't guarantee a position, but there will definitely be benefits. If you make a contribution to the factory, the leaders will surely reward you. A position isn't impossible."

Hearing that a position was possible, Xu Xu Damao acted as if he'd been injected with adrenaline.

"Brother Cao Weiguo, you really are my good brother!"

"Leave the bridge-building to me; it's just a matter of a film screening!"

"But once the matter is settled, you mustn't forget to put in a good word for your brother to the leaders!"

Cao Cao Weiguo patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Brother Xu. Once the matter is done, I will definitely request credit for you from the leaders!"

Although Xu Xu Damao wasn't a cadre, he was a projectionist, one of the highly sought-after "Eight Major Personnel."

Due to the scarcity of supplies and monotonous spiritual life, watching movies was a rare form of entertainment.

Whenever a movie was shown in a village, folks from ten miles around would rush over.

With movies being so popular, the status of a projectionist naturally rose.

No matter where they went to show a film, people would treat them with good cigarettes, tea, wine, and meat.

Xu Xu Damao often went to the countryside to show films, so his network of connections was not to be underestimated. ===== CHAPTER 99 =====