Chapter 101: Now Pang Dekai's family has only one daughter-in-law? Everyone

Lu Yuan pursed his lips, then immediately waved his hand and said:

Forget it.

Just looking at Liu Shoucai, you could tell what his daughter must look like.

Besides, my wife is so gorgeous, in bed she's so…… right?

My mouth has been spoiled by my wife.

This ordinary stuff is simply not worth looking at!

With the J-20, who the hell would want the J-8?

Sometimes Lu Yuan feels helpless—his wife is so beautiful that after staring at her too much, he has zero interest in any other woman.

Now when Lu Yuan looks at other women, the only two words in his mind are 'saint'.

When Liu Shoucai saw Lu Yuan wave him off, he resentfully kept eating his wonton.

However, after just two bites, Liu Shoucai suddenly looked up at Lu Yuan and said:

"Boss, do you need help around the house? My daughter is very hardworking."

Lu Yuan: "..."

That's even less needed.

Immediately, Lu Yuan said nothing more to Liu Shoucai, then rose and said:

"Alright, you keep eating; I'll go check where to buy supplies. After the New Year I'll meet you at the East City Gate—when do you usually come? After the third day?"

Anyway, Lu Yuan recalls that the office and factory resume work after the third day.

Liu Shoucai kept nodding at Lu Yuan and said:

"Boss, just set the date; as long as it's not New Year's Day, we'll all be here, and we can come on the second day as well."

Lu Yuan nodded and said:

"Still the third; on the second we still have New Year celebrations at home."

After saying that, Lu Yuan threw a coin onto the table and said:

"I'm going to look around for supplies; I'm busy, so you go eat the big meat noodle yourself at noon."

I originally thought Liu Shoucai would need until noon to figure this out.

As it turned out, Liu Shoucai glanced at it and had the answer in a moment.

It took less than seven or eight minutes altogether.

Look, that's what you call professional!

In that case, there's no need to bring Liu Shoucai along.

After buying supplies in the morning, Lu Yuan still had to go to the Bing Jia Chang factory to see if he could catch their lunch; if not, forget it.

But having promised someone the big meat noodle at noon, he naturally couldn't forget.

However, Liu Shoucai glanced at the silver dollar on the table, then at the rising Lu Yuan, and hurriedly lifted his bowl toward Lu Yuan and said:

"Boss, why don't you take me along? I can still help you size things up."

Liu Shoucai thought that today there probably wasn't any proper work to be found.

Now the year's end is upon us; who has spare money to build this or that?

Even if there is work, it's just helping to patch walls and fill gaps—not proper work.

It would be better to help the boss size things up.

Liu Shoucai looked at his boss, who, though smart, didn't even know whether to apply the base coat or the plaster first when building a wall last time.

He probably doesn't understand these things.

If I go myself, I could also help keep an eye out, after all……

The boss even gave a coin.

A bowl of wonton, a bowl of big meat noodle—how much do they cost? I can't just take this for free, can I?

Lu Yuan was taken aback; that actually works.

Fortunately, there'll be someone to talk to on the way.

After Liu Shoucai gulped down his wonton with a hurr‑hurr sound, drinking every last drop of soup, the two then headed to the state-owned building materials factory.

After arriving, the building materials had gone up in price, too.

I originally thought 1,300 would suffice, but after totalling it came to 1,500.

The reason is that the Ministry of Works hauled away a large batch of building materials yesterday.

They used it for those two new factories.

Lu Yuan thought, feeling speechless, this damn thing seems to have become his own karma.

An extra two hundred is just an extra two hundred.

When Lu Yuan was about to pay, Liu Shoucai, who had been strolling outside, suddenly came in and stopped him.

Then, with Lu Yuan looking bewildered, they pulled him aside and whispered:

"Boss, wait a few more days; I just went in and looked around—there's nothing good, all substandard."

"It works, but spending extra money on substandard goods isn't worth it."

Lu Yuan blinked; that's true too.

The Ministry of Works uses good materials, so they took the good stuff, leaving only the substandard here.

However, Lu Yuan is a bit anxious, since the New Year is coming up soon—when will the next batch arrive?

Liu Shoucai also saw that his boss was in a hurry, and immediately whispered:

"Boss, if you're in a hurry, why don't we check out a private factory?"

"After we go, I'll help you pick, and the prices there will definitely be dirt cheap compared to here."

Now the Imperial Court permits merchants to trade, and with today's social climate, private shops dare not cut corners.

The private shops' workmanship is lacking—some good, some bad—but if an expert goes in to select, it's fine!

Lu Yuan immediately nodded and said:

"Let's go."

Soon Lu Yuan followed Liu Shoucai to visit several private building-material shops.

Liu Shoucai truly picked out items for Lu Yuan with great care.

The shop owners were getting annoyed by the selection; if it weren't for Lu Yuan's large order, they'd have kicked him out already.

After all selections were done, Liu Shoucai marked them.

They then hired an ox cart to load the goods, and once loaded sent it to Qingqiu Village.

They worked until past two in the afternoon, then the job was done; settling the bill, hey, it came to only nine hundred eighty.

Lu Yuan, pleased, handed Liu Shoucai two pieces, and only then did they part.

He had intended to go to the Bing Jia Chang, but after working all morning and rising early, he grew drowsy.

Okay.

Go home to sleep; we'll try again tomorrow.

After all, the most important thing is this afternoon, when Su Changliang will come to deliver the goods.

Someone needs to be home to open the door.

Otherwise, all those goods would be piled outside the door, which wouldn't be good.

After returning home, Lu Yuan first filled the Kang heating ducts with two shovels of coal.

Just before entering the house, Lu Yuan glanced at Pang Kaige's home.

The main gate was shut tight, not locked, but no one was there.

He also didn't see Pang's mother in the courtyard.

He also didn't see the new daughter-in-law, and wondered whether she was the one he'd seen at the noodle shop that day.

……

Outskirts of Huangcheng.

Inside a large shed, Lin Fusheng lay on the ground, laughing loudly with excitement.

Success!!

Really succeeded!!

"That kid Lu Yuan is truly damn divine!!"

Lin Fusheng gazed at the seedling on the ground, couldn't help cursing.

This is too divine!!

Being able to farm in winter—what kind of achievement is that?!!

Beside him, Lin Fusheng's assistant also exclaimed in astonishment:

"Lu Yuan is really too capable—clearly just a Forging Bureau craftsman, yet he could have such an idea."

Frankly, when Lin Fusheng's assistant saw the shed design, he simply didn't believe it.

But now that sprouts have appeared, disbelief is no longer possible.

Lin Fusheng's assistant didn't believe because Lin Fusheng had handled the matter alone.

Whether controlling temperature or humidity, Lin Fusheng personally handled it.

Lin Fusheng had believed from the start.

However, the more they built according to Lu Yuan's instructions, the more Lin Fusheng was startled.

Lu Yuan knows far too much—how could a mere craftsman understand all this?

Some of these things, even Lin Fusheng, who has spent half his life in the fields, feels instructed.

The key is that Lu Yuan is still a city dweller, not someone who came from rural farming.

How does he know so much?

Lin Fusheng thought it over; besides the two words 'talent,' he could think of no other explanation.

Lin Fusheng suddenly recalled something, then hurriedly looked at his assistant and said:

"Right, go buy a bottle of good wine, get some nice dishes, put them in my office; tonight I'll go to his place."

"That kid is close with the Forging Bureau side; if I drink with him a few more times, maybe we'll also become close."

…………

Forging Bureau, Director Xu's office.

At this time, Director Xu beamed with spring-like cheer, and several Forging Bureau leaders sat in the room.

"On Little New Year's day I went to the Ministry of Works for a meeting; the higher-ups were very pleased with us—this kid Lu Yuan really brought great glory to our Forging Bureau!"

Director Xu said with feeling.

Before, as the Forging Bureau's second-in-command, going to the Ministry of Works was hardly a minor post; actually it was about the same.

In meetings they always sat in the corners.

Basically after a meeting, nobody would mention it.

Just lower their heads to take notes, then come back.

But this time it's really different—the Ministry of Works' top leader really lavished praise on him!

Beside him, a Forging Bureau leader also laughed and nodded:

"Yes, this year all Forging Bureaus are pushing hard; we originally thought our Huangcheng Forging Bureau would lag behind."

"As a result, as soon as the Snow Dragon Sunlight Armor task was issued, we got it done right away, while other Forging Bureaus haven't even reacted yet."

The leader sitting opposite also smiled and said:

"Especially this corn thresher; we originally thought the Jiangnan Forging Bureau would rely on that Ruomengsi to win the Advanced Award this year, but now, the Advanced Award this year is definitely ours!"

The atmosphere inside the room was harmonious and cheerful; this year is about to pass, and with this sudden turn of events at year's end, the Huangcheng Forging Bureau has indeed become proud.

"But having said that, how exactly should we reward Lu Yuan? Giving him three hundred dollars is simply insufficient, yet if we give more, we cannot apply for it; this is the highest reward possible."

Director Xu then suddenly spoke up.

And the people in the room looked at each other, then wore a troubled expression.

"Lu Yuan is really difficult to handle; he's already a Fifth-Rank Forging Worker at twenty-one, and promoting him further at his age is truly difficult."

"As for a cadre position, the key is his poor health—he can't come to work, so giving him anything would be useless."

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

After a moment of silence, Director Xu suddenly raised his eyebrows and said:

"I think we could reward his wife instead; she works here, and I heard she's only an apprentice worker."

"If we promote her, she'll earn more, which would effectively mean Lu Yuan earns more too."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up; this could work!!

"But... everyone felt that Director Xu might be showing a bit too much favoritism toward Lu Yuan."

"Of course, given Lu Yuan's current performance, such favoritism is inevitable."

"But Director Xu's impatient demeanor leaves everyone somewhat puzzled."

"There's no need to be so rushed."

"After all, it hasn't been long since we just rewarded Lu Yuan three hundred dollars; wouldn't it be better to wait a month or two?"

"Director Xu also feels helpless; he doesn't want to be so rushed, but he has no choice."

"This makes it seem as if he himself has accepted a gift, or something like that."

"But the problem is, Director Xu knows that Lu Yuan set up a greenhouse for Lin Fusheng at the Agriculture Bureau."

"That greenhouse at the Agriculture Bureau was actually built by the Ministry of Works."

"Director Xu only learned of this when he attended a meeting at the Ministry of Works during the Little New Year."

"Although he doesn't know exactly what the greenhouse is used for, after all, the Ministry of Works only handles construction."

"But Director Xu knows that this greenhouse was Lu Yuan's suggestion to Lin Fusheng."

"Lu Yuan giving Lin Fusheng this idea is nothing wrong; whether it's himself or Lin Fusheng, ultimately it's for the Imperial Court and the people."

"But the problem is, Director Xu fears that Lin Fusheng might come up with something and lure Lu Yuan over to the Agriculture Bureau!!"

"After all, no matter what, the Ministry of Works simply cannot compare to the Ministry of Revenue in certain matters."

"If we don't reward him quickly, what will we do if Lu Yuan really runs over to the Agriculture Bureau?"

"Director Xu knows, however, that Lin Fusheng has arranged a clerk position for Lu Yuan."

…………

At this moment, Lu Yuan was moving a small stool, gathering with the aunties in the courtyard to bask in the sun; the sunshine this afternoon was nice.

"Your home is so warm, why did you come out?"

Aunt Xu of the back courtyard couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and ask.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said:

"It's too hot at home; I can't stay there."

The many aunties: "…………"

Lu Yuan really wasn't lying; he wasn't pretending to be a fool for these people—he had just shoveled two big scoops of coal and was still hot.

Inside, it was so hot he couldn't sleep.

Even sleeping with the window open, with so many aunties in the courtyard chatting by the wall corner, Lu Yuan couldn't sleep.

So he simply moved a stool out to chat with them.

"When did Pang Kaige get married?"

Lu Yuan suddenly asked curiously.

As for Pang Kaige, Lu Yuan was still quite curious.

The information network that usually knows everything, this time didn't work; several aunties shook their heads and said:

"Not entirely clear, but anyway it was held those two days during the Little New Year; their banquet wasn't held in our courtyard, but at their old family home."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and say:

"Oh, they're so considerate of everyone?"

Meanwhile, the many aunties gave Lu Yuan a sideways glance and said:

"What consideration? The Pang family actually wanted to hold it in our courtyard, but the issue is who can afford the gift money.

"Even getting by month to month is a struggle; they know that, so they simply decided not to come.

"When they came back yesterday, they didn't even hand out any wedding candy—really stingy!"

Lu Yuan nodded, then suddenly remembered something, turned his head and looked around, saying:

"Where are Aunt Pang and the others? I haven't seen them at all."

"This is the back courtyard; whenever we gather here to chat, Aunt Pang is always present."

Everyone was stunned, then said:

"They've moved out; there's only one room left in their home. How can the parents live there? They moved back to the old residence, making space for Pang Dekai and his wife."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan blinked his eyes, oh??

Immediately, Lu Yuan then said:

"In other words, Pang Kaige's household now consists only of his wife??"

Everyone: "????"

What do you want to do???

Thanks to the old brother I first met for the 500 book coin reward, thank you very much, mua~

Tonight there will be one chapter, then I'll add another during the day.

A few years ago I took out a loan to buy a car, and I've just finished paying off the loan recently; I need to go to the vehicle administration office to lift the lien, so I have to get up early tomorrow.

Let's see when it gets done; if Mo Ji comes back late, then the daytime chapter will be later.

Mainly I have to go to the 4S store to pick someone up to handle it, and the vehicle administration office is completely in the opposite direction.

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(End of chapter)