Chapter 257: A Half-Official Position

Yu Li stuffed a piece of wood into the stove of the big pot, glared at Yan Jiecheng, and said, "I hate that hesitant, sissy look of yours. Can't you be as open and straightforward as Xuewu?"

It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned Li Xuewu. Once Yu Li said that, the seed of suspicion planted in Yan Jiecheng's heart by his father sprouted.

"Dad said you help Li Xuewu clean his room and wash his clothes."

"Pfft~~"

Yu Li laughed mockingly, "I take his money, so isn't that the work I'm supposed to do? What's wrong? Can't stand it? I'd like to help clean our own house and wash clothes, but will he give me money?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

Hearing Yu Li's sharp words, Yan Jiecheng retreated again, unable to say anything to his wife.

This is what they call "the husband has his reasons, and the wife has hers."

Originally, he was present on the day they discussed her work, and Liu Guangtian was present on the day they discussed the house.

Although Yan Jiecheng was still a bit awkward in his heart, he couldn't find any evidence of his wife and Li Xuewu. Relying solely on his father's wild guesses, he couldn't even express his awkwardness.

Yan Jiecheng retreated, but Yu Li wouldn't let it go. She stood up with a "swoosh," glared, and asked, "Did your dad say anything else?"

"No."

"Say it! Are you going to say it or not?"

Yu Li reached out to pinch Yan Jiecheng.

Forced by Yu Li, Yan Jiecheng could only say hesitantly, "He just said..."

"If you're not going to say it, get out of here. Don't hang around in front of me."

Seeing Yan Jiecheng stuttering, Yu Li knew her father-in-law definitely hadn't said anything good, pushed Yan Jiecheng, and wanted to drive him out.

"Said you and Li Xuewu..."

Hearing this, Yu Li was stunned. Then, seeing Yan Jiecheng's probing eyes, she knew her father-in-law was just guessing wildly.

If he had really caught evidence, would he still be waiting for Yan Jiecheng to come here and test her with his stuttering?

Yu Li threw the fire poker in her hand and opened her mouth to scold, "Yan Jiecheng, do you have any conscience? Who am I doing all this hard work for? Who am I doing this for, living without a house or land?"

"It wasn't me who said it!"

Seeing Yu Li's reaction was so strong, Yan Jiecheng hurriedly admitted his mistake, "It was all my dad's nonsense. I didn't believe it at all, really. As soon as he finished speaking, I ran back. You saw it just now."

"Really?"

Seeing Yu Li ask, Yan Jiecheng swore and said, "Really, I've said long ago that I only believe in you and Li Ke."

Yu Li wiped her tears and said, "I'm so angry. How can your dad be like this? If people find out my father-in-law spread this, how can I go on living?"

"Yes, yes, yes, wife. Master Yang Er, I didn't believe it. He just wanted me to move back so he could get the money. I understand. Didn't you see I didn't even go home and came straight here?"

Yan Jiecheng helped Yu Li wipe her tears, comforting her, and incidentally stepped on his old man, kicking him aside.

Yu Li then broke into a smile through her tears, poked Yan Jiecheng, and said, "Master Yang Er at you. Li Xuewu helped you find a job and helped you transfer jobs, so he's wrong?"

"Now he still keeps you in the small motorcade and thinks of you when there are benefits. Why don't you remember his kindness? What has your dad given you? If he loves you so much, why did he drive you out?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I know Li Ke's kindness," Yan Jiecheng nodded repeatedly.

Yu Li took the clothes from Yan Jiecheng's hand, looked at them, and said, "And about me, there are so many people in this courtyard. Who doesn't know I only pick times when Li Xuewu isn't home to clean his room? When I'm with Li Xuewu, isn't it all here? There's a whole room of people."

"I know, wife. I believe you."

Yu Li punched Yan Jiecheng and said with tears, "You know nothing. Your dad must have seen me go to Li Xuewu that night when he returned."

"Huh?!!!"

Seeing Yan Jiecheng stare, Yu Li scolded, "I went to ask about the house. You're not anxious, but I am. This matter has to be done behind people's backs. Do you want the house or not, shouting it to the whole world?"

This wasn't a lie; Yu Li had indeed gone to ask about the house.

"Ah, ah, ah, this matter. I said it, it can't be seen by people. My dad was just guessing wildly. How is the house?"

Yu Li put the clothes back into Yan Jiecheng's hand and said, "Li Xuewu said he'll go talk to the neighborhood office, and the engineering team is also settled. It's the one building the west courtyard—it's cheap and well-built. We just wait to move in."

"Hehehe, that's great," Yan Jiecheng laughed non-stop.

"You only know how to laugh and think wildly. Think about it, how could I talk about this here? With so many ears around, Li Xuewu is only alone when he returns home at night. I can only go to him at this time, and you still don't trust me, humph."

Yan Jiecheng hugged the clothes and laughed, "I wasn't worried about you. Don't be angry, really. I won't believe anything anyone says."

"Dead look. Hurry up, soak the clothes in the big basin in the east room. After I finish cleaning up dinner, I'll wash them for you."

"Thank you, wife. Wife is truly good."

"Go, go, go, so cheesy."

After Yan Jiecheng soaked the clothes, he saw Wen Saner and Old Biaozi walking into the room, so he followed them into the inner room, only to see Li Xuewu sleeping on the heated brick bed.

This gave Yan Jiecheng a cold sweat. He had thought no one was in the inner room, which was why he had said those things to Yu Li. If he had known Li Xuewu was in the inner room, he wouldn't have dared to say anything.

"Hey, hey, Wu Ge, why are you asleep?"

Old Biaozi shook Li Xuewu's leg and then retreated, a sequela from always kicking others, fearing retaliation.

When waking others up, he would just nudge them and dodge away. This is called "walking the night road too much and fearing ghosts."

"Hmm?"

Li Xuewu was woken up, bleary-eyed. He looked at the few people standing by the bed, rubbed his eyes, and yawned.

"Back? Didn't sleep well at noon, so I felt sleepy and just dozed off. Ah~~~ What time is it?"

"It's past seven. If you sleep anymore, you won't be able to sleep at night."

Seeing Li Xuewu sit up, Old Biaozi sat on the bed. This timid action made Li Xuewu laugh.

"Are you feeling suspicious because you've done too many bad things?"

"Hahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

"Hehehe, I really thought he was faking it when he kicked people back then. Now I see it."

Watching his third uncle come up to kick him, Old Biaozi hurriedly kicked off his shoes and scrambled into the bed, laughing as he scrambled, "That was real, real! I really have no impression; I just don't know why I kicked people."

Chased and beaten by Wen Saner, Old Biaozi didn't fight back, just laughed and shouted in pain.

These two lively treasures amused everyone in the room. Yu Li and Chen Xiaoyan, who brought in the dishes, were amused and started watching the fun.

This Old Biaozi was the happy fruit of the inverted-seat room, laughing every day without a care. He had been like this when he followed Li Xuewu around when he had nothing to eat.

The laughter and noise only stopped when the grandfather and the second grandfather entered the room.

They invited the grandfather and the second grandfather to sit on the bed, and then everyone sat around the bed table.

Tonight, Yu Li made the dishes: stewed potato strips with sauce and dried chili peppers—a dish that goes well with rice.

Another dish was radish meatball soup. These meatballs were also meat, but there wasn't much meat, with radish shreds making up the majority, but everyone found it delicious.

The last dish was the signature Li family dish: fried frozen cabbage, white-cut radish strips, white-cut green onion whites, and two heads of garlic, all served on a platter.

The dipping sauce was made with lard-fried cooked sauce.

The Li family's sauce was always made by the old lady; the sauce Liu Yin made was always said to be bitter by the family.

Of course, in the north, making sauce isn't called "making," it's called "lowering"—meaning washing the sauce blocks clean, kneading them into small pieces, putting them into the sauce vat, and adding water to ferment.

Liu Yin often mocked herself for having a bitter life, which was why the sauce she made was bitter. Li Xuewu didn't believe this.

But not believing it didn't help; even with the old lady standing by and teaching Liu Yin how to make sauce, it still didn't work. It was bitter every time they ate it in the summer.

So every March, the old lady still brushed the sauce blocks herself, adjusted the salt herself, and busied herself with lowering and sifting the sauce.

Now, the sauce and pickles eaten in the inverted-seat room were still from the Li family, only the grandfather had cleaned up some small potatoes and radishes a while ago and let the old lady pickle them in the sauce vat.

The pickles eaten in the morning in the inverted-seat room were the ones pickled a while ago.

Everyone ate and chatted noisily, and Chen Xiaoyan brought up the steamed buns Li Xuecai had brought, distributing them to everyone.

Tonight, everyone didn't drink alcohol because there was serious work to do tomorrow.

"Xuewu, the motor is bought. The bearings, saw blades, and such are all in the hardware store, so I bought them together."

Li Xuewu nodded, looked at the grandfather, and said, "Grandfather, when you have time, we'll help you build the big frames. You'll have to do the fine work yourself slowly."

The grandfather smiled and said, "Good, good, good. It's very simple. In the furniture factory, we used to assemble electric saws ourselves. I didn't expect to be able to use an electric saw after retirement. Hehehe."

Seeing the grandfather finish speaking, Old Biaozi frowned and said, "The old furniture you asked us to keep an eye on really exists, and the quantity isn't small, but not many are willing to sell. It's a tight life now; no one is willing to sell furniture. They either repair it themselves or find someone to repair it."

"That's a problem. Who isn't like that now? Unless it's a family getting married, who is willing to buy new furniture?"

"Why else would they say 'new for three years, old for three years, mending for another three years'?"

"I didn't see it; I was busy helping Third Uncle move those furniture pieces home."

These people started discussing it one after another, some saying there was a lot of furniture, some saying there was little, some saying there were people willing to buy, and others saying life was difficult and no one bought.

Wen Saner summarized it: "Don't get angry."

He said this after seeing the grandfather's face lose its smile.

Then he said to everyone: "This matter should be looked at by situation. We walk the streets and alleys; it's normal not to be able to collect old furniture from small households. Other things are also collected less."

"But there's still furniture to be collected in residential areas where workers or cadres live. Another thing,"

Wen Saner looked at the grandfather and said, "We should also take new furniture as our main product, supplemented by old furniture exchange. Only then can we get this matter moving."

The grandfather also nodded with a smile and said, "It was my assumption. I didn't think about the actual situation; I just thought about making furniture."

"It's fine. Even with our help, it would take you three or four days to make a set of furniture. At this rate, it's enough for us to sell."

Li Xuewu ate quickly; he had already eaten two steamed buns while they were talking.

He didn't want to be too full at night, so he set down his chopsticks, moved his butt back, and leaned against the quilt.

Maybe he was a bit groggy from sleeping a while ago; he hadn't said much, but he had some energy after eating.

Seeing Li Xuewu leave the table, Yu Li hurriedly put down her chopsticks, took a teacup from the cabinet, made a cup of high-grade tea for Li Xuewu, and placed it on the bed.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law."

Li Xuewu sat up, supported himself, and thanked her.

Yu Li said casually, "It's fine. Tonight's dish is salty, drink some water."

Yan Jiecheng looked at his rice bowl, then at Li Xuewu, feeling that his father was overthinking it. It was quite normal, wasn't it?

Li Xuewu lay back against the quilt and said, "Let's slow down on the complete sets of furniture. For custom orders like Brother Zhuzi's, we can take orders. I think it's more appropriate to make furniture with uniform specifications."

The grandfather ate little, and now that he had finished, he moved back and asked, "What uniform things to make?"

Li Xuewu took a sip of tea and said, "People might not be willing to buy complete sets of furniture, but they have to buy dining tables and stools, right?"

Seeing the grandfather and the others frown and think, Li Xuewu continued to explain, "For example, making a single stool takes one hour; four hours can make four. But if you spend one hour specifically making stool tops and one hour specifically making stool legs, how many can you make in two hours?"

Wen Saner laughed, "Are you trying to tire your grandfather out? You're even using an assembly line."

"Hahaha!"

Listening to their jokes, Li Xuewu laughed for a while, then looked at the grandfather and said, "It's just to avoid tiring you out. This thing is simple. Making uniform parts saves time, effort, and energy."

"Hehehe."

The grandfather also laughed for a while, looked at Li Xuewu, and asked, "That way, you can't make any fancy patterns."

The grandfather was talking about the early types of stools, some with curved shapes, and some stool tops made curved for comfort.

Li Xuewu waved his hand and said, "Don't bother. Keep it simple and grand. What matters now is sturdiness. Just use solid wood boards, four solid wood legs underneath plus cross-braces. You adjust the paint, apply three coats of paint, and the stool is done."

Wen Saner tapped the grandfather's leg and said, "That's what we want. What the common people want is this sturdiness. It's best if it doesn't break for a lifetime."

The grandfather laughed, "Rest assured, the stools we make are absolutely guaranteed in quality. A lifetime might be too long, but I dare to say they won't break for 30 years."

Li Xuewu knew this. When he was in elementary school in his previous life, the desks and long benches were made of wood.

Think about the influence of Lu Xun's article; those desks had endured the ravages of countless "early" characters, yet they still firmly supported generations of students.

If it weren't for the strong dismantling of stool legs and table legs during fights, the damage of those "early" characters to pure handmade desks and chairs was simply not worth mentioning.

Old Biaozi had finished eating and went down to the ground with Erhai to make tea for everyone.

Carrying two bowls of tea to the second grandfather and the grandfather, Old Biaozi stood up and said, "Actually, it's best not to use money when we go out to collect scrap; that's a waste."

After saying this, Old Biaozi served tea to the others.

"The best way is to exchange with our products. If we don't have them, buying them at a low price from the supply and marketing cooperative is also fine. This back and forth can earn money twice."

Wen Saner sat cross-legged on the bed, looked at Old Biaozi, and said, "Figured it out, right? Once these stools are made, we'll put four or five on the cart. If someone wants to exchange, we exchange; if someone wants to buy, we sell. If we can't sell them, we can use them for promotion, right?"

"Hehehe," Old Biaozi laughed twice and said, "You really shouldn't say that. There really are old men and old women who want to peek at the cart, always wanting to take advantage. If you ask me, these stools are just fine."

Seeing the grandfather and the second grandfather sitting and drinking tea, Li Xuewu sat up and said, "Actually, tables are also easy to make. Use an electric saw for the tabletop boards, and the frames too. Just assemble them at the end."

At this time, there was little use of glue for tabletop assembly. They were all directly assembled with wooden boards, then fixed with an outer frame and painted.

Li Xuewu took the chopsticks on the table and gestured, saying, "The most important thing is these table legs. They can be made with a central axis. When not in use, they can be folded; when in use, they open into a cross, which is very stable."

"Hey, isn't that the kind used by street vendors early on?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "That's it, but make it sturdier. Sell the table legs and tabletop together. It's simple and practical. For families with many people and narrow rooms, it's very appropriate."

The grandfather thought for a while and said, "It's not difficult. With an electric saw, it's not difficult. Breaking wood, planing surfaces, drilling holes—no need for manual labor. Just assembly and installation. Can't we make a few sets a day?"

Wen Saner looked at Li Xuewu and said, "Then it's a matter of materials."

Li Xuewu took a sip of tea and said, "Take it slow. It takes time for the common people to accept it. The remaining wood in the west courtyard is still there, and the old furniture we collected is enough to support us for a while."

As he spoke, Li Xuewu had already thought about the shipment from the Northeast. If he could go there often and get wood from his second uncle, that would be great.

The limitation wasn't the channel, because with his golden finger, transporting wood from the Northeast really wasn't a problem.

The trouble was that he had no time. Now his affairs were one after another, and he couldn't get away.

He could only think about going to the Northeast after things settled down after the New Year, and incidentally see if the chess piece he buried back then could be used.

"Let's do it this way for now. I'll think of a way for the wood. We'll muddle through this period before the New Year."

"Alright, with your words, we don't have to worry. Hehehe."

Everyone laughed and chatted. Seeing Yan Jiecheng had also finished eating, Old Biaozi poured a cup of tea for Yan Jiecheng with a tea mug.

No matter how much he looked down on this spineless person, he had to give Yan Jiecheng some face for the sake of Yu Li, who was serving them in the inverted-seat room. At the very least, he had to keep up appearances.

Just like Sha Zhu, even someone as rough as him didn't bother with Yan Jiecheng, all because Yu Li knew how to unite people.

At first, Old Biaozi thought Li Xuewu arranged Yu Li because of Yan Jiecheng, but he didn't expect it was because of Yu Li that he arranged Yan Jiecheng.

Today, Yu Li was watching the shop at home with Chen Xiaoyan. Originally, Old Biaozi and Wen Saner were worried and delayed at home at noon before leaving, but they saw Yu Li's way of dealing with people was truly impeccable.

Neighbors coming to sell scrap were all smiling, and even those who wanted to take advantage of small things were blocked by Yu Li with a smile.

This was what Wen Saner valued, because in the past, whether collecting outside or at home, when meeting those who were calculating, several big men were embarrassed to haggle over those few cents.

But from today on, these aunts and aunties had met their match.

If it was a cent or two, Yu Li might make up for it in the quality of the scrap, but if they haggled too much, three or five cents, she would definitely laugh and joke with you.

It wasn't that the recycling station lacked those few cents, but in this line of work, you only earned those few cents, so you had to be meticulous.

What Wen Saner valued even more about Yu Li was the diligence of this young wife; she washed the clothes of several big men as soon as they took them off.

There were a few times Wen Saner deliberately—or maybe not deliberately—had a few yuan in his pocket and gave them to Yu Li to wash.

Before he even entered the room, Yu Li chased him to return them. After testing her two or three times like this, he even got scolded by Yu Li, saying that men were just careless and would lose a lot of money.

The next morning, Yu Li gave Wen Saner a small bag sewn from blue cloth, with a drawstring at the mouth.

Yu Li said this was the same style as the tobacco pouch she sewed for her father at home, suitable for holding tobacco and money. Pulling the string, you could hang it around your neck or tie it around your waist.

This made Wen Saner blush, and he hurriedly thanked Yu Li.

Yan Jiecheng didn't expect to have this treatment in the inverted-seat room, so he thanked them with his hands supporting the teacup.

"Don't be polite, we're all our own people. Stay here with peace of mind today, and in the future, too. Come home and live here. If there's anything inconvenient, just say it directly."

Old Biaozi politely said a few words to Yan Jiecheng, then said to Wen Saner, "Third Uncle, it's already the 2nd today, hurry up and pay the sister-in-law's monthly wages."

"No need, no need, what's the rush?"

Yu Li had also finished eating and was preparing to clean up the bowls and chopsticks on the table. Seeing Old Biaozi speak, she hurriedly waved her hand to decline.

Wen Saner, reminded by his nephew, also hurriedly got off the bed, took a ten-yuan note from his wallet, and handed it to Yu Li with both hands.

"Master Yang Er at me, I've been busy these two days and forgot about this."

Yu Li took it embarrassedly and then said, "Third Uncle, look at what you're saying. I work here, how could I be short of these two days? Besides, Li Xuewu gives me money after the middle of the month. Isn't it too much?"

Li Xuewu waved his hand and said, "Even soldiers get a settlement fee. The extra from last month can be considered your settlement fee. From now on, Third Uncle will pay your wages at the beginning of every month."

Yu Li agreed with a smile, tucked it into her pocket, and then started cleaning up the table and bowls.

It wasn't just Yu Li who was busy; Erhai, the youngest, couldn't stay idle and helped Chen Xiaoyan.

Yu Li followed up by cleaning the kitchen and then went to wash clothes for everyone and Yan Jiecheng. This money wasn't easy to earn.

Li Xuewu chatted with everyone on the bed for a while. Seeing Li Xuecai enter, he knew it was time to sleep.

Every night, Xuecai would eat here and go home to study, and when it was time to sleep, he would come back to the inverted-seat room to sleep.

Li Xuewu was quite satisfied with his younger brother Li Xuecai; he was a bit silly, but honest.

At this age, and being the pride of heaven in this era, if it were someone else, their eyes would have grown to the top of their heads long ago.

But this Li Xuecai was studying medicine. In terms of craftsmanship, he was suppressed by his professional doctor father; in terms of studies, he was suppressed by his successful eldest brother; and in terms of martial arts, he was suppressed by his professional fighter second brother.

That was fine, but there was an even more excellent younger sister chasing him to beat him up.

He really couldn't be arrogant! The family wouldn't allow it!

Even Li Xuewen, who was arrogant about his learning, didn't dare to say he had the first place in the grade in his pocket, but Li Xue dared.

Why else would the Third Master look down on Li Shun with his eyes hanging?

How could such a poor doctor who carried a medicine box, was stubborn, and ran to the countryside to earn money from time to time, raise so many learned children?

Here, the Third Master wants to emphasize that Li Xuewu doesn't count!

The Third Master was a teacher respected by everyone. He had read a lot of books and taught a lot of knowledge, but two of his four children were already ruined.

Yan Jiefang had graduated from middle school for a long time, but because he wasn't old enough, he could only hang around at home and couldn't get a job.

Yan Jiekua, sigh, it's hard to say, and the remaining one, Yan Jie Di, was a girl.

Li Xuewu got off the bed with Sha Zhu, put on his shoes and coat, and instructed the three people on the bed, "Tomorrow morning, at 7:30, we'll set off on time. Come with me to the Rolling Mill to stand by, and then head to Miyun."

"Got it, Wu Ge."

Old Biaozi and the others all responded, but Wen Saner felt a bit embarrassed.

Tomorrow was a day off, so he had to go talk to the little widow about marriage.

Li Xuewu looked at Wen Saner with a smile, put on his hat, and went out with Sha Zhu.

Because they chatted late, when they entered the front courtyard, they saw the lights in the north room were out, knowing that Li Shun and the old lady had gone to bed, so they didn't disturb them.

Tucking his hands, he walked toward the back courtyard, chatting with Sha Zhu and talking about the Rolling Mill.

Before the two separated, they heard movement at the main gate.

Li Xuewu thought something had happened, so he looked at Sha Zhu and they walked back.

"Seems to be Yu Shui's voice."

Sha Zhu muttered, and they quickened their pace toward the outer courtyard.

Li Xuewu was also afraid something had happened, so he unbuttoned his coat, exposed the holster on his chest, and followed Sha Zhu out.

It wasn't that Li Xuewu was timid; he was cautious. In this era, as long as it was dark, heh, sometimes it was hard to say in the city.

This was why they required one person from the neighborhood office and two from the security squad to form a three-person team for armed patrols.

Tonight, Yan Jiefang and Little Liuzi, who lived in the gatehouse, were on duty. Yan Jiefang was seventeen, Little Liuzi was twenty-two, both big guys, and they were quite alert.

Before Sha Zhu and Li Xuewu walked over, they recognized it was He Yu Shui's voice from the middle courtyard, and they opened the door while talking.

Sha Zhu walked to the gate of the second courtyard and saw his sister walking in with a cold face.

"What's wrong?"

He Yu Shui wanted to talk to Sha Zhu, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she saw Li Xuewu standing in the middle of the courtyard, so she swallowed her words and ran toward the middle courtyard with her head down.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, why are you running?"

Sha Zhu turned to look at Yu Shui running into the middle courtyard with her head down, looked at Li Xuewu, and was also confused.

Sha Zhu turned to look at Little Liuzi, who was also confused, "It's cold, thanks."

Little Liuzi said, "Can't say what's inconvenient for Yu Shui to say."

Sha Zhu understood what his sister meant, said "Hey," and walked back.

When he turned around, he saw Li Xuewu's figure was already in the middle courtyard, and he was about to enter the moon gate.

Sha Zhu knew Li Xuewu had returned because there was nothing wrong, so he didn't think much and turned back.

As he walked, he muttered, "Don't let it be about marriage, don't let it be about marriage."

Well, as soon as Sha Zhu opened his door, he saw Yu Shui sitting on the bed, fuming.

"What's wrong? Fuming, and you won't tell me when I ask."

Yu Shui glared and looked at the clock on the box cabinet, "Is it that you men can abandon your wives just to be officials?"

Sha Zhu heard this and knew there was a situation, grinned and laughed, "Who are you talking about? I haven't married a wife, and it's not to be an official."

Yu Shui turned her head angrily and looked at the clock on the box cabinet, "Not a single good thing."

"Hey, your scope of scolding is quite wide. Did I provoke you? You come home and vent your anger on me."

Sha Zhu knew his sister must be angry with her fiancé, so he tried to persuade her, "Are you talking about Li Xuewu?"

"That's not right. Li Xuewu hasn't married yet. Besides, he just followed me out to check on you."

"Who said it was him? Humph, I'm talking about Jing Yongjie."

He Yu Shui saw her brother bring the topic to Li Xuewu, so she turned and said the source of her anger.

But then she said, "He's also an official-crazy."

Sha Zhu pulled a chair and sat in front of his sister, "Don't talk nonsense. He's a serious demobilized cadre. You're talking about Jing Yongjie, what's wrong with him? He doesn't want you? That rabbit, I'll go find him tomorrow."

"No."

He Yu Shui knew her brother's temper, but her anger hadn't subsided, so she said, "He told me tonight that the wedding date has to be postponed."

"Why?"

Now it was Sha Zhu's turn to be surprised, and he stood up with a "swoosh."

"I've already ordered the furniture for your dowry, and Li Xuewu's grandfather even made a wardrobe."

"Oh, Brother~ Can you let me finish?"

He Yu Shui was afraid her brother would shout and let others hear, so she pulled her brother to calm down.

Originally, marriage was a good thing. Now, no matter the reason for the postponement, it wouldn't sound good. Who knew what kind of rumors people would spread?

"You say, you say, I'll listen to what reason he has for wanting to postpone."

Sha Zhu looked at his sister He Yu Shui with a serious face.

Yu Shui said with a worried face, "He told me today that their station manager arranged a task to rectify the security in the jurisdiction, crack down on crimes, and so on, and they have to stake out."

"He also said this is an opportunity. If he does well, he might be promoted to the criminal police team, and even if he's a bit worse, he'll have a chance to be promoted to deputy station manager."

"He said the station manager of Jiaodaokou promised that whoever makes the greatest contribution this time will be jointly recommended by their station managers."

"Brother, he said he didn't want to miss this opportunity. If he takes marriage leave, he definitely won't make it. If he wants to seize this opportunity, he has no heart to think about marriage."

"Brother, do you think he's an official-crazy?"

Listening to his sister Yu Shui's accusation, Sha Zhu slowly calmed down and asked, "Did he really say that?"

He Yu Shui tilted her head to look at her brother and said, "That's what he said tonight. He also said he wanted me to support him. But what should I do? I've already sent out the wedding invitations."

Sha Zhu frowned and thought for a while, "This matter, I think we can sit down and think of a win-win move. Master Yang Er..."

Sha Zhu had just said two sentences when He Yu Shui cried.

"Brother, you're my brother, are you helping him talk too?"

Sha Zhu comforted his sister, "It's not that I'm helping him talk, listen to me..."

"I won't listen, you're also an official-crazy, wuwuwu."

"Hi, what are you saying? If he gets a half-official position, who will enjoy the blessings?"

"I don't want it! What blessings? Just a broken policeman. If he really gets a half-official position, what am I?"

"Keep it down, everyone in the courtyard is asleep."

"I don't care. I told him anyway, if we don't get married this time, this marriage won't happen, wuwuwuwu."

Sha Zhu looked at his sister crying sadly and didn't know how to persuade her.

The soundproofing of this Sihe Academy wasn't very good. Yu Shui's crying was heard not only in the middle courtyard but also by Li Xuewu in the back courtyard.

But Li Xuewu knew Yu Shui had returned and knew the two siblings had things to say. Although he had a good relationship with Sha Zhu, he hadn't reached the point of managing other people's family affairs.

Although he heard Yu Shui's crying faintly, he didn't pay attention.

There were too many family trifles; nothing was always smooth.

There were couples lying on the bed chatting, and if two sentences didn't match, the man would pick up a shoe sole and hit her.

The woman would cry and pack her clothes to run to her mother's house, what could she do?

There were too many such trifles. If Li Xuewu had that leisure, he wouldn't sleep. Every night in this city, there were such episodes.

He wiped his body with a big towel, changed into pajamas, sealed the fire door, and returned to the inner room.

The desk lamp he bought at the consignment store last time was a bit old, but it was quite easy to use. It had a green lampshade and a pull cord underneath. Pulling it gently would turn the light on.

He sat at the desk, took out the manuscript paper, unscrewed the fountain pen, held it with his left hand, and continued writing the material.

Last time, writing three pieces of material took more than two hours. If he didn't hurry now, he would have to stay up all night.

The First Master, who had a good relationship with Sha Zhu in the middle courtyard, turned on the light, put on his clothes with the First Aunt, and walked out.

Just as they went out, they happened to see Qin Huairu also wearing a big cotton-padded jacket, coming out bleary-eyed.

"What's wrong? Seems to be Yu Shui's crying."

Seeing Qin Huairu ask, the First Aunt whispered, "I heard it too. I pushed your First Master awake and wanted to go over and see." 【261】 The three were talking when they heard knocking at the gate of the front courtyard. 【262】 Although it wasn't late at night, most people were asleep. Little Liuzi and Yan Jiefang, who were preparing to rest after the shift, looked at each other. 【263】 Damn, someone came again. If it's always like this, don't sleep. 【264】 The outer wall pillar of this gatehouse was connected to the main gate. Knocking on the gate made the gatehouse "thump thump." 【265】 This wasn't a design flaw; it was designed this way to remind the gatehouse that someone was knocking. 【266】 Why was the attitude of the gatehouse bad when they were called at night in the houses of high officials in ancient times? 【267】 That was because they were sleeping soundly, just dreaming of marrying a wife into the bridal chamber, and then the drums started beating, and they still had to welcome the bride. 【268】 "Who is it? Heard it, stop knocking." 【269】 Little Liuzi let Yan Jiefang lie down without moving, picked up the sand gun given by the First Master, and walked out of the gatehouse door. 【270】 "I'm Yu Shui's object. Has Yu Shui returned? Please open the door for me, let me in." 【271】 "Yo, you're slow enough. Yu Shui has been back for a while, and you just caught up." 【272】 Knowing Yu Shui's object was a policeman, Little Liuzi put the sand gun in his hand against the wall, freed his hand, pulled the door bar to the right, and opened half the door. 【273】 Only then did he know why Yu Shui's object caught up so slowly—he was pushing two bicycles behind him. 【274】 "Thank you, can you help me push the car in? I..." 【275】 Jing Yongjie was very polite. Although he was anxious to chase his fiancée, he still thanked the person in the courtyard for opening the door. 【276】 Then he saw the person opening the door looking behind him, knowing that the person saw why he caught up so slowly, so he asked for help pushing the other car in. 【277】 "Don't be polite, push this car in, I'll help you push the other one, I have to close the door later." 【278】 Little Liuzi opened the other half of the door, walked out, and said this to Jing Yongjie with a smile. 【279】 Knowing this was here to talk about emotional matters with Yu Shui, there was no way to watch the fun at this time, so he hurriedly came out to help push the car. 【280】 "Just put this car at the door, I still have to leave after talking to Yu Shui, I'll close the door then." 【281】 Jing Yongjie thought this was someone called out by his knocking, so he was polite while pushing Yu Shui's car inside. 【282】 Seeing Yu Shui's object enter, Little Liuzi kicked the rear car ladder of his bike and followed him in pushing the car. 【283】 "Don't be polite, a bicycle was lost in our courtyard, so we've been on night duty at the gatehouse starting today, someone is awake all night, just let me know at this window when you leave, I'll close the door." 【284】 "Your courtyard is really united. If everyone had your sense of responsibility, we wouldn't have so much work." 【285】 After saying a nice word, Jing Yongjie saw Little Liuzi park his car at the door and said, "Alright, I'll go in and talk to Yu Shui, you've worked hard." 【286】 "Hi~! It's fine, go ahead." 【287】 Good brother: 【288】 It's the end of the month, 【289】 Ask for monthly tickets~! 【290】 Reach 5000, 【291】 At the end of the month, I'll add a chapter for everyone. 【292】 Thirty thousand words!!! 【293】 Reach 5000, 【294】 Keep my word! ===== CHAPTER 258 =====

The three of them were talking when they heard a knock on the door from the front courtyard again.

Although it wasn't late at night, most families were already asleep. Xiao Liuzi and Yan Jiefang, who had been taking shifts and preparing to rest, exchanged glances.

Great, someone's here again, damn it. If it's always like this from now on, then there's no damn way to sleep.

The outer wall pillar of this gatehouse is connected to the main gate, so when someone knocks, it goes "thump-thump" inside the gatehouse.

This isn't a design flaw, but rather how it was designed, specifically to alert the gatekeeper that someone is knocking.

Why did gatekeepers in ancient times have such a bad attitude when called to the door at night?

It's because they were sleeping soundly, just dreaming of marrying a wife and entering the bridal chamber, and then—bam, the drums start beating, and they still have to damn well welcome the bride.

"Who is it? I heard you, stop knocking."

Xiao Liuzi told Yan Jiefang to stay lying down and not move, while he grabbed the sand gun given to him by the First Master and walked out of the gatehouse door.

"Are you crazy? Where is this? Do you want everyone to see?"

"What's wrong with hugging my own wife? Can't I miss you?"

"If you miss me, go home and miss me. Are you crazy?"

Yu Li glared at Yan Jiecheng, then pushed him away and continued to fill the fire in the stove.

"Wife, are you... are you..."

Hearing Yan Jiecheng's stuttering, Yu Li looked up and asked, "What is it? Huh?"

Yan Jiecheng hesitated and said, "Dad said, that..."

Good brother:

I want the monthly tickets in your pocket~

Hehehe~ ===== CHAPTER 257 =====

"You can just leave this bike at the entrance. I have to leave after I finish my business in a while, and I'll lock the gate then."

Jing Yongjie thought this was someone called out by his knocking, so he pushed Yushui's bike and spoke politely while walking inside.

Seeing Yushui's partner go inside, Xiao Liuzi kicked the bike's kickstand, pushed the bike, and followed him in.

"Don't be so polite. A bike was stolen in our courtyard, so we started taking night shifts at the gatehouse today. Someone is awake all night. When you leave, just let me know at this window, and I'll come to lock the gate."

"Your courtyard is really united. If everyone had as much sense of responsibility as you, we wouldn't have so much work."

After saying a nice thing, Jing Yongjie saw Xiao Liuzi prop his bike at the entrance and said, "Alright, I'll go in and say a few words to Yushui. Thank you for your hard work."

"Hey~! It's nothing, go ahead."

Good brother:

It's the end of the month,

Asking for monthly tickets~!

The author guarantees a stable update of 10,000 words every day~

Asking for good brothers' monthly ticket support~~~~~~