Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

Chapter 498 Li Huaide tastes the "bitter-sweet" meal

Wang Feng waited in the factory director's office for about ten minutes, smoking three cigarettes in the process. When he saw that Li Huaide still hadn't returned, he became a little impatient.

Just as he was about to go to the secretary's office to ask Secretary Zhang to help him find Li Huaide, the door to the factory director's office was pushed open.

Seeing this, Wang Feng quickly took out the steamed buns from his spatial storage and placed them on his desk.

As soon as Li Huaide walked in, he saw Wang Feng. He quickly walked up to Wang Feng and said with a smile:

"Here you are, bro."

Wang Feng stood up, pointed to the nine steamed buns wrapped in oil paper on the office floor, and smiled:

"Brother Li, this is cornbread that Jingru made by mixing elm leaves into cornmeal. Try it, it's still warm."

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide smiled and nodded: "Yes, I'll try it."

As he spoke, Li Huaide opened the oil paper package, took out a cornbread, broke off a small piece, and put it in his mouth.

He chewed it carefully for a few moments, then broke off a small piece and put it in his mouth. Soon, he burst into laughter.

"Haha, brother, you really are my lucky charm! The texture of this cornbread is almost the same as a standard cornbread. How much elm leaf did your wife use to make this cornbread?"

"Hehe, Brother Li, since we've decided to serve these cornbreads in the cafeteria, they'll definitely be made according to the standard ingredients: 40% elm leaves and 60% cornmeal. But Brother Li, when you have people collect the elm leaves, try to have them collect the tender ones, as they'll taste better," Wang Feng explained with a smile.

Upon hearing Wang Feng's words, Li Huaide patted Wang Feng heavily on the shoulder and laughed loudly:

"Don't worry, brother, I'll take care of it. Wait here for a moment, and I'll call the other managers in the factory to come over and have them try it."

"Brother Li, there's nothing else for me here now. I have to go to the countryside, so I'll be leaving first. If you've decided to serve the 'bitter memories and sweet memories' meal in the canteen, then have Jingru teach the kitchen staff."

"Alright, brother, you can go ahead if you have something to do. Don't worry, I, Brother Li, will never forget such a great contribution from you."

"Hehe, then thank you, Brother Li."

After saying that, Wang Feng walked out of the factory director's office.

As soon as Wang Feng left, Li Huaide picked up the phone and eagerly notified the factory's cadres to come over for a meeting.

Wang Feng pushed his bicycle away from the steel rolling mill. He checked the time; it was only 8:30 in the morning. He frowned, thinking of causing trouble at No. 28 courtyard, but Lou Xiao'e's relatives had arrived again.

After thinking it over, he decided to go to No. 28 Courtyard to keep Lou Xiao'e company. After all, Lou Xiao'e was living there alone, and he hadn't visited her in the evenings for a while. It would be good to spend some time with her, just to chat and relieve her boredom.

With that in mind, he rode his bicycle toward No. 28 Courtyard.

Just a short while after Wang Feng left, Liu Guangtian arrived at the steel rolling mill with an excited expression.

"Stop right there, what are you doing?"

Liu Guangtian was stopped by the security officer, but he wasn't angry. With a smile, he took out the letter of introduction that Wang Feng had given him from his pocket and handed it over.

"Comrade, I'm here to join the steel rolling mill. This is my letter of introduction."

The security officer took the letter of introduction, glanced at it, then looked Liu Guangtian up and down, nodded, pointed to an office building in the steel rolling mill, and said:

"See that three-story building? That's the personnel department. Just go there and find them; they'll handle your onboarding."

"Thank you, thank you, comrade."

"We'll be colleagues from now on, no need to be so polite," the security officer said with a smile.

"Thanks."

Liu Guangtian thanked him again, took back the letter of introduction, put it back in his pocket, and walked into the steel rolling mill, heading towards the personnel department.

......

10:00 AM.

Liu Guangtian came out of the steel rolling mill, carrying two work clothes, protective equipment, and a lunchbox.

On his way back to No. 95 Courtyard, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

Just a short distance from the entrance of courtyard number 95, Liu Guangfu excitedly ran over. Looking at the work clothes and protective gear in his brother's hands, he asked excitedly:

"Brother, you really got a job as an apprentice at the steel rolling mill? How's it going? How much do you make a month?"

Liu Guangtian laughed heartily, a smug look on his face, and said, "Guangfu, we've already received the work clothes and safety equipment, how could they be fake?"

"However, apprentices don't receive a salary, only subsidies. The miscellaneous subsidies add up to about fifteen to sixteen yuan a month."

"That's great, brother! When you get your salary, we'll buy scrambled eggs too, and we'll let Dad watch us eat them," Liu Guangfu said excitedly.

Liu Guangtian laughed loudly: "Hahaha, don't worry, when your brother gets paid, I'll buy ten eggs, five for each of us, and I'll let you eat your fill. Come on, Guangfu, let's go back first."

"Okay."

Liu Guangfu agreed, and the two brothers walked into the front yard with excited expressions.

As soon as they entered the front yard, the middle-aged woman who was watering the flowers saw Liu Guangtian and his brother. When she saw that Liu Guangtian was carrying work clothes and protective equipment, she immediately came over and asked in surprise:

"Guangtian, you've found a job?"

After saying that, the third woman took a closer look and saw that the work clothes in Liu Guangtian's hand were from the steel rolling mill. She immediately exclaimed in surprise:

"Guangtian, you've joined the steel rolling mill?"

Liu Guangtian smiled slightly and said with a smug look, "Third Aunt, you have a good eye. You recognized me at a glance. I just went to the steel rolling mill to complete the onboarding procedures. I'm a fitter apprentice, and the salary is 16 yuan. I'll officially start work tomorrow."

"Oh My God!"

Upon hearing the definite answer, the three women immediately became agitated.

"Guangtian, tell me quickly, how did you get into the steel rolling mill? Could you get my son Jiefang in there as an apprentice too?"

Liu Guangtian glanced at the three women with disdain and shook his head speechlessly.

What are these three aunties thinking all day? Do you think job openings just appear out of thin air? If he hadn't asked Wang Feng for help, how would he have gotten such a valuable job opening?

Liu Guangtian remained silent, but Liu Guangfu was far from polite and retorted sarcastically:

"Auntie, what are you dreaming about? My brother got this job opportunity by borrowing 600 yuan from a friend. You think you can get Jiefang a job as an apprentice in a steel mill just by saying a few words? You're dreaming! Do you really think there's such a good thing in the world?"

Liu Guangfu did not reveal that the money was borrowed by Wang Feng. This was something Wang Feng had told them beforehand, and the two brothers dared not leak it out. Otherwise, if it caused Wang Feng unnecessary trouble, the two brothers would definitely not have a good ending.

Upon hearing Liu Guangfu's words, the third aunt's face immediately darkened, and she scolded him:

"Guangfu, how dare you speak to me like that? I am your elder, is this how you talk to your elder?"

Liu Guangfu curled his lip: "Who told you to always be thinking about taking advantage?"

"Brother, let's go back quickly."

"Um."