After Su Wen became the deputy section chief of Purchasing Section 3, many people were dissatisfied with his promotion. These doubts and dissatisfaction mainly came from some older employees who believed that they did not receive fair promotion opportunities. They believed that Su Wen was promoted because of his relationship with Liu Dashan. Although these people had their own opinions, no one dared to express their dissatisfaction publicly.
As time went by, Su Wen was able to successfully complete the procurement tasks every time, and the voice of dissatisfaction gradually disappeared.
1961 was the last year of three years of natural disasters. Spring plowing in many places in the north was affected. The Purchasing Section 3, which is responsible for purchasing daily necessities, faced doubling the difficulty of completing its procurement tasks this year.
The director of the canteen came in every once in a while to purchase supplies for serving meals. There was nothing available to serve in the canteen. Lu Wenxiu would be scolded when he was in a bad mood. The director of the canteen was a deputy section official and a senior official.
Lu Wenxiu has not returned to work at the steel rolling mill since Labor Day. On this day, Su Wen was eating in the cafeteria. Lu Wenqiang sat across from Su Wen and said, "Wait for me to leave after get off work later. My grandpa wants to see you."
"Where's Wenxiu, what's wrong with her?"
"Keep your voice down, we are in the cafeteria, she is fine and fine."
After get off work in the afternoon, Su Wen rode his bicycle with Lu Wenqiang to the courtyard where Lu Wenxiu lived in Minxiang, Dongjiao. There was an old man drinking tea in the courtyard.
"Grandpa, I brought him back to you."
When the old man saw Su Wen, a smile appeared on his face. He waved to Su Wen and motioned for him to sit next to him.
"You are Su Wen, right?" the old man asked gently.
Su Wen nodded and looked at the old man nervously.
The old man smiled and said, "I know you, Wenxiu often mentions you.
After Su Wen heard these words, the tension in his heart gradually dissipated.
A trace of longing flashed in the old man's eyes. He took a deep breath and then said slowly: "You won't be able to see her for a while. She went to study in Switzerland. I know your relationship. Wenxiu is pregnant. It's dangerous for her to stay here. I will live here from now on, and I can come here more often to accompany the old man if I have nothing to do."
"Old man, I..." Su Wen was a little confused when he suddenly heard the news.
"Old man, I have been fighting all my life. All my children are dead, and I only have one grandson and one granddaughter left. I just want to guard my two children and live out the rest of my life in peace. Some people can't win over me and do it to Wen Xiu. Black Hand, that’s how she got her reputation as a husband. I sent Wenxiu to study abroad, and I moved out of the compound to live here just to show my attitude to them. I won’t argue anymore, I’m tired.”
Su Wen couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart after listening to the old man's words. He understood the old man's mood and his difficulties. In this complex world, everyone has their own position and interests, and it is not easy for the old man to be alone.
The old man looked at Su Wen and continued: "Su Wen, I know you are a good boy, and Wen Xiu also likes you. I have no objection to your affairs. If you have a chance to meet again in the future, I hope you can treat her well. As for What will happen in the future? Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, and I can't control it. Okay, it's dinner time, stay here and have a meal, Xiao Wu, is the meal ready? "
After dinner, Su Wen and Lu Wenqiang left the courtyard and rode bicycles in the night. Su Wen's mood was a little complicated. He thought about what the old man said, the news that Lu Wenxiu went to study in Switzerland, and her pregnancy... These things made him feel a little confused and overwhelmed.
In the night, Lu Wenqiang broke the silence and said: "Su Wen, you'd better take my grandfather's words to heart. People live for a long time and have experienced many things. He sees many things very clearly, which is not what we young people can do." Than."
Su Wen took a deep breath and said, "I understand, Wen Qiang. I will remember what the old man said. Do you know who will take over as the section chief?"
"Director Li, let's arrange it. Give up the position of a section chief, and Li Huaide will solve the problem of cadre status for you."
Su Wen felt warm in his heart, he knew what this news meant. He looked at Lu Wenqiang and said, "Thank you, Wen Qiang."
Lu Wenqiang smiled and said: "You're welcome, brother-in-law. I have to leave too. Grandpa asked me to tell you, don't worry about Wenxiu, she will come back. Work hard and don't be looked down upon."
Su Wen nodded and watched Lu Wenqiang go away. Returning to the courtyard, a staff member from the sub-district office was presiding over a courtyard-wide meeting. He was explaining national policies to the residents of the courtyard.
Su Wen stood in the crowd and listened silently. He heard Director Li from the sub-district office explaining national policies and emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and hard work. In this special period, only through self-reliance, hard work, and solidarity and mutual help can we tide over the difficulties.
"Now, let me tell you one last thing. In order to support the leader's proposal to repay the debt owed by the Soviet Union, all public housing in our street office can be bought out. After buying out, it will be your own private house, and you will no longer have to pay rent." After speaking, Director Li looked at Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong expectantly. He knew very well that most residents were not able to buy out their houses, but Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong definitely had the ability.
"Director Li, what kind of buyout method is this? How much does it cost to buy two houses in my house?" Yi Zhonghai was stared at by Director Li. He was also a big man in the yard and wanted to set an example for everyone. , asked.
"Master Yi, the buyout price for your two houses is 120 yuan each."
"Where are my two main rooms?" Silly Zhu asked.
"Master He's two main houses will cost a total of 300 yuan to buy out." Everyone gasped after hearing this. It's too expensive. It's better to pay monthly rent. Wouldn't it be better to buy a bicycle if you have so much money?
When Director Li saw no one responded, he had no choice but to ask by name, "Master Yi, do you think you need to buy out the property to comply with national policies?"
"Director Li, 240 yuan is a bit much. I have been too sleepy in the past two years. My wife has to take medicine all year round. I also have to help the neighbors in the courtyard who are living in difficulty from time to time, as well as my apprentice's family. Their family of five has only Dongxu has a quota alone, so it’s really stressful to come up with 240 yuan now." Yi Zhonghai looked at Director Li with an apologetic look.
"Master Yi has not had an easy life these past two years, I understand. Master Liu, do you think you need to buy out your house directly? The wing in your backyard only costs 100 yuan, a total of 200 yuan."
"Director Li, I'm afraid I can't afford to buy out the house. I have the money in my hand. I won't lie. But my eldest son will graduate soon. He has a date in school. He will get married after graduation. She graduated from a technical secondary school. , the cost of this betrothal gift for marriage will definitely be higher than that of ordinary girls. I was not prepared for the three twists and turns, and now I really can’t come up with the money to buy out the property.”
