Chapter 346: Climbing to a Higher Branch
The Siheyuan has undergone many changes in the past year. Liu Zhiye and his family return to Liujiazhuang, and new neighbors appear in the courtyard, and stories emerge one after another.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, two people who had gone astray, finally turned over a new leaf and behaved well after years of self-reflection and hard work.

Therefore, they were "reinstated" and many years later became the managers of the courtyard houses again and continued to serve the neighbors.

This also ended the era when Yan Bugui had the final say in the courtyard.

It seemed as if there was some invisible force in the dark. As long as Liu Zhiye did not forcibly intervene, the trajectory of the courtyard would continue to develop in the original direction.

Yi Zhonghai's experience in recent years can be described as ups and downs. He was once disheartened and decided to live an ordinary life with his family and no longer interfere in the disputes in the hospital.

However, fate seemed to play a joke on him. Just when Yi Zhonghai had completely let go of his obsession, he was forgiven by everyone in the courtyard and was once again chosen to be the manager of more than a hundred people.

"Life is so unpredictable, the big intestine is tied to the small intestine..."

Yi Zhonghai has now achieved enlightenment, which is very different from the original character. With an outstanding son like Yi Yuanchao, he is no longer worried about the issue of retirement. His friendship with the old Jia family has been severed, and his style of doing things has become more fair and selfless.

Of course, the core character in the courtyard in the original play is none other than Sha Zhu. At the beginning of the story, the time is set in early 1965, which is almost the same as the present time.

At this moment, Shazhu is still a bachelor.

Sha Zhu's biological mother passed away when he was young, and his biological father was even more unreliable and ran off with a widow, leaving him and his sister to depend on each other.

Her only younger sister, He Yushui, just graduated from a technical secondary school this year. After she started working, she seldom came back to live in the courtyard, mainly because she didn't care about her brother Sha Zhu.

Precisely because his uncle didn't love him and his grandmother didn't care about him, Shazhu developed a reckless character since he was a child. He has a foul mouth and is always quick to criticize everyone, and he never gives in even when he is right.

You could say he has a weird personality, but he is not a bad person and has a kind heart. Unfortunately, he doesn't know himself, and he relies on the fact that he is a chef and one of the "eight members". When someone kindly introduces him to a date, he still looks down on this one and that one.

That would have been fine if Shazhu hadn't known about it, but he even blamed the matchmakers, complaining that they introduced him to some ugly girls.

Isn’t this infuriating? He deserves to be single.

In the original drama, it was under this circumstance that he was targeted by the old Jia family who had lost their mainstay, and began his miserable career as a gangster.

With the scheming of Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady, and with no one to guide Sha Zhu, he fell deeper and deeper into trouble, and was eventually successfully taken over by the old Jia family.

In this life, the unexpected intrusion of Liu Zhiye's family completely overturned the life trajectories of many characters in the original drama.

For example, Sha Zhu entered the marriage hall early, and his wife's appearance is no less than Qin Huairu.

Moreover, Wang Qiuju was in her youth. She was in her twenties and in the prime of her life. She looked younger and better than Qin Huairu, who already had three children.

She is a heroic and extraordinary person who has devoted herself to special police work. She is undoubtedly a beautiful sight.

After Sha Zhu married Wang Qiuju, his life was completely changed. With his wife's careful care, he bid farewell to his sloppy image and became neat and tidy.

His interpersonal skills improved day by day, and he became more and more adept at his work, and was eventually promoted to team leader of the logistics canteen chefs.

With a happy family and a thriving career, and with the help of Liu Zhiye's connections in the Red Star Factory, Sha Zhu's life is really getting better and better.

In contrast, there is the old Jia family living in the east wing next door.

At the moment, they are facing the dilemma of eating up all the food they have saved. Two widows and three children depend on each other for survival. One of them lives a lazy life, while the other has great ambitions but lacks the ability to achieve them, always thinking of getting something for nothing.

I'm afraid these days are becoming more and more difficult.

In the original drama, even after losing their pillar, the family still lived quite well.

Thanks to Yi Zhonghai's occasional help and the fact that they had trapped Sha Zhu, the five vampires in the family were all plump and white, and looked better than the others.

However, the reality is cruel. Yi Zhonghai suddenly wakes up and his relationship with the Jia family becomes increasingly distant.

Sha Zhu regained his happiness, and Qin Huairu was helpless. She could only act pitiful and try to arouse Sha Zhu's sympathy. Even if she just gave him a piece of meat, it would be a great satisfaction for their family.

At the beginning of the new semester in September this year, Banggeng walked out of the school gate dejectedly, with traces of loss on his face.

After returning home, Bang Geng went straight into the bedroom and refused to come out. Qin Huairu and Jia Zhang, who had just returned from get off work, looked at each other in bewilderment, not understanding what had happened to him.

Qin Huairu lifted the door curtain and walked into the bedroom, her eyes fell on Banggeng who buried his head in the quilt. She said with a hint of helplessness: "Banggeng, tell me the truth, have you gotten into trouble again?"

Bang Geng yelled from under the quilt: "I didn't do it, don't accuse me..."

Qin Huairu said helplessly: "Then what's wrong with you? Come, tell mom..."

Bang Geng threw back the blanket covering his head and cried, "What's the matter? I didn't pay the tuition!"

Qin Huairu said awkwardly: "Oh! Your teacher is really something. What's the problem with the tuition fee being delayed for a few days? It's not like we won't pay it."

"Mom, Teacher Ran said that the tuition fees can't be delayed any longer. All my classmates have paid, except me." Banggeng continued crying.

"Mom! I won't go to school anymore, okay?"

"My classmates all laughed at me for being poor and unable to pay the tuition... wuwu..."

Hearing the crying, Jia Zhang rushed into the house and glared angrily, "How dare that slave boy laugh at my grandson? Let's go and find Di Ran to reason with him..."

Qin Huairu hurriedly said, "Mom, please don't make things worse. If you go to trouble Teacher Ran, what if she holds a grudge against Bang Geng and treats him badly?"

"Besides, if you offend their family, how will we live in this courtyard in the future?"

"Given our situation, who can help us?"

Jia Zhang glared and asked, "Are we just going to let it go like this? My eldest grandson was bullied by those little bastards for nothing?"

Qin Huairu glared at her and said unhappily, "If you had paid the tuition to Banggeng earlier, he wouldn't have to suffer this injustice!"

Jia Zhang sneered and retorted, "Why don't you give it to me? You're just trying to dig up my savings. You've been working for half a year and you haven't given me a penny. What about your money?"

Qin Huairu is not a pushover either. Ever since she had a falling out with her mother-in-law, Jia Zhang, although the two have maintained harmony on the surface, they have already parted ways in their hearts and become strangers.

"You're so funny. You asked me where my money went. Didn't I buy your food and clothes with my money? How can a family of five eat, drink, defecate and urinate without spending any money?"

"Have you paid a penny for this family since I started working?"

Jia Zhang didn't listen to Qin Huairu's words. She felt worse than killing her if she wanted to take money out of her pocket. "I don't believe it. Apart from daily expenses, how could you not have any savings in your pocket? You must have other plans, right?"

Qin Huairu said angrily, "You are being unreasonable. I am just an apprentice, and I only earn a dozen yuan a month. This little money is not enough for the daily expenses of our family of five. How can there be any savings?"

Jia Zhang was furious when she heard this: "I'm not being reasonable. I don't have any money anyway..."

Qin Huairu said, "Okay, anyway, Banggeng is the only child of your Jia family. If you want him to drop out of school, it's up to you. Don't regret it in the future..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhang was so angry that she trembled and said bitterly, "Poisonous woman!"

Qin Huairu looked straight into her resentful eyes and said, "Let's just do this..."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law started to quarrel over nothing, and had no time to pay attention to the three children crying beside them. The home was no longer like a home, and the family affection was gone.

Qin Huairu had long been tired of this bitter life, coupled with her mother-in-law's difficulties, if she had not been concerned about the three children, she would have found another way and remarried.

Faced with the heavy pressure of work, she had to get along with her co-workers in order to relax. Sometimes she was verbally flattered and taken advantage of, which was a common occurrence.

Sometimes, in order to have a bite of white flour bun, she had to endure the frivolous behavior of perverts like Xu Damao. The feeling of humiliation made her feel deeply sick.

The pressure of life was like a mountain, constant family disputes, being widowed at a young age, and setbacks at work. These difficulties weighed on her like a huge rock and became the final blow that she could not bear.

Qin Huairu felt that she could not hold on any longer, and maybe one day, she would choose to lie down completely.

…………

Workshop 1 of the Red Star Factory.

Yi Zhonghai saw Qin Huairu's clumsy operation and sighed helplessly. Qin Huairu was obviously not cut out for this job. If she didn't get a permanent job, she might be fired. For the sake of the deceased Jia Dongxu, Yi Zhonghai said reluctantly, "Huairu, stop what you are doing for a while. I have something to discuss with you."

Qin Huairu felt as if she had been pardoned when she heard this. She wiped the sweat off her head and said with a smile, "Master Yi, do you have any instructions?"

Yi Zhonghai frowned, shook his head, and asked directly: "Huai Ru, you have been working for almost a year. Do you think you are qualified for this position?"

Qin Huairu's heart skipped a beat when she saw this, and she thought, "From the tone of his voice, could it be that the factory is going to fire me?"

Her eyes instantly turned red, and her voice trembled: "Uncle Yi, is the factory going to fire me?"

"No, our family really needs this job to make a living."

"Uncle Yi, please, talk to the factory..."

Yi Zhonghai knew she had misunderstood, and quickly explained: "Huai Ru, you misunderstood. What I meant was that I wanted you to change your job."

Qin Huairu was stunned and asked, "Uncle Yi, change jobs?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded and said bluntly: "Huai Ru, this type of job is really not suitable for you. It is all heavy physical labor. I suggest you talk to the factory and change to a lighter job."

Qin Huairu lowered her head and said, "Master Yi, I know this job is not suitable for me, but I am insignificant and my words are not taken seriously. I am afraid it will be difficult for me to ask the leader to change my position."

Yi Zhonghai thought for a moment, then said decisively: "I will explain the situation to Director Sun and ask him to plead for you."

After hearing this, Qin Huairu's eyes sparkled with joy, and she responded simply: "Really? Uncle Yi, thank you so much! If I can really change my job as I wish, I can feel a little more relaxed." The joy in her heart was beyond words. Changing jobs was undoubtedly a relief for her.

"Huai Ru, don't be too happy too soon. It's still unclear whether Director Sun will agree to this or not!"

"Well, you should show some appreciation to Director Sun, and don't let him help you for nothing..."

Qin Huairu was embarrassed after hearing this, and said bluntly: "Master Yi, I know the ways of the world very well. Of course, I have to show some appreciation when asking for favors. But my family is in financial difficulty right now, and I am a little short of money. Can you please advance the money for me first? I will definitely pay you back in full when I get paid."

Yi Zhonghai sighed. How could he not understand the Jia family's situation? Otherwise, he wouldn't help them. "Okay, I'll take care of it!"

This means saving people to the end and sending Buddha to the west.

Yi Zhonghai took the initiative to take on the difficult task, and immediately went to the supply and marketing cooperative after get off work, bought two bottles of white wine and several pounds of snacks, and went straight to Director Sun's home.

As one of the few eighth-level workers in the factory, Yi Zhonghai was naturally favored by Director Sun. His sudden arrival also surprised Director Sun.

Although Yi Zhonghai had made mistakes and was demoted, he still had technical skills. He learned from his mistakes, worked hard, and finally won the honor of Grade 8 Worker with his outstanding performance.

In the 1960s, the treatment and social status of Grade 8 workers were very high. The salary level of Grade 8 workers was also much higher than that of other professions, even exceeding the salaries of some civil servants and teachers at that time.

For example, the monthly salary of an eighth-level worker can reach 105 yuan, which is higher than the salary of a university professor or a county magistrate.

Grade 8 workers refer to workers with the highest skill level, who are a small group of people with the most sophisticated skills in various industries.

Since the assessment criteria for level eight workers are very strict and require a long period of practice and assessment, the number is relatively small.

In a factory with more than 10,000 people, the number of Level 8 workers was very limited, usually not exceeding a few hundred. This shows that the number of Level 8 workers was indeed small at the time.

In addition, level eight workers not only have extremely high technical requirements, but also enjoy a high reputation in social status and salary benefits, which makes becoming a level eight worker the goal and dream of many technical workers.

In a workshop of the Red Star Factory, there are only a dozen level 8 workers among hundreds of employees. They are all technical elites and highly respected. Even Director Sun cherishes them very much.

"Oh! Master Yi is here, come in and sit down." Director Sun warmly invited Yi Zhonghai into the house.

Then, he glanced at the gift in Yi Zhonghai's hand, frowned slightly, and said bluntly: "Old Yi, you just came, why are you so polite? It's not a festival, what else do you bring?"

"Take it back later, and don't do it again!"

Yi Zhonghai smiled and said, "No way, how can we let guests take away the gifts they brought?"

Director Sun was in a good mood today, so he didn't bother with him, "You are so good, Old Yi..."

"Come and have some tea..."

"Old Yi, you came here today to ask me for something, right? I know you're not the kind of person who would come to me for no reason!"

"Director Sun, I do have something to do. It's like this... like this..." Yi Zhonghai smiled awkwardly and told Director Sun the purpose of his trip without any more politeness.

Director Sun heard this, smoked silently, pondered for a while, and said: "Well, I think it shouldn't be a big problem. Qin Huairu, as the widow of a co-worker, deserves to be taken care of. I will discuss with the leader and try to arrange her to work in the logistics department."

After hearing this, Yi Zhonghai smiled happily: "Oh! Then on behalf of Qin Huairu, I would like to express my sincere thanks to you, Director Sun."

Seeing this, Director Sun frowned, looked at Yi Zhonghai with a scrutinizing look in his eyes, and said jokingly with a warning: "Old Yi, you are so enthusiastic, are you planning something for that beautiful young widow?"

"I'm warning you, don't make the same mistake again!"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned dark. He was really talking about something that was irrelevant.

"Director Sun, I swear I have no bad intentions. I just feel sympathy for her and for the sake of our neighbor. You..."

Director Sun immediately consoled him, "Oh! Old Yi, you are too serious. I was just joking with you, but you took it so seriously!"

"Okay, I'll take care of it."

A few days later, Director Sun really went to see Deputy Director Li to talk about this matter.

Director Sun stepped into Li Huaide's office early in the morning and reported bluntly: "Director Li, there is a female worker in our workshop who is obviously not adapted to the workshop environment. What do you think about considering changing her job?"

Li Huaide said: "Oh! Which department is suitable for her to go to?"

Director Sun said, "Since she is the widow of a co-worker who is taking over, can the factory take care of her and let her work in the logistics department?"

Li Huaide said without comment: "Since she is the widow of a co-worker, it is only right to take proper care of her!"

"By the way, what's her name?"

Seeing that the leader agreed, Director Sun happily responded, "It's Qin Huairu!"

Li Huaide was stunned when he heard this, "Qin Huairu?" He remembered that it was the young widow who made her pregnant.

He secretly thought in his heart: "Hiss! Isn't she Liu Zhiye's lover? How could Liu Zhiye have the heart to let this delicate little woman bear the heavy labor in the workshop?"

"Could it be..."

Li Huaide's heart moved, and he became inexplicably excited, so he asked tentatively: "Director Sun, did Qin Huairu come to work right after giving birth?"

Director Sun said in surprise: "No, it's been more than two years since she gave birth to her child, and she has been working in our factory for almost a year."

Li Huaide's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Oh! Oh! I was wrong."

"Tell me the truth, who asked you for help in this matter?"

Director Sun told the truth: "Hey, it's none other than Yi Zhonghai from our workshop. Their two houses are next door to each other."

"It's not easy for Qin Huairu, a woman who has to support a family of five. But she is definitely not cut out to be a skilled worker. She is still an apprentice, not even a first-class worker."

Li Huaide was so happy when he heard this. Qin Huairu was really miserable. The more miserable she was, the better. Otherwise, how could he do it? "You stinky bitch, you lied to me at first. Let's wait and see."

"Okay, I agree to this. Go call Qin Huairu over and I'll get to know her details."

Director Sun didn't think much about it and called Qin Huairu over after returning to the workshop.

"Qin Huairu, Director Li has agreed to your transfer. Please go to his office..."

(End of this chapter)