At this moment, Xu Damao looked like a young man of just twenty years old, with a fair face devoid of any wrinkles, like a handsome scholar straight out of a book.
"Section Chief Xu, I've looked into you. The Steel Rolling Plant wasted too much time. Although production has resumed, the factory is still riddled with problems. For the Steel Rolling Plant to develop, logistics are paramount. I highly recognize your abilities, so I want to give you more responsibility!" Director Wang said frankly.
Hearing this, Xu Damao smiled awkwardly and said, "Director Wang, I'm afraid I'm not up to the task!"
Upon hearing Xu Damao's words, Director Wang was slightly stunned and looked at Xu Damao strangely. Was Xu Damao a fool? He was clearly trying to promote him, and he just refused such a great temptation?
"What are your thoughts, Section Chief Xu?" Director Wang asked in a deep voice.
Xu Damao smiled and said, "Director Wang, perhaps everyone's pursuits are different. I'm not very keen on advancing; I just want to live a stable life!"
"Section Chief Xu, now is when the factory needs you. You can't disregard the factory for your own personal gain!" Director Wang said earnestly, with a hint of moral coercion in his words.
This made Xu Damao very uncomfortable, but he still maintained a smile on his face and said, "Director Wang, my abilities are limited. Please find someone more capable. If there's nothing else, I'll go to work!"
With that, Xu Damao slowly stood up, nodded slightly, and turned to walk towards the door.
After Xu Damao left, Director Wang finally reacted, throwing the notebook in his hand onto the table with a "bang," and a trace of anger flashed across his face.
Although Xu Damao had left, Director Wang's actions were still seen by him. Xu Damao muttered to himself, "It seems I won't be staying at this Steel Rolling Plant for long!"
Since coming to this World, Xu Damao had always adopted a laid-back attitude towards everything. It was undeniable that Director Wang's methods were good, but the Steel Rolling Plant's problems stemmed from its roots: outdated equipment and no flagship products. It wouldn't be long before the Steel Rolling Plant became obsolete. At most, this was the Steel Rolling Plant's final glory. If the root problems weren't solved, even the best logistics would be useless.
…
What was bound to happen eventually did. That evening, Xu Damao and Yushui were resting in their room when they suddenly felt the house shake. Outside, they heard the sound of tiles falling and the frightened screams of their neighbors.
Xu Damao quickly pulled He Yushui out, then went into the three little ones' room and pulled them out as well.
At this time, the neighbors in the Courtyard also ran out, and the entire Siheyuan (Courtyard) became chaotic.
"Everyone, don't panic! After an earthquake, there will definitely be aftershocks and rain. Everyone, get ready and set up a rain shelter first!" Xu Damao said, looking at the chaotic crowd.
"Damao is right. For safety, everyone should stay in the Courtyard for now. We can set up the rain shelter!" Sha Zhu echoed.
Ever since Xu Damao married He Yushui, the relationship between Xu Damao and He Yuzhu had gradually become more harmonious over time.
Initially, He Yuzhu was indignant, believing that Xu Damao was not worthy of He Yushui, especially since Xu Damao was divorced. But He Yushui was stubborn and unyielding!
Perhaps it was due to helplessness; after calming down, He Yuzhu gradually came to terms with it, perhaps because he felt a certain amount of guilt towards both of them.
Xu Damao divorced because of him, and He Yushui was abandoned by the beat cop because of him, so He Yuzhu's emotional knot gradually untied.
Xu Damao organized a team to check if anyone in the Courtyard was trapped. Since the retirement group was no longer in the Courtyard, the atmosphere in the Qin Courtyard had become much more harmonious. Except for the Liu and Yan families, most of the others were law-abiding. Furthermore, since most residents of this Courtyard were Steel Rolling Plant workers, Xu Damao, as the Section Chief of Procurement, was also considered a leader, and his words carried a certain weight in the Courtyard.
As soon as Xu Damao arrived at the front Courtyard, he saw Yan Bugui running out holding a television set.
"Mr. Yan, you're really something. At a time like this, you still haven't forgotten your television!" Xu Damao complained speechlessly.
Yan Bugui had quite a fortune. Even though his home was raided back then, he was still the first person in the Courtyard to buy a television!
"It's the most valuable thing in our house, so of course I have to protect it!" Yan Bugui didn't think what he was doing was dangerous.
"Mr. Yan, quickly organize some people to set up a rain shelter. It might rain soon!" Xu Damao saw that the neighbors had all come out, finished speaking, and turned to go home. There weren't many families in the back and middle Courtyards; most of them were Xu's family's houses, but the front Courtyard had quite a few residents.
Seeing Yan Bugui come out, Xu Damao stopped worrying.
Returning to the back Courtyard, Xu Damao told the children not to run around. With Sha Zhu's help, the rain shelter was set up in no time!
"I'm going out to take a look. You watch the children!" Xu Damao said to He Yushui after finishing his work.
With that, Xu Damao turned and walked out of the Courtyard.
"Be careful!" He Yushui nodded and said.
Xu Damao quickly arrived at his parents' house. Mister Xu and Madam Xu lived in Xu's family's old residence, which was dilapidated and would require major repairs after this incident. Fortunately, the old couple were fine. He helped them gather some necessities and then led his parents towards the Qin Courtyard.
"Dad, Mom, you can stay in my Courtyard from now on. It's not like there's no place to live!" Xu Damao suggested on the way.
Xu Damao had made this suggestion before, but it was rejected by Xu Fugui. Xu Fugui had offended many people over the years, and before the founding of the nation, he was the Lou Family's driver. Xu Fugui himself wasn't worried, but he was afraid of implicating the younger ones, especially during the initial chaotic period of the movement.
Xu Fugui thought for a moment, glanced at Madam Xu beside him, and said hesitantly, "Will it be too much trouble?"
"What trouble? If you come over, you can help us with the kids!" Xu Damao said.
Madam Xu's face was filled with eagerness; she had wanted to live together for a long time. Seeing this, Xu Fugui nodded and said, "Alright, we'll move in a few days!"
Along the way, Xu Damao saw many people rushing about. Staff from the street office and police station were also directing traffic and calming the panicked crowds.
By the time they returned to the Siheyuan (Courtyard), it was already dark, and a light rain began to fall, "Drip… drip…"
Before long, the rain grew heavier, and some dangerous houses couldn't withstand it and collapsed directly!
No. 95 Courtyard had no major issues. The street director visited once, saw that everything was fine, and left reassured!
"I wonder how He Daqing is doing?" As soon as the street director left, He Yushui seemed to think of something and sighed.
He Yuzhu had returned, but He Daqing had not come back with him. He Daqing had also separated from the White Widow long ago. He Daqing was someone who couldn't stand loneliness. As soon as He Yuzhu got married, he dumped the White Widow and found a new partner.
On my Patreon, I have several advance chapters available if you're interested in more than 100: For $1, you get 20 fewer chapters than the $2.50 tier. For $2.50, you get 40 fewer chapters than the $4 tier. And for $4, you get them all.
The number of chapters is updated every 7 days and increases by 7 to 8 chapters.
My Patren: paroncom/FanTranslator