The mahjong game didn't end until five o'clock in the afternoon because a phone call came in, but the sandstorm showed no sign of ending.
Today is indeed Xu's lucky day. She won more than 300 yuan alone, making her the biggest winner in this poker game.
Next was Zheng Yan, who won about 120 yuan.
Yang Lina and Wang Xiujuan both lost about the same amount, each lost over 200 yuan.
"We're not having much luck today, let's make an appointment to fight next time." Wang Xiujuan said unconvinced.
"Okay! Lao Wang, you are always welcome here." Xu Ma promised with a smile.
"Aunt Wang, I put the lettuce in the bag for you. Don't forget to take it when you leave."
While Xu Ma and Wang Xiujuan were bickering, Yang Lina had already picked a large bag of lettuce.
"Thank you, Nana."
"You're welcome. I planted a lot of lettuce this time. If you finish eating here, come back and pick it next time."
Zheng Yan came downstairs with her little daughter in her arms, followed by a reluctant Zhang Yong.
Wang Xiujuan stepped forward and picked up her eldest grandson, "Xiaoyong, quickly say goodbye to your grandparents, uncles and aunts."
"Grandpa, grandma, uncles and aunts, sister Keke, sister Lele, goodbye!" Zhang Yong said in a sweet voice.
The next day, the sandstorm continued.
Xu Dong promised Lele before that he would let her eat prawns today. As a self-proclaimed father, he would certainly not break his promise easily.
Early in the morning, Xu Dong followed Xu Ma to try his luck at the wet market and large supermarkets, but found nothing. There was no seafood in the market, and even vegetables were very few.
I had no choice but to settle for the next best thing and use shrimp skin instead. The shelf life of shrimp skin is as long as one year, so Xu Dong hoarded dozens of kilograms.
At noon, there was an extra dish of seaweed, shrimp skin and pumpkin soup on the table than usual. This was the first time Xu Ma made this dish, and it actually tasted pretty good.
As soon as they heard that dinner was ready, the twins rushed into the restaurant impatiently, but after glancing at the dining table, their expressions immediately dropped.
"Dad, where are the prawns? Didn't you say there are prawns to eat today?"
Lele curled her lips and asked. Since the conditions at home have improved, the sisters' eating standards have almost risen in a straight line, and at the same time, they have eaten more food in their mouths.
Xu Dong looked a little embarrassed. This was the first time he failed to fulfill his promise to his daughters.
Yang Lina pointed to the pumpkin soup: "Isn't there shrimp here? How could dad lie to you?"
Lele took a closer look and said with a cry: "These are small shrimps, not big shrimps."
"This is a prawn that has not grown up yet, so why is it not a prawn?" Yang Lina said sophistry.
Little Lele had never studied logic and was no match for an adult. He was rendered speechless and could only sob in a low voice because of his grievance.
"Lele, dear, grandma made the shrimp skin soup herself. Grandma has tasted it and it's very delicious. Lele, would you like to take a sip?"
"Sister, it tastes really good, just take a sip!" As a sister, Keke is much more sensible than Lele.
In the end, Xu Dong coaxed the little girl to drink a bowl of seaweed, shrimp skin and pumpkin soup, which seemed to compensate for the taste of the prawns, and the little girl burst into laughter.
Yang Lina couldn't stand it: "Just spoil her. She will be in second grade in the second half of the year. She really can't bear the slightest grievance."
"Girls, there is no need to be so strict." Xu Dong advised in a low voice. He has always been a loving father figure at home.
"If you are not strict now, you will suffer the consequences in the future."
"Humph, I don't like mom anymore."
…
The sandstorm in Yanjing lasted for three days, and Xu Dong also rested at home for three days.
This round of sandstorms has once again sounded the alarm for the worsening drought, leaving a trace of gloom in everyone's mind.
On May 15, the entire Yanjing city began to return to normal, and Xu Dong continued to go to work.
Early in the morning, the power company launched a vigorous cleaning activity. Not surprisingly, the security department became the main force in this activity due to its numerical advantage.
Section Chief Li began to assign tasks. He ignored the previous ones and went directly to Xu Dong.
"Xiao Xu, Captain Zhang has bronchitis and has asked for leave from me. I will leave the north gate to you. It must be cleaned up before noon.
In the afternoon, the top leaders of the head office will come over to inspect the work. This is a political task and there must be no mistakes."
"I understand, section chief." Xu Dong nodded solemnly.
After receiving the tools, Xu Dong and three subordinates immediately began to clean the north gate.
In order to meet the big boss, the power company spent a lot of money this time, and even dispatched water trucks.
The vehicle was still a trivial matter, but the key was that it was a waste of water. Xu Dong felt distressed just looking at it.
However, this water is "borrowed" from other units. The power company has water conservation tasks every month, and it is impossible to waste its own precious water quota in this way.
After a morning of hard work, the entire north gate is almost spotless, so harsh that even every leaf has been wiped clean.
Section Chief Li came over personally to inspect and accept the work. After correcting a few minor problems, he finally showed a satisfied smile.
"Xiao Xu, you did a good job."
"Uncle Li, you can absolutely rest assured while I'm doing the work." Xu Dong said, patting his chest.
"Okay, young people are indeed very motivated."
Xu Dong blushed a little and said, "Uncle Li, I'm already in my thirties, so I can't be considered a young man."
"I said yes, come to my office after get off work. I have something to tell you."
"Uncle Li, can't you say it now?" Xu Dong asked with a stern look on his face.
Section Chief Li shook his head and explained: "I'm busy right now, so I don't have time to talk to you! You can just come over after get off work. It won't waste much time."
Xu Dong nodded and agreed.
In the afternoon, the big boss of the head office arrived as scheduled. This time he came mainly to express condolences and commend the front-line employees.
After all, they were the ones who stuck to their posts during the sandstorm, performed their duties diligently, and effectively guaranteed the power supply in Yanjing city.
However, the big boss was busy and only stayed at the power company for less than an hour before leaving in a hurry.
After get off work, Xu Dong knocked on the door of Section Chief Li's office as scheduled.
"It's Xiao Xu, come in quickly."
"Uncle Li, what do you want from me?" Xu Dong asked bluntly.
Section Chief Li smiled slightly: "That's a good thing!"
"What good thing?"
"Recently, the city bureau has organized a rotation training class for police officers, which will deploy elite police officers across the city for key training.
Our company happens to have a quota, and I have already submitted your name.
You go back and get ready. You don't have to go to work tomorrow and go directly to the city bureau headquarters to report."
Xu Dong was dumbfounded and quickly questioned: "Uncle Li, we are not from the police system. What does this police rotation training class have to do with our security department?"
"Why doesn't it matter?"
Section Chief Li spoke eloquently:
"We are a state-owned enterprise, and the security department is originally the reserve force of the police system. It doesn't matter if you don't understand, as long as you understand one thing, we are absolutely qualified to participate in this training session."
"Then why did you choose me? Can you choose someone else?"