Housing allocation by unit

"The Director has always been supportive of his juniors. Tomorrow, let's go report our work to him!" Jia Bing said with a smile.

Zhao Dongchuan nodded and took a package out of his bag.

"These are some pastries I brought back from the capital – Fuling Jia Bing and crisp candy. For your wife to try!"

"And a bottle of Red Star Erguotou, hehe! Want to have some tonight?"

"Haha, good, good! Tonight, let's taste the difference between the capital's liquor and ours!" Jia Bing loved to drink, and his mood immediately brightened when he saw the liquor.

Jia Bing didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the items. He and Zhao Dongchuan were already good friends and didn't care much about such things, just as Zhao Dongchuan would casually drop by for a meal.

So that evening, Zhao Dongchuan and Jia Bing cooked together, stir-frying a few dishes and steaming several plates of white flour steamed buns.

Before long, the food and wine were on the table. The three sat on separate sides, eating and chatting, discussing everyday matters.

Unconsciously, the bottle of Red Star Erguotou was already empty.

"This liquor is very good, mellow and sweet, clear and pure!" Jia Bing praised.

"Naturally, it is. This is an authentic famous liquor from the capital!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a slight smile.

"However, I still prefer xifeng liquor!" Jia Bing chuckled.

"The moon is roundest in one's hometown, and liquor is mellowest from one's hometown!"

"Hahahaha, yes, yes, yes!"

.........

Zhao Dongchuan bid farewell to a somewhat tipsy Jia Bing, then rode his bicycle back to the dormitory.

After a quick wash-up, he didn't read any books or practice his lessons; he went straight to bed. After a day of running around, he was truly tired and needed a good rest.

The next day, Zhao Dongchuan woke up early, washed up, and rode his bicycle directly to the state-run restaurant, buying several large meat buns and roujiamo. He wasn't sure if it was a matter of habit or something else, but he felt that the meat buns from this shop tasted exceptionally good.

He ate with one hand while riding his bicycle with the other. By the time he arrived at the Cultural Center, the buns and roujiamo were all in his stomach.

"Comrade Zhao, Happy New Year!"

"Mr. Zhao, your new work..."

"........"

When Zhao Dongchuan entered the Cultural Center, his colleagues on the way greeted him warmly, and he smiled back at each of them, offering auspicious wishes.

Upon reaching the office, Jia Bing was already there.

"Hello, Teacher Jia!"

"Hello, Teacher Zhao!" Jia Bing chuckled, saying it half-jokingly.

Given Zhao Dongchuan's current works and reputation, the title of 'teacher' was already fitting, which is why Jia Bing spoke that way.

"Hahahaha, Teacher Jia is joking. My qualifications aren't enough yet, I don't dare accept it, I don't dare accept it!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a laugh.

Hearing that Zhao Dongchuan had returned, colleagues from the neighboring office all rushed over to greet him.

"Zhao Dongchuan, I didn't expect you to have another new poem published, congratulations!" Du Lili looked at Zhao Dongchuan, who was surrounded by everyone, a complex expression flashing across her face.

She loved literature but wasn't good at writing herself. She had always harbored a slight admiration for Zhao Dongchuan's strength, but as time went on, Zhao Dongchuan became more and more outstanding, and her relationship with Wu Huiliang was also developing; they were already engaged.

So her feelings for Zhao Dongchuan were very complicated. On one hand, she tried to position herself as Zhao Dongchuan's colleague; on the other hand, she hoped to have more contact with him. But she was already engaged and couldn't have too much contact with other men, as issues of male-female conduct were being strictly scrutinized at the time.

Wu Huiliang was also a rare young talent; his appearance, character, and family background were all top-notch.

"Alas!!!" Du Lili sighed silently in her heart.

"Thank you, Sister Lili, it's just a small poem, nothing much. Thank you all for your support!" Zhao Dongchuan responded to Du Lili while also speaking politely to the crowd.

At this moment, a young man came over and took out a stack of magazines from his bag, which was the current issue of "People's Literature."

"Teacher Zhao, could you sign this for me? My family really loves your work!" He then looked at him with an eager expression.

Zhao Dongchuan was still a bit unaccustomed to this new title, but he felt quite pleased inside.

"Okay, I'll sign it for you!"

...

Before long, the scene turned into a "fan signing event"! Some colleagues who had magazines heard the news and rushed over to get his autograph.

Zhao Dongchuan rubbed his slightly sore right hand, feeling something was amiss.

It seemed like last time, and even the time before, it was this fellow who brought many magazines for him to sign.

"This guy isn't really taking my signed copies to sell for money, is he?" Zhao Dongchuan wondered suspiciously.

He'd have to ask him properly sometime. If he was using his name to make money, he'd have to give him "copyright fees."

At least he should get a cut or something, Zhao Dongchuan muttered to himself.

When most of the people had dispersed, Jia Bing and Zhao Dongchuan went together to the Director's office.

"Happy New Year, Director Wang!" Zhao Dongchuan greeted him.

"Oh, Little Zhao, you're back. How are your parents?" Director Wang asked kindly, looking at Zhao Dongchuan with a smile.

"They're all very well. They're very grateful that you approved my leave!"

"Hahahaha, it's only natural. A wanderer returning home is only right!"

"That poem you wrote was indeed accepted by "People's Literature," it's truly excellent! I won't say much more, I wish you continued success in the future and to create more outstanding works!" Director Wang encouraged him.

"Oh, and I have some good news!" Director Wang subtly glanced at the main door, and seeing that Jia Bing had closed it, he continued in a low voice, "The housing allocation quotas for units this year have been released, and our Cultural Center received 3 quotas. Go back and submit an application; based on your contributions to our Cultural Center, you have a very good chance!"

Although Zhao Dongchuan already owned a property, he couldn't reveal it at the moment; it could only serve as a secret base.

Unit housing allocation meant a real, tangible house, which was much better than a dormitory and would make various aspects of life more convenient in the future.

"Thank you, thank you for your patronage, Director!" Zhao Dongchuan quickly expressed his gratitude.

"This is all your own ability; no one else has anything to say!" Jia Bing had apparently already known this news and wasn't surprised.

The two chatted with him for a while longer, then excused themselves and left.

"Submit your report early, alright? There are many people eyeing this quota!" Jia Bing reminded him.

Zhao Dongchuan nodded in agreement, and then the two entered the office.

Taking advice leads to success. Back in the office, Zhao Dongchuan immediately wrote an application form, consulting Jia Bing whenever he encountered something he didn't understand. In a short while, the application form was completed.

"Later, you can just hand it directly to the Director!" Jia Bing said with a smile.

For the rest of the time, Zhao Dongchuan began catching up on his work. Although there was no rush, what needed to be done still had to be done.

Soon it was time to get off work. Zhao Dongchuan put down the documents in his hand, greeted Jia Bing, and then left work directly.

Riding his bicycle straight back to the dormitory, Zhao Dongchuan stir-fried a few dishes for himself. By the time he finished eating, it was almost dark.

After tidying up the dishes and chopsticks and closing the dormitory door, Zhao Dongchuan took out the teleportation bracelet from his space.