Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

"Snapped!"

Xu Damao slapped his forehead heavily with his right hand, a helpless smile on his face.

The aroma of the barbecue gradually spread like smoke. Although Xu Damao's cooking skills could not be called superb, he could still handle simple barbecue with ease.

The two of them ate with their mouths drooling, and Lou Xiao'e praised Xu Damao's cooking skills.

After having a good meal and a few drinks, we took a short rest and then rode our bikes towards the Temple of Heaven.

......

"This place is too big, aren't you tired?"

After walking around for a long time, Lou Xiao'e was exhausted and sat down on a step to rest like a deflated ball.

"This is where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held sacrifices. How can a small area show its sacredness and solemnity? Take a rest if you are tired."

Xu Damao also sat down next to Lou Xiao'e, reached out and gently supported her head, letting her head rest lightly on his shoulder.

Lou Xiao'e shook her head gently, turned her head coquettishly, stared at Xu Damao with watery eyes, and a sweet and pure smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, as charming as the peach blossoms blooming in spring. Then she took the initiative to lean her head gently on Xu Damao's shoulder.

"Why is your name Damao? Does it mean that I hope you will grow tall and have a strong vitality?"

"...I don't know. This name was given by my parents. I was named after them. Just like the Korean War, when we were fighting against foreign invaders, many children born in those years were named "Yuan Chao" or "Kang Mei"."

"If we were born a dozen years later, our names would probably be Xu Yuanchao or Lou Kangmei..."

"You are the one who is so beautiful! It doesn't sound good!"

"Hey, you don't know, parents have to be very particular when naming their children. It's not like the Japanese, where naming is just a joke." Xu Damao had a mysterious expression on his face.

"Why do the Japanese just give random names? Tell me about it quickly." Lou Xiao'e asked anxiously.

"Xiao E, you know something about Japanese history, right?" Xu Damao kept the secret.

"Well, I know a little bit, but not much." Lou Xiao'e answered truthfully.

"During the Warring States Period in ancient Japan..." Xu Damao cleared his throat and continued, "It's called the Warring States Period, but in fact, it was just a dozen villages fighting there."

"Japan also had the Warring States Period?" Lou Xiao'e interrupted.

"Oh, it sounds like the Japanese Warring States period, but in reality it's just a bunch of villagers messing around."

Xu Damao said with disdain.

"At that time, all the men in the country went to fight in the war, and almost all the adult men died."

"The Japanese emperor is getting anxious now. If they continue to fight like this, all their people will be killed."

Xu Damao gestured as he spoke.

"And then?" Lou Xiao'e listened attentively with a serious expression.

"Then the emperor summoned his ministers and advisers to discuss how to increase the population." Xu Damao paused and continued, "After a period of discussion, the ministers finally came up with a brilliant idea."

"What method?" Lou Xiao'e asked impatiently.

"The minister said that we have to break the marriage system. As long as we can continue the family line and increase the population, it's fine! We can't let the incense of our nation be cut off."

"So how do we do it specifically?" Lou Xiao'e asked.

"Men all over the country are fighting outside. Women whose husbands have died should not just stay at home!" Xu Damao raised his voice.

"Then where are they going?" Lou Xiao'e asked nervously.

"Go out! Bring your blankets and tie up your pillows! Go for a stroll on the street and flirt with men! For the sake of our nation's survival, get moving!"

Xu Damao described it vividly.

"Hahaha!"

Seeing Lou Xiao'e's confused expression, Xu Damao couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at? Keep talking!"

Although Lou Xiao'e was full of doubts, she also sensed something strange from Xu Damao's malicious laughter.

As she spoke, she patted Xu Damao gently, signaling him to stop keeping the secret and continue.

"The blankets and pillows that follow you everywhere are the kimonos of the future!"

"Ah! I see. But what does this have to do with their last names?"

"Just listen to me."

"This nation has been able to survive, hasn't it? But a small problem has arisen during this period."

"What's the problem?"

"What will be the last name of this child after he is born?"

"what!"

Only then did Lou Xiao'e understand, and two pink spots appeared on her face, looking very cute.

"They don't know each other, so the child's surname becomes a big problem...right, Xiao'e."

"It's like after we get married, you know my last name is Xu, so our children in the future will also have the last name Xu, and they won't know each other's names..."

"Who wants to have a baby with you! Humph!"

So these ministers and the emperor racked their brains and finally came up with a simple and easy method, which is to use the place name as the surname. In simple terms, the surname is based on the place where the event occurred...

Lou Xiao'e: "...You are talking nonsense! Fortunately, I can hear it now!"

Lou Xiao'e's face turned red and she was furious. She stretched out her fists and hit Xu Damao like raindrops.

"Ouch, ouch, it hurts so much! Stop hitting me and let me finish what I'm saying!"

"Humph! You just talk nonsense."

"That's what it means. You see, Watanabe means by the riverbank, and Matsushita is a big surname in Japan, right? The thing that happened under the big pine tree, the child born was named Matsushita..."

"Yamaguchi! That's what's happening at the foot of the mountain!"

"Actually, what I'm most puzzled about is Inoue..."

"Bah, bah, bah, stop talking!"

"No, I'm just giving you some science."

……

"And you see, if it happens once, the child is named Taro, and if it happens twice, the child is named Jiro."

"Then look at Isoroku Yamamoto... To be honest, it's not easy either..."

"You are talking nonsense, go back!"

Lou Xiao'e stood up and grabbed Xu Damao's arm in embarrassment, trying to pull her up, but Xu Damao pulled her back and held her in his arms.

Lou Xiao'e let out a tender moan. Although her body was tightly held by Xu Damao, she did not resist. Instead, she slowly stretched out her arms, wrapped them around Xu Damao's waist, and gently rested her head on his broad chest.

Time seemed to freeze, they just hugged each other quietly, no one spoke, enjoying this rare tranquility and warmth. I don't know how long it took, maybe only a few minutes, or maybe longer.

Finally, Xu Damao broke the silence: "Xiao'e, let's go back. I feel a little tired standing like this..."

"Oh, Xiao'e, be gentle. You almost tripped."

Hearing Xu Damao's words, Lou Xiao'e immediately retracted her hands that were hugging Xu Damao and pushed him away with force.