Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

"Hmph! Those two little thieves had guns in their hands that day. If they had just fought us with knives, I, Xu Damao, would not take them seriously! I would definitely have chopped them to pieces alive!" Xu Damao snorted coldly with disdain and started to brag about himself.

Yan Bugui nodded quickly and agreed: "Yes, yes, you are absolutely right."

"Teacher Yan, I'm not bragging. What I said is true. In winter, everyone wears thick cotton-padded clothes. Without enough strength, you can't cut the clothes even with a knife!" Xu Damao said proudly.

After saying that, he stretched out his right hand and easily broke a bamboo chopstick with three fingers. There was a crisp "snap" sound, which made Yan Bugui stunned.

"I believe it!"

"Since Teacher Yan is in urgent need of money, I will go with him today. I just happened to have collected some things in the past two days, so I can sell them at the ghost market!"

Xu Damao said proudly.

"Haha, thank you Damao so much! Come and have a drink!"

Yan Bugui's face was full of joy. He picked up the bottle and carefully poured some more wine for Xu Damao.

The two of them drank and chatted, and before they knew it, a long time had passed.

In the end, the two decided to meet outside the compound gate at 11 o'clock tonight and then go to the ghost market together.

When dinner was over, Yan Bugui left with the remaining sesame cakes and cold dishes in his hands, feeling satisfied.

Xu Damao lay on the bed, closed his eyes and began to rest.

Time passed quickly, night gradually fell, and the clock pointed to ten fifty in the evening.

Xu Damao opened his eyes on time, sat up from the bed, and simply sorted out his belongings.

He carefully placed the old items that were ready to be sold into the basket on the back of the bicycle, then slowly pushed the bicycle towards the gate of the compound.

Before I walked out of the courtyard gate, I heard a low conversation coming from outside the door.

"Teacher Yan, where are you going so late at night?"

Judging from the voice, it seems to be Yi Zhonghai, but why would this old spy from the Military Control Commission appear in the middle of the night?

"Ah... Well, I don't have anything special to do. I just went out to take care of some small matters..."

Yan Bugui spoke hesitantly and was obviously feeling guilty about his behavior.

Xu Damao deliberately made some noise and pushed the car out.

"Teacher Yan, why are you out so early?"

Xu Damao pretended not to see Yi Zhonghai and greeted Yan Bugui with a smile.

"It's not too early. I just got out not long ago. Brother Yi, I'll go over first."

Yan Bugui said goodbye to Yi Zhonghai somewhat awkwardly. After all, as a teacher, he felt it was a bit difficult and even embarrassing to talk about making money by selling things.

"No? Where are you two going in the middle of the night? It's not peaceful outside at this time of night!"

Yi Zhonghai looked at the two people in front of him with suspicion, his heart full of doubts and worries. He didn't understand why these two guys chose to go out at this time.

"Uncle, Teacher Yan and I have discussed this afternoon that we will go to the ghost market to resell some things and make some money to supplement the family income. I will be back soon, so you don't have to worry about me!"

Xu Damao showed an impatient expression, as if he did not appreciate Yi Zhonghai's concern. As he spoke, he waved to Yan Bugui, indicating that they were about to set off. Then, he leisurely rode his bicycle and slowly drove out of the yard.

"Lao Yi, go back. Remember not to lock the door. Otherwise, we will knock on the door and disturb the people in the yard to rest."

Yan Bugui also rode his bicycle and quickly caught up with Xu Damao in front of him. He looked back at Yi Zhonghai who was standing at the door and reminded him.

"Okay, then you two must be careful!"

Yi Zhonghai looked at the two of them deeply, and no longer cared about them. He told them to be careful and hoped that they would be safe. Then he turned around and walked into the courtyard, gently closing the door.

"Oh no, we've been discovered by Yi Zhonghai. What should I do?" Yan Bugui muttered softly on his bicycle.

The two rode side by side on the road in the capital. Because of the moonlight, the night was not very dark. The moonlight sprinkled on the road, and they could barely see the road ahead. Yan Bugui muttered a little depressed, with a worried look on his face, as if he was very uneasy about Yi Zhonghai's discovery.

Xu Damao comforted him nonchalantly: "Teacher Yan, if he finds out, so what? We are not going to do anything sneaky, it's no big deal." He waved his hand casually while riding his bike, indicating that there was no need to worry too much.

Yan Bugui sighed and explained, "Hey, Damao, you don't know that I was originally the kind of person in the courtyard who supported a large family with one person's salary. If Yi Zhonghai knew that I went to the ghost market to make money..."

There was a hint of helplessness and anxiety in Yan Bugui's voice. He paused halfway through his words, as if thinking about how to respond next.

Xu Damao understood what Yan Bugui meant. He was simply afraid that the people in the hospital would know that he was making extra money, which would affect his image in their hearts.

Xu Damao thought about it and suggested, "It's okay, Mr. Yan. When the time comes, you can say that you lost money in business and were robbed once. The loss was huge. This way, you can explain why you went to the ghost market to make money, and people won't suspect that you have other sources of income."

"Well, Damao, you are smart. This method is feasible. But I guess others won't believe it. You said that if you lose money by buying a cat, then you lose money?" Yan Bugui said as he fell into deep thought.

"That's right! But Teacher Yan, you don't have to worry about so many things. If you make money, then you make money. Why do you care about other people? As long as your family lives well, that's enough!" Xu Damao said nonchalantly.

Yan Bugui frowned and looked at Xu Damao seriously: "Da Mao, I am different from you. I have several children at home, and they will all live in the compound in the future. If the relationship with the neighbors becomes too stiff, how will the children live in the compound in the future?" There was a hint of worry in his tone.

Xu Damao raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and said with a smile: "Teacher Yan, I don't like what you said. Do you think that I, Xu Damao, can't maintain good relations with my neighbors?" His expression seemed a little dissatisfied, half serious and half joking.

Yan Bugui quickly waved his hands and explained: "Oh, Damao, don't misunderstand me. I'm not talking about you, it's just that our family situation is special." Yan Bugui apologized repeatedly.

Xu Damao burst into laughter: "Haha, Teacher Yan, I was just joking, don't take it seriously." He patted Yan Bugui on the shoulder to show that he was not angry.