Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

"Stop barking like a dog! Get out of here or I'll break your legs!"

Xu Damao shook the iron pipe in his hand, stared at the robber in front of him with cold eyes, and spoke in a low and indifferent voice. He held the weapon tightly in his hand, exuding a terrifying aura.

When the robber heard Xu Damao's threat, his body trembled slightly and a feeling of fear suddenly surged in his heart.

He glared at Xu Damao fiercely, then turned and quickly fled the scene. His steps were hurried and flustered, as if he was afraid that Xu Damao would catch up and give him a fatal blow.

Xu Damao looked at the robber's back as he left, a disdainful smile on his face. He casually put the iron pipe aside, making a crisp sound of impact.

Then, he walked quickly to Yan Bugui and asked with concern: "Teacher Yan, are you okay? Did that guy do anything to you just now?"

Yan Bugui rubbed his sore buttocks, shook his head and said, "I'm fine, I just fell down. I was wearing thick clothes in winter, so I wasn't hurt. Thank you so much this time, Damao! If you weren't here, I'm afraid all my money would have been robbed."

Yan Bugui looked at Xu Damao with tears of gratitude.

"Teacher Yan, you're too polite. This is what we should do." Xu Damao replied with a smile, while helping Yan Bugui to lift up his bicycle.

"It's all thanks to you tonight, otherwise I would be in trouble." Yan Bugui nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"You're welcome. Let's get out of here."

Yan Bugui stood up tremblingly and picked up the bicycle that had fallen to the side. Fortunately, he was only frightened and not seriously injured, but his hands were still shaking. Seeing this, Xu Damao turned back to his bicycle and prepared to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.

On the way back, Xu Damao found the dagger left by the two robbers and picked it up. Then he got on his bicycle and rode side by side with Yan Bugui.

"Da Mao, I always feel like these robbers are waiting here specifically for people like us who just came out of the ghost market."

Yan Bugui said with lingering fear.

"Hey, people die for money and birds die for food! Whether it's sellers or buyers, people who come back from the ghost market either have goods or cash. And it's late at night now. If they take action, they can at least make a few dozen dollars. The risk is low and the reward is high. I want to do this job! Damn!"

Xu Damao said indignantly.

"Da Mao, the money and goods stolen from us last time were almost two hundred dollars. We can get a few hundred dollars in just a few minutes. It's really worth a try. This time it's really thanks to you." Yan Bugui said excitedly, his face filled with excitement and gratitude.

Xu Damao responded with a relaxed look: "Hey! Teacher Yan, didn't I tell you before that if these bastards don't have guns, I'll chop them to pieces with a knife!"

As he spoke, he took out two gleaming daggers from his pocket and handed one to Yan Bugui, "Teacher Yan, I'll give you one of these."

Yan Bugui carefully took the dagger, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he carefully looked at the weapon in his hand in the moonlight.

Xu Damao explained, "This is the weapon I used to knock down the two robbers just now. Take one and keep it for self-defense."

Yan Bugui nodded gratefully. Then, he suddenly remembered what happened before, and said to Xu Damao with a smile: "Hey, thank you Damao very much. By the way, Damao, didn't you take a bronze spear from me in the ghost market? If your friend gives you money, you don't have to give it to me, just keep it for yourself!"

After hearing this, Xu Damao showed a surprised expression, as if he did not expect Yan Bugui to be so generous. He quickly replied:

"Hey, Teacher Yan, that's more than 20 yuan. If you don't want it, it's a bargain for me, hehe!"

Xu Damao looked at Yan Bugui in surprise, muttering to himself: This guy has always been very stingy, why did he suddenly change his nature today? It's really hard to figure out.

Yan Bugui seemed to see Xu Damao's confusion, smiled and said, "Da Mao, you know, I am a bit stingy in the yard, but half of it is intentional. You are so smart, you can definitely guess my intention."

Xu Damao nodded. He certainly understood Yan Bugui's little thoughts. He was just afraid of being envied. Yan Bugui continued, "If you were not here today, I would not only lose the twenty yuan, but also all the money, goods, and even this bicycle. So, please accept this little gift as a thank you for saving my life."

After Yan Bugui finished speaking, his tone became serious, as if he had become another person. Seeing this, Xu Damao stopped refusing and said with a smile: "In that case, I won't be polite. After my friend returns the money to me, I will buy some good food and go to your house for a good meal. How about that?"

Yan Bugui readily agreed: "Okay, I'll get a bottle of good wine and we'll have a few drinks!"

In this way, the two of them rode their bikes and chatted in low voices.

After a while, Yan Bugui asked curiously, "Da Mao, where did the iron rod in your hand come from?"

"It's in the basket at the back. There's a knife in it. I felt it would be uncomfortable to carry it on my body, so I threw it into the basket." Xu Damao said proudly.

"When the two robbers rushed towards me with knives, I reached out and took out an iron stick from the basket behind me. If I had taken out a knife, those two robbers would have been chopped to death!" Xu Damao waved one arm and started bragging, and Yan Bugui also pretended to agree.

"The guy who got hit by the stick I used must have a broken arm! He didn't even have a gun, but he dared to rob me, Xu Damao. He must be tired of living!" Xu Damao continued to curse...

The two of them rode their bicycles slowly and soon arrived at the gate of the courtyard.

After returning to the courtyard, the two whispered a few words to each other and then went home.

Xu Damao fell asleep immediately and slept very soundly. When he opened his eyes again, it was already the next morning.

"What a heavy snow!"

"Yeah, there was no movement last night, why is it snowing so heavily?"

As soon as Xu Damao got up, he heard bursts of discussions coming from the yard, so he hurriedly opened the door and went out.

"Well, I can't ride the bike anymore!"

Xu Damao looked at the snow on the ground that was above his ankles, shook his head helplessly and sighed.

After returning home, Xu Damao quickly changed into the leather jacket and leather boots he had bought at the ghost market, and then prepared to walk to the steel mill to go to work.