Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

After all, these two guys have been here for several years and must be familiar with the surrounding environment. They might be able to provide him with some interesting suggestions.

However, Xu Damao was also a little worried because the weather was too cold and he didn't know whether these two people would come out to set up the stall today.

If the two of them didn't come out, then my trip would have been in vain.

After a while, Xu Damao arrived at the market where Zhang Tietou and Huang Genwang were setting up stalls. Despite the cold weather, the market was full of life and vitality. People were wearing thick cotton-padded clothes, with smiles on their faces, seemingly not affected by the cold at all.

Walking into the market, Xu Damao immediately felt a warm atmosphere. He found that the atmosphere here was very lively, with bustling crowds everywhere, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining one after another. Looking at the lively scene in front of him, Xu Damao's mood also became cheerful.

As he walked, he looked around, looking for Zhang Tietou and Huang Genwang.

He soon found them in a corner. Seeing Xu Damao coming, Huang Genwang hurriedly greeted him.

"Hey, big brother, come and see if there's anything you like. I have some great stuff here! Don't miss it if you pass by."

Xu Damao had a cigarette in his mouth and his eyes swept across the bustling crowd from time to time. His younger brother Huang Genwang was busy greeting customers on the side. It was a cold day and beads of sweat oozed from his forehead.

Xu Damao glanced at Huang Genwang, flicked the ash off his cigarette, and asked nonchalantly, "Brother, you run around in this city every day, tell me, are there any fun places?"

Huang Genwang stopped what he was doing, grinned, showing his uneven teeth, and said, "My dear brother, there are so many fun places here. If you want to talk about the liveliest place, the overpass has to be it. There are jugglers, performers, and all kinds of snacks, such as candied haws and donkey rolls. I guarantee you will be dazzled and full of food."

Xu Damao narrowed his eyes slightly, as if imagining the lively scene of the overpass, muttering: "Overpass? Hmm, interesting. What else?"

Huang Genwang scratched his head, thought for a moment and then said, "There is also the Forbidden City. That is where the emperor lived. The palace is magnificent, with red walls and yellow tiles, and it is very impressive. However, there are too many people, and sometimes it is very crowded."

Xu Damao curled his lips and said, "What good is there in having so many people? We need to find a quiet and fun place."

Xu Damao said this and winked at Huang Genwang.

Huang Genwang rolled his eyes and slapped his thigh: "Brother, let me tell you, Shichahai is nice. You can stroll along the lake and enjoy the scenery. There are people singing songs by the lake."

Xu Damao's eyes lit up: "Shichahai? Sounds good."

Huang Genwang became more and more excited as he spoke: "And the Summer Palace, that's a royal garden."

Xu Damao blew out a smoke ring: "Okay, I've noted down these places. But, is there any place that can make people relax and have something new to offer?"

Huang Genwang frowned and thought hard for a while, then suddenly his eyes lit up: "Brother, I understand what you mean. I remember now, you know the Eight Great Hutongs in Old Beijing, right?"

"I've heard of this, but don't think too much of me. I don't go to that kind of place. I think it's dirty." When Xu Damao heard Huang Genwang mention the "Eight Great Hutongs", his face changed slightly and he waved his hand quickly.

"Oh, no, the inspection is so strict now, who would do this? You just go in to have a drink, take a shower, get a massage, and listen to some music. It's a place to relax. It's not like before. There's no such service anymore, hehe." Huang Genwang explained with a laugh.

"Brother, you know that place very well. Have you been there before?" Xu Damao looked at Huang Genwang with a hint of doubt on his face.

"I don't have the money to go to that kind of place. I only knew about this news because a friend of mine used to work there as a handyman." Huang Genwang explained hurriedly.

"Oh? Is your friend still there now?" Xu Damao asked curiously.

"He hasn't worked there for a long time. I heard that he flirted with a girl who served tea, and when the boss found out, he kicked him out..." Huang Genwang said in a low voice.

"What is Tietou doing? Is he going out to collect old things?" Xu Damao's voice became softer.

"Brother, you are really smart. Tietou has already ridden his bike to collect junk."

"No one has cleared the snow on the road outside the city. I'm afraid it's difficult to walk on it."

"It's okay. If the road is difficult, you can collect it in the city. Yesterday, Tietou collected a good thing and made more than 20 yuan by reselling it. This guy has tasted the sweetness."

"Well, let's talk about the Eight Great Hutongs. Is there anything I should be careful about when I go there?"

Xu Damao asked casually.

"I just heard about it. I heard that the police are watching those places every day. It's not peaceful there. I heard that a female spy was arrested a few days ago."

Xu Damao raised the corners of his mouth and smiled into slits: "Well, not bad, not bad. I'll go shopping in these places tomorrow. I'll leave first."

I thought to myself that these eight alleys seemed to be full of excitement and adventure, and maybe I could find something interesting here.

After Xu Damao learned the location of the old eight alleys from Huang Genwang, he rode his bicycle back to his courtyard in Nanluoguxiang. After switching bicycles, he rushed towards his destination with excitement, full of anticipation - he would soon be able to hear a wonderful performance.

However, when he arrived at his destination, the scene before him disappointed him.

"When Li Kui saw the thieves' behavior, he was so angry that his liver and lungs exploded and his teeth broke! The big hand holding the axe showed blue veins..."

"Fuck! Is Huang Genwang lying to me? Where are the songs we promised to sing? Where are the dancers? How come there is only one storyteller after all this time?"

Xu Damao opened his eyes wide and looked in disbelief at the storyteller who was telling a story in the lobby.

Looking around again, he saw more than a dozen square tables in the lobby, with two or three people sitting at each table. They were tasting dried fruits and drinking tea leisurely. The whole scene seemed lively, but it was completely different from the singing and dancing scene he had imagined.

Xu Damao couldn't help feeling a sense of loss. He had thought he could enjoy a splendid art feast here, but in the end he only saw an ordinary storytelling performance.

This is very different from what Xu Damao knew... This damn Huang Genwang wouldn't lie to me. What he said was true, but it probably happened last year or the year before...