Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

"Plus, my friend's family also wants to make two sets of Spring Festival couplets, and they both need your paper. The New Year is coming soon, and red paper is not cheap. I can't ask you to write Spring Festival couplets and even ask you to spend money to buy paper for me, right? I, Xu Damao, am not that shameless." Xu Damao said sincerely.

"Besides, Teacher Yan, you are a people's teacher and you write well. Everyone around here knows that. I think this pound of meat is not enough." He continued to praise.

"But I think I've taken too much. Teacher Yan is a man of high moral character and will definitely not accept it. So I'll cut off another pound. Teacher Yan, please accept it!" Xu Damao showed a "sincere" expression, trying to persuade Yan Bugui to accept the piece of fat meat.

Yan Bugui was secretly delighted after hearing what Xu Damao said, but on the surface he pretended to be embarrassed: "Damo, look at you, how can you be so embarrassed?"

"What's there to be embarrassed about? Don't be polite to me." Xu Damao responded enthusiastically.

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui refused again, but after three attempts, he reluctantly accepted Xu Damao's piece of fat meat and placed it in the most conspicuous place on the table...

"Jie Cheng, take the knife and cut out three pairs of red paper for the couplets."

Yan Bugui bent down, groped out a roll of red paper from under the table, took it out carefully, put it on the table, and gave instructions to Yan Jiecheng.

At this time, Yan Jiecheng was staring at the piece of fat meat, drooling with greed. He came to his senses after hearing his father's words, and quickly reached out to take the red paper and unfolded it. Then, he picked up a knife and started cutting the red paper with Xu Damao.

Soon, the piece of fat meat on the table attracted many curious people to come and watch. In a blink of an eye, there were more than a dozen people gathered here to watch the fun.

The newcomers curiously asked the people around them what was going on, while those who had arrived earlier enthusiastically and eloquently explained the whole situation to them.

Not long after, the red paper had been cut. Xu Damao placed the cut red paper neatly on the table, waiting for the next step.

"Teacher Yan, I'm leaving this couplet up to you."

Xu Damao said with a smile.

"No problem, just tell me what kind of couplet you want."

Yan Bugui answered with confidence.

"I like everything written by Teacher Yan."

Xu Damao said politely.

"Haha, then I'll just do whatever I want."

Yan Bugui picked up the pen and began to write seriously.

I have to say that Yan Bugui's handwriting is very beautiful, and every stroke reveals his profound calligraphy skills.

Although Xu Damao had no knowledge of calligraphy, he just thought it was beautiful and secretly admired it in his heart, "It's much better than those so-called masters who used to draw talismans with brushes in their previous lives!"

"Teacher Yan is really multi-talented!"

He couldn't help but praise.

"You're too kind. I only know a little bit."

Yan Bugui said modestly.

After a while, Yan Bugui finished writing a couplet.

"Upper couplet: Spring is back, and the mountains are luxuriant; Lower couplet: The sun warms the land of China, and the trees are flourishing; Horizontal banner: Welcome the New Year with joy."

Yan Bugui read out the couplet he had written.

"Great couplet! Great words!"

Xu Damao gave a thumbs up and praised.

"Thank you for the compliment. This couplet is for you."

Yan Bugui handed the couplet to Xu Damao.

"Thank you so much, Teacher Yan."

Xu Damao took the couplet and was filled with joy.

Then, Yan Bugui continued to write two more couplets, each with its own characteristics.

Xu Damao and the surrounding neighbors came forward to watch, exclaiming in amazement from time to time.

After letting the ink dry for a while, Yan Bugui gave all the written couplets to Xu Damao.

"Thank you, Mr. Yan. Your calligraphy is really good. I wish you a happy new year!"

Xu Damao said gratefully.

"You're welcome, and happy new year everyone!"

Yan Bugui responded with a smile.

Xu Damao carefully held the three couplets and returned to his residence contentedly. He gently placed the couplets in his personal space, planning to go to the market later to buy some couplets and door gods to add a festive atmosphere to his other two courtyards.

After entering the room, Xu Damao took a short rest and then decided to go out. He pushed his bicycle towards the market, planning to have lunch there.

When passing by the writing stall set up by Yan Bugui at the door, Xu Damao greeted him in a friendly manner and then continued on to the market.

“This is a good opportunity to go and see Zhang Tietou and Huang Genwang to see if they have found anything new and interesting.”

Xu Damao was secretly looking forward to it. He had made many fruitful visits to Huang Genwang and Zhang Tietou's stalls recently, and had obtained many novel items.

Even such precious things as rhino horns were purchased by them. Xu Damao did not treat them unfairly and bought these rhino horns at a price twice higher than their purchase price.

As the Spring Festival approaches, the market becomes extremely lively.

The streets were bustling with people, and the sounds of hawking were heard one after another. Xu Damao felt the strong flavor of the New Year and happily immersed himself in it.

"Boss, weigh out a pound of noodles!"

"Okay, wait a minute!"

"One catty and three ounces, no more, no less. I'll charge you one catty. Take it and walk slowly!"

"okay!"

The market was bustling with hawking sounds. Xu Damao pushed his cart and followed the crowd to the stalls of Zhang Tietou and Huang Genwang.

"What would you like to order, sir? Although our stall may be small, we have a complete range of items!"

Zhang Tietou had sharp eyes and spotted the tall Xu Damao from a distance. Seeing him walking towards him, he hurriedly went up to him and greeted him warmly.

Xu Damao is about 1.8 meters tall, standing out from the crowd, and it is hard for him not to attract attention.

"Have you received anything good recently?"

Xu Damao lowered his voice and asked Zhang Tietou in a low voice.

"I collected some old items, including a big one. It's not convenient to bring it here, so I put it at home. Brother, take a look at these things I just collected." Zhang Tietou said as he took out a cigarette from the cigarette box and handed it to Xu Damao.

After Xu Damao took the cigarette, he started smoking. Zhang Tietou also responded in a low voice: "Okay, let's go and take a look." Then, he asked Xu Damao to push the cart to the back of the stall.

"The things are here." After Xu Damao parked the car, Zhang Tietou took down a large wooden box from the cart behind the stall.

Xu Damao frowned as he looked at the mess of miscellaneous items in the box. He said to Zhang Tietou, "In the future, we shouldn't just pile up these old items. If they get bumped or dented, they will become worthless!"