Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

"Tietou, there are a few bowls in my cart basket. You two go and get three bowls of noodle soup. Don't want noodles, but get two poached eggs to try." Xu Damao looked at the noodles in the pot and felt itchy in his heart. He had already smelled that familiar aroma and couldn't help but say to Zhang Tietou.

"Okay!" Zhang Tietou and Huang Genwang responded, picked up three bowls and walked towards the big pot. Their movements were very skillful, as if they often did this.

After a while, the noodles were cooked. Zhang Tietou first scooped out a bowl of noodle soup and brought it to Xu Damao. There were a few cabbage leaves and a white poached egg floating in the bowl, exuding an attractive aroma. Seeing so many cabbage leaves, Xu Damao couldn't help but sigh: "It's really good, two poached eggs, and the noodle soup is rich in fragrance. The cook who cooked it is very good."

Xu Damao picked up the bowl, blew on it a few times, and then carefully drank a mouthful of soup. He immediately felt a fresh and rich taste spreading in his mouth, which made him unable to resist drinking a few more mouthfuls.

As the heat entered his body, he felt a warm current surge through his body, and his originally cold body gradually warmed up. In this cold winter day, he even felt a slight fever.

"In such a cold day, I have to drink some hot soup to feel comfortable!" Xu Damao said contentedly, enjoying the warmth and deliciousness at this moment.

"Young man, let's start? Finish early and go back to sleep early." Uncle Zhao walked to Xu Damao, patted his shoulder and said with a smile.

At this time, they had eaten and drunk their fill, rested for a while, and their mental state had almost recovered.

Xu Damao nodded, looked at Huang Genwang and Zhang Tietou beside him, and said, "Okay, let's get started. Let's finish it early and go back to bed early."

Huang Genwang and Zhang Tietou responded in unison: "Okay, big brother!" After that, they walked out of the warehouse together.

Time passed by, and the cornmeal in the warehouse was transported away bag by bag. Finally, at three o'clock in the morning, the last bag of cornmeal was successfully moved out of the warehouse.

Xu Damao and Uncle Zhao breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, looked at each other, and smiled with relief on their faces.

Uncle Zhao walked up to Xu Damao, handed him the money for the last cartload of cornmeal, and said with emotion: "Young man, go back to bed early. I, an old man, should go back too. I am old and not as healthy as before. I can't stay up late anymore."

Xu Damao took the money, nodded seriously, and said, "Well, Uncle Zhao, you are right. You really need to take care of your health. Then you should go back and rest early, and we will go back soon too."

Afterwards, Xu Damao carefully counted the money in his hand, and after confirming that it was correct, he couldn't help but yawning loudly.

Just like that, the two groups prepared to disperse.

"Tietou, you two go back. It's time for me to leave too! I'm going to keep this deal in my heart, you know that?" Xu Damao said to them with a serious face.

"Okay, we understand, big brother. Then we'll go." The two answered in unison.

"Oh, by the way, tell the owner of this warehouse that I want to buy it. Remember, don't use any despicable means! I don't want to cause any trouble!" Xu Damao warned.

"Okay, big brother, we are serious businessmen." Zhang Tietou responded, and then he and Huang Genwang began to pack up. They put some miscellaneous items, such as baskets and copper basins, into the bicycle, then rode away with Huang Genwang.

Xu Damao locked the gate of the courtyard, got on his bike, hesitated for a moment, and decided not to go to the courtyard where Cuinong lived. After all, it was already three o'clock in the morning, and going there so late would definitely disturb others' rest. So he rode his bike to his newly bought courtyard.

Xu Damao came to the courtyard he bought, opened the door and entered the room. After taking off his coat, he went straight into bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

……

"Da Mao, you came a little late today. We can't start to have bad behavior just because we have been named excellent workers!"

The next day, in the Publicity Department of the Steel Rolling Mill, Brother Zhao said to Xu Damao with a smile in the office.

Xu Damao scratched his head and smiled a little embarrassedly: "Hehe, Brother Zhao, I know I was wrong. Maybe I caught a cold last night and had a severe headache. I didn't sleep well the whole night, so I got up a little late this morning. I was planning to buy some breakfast on the way, but my luck was so bad that even drinking cold water got stuck in my teeth, and I even forgot to bring money. Fortunately, they saw that I was a worker in the steel mill, so they agreed to let me buy on credit this time."

As he spoke, he took out a Daqianmen cigarette from his pocket and handed it to Brother Zhao, with a hint of annoyance on his face.

Brother Zhao took the cigarette and asked with concern: "Hey, Damao, you caught a cold, can you still go outside to show the movie today?"

Xu Damao patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, Brother Zhao. This little problem is nothing. I won't leave the front line with a minor injury! I won't delay my work." He looked determined, as if no difficulty could stop him from moving forward.

"That's right. With your general physical condition, a little problem won't really affect the show. Since it doesn't affect the show, you can pay the money you owe when you go back later."

"After all, they give you credit because you are a worker in our steel mill. We can't bring shame to the factory."

As Brother Zhao was talking, he reached out and felt around for something on his body.

Xu Damao nodded hurriedly and said, "I understand. Don't worry, Brother Zhao. I will pay you back when I get back."

Brother Zhao took out a dollar from his pocket and handed it to Xu Damao, saying, "Take it, and remember to pay it back when you get back."

"Hehe, thank you very much, Brother Zhao."

Xu Damao was not polite either. He took the dollar with a smile and put it in his pocket.

Brother Zhao nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "That's good, Damao, you must take care of your health. Our Propaganda Department cannot do without you as a backbone. Put some hot tea in the kettle later. Drink some to drive away the cold. Don't drink cold water."

Brother Zhao reminded him again: "We are going to Fenghe Village in the south today. Be careful on the road."

He pointed to the map and explained the route and precautions to Xu Damao in detail.

Xu Damao listened carefully and nodded from time to time to show that he understood.

"Well, it's getting late. I'm leaving now!"

Xu Damao waved to Brother Zhao, then turned and left the steel mill.

He rode on the factory's bicycle, pedaled, and the wheels started to spin rapidly.

Along the way, Xu Damao was in a good mood, humming little tunes and enjoying the feeling of freedom.

He rode very fast, and the scenery along the way unfolded before his eyes like a picture scroll.

On the way, he stopped in a small town and found a restaurant to have lunch.