Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

Hearing this, Zhang Meifang smiled proudly and replied, "That's right, I have been practicing this skill since I was a child, and I have never fallen behind."

After saying that, she carried the still flapping rooster into the kitchen and prepared to start the preparations before slaughtering it.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, Zhang Meifang skillfully placed the rooster on the chopping board, picked up the kitchen knife, and cut it with one stroke. The chicken blood gushed out and flowed into the bowl prepared in advance.

Afterwards, she began to perform a series of processing tasks including plucking the rooster's feathers and gutting it.

On the other side, Xu Damao also came to help. He picked up a ladle, walked to the water tank, scooped up a full ladle of clear water, and carefully poured it into the pot. Then he found some firewood, lit it and started to boil water. The kitchen was filled with the smell of fireworks. The two of them cooperated tacitly and were busy and happy.

"Da Mao, you city dweller, do you know how to make a fire? You have to burn this wood sparingly. Don't put so much in at once. Firewood is hard to come by now."

Zhang Meifang handled the work in her hands neatly while giving Xu Damao some advice. Her bright eyes showed a trace of worry, fearing that this newcomer from the city would not be able to save firewood.

"Don't worry, Sister Meifang. I'm an expert at making fire."

Xu Damao responded confidently, his hands moving non-stop, skillfully putting pieces of wood into the stove, and the fire instantly became stronger.

His handsome face was filled with smiles, as if he was very proud of his fire-making skills.

Soon, the water boiled. Zhang Meifang began to pluck the rooster's feathers, and she did it in an orderly and skillful manner, while Xu Damao carefully washed some side dishes.

He rinsed each leaf carefully, his eyes focused and serious.

Seeing Xu Damao busying around, Zhang Meifang suddenly felt an inexplicable warmth in her heart. For some reason, having a man at home to help her with things made her feel particularly at ease.

This feeling is like the warm sun in winter, warm and comfortable.

At this point, the chicken and potatoes in the pot have been stewed, and waves of tempting aroma are wafting out from the edge of the lid.

Xu Damao sat by the stove and continued to add firewood to the fire. Zhang Meifang also sat beside him, and the two chatted casually.

"Sister Meifang, please go to the main room and rest. I can handle this here by myself."

"I can't help it. The stove is very warm. This kitchen is even warmer than the living room."

Zhang Meifang said with a smile as she put her hand close to the flame and felt the warmth.

Xu Damao nodded in agreement, but his eyes were always fixed on the flames in the stove.

Smelling the rich aroma emanating from the pot, Zhang Meifang couldn't help but swallow her saliva secretly. The smell was so fragrant that it made her mouth water.

"We are very far from the city. Even if we take a bus, we have to walk a long way to Baisha Town, where there are cars. It must be very tiring for you to ride all the way here, Damao?"

Zhang Meifang asked with concern, her eyes revealing her heartache for Xu Damao.

"I didn't really feel it was that hard. I'm used to this kind of work intensity."

"After all, I am an official worker in the factory. Many people are eager to do this job, but they just can't find the way."

Xu Damao spoke slowly while casually adding another piece of firewood to the stove. The fire instantly rose up, reflecting his slightly tired but still somewhat proud face.

Then he continued, "Also, don't look at my young age, but I'm very strong! Even if I run a long way like today, I can recover after a short rest."

At this time, Zhang Meifang asked curiously: "Da Mao, how much salary do you get every month?"

Xu Damao answered without hesitation, "Not more, not less, exactly thirty yuan! And I heard from the higher-ups that they may give us an extra twenty kilograms of food coupons every month this year."

"Food coupons? I have heard of this thing, but it seems that it has not been fully implemented yet?"

Xu Damao nodded in agreement: "That's true, but I believe it won't be long before it becomes popular."

Then Zhang Meifang asked again: "Thirty yuan a month doesn't sound like a small amount, but is it enough for you?"

Xu Damao smiled helplessly, sighed and said, "Oh, thirty yuan is not enough! My daily expenses are huge. Fortunately, in addition to my work in the factory, I occasionally do some other small business."

As soon as these words came out, Zhang Meifang immediately became interested and asked, "Da Mao, you actually have the ability to do business? That's amazing! Tell us quickly, what kind of business do you do? Can you reveal it?"

Xu Damao pretended to be mysterious and lowered his voice and said, "Hey, since Sister Meifang is so interested, I'll tell you. I often go to various villages to show movies, so I took this opportunity to buy some antique treasures from the villages that were left over from ancient times."

"When I get back to the city, I'll find a suitable place to set up a stall and sell all these things. I can make some money from the difference. Even though it's not much, it's better than nothing!"

As he spoke, Xu Damao reached into his pocket and took out the slightly worn cigarette box, skillfully took out a Daqianmen cigarette from it, and gently put it into the corner of his mouth.

Then he casually picked up a thin stick of firewood from his side and threw it into the furnace.

After just a few seconds, he quickly pulled out the red-hot firewood stick and carefully used it to light the cigarette in his mouth.

A small orange-red flame instantly ignited at the cigarette butt. As Xu Damao took a deep breath, smoke slowly rose and filled the entire kitchen.

At this time, Zhang Meifang asked curiously: "Da Mao, you actually know about antiques?"

Hearing this, Xu Damao raised his head slightly, with a humble smile on his face, and said, "Hehe, actually I only know a little bit. I learned it from a friend for a while before."

As he spoke, he took another deep puff of cigarette, and the smoke he exhaled slowly dissipated in the air.

"I think there are some things like that in my room, maybe they are antiques, Damao, can you help me take a look?"

When Xu Damao heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up and he quickly responded, "What? Sister Meifang, you also have antiques hidden at home? Come on, take me to see them." Before he finished speaking, he stood up impatiently and pretended to walk out.