Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

"Let's calculate this thing again. I tell you, this thing is very valuable."

Xu Damao raised his arm, revealing the cloisonné turquoise bracelet on his wrist.

“Is this thing valuable? Why is it so valuable?”

Cuinong blinked her long eyelashes, looking like a curious baby.

"This thing is rare. There is a saying that goes, 'scarcity makes things valuable'. The blue stone above is a very rare thing!"

"After my inspection, I found that this is a cloisonné enamel turquoise bracelet with an extremely exquisite appearance and sophisticated workmanship. The quality of the turquoise has reached the highest level of jade."

"Based on the current value, it must be between 200 yuan and 300 yuan! Let's take a middle number and say 250 yuan."

As soon as Xu Damao finished speaking, he was met with the gazes of the two sisters, Cuinong and Cuilan, whose eyes were full of astonishment and surprise. Their pretty faces opened slightly with surprised expressions, and they couldn't believe what they heard.

With the knowledge of the two women, they certainly could not have imagined that this thing was worth so much.

"Brother, this thing is not worth that much money. It's not made of gold. It's good enough if it's worth the money you brought."

Cuilan reacted and thought Xu Damao was joking, so she tried to smooth things over.

"Cui Lan, I didn't lie to you two. This is the highest quality jade turquoise, and it also has the complex craftsmanship of cloisonné enamel. It's a good thing from the mid-Qing Dynasty, and it's definitely worth the price."

"After I take this thing away, if I meet a customer who likes it in the city, I can sell it for a little more money, so the price is not high at all."

"What's two hundred and five minus twenty-two?"

"Two hundred and twenty-eight."

Cuinong said a number in a daze, as if she was in a dream.

Xu Damao started to take out money without saying a word.

When Xu Damao took out several stacks of big unity notes, the sisters Cuilan and Cuinong realized that the handsome little brother in front of them was not tricking them or joking, but was serious.

"Little brother, there's really no need for this."

"Just take it. I'll take it back and maybe make a few dozen bucks."

Xu Damao counted the money and, regardless of Cuilan's refusal, grabbed Cuilan's tender white hand with one hand and pressed the money into her hand with the other.

"You two should go wash the dishes. I got up too early this morning and I'm so sleepy now that my eyelids are drooping."

Xu Damao stretched out his arms, closed his eyes, yawned and stretched.

Indeed, Xu Damao had stayed up all night in the black market, and had been busy for the whole morning, so he was indeed a little sleepy at this time.

"Little brother, then you should lie on the bed and rest for a while."

Cuilan saw that Xu Damao looked tired and spoke to him caringly.

"I'm really sleepy. Thank you, my two little beauties."

After making a joke, Xu Damao took off his coat, lay on the bed wearing only a vest, and covered himself with a blanket.

The unique fragrance of a woman's body on the blanket penetrated into Xu Damao's nostrils, and he soon fell asleep and entered into a dream.

……

I don’t know how long I slept. In a daze, Xu Damao seemed to be tightly hugged by something soft. The feeling was like a warm breeze blowing gently, or like silky satin slowly caressing his body, comfortable and sticky.

Xu Damao suddenly opened his eyes and was surprised to find that he had changed from lying flat to lying on his side. In front of him was Cuilan's exquisitely carved face, with her beautiful eyes open, staring at him silently.

"Brother, are you awake?"

"Cui Lan, why are you here?"

At this time Xu Damao suddenly noticed some movement on his left. He turned around suddenly and saw his sister Cuinong with her eyes wide open and her long eyelashes fluttering, looking at him shyly.

When Xu Damao saw this situation, he was speechless and at a loss for a moment. He didn't know what to do for a moment and could only let things take their course.

Xu Damao began to imagine it in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more beautiful it became.

"Cuinong, why are you here too?"

Xu Damao was a little embarrassed and scratched his head and asked Cuinong.

Cuinong blushed and shyly covered her little face with a blanket, which was very cute.

Xu Damao's eyes were as sharp as a torch, as if he could see through everything, and he instantly understood the sisters' thoughts. His eyes flashed with confidence and shrewdness, as if he had already seen through everything in the world.

Without any hesitation, Xu Damao decisively accepted it all.

Such a good thing is like pie in the sky for Xu Damao. How could he refuse it? This is not only an unexpected gain, but also a recognition of his wisdom and ability. I am afraid that even Xiaomao would not easily let go of such an opportunity!

Xu Damao lit a cigarette and chatted with the two sisters.

"Young man, do you know that the lives of concubines and child brides in wealthy families in the past were actually full of bitterness and suffering?"

"In the eyes of others, they may live a life of luxury and envy. However, this is just the brilliance on the surface. How many people can understand the pain behind it?"

"Although the concubines are from wealthy families, they are often ignored and looked down upon."

"In families with many wives and concubines, they scheme against each other and fight overtly and covertly to win the favor of their husbands."

"Child brides are sold to their husband's family at a young age, losing their freedom and childhood."

"Not only do I have to undertake heavy housework, but I also have to endure harsh criticism and beatings from my parents-in-law."

"Those long-term and short-term workers, their concubines and child brides may have a good life, but how can they truly understand the loneliness and pain in the hearts of women like us?"

"Behind the high walls of the compound, the concubines' youth gradually faded away. They longed for true love and warmth, but could only spend the rest of their lives in loneliness."

"Child brides bear the burden of the family, mature early and lose the happiness and dreams that should have belonged to them."

"Only we ourselves know the sadness and pain involved. Sister, please tell me about it."

Cuilan turned and said to Cuinong on the left.

"Brother, you may not know that when we lived in the landlord's house, although we didn't have to work in the fields, there were many rules at home. We had to do all kinds of housework and learn all kinds of ways to serve people. Some of these things I can't even say, it's too embarrassing."

Cuinong said with a blushing face.

"Tell me about it, can't we talk about our relationship?"

Xu Damao was very interested.

"Just like what my sister gave you just now!"

Cuinong just said two sentences and then covered her face with her hands, too embarrassed to continue.

"Let me tell you. After all, I was the youngest concubine of the landlord back then."

Cuilan took over the conversation and spoke softly, her eyes full of memories.

At that time, we not only had to use all our skills to flatter the landlords, but also had to silently endure the ruthless trampling of our dignity like ants.

Cuilan said softly from the side.

"Why do you say that?"

At that time, although we were called concubines, we were just high-end goods of the landlords. However, no matter how high-end goods were, they were still just goods, and this was an unchangeable fact.

"Not only do concubines have to curry favor with landlords like lapdogs, but when they meet distinguished guests at the landlord's house, they have to go over and keep them company like socialites. If they want to hide, there is nowhere to hide, and they cannot refuse, so they can only leave it to fate and hope for the best."

For some important guests, such as the garrison officers in the city, the landlords would often dress up one or two of their concubines and send them over.

"I remember that Sister Yaoyao was sent to a garrison officer. When she was sent back the next day, she was covered in wounds, especially that part... Sister Yaoyao stayed in bed for more than a month before getting out of bed."