Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

Before long, the pungent smell of gas was replaced by the fragrant and rich smell of duck fat. Thirty minutes later, Li Weidong opened the lid of the pot. Yu Li looked at the steaming duck meat and couldn't help swallowing. When she heard the gurgling sound, she blushed and turned around to get the plate, fearing that her expression would be seen by Weidong.

The duck meat was very rich, filling a large plate. Li Weidong put the plate on the table, and the two picked up their chopsticks and prepared to feast on it.

At this moment, there was a sudden knocking sound outside the window, as if someone was knocking on the window glass. Li Weidong frowned and looked back, only to see Xiaodang and Xiaohuahua staring at the window of their house like hungry wolves, drooling.

He shook his head in a helpless smile, wondering how these two people could smell the fragrance when the doors and windows were obviously closed. Yu Li also saw them, curled her lips and said, "It's those two little brats Xiaodang and Xiaohuahua, ignore them. Qin Huairu has been taking care of Banggeng in the hospital these days, and the two of them are left alone, playing around in the yard. Yesterday, Dasao Wang next door celebrated her birthday and fried two eggs for Xiao Shitou, and they smelled it. They shamelessly stayed in front of Dasao Wang's house and refused to leave. Dasao Wang softened her heart and gave them half of the eggs, but they were not only ungrateful, but also spit on the eggs when Dasao Wang wasn't paying attention. In the end, Dasao Wang had no choice but to give them all the remaining eggs."

Li Weidong was stunned. He didn't expect these two naughty kids to do such an outrageous thing to steal something. He knew he couldn't open the door to let them in, but it was not a good idea to just let them knock on the glass outside the window. So, Li Weidong stood up and opened the window.

Xiaodang smiled slyly and asked innocently: "Uncle Weidong, are you frying meat at home? I smell a delicious fragrance." Xiaohuaihua on the side even had her fingers in her mouth. She was so cute looking at the saliva that was about to flow to the ground and the silk threads pulled out from the corners of her mouth.

Li Weidong looked at the two greedy kids with a hint of helplessness on his face, but he still smiled and said, "Xiaodang, Xiaohuaihua, do you want to eat meat?"

"Yes!" they answered in unison, their faces full of anticipation.

"If you want to eat meat, let auntie cook it for you. What's the point of surrounding other people's windows?" Li Weidong said with a smile, and then closed the window.

When Xiaodang and Xiaohuahua were sent back to Jia's house by Li Weidong, Mrs. Jia saw that they returned empty-handed and her face immediately darkened. "Why didn't you bring anything back?" she asked. "I clearly saw Weidong plucking duck feathers in the afternoon. He must have cooked the duck. There is no reason why he didn't cook it."

The two poor little guys were so scared by what Old Lady Jia said that they could only stammer and tell what happened just now. After hearing what Old Lady Jia said, she was furious and yelled: "This Li Weidong is really a jerk. He didn't even give the children some of the meat. Eat it, eat it, you will die of it sooner or later!"

As she spoke, she also mentioned that when Bang Geng was injured, Li Weidong refused to help. She said that if he continued like this, his future would be like Sha Zhu's, with no family and no descendants.

The more Mrs. Jia talked, the angrier she became. Finally, she decided to go to the Li family to argue in person. She thought that the Jia family was in such a difficult situation and Banggeng was sick. As a neighbor, it was her duty to help them.

But just as she reached the crescent-shaped gate, she suddenly stopped and said to herself, "Forget it. Li Weidong is a truck driver who earns more money than Shazhu. Besides, the Yu family is well off, so there's no need to fall out now. Huairu said before that the reason Weidong didn't agree to treat Banggeng that day was because Yu Li didn't agree. However, his family spent so much money on Banggeng's treatment, so he really needs to be compensated."

"By the way, we should ask the residents to donate money!" Jia Zhang's eyes suddenly lit up and she hurried to Yi Zhonghai's house.

When Yi Zhonghai heard about the Jia family's fundraising, his face immediately turned livid. In recent years, the Jia family has launched many fundraising activities, including Jia Xudong's injury, Qin Huairu's birth of Sophora japonica, Jia Zhang's illness, etc., a total of five or six times. The residents' sympathy has been exhausted, the amount of donations is getting smaller and smaller, and Yi Zhonghai's face is almost unbearable.

"Aunt, do you remember that last time, we only raised less than five dollars?" Yi Zhonghai tried to persuade Jia Zhang, but was interrupted by her.

A sly smile flashed across Jia Zhang's face, and she whispered a few words to Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai's eyes gradually widened, and he looked at Jia Zhang in surprise. This old shrew actually started to use her mind instead of just throwing tantrums.

"If it's done properly, it's indeed feasible. Go back and prepare. I'll ask the old woman to strike the gong." Dongdongdong, the gong sounded, and the old lady's voice came from outside: "Everyone, pay attention. Gather in the middle courtyard after dinner. We are going to hold a meeting."

At this time, Li Weidong and Yu Li had finished their meal and were doing exercise. When they heard the gong, they both frowned at the same time.

Yu Li: "Another meeting is coming up. Our courtyard is always restless. Don't go this time. You've been away on business for so long, you should have a good rest." Li Weidong pinched her nose and said, "Go, of course you can go! Yi Zhonghai loves to take the opportunity to stir up trouble. If you don't attend, he will definitely accuse you of 'not uniting the masses.' Besides, I also want to know what they are going to do."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Yu Li reluctantly left Li Weidong's legs and helped him get his coat. After washing up, they walked out of the house together.

As soon as they went out, they met Xu Damao and Lou Xiaoe. Xu Damao saw Yu Li's hair was wet, her cheeks were slightly red, and her eyes showed unconcealed joy, and he immediately understood something. He glared at Li Weidong fiercely, secretly regretting in his heart: such a good woman, marrying a rough man who only knows how to drive, is a waste.

Lou Xiao'e walked forward foolishly: "Yu Li, how did you wash your hair in such a cold day?" Yu Li hesitated, secretly pinched Li Weidong, twisted it lightly, and then gave him a reproachful look: "It's all your fault, for forcing me to do squats!"

Squats save effort, and Li Weidong could only smile foolishly to avoid embarrassment. He changed the subject: "Sister Xiao'e, I haven't been home these days, so I'm not clear about some things. Do you know what the meeting is for today?"

Although Lou Xiao'e stayed in the yard all day, she was simple-minded and could not tell the reason. But Xu Damao gave the answer: "When I just came back, I saw Jia Zhang went to Yi Zhonghai's house. It must be about donating to the Jia family."

"Donate? Even if Banggeng is injured, he doesn't have to pay for it himself, right? He's a worker, the factory will reimburse his medical expenses." Xu Damao pouted and continued, "You don't know, Banggeng cut the pig's tail this time, which angered Director Yang. He criticized Qin Huairu by name at the meeting. How could the factory afford his medical expenses?"

Li Weidong: "I won't donate either." The two chatted as they walked towards the venue.

Under the dim light, the residents all looked unhappy. Seeing Jia Zhang holding a cardboard box made of newspapers, everyone understood that she was asking them to donate money.

Yi Zhonghai took a sip of tea, stood up, and swept his sharp eyes over everyone, and slowly said: "You may have known that Banggeng was accidentally bitten by a pig and is now in the hospital. Everyone knows the situation of the Jia family. Qin Huairu works alone and lives a difficult life. We live in the same yard, and we should lend a helping hand. So, please donate some money to Banggeng to help them through the difficulties."

As soon as he finished speaking, a discussion broke out among the crowd.

"What do you mean by careless? He was obviously trying to steal a pig in the middle of the night and got bit by the pig."

"That's right, our money didn't come from the wind, so why should we donate to them?"

Yi Zhonghai had expected such a reaction, and he winked at Jia Zhang. Jia Zhang walked to the front of the crowd with the cardboard box in her arms and bowed deeply: "There are so many kind-hearted people in our yard. They knew that we needed to donate money, and they came to my house before the meeting to donate to me. They all donated ten or five yuan, which touched me, an old lady, very much. I will remember them forever."

As she spoke, Jia Zhang shook the cardboard box, and indeed there was a rustling sound from inside, as if it was full of money. This made Li Weidong a little confused. Did anyone really donate money to the Jia family?

Hearing that someone donated a large amount, the residents looked at each other in bewilderment. Since someone had started it, if they didn't show some appreciation, it would seem that they were not enthusiastic enough. Nowadays, not being enthusiastic is a mistake, and people are most afraid of being accused of not being enthusiastic. Yi Zhonghai smiled and said to the residents, "Of course, everyone's situation is different. You don't have to be like the activists and just donate as you like. Even one or two yuan is a token of your appreciation." After that, he took out ten yuan from his pocket and put it in the box, then turned to Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui and said, "You two uncles are in charge, and you should set an example."

It was the cold winter day of the twelfth lunar month, and beads of sweat appeared on Liu Shang and Yan Bugui's forehead.

This old guy, Lao Yi, is too cunning, as if he is trying to force the issue.

Second Aunt noticed that Liu Hai seemed a little embarrassed, and said softly: "My eldest son is preparing for his wedding, and he needs to buy a lot of things, so please donate less."

At this time, Liu Haishang had already taken out a five-yuan bill from his pocket.

Hearing this, he angrily took back the five yuan, took out a ten yuan note and stuffed it into the donation box.

"Don't mention that beast again!"

Jia Zhang hugged the box and smiled from ear to ear: "Second Uncle, thank you so much. When Bang Geng's injury heals, he will come to thank you in person."

When it was Yan Bugui's turn, he smiled awkwardly and pursed his lips: "My family will be getting married soon after liberation, and we also need to buy things, so I'll donate less."

He put a dollar in the box.

Jia Zhang thought it was too little and curled her lips. Just as she was about to say a few more words, Yan Jiefang's sobbing voice rang in her ears: "Yu Li, my Yu Li! Cuihua! My Cuihua!"

It seems that this child is really pitiful. Let’s let the Yan family go this time!

Jia Zhang was still a little uneasy when she thought about the bad things she had done, and walked towards the residents with the newspaper box.