Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Xu Damao rode his bike with Lou Xiao'e to Chen Xueru's shop in Qianmen. He looked at the time and planned to pick up the clothes first, then go to the tavern to have a drink and chat with acquaintances. It would be great if he could meet Mr. Niu. Xu Damao planned to ask him to help collect some antiques and paintings from the old people. If there were courtyard houses for sale, he would also buy some.

The couple came to the outside of the silk shop. Xu Damao looked up at the sign and said, "Here it is. Come down, wife, let's go get the custom-made clothes."

Lou Xiao'e got out of the car and went into the store with Xu Damao. There was only a young female salesperson sitting behind the counter.

Xu Damao said, "I'm here to pick up the clothes I ordered."

The salesperson stood up, took out a registration book from the counter and asked, "What's your name? When did you make the reservation?"

Xu Damao told the name and date, and the salesperson quickly started looking for it. "Found it. It's here. The clothes you ordered have been made a long time ago. You two can take a look around. I'll get the clothes for you."

Xu Damao waved his hand and motioned her to get the clothes. "Ezi, take a look and see if there is any fabric you like. If so, we can order a few sets."

"Okay, my mother and I came here several times before the public-private partnership. The fabrics here are pretty good, much better than those in department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives, with more colors and patterns." Lou Xiao'e was in the mood. Most women are born to love shopping, especially buying clothes.

Xu Damao said: "Then you can pick out some more fabrics, and pick some for your parents, your father-in-law, your mother-in-law, and your sister."

"Okay, then you accompany me to have a closer look." Lou Xiao'e whispered again, "The proprietress here is very beautiful. Do you have any ideas? Let me tell you, she is married!"

Xu Damao smiled slightly, seeing through Lou Xiaoe's thoughts, and whispered: "What year are you talking about? Her first husband left her and ran away to the United States a long time ago. I don't know if her current husband is Liao Yucheng or Fan Jinyou, or if she is single."

"Hey, let me see who said my fabric is good? There are not many shops in this city that make better fabrics than mine." The voice came before the person arrived. Chen Xueru lifted the door curtain and walked in from behind.

As for why she came at such a coincidence, it was because the salesperson had been told by Chen Xueru that if someone named Xu Damao came to pick up clothes, she should go to the back and call her. That was why she was able to arrive so timely and happened to hear what Lou Xiao'e said just now.

"Manager Chen is here too. I'm here to pick up my clothes." Xu Damao greeted him.

"Oh, it's brother Damao. I guess this is your sister-in-law. She's so beautiful." Chen Xueru praised.

"Yes, Manager Chen." In order to avoid getting jealous, Xu Damao stopped calling Xueru Sister and started calling her Manager Chen instead.

"Hello, Manager Chen, I am Lou Xiao'e." Lou Xiao'e also introduced herself generously.

"Lou Xiao'e...are you Mr. Lou's daughter?" Chen Xueru said in surprise.

"Yes, my mother and I have been here several times before."

"Oh, I was wondering why you looked familiar, but you have grown up and changed a lot, so I didn't dare to recognize you. It turns out that you are really an acquaintance. Please come in and sit down." Chen Xueru enthusiastically took Lou Xiao'e's hand and walked to the back.

Xu Damao followed behind, and the three of them happened to meet a salesperson who was going to pick up clothes.

"Manager, where should I put this clothing?"

"Give it to me. I'll take it to the back and let the customer try it on." Chen Xueru took the clothes.

The three of them came to the living room in the back house. This shop, like the tavern, used the front store as a business premises and the backyard for living.

Chen Xueru handed over the clothes first, then personally made three cups of tea and brought them over, and then started chatting with the couple.

"Lou Xiao'e, you can go to the inner room and try on your clothes to see if they fit you. If they don't fit, you can alter them."

"Okay, then I'll try it first." Lou Xiao'e took the clothes and went into the inner room.

"Manager Chen, do you have any good materials? I want to buy some good fabrics to make clothes for my family." Xu Damao asked.

"A new batch of good fabrics arrived before the New Year, and there's quite a bit left. Wait, brother. I'll get it right away."

After a while, Chen Xueru and the salesperson came over, each holding a few pieces of cloth. "The rest are all here, take a look."

At this time, Lou Xiao'e also changed her clothes and came out from the inner room, "Da Mao, what do you think?"

"She is very beautiful and the clothes fit her very well. The red one looks festive on her and makes her skin look whiter," Xu Damao praised.

"Then I'll try another one." Lou Xiao'e happily turned around and left after receiving the praise.

Xu Damao looked at the cloth that Chen Xueru brought over.

"Brother Damao, you have changed so much after getting married. You don't even call me Sister Xueru anymore." Chen Xueru said in a low voice.

"Hey, my wife is pregnant and her mood is not very stable. She tends to have wild thoughts. We can't commit a crime against her." Xu Damao explained.

"You are so good to your wife. There are not many men who love their wives like you do." Chen Xueru's face flashed with envy. She has been married twice, but her first husband left them for the United States shortly after the birth of their child, and her second husband also ran away with her property shortly after the marriage. She has never experienced the feeling of being loved by her husband.

Xu Damao didn't respond, but carefully checked the cloth. He finally chose half a piece of dark gray and half a piece of light blue cloth. "Sister Chen, please check how many cloth coupons are needed."

"Oh, you want so much at once?" Chen Xueru looked at Xu Damao with some surprise.

"There's nothing I can do. There are many people in my family and I can't favor one over the other." Xu Damao said. In fact, he wanted to exchange some nice fabrics from the space, and buying some fabrics from here was just a cover.

"Okay then, when you leave later just go to the door to pay." Chen Xueru said.

At this time, Lou Xiao'e also came out wearing another red cotton cheongsam. She circled around the two of them and asked, "How do you like this dress?"

"This one looks better than the previous one, so just wear it first and don't change. The New Year is coming soon, and red looks more festive." Xu Damao was thinking that he could only wear it for a few years, and he wouldn't be able to wear it even when the wind starts.

"Let's go to the tavern and visit some acquaintances." Xu Damao said.

Chen Xueru also said after hearing this: "I haven't visited Xu Huizhen for several days. I'll go with you."

The three of them walked out of the backyard together. Xu Damao paid for the cloth and the ticket, while Lou Xiaoe followed behind with the clothes. The tavern was not far away. Xu Damao put the things in the bicycle basket, pushed the bicycle and walked directly over.