Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Then the three of them started chatting. Father Xu asked about his future son-in-law's family and work from time to time, and Chen Guangrong answered fluently and without any stage fright.

Chen's father was a soldier before, but he retired after being injured in the battlefield in the 1950s. He is now a deputy director of the Dongcheng District Public Security Bureau. His mother is a housewife with some old health problems. She has been taking care of the children and doing housework for many years. There is also an older sister and a younger sister in the family, but the older sister is married and the younger sister will be in the third grade of junior high school when school starts in September.

As for the situation of the Xu family, his sister had already told Chen Guangrong, so he didn't ask much, but instead talked about some future plans. In summary, he wanted to get married after Yingzi graduated from high school.

Father Xu nodded and said, "Xiao Chen, let's make an appointment some other day so that our parents can meet. If we settle things in advance, we can avoid gossip. You don't have to be sneaky in the future. Just come openly if you want to."

As the three were talking, Yingzi came running in, "Dad, brother, the meal is ready, come out and eat."

"Okay, I'll go get two bottles of wine." Father Xu got up and went to another room, then came out with a bottle of Fenjiu and a bottle of Xifeng. Many of the wines in the house were sent by Xu Damao, and some were bought by Father Xu himself. Knowing that his son loved to drink Xifeng, he specially took a bottle.

There were already several dishes on the table, stewed chicken with mushrooms and braised pork were indispensable, as well as stir-fried liver tips and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, plus two cold dishes of smashed cucumber and cold-mixed tomatoes, it was already very rich.

"Aunt, so many dishes are too expensive." Chen Guangrong said as he looked at the table full of dishes.

"It's okay, Xiao Chen, just eat more and don't be polite when we get home." said Xu's mother.

"Xiao Chen, please sit down. You're welcome. Can you drink? If so, have a drink with me." Xu Fugui also said.

"I will drink a little."

My sister was very considerate and brought out chairs and poured wine for everyone.

Everyone took their seats, and Father Xu raised his glass and said, "Today is Xiao Chen's first visit to our home. We will all be family from now on, so please don't be shy. Come, let's have a drink first."

The three of them raised their glasses and drank them all. Fortunately, the glasses were not too big, only one or two liang. Then everyone started eating. Father Xu and Xu Damao took turns to eat. In the middle, they even got two more bottles of wine, which made Xiao Chen a little confused.

"Uncle, I've really had enough today. If I drink any more, I won't be able to go home. If you haven't had enough, let's drink another day." Chen Guangrong said.

"It's okay. We're happy today. Let's continue drinking. If we can't go back, we can stay at home. There are still many empty rooms at home." Father Xu continued to persuade him to drink. It is said that drinking behavior represents a person's character. The truth comes out after drinking. The father and son tacitly wanted to get him drunk to see how he behaves after drinking.

Seeing her brother Guangrong being forced to drink by her father and brother, Xu Xiaoying wanted to say something, but was secretly stopped by Xu's mother.

Everyone was eating and chatting, the atmosphere was quite harmonious, and they drank more and more wine. Chen Guangrong's alcohol tolerance was about 700-800 grams, and under the persuasion of Xu Fugui and his son, he drank more than a kilogram, and soon fell asleep on the table.

"Dad, is Guangrong okay?"

"It's okay. What's wrong with just sleeping when you're drunk? I'm just afraid that he's the kind of guy who gets drunk and beats his wife, so I have to give him a try today."

"Dad, brother, you are so nice." Only then did Yingzi realize that her father and brother were thinking about her.

"Okay Yingzi, go to the backyard and clean up a room. I'll go find a quilt. It's not cold at night, so let him stay here." Xu's mother said.

Yingzi nodded and went to the backyard to clean up the room, while Xu's mother also went to look for bedding.

"Da Mao, what do you think of this kid?" Father Xu took out a cigarette and gave it to his son, then lit one for himself.

Xu Damao took a deep breath and blew out a smoke ring and said, "He looks good, and his conversation is also fine. His father is a veteran who retired due to injury, so his family tradition should be pretty positive."

"Well, you have made great progress in recent times, and your perspective on people has improved. It seems that it was right for us to leave the compound and let you live alone." Father Xu praised.

"Hey, Dad, I know Deputy Director Chen of the Dongcheng District Public Security Bureau. We met each other when we were catching enemy spies together. Could this kid be his son?" Xu Damao said.

Xu Fugui also said, "Oh, now that you put it that way it is very possible. His surname is Chen, he works at the Dongcheng District Public Security Bureau, and he is the deputy director. How could such a coincidence happen in the world? I think this is very likely."

"Hey, that Deputy Director Chen is a very upright person. He can't tolerate any injustice at first glance. I just don't know what he is like at home."

"Since you know the in-laws, why don't you go and ask around to see what his family's reputation is like."

"Okay, Dad. I'll go to the bureau when I have time. I happen to have some clues about enemy spies. I'll ask my future brother-in-law to make a contribution and try to get his rank raised before we get married." Xu Damao said.

Father Xu patted his son's shoulder proudly and said, "My son is really capable. Now he even knows the director. I'll leave this matter to you. You have to pay attention. After all, this is related to your sister's happiness for the rest of her life."

"Well, I know, Dad." Xu Damao was a little speechless, thinking that I don't just know one director, I know several of the highest-level ones. But he didn't dare to say it, probably because his father wouldn't believe it even if he did.

"Okay, it's getting late, you should go back early to accompany your wife. Your father-in-law is not at home, so you should go back more often to your mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and don't hang around outside all day long."

"Okay, then I'll go back first. It's already the month of moths, and I'll be there most of the time from now on." Xu Damao said and left the house.

"Go, go. Bring a few more bottles of good wine next time. Your father drank several bottles today!" Father Xu stood in the yard and waved at Xu Damao, not knowing whether his son heard it or not.

Xu Damao came to find his wife on his bike. The drinking session lasted too long and the courtyard was already closed. Xu Damao had to ask the gatekeeper to open the door before he could go in.

"Da Mao, why are you here at this time? Gezi has just returned to his room." Lou's mother, who was in the living room, said to her son-in-law who had just entered the house.

"Mom, my sister brought her boyfriend home today, and we drank a little and stayed up so late."

"Okay, go find the moth. It's been nagging you during the day."

"Well, I'm going to take a shower first and I'll be there later."

When Xu Damao returned to his wife's room after taking a shower, he found that his wife was already asleep. Xu Damao tiptoed in and lay down on the bed next to his wife. After covering his wife with a quilt, he also pulled a thin quilt over himself and fell into a deep sleep.