Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

In the next ten days, except for the two days he spent in Yu Shui, Xu Damao would basically go back to Lou's house to accompany his wife after get off work, until Lou Xiao'e got annoyed with him and drove him back to live in the courtyard.

Last Sunday, Xu Damao bought two more two-story houses through the help of Niu Ye. One is near the front gate, and the other is a little far away, in Tianshui Hutong. However, he transferred the ownership to Lou San and others. It is not a good thing to have too many properties under one's name.

After work that day, Xu Damao was stopped by Yan Bugui as he pushed his cart into the yard.

"Da Mao, you don't know, but a big thing happened in our hospital today." Yan Bugui said seriously.

"Oh? What's the big deal? Could it be that the Jia family is in trouble again?" Xu Damao stopped the car helplessly and asked.

"No, it's about Yu Shui. I know this girl has a good relationship with your family, so I'm telling you right away!"

Xu Damao instantly became interested, "Come on, Uncle, let's smoke a cigarette first. Could it be that Yu Shui's admission letter has arrived?"

Yan Bugui took the cigarette and sat down on the steps in front of the door. He slapped his thigh and said, "That's right. The postman delivered it this morning. It's Sijiucheng University! This is a big event for our courtyard and even our entire alley. Even the street office was alarmed and said they would hold a commendation meeting to let Yushui share some learning experiences."

"This girl Yu Shui has really brought honor to our compound! She is the first college student in our compound and has set a good example for the other kids in the compound." Xu Damao said while smoking a cigarette.

"Who said it wasn't? I didn't expect that the skinny little girl back then would have this ability. I didn't realize it when I taught her back then! Now people in the compound hold their heads high when they go out, and they are confident when talking to others. This is called being proud of it." Yan Bugui was also very proud, and told everyone he met that he had taught Yu Shui in the past.

"I remember that when Liu Guangqi was admitted to the technical secondary school, an old man set up a banquet, right?" Xu Damao asked.

"Yes, Old Liu made a big scene back then, and everyone in the hospital went. But Yu Shui is a miserable girl. Her father He Daqing is not around, and her brother is unreliable, so there is no one to take care of her." Yan Bugui said with some regret. As for what he regretted, is there any need to tell me?

"Even if his father is not around, doesn't we still have our steward? It's a happy thing that Yu Shui got admitted to such a good university. Why don't we talk to Sha Zhu and Yu Shui about it? Even if we can't have a big celebration, we should at least celebrate it." Xu Damao actually just didn't want to let Yu Shui down. Since He Daqing was not around, he could just do it himself.

"Why don't we hold a meeting and discuss it together? After all, it's a happy event for the entire hospital. When the time comes, we can all contribute together and get it done." Yan Bugui said.

"Let's communicate with Yu Shui and his sister first. If there's not enough, I'll make up for it and won't trouble you all." Xu Damao was also afraid that Yu Shui would owe everyone a favor. Since Yu Shui seemed to have a good relationship with him and his wife, he might as well fill the gap himself.

"Okay, then let's go there after dinner." As soon as Yan Bugui finished speaking, he saw a thin man coming in from the door, with a tool bag on his back.

"Hey, stop, what are you doing? Who are you looking for?" Yan Bugui asked.

The man said, "I'm a telephone installer at the Post and Telecommunications Bureau. I came to your yard to see Section Chief Xu from the steel mill. His application to install a telephone has been approved. I'm working nearby, so I came to see when the installation can be done."

Xu Damao stood up and said, "I am the Xu Damao you are looking for. Let me take you home first."

It turned out that Xu Damao had been wanting to install a telephone because of the inconvenience in communication during the last rainstorm. It was a bit difficult for him to install a telephone at his level, but he had a good relationship with Li Huaide. After Li Huaide's efforts, the matter was accomplished.

"Okay, Chief Xu." The man nodded.

Xu Damao led the man to his home in the backyard. As soon as they left, Yan Bugui could no longer sit still, and stood up and walked into the house, shouting, "Old lady, this is terrible! Someone from the post office just came to install a phone for Damao!"

"What? Install a telephone? I haven't heard of anyone installing a telephone in the entire Nanluoguxiang!" Yang Ruihua said in shock.

"Yes, that's what the man from the post office said just now. It might be because of the needs of the steel mill. Isn't Damao still the director of the bicycle workshop?"

"Maybe this is the reason." Yang Ruihua also nodded.

"I guess I have the foresight to decide to make friends with Damao early on. Maybe I can borrow his phone in the future!" Yan Bugui said with some pride.

"Old man, you still have a long-term vision!" Yang Ruihua praised.

The eldest son who had just walked in also heard the conversation between the old couple and immediately praised: "Dad, we are still young and inexperienced. This family still needs you to take the helm!"

Yan Bugui was so happy to be praised by his wife and son that he put down his mouth and said, "Old lady, let's prepare two delicious dishes tonight. I'll make peace with you and have two drinks. I'll drink the Erguotou that Damao gave me."

Here, Xu Damao brought people from the post office to the house and took a look around, then walked around the yard with the man for a few times.

"Chief Xu, when are you free? Installing the telephone is relatively simple, but we need time to bury the poles and wire the lines all the way to the main street."

"Come, have a cigarette first. What's your name, Master?" Xu Damao took out a cigarette and handed it over enthusiastically.

"My last name is Zhou, you can just call me Master Zhou."

"Master Zhou, you know I work at a steel mill and only have Sundays off. But I can give the key to the neighbor just now and ask him to help keep an eye on it. This way, your work won't be delayed."

"Okay, we'll focus on the outdoor work first anyway. The indoor installation is very simple and your phone is considered a public one, so you don't need to pay any extra fees."

"Then I'll trouble you, Master Zhou. Just start working. I'll go back and talk to the old man."

"Okay, Chief Xu. I'll be leaving first then."

After Xu Damao sent the people out of the backyard, he went to Nan Yi's house for a meal. It was a rare occasion that Nan Yi didn't have to cook for himself today, so he returned home early.

Nan Yi was busy in the kitchen, while Ding Qiunan was talking to Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, how is Xiao'e now? She is a little older than me."

"The belly is already very big. I went to the hospital and they said it was twins. Recently I have been asking her to exercise because I am afraid the baby will be too big and difficult to give birth to in the future," said Xu Damao.

"Well, it's time for her to do some proper exercise. Xiao'e has gained a lot of weight since she became pregnant. It's because you made her fat by cooking delicious food for her every day." Ding Qiunan is a doctor himself, so how could he not understand these things?

"I will take her back to live with me after she is discharged from the hospital. The kids will have a companion in the future. I am also quite busy at the moment, so it is better for me to let my mother-in-law take care of her first."

"From what I heard you guys talking just now, are you planning to install a telephone at home?"

"Yes, it was so inconvenient when it rained a few days ago. We were trapped in the yard and had no idea what was going on. It will be much more convenient with a phone in the future."

"Well, from now on I can call your house instead of going to the post office."