Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Time flew by and it was Sunday. Two days ago, Xu Damao asked Guangfu to bring a letter to Lou San, asking him to bring a few people to deliver the things written on the envelope to the courtyard at 8:30 on Sunday.

Today is not only the day to celebrate Yu Shui's admission to university, but also the day to install a telephone in Xu Damao's home. A few days ago, Master Zhou had already led people to bury the poles for the telephone lines in advance. Today, as long as the line is pulled and the post office is opened, the telephone can be used.

Just now, Xu Damao had just finished unloading the things early in the morning. He had a brief chat with Lou San and others and gave them a few secret books. Before Lou San and others left the alley, the people who were installing the telephone had already come over under the leadership of Master Zhou.

Xu Damao had no choice but to hand over all matters to Yan Bugui and Sha Zhu, and went home to accompany Master Zhou and others.

But today's incident was also strange, the people came in waves. Just as Master Zhou and others finished their work, a few more soldiers came.

"Hello, we are engineers from the XX Corps. Are you Section Chief Xu Damao from the steel mill? Is Lou Zhenhua your father-in-law?"

"I am Xu Damao, and my father-in-law is indeed Lou Zhenhua."

"Hello, we are here on the orders of our superiors to install a dedicated telephone line for you. This dedicated telephone line can directly contact the national leaders and Hong Kong. This is a secret phone book. Please keep it safe and never disclose it." The soldier said and handed over a book with a red plastic cover.

When Xu Damao took the secret book, his head was buzzing. Was he exposed? The country had installed a dedicated telephone line directly at his home!

It seems that I haven't been careful enough. Well, actually, I didn't intend to keep it secret. It's easy to find me through the Lou family. Since the higher-ups haven't made it clear, I'd better continue to pretend to be confused.

Several engineers didn't say a word, but started working quickly. Since the telephone poles were already available, they finished the job in about half an hour.

The leading soldier saluted again and left with his men without waiting for Xu Damao to speak. He really came and left in a hurry, doing his work neatly and efficiently without any drag.

Xu Damao looked at the time. It was already past ten o'clock. He planned to go to the middle court to see what was going on. The middle court was bustling with people. Almost everyone in the court had come. Adults were chatting in groups of three or four, while children were running and playing in the crowd.

Several earthen stoves have been built in a corner of Zhongwan, and the two chefs, Sha Zhu and Nan Yi, are busy with several aunts in the courtyard. It is worth mentioning that Ma Hua is indeed loyal to Sha Zhu, and he also got the news and rushed over to help.

Xu Damao moved a stool and found a cool place to sit down and smoke leisurely. Liu Guangfu had just returned from delivering things with his master after practicing in the morning. His master specially gave him half a day off to let him come back for the feast. You know, since ancient times, the poor are good at literature and the rich are good at martial arts. Martial arts also require a lot of meat to supplement nutrition. At this time, seeing his brother Damao sitting there, he ran over.

Liu Guangfu looked around and whispered, "Brother, my master asked me to tell you something. He said that he has almost figured out the details of several black markets in Dongcheng District and Qianmen. He asked you to go there when you have time to decide which black market to take down."

"Okay, go back and tell your master at noon, and I'll go over after dinner." Xu Damao said.

Liu Guangfu nodded, then chatted for a few more minutes and left.

At this time, several kitchen helpers and sisters-in-law had already started serving the dishes. The tables were placed in the shade of the courtyard corridor and in the homes of Liang Ladi and another family nearby. Xu Damao also walked over when he saw this. Just as he was about to find a table to sit down, he was called over by Yan Bugui.

"Da Mao, come and sit here. We'll need you to accompany the guests later."

Xu Damao had no choice but to follow his instructions and sit at Yan Bugui's table. "Who else is coming later?"

"Old Cai! Wasn't it you who helped them recognize each other in the beginning?"

Xu Damao slapped his forehead, thinking that he was so busy that he was confused. His niece was admitted to the university, and as an uncle, how could he not come to celebrate? In this situation, he was indeed the most suitable person to accompany her.

"Okay, I'll make sure Mr. Cai drinks well later, and maybe next time we can drink at Mr. Cai's wedding!"

Yan Bugui asked curiously, "Oh? Damao, please tell me what's going on."

Xu Damao then told the story of Cai Quanwu and Xu Huizhen from the Zhengyangmen Tavern.

Yan Bugui nodded thoughtfully and asked, "I seem to have heard of that tavern before. I remember the owner of that tavern was named He. How come he is named Xu now?"

"It's a long story. Xu Huizhen is Mr. He's daughter-in-law. Her husband fell in love with her cousin, and they eloped, leaving Xu Huizhen, who was pregnant. Mr. He became sick because of his son, and before he died, he left the tavern to Xu Huizhen."

Yan Bugui sighed, "Hey, Mr. He and I knew each other. I went to the tavern to drink a few times. I didn't expect that such a good man would be gone."

"Okay, stop sighing, Lao Cai is here."

Yan Bugui heard the sound and looked over, only to see Cai Quanwu walking towards him from the front yard carrying a large bag.

"Old Cai, come here, sit here, you are the only one missing." Xu Damao called.

"Brother Damao, these are the clothes that Manager Chen asked me to bring to you when she heard that I was coming to your yard. She also asked me to bring the receipt back so that she can do the accounting." Cai Quanwu said with a simple smile.

"Okay, I just happen to have it with me." Xu Damao reached into his pocket, but actually took out the certificate from the space and handed it to Cai Quanwu.

Cai Quanwu had just put away the receipt when he saw Yu Shui coming over.

"uncle!"

"Girl, you really brought honor to our family this time. Didn't you write a letter to your father?" Cai Quanwu asked.

"I wrote it, but it's been too short and I haven't received a reply yet." Yu Shui said.

Cai Quanwu took out a piece of red cloth from his pocket and handed it to Yu Shui. "Uncle doesn't know what you little girl likes, so why not give her some money and buy whatever you like."

"Uncle, you've had a hard time these years. I can't accept it." Yu Shui declined.

"You call me uncle, so why can't you have it? Take it quickly, or you will be looking down on your uncle."

"Just take the rain water. This is also a gift from your uncle."

Seeing that the conversation had come to this point, Yu Shui stopped refusing, but her eyes were red. Yu Shui's mother died and her father ran away when she was young, and she rarely felt the love of her relatives. The care from her uncle made her feel the warmth of family love.

At this time, Sha Zhu came over with a plate of braised fish and placed it on the table. "This is the last dish. Let's eat quickly."

Yan Bugui said, "Zhu Zi, your family is the protagonist today, you should at least say a few words. Don't you agree?"

"Yes, today you, idiot, have to say a few words!"

"Silly Zhu, hurry up and tell us, we are still waiting for the feast to start."

"Uncle Zhuzi, please tell me quickly. I can't wait any longer."

Sha Zhu was wandering in the aisle with his hands in his pockets, and he even reached out to touch Xiu'er's little head, "What is there to say? Thank you all for your support, and everyone just needs to eat and drink well. Let's start the meal quickly!"

Everyone burst into laughter, then picked up their chopsticks and started eating.