Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Sijiucheng, juvenile detention center.

"Bang Geng, you will be out tomorrow. When you go out, you must practice everything that everyone taught you. After three months, when I get out, I will take you to join the organization, and then I will take you to eat and drink the best food and drink!" Brother Hei said, patting his new brother on the shoulder.

"Brother Dajiali, don't worry. I will practice hard after I get home. I will come back to see you when I have time." Banggeng said seriously.

Bang Geng felt that he was very lucky to come here this time. Not only did he find a big brother who was very kind to him, but he also learned a lot of skills from the brothers in the juvenile detention center. Thinking about the days when he would eat big bowls of meat with his big brother in the future, Bang Geng couldn't help but smile.

"Come on, come on, brother will teach you another trick today, you have to pay attention. The structure of this lock is like this, you have to find a wire or something, and then do this, the lock can be opened." Brother Hei picked up a small wooden stick and drew on the ground while explaining to Bang Geng.

Banggeng nodded as he listened, thinking that his elder brother really knew more. The things his grandmother taught him were all mediocre. Fortunately, his elder brother was very helpful and allowed him to learn real skills.

A guy named Shouhou nearby also said, "Come here, Banggeng. I'll teach you a trick. But don't forget us when you go out. You have to bring us some delicious food."

Banggeng nodded quickly. He knew that this guy nicknamed Skinny Monkey was a Buddhist who had the support of a big brother behind him. He was best at using a blade to cut open other people's bags and steal things.

The skinny monkey then pulled Banggeng to a corner and whispered to him how to judge whether the target was rich, how to hide a razor blade, how to attack quickly and covertly, how to plan a retreat route, etc.

"Brother Monkey, don't worry. If I make money with this skill, I will definitely buy you a roast duck." Bang Geng said. He knew that he had not yet mastered his skills, and he would definitely need to learn from these people in the future. Besides, saying nice things didn't cost money.

"Okay, you are a cutie who is destined for this job. I'll be waiting for your gift." The skinny monkey was willing to teach him because he saw that Banggeng had some talent in this job, and secondly, he was really bored in there, so he wanted to teach an apprentice for some fun.

Early the next morning, Qin Huairu got up early to cook. After feeding the two children, she took them to find Wang Sufen.

Although the last time I borrowed money, it was quite unpleasant, but my cousin has returned to her hometown, and my mother has not come yet. With my popularity with the Jia family, I can find someone in this courtyard to help look after the child, except Aunt Yi. Of course, if you are willing to spend money, Second Aunt is also very happy to help.

"Godmother, today is the day Banggeng comes back. Please help take care of the two children. I'll go buy some vegetables and pick up Banggeng. You can have lunch at my house." Qin Huairu said with a smile. She was very happy that her son came back.

In the past, when Jia Zhang was at home, she favored boys over girls. She praised her grandson to the sky and even stopped herself from educating Bang Geng when he made a mistake. Bang Geng was not only Jia Zhang's treasure, but also Qin Huairu's lifeblood. Qin Huairu also favored boys over girls, but not as obviously as Jia Zhang!

"Okay, I couldn't help you with borrowing money last time, so leave the babysitting to me. You can rest assured leaving the child with me." Wang Sufen said.

"Then godmother, I'm going to buy vegetables first. If you go too late, the fat meat will be gone." Qin Huairu said.

"Go ahead, have the two kids eaten? If not, I'll make some more food later."

"I've eaten at home. I'm leaving first." Qin Huairu went home to get a cloth bag, then hurried out. She couldn't wait to see Banggeng.

Qin Huairu bought some vegetables and even used all the meat coupons she had saved to buy more than a pound of pork belly, planning to cook pork belly for her son at noon. Then she walked to the police station to inquire about the situation. The police told her to just wait in the group and they would pick her up from the juvenile detention center outside the city.

"Comrade from Public Security, I would like to ask if my son Banggeng has returned from the juvenile detention center? I am here to take him home." Qin Huairu said.

"What's your name? When did you go in? I'll check for you." said a public security comrade.

"My son's name is Jia Geng. He went in fifteen days ago."

The police officer flipped through the file records and said, "The person hasn't come back yet, but the station has sent someone over. He should be back soon. You can wait here."

"Okay, thank you, public security comrades. I won't delay your work. I'll wait outside." Qin Huairu came to the door of the police station carrying a cloth bag, found a shady spot under a tree, and stood there looking around.

Not long after, Qin Huairu saw a sidecar motorcycle coming from the corner of the street. In addition to two police officers, there was also a boy of seven or eight years old. Who else could it be but the boy she had been thinking about day and night?

Qin Huairu immediately ran towards the sidecar motorcycle, shouting Banggeng's name as she ran. But her speed was nowhere near the speed of the vehicle, and before she had even taken a few steps the motorcycle had already reached the police station.

Qin Huairu hugged Banggeng and said in a tearful voice, "Banggeng, you miss me so much! Let me take a good look at you and see if you have lost weight."

Banggeng was indeed hungry and thin, his originally round face had become pointed. Even with his big brother's protection, he was only bullied less because no one snatched his food. Now he couldn't even get enough to eat outside, not to mention in the juvenile detention center. If he wanted to eat better, he could only hope that his family would send him some food coupons and money.

Qin Huairu brought Banggeng and two police officers to the police station to handle the relevant formalities. Then a police officer in his forties came and criticized and educated Banggeng and Qin Huairu for an hour.

"We have shown mercy this time because the child is still young and was instigated by his grandmother. We will not record it in the file this time, but you adults must educate the child well when you go back. The child is still young and naive, but are adults still naive?"

Qin Huairu nodded repeatedly and promised that she would educate her child well when she returned. Only then did the old policeman stop preaching.

"Okay, it's getting late, just take the child back."

Qin Huairu felt as if she had been pardoned, and she quickly left the Jiaodaokou Police Station with Banggeng.

Banggeng was silent on the way. Qin Huairu thought that her son was wronged and didn't want to talk, so she took the initiative to say, "Banggeng, Mom bought some meat today. Can I make your favorite braised pork for lunch?"

Banggeng had been thinking about the cooking skills his brothers had taught him. When he heard about the meat, he turned around and said with some resentment, "Mom, why don't you visit me in the juvenile detention center? Why don't you bring me something delicious?"

"It's not that I don't want to go, I just don't have the time. During the time you were away, I gave birth to a younger sister for you, and your aunt went back to her hometown because of family matters, so I can't spare any time to go. But I've already written to your grandma, and she will come over in a few days to take care of you guys, and then I can take over your dad's shift and go to work in the factory!"

Banggeng looked at his mother's belly and found that it was indeed much smaller than before. It seemed that his mother had not lied to him, so he was ready to forgive his mother.

"Mom, what's my sister's name?"

"It's Huaihua. This is the name your father gave it to you before he left."

"Then let's go quickly. I want to go back to see my sister!" Banggeng ran towards home.

"Hey, Banggeng, slow down, don't fall." Qin Huairu felt relieved when she saw her son regain his former liveliness.