Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. I have something to say." Xu Damao stood up and pointed at Aunt Li and said, "Everyone knows the situation of Aunt Li in our backyard. Her husband died of illness a few years ago. She has to make a living by pasting matchboxes with her two children. Her life is very difficult. And there is also Wang Quezi in the front yard. He is a bachelor and has been making a living by doing odd jobs. Since we are calling on everyone to donate money and materials to the Jia family today, then we should just be good people and not just care about the Jia family and ignore others. I will not donate five catties of corn flour anymore. I will donate fifteen catties of corn flour to support the poor households in our yard."

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers and praises rang out all around.

"Okay, Damao did this in an open and aboveboard way. I'm impressed."

"Da Mao is a man of integrity. He is the master of our city."

"I really didn't realize that Damao has changed his personality."

The old man was a little overwhelmed at this time, so he had to stand up and said, "Da Mao is right, we have to take care of everyone in the hospital. How about this, I'll give you another twenty yuan."

The first uncle's words were met with another round of applause. The second and third uncles had no choice but to bleed again.

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting heated, Xu Damao struck while the iron was hot and said, "I have another suggestion, which is to set up a public savings fund in our compound, referred to as a provident fund. Its purpose is to help residents in our compound who are in need. For example, if someone's family has any difficulties, then after review by the whole compound meeting, subsidies can be issued from the provident fund."

Xu Damao's plan was that since helping one person is helping, helping a group is also helping, he might as well be generous and help more people who are really in need in the compound. Anyway, he is not short of those things now, and it will also help him to gain some reputation and reverse the bad impression he left on others in the past.

While everyone was discussing it, the second uncle Liu Haizhong stood up and supported it, saying, "Da Mao's proposal is good. It can really help people in need. I support it."

The third uncle adjusted his glasses and said, "This proposal sounds good, but where does the money for the provident fund come from? It can't just appear out of thin air."

"My idea is this: the source of funds is voluntary donations from residents of our courtyard; secondly, a certain amount of fines will be imposed on those who make mistakes. This way, we can achieve the purpose of punishment and accumulate some funds for good deeds. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?"

Uncle Yi Zhonghai was feeling unhappy. Xu Damao had taken all the limelight tonight, which was a blow to his prestige. He couldn't let him continue speaking.

So he picked up the big teapot and paused on the table. "Okay, this proposal is not bad, but it is not mature and perfect at the moment. Let's discuss it with Xu Damao and improve it before proposing it at the next general meeting. I also need to report this matter to Director Wang of the Street Office to see if it is feasible."

Seeing that the matter was over, Jia Zhang couldn't wait to trot forward, grabbed the money on the table like a hungry tiger, stuffed it into her pocket, turned around, walked to her son and started counting the money.

Everyone was speechless upon seeing this. Jia Dongxu was also a little embarrassed. He quickly stood up and said, "Don't be angry with my mom. I really thank you all for your generosity this time. I, Jia Dongxu, will remember it in my heart. After I get through this period, I will definitely pay you back as soon as possible. Thank you all." After that, he bowed to everyone.

"Dongxu is a sensible child."

"This is just because of Old Jia and Dongxu's face. If it was because of Jia Zhang, no one would donate to his family."

"This Jia Zhang's eating manner is too ugly. Is she so impatient?"

"Okay, okay, let's leave it at that for now. We still have one last thing to talk about. As everyone has seen, Shazhu was not at the meeting today, and the reason is..." Second Uncle Liu Haizhong recounted what happened in the cafeteria at noon.

Uncle Yi Zhonghai continued, "Zhu Zi is still in the hospital now. It seems that he is seriously injured. Everyone knows that Zhu Zi's father He Da ran away early in the morning. Yu Shui is still in school and has not experienced anything. Although the factory has already notified the punishment, the compensation issue for Zhu Zi has not been resolved. Xu Damao, you are the main participant. What do you think about this matter?"

Xu Damao lit a cigarette and stood up. "What do I think? I'll stand and watch. The factory has already decided on the punishment, and I firmly support and execute it. We'll discuss Shazhu's compensation after he's discharged from the hospital. Besides, it wasn't me who beat him up, so why are you picking on me? How many times has Shazhu beaten me since I was a kid? Why has no one ever stood up to help me get justice?"

"Yes, Xu Damao has been beaten by Sha Zhu since he was a child. Every time he tries to smooth things over, he tries to make a big deal out of a small matter."

"Yes, I remember that one time Shazhu kicked Damao in the lower part, and Damao stayed in the hospital for more than a week. Damao wanted to call the police but was stopped by an old man and a deaf old lady."

An old man heard the discussion among the crowd and his face became a little gloomy. "Okay, the compensation issue will be discussed after Zhuzi is discharged from the hospital. Let's adjourn the meeting." After saying that, he took the big teacup and went back to his home.

Seeing that nothing was wrong, everyone went back home.

Xu Damao smiled disdainfully and said, "Old Bidden, don't be ungrateful. You have a lot of bad things going on. It seems you should take some time to go to Baoding."

Just as I was about to walk to the backyard, I heard the second uncle's voice, "Da Mao, tell me in detail about that something--the housing provident fund."

"Okay, Second Master, if this is done well, it will definitely be a great political achievement."

When Second Uncle Liu Haizhong heard the word "political achievements", his eyes began to glow green. In the words of Director Qi, "I really want to make progress." You should know that Second Uncle's three major hobbies are: getting promoted, beating children, and eating scrambled eggs.

"Then you have to talk to me properly. I'll ask your second aunt to prepare some wine and food, and we'll have a couple of drinks and talk while we drink."

Xu Damao was about to explain that he had just finished drinking when Second Uncle took him home. The two of them drank for more than an hour before the Second Uncle finished his drinking session with a satisfied look on his face.

Xu Damao was really drunk this time. He opened the door, lay down on the bed and fell asleep. He lay there until midnight when he wanted to go to the bathroom, but he woke up in a daze from the cold.

Xu Damao staggered to the window of the deaf old lady's house in the yard, took out his tool and started to drain the water. After finishing, he shook a few times and then went home with a relieved face. Maybe it was the cold wind that sobered Xu Damao up a lot. He quickly lit the stove and brewed himself a pot of Biluochun tea and tasted it slowly.

Looking back on what happened today, I didn't find any big loopholes, but I spent the money a little carelessly, and I still have to pay Sha Zhu some money. Speaking of money, I don't have much, but Xu Damao did in the past.

When he came to the place where the money was hidden, he took out a tin box, which contained a stack of big black tens, some change, and a lot of tickets. Xu Damao carefully counted them and found a total of 425.65 yuan. There were not many common tickets, but there were many rare cigarette tickets, wine tickets, cake tickets, etc., and even a bicycle ticket.

I really don't know how Xu Damao got it. It should be that the factory distributed the bicycle and the ticket was left unused. Xu Damao put the things in the space and went to sleep happily.