Siheyuan: Selling antiques? Only making 28,000 RMB from 30,000 RMB

"What's wrong with your stomachache? Did you eat something bad?" Yan Jiecheng asked hurriedly, with a hint of anxiety in his voice.

Zhou Dong shook his head with a bitter smile on his face: "I don't know, maybe I've been fed too much."

Yan Jiecheng's heart tightened after hearing Zhou Dong's words. He realized that Zhou Dong had been too frugal recently and only ate simple soft meals most of the time. This was not a good sign for his health.

"Zhou Dong, you can't go on like this." Yan Jiecheng said sternly, "You have to take good care of yourself and stop secretly saving money."

Zhou Dong bowed his head and said nothing. He knew that his body had reached its limit, but he could not get rid of the dilemma in his heart. He didn't know how to face the difficulties in front of him, and his heart was full of helplessness and confusion.

"Zhou Dong, do you know? Health is the capital of revolution, you must take good care of yourself." Yan Jiecheng's voice was full of care and warmth.

Zhou Dong felt Yan Jiecheng's care, and his doubts and anxieties were gradually relieved. He knew that as long as he had the support of his neighbors, he would be able to overcome the difficulties and regain his health and vitality.

"Thank you, Uncle Xie Cheng, I will take good care of myself." Zhou Dong said sincerely.

Yan Jiecheng smiled and patted Zhou Dong on the shoulder: "Zhou Dong, we are all family. We will face difficulties together."

It was a chilly spring morning, and the courtyard had just woken up. Zhou Dong, wearing a worn cotton-padded jacket, got up early and prepared to go to school. His parents had both died when he was young, leaving him alone to struggle in this world. Most of the neighbors in the courtyard looked at him coldly and showed little warmth.

"Morning, Zhou Dong!" Qin Huairu greeted him with a smile. She was one of the few people in the hospital who had some affection for Zhou Dong. Although she also had her own troubles, she always tried to be gentle and kind.

"Good morning, Aunt Qin." Zhou Dong nodded slightly, his voice a little hoarse. Deep down in his heart, he felt a little cold towards such a greeting, because he understood that no one could really help him out of his predicament.

"Why don't you come to my house for dinner after school today? I made some extra." Qin Huairu said gently.

Zhou Dong wanted to refuse, but the rumbling sound from his stomach forced him to nod in agreement. "Okay, thank you Aunt Qin."

"It's okay, go to school early and don't be late." Qin Huairu smiled and waved.

Zhou Dong picked up his schoolbag and walked out of the courtyard. People on the street began to get busy, each running for their own lives. In school, Zhou Dong always kept to himself. He had good grades, but few friends. Teachers sometimes paid attention to this lonely child, but they could not really get into his heart.

One day after school, Zhou Dong came to Qin Huairu's house as promised. He pushed open the door and saw a plate of fried shredded potatoes and a bowl of white rice on the table, simple but warm. Qin Huairu was busy in the kitchen. When she saw him come in, she smiled and said, "Hurry up and wash your hands and get ready for dinner."

Zhou Dong nodded and silently walked to the basin to wash his hands. Suddenly, he felt a pair of small hands pulling at the corner of his clothes. He looked down and saw that it was Qin Huairu's son Banggeng.

"Brother Zhou Dong, can you help me with my homework?" Banggeng blinked his big eyes, full of anticipation.

Zhou Dong was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course, we can do it together after dinner."

At the dinner table, Qin Huairu kept picking up food for Zhou Dong, "Eat more, don't be polite." Her smile seemed to warm up the whole room.

"Thank you, Aunt Qin." Zhou Dong whispered, but he had a complicated feeling in his heart. He knew that such warmth was short-lived, and when he finished his meal and left here, returning to that deserted room, loneliness would still shroud him.

After dinner, Zhou Dong helped Bang Geng with his homework. The two of them huddled together in front of the small desk. Bang Geng was a little naughty and kept asking all kinds of questions, while Zhou Dong patiently answered them one by one. Time passed unknowingly, and by the time the homework was all done, it was already dark.

"Zhou Dong, thank you for today." Qin Huairu said softly as she saw Zhou Dong out.

"You're welcome, Aunt Qin." Zhou Dong glanced at her, and a warm feeling rose in his heart. He turned and walked into the night, returning to his little house. The room was freezing cold, but he was used to such an environment.

Late at night, Zhou Dong lay on the hard bed, looking at the ceiling. The wind outside the window whistled past, bringing waves of chill. His thoughts could not help but return to those warm times, which were the only little bit of love he could feel. But he knew that such days would not last long, and he had to rely on himself to change his fate.

The next morning, Zhou Dong got up again and prepared to face a new day. He knew that life would continue and difficulties would continue, but he was determined not to let these difficulties defeat him. He would study hard and strive for a bright future.

At school, Zhou Dong still kept to himself, but his eyes were more determined. He was very serious in class and extracurricular activities. The teachers began to notice the changes in this child and couldn't help but look at him with approval.

One day after school, Zhou Dong met Yi Zhonghai at the school gate. Yi Zhonghai was the school's dean, who was usually very strict with his students, but he showed some special concern for Zhou Dong, a lonely child.

"Zhou Dong, how are your studies going recently?" Yi Zhonghai asked.

"Not bad, teacher." Zhou Dong answered concisely and powerfully.

"If you have any difficulties, feel free to come to me." Yi Zhonghai patted his shoulder, "Don't try to handle it alone."

"Thank you, teacher. I will work hard." Zhou Dong nodded gratefully.

When Zhou Dong returned to the courtyard, he found a group of people gathered in the courtyard, talking about something. He walked closer and saw that it was Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong who were arguing again. The two of them were arguing over a trivial matter, and neither of them was willing to give in.

"You old bastard, you are so unreasonable!" Yan Bugui was so angry that he jumped up and down.

"You are the unreasonable one. It was obviously you who started it first!" Liu Haizhong showed no sign of weakness.

The neighbors gathered around to watch the fun, some tried to stop the fight, while others gloated over it. Zhou Dong frowned, not wanting to get involved, so he quietly walked around the crowd and returned to his hut.

At night, Zhou Dong sat under the dim light, took out his books and began to study. He knew that only through knowledge could he change his fate and get rid of this haze. However, he also understood that the road ahead was long and full of unknown challenges.

Just as he was immersed in the sea of ​​books, there was a light knock on the door. Zhou Dong put down the book, walked over and opened the door, and it turned out to be a deaf old lady.

"Child, I have something to ask of you." The deaf old lady's voice was hoarse, but firm.

"What's the matter? Please tell me." Zhou Dong hurriedly invited her into the house and poured her a cup of hot water.

"I'm old and can't do many things. Could you please help me go to the market and buy some vegetables?" The deaf old lady looked at him with some helplessness in her eyes.

"Of course, please wait, I'll be there right away." Zhou Dong said nothing, picked up the money and went out.

The market was bustling with people and the dazzling array of goods made people dazzled. Zhou Dong squeezed in the crowd and carefully selected what the deaf old lady needed. After a while, he returned to the courtyard with a basket of fresh vegetables.

"Thank you, child." The deaf old lady took the basket of vegetables and a rare smile appeared on her face.

"You're welcome, old lady. This is what I should do." Zhou Dong smiled, but he felt a warmth in his heart that he had never felt before.

In the following days, Zhou Dong gradually discovered that although the courtyard was full of disputes and indifference, there were also some warm people. Qin Huairu's care, Yi Zhonghai's encouragement, and the trust of the deaf old lady, these bits of warmth made him find some support in this cold world.

However, fate always likes to play tricks on people. On a stormy night, Zhou Dong suddenly received news that Jia Dongxu was in trouble. This usually arrogant man owed a lot of gambling debts and was chased by others. In the end, he was seriously injured in a fierce conflict.

There was another uproar in the courtyard, and the neighbors were talking about it. Jia Zhang cried and screamed, and the atmosphere in the Jia family was bleak. Zhou Dong stood aside, watching all this silently, feeling a little emotional.

"Zhou Dong, come and help." Qin Huairu called, "Jia Dongxu's incident has caused quite a stir. We are neighbors, so we have to do our part."

Zhou Dong nodded and followed Qin Huairu to the Jia family to help. Although Jia Dongxu was usually not nice to people, at this moment, he still felt that he should do his part.

Zhou Dong looked at the huge steel rolling machine in front of him, and a feeling of helplessness and fear surged in his heart. This oppressed steel rolling mill seemed like a huge monster, ferociously devouring his youth and hope. He couldn't help but think of the courtyards and neighbors he once knew well, their warm smiles and caring eyes, which seemed to have become a luxury at this moment.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke his thoughts, "Zhou Dong? Why are you here?"

He turned around and saw Yi Zhonghai, his dean who had always cared for him, now looking at him in surprise.

"Teacher Yi, why are you here?" Zhou Dong asked in surprise. He didn't understand why such a gentle and kind person would appear in such a miserable place.

Yi Zhonghai smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I had no choice. The factory laid off employees, and I was forced to leave school. I could only come here to do some hard labor."

Zhou Dong's heart sank, and he felt extremely disappointed with this cruel reality. "Why is this world always so unfair?" he said to himself.

Yi Zhonghai stared at Zhou Dong, as if he could see through the depression in his heart. "Zhou Dong, don't be discouraged. No matter how big the difficulties are, we must face them bravely and work hard to change our destiny."