Siheyuan: Buyers get rich from hunting

As night fell, the moonlight sprinkled on the earth like water. Father Xu, wearing his spotless, cleanly starched blue shirt, paced briskly in the yard. Every step he took seemed so confident, as if the land under his feet was his territory. His face was filled with unconcealed pride and satisfaction, as if he owned the most precious treasure in the world. His eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth rose from time to time, as if the whole world had become brighter because of his son Xu Damao's achievements.

"Mr. Xu, I heard that your son Damao also passed the exam and became a worker in the steel rolling mill? Now you can finally be proud of yourself!" Aunt Zhao came from a distance, her voice tinged with envy and sourness.

When Mr. Xu heard this, he immediately stopped, straightened his back, and smiled even brighter. He laughed, patted his chest, and said proudly: "Of course, my family's Damao is doing well! Now, who dares to say that our family is not good enough?"

"Oh, I really didn't expect that Damao, who looks quite frivolous, could actually pass the exam to become a worker." Aunt Liu pouted, her tone containing some reluctance and helplessness.

Father Xu's expression changed slightly, but soon returned to normal. He knew that these people were a little jealous, but he didn't care. Because he believed that his son would get better and better, and those who once looked down on their family would look at him with new eyes.

Father Xu was even more proud. He shook his head and said, "Ah, you people, what's the point of just looking at appearance? My Damao knows everything! He was able to pass the examination to become a worker this time because of his own hard work."

When the people in the yard heard this, they immediately gathered around. Some congratulated him, some curiously asked about the exam details, and some looked at him with envy and jealousy. But these did not affect Mr. Xu's mood. On the contrary, he became more and more proud.

Father Xu walked around the yard again and again until it was dark, and then he went home contentedly. As soon as he entered the house, he smelled a delicious aroma. It turned out that Mother Xu had specially prepared a table of sumptuous dishes to celebrate Xu Damao becoming a worker.

Father Xu happily sat at the dining table, raised his glass, and said to Xu Damao: "Damo, today Dad wants to congratulate you! Now that you have become a worker, our family will have more hope for the future. Come on, cheers!"

Xu Damao took the wine glass with a smile, his face filled with pride and happiness. He clinked glasses with his father, and the crisp sound was like a trumpet of victory. Xu Damao raised his head and drank the wine, feeling the warmth flowing through his body. He knew that the glory of this moment not only belonged to him, but also the pride of the whole family. This was the best response to the days he had been unable to bear looking back on, and it was also the beginning of hope for the future.

Father Xu looked at his son with a look of relief in his eyes. He gently patted Xu Damao on the shoulder and said earnestly: "Damo, there are plenty of girls out there. With a good job, you can find anything. Let the past go and look forward. I believe that with your conditions, you will definitely find a better girl."

Xu Damao nodded slightly, his eyes flashing with determination and expectation. He knew that this job was not only a turning point for him, but also a new starting point for his family. He secretly made up his mind to work hard, prove his worth with practical actions, and let his family live a better life.

At this moment, Xu Damao felt an unprecedented sense of responsibility and mission. He understood that he was no longer the confused young man, but an adult with clear goals and pursuits. He wanted to create a better future with his own hands and bring more happiness and warmth to his family.

At this moment, the Xu family seemed to be surrounded by a warm and firm force. They knew that as long as they worked hard, the future would be better. Xu Damao's achievements also became a hot topic among the people in the courtyard, inspiring more young people to pursue their dreams and happiness.

In contrast, the atmosphere in Liu Haizhong's home was so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip out of it. The two brothers Liu Guangqi and Liu Guangfu sat at the table, their heads lowered, almost touching the rice in their bowls, and they dared not look directly into their father's stern but expectant eyes.

The second aunt carried the steaming dishes carefully, and each step was as light as a cat's. She seemed afraid that any noise she made accidentally would break the depressing atmosphere, and was even more afraid of touching the nerve in the family that was so tense that it was about to break.

However, Liu Haizhong's reaction was beyond everyone's expectations. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with his breathing, as if he had sucked all his troubles into his heart, and then slowly exhaled. The corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

He turned his eyes to his two sons, his eyes were both stern and encouraging. Although his tone was gentle, it was firm as a rock: "It's okay, kids. If it doesn't work this time, there will be next time. There are still many opportunities in the neighborhood office. We can't be discouraged because of one failure. As long as you work hard, there will always be a day of success."

When the two sons heard this, their bodies seemed to be lifted up by an invisible force. They raised their heads suddenly, and their eyes flashed with the light of renewed hope. They nodded repeatedly, and a long-lost smile appeared on their faces, as if they had found a new goal and direction at this moment.

Liu Guangqi clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deeply into his palms, and said in a firm tone: "Dad, don't worry, we will work harder and we will be able to enter the street office next time!" His eyes revealed an indomitable determination, as if he had seen the dawn of success.

Liu Haizhong looked at his sons' determined expressions, nodded with satisfaction, and a hint of barely perceptible relief flashed in his eyes. He raised his glass and said to the whole family, "Come on, let's have a toast together! For our future, for our hope, and for our family, cheers!"

The whole family raised their glasses, and the atmosphere seemed to be ignited at this moment, and instantly became heated. The men began to drink and talk about future plans and hopes, their voices full of strength and determination.

As night falls, the moonlight sprinkles on the earth like water, covering the world with a layer of silver gauze. The lights in Liu Haizhong's home appear particularly warm and bright in the night, like a small safe haven, giving the family's hearts temporary peace.

They know that although they did not pass the worker exam this time, it does not mean that they will have no chance in the future. As long as they unite as one and work together, they will be able to create a better future for themselves. Liu Haizhong's words are like a shot in the arm, injecting new strength and confidence into the whole family. They believe that in the days to come, no matter what difficulties and challenges they encounter, as long as they work together, they will be able to overcome everything and move towards a better tomorrow.

The atmosphere at He Yuzhu's home was completely different from Liu Haizhong's home, and it seemed warm and relaxed. In the kitchen, He Yuzhu was wearing an apron, busy and orderly preparing a sumptuous dinner. His face was filled with a satisfied and happy smile, as if all his troubles were dispelled by the rising smoke of fireworks.

He first took out a piece of fresh pork belly from the refrigerator, cut it into thin slices, and marinated it with cooking wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and ginger slices for a while to let the meat fully absorb the flavor of the seasoning. Then, he lit the gas stove, heated the pot and poured in a proper amount of oil. When the oil temperature rose to 70% hot, he quickly put the marinated meat slices into the pot and stir-fried until the meat slices changed color. Then he added green and red peppers and garlic slices and stir-fried them over high heat for a few times. A delicious twice-cooked pork with good color, aroma and taste was ready.

Then, He Yuzhu took another piece of beef from the chopping board, cut it into thin strips, mixed it with starch and egg white, and marinated it for a while. He heated up another pot, added onions, ginger, and garlic, and quickly put the shredded beef into the pot. After frying until it changed color, he added shredded green pepper and carrot, and added appropriate amounts of salt and chicken essence. A fresh and delicious shredded beef with green pepper was ready.

For the third dish, He Yuzhu chose braised spareribs. He cut the spareribs into small pieces, blanched them in cold water to remove the fishy smell, then took them out and drained them. He put oil in the pot, added rock sugar and stir-fried them over low heat until they melted, then added the spareribs and stir-fried them until they were evenly colored, added appropriate amounts of water, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, star anise and other seasonings, and simmered them over low heat until the spareribs were cooked through. A dish of bright red and mellow braised spareribs appeared before his eyes.

Finally, He Yuzhu also prepared a dish of Kung Pao Chicken. He cut the chicken breast into dices and marinated it with cooking wine, soy sauce and starch for a while. He put oil in the pot, added peppercorns and dried chilies to stir-fry until fragrant, then added the chicken cubes and stir-fried until they changed color, added peanuts and chopped green onions, and adjusted the appropriate amount of salt, sugar, vinegar and chicken essence. A sweet and sour, spicy and fragrant Kung Pao Chicken was ready.

Four meat dishes filled the table, the aroma was so delicious that it made people salivate. He Yushui sat at the table, watching her brother busy at work, her heart filled with gratitude and warmth. Although she had not interviewed for the transportation department, she felt much better when she saw her brother was so optimistic and tolerant.

He Yuzhu came over, patted He Yushui's shoulder gently, and comforted him: "Yushui, don't worry, you have just become an adult, there are plenty of opportunities. Brother believes in you, as long as you work hard, you will be able to find your own sky."

He Yushui listened to her brother's words, and a warm current surged in her heart. She nodded and said firmly: "Brother, I will work hard and will not let you down."

The brother and sister smiled at each other and sat down to enjoy the delicious dinner. In this cozy little house, they felt the warmth and strength of home, and believed that no matter what difficulties and challenges they encountered in the future, as long as they worked together, they would be able to overcome everything.