Siheyuan: Being a fisherman in 1962

Xu Damao's heart was once like the fruits of midsummer, full and sweet.

His marriage with Lou Xiao'e was so happy at first. He was very caring towards her and she was gentle and considerate towards him.

However, as time goes by, the passion of the first meeting is gradually worn away by the trivialities of life.

Lou Xiao'e was unable to give birth to a son, which is undoubtedly a huge regret in traditional family concepts.

Although he never said it verbally, Xu Damao gradually felt dissatisfied and disappointed.

I began to miss the freedom and unrestrainedness when I was single, and started to regret why I chose the shackles of marriage.

Whenever it was late at night and everyone was asleep, Xu Damao would lie on his bed, looking at Lou Xiao'e who was sleeping beside him, and he would always feel an inexplicable irritation in his heart.

Thinking of his past dreams and unfulfilled ambitions, he couldn't help but feel an urge to escape from the cage that bound him.

The appearance of Qin Jingru was like a flash of lightning, breaking through the darkness in Xu Damao's heart.

She was young, lively, and most importantly, willing to bear him a son.

I see the shadow of my youth in Qin Jingru, and my passion and yearning for life.

However, after the passion passed and everything returned to calm, Xu Damao realized the mistake he had made.

"I know what I did and where I was wrong. But matters of the heart cannot be explained by just a right or wrong answer." Although Xu Damao's voice was low, it was full of unquestionable power.

Lou Xiao'e stood aside, feeling heartbroken.

Looking at Xu Damao, the man I once loved deeply, now seems so strange to me.

I felt an unprecedented despair, as if the whole world had collapsed.

It's irreversible, but I still want to do my best to fight for some dignity for Lou Xiao'e.

"Have you really thought it through? Is it worth it for you to give up your relationship with Xiao'e for so many years just for Qin Jingru?" Qin Huairu asked.

Xu Damao was silent for a while, then raised his head: "Whether it is worth it or not, I know it in my heart. I'm sorry Xiao'e, but I won't give up Jingru and the child."

After saying that, he turned and left the hospital.

Looking at his departing back, tears welled up in Lou Xiao'e's eyes again.

Needless to say, their relationship has come to an end.

Lou Xiao'e's life became more and more difficult. She waited for Xu Damao's return every day, hoping that he would change his mind and regain the sweetness they once had.

However, Xu Damao became more and more obsessed with the colorful world outside and turned a blind eye to Lou Xiao'e's expectations and waiting.

One day, Lou Xiao'e was at home alone when she suddenly heard a noise coming from outside the door.

I opened the door carefully and saw a group of strange men and women chatting and laughing outside, and Xu Damao was standing among them, smiling particularly happily.

Lou Xiao'e's heart sank suddenly, and she walked forward, wanting to question Xu Damao.

Xu Damao pushed her away and said coldly, "What are you doing? Don't embarrass yourself here!"

Lou Xiao'e was pushed and staggered, almost falling to the ground.

Looking at Xu Damao's face that was once familiar but now unfamiliar, the pain in my heart was like a knife.

"You...how could you do this to me?" Lou Xiao'e asked in a trembling voice.

Xu Damao shrugged nonchalantly: "What did I do to you? It's your own fault that you can't give birth to a son. I have a better choice now, you should thank me."

Listening to Xu Damao's words, the despair in Lou Xiao'e's heart surged like a flood.

Suddenly I realized that this man was no longer the Xu Damao whom I once loved deeply.

At this moment, a strange woman came over, took Xu Damao's arm, and looked at Lou Xiao'e proudly: "You are Lou Xiao'e, right? I heard that you have been pestering Damao? How ridiculous. Damao loves me now. You should leave early if you are smart."

Lou Xiao'e looked at the woman and felt an inexplicable anger surge in her heart.

Suddenly he laughed, a laugh so sad and desperate.

"Xu Damao, do you really think you have found happiness? You are wrong. What you have lost is not only me, but also your own conscience and dignity." After saying this, Lou Xiao'e turned around and left the place that made her heartbroken.

Standing at the gate of the courtyard, watching Lou Xiao'e's departing back, Xu Damao felt as if his heart was falling into the abyss.

I have clearly made my choice, so why do I feel a sense of inexplicable loss at this moment?

Turning back into the house, looking at the things that he once shared with Lou Xiao'e, a complex emotion surged in his heart.

He knew that he should be more generous and let Lou Xiao'e take what she wanted.

But on the other hand, he wanted to kick her out of the house as a punishment.

In the end, he chose the latter.

He deliberately hid all the valuables in the house, leaving only some worthless items.

Then, he walked to the gate of the courtyard and waited for Lou Xiao'e to return.

After a while, Lou Xiao'e came back.

Standing at the door, looking at Xu Damao, his face full of anger.

"Can I take something?"

Xu Damao sneered: "Of course, you can take whatever you want from here."

Walking into the house, Lou Xiao'e looked at those familiar objects and felt inexplicably sad.

I once thought that these things would accompany her throughout her life.

But now, I can only leave them where they are, and take away only the pain in my heart.

In the end, she didn't take anything, but just quietly left the home that once belonged to her.

Looking at Lou Xiao'e's departing back, Qin Huairu felt a surge of sympathy in her heart.

He walked up to Xu Damao and said coldly, "Do you really think you are doing the right thing?"

Xu Damao didn't say anything, just stood there silently.

The moment Lou Xiao'e left, the entire compound seemed to fall into silence.

I silently packed the last bit of luggage, and every step I took felt so heavy, as if every step was saying goodbye to my past self.

Xu Damao stood aside, looking at her expressionlessly.

There was no relief and joy in my heart as I had imagined, but instead a sense of inexplicable heaviness.

He tried to hide his guilt with indifference, but the hint of guilt in his eyes betrayed him.

Qin Huairu walked over and looked at Lou Xiaoe's back, her heart full of sympathy and anger.

I couldn't help but say to Xu Damao: "Do you really think this is fair to her? She has given so much for you, but you treat her like this."

Xu Damao didn't say anything, but just looked at Qin Huairu coldly.

It is no longer possible to restore his relationship with Lou Xiao'e, nor is it possible to gain Qin Huairu's respect.

Just then, an old man in the compound, Uncle San, came over.

He looked at Xu Damao, then at Lou Xiao'e, sighed and said, "Da Mao, it's really wrong for you to do this. Xiao'e is a good wife, you can't treat her like this."

Xu Damao frowned and was about to retort, but the third uncle continued, "I think it would be better to let Xiao'e live in your house temporarily, together with Qin Jingru. Once you have dealt with your affairs, you can make plans later."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao immediately refused: "No! How can I let them live together?"

The third uncle sighed and shook his head: "You are so stubborn. Doing this will only make you more lonely."

Qin Huairu also echoed, "Yes, Damao. It's really chilling that you treat Xiao'e like this."

Xu Damao was left speechless by what everyone said. He could only snort coldly and turned away.