Siheyuan: Mastery started in the 50s

"It's okay, Brother Damao, we all know the rules. Qiangzi was just happy and drank two more glasses." He Yuzhu smiled and tried to smooth things over, trying to ease the atmosphere.

Seeing this, Xu Damao's eyes flashed with a hint of pride. He always liked to gain the upper hand in front of others, especially when he saw someone like Wang Qiang who usually had a good reputation among his fellow workers. It was a rare opportunity to suppress him, so he naturally would not let it go.

"I'm doing this for your own good. Young people, you can be happy but don't forget your duty." Xu Damao gave a false warning and then said to Wang Qiang, "Okay, since you won the championship today, I won't disturb your good mood. I'll treat you to a drink another day." He didn't say anything else. His head was getting heavier and heavier, and he just wanted to leave this unpleasant scene as soon as possible.

Seeing that Wang Qiang stopped talking, Xu Damao said nothing more, waved his hand, and left with his co-workers. Wang Qiang felt a little uncomfortable watching Xu Damao's back. The joy after the victory just now seemed to be diluted by Xu Damao's words. Although he knew that Xu Damao's words were mostly unintentional, the subtle tone and expression made Wang Qiang feel a little unhappy.

"Qiangzi, don't take it to heart. Xu Damao is just like that. He likes to say some sour words. Let's not bother with him." He Yuzhu saw Wang Qiang's mood change and comforted him softly. He forced a smile and said, "I know, I just... I'm a little unhappy. He is always so sarcastic and makes people uncomfortable."

He Yuzhu patted him on the back: "Ignore him, let's go, today is your day, don't let such trivial matters affect your mood."

Wang Qiang took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He knew He Yuzhu was right and shouldn't let this little incident affect his mood, but the unhappiness in his heart could not be shaken off. Along the way, Wang Qiang silently thought about what had just happened, trying to figure out if he had done anything wrong.

After returning to the dormitory, Wang Qiang simply washed up, lay on the bed, stared at the ceiling, and kept replaying Xu Damao's words in his mind. He couldn't help asking himself, why is it that every time he achieves a little success, there are always people who mock him with bad intentions? This feeling makes him feel helpless and confused.

"Am I really too concerned about these things?" Wang Qiang asked himself. He tried hard not to pay attention to these negative emotions, but it seemed that the more he forced himself not to think about them, the stronger the irritability in his heart became.

He stayed awake all night, and only closed his eyes when the sky was slightly bright. But the unhappy feeling always lingered in his heart, making him sleep uneasy. Wang Qiang came to the workshop with a pair of slightly tired eyes. Although his mood was affected last night, he knew that he still couldn't be careless about today's work. Master Li was waiting for him in the workshop early. When he saw Wang Qiang, he asked with concern: "Qiangzi, how was the celebration yesterday? I heard that you won the championship, which is really a cause for celebration!"

Wang Qiang forced a smile: "Thank you, Master. I was very happy yesterday, but... there are some things I can't figure out."

Master Li was slightly stunned, then asked with concern: "What's wrong? What happened?"

Wang Qiang hesitated for a moment, but finally told him what happened to Xu Damao last night. He knew that Master Li was an understanding man and might be able to give him some advice.

After listening to this, Master Li smiled faintly: "Qiangzi, you know? It is impossible for everyone in this world to applaud you. The better you do, the more people will be jealous of you. But you have to understand that these people can't change anything. It is you who really decides your future."

Wang Qiang was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I know, Master, but... I just feel uncomfortable."

Master Li patted him on the shoulder and said, "This is normal. Anyone who encounters this kind of thing will feel a little unhappy. But remember, we are here to work, not to please others. Do your job well and have a clear conscience. Nothing else matters."

Wang Qiang got some comfort from Master Li and his mood calmed down a little, but what happened last night still left a lingering shadow in his heart. Although the work was still going on as usual, Wang Qiang always felt that he was a little depressed. During the lunch break, people in the workshop gathered in twos and threes and chatted, but Wang Qiang sat alone in the corner, holding a bottle of water in his hand, but he didn't drink a sip.

He looked at his colleagues around him, thinking about what happened last night. Xu Damao's sarcasm, He Yuzhu's comfort, and Master Li's persuasion, these fragments intertwined in his mind into a complex emotion that made him unable to let go completely.

"What's wrong with me?" Wang Qiang asked himself. He was the joyful champion yesterday, but now he was in such an inexplicable mood. Maybe it was because of excessive fatigue, or maybe it was because those unpleasant words touched his sensitive nerves.

He didn't want to be immersed in this negative mood anymore, so he stood up and decided to go out for a walk to get some fresh air. After leaving the workshop, Wang Qiang walked out along the factory path, wondering if he should find something to comfort himself and adjust his state.

As he walked, Wang Qiang suddenly remembered a habit he had when he was a child in the courtyard. At that time, whenever he was in a bad mood or felt tired, he always liked to go to the store to buy a bottle of iced soy milk. The sweet and rich taste always brought him a special sense of comfort, as if all his troubles would dissipate. Thinking of this, Wang Qiang suddenly wanted to taste that taste again.

“How about buying a bottle of soy milk?” As if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, he turned and walked towards the store outside the factory.

The canteen was still filled with a variety of snacks and drinks. Wang Qiang walked into the store and looked around for the soy milk he remembered. Finally, in a corner of the freezer, he saw a familiar bottle. Wang Qiang's mood suddenly improved, as if he had seen an old friend from childhood.

He picked up a bottle of soy milk and gently unscrewed the cap. A cool breeze came out of the bottle. Wang Qiang didn't rush to drink it, but sniffed it carefully. The faint bean fragrance came to his nose, with a little sweetness, which reminded him of the carefree days of his childhood.

“It still tastes the same as before.” He smiled slightly, tilted his head back, and took a sip slowly.

The soy milk tasted rich and sweet, and slid into his throat with a cool touch. Wang Qiang felt that the irritability in his heart seemed to dissipate a lot at this moment. This familiar taste seemed to bring him back to the time in the courtyard, when he was still a carefree teenager, living a simple and fun life without the pressure and worries of today.