Siheyuan: Mastery started in the 50s

Qin Huai narrowed his eyes, staring at Wang Qiang with a sharp gaze: "Okay, Brother Wang, you are quite courageous. However, I would like to advise you that some things are best not to be done.

Wang Qiang was walking home, carrying a bag of newly bought corn, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. Today's confrontation with Qin Huai did not really solve the problem, but made the situation more tense. Qin Huai's words before leaving were naked threats. Although he did not show it at the time, Wang Qiang knew very well that Qin Huai would never give up easily.

He quickened his pace, the gravel road under his feet made a slight rustling sound, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the wall of the courtyard, and long shadows dragged on the ground. Wang Qiang looked at the corn in his hand and sighed slightly. He bought these corns specially and planned to plant them in the yard, which could fill the empty space in the yard and give him something to do in his spare time. But at this moment, he was not at ease, and the shadow of Qin Huai was like a dark cloud hanging over his head.

Back at the courtyard, it was quiet. The shadows of a few old trees swayed gently in the evening breeze. It seemed that the families in the courtyard had already had dinner, and the doors and windows were closed. Only the occasional cry of poultry came from a corner. Wang Qiang walked to the door of his room, stopped, looked around, and confirmed that no one was following him before opening the door and entering the house.

The furnishings in the house were still simple, and a few old furniture looked a bit outdated. Wang Qiang put the corn on the table, lit a cigarette, leaned back in his chair, and his eyes gradually became deep. He knew that Qin Huai's threat was not empty talk. Qin Huai had been in the courtyard for so many years and had already established his own "power". The gangsters under his command usually followed him to bully other residents. They were used to it. He was just an outsider. Although he won a small victory, it was far from enough.

"We must find a way to solve this problem once and for all." Wang Qiang took a deep puff of cigarette, a cool gleam in his eyes. He couldn't always be passive and defensive. One day Qin Huai would find a chance to counterattack, and he had to prepare in advance.

Various possibilities quickly turned in his mind. The reason why Qin Huai could run rampant in the courtyard was not only because of his own strength, but also because of his many years of operation in the courtyard. Most of the old residents did not dare to offend him, after all, they counted on Qin Huai to help when they had problems. This network of relationships has been formed, and it cannot be shaken by just one or two confrontations.

But Wang Qiang was unwilling to be so passive. He had already moved into this courtyard, and he couldn't always be in opposition to Qin Huai. To win the trust of others, perhaps he could start with some small things. Wang Qiang's eyes fell on the bag of corn on the table involuntarily, and he gradually formed a plan in his mind.

The next morning, Wang Qiang got up and went to the open space in the yard. He held a hoe and began to dig the soil, carefully burying the purchased corns one by one. His movements were steady, and his face was still expressionless, but he was thinking about his next move in his mind.

In the courtyard, the old people who got up early sat in the corner of the courtyard and chatted as usual. Occasionally, they looked up at Wang Qiang. Some were curious about his behavior and whispered: "This newcomer Wang Qiang has been very diligent recently. He works on the land every day, as if he really wants to take root here."

Another old man nodded and said, "That's right. In our yard, no one is so diligent in growing crops. It was all wasteland before, but now that he has turned it into something presentable."

Wang Qiang heard some gossip, but he didn't respond. However, he felt a little satisfied. This was exactly what he wanted. People in the courtyard began to notice him and no longer regarded him as an outsider. Instead, they began to regard him as one of the residents. As time went on, other people in the courtyard would gradually accept his existence. This was the first step to breaking Qin Huai's power.

After planting corn, Wang Qiang looked up and wiped the sweat from his forehead, just in time to see Old Zhang walking slowly towards him. Old Zhang was the oldest man in the yard, and he usually didn't interfere in the yard's affairs, but he had a high prestige in the yard, and everyone had to give him some face. Wang Qiang had long seen that Old Zhang's words were very important here, and getting his approval would be of great help to his establishment.

"Uncle Zhang, good morning." Wang Qiang put down his hoe and greeted him with a smile.

Old Zhang nodded, leaned against the wall at the gate, squinted his eyes and looked at the corn seedlings planted by Wang Qiang. After a while, he spoke: "Young man, diligence is a good thing. This land has been barren for a long time. You have renovated it and it has become a little lively."

Wang Qiang smiled and said, "I have nothing to do anyway, so I can grow something for myself to eat. Besides, there is vacant land in the yard, it would be a shame to waste it."

Old Zhang nodded slightly, with a hint of admiration flashing through his narrowed eyes: "You are a real person, quite different from the others in the courtyard."

Wang Qiang's heart was moved, and he smiled: "We have lived in the hospital for a long time, and we are all family. I will not refuse to help if I can."

Old Zhang looked at him and said meaningfully: "You are right, but some things in the yard need to be done slowly and there is no need to rush." ​​After that, he staggered away.

Wang Qiang looked at Old Zhang's back and understood that Old Zhang was reminding him not to rush for success. Qin Huai's power was indeed strong, but the old people in the courtyard were not blind to it, but they were unwilling to get involved easily. Their attitude was very subtle. They would neither take the initiative to stand on his side nor help Qin Huai easily. If he could handle it carefully, he might be able to win their support.

In the following days, Wang Qiang continued to get up early every morning to take care of the corn seedlings. The people in the courtyard gradually got used to his presence and would occasionally stop to say hello when passing by. Wang Qiang also chatted with the elderly from time to time. He didn't say much, but he made them feel his sincerity. Slowly, the atmosphere in the courtyard changed subtly. People's attitude towards him was no longer as indifferent as at the beginning, but they began to accept him slowly.

However, Wang Qiang knew that this superficial harmony was not enough to change anything. Qin Huai was still like a sleeping beast that could explode at any time. Wang Qiang needed to find a suitable opportunity as soon as possible to completely eliminate the threat of Qin Huai.

One night, as the sky gradually darkened, people in the yard gradually returned to their houses, and everything was quiet. Wang Qiang was about to close the door when he heard a slight sound of footsteps coming from the gate of the yard. The movement outside the door made him alert instantly. He quickly turned off the lights in the house, leaned against the door, and waited quietly.