Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Under the leadership of Chen Zhiyong, Gu Meifang and Chen Zhiyu got letters of introduction and settled down in Dongshishitiao.

There is no work to do in the countryside in winter, so it is a good opportunity to go to the city to broaden your horizons.

"Son, is this the place your uncle Xu arranged for you to live in? You live here alone at such a big place? Does your uncle Xu live here?"

"Mom, my uncle Xu has other places to live. This place was bought by my uncle Xu later. Uncle Xu asked me to tell you to stay here safely until after the Spring Festival. There is nothing to do in the village now, so feel free to stay here."

"Oh, yeah, okay." Gu Meifang readily agreed. She knew Xu Damao was sincere to her.

"Mom, there's one more thing I want to tell you. My uncle Xu is divorced, and his former wife and her whole family are missing. Because of his class background, Uncle Xu is also under investigation, so he went to the countryside with me to show movies. But now he's fine, free, and has nothing to do. I'm waiting for the New Year."

"Son, will it affect him if mom comes to the city?"

"No, don't worry, Uncle Xu is very smart and nothing will go wrong."

The next day, Xu Damao slipped out of the factory under the pretext of changing copies, and went to the house on Dongsishitiao to meet Gu Meifang and Chen Zhiyu who had just arrived.

He took out fifty yuan and various daily necessities coupons, "Meifang, take these first. When you have time, go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things for the New Year. I will arrange for someone to bring the winter cabbage here. For the rest, you can take Xiaoyu with you to buy some miscellaneous items. We will celebrate the New Year here this year and return to the village after the Spring Festival. Don't worry, this yard is ours and no one will bother us."

"Da Mao, this is too much."

"Meifang, it doesn't matter if it's a lot or a little. Just use whatever you have. We don't need money for now. If it's not enough, we can go to the black market and exchange it with others. Xiaoyu, do you think you have graduated from high school or..."

"Well, I graduated and got my certificate, but it's been tough for students who were below me. The second half of the year hasn't started yet, so it looks like I won't be able to continue my studies."

"Well, that's good. After the New Year, Uncle Xu will see if there is a chance to find you a job. This way, you can live in the city with peace of mind, and your mother can also enjoy the good life with you and your siblings."

"Da Mao, can you really find a job?"

"Meifang, don't be anxious. It's really hard to find a job. Just take your time. Oh, and I'll ask my senior brother to come over here for dinner in a few days. You can cook a good meal for him then. Also, there are cloth coupons in there. Hurry up and buy some cloth. There's a tailor shop nearby. If they're quick, they can make new clothes within a week. Let's buy new clothes for the New Year this year."

"Da Mao, I don't know what to say."

"Meifang, you and Xiaoyu go ahead and do your work. I'm still in class. Xiaoyong and I will come over after get off work tonight and have dinner here. Oh, don't forget to get some wine. Lock the yard when you go out. I'm leaving first."

After returning to the factory, Xu Damao went to the second workshop immediately.

"Big Brother, I'm busy. Stop for a moment. I have something to ask you."

Zhang Tengyun was cutting parts. The sound of the lathe was actually quite loud, but Zhang Tengyun and other workers had already gotten used to the buzzing sound of the machine tools in the workshop.

"Da Mao, what's up?"

"Take a break. Let's go to the lounge and smoke a cigarette. I really have something to talk to you about."

After turning off the machine tool, we went to the rest room together, smoking cigarettes and drinking hot water.

"Big Brother, how old is Zhigang this year? 19?"

"Yes, after the Chinese New Year, I plan to take over my grandfather's job next year and learn locksmithing with me. What's going on? Are you really going to introduce him to a girl?"

"Of course not. She's a standard beauty. I've arranged for her to come to Kyoto. She's the younger sister of my projectionist apprentice. On your day off this week, ask your sister-in-law and Zhigang to go to the courtyard on Dongsishi Street where you used to live for dinner. The girl's mother is here too. I'll arrange for her to live there first. If you think it's suitable, you can let the child go there. If not, forget it."

"Da Mao, what is your relationship with her family? You actually brought her to the city for a blind date."

"Big Brother, to be honest, he has done me a favor. When I was in trouble, he gave me a hot meal in the countryside. I must remember his kindness."

Zhang Tengyun smiled evilly, "Hehe, Damao, you... I definitely don't believe it. Okay, let your sister-in-law take Zhigang to have a look at it this weekend. The kid likes alcohol everywhere. I say, Junior Brother, you have to pay attention to the influence."

"Big Brother, please don't joke with me. After all, we are still cadres now. We must pay attention to the impact. Don't forget it."

Xu Damao had long guessed that Zhang Taihe would pass his job to someone like Sun, which was reasonable. He really wanted to find a job for Chen Zhiyu, but after screening in the office, he couldn't seem to find a unit or relationship that could possibly place someone there, so he had to give up. There aren't that many jobs waiting for you to place someone there. But if Zhang Zhigang took over his grandfather's job, the couple could live a peaceful life if it worked out. Besides, the Zhang family had a good foundation, so they would definitely be able to live a good life.

That night, in the courtyard of Dongsishitiao, Xu Damao, Gu Meifang, and siblings Chen Zhiyong had dinner together. They looked like a family reunion and were very harmonious.

"Da Mao, Xiao Yong told me that your wife ran away? Is that true?"

"Really, I'm alone now, but Meifang, my wife will surely come back. I just don't know when, maybe ten or fifteen years. By then, my son and daughter will be adults."

After serving Xu Damao, Gu Meifang and Xu Damao stayed up together and chatted on the heated kang. The yard was very large. Xu Damao and Gu Meifang lived in the main room, while the brother and sister lived in the west wing, which was far away.

Gu Meifang used all her charm to make Xu Damao submissive.

"Da Mao, we have been in love for many years. Although I have not served you many times, I know you look down on me because I am a country widow. But I am really grateful to you in my heart. Without you, the three of us would not be starving now."

"Meifang, don't say such things. What's the difference between country and country? Aren't we all from the countryside if we count three generations back? How could I look down on you? When I flirted with you, it wasn't because you were a widow, but because of your looks. It made me feel itchy. Fortunately, I didn't ruin your reputation."

"Tsk, you're still saying that. Actually, everyone in Baishui Village knows that you, Xu Fangying, are my lover. And you said that you didn't ruin my reputation. The villagers think you are capable, and they are eager to get close to you. So they didn't spread bad words about me. Hey, since ancient times, people laugh at the poor but not at prostitutes. I don't feel ashamed to devote myself to you. In life, eating is the most important thing. Without your help over the years, I would have jumped into the river and died."

"Meifang, it's all over now. I've agreed with my senior brother that this Sunday, I'll have my nephew come over to see Xiaoyu. If that works out, I think you can move to Kyoto, too."

"That won't work. I don't have a job in the city. What can I eat and drink?"

"Your father is here."

Gu Meifang suddenly had an idea.

"Da Mao, there is something I want to tell you. Before, I just thought about it on my own, but now I want to discuss it with you."

"What's the matter? What else can we set up an ambush for?"

"Da Mao, I want to have a baby with you, even if we separate after the birth."

"Meifang, do you think that if you have a child with me, you will be able to keep me by your side in the future?"

"No, that's not it, Damao. I just want to have another child. I know that even without a child, you will still treat me well. It is because you treat me well that I want to give birth to a child for you. It will make our relationship worthwhile for all these years."

Xu Damao looked at Gu Meifang's sincere face and didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Moreover, Xu Damao felt that getting a marriage certificate with Gu Meifang now would also help dispel the rumors about him and the Lou family, so there was nothing wrong with it.

Xu Damao suddenly got angry and once again became aggressive, tormenting Gu Meifang for half an hour.

"Meifang, okay, after the Spring Festival, you go back to the village to get a certificate, and we can get the certificate and have the baby. But you have to consult Xiaoyong and Xiaoyu beforehand. Otherwise, the gain will outweigh the loss,"