Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Xu Damao took some antiques that Fang Xiaoru and Guo Jiawei had helped him to find and exchange recently to Yandaixie Street, and then went to the No. 95 compound to clean up and check if anyone had broken into the house by picking the locks.

Business as usual.

Because Chen Zhiyong got married, Xu Damao still wanted to move, but he was still hesitating whether to move to Yandaixie Street or move back to No. 95 compound. There are pros and cons to each.

Yandaixie Street, Xu Damao thought that the house belonged to Lou Xiaoe, and even though he was a jerk, he still wanted to leave Yandaixie Street as a piece of pure land in his heart for Lou Xiaoe. However, most of his assets were hidden in the basement of the master bedroom, so he was a little worried if no one lived there.

Although the 95th Courtyard was full of troubles and tedious matters, it was good that there were people there day and night, so Gu Meifang, who had just given birth to two children, might not be too lonely. After all, Yu Li was in the middle court, so they could take care of each other to some extent.

Because of He Lihua's matter, Xu Damao opened the cellar he had dug in Yard 95 and took another look at the box he had taken from her.

It's valuable. But Xu Damao won't tell anyone about this. Otherwise, if it gets out and He Lihua finds out, it will really cause trouble.

Normally, Courtyard 95 was quite deserted. Now it had lost the noisy and lively scene of Courtyard 95 in the past. In the backyard, Xu Damao saw the second auntie next door busying herself.

The door of the deaf old lady was open, but no one was there. Hey, I don't know how long this old lady can hold on.

In Xu Damao's memory, the deaf old lady in the backyard was definitely not a good person. But so far, except for negotiating the retirement plan with the old man, the deaf old lady has not troubled others or made trouble. This is very good. It is very precious for an elderly person who does not cause trouble to others.

While smoking at the door, thinking this, I saw the old lady's door curtain move, and an old lady came out. She looked up and saw Xu Damao standing there.

"Da Mao, today is such a rare day. It's rare to see you come back to the compound now. Is there something wrong?"

"Good luck to you, Auntie. Look, I haven't been here for a long time. Come over to wipe off the dust and tidy up. Maybe you'll come back to live here someday."

"Yes, Damao, it's better for you to come back and live here. It's more lively with more people. Come visit us when you have time."

"Okay, see you later, Auntie."

Gradually, the courtyard began to bustle. It was time to get off work, and those who were supposed to come back gradually came back. Xu Damao heard Yu Li from the Intermediate Court leading the children and scolding He Jianxin all the way: If you don't go home after school, and you climb a tree to rob a bird's nest, what will you do if you fall down...

Xu Damao's house was almost ventilated, so he checked it again and locked the door.

I was pushing my bike towards the central courtyard when I saw Yi Zhonghai coming in from outside, followed by He Yuzhu who was also pushing a bike with his daughter sitting on the back seat.

Xu Damao greeted them all, "Uncle, are you off work?"

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Xu Damao, said "hmm", and walked up the stairs to his own home in the east wing.

He Yuzhu was yelling at the back, "Xu Damao, Chief Xu, you are so free today, I thought you forgot that this is your home."

"Brother Zhuzi, hello, little He Jianmei, are you back from kindergarten or going home after school?"

"Hello, Uncle Mao."

"Okay, but Uncle Mao doesn't have any candy in his pocket today. I'll owe you some first and give it to you later, okay?"

"Brother Zhuzi, I just heard Yu Li scolding her son. Is Dun Dun very naughty now?"

He Yuzhu parked the car and took his daughter down from the back seat, saying, "Da Mao, do you want to have dinner at home today? Have a drink together?"

"No, Meifang just gave birth to her baby. Although my mother is taking care of her, I still have to go back. Besides, it's still early for dinner. When I'm free, I'll come over and have a good drink."

"It's up to you. Anyway, you guys, the directors and deputy directors, have dinner together in the cafeteria every day. You don't need this."

Yu Li just came out of the house and greeted He Xu Damao, "Da Mao, why don't you eat here? Dinner will be quick tonight, just make noodles."

"Sister-in-law Yu Li, next time, I will bring my wife and children with me."

Just as he was speaking, a person came in from the aisle. Xu Damao turned around and saw a familiar figure and a familiar face.

Three people spoke at the same time: Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu came in with a big package, "Zhu Zi, Damao, Yu Li, they are all here." Then she pointed at the package and said, "Bang Geng is going to the countryside, give him something." She turned to the west wing and knocked on the door of the Jia family. Xu Damao was still stunned, and Yu Li explained, "Aunt Jia, the street takes care of her and asks her to clean the streets for 12 yuan a month. Bang Geng is going to the countryside before the New Year, to the Northeast. Maybe Qin Huairu brought the bedding roll over. After all, he is her own son, born after ten months of pregnancy."

Then I heard a voice coming from the Jia family's house, "You don't need to worry about my grandson. You are a piece of shit. Don't try to take advantage of my grandson. Don't come to my Jia family in the future. Get out of here."

"Do you think I want to come? Banggeng, this is the quilt your mother gave you, as well as a set of cotton-padded clothes and trousers. Take these twenty yuan. Be careful when you go to the countryside. Don't cause trouble, because no one out there will pamper you. This is all I can do. I'm leaving now, write to you if you have anything else."

Qin Huairu lifted the door curtain and walked out of Jia's house. Then she smiled at the three people who were still standing in the middle courtyard and walked out.

Xu Damao and the others came to their senses and found that Qin Huairu was no longer in the middle courtyard. She came quickly and left quickly.

Xu Damao also said goodbye to He Yuzhu, pushed the cart out of the door, and met Li Xiang who lived across the courtyard. He also met the third uncle in the front yard. He exchanged a cigarette with him and chatted for a few words. Then he carried the cart out of the courtyard, got on his bicycle and headed towards the entrance of the alley.

"Da Mao, wait."

At the entrance of the alley and at the corner, Qin Huairu stood there and called out to Xu Damao.

"Huairu, waiting for me?"

"Give me a ride, let's go, don't run into anyone we know."

Qin Huairuyun got on the back seat, not forgetting to hold Xu Damao's clothes.

"Huai Ru, I haven't seen you for many years. Are you doing well? Are you still working at the food factory? Have you changed jobs?"

"Where can I go? I am in the class thanks to you. Otherwise, I don't know what I would do now."

"Huairu, you deserve it. You're welcome. Why, Banggeng is going to the countryside?"

"Well, she's leaving next week. She asked me a while ago, so I prepared some things for her to use during the winter. We're both having a tight life, right? We have three children now, and we had to take care of Jianguo's younger brothers and sisters in the past few years. We've just gotten over the slump, and now I'm preparing some things for Banggeng, spending over forty bucks. The old lady is still not satisfied. Where can I go to seek justice? My wife is quite dissatisfied with this."

"Huairu, life is hard for everyone now. It's good enough to be like this."

"Yes, I am content. By the way, when I went home for the Spring Festival last year, my parents missed you."

"Hey, I seldom go to the countryside now. Look, if I have a chance to go to Qinjia Village again, I will go to visit them."

"Da Mao, don't you miss me all these years?"

"Huai Ru, you've suddenly gotten married, how dare I disturb your peaceful life. Just live a good life. Is your man treating you well?"

"It's OK. After Huaihua was born, she gave birth to a son two years ago. Overall, it's OK. Damao, you can drop me off in front. I can walk home in ten minutes."

Xu Damao stopped the car, Qin Huairu jumped out of the back seat, walked up to Xu Damao, bit her lower lip with her upper teeth, and after a long while, she managed to utter: "Damo, I'm leaving now."

"Okay, okay, good days don't come easy."

Qin Huairu looked back every few steps, but finally disappeared from Xu Damao's sight.

It has been almost 8 years. This is the first time Xu Damao has seen Qin Huairu. Although she is still as beautiful as ever, she cannot escape the fatigue caused by the oppression of real life.

Life is really not easy.