Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

"Lingjuan, I'll give you a box of goodies. Take it home and flatter your husband so that he can do more for you."

Xu Damao handed Wu Lingjuan a box with holes tied with a rope.

"Xu Damao, what is that? Why do I hear some rustling noises in there?"

"Yes, it's a living thing. It's an old turtle that a friend of mine picked from Yutian, Hebei Province. It's just right for you to take it back and nourish your husband."

Xu Damao rarely joked with Wu Lingjuan, but today was the first time he did so. After all, he had practiced internal skills and had also learned some medical skills. Seeing that Wu Lingjuan's face was dark and dull, with dark spots on some parts and the corners of her mouth drooping slightly, he guessed that something had happened to Wu Lingjuan.

But he was not interested in caring about other people's family life. He just wanted to give a gift and build a favor.

Zheng Yongjun gave him three old turtles, and he kept one for himself. He packed the other two in boxes and brought them to the factory today, one for Wu Lingjuan and the other for Li Huaide.

Xu Damao pays attention to the continuity of gift giving. When people have almost forgotten about it, you can give them gifts that touch their hearts and maintain a long-term relationship.

Giving it to Wu Lingjuan was simpler. After all, Xu Damao didn't have any problems that needed the Wu family's help or help. It was just a preparation. It's better to lay an ambush in advance than to cram at the last minute. Besides, Wu Lingjuan helped Xu Damao deal with the affairs of the department, allowing him to get away from his daily work and do a lot of personal things. It's necessary to give some gifts for both public and private reasons.

"Humph, I won't give it to that heartless person. If I have to give it to someone, it should be to my dad. It's most important for a daughter to be filial to her father."

"Hehe, then I can't take care of these. I'll give it to you, you can deal with it yourself. But classmate Wu, I have something to say. You are only two years older than me, three years? You look a little pale. Some things should be solved in a way, and you can't regret it when it's out of control. Who can accompany you to the end must be your other half. This is not something that parents and children can replace. Your parents raised you when you were young, your children can only take care of you when you are old, and only your husband can accompany you until you grow old. Think about it carefully. Do I have to go to the third floor?"

Lingjuan seemed to be thinking about something, but seeing Xu Damao carrying another box, she asked out of curiosity, "Are you going to use it to curry favor with the director? Xu Damao, don't you know that Director Li is a playboy? People say that Liu Lan from the canteen is his lover, and there's also Yu Haitang from the broadcasting room, and the one from the second workshop..."

"Stop, stop, Wu Lingjuan, we are cadres, we can't just believe everything we hear. Don't talk about other people's faults when you chat, and always reflect on your own mistakes when you sit quietly. I am sending an old turtle to the director, whether it is to flatter him or for other reasons, I did it. Director Li's ability is obvious to all, and the subordinates send him an old turtle to replenish his body, isn't it also for the development of the factory. As for what you said just now, there is no evidence, I advise you to say less. Besides, is it wrong for men to like women? Who doesn't like that? It's just a matter of whether you dare or not. Keep three points of greed and lust to prevent being incompatible with the secular world; keep seven points of seriousness to live a peaceful life. Leaving three points of confusion to hide Mao's world and be lost in the world; hiding seven points of being sober among the drunk, so that people who know you can see through the world.

Wu Lingjuan, don’t you think this is also a state of mind? "

What's the point of your using classical Chinese? You can do whatever you want. Anyway, the director is not a good person."

Xu Damao hurriedly stopped her, “Be gentle, young lady, in case there are ears on the other side. You are an old comrade, but you have no political awareness at all. Are you provoked? Don’t talk nonsense in the future. Let me tell you, I, Xu Damao, am not a good person either. You should stay away from me. Look, I have two wives.” He carried the box containing the old turtle to Li Huaide’s office on the third floor and returned to the office more than ten minutes later.

Unexpectedly, Wu Lingjuan was still in Room 207, sitting in Xu Damao's chair in a daze.

"Hey, why are you still here? Aren't you going to arrange the daily work today?"

"There's always something going on. The busiest people in the factory right now, besides the workshop workers, are the security department and the inspection team. We in the publicity department can just make jokes.

Xu Damao, I am waiting for you here because I have something to ask you. I hope you can help me solve my doubts. If it is effective, I will definitely reward you handsomely. "

"Wu Lingjuan, you are begging for help. Move away. That's my seat, okay? Refill my teacup with hot water."

Wu Lingjuan obediently stood up, poured more tea, then locked the office door and sat down in the chair opposite Xu Damao.

"Wu Lingjuan, what's the point of locking the door? What if someone comes and can't explain it clearly?"

"Ah, bah, I'm a woman and I'm not afraid, so why should you be afraid?"

"Okay, okay, then tell me what you want to say. Keep it short. My little heart can't take it."

"Well...Xu Damao, if one day you have someone else outside, what should your wife do to win back your heart?"

"How can you use me as an example? Your spouse is your spouse, why are you talking about me? What? Your spouse has an affair?"

Wu Lingjuan lowered her head and said nothing.

"That's it. Are you sure? Or are you just guessing and imagining things?"

"I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be fake? Humph, they were coming in pairs, hugging and kissing each other, it pissed me off."

"Oh, you didn't tear it up at that time?"

"I thought about it. But I held back. If this matter gets out of hand, who knows how it will end. Besides, both families will lose face. If they fall out, it won't benefit either family."

"Wu Lingjuan, you are very wise. I think you are right to handle this. Well, since you trust me and tell me this secret, I can only have an attitude. Otherwise, if you kill me to silence me one day, I will lose more than I gain."

"Whoever killed someone to silence him deserves it. At most, I'll divorce him. It's no big deal. He has no shame, but I can still support him. I just don't want my parents to be sad, so I've been enduring it."

"I have three strategies for your reference."

"Hurry up and say it, stop using such nonsense, the room is already maddened,"

"Find a time for the two of you to discuss this matter in front of your parents and let them make the decision. This is the worst option.

Find an opportunity to go to that woman, appeal to her emotions, reason with her, explain the consequences to her, and let her leave on her own accord. This will be good for everyone and won't cause too much trouble. This is the middle policy.

You two should talk calmly. If he really doesn't have you in his heart and you really can't bear it anymore, then break up peacefully. After all, you have to live your life. If the shoes don't fit, they will still cause problems after wearing for a long time. It's better to suffer a short pain than a long pain. At worst, I can introduce you to a strong man, and I guarantee you will be satisfied. This is the best option. But I really don't mean to instigate you two. Introducing you is a retreat.

As for your choice, it's all up to you. Well, now that I've finished talking, hurry up and open the door. A man and a woman living together in a room, and locking the door, aren't you afraid that others will drown you with spit? Rumors can kill people."

Seeing that Wu Lingjuan didn't move, Xu Damao stood up, opened the door, returned to his seat, and said softly, "Wu Lingjuan, go home today. I'm here to take care of the factory matters. Go back and think about it carefully and calm down. If you can't help it, you can consult your father alone. You couldn't help but tell me about this today. I guess the situation is definitely more serious than you said. You should go and deal with this matter first, otherwise you won't be able to work with peace of mind. I'll take care of the work these days, and you can go and deal with the housework without worry."

Wu Lingjuan's eyes were red and she almost burst into tears.

"Don't, don't cry. If someone sees you, the situation will be even worse. Take a deep breath, calm down, and face it positively. It's no big deal. If it really doesn't work, just disperse. Live your own life, that's the most important thing."

Wu Lingjuan wiped her eyes with her hands, turned around and left. Xu Damao heard the door of the next office locked, and Wu Lingjuan's unique footsteps sounded in the corridor, getting farther and farther away.