Siheyuan: Living in the People's Community, with a Heart for the Red Star

Old Yang secured his luggage and newly bought clothes on the bicycle, pushed the bicycle and followed Zhao Jingyi towards the courtyard where she lived.

The courtyard where Zhao Jingyi lives is No. 195, Xicheng District. Because the employees of the Electricity Bureau used to live there, it is also called the Power Supply Courtyard. After the Electricity Bureau was split up, the courtyard was reassigned to residents, and they are basically idle families working nearby. Now it is a large courtyard. The two returned to the power supply courtyard to pack up. Lao Yang changed back into his previous clothes and prepared to return to the Red Star Courtyard. Zhao Jingyi didn't want to separate and insisted on going.

In the afternoon, I told Zhao Jingyi that I was a Kyoto resident, and briefly introduced my retirement and the fact that I had a house in Hongxing Siheyuan. This time I came back because my illness was resolved, and I came back to visit my former leader to solve my identity problem. I drank a little too much at the leader's house, and the previous absurd things happened in a daze. After Zhao Jingyi learned about the bizarre experience, she was also very excited. She didn't expect that the man given to her by God had such a bizarre life experience. Especially after being conquered by him wholeheartedly, she liked Lao Yang even more and didn't want to be separated for a moment.

Zhao Jingyi took out a set of coarse cloth plaid jacket and green cotton pants from the closet and put them on. She looked in the mirror and felt that something was missing. Lao Yang took out a yellow striped headscarf from a corner of the closet and handed it to her, asking her to tie it up. After tying the headscarf, she found that the simple atmosphere of the countryside was overwhelming. The only drawback was that Zhao Jingyi was too beautiful and her skin was too fair, lacking that kind of rural temperament.

The two pushed their bicycles out of the compound amid the astonished gazes of the others in the compound, heading towards the Red Star Courtyard. It wasn't long before they arrived at the gate of the Red Star Courtyard. Old Yang stopped his bicycle and asked Zhao Jingyi to jump off the bicycle, and the two pushed the bicycles into the courtyard.

When he passed by the third uncle's door, the third aunt rushed out of the house to stop him and complained: "Yang Shangjin, you are finally back. I have been waiting for you for a whole day and did nothing. We have already cleaned up your house."

As he said that, he handed over a key. Old Yang took it and saw that it was the key he had given to Yan Bugui. He nodded and accepted the key and said to Auntie with a smile, "Okay, Auntie, I have received the key. I will go back now. See you later!"

Leading Zhao Jingyi inside, the third aunt quickly stopped her, stared at Zhao Jingyi and asked, "Who is this lady? What's your relationship with her?"

Old Yang stopped and answered Third Auntie: "Third Auntie is still so cautious. You and Third Uncle are like this (thumbs up). This is my wife Zhao Jingyi. Please take good care of her in the future!"

At this time, the third aunt saw Lao Yang's face clearly and was surprised to find that his face was very rosy, not at all like the sickly look before. He got married and bought a bicycle, which was a complete reversal. The two of them standing together were also a handsome man and a beautiful woman. It seemed that they were from the countryside. The third aunt felt a little relieved.

"Xiao Yang, when did you get married? You didn't even inform us so we could arrange things for you!"

"It's fate. I came back yesterday and had nowhere to stay so I went to a guesthouse and booked a room. I met Jingyi on the way. We fell in love with each other and got our marriage certificate this morning. Look, the certificate isn't even warm yet!"

Old Yang took out the marriage certificate from his pocket and waved it in front of the third aunt a few times before putting it away, saying with a big smile on his face, "The wedding banquet hasn't been arranged yet. We'll set up two tables in a few days and invite everyone to have a good time."

The third aunt's eyes lit up immediately, and she patted her thigh and said, "That's great, otherwise it would be said that Yang Gongan is very capable. Look at this little Zhao, she is really like a fairy. I have never seen such a beautiful person! We must get closer in the future. The relationship between our two families is not ordinary."

Zhao Jingyi said to the third aunt shyly: "Please take good care of us in the future. Our old Yang just came back and needs a lot of help from the third aunt and her family!"

"You'll have plenty of time to talk later, so go home first, hurry up! Third Aunt, let's go back and put our luggage away first, see you later!"

Old Yang pushed his bicycle towards the west wing, and Zhao Jingyi followed him into the yard. When he arrived at his door, the surroundings did not seem messy at all, and it was very clean. It seemed that the third uncle's family had not thrown away anything. He took the key and opened the door. The room was also clean. Most of the things in the room had been moved out yesterday.

In the middle of the room was the eight-immortal table that I had used when I left. It was a little worn out, and it seemed that it had been moved away and used before. The single bed was put back, and only the bed frame was left. The quilt and mattress were gone. The small cabinet at the head of the bed was also gone. It was obviously not my own cabinet, and the edges of the bamboo basket hanging on the beam were worn out. There was nothing else in the other rooms, but the faint smell of pickled cabbage in the room reminded me that this was a shabby house.

Old Yang turned around and looked at Zhao Jingyi who had followed him. He was so embarrassed. He coughed twice and said stubbornly, "Well, this room has been cleaned up, but some of the small things from before can't be found. This is the only way. When I find someone to come back and clean it up, it will be completely different. We are not short of money!"

Old Yang didn't continue to argue with her, and said to the third aunt who followed in: "I'm really sorry to bother you. Your family has been looking after my house for a year. I won't say anything more. You go back first. My wife and I will clean it up and find someone to renovate it. When we're done, we'll invite your family over for dinner!"

The third aunt nodded and agreed happily: "Okay, okay, you two are busy, I'll go back first, if you need help, just let me know!"

After saying that, he turned around and left quickly. Zhao Jingyi walked around the room twice to check out the situation of the room, and said with a pout: "It's just a small shabby house, what's the point of being nervous? It's not as spacious as my place, let's just live in my place."

"It doesn't matter where you live. I don't care. I came back just to see what's going on in the hospital. There are some things that need to be done. There are some things you don't understand, and I'm confused too. I still need to try."

Old Yang threw the bedding onto the bed and inspected it carefully. The bed was OK and not too damaged. The eight-immortal table must have been used frequently and was a little worn. On the table were the broken teapot and teacups from yesterday, and there was not even a thermos. He took down the hanging basket and found it was empty. His stove and a small cabinet in the corner were gone.

Old Yang thought about it and let it go. As long as he got the house back, forget about the small things. He looked at his watch and it was almost five o'clock in the afternoon. The workers who were leaving get off work would be back soon. Old Yang called Zhao Jingyi, who was frowning and looking around, to the door and said helplessly, "Let's go. Let's stay at your place for a few days and come back tomorrow to find someone to clean it up."

"Come and clean up by yourself tomorrow. I have to go to work tomorrow. There are a lot of things in the supply and marketing cooperative that need my attention and we can't keep putting them off. This house is too small, so just return it to the street office." Zhao Jingyi didn't like this small ear room at all and advised Lao Yang to return it and be done with it.

The two men left the room. Lao Yang took out a new lock, locked the door, and left the courtyard pushing his bicycle.

The third aunt watched the two of them leave from her window, opened the window and asked, "Shang Jin, where are you going?"

Old Yang replied casually: "Auntie, let's go out for dinner. We will come back tomorrow to clean up and repair the house before moving back in. Please tell Uncle San to thank him for taking care of us for more than a year. Come back to thank him later. I'll buy him a couple of drinks!"

The third aunt narrowed her eyes and smiled: "Xiao Yang, don't be so polite. This is what we should do. Neighbors should help each other. I will tell your third uncle."

After the two of them left the Red Star Courtyard, they rode their bikes with Zhao Jingyi and disappeared into the alley.

The three aunts who were watching from the window sighed and felt depressed as they watched the bicycle go away. They said to themselves, "We are already married, and it is time to live here permanently. It seems that there is no hope for this house in the future. We need to think of another way, otherwise it will be hard to find a wife here."

Jia Zhang, who was peeking at the archway in the middle courtyard, saw Lao Yang and his wife entering the courtyard. After everyone left, she sneaked to Lao Yang's door and saw that it was locked. She spat on the door and cursed, "Who locked the door in the courtyard? Who are you guarding against? You are such a piece of shit. I'll tell Lao Yi later and teach that Yang guy a lesson! Bah!"

After spitting again, he returned to the middle courtyard. A group of old ladies in the middle and back courtyards began to spread rumors about Old Yang: "Yang Bingluo (the nickname given to Old Yang by Jia Zhang) is almost dead, and he brought back a slutty vixen, who is destined to bring down her husband."

"Yang Bingluo's health was not good to begin with, and the vixen sucked his yang energy away. He even lost his soul, so it won't be long!"

"Yang Binglao is insane and could get sick at any time. He would either chop people with a knife or bite them like a mad dog. People like him cannot stay in the yard and should be driven away!"

"Yang's tuberculosis is an infectious disease. I heard it was spread in the Eight Great Hutongs before. It's so shameful! He should be driven back to the countryside, and not die in the compound and infect us!"

……

A group of old ladies gathered together and discussed excitedly, listening to Jia Zhang's gossip. Soon, people who worked outside returned to the fourth courtyard. The rumor about Yang Shangjin, who retired from the front courtyard, spread out of the courtyard. The gossip that he married a coquettish and seductive woman spread to several streets and everyone knew about it. Jia Zhang looked at her "achievements" and was very satisfied. She thought about how to control Old Yang in the future, and finally drive him out of the courtyard and make the house her own. She laughed unconsciously.

Qin Huairu watched the hysterical Jia Zhang from the side, not knowing what bad thoughts this mother-in-law had, and subconsciously picked up the clothes next to her and prepared to go out to wash them to avoid Jia Zhang. She stood up and woke Jia Zhang up, and was pinched hard and rushed to make dinner.

After Lao Yang and his wife left the courtyard, Zhao Jingyi dragged him to a nearby barber shop and gave Lao Yang a "revolutionary haircut" and prepared to let him wear a Zhongshan suit. Although Lao Yang strongly opposed it, he was suppressed in the end.

The two of them returned to the power supply compound, and as soon as they arrived at the gate of the compound, they saw a military jeep parked at the gate. There were two people standing next to them smoking. When they saw Lao Yang and Zhao Jingyi coming, they threw away the cigarettes in their hands and blocked their way.

Lao Yang stopped his bike and Zhao Jingyi jumped off the back seat, looking at him with dissatisfaction. The man said, "Little sister, why are you doing this? Your family hasn't forced you to do this recently, so why did you just find someone to marry? Dad is very unhappy and asked me to take you back!"

Zhao Jingyi asked coldly: "Is this your attitude? Then why are you here?"

"Little sister! You misunderstood your father. He cares about you and is afraid that you will be cheated! Do you know who this guy is?" he asked, pointing at Lao Yang.

Zhao Jingyi said excitedly: "Why would I be deceived? I don't want to live with you, and I won't take up the resources of the family! I just want to live my own life in peace and stability. I accept that he deceived me. I have to grit my teeth and accept it because it is my own choice!"

As he said that, he took Lao Yang's arm and walked towards the courtyard. Lao Yang smiled politely, pushed his bicycle and followed Zhao Jingyi.

After seeing the two people enter the compound, the man opened the car door and got in the car. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, took it out and put it in his mouth. He then took out a match, lit it and put it to the cigarette butt, and took a deep puff.

The driver came over and asked, "Sir, are we still waiting?"

The man exhaled a puff of cigarette and said, "Wait a minute, she will definitely come out soon. With her personality, she will definitely take Yang back to show off."

The driver silently turned around and walked to the front of the car, took out a cigarette and started smoking.

The two of them returned to the west wing without meeting anyone else. Lao Yang locked his bicycle and followed Zhao Jingyi into the west wing.

After entering the house, Lao Yang sat down directly at the eight-immortals table. He picked up the tea bowl and thermos on the table and poured himself a glass of water. While drinking, he looked around the situation in the house.

The three rooms in the west wing are interconnected and all belong to Zhao Jingyi. The northernmost room is also a bedroom, where she usually stays to entertain relatives and friends. In the middle is the living room and dining room, which is about 30 square meters in size. There is an eight-immortal table in the middle of the entrance, with four round stools. On the table is a set of tea sets, a thermos bottle, and a plate of candies. There are four chairs and two coffee tables against the south wall. There is a cabinet in the corner, with some tableware and dry food on the upper layer, and some bottles and jars on the lower layer. There is also a double sofa against the north wall, a small table with a teapot and tea leaves on it, and a thermos bottle on the ground.

On the wall opposite the door hung a portrait of a great man. Below it was a long table with a radio, a candlestick, and an old-fashioned clock on it. The hammer was still clicking and swinging. The room was decorated in a conventional manner.

On the south side is Zhao Jingyi's bedroom. Both the north and south bedrooms have small doors that open outwards separately, which is why Lao Yang can push the door and enter the bedroom.

Zhao Jingyi saw Lao Yang observing the layout of the surrounding rooms, so she pushed the door and entered the bedroom.

It wasn't long before Zhao Jingyi's voice came, asking him to come in. Lao Yang drank the water in the tea bowl, stood up, and pushed the door into the bedroom.

Zhao Jingyi was putting on makeup in front of the dressing table. She had changed into a long tweed skirt and put a few hairpins in her hair, returning to her previous beauty.

After seeing Lao Yang enter the house, he pointed at the clothes on the ground and said, "Put on your Zhongshan suits and let's go to my house. The officer outside is my eldest brother, Zhao Tiejun, who works in the logistics department of the Air Force. I have two older brothers and two older sisters. My second brother is also in the Air Force, and my third brother is studying in the Soviet Union. My two older sisters also got married and went to the south with them, and rarely come back."

"My father's name is Zhao Changkong, and my mother's name is Han Shiman. My father and mother are both remarried, and my older brother and older sister are born to his first wife. My father is a feudal patriarch, and he is very strong in everything. He does not allow his children to disobey him. And I am the most disobedient and rebellious child!"

Lao Yang applauded and cheered: "You are a progressive woman of the new era! I support you and will help you gain face later!"

Although Zhao Jingyi was touched in her heart, she said, "How can you earn face for me? Just talk less and behave yourself!"

Old Yang said with a shameless face: "If I win your respect, can you allow me to find a younger one? I have a lover somewhere else."

Zhao Jingyi said absentmindedly: "You are such a playboy, I know you are no good. Okay, if you can make my father agree to this marriage, I will agree to let you raise the child, but you have to earn the money yourself! If you embarrass me by trying to attract attention, I will tear you apart!"