Siheyuan: A Family of Loyal and Brave People

"Boss, these things are hard to come by, so please name a price."

Cheng Hao didn't understand the market price of watches and didn't want to waste too much effort on it.

"oh, I understand now."

The pawnshop owner was a very smart man. After a little thought, he realized that the watch was brought back from the battlefield, and the young man in front of him was probably a military family member.

“This watch is a good item. If it were brand new, it would be worth several million Singapore dollars.

If it's second-hand, I can offer it for S$2.5 million.

This price is very fair. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask other stores. They will never offer a higher price.”

Knowing that Cheng Hao was a man of some importance, the pawnshop owner did not dare to deceive him.

Cheng Hao's face was calm, but he was a little shocked. He knew that watches were luxury goods in this era and were not cheap, but he didn't expect that a second-hand watch could be sold for so much money.

The average monthly salary in the city is just over 200,000 Singapore dollars, and a watch is worth an ordinary person's annual income.

"I have three more watches that I'd like the boss to look at."

Cheng Hao looted a lot of watches on the battlefield. The nice ones were stored in the space for collection, the smaller ones were given as gifts or for personal use, and the remaining ones that were not in good condition were disposed of.

Hearing that there was more merchandise, the pawnshop owner's eyes lit up. Four watches, this was a big deal. After completing this deal, he wouldn't have to worry about food and drink for several months.

Cheng Hao took out the remaining three watches from his pocket and handed them to the pawnshop owner.

The pawnshop owner's expression became more serious after reading it. To be able to get four good items from the battlefield, he is definitely not an ordinary person.

After some bargaining, Cheng Hao finally sold the four watches for S$2.8 million each.

……

After dealing with the clutter in the space, Cheng Hao, carrying a huge sum of money, went to Cuihua Building for a sumptuous lunch.

I spent an afternoon strolling along the busiest streets of downtown Beijing, and in the evening I had a roast duck meal at Quanjude. I returned home with a full belly and was very satisfied.

On the way back, Cheng Hao did not forget to pack a roast duck to give to He Yuzhu.

Cheng Hao walked back to the gate of the courtyard. Before he went in, a thin middle-aged man with a pointed face and a pair of cracked glasses ran out in a hurry.

"Uncle Yan, what's going on?"

The person who came was Yan Bugui, who lived in the front yard. He had a strong presence in the courtyard. This presence came from the word "stingy". He was an old stingy man who wanted to break a copper coin into several pieces to spend, and he usually tried every means to take advantage of his neighbors.

Cheng Hao’s predecessor had been “taken care of” by him a lot.

To date, Cheng Hao still has a debt of 30,000 Singapore dollars that has not been collected.

"Ouch~

Cheng Hao, you are finally back, come in quickly!"

Yan Bugui grabbed Cheng Hao's arm and said urgently.

"Don't worry, I got it."

Cheng Hao pried Yan Bugui's hand apart and walked quickly into the yard carrying the roast duck.

Along the way, the neighbors looked at Cheng Hao with strange eyes, as if they were looking at some rare animal.

Cheng Hao shivered, not because it was cold, but because he didn't like being stared at like that.

When he returned to the middle courtyard and looked towards his home, Cheng Hao's pupils suddenly tightened.

On some dilapidated doors hang a plaque with black characters on a white background and a solid wood border. On it are four large characters that are powerful and majestic - Pillar of the Country.

"Brother Hao, you are finally back!"

Before Cheng Hao could react, He Yuzhu rushed over to him.

"You have been awarded a first-class merit. Captain Liu is waiting for you in the room!"

Cheng Hao came to his senses and hurriedly followed He Yuzhu into the house to see his superior.

"Cheng Hao, you kept me waiting for so long."

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Captain Liu Xuan sitting on a stool with his legs crossed, smoking.

"I'm sorry, Captain..."

Cheng Hao's apology stopped at his lips. The conditions at home were simple, and the stool that Captain Liu sat on was brought over by He Yuzhu from his own home.

"No need to apologize, you are a great contributor, and I should wait for you."

Captain Liu Xuan stood up, took out a certificate with a seal from his arms and solemnly handed it to Cheng Hao.

"Comrade Cheng Hao, in view of your outstanding performance on the battlefield.

After organizational discussion and decision, you are awarded the first-class merit!

I hope you will continue to work hard to protect the country and the people!"

"Yes!"

Cheng Hao put down the roast duck in his hand, saluted to Captain Liu Xuan, and carefully took the certificate with both hands.

This certificate and the plaque outside are enough to show Cheng Hao's achievements on the battlefield. This is the recognition of the country and the people, and it is Cheng Hao's honor.

“You have received the things, and it is time for me to go back.

You've been lazy here for a long time. If you don't go back, the political commissar will nag you." Regimental leader Liu Xuan patted Cheng Hao on the shoulder and said with a smile.

With such brave men, the country's security is further guaranteed, which is truly cause for celebration.

"Captain, it's getting late. Why don't you stay and have a meal before leaving?"

He Yuzhu hurried forward and suggested.

Liu Xuan had come here with great difficulty, so he wanted to treat him well and show his hospitality.

“Time is tight this time, let’s wait until next time.

Next time I will definitely try your cooking skills." Liu Xuan waved his hand and rejected He Yuzhu's kindness.

"Captain, if you don't want to stay for dinner, then take this back with you."

Cheng Hao carefully put away the certificate and handed the roast duck to the team leader.

"Roast Duck?

You have been eating well lately." Liu Xuan knew what was wrapped in the oil paper just by smelling it.

In the old days, roast duck was a delicacy enjoyed only by the upper class, and ordinary people at the bottom could not afford it.

Although New Era Roast Duck is much cheaper, its price is still prohibitive for many people.

"When we go back to Sijiu City, we have to improve the food, don't you think?" Cheng Hao laughed.

With a huge sum of money in his hand, Cheng Hao always wanted to spend it.

"You should spend and save. You are already an adult, it's time for you to consider getting married.

Don't waste your money." Liu Xuan knew that Cheng Hao had no elders at home, so he began to worry about him unconsciously.

“What the captain said is true, but our job is on the edge of a knife and we don’t know when it will end.

I think we should enjoy life while we can.

I will consider getting married after I settle down. "

The war is far from over. After reorganization, the 702nd Regiment will definitely go back to the battlefield. By then, their lives or deaths will be uncertain.

Cheng Hao can't control the future, all he can grasp is the present.

Living every day happily is a respect for life.

"There will come a day."

Captain Liu Xuan said nothing more.

He could understand Cheng Hao's thoughts. After years of military service, he didn't know how many of his comrades had disappeared in the war. Liu Xuan only hoped that the younger generations would no longer have to experience the torture of war and could live a peaceful and stable life.

Head Liu Xuan left quickly with the roast duck in his hand under the gaze of the two. As soon as he left, He Yuzhu, who had been suppressed for a long time, jumped up excitedly.

"Brother Hao, Brother Hao, you are the pillar of the country!

You are bringing honor to your family!

Our hospital is so proud of this!"

Cheng Hao took a deep breath, calmed his excitement, and slowly said: “Zhu Zi, the plaque outside is not only an honor, but also a heavy responsibility.

We must continue to work hard to live up to the expectations of the country and the people."

These words were not only said to He Yuzhu, but also to Cheng Hao himself.

The road ahead is long, and we can’t open the champagne before halftime.

Cheng Hao will continue to strive to achieve even more brilliant results and create a better tomorrow.