Siheyuan: A Family of Loyal and Brave People

Hearing that Cheng Hao and He Yuzhu both lost their official positions, the neighbors present did not express much, but they were deeply saddened. After several years on the battlefield, wading through the hail of bullets, crawling among the dead, and finally returning to the starting point, it would be better to stay in the city, maybe life would be better.

Cheng Hao was not annoyed when he felt the enthusiasm of his neighbors fading quickly. He had long seen through the kind of people in the courtyard. They were snobbish at best and not worth making friends with, let alone wasting energy on.

"Cheng Hao, where's Guang Qi?

Have you seen my Guangqi?"

Liu Haizhong, who received the news, came running from the backyard and asked Cheng Hao about Liu Guangqi's news without waiting for a breath.

Three young men from the courtyard joined the army one after another. Seeing Cheng Hao's rise step by step, Liu Haizhong couldn't help but think of letting his son go to the battlefield to win fame. Liu Haizhong had never been to the battlefield, but seeing Cheng Hao doing so well, he thought that going to the army was a good job with only benefits and no harm.

Of course, he would give this good opportunity to his favorite eldest son Liu Guangqi. As for the remaining two sons, they could just find a job to make a living. Anyway, Liu Haizhong didn't expect to rely on them for his retirement.

"Liu Guangqi also joined the army?"

Cheng Hao was slightly startled at first, then asked seriously: "When did he join the army, and which unit did he join?"

Liu Haizhong took a breath and quickly responded, "I just joined the army at the beginning of the year. I think I went to the 97th Division!"

"97th Division..." Cheng Hao hesitated for a moment and shook his head and said, "I don't know much about the 97th Division. Maybe they haven't returned yet."

Cheng Hao had been stationed in the rear with the 702nd Regiment for a long time, and he didn't know much about the news of other troops on the front line. Even if he knew, he couldn't leak it easily.

"Then...then when will he come back?"

Liu Hai felt a little disappointed for not getting the confirmation, and a sense of loneliness appeared in his slightly closed eyes.

Seeing that Cheng Hao and He Yuzhu had both returned, but Liu Guangqi had not yet received any news, Liu Haizhong was anxious and regretful. If he had known this, he should not have rushed his eldest son to the battlefield. He should have let the two little bastards at home go and explore the way first.

"I don't know either. I'll know when the time comes."

No matter what, Liu Haizhong is now a soldier's family member, so Cheng Hao was more polite when speaking.

The war was cruel, and many people died in the more than two years of fighting. Cheng Hao could foresee that many people would come to him to inquire about the news or ask for an explanation.

A general's success is the result of the sacrifice of hundreds of soldiers. Cheng Hao had already prepared himself mentally and was ready to take responsibility for anything that came his way.

Not long after Liu Haizhong left, three more families came to inquire about the children, and Cheng Hao gave serious answers to each of them.

After dealing with the neighbors, the atmosphere in the yard calmed down.

Tomorrow is not the weekend, the neighbors are all busy with work, and He Yuzhu is busy reuniting with his family and has no time to pay attention to Cheng Hao for the time being.

When the noise in the middle courtyard gradually died down, Cheng Hao was left standing alone in front of his house, staring at the plaque on the door frame that was as clean as ever.

It seems that not all residents of the courtyard house are heartless, and they even know how to help Cheng Hao wipe it.

After opening the door, the Cheng family's old house was very clean. It seemed that Qin Huairu helped with cleaning. However, since no one had lived there for a long time, it inevitably had a stale air.

Cheng Hao opened the doors and windows, ventilated the room for a while before turning on the light and looking around his simple house.

The war is over, weapons are put into storage and horses are released into the mountains. Having bid farewell to his military career, Cheng Hao will now live a peaceful life in the old city.

……

The next day, before dawn, Cheng Hao, who was used to getting up early, woke up.

Returning to the Siheyuan does not mean that he can relax and unwind. There are still many things waiting for Cheng Hao to do.

Apart from anything else, the leaky house needs to be repaired quickly. Many tiles on the roof are broken. You can look up at the stars at night. It is foreseeable that once it rains heavily, the house will definitely turn into a water curtain cave.

Various household items should also be purchased and improved as soon as possible.

It's not like Cheng Hao has never been homeless before, but if he has the conditions, he still prefers to live in a comfortable place. Besides, if there are guests in this shabby house, he would be embarrassed to entertain them.

Over the years, Cheng Hao has saved a lot of money and doesn't have to worry about funding at all. Even demolishing the old house and rebuilding it is no problem.

Countless thoughts flashed through Cheng Hao's mind. He shook his head and after sobering up a little, he decided to fill his stomach first.

Food must be eaten one bite at a time and the road must be walked one step at a time. He has plenty of time now, so he can clean up slowly.

Cheng Hao opened the door and walked out of the house. He stretched and was about to enjoy the fresh morning air, but he saw a figure standing upright not far from his house.

"Jia Zhang, what do you mean?"

Cheng Hao had just taught Jia Zhang a lesson last night, but he didn't expect that she would dare to come over this morning.

"Where is my son now?"

Jia Zhang's eyes were bloodshot and she looked listless, as if she hadn't slept all night. With her son gone, the only hope of the Jia family was gone. Jia Zhang's faith collapsed and she almost wanted to die, but she was unwilling to give up without seeing her son's body and wanted to try again.

"Jia Dongxu's body is buried in a mass grave outside Jincheng Town in North Korea. You should just give up."

Jia Zhang had fallen into such a state, Cheng Hao was in no mood to make things difficult for her.

As long as Jia Zhang doesn't cause trouble, Cheng Hao doesn't bother to care.

"North Korea, Jincheng Town? Where is it? Tell me, tell me quickly!"

Upon hearing the news about her son, Jia Zhang became extremely excited, her breathing became rapid, and her voice trembled.

"In that direction. You can ask someone for details yourself."

Cheng Hao estimated and pointed in a general direction.

Jia Zhang had never left the territory of Sijiu City in her entire life. After making a fuss for a few days, she would stop when her energy was exhausted.

Upon learning the direction, Jia Zhang immediately turned back into the house. A moment later, she left the courtyard with a small package on her back, and no one knew where she was going.

Cheng Hao looked at Jia Zhang's miserable back, shook his head and sighed, and left the courtyard. He planned to have breakfast first, then find a mason to repair the house. By the way, he would ask if there was a suitable independent courtyard nearby.

The ancestral house is kept to commemorate the relatives. If you really want to live comfortably, you have to move out of the compound. Cheng Hao doesn't want to squeeze the faucet and toilet with the neighbors anymore.

When he has his own yard, Cheng Hao plans to get a separate bathroom. Then he won’t have to go to the bathhouse and can take a comfortable bath at home.

The summer in Sijiu City is very hot. As soon as the sky gets light and the sun hasn't come out completely, Cheng Hao can clearly feel the temperature rising. He can't help but quicken his pace, wanting to finish his breakfast while it's still cool.

Arriving at the fried liver restaurant that He Yuzhu had recommended, Cheng Hao ordered a few steamed buns and two cups of soy milk, then sat at a small open-air table outside the restaurant and feasted on the food.

I haven't eaten it for two years, but the buns in this fried liver shop are still the same as before, with thin skin, big fillings, and full of juice. It's so delicious that oil will flow from the corners of your mouth when you take a bite.