Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

When everyone in Courtyard 95 went to work in the morning, they saw a strange scene. Sha Zhu spoke a few words to Qin Huairu for the first time, and the two of them walked out of the courtyard one after the other.

When Yi Zhonghai walked to the front yard and met Yan Bugui, the two of them actually smiled at each other, giving people a feeling of mutual understanding.

The people in the courtyard looked at each other in bewilderment. Several families that had disliked each other for several years actually started to get in touch with each other again. Just one night had passed. Wasn't the world changing too fast?

Whether you can see through it or not, those who need to go to work still have to go to work, and those who need to find odd jobs cannot sit idle at home.

Only the housewives sat in the sun in groups of three or four, chatting and guessing about various possibilities.

"Yan Bugui, stop dawdling."

Two aunties wearing red armbands from the neighborhood committee came to the front yard. Their main job was to supervise bad elements like Yan Bugui who were criticized and punished to sweep the streets, and to prevent them from being lazy.

Yan Bugui didn't say anything. He knew that the more he talked, the more mistakes he would make. So he picked up the broom and went out.

Start sweeping from the alley in front of the door.

Yan Bugui was sweeping in front and the two aunts were following behind. Whenever there was a corner that was not swept clean, they would come back and sweep it again.

Whether or not the job of sweeping the streets is tiring depends on the mood of the neighborhood committee supervisor.

I'm in a good mood, it doesn't matter, just pass it in one go.

I'm sorry if you're in a bad mood, but you have to clean the corners with your hands.

This is their right.

Of course you should use the rights you have. As the old saying goes: Rights expire if they are not used.

The auntie from the neighborhood committee followed Yan Bugui closely, and he was really exhausted along the way. It took him more than an hour to walk from Yard 95 to the public toilet, which was less than meters.

When they arrived at the public toilet, Yan Bugui said he wanted to go to the toilet.

Eating, drinking, defecating and urinating are human nature. No matter how bad your mood is, you cannot prevent people from going to the toilet. The neighborhood committee supervisor could only nod in agreement.

Yan Bugui took the opportunity to rest in the men's restroom for five or six minutes while going to the toilet.

When Yan Bugui came out, the two supervisors had disappeared.

Since no one was there, he decided to continue resting. Yan Bugui squatted by the wall in the sun, holding a broom and basking in the sun.

"Yan Lao-kuo, Yan Lao-kuo."

Jia Zhang climbed out of the shack and started shouting when she saw Yan Bugui squatting against the wall.

Yan Bugui ignored her. As a neighbor for many years, he knew that the more you pay attention to someone like Jia Zhang, the more excited she becomes.

"Old Yan, don't play deaf. Do you believe that I will report you for being lazy?"

"Jia Zhang, have you eaten too much shit in the public toilet? Do I have no name?"

If Jia Zhang was in good health, Yan Bugui really wouldn't dare to speak to her like this. But now it's fine. Jia Zhang is so thin that she can't walk and has difficulty speaking.

"Yan Laokou, you are good. Just wait for me to report you."

After saying this, Jia Zhang began to pant heavily.

"Ms. Jia Zhang, if you have something to say, please talk to me nicely. Don't keep reporting me. If you are reporting me, you should do some good deeds."

After saying that, Yan Bugui stood up, walked along the wall, and pretended to sweep the floor.

"Jia Zhang, Jia Zhang"

After a long while, there was no sound from Jia Zhang. Yan Bugui tried calling her twice, but still no response. Yan Bugui's heart skipped a beat. Could Jia Zhang be dead?

"Yan Laokou, is there anything to eat? Give me something to eat."

Jia Zhang's weak voice was heard again. Yan Bugui heaved a sigh of relief and felt relieved. As long as he was not dead, it would be fine.

If Jia Zhang was really dead, she would be investigated and she would not be able to explain herself then.

"Jia Zhang, I thought you were dead?"

"Bah... Old Yan, even if you die, I won't die. I'm still waiting for my grandson to come back and avenge me."

Jia Zhang spoke softly and slowly, her weak voice mingled with hatred.

Yan Bugui wanted to say something, but then he changed his mind and decided not to get angry with a dying man. Thinking of this, Yan Bugui softened his voice and said, "Jia Zhang, for the sake of our long-term neighbors, just say what you want to say."

"Old Yan, can you find me something to eat? That bitch Qin Huairu didn't bring me any food today."

If she hadn't really no strength, Jia Zhang would have started cursing long ago. Qin Huairu passed by the public toilet on her way to work. She and Sha Zhu walked in front and behind each other, calling each other "Zhu". It was infuriating to hear them calling her "Zhu".

"My family doesn't have any surplus food, Jia Zhang, you should just bear with it. I heard that the doctor doesn't allow you to eat too much because of your illness."

"Yan Laokou, you are bullshitting. The doctor told me not to eat too much. He didn't tell me that I was starving to death and I was not allowed to eat."

Jia Zhang was excited, as if she suddenly had strength, and her voice became much louder.

"Jia Zhang, you are vulgar."

Yan Bu couldn't even lift his noble broom.

"Mr. Yan, just tell me whether you will give it to me or not, okay?"

"Ms. Jia Zhang, I am now being punished to sweep the streets, so I don't have time to prepare food for you."

Yan Bugui has always been the one taking advantage of others, but today Jia Zhang is still thinking of taking advantage of him. Is it so easy to take advantage of Yan Bugui?

"Yan Laokou, okay, when the supervisor comes later, don't blame me."

"Jia Zhang, you, you wait."

Yan Bugui finally decided to go home and make a steamed bun for Jia Zhang. If Jia Zhang really talked nonsense in front of the supervisor and the punishment was increased, it would be a waste of time and effort.

Seeing that Yan Bugui agreed, Jia Zhang took out another bottle from the shack and said, "Old Yan, bring me some more hot water."

Yan Bugui took the bottle reluctantly and trotted back home. He had to get the job done before the supervisor came back, otherwise he would have to explain again later.

"Didi didi..."

When a car horn sounded, Jia Zhang retreated back into her shack. She was afraid she would be hit by a car and die, and then she would not be able to wait for her beloved grandson Banggeng to return.

"Bah, sooner or later you'll crash into a tree and kill yourself, you bastard."

"Liu Guozheng, you are a rich but unkind person."

"I have nothing to eat, and you won't even ask for help. Be careful not to choke to death on your meat."

After the jeep passed by, Jia Zhang stuck her head out to look at the car going away, cursing viciously. She recognized the car; it was Liu Guozheng's.

She only dared to curse quietly behind others' backs. Now, whenever she heard a car horn, she didn't dare to stop it. She would just stay in the shack and wait until the car passed before she would show her head and curse a few more times.

Liu Guozheng rolled down the car window and said jokingly, "Teacher Yan, sweep this alley well and clean it up. Don't be lazy."

Then he got in the car and drove away. Yan Bu was so arrogant that he could only say to the back of the car: "You brat."