Siheyuan: Big City, Small Love

Yi Zhonghai and others soon arrived at the market. He Lai held Xiao Yushui in one hand and pulled Yi Zhonghai with the other. There was no other way. He had to have the awareness of a child.

Looking at the bustling market, everyone became excited.

"Have some honey cakes, Aiwowow!" "Donkey rolls full of sugar!" "Selling cornmeal cakes, crispy on both sides!" "Shaobing, spicy!" "Have some hot noodle tea!" Each shout touched people's hearts.

The vendors were shouting their hooves in the hope of attracting the crowd. Xiao Yushui was completely attracted by the dazzling array of delicacies in front of her, staring at them with eagerness and anticipation.

He Lai saw this and had no choice but to let go of Yi Zhonghai's hand, and let Xu Damao take them to buy food.

Before long, He Lai, Xiao Yushui and Xu Damao were carrying all kinds of delicious food. Jia Dongxu stood aside and watched all this, and he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of envy.

He thought to himself: As an office worker, I work hard every day, but now I am not even as good as a child.

After all, he had to hand over almost all of his monthly salary to his family, otherwise his mother would not agree! Thinking of this, Jia Dongxu couldn't help but feel bitter and helpless.

Yi Zhonghai saw his apprentice's embarrassment, so he took out some money to buy some food and the two of them started eating.

He Lai couldn't help but sigh that the capital city is different. This food would definitely be popular in modern times.

Xiao Yushui held He Lai's hand with one hand and ate candied haws with the other hand, feeding He Lai one from time to time.

Fortunately, He Lai brought a small cloth bag, otherwise it would be difficult to carry it. But I didn’t dare let go, because if I lost it, it would be over. I had to have the awareness of an old father.

The three of them strolled leisurely and stopped at a circus to watch the juggling shows of that era. There were no colorful costumes, no real kung fu with the aid of props. All they saw were a few naked men dancing and wielding sticks, each showing off his unique skills.

"A Pillar Supporting the Sky", "Arhat Striking the Bell", "Tiger Sticking Its Tail Upside Down", "King Qin Standing on the Monument" - the many exquisite moves in the flagpole performances at the old Tianqiao Bridge once made the people of Beijing linger.

The five people also watched with great interest. After the performance, the famous and wealthy people showed their support with money, and the famous people showed their support with their presence. He Lai also followed Yi Zhonghai and smiled and gave 500.

The five people continued to walk forward, and not far ahead they saw another bustling scene. It turned out that many rural people gathered here to set up stalls to sell various items. The small stalls were set up on the ground, with many categories.

These stalls sell not only poultry such as chickens and ducks, but also fresh eggs and duck eggs; in addition, there are a variety of wild ingredients picked from the mountains and vegetable seedlings suitable for winter planting.

He Lai was attracted by these vegetable seedlings. He started picking them with great interest and bought some spinach seedlings, cabbage seedlings and radish seedlings.

Thinking that his small yard could be used to grow these vegetables, he also bought some eggs.

When others saw such a rich variety of goods, they were also excited and each bought something.

Jia Dongxu took the initiative to help carry the things his master bought, thinking to himself: Master should be able to give me some!

When these people stepped into the compound, they each walked towards their homes.

He Lai walked through the front yard with the rain and came to the backyard. When he looked up, he found He Daqing sitting quietly in his yard, seemingly thinking about something.

He Lai thought, it seems that Uncle He is worried about the little rain.

Sure enough, when Xiao Yushui looked up and saw his father in the yard, a strong feeling of fatigue surged into his heart like a tide, and he started running in small steps.

Xiao Yushui fell into her father's arms. He Daqing immediately held her in his arms, patted her back gently, and murmured, "Good girl, Daddy is here...", constantly coaxing his little cotton-padded jacket.

While Xiao Yushui was telling He Daqing about the interesting things that happened at the market, she fed him the remaining two candied haws, which made He Daqing smile.

Wu Juan had also prepared the meal, but when she saw the pile of food next to He Lai, she called it a waste of money.

I found that there were still many seedlings, so I immediately took off my apron and started planting them by the yard.

He Lai was learning on the side. After all, Wu Juan was born in the countryside, so growing vegetables was easy for her. In a short while, the seedlings were spread all over one side of the yard.

He Lai suddenly felt that he needed a vegetable rack. After all, winter was coming soon, and it would rain and snow. He had to ask Uncle Li to make one tomorrow.

After everyone washed up, the four of them gathered around the table and started eating.

"Thank you, sister-in-law, for taking such good care of Yu Shui. The child lost her mother when she was young and she has suffered so much. I..." He Daqing also spoke with emotion.

"Brother He, why are you saying this? I'm dying to have a daughter. Yu Shui is so cute, I love her so much. This is the daughter-in-law I've chosen! Isn't that right, Yu Shui?" Wu Juan said, holding Yu Shui's little hand.

Xiao Yushui didn't know what a daughter-in-law was, so she just smiled. He Lai blushed and didn't refute.

He Daqing also laughed and agreed, "Then let Yu Shui recognize a godmother first, and we'll talk about it later."

Wu Juan took Yu Shui from He Daqing's arms and asked her to call her godmother. Yu Shui also timidly called out "godmother".

He Daqing also pulled He Lai into his arms, with a look of admiration on his face, but he didn't force He Lai to call him godfather or anything like that.

After some greetings, He Daqing returned home. Wu Juan took the two kids to take a bath and waited for her mother to dry her.

He Lai immediately wrapped himself in a piece of clothing and ran into his room, which made Xiao Yushui and Wu Juan giggle. Hey, when can I wash myself? I'm an adult!

I crawled into the thick bed, thinking about going to school again tomorrow, and I felt sleepy...

The next day I woke up alone again. Why do people these days get up so early? So stupid! I despise them.

As usual, I ate and exercised, watered the seedlings, put on my schoolbag and ran to school.

As soon as he got to his seat, he lay down and fell asleep. The sound of reading could be heard next to him, and He Lai was also sleeping soundly.

Fortunately, he sat in the last row. Everyone knew that He Lai's father had recently gone to the battlefield, and the teacher felt a little sympathetic towards him. Fortunately, his grades had always been good and he did not affect other students, so the teacher just let him do what he wanted.

Otherwise, given the temperament of teachers in that era, the child would have been given a set of rulers and a parent-teacher package.

The morning reading was over, and my deskmate Li Jianguo admired me very much. After all, not everyone dared to sleep. In this era, the concept of respecting teachers and valuing education is very deep. No matter how well you study, you have to treat it well during class time.