newbobooks Chapter 783 Grudges
Chapter 783 Grudges
As time went by, the neighbors of the courtyard came and went, but Yi Zhonghai and Auntie were always the backbone of the courtyard. They warmed everyone with their kindness and enthusiasm; they supported each other and faced the ups and downs of life together. In that small courtyard, their story continued, and the warmth of the years always flowed in everyone's heart. Later, the children of the courtyard grew up gradually. Some were admitted to universities and left Beijing; some got married and settled down outside. But no matter where they went, they would not forget the life in the courtyard and the care of Yi Zhonghai and Auntie for them. During the holidays, the children would return to the courtyard to visit the old couple, and the courtyard would be lively again. One Spring Festival, the children all came back and brought their families. The courtyard was decorated with lights and colors, and it was filled with a strong flavor of the New Year. Auntie got up early in the morning to make dumplings, and Yi Zhonghai helped to roll the dough. The children played and set off firecrackers in the yard, with constant laughter. "Uncle, look, how lively it is!" Auntie said with a smile, her face full of happiness. Yi Zhonghai also smiled and nodded: "Yes, seeing that the children are doing well, we are relieved." In the evening, everyone sat together to eat the New Year's Eve dinner, and the table was full of sumptuous dishes. Everyone ate and talked, recalling the past. The children toasted Yi Zhonghai and Auntie, thanking them for their care and love for so many years. "Uncle, Auntie, if it weren't for you, I don't know what I would be like now." Sha Zhu said with emotion. Xu Damao also said: "Yes, I was ignorant before, and I caused you a lot of trouble. Thank you for always tolerating me." Yi Zhonghai and Auntie looked at everything in front of them, and their hearts were warm. They knew that their efforts were worth it. The courtyard is a big family, and they are willing to protect this warmth and beauty. Years are long, and time passes. The story of Yi Zhonghai and Auntie is like a melodious old song, echoing in the sky of the courtyard for a long time, infecting generations of people. They used their lives to interpret what true affection between neighbors and what love of mutual support is.
The grudges and disputes in the courtyard
The sky over the courtyard was pressed down by leaden clouds, and the cold wind swirled dead leaves on the bluestone slabs. Qin Huairu squatted at the door of her house, scrubbing a large basin of clothes in the dim light. Soap bubbles burst between her red fingers, reflecting the warm light coming through the window of Xu Damao's house next door - the boy was listening to the radio in the house again, and the humming opera sounds floated out from time to time, which made her upset. "Oh, Sister Qin is busy again?" Xu Damao came in from the gate of the courtyard with his arms swaying, holding half a pound of pork head in his hand. The greasy oil paper wrapped in it exuded an alluring aroma in the cold wind. He deliberately slowed down his pace and swayed in front of Qin Huairu, "You only know how to wash clothes for Shazhu, and you don't know how to find a man for yourself. Your life is really hard." Qin Huairu straightened up suddenly, and the splashing water splashed on Xu Damao's shiny leather shoes. "Xu Damao, watch your mouth!" Her eyes were blazing with anger. "If you have the time to make up stories about others, you might as well worry more about your own trivial matters." Since Qin Huairu's husband passed away, she had been raising three children alone and had suffered a lot of ridicule from Xu Damao. Relying on his job in the projection team of the steel rolling mill, this man often showed off in the yard and mocked others whenever he got the chance. The two were arguing fiercely when an old man, Yi Zhonghai, came over with a cane. "Stop arguing!" The old man's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty. "It's so cold, if you want to argue, go back to the house." Xu Damao curled his lips, kicked the stones at his feet and left; Qin Huairu clutched the corner of her clothes, her eyes were red, and the grievance in her heart was like the rising tide of the river. Life went on like this in a stumbling manner. Until that winter, Xu Damao's wife ran away with someone else, leaving him alone in the yard. After the news spread, people in the courtyard were talking behind his back. Xu Damao, who was usually arrogant, suddenly became depressed. He began to play the radio all night long, and the sound of opera rang from late at night to dawn, disturbing the neighbors. In the middle of the night, Qin Huairu was awakened by a violent cough. She put on her cotton jacket and went out to check, and found that the sound came from Xu Damao's room. Through the crack in the door, she saw Xu Damao curled up on the kang, his face flushed red, and a pool of filth on the pillow. For some unknown reason, she turned back to the room and boiled a pot of hot water, and then found half a bag of brown sugar - it was saved for the children, gritted her teeth, and poured it all into the water. "Get up and drink some water." Qin Huairu pushed open Xu Damao's door and put the steaming sugar water on the edge of the kang. Xu Damao opened his eyes in a daze, and the moment he saw her, his eyes suddenly turned red. This usually sarcastic man, at this moment, was like a wronged child, grabbing the corner of Qin Huairu's clothes and refusing to let go. Since then, the atmosphere in the courtyard has become subtle. Xu Damao no longer targeted Qin Huairu everywhere, and even occasionally helped her carry two buckets of water. But neither of them mentioned what happened that night, as if they had just reached some kind of tacit understanding. Until the beginning of spring, Xu Damao made a mistake in the steel rolling mill and was suspended from work by the factory for inspection, and he lost his income for a while. On the day the news came, Xu Damao locked himself in the house and did not go out for three days and three nights. Qin Huairu hesitated again and again, and finally put the food coupons she had saved by eating frugally into her arms and knocked on Xu Damao's door. "Take it." She stuffed the food coupons into Xu Damao's hands, "Don't starve yourself." Xu Damao stared at the wrinkled food coupons, his throat tightened: "Sister Qin, I was ignorant before..." "Okay." Qin Huairu interrupted him, "There is still a long way to go, don't get stuck in a dead end." When she turned to leave, she was grabbed by Xu Damao. "Sister Qin, I... I want to live with you." Xu Damao's voice was as small as a mosquito's hum, "I know I am not worthy of you, but I will treat you well and the children in the future." Qin Huairu was stunned. She never thought that she would come to this point with this enemy. Looking at Xu Damao's uneasy look, thinking of his silent changes in these days, her heart seemed to be hit by something. "This matter... I have to ask the children." She lowered her head and her face flushed. However, things are far from that simple. When the neighbors in the yard heard about it, they talked about it. An old man frowned and called Qin Huairu home: "Girl, you have to think clearly, Xu Damao is a person..." Sha Zhu came to the door angrily: "Sister Qin, if you go with him, don't recognize me as your brother in the future!" Qin Huairu was in a dilemma. On one side were the three children. The eldest son Banggeng strongly opposed, saying that Xu Damao had always bullied them. On the other side was Xu Damao. He began to learn how to cook, take care of the children, and even sold his radio to get money to buy stationery for the children.