Siheyuan: Sap is the last word

"Brother He Yudong, Uncle Liu, Grandpa, what are you talking about? Why are you all so serious?" Banggeng ran up to them, looked up and asked curiously.

He Yudong smiled, squatted down and touched Banggeng's head, "Banggeng, it's nothing serious, let's just talk about family matters. Did you get into trouble again?"

Bang Geng chuckled, "Brother He Yudong, I didn't cause any trouble. I helped my mom chop the firewood at home today, and then I brought my younger brothers and sisters out to play."

Yan Bugui glanced at Banggeng and couldn't help but laugh: "Banggeng, you have really grown up and know how to help with housework. In the future, you should help your mother share more of the work and stop getting into trouble."

Bang Geng listened and showed a bit of pride on his face, "Uncle, don't worry, I will work hard in the future and won't cause trouble for my mother."

He Yudong couldn't help laughing when he saw Banggeng's smug look. He stood up and said to Yan Bugui.

He Yudong was just about to go back to the house when Qin Huairu's voice came from the other end of the yard: "He Yudong, wait a moment." There was some urgency in her voice. He Yudong stopped and turned to look at her.

Qin Huairu trotted over with a forced smile on her face: "He Yudong, I have something I want to ask you for help with, is it convenient?"

He Yudong saw her expression and guessed something in his heart. After all, everyone in the courtyard knew that the Qin family had a hard time recently, especially after Jia Dongxu fell ill. He did not respond directly, but asked, "Huai Ru, what's wrong? Tell me first."

Qin Huairu lowered her head, looking a little embarrassed: "It's like this, I just heard that several factories on the street are recruiting workers, and I think there is no good news from Dongxu yet, so I have to go on with my life. I want to try my luck and see if I can find a temporary job, but I can't leave the children at home."

He Yudong felt sad when he heard this. He knew Qin Huairu's difficulties. After all, a woman had to support the whole family, especially facing Jia Dongxu's illness, the burden on her shoulders was not light. He Yudong hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Huairu, don't worry, I will help you take care of the children. You go and look for them first, and come back at any time if there is any situation."

Qin Huairu heaved a sigh of relief when she heard He Yudong agreed, with a trace of gratitude in her eyes: "He Yudong, thank you so much. I know this matter troubles you, but there is really nothing I can do at home, so I can only go and take a look first."

"Don't say that. We are all neighbors, and we should help each other." He Yudong patted Qin Huairu on the shoulder, his eyes showing determination. He knew that this was the time when Qin Huairu needed support the most, and all he could do was to help her within his ability.

Qin Huairu nodded, said nothing more, and turned around to go back to pack up. He Yudong looked at her back and thought silently in his heart that if Qin Huairu could really find a job, it might be good news for her, but if not, he would have to consider how to help her again. After all, it was not easy for a woman to carry the Qin family's affairs.

At this moment, Liu Haizhong came over again. He seemed to have not recovered from what happened just now, and his face was a little solemn: "He Yudong, you must not spread what I said to you just now. If this matter is really going to be done, we have to think about it carefully."

He Yudong nodded: "Uncle Liu, I understand. We need to be calm about this kind of thing. We can't rush it. Let's wait and see what happens."

Liu Haizhong was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "He Yudong, if the house is really demolished, what do we who have lived here all our lives do? I heard that resettlement housing is usually in the suburbs, so how can we live there?"

He Yudong heard the worry in Liu Haizhong's voice and understood his concerns. No one would be happy if they had to move away from the place where they had lived all their lives. He thought for a moment and said, "Uncle Liu, let's not think about the worst. If this really happens, it will take time. When the time comes, we have to look at the specific compensation and resettlement plan before making plans. Now, we still have to live a good life and can't lose our composure because of this."

Liu Haizhong nodded. Although he still looked a little worried, he was obviously more relaxed. "He Yudong, you know what's going on. Alas, you have been very steady over the years. We old guys can only count on you young people."

He Yudong smiled and said, "Uncle Liu, you are too polite. We young people need to shoulder more responsibilities. You, Uncle, Huairu and the others are all role models for us to learn from."

As they were talking, Jia Zhang suddenly came out of the house. She saw He Yudong and Liu Haizhong together and walked over quickly with a bit of anxiety on her face: "He Yudong, Uncle Liu, are the things you just said true? Are you going to demolish our yard?"

He Yudong was shocked. He originally thought that this matter could be delayed for a while, but he didn't expect that Jia Zhang had heard the news so quickly. He quickly comforted her, "Aunt Jia, don't worry, this matter is still uncertain. Uncle Liu also heard the news, so let's wait and see what happens."

Jia Zhang's face turned pale, and she said hurriedly: "He Yudong, this is no small matter! Our Dongxu is sick now. If we demolish the house at this time, how can we live?"

He Yudong quickly explained: "Auntie, don't worry, if this matter is really to be done, it will definitely take some time. Let's not rush, let's wait for the news."

Liu Haizhong also quickly interrupted: "Yes, Auntie, this matter has not yet been resolved. Don't think too much about it for now, just take care of Dongxu, and we will slowly figure out other things."

After hearing what the two said, Jia Zhang felt a little relieved, but she still couldn't hide the anxiety on her face: "He Yudong, Uncle Liu, you have to be more careful. If there is any disturbance, be sure to tell me as soon as possible. This house is already in such a mess, and I really can't stand it if it is demolished again."

He Yudong nodded: "Auntie, don't worry, we will keep an eye on it. If there is any movement, we will definitely tell you the first time."

Jia Zhang was finally relieved and went back to take care of Jia Dongxu. He Yudong looked at her leaving and felt helpless. The Jia family was not rich to begin with, and now that Jia Dongxu was sick, Jia Zhang was the only one supporting the whole family. The mental pressure can be imagined. If the demolition really happened, the Jia family would probably be the hardest hit.

Liu Haizhong also saw what He Yudong was thinking, and said softly: "He Yudong, don't worry too much about this matter, let's take it one step at a time. Even if it really has to be demolished, it may not be a bad thing, maybe there will be a turnaround."

He Yudong nodded. Although he was still a little uneasy, he knew that it was not the time to draw conclusions. He could only wait and see what the higher-ups would do.

Just as He Yudong and Liu Haizhong continued their discussion, Yan Bugui suddenly came from a distance with a mysterious smile on his face: "He Yudong, Uncle Liu, do you know? This morning, when I went to buy vegetables, I heard something big!"

He Yudong and Liu Haizhong turned their heads at the same time, and Liu Haizhong asked, "What's the big deal? Don't keep us in suspense, just tell us."

Yan Bugui wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a low voice: "I heard that an important figure is coming to inspect our area. I heard that he is a vice governor. This is a good opportunity. Maybe he can bring us good news!"

He Yudong frowned when he heard this: "A big shot is coming to inspect? Who told you this?"

Yan Bugui smiled proudly: "My old friend works in the subdistrict office and has very accurate information. He said that the vice governor has paid special attention to the renovation of the old city before, and perhaps this inspection can bring us some changes."

Liu Haizhong became excited when he heard this: "The vice governor is coming to inspect? That's a big deal! If we can get his attention, maybe we can still save our yard!"

He Yudong did not show too much excitement. He knew that such things often involve too many uncertainties. It was still unknown whether a vice governor's inspection could bring about substantial changes. He said steadily, "Uncle Yan, this news sounds good, but we still have to treat it calmly. The vice governor's inspection is one thing, but whether we can benefit from it depends on the specific situation."

Yan Bugui nodded and said, "He Yudong, you are right. We can't be too optimistic. However, I think there is still hope for this matter. Let's wait and see."

Liu Haizhong also nodded in agreement: "Yes, let's see if this inspection can bring any good news."

The three of them stood in the yard, discussing the upcoming inspection, feeling nervous and expectant. They all knew that this inspection might be a life-changing event.

He Yudong was just about to take out the trash when he ran into Yan Bugui. He was carrying a bag of vegetables, and when he saw He Yudong, he immediately smiled and greeted him, "He Yudong, you're busy so early?"

He Yudong looked back at the trash can in his hand and smiled: "It's too early, let's clean up the house before it gets too hot."

Yan Bugui nodded and waved his hand: "Oh, you young people are just hardworking. I got up this morning and bought some vegetables, thinking of making a good meal for my family at noon today."

He Yudong looked at the bag of vegetables in his hand and couldn't help but joked, "Uncle Yan, what good stuff do you have this time? It smells delicious."

Yan Bugui smiled proudly and raised the bag: "I got it from the third brother through his connections. There are few good things these days, so I have to cherish them."

He Yudong sighed in his heart, who in this courtyard is living a comfortable life? Everyone is the same, struggling to make ends meet, it is rare to see Uncle Yan smile so happily. He asked casually: "Uncle, how is your family doing recently? Is there anything serious at home?"

Yan Bugui shook his head, his expression suddenly darkening: "He Yudong, don't mention it. A few days ago, I heard that they were going to build a road and our alley would be demolished. I was so nervous, I really didn't know what to do."