Siheyuan: Sap is the last word

"It doesn't matter whether I care or not." After saying this, Jia Zhang turned around, ignored them, and walked straight to her room.

This made the atmosphere in the courtyard even more solemn. Everyone looked at each other, feeling helpless. Liu Haizhong broke the silence: "Alas, this person is always like this. If everyone is as negative as her, then life will be unbearable."

Yan Bugui frowned: "But we can't ignore her feelings. After all, she is the head of the family."

He Yudong frowned, thinking about the feelings of everyone in the courtyard. He felt that everyone's worries were normal, but he also knew that it was in this anxiety that they could better unite. He said firmly: "We can't let Jia Zhang's momentary impulse affect everyone's emotions. On the contrary, we should be more united and reflect the real situation to the government."

"Yes!" Qin Huairu nodded in support, with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "We should brainstorm and think about how to make the government understand our difficulties."

"I think we can call a meeting to discuss this," Liu Guangtian suggested. "This way everyone can speak up and express their thoughts, and maybe we can find a solution."

Yan Bugui nodded slightly: "This is a good idea. We are all in the same courtyard. If we communicate more with each other, maybe we can increase our understanding."

He Yudong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and everyone's mood seemed to have changed a little. He continued, "Then let's set a time and hold a small meeting so that everyone can express their ideas. This way everyone's voice can be heard."

At this time, Liu Haizhong had already started to get busy. He picked up a wooden board at hand and began to write on it: "Everyone will meet - time: the night after tomorrow, location: the center of the yard, topic: discuss the demolition matters."

Looking at the words he wrote, everyone gave some ideas and suggestions, and the atmosphere began to ease slowly. He Yudong was secretly glad that he could gather everyone's emotions together under such circumstances. It was a good start.

However, at this moment, the deaf old lady suddenly poked her head out of her room and said in a weak but emotional voice: "What are you guys talking about? Tell me too, I want to listen!"

Everyone was stunned, and then Liu Haizhong stepped forward and said, "Old lady, we are discussing the matter in the yard. I heard that it might be demolished."

The deaf old lady was immediately surprised: "Demolition? This is terrible! I have lived here for so many years, I really don't want to move away!"

He Yudong immediately realized that the old lady was also a very sensitive person. He stepped forward to comfort her: "Old lady, we are not sure about this either. It may just be a rumor. Don't worry too much. Let's work together and we can always find a way."

After hearing this, the deaf old lady nodded slowly and said, "Young man, I believe you! But I really don't want to move away from here. Everyone is good here, and I like it here too."

He Yudong felt warm in his heart. He knew that everyone in this courtyard was working hard for their lives. Even though there were rumors of demolition, the unity and friendship of the people were the most important. He tried to appear calm and determined: "Old lady, we will definitely find a way. Together, we will always find a solution."

"Yeah!" The deaf old lady nodded, and her expression gradually relaxed.

At this time, Liu Haizhong next to him had already prepared a meeting notice. Everyone expressed their support and the atmosphere became much more relaxed. He Yudong thought that such unity was the most precious thing in life.

"By the way, old lady, have you ever thought of any opinions? We can also discuss it at the meeting." He Yudong asked tentatively.

The deaf old lady tilted her head and thought for a moment: "I think it would be great if the government could consider the opinions of ordinary people more."

"That's a really good thing to say," Liu Guangtian interjected. "We should actively voice our opinions and let the government know what we need."

Yan Bugui also nodded and said: "We have all lived here for so many years, we need to discuss it carefully."

He Yudong knew that the next meeting would be a critical moment. He hoped that through everyone's joint efforts, everyone in this courtyard could have a good home. Just as everyone was talking heatedly, Dongxu came out of the house and happened to hear the discussion. He looked at the atmosphere around him with some doubts: "What are you talking about? Why are you so serious?"

"Dongxu, we are discussing the demolition." Qin Huairu stepped forward and answered.

Dong Xu was stunned, then frowned: "Demolition? This is no small matter. How come this kind of news came out again?"

"Yes, we are worried too." Liu Guangtian added, "We plan to hold a meeting and discuss it together."

He Yudong is a man in his forties, with a burly figure and a face full of stubble. He has lived in this large courtyard in the old city for a long time, and he has become familiar with the neighbors around him. He Yudong knows everyone's temperament and hobbies. He Yudong's family is considered an old resident in this courtyard, and he has lived here since his father's generation. His parents died early, and He Yudong and his unmarried sister Xiaohua depended on each other for life. In recent years, he has relied on factory work to make a living, which is not bad.

That evening, He Yudong had just returned from the factory. As he turned into the yard on his old, paint-chipped bicycle, he saw Yan Bugui standing at the gate with a cigarette in his mouth, staring at Yi Zhonghai in the front yard with an unfriendly look.

"He Yudong is back!" Yan Bugui saw him and grinned, revealing his yellow teeth. "What are you busy with? Factory work is not easy, right?"

He Yudong parked the car steadily beside the courtyard wall. "That's it. As long as I can have enough food, it's fine."

Yan Bugui smiled but glanced towards Yi Zhonghai, "Hey, so you have a good temper. You are not like some people who look down on others just because they have some connections in the factory."

He Yudong followed his gaze and saw Yi Zhonghai standing with Qin Huairu, seemingly discussing something. He Yudong knew that everyone in this courtyard had some ulterior motives. Yi Zhonghai was a good man, but also shrewd. Qin Huairu was a widow with three children, and she had made many calculations.

"Come on, we are neighbors, we see each other every day, there is no need to look down on each other. Let's just be friendly." He Yudong patted Yan Bugui on the shoulder, trying to change the subject.

"You are quite open-minded," Yan Bugui narrowed his eyes slightly, "but I heard recently that the factory is going to lay off people. Have you heard about it?"

He Yudong was stunned for a moment. This was a big deal. He shook his head and said, "I haven't heard about it, but the factory has indeed been a little bit unstable recently."

Seeing that He Yudong looked a little serious, Yan Bugui continued, "You have to be more careful and don't let others trick you."

He Yudong nodded, but he felt a little uneasy. Although the work in the factory these years was hard, the salary was relatively stable. If there was really a layoff, it would be difficult for him to find a new job at his age.

As they were talking, Qin Huairu walked towards them with a smile on her face, "He Yudong, I was just talking to Uncle Yi about you, is there any movement in your factory recently?"

He Yudong looked at Qin Huairu and thought that this woman was indeed well-informed. "Why, you heard about it too?"

Qin Huairu nodded, a shrewd look in her eyes, "That's right, I heard someone say the other day when I was buying groceries outside, it seems that there is a new policy to reduce the number of staff."

"There's no confirmation yet, so don't worry too much." He Yudong tried his best to look relaxed.

Qin Huairu was relentless, "He Yudong, you are the backbone of the family. If there is any disturbance in the factory, you must make plans early."

He Yudong felt a little annoyed, but he also knew that what Qin Huairu said made sense. He was about to go home when he suddenly heard a noise coming from the backyard.

"Why is Liu Haizhong angry again?" He Yudong frowned.

"I guess those two kids from his family are causing trouble again," Yan Bugui muttered, "Those two brats from Old Liu's family are more naughty than the other."

He Yudong sighed and hurried to the backyard. Liu Haizhong's two sons, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, have always been troublesome people in the yard since they were young, and making trouble is commonplace. I don't know what they did this time.

As soon as he walked to the backyard, He Yudong saw Liu Haizhong pulling his son's ears and angrily scolding: "You two, be quiet! If you cause trouble again, I'll show you how I'll deal with you!"

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu looked aggrieved, but they dared not talk back and could only stand there and let their father teach them a lesson. The deaf old lady poked her head out of the house, shook her head and sighed.

"Old Liu, calm down and stop using force. Children are sometimes ignorant." He Yudong stepped forward and advised.

Liu Haizhong finally let go of his hand, panting heavily, "Brother He Yudong, you don't know, these two brats broke the wooden fence at the entrance of the Jia family again, Jia Zhang almost blew up my house just now!"

He Yudong smiled helplessly, "Don't be too anxious, children will always be naughty sometimes, just teach them slowly."

"Brother He Yudong, it's easy for you to say that. I find it strange that these two little bastards don't cause trouble every day." Liu Haizhong shook his head helplessly.

At this time, Jia Zhang came over from the front yard, pointed at Liu Haizhong's nose and started to scold: "How can these two brats in your family be allowed to go? They make trouble all day long. They kicked down the fence that I just repaired! Do you have to pay some money?"

He Yudong quickly stood between the two of them, "Aunt Jia, calm down, let's talk it over. Children are naughty, so let's pool the money to repair the fence, what do you think?"

"What success!" Jia Zhang's eyes widened, "We can't just let this go. If you don't settle this matter today, I will never let you go!"

He Yudong looked at Jia Zhang's tough attitude and knew he couldn't give in any more. He turned around and said to Liu Haizhong, "Old Liu, the children did something wrong this time. Paying some money to Aunt Jia will also be an explanation to her."