Siheyuan: A journey of mountains and rivers

After a visit, He Yuzhu and Xiao Yang talked about the future.

"Xiao Yang, what are your plans?" He Yuzhu asked.

Xiao Yang was silent for a while, and a firm look flashed in his eyes: "Brother Zhuzi, I have made up my mind. When I recover, I will continue to work hard and live up to everyone's expectations."

He Yuzhu nodded with satisfaction: "Good job, Xiao Yang, I believe you can do it."

As time went by, life in the courtyard remained ordinary and warm. He Yuzhu still rode his bicycle, busy with work and neighborhood chores. Whenever he saw Xiao Yang gradually recovering and regaining vitality, his heart was always filled with comfort and satisfaction.

He Yuzhu has always been a warm-hearted person, and the neighborhood relations in Siheyuan have become more and more harmonious under his efforts. But recently, he found something that made him uneasy.

Qin Huairu is a widow in a courtyard house. She always takes care of several children carefully and looks very pitiful. He Yuzhu has always sympathized with her and often helps her solve some difficulties in life. However, as time goes by, He Yuzhu gradually realizes that Qin Huairu seems to be not just asking for help, but sometimes her actions and words are a bit calculating.

One evening, He Yuzhu was sorting bicycles in the yard when he heard Qin Huairu and several neighbors talking in low voices in the kitchen. He stopped what he was doing and listened closely.

"Oh, I have to ask Brother He for help again during this period." Qin Huairu sighed, with a hint of helplessness and expectation in her tone.

"Huai Ru, you always trouble Zhuzi, isn't that bad?" Sister Li advised in a low voice.

"There's nothing I can do. It's really hard for a woman like me to take care of several children." Qin Huairu's voice sounded aggrieved.

He Yuzhu's heart sank when he heard this. He recalled the past. Qin Huairu did ask him for help many times, but he didn't think much about it every time. He just thought it was a favor. However, at this moment, he suddenly felt that he might be used. He decided to find an opportunity to talk to Qin Huairu and find out her true thoughts.

The next morning, He Yuzhu saw Qin Huairu hanging clothes in the yard. He walked over and greeted her with a smile: "Huairu, good morning."

Qin Huairu turned around and saw He Yuzhu, with a hint of a smile on her face: "Brother Zhuzi, good morning. How come you are free today?"

"I'm taking a break and want to talk to you." He Yuzhu's tone was calm, but there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Qin Huairu was a little confused, but still nodded: "Okay, Brother Zhuzi, go ahead."

He Yuzhu took a deep breath and asked directly: "Huai Ru, I want to know, you always ask me for help recently, is there any special reason?"

Qin Huairu was stunned for a moment, and the smile on her face was a little stiff, but she quickly returned to normal: "Brother Zhuzi, what do you mean by this? I am a woman with several children, and it is indeed difficult for me, so I ask for your help."

He Yuzhu nodded, his eyes never leaving Qin Huairu's face: "I understand your difficulties, but sometimes I feel that you are taking advantage of everyone's kindness, especially mine."

Qin Huairu's face changed slightly, and then she looked aggrieved: "Brother Zhuzi, I am sad when you say that. How could I use you? We are all neighbors, and I have always treated you as a relative."

He Yuzhu remained unmoved and continued, "Huai Ru, it's not that I don't want to help, but I hope you can treat us sincerely. No one in the courtyard is rich, and everyone is supporting each other. I hope you can understand everyone's difficulties and don't always rely on others."

Qin Huairu lowered her head, a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes: "I'm sorry, Brother Zhuzi, I understand what you mean. I will try my best to solve the problem myself in the future and not trouble you again."

He Yuzhu felt a little relieved when she said this: "Huai Ru, I hope you can be independent. After all, children also need a strong mother. If you really have difficulties, we will still help you, but I hope you can think more about yourself and the children."

Qin Huairu nodded with a complicated expression on her face: "Thank you, Brother Zhuzi, I will try my best."

Since then, He Yuzhu found that Qin Huairu did ask for help less often. She began to participate more actively in various activities in the courtyard and rely more on herself to solve the problems in life. This made He Yuzhu feel relieved. He knew that only by being independent can one truly change his life.

However, He Yuzhu did not completely let go of his doubts about Qin Huairu. He felt that he needed to be more cautious. After all, the human relationships in the courtyard were complicated, everyone had their own life problems, and he also needed to protect his life and hard work.

One night, He Yuzhu was getting ready to go to bed when he heard hurried footsteps and a low-pitched argument in the yard. He quickly put on his clothes and walked out of the house. It turned out that Qin Huairu was arguing with a strange man in the yard. The man looked a little fierce, and Qin Huairu seemed a little panicked.

"Pay me back the money! Otherwise don't blame me for being rude!" the man said viciously.

Qin Huairu responded nervously: "Give me some time, I will definitely pay you back."

He Yuzhu frowned, took a step forward, and shouted sternly: "Stop! What's going on?"

The man turned around and saw He Yuzhu. He hesitated, but still said viciously: "This is the money she owes me. It has nothing to do with you!"

He Yuzhu said calmly: "This is a courtyard house, we are all neighbors, if you have anything to say, just talk it out and don't make a move."

When Qin Huairu saw He Yuzhu stand up, a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes, and she hurriedly explained: "Brother Zhuzi, this is Brother Liu. I owe him some money, and he came to collect the debt today."

He Yuzhu nodded and said to the man, "Brother Liu, calm down first. Huairu will definitely pay you back. Why not give her some time?"

The man hesitated for a moment, and finally glared at Qin Huairu: "Okay, I'll give you another week, otherwise you can handle it yourself!" After that, he turned and left.

Qin Huairu breathed a sigh of relief, tears welling up in her eyes: "Brother Zhuzi, thank you. If it weren't for you, I really don't know what to do."

He Yuzhu frowned and asked, "Huai Ru, how much money do you owe? Why are you in debt?"

Qin Huairu lowered her head and said in a low voice: "I borrowed some money for the children's tuition before, but now I can't pay it back."

He Yuzhu's heart sank, knowing that the situation was more complicated than he thought. He sighed and said, "Huai Ru, this is not a solution. You need to find a stable source of income to solve the problem. Borrowing money will only make the situation worse."