Siheyuan: A journey of mountains and rivers

Xu Damao nodded, and after a long silence, he finally spoke: "Actually, I was criticized at the factory that day, and I felt very upset. Seeing you talking and laughing with everyone, I felt even more unhappy."

"Everyone has their own troubles," He Yuzhu looked at Xu Damao seriously, "It's not like I haven't had setbacks and sadness, but we can't let these bring us down."

"You're right," Xu Damao's eyes flashed with emotion, "We should all work hard. We have to live on."

"If there's anything I can help you with, just tell me," He Yuzhu extended his hand, "We're all under the same roof anyway."

Xu Damao held He Yuzhu's hand and felt a long-lost warmth in his heart. At this moment, their contradictions seemed to be melted in the autumn sun. Although the misunderstandings of the past still existed, they both understood that the future could be better.

From that day on, the atmosphere between He Yuzhu and Xu Damao was no longer tense. The two gradually began to chat occasionally in the factory, and Xu Damao even took the initiative to ask He Yuzhu for some cooking tips. In the process of teaching Xu Damao to cook, He Yuzhu found that Xu Damao was actually a thoughtful person, but he was not good at expressing himself.

"Yuzhui, I can never get the heat right. Is there any trick?" Xu Damao asked while stir-frying the vegetables in the pot.

"You need more practice," He Yuzhu instructed. "The timing of the fire depends on experience. You will get the feel of it after trying a few more times."

Xu Damao nodded seriously and listened carefully to He Yuzhu's advice. Although he was not very enthusiastic about cooking, he was willing to try new things and challenge himself, which made He Yuzhu have a new understanding of him.

Not long after, the factory held a cooking competition for employees, and Xu Damao decided to participate under the encouragement of He Yuzhu. Although it was just a small competition, it was an opportunity for Xu Damao to break through himself.

On the day of the competition, He Yuzhu stood beside Xu Damao, giving him support and help. Although Xu Damao was nervous, he successfully completed his dish under He Yuzhu's guidance. When his dish was tasted by the judges, Xu Damao's heart was in his throat.

"Not bad, Damao, this dish tastes very good." One of the judges praised, and Xu Damao couldn't help but smile.

After the competition, Xu Damao did not get a ranking, but he was satisfied with his performance. He knew that this competition was not only a challenge, but also an improvement in the relationship between him and He Yuzhu.

"Thank you, Yuzhu. Without your help, I might not have participated in this competition." Xu Damao said to He Yuzhu gratefully.

"Your participation shows your courage," He Yuzhu patted him on the shoulder. "We are all constantly surpassing ourselves, and that is the most important thing."

Since then, the relationship between Xu Damao and He Yuzhu has become more harmonious. Although the two have different personalities, they are both trying to find the fun and meaning of life. He Yuzhu also saw his own shortcomings from Xu Damao's experience and learned to better understand and tolerate others.

After the relationship between He Yuzhu and Xu Damao eased, life in the courtyard returned to peace. Everyone was busy with their own work, but they could always get together after get off work and enjoy their leisure time after dinner. However, some things always emerge inadvertently, catching people off guard.

One evening, He Yuzhu had just returned from get off work at the factory. Before he had time to change out of his work clothes, there was a hurried knock at the door. He Yuzhu walked over quickly, opened the door, and saw a strange boy standing at the door, his face full of confusion and hesitation.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. He Yuzhu?" The boy looked to be seventeen or eighteen years old, a little thin, but his eyes were determined.

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help feeling a little confused. He nodded: "Yes, I am. What do you want to talk to me about?"

The young man took a deep breath, as if he was having some kind of psychological struggle, and then he said: "I am Lou Xiao'e's son, my name is He Peng."

When He Yuzhu heard this, his mind went blank. He had never thought that he would meet Lou Xiao'e's child under such circumstances. Although their relationship was a thing of the past, that experience was still deeply buried in his heart.

"Come in, let's sit down and talk." He Yuzhu moved aside to open the door and let He Peng walk into the room.

Sitting at the table in the small kitchen, He Yuzhu poured a cup of tea for He Peng and tried to calm himself down. He looked at the young man in front of him, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. He Peng and Lou Xiao'e had similar eyebrows and eyes, which made him more certain that the person in front of him was Lou Xiao'e's child.

He Peng took a sip of tea, looked up and said to He Yuzhu: "My mother never told me about you, but I found something in the old letters at home. Those letters were all written to you."

He Yuzhu was shocked. He didn't expect Lou Xiao'e to keep their correspondence. These letters were written by him carefully, recording every bit of their time together and carrying countless memories.

"Is your mother okay?" He Yuzhu asked, trying to stay calm.

He Peng lowered his head slightly, with a trace of sadness in his eyes: "My mother passed away last year, and she never told me you were here. I found out your address through her friends."

He Yuzhu's heart tightened. He had not expected to hear such news. Although he had not seen her for many years, Lou Xiao'e was still the energetic and intelligent woman in his memory. Her departure made He Yuzhu feel deeply regretful and lost.

"I'm sorry, Peng," He Yuzhu said in a low voice, "I didn't know she was gone."

"I don't blame you," He Peng said softly, "I came to you because I want to know something. About you and my mother, and about my past."

He Yuzhu looked at He Peng, knowing that the young man came here to seek answers. He was a little hesitant and didn't know how to start, but he knew that He Peng had the right to know all this.

"Your mother and I met many years ago, when we were still young." He Yuzhu began to narrate slowly, his eyes drifting out the window, as if those past times were replaying before his eyes.

"We met in the factory. She was an excellent financial worker, smart and independent. We quickly became friends, and then lovers." He Yuzhu's voice was full of nostalgia. "That period was great. We both worked hard and had many aspirations."

He Peng listened quietly without interrupting. There was a desire in his eyes, he wanted to know more about his mother, about the father he had never met.