Siheyuan: Being a fisherman in 1962

There was a scent wafting from the snack shops on both sides of the street, but for them who were penniless, the scent only hurt their hearts.

Finally, Xu Damao took Qin Jingru to a street food shop and ordered two bowls of vegetarian noodles.

Looking at the watery soup in the bowl, Qin Jingru couldn't help but frowned: "Is this all you want to eat?"

Xu Damao smiled bitterly: "You know our current situation, so let's save as much as possible."

Qin Jingru was a little dissatisfied: "Weren't you quite rich before? How come you are so poor now?"

Xu Damao sighed and expressed his difficulties: "I used to have some money, but I didn't know how to do it then, so I squandered it all. Then I met Lou Xiao'e, and I thought I could live a good life, but you saw the result. Now I can only earn a little money by doing odd jobs, and I have to live frugally to barely make a living."

The two of them ate noodles in silence, and Qin Jingru's dissatisfaction gradually turned into helplessness.

The reality is right in front of her, no matter how she complains, she cannot change her current predicament.

After eating the noodles, Xu Damao took Qin Jingru to the market to buy some daily necessities.

However, they soon discovered that prices had risen to an outrageous level.

"Why is this quilt so expensive?" Qin Jingru held a thin quilt and looked at the price tag in surprise.

Xu Damao frowned, remembering the prices of these things in the past, but now they have increased several times.

I felt indignant, but helpless.

"Swindler!" He cursed in a low voice, but still gritted his teeth and bought the quilt and pillow.

Without these, it would be impossible to fall asleep at night.

After buying the bedding, the two had very little money left.

Xu Damao looked at the money in his hand and felt a strong sense of powerlessness in his heart.

The problem of eating also needs to be solved.

"We need to buy a stove and tableware," said Xu Damao.

Qin Jingru nodded. The most important thing now was to survive.

The two went to a place selling kitchenware and picked out a cheap stove and some simple tableware.

Looking at what was in his hand, Xu Damao felt a sense of satisfaction.

At least, they now have basic living security.

Back at the hut, the two began to sort out the newly purchased items.

Although the house was still simple, these things at least made them feel a little warm.

As night fell, the two lay on the simple bed, covered with a newly bought quilt.

Although the wind and snow were still raging outside, they felt a sense of peace in this small space.

"We will be fine, right?" Qin Jingru said softly, with a hint of expectation in her voice.

Xu Damao just held her hand tightly.

As night fell, the cold wind howled and the wooden door of the hut banged in the wind.

The two hugged each other and wrapped themselves tightly with the quilt, trying to resist the biting cold.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside the door. The two looked at each other in confusion. Qin Jingru opened the door carefully and saw a group of people standing outside with smiles on their faces.

"You're back!" a resident greeted enthusiastically, "We helped you build the wall, and now this room is much warmer."

Xu Damao and Qin Jingru were surprised and thanked him quickly.

When I walked into the house, I saw that the originally dilapidated walls had been replaced by neat stone bricks, and the house suddenly became much warmer.

"This...what's going on?" Qin Jingru couldn't believe her eyes.

This is the residents' help and care for them.

"It seems that we are not alone."

At this time, laughter and the smell of food could be heard from afar.

The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the lights in front of Lou Xiao'e's house were brightly lit and a group of people were sitting together enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

Qin Jingru couldn't help but feel a little envious: "Xiao'e's family has a really good life."

Xu Damao smiled faintly: "We will have such days too."

He turned and walked towards the backyard, his eyes falling on the shabby tarpaulin shed.

An idea came to mind: Perhaps they could use this tarpaulin tent to improve their living conditions.

He hurried back into the house, took out the tools, and began to dismantle the tarpaulin shed.

Seeing this, Qin Jingru hurried over to help.

The two worked together and soon dismantled the tarpaulin awning.

"We can use this tarpaulin to build a simple shed, which can at least block the wind and snow." Xu Damao said.

In their dexterous hands, the oilcloth gradually turned into the prototype of a simple shed.

Although their hands were red from the cold, there was a determination gleam in their eyes.

Just as they were about to finish building the shed, a figure quietly appeared in front of the hut.

The man was Chen Fei, holding a lantern in his hand and with a playful smile on his face.

"Hey, isn't this Xu Damao? What are you still busy with so late?" Chen Fei's voice broke the tranquility of the night.

Xu Damao looked up and saw that it was Chen Fei, and his heart tightened.

He knew that Chen Fei was a shrewd man and could probably see through their intentions at a glance.

"Brother Chen, good evening. We are trying to improve our accommodation conditions." Xu Damao smiled awkwardly, trying to hide his nervousness.

Walking forward, Fade Chen carefully looked at the makeshift shed they had built and couldn't help laughing: "Are you planning to use this tarpaulin to build a tent? This is really interesting."

Xu Damao was a little embarrassed, but he could only bite the bullet and said, "Yes, we are short of money now, so we can only think of this solution."

Fade Chen smiled, put down the lantern, walked to the oilcloth, and touched it with his hand: "This oilcloth is quite new, what a pity, I just bought it and it was originally used for other purposes."

When Xu Damao heard this, his heart sank, knowing that Chen Fei had seen through their intentions.

He quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Brother Chen, can you lend us this oilcloth? When we get over this period, we will definitely buy you a new one."

Chen Fei looked at Xu Damao's anxious look and couldn't help laughing: "Xu Damao, Xu Damao, you are quite interesting. Well, since you need it so much, I will give you this oilcloth."

When Xu Damao heard this, he was overjoyed: "Really? Thank you so much!"

With a teasing smile on his face, Fade Chen turned around and waved to the distance.

Three old men walked over slowly, holding lanterns.

"This shed has to be demolished." Chen Fei said lightly.

Xu Damao was stunned and hurried forward to stop them: "What do you mean? We have finally built a shed, why are you going to tear it down just like that?"

Fade Chen shrugged and said, "This shed is here and affects the environment. It needs to be removed."

Xu Damao was furious, but there was nothing he could do.

In the courtyard, Chen Fei is a well-known figure and they can only obey his orders.

Three old men came forward and started to dismantle the shed.

Xu Damao and Qin Jingru stood aside and watched the fruits of their labor being torn down bit by bit.

Suddenly, an old man swung the shovel in his hand and swept Xu Damao's quilt and pillow to the ground.

Snowflakes fluttered down, dyeing the quilt and pillow white.

"You guys!" Xu Damao glared at them, but was stopped by Chen Fei.

"Don't get excited. This is for the good of the courtyard." Fade Chen said calmly.

Xu Damao was so angry that he was shaking all over, but he couldn't do anything.

I could only watch my bedding gradually being covered by snowflakes in the snow.

When Qin Jingru saw this, tears flashed in her eyes.

He walked forward and tried to pick up the bedding, but was pushed away by Fade Chen.

"Don't touch it!" Chen Fei said coldly, "These things must be thrown away."

Xu Damao and Qin Jingru stood there helplessly, watching their bedding and sheds being dismantled one by one.