Siheyuan: Being a fisherman in 1962

When I walked out of the house, there was a little mist on the Qinhuai River in the early morning. Between the ancient bridges and flowing water, the sedimentation of history and the modern atmosphere were intertwined.

Sha Zhu's mood is like the river, flowing with complex emotions.

I didn't expect to meet Qin Huairu here unexpectedly.

Their eyes met in the air, and at that moment, time seemed to freeze.

The emotions of the past surged into their hearts like a tide, but then they quickly avoided each other, as if afraid that the other party would see through the ripples in their hearts.

Qin Huairu did not stop, her figure appeared particularly clear in the morning light, and she walked straight forward.

Sha Zhu stood there, watching her figure walking away.

There is an indescribable feeling in my heart, is it regret? Is it relief? Or is it anticipation for the future?

After breakfast, Sha Zhu felt refreshed.

He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his chef's hat. The familiar reflection seemed to tell him that life went on.

He put on his neat chef's uniform, walked into the kitchen and started to get busy.

The knife and fork in his hand flew around as he cooked one delicious dish after another.

Every movement revealed professionalism and confidence, and the pain of yesterday seemed to have disappeared.

The praise and smiles from his colleagues became his best comfort.

Whenever someone praises his craftsmanship, a confident smile appears on his face.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the door.

It’s him, Qin Huairu.

She walked in with a smile, and they looked at each other and smiled, as if all the past had turned to dust.

"You cook really well." Qin Huairu said softly, with a hint of appreciation in her tone.

"Thank you." Sha Zhu replied, feeling somewhat surprised and relieved.

They chatted about their recent situation and discussed their dreams for the future.

At that moment, Sha Zhu realized that life will always have ups and downs, but as long as you stick to your dreams, there will always be light waiting ahead.

After a moment, Qin Huairu stood up and said goodbye.

Sha Zhu returned to the empty cafeteria, feeling lost.

However, in the corner of the kitchen, a forgotten blade lay there quietly, like an invisible trap, waiting for the next careless person.

Sha Zhu's eyes inadvertently fell on it, and an inexplicable chill surged up in his heart.

Bending down and picking up the blade, he took a deep breath.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps was heard and Fade Chen hurriedly walked into the kitchen.

He saw the blade in Sha Zhu's hand, and a trace of surprise flashed across his face: "Sha Zhu, what's going on?"

"Fade Chen, this is the blade I accidentally dropped yesterday. I want to apologize to you and ask for your forgiveness."

Chen Fei was stunned. This was his own way of proving his innocence to him.

"Shazhu, I believe you. But you have to be careful and don't make the same mistake again."

"Got it!"

In the morning light shining through the kitchen window, Sha Zhu's figure looked particularly lonely.

He peeled potatoes silently, his mind full of thoughts.

He used to be the soul of this place, but now he is like a lonely wild goose, without anyone to rely on.

The employees privately discussed Sha Zhu's transformation and thought he was very open-minded, but who could truly understand his inner pain?

He tried to imitate Chen Fei's single lifestyle, but found that it was an unattainable luxury.

Ma Hua, the disciple who once treated him with great respect, now had a drastic change of attitude.

He regarded himself as a master and bossed Shazhu around, ordering him to peel potatoes.

Sha Zhu was furious, but had to succumb to reality.

Thinking of Qin Huairu's cold eyes and Bang Geng's figure protecting her, all the warmth and beauty he once had have now become thorns in his heart.

I can't just sink like this, I have to find my own way out.

Just then, a crisp voice broke the silence in the kitchen.

"Master Shazhu, come here for a moment."

It was Chen Fei's voice.

Sha Zhu raised his head and saw Chen Fei walking towards him.

When I heard the sound, I felt a little bit of anticipation, as if I saw a glimmer of hope.

Chen Fei walked up to Sha Zhu and looked at him deeply.

"Shazhu, I know you feel bad, but you have to remember that life is not always smooth sailing. You must learn to face difficulties and learn to be strong." These words were like a clear spring, nourishing Shazhu's dry heart.

"Thank you, Master Chen. I know what I should do now."

He must face the future bravely.

......

The weekend sunshine fills every corner of the courtyard, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of bedding after drying.

Residents hung out their unused bedding on the clotheslines in the yard, hoping that the sun's power would dispel the dampness and musty smell.

In the courtyard, several old men sat around a table, playing chess leisurely. The battle on the chessboard was fierce, with soldiers and generals moving back and forth.

The children were chasing and playing in the open space, with laughter and joy rising and falling.

Suddenly, a crisp car horn broke the tranquility of the courtyard and attracted everyone's attention.

Sha Zhu and the old men walked out of the yard curiously, only to see a black car slowly driving into the open space in front of the courtyard.

The car door opened and a man dressed in a neat suit and looking like a leader walked out.

He glanced around the courtyard and finally stopped at Sha Zhu.

"Hello, Shazhu!" The leader greeted Shazhu with a smile.

Sha Zhu was stunned. He had never seen this leader before and had no idea why he was here.

"Hello, leader. Is there anything you need from me?" He scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.

The leader smiled slightly and did not directly answer Sha Zhu's question. Instead, he turned to the accompanying personnel and said, "The environment here is really good. It is very suitable for us to use it as a grassroots research site."

Sha Zhu and the old men looked at each other, not understanding what the leader meant.

At this time, the leader turned to look at Sha Zhu, with a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Sha Zhu, I heard about you. Not only are you a great cook, but you are also kind-hearted and very enthusiastic towards your neighbors. Such qualities are worth learning and inheriting."

Sha Zhu was moved after hearing what his leader said.

I never thought that my small action would attract so much attention, let alone receive praise from my leader.

He lowered his head and said a little embarrassedly: "Leader, you are too kind. I just did what I should do."

The leader nodded, expressing his appreciation for Sha Zhu's modesty and simplicity, and turned to the accompanying staff and said, "We must publicize Sha Zhu's deeds so that more people can learn about the outstanding people and deeds at the grassroots level."

In a corner of the kitchen, Sha Zhu's heart was beating as fast as a drum.

The leader's words were like a spring breeze, warming his heart.

He fantasized about cooking a meal for his leader himself, which would be the most glorious moment in his life.

I couldn't help but glance at the black car, and I felt an urge to ride in it.

However, he understands that all this is not easy to come by and he needs to work harder to prove himself.

The second uncle listened with great interest, the fire of vanity burning in his heart.

Imagine myself becoming a leader, pointing out the way forward and making decisions.

He volunteered to call Chen Fei over so that the leader could see their culinary skills.

He hurried out of the kitchen with a smug smile on his face.

Chen Fei was washing his hair, the water flowing along the ends of his hair, washing away the fatigue in his heart.

Suddenly, the second uncle rushed in, panting and urging him to hurry up.

Chen Fei raised his head in confusion, and saw the excitement and nervousness on the second uncle's face, standing there without blinking.

He quickly dried his hair and followed the second uncle out of the bathroom.