Siheyuan: Five mouths waiting for food at the beginning

The old lady's birthday is the 83th day of the twelfth lunar month. After her birthday, the Chinese New Year will be coming soon, and it is already the rd year in the Gregorian calendar.

83 is an important period of time, because Zhao Shanhe, who was born in 1943, is about to enter his forties, and it has been 25 years since he traveled through time.

At night, Zhao Shanhe lay in bed and recalled the past 25 years. It seemed that time had passed so quickly. He vaguely remembered how panicked he was when he came back from the hospital and stepped into the courtyard 25 years ago, fearing that he would be killed by the beasts.

Zhao Shanhe had a dream. He dreamed that after he traveled through time, Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi robbed his house and drove him and his brothers out.

Xu Damao, Sha Zhu, the second uncle and the third uncle looked at them in such a miserable state and laughed wantonly. The scene changed and Zhao Shanhe went to ask Uncle Cheng for help. Uncle Cheng no longer cared about them because of his father's death. Even his father's quota had been taken.

Aunt Chen thought the brothers ate too much, so she remarried with Da Ya and Er Ya, marrying an old bachelor. Only the three half-grown boys were left. He, who was not even 16 years old, lived a life of beggars with his two younger brothers.

The third brother, Zhao Shanhai, was kidnapped by human traffickers when he and Zhao Shanhu went out to beg for food. They looked for their younger brother while begging. Due to long-term malnutrition, the two brothers were extremely skinny. During one beggar's begging trip, his leg was broken by another group of beggars.

He had no money to see a doctor and was left with lifelong disability. Finally, during the difficult times, the two brothers could not hold on and froze to death in a bridge hole one winter. Their souls wandered around, watching wild dogs eat their flesh and blood, and they were unable to find their brother before they died.

At this time, Zhao Shanhe on the bed was sweating profusely. "No," Zhao Shanhe sat up suddenly, scaring Qin Jingru beside him.

"Brother, are you having a nightmare?"

"Yeah, I haven't had a nightmare in a while. Sorry to wake you up."

"What are you talking about, brother? Are you thirsty? I'll go get you a glass of water. Drink some water before you go to sleep."

"Jingru, don't rush to pour the water. I'm going to ask you a question. Please answer me honestly."

"Brother, just ask, I will definitely tell you the truth."

"If, I mean if, if I wasn't a college student, didn't have a job, and had a big family to support, would you still marry me?"

"Marry, definitely marry"

"What?"

"Even if you are not a college student, you are still a city dweller. You eat commercial grain, which is much better than the countryside. During those difficult times, I was really scared of starving. Even if life is not good after marrying to the city, it is still better than in the countryside."

"What if I'm not from the city and have a rural hukou? Will you still marry me?"

"Brother, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"truth"

"Then I won't marry you. Although you are beautiful, you can't be eaten. If I marry a man, I won't be able to get enough clothes and food. If I marry you, I will be hungry. It's better to marry someone in the city. At least I won't be hungry."

Zhao Shanhe thought that this woman was really realistic. But she was also right. This dream was probably the reason why he was afraid to come to the Siheyuan in the first place. Fortunately, he was doing well now and nothing happened.

"Okay, go to sleep."

"Brother, you're not angry, are you?"

"Yeah, I'm angry. I said if, can't you just say you'll marry me no matter what? Don't I, Zhao Shanhe, have any face?"

"I'm sorry, brother, don't be angry, but I won't lie to you."

"You said that I haven't dealt with you for a long time. Let me show you how I deal with you."

Nothing in the night

As the year draws to a close, the business of Sihai Hotel is getting better and better. The private rooms for New Year's holidays have been booked in advance. Even Huameng Clothing's business is getting better and better. Who doesn't want to buy a few new clothes for the New Year?

"Old man, come and look, that's Zhao Shanhe's car, whose car is the one behind it?" Aunt Three said to Uncle Three.

Zhao Shanhe came to the courtyard again. He came to see Xu Damao off. It was the Chinese New Year and Xu Damao had come back to celebrate the New Year. He had worked hard for a year. In order to show his appreciation for Xu Damao, Zhao Shanhe personally went to the train station to pick him up and sent him back.

It's noon now, and we have to welcome Xu Damao in the evening. Let Xu Damao reunite with his family first. He also came to deliver New Year's goods to Aunt Chen. Shanhu Shanhai is so busy that she probably doesn't have time to buy New Year's goods.

In fact, Zhao Shanhe also noticed the car behind him. It had been following them on the road all the way to the courtyard. Zhao Shanhe's guards had already prepared their guns.

"Shanhe, you're back?"

"Uncle, all you see are the mountains and rivers. Don't you see a big living person like me?" Xu Damao said.

"I see, I see. Oh, Shanhe, whose car is that in the back?"

"I don't know. Let's go check it out. The driver has already gone to open the door."

As the car door opened, a middle-aged woman with big wavy hair, wearing sunglasses and heavy makeup came out. The cheongsam and shawl were very fashionable. Wasn't it cold in this winter? Zhao Shanhe recognized her at a glance. She was Lou Xiao'e.

"Excuse me, who are you looking for? I am the third uncle in this courtyard. I am familiar with every household in this courtyard."

"Hello, pretty girl," Xu Damao greeted

"Third Uncle, Xu Damao, you haven't changed at all, especially you, Xu Damao. Your horse face is still so annoying."

"Are you Miss Lou?"

"Shanhe, you said she is Lou Xiao'e?" Xu Damao said

"Shanhe, are you Zhao Shanhe? You've changed a lot, becoming more and more manly? But you're the only one with this height, and I haven't seen you for almost 20 years." Lou Xiao'e looked at Zhao Shanhe in surprise.

He turned to Xu Damao and said, "Xu Damao, you are being a little ridiculous. It's understandable that the Third Master didn't recognize me. After all, we are still doing well."

"No, I feel familiar with you too, but you've changed so much. Besides, you're wearing sunglasses, so who can recognize you?"

"How did Shanhe recognize it?"

"I said, why are you back?"

"I came back to do business, to visit my old neighbors, and to explain something," Lou Xiao'e shouted to the car, "Son, get off. Mom will take you to meet some people."

Soon, a boy about eleven or twelve years old got off the car.

Zhao Shanhe immediately knew why Lou Xiao'e came. She brought her son with her to tell Xu Damao that it was not her inability to have children, but your problem, Xu Damao.

But this is not He Xiao, the age doesn't match. Lou Xiao'e ran away in 66, and it's 83 now. If it's Sha Zhu's child, he should be 17 now.

But that's not right. Due to the time travel, Zhao Shanhe's memory is very good in this life. Wasn't it found out in the hospital that Xu Damao had a problem? The two hadn't divorced yet.

Then why is Lou Xiao'e here?