Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

He Lihua had been back in Beijing for half a month. The five of them arrived in Beijing on January 25 and settled in a courtyard on Xishiku Street.

When He Lihua took the key to open the padlock that had been covered in dust for many years, was rusty and almost impossible to open, she was filled with mixed feelings.

The yard and the house had not changed much except that they were still arranged as before, covered with dust, and there were traces of rotten leaves and fruits under the bare crabapple tree. After three days of orderly sorting and purchasing, Qu Yuanhang, He Lihua, He Dongyue, Qu Dongwu, and Qu Donglai finally began their life back in Kyoto.

A few years ago, He Lihua took Qu Yuanhang back to the K Army compound to meet his parents and family. He Lihua guessed their lukewarm attitude accurately, so she put down the gifts she brought and returned to Xishiku Street without eating at home. In any case, he should meet his parents. But this shocked Qu Yuanhang, because his wife's family turned out to be a deputy army-level cadre family. He had never heard He Lihua introduce her family before. Now that he met them, of course he also saw the attitude of his family. No wonder, he didn't go home for seven years, but he didn't mention it. The root is here.

Qu Yuanhang is a pure technical person and has no intention of currying favor with the powerful. He went to the main factory before the New Year and completed the employment procedures. He took the position of director in the newly built continuous casting and rolling mill and got the key to the three-bedroom apartment arranged by the unit. He went to see the apartment and found it quite good, not too far from the factory and very convenient. He was on a good floor, with three households per elevator, Room 302.

He Lihua also went back to the factory to go through the formalities and was assigned to be the deputy secretary of the Youth League Committee. There was nothing she could do. Although she should normally be the secretary, there was no position. There was only the deputy secretary position. She was the deputy secretary, so she was the deputy secretary. There was no position, but her salary was still based on the original administrative establishment. That was enough. The deputy position was not so complicated.

The 6th was New Year's Eve, and the He family on Xishiku Street had a very sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner. He Lihua was a good cook, and her three children all loved her food, and they all grew up very strong.

Xu Damao's home in Dongsishitiao was even more lively this year. Fang Xiaoru and her daughter, plus Gu Meifang's five children and Xu Damao, nine people celebrated the New Year. There were even more dishes, pork, mutton, chicken, fish, ribs, vegetables, etc. A total of twelve large pots, full of quantity and flavor.

Before the New Year, Gu Meifang's daughter and son were admitted to university, and she gave birth to a daughter. These happy events happened one after another. Fang Xiaoru was also very happy. Her eldest son was admitted to university, and her younger brothers and sisters were all admitted to university. Originally, Fang's parents agreed to let her go back to Fang's house for the New Year. If she didn't go, it would be bad for a married daughter to go back to her parents' home for the New Year. Although this is also a custom, she still believes in it. There have been many happy events in the family this year, so she didn't want to ruin the atmosphere of the celebration. It would be more comfortable to spend the New Year with her husband.

"First of all, I want to thank Meifang for all the hard work she put in over the years and for giving birth to so many children for me. All of them are excellent. I toast to you."

"Thank you, Lady Hero, for sticking with me all these years and helping me raise so many children. Here's a toast."

"Hey, Damao, stop being sour in front of the kids. Kids, for our beautiful present and happy future, let's raise our glasses, toast, eat meat, and get moving."

The atmosphere suddenly became lively.

The Zhang family also spent New Year's Eve together this year. Mrs. Zhang and the old couple went to the courtyard of their two sons to celebrate the New Year. All the New Year's goods were bought by Zhang Tengyun. There was nothing he could do. He was too excited. The eldest daughter-in-law and the second son were admitted to university at the same time. After the New Year, the second son Zhang Zhiqiang will leave for Baoding to study. So happy. The main reason was that he saved money by doing the marginal business with Xu Damao a few years ago. This year, in the factory's key tasks from September to December, Zhang Tengyun was awarded the title of advanced worker and his salary was increased by one level. All kinds of happiness and joy are beyond words.

The Hu family is also very happy this year. At the end of last year, Hu Tianhua returned to the university to teach, and Xue Jieying also implemented the policy and repaid her salary. She herself retired when she reached the age, and concentrated on taking care of her grandchildren at home. The whole family is happy and joyful.

Pu Yulin's family was even more joyful this year. The eldest daughter-in-law was diagnosed with a third pregnancy before the New Year, and the younger daughter-in-law Hu Wanxi was also diagnosed with a third pregnancy. They were so happy that they could not describe it.

During the meal, Pu Yulin even mentioned his last disciple Xu Damao. This aroused Pu Ju's childishness. After the New Year's Eve dinner, he took Hu Wanxi and the children and walked slowly towards Xu Damao's residence while setting off firecrackers. When they arrived at Dongsishitiao Hutong, they could see from afar many people in the hutong setting off small firecrackers, swinging firework sticks, throwing flying saucer fireworks, and having a lot of fun.

"Wanxi, look, isn't that Brother Xu, the one with the group of children, and there's a woman standing next to him?"

Hu Wanxi adjusted her Lei Feng cap with her gloved hand and looked through the light of the fireworks, "Really? He's also playing with firecrackers. He's also a naughty boy."

He quickly walked towards Xu Damao, "Brother Xu, Brother Xu."

Xu Damao had very sensitive ears. He looked towards the source of the sound and said, "Oh my god, it's the Pu Lu couple." He quickly went over to greet them.

"Oh my god, it's freezing cold, how come you brought the child along for such a long distance? It's not that far to ride a bike, but it must have taken you an hour to walk. Aren't you afraid of falling? Happy New Year's Eve, sister Wanxi, eh? Oh, you're pregnant. Puju, you're really brave, aren't you afraid that Wanxi will get cold?"

"Brother Xu, my dad mentioned you during the New Year's Eve dinner. I think it's been a long time since I last saw you. I figured it wouldn't be far from here. I ate too much meat today, so I took Wan Xi out for a walk."

The two children of Puju's family were quite quiet. They looked like Puju and Hu Wanxi, and they timidly called out, "Hello, Uncle Xu."

"Hello Congcong, hello Wanwan, go and set off firecrackers for Handan and Diandan." The two children ran straight to Handan, they were already familiar with the group of children.

Fang Xiaoru also came over to say hello, "Pu Ju, Wan Xi, I often hear Damao talk about you two, but today is the first time I see you. My name is Fang Xiaoru, Damao's relative, and I'm here to celebrate the New Year with Damao today."

Pu Ju and Hu Wanxi hadn't reacted yet, but Xu Damao was very single, "Pu Ju, don't laugh at me, this is my daughter's mother, we haven't got a marriage certificate. I'm being honest with you two, I'm thick-skinned anyway, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me."

Pu Ju and Hu Wanxi were both stunned and couldn't respond for a moment.

"It's hard to tell the details right now. It happened many years ago. At that time, I hadn't married Meifang yet. Xiaoru is a female warrior. Wanxi, you can call Xiaoru sister. She is two years older than me. She is currently a lecturer at the School of Chemical Engineering, teaching chemical materials."

Fang Xiaoru didn't expect Xu Damao to introduce her to his friends so directly. She was very happy inside. Although it was a little awkward for a moment, it soon passed.

Hu Wanxi finally responded, "Sister Fang, hello, hello, I'm Hu Wanxi. This is my lover Pu Ju."

"I know. He's Master Pu's youngest son. I used to see Master Pu quite often. He works at the Palace Museum. Damao also mentioned him quite often."

Pu Ju was very surprised, "Teacher Fang, you also know my dad?"

"Yes, I used to be in the antique business, and I knew Damao when your father first took Damao to an exchange meeting. Of course, at that time I didn't know that Xu Damao was so shameless that he broke into my residence to drink tea and eat for free. That's how we got to know each other. It's been more than ten years now."

"I see."

The four of them were happily chatting in the alley, the children were happily setting off firecrackers, the light of the fireworks shone on the children's happy faces, so brilliant...