Siheyuan: Learning to be the sixth

In his spare time, looking at the vast Gobi Desert, He Yuzhu also misses his family far away.

I wondered if Lou Xiaoe's belly was big? I wondered if my two little babies were obedient? I wondered if the elderly at home were healthy? My brothers and sisters...

Although my life now is fulfilling and meaningful, the longer time goes by, the more I miss you.

In the capital, because He Yuzhu left suddenly and the matter had to be kept secret, all kinds of rumors spread about He Yuzhu who had not appeared for a long time.

"I heard from my second uncle's neighbor's cousin's brother's wife that they secretly sent a group of people to other places recently. I wonder if there are any..."

Although he didn't say the name, his eyes were on the He family.

"I heard that he was sent to jail for corruption."

"Old Song, who told you this?"

"A lot of people say that."

……

Everyone in the He family was under a lot of pressure during this period. Pregnant women were emotionally unstable, and Lou Xiao'e had always been particularly dependent on He Yuzhu. So they were afraid that something might happen to Lou Xiao'e, so everyone took turns to take care of Lou Xiao'e 24 hours a day.

"Godmother, there's really no need to be so nervous. Although Zhuzi didn't say what he was going to do, I understand that Fangfang and Shitou's godfather didn't come to pick them up to stay for a few days during this period, so don't worry about me."

The old lady's cane made a clanging sound as it hit the ground. She said angrily, "The atmosphere in the courtyard is getting worse and worse. It's time to find someone to take care of it."

"Indeed, the rumors are chilling." Lou's mother, who never interfered in the affairs of the neighboring courtyard, also rarely expressed her opinion.

But in order not to cause trouble for He Yuzhu, they discussed it during dinner time and decided to listen to Xu Damao's advice. They would let Yi Zhonghai go find Yang Weimin when he goes to work tomorrow to see if he has any good ideas.

He Yuzhu wanted to write a letter to his family, but when he asked people around him, he found out that many people had not written to their families for three or four years or even longer.

In order not to be treated specially, He Yuzhu had to hide his longing deep in his heart and replace it with work.

Just as He Yuzhu's thoughts drifted back to the capital, a sudden shout rang out in the cafeteria.

"Pillar~Pillar~"

Here, he is neither Director He nor Chief He, but just himself, He Yuzhu.

"I'm here, I'm here, what's up~"

Whenever this happened, He Yuzhu knew that a comrade must be on his deathbed. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, He Yuzhu would still pray in his heart that he was wrong.

The person who came was a middle-aged soldier named Sun.

He looks like he is in his fifties or sixties, with a weathered face, but he is actually only in his thirties. He is a hero. He was evacuated from North Korea and came here without even going home, and has stayed here for many years.

Once, the two of them squatted together smoking, and He Yuzhu once asked him if he missed home.

"Zhu Zi, home is too far away for me. I haven't been home for 20 years since I joined the army..."

After that, they both fell silent, and the cigarette was blown away by the wind.

He Yuzhu hadn't seen Captain Sun for a long time. The rotation of guards here was very frequent and the cycle was not fixed. He didn't know when he would see him again after he was replaced.

My thoughts return to the past...

"Zhu Zi, can you make sauerkraut noodles... There is a soldier..."

Looking at Captain Sun's red eyes, He Yuzhu took a long breath, patted his shoulder and said: "Yes~"

After saying that, he went to the kitchen and made a bowl of臊子面.

"Old Sun, here~"

Looking at the big piece of meat in the bowl, the eyes of this battle-hardened man became even redder.

There was no time to say a thousand words, I just said: "Zhu Zi, thank you~"

After saying that, Old Sun hurriedly ran away with the臊子面.

Although supplies are in short supply now, the meals He Yuzhu prepares are always sufficient and include meat.

It’s not that no one has reported He Yuzhu.

Whenever someone came to ask, He Yuzhu would calmly say: "Knowing that supplies are in short supply, the outer personnel patrol on an empty stomach to save food for the inner personnel. Now let him have a full meal and leave."

Later, the matter reached the ears of the head of the base, who severely criticized the people who came down to investigate and asked them to go with the patrol team to experience life.

The way soldiers handle things is so direct and simple, but He Yuzhu likes it very much.

It is rare to have a sunny day in the desert Gobi. In his spare time, He Yuzhu would walk out of the cafeteria and go to the yard to get some fresh air and feel the long-lost sunshine.

"Zhu Zi, do you have any cigarettes?"

"Lao Cao~"

"it's me."

It was two months later that I saw Lao Cao again. We were both very happy to see each other.

"Zhu Zi, are you getting used to being here?"

"I'm in the cafeteria, what's there to be uncomfortable about?"

"Well, I heard that everyone praised the new chef for his delicious food."

The two of them just smoked and chatted about random things. Lao Cao didn't know what mood he was in, but He Yuzhu felt very happy.

I wanted to improve Lao Cao's food, but he was naturally very stubborn.

Waving his hand, he said: "Zhu Zi, don't treat me specially during this special period. I am here for a meeting and I took some time to come and see you. Now I am leaving."

Since I can’t eat, “Lao Cao, wait for me for a while~”

After saying that, He Yuzhu quickly ran into the house and gave a few bags of his stock to Lao Cao.

"Lao Cao, this is my own stock. It doesn't violate discipline. You can take it and smoke it."

Lao Cao took the cigarette and his brows immediately lit up with joy.

"I knew that you, He Yuzhu, would not treat yourself badly."

"Be more careful here, talk less and do more." Of course, Lao Cao said the last sentence in a low voice.

He Yuzhu nodded to show that he understood.

After seeing Lao Cao off, He Yuzhu returned to his day-to-day life.

Although he originally didn't like writing diaries, he also learned from many of his comrades to record their daily lives, even though he knew he might not be able to take the records with him in the end.

So He Yuzhu wrote very seriously, but he only recorded his life and did not mention anything about the experiment.

……

Early in the morning, Yi Zhonghai rode his bicycle to the steel rolling mill. Unlike in the past, today he did not go to the workshop first but went to the office building.

When they arrived on the second floor, Secretary Song knew that He Yuzhu and Yi Zhonghai had a special relationship, so he greeted them with a smile.

"Master Yi, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

"Secretary Song, I have something to ask the factory director. Is it convenient now?"

Yang Weimin has told Secretary Song more than once that He Yuzhu's family can come in to see him at any time.

"Master Yi, the factory director is in the office, please go in."

After that, he knocked on the door for Yi Zhonghai and said, "Director, Master Yi Zhonghai is here."

"Please come in."

After Yi Zhonghai entered the room, Yang Weimin was particularly enthusiastic and personally poured him a glass of water and asked, "Master Yi, what brings you here so early in the morning?"