1959Siheyuan, a Turnaround

Time passes slowly, like a gurgling stream, flowing quietly and endlessly.

As the weather gradually turns cooler, autumn is like a gentle messenger, gently brushing across the earth, and the scenery around the courtyard is also quietly changing color.

The school’s vibrant private plot also yielded a harvest.

In particular, the private plot of Li Weiguo's class was undoubtedly the best in this harvest scene.

Chicken feather vegetable has the shortest growing period, and it can be harvested in just 20 days.

The fast vegetables were not to be outdone, growing vigorously in a month, and were juicy green. In addition, rows of spring onions and leeks were neatly arranged, like soldiers waiting for inspection, full of energy.

There are also the radishes, cabbages, and potatoes buried deep underground, silently accumulating strength, waiting for the final sprint before winter, offering the richest reward for this year's hard work.

Each of these vegetables is full of students' hard work and sweat.

From the initial sowing to the careful daily watering, fertilizing and weeding, the students witnessed their growth as if they were their own babies.

The school will certainly not let this effort go to waste. Part of the vegetables are sent to the cafeteria, which reduces daily expenses and allows students to eat low-cost meals.

Another small portion was distributed to the children to take home as a reward for their hard work.

During this period, Li Weiguo was not idle. He shuttled back and forth in the black market in the urban area of ​​​​Sijiu City, selling potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkins at low prices.

He dealt cautiously with the black market leaders and successfully withdrew after completing transactions with them time and time again.

Fortunately, with the introduction of a series of disaster relief measures by the government, the dawn of hope has gradually penetrated the haze, and people’s living difficulties have improved slightly.

Li Weiguo assessed the situation and resolutely cut off all transactions with the black market.

After all, he wasn't taking the risk for profit, so why would he put himself in danger and end up losing more than he gained?

Days are like pages of a book, turning one by one.

In the blink of an eye, it was the spring of 1961.

The spring breeze blew gently, bringing with it a breath of new life, across the streets and alleys, and also into Li Weiguo's campus life.

He successfully upgraded to become a senior high school student, and the burden on his shoulders seemed to be heavier.

My younger brothers and sisters at home are also making steady progress in their studies.

Li Weimin was successfully admitted to high school, Li Weihua continued to work hard in the second grade classroom, and even his younger sister Li Weihong was about to enter elementary school.

Over the past year, Li Weiguo has lived alone in the courtyard, enjoying the rare tranquility.

However, just after the Chinese New Year, Li Weimin hurriedly moved in with his bedding roll.

Li Weiguo was speechless upon seeing this, and secretly complained in his heart: This kid, why does he have to learn from him and move in here?

But no matter how helpless we are, blood is thicker than water and brotherhood runs deep.

There is an empty room in the east wing, so it is not a problem to accommodate Li Weimin.

"Brother, here I come! I will live in this room from now on!"

Li Weimin looked excited, his eyes sparkling with anticipation for a new life.

Li Weiguo shook his head helplessly and said with a smile: "Okay, stay here and don't make trouble for me."

"understood!"

Li Weimin scratched his head and returned to the room holding the quilt.

At this moment, a scream came from outside the house, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, breaking the original tranquility.

At the gate of the yard, Yan Bugui walked out slowly with a kettle, as usual, to water the flowers.

The weather is getting warmer, and it's time to water the pots of flowers at the door. Maybe it won't be long before they bloom into gorgeous flowers.

However, as soon as he stepped out of the door and glanced casually, he saw a figure slowly walking into the courtyard.

She was an old woman in tattered clothes with countless patches on her clothes. It looked like a canvas that had been scribbled on by time, and the colors were gray and worn.

She was carrying a tattered bundle on her back. The fabric of the bundle had long been worn out and its original appearance could no longer be recognized. It hung loosely on her thin back.

The old woman was thin and walked with a slightly hunched back, as if a strong wind could blow her down.

Her face was thin, with high cheekbones and sunken cheeks. She was so thin that it seemed as if only skin and bones were left, but her eyes revealed a unique calmness.

Yan Bugui was just about to ask the strange old woman to leave. After all, not just anyone could enter this courtyard.

But when his eyes rested on the man's face for a moment, he was shocked and blurted out: "You...you are Jia Zhang? Why did you come back suddenly?"

It turned out that Jia Zhang was a plump woman. At that time, her face was always full of flesh, and her eyes were fierce and vicious.

Looking at her current appearance, if it weren’t for this familiar courtyard, Yan Bugui would really find it difficult to connect the person in front of him with the Jia Zhang in his memory.

When Jia Zhang was recognized, she was stunned for a moment, then her mouth corners pulled to the sides, revealing a faint smile.

She looked at Yan Bugui and said slowly, "Uncle, I performed well on the farm, so I was rewarded to come back early."

Her voice was no longer as sharp and piercing as before, but became hoarse and low, yet with a calmness that could not be ignored.

After hearing this, Yan Bugui's surprise gradually faded away, and a look of understanding emerged on his face: "So that's what happened. That's great, Jia Zhang, you've finally gotten through all the hardships. No matter what, it's good to be back, it's good to be back."

There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes, but he didn't dare to ask too much. From Jia Zhang's appearance, he could tell that she had suffered a lot over the past year.

Jia Zhang nodded slightly, exchanged a few simple greetings with Yan Bugui, then carried the tattered bag and slowly walked towards the central courtyard.

Li Weiguo witnessed this scene through the window in the house.

His eyes were fixed on the greatly changed Jia Zhang outside, and his heart was filled with shock.

If he had not seen it with his own eyes in this familiar courtyard, he would never have believed that the thin, peaceful old woman before him was the former slutty and unreasonable Jia Zhang.

In the past, Jia Zhang always relied on her status and hot temper to act domineeringly in the courtyard, and would curse at the slightest dissatisfaction.

Especially her image of fat head and big ears, which is deeply rooted in people's hearts.

But now, time and the transformation of the farm seem to have completely reshaped her, making her feel like a new person.

Li Weiguo sighed softly, with an ominous premonition in his heart.

The Siheyuan courtyard had finally found its peace, but with the return of Jia Zhang, it was likely to become lively again.

In the middle courtyard, Qin Huairu was sitting at the door of the Jia family washing clothes with her big belly, and Xiaodang was sitting next to her and talking to her.

Suddenly, Qin Huairu felt someone staring at her. She looked up abruptly and saw who it was, and was stunned where she stood.

"Mom, you're back!"