1959Siheyuan, a Turnaround

Seeing that He Daqing didn't say anything, Xu Damao felt annoyed and shrugged his shoulders, muttering "You don't know how to appreciate a good person". He turned around and slowly went home to cook for Lou Xiao'e.

The back figure seemed to say that he was not so stupid as to follow suit and do nothing.

In fact, it’s not surprising that Xu Damao had this idea. Many people in the hospital had the same idea.

It hasn’t rained for half a year, and now the sky is covered with dark clouds. No one would think of covering the roof!

As soon as Xu Damao left, Liu Haizhong came over with a big teapot in his hand, smiling.

He stood with his head tilted under the two houses where He Daqing lived, staring at He Daqing and Sha Zhu who were busy on the roof, and the corners of his mouth kept turning down until they almost reached the ground.

"Humph, Lao He, you really know how to make a fuss. The sky doesn't look like anything bad, just a few dark clouds, how many drops of rain can it possibly produce? Don't waste your money and tire yourself out."

He shouted at the top of his voice, and those sarcastic words were like flying knives, shooting straight at the father and son on the roof, "I think you are the most timid in our courtyard. You believe everything you hear and do useless things."

Sha Zhu was already busy sweating on the roof, and after hearing what Liu Haizhong said, he got so angry that his face turned red and his neck became thick.

He held a piece of tarpaulin tightly in his hand and almost lost control of himself, so he picked up a brick next to him and smashed it down.

"Liu Haizhong, are you done yet? What are you standing there talking nonsense for? If you have time to spare, go home and sleep!"

Sha Zhu was almost fuming from being urged on by He Daqing, his eyes filled with rage.

He worked so hard for a long time and still had to listen to such unpleasant remarks. He felt so frustrated.

He Daqing looked at Sha Zhu's angry expression and knew in his heart that his son could not keep his temper.

He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead and shouted at Sha Zhu, "Zhu Zi, don't argue with him. There's no need to get angry. Anyway, we've already bought the tarpaulin, so we can put up the roof as soon as possible. Rain is merciless, and if it gets heavy, we'll be in trouble. You should also put up the roof of the room where your sister lives later to prevent leaks."

He Daqing's voice was a little tired, yet full of unquestionable firmness, and it could be heard from far away in the sultry air.

Sha Zhu gritted his teeth and glared at Liu Haizhong fiercely, with a look as if he wanted to eat someone.

After hearing what his father said, he suppressed his anger and responded in a muffled voice: "I know, Dad."

Then he no longer paid attention to Liu Haizhong and continued to work on his own. His hands moved more and more skillfully, as if he wanted to vent all his anger on the work and cover the roof tightly as soon as possible.

The Li family next door.

The dim light bulb in the room emitted a dim but warm light, which swayed gently and sprinkled on the table full of simple but steaming food. The billowing white steam curled up, adding a bit of worldly air to the slightly cramped space.

It should be a warm and cozy moment for a family to sit together, able to dispel the fatigue of the day, but somehow, there seems to be an indissoluble solemnity in the air.

Grandpa Li slowly put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hands and cleared his throat. The sound was particularly clear in the quiet room.

He sat up slightly and slowly glanced at the crowd.

Then, he slowly told the story of Wu Bo buying tarpaulin to cover the roof: "Today, Wu Bo came in a hurry carrying tarpaulin. He said that he heard that it was going to rain heavily and many people were making preparations in advance. He was thinking about our family and came to help."

The two brothers Li Dajiang and Li Dahe were picking up dishes and preparing to put them into their mouths, but when they heard this, they suddenly stopped and their chopsticks just stopped in mid-air. Their brows were instantly furrowed and their eyes were full of worry.

That's right, the weather this year is so weird, as if God is playing tricks on us.

There was no rain in the first half of the year. I heard people complain that the land in the village was so dry and cracked that you could put your fingers through it.

Not only that, but the water level in the well also dropped drastically. It took a lot of effort to draw water, and the rope had to be extended several meters.

These past few days, it has been gloomy all day long.

The sky seemed to be pressed down by a huge lead plate, making people's chests feel stuffy and breathing difficult, as if there was a huge rock blocking it.

Today is even more bizarre, looking up, dark clouds seem to be gathering from all directions, filling the sky with layer upon layer, so black that it seems like ink can drip out.

It was as if the anger had been accumulating for a long time and was ready to be vented at any time.

Over the years they have also discovered that Wu Bo is no ordinary guy. He is always the first to know about any movement in the city, whether there is a small conflict between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law, or even if the supply and marketing cooperative has received any rare items.

There is no doubt that Wu Bo is well-informed.

In addition, when Li Weiguo was in school, many things at home were delivered by this kid, so the Li family had a good impression of Wu Bo.

The Li family was very grateful to this guy for delivering the tarpaulin as soon as he received the news.

Everyone knows clearly that in the current situation, supplies are in short supply, so it is better to take precautions in advance and be prepared.

Li Dahe's wife Wang Dahua was straightforward. She was chewing her food, her cheeks puffed up, and she said vaguely, "Our roof is newly built. We hired the best craftsman in the city to do it. The materials used are solid, so we can rest assured."

As she spoke, she swallowed the food in her mouth and pointed to the east, her eyes full of worry. "I think the roof of Dahu's house is in tatters. The house he lives in is quite old. It was dripping with water when it rained last year."

Li Dajiang's wife Wang Guifang also quickly swallowed the food in her mouth and echoed, "That's right. Our roof was newly built a few years ago and is very solid. Last year, Suzhi complained to me about the roof of Dahu's house. When it rains, the house is filled with pots and pans to collect water. It leaks like a sieve. If it rains like this, the house will become a water curtain cave. How will the family sleep then?"

Grandma Li was eating with great relish at first, but after hearing what her two daughters-in-law said, her heart skipped a beat and she almost dropped the steamed bun in her hand. She immediately lost her appetite.

She put the dishes and chopsticks on the table with a clang, and hurriedly urged Li Dajiang and Li Dahe: "Don't dawdle, don't even eat, go to Dahu's house and help cover the roof. It's raining heavily now, and we can't delay, even if it's dark, we have to finish it before the rain."

Grandma Li's eyes were slightly red and her voice was a little anxious.

In her heart, a family should help each other. Li Dahu is her nephew, and they are all relatives who are connected by blood.

"Hey, mother, don't worry, we'll go right away!"

Li Dajiang and Li Dahe obediently put down their bowls and chopsticks and stood up.

The two brothers looked at each other, then strode quickly towards Li Dahu's house. Their figures quickly disappeared into the night, leaving behind only a series of hurried footsteps, gradually moving away in the silent night.