Siheyuan, Rainwater is the master, Shazhu wins

He thought to himself that the gap between people was so huge that this kind of comparison could drive people to death.

Xu Damao hurriedly finished his meal, said hello politely, and left quickly like a gust of wind.

This place made him feel extremely uncomfortable. He felt that he could not stay there for a moment longer and had to escape immediately.

"Hey, Moth, I'm sorry for what you have done to me."

Lou's mother sighed. "Mom, don't say that. I'm used to it."

Lou Xiao'e replied with a forced smile. "If the current situation wasn't so difficult, with your conditions, how could you possibly have any contact with someone like Xu Damao?"

Lou's mother said helplessly. "Okay, Mom, stop talking about this. These are facts that cannot be changed. There is no point in discussing them any further."

"Ezi, you have to be careful against Xu Damao. This guy doesn't seem like a law-abiding person. You must keep a close eye on your dowry, otherwise he might steal it without you noticing." Lou's mother reminded.

"Well, I get it."

Lou Xiao'e responded softly, then went upstairs silently.

The bitterness in her heart was like a cup of bitter wine that was hard to swallow. She could only chew and swallow it silently alone.

Even when facing her closest parents, she was unable to express her inner pain and confusion.

Because she knew very well that even if she told them, it would not change the current situation and would only add to their worries and troubles.

When the bell for the end of the steel mill rang, the first and second uncles walked out of the factory gate side by side, as if they wanted to go home together.

When they arrived at the courtyard gate, the third uncle smiled and greeted them warmly: "Lao Yi, Lao Liu, why are you back together today? Is there anything new in the factory?"

Liu Haizhong curled his lips and responded casually: "Old Yan, why are there so many things? If there was anything new, I would have told you long ago." After that, he walked away without looking back.

However, Lao Yi did not leave immediately. Instead, he stopped and looked at the third uncle thoughtfully, and asked softly, "Nothing happened in our courtyard this afternoon, right?"

The third uncle shook his head and answered affirmatively, "No, it's very quiet. I stayed in the yard all afternoon, nothing special happened, and no outsiders came in."

Old Yi breathed a sigh of relief, but Old Yan added, "Oh, by the way, Sha Zhu's apprentice came to deliver a lunch box once, but he only stayed for a few minutes before leaving."

"Well, that's good. As long as no outsiders come." Yi Zhonghai sighed with relief, and his originally tense expression relaxed.

Afterwards, he said goodbye to the third uncle: "I'm going back first, we'll talk later."

After saying that, he turned around and walked slowly towards home, his back looking a little tired.

After a whole day of hard work, he had to deal with a lot of trivial matters when he got home, and he was exhausted both physically and mentally. However, he had to deal with these things personally because they were directly related to his future retirement. How could he take it lightly? He dragged his exhausted body back home, but did not walk straight into the house. Instead, he gently knocked on Qin Huairu's door.

Qin Huairu heard the noise coming from outside the door and slowly stood up to open the door. When she saw that it was an old man standing at the door, a trace of embarrassment appeared on her face, and she said softly: "Um... Old Man, I suddenly felt very tired in the afternoon, so I didn't go to work in the factory. Director Guo didn't say anything, right?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded slightly to show his understanding and responded: "Well, I have already asked Director Guo for leave for you. What's the matter with you? Are you busy with work at home?" He looked at Qin Huairu's slightly tired figure with concern, secretly guessing the reason in his heart.

Qin Huairu sighed lightly and replied with a sad face: "Oh, it's all because of the children. Look, Banggeng hasn't been to school for a week, and I'm so worried!" Her tone was full of anxiety and helplessness.

Yi Zhonghai thought for a moment and comforted her: "How about this, you say hello to Old Yan and let Banggeng go back to school first. Then find out how much tuition the school requires, and I can lend it to you as an emergency." His eyes revealed sincerity and concern, hoping to help Qin Huairu solve her current predicament.

"Thank you so much. I've been so exhausted this afternoon because of this matter. You've helped me a lot." Qin Huairu said with tears of gratitude, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw.

"Haha, it's nothing. If you have any difficulties in the future, just tell me. A woman like you will definitely be too busy to handle it." Yi Zhonghai smiled gently, with a hint of concern in his tone.

"After Banggeng goes to school, Xiaodang and Huaihua will be left behind. Just ask an aunt to help you look after them and make sure they don't run out." Yi Zhonghai continued to remind her. He knew very well how difficult it was for Qin Huairu to take care of the children alone.

"Yes, thank you, uncle." Qin Huairu nodded repeatedly, indicating that he remembered it.

"Okay, remember to explain it clearly to Director Guo tomorrow and state the reason on the leave application. I'm leaving now." Yi Zhonghai patted Qin Huairu on the shoulder, then turned and left.

Qin Huairu watched Yi Zhonghai walk away, feeling filled with emotion.

She understood why Yi Zhonghai did this, but at the same time she felt a little scared.

After all, there’s always something a little unsettling about accepting help from someone else.

However, at this moment she was more grateful because Yi Zhonghai's help made her less worried.

Although Yi Zhonghai did this for his own retirement issue, considering retirement is still a matter for the future. The current difficulties have not been overcome yet, so he should not think too far ahead for the time being.

Qin Huairu sighed helplessly and turned back to the house.

When the aunt saw Lao Yi coming back and walking straight towards Qin Huairu, she couldn't help feeling a little helpless.

After a while, seeing Lao Yi coming back, he said, "You're back, come over for dinner."

"Well, I am indeed very hungry. I am really exhausted today."

"You may not know that Qin Huairu did not go to work this afternoon, and Director Guo was going to cause trouble for her, so I helped her to ask for leave."

"I came back to find out why she didn't go to the factory, and then I found out it was because of Banggeng's schooling."

"Oh, no wonder. I kept hearing noises coming from her house this afternoon. It turns out that Qin Huairu was at home."

The aunt finally understood what the unusual noise in the afternoon was about.

"Well, you see what this has caused. I have already promised her that I will lend her some money to pay for Banggeng's tuition. This is a rare and good opportunity for the child, and for us as well."

"Then take care of Xiaodang and Huaihua when you are free. Qin Huairu can only rely on our family now."

When the aunt heard the news, she thought it was a good idea and agreed to lend Yi Zhonghai the money and look after the child.