Siheyuan: Rebirth of Liu Ergou

In the first month of the lunar calendar, the streets and alleys of the capital are filled with a festive atmosphere. Red lanterns are hung high, festive couplets are posted on the doors of every household, and the air is filled with the lingering fragrance of firecrackers and the aroma of New Year's Eve dinner. At this joyous moment, Xu Damao, wearing a brand new cotton-padded jacket and humming a little tune, stepped into the gate of the compound.

The snow had not yet melted in the courtyard, and the whole place was covered in white. Children were playing and frolicking in the snow, while adults were busy visiting relatives and friends. The arrival of Xu Damao undoubtedly added a bit of festivity to the courtyard. He rode an old bicycle with several bulging bags tied to the back seat, filled with local specialties brought from the countryside.

Uncle Three, Yan Bugui, was a smart man. He saw the goods on Xu Damao's cart at a glance. He squinted his eyes, smiled, stepped forward, and greeted him warmly: "Hey, isn't this Damao? When did you come back? Put the cart down quickly, I'll help you push it."

Xu Damao got out of the car with a smile on his face, untied a bag from the back seat, took out a bunch of dried mushrooms from it, handed it to Yan Bugui and said, "Uncle, this is a specialty given to me by my fellow villagers when I went to the countryside to show a movie. Take it back and try it."

Yan Bugui took the dried mushrooms, his face was full of smiles, and he thanked him repeatedly: "Oh, Damao is really sensible! OK, then I won't be polite."

After that, Yan Bugui really helped Xu Damao push the cart. The two walked and talked, and soon they arrived at the door of He Yuzhu's house.

He Yuzhu was a cook who worked in the factory cafeteria. He was generous and helpful, and was quite popular in the compound. At this time, he was busy preparing New Year's goods at home. He heard the noise outside the door, stuck his head out and saw that it was Xu Damao.

"Oh, Damao is here! Come in and sit down." He Yuzhu greeted him warmly.

Xu Damao parked the car and pointed to the bag on the back seat and said, "Brother Yuzhu, these are some dried goods and chickens I brought from the countryside. Take them and try them."

He Yuzhu took a look and saw that the bag was filled with various dry goods, as well as two old hens, a rooster, and bacon and sausages. He laughed and walked in without saying anything. "Okay, I won't be polite. It just so happens that I'm going to cook today, and these ingredients come just in time."

Xu Damao followed him into the house, and the two of them started working in the kitchen. He Yuzhu handled the ingredients skillfully, while Xu Damao helped on the side. The two chatted while they worked, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

At this moment, a scream suddenly came from the kitchen. The two were stunned and looked up, only to see He Yuzhu's wife Liu Lan standing at the kitchen door with her hands on her stomach and a pale face.

"What's wrong? Lan Zi?" He Yuzhu asked with concern.

Liu Lan panted and said intermittently: "I...I think I'm about to give birth."

He Yuzhu panicked when he heard this. He threw away the kitchen knife in his hand, pulled Liu Lan out of the house and said, "Da Mao, hurry up! Help me get Lanzi onto the bicycle. Let's go to the hospital."

Xu Damao didn't care about the work in his hands and rushed forward to help. Together, they helped Liu Lan onto the back seat of the bicycle. He Yuzhu got on the bicycle and pedaled out.

Liu Yi is He Yuzhu's younger brother, who was reading a book in the house. Hearing the noise outside, he looked out and saw his brother riding a bicycle away in a hurry. He felt nervous and chased after him: "Brother! What's going on?"

He Yuzhu shouted without even turning his head: "Lan Zi is about to give birth! I'm going to the hospital!"

When Liu Yi heard this, he didn't bother to ask any more questions. He turned around and ran back to the house, picked up a coat and put it on, then chased after him.

Along the way, He Yuzhu rode his bicycle quickly through the crowd. Xu Damao sat on the back seat, holding Liu Lan tightly. Liu Lan gritted her teeth and endured the pain.

Finally, they arrived at the hospital. He Yuzhu helped Liu Lan into the delivery room and waited anxiously outside. Xu Damao and Liu Yi followed closely behind and stood at the door of the delivery room with nervous expressions.

Time passed by, and painful groans could be heard from the delivery room. He Yuzhu was anxiously pacing outside. Xu Damao and Liu Yi sat opposite each other, praying silently.

Finally, the sound of a baby crying broke the silence of the delivery room. He Yuzhu was overjoyed when he heard it. He excitedly ran to the door of the delivery room, waiting for the good news from the nurse.

After a while, the nurse came out holding a tightly wrapped baby: "Congratulations! Mother and child are safe!"

He Yuzhu took the child and looked at his tender little face, his heart filled with joy and gratitude. He turned to Xu Damao and Liu Yi and said, "Look! This is my son! We have a successor!"

Xu Damao and Liu Yi also came over, looked at the baby and congratulated him.

A few days later, Liu Lan was discharged from the hospital. He Yuzhu was still dazed and didn't know what to do. Fortunately, Auntie Yang Yuhua, Auntie Zhang Min, and Auntie Xu Xin were there to help.

He Yuzhu looked at the busy people, shook his head, and said, Xiaoyi, give my son a name. Liu Yi thought for a long time, how about He Xiao? He Yuzhu shouted loudly: "He Xiao, good, this is the name." Everyone also agreed, saying that this name is good.

At this time, Liu Lan came over and looked at He Yuzhu and Liu Yi with gratitude in her eyes. She said, "Xiaoyi, thank you, thank you for giving my son such a good name." Liu Yi smiled and said, "Why thank you? This is what I should do." Liu Yi also said, "Yes, Sister Liu Lan, you're welcome."

Liu Lan looked at her husband He Yuzhu and Liu Yi, and her heart was filled with emotion. She knew that there was always a gap between her and He Yuzhu, but she also knew that He Yuzhu was a good man and he would take good care of herself and her son.

Second Aunt Zhang Min saw Liu Lan getting off the bed like this, and hurried over to help her get on the kang, scolding Liu Lan for not taking care of her body, and that she would suffer if she didn't pay attention to recovery after giving birth. Liu Lan smiled weakly and said, "Second Aunt, I'm fine, I just want to come down for a walk." Zhang Min looked at her distressedly and said, "You are too strong-willed, and you want to do everything by yourself. You are a pregnant woman now, you need to rest well, otherwise what if you get sick?" Liu Lan said gratefully, "Second Aunt, thank you for your concern, I understand." Zhang Min covered Liu Lan with a quilt and said, "Lie down well, I'll make some chicken soup for you." Liu Lan said, "No, Second Aunt, I'm not hungry." Zhang Min said, "Even if you're not hungry, you have to eat something to replenish your body. Don't worry about it, I'll be back in a while." After that, Zhang Min went out. Liu Lan looked at Zhang Min's back, and her heart was warm. She felt very lucky to have such a good neighbor.