Siheyuan: I live next door to Xu Damao, my last name is Cao

While Liu Haizhong was listening to Cao Wei's words, his head seemed to be pulled by an invisible string and nodded constantly, as fast as pounding garlic, his face full of agreement.

The corners of his mouth slightly lifted, forming deep wrinkles, and he muttered to himself, "That's right, Cao Wei, you finally hit the nail on the head. We have been rooted in this city for most of our lives, and have been working in these alleys since we were young. Whenever a family has a problem, whether it's a shortage of pots and pans, or someone is sick and needs medicine urgently, we just need to shout at the top of our lungs, and the kind-hearted people will come immediately as if they heard a charge. That kind of warmth and sense of security, well, you can't find it anywhere else."

As he got excited, his already wrinkled forehead looked as if it had been rubbed harshly by the big hand of time. The wrinkles became deeper and the grooves were like the mottled marks of an ancient city wall. He was full of worries about all kinds of unfavorable situations in the future, and his furrowed brows seemed able to catch a fly.

He stretched out his rough and thick fingers, breaking them one by one, analyzing them one by one: "Look, Qi Sihui's family doesn't have a boy. If Guangqi is determined to marry her, he will definitely be regarded as the backbone and the mainstay of her family in the future. He will have to rush forward and take the lead in everything. But on our side, his mother and I are as old as grasshoppers in autumn. We can't jump for a few more years. Our bodies are also in trouble from time to time. Today my knee hurts like a needle, and tomorrow his mother will have a cold leg again. We are counting on Guangqi to take care of us, serve tea and water, and seek medical advice. If we are tens of thousands of miles away from that girl, how can he take care of either side?"

"Besides, although her family has some power now, and it seems that they can gain some benefits for Guangqi, and in the eyes of outsiders, they may be a help, but we know what kind of person our own child is. Our Guangqi is also a handsome man with a smart mind. He has his own ambitions and abilities. That so-called help is just icing on the cake for him. It is not very useful. There is no need to go far away for this."

After saying that, he sighed heavily, and that breath was just like the whine of an old bellows, long and heavy, as if he wanted to spit out all the depression that had been accumulated in his chest for a long time. His turbid eyes showed helplessness and determination: "Also, if her father retires, he will be nostalgic when he is old, and he will be homesick and determined to go back to his hometown in Northeast China. As a daughter, Qi Sihui should put filial piety first, so can she not go with him? When the time comes, Guangqi will be caught in the middle, with his parents on one side and his wife on the other. He will be in a dilemma. How can he live like this? We can't gamble the rest of Guangqi's life on such an uncertain thing. If we lose the bet, then everything will be lost, and the child's happiness for life will be ruined."

Cao Wei nodded slightly, his chin lightly tapped, his eyes deep and thoughtful, and said softly: "Second Uncle, you have considered everything, but Guangqi is now blinded by emotions, as if he was given a love potion. It's harder to persuade him than to climb to the sky. We have to think of a way to cleverly make him understand your painstaking efforts and know that you are planning for his long-term, but not to move too fast and intensify the conflict, forcing the child to fly further away like a kite with a broken string, and then you can't pull him back even if you want to."

Liu Haizhong slapped his thigh suddenly, with a crisp "pa" sound, and his expression instantly revealed a sense of sudden enlightenment.

He said excitedly, "Yes, I was thinking about it. I tried my best to persuade him, saying both good and bad things, but he just wouldn't listen. It seems that my straightforward words are not working. Let's take a roundabout way. I plan to find a few respected old neighbors. Guangqi will listen to their words to some extent. Let them talk to Guangqi about the pros and cons of this matter."

Cao Wei's eyes suddenly lit up, like a shooting star across the night sky, and he agreed, "This is a great idea. Strength lies in numbers, and when everyone gathers, the flames rise high. Everyone gathered around Guangqi, talking to him in a flurry of persuasion, and even though Guangqi was a stubborn stone, he could feel that everyone was truly doing this for his own good."

He scratched his head in the middle of his bangs, and his rough hands rubbed his scalp, making his hair messy. A trace of embarrassment appeared on his face, and the corners of his mouth turned down slightly. He smiled bitterly and said, "Alas, I was too impatient before. I lost my sense of proportion when I got angry."

Cao Wei patted Liu Haizhong's shoulder, and his hand fell with strength and encouragement, and he said sincerely: "Okay, Second Uncle, let's do as you say, and we will do it step by step. This matter is like untangling a tangled mess. As long as we have patience and methods, we can always sort it out. I will also pay more attention to Guangqi, and wait for the right time to persuade him when his emotions have eased a little and he is soft-hearted, so as to make him think it through as soon as possible and stop being so stubborn about this matter."

Cao Wei then said pointedly, "Second uncle, if it really doesn't work, you can go back to the old method of 'beating a stick to make a filial son'. Look, your second and third sons were all brought up by you, they are so obedient, they do whatever you tell them to do. I think it's because you have spoiled Guangqi too much over the years, holding him in your hands for fear of dropping him, holding him in your mouth for fear of melting him, you have spoiled him to the sky, it would be better if you disciplined him the same way as the second and third sons."

Liu Haizhong's eyes suddenly lit up, like a candle lit in the dark night. His steps stopped instantly, his body was like a fixed wooden stake, his face was full of surprise and realization, and he said excitedly: "Oh, Cao Wei, you hit the nail on the head! Why have I been confused for so long? In the past, when I controlled Guangtian and Guangfu, wasn't it the method passed down by our ancestors? When the belt was pulled, the two boys immediately became as obedient as eggplants hit by frost, wilted and well-behaved, not daring to breathe. How could they dare to go against me like Guangqi is doing now!"

Cao Wei frowned, his expression showing a bit of solemnity. He coughed lightly and reminded, "Second uncle, although there is an old saying that 'a good son is born under the stick', Guangqi is a grown-up boy. He is no longer the ignorant and fearful boy. He has his own ideas now and is deeply in love with the girl. If you really want to use force, you must be careful. If you are not careful, you may be smashed to pieces."

Liu Haizhong scratched his head, his face showing both realization and hesitation. He smacked his lips and said, "I know that, but look at how dead he is now. For that girl, he has given up his family. How can he still have me as his father in his eyes? I have tried so hard to persuade him so many times. My lips are almost worn out and my saliva is almost dry. But he just won't listen. I have a fire burning in my heart, as fierce as the fire in a steel furnace. I have no place to vent it."

Cao Wei shook his head slightly, his movements were slow and full of regret. He patted his arm in his bangs and advised, "Second uncle, anger is like a flood that breaks the dam, and it can easily cause trouble. We just planned to find an old neighbor to persuade him and make the interests clear. This is a soft approach. When we talk about future plans, we should reason with him and attract him with tangible benefits and prospects. If that doesn't work, we can think about using the 'stick' again, but be careful not to push the child too hard, otherwise it will be counterproductive. If he runs away in anger, you will be even more worried, and you won't be able to catch up with him by then."

Liu Haizhong frowned, sighed, and said helplessly, "Alas, I am afraid of this too. Guangqi has been spoiled since he was a child, and his temper is as stubborn as a donkey. Once he makes up his mind, ten cows can't pull him back. If he really wants to compete with me, I am afraid it will be a fierce battle and it will not end well. But this matter can't be let go like this. He must know that the rules of the family cannot be broken, and my words can't be ignored. "

Cao Wei nodded in agreement: "That's right, Second Master. Think about it, Guan Guangtian and Guangfu were obedient before, but they were also very afraid of you, so the closeness between parents and children was lost. As for Guangqi, you should try your best to convince him. Even if you have to use a 'stick' in the end, you have to let him know that this is for his long-term planning, not to embarrass him intentionally. You have to let him know that you love him deeply."

Liu Haizhong pondered for a moment, gritted his teeth, and made up his mind: "Okay, I'll listen to you and follow the plan first. If this kid is still stubborn, I will show my trump card again. I just hope that he can understand my painstaking efforts and stop being confused about this marriage. I can get on the right track."

Cao Wei smiled, and that smile was like the warm spring sun, and he comforted him: "Second Uncle, you are right to think so. We are all doing this for Guangqi's own good. As long as we guide him patiently and attentively, there will always be a turning point. Maybe after a while, he will figure it out by himself, and he will thank you for your good intentions in the future."

After helping Xu Fugui, the sunset glow in the sky was gradually swallowed up by the twilight, leaving only a faint afterglow lingering in the sky.

Xu Fugui's face was full of smiles, and that smile was like a blooming chrysanthemum. He tried to persuade them to stay by shouting: "Hey, Cao Wei, Second Master, you must be exhausted after working so hard for half a day. You must have dinner with me before you leave. I asked my wife to prepare some delicious dishes. Although they are not as delicious and exquisitely presented as those in restaurants, they are also made with real care. I guarantee that you will have a full stomach and return with satisfaction!"

Cao Wei waved his hands quickly, with an apologetic smile on his face, and explained earnestly: "Uncle Xu, I appreciate your kindness, but I have something else to do later. Next time, next time I will definitely come to try my aunt's cooking, and then I will definitely leave enough space in my stomach to enjoy it."

Liu Haizhong also joined in the conversation, patted his round belly, and said seriously: "I just had dinner before going out, and my stomach was full at that time. Now I am still full, and I really can't eat any more. I will remember your kindness. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. When you are free one day, we can get together and have a drink."

As he spoke, his eyes unconsciously drifted towards his home, with a hint of anxiety on his face, he was thinking about his two sons who were still kneeling on the ground. Their pitiful and frightened appearances emerged in his mind, and he was thinking about going back quickly to have a good "talk", to consolidate his authority as a father and the rules of the family, so that they would remember the lesson this time and dare not make the same mistake again.

Seeing that the two were determined, Xu Fugui did not force them, muttering, "Okay, that's a pity, but we have a deep friendship among neighbors, and there will be many opportunities to get together in the future. I'll host you next time."

Liu Haizhong hurriedly said goodbye to Xu Fugui and hurried home.

As soon as I entered the house, I saw Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu still kneeling obediently on the ground. Their bodies were as stiff as sculptures, their heads lowered, their eyes staring at the ground, not daring to breathe, they looked like two clay sculptures.

The moment he saw this scene, the anger in his heart miraculously dissipated a little, just like the surging waves hitting the reefs, the momentum was greatly reduced, and it was replaced by a sense of relief. He secretly sighed: "My stick education is still effective. Look at how well-behaved these two boys are now. Compared with the previous daring and cunning appearance of playing tricks on money, it is a world of difference. It seems that this old method can only calm the situation."

He cleared his throat, deliberately making his voice thick and long, revealing an unquestionable majesty: "Humph, you two, do you know you are wrong?"

Liu Haizhong's voice echoed in the room, carrying with it an invisible oppressive force.

Liu Guangtian raised his head, his eyes were red and tears were welling up in his eyes like a lake about to burst its dam.

He replied in a crying voice, "Dad, we were wrong. We really shouldn't have hidden the money left over from buying vegetables. We were blinded by greed and were confused for a moment. We will never dare to do it again. Please forgive us this time. We promise to turn over a new leaf and become a new person."

Liu Guangfu also nodded vigorously, shaking his head up and down like a rattle, and echoed: "Yes, Dad, we know we were wrong, don't be angry, we have deeply reflected on it, and we will behave ourselves in the future and never make this mistake again."

Liu Haizhong crossed his arms across his chest, his brows still furrowed tightly, but his tone was a little calmer than before when he was furious outside: "I'll let you off for now, but don't think that this matter will just pass by so easily. In the future, you must be careful when doing things. If you do it again, I won't let you off so easily. The rules of the house are ironclad, and no one can break the rules. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Dad!"

The two brothers spoke in unison, their voices so loud that they seemed to break through the roof, as if their remorse could not be heard in their bangs. Every word was full of sincerity and fear.

"Okay, get up, clean the floor, and put away the food you bought today. Don't make a mess. If you don't do it properly, you will be in trouble."

Liu Haizhong waved his big hand with a gesture of pardon, signaling them to stand up.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu stood up hurriedly as if they had been granted amnesty. Their legs were numb and trembling from kneeling for too long, as if they were bitten by millions of ants. But they did not care about that and quickly picked up the broom and rag and started working swiftly.

The two of them would occasionally steal glances at Liu Haizhong, like guilty thieves, afraid of making him unhappy again, so they were cautious and fearful in every move.

Liu Haizhong looked at his two sons with mixed feelings. He was satisfied with their obedience, but he couldn't help but worry. He thought to himself, "I can't be as rough and crude as I am with these two boys when it comes to Guangqi. I have to find a way to strike a balance. I can't push the children too hard, but I can't violate the bottom line of providing for their old age either."

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