The courtyard: the atmosphere of human life

There has always been a custom of "biting autumn" in the southern suburbs, that is, everyone has to eat a watermelon on the day of the beginning of autumn. When Darong's father got off work, he carried two big watermelons into the yard.

"Oh, you bought some watermelons too." Darong's mother smiled and shook her head helplessly when she saw the two big watermelons in Darong's father's hands.

This family has a very good understanding of each other. Including the two watermelons bought by Darong's father, there are 8 big watermelons neatly placed in the house.

"Hahaha... just keep them and eat them slowly. There are a lot of people at home anyway. Let Huazi bring two to his grandma tomorrow."

Darong's father also laughed when he saw the row of watermelons at the door.

The third child also graduated from school this year, and after taking the exams he has been hanging around at home doing nothing all day.

"You better go out and find a job tomorrow. Your brother and sister have been at home every day since they graduated, but you are the only one."

Darong's father kicked the third child who was curled up on the sofa watching TV.

"I know, I know. It's not that I don't want to find a job. But you won't let me work for a private company. The state-owned factories are eager to lay off employees, so who would hire temporary workers?"

The third brother retracted his feet, frowned and looked impatient.

By the end of the 80s, market-oriented economic reforms had gradually begun to affect the development direction of state-owned factories, and many units with poor performance had suffered considerable impact.

"Take your grandma to a big hospital tomorrow to get some medicine. The last time I went there, she said her legs were always hurting and she couldn't move. You can ride your bike over to pick her up and take a look."

While holding the dumplings, Darong's mother gave instructions to the third child.

"If I go, will my family have to pay for it? Why don't I ask my grandma to come over tomorrow? I think it will be more convenient. My sister is married now, so my grandma and Xiaoying can live here."

The third brother rolled his eyes with disdain. It wasn't that he felt bad about spending money on grandma, he was just very dissatisfied with the behavior of his two uncles.

"You little bastard, don't think I can't beat you now that you've grown up!" Darong's mother glared at the third child and kicked him in the calf.

"That's right. My grandma protects me all day long. Even those two uncles are not shameful enough."

"Stop talking nonsense to me. Are you going or not?" Darong's mother knew that the third child was just arguing, and she was not really angry. She just reached out and patted the third child lightly.

"Go away, how can I not go? If our family doesn't care, no one will care even if my grandma lies on the kang." The third brother snorted coldly and continued watching TV.

Darong's father sat at the table drinking wine and didn't say a word from beginning to end.

"Uncle, aunt, my mom asked me to bring you some melons... hehe... so many melons!"

Before Zhong Yunxing finished speaking, he saw a row of watermelons on the ground. What a family they really are!

"That's right. What a coincidence. Today, the whole family seemed to have discussed it beforehand and bought melons. Put them there quickly. Have you eaten them yet?"

Darong's mother invited Zhong Yunxing in and prepared to go to the kitchen to get more dishes and chopsticks.

"Aunt, I've eaten. I came here just to see Darong." After putting down the melon, Zhong Yunxing sat directly on the sofa, waiting for Darong to eat.

"What's up? Why are you here so late?"

Darong had actually almost finished eating, but when she saw Zhong Yunxing coming, she put down her chopsticks and decided not to eat anymore.

"It's nothing, you can eat first." Zhong Yunxing answered happily.

"I'm full now, so I'm not going to eat anymore. Let's go for a walk."

Darong could see that Zhong Yunxing must have something to do, so she used the excuse of taking a walk just to bring him out.

Zhong Yunxing followed Darong for a long time, and he always looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. Finally, Darong became impatient and broke the silence.

"Just tell me what's going on. Don't be so awkward." Darong stopped and turned to face Zhong Yunxing.

Zhong Yunxing looked at Da Rong in front of him. Her skin, which was naturally radiant despite being free of makeup, looked even softer and clearer under the light of the street lamp.

"My name is not included in the housing allocation quota of our factory... The list of people who were made public today came out, and my name is not on it." After Zhong Yunxing finished speaking, he carefully looked at Darong's expression.

Of course Darong knew what this meant. The woolen mill where Zhong Yunxing worked would only determine housing eligibility once every three years.

This batch did not get the quota, so Darong had to live with Zhong Yunxing in the small west room in Erdaohezi for the next three years.

Darong pursed her lips and did not answer. She just turned around and continued walking along the road. Her steps became heavy as she was worried.

In fact, Zhong Yunxing’s colleagues all advised him not to tell Darong now. After all, the two of them were going to get married in a month, and Darong did not require them to have a house before getting married. It would be better to pretend that they didn’t know anything and talk about it after the wedding.

But after thinking about it for a whole day, Zhong Yunxing still felt that he couldn't get over the hurdle in his heart. He really liked Darong and didn't want to deliberately hide the matter of the house in order to marry her.

"I get it. If you didn't make the list, then you didn't make it. Don't be so awkward."

After the two walked for a while, Darong suddenly comforted Zhong Yunxing in a soft voice.

"Aren't you angry?"

In fact, Zhong Yunxing had already predicted many possible reactions from Darong, but he did not expect that Darong would comfort him in return.

"Angry? There's nothing to be angry about. I just feel a little disappointed."

Zhong Yunxing suddenly felt distressed when seeing Darong's forced smile. He originally thought that since he was a young backbone in the factory and was getting married, he should be able to get a small room.

"You...are you still willing to marry me?"

"The certificates have all been collected. Aren't you asking too late?" Darong chuckled and suddenly felt that Zhong Yunxing was a little silly and funny at this moment.

According to the requirements for housing allocation at the time, the two of them had already obtained their marriage certificate and were queuing for quotas when Darong's birthday just came. So even though the wedding had not taken place yet, the two were already a legal couple.

"I'm asking you, are you still really willing to marry me?"

Zhong Yunxing suddenly became very serious. He straightened Darong's shoulders seriously, looked at her expectantly and asked.

Darong didn't know why, but she suddenly became a little shy when looking at Zhong Yunxing with bright eyes and bright eyebrows in front of her. It seemed like the first time she looked into his eyes at such a close distance, and she finally saw the burning and shining light in his eyes.

Darong nodded shyly, a blush slightly tinging her fair face.

Zhong Yunxing didn't know where he got the courage from, but he suddenly hugged Darong tightly into his arms, and the two young hearts finally came close to each other.

In that era when transportation was slow, Zhong Yunxing never gave Darong a passionate love, but he used the simplest way to protect the most sincere feelings in his heart.