Siheyuan: Big City, Small Love

When He Lai returned to the office, Wu'er and the others were already sitting inside drinking soda.

"Come here, brother, here's some money." When Yi Xiaobao saw He Lai coming back, he immediately stood up and took out two dimes.

"What are you talking about! Why be so polite to Brother Lai? Just drink as much as you want. It's just a bottle of soda. Brother Lai can afford it." He Lai said, smiling and touching Yi Xiaobao's head.

"Oh, okay, then thank you, brother." Yi Xiaobao could only put the money back into his pocket and sit on the sofa.

"Good boy!" He said, then turned to look at Wu'er, who was still staring at her picture book.

He Lai suddenly felt like a disappointed iron man and tapped Wu'er's little head gently.

Unfortunately, Wu'er seemed to be used to it. She just reached out and touched the place where she was hit, without even looking at He Lai.

He Lai was immediately deflated and returned to his workstation to continue slacking off.

Thinking about what they discussed at noon, He Lai didn't have any good solution. After all, there were at least hundreds of thousands of unemployed young people in the entire city, not including those in rural areas. The base was too large, so going to the countryside was an inevitable choice for young people.

When he got off work, Yi Zhonghai came early to pick up Yi Xiaobao. It seemed that he was worried that Yi Xiaobao would be led astray by Wu'er.

But this was the fact. Wu'er was noisy the whole afternoon, either dragging Yi Xiaobao to Sha Zhu's place or to Yu Shui's place. Anyway, she couldn't stay idle for a moment.

"Yushui, tell me the truth, why did you bring Yi Xiaobao here today?"

He Lai asked.

"You should ask mother about that. I will also follow her arrangements." Yu Shui replied.

He Lai understood immediately. Everyone knew what Wu Juan was thinking. She was determined to find a home for Wu'er.

However, given Wu'er's big sister personality, it might be a bit difficult for Yi Xiaobao, a good boy, to handle this. Also, He Lai is preparing to go to Gangcheng, and Wu Juan and the others can't decide whether to go or not. It's better for Wu'er to be taken away by herself, otherwise this little girl might cause trouble during the Cultural Revolution.

When we arrived at Wu Juan's place, she was cleaning a photo frame with Wen'er. The photo frame naturally contained a couple photo of her and He Zhan.

Wu Juan was so satisfied with the photo that she wished she could erase it every day.

"Mom, stop wiping it. Be careful not to break the glass."

He said something.

"You little rascal, if you want a beating just tell me and I'll satisfy you!" Wu Juan glanced at He Lai and said.

"Brother, where is my sister?" Wen'er asked.

"Oh, Wen'er still cares about your sister. She must be playing at your brother Zhuzi's house. Go find her." He Lai patted Wen'er's butt and said with a smile.

Wen'er ran out as soon as he heard it. As boys grow up, they become more naughty and start to play.

After seeing Wen'er leave, He Lai said to Wu Juan, "Mom, don't match them up randomly. Uncle Yi's child is too quiet and not suitable for Wu'er. Don't let Wu'er lead Yi Xiaobao wildly. Aunt Yi will probably be heartbroken."

"Yes, yes, yes, you and Yu Shui are a good match. It's all your fault that Wu'er became like this! How come you don't know how to feel sorry for your mother!" Wu Juan rolled her eyes at He Lai.

"Mom, you're here again. I'm just telling the truth." He Lai said embarrassedly.

"Alright, alright, just stay away. I get angry when I see you."

Wu Juan sighed and waved the rag in He Lai's direction.

In the days that followed, Wu Juan no longer went to look for Yi Xiaobao. She just kept Wu'er and Wen'er by her side to prevent Wu'er from causing any trouble.

The situation in Sijiu City is becoming more and more chaotic, and it is very obvious. Even the security department where He Zhan works has been dispatched. Now they are no longer limited to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, and they are patrolling outside the factory every day.

There were things like scrambling for tickets at the theatre, young men flirting with young girls, and children from poor families and those from military compounds starting to fight. The reason was that they looked down on each other. Of course, most of the children from the military compounds were too arrogant and looked down on the poor ones, thinking that they were not worthy of being compared with the children of officers themselves.

The poor children naturally hated these people who looked down on others and wanted to compete with them in every way, so at this time there were often scenes of them snatching military academy coats.

Taking advantage of the National Day holiday, He Lai brought Wu'er to the theater to buy tickets for Yu Shui. It seemed to be a movie called "The Red Detachment of Women".

After being adapted, this ballet became a revolutionary model opera and was deeply loved by young people, especially educated young women, who all loved to watch it.

So many young people came to queue up. After all, if you could appear in a play at that time, you would be very prestigious. So the queue for buying tickets started in the evening, and it was as lively as if the supply and marketing cooperative suddenly released the news that there would be meat tomorrow.

Of course He Lai would not just queue up foolishly, he naturally has his own way.

Just pay the money. No matter what era, there will always be scalpers for tickets. He Lai also found a ticket seller directly and bought four tickets at a high price.

"Brother, I want to eat candied haws." Wu'er, who was lying on He Lai's back, pointed to a stall selling candied haws nearby and said.

"Okay, buy two strings." He Lai thought that he hadn't eaten candied haws for a long time and missed it, so he agreed.

During the National Day holiday, the supervision is not strict, and some small vendors will treat it as a market and come out to sell things. Of course, they are all disabled people or elderly widows and widowers, and they are the only ones allowed to do business.

Wu'er quickly took the candied haws from the old lady's hand and jumped and danced happily on He Lai's back.

He Lai couldn't stand it anymore, so he put her down and let her finish eating first.

Wu'er happily bit off a hawthorn and walked in front, jumping and skipping.

He Lai shook his head and took out money to pay the old lady selling candied haws.

In the blink of an eye, Wu'er had already walked several meters away.

So at this time an accident happened. Wu'er stretched out her hand and waved the candied haws, and suddenly bumped into a young man walking towards her.

Before Wu'er could say anything, the young man spoke directly: "Damn, where did this little brat come from? Don't you have eyes when you walk?" He looked at his military coat stained with sugar juice, and then pushed Wu'er hard.

Wu'er was so young that she was pushed to the ground by him, and the candied haws fell to the ground.

But Wu'er didn't cry, because He Lai had already walked quickly to Wu'er and helped her up.

"Are you okay?" He Lai checked Wu'er's little hand, fearing that she had gotten her skin abraded.

"Brother, he pushed me!" Wu'er was not afraid at all. She pouted and pointed at the young man.

"What a sharp-tongued little girl." The young man said contemptuously, and then turned to He Lai, "You are her elder brother, tell me, my clothes have been soiled by her, this is an officer's woolen coat, what should I do?"

After checking that Wu'er was not injured, He Lai stood up and looked at the young man, and asked in a deep voice: "Which hand pushed you?"

"Hey, kid, you're quite brave. This hand is pushing. How dare you..."

The young man stretched out his right hand and said jokingly, but before he could finish his words, He Lai directly moved, grabbed his right hand and started pulling.

"Ah! My hand!" The young man screamed and fell to his knees.