Siheyuan: Big City, Small Love

What was supposed to happen happened. First, university students began the movement, then classes were suspended and teachers were arrested. Then factory workers responded, and all kinds of rebels, revisionists, and capitalists came out.

Criticism, parades, and mass rallies were taking place every day. Many young people stepped forward and began to perform their own "one-man shows"!

The movement to destroy the four olds began, a series of destructive actions against the materialized forms of old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits.

Destroying the "Four Olds" became synonymous with smashing cultural relics, beating people, and ransacking homes. He Lai never thought about saving any antiques or cultural relics. After all, the Red Guards simply smashed and burned them, and it was not his turn to take away anything that could be taken away.

Many time-honored stores were forced to close and change their names. Barber shops, clothing stores, taverns, and other messy names were all changed to names with a revolutionary flavor.

Feng's Medical Clinic was directly demolished. Traditional Chinese medicine was also considered one of the "Four Olds", so everything inside was smashed. Fortunately, He Lai had given some notice in advance, so most of the medicinal materials and books were moved away.

However, Senior Brother Gao suffered a little and was taken away for criticism. But Old Man Feng did not suffer because someone from above took care of him. After all, he was old. If he had been taken away for criticism, he would probably have died in a few days.

Even Fengze Garden was converted into Chunfeng Hotel and became a public canteen.

Originally, He Lai wanted to take the opportunity to ask if anyone was willing to go to Hong Kong City with him, but when he saw that they all had families with them, he decided not to disturb their lives, so as not to implicate them if something happened.

He Lai was well aware of the horror of this era, so he prepared three things early: a red badge, red sleeves, and a small red book.

These three things are a must in this day and age. Now even going to the store to buy things requires reciting quotations.

The Red Star Steel Rolling Mill is also undergoing reform. The factory’s Revolutionary Committee has been formally established, with Li Huaide still serving as the committee’s director, officially taking over the steel rolling mill.

Director Yang was ousted not long after. Then a group of cadres from Director Yang's faction, some of whom defected to Li Huaide, while others who refused to go along with him were sent to work as street cleaners by Li Huaide.

He Lai rejected Li Huaide's kindness and did not take the position of deputy director. Instead, he directly recommended Xu Damao to him. After all, Xu Damao was more proficient in this area.

Li Huaide didn't force He Lai. After all, he knew that He Lai didn't like politics and liked to be lazy.

However, He Lai also told Xu Damao not to deliberately target people. Capitalists and people who really do bad things can be targeted, but don't go too far, or they will be held accountable in the future. It's best to keep a low profile.

As for Sha Zhu, just let him be. Qin Huairu is watching over him anyway, so nothing should happen to him.

In the courtyard where He Lai lived, only Yan Fugui's house was smashed and looted. After all, he was a small property owner, and his children were ungrateful and wanted to sacrifice their own relatives for the sake of justice in order to increase their reputation in the team.

There was no way. The people in the courtyard were still very united. After all, most of the residents were working class. Xu Damao was also the deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee of the steel rolling mill, and the Red Guards did not dare to act rashly in front of him.

The main battlefields of the Red Guards were still schools, temples and other places that were considered “four olds”.

The technical department where He Lai worked also suffered a blow. Everyone had to go to the workshop and work with the workers. Of course, it was called work, but there was not much work to do. Today's workers are thinking about sports all day long. The whole country is in chaos, so how can they have the mind to work?

He Lai directly applied for sick leave from Li Huaide and lay in bed at home.

The happiest person was Wu'er, because many children were locked up in courtyards by their parents and were not allowed to go outside. They had to stay at home. After all, it was too chaotic outside, and only rebellious teenagers would run out to make revolution.

Nowadays, Beijing is full of young people from other places. After all, people from all over the country are flocking to this capital city. Eating, accommodation, and train rides are all free, all covered by the government. Just put on a red armband, follow the right team, eat and drink whatever you want, and have a great time.

A bunch of people were chatting at He Lai's house. They were really idle. People like Nan Yi and Ding Qiunan were more or less affected. Nan Yi was a rich peasant, and Ding Qiunan's background was not very good. After all, his family was a medical family and a small intellectual family.

Liang Ladi was not affected at all. She is now a level 5 welder and still goes to work as usual. Damao and his group of children also often come to Helai's courtyard to play.

"I can't even cook now. I can only sweep the streets." Nan Yi said sadly.

"It's not like you haven't swept it before. Didn't you even sweep the toilet back then?"

Liang Ladi laughed.

"Oh, what's wrong with this society? Is class background so important? Everything is brought up for discussion! I've been criticized so many times for this, and they still won't let me go." Nan Yi continued to complain.

"Nan Yi, you must not tell anyone about this. You have to endure the anger. It would be bad if someone with ulterior motives heard it."

He Lai reminded.

"Right, right, right, Nan Yi, just be patient. Sweeping the floor is better than being dragged out for a struggle session. You may not know that many people have been locked up because of their class background. You better be careful with what you say and do."

Xu Damao also reminded.

"Okay." Nan Yi nodded.

"Why are you sad? Sweeping the floor is no easier than cooking. You are destined to be a hard worker!

Besides, there aren't many good cooks in the lighter factory right now, and they'll need you sooner or later. What are you worrying about? It won't be long before you have to start cooking again."

He Lai smiled.

"Really? Haha, I just like cooking. Sweeping the floor is too embarrassing." Nan Yi immediately became energetic after hearing He Lai's words.

"I like cooking. There are so many people in your courtyard, so just cook. No one can stop you after work." He said.

"How can I afford to buy so many vegetables? I can't always trouble you." Nan Yi said embarrassedly.

"Hey, what are you talking about? Don't the girls need your help to take care of them? Isn't it reasonable for me to give them some meat or something? Besides, it doesn't cost anything. I got it all from hunting."

He Lai said.

"Okay, okay, you guys talk. Nan Yi, let's go cook. Let them talk here by themselves." Sha Zhu was too lazy to listen to these words and planned to go cook. It just so happened that He Lai had a lot of food here.

"Okay, okay, okay. Then Chef He, please give me some pointers. I still have a lot to learn from you."

“Learn from each other and learn from each other.”

……

"Brother Damao, you have to be careful with Li Huaide. Don't just do whatever he says. Don't let him use you as a tool."

He Lai still gave a reminder, but he was also afraid that Xu Damao would be fooled by Li Huaide and just ignore it.

"Don't worry, Xiao Laizi. I won't do anything I shouldn't do. After all, I'm a deputy section chief now. I don't have to be the deputy director anymore. I'll learn from you and pretend to be sick at home. Anyway, I have meetings every day in the factory now!"

Xu Damao said.

"That won't do. You still have to go. After all, you have to protect the Siheyuan in the future. With you as the deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee, others won't dare to mess around in the Siheyuan."

He Lai explained.

"Brother Lai, can I not go to work? I keep reading those slogans and they make me feel sick and want to vomit."

Rain said.

Before He Lai could reply, Wu Juan spoke up, "Ah, you want to vomit? Xiao Laizi, come and check if Yu Shui is pregnant."

"Mom, what do you mean by pregnant? I'm not!" Yu Shui said with a red face.

"Ah? You want to vomit?" Wu Juan said.

"Oh, anyway, I'm not pregnant. Come on, brother, tell me." Yu Shui said anxiously.

"Uh... Mom, Yu Shui is definitely not pregnant. I'm with Yu Shui every day, so I would definitely know if she was pregnant."

He Lai said awkwardly.

When Wu Juan heard that Yu Shui was not pregnant, she almost said the three words "useless". She had been waiting for half a year but still hadn't had a second child. Her expression of disgust was self-evident, and of course this was directed at He Lai.

He Lai was also helpless. All he could think about now was when to leave for Gangcheng. Getting pregnant at this time was obviously not a wise choice. Wu Juan could blame him if she wanted, but she wouldn't say anything anyway.