Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

Want to lie flat and enjoy yourself? No way!

"Brother-in-law, I heard there was a parade, so I came to check it out," Li Aiguo replied cheerfully.

Compared to two years ago, he is now much taller and stronger.

The key is temperament—being composed, mature, and acting like an adult.

"What are you watching? Stay away from this and don't get involved."

Yang Jianguo said, fearing he might not be happy, "Don't go back today, come to my place for a meal, I have something to tell you."

Li Aiguo peeked out to watch the commotion, not forgetting to respond with a soft "Hey."

Once the parade was out of sight, he followed Yang Jianguo and sped up his bike into the alley.

Upon arriving at the compound, the two of them carried the car inside, one in front of the other.

"Park the car here, the courtyard inside is small." Yang Jianguo told him to park the car next to him outside the side room in the middle courtyard.

Movements came from inside the old house. "Jianguo, who's here?"

"Sister, it's me, Aiguo." Li Aiguo called out as he entered the room.

Yingzi was happy to see her younger brother: "You've grown taller and stronger, but your face has gotten thinner."

After looking him over carefully, Yingzi let go of him and said, "You're like an adult now."

Li Aiguo scratched his head and chuckled, saying, "Can you stop talking about this all the time? I'm going to check on the kids."

Zhiyuan and Zhiyi were sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) reading.

Leaning against the wall, with a cushion behind him, he curled up with his legs straight and his spine upright.

Upon seeing her uncle, Zhiyi immediately closed the book with joy.

"Uncle!" The girl rushed forward, arms outstretched.

Li Aiguo rushed to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) to catch her, and kissed her on the cheek affectionately, saying, "Haha, did you miss your uncle?"

"Yes, I'd like to." Zhiyi nodded seriously.

Her sweet, childlike reply made him beam with joy.

He reached into his hand, pulled out two yuan, and stuffed it into the girl's hand: "Take this and buy some candy."

He let the girl play by herself, then looked at Zhiyuan, who was still sitting on the kang, holding his book, looking at him with a calm expression.

Seeing his gaze, Zhiyuan called him "Uncle".

"Hey." Li Aiguo looked at this child and felt that he was destined for great things.

He took out two yuan, leaned over the kang (a heated brick bed), and stuffed it into Li Aiguo's arms. Li Aiguo then lay down on the kang.

"What book are you reading?" Li Aiguo tilted his head to take a look and found it was a comic book. He then started reading it with Li Aiguo.

Zhiyuan looked somewhat helpless as his uncle squeezed in next to him.

My uncle smells really bad!

"Why is Aiguo here today?" Yingzi asked her husband in front of the stove.

“He ran off to watch the parade, but I called him back.”

"What's so interesting about this show... No, I have to say something to him later."

Seeing that she seemed a little anxious, Yang Jianguo comforted her, "Don't get involved, I'll handle it."

Hearing his words, Yingzi immediately felt relieved.

In this family, Li Aiguo was the one who listened to him the most.

Who can blame him when he's both his brother-in-law and his mentor?

He's so talented; he's Li Aiguo's idol!

After the food was prepared, Yang Jianguo carried the tray, and Yingzi and her younger brother, each carrying a child, went together to the main house in the backyard.

Today we're having pulled noodles with meat topping, served with radish and fermented soybeans.

Snore snore...

He slurped up a big mouthful of noodles and then took a bite of the raw garlic in his hand.

Really fragrant!

"patriotic."

"Hey, brother-in-law, what do you say?"

Yang Jianguo called him over saying he "had something to say," and Li Aiguo was waiting to hear it!

"The days ahead may not be peaceful. Don't get involved in anything related to the Red Guards. If anyone comes to you, refuse them."

"To put it mildly, our family consists of workers; no one would dare to do anything reckless."

Seeing Li Aiguo nod, Yang Jianguo felt it necessary to say more to him: "If you want to continue living a good life, listen to me."

"This commotion is deadly; don't get involved."

Upon hearing this, Li Aiguo was somewhat bewildered: "Wasn't it supposed to be an ideological movement?"

"Yes, but there are too many monsters and demons inside, plotting their own selfish interests."

Li Aiguo, who was also a high school graduate, understood immediately.

Although my brother-in-law has never held a cadre position, he is highly skilled and is the director of a special workshop, a powerful and important position.

He knows countless high-ranking officials, so his information network is naturally very extensive.

Since he said so, I should take it seriously and write it down.

"By the way, does Dad know?" Li Aiguo took a bite of noodles and remembered his father.

The couple exchanged a smile and said, "We already told you."

While they were having dinner inside, things weren't peaceful at Qin Huairu's house either.

Granny Jia, who had always been active in the neighborhood committee's activities, has now transformed into a Red Guard.

Not only did he become a Red Guard, but because of his seniority and skill in dealing with scoundrels, he was appointed as a group leader.

He had two or three men under his command, and he was incredibly arrogant.

However, she was quite restrained within this compound.

The main reason she can't be arrogant is because Yang Jianguo is around.

Another one... Granny Jia doesn't care about these trivial matters in the courtyard.

But today she saw a good show and had to have a good talk with Qin Huairu: "...That Xu Damao was so impressive."

Qin Huairu's expression was complicated as she pressed, "Is it really Xu Damao?"

Granny Jia grinned unhappily and said, "How could I possibly mistake this? Do you think I'm bluffing you?"

Hearing her say that, Qin Huairu felt even more uneasy.

"Mom, you watch the child, I'm going out for a bit." Qin Huairu didn't even bother to eat her meal before turning around and walking out.

Granny Jia rolled her eyes and said nothing.

She was simply going to inform Yang Jianguo. That's why Granny Jia specifically mentioned it to her.

She wasn't trying to be helpful by informing Yang Jianguo; she was just waiting to see what would happen!

He was secretly gloating, wishing the two of them would fight.

Xu Damao became a Red Guard.

He's still the deputy director in charge of this area; things are going to get lively from now on.

On Yang Jianguo's side, Qin Huairu relayed the news to him.

Xu Damao became the deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee of this area and one of the grassroots leaders of the Red Guards.

"Master, he's definitely coming for you." Qin Huairu looked worried and felt anxious for him.

She and Yang Jianguo were in the same boat.

When one loses, both suffer, and when one gains, both prosper.

If Yang Jianguo is really defeated by Xu Damao, who is making a comeback, then Qin Huairu's good days will be over.

"Jianguo, you have to be careful about this," Yingzi said worriedly.

Why hasn't there been any good news these days?

"Don't worry, Xu Damao won't amount to anything." Yang Jianguo said calmly, displaying an unwavering composure.

But he also reminded himself that he needed to be extra careful about Xu Damao.

I was the one who kicked him out of the compound, and over the years he's made up a lot of lies and spread rumors!

Most of the rumors were fabricated by him.

When I met Yang Jianguo at the factory, he also had a hostile attitude.

The relationship between the two showed no signs of improvement.

On the contrary, it has become more serious over time.

Now that they are in power, they naturally want to make the best use of resources.

Otherwise, why would he insist on being in charge of this area? Xu Damao wanted to come back for revenge.

However, he needs to take care of his own 'little leeches' first.

Otherwise, his name would have to be removed from the Revolutionary Committee in just a few days.

Seeing that the three of them still looked worried, Yang Jianguo laughed loudly, "Don't forget that Xu Damao is still working at the steel rolling mill."

"Whether he sweeps the floor in the factory or continues to work is up to him to choose."

Yang Jianguo's calm and composed attitude also influenced the three of them.

He's right.

In the factory, Yang Jianguo was the top ace.

The title of "advanced and outstanding worker" that the instructor praised twice in consecutive letters is not something that can be easily granted.

If he hadn't turned down the previous job offer, he'd probably be a 'National Outstanding Worker Representative' by now!

Chapter 256 Zhiyuan is injured, kite string

After dinner, before it got dark, Yang Jianguo urged his brother-in-law to hurry home.

As for Qin Huairu, she told him the news, chatted casually for a few more minutes, and then went back to her room to eat.

On his way home, Li Aiguo saw the marching crowd blocking a building.

The guards at the entrance wouldn't let them in, and the two sides were locked in a standoff, with the protesters displaying an arrogant and overbearing attitude.

Holding up big-character posters and portraits, they rushed in while shouting slogans.

The scene thrilled Li Aiguo, and he stopped his car, wanting to join in.

But then he thought about what his brother-in-law had said, and it was like a wake-up call, making him break out in a cold sweat.

This is going to kill me...

They dare to trespass into such a large compound; they must have a death wish.

Let's go, let's go home quickly!

If his father and brother-in-law find out, they'll definitely beat him up.

At the factory, he was often beaten by his "master".

When Yang Jianguo gets angry, he won't use a wrench or any other tools to hit you.

In his words, "whipping him is to teach him a lesson. It should hurt, but it shouldn't leave any hidden dangers. A belt, a willow branch, or a whip with fluffy ends are best."

He only uses a pure cowhide belt around his waist, which reminds people of the deep love and care he received from his loving father when he was young.

The factory workers learned a lot from him.