Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1076 Xiao Wu's Troubles
Apart from the street office entrance where people are always coming and going, Yu'er Hutong is deserted. The little kids who used to run around in the hutong are gone, and the aunties who used to chat about this and that are also gone. Even when someone passes by, they just hurry by.

The gate of courtyard number 47 was tightly closed, and there was no sound in the front yard. Only a big yellow dog lay lazily in the shade under the osmanthus tree, its eyes half-closed and its ears twitching. Two tricycles were parked haphazardly in the yard, and an old-fashioned bicycle was parked in the corner.

Xiao Wu, with a steamed bun stuffed in his mouth and a bottle of soda in his left hand, glanced around Wang Zhan's room and said, "Why do I feel like you're getting more and more down on your luck? How dare I eat at your house again next time?"

"Why are you making such a fuss? Can't you focus on your studies all day long? Don't you know what your parents are thinking? They have high hopes for you," Wang Zhan said, smoking a cigarette as he looked at the incessantly chattering Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu fell silent upon hearing Wang Zhan's words, quietly eating his meal. Wang Zhan assumed he was reflecting on his actions and didn't disturb him. He then took out a book on basic riveting and began to read. In an instant, the room became quiet.

After finishing his meal, Xiao Wu devoured the remaining eggs and said, "This is the best meal I've had all month. Thanks, buddy. Can I have another cigarette?"

Wang Zhan put down his book, pushed the cigarette and lighter in front of Xiao Wu, who lit one first, then casually put the cigarette and lighter into his pocket. Wang Zhan rolled his eyes, stood up and said, "Is that all you've got?"

Wang Zhan went into his bedroom and came out carrying a package wrapped in newspaper. He placed it in front of Xiao Wu and said, "Two packages. One is for your dad. Go apologize to him."

Xiao Wu nodded and then fell silent, smoking quietly. Even when Wang Li brought Jinbao over to greet him, he didn't say a word. When Wang Li saw that Xiao Wu was preoccupied, she didn't disturb him and turned around to rush out of the main room with Jinbao.

In the afternoon, in the main room of the backyard, the main door was open on all four sides, and the windows on both sides were also open. Inside the room, two boys sat facing each other. There was a teapot and teacups on the table. Each of them lit a cigarette and chatted.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Wu seemed to have made up his mind and said, "Brother, although I'm older than you, I've always considered you my brother. You're more mature than me and understand some things better. This time, I want to join the army. To be honest, graduating from high school and then getting a factory job or a reserve officer position feels like a waste of my talents. What do you think?"

"What talent do you have? Besides causing trouble, what other talents do you have?" Wang Zhan was a little amused, but he still agreed with Xiao Wu's choice.

Wang Zhan took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Then I'll go see Company Commander Li in the next day or two. My mentor arranged my buddy's enlistment spot, so I think Uncle Li should be able to help."

“I’ll go with you. Joining the army has always been my childhood dream, and I’m determined to make it happen this time.” Xiao Wu was a little excited after hearing this.

"Don't get too excited yet. Even if you join the army, it's after you graduate next year. You'll have to persevere for another year. And another very important question is, are your parents willing?" Wang Zhan reminded Xiao Wu.

This silenced Xiao Wu again. All Xiao Wu could think of was his mother, brandishing a feather duster, and his father, furious and wielding a broom, rushing towards him.

Wang Zhan stopped caring; this was something Xiao Wu should handle himself. He wasn't a nanny, and he couldn't be expected to take care of everything. He lowered his head, refilled his teacup, and took a sip. Wang Zhan felt that only now did the tea truly have a good flavor.

In the small garden, Dayu and Xiaoyu were playing on the stream. Wang Li was clearing a small patch of land at the foot of the west wall with a small hoe. The patch was only about two square meters. Yesterday, Wang Zhan had fenced it off with some useless bamboo strips. Wang Li planned to build herself a small garden and plant the flowers she had carefully selected from the flower sea.

Wang Zhan and Xiao Wu strolled over to the small garden and saw Wang Li with her sleeves rolled up, diligently hoeing the ground. It looked like she had already cleared about a third of it. Xiao Wu squatted down outside the flower bed and said, "Hey, little sister, are you planning to become a farmer?" "You're the farmer, your whole family are farmers, no, little sister Xiao Li isn't," Wang Li retorted. Then, realizing her aunt had been quite kind to her, she changed her tune and said, "You're the only farmer in your family."

Xiao Wu was amused and burst into laughter. Wang Zhan looked at Xiao Wu helplessly. This kid seemed to want to provoke everyone. He should let him join the army. Otherwise, he would get into trouble sooner or later if he stayed in Beijing.

Wang Zhan found a rock to sit on, lit a cigarette, and said, "Don't mess with my sister. She's finally willing to work. If she shirks her responsibilities, you'll have to do the work yourself."

Xiao Wu stood up, walked to Wang Zhan's side, and extended his hand to Wang Zhan. Wang Zhan handed him a cigarette and a match. After Xiao Wu lit it, he sat down next to him and said, "Xiao Si's hometown is having some difficulties again. This time, Xiao Si was a little embarrassed to ask you for help again, so he didn't tell me either. I heard it from my dad."

Wang Zhan was taken aback and asked, "What happened? Tell me about it."

Xiao Wu said, "Didn't Xiao Si deliver the grain over there, relieving his family's urgent need? But I never expected that no sooner had Xiao Si and his father left than the old man, for some reason, delivered the grain directly to the brigade headquarters, saying he would distribute it to the whole village. So that little bit of grain was enough for the whole village to eat for a few days. In less than five days, his grandfather's family ran out of food again."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhan thought to himself, "This old man is truly compassionate. It's a pity that things are so difficult to buy grain in the market these days, and he doesn't even consider his wife's feelings."

Wang Zhan asked, "And then what happened?"

"Hehe, every family in that village has able-bodied men. If they run out of food, they can go into the mountains to beg for food. These two are almost eighty years old. What can they do? They sent someone to tell Xiao Si's family again. Xiao Si is so angry that he hasn't been able to eat for several days," Xiao Wu sighed.

Wang Zhan thought for a moment and said, "Let's bring the old man into the city. At this time, who can take care of whom? I heard that this famine will last for a long time, not just a year or two."

Xiao Wu suddenly stood up and asked, "Who told you that?"

"Don't ask anymore. Even if you ask, I can't tell you. By the way, just know this and remind your dad. If this gets out, it'll be a big problem," Wang Zhan said.

Xiao Wu nodded. Although he was being a bit silly, he still had a basic sense of right and wrong.

Wang Zhan lowered his voice and said, "You know Wu Ergou, right?"

Xiao Wu nodded, and Wang Zhan said, "Wu Ergou is no longer involved in the black market. He found a job and started working. But there are still 500 jin of cornmeal left in the small courtyard he used to live in. That's mine. You and Xiao Si can split it. This is the last time. After you go home, go with Xiao Si to find Wu Ergou and take it away tonight."

After hearing this, Xiao Wu immediately stubbed out his cigarette, turned around and went back to the main room. He put the two packs of cigarettes into his schoolbag, said goodbye to Wang Zhan, and left.

(End of this chapter)