A little madman moved into the courtyard house next door.

Qin Huairu made her plans and rested inside. However, she kept a close eye on the outside, waiting for her target to appear.

…………

In the past ten days or so, communes were established in rural areas across the country, and the original villages were transformed into production brigades. Production teams were then formed within the brigades, and production team canteens were set up.

To celebrate the improved lives of the commune members, each brigade applied to their superiors for permission to show a movie.

Xu Damao also received a job supporting various brigades in showing movies, and he was gone for more than ten days.

Today, Xu Damao completed a phase of his screening assignment. He rode his bicycle back to Beijing, carrying the projector and a small generator.

They were supposed to return the projection equipment to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, but Xu Damao had a bag of local specialties on his bicycle.

These things were all sent by various brigades, and he couldn't let others know about them, so Xu Damao could only go home to put the things away first.

At noon, Xu Damao returned home and put away the local specialties. He looked at the six dried pheasants, two dried rabbits, two jin of cured meat, and five jin of millet he had received.

Xu Damao happily muttered to himself, "There's so much stuff this time, we can eat well for several days during the New Year celebrations."

"My parents have moved out too. It's so nice to live alone in this house, free and unrestrained."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Xu Damao went out and saw Qin Huairu.

Xu Damao leered at Qin Huairu and said, "Sister-in-law Jia, you were looking for me?"

Qin Huairu straightened up her big bear and said, "Xu Damao, call me Sister Qin."

Having seen it all before, Xu Damao, a seasoned veteran with countless experiences, instantly understood. He whispered, "Sister Qin, it's broad daylight now."

"Xu Damao, what are you thinking? Aren't you afraid my man will castrate you?"

"Sister Qin, you've crawled into the cellar more than once. Why pretend to be something you're not!"

"Going to the cellar with you isn't out of the question, but you'll have to give me five yuan and half a jin of meat coupons. Banggeng got beaten up by Uncle San today and needs some nourishment."

"Five yuan and half a jin of meat coupons, you really dare to ask for that! A trip to the cellar costs 50 cents, take it or leave it."

"Xu Damao, what do you take me for, Qin Huairu? Aren't you afraid I'll yell in the cellar and send you to get shot?"

"Qin Huairu, my father used to associate with all sorts of shady characters from the Lou family, and we didn't care about our usual bickering. But if something that was consensual turns into a life-or-death feud, do you really think you wouldn't dare to lay a hand on you and Banggeng?"

Qin Huairu didn't expect Xu Damao to be the type to only act when he sees a clear benefit; getting anything out of this guy would be extremely difficult.

However, Qin Huairu was not some chaste and virtuous woman. She had slept with several men, so one more or one less of Xu Damao would not make a difference.

Just consider it a mosquito bite!

However, it only costs 5 cents to crawl into the cellar once, which is too cheap. I have to pay more.

"Xu Damao, 5 cents is too little. It costs at least two dollars to go to the cellar, otherwise just pretend I wasn't here today."

"Okay, two pieces it is."

"I'll go to the cellar and wait for you," Qin Huairu said before leaving.

After a while, Xu Damao checked that no one was in the yard and, after confirming that it was safe, went to the cellar.

After their tryst in the cellar, Xu Damao and Qin Huairu each got what they wanted and went home satisfied.

………………

In the afternoon, Qin Huairu checked the time and headed towards the pool in the central courtyard with a basin of clothes.

As evening approached, Sha Zhu was the first to leave work and walk into the central courtyard. In his hand, he carried two heavy lunchboxes, clearly filled with food.

Sha Zhu glanced at Qin Huairu with a complicated look, then walked into his room.

Qin Huairu quickly put down what she was doing and followed. When she entered the house, she deliberately unbuttoned two buttons on her shirt.

Sha Zhu looked at Qin Huairu as she entered and asked, "Sister Qin, what brings you to my house?"

Qin Huairu said, "Shazhu, let me see if there's anything I can help with at your house."

"Sister Qin, you...."

"Silly Zhu, don't you believe me either? Last time, I was really threatened by an old man, and I only went to see him that one time."

Qin Huairu continued, looking aggrieved, "Shazhu, I've been married into this family for almost eight years now. Don't you see what kind of person I am?"

"Besides, this old man has been hospitalized for so long, and he's mentally ill. You still think it's my fault for doing something wrong?"

Sha Zhu had always liked Qin Huairu, but that was because he saw her and Yi Zhonghai being dragged out of the cellar together. Unable to have her, his love turned to hate, which is why he had been ignoring her for a while.

Now, after Qin Huairu's persuasion, Sha Zhu suddenly felt much more at ease. That's right! What wrong did Sister Qin do? The one at fault was Yi Zhonghai, who had gone mad.

Even if everyone else in the world is wrong, Sister Qin will never be wrong.

Sha Zhu nodded and said, "Sister Qin is the best woman, how could I not believe you!"

"Silly Zhu, I see you're living alone and can't even manage your own home properly. From now on, leave all the washing and cleaning chores to me, and I'll keep it spotless for you."

"Really? Sister Qin, you're so kind!"

"It's definitely true. We're all neighbors, we should help each other."

"Yes, we should help each other. If Sister Qin has any difficulties in the future, please tell me."

Seeing that the time was right, Qin Huairu rubbed her eyes, looked heartbroken, and began to cry.

"Sigh, if everyone were as kind-hearted as you, Sha Zhu."

"My son Banggeng is such a smart and sensible child, but on his second day of school, he was beaten black and blue by his third uncle, with a bloody head and bruises all over his body."

"Your brother Dongxu's salary is so low, I don't even have the money to take Banggeng to the hospital. Poor Banggeng can only lie in the house, and seeing him in pain breaks my heart."

"Shazhu, could you lend me some money? I'll take Banggeng to the hospital tomorrow and buy him some good food to help him recover."

"Don't worry, I'll pay you back as soon as I have the money!"

Hearing Qin Huairu's tearful complaint, Sha Zhu felt incredibly sad. He immediately pulled out five yuan and said, "Sister, if you have any difficulties, just tell me. I'll lend you this five yuan first. You can pay me back when you have the money."

Qin Huairu took the money and put it in her pocket, secretly pleased. That idiot Zhu really cares about money; he got five yuan with just a few words.

Since that's the case, let's strike while the iron is hot and continue to fleece Sha Zhu.

Qin Huairu said, "Silly Zhu, you're so sweet. What delicious food is in your lunchbox today?"

"Sister Qin, today's lunchbox is full of braised pork!"

"Silly Zhu, Bang Geng loves you the most. Can you give Bang Geng some braised pork to try?"

"Oh, it's just a box of braised pork! Take it back to Banggeng."

Qin Huairu took the lunchbox and said, "Shazhu, you're so kind. I wish Banggeng could eat your lunchbox every day from now on."

"It's just a lunchbox! I love Bang Geng the most, I'll bring him a lunchbox every day from now on."

"Silly Zhu, you're so kind."

After offering a perfunctory thank you, Qin Huairu wasn't satisfied with just that. She continued, "Silly Zhu, you know that only your brother Dongxu in my family has a food ration. How can such a big family possibly have enough to eat with just that little bit?"

"You don't need money or tickets to eat in the cafeteria, so it would be a waste if you didn't use your food ration book to buy food! Could you give me your food ration book so I can buy more food?"

"Silly Zhu, I'm really in dire straits. Please help me!"

Sha Zhu said boldly, "Anyway, I'm the only one who's full, so my whole family isn't hungry. It's just a ration book, Sister Qin, just take it." After saying that, he went and took out the ration book.

"Thank you, Shazhu. I'll wash the lunchboxes and bring them to you later." Qin Huairu took the ration book, picked up the two lunchboxes, and turned to leave Shazhu's house.

As Sha Zhu watched Qin Huairu's retreating figure, he thought to himself, "Sister Qin is so kind; she even washed my lunchbox and returned it to me."