Siheyuan: I am the seventh uncle of Banggen

No one asked Xu Damao why he was injured, nor did they ask where the injury was, because if Xu Damao wanted to say something, he would have said it long ago. If he didn't say it, he must have been hiding something.

Village chief Wang’s nephew is also a reliable person. He seems to go into the mountains often. At around 3:30 in the afternoon, three middle-aged men came to the village office with two baskets of wild yams.

"Secretary Zhang, Huaiguang and the others have returned from the mountain," Village Chief Wang came into the house and called out to Zhang Dabao.

"Not bad." Zhang Dabao came out to take a look. There were some very thick ones. After weighing them, they were more than 10 kilograms. Zhang Dabao directly gave yuan to the middle-aged man who was in the lead. "Brother Wang, you have worked hard. I estimate that you may come again in half a month. Then you can dig more. I will still charge cents per kilogram."

"Thank you so much, Director Zhang. Don't worry, I will dig some more in a few days. But this thing can't be kept after the Qingming Festival. It will sprout when the weather gets warmer," said Wang Huaiguang.

"It's okay. Our unit has a cold storage." Zhang Dabao lit cigarettes for the three people. After chatting for a while, Village Chief Wang let the three people leave.

"Brother Damao, it's four o'clock. Can we leave now?" Zhang Dabao looked at the time. It was almost four o'clock, so he had to leave, so he went into the house and called Xu Damao.

"Let's go. Are all the equipment put away?" Xu Damao clamped his legs together and got into the car with difficulty.

"Put it all away. You're seriously injured," Zhang Dabao said when he saw Xu Damao's walking posture.

"Yes, we hit a rock. Village Chief Wang, we are leaving." Xu Damao lowered the window and said goodbye to the village chief. Zhang Dabao honked the horn and the car drove towards Beijing.

As it was getting darker, the two did not rest. After more than three hours, they returned to Yard 95 at almost eight o'clock. Zhang Dabao locked the car at the gate of the yard, and made an appointment to go to the factory together at eight o'clock the next morning. He then helped Xu Damao back home.

"Da Biao, you just came back? There are steamed buns in the pot. I'll fry an egg for you." Zhang Lianhua heard the voice and came out to see that it was her brother who came back.

"Second sister, stop cooking. There is food in the car. Just have a bite. I'll wash up and take a rest. I'm very tired," Zhang Dabao said to his second sister.

"Then I'll boil some water for you. Soaking your feet in hot water can help you relieve fatigue." Zhang Lianhua went to the kitchen, lit a fire, and boiled half a pot of hot water.

"Uncle, did you bring me anything delicious?" Jia Jingshu came out of the house after hearing the conversation between her mother and uncle.

"Of course I brought it, but you have to eat it tomorrow. It's all locked in the car. Eating late at night is bad for your teeth." Zhang Dabao picked up his niece.

"But I want to eat a little bit," said Jia Jingshu.

"Okay." Zhang Dabao was defeated by his cute niece. Who could resist the soft voice of a three-year-old girl? Second, Zhang Dabao carried her out of the yard and took two walnuts and a handful of big red dates from the car.

"Uncle, this one is too hard. I can't bite it." Jia Jingshu picked up the walnut and started to bite it.

"The skin cannot be eaten. It has to be smashed open and the flesh inside should be eaten. Eat the dates first. I'll go smash the walnuts." Zhang Dabao put the red dates in front of Jia Jingshu.

"Dabao, just spoil her. It's already this late and you're still giving her food to eat?" Zhang Lianhua came in and said to Zhang Dabao.

"Second sister, girls need to be pampered. Isn't there a saying from the ancients that goes, 'Raise sons in poverty and raise daughters in wealth'" said Zhang Dabao.

"The ancients said something like this, Dabiao, you are really good at talking nonsense." Zhang Lianhua laughed out loud when she heard what Zhang Dabiao said. However, the girls in the Zhang family were all spoiled because there were few girls. Zhang Cuihua was spoiled, Zhang Lianhua was spoiled, and Zhang Lanfang of Zhang Shoucheng's generation was spoiled. He scolded and beat boys when he opened his mouth, but he was patient and meticulous in educating girls. Fortunately, except for Zhang Cuihua, the others did not grow up badly.

Jingshu finished eating and the water boiled. Zhang Lianhua took her daughter back to the house to sleep.

Zhang Dabao took a bath in a large basin. His body was sticky and uncomfortable after the breakthrough last night. After taking a bath, he felt much better.

Zhang Dabao slept very well tonight. He had been busy all day, rode a motorcycle for more than three hours on the road, and took a shower, so he rested well. However, Xu Damao, who was also in the backyard, was not so lucky. He couldn't fall asleep at all.

Xu Damao had a lover in Wangjiaqiao Village. After the movie, Xu Damao brought some cooked food to his lover Zhu Xiaotao's house. Zhu Xiaotao naturally knew that there was a movie showing in the village today and it was Xu Damao who was going to show the movie. Xu Damao would come here to spend the night after the movie, so she waited for him.

What would a young man and woman talk about when they meet in the middle of the night? Of course, they would fight with real swords and guns, bayonets. Although the fight was not very intense, being interrupted would definitely affect the two of them.

Just as the two were fighting, Zhu Xiaotao's husband Wang Huaizheng, a temporary coal mine worker who only came back two or three times a year, came back.

"Xiaotao, open the door, I'm back." Wang Huaizheng's voice came from outside the yard, and Xu Damao was stunned at that time.

Zhu Xiaotao slapped him and said, "You are stupid. Go, climb over the wall first. I will throw my clothes and shoes to you. Hurry up, we will be dead if he comes in."

After listening to Zhu Xiaotao's words, Xu Damao climbed up the wall naked and jumped down.

People are most likely to go wrong when they are in a panic. Xu Damao did not see clearly the pile of rocks under the wall and climbed directly on top of them. A protruding stone hit Xu Damao's vital point. The pain was like he bit his arm. His body immediately curled up, and he endured the severe pain without crying out. At this time, Zhu Xiaotao threw clothes to him across the wall.

Xu Damao endured the severe pain in his body, put on his clothes, and moved step by step back to the room prepared for him in the village.

That night, Xu Damao rolled back and forth on the bed in pain and did not sleep at all. At dawn, Xu Damao asked Village Chief Wang to get some painkillers from the village clinic. Only then did he feel a little better. He was in a daze for the whole morning and did not even hear Zhang Dabao receiving the goods outside.

Chapter 72 Xu Fugui's Hair Turns White Overnight

On the road from Wangjiaqiao to No. 95, Hongxing Street, Beijing, the violent bumps of the motorcycle made Xu Damao feel so painful that he couldn't hold on when he returned home, "Dad, take me to the hospital, I can't stand it anymore."

Xu Fugui looked at his son's injuries and slapped Xu Damao twice in anger. However, he was his only son and he could not just ignore him, so he carried his son to the hospital.

"The injury is so severe, why did you come so late?" the doctor asked Xu Damao.

"I went to the countryside to show a movie and accidentally fell. I almost couldn't come back," said Xu Damao.

The doctor knew that life as a film projectionist was not easy these days. Although the income might be a little higher, the risk of going to the countryside was very high. He checked the injury, gave Xu Damao some painkillers, and asked him to go for another check-up.

Xu Damao fell asleep right after the examination. About an hour later, the doctor called Xu Fugui out and asked, "Are you the patient's father?"

Xu Fugui didn't understand why the doctor called him out and asked about his relationship with Xu Damao, but he still nodded.

"You have seen the wound. It's in the wrong place. This place is fragile to begin with and the hit was too hard. You should be mentally prepared in advance. If you want to hold your grandson, don't count on him." The doctor's words almost made Xu Fugui fall.

"What does this mean, doctor? He is my only son. I have already found a wife and we plan to get married in the fall." When Xu Fugui said this, he already had a tearful voice.

"Only son? What should we do?" The doctor didn't know what to say to comfort Xu Fugui.

"Doctor, our Xu family has only one son for three generations. Please save him." Xu Fugui shed sad tears.

The doctor was very sympathetic. After thinking for a while, he said, "Let's do our best. You can see that everything is broken. It's definitely useless to use. I'll ask the teacher in the morning. My teacher, Professor Zheng, is an authority on this kind of disease."

The doctor's words gave Xu Fugui a glimmer of hope, and he quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

Xu Fugui did not sleep well that night. Seeing his sleeping son, thinking about his father who passed away early, and thinking that there was a high possibility that his family would be extinct and the Xu family would not be able to continue, his tears flowed down and dried, then flowed down again without knowing when. All night long, tears on Xu Fugui's face remained wet.

At dawn, Xu Damao woke up. The pain in his body was slightly relieved. He looked up and saw his father, "Dad, what happened to your hair?"

"It's nothing. Is it dirty? Just wash it when you get home." Xu Fugui forced a smile. He didn't want to put too much psychological burden on his son, so he didn't want to tell him about his illness first.

"Dad, your hair has turned white. What happened?" Xu Damao also felt that his injury might not be optimistic. After all, he had injured a vital part.

"It's okay, I'm fine. Does it still hurt?" Xu Fugui didn't notice his white hair, nor was he in the mood to pay attention to it. In order not to let Xu Damao know about his illness, he changed the subject.

"Dad, tell me the truth, I'm not a child anymore. Am I seriously injured?" Xu Damao sat up. This affected his wound and he cried out in pain.

"Da Mao, lie down quickly. You are seriously injured. The doctor is working with the teacher to find a solution. I'm just a little worried," said Xu Fugui.

Xu Damao nodded, said nothing, and lay down again.

Around nine o'clock, six or seven doctors came to the ward. They first listened to the introduction of the situation by the doctor who first treated Xu Damao, and then everyone took turns to look at the examination results. A doctor in his fifties examined the wound and then said he would go out to discuss it. After the doctor left, the whole ward became quiet. Xu Fugui leaned against the bed, and Xu Damao lay on the bed. Neither of them spoke, waiting for the doctors' consultation results.

After Zhang Dabao got up, he went next door to call Xu Damao. They had agreed to go to the factory at 8 o'clock, but Xu Damao was not at home. His mother came out and said, "Dabao, Damao was injured yesterday. His father was worried and went to the hospital to check him out. I left in a hurry and forgot to tell you. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Aunt Xu. Brother Damao lay in bed for most of the day yesterday and he didn't say anything when we asked. If he is injured, he should go to the hospital. It's painful to bear the pain on your own. I'm going to the factory to return the projection equipment. You can talk to him when he comes back." Zhang Dabao comforted Xu's mother and went to the steel rolling mill by himself.

I first went to the supply and marketing department and handed in the supplies. I kept the chestnuts, red dates, walnuts, yams and a few dried pheasants for myself. These things were used to make walnut chestnut chicken, which was delicious. Not only was it delicious, but it was also very nutritious. Middle-aged men loved it the most, and it was a good thing to give as a gift.

You Zhiyong was full of praise for Zhang Dabiao when he saw what he had gained, "Dabiao, you're really great. You can complete a month's worth of tasks for others in one go. You don't show up at other times, but you always over-fulfill the tasks once you get to work. The things are all good. Go and report the money." You Zhiyong immediately wrote an order to Zhang Dabiao.

"Chief, I left some wild yam and a dried pheasant for you. I put them under your desk. You can use them to make soup. I heard they are very nutritious," Zhang Dabia said in a low voice.

"This is a good thing, Dabiao is thoughtful." You Zhiyong patted Zhang Dabiao's shoulders happily. As a man after forty, there are always times when he feels powerless. Of course, it would be good to have something to supplement.

Zhang Dabiao gave Xing Baoguo five catties of wild yam and a chicken, and divided the remaining local specialties into three portions, including walnuts, chestnuts, dates, and dried pheasants. One portion was given to his cousin Li Huaide, who could drop it off at his office; one portion was given to his aunt Wang Xiuqin, who planned to deliver it to the street office in the afternoon. He also kept one portion for himself, as he had two pheasants that he had shot in the mountains, and he would stew them in the evening to see how they turned out.

The Xu father and son waited for the doctor at around eleven o'clock in the morning. Seeing the eager eyes of the Xu father and son, the young doctor lowered his head.

"The results of the teachers' consultation on this injury are not ideal, and the possibility of cure is not high. However, apart from the inability to have children, there will be no problem with urination," the doctor said the diagnosis.

"Doctor, please think of another solution. I don't want to be a family without a family." Xu Fugui knelt down in front of the doctor.

"Master Xu, get up quickly. We will definitely think of a solution. I know you are the only son and you feel bad. Why don't you adopt a child from your relatives?" After the doctor's words, Xu Fugui stood up, but he sat down on the ground without saying a word, tears flowing again.

“I heard that some Chinese medicine practitioners have some secret prescriptions for this. You can ask about them.” The doctor couldn’t bear to see an old man cry, so he gave them a little hope.

"Yes, there will definitely be a miracle doctor. I, Xu Fugui, have been doing good deeds all my life. It is impossible for my family to be extinct. Thank you, doctor." Xu Fugui stood up and grabbed the doctor's hand.

"You're welcome. Attitude is very important. Eat when you should eat and drink when you should drink. Don't take it to heart," the doctor advised.

Seeing that hospitalization was ineffective, Xu's father and son asked the doctor to prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and were discharged from the hospital and returned home.

Chapter 73: Wang Xiuqin Wants to Find a Wife for Her Nephew

"What's going on? Dad, what's wrong with your hair?" Xu's mother had been worried all night and all morning. When she saw her husband and son coming back, she hurried forward to ask.

"The child's injuries are a bit serious and he needs to recuperate for a while. My hair is fine," said Xu Fugui.

"Da Mao is going to get married in the fall, everything has been decided," Xu's mother asked again.

"Why are you saying this? There are still several months left. You will definitely get better. Go and make something to eat. We are all hungry," Xu Fugui said to his wife with a stern face.

"It's good that you're fine, may our ancestors bless you." Xu's mother happily went to the cook. Xu's father and son looked at each other and shook their heads. The meaning was very clear, not to tell Xu Damao's mother the truth first.

"Da Mao, Zhang Dabao asked you to go to work with him this morning. You were not at home, and he said he had returned the projector to you," said Xu's mother while they were having dinner.

"I see. Da Biao is a good man. He knows everything. We were taking a break on the way and he heard the pheasant's call and shot it with one arrow. He made beggar's chicken for me," said Xu Damao.

"Zhang Dabao also knows how to make beggar's chicken. He knows a lot. When I was young, I went to the south with my boss and ate it once. It was wrapped in lotus leaves and the meat had a lotus fragrance. I still think it was delicious when I think about it," said Xu Fugui.

After dinner, Xu Damao lay down on the bed.

Zhang Dabao settled the bill at the Finance Department, left the steel mill, and rode his beloved motorcycle to the Hongxing Sub-district Office.

"Aunt, I went to the countryside to do some shopping the day before yesterday and bought some mountain products from the mountains. I left some for you. You can go home and make some soup with it. It will be good for your health," Zhang Dabao said to Wang Xiuqin.

"It's so dangerous to go to the countryside. Why don't you let Huaide find you a job?" Wang Xiuqin was very happy that her nephew could bring some things back from the countryside, but she also knew that the situation in the countryside was not very good now, and it was not safe for a person to go to the countryside with so many things.

"I'm a soldier and I'm afraid of danger. When I go to the countryside, I always carry a knife with me. I also have a bow and arrow. Besides, I don't ride a bicycle, so I bought an old scooter from the factory, repaired it, and modified it. Not only does it run fast, it can also pull things." Zhang Dabao was a little touched by Wang Xiuqin's concern. Everyone likes to be cared for, no matter how strong that person is.

"It must have cost a lot of money, right?" Wang Xiuqin asked again.

"I have money, Ding Youzhi's money, and the 19 wild boars I sold to the factory. It's enough to spend," Zhang Dabao said with a smile.

"Even if you have money, you can't spend it recklessly. Men have no self-control when spending money. I'll ask my sisters to find out where there is a suitable girl and introduce her to you." Wang Xiuqin changed the subject and began to care about Zhang Dabao's marriage.

"No. My injury hasn't healed fully yet, and my head still hurts sometimes. I'll introduce you to someone after I get better." Zhang Dabao politely rejected Wang Xiuqin's proposal.

"You are just like your cousin. You are used to freedom and don't want to be constrained. It is not your turn to make the decision on this matter. I get angry when I talk about this. This bastard Qiao Yongqian makes me so angry. I will deal with him when I get home." Wang Xiuqin talked about her nephew's marriage and then thought of her own son and became angry.

"Aunt, you are a cadre," Zhang Dabao reminded her when he saw Wang Xiuqin getting angry.

"I'm a cadre and also Qiao Yongqian's mother. If I'm 28 and still not married, am I still a human being? No, I'll call him and scold him first." Wang Xiuqin could no longer suppress her anger.

"Aunt, my neighbor Xu Damao is injured. I'm going to see him. I'm leaving first." Zhang Dabao saw that things were not going well, so he left directly, leaving his cousin to fend for himself.

After returning to Yard 95, Zhang Dabao drank some water and sat on the stool at the door. He never expected that he would be urged to get married. Putting down the cup, Zhang Dabao decided to visit Xu Damao. He found two canned yellow peaches in the space and went to Xu's house.