Siheyuan: Start with a Truck Driver

The third uncle came to Xu Damao's house in a hurry, only to see Xu Damao sitting leisurely on a chair, holding a teacup in one hand and gently fiddling with the cup lid with the other hand, sipping tea slowly. Seeing the third uncle's anxious look, Xu Damao frowned slightly, put down the teacup, and asked in confusion: "Third uncle, what's wrong with you? What's the matter that makes you so anxious?"

The third uncle's face was full of anger, and he was a little out of breath. He shouted, "Da Mao, you have to take care of it for us. My Jiefang was beaten by Jia Zhang. Jia Zhang was really too much. She beat people for no reason. You are the second uncle now, and you are a prestigious person in this compound. You have to take care of this matter."

When Xu Damao heard this, his eyes quickly turned around and he began to think secretly. He had always been at odds with Jia Zhangshi, and now was a good opportunity to punish her. Xu Damao showed a sly smile on his face and said, "Uncle, please don't be anxious. Talk slowly. Why did Jia Zhangshi beat Jiefang? There must be a reason for this."

The third uncle stamped his feet angrily and said, "What other reason could there be? It's because of Jiefang and Xiaodang. Jiefang and Xiaodang really love each other, but Jia Zhang insisted on marrying Xiaodang to some leader's son just for the gift money. Jiefang went to see Xiaodang and was caught by Jia Zhang. Without saying a word, she beat and kicked Jiefang. This is too unreasonable."

Xu Damao curled his lips and said, "This Jia Zhang is really greedy. She disregards the happiness of her children for the sake of money. Third Master, don't worry, I will definitely take care of this matter. Jia Zhang really went too far. How could she hit people casually? Are there any rules in this compound? We can't let her do whatever she wants in this compound."

The third uncle nodded quickly, looking at Xu Damao with expectation in his eyes, and said, "That's right, Damao. Jiefang has suffered such a great injustice for no reason, and I, as a father, feel bad. You must teach Jia Zhang a lesson and let her know how powerful she is. You can't let her bully others like this."

Xu Damao patted his chest and assured, "Third Uncle, don't worry. I won't let her be so arrogant. I will go to talk to Jia Zhang and let her know that her behavior is wrong. If she doesn't listen, I will unite with other people in the compound to put pressure on her. I don't believe she can continue to be so arrogant. There must be right and wrong in our compound."

The third uncle said gratefully, "Da Mao, it all depends on you. It would be the best if Jia Zhang could apologize to Jiefang. Otherwise, if this matter gets out, how can our family hold our heads up in the compound after Jiefang?"

Xu Damao raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "Third uncle, just wait and see. I will definitely ask Jia Zhangshi to give an explanation. I, Xu Damao, am not a pushover in this compound. I cannot let her bully the people in our compound like this. I will let her know that she cannot do whatever she wants in this compound."

The third uncle said again: "Da Mao, you have to act quickly. I'm really afraid that Jia Zhangshi will do something excessive again. Xiao Dang is also pitiful. He was locked up by Jia Zhangshi, and I don't know what will happen to him."

Xu Damao was just about to stand up and go find Jia Zhang.

However, he suddenly thought of something and sat down again.

After a while, Xu Damao cleared his throat and said slowly: "Uncle, I'm afraid I can't help you with this matter."

When the third uncle heard this, his eyes widened in disbelief, "Da Mao, what's wrong with you? Weren't you talking just fine? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Xu Damao frowned and said with some embarrassment: "Third uncle, you know that Jia Zhang is not someone you can easily mess with. If I go to take care of this matter, if she gets into a fight with me, I won't be able to handle it. Besides, although I am the second uncle now, I can't offend people casually, right? If she makes trouble for me in the future, it will be difficult for me to live in this compound."

The third uncle was so anxious that he stamped his feet, "Da Mao, you can't do this. Jiefang was beaten so badly, can you bear to watch and do nothing? You are the second uncle, you have to make the decision for us."

Xu Damao was unmoved. "Third Uncle, it's not that I don't want to take care of it, it's just that this matter is too troublesome. You should find another way. Or go find First Uncle and see if he can help you."

Hearing this, the third uncle immediately understood that Xu Damao was trying to take the opportunity to blackmail him.

You know, now in the courtyard, the eldest uncle Wang Weidong is the director of the Orchid Automobile Factory. He is very busy with work on weekdays, so he seldom manages the affairs of the courtyard.

There are only two uncles in charge in the compound: Xu Damao and Third Uncle.

The third uncle is a senior manager and also a veteran teacher, so his prestige among the residents is much higher than Xu Damao's.

Xu Damao had been dissatisfied with this situation for a long time, and he had long wanted to control the third uncle.

Now that he has encountered such a good opportunity, how could Xu Damao let it go?

  A surge of anger surged in the third uncle's heart.

He stood in the slightly dim room of Xu Damao's house. The sunlight outside the window was mostly blocked by the heavy curtains. Only a few faint rays of light came in, making the whole room look a little depressing.

The third uncle didn't expect Xu Damao to be so mean. But he also understood that he couldn't completely fall out with Xu Damao at this moment, after all, the issue of his son's liberation had not been resolved.

The third uncle suppressed his anger, turned around, looked at Xu Damao and said, "Da Mao, why are you doing this? We are all in the same courtyard, we should help each other instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to threaten each other."

At this time, Xu Damao was leaning on a somewhat worn wooden chair. Behind him was a mottled wall with some of the lime peeling off.

Xu Damao smiled nonchalantly, "Uncle, you can't say that. I'm not threatening you, I just hope you can understand that in this compound, some things still have to be prioritized. You may be an old veteran, but in this situation, you have to consider my feelings, right?"

The third uncle gritted his teeth and looked around at the simple environment, feeling even more annoyed. "So what do you want?"

Xu Damao narrowed his eyes and raised his chin slightly. "It's very simple. In the future, you have to listen to my opinions on matters in this compound. Don't always act arbitrarily by relying on your seniority. Also, if you have any benefits in the future, you have to think of me first."

The third uncle was so angry that he was shaking all over. He clenched his fists tightly, wishing he could punch Xu Damao in the smug face.

But for his son, he could only endure it temporarily. "Okay, I promise you. But you have to resolve the liberation issue as soon as possible."

Xu Damao laughed triumphantly, and the laughter was particularly harsh in this small space. "Don't worry, Third Uncle. As long as you keep your word, I will definitely do this beautifully."

The third uncle sighed helplessly, his heart full of disgust towards Xu Damao, but he could do nothing about it.

Xu Damao was also a man of his words. He straightened his collar and walked to the door of the Jia family with steady steps.

At this time, the courtyard was shrouded in warm sunshine, the ancient eaves cast long shadows, and the mottled marks on the walls seemed to tell the story of time.

The breeze blew gently, bringing a slight coolness, but it did nothing to ease the impending tense atmosphere.

At this time, Jia Zhang was squatting at the door sewing shoe soles as usual. She was busy and focused, the needle and thread in her hands shuttling back and forth on the soles, as if she was immersed in her own little world.

However, when she looked up and saw the familiar figure of Xu Damao, she immediately became angry. "Xu Damao, what are you doing in my house!"

Jia Zhang stood up, holding the sole of her shoe tightly in her hand, as if it were her weapon.

Her eyes were full of vigilance and hostility, as if Xu Damao was an enemy who came to invade her territory.

Xu Damao folded his hands in front of his chest, raised his chin slightly, and looked at Jia Zhang with a serious face. "Jia Zhang, let Xiaodang out. Why are you keeping him locked up like this?" His voice was loud and firm, echoing in the quiet courtyard.

When Jia Zhang heard this, she immediately flew into a rage. She slammed the shoe in her hand to the ground with a loud "smack".

"I won't let her go! Xiaodang is my granddaughter. I can lock her up if I want. What's it to you?" Jia Zhang's voice was sharp and piercing, full of anger and dissatisfaction.

Xu Damao frowned, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes. "You are being unreasonable. Xiaodang and Yan Jiefang love each other, you can't separate them for your own selfish interests. Besides, you locked Xiaodang up, which is illegal."

Xu Damao's words were powerful, trying to make Jia Zhang realize her mistakes.

Jia Zhang's eyes widened in disbelief. "Illegal? I think you are trying to scare me. I am doing this for Xiao Dang's sake. If she follows that poor boy Yan Jiefang, she will suffer in the future." Jia Zhang's voice was full of stubbornness and she firmly believed that what she did was right.

Xu Damao sneered, his eyes full of mockery. "You are selfish. Xiaodang has her own choice, you can't make it for her. You should release Xiaodang immediately, or I will sue you at the neighborhood committee." Xu Damao's threat made Jia Zhang feel nervous, but she still refused to compromise easily.

Jia Zhang was so angry that her face turned red and her body trembled slightly. "You dare! If you dare to sue me, I will never let you go."

Jia Zhang's voice was full of anger and threats, like an enraged lion.

Jia Zhang was not unafraid of the intervention of the Sub-district Office. She knew very well that Xu Damao did not dare to report the matter to the Sub-district Office at this time. The reason was simple. Wang Weidong gave the Siheyuan to Xu Damao for management. If Xu Damao could not manage it and asked for help from the Sub-district Office, Wang Weidong would definitely think that he was too incompetent.

Xu Damao also realized this, but he was not in a hurry. He scanned the crowd around him, thinking about his next move. At this time, more and more residents gathered around, and everyone looked at Xu Damao and Jia Zhang curiously, wondering how this quarrel would develop.

Seeing more and more people gathering around him, Xu Damao suddenly shouted to the residents, "You guys may not know yet, but in order to arrange a blind date between Xiaodang and her leader's son, Jia Zhang actually locked Xiaodang up!" His voice was loud and passionate, echoing in the courtyard.

When the residents heard this, they were immediately in an uproar. Everyone started to whisper and discuss. Some people showed surprised expressions, they did not expect Jia Zhang to do such a thing. Others showed angry expressions, they thought Jia Zhang's behavior was too much.

"This Jia Zhang is too outrageous. How could she lock Xiaodang up?" an old lady said angrily.

"That's right, Xiaodang also has her own ideas, and Jia Zhang can't force her like this." An old man also echoed.

"Ms. Jia Zhang is only pursuing her own interests and does not care about Xiaodang's happiness," said another resident.

Everyone started criticizing Jia Zhang, and the voices were getting louder and louder. The courtyard seemed to be enveloped by the surging waves of voices, and the atmosphere was tense and depressing.

The residents spoke to each other in heated terms, and their dissatisfaction with Jia Zhang poured out like a flood.

At first, Jia Zhang didn't care.

She stood there, with a hint of stubbornness and disdain in her eyes, as if she felt that these people were just accusing her for no reason.

She thought to herself that everything she did was for Xiaodang's future and for this family, and these people simply didn't understand.

But now seeing those residents criticizing her, she suddenly became anxious.

Her face gradually became ugly and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

She began to realize the seriousness of the matter. The anger of these residents was not something she could easily bear.

You know, if she arouses the anger of those residents, it will be difficult for her to borrow money in the future.

In this courtyard, she often borrowed money from neighbors. Although most of the time she never paid it back, everyone didn't make a fuss about it because they lived in the same courtyard.

But now, if she really angered everyone, who would be willing to lend her money in the future? Her life would become even more difficult.

At this time, Qin Huairu stepped forward to help Jia Zhang out. She looked at the angry residents around her, and then looked at Jia Zhang's anxious face, feeling extremely helpless.

Qin Huairu frowned slightly, took a few steps forward, raised her voice and said, "Neighbors, please don't be angry. We will definitely solve this matter properly."

After hearing Qin Huairu's words, the residents calmed down a little, but their eyes were still full of dissatisfaction.

Qin Huairu turned to look at Jia Zhang, her eyes filled with pleading and determination, "Mom, please let Xiaodang go.

Xiaodang and Jiefang truly love each other. We cannot ignore their children's happiness for our own benefit.

And you see, everyone is so angry now. If you don’t let Xiaodang go, it will be difficult for us to live in this yard in the future.”

Jia Zhang bit her lip, feeling very reluctant.

But she also knew that what Qin Huairu said made sense. If the stalemate continued, she would really become the target of public criticism.

Jia Zhang hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded, "Okay, I'll let Xiao Dang go."

Qin Huairu breathed a sigh of relief, and then said to the residents: "Look, everyone, my mother-in-law has agreed to release Xiaodang.

I also hope that everyone will stop pursuing this matter. We will definitely educate Xiaodang properly in the future and get along well with everyone.”

Although the residents still felt some resentment, they decided not to pursue the matter further after seeing that Jia Zhang had already compromised. (End of this chapter)