Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 2135 Xiaocao
On the first day of the new year, Yang Xiaotao got up early and first opened the curtains to look outside.

It’s not snowing, which is nice.

Ran Qiuye got up and put new clothes on the children, and then the two of them led them to pay New Year's greetings to grandfather.

The new clothes were very precious to the children, and even the naughty Duanwu was very careful for fear of getting the clothes dirty.

By the way, these clothes were sent by Comrade Lao Jin from Shanghai. When he called before the New Year, he asked when he would take the children there again. Yang Xiaotao couldn't agree and could only say that he would go when he had time.

When they came into the house, Miaomiao led the three children to kowtow to the grandfather, but the grandfather was so happy that his teeth were popping out.

Nothing else, the grandfather took out four red envelopes and distributed them to the children. This was prepared by Yang Xiaotao last night.

But the money belongs to my great-grandfather. Over the years, most of the money Yang Xiaotao gave him was given to the school, and the rest was given to needy families in the village. The remaining money had nowhere to be spent, so it was basically kept for the children.

After paying New Year's greetings to the grandfather, Cuiping from the backyard brought stones over and the grandfather gave them another portion. Then Yang Xiaotao's family and Cuiping went back to the backyard and sat down at the old Taoist's house.

After the excitement, Yang Xiaotao walked around the yard and then left the courtyard with Ran Qiuye.

The two of them, each with a bicycle and two children, started to celebrate the New Year in the old city.

The family first went to Aunt Wang's house in the Street Office and sat there for a while. As there were many children at home, it was very lively. Then they declined lunch and rode their bikes to Platoon Leader Du's house.

Before going out, Ran Qiuye specially brought some leftover clothes for the children. Only then did Yang Xiaotao know that after October 1st, Li Qing gave birth to a daughter for Platoon Leader Du, and now Platoon Leader Du is also a father.

Passing by the supply and marketing cooperative, Yang Xiaotao went in and bought some more things. By the way, he also took out some milk powder, pork, mutton and other things from the space and hung a pile of them on the handlebars.

When they arrived at the slum, they heard a child crying in the yard. A few people entered the door, and the security officer of the machinery factory hurriedly welcomed the family in.

In the room, Platoon Leader Du was holding a child, swinging the child carefully, while a young boy beside him was helping him by looking for a bottle.

When Yang Xiaotao came in, Platoon Leader Du stood up immediately after hearing what happened.

He couldn't see anyone, but he could hear voices. Yang Xiaotao came in and said, "Lao Du, congratulations!"

Platoon Leader Du was holding the child and was about to speak, but the child kept crying. A boy next to him became even more flustered when he heard the crying.

Seeing this, Ran Qiuye hurried forward to hold the baby, while Yang Xiaotao came over, took the bottle, took out the milk powder he brought and started to make milk.

"Where's the mother?"

After testing the temperature, Yang Xiaotao handed the bottle to Ran Qiuye.

Platoon Leader Du smiled and said, "She's busy at the hospital today and can't leave!"

"No, it's Chinese New Year, and I'm still going to work. I'll just leave the child to you!"

"It's okay. My little darling is very obedient. As long as he's full, he'll be fine!"

Platoon Leader Du smiled. He was even happier now that his daughter had stopped crying.

"Xiao Yang, please sit down."

Yang Xiaotao sat aside, then called Miaomiao and the others over to say hello.

Platoon Leader Du listened, then reached out and touched everyone's head, with an expression of indescribable love on his face.

Yang Xiaotao looked at the child drinking milk and asked casually, "What's his name?"

"My nickname is Xiaoguai, my real name is Du Qing!"

"Du Qing, not bad, not bad. You two can each choose a name. Old Du wasn't chosen by you, was he?"

"Haha, that's the name I gave it!"

Platoon Leader Du smiled and touched his thigh. "My little girl is so pretty. People around her say that she has big eyes and a small mouth, just like her mother!"

"I have her image in my mind. Really, when I hold her in my arms, I feel that my life is worth it..."

The more Platoon Leader Du spoke, the brighter his smile became, but Ran Qiuye, who was holding the child beside him, was secretly wiping away tears.

Perhaps, Platoon Leader Du will never see his daughter in this life, but in his heart, his wife and daughter will always be the most important people to him!

"Oh, we were just busy talking. Niu Niu, go get some water and some melon seeds!"

The boy who had been helping just now immediately went to get the thermos and pour water after hearing what was said.

Yang Xiaotao also knew that the people living here were all descendants of martyrs. They helped each other and treated their neighbors as family members. The atmosphere was even more harmonious than that in the courtyard houses.

"Yang, Uncle Yang, drink some water!"

Niu Niu walked over carefully holding a large teacup and placed it on the stool, and Yang Xiaotao quickly took it.

"Who are you to, Wang Jiefang?"

Seeing that Niu Niu looked familiar, Yang Xiaotao asked.

“That’s my brother!”

"Well done, your brother is now the head of the security department!"

Niu Niu laughed and said, "My brother said that when I grow up, I will also go to the machinery factory and protect it!"

Yang Xiaotao nodded vigorously, "Okay, you are ambitious. When you turn sixteen, come to our machinery factory."

"I said!"

Niu Niu was stunned for a moment, then his face was filled with ecstasy, "Really?"

"Of course, I'm the leader of the machinery factory, and I have the final say!"

"Yeah yeah!"

"Uncle Du, I'm also in the security department!"

"Uncle Du..."

Platoon Leader Du laughed and reached out to touch Niu Niu. Niu Niu quickly reached out to him. Then Platoon Leader Du touched Niu Niu's head. The two of them laughed and

"But Niu Niu, I'll give you a task first!"

Niu Niu stood up immediately, "Yang, Captain Yang, you say!"

Yang Xiaotao looked around and found that there had been some changes in Platoon Leader Du's family over the years, but not big.

Logically speaking, the salary of Li Qing, a chief physician, shouldn't be like this, but looking at the situation before him, there is only one result.

Their money is used to subsidize the people in the hospital!

"Do you know the courtyard house in Tongluo Ancient Lane?"

"Know!"

"Okay, I'll live there. From now on, you help me take good care of Xiaoguai and your Uncle Du. If you have any problems, come to me. Can you do that?"

Niu Niu looked at Platoon Leader Du, then nodded vigorously, "Yes, I can do it!"

"Well, now they are more like soldiers from our machinery factory!"

Platoon Leader Du smiled as he listened. He knew that this was Yang Xiaotao's kindness. He also knew that the children in the yard needed the machinery factory as a way out.

It is thanks to the help of the machinery factory that this hospital can live in peace.

After sitting at home for a while, Yang Xiaotao and Ran Qiuye took the child away.

Platoon Leader Du stood at the door holding Xiaoguai and waved to the two of them. Others in the courtyard also came out to see them off. Riding on their bicycles, the family rushed home.

"Mom and Dad, the little sister is so pitiful, her dad can't even see her!"

Miaomiao has experienced the pain of losing a loved one and is particularly sensitive to such things.

"Yes, Dad, it would be great if Uncle Du could open his eyes!"

Duanwu was also talking behind him, and the two little girls opposite him were also nodding. They didn’t understand much, but they knew the importance of eyes.

Yang Xiaotao and Ran Qiuye didn't know what to say after hearing this.

Ran Qiuye looked at Yang Xiaotao, "Little sister, you have your parents to take care of you, and there are many uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. She won't be pitiful!"

The children were a little confused when they heard this. Ran Qiuye didn't know what to say, so he changed the subject, "Platoon Leader Du and Li Qing, it can be considered a happy ending!"

Yang Xiaotao nodded, "So, only those who believe in love can find happiness!"

On the beam, Miaomiao seemed to understand and asked, "Dad, do you believe in love?"

Yang Xiaotao smiled, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be so happy!"

"Then I also want to believe in love!"

Miaomiao said seriously, but Yang Xiaotao coughed twice, "You are still young, you don't need to believe in anything now, wait until you grow up!"

Ran Qiuye, who was standing by, smiled and said, "What you said may be true for others, but not for your daughter!"

Yang Xiaotao looked at the two girls sitting in front and behind Ran Qiuye and nodded vigorously, "No, they can believe in love, but they must get my consent."

"Humph, how can you be a father like this!"

"Dad, I believe in love too!"

Duanwu's voice came from behind, and Yang Xiaotao nodded immediately, "Good son, that's how it should be!"

Hearing this, Ran Qiuye rolled his eyes again, "No, this also requires my consent."

After he finished speaking, Yang Xiaotao and Ran Qiuye looked at each other and then started laughing.

Seeing that the little guys were not in high spirits, Yang Xiaotao said, "Come on, Dad will teach you a song today!"

When they heard that they were going to sing, several people immediately became alert.

Cough
Yang Xiaotao cleared his throat and whispered, "The name of this song is Little Grass. It tells us that even a little grass that no one knows about can thrive under the nourishment of spring breeze and sunshine."

"Mom and Dad hope that you can be like the grass and stay strong no matter how strong the wind and rain are."

The children might not understand, but Ran Qiuye looked at Yang Xiaotao in surprise.

"I don't have the fragrance of flowers, I am not as tall as trees, I am a small grass that no one knows..."

“Never lonely, never troubled, you see my friends are all over the world.”

"Spring breeze"

Yang Xiaotao sang softly, with a simple melody and simple lyrics. Miaomiao learned it immediately and sang along with Yang Xiaotao.

Ran Qiuye, who was standing by, listened to it twice and then started singing too.

Although Duanwu and the three children didn't remember the lyrics clearly, they remembered the tune and sang loudly in the car, shaking their hands and feet.

“No floral scent.”

Two bicycles were moving slowly on the road. Pedestrians on both sides who were going out to pay New Year's greetings heard a low sound, looked up, and saw the two bicycles gradually going away.

A strange yet familiar song could be heard faintly in the air.

“No floral scent.”

……

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Yang Xiaotao went to the machinery factory in the morning, and then made an appointment with Yang Youning, Chen Gong and others to go to Xu Yuanshan's house. The group drank a lot at noon.

In the afternoon, Yang Xiaotao drove his family back to Yangjiazhuang, and it was bustling again as they walked through the streets.

In the evening, the family invited the old principal's family and Liu Yonghui's family to visit their home.

As a result, in the middle of the night, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

On the third day of the Chinese New Year, Yang Xiaotao went out with his grandfather before dawn, and the ground was already covered with a layer of snow.

Yang Xiaotao carried a bamboo pole and joined Yang Shitou and the others as they walked towards the forest.

When they arrived at the grave, everyone burned paper and set off firecrackers in silence, then kowtowed and went home.

After the trip, the sun was already high in the sky when they got home, so Yang Xiaotao drove his wife and children to Sijiu City.

He went straight to the slum, where his brother-in-law Ran Hongbing was already waiting at the door. When he saw someone coming, he immediately went back to report the news.

Yang Xiaotao and Ran Qiuye brought the children into the house and wished a happy new year to Ran's father and mother. The children received a red envelope and ran out happily.

Ran Hongbing was a little envious because he didn't have a red envelope.

But he had a brother-in-law, so he took the New Year's money from his brother-in-law, immediately led a group of children to the yard, and brought out a pile of firecrackers.

The slum immediately became lively.

Ran Qiuye and Ran Xinrui helped Ran's mother cook, while Yang Xiaotao drank tea and chatted with Ran's father.

"Dad, have you guys made the rocket?"

"How can it be that fast? The Chinese Academy of Sciences hasn't even developed the satellite yet."

Mr. Ran said this quite helplessly. Everything was almost ready, but the Chinese Academy of Sciences changed the design.

They said that new materials were used, the weight was lighter than before, and more things could be made.

It is said that they also want to inlay images of great men on it.

What is this all about!

"The Chinese Academy of Sciences hasn't figured it out yet? It's been almost two years!"

"I don't think it's possible, so just do it yourself."

Yang Xiaotao was joking, and Ran's father glanced at him and said unhappily, "Every profession has its own expertise. Do you think anyone can do it?"

“That’s a satellite.”

Yang Xiaotao didn't comment, but picked up the water cup and poured water for both of them.

"By the way, they should speed up."

"What do you say?"

"I heard that their boss went to the Second Ministry of Machine Building and borrowed a machine tool, saying that it would speed up construction. I don't know if it's true or not."

Snapped

Yang Xiaotao put the cup in his hand on the table, looking stunned and having a bad feeling.

That machine tool, can’t be theirs?