Siheyuan: There are three little cats at home

Chapter 312

At the beginning of summer, Xu Qing asked for leave from the factory. He planned to leave for the countryside to find his third brother Feng Ming, and by the way, return to his hometown to visit his grandparents.

Around the Chinese New Year last year, grandpa and grandma didn't go to the city, and Xiao Hongzhi and the others didn't come when it was full moon. On the one hand, they were old and their bodies couldn't withstand the abuse.

On the other hand, the countryside becomes busy as soon as spring begins, and there is only a short period of leisure time in winter. The rest of the year, there are things to do.

This is not like the city. People in the city only need to go to work on weekdays, and they can rest during the rest of the time. However, there are so many things in the rural areas, and the farm work can never be done all year round. Who can rest? rest?

It is worth mentioning that grandpa and grandma received the photos that Xu Qing had mailed back before, and they met their great-grandson.

Although they saw it through photos, the two old men couldn't hide their excitement. They not only asked Xu Guangjin to write a reply letter, but also asked people from the village to the city to bring Xu Qing two big packages.

Of course, Xu Fengming's reply letter was earlier. In fact, not long after Xu Qing mailed the photo at the post office, Xu Fengming's reply letter was delivered to the compound.

It was a thick letter, with three pages in total. When the little girl was reading the letter, she saw that the first page was all about Xiao Hongzhi, without mentioning a word about her, and she was a little jealous. Fortunately, starting from the second page, she When he saw his third brother talking about her, his pretty face lit up with a smile.

Xu Qing was going to the countryside. When the little girl got off work from the state-run store, she specially bought a pack of cigarettes for her third brother. It would be early tomorrow morning so that her elder brother could bring them to her.

Although Xu Fengming fought with her a lot when he was young, and made her angry a lot, but their relationship was not alienated during the fight, on the contrary, they got better.

In any case, the whole family, brothers and sisters, and the little girl still miss her third brother very much.

And Xu Fengming also loves her very much. Last year when he went back to the city to visit relatives, he specially brought the little girl's favorite apple.

The next day, Xu Qing had breakfast at home early in the morning, and then took Xu Fengming's high school books, the things he bought for his third brother and grandparents, and the gifts prepared by the little girl and Aiguo, walked out of the compound, and sat on the hired car at the entrance of the alley. Car, heading for the countryside.

After the car left Sijiu City, it could only move forward on the dirt road, followed by constant bumps. Xu Qing sat next to the driver, looking at the dust flying in the sky outside the window, and remained silent.

The inside of the city and the outside of the city are two different worlds. There are not many carts and donkey-drawn carts in the city in the past two years, but there are still many outside the city.

It wasn't until four o'clock in the afternoon that Xu Qing arrived at the gate of the commune where the third brother jumped in line. The road was relatively slow. It had just rained heavily two days ago, and the road was muddy and difficult to walk. There was still a section of the road that was washed away. Fortunately, someone was there Xiu, although it took a lot of time, it arrived smoothly.

After Xu Qing showed his work permit to the people in the commune compound, the car was able to drive in.

However, Xu Qing did not see his third brother Feng Ming. After asking the reception staff at the commune, he learned that Feng Ming had gone to work in the fields early this morning and would not be back until six or seven o'clock in the evening.

Xu Qing had no choice but to temporarily live in the old house arranged by the commune, waiting for his third brother to come back.

Because Xu Qing had come here to see Feng Ming, people here had some impressions of Xu Qing, a stranger from the city.

I vaguely remembered that it seemed that it was Brother Xu Fengming who came to jump in the queue from the countryside, but no one took the initiative to talk to Xu Qing.

They all have their own affairs to be busy, just a few children who have not yet reached the school age at the gate of the commune. When they saw the people getting on and off the car, they all stretched their necks curiously, rolled their black eyes, and kept looking at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing turned his head and smiled at the children.

However, none of the children were afraid of strangers, and they still stared at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing didn't mind. Children in the countryside are like this. They are not afraid of strangers. Those who are a little older dare to take the initiative to chat with others.

At this time, Li Guihu, who lived in the same room as Feng Ming and also came to jump in the queue, was carrying a hoe, wearing a pair of loose army green trousers, a pair of cloth shoes on his feet, and holding a newspaper rolled tobacco in his mouth. Back outside the hospital.

"Hey, who is this? Is it Brother Feng Ming?"

As soon as Li Guihu returned to the commune, he saw Xu Qing standing in the courtyard, and when he took a closer look, his face immediately showed joy.

"Brother Xu Qing, it's really you who came to see Feng Ming?"

Xu Qing hummed, took out the peony cigarette on his body, handed one to Li Guihu and said:

"long time no see."

"No way."

As Li Guihu spoke, he put down the hoe on his shoulder, took the peony cigarette from Xu Qing, put it under his nose and took a strong sniff, then put it behind his ears, pulled Xu Qing and said:
"Come on, Brother Xu Qing, go to Fengming's room and drink some water."

Xu Qing followed and entered the house where Li Guihu and Xu Fengming lived.

There are not many furnishings in the room, an old wooden table, four chairs, plus two kettles, two large enamel teapots, a kerosene lamp, and a feather duster.

In addition, there are only two bedding rolls on the kang, and the enamel washbasin.

"Brother Xu Qing, sit down wherever you like and I'll get you some water."

Li Guihu held the cigarette in the corner of his mouth, grabbed the thermos bottle, shook it, and felt that there was not much hot water in it, so he picked up another one, poured an enamel tea mug of hot water for Xu Qing, and poured another for himself. The tea mug then took out a small bag of Gao Sui (tea leaves) wrapped in newspaper from under his bedroll, twisted two small spoons with his index finger and thumb, sprinkled them into the enamel mug respectively, brought them to Xu Qing and said :
"Brother Xu Qing, there isn't much good tea here, I only have some high broken tea left, and I got someone to bring it to the city last month."

Xu Qing smoked and said, "It's okay, just boiled water. I rarely drink tea."

Seeing that Xu Qing didn't mind it, Li Guihu picked up the teapot, exchanged tea for wine with Xu Qing, and took a big sip, regardless of burning his mouth, and said:

"Today, Feng Ming and I went to work in the field early in the morning. We were exhausted. If I hadn't caught a cold last night, I probably wouldn't have been able to come back so early."

Holding the tea mug, Xu Qing asked, "Then Feng Ming didn't come back until very late?"

"Yes, the tasks have been heavy recently, and those of us who jumped in the queue don't even have a break. We all have to work. We won't even think about coming back until the sun sets."

Xu Qing snorted, nodded, and then asked:
"How is my third brother doing recently?"

"Okay, last night, our commune secretary praised him by name!"

"praise?"

"Well," Li Guihu lit the other peony cigarettes on his ears after smoking the dry cigarettes, and smoked, "Feng Ming took us to jump in the queue a few days ago and caught the rabbits who were stealing the crops in the field. A dozen or so rabbits not only eliminate the harm, but also improve our living standards, and the rabbit skins are handed in again, and they can be exchanged for money, so they will be praised."

Hearing this, Xu Qing understood why the third brother was praised, and at the same time understood why Li Guihu caught a cold.

"By the way, brother Xu Qing, it's really time for you to come, and you can catch up with rabbit meat tonight."

Xu Qing nodded with a smile, but he didn't come here specially to eat rabbit meat. He had to take care of the third brother's going to college.

After all, the situation of Feng Ming, Ai Guo and Xiao Yatou is different.

Aiguo works in the factory. As the eldest brother, he works as a cadre in the factory and is a first-level clerk. The second brother is recommended by the factory to go to school. It can be said that there is no problem.

The little girl works in a state-owned store, and Xu Qing has a good relationship with Director Liu Zhiguo of the state-owned store, so there is no suspense.

Only Feng Ming jumped in the queue in the countryside, and Xu Qing had to take care of it.

It was getting dark at night, and Xu Qing still didn't see his third brother come back. It wasn't until the bright moon hung in the night sky, and the stars showed their heads. The disgraced Xu Fengming, together with a group of young men and women of different ages, carried hoes or sickles in their hands one by one. Come back with a smile.

When Xu Fengming looked up and saw his elder brother coming to the commune, he immediately ran to Xu Qing.

"Brother, why are you here? I didn't say anything in advance. If I knew you were coming, I would have come back early today."

Xu Qing looked at his third brother, whom he had not seen for a long time, and saw that he had tanned a lot and had become stronger and more capable through exercise.He reached out and brushed the dust off his hair and said:
"It's okay, I just arrived in the afternoon, and I'm not in a hurry to leave."

Xu Fengming bared his teeth and chuckled, and let the people around him put the hoe in the work shed dedicated to storing tools. He himself pulled his eldest brother towards the commune's big stove.

The big stove in the commune was already full of people, all holding bowls and chopsticks, waiting to eat rabbit meat.

Xu Fengming was already familiar with this place. He squeezed into the crowd and shouted to Aunt Li who was cooking:
"Aunt Li, please bring me a pair of bowls and chopsticks, my elder brother is here."

A middle-aged woman in her 40s, wearing a heavily patched blue shirt, holding a large iron spoon in her right hand, looked up and saw Xu Fengming, put the spoon into the pot with a smile, turned around and picked up a pair of bowls and chopsticks. , handed it to Xu Fengming.

"Take it well, and remember to return it to me in a few days. It belongs to the commune, so don't throw it away."

"Understood," Xu Fengming took the bowl and chopsticks and said, "Aunt Li, you are so stingy, a pair of chopsticks, a bowl, if you don't have it, you'll lose it, at worst it will be deducted from my salary, why do you always stare at it? Our commune secretary doesn’t eat people.”

"Bah, you damn boy, how many times have you scolded me? You still have the nerve to mention it."

Xu Fengming grinned, stopped chatting with Aunt Li, took out two meal tickets and handed them over, and whispered: "Aunt Li, remember to leave a few more buns for me later, and that rabbit meat, too much Scoop some for my big brother."

"You son of a bitch, hurry up, you don't need to say that."

Aunt Li smiled and cursed and sent Xu Fengming away, but she felt happy in her heart.

Because Feng Ming led people to catch these hares, so that everyone could have a bite of meat. As a cook for the commune, she could bring some back home at night, so that the family members could also have a bite. Of course, Xu Fengming didn't need to say, She also knows what to do.

When the commune's big stove officially opened for dinner, Xu Fengming led his eldest brother Xu Qing to line up. Each of them made a bowl full of rabbit meat, took two buns, and then returned to the hut where he lived.

Li Guihu was naturally the same, but he did not enter the house. Instead, he sat in the courtyard with others, cooling off and eating.

It's already Lixia, and the weather is starting to heat up. It's cool to eat in the courtyard at this time of night.

However, in Xu Fengming's hut, the kerosene lamp was on.

Xu Qing came, so naturally Xu Fengming couldn't have dinner with Li Guihu and the others in the courtyard as usual.

He has to accompany his eldest brother today.

After Xu Fengming lit the kerosene lamp, he took out half a bottle of liquor from the room and said with a smile:
"Brother, let's have some drinks?"

Xu Qing hummed and did not refuse.

The third brother is now considered an adult. Xu Qing will not stop him from smoking or drinking.

"Brother, this wine was brewed by Liu Datou's father not far from our commune. You can drink it no matter how much you drink without getting drunk."

Xu Qing picked up the tea mug, took a sip, pondered the taste, and suddenly felt that what the third brother said was right, it was indeed a good wine, although the taste was not the same as the white wine bought in the city, it was different. Entering the stomach, there is an indescribable sense of comfort.

"Brother, try this rabbit meat again."

Xu Qing picked up a piece with chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth, but he didn't think it was as amazing as white wine.

But in the countryside, no matter how delicious the food is, it is still not as good as those restaurants in the city. As for the food compared with Sha Zhu's food, it is another matter.

Silly Zhu has both family skills and learned from a teacher, and the middle-aged woman in Dazao of the commune has never been to the city in her life. Neither are the qualifications.

There is no way, how can the conditions in the countryside compare with those in the city, and how can a middle-aged woman in the countryside compare with Sha Zhu, who is talented in cooking.

Xu Qing took two bites and said, "It's okay, it's already pretty good."

Xu Fengming said with a smile: "Aunt Li is the best cook in the village. She is also a nice person and treats those of us who jump in line very well."

The two brothers grabbed the teapot, touched it, drank wine, and ate rabbit meat.

After dinner, Xu Qing talked about business.

"Feng Ming, the country will recruit college students this year. I brought your high school books with you. You usually take time to study at night."

Xu Fengming stacked the finished bowls and chopsticks together and said, "Brother, I have been going to the countryside for almost two years. If I go to school again, I have to take the college entrance examination. I'm afraid I won't pass."

Xu Qing smoked a cigarette and said, "Don't worry, you just need to study and review, don't just go to university and fail to keep up."

"Then take the exam, me"

Xu Fengming frowned.

Xu Qing looked at the swarthy expression of his third brother with a smile, and smiled without saying a word.

Xu Fengming stretched out his hand and scratched his head, "Brother, I'll try harder, but if I can't get into college, then don't blame me, right."

Xu Fengming continued: "My second brother and Xiaoya, do they also review their homework?"

"Um"

Xu Qing nodded, Xu Fengming said oh, looked at the kerosene lamp, and said nothing for a while.

At this moment, the secretary of the commune opened the door and walked in.

The leader in charge of the affairs of the village, in fact, knew that Xu Qing was coming a long time ago.

But because he had to be busy with the things at hand during work, and it was difficult to meet Xu Qing during work, he waited until night before coming.

As a secretary, in terms of the title of cadre, he is higher than Xu Qing. Although he is in the countryside, he is also the head of the village.

And Xu Qing was a first-class clerk in the Red Star No. [-] Steel Rolling Plant, but to be honest, his official title was not as good as this secretary.

Seeing the other party coming, Xu Qing said with a smile, "Secretary Wang, good evening."

Wang Mingsheng smiled and said: "Good evening, I heard that you came to see your brother, come and have a seat."

In fact, when Xu Qing came to the commune for the first time, he had a chat with this secretary alone, and the fifth grandfather who was an old branch secretary at that time was by his side, and the chat was pretty good.

After all, Xu Qing is considered a native of the countryside. Although his household registration is not here, his roots are here. This secretary has a favorable view of Xu Qing, a young man who is developing well in the city.

It's just that due to his identity and the distinction between public and private matters, he couldn't meet Xu Qing immediately.

But now, at night, he, the secretary, came here without official duties, even if someone wanted to say something, he couldn't make a fuss.

After Wang Mingsheng took his seat, Xu Qingchao winked at his third brother, and Xu Fengming walked out with the bowl and chopsticks.

Xu Qing told Wang Mingsheng something.

"Secretary Wang, last time you went to the county for a meeting, did you see Li Guohua?"

"Li Guohua? Are you talking about that college student?"

"Well, that's him. He's my high school classmate."

Wang Mingsheng was dumbfounded for a moment. Li Guohua was a young cadre who had just been assigned in the county. He had met him and heard that the county was very fond of him.

Hearing Xu Qing's words at this moment, Wang Mingsheng thought secretly in his heart. He knew the situation of Xu Qing's family, and he also knew that Xu Qing dropped out of school to work before graduating from high school.

However, Xu Qing's high school classmates were college students and young cadres in the county. He did not know this at first.

In fact, Xu Qing didn't want to mention Li Guohua, but in order for the third brother to successfully get the place recommended by the township to go to university this year, it is necessary to mention it by the way.

After all, this is his connection, and Li Guohua works in the county, so he happens to be in charge of some things in the village here.

At this moment, when Wang Mingsheng heard what Xu Qing said, he smiled and said:

"That Cadre Li is young and promising. He will come to our place to inspect our work in a few days."

Xu Qing smiled and said: "I'm not sure about this, but if he comes to inspect in a few days, he will know my brother Feng Ming."

Hearing this, Wang Mingsheng nodded slightly.

After that, Xu Qing said some other things. Since it was for the third brother to take care of it in advance, Xu Qing would naturally not hide what should be said and what should be done.

However, Xu Qing was inconvenient to talk about the issue of workers, peasants and soldiers going to college, and did not mention a word about it.

We can only pave the way first, and wait for the country to officially notify the whole country, and do these in advance, then it will come in handy naturally.

After sending Wang Mingsheng out, Xu Qing did not stay in his third brother's house anymore, but took Feng Ming to the house where he lived.

Xu Qing asked Feng Ming to take the book back, and at the same time asked him not to tell others about it.

After all, the document has not been officially released, and if it is leaked out, I am afraid it will cause a lot of trouble.

Xu Fengming nodded, holding the book and preparing to leave. Xu Qing handed him the things he bought, as well as the gifts prepared by the little girl and Aiguo.

Xu Fengming stuffed his hands with things, and carried them back to his own hut with a happy face.

Li Guihu was dumbfounded when he saw it. Apart from the books in Feng Ming's hands, there were two net bags full of things, including toffee, fruit candy, pastries, canned food, soap and four cigarettes.

"Feng Ming, your eldest brother treats you very well. These things are worth a lot of money."

Xu Fengming put all his things on the kang, and said triumphantly:

"Of course, my eldest brother will definitely be good to me!"

After Xu Fengming finished speaking, he pointed to the four pipes and said, "See, my eldest brother, sister-in-law, second brother, and younger sister, each of them will give me one."

Li Guihu was immediately envious.

Xu Fengming opened a pack of cigarettes, took out a pack, threw it to Li Guihu and said, "Take it and smoke it."

Li Guihu stretched out his hand to catch the cigarette that Xu Fengming threw into his arms, raised his thumb and said, "Dude, that's interesting!"

Xu Fengming grinned and said nothing. He was protected by his elder brother and second brother since he was a child, and he didn't care about these things at all.

Of course, when his family was poor in the past, Xu Fengming would not be generous. Even if others wanted to take a bite of his apple, that would not work.

But now, the situation at home is better, and Xu Fengming has become relatively generous.

In addition to giving Li Guihu a pack of cigarettes, Xu Fengming took the opened carton of cigarettes and a pound of fruit candies and distributed them to other people like him who went to the countryside to jump in line.

Men are cigarettes, women are fruit candies.

When they come here to jump in line, they naturally take care of each other.

And Xu Fengming gave everyone a share of the things, and the whole commune compound instantly became lively.

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(End of this chapter)