Siheyuan: There are three little cats at home

Chapter 418 Lou Xiao’e is back

Xu Qing looked a little surprised when Lou Xiao'e appeared in front of him.

I hadn’t seen him for many years, but I didn’t expect to see him again on this May afternoon in 79.

"Sister Xiao'e, when did you come back?"

Xu Qing stopped his bicycle, stood at the entrance of the alley, and asked with a smile.

Lou Xiao'e obviously recognized Xu Qing, with a smile on her face that looked round due to her weight gain, she held the lady's leather bag in her hand and said:
"Just came back this morning."

After Lou Xiao'e finished speaking, she continued: "Xiao Qing, I haven't seen you for many years. How are you and your brother and sister doing?"

"It's OK." Xu Qing said.

Lou Xiao'e nodded and looked at Xu Qing again.

Xu Qing is no longer in his twenties, his appearance has not changed much, he is still clean and masculine.

Compared to more than ten years ago, his body is much thicker and he looks more mature.

He speaks with great energy and has a strong body.

He is in his prime, not even a strong man, but he is definitely fierce.

Because most men in their thirties these days are like this.

The pressure of life is all on you, to support your family's livelihood.

In order to support their families, they work all day long.

Even though he is as thin as phosphorus, his eyes are still shining.

The ladies were chirping, but there was not even one in the entire Forty-Nine City.

In these days, any man who dares to be feminine and beautiful will have his parents break his legs.

Of course, there is no such evil trend these days.

In the words of an old man from Sijiucheng, a woman who is feminine and beautiful is called a second sister-in-law!
In the past, those who went to the palace to be eunuchs were like that.

Men, you have to act like a man since you were a kid!
Blood and sweat, no tears!

Lou Xiao'e came to her senses and asked, "Are everyone in the courtyard okay?"

"Okay, Sister Xiao'e, let's go back. My wife and Xiaoya will be back from get off work soon. Then, you can rest at my house for the night."

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he turned his bicycle and wanted to lead Lou Xiaoe into the hospital.

The relationship between him and Lou Xiao'e could not be said to be good, but they had never turned against each other.

Since Lou Xiao'e came back, we happened to meet him at the entrance of the alley.

As a former neighbor, how could Xu Qing not invite her into the courtyard to sit for a while and have a drink of water.

Lou Xiao'e shook her head and refused:
"Xiaoqing, sister, I won't go in with you. I'm coming back this time to deal with some things. I just took a look when I passed by."

Xu Qing looked at Lou Xiao'e, frowned slightly and asked: "Sister Xiao'e, you really don't want to go back? My second brother Aiguo and third brother Fengming are both married, and Aiguo also has children. You can come live at my house. I'm going to go there tonight." If you’re not at the grain station, you can stay at your place.”

Xu Qing said, suddenly thinking of Qin Jingru, and immediately added:

"Sister Xiao'e, if you don't want to be in the backyard, Brother Shazhu of the Zhongyuan gave his sister Yu Yu a few years ago to get married. Now the hut Yu Yu lives in is vacant, so you can live in the Zhong Yuan."

When Lou Xiao'e heard Xu Qing talking about Silly Zhu, she couldn't bear the excitement in her heart and hurriedly opened her mouth to ask how Silly Zhu was doing?
But when the words came to his lips, he hesitated a little. After a while, he slowly said:

"Xiao Qing, is He Yuzhu married? How are you doing?"

Xu Qing shook his head, "Sister Xiao'e, Brother Shazhu is not married. He said he could never forget someone and said he would never forget her in this life."

Lou Xiao'e's eyes instantly moistened when she heard this. She knew that she was the one Sha Zhu said he couldn't forget.

And she couldn't let go of Silly Zhu.

During her most difficult time, she was forced to divorce and abandoned by Xu Damao.

It was Shazhu who did not dislike her and accepted her.

Lou Xiao'e has been thinking about her all the time these years.

But when she came back this time, she really had something to do. After finishing her work, she had to leave quickly.

Moreover, he hadn't brought his child with Silly Zhu yet, and he was even more afraid of seeing Silly Zhu in the compound. He couldn't control his emotions and didn't want to leave.

Therefore, I still don’t want to go back to the compound.

However, he and Xu Qing headed towards the grain station in Dongdan.

I want to chat with Xu Qing, ask some questions about Silly Zhu, and then ask about the current situation in the country.

Xu Qing was riding a bicycle, and Lou Xiao'e was sitting on the back seat sideways, looking at the changes on the streets of Sijiucheng, and couldn't help but say:

"Xiao Qing, I'm not here for these. Our Sijiu City seems to have changed a lot."

Xu Qing rode his bicycle slowly, turned his head slightly and said, "Yes, Sister Xiao'e, I haven't listened to you for so many years. Not to mention that Sijiu City has changed, you have changed, and so have I. It’s changed, but Brother Silly Zhu hasn’t changed much.”

Xu Qing was riding a bicycle. While talking to Lou Xiao'e, he freed his right hand and pointed at the big red slogan on the street wall and said:
"Sister Xiao'e, look, the slogans on the wall have been changed dozens of times in the years since you were gone."

Lou Xiao'e looked at the slogan on Xu Qing's finger and felt a lot in her heart.

Yes, when she left in a hurry with her parents, there were not only slogans on the walls, but also large-character posters posted everywhere.

Now, the slogan has long since changed into a new one: Revitalize China.

The biggest reason why Lou Xiaoe came back this time is actually to confirm whether the changes in the country are completely over and whether the country is really going to reform.

Lou Xiao'e withdrew her gaze, along with her thoughts, and asked Xu Qing:
"Xiaoqing, is it true that you changed the subject?"

Xu Qing pedaled his bicycle and said calmly: "That's right, Sister Xiao'e! The grain station I just opened opened in March this year after the country implemented the reform phalanx last year."

Lou Xiao'e felt confident and breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking that Xu Qing had just said that he had opened a grain station, she felt more at ease.

In the past, the state did not allow speculation.

Xu Qingneng opened a grain station, proving that the country is really liberalizing.

She and her parents can also come back and no longer have to wander outside.

When Xu Qing rode his bicycle and took Lou Xiaoe to the grain station in front of his Dongdan vegetable market.

Xu Xiaoya, who was standing at the door of the grain station chatting with Sanhuzi's sister, saw Lou Xiao'e.

She couldn't help but froze for a moment, blinked her eyes, and looked at it carefully for a moment, then said with joy on her pretty face:
"Sister Xiao'e, is that you?"

"Brother, my eyesight is not blurry, is it Sister Xiao'e?"

Xu Qing smiled and nodded towards Xu Xiaoya.

Xu Xiaoya immediately ran to Lou Xiao'e, looked at Lou Xiao'e who was dressed in a foreign style, and said with a smile:

"Sister Xiao'e, I haven't seen you for more than ten years. Where have you been these past years? You didn't even say you would write a letter to our compound."

Lou Xiao'e was moved by Xu Xiaoya's enthusiasm, looked at Xu Xiaoya, and said with a smile:
"Xiaoya, you have become a big girl, and you are so beautiful. Are you dating someone?"

Lou Xiao'e avoided Xu Xiaoya's question just now. While joking, she took out a lipstick from the bag in her hand, handed it to Xu Xiaoya and said:

"I came back in a hurry and didn't prepare a gift. I haven't used this lipstick yet, so I gave it to you."

Xu Xiaoya was a little flattered and reached out to take the lipstick that Lou Xiao'e handed her. She took a look at it and saw that it had English on it, so she knew it was from abroad.

Busily waved his hands and said:

"Sister Xiao'e, this is too expensive, I can't have it."

During these years, no lipstick was sold in China.

During the period of change, such objects were regarded as symbols of the depravity of capitalism and were almost not allowed to exist.Although the changes have ended, the country has also implemented reforms.

But lipstick is still rarely seen today.

In addition to being placed in the newly opened friendship store, you can't find it anywhere else.

The Friendship Store only accepts foreign exchange coupons, which ordinary people cannot buy if they want to.

A lipstick is inherently valuable.

Seeing Xu Xiaoya's scruples, Lou Xiao'e smiled and said: "It's okay, just take it, it's not much money. Xiaoqing said that the country has changed the rules. There will be a lot of this kind of thing in the country in the future, so don't worry."

Lou Xiao'e said, and put the lipstick into Xu Xiaoya's hand again.

Xu Xiaoya blushed, and after accepting it sheepishly, she thanked her profusely: "Thank you, Sister Xiao'e!"

Seeing Xu Qing and Xu Xiaoya, brother and sister, Lou Xiao'e felt indescribably happy. She raised her head and looked at the grain station opened by Xu Qing.

After taking a look, he turned to look at Xu Qing, who had just parked his bicycle, and opened his mouth and said:
"Xiaoqing, I know you are the most promising. Although Yan Jiecheng is older than you in the courtyard, he is also the eldest brother, but his smartness has never been used in a serious place. If the country is reformed, you will open a grain station. From now on, your family will definitely have the best life in the compound."

Xu Qing smiled and said to himself: "Actually, my family is also living the best life in the compound now."

Xu Qing and his sister introduced Lou Xiao'e to Sanhuzi's wife and Meijuan, then led them into the grain station and made them a cup of tea.

Xu Qing stayed at the grain station at night, and he had to drink water when he was thirsty at night.

In addition, there are some uncles who sell grain.After the aunt came in, she wanted to drink a glass of water and rest her feet.

Xu Qing put a lot of things under the counter of the grain station.

Water cups, tea leaves, and kettles are available.

Sanhuzi's wife didn't know Lou Xiao'e, so she didn't dare to speak to her because she was dressed fashionably.

He and Meijuan stood in the distance, looking timidly.

When Xu Qing saw this, he didn't say anything.

After all, Lou Xiao'e's outfit doesn't look like domestic attire.

Sanhuzi's wife and Meijuan don't want to chat together, which is understandable.

What's more, they didn't know each other before.

Lou Xiao'e drank tea and asked Xu Qing and Xu Xiaoya:
"Si Zhu, is he still a chef now?"

Xu Qing nodded and said: "Yes, Sister Xiao'e, Shazhu's cooking skills are getting better and better now. He is much better than when you left the compound."

Xu Xiaoya got a lipstick and echoed: "Sister Xiao'e, you don't know, Brother Yuzhu became a cadre a few years ago."

When Lou Xiao'e heard this, she was surprised and happy. She was very happy for Silly Zhu.

And just when Lou Xiao'e was about to ask in detail, it was because of Fuzhu.

As a result, workers who had got off work outside the grain station poured in one after another, asking for food.

Xu Qing, Xiaoya, and Sanhuzi's daughter-in-law, Meijuan, hurriedly greeted them.

Let Lou Xiao'e sit down for a moment.

Lou Xiao'e knew that this was the busiest time for the grain station's business.

Although she left the compound after the change.

But speaking of it, it's not like she hasn't experienced this before.

During the years when there was no food, she was in Sijiu City.

How could she not remember this scene?

But Xu Qing and Xiaoya were so busy that more than an hour passed.

The sky outside turned dark. Xu Qing saw off the last guest, wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked back at Lou Xiao'e and said:
"Sister Xiao'e, I've kept you waiting for a long time. My grain station is busy in the morning and afternoon every day. Usually not many people come here."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and said: "Xiaoqing, it's okay, sister. Now you can open your own shop and do business and make money to support your family. It's great!"

Xu Qing smiled and sat aside. Seeing that there was no water in Lou Xiao'e's teacup, he picked up the kettle and filled it again.

After Xu Xiaoya sent Sanhuzi's wife and Meijuan away, she turned back to the grain station and said to her eldest brother Xu Qing;
"Brother, it's getting dark. Sister Xiao'e and I are going back to our house for dinner. I'll come back early tomorrow morning."

Before Xu Qing could speak, Lou Xiao'e shook her head and said:
"Xiaoya, go back. I'll talk to your elder brother about some things. I won't go to the compound."

Xu Xiaoya hurriedly said: "Sister Xiao'e, you are back, why don't you go back to the compound, yes."

Xu Xiaoya thought of Xu Damao's marriage to Qin Jingru, and changed her subject:

"Sister Xiao'e, it's okay. You live in my house and I'll see who dares to say anything."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and declined again: "Xiaoya, sister will leave early tomorrow morning and visit my dad's former friend's house in the evening. I won't go back to the compound this time."

Xu Xiaoya frowned slightly, blinked, and glanced at her elder brother. She wanted to invite Lou Xiao'e again, but Lou Xiao'e refused to return to the compound.

He had no choice but to give up, ran up to him, hugged him, and said reluctantly:
"Sister Xiao'e, you just came back and are leaving again. Don't leave when you come back next time."

Lou Xiao'e nodded and agreed: "Okay, next time I come back, not only will I not leave, but I will also bring you more good things."

Xu Xiaoya looked at Lou Xiao'e with watery eyes, nodded, and then walked out of the grain station, got on her lady's bicycle, held a flashlight, waved to her elder brother and Lou Xiao'e at the entrance of the grain station, and left.

Only Xu Qing and Lou Xiaoe were left in the grain station.

Xu Qing broke the steamed buns in his pocket into small pieces, placed them on the ground under the counter, let the four kittens eat by themselves, and then said to Lou Xiao'e:
"Sister Xiao'e, how about I close the grain station and let's go to a restaurant outside to have something to eat. If you don't want to go back to the compound, you should eat."

Lou Xiao'e sighed and said: "Xiaoqing, I'll stay for a while and then leave. When I come back this time, I will mainly take a look at the changes in the situation in our country. By the way, I will help my parents deal with the things that I didn't have time to deal with when I left. Then I will help me." Dad wants to visit his old friend."

Xu Qing smoked a cigarette and listened quietly to Lou Xiao'e.

After a moment, he said: "Sister Xiao'e, then you don't have anything to do yourself?"

Lou Xiao'e remained silent.

Xu Qing spit out the smoke in his mouth and said: "Brother Silly Zhu has been thinking about you. You are back, why don't you meet me?"

Lou Xiao'e held the lady's leather bag on her lap with both hands, pursed her lips, shook her head slowly and said:
"I'm afraid if I don't see you this time."

Lou Xiao'e choked up and tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly took out her handkerchief and turned around to wipe them away.

"Xiao Qing, I made you laugh. I just think the timing is wrong. When I come back next time, I will definitely go to the compound to find him."

Xu Qing hummed. As a brother, he could only help Si Zhu think of Lou Xiao'e.

As for whether Lou Xiao'e wanted to see him or not, Xu Qing couldn't force him.

Things like feelings will become troublesome and complicated when outsiders get involved.

The four civet cats ate the steamed buns and meowed back and forth around Xu Qing and Lou Xiao'e.

Lou Xiao'e asked Xu Qing for a cigarette, took two puffs, stubbed it out and said:
"Xiao Qing, tell me about Silly Zhu's matter. Also tell me what you think about the current domestic situation."

Xu Qing heard Lou Xiao'e ask this, so he sat in the lighted grain station under the dark night and told Lou Xiao'e bit by bit what happened to Sha Zhu over the years, as well as his own analysis of the domestic situation.

The moon outside the house is very bright, and the stars are also bright.

After listening to Xu Qing's words, Lou Xiao'e stood up and left.

Xu Qing asked Lou Xiaoe to take the flashlight from the grain station to illuminate the road.

It's late at night, so it's not okay to walk at night blindly.

Although there are street lights on the street, some of them are broken.

Lou Xiao'e held a flashlight, waved her hand towards Xu Qing, and walked silently along the street alone.

(End of this chapter)