Life in siheyuan era

Brothers taking care of their sisters was a common sight during wartime. With adults fighting on the front lines, children lived in military kindergartens or elementary schools in the rear. Sisters with older brothers were the envy of other children.

Back then, Shen Jue and his wife were both on the front lines. Shen Lanbo, two years older than Shen Lanyin, took on the responsibility of caring for his younger sister. He also had to look after Fang Nan, who was a year younger than him. The careless Xiang Nan ignored Fang Nan and only played with his friends.

Shen Lanbo and Fang Nan grew up together. If they hadn't been separated for a while after their teens, they would definitely have become like siblings of the opposite sex.

For them, the separation was a good thing. When they met again, they had both grown up. Their previous emotional foundation was solid enough. As young adults, they yearned for sweet love, and after a few tentative advances, they confirmed their relationship.

Shen Lanbo was reluctant to give up this relationship, and his determination to break up wasn't strong. Under everyone's opposition, he gradually dismissed the idea and clearly stated to Shen Lanyin: "I will marry Fang Nan."

But Shen Lanyin wasn't asking about this matter. She coldly said, "I know you two can't be separated. That's not what I'm asking about. What do you mean by having Zhou Zhiyuan come to the hospital?"

Shen Lanbo pondered for a moment and slowly replied, "I died once on the plateau. After being rescued, I thought about many things."

"What I worry about most are Mom, Dad, and you. Mom and Dad will be very sad, but with their status and position, they should be able to enjoy their old age without any problems. But what about you?"

"Mom and Dad will eventually grow old. When they are no longer able to help, who will protect you? Your husband?"

"Maybe he will protect you, maybe he will be the one who hurts you the most. I have to find you a bodyguard."

Shen Lanbo explained the reason, and Shen Lanyin coldly asked, "Zhou Zhiyuan?"

"That's right..." Shen Lanbo's tone was firm. "Zhiyuan is loyal, righteous, and keeps his promises. In this life, it's worth it to have a brother you can entrust your wife and children to."

"How can you be sure?" Shen Lanyin didn't believe it.

"True feelings are revealed in times of crisis. We fought side by side on the battlefield, and we saw through everything in the face of life and death."

Shen Lanbo fell into回忆, not preventing Shen Lanyin from suddenly asking: "To save you, Zhou Zhiyuan reached out and grabbed the enemy's刺刀."

Shen Lanyin guessed the answer, and a bitter smile appeared on Shen Lanbo's face.

His younger sister had loved reading since she was a child and was called a "bookworm" by Fang Nan, who spread the word around their circle.

But they overlooked one thing: there are two types of bookworms. One is just a bookworm, and the other is someone who becomes wise through reading.

Shen Lanyin was very smart when she was young and had unique insights into problems. After growing up, she became obsessed with medicine and put all her energy into medical skills, making people forget her previous performance.

But just now, her words reminded Shen Lanbo, and he said with a bitter smile, "Zhiyuan and I are as close as brothers..."

He wanted to explain, but Shen Lanyin interrupted him, "Don't explain yet. Do Mom, Dad, and Fang Nan know about this?"

"I don't know. I..."

He was interrupted by Shen Lanyin again, "Don't say anything, let me think."

After pondering for a while, Shen Lanyin decisively said, "You didn't say anything because you didn't want us to accept Zhou Zhiyuan out of gratitude, but the focus is on me. Do you want me to marry Zhou Zhiyuan?"

Hearing her inference, a bitter smile appeared on Shen Lanbo's face again. He didn't want to explain anymore.

And Shen Lanyin solemnly asked, "Do you want me to be grateful and repay you with my body?"

"I don't have that idea..." Shen Lanbo flatly denied, "Mutual affection is the key."

Shen Lanbo continued to explain, but Shen Lanyin didn't take his words and coldly said, "You want to let me accept him through contact, but now you know, we are not on the same path."

He denied Xiang Nan and Hao Zhiwen, and Shen Lanyin denied Zhou Zhiyuan, "Zhou Zhiyuan is even less suitable."

Seeing Shen Lanyin's attitude, a third bitter smile appeared on Shen Lanbo's face. He had nothing to say and listened to Shen Lanyin continuing, "Brother, I am very grateful to Zhou Zhiyuan, but gratitude is one thing, and feelings are another. I hope you can respect my choice."

The brother and sister had said this much, what else could Shen Lanbo say besides letting out a long sigh?

He sincerely wanted Zhou Zhiyuan to become his brother-in-law, but he couldn't make decisions about his sister's feelings.

At this time, women's liberation and marital autonomy were advocated. Shen Lanyin wanted to make her own decisions, and Lou Xiao'e also made her own decision to marry Xu Damao.

Her parents and brother, Lou Xiaoning, didn't approve of Xu Damao, but they didn't persuade Lou Xiao'e.

Lou Xiao'e had the right to decide her own marriage. The government abolished the marriage arrangement system. Lou Xiao'e's parents and brother firmly opposed it, and the women's federation of the library sent people to her door to work on her. If it didn't work once, they would do it twice, and if it didn't work twice, they would do it three times. They would never give up until the work was done.

Lou Xiao'e caught up with a good time and could hold high the banner of "I make the decisions about my marriage" to marry Xu Damao.

But less than a year after the marriage, she regretted it. Real life was different from what she imagined.

Lou Xiao'e deeply understood this. She talked with Grandma Long for a while and walked into her house at seven o'clock. Facing the cold environment, she could only turn around and ask Grandma Long for help.

She couldn't cook or start the stove, but with Grandma Long's help, she lit the stove, and the temperature in the room warmed up a bit.

After seeing Grandma Long off, Lou Xiao'e hurriedly took off her coat and crawled into bed. She shivered for a while and finally warmed up. She picked up a book and leaned against the headboard to read. Hearing the noise, she knew that Xu Damao had returned.

At nine o'clock, Xu Damao staggered into the house. Seeing Lou Xiao'e, he was stunned for a moment and asked with a slurred tongue, "You're back?"

As he spoke, a strong smell of alcohol wafted over. Lou Xiao'e jumped out of bed, hurriedly put on her clothes, and started to walk outside.

"Where are you going?" Xu Damao's tongue was hard enough, and it took a lot of effort for Lou Xiao'e to understand.

"I'm going to Grandma Long's room to sleep," Lou Xiao'e responded and pushed the door open.

Seeing her walk out of the house, Xu Damao muttered, "What a life." Then he fell onto the bed and fell asleep.

And Lou Xiao'e knocked on Grandma Long's door and walked into the room with Grandma Long looking knowing. She opened her mouth and said, "Grandma Long, I'm going to sleep with you tonight."

"Xu Damao drank too much, right?" Grandma Long asked and sighed, continuing, "What's going on with you two?"

"Can I still get a divorce?" Lou Xiao'e said helplessly.

Grandma Long sighed, "Women are afraid of marrying the wrong man, but who knows right from wrong before marriage?"

Lou Xiao'e said regretfully, "My parents and brother saw it before the marriage, but I didn't listen to them."

"Yes..." Grandma Long sighed, "Your parents didn't like Xu Damao. He didn't go to your house for the New Year, and you didn't go to his house either. This kind of marriage is just a marriage certificate. It has buried the roots of disaster from the beginning."

Grandma Long's nagging made Lou Xiao'e even more irritable. She replied, "I'm going out for a walk." and started to walk outside.

Coming to the door, she heard Grandma Long say, "Are you back from the cold? Don't leave the courtyard so late. I'll leave the door open for you."

Lou Xiao'e agreed and walked out the door, heading straight to the middle courtyard. She stopped and looked at the window.

The room was lit, and the desk lamp was also on. Through the curtains, she saw two figures sitting on either side, leaning over and writing something.

The burly figure on the inside was Zhou Zhining, and the slender figure on the outside was Zhou Zhiyuan.

She saw Zhou Zhining sit up straight and reach out his hand. Zhou Zhiyuan handed him a newspaper-like thing.

Zhou Zhining looked carefully, raised the newspaper-like thing, and pointed at it. Zhou Zhiyuan nodded slightly.

Through the actions of the brothers, Lou Xiao'e could see that Zhou Zhining was instructing Zhou Zhiyuan to practice writing.

Seeing the two figures leaning over and writing again, Lou Xiao'e sighed softly and walked back. In this moment, her restless heart had calmed down.

Seeing her come back, Grandma Long asked in surprise, "Did you freeze back?"

Lou Xiao'e frankly said, "I walked to the middle courtyard and saw the Zhou brothers practicing writing. My heart calmed down and I came back."

Grandma Long smiled and said, "If Zhou Zhiyuan can study with peace of mind, his future achievements will definitely be high."

Lou Xiao'e asked, "How do you say that?"

Grandma Long replied, "Zhou Zhiyuan should have practiced martial arts. Most young people of his age are self-reliant on their martial arts, thinking that they can conquer the world with their fists and feet. Very few can calm down and study."

"His ability to calm down and practice writing shows that he knows what he lacks. With a high school education, knowledge shouldn't be a problem."

"You said that he directed and acted in a reenactment game, which shows that his adaptability is extremely strong. With these performances, he won't be bad in the future."

Grandma Long was optimistic about Zhou Zhiyuan, but Lou Xiao'e had thought of something, to cooperate with Zhou Zhiyuan in investment. From Zhou Zhiyuan's performance, she had nothing to worry about.

Even if something happened, she wasn't afraid. As the saying goes, "The monk can run away, but the temple can't." They were neighbors, and she had Zhou Zhiyuan's parents and brother as hostages.

Thinking this way, she suddenly felt relaxed. With a clear goal, the troubles of marriage could be thrown to the back of her mind.

Lou Xiao'e had a big heart. After thinking about her goal, she happily took off her clothes and climbed onto the kang.

Her performance surprised Grandma Long. Seeing her crawl into bed, she could only sigh secretly, "This child is carefree."

Grandma Long liked Lou Xiao'e very much. It was also a kind of fate that the old and the young got along so well.