1959Siheyuan, a Turnaround

Chapter 384 Conversation

The crowd queuing for water by the pool was moving slowly.

As the people in front of them filled their cups with water and left, it was finally Li Weiguo's turn.

Li Weiguo slowly placed the bucket under the faucet, and clear water flowed out into the bucket.

After a while, the bucket was full. Li Weiguo picked up the heavy bucket, said goodbye to Yang Dongsheng, and turned away from the pool.

At this time, Yan Bugui seized the opportunity, watched Yang Dongsheng fetch water, and said with a smile on his face, "Comrade Yang, you just came to our courtyard, are you used to living here?"

Yang Dongsheng turned around and saw the man who was called "Uncle San" by the people in the courtyard last night.

He responded politely: "Uncle, thank you for your concern. This courtyard is indeed different from where we lived before, but the neighbors are polite to each other, and it feels quite warm."

When Yan Bugui heard Yang Dongsheng calling him "Third Uncle", he felt so relieved and the smile on his face deepened.

He straightened his chest and introduced himself, "Comrade Yang, you are too polite. I am Yan Bugui, the third uncle in our courtyard, a teacher at Red Star Primary School, and my home is in the west wing of the front yard. If you are free, come and sit down and chat with me."

When Yang Dongsheng heard that he was an elementary school teacher, a trace of respect appeared in his eyes, and he spoke more politely: "Oh, it turns out to be Teacher Yan. I didn't know you before. I'm so sorry. I have two children at home. Maybe I will have to trouble Teacher Yan to take care of them in their studies in the future."

Yan Bugui waved his hands, a smug look on his face, but still pretended to be modest and said: "Well, it's no problem. I see your child is smart and well-behaved, and he will definitely be good at studying in the future. I have been teaching for so many years, and I can tell at a glance whether a child has a talent for learning."

Yang Dongsheng smiled and said, "I hope to borrow Teacher Yan's good words. These children have just arrived in a new environment, and I am worried that they will not be able to adapt."

Yan Bugui nodded and said, "Comrade Yang, I heard that your family moved here from Shanghai? Life in this city is very different from that in Shanghai. But our courtyard house, although not as stylish as the houses in Shanghai, is better in terms of the warm neighborhood relationship. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

Yang Dongsheng said gratefully: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I really have a lot to ask you."

The two chatted casually like this, and soon, Yang Dongsheng's bucket was full.

He picked up the bucket, nodded slightly to Yan Bugui, and said, "Uncle, I'm going back first. See you later." After that, he turned and left.

Yan Bugui looked at Yang Dongsheng's receding back and started to make plans in his mind.

Yesterday he saw that Yang Dongsheng's family was well off, and thought that if he could establish a good relationship with the Yang family, he would surely gain a lot of benefits in the future.

As he was thinking about this, he carried the bucket and walked home. He was already thinking about how to explain to the children at home and let them get closer to the Yang family's children.

Yang Dongsheng returned home, put the bucket in the yard and walked into the house.

His wife Su Jiao was serving him food. When she saw him coming back, she asked, "Did you get the water? It must be very tiring to queue up."

Yang Dongsheng took off his coat and said, "That's right. Life in a compound is not good. But I heard a lot of things while waiting in line today."

Su Jiao asked curiously, "What's the matter?"

Yang Dongsheng sat down and said, "I heard from people in the courtyard that the second uncle beat the child as soon as he got home yesterday, and also drove the child outside to freeze all night. Fortunately, the weather is not too cold, otherwise it would be terrible."

Su Jiao frowned and said, "Really? This parent is too cruel. Why is this courtyard like this? I feel like the people here are pretty rough in their work."

Yang Dongsheng continued, "Also, there is only one tap in the yard, and you have to queue up to get water. The same goes for the public toilet outside. There is a long queue in the morning."

Su Jiao couldn't help but sigh, "This courtyard is too crowded. It's inconvenient to do anything. And yesterday I felt that some of the children in the courtyard were not well-mannered. I'm really worried that our children will be affected here."

Yang Dongsheng thought for a moment and said, "Jiaojiao, don't think so badly of the people in this yard. Except for the boy yesterday, the children of other families seem to be quite polite. Besides, the third uncle in the front yard is an elementary school teacher. It would be good for our children to have educated people as neighbors."

Su Jiao said disapprovingly, "Oh? That Third Uncle? He doesn't look like a proper elementary school teacher to me. When I looked at his eyes yesterday, they were whirling around, and he looked like a calculating businessman."

Yang Dongsheng was stunned, and thought carefully about Yan Bugui's appearance, then smiled and shook his head and said, "Now that you put it that way, it seems a bit true. But we shouldn't think too badly of people. Anyway, since we have moved here, we should try to get along well with each other."

Su Jiao said helplessly, "I hope so. Hurry up and eat, you still have to go to the factory soon."

Yang Dongsheng nodded and started to eat breakfast.

After eating a few bites, he looked up and said to Su Jiao, "By the way, go to the street office today and get Liangliang enrolled in school. Don't delay the child's schooling."

Su Jiao quickly responded: "Okay, I understand. Don't worry, I'll be there in a moment."

As she spoke, Su Jiao walked into the inner room and saw the two children still lying in bed, so she said softly, "Babies, it's time to get up."

Daughter Yang Jing rubbed her eyes and sat up, saying coquettishly: "Mom, let me sleep a little longer."

Su Jiao smiled and said, "Be good, you can't sleep any more. Mommy has to go and get your brother enrolled in school today, so you should get up and eat."

When his son Yang Liang heard about the enrollment, he suddenly became excited, jumped out of bed and said, "Mom, I'm going to a new school!"

Su Jiao said as she helped the children put on their clothes: "Yes, so you have to be good. You have to behave well in the new school, okay?"

"Got it, Mom."

After finishing his meal, Yang Dongsheng stood up, picked up his handbag, and said to Su Jiao, "I'm leaving now. Remember to go to the street office."

Su Jiao said: "I know, be careful on the road."

Front yard, west wing.

Yan Bugui took advantage of the meal time to tell Yan Jiekuang and Yan Jiedi at home: "Listen carefully, you all should play with the two children of the Yang family in the middle courtyard more often in the future. Get along well with them, understand?"

Yan Jiedi asked in confusion: "Why, Dad?"

Yan Bugui said shrewdly, "Don't ask why. Just do as I say. This will be good for our family."

Although the children didn't quite understand, they still nodded obediently.

The third aunt smiled knowingly when she heard this, she knew that Yan Bugui was plotting against the Yang family.

She also chimed in, "Jie Kuang, Jie Di, have you forgotten that people gave you candies last night? If you play together well, you will have something delicious!"

When the two children heard the word "give out candy", their eyes lit up instantly and they responded with a smile like chicks pecking at rice.

"Remember, we must have fun!"