After Old Man Yu smeared some water on Wei Aiguo's face, Wei Aiguo looked at himself in the basin and was shocked. He had become a person with droopy eyes and downcast eyes; he was no longer the same person he used to be.
"So? Are you going to learn?" Old Yu asked.
"Tell me, what kind of reward do you want?" Wei Aiguo's care for the old man stemmed from his kindness and his love for the people as a soldier. It seemed he couldn't yet let his guard down around the old man.
Old Yu is not a simple person.
"Buy me some good food!"
"My health is like this... If you come back in a few years, burn some paper money for me." Old Yu said, bowing his head and fiddling with the things in his box.
"OK!"
During those days, Wei Aiguo would pick up Song Yan every day. In the morning, when he parted from his wife, he would bring some extra treats to visit the old man.
Old Yu was very satisfied with Wei Aiguo's sincerity, because the roast duck and roast chicken he brought were really delicious.
In just seven days, he had taught Wei Aiguo almost everything. The rest depended on Wei's own understanding. Because the essence remains the same despite all the variations. As long as you grasp the most fundamental techniques, you can develop countless methods.
Wei Aiguo was going back to his unit and said goodbye to the old man. The old man said to him, "Don't do anything immoral."
Wei Aiguo: "I will not do anything that is morally reprehensible!"
Old Yu thought Wei Aiguo wouldn't come back after leaving. Unexpectedly, he returned not long after and would come to see him every few days, sometimes bringing him some food. He would stay at his place if it rained.
There was a bowl of stir-fried greens in the basket, and a few steamed buns made from two portions of dough were placed on top.
"Eat up!" Wei Aiguo took out the food.
Old Yu ate his steamed bun with gusto. "Isn't it because of the meat you brought me to nourish my body, and because you talk to me and keep me entertained? I feel like my energy and spirit are much better than before."
"Live well, there are better days ahead," Wei Aiguo said.
Song Yan gave Wei Aiguo a small bottle of spring water, and he dripped a tiny bit into their food—just a tiny drop. Old Yu's condition seemed to improve a little.
"What good days could I possibly have?" Old Man Yu didn't believe it, and raised his voice a little, making it sound very high-pitched.
"Live well and you'll have a good life." Wei Aiguo heard Song Yan talk about the future, and he couldn't even imagine how good those days would be.
Old Man Yu stopped asking. Perhaps he wanted to take care of himself? He didn't need to be taken care of for the rest of his life; just talking to him these days made him happy.
Over the years, the people around him either looked at him with utter contempt, or as if he were a monster, or with pitying eyes. With just their gazes, no one would pay him any attention.
He only speaks to people on the street when they have no choice but to talk to him.
Treat this kid like a human being.
After the meal, Wei Aiguo said, "Here's ten yuan. Keep it for yourself. I'll probably be going out of town for a few days."
"Be careful!" Old Yu said after thinking for a moment.
"Okay! I'll come back for the basket tonight." Wei Aiguo said, then looked outside to make sure no one was watching before leaving.
Old Yu had lived in this courtyard for over a decade, and no one had noticed that he had relatives. So it was quite strange that someone was suddenly taking care of him. Inevitably, people asked him a few more questions.
But once Old Man Yu gave him a cold shoulder, no one dared to ask anymore.
Why are people afraid of Old Man Yu? Actually, it's not because they're afraid of him.
Old Man Yu is getting old and doesn't have many years left to live. The house he lives in is his own. Whoever he wants to give the house to before he dies, it belongs to him.
The families in the courtyard are mostly seven or eight people. So many people crammed into such a small house... If there were a room like this in the back row, it would be much more spacious.
In recent years, everyone in this courtyard has had this idea and has been intentionally or unintentionally getting close to the old man.
Old Yu wasn't stupid. Who among these people hadn't secretly cursed him before? They even complained that he was unlucky to live in this courtyard, and they'd openly and secretly bullied him countless times.
You still want his house? We would never have given it to them before, let alone now.
…
Wei Aiguo hadn't originally planned to break off his relationship with Old Man Yu and his wife, but after thinking it over, he figured it was better to be safe than sorry!
The men around Hou Jiu definitely have blood on their hands!
Wei Aiguo went to the black market and bought ten jin of cornmeal. He planned to give it to the grandfather and grandson.
Wei Aiguo went to buy blood pressure medication for Old Man Yu and ran into the grandmother and grandson outside the hospital. The old woman was holding her grandson, who had a high fever, and she was crying outside the hospital because she had no money to buy medicine.
Wei Aiguo gave her five yuan. The old lady hadn't eaten for several days, and the child looked about seven or eight years old; she couldn't carry him. Wei Aiguo decided to help her to the end and carried the child to the hospital.
After watching the doctor prescribe medicine and give the child an injection, Wei Aiguo was about to leave.
The old lady wouldn't let go of Wei Aiguo. She kowtowed to him and asked where he lived, promising to repay the money he owed.
Wei Aiguo had no intention of making her pay him back. These past few days, wandering around those places, he'd discovered that making money wasn't difficult. Five yuan might save a life, which was good enough.
The old lady insisted, and gave her her home address. She introduced herself, saying her husband's surname was Deng and her child's name was Deng Haichao.
Wei Aiguo didn't say where he lived. Seeing that the old lady couldn't carry the child anymore, he helped take the child home.
We chatted as we walked, and I learned that the child was actually 11 years old. But he looked so thin and small!
This child lost both his parents and has been raised by his grandmother ever since.
The old lady has managed to raise her grandson all these years by making paper boxes and with the help of her neighbors. Her family has received so much help over the years, and she wants to remember everyone who has helped them. She hopes Haichao will be able to repay these people when he grows up.
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