Around 9 a.m., after playing around, the Sun siblings felt bored at home, so they all went to the gate of the courtyard.
Because of what happened last night, his mother had just warned him, so Sun Zhengguo decided to behave himself for the time being and not go out partying.
"Aunt Chen, Auntie San, Uncle Li... they're all playing!"
There were quite a few people at the entrance, and the siblings greeted them one by one.
"Zhengguo, you're late. Old Li arrived first today. Let me tell you, a true gentleman observes chess without speaking."
Yan Bugui said excitedly.
Old Li is such a terrible chess player, he can do whatever he wants with him. We can't let Sun Zhengguo ruin his plans.
"Don't worry, Uncle, I'll just take a look and won't say a word."
Sun Zhengguo said with a look of disdain.
"Ah! This is the behavior of a gentleman."
Sun Zhengguo showed no reaction to Yan Bugui's praise and simply stood aside and watched.
"Brother, I'm going to the Intermediate People's Court to play with Yushui. This place is no fun at all."
Sun Zhengguo turned his head and saw that his second son was playing a game of cops and robbers with a group of teenagers. There were no girls of the same age among them, so he said.
"Go on! If you can't, bring the rainwater out to play. Don't stay cooped up inside all day."
"Okay, bro."
Seeing his sister leave, Sun Zhengguo took the lead and started looking at chess again.
"General, Old Li, there's no going back on this move."
Yan Bugui said with a smug look on his face.
Old Li looked at the chessboard and, having no moves to make, decided to cheat.
"Hey, hey, hey! I wasn't paying attention just now. This step doesn't count. Every step I take now will lead to more regret."
"That won't do. You've already regretted so many steps; if you add them all up, you could walk all the way to Tiananmen Square."
"Hahaha……."
Being laughed at by a group of middle-aged women, Old Li couldn't stand it anymore. He stood up, pointed at Yan Bugui, and shouted.
"Fine, Yan Laokou, you win this round. I'm not playing with you anymore. Sun family boss, you take your turn. I'll watch from here and see how long you can keep up this smugness."
"Uncle Li, are you really not going to play anymore?"
Sun Zhengguo asked.
"I'm done playing. With my skill level, I'd just be feeding him. You go ahead, I want to see how long he can keep up his arrogance."
Left with no other choice, Sun Zhengguo accepted the task at hand, sat down on the stool, and rearranged the dishes.
When Yan Bugui saw that Sun Zhengguo had been substituted, he dared not be careless and devoted himself to the game with all his might.
In the first round, the two players tied, and Old Li had nothing to say, continuing to watch from the sidelines.
In the second round, Yan Bugui was careless and lost a horse at the start. He then encountered many setbacks. The two then traded a rook and struggled for ten minutes before finally giving up and losing.
This outcome thrilled Grandpa Li, as if drinking a glass of cool water on a sweltering summer day had instantly revitalized him.
"You got what you deserved! What did I tell you? Where did that excitement go? Keep being so proud! You old coward Yan, aren't you smug? Show me another one."
Yan Bugui rolled his eyes, ignoring Grandpa Li. The more you talk to him now, the more excited he gets. You can only slowly maneuver and let your strength speak for itself.
But reality played a cruel joke on Yan Bugui. From the second game onwards, he didn't win a single game; his best result was a draw.
"Jung-guk, you're in good form today! You've won quite a few games, haven't you?"
Sun Zhengguo understood: Yan Bugui couldn't accept defeat! This was a reminder to himself that he should stop when he had enough and let Yan go a little.
"Uncle, you haven't won many games. If you try harder, you might be able to win this one."
"I hope so! It wouldn't be fun if we lost again!"
The two of them thus began their silent, cryptic exchange.
...
Outside the courtyard house, He Daqing was carrying a canvas bag and walking anxiously home.
I was released from prison today. I was lucky enough to catch the first train at the station. In less than two hours, I was already in Beijing.
He could already see the outline of the courtyard house, which was slowly getting closer and closer.
I've been away from home for three years, but the front gate is still the same familiar place, unchanged.
At the entrance of the courtyard house, He Daqing saw some familiar figures, some children, whom he could vaguely recognize.
"Are you He Daqing?"
The three women spotted He Daqing immediately, but instead of acknowledging him, they went up to him and asked him questions.
"It's Old Yan's wife! I'm He Daqing, I'm back."
Having gotten the correct answer, the three women let out a howl!
"Old Yan, hurry! He Daqing is back."
The old woman's voice drew the attention of everyone at the door, and they all stopped and rushed over.
"Where is it? Let's go check it out."
"Old He, it really is Old He! I thought my wife was talking nonsense, but it really is you!"
Yan Bugui was the first to rush over, excitedly saying that he hadn't eaten He Daqing's cooking for several years and had almost forgotten what it tasted like.
"Old Yan, you're still the same as always, you haven't changed at all."
"Hello, Old Li! Hello, Aunt Chen! This must be the eldest son of the Jiang family, right? He's grown so much... Hello everyone!"
"Hello, Uncle He!"
"Hey Lao He, how are you?"
"Hello, Uncle He!"
They greeted each other, but He Daqing was in a hurry to get home. He didn't linger at the door, quickly finished greeting everyone, and headed home.
When everyone saw He Daqing leave, they weren't surprised. After all, He Daqing hadn't been home for several years, which was only natural.
"You guys think the prison food is this good? Old He looks a lot fatter than before."
Yan Bugui said with a puzzled look.
"Why don't you give it a try? You can save a lot of food."
"Hahaha……."
Grandpa Li's words drew laughter from everyone present.
"Pah, pah, pah! Go if you want, you old codger. I only beat you a few games of chess, and you're still going on and on."
"Hahaha……."
...
After bidding farewell to everyone, He Daqing followed the familiar path to the central courtyard. Seeing his home, He Daqing stood at the door, somewhat afraid, unsure how to face his child.
Just as He Daqing was making arrangements, the voices inside the room caught his attention.
"Rain, aren't you bored at home all by yourself? My brother said he wanted me to take you out for some fun. How about we go for a walk?"
"No, Sister Zhenghong, I have no friends in this compound except you. They don't play with me and they even make fun of my dad for being a convict."
"It's not your fault, ignore them. Why don't you come to my house? No one will laugh at you there."
"I'm not going! My brother told me to go out less. He said our family background is bad, so it's best to keep a low profile."
Hearing his daughter's words, He Daqing was filled with grief, realizing it was all his fault.
Why should his children bear the burden?
Thinking of the suffering his daughter had endured over the years, and the ridicule she had received, He Daqing couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Waaaaah..."
"Who? Who's outside?"
Inside the room, He Yushui asked nervously.
Is it haunted in broad daylight?
But why does that voice sound so familiar?
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