Seeing that more and more people were gathering around, Old Kong was afraid that trouble would arise, so he quickly said to the crowd, "Let's talk about it in the courtyard."
Old Liu clutched his shirt collar tightly: "What do you mean? Your attitude is different from before!"
Are you trying to lure us in and kill us?"
That posture was exactly like that of a humiliated young wife!
The old lady with the mole next to her was watching this and her mouth twitched!
He slapped Old Liu on the shoulder: "A few big, strong guys like us, are we afraid of these two?"
Her words made Old Kong look at her a few more times.
As they entered the courtyard, Lu Zhiye noticed a small shed on the right side of the yard. What surprised him most was that several weapons were placed under the shed, including red-tasseled spears and large red knives.
Each handle is smooth and polished, clearly indicating that it has been used frequently!
It seems he guessed correctly; not only the old man, but the old woman's identity was also extraordinary!
I just don't know why I'm living here in such a cramped place!
Old Kong, a former reconnaissance soldier, didn't miss the look in the eyes of the couple who simultaneously glanced at the young man next to them when he asked about that name!
After he went inside, he returned to his room and picked up the tin box!
I pulled out a yellowed old photograph from inside, gently stroked it, and patted off the dust!
While no one was paying attention, he quietly observed Lu Zhiye.
He had thought the young man looked kind before, and now, seeing this old photo again, he finally realized that this young man was probably a descendant of Brother Lu!
Old Kong suppressed his excitement, put the photo in his breast pocket, and slowly walked out!
To avoid attracting attention, he deliberately brought out a bag of tobacco leaves from inside the house!
"Didn't you want to trade tobacco leaves with us? Here's a big bag of them!"
"It's worth at least a pack of cigarettes, right?"
Niu Liye was a little embarrassed: "We didn't bring this many cigarettes with us when we came!"
I have some cigarette coupons, is that alright? You can just buy them at the supply and marketing cooperative later!
Old Kong waved his hand: "Once you're out of the alley, turn right. There's a supply and marketing cooperative 100 meters away. Just buy it and have it delivered to me!"
Niu Liye immediately understood what was going on; they were clearly trying to get him away!
He glanced cautiously at Lu Zhiye, and noticing Lu Zhiye nodding, he quickly got up and strode out!
The old lady with the mole was also very perceptive: "It's almost Chinese New Year, and we've come back so suddenly without buying anything for Niu Niu and the others. Come on, let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative!"
Old Liu was reluctant; this was clearly going to cause a scene: "Can't we buy it later?"
The old woman with the mole glared at him and pinched his waist hard.
Old Liu was pinched until he grimaced, and like a submissive wife, he silently followed behind her.
Now only Lu Zhiye was left in the room. Old Kong touched the corner of his eye and said, "You and your grandfather are so alike!"
Lu Zhiye slowly lowered his legs, which had been crossed, and sat up straight: "If I'm not mistaken, you also know Lu Boyuan and the others..."
Upon hearing the familiar name, both the old lady and Old Kong seemed somewhat dazed!
"That kid must be over 40 now, right? So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. When he stayed in Dahe Village, he was just a little kid!"
Now that their identities are clear, Lu Zhiye doesn't mince words: "How should I address you?"
"Kong Jun, they all call me Old Kong!"
"Grandpa Kong, we have indeed come to this place for some reason, and we don't have anyone backing us!"
May I ask a question? This area of hutongs and courtyards feels completely different from other places! Why is that?
Having learned Lu Zhiye's identity, Old Kong completely lowered his guard.
He slowly pulled out a neatly cut newspaper from his pocket, took out some tobacco leaves, rolled them into a cylinder on the newspaper, and then licked a corner of the newspaper with his tongue: "This is a long story!"
Most of us in this group don't have children. The majority of us are retired military personnel!
Men and women were treated the same; in that era, women were treated like men!
This yard was allocated to us by the state. At first, there were people there. In everyone's hearts, our children should protect our country!
So basically, they were sent to the army as soon as they came of age, and over the years, I don't know why they gradually disappeared from my life!
Some died on the battlefield, and others could not be found. Over time, everyone lost hope!
Now, only the elderly, weak, sick and disabled are left in this alley courtyard!
People even came to register their family information before!
Old Kong took a deep drag on his cigarette, and then the white smoke engulfed him: "What do these people mean? We all understand!"
We want children, but we don't have any; we want relatives, but we don't have any; and who knows who will end up with this house in the future!
Sometimes I think about it and wonder, how did it turn out like this?
We fought side by side, brothers who went through thick and thin together, and promised each other that my child would be your child!
But now...sigh!
Old Kong's voice choked as he spoke. He opened his cloudy old eyes and looked at Lu Zhiye: "When those things happened to your family, the people in our alley pooled together some money and sent it directly to you. I don't know if it has reached you yet!"
His sarcastic tone was impossible to hide; clearly, after all these years, he had figured out whether the money would actually end up in their hands!
If they once held onto hope, as time passed, all that hope was washed away, and now they are like walking corpses!
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