The courtyard: the atmosphere of human life

Chapter 138: Unemployment Disturbance

When Xiaoying arrived at Darong's house that day, she sat on the sofa and started crying as soon as she entered the door. Darong was frightened and quickly grabbed Xiaoying and asked what had happened.

Xiaoying sat on the sofa and cried inconsolably, but no matter how Darong asked, she refused to speak. Darong became a little anxious.

"What happened? Did you have a quarrel with your family? Or are you dating someone?"

Darong kept asking Xiaoying but she just shook her head and refused to answer.

"You're going to make me so anxious. If there's trouble, we'll solve it. If you're wronged, I'll help you out. Don't just cry."

Darong soaked a towel and handed it to Xiaoying, then sat beside her and kept stroking her back.

After Xiaoying cried for a long time, her emotions slowly began to calm down, and she spoke hesitantly while sobbing.

"I met some hooligans on the road when I came here just now."

As soon as Xiaoying finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes again.

Darong was also startled, her eyes widened and she stared at Xiaoying's eyes closely: "What's wrong with you?"

Darong's voice was a little panicked.

"No, he...he took off his pants in front of me..." Xiaoying lowered her head and spoke in a voice so soft that it was almost inaudible.

When Darong heard that it was just an exhibitionist, she felt slightly relieved. Although she was angry, at least Xiaoying was not hurt.

"We should launch another round of severe crackdowns and shoot all these hooligans to death."

Darong said this while comforting Xiaoying, gritting her teeth in anger.

Xiaoying stayed at Darong's house until Zhong Yunxing came back from get off work. When she arrived, it was still light before dark when she met the pervert. Darong didn't dare to let her go back alone, so she waited for Zhong Yunxing to come back before sending Xiaoying back.

"What's wrong with Xiaoying? I saw that she was unhappy all night. When I sent her back just now, she didn't say a word the whole way."

"When she came here, she met a gangster who scared her so much that she cried for a long time when she got home." Darong was still gritting her teeth with anger when she spoke about it.

"Ah? Are you okay?" Zhong Yunxing and Darong had the same expression at that time, staring with nervous eyes.

"It's nothing, I just took off my pants in front of her and she was scared." Darong briefly explained to Zhong Yunxing.

Zhong Yunxing nodded and didn't ask any more questions. After all, he was the brother-in-law, and he just wanted to know that Xiaoying was fine.

That Spring Festival, Darong and Zhong Yunxing bought two large boxes of firecrackers. Ever since little Ruyi learned to set off firecrackers, the Spring Festival at home became unusually lively.

"Mom, none of what you bought is fun, I want a foreign cannon!"

Little Ruyi threw boxes of firecrackers onto the ground. Apparently, these simple firecrackers were completely unable to satisfy the naughty little Ruyi.

"Hey, my girls all wear flowers during the New Year, why did you choose firecrackers?"

Darong looked at her precious daughter speechlessly. Last year, Xiao Ruyi only dared to set off firecrackers, but now she dared not even light the Er Lei Zi.

"There are flowers here, I'm wearing them." Little Ruyi tilted her head and pointed at the silk flowers on her head to show Darong.

"Come on, girl, Dad will buy it for you."

Zhong Yunxing never let Xiao Ruyi suffer any grievances. With a gesture, Xiao Ruyi ran to the only store in the village.

In a short while, a bag full of foreign firecrackers and small round flowers was brought back.

In fact, the atmosphere of the New Year becomes warm in the laughter of children. Little Ruyi and Little Jixiang are running in and out of the yard, while Darong and the others are happily busy in the house.

A year of waiting and a spring of prosperity. If life could always be so peaceful and harmonious, how many people would be willing to indulge in it and enjoy it greedily.

But life often does not give us the opportunity to choose. In 1996, the textile industry where Zhong Yunxing worked also ushered in a huge and difficult wave of asset reform.

"The factory has already introduced a subsidy policy, but I'm afraid it won't last long."

Just after the Spring Festival, Zhong Yunxing's factory began to hold various meetings non-stop. The employees in the factory confronted the factory several times and even petitioned the city, but no one could influence the country's reform policies.

"What should we do? Ruyi will be going to school in the second half of the year..." Darong looked at Ruyi who was sleeping soundly beside her and gently tucked the corner of her quilt.

"Let's take it one step at a time. We can't let you two starve."

Zhong Yunxing hugged Darong in his arms, but he was actually very confused. He had been working diligently in the factory since he replaced Zhong's father at the age of 16. People of their generation had never thought that they would be laid off one day.

Although Zhong Yunxing is a mechanic, he has no other skills except repairing textile machines. The textile industry is struggling now and even his own factory has gone bankrupt. Where can he find a spinning wheel to repair?

"It's okay. Fortunately, our factory is doing well now. We can get by if we grit our teeth."

Darong lay in Zhong Yunxing's arms and comforted him softly.

That year was the most difficult year for Darong since she married Zhong Yunxing. After the spring, Zhong Yunxing was laid off and remained unemployed at home. Although Darong's salary remained stable, the atmosphere at home was always shrouded in the shadow of layoffs.

"I found a job to cover for someone else at night. I want to give it a try. Can you take Ruyi with you at night?"

While eating, Zhong Yunxing asked Darong with his head down.

Darong raised her eyes and looked at Zhong Yunxing. His expression was calm, but his eyes did not meet Darong's.

In fact, Zhong Yunxing was not too worried. All the neighbors living here were old neighbors. Although the third generation had moved away, the fourth generation still lived in the backyard, so there would definitely be no problem with safety.

He was just looking for an excuse to tell Darong that he was planning to work the night shift.

"What is it for?"

"It's just to cover for someone else's night shift at a factory in Huangzhuang. I haven't been there yet, so I don't know what I'm doing specifically."

After taking two mouthfuls of rice, Zhong Yunxing put down his chopsticks, raised his head and looked at Darong with a gentle face.

"It's okay for me to take Ruyi with me. I'm just worried that you're too tired. Do you work night shifts every day?"

Darong looked at Zhong Yunxing in front of her, but actually she just felt a little distressed.

"It may not be the case. I have to wait until I go over and take a look. I can't say for sure now."

Zhong Yunxing knew what Darong was worried about, and spoke to her with a gentle smile.

In fact, Zhong Yunxing did not tell Darong the truth. He was not going to a factory, but to follow the construction team to run the lines and pull the poles. Because it was purely physical work, dirty and tiring, he was afraid that Darong would stop him from going.