Chapter 010 The Donkey Pulling the Mill: An Initial Showcase of the Painting

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Today, I finally encountered a kind stranger, and the pressure in my heart was instantly relieved

Eat, sleep, and feed Xiao Hei

"Madam, is Xu Damao unwell? He seems quite eccentric."

Thank you very much, comrade! Six months ago, my husband left, and I still have to work, leaving me no time to take care of the children. Generally, the older children play in the yard. Now that the month is coming to an end, there is no food left at home, and the children are so hungry that they have gone out to find something to eat.

It is nothing, I understand, but one must remain strong in front of the children

Apologetically walking up to Xu Damao, he said: "I am sorry, comrade, I was too anxious about the child just now"

I am right in front of my own door, yet you are acting so sneaky? What are you thinking? You, from now on, keep your distance from your brother and come to visit the old lady more often. Otherwise, who knows, one day you might end up being foolish!

The deaf old lady took a look and exclaimed, "It's really good, it looks just like it, almost comparable to a photograph"

Liang Ladi watched Xu Damao walk away, and she also took her child and carried the fish home. However, on the way back, the rare sound of laughter came from this family

I will be returning home after school this afternoon, as I do not live on campus. Could you help me draw one today?

He Yushui, you go to school every day, why haven't you made your mind a bit sharper?

Xu Damao, what are you saying? Do you believe I will have my brother beat you up

Shouldering the equipment, I greeted the neighbors and went to work

The deaf old lady chuckled and said, "You will know soon."

Work, read books, go to the countryside, show movies

... ...

Do not let the children come to the riverbank in the future, they are too small and it is too dangerous. What if there is no one around?

You are welcome

See you on Sunday, I will wait for you at home, I have to go to work now

Turning around, I am about to leave

Comrade, I am Liang Ladi from the machine repair factory. Which unit are you from? I will definitely repay you if I have the opportunity

It is nothing, I can understand

Here, take this. It is for the children. Make sure they eat more, as I see that several of them are quite thin.

He Yushui is simply being thoughtless, and after hearing Shizhu's remarks about how bad Xu Damao is, she subconsciously believes that Xu Damao has done nothing good

Can you help me draw a picture as well

Xu Damao

Then I will find him tomorrow morning

Just as he was about to finish drawing, He Yushui called out.

Yes! I will go find my brother

After speaking, he called out to Xiao Hei, waved his hand, and left

Come back, don't you even check what time it is now? Either let your brother take you, or find him yourself tomorrow

Get up, wash up, and feed myself and Xiao Hei

Liang Ladi thanked while crying

However, I haven't been able to flirt with Qin Huairu for several days, and I don't know what's going on; I keep missing her during my commute to and from work.

Good! Very good!

Madam, could you please show me the painting again? I didn't take a close look earlier

In the adjacent room, the sound of the section chief's laughter and the issuing of instructions to Xiao Hei can be heard from time to time

Is your brother at home

Then you rest, I will return to my room

Xu Damao pulled the fish basket out of the river

Well, these are the fish I promised to catch for a few children. You can take them back. It's getting late, so you should return home early to prepare dinner for the children

I am the projectionist at the Steel General Factory, my name is Xu Damao, and there is no need for any repayment. We are still part of the same unit. If the children want to eat fish, they can come to me. If I am not out in the countryside showing films or at work, I am usually here on Sunday afternoons. You should head back early, I will be leaving as well

"The painting is truly lifelike! When the old lady Xu Damao paints for you next time, could you ask her to paint one for me as well?"

Damao said that his mother has been working overtime on weekends to earn some extra money

I apologize, I lost control for a moment

"Madam, I just saw you and the silly girl feeding the rabbits, and it looked quite nice, so I drew it. Please take a look and see if it is satisfactory"

When will he be like this? Is this still Xu Damao?

Yes, I will go find him

Xu Damao sought a place with few people and abundant grass, went there, called Xiao Hei to his side, and while petting him, said: "Xiao Hei, we really shouldn't have come out today; we were chased while painting, and all the fishing was done by others."

It may be that her husband passed away six months ago, and she has been gritting her teeth and persevering ever since

Where is your brain, girl? If you want someone to help you draw, then go find him! I can't draw.

Lying on the ground, I watched the sun that was about to disappear beyond the horizon

Oh! My brother is not at home, he has gone out for drinks

How can I accept this? The children had your food for lunch, and I cannot take this fish

Shh, don't make noise

Thank you, Xu Damao

The courtyard is always filled with the sounds of bustling activity in the morning

Good, the painting is really well done, Da Mao has this skill, truly impressive

The old lady returned to the room to put away the painting, leaving He Yushui in a state of continuous bewilderment

"Madam, is this painted by Xu Damao?"

After Liang Ladi cried for a while, Xu Damao said: "That comrade, the child is right beside you, please stop crying. If I didn't know any better, I would think I was bullying you!"

I can't be bothered to deal with you

The next day, Xu Damao planned to go to work. Just as he reached the courtyard, he heard He Yushui calling him.

Xu Damao, where have you been lurking for half a day, and what are you up to?

What happened, Rain?

We can discuss it again in the afternoon. If the leadership does not send anyone, it will not be a problem. If you find the paper of this notebook unsatisfactory, you can prepare your own paper. If you do not mind, I will help you draw when I return

You silly girl, what can I do? Do I still need to report to you? Xu Damao is right, you should listen to your brother less in the future, he is almost taking away your brain.

Xu Damao looked quite warm and cozy. He went home, took out paper and pen, and planned to capture this scene in a drawing

After completing the handover procedures with the section chief, leave Xiao Hei behind and personally deliver the projector to the equipment department

Begin a regular life of tea, tobacco, and newspapers

Xiao Hei does not need to go into the backpack this time, as the section chief has asked to bring it

On Sunday afternoon, I will go fishing, not for too long, just to catch two or three fish to take to Da Mao

I would like to eat what can be caught again, my fishing skills are quite good, you can take all of these away

Liang Ladi became increasingly sorrowful as she spoke, ultimately breaking down in tears.

The old lady had seen others painting, and Xu Damao held the sketchpad, just like those she had seen painting before

As long as you are satisfied! Another day, I will go buy a better, larger piece of paper and use colored pens to draw one for you

As another day comes to a close, I take a moment to watch the sunset, reflect on my feelings, and then it's time to pack up and head home

Do you think that in the city of Beijing, there are no people "begging"? It is best not to let them come to places with few people; they should play in the courtyard instead

Today, the deaf old lady and He Yushui are feeding the rabbits in the courtyard

Not long after, Liang Ladi ran over with Da Mao, and upon seeing the other three children playing nearby, she caught hold of the children to check that they were all right

After Da Mao left, I also put away my fishing rod and stopped fishing. I went to the library to exchange a few books and then returned home

He Yushui inquired