Siheyuan: Fighting against Japanese Aggression in Beijing

Chapter 340 Balang Drums Walking the Streets

The next morning, after Qin Huairu left, Bang Geng hurriedly got up, put his clothes in the basin and took them out to wash. Although there was no blood when he killed people, he was still afraid because his clothes still smelled strongly of perfume, mixed with a special smell.

Just when Banggeng was washing clothes, Xiaodang and Huaihua came out. Seeing that Banggeng was washing clothes for the first time ever, the two sisters were so surprised, as if they had seen something incredible.

"Brother, do you have a fever today?" Xiaodang walked over and asked.

"No! Why do you say that?"

"Why are you washing clothes if your brain is not burned out?" Xiao Dang said.

After hearing what Xiaodang said, Banggeng realized that he was being lazy, so he said, "Xiaodang, you are wrong. I have a job now, and I gave my mom ten dollars yesterday! But you two are eating for free now."

"Brother, don't be so proud just because you've worked for two months. It's not certain how long you can work. Besides, Huaihua and I are also looking for jobs. Just wait and see. Humph, who are you looking down on?"

After saying that, Xiaodang took Huaihua out of the courtyard. After a while, they arrived at the entrance of the alley, and Xiaodang said, "Huaihua, go out by yourself today! I have an appointment with someone over there, maybe he can help me find a job, it's not convenient to bring you along."

"Sister, where should I go?" Huaihua asked.

"Just walk around the area. When you see a store, you can go in and ask. Maybe they need someone." Xiao Dang instructed.

"Okay, I'll be back at noon then."

"Okay, you decide for yourself. Anyway, you have to find a job as soon as possible."

After saying that, Xiao Dang hurriedly ran away. She was not going to find a job, but to go on a date. She had been running around outside for the past two months, and happened to meet a man she could talk to.

After Xiaodang left, Huaihua really started wandering around aimlessly. After a while, she came to the door of a restaurant. When she got to the door, she really wanted to go in and ask if anyone was there, but she didn't dare to. So, after hesitating for a while, she continued walking forward.

Soon she found the second restaurant. Just when she was determined to go in and try her luck, a handsome young man came over with a load on his shoulder, shaking a rattle in his hand and shouting, "Change your hair, sharpen your scissors, exchange your hair for needles and thread, exchange your braids for money..."

When she saw it was Balanggu, Huaihua immediately grabbed the braid in front of her. Yes, she liked a piece of clothing and wanted to buy it, but she had no money. She had been thinking about meeting Balanggu for a while, so if she met him this time, wouldn’t she have to ask him?

Seeing that Balanggu was about to go far away, Huaihua immediately chased after him, shouting, "Balanggu, Balanggu, wait, I want to sell my hair, wait."

Hearing the call, Balangu looked back and saw a pretty girl running towards him. He stopped and put down his burden.

Soon, Huaihua came over and asked, "Balanggu, I want to sell my hair. Can you tell me how much my braid is worth?"

Balanggu was also surprised to see this pretty girl selling her braids. He had seen people selling braids many times, but it was very rare for someone to sell her own braids, especially since he felt that the girl would not look so pretty without the braids.

So he asked, "Are you going to cut off your own braids and sell them?"

"Yes, don't you want it?" Huaihua asked doubtfully.

"Yes, that's what I do, of course I want it. But you won't be so pretty without your braids, are you sure?" Balangu asked. It's not that he didn't want to do business. Just now, the sight of the girl running towards him moved him. He is already 23 years old this year and should have reached the age to get married.

"I, I, I just want to ask how much this braid costs?"

"Well, if you cut it all the way to the roots, it'll be eight dollars. If you leave some hair, it'll be five dollars at most," said Balangu.

"Ah! Is it so little? Not enough, not enough." Huaihua muttered.

"Not enough?" Balangu asked, "Girl, have you encountered any difficulties at home? If so, I can give you a little more without making any money."

"No, I like a piece of clothing. It costs thirteen yuan. Can you sell it to me for thirteen yuan?" Huaihua asked in a low voice.

"Is that so?" Balanggu thought. Looking at Huaihua's patched clothes, he instantly had an idea. Girls of this age are just loving beauty and are easy to fool.

"Is it okay?" Huaihua asked anxiously. She really liked that dress.

"I'm afraid this is a little difficult. The most I make is two dollars, and the most I can give you is ten dollars, but you want thirteen, so..." Balangu hesitated deliberately.

Seeing Balangu hesitate, Huaihua felt that she had a chance and begged, "Balangu, just give it to me, okay? I really like that dress."

"Well, okay, but you're so beautiful that you wouldn't look good without a braid. How about this? I've been here for only a short time and I'm not familiar with this place. Why don't you take me around the streets and I'll give you two dollars a day. This way, when I leave, you'll have enough money for clothes and you won't have to cut such a beautiful braid. What do you think?" Balangu tempted.

Huaihua was very happy to hear the news. Isn't this her chance? She can also make money. Although it's only a week, it's still work. So she said happily, "You didn't lie to me?"

"Why would I lie to you? I can give you money first, and we are just walking around the streets nearby. I am really not familiar with this place, otherwise I wouldn't ask you to lead me." Balangu said helplessly.

"Okay, then I'll take you today, okay? I'm familiar with the area."

"No problem, I'll give you two pieces now."

After saying that, Balangu took out the money, counted out two pieces and handed them over.

In this way, the two of them began to walk around the streets while chatting.

At noon, Balanggu invited Huaihua to have a meal, which made Huaihua very happy.

In the afternoon, when Huaihua left, Balanggu had found out Huaihua's background clearly, and he also had further plans. He believed that with his ability, it would be too easy to ask Huaihua, a girl with little experience in the world, to elope with him.

And just like that, after agreeing on the time and place to meet the next day, the two parted ways.