Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 3: Crying stick stalks
Returning to the compound, I lifted the car, crossed the threshold, and entered the front yard. I happened to meet the third aunt cleaning up at the door.

"Xue Feng, you're getting better! You're still running out with a bandage on, but be careful to leave a headache and fever in the future."

"Third aunt, thank you for your concern. I will pay attention to it."

"You are busy first. I will go back first. My brothers and sisters will be back in a while." Zhu Xuefeng replied and pushed the cart home.

Returning to the west wing, the door to the south wing was still broken, so Zhu Xuefeng didn't care. He would stay there for a few days, as the scene had to be preserved.

After looking at the dozen or so cornbreads left, Aunt Zou really gave her a lot. Zhu Xuefeng knew that this neighbor could handle it.

Now that you have the staple food, let’s put away the vegetables. Take the peppers and potatoes and put them away.

I fetched a few ladles of water from the water tank, washed it several times, and stewed the blanched bones and pig tails. I looked at the seasonings and found that it was barely enough to make a meal. It just lacked sugar, so I wanted to keep it plain.

The water in the water tank was about to bottom out. After cleaning the water tank, Zhu Xuefeng carried a bucket and went to the faucet in the courtyard to get water.

From afar, I saw a young woman who had set up a big basin and was sitting by the sink, scrubbing hard.

Wearing light blue floral cloth clothes, a pair of baggy blue trousers, and two large black braids hanging down beside his shoulders.

He lowered his head and couldn't see his appearance. Needless to say, this must be Jia Dongxu's mother-in-law Qin Huairu, who is said to be a high-level tea artist.

Zhu Xuefeng ignored her, put the bucket away, and began to collect water.

"Brother, it was my man's fault the day before yesterday. Don't take it to heart. He just drank too much and acted like crazy. My sister-in-law is here to apologize to you."

Hearing a soft apology, Zhu Xuefeng looked back. Qin Huairu was looking up. When he saw Zhu Xuefeng looking over, he quickly lowered his head and wiped the sweat from his face with his arm.

Sure enough, she is quite pretty, just like 26 Qi, with a spring face, especially a pair of watery peach blossom eyes, and a faint hint of whiteness when viewed from top to bottom.

It is indeed a very good appearance, but because she is sitting, her slightly bulging belly is squeezed by her two thighs, which makes her figure look a little out of shape.

This woman is very good at being a good person. She knows that her man can't talk, but she still knows how to fuck her when she finds an opportunity. If she wants to apologize, why doesn't she go to her home to apologize? She's too thoughtful!
Zhu Xuefeng didn't say anything, just fetched some water and left. Later, Zhu Xuefeng was well-informed and knew that this tea master was extremely difficult to mess with and it was impossible to let her get involved.

After cleaning the water tank again and continuing to fetch water, Qin Huairu babbled a few more words. Zhu Xuefeng seemed not to have heard and ignored her at all.

Carrying the water, I walked back and looked up at the Chaoshou Veranda. This ancient building is really beautiful.

The rather square courtyard house has been changed due to the large number of residents and the renovation of many places. Now it is more appropriate to call it a large courtyard house.

To the left of the entrance to the courtyard, that is, to the southwest of the entire courtyard, there is a long row of inverted houses, where four or five families live.

The third uncle's family occupied two rooms in the east wing of the front yard, and a family also lived in the other room. The three rooms in the west wing belonged to Zhu Xuefeng's family.

A wing room was built on the north side of the east and west wings, each housing a family. Uncle Zou and Aunt Zou lived in the wing room next to Zhu Xuefeng's house.

Entering the middle courtyard, the east wing belongs to the family of the eldest brother Yi Zhonghai. It occupies two rooms, and a family also lives in the other room.The west wing houses Jia Dongxu's family, which also occupies two rooms, and another family also lives in the other room.

The main room in the middle courtyard is a hall and two rooms, one each for He Yuzhu and his sister He Yuyu.

Go around the hanging flower gate, also called the moon gate, and go to the backyard. The back room in the backyard is arranged for female family members to live in. It is a long stretch, and the big room in the middle lives a deaf old lady.

There are four or five families living in the others. The wing rooms on both sides used to be for the servants who served the women's families. Now the second uncle's family lives on the east side, and Xu Damao lives on the west side.

There are also several small penthouses where people live. There are really more than 20 households, large and small. Basically, they are family members of the steel rolling mill, dozens of families older.

After thinking about the composition of the courtyard, looking at the sky, it seemed that it was almost time, so I added potato cubes to the bone and continued to simmer over low heat.

I used my memory to search for the scene of the fight that day, trying to recall some details, but I fainted too early, so there was really no gain.

Zhu Xuefeng always felt that with Jia Dongxu's temperament, it would be difficult for him to take the risk and seize the house.

Judging from how much hatred he had when he took action, someone must have instigated him.

But after all, I just came here, and I don’t know many things clearly, and I don’t have any clues or clues. I thought about it and put it aside for now. There will always be a time to figure it out.

After closing the door, it was expected that people from get off work and school would be coming back one after another. Zhu Xuefeng didn't want to interact with others for the time being, so he quietly waited in his room for his younger siblings to finish school.

Sure enough, after a while, there was a chirping sound at the door of the courtyard. A group of students after school entered the courtyard lively and dispersed like sparrows.

The fastest runner seemed to be the cub of Lao Niu’s family in the backyard. I didn’t remember what grade he was in elementary school. The one running next to him was probably the stick cub from the middle school. He was probably in second grade...

Several girls at the back gathered together, chatted, and entered the front yard. One of them said goodbye to the other girls and entered the third uncle's house. It should be the third uncle's fourth girl, Yan Jiedi.

I didn't see Zhu Xuesong and Zhu Xuemei. They should have come back together. They should be here soon. With practice, I will see that the cooking skills of later generations are pretty good. Who knows that I am a foodie.

People who got off work also came back one after another, in groups of three or five. The third uncle who was wiping his bicycle at the door greeted people who came in from time to time. They really got along well with each other in the compound.

Uncle Zou is also back. He seems to be doing odd jobs on the street, and his income is not high. Aunt Zou also makes matchboxes at home, and she can earn seven or eight yuan a month.

I heard that Uncle Zou's son was assigned to another place after graduation, and he never came back in his memory. I don't know the specific situation.

Steaming golden steamed steamed buns was very rare in later generations, but Zhu Xuefeng couldn't get used to it in his lifetime, so he had to change to some rice, flour and dried noodles.

I packed up the pot and stove and tried to find some oil. Alas, it was really difficult. I don’t know how Lao Zhu took care of three children in the past. There was only a little oil left, so he could barely fry an egg.

It was not difficult for Zhu Xuefeng. He first cut the chili peppers into small pieces, then cooked them over low heat without adding any oil. After a while, he finished cooking the chili peppers. He spread out three eggs, beat them up, and then added the cooked chili peppers.

A strong aroma hits your nostrils, put the seasonings, stir-fry a few times, and take it out of the pan, a fragrant roasted chili scrambled egg.

I looked at the ribs and saw that the heat was just right. The potatoes turned into puree after simmering. I put it in a big bowl, but there were no chives, so it lacked soul. Just make do with it, it was already very fragrant.

The door opened gently, and the second son and the girl came back.

"Wow, big brother, what did you do? It smells so good, it seems like it has meat... Ah sneeze!"

The aroma mixed with chili pepper caught Zhu Xuemei off guard.

"Why is this chili so choking?"

After all, Xuemei was still young, so she couldn't help smelling the aroma of meat. She didn't speak when she saw Zhu Xuesong. She just kept looking at a large bowl of stewed potatoes with bone bone and kept sucking her saliva.

"Come on, hurry up and wash up. Let's start dinner."

These days, if you eat something good yourself, you can easily get into trouble. Life is difficult for everyone, you know.

Zhu Xuefeng filled another large bowl with it and took it to Uncle Zou's house. The old couple were also preparing to eat.

"Uncle, I stewed some bones at home today. Please give it a try. It has really caused trouble for you two these days."

"You should be a favor to a neighbor. You're being polite, so you can save some. It's too much." Uncle Zou declined.

"We are old and can't chew this. I'll put it in a small bowl. You can take it back." Aunt Zou brought a small bowl over.

Zhu Xuefeng was not used to this scene, so he kept the bowl and came back.

"This young man from the Zhu family has really changed after what he has experienced." Aunt Zou said softly.

"Who says it's not true? There are many hardships when you are young, but you become a man when you grow up. There are no obstacles that you can't overcome."

"Yes, Lao Zhu is good to us. Please help us more when we have something to do. It's not easy for three children."

Zhu Xuefeng didn't know that he would be judged even if he gave a bowl of bones.

After returning home and closing the door, the three siblings gathered around a small table and ate deliciously.

"Brother, your skills are obviously better than dad's. Why haven't I seen you do it before?"

How to answer this, Zhu Xuefeng could only laugh and ignore it.Although the door is closed, the aroma of meat, eggs mixed with chili peppers still wafts through the yard.

Smelling the aroma from the front yard, the third aunt in the east wing opposite served the food and said:

"It must be Xiao Zhu from across the street. I saw him buying a lot of vegetables in the afternoon."

The third uncle looked at the opposite door and sighed.

"Without the adults in this family, life will be difficult. Without control, the three brothers and sisters will have a hard time."

"You have to plan your life carefully. If you don't have enough food and clothing, you will end up in poverty if you don't plan. Look at the hard life they will have in the future!"

Looking at the four brothers and sisters sitting and waiting for the meal, the third uncle added another sentence.

"Look at Lao Zhu's family. You will also learn a lesson. Life is not like this."

The brothers and sisters nodded in a learned manner and looked at the stir-fried cabbage, vinegar-glazed potato shreds, cabbage soup and a plate of pickles on the table. They were very good. There were more dishes than usual. They took a bite of the aroma wafting over them. A few mouthfuls of steamed buns…

"Mom, I want to eat meat too, I want to eat meat too." The stick stems across the courtyard wall could smell the fragrance and were tossing with his mother.

He threw the two-faced steamed bun on the table and almost missed it. He sat down on the ground and kept yelling.

Xiaodang also wanted it, but he was not as brave as his brother. Moreover, his parents always followed his brother first. He had no hope at all, so he did not dare to speak.

"My dear grandson, get up quickly, the ground is cold."

Mrs. Jia Zhang pulled the stem and tried to pull it up, but the stem was like dough. It became soft when she lifted it and would not get up.

"Whose family lacks virtue? They eat meat before the New Year and the festival, and they are so greedy for my eldest grandson. They really lack virtue."

Mrs. Jia Zhang walked to the door and shouted a few words into the yard, but no one answered her.

He glanced back at Qin Huairu: "I said his wife, you don't care about your child? Why don't you go see whose family it is and ask for a few dollars?"

Qin Huairu knew that it was Zhu Xuefeng's house in the front yard, but she was beaten by her own man just the day before yesterday and was admitted to the hospital.

I didn't pay any attention to myself this afternoon. My mother-in-law was still scolding me just now, so I went to take care of her...

"What are you thinking about? You didn't listen to what mom said. Hurry up and take the bowl and take a look."

Jia Dongxu looked at Qin Huairu's hesitant look and felt a little annoyed. His voice was really bright.

This season, it's almost April, and it's not too cold outside.

In a few households where dinner had not yet started, a few children were still hiding in the yard, playing with bamboo guns, and a few women were still busy preparing dinner.

In the veranda of the central courtyard, Qin Huairu was really unable to move forward, especially the looks from several women behind her. She felt a chill running down her spine and her legs were wobbly as she slowly walked towards the central door.

In the main room of the middle courtyard, He Yuzhu watched Qin Huairu slowly walk towards the front yard and sighed. Life is not easy for Brother Jia’s family. They have five people to support and only one person works. Sister Qin is really worried. It’s so good. Why do you marry a woman...

Qin Huairu gritted her teeth, walked through the middle door, walked into the front yard with a bowl, and came to the west wing. Damn it, the door was still closed. Even with the door closed, the fragrance could still drift so far.

After hesitating for a while, he walked forward and knocked on the door.

"Who?"

"Brother, I, your sister-in-law Jia, open the door."

Seeing the surprised looks in Zhu Xuesong and Zhu Xuemei's eyes, Zhu Xuefeng pressed his hand and motioned for them to sit down. He stood up, walked to the door and opened the door halfway.

"Sister-in-law, what's the matter?" As soon as he said it, he saw the bowl in Qin Huairu's hand and understood.

Qin Huairu has a pair of peach blossom eyes, which are extremely alluring. This is the first time they have looked at each other. There is expectation, pleading and... in her eyes, which is really pitiful.

How shameless and skinless is this? Zhu Xuefeng gave her a thumbs up. If she hadn't seen that she was a pregnant woman, he would have wanted to slap her awake.

"Go back, there's really no room for your bowl on this table."

"Brother, please help me, the kid is greedy."

"Sister-in-law, you know very well what is going on in our family. As I am now, it's good that I haven't caused any trouble to your family. You can still bring a bowl to the door. Who gives you such a big face? Hurry up and leave, we always The bones of the Zhu family are just for feeding the dogs..."

Qin Huairu's face turned red and white. She had been in the compound for so many years and had never been hurt by anyone in person. Although Zhu Feng's words were not serious, they did make Qin Huairu feel extremely embarrassed.

Estimating that he was likely to be rejected, at worst he would not open the door and slam the door shut. Qin Huairu was mentally prepared. Unexpectedly, the last words almost made him break his guard.

In the relieved eyes of Zhu Xuesong and Zhu Xuemei, Zhu Feng was about to close the door.

Seeing that Qin Huairu was about to speak, Zhu Xuefeng quickly interrupted.

"Okay, sister-in-law, go away slowly, we won't leave you alone." She closed the door smoothly.

Qin Huairu opened her mouth, but finally turned around and left. She had such a big face. Yes, in recent years, the young people in the yard like to hang around her and are willing to give her any good things. She also understands why. But today….

After sending Qin Huairu away, he closed the door and looked at his younger brothers and sisters.

"I know what you want to say, so stop talking and take your time to eat. I'll take care of the rest."

Zhu Xuesong and Zhu Xuemei felt that their eldest brother had changed for a moment. He rarely said such things before, and their little brains were not enough.

Seeing Qin Huairu come back with an empty bowl, Jia Zhang's face darkened, as if a big bowl of bones had flown away, and she pointed at Qin Huairu, her face trembling with fat.

"It's really embarrassing that we can't do such a small thing."

"Yes, I am embarrassed, but I didn't go there, it was you who asked me to be embarrassed."

Qin Huairu was a little excited. She covered her face with her right arm and cried aggrievedly. She was angry outside and didn't look good when she came back.

"Why are you crying? Let's make people laugh. Let mom say a few words about you. Why don't you say it anymore?"

At times like this, Jia Dongxu always stands by his mother's side without hesitation. Qin Huairu has long understood over the years that between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, mother-in-law is always right.

If it is wrong, it is wrong and justified. No matter whether the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law are justified or not, as long as they do not do what the mother-in-law says, it is wrong.

Qin Huairu stopped crying, wiped her tears, gave Xiaodang some food and asked her to eat by herself. Xiaodang was still young and was reluctant to eat by herself, so Qin Huairu had to watch at all times and was careful not to drop the bowl.

Banggeng looked at his grandma, then at Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu. He couldn't stand the smell of meat outside, so he sat down on the ground again and kicked his legs wildly.

"Grandma, you and I want to eat meat, I want to eat meat."

Mrs. Jia Zhang looked at her son, while Jia Dongxu pretended not to look, picked up the bowl, put some green vegetables and pickles, and ate his own steamed buns with Erhe noodles.

"Get up, my dear grandson, and ask your father to buy meat for you tomorrow. We will eat meat tomorrow, okay."

This grandma really loves her grandson. Even though Mrs. Jia Zhang is aggressive outside, she is average to her son at home. She often scolds her daughter-in-law, but she is very kind to her grandson.

Banggeng's voice became louder and louder, and Jia Dongxu finally became popular.

"Why are you crying? If you cry again, I will see if I can beat you."

Banggeng was not afraid of anything, but his father was still afraid and quickly stopped crying.

"If you are angry with a child, you are not a big man. Come on, if you are angry with your mother..."

　Brothers and sisters are welcome to put forward opinions and suggestions and discuss them together.

　　
　　
　
(End of this chapter)