Restarting life in Siheyuan

"Dad, I was careless. I didn't expect them to start so early. I made you suffer."

Zhu Xuefeng apologized as soon as he entered the room. He had to take the initiative. After Xia Yuhong found out, she kept complaining about him for a long time.

"It wasn't a big deal. I didn't expect it. I wasn't mentally prepared at all. It's okay now."

Old Xia was very happy that his daughter and son-in-law came to see him. He had a lot of questions he wanted to ask his son-in-law, but his wife and daughter were already there.

"Dad, are you okay? Does it still hurt? How are you?" Xia Yuhong looked at the bruises on her father's head, put down the malted milk, and asked with concern. She couldn't help but turned back and glared at Zhu Xuefeng. Zhu Xuefeng could only turn away guiltily.

"It's okay, it's nothing, I'm wearing a cotton coat, I'm fine." Old Xia stretched his muscles and turned his body a few times to indicate that he was fine.

"Someone even swore to me that as long as he was there, everything would be fine. Look at what these people have done to my father." Xia Yuhong stared at Zhu Xuefeng with dissatisfaction.

"Don't make trouble, girl. If Xiaofeng hadn't rushed there in time, your father would have suffered." Xia's mother stopped her daughter. She was becoming more and more unpredictable with this son-in-law. According to Old Xia, it was he who took people to the steel mill and caused such a big commotion that even the deputy director of the security department listened to him.

"Have you checked on Lao Yang? And that Lou Xiao'e, are they okay?" Lao Xia was treated and then sent home by the workers. He was not sure about the others' situation.

"Old Yang bumped his left leg on the table, it's nothing serious, he'll be fine in a few days. The rest of his condition is similar to yours. He went home after being treated at the hospital. I'll go to his house later. Lou Xiao'e doesn't know much. When I left, she said he was under observation in the hospital. It shouldn't be a big deal. Don't worry about others and take good care of yourself."

"It's so late, have you two eaten?" Xia's mother put away the malted milk. This stuff is not easy to make. It must have taken a lot of effort for her daughter and son-in-law to get it.

"have eaten."

"Didn't eat."

Zhu Xuefeng and Xia Yuhong spoke at the same time, but did not unify their statements in advance, which caused a misunderstanding.

"He was at home preparing. When I heard that you were beaten, I dragged him here."

Mother Xia was happy. She looked at the little enemies and handed them two apples. "Eat one at a time. Eat some first. I'll make some pumpkin porridge. You two can have some leftovers and steamed bread to make a meal."

"Okay, let him cook the porridge, as a way of atonement." Xia Yuhong instructed Zhu Xuefeng without any hesitation. She was very angry today. What she worried about was bound to happen. She was worried that Old Xia would be criticized, so she wanted to go and take a look. However, she was stopped by Zhu Xuefeng.

"Xiaohong, don't be childish. Xiaofeng, don't move. After eating the apple, go to Lao Yang's house first and comfort him. I see he is very sad today. The porridge will be ready soon. I'll let Xiaohong go upstairs to call you." Lao Xia spoke, and Xia Yuhong still listened, staring and no longer objecting.

After watching his son-in-law leave, Old Xia asked in a low voice, "Where does Xiaofeng work? Do you know?"

"It's at Beijing University, but he's still in a department and getting paid. When I asked him about it, he said it was confidential and I couldn't ask."

Old Xia and Xia's mother looked at each other and knew that this little guy really had another identity, which should not be simple. Since it was kept secret, the two naturally stopped asking questions. However, Xia's mother hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"What level is he now?"

Xia Yuhong thought for a moment, "Last time he mentioned a Level 4 lecturer, but I haven't heard of him since. I did hear him briefly mention the other one, but he has made another contribution, so he must be Level 14 now."

"Level 14?" Old Xia and his mother were shocked. How much merit did he have to make to be promoted to level 14 at such a young age?

Mother Xia glanced at Old Xia again and asked, "Xiao Hong, tell me the truth, does Xiao Feng often go on missions, or is it a very dangerous one?"

Xia Yuhong shook her head. "Mom, I really don't know. He never told me about these things, and he didn't allow me to ask. I do know that he has been on missions, but every time he came back, he didn't even have a scar on his body. Don't worry."

"You are too careless, kid. Xiaofeng must have done a lot of dangerous things, otherwise, how could he be at level 14 at such a young age? If your father hadn't joined the steel mill, he would have only been level 13 in his life. Your father fought in wars for many years and did revolutionary work for many years before he was promoted to level 13."

"That's true, but he never tells us and doesn't allow us to ask. Oh, one time we were on a mission in Hong Kong, and another time he left Hong Kong and I don't know where he went."

"Okay, stop asking so many questions. If you continue asking Xiaohong, you will make a mistake." Old Xia stopped Xia's mother from asking further questions. He had some guesses in his mind, but no matter what, his son-in-law was working for the country and seemed to have achieved a lot. That was enough and it was worthy of his pride.

Old Xia's stop made Xia's mother seem a little unsatisfied. She rolled her eyes at her husband, and Old Xia had to explain.

"We really can't figure this child out. Honey, don't think too much about it. The child is on the right path, that's all."

Xia's mother agreed with this. She was right, as long as the child walked the right path and had good character, it would be fine. But she was still a little worried. Having lived through the war years, she knew very well that merit would not come in vain, and her son-in-law must have fought for his life.

"Xiaohong, you should pay more attention to Xiaofeng on weekdays. Other mothers won't say much. You two are not young anymore. Have a child as soon as possible. Look at Aunt Tan who lived in the same courtyard with you. Her daughter is two years younger than you. This child is already over one year old. She is so cute and chubby."

Xia Yuhong's face turned red at first, but when she saw Old Xia nodding with a smile, she suddenly had an idea.

"Dad, Mom, we are both busy, especially me. When I go to Hong Kong, I will be alone. If I really have another child, who will take care of whom? Xiaofeng can only go there from time to time, and there is no one to help me. Otherwise, Dad, Mom, you should come with me."

Last night, the daughter and son-in-law came to persuade Xia's mother. She had originally wanted to go with them, and now after her daughter said that, she was even more moved. She couldn't help but look at Old Xia again. Old Xia had already known yesterday that his son-in-law had a large business in Hong Kong, but he kept it in his heart and didn't tell Xia's mother. Of course, he knew his daughter's little thoughts. With the son-in-law's motorcycle factory, could he not afford to hire someone to take care of his daughter's children?

But today at the meeting he was really disheartened. So many people didn't care how he defended himself and rushed to the stage to beat him and Lao Yang up. If this situation really continued, he would stay here, with all his enthusiasm, but he would be powerless and would be wasting his time.

Old Xia was struggling. Mother Xia was shocked to see his face changing from gloomy to bright. She thought her husband was injured and was in pain, so she quickly supported Old Xia.

"Old man, what's wrong with you? Don't scare me. What's wrong with you? Why don't we go to the hospital and have a good look?"

"I'm fine. I just want my daughter's advice. Xiaohong, don't worry about it. Aren't you planning to leave before the Spring Festival? Let me discuss it with your mother and I'll give you a definite answer then."

When Xia's mother heard this, she was overjoyed, "Old man, have you figured it out?"

Old Xia shook his head, "Xiaohong wanting a child is a big deal, and we as parents can't just ignore it. There are many things that can't be solved right now, let me think about it." Xia Yuhong was very happy when she saw that her little trick had made Old Xia loosen up, "Dad, what's the problem with you? Why don't you tell me, and let's think of a solution together, it's better than you thinking about it alone."

"You are a girl who just got a job, how can you help? Don't ask about this matter. By the way, is the porridge ready? Xiaofeng is still hungry."

"Oh, I forgot, I forgot, the fire is still boiling, don't let the porridge dry up." Mother Xia didn't care about anything else, she got up in a hurry and went to the kitchen.

Xia Yuhong watched her mother leave, grabbed Old Xia's hand and shook it, "Dad, just tell me, if it doesn't go well, we have a way. You don't know, Xiaofeng is very capable."

Old Xia shook his head and did not answer. His son-in-law was very capable, but if he disappeared without any reason, it would definitely attract attention.

At this time, Xia's mother came out after taking care of the porridge. "It's okay, it's okay. I turned off the fire. It will be ready to eat after it cools down a bit. Xiaohong, go to your uncle Yang's house and call him back."

Xia Yuhong had no choice but to give up, put on her cotton coat and trousers and went out.

"Why don't you tell the children? They are not children anymore. You keep treating them like children. Even if they don't have any ideas, you have to let them participate. This is what a family should do."

Old Xia was stunned by what his mother said, and nodded, "My dear, you are right to criticize me. Now that the children are grown up, I still treat them as children. It is indeed inappropriate. I think Xiaofeng handled things very methodically today. How about this, when he comes down, we can have a good chat."

Old Xia's attitude satisfied Xia's mother. "That's right. Whose child has become a 14th-level cadre at such a young age? How can he not have some real skills if he is capable of making great contributions? I'll let Xiaofeng help me think about it later. Maybe there will be a way. If it doesn't work, we can retire quickly and wait for a year or two before going back. I've thought about it. Instead of going back like today, it's better to go over and coax my grandson and help look after the business."

What happened to Old Xia today made Xia's mother's attitude seem a lot more resolute. Old Xia also clearly felt it, which was one of the reasons why he began to waver.

Looking at Xia's mother who still had no idea, Old Xia suddenly had a childish look and said, "You're still thinking about helping to look after the store? I think that's not going to work. You should just stay at home and help with cooking and looking after the kids."

"Why, do you look down on me? I can write and count, but I'm not even qualified to be a shopkeeper. If we go there, the burden on our family will be huge. Xiaohong can't be the only one working outside to earn money. The cost of living there is much higher than in China. I'm not at the point where I'll have to work my daughter to death to support me."

Old Xia laughed, "It's not like you haven't participated in the Canton Fair before, but you can't get past the language barrier. Look at your storefront, who's going to buy your stuff? Just look after the child."

"That's true. What should I do? I don't want to cause trouble for Xiaohong."

Old Xia smiled and said, "Then why don't you just not cause them any trouble?"

Seeing her husband's sudden change in demeanor, Xia's mother realized that he was teasing her and scolded him angrily.

"You old fool, it seems that the beating you received during the day was not enough. You want to be beaten again when you get home. I will beat you to death." He was about to get up and fight, but was interrupted by Lao Xia's gesture. Lao Xia pointed at the door and heard the sound of voices in the corridor. It was his daughter and son-in-law who came back.

"Okay, I'll deal with you after they leave."

Mother Xia hasn't felt so relaxed in a long time. The quarrels between the old couple were all a long time ago. The fact that the old man could joke with her proved that he had let go of a lot of things in his heart. In the past year, he either had a sullen face or remained silent. Mother Xia was always worried about her husband, which made her, who was a talkative person, very uncomfortable.

"How's Old Yang?"

Zhu Xuefeng drank pumpkin porridge while saying, "It's nothing serious. Lao Yang said he protected his head at the time. Fortunately, there is nothing wrong with his body except a slight bruise on his knee."

Old Xia breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I never expected that. No more talking. Drink quickly. It's so late. You must be starving."

After filling his stomach, Zhu Xuefeng chatted with his father-in-law in the study for a long time before coming out.

"It's late today, you two should be careful when riding your bikes. Don't ride too fast. The ground is frozen. It's unsafe to ride too fast."

When she was leaving, Xia's mother was still teaching her, "Mom, don't worry, we will be careful."

After leaving the family area, Xia Yuhong, who was leaning on the man's back, asked, "What is my dad worried about? You two have been discussing for a long time. You said my dad is the same. Can't the four of us discuss it together? And my mom, when something happens, she always says that the master is the one who makes the decisions, and she and I just listen."

Zhu Xuefeng also smiled in his heart. This couple was quite interesting.

"Just tell me." Xia Yuhong didn't get a reply for a long time, so she couldn't help but hugged the man. The pedal was accidentally impacted. Although the noise was small, the small road outside the city was already frozen and she almost fell over. Zhu Xuefeng tried to control the direction in a panic. Fortunately, the speed was not fast, and after twisting and turning for several times, he finally controlled it.

"Stop it, I can't say it yet..."

"So my dad was worried about this. If you had told me earlier, wouldn't it be enough to ask the office to send an invitation letter?" Xia Yuhong didn't think this was difficult. As long as the office was there, she could leave with a clear conscience.

"Let's talk about it when we get home. Just sit tight." Zhu Xuefeng did not explain. Old Xia is now a deputy-department-level cadre. Xia Yuhong took it for granted. Even Xia's mother was a deputy-division-level cadre. Level 13 and above are considered senior cadres, not ordinary cadres below level 13.

Rushing back to the compound, I checked the time. Fortunately, it was almost 9:40. I put Xia Yuhong down and said, "I have to go back to No. 95. I'll be back later. Don't wait for me."

"Why are you going there so late? Let's talk about it tomorrow." Xia Yuhong guessed that he was going to see the fourth brother. She heard that the fourth brother also got into trouble today. She didn't expect that this seemingly honest brother had this side of him.

"Brother Zhuzi told me to go see him tonight if I have time. It's still urgent now. I'll go take a look and visit Sister Ezi while I'm at it."

"Oh, be careful on the road."

Zhu Xuefeng nodded and gave some instructions, asking Mr. Xie to keep the door open, then disappeared into the alley again.

He just returned to the compound, checked on the fourth brother's condition, asked a few questions about Master Lu, and then Sha Zhu walked in.

"Brother, as soon as I heard the noise in the front yard, I knew it was you..." (End of this chapter)