Restarting life in Siheyuan

"Brother, just tell me how Ezi is doing now."

After returning to Sijiu City, he secretly met Sha Zhu. When Sha Zhu heard that Zhu Xuefeng had just come back from seeing Lou Xiao'e, he asked anxiously in a low voice.

"Everything is fine. You don't have to worry. Their family has found a new way to make a living. My sister-in-law plans to go to school first and then go back to work when the child is older."

Sha Zhu was anxious, "She is already grown up and pregnant, how can she go to school? Besides, her father can't afford to support her. She has to leave the child behind to go to work. It would be much better for her to stay at home and take care of the child."

Sha Zhu suddenly stood up and walked back and forth, as if Lou Xiao'e had given birth and abandoned the child to go out to work.

"No, this can't be done. This child is from our He family after all. I have to go..."

Zhu Xuefeng glanced at Sha Zhu unhappily, "I told you to leave but you refused, and even divorced your sister-in-law. Now you're thinking about the past."

Sha Zhu pounded his palms and pointed to the backyard. "The old lady is dying. This is my grandma. Tell me, can I leave now? Besides, Yu Shui is going to get married too. Xiao E and I will never leave each other. I guess Yu Shui will be implicated. There is nothing we can do about it. Do you think I really want to do this? If it weren't for E Zi's advice, I'll stop talking."

Sha Zhu sat down, looking very decadent and frustrated. Just now he was impulsive and wanted to go over to accompany his wife, but after he finished speaking, he knew he couldn't leave.

"Sister Yushui, when are you going to get married?" He Yushui found a partner, who was also a technician, but not from their factory. It seemed that he worked in some machinery factory. Zhu Xuefeng didn't remember, but it was said that he went to the textile factory to help repair machines. After a few interactions, he and He Yushui fell in love. In less than a year, the two were ready to get married.

"Let's just do it this year. They're both not young anymore." Sha Zhu seemed a little absent-minded.

"Brother Zhuzi, don't think too much. My sister-in-law is asking for progress now. What you said just now is wrong. My sister-in-law goes to school so that she can help her father in the future. You have to hurry up and make progress, so as not to fall behind."

Sha Zhu had a gloomy face. "If she goes to college, how can I keep up with her? I am in the cafeteria. No matter how hard I try, no matter how much I want to improve myself, I can only do so as long as Li Huaide is here."

"Brother Zhuzi, do you have a conflict with Li Huaide? How can a big boss like him have a dispute with your cafeteria?"

Sha Zhu glanced at his brother and grinned, but it looked not much better than crying.

"A few years ago, he got drunk and acted crazy in our cafeteria, and I beat him up."

Zhu Xuefeng was stunned, but also amused, and gave a thumbs up, "Brother Zhuzi, you are this, you dare to take action against the leader of the steel rolling mill, you are really awesome."

"Brother, don't look down on me. Give me some advice."

Zhu Xuefeng stopped joking and thought about it. He was a little confused. "You and sister-in-law have already made up your mind. Now there is no change. Why don't you just follow your previous ideas?"

Sha Zhu was anxious, "That's what you said, but didn't you say that she has to go to school and there will be no one to take care of the child in the future? That won't work."

Zhu Xuefeng gave Sha Zhu a strange look and said, "Brother, it's a good thing for your sister-in-law to study. Who said there's no one to take care of the children? I didn't say that. Isn't your mother-in-law at home? Besides, you know their family situation. Why are you so worried? You should just study your Tan family cuisine and wait for a chance to develop it in the future."

Ignoring the dazed Sha Zhu, Zhu Xuefeng slipped back home. Sha Zhu was the same, a grown man, but when it came to his wife and children, he lost his composure and started worrying about nothing.

After staying with the fourth brother for a while, Zhu Xuefeng did not stay in the compound and went home directly. The fourth brother brought news that the village was now responding to the call and the old branch secretary was jumping up again. Fortunately, the second uncle and the third aunt's family were well prepared and there was nothing to hold against them. But even so, the fish pond was gone. The two families had been reminded by Zhu Xuefeng long ago and did not make trouble and let it go.

"Is there no difficulty at home?"

The fourth brother grinned and said, "Brother, it's not a big deal. In the past few years, both families have saved hundreds of dollars. We kept them all. We didn't dare spend them for fear of others getting jealous. Besides, I work in a steel mill and send some money back every month. There's nothing wrong with my family."

This was Zhu Xuefeng's idea. It would give the family an excuse to take out some money. "That's good. Tell your dad and the others not to keep the fry. Since we don't want to do it anymore, let's just give up and try it again in the future. I'll take care of the fry."

"Well, I advised my father, but he didn't listen. He secretly dug two holes in the vegetable garden, but there was no running water, so the fish fry couldn't be raised at all. Now my father will listen to you."

Zhu Xuefeng thought about it and agreed. His second uncle was quite stubborn. He had been wronged and suffered a great loss a few years ago. It was only at the right time that he was able to enlighten him.

"Forget it, don't send any more messages. I'll go back home in a while and visit my parents' graves."

Before Qingming Festival, Zhu Xuefeng went back to Zhugezhuang alone, visited his parents' graves, and discussed with his second uncle and third aunt for a long time before quietly returning to the city.

In just a few months, Sijiu City has quietly changed a lot, and Zhu Xuefeng has been silently carrying out his plan.

Mr. and Mrs. Xia finally got approval to go to the autonomous region to assist in the construction of related projects in the autonomous region. This was an application that the autonomous region needed to apply for the aid project. After nearly half a year of review and approval, it was finally approved.

"Xiao Feng, what does this mean? A project aided by the autonomous region?" Old Xia looked confused, and Xia's mother was also bewildered. They both resigned on the grounds of poor health. They even cleared out the housing at the steel rolling mill and moved back to their previous yard. Their household registration was also moved back to the street. They just waited until no one paid attention to them and then found a way to go see their daughter.

"Dad, Mom, don't think too much. This is my arrangement. Just go there as required. When you arrive, someone will contact you and send you to Xiangjiang. Xiaohong is waiting for you now."

"Forget it, you have already made all the arrangements, so we won't ask anymore. How is Xiaohong doing now?"

"It's only been less than two months, so it hasn't shown any signs yet. There's a doctor at home who checks on her regularly, so she's fine. Go and persuade her not to overwork herself. I'm far away, so I can't persuade her."

When the couple heard that their daughter was really pregnant, they panicked and wanted to rush to their daughter's side immediately. They only had this one child and Zhu Xuefeng was not around. Zhu Xuefeng did not explain the matter and said that they would talk about it after both of them arrived.

Zhu Xuefeng took his five younger brothers and sisters away in the name of taking them to school. Now they have all been sent to study in Hong Kong. He asked the two families about their opinions. Neither his second uncle nor his third aunt had the intention to leave their hometown, so Zhu Xuefeng revealed nothing.

Now that the old Xia couple have left, the next step is to continue sending away Professor Lin’s old classmates, old friends, and some people who have contact with Professor Luo. Even if Zhu Xuefeng has completed the phased plan, he is ready to withdraw.

Academic exchanges are basically cut off now. There is basically no hope for academic exchanges. Zhu Xuefeng's role as a bridge has lost its meaning. It is absolutely impossible for him to stay in Beijing to spend the remaining few years. Zhu Xuefeng is ready to leave in August or September at the latest. Now his identity is in the bureau, and Zhu Xuefeng has to report to the bureau from time to time. Fortunately, there are no major tasks. Zhu Xuefeng has plenty of time to hang around in classmates and friends' homes. In June, Gao Bo came quietly and took away Coach Gao and Xie Minghui's family. Zhu Xuefeng only has his godmother's family to worry about in Beijing.

The two little guys are not small now. Zhu Xuefeng secretly adjusted the bodies of the two little guys and secretly taught them to practice martial arts. Old Kong and the godmother seemed to be too busy and didn't notice it at all. After teaching the two little guys for another day, Zhu Xuefeng sent the little guys back to the godmother's house.

"Mom, mom, we are back."

As soon as Zhu Xuefeng opened the door, the two little guys ran into the house, and Kong Zhicheng jumped into Director Wang's arms. "Fourth brother sent us back."

Director Wang embraced his son lovingly and said, "You've eaten at your fourth brother's house again. Let me feel your little tummy to see if you've eaten too much again."

The little guy struggled to get off the ground, lifted up his shirt, and revealed his round belly. "Mom, I'm not full. Grandpa Zhang's food is delicious, but my sister won't let me eat more."

The little guy pointed at his sister Kong Qingqing, who was being held by Zhu Xuefeng. Although they were born only a few hours apart, Kong Qingqing seemed much quieter than her brother.

"Xiaofeng, thank you for your hard work again. You've been helping out all day. You must be tired. Sit down for a while. Your Uncle Kong hasn't come back yet." Director Wang glanced at the two precious children, his heart full of love. There have been a lot of troubles in recent days, with fights, prying doors and twisting locks happening all the time. Young people who have nowhere to go let themselves go in the city and make trouble everywhere.

As soon as he got home and saw his two children, all the tiredness disappeared and he poured a glass of water for Zhu Xuefeng.

"Please sit for a while. I have some dumpling soup cooking in the pot." Director Wang said and went back to the kitchen.

"Godmother, you haven't eaten yet so late." Zhu Xuefeng took a sip of tea, which was a little hot. He blew on it, but it was still hot. He simply put it down and asked while dealing with Kong Zhicheng's harassment with one hand.

"No, I just got home from work. These two devils are the only ones eating at your place. Otherwise, I really can't handle them."

While stirring the pot, the godmother squeezed her little girl with her leg and said, "Qingqing, go play with fourth brother. It's dangerous for mom."

"My Uncle Kong hasn't eaten either?" I saw my godmother fill two large bowls, wash some vegetables and green onions, and make a bowl of sauce.

"He always comes home hungry every day. I guess he will be home soon. Let me serve it out and let it dry. Do you want some? There's more in the pot."

Zhu Xuefeng shook his head. "I'm full already. Please don't worry about me."

Director Wang cleaned up the table and seeing that Lao Kong had not returned yet, he sat down next to his godson.

"Where's Xiaomei? I didn't see her during the Spring Festival. It's been half a year."

"Godmother, I just wanted to talk to you about this. I sent my younger sister to Hong Kong. She is now studying at the Medical School of Hong Kong University."

Director Wang was stunned. "When did it happen? I didn't hear you tell me. How did you do it?"

"I went to Hong Kong University and got a place to study abroad at my own expense." Zhu Xuefeng did not elaborate, but Director Wang frowned and asked, "Have you completed all the formalities?"

"Well, those who studied abroad at government expense all came back to join the revolution, but no one cares about those who paid their own way. Don't worry, they all went there through formal channels."

Director Wang was relieved. She didn't know, and Zhu Xuefeng naturally wouldn't explain. In fact, my younger sister had obtained the quota for self-funded study abroad a long time ago, but she didn't use it this time. She really left secretly. Anyway, no one in the school cares whether the students are there or not. But even if she applies for retirement due to illness at this time, it means she has a problem with her thinking. It is absolutely impossible to go to Hong Kong with the previous procedures.

"It seems that you are quite capable in Hong Kong and know a lot of people."

"I went to Hong Kong University for two academic exchanges. Later, I met several professors by chance while studying abroad. I used their connections to get a place at my own expense."

"Well, just go. It's a good thing." Director Wang felt a little complicated. He looked at his two children. They are not young anymore. In two years, they should go to school. But the elementary school is still in session and there is no one to teach them. If they go, they will just be herding sheep.

"Godmother, I have an idea." Seeing godmother looking at Kong Qingqing and Kong Zhicheng, Zhu Xuefeng understood what she was worried about. He came here just to discuss this.

"What ideas? I'm just afraid that you might have some ideas. Given the situation outside, it's better for you to have fewer ideas."

Zhu Xuefeng shook his head. "Godmother, it's not what you think. I want to discuss with you. Qingqing and Chengcheng will be going to school in a year or two. I happen to have some acquaintances in Hong Kong. Why don't we send the two little ones to school there?"

Director Wang looked at his godson with a strange expression, and after a while he shook his head, "That won't work. Given your uncle Kong and I's current situation, it's best for these two little guys to stay with us."

"Godmother, why are you worried? So many leaders' children are going to school outside, but no one says such a young child can't be sent to school. You can ask around. I know that several families have children attending elementary school in Mao, and there are also children in North America."

"No need to ask, I know that it's not just in Russia, but in many other countries." Director Wang shook his head, "That's not what I'm worried about. They're still so young, I can't bear to let them go."

"But you and Uncle Kong don't have the time to take care of them now. Besides, if you send them away, you can devote more energy to work. If the younger brothers and sisters follow you, it will be bad for both of them. You worry about them at work, and they wait for you to come back hungry at home. This is not a good thing. Let me make it clear first, I can't coax them every day. I am free during this period, but I don't know what will happen later."

Director Wang burst out laughing, "Oh, oh, oh, it's only been less than a month and you're already disliking these two little ones. Who said he doesn't love these two little ones enough? The younger brothers and sisters are left to him."

"It's no problem to leave it to me. I'll send them off and promise to teach them well." Zhu Xuefeng was not discouraged.

Director Wang looked at the two children again, feeling somewhat relieved, and sighed, "Let's discuss this after your uncle Kong comes back, but I have some news for you."

"Hmm?" Zhu Xuefeng snorted in surprise and looked at his godmother.

"Xu Damao, who you sent in, is back!" (End of this chapter)