Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 147 Weather Update
As February began, the institute's workload increased significantly, and Yan Jiekuang knew that this was the beginning of getting on the right track.

Yan Jiekuang no longer slipped away at the first opportunity like he did before. He went to work honestly, brought his own lunch, and stayed in the office all day. When he had nothing to do, he would read books or drink tea, and he would complete his work in a timely manner.

Lao Liu and Qi Ye also noticed the change in Yan Jiekuang's work attitude and wanted to ask Yan Jiekuang what was wrong with him.

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "Spring is coming, we have to work hard."

In the courtyards, the streets were also promoting the idea door to door that spring was coming and it was time to contribute to the national economy through work.

People working in the courtyard began to get busy, especially the employees in the steel mill. Overtime work became a common occurrence, and the neighbors also clearly felt the changes in society.

The Spring Festival is coming, and every household is full of joy. This brings a new atmosphere, and everyone is full of energy and spirit, but the only thing that remains unchanged is that supplies are still supplied with tickets.

Yan Jiekuang started preparing early this year. He had to prepare for his engagement. In early February, he began to bring New Year's goods home. Yang Ruiping was responsible for receiving and storing them.

Lian'er also took the initiative to help Yan Jiekuang go shopping. Yan Jiekuang was full of energy every day. The neighbors in the courtyard said that Yan Jiekuang seemed like a different person, completely different from the Yan Jiekuang who used to hide away from everything.

Yan Bugui curled his lips and said, "What's the point of changing? He's just thinking about his wife and is anxious."

Before the Little New Year, Yan Jiekuang bought everything he should and shouldn't buy, and placed them in the cellar in the front yard, waiting for the New Year's Eve meal.

Lian'er was also very tired, but she was still very happy in her heart. Looking at the things Yan Jiekuang bought, she knew how much he valued this engagement. Yan Jiekuang looked at Lian'er and smiled foolishly. Lian'er rolled her eyes at him and said, "Don't spend money like this in the future. It's too wasteful."

"After we get married, you will be the head of the family and control the financial power." Yan Jiekuang said firmly, and Lian'er suddenly became shy.

Yan Jiekuang went to work as usual on the day of the Little New Year. The class held a meeting today because a new leader had taken office. Yan Jiekuang and Lao Liu went to the cafeteria together. The largest place in the institute was the original cafeteria, but the cafeteria benefits had been cancelled during the natural disaster until today.

The new director is the vice president of the Academy of Sciences. His surname is Fu. He was also demoted to the Northwest and came back. After his return, he was supposed to be reinstated, but now there is a vacancy in important positions in cultural units, so this Director Fu was transferred to the Institute of Archaeology as director.

The director, whose surname is Fu, spoke very skillfully. He mentioned some of the difficulties faced by the institute, but said that time was of the essence as they were going through this period of pain. He asked the staff in the institute to be strict with themselves and make up for the lost time.

As Yan Jiekuang listened, he felt a little excited. He was infected by the director's speech. A person who had experienced hardships returned to his job and was just as serious and hardworking. There was no sign of negativity.

At the end of the meeting, the work arrangements during this period were discussed. We must immediately cooperate with the restoration of the Forbidden City and make it ready for public viewing before May 1st this year. Therefore, this year's holiday is also very short. The 30th is put on the 3rd day of the first lunar month, and work starts on the 4th day.

Yan Jiekuang listened carefully. On the way back to the workshop, Lao Liu said, "Seventh Master wants to retire. He applied last time, but no one approved his application. This time he really has to retire. His body can't stand the high-intensity work."

Yan Jiekuang said, "After the Chinese New Year, come to my house on the fifth day of the first lunar month for a meal. I've been indebted to Master Qi for all these years, so we have to get together anyway."

Old Liu agreed promptly and said he would bring the wine, so Yan Jiekuang didn't need to prepare any.

Yan Jiekuang went back to the courtyard on the weekend and told his parents about his vacation and plans. Yang Ruiping didn't say anything, and Yan Bugui looked sad and didn't say anything. Yan Jiekuang asked, "What's going on? Is it at home or at work?"

Yan Bugui sighed and said, "Now that the school is on the right track, there is more work to do. I wanted to help, but all of a sudden, my body couldn't take it anymore."

Yan Jiekuang was stunned and asked, "You were doing well as a teacher before, how can you increase your workload? At most, you can be a class teacher. You can just quit."

Yang Ruiping looked at Yan Bugui and said, "Your father, seeing that the new principal cared about him and encouraged him, expressed his determination to devote himself to the school until his death. Now, the principal didn't know much about the situation and directly made him the head of the Chinese language group and also in charge of a class. This time, the work became more and more, and he couldn't keep up. He was too embarrassed to ask the principal for help, so he went to bed at midnight every day."

Yan Jiekuang sighed and said, "Dad, you have to accept your age. Master Qi just can't keep up with the intensity of the work and is about to retire."

When Yan Bugui heard that the Seventh Master was going to retire, he realized that he had been a bit too arrogant, and sighed, "What should I do?"

Yan Jiekuang said: "All I've said is actually for work. Go find the principal and tell him that you have the will but not the ability and that you can't delay your work. You should just concentrate on being a Chinese teacher." Yan Bugui thought about it and felt that this was the only way. Not everyone could rush forward into this new atmosphere.

Yan Jiekuang asked his mother, "Mom, should I cook on the 30th?"

Yang Ruiping said: "You are the protagonist, you cook whatever dishes you want, I will do it, let Xiaoya and Yu Li help you."

Yan Jiekuang nodded. He was really afraid of tiring Yang Ruiping by preparing two tables of dishes at once.

Yang Ruiping waved his hand and said, "My oldest son's engagement party will be hosted by my mother herself, so just focus on your business. By the way, your second brother called and said he won't be back this year. I want to apologize to you."

Yan Jiekuang felt a little disappointed, but also said that he understood.

Yan Jiekuang went out to the backyard to visit Grandpa Ji. As soon as he went out, he saw He Yuzhu, who was supporting He Yumei and walking home. He Xiao followed behind with his schoolbag on his back and his head hung.

As they walked, He Yumei was talking about He Xiao, saying that He Xiao didn't go home to do his homework after school, but went to Shichahai to play with his classmates with his schoolbag. If he hadn't met He Yuzhu, it's unknown what time he would come back.

He Xiao kept giving his father looks, meaning that you have to speak up for me, my mother has been talking about me all the way.

He Yuzhu looked at his son, then at his wife, and then he shut his mouth and said nothing.

He Xiao rolled his eyes at his father. He Yumei happened to see it and said, "Nowadays, students are striving to be the best. Everyone should focus on studying. How can you say something that doesn't please you?"

He Xiao said: "No, I have studied too. Today is an appointment we made before, and I can't break my promise."

He Yumei got angry and said, "How dare you talk back? It seems that if I don't punish you for a few days, you will become arrogant."

He Xiao ran to He Yuzhu, who looked at He Yumei in embarrassment and said, "Calm down, let's talk about it when we get home. Son, your dad has to work overtime every day now, so you have to work hard."

When He Xiao heard this, he also knew that his father had become busy all of a sudden, so he whispered, "Just this once, no matter where I go next time, I will go home first, and I will go only if you agree."

He Yuzhu was delighted and said, "My son is a good boy. He corrects his mistakes and will continue to be a good comrade in the future."

He Yumei rolled her eyes, looked at the father and son, and turned around and walked home.

Yan Jiekuang happened to be walking towards the backyard, and He Xiao called out, "Hello, Third Uncle."

Yan Jiekuang said: "Hello, He Xiao, you are really polite."

He Yuzhu was happy. Seeing Yan Jiekuang going to the backyard, he said, "Good things are about to happen. The girl from the Ji family you found is really good. You should cherish her."

When Yan Jiekuang heard this, he realized that the grandfather and grandson of the Ji family had a good reputation in the courtyard, so he replied, "Of course, she is my daughter-in-law, so of course I have to treat her well."

He Yuzhu and Yan Jiekuang walked into the middle courtyard side by side. He Xiao ran home with his schoolbag on his back. He Yuzhu stopped and said, "Do you want me to help with the engagement banquet?"

Yan Jiekuang replied, "No, we just discussed it at the New Year's Eve dinner on the 30th. My mother insisted on cooking."

He Yuzhu nodded and said, "Okay, if you have something to say, just tell me. After the New Year, the steel mill will be expanded and will be even busier. Even if you ask me to do it, I may not have the time."

The two men exchanged a few pleasantries and then parted ways, and Yan Jiekuang walked towards the backyard.

(End of this chapter)