Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 151: Group Gathering at the Grand Courtyard
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the weather was not so cold and the neighbors of the courtyard gathered together.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were really good at getting things done. They borrowed a lot of long tables, which were placed with melon seeds, peanuts and candies. Jia Dongxu and his son were commissioned by Yi Zhonghai to provide tea service and got a lot of thermos kettles, which were placed aside for anyone who needed them to take.

At about 11 o'clock in the morning, when almost everyone had arrived, Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat and said, "Dear neighbors, Happy New Year. I would like to wish you all a happy new year on behalf of my husband and I."

The crowd below gave Yi Zhonghai face and clapped vigorously. Yi Zhonghai instantly became excited and continued, "This year is different from previous years. The past haze has faded, and now we are working hard to welcome a bright future. So, a few of us old guys thought that the neighbors would get together, get to know each other again, and take this opportunity to wish each other a happy new year. What do you think?"

"Great!!!" There was another round of warm applause, and the neighbors were all very respectful.

"Now, please allow Comrade Liu Haizhong to speak first and give New Year greetings," Yi Zhonghai said immediately.

At this time, Xu Damao suddenly stood up and said, "Why? This requires everyone's consent. How can someone who can't explain the origin of his own things be qualified to speak here?"

Liu Haizhong just stood up and was speechless. Yi Zhonghai saw Liu Haizhong's dilemma and quickly said to Xu Damao: "This is a gathering for neighbors to exchange ideas. It has nothing to do with the previous events. If you want to speak, then you go first."

Xu Damao rolled his eyes and said, "I'll go first, so I'll go first. Uncle Yi represents the older generation, and I represent the middle-aged generation. Isn't this just right?"

He Yuzhu, who was sitting below, chuckled and said, "Da Mao, you said that there is something wrong with Mr. Liu. Have you forgotten about the review meeting? Can you represent the middle-aged generation?"

Xu Damao stood there awkwardly. Liu Haizhong sat down slowly, his expression became calm, and he just looked at Xu Damao quietly.

Yi Zhonghai said: "You guys are middle-aged now, you have to do some serious work. Okay, if Xu Damao wants to talk, let him talk."

He Yuzhu didn't say anything. Everyone looked at Xu Damao who was standing there. Xu Damao was so thick-skinned that he coughed seriously, cleared his throat and said, "Our courtyard is a big family, and everyone lives in peace. On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all the neighbors for their help and care. On my own behalf, I would also like to thank the neighbors for their generosity. I wish everyone a happy new year and happiness."

When everyone heard this, they all applauded, thinking that Xu Damao had some skills. He Yuzhu said, "I'll say a few words as well."

He Yuzhu turned around and saw Liu Haizhong half standing up. He felt a little embarrassed for a moment and said, "Uncle Liu, you come first. I'm just here to join in the fun."

Liu Haizhong then stood up and said, "Dear neighbors, something happened in my family before. Although I have explained it clearly, it still caused trouble to you. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to you. On behalf of my family, I would also like to wish you all a happy new year and a prosperous life."

Everyone was very respectful and applauded, only Xu Damao muttered, "I don't know how many days he has been preparing, but this is the level he has."

Yi Zhonghai then stood up and said, "Who's next? Someone from the younger generation."

As he said this, he glanced at Yan Jiekuang, who smiled and said, "Uncle Bie Yi, Xu Damao and I are of the same generation, you can't demote me by one generation."

Everyone burst into laughter, and Yan Jiekuang continued, "Let Jia Geng come. He is the best of the younger generation."

Jia Geng was also not vague and stood up. Suddenly, applause broke out from behind. Everyone looked and saw that Jia Zhang was laughing and clapping hard. Jia Geng was stunned for a moment and thought to himself, Grandma, please wait for me to finish speaking before you applaud.

Jia Zhang didn't care about this or that. As long as her eldest grandson was in the spotlight, she was happy. Jia Dongxu quickly pulled Jia Zhang to calm her down.

Jia Geng stood up and said, "I wish the elderly good health and a place to rely on in their old age. I also wish the workers of my father's generation good work and greater success. I also wish our generation to make more money and have a happy family. I also wish the next generation to make progress in their studies and make progress every day. On behalf of the Jia family, I wish you all a happy new year and good luck."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause from Jia Zhang in the back rang out again. Everyone burst into laughter, but also applauded.

Yi Zhonghai smiled and motioned for everyone to stop applauding, saying, "Now, please invite the new neighbors to come up and introduce themselves. Zheng Weiguo, the engineer from the backyard, please come first." Then the new neighbors came up one after another to introduce themselves, and then also wished everyone well. At this time, Jia Xiaobao's childish voice came out, "We haven't spoken yet, we are the flowers of the motherland."

Everyone burst into laughter again. Yi Zhonghai also laughed and said, "Then you represent the younger generation. Tell us something."

Jia Xiaobao stood in the middle. Jia Dongxu and his wife looked at him happily. Jia Xiaobao said, "On behalf of us children, I wish grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters good health, happy families, abundant wealth and continuous good luck."

There was a round of warm applause from everyone. Jia Xiaobao got a little anxious and shouted, "I haven't finished yet, wait a minute."

When everyone heard this, they all stopped and looked at Jia Xiaobao, who said shyly, "I hope that parents will return the New Year's money they owe us. We have the right to use our own New Year's money."

Everyone was stunned at first, and then burst into laughter. Qin Huairu looked at Jia Xiaobao fiercely, but Jia Xiaobao was not afraid. He continued, "Also, the New Year's party is the New Year's party. The New Year's money should still be given to us. We kids only have this one chance a year to make money."

When the neighbors heard this, they burst into laughter again. Jia Dongxu held his forehead with his hand, helpless against Jia Xiaobao.

Yan Jiekuang looked at Jia Xiaobao with a smile, and was amazed. This Jia Xiaobao is a talented person.

Yi Zhonghai was so happy that he could hardly straighten his back, but he still walked to the middle and handed Jia Xiaobao a red envelope, telling him to go down quickly. Jia Xiaobao took the red envelope and went down reluctantly, but he did not go to his parents. Instead, he slipped to Jia Zhang's side.

Everyone praised Jia Xiaobao for his intelligence, and the children in the yard looked at their parents and neighbors with expectant eyes.

Yi Zhonghai saw that this was not going to work. How much red envelopes would be given? He quickly said, "Dismiss."

Everybody was talking and laughing. Those who had things to do went back, while those who didn't have anything to do stayed and chatted with each other and amused the children.

Yan Jiekuang followed Lian'er to the backyard. Old Master Ji did not attend the meeting. He was in the house playing with the books that Yan Jiekuang brought back, trying to organize them himself. He was still very interested in history books.

As soon as the two of them walked into the backyard of the courtyard, they saw Liu Haizhong staring at Xu Damao's luck. Xu Damao looked at him with disdain and made a provocative expression. Zheng Weiguo was trying to persuade him. Yan Jiekuang did not join in the fun and took Lian'er back to the house.

After a while, the quarreling outside stopped, and Lian'er whispered, "Is the hatred between the two families irreconcilable?"

Yan Jiekuang said: "Who knows? It's all about money. After the two fell out, neither of them gave in. One moment you reported me, the next moment I reported you. That's how the feud was formed."

Lian Er nodded and said, "You should stay away from them in the future. They report people for the smallest things. They are vindictive and should not be provoked."

"Don't worry, I have nothing to do with them, why would I provoke them?" Yan Jiekuang said.

Lian Er looked at Yan Jie Kuang and said, "This year is the first day of the Chinese New Year. Don't you have any friends to visit? Why are you still here with me?"

Yan Jiekuang was startled, then remembered that he had to go to Xu Huizhen's place today, so he quickly said, "I'm waiting for you. I have to go to my sister's house today, and you have to go with me."

Lian Er thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll say hello to Grandpa, you wait a moment."

After saying that, Lian'er went to her grandfather's room. Yan Jiekuang was sitting in the middle hall. He poured himself a glass of water and drank it while waiting for Lian'er.

(End of this chapter)