Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 180: New Year's Eve Reunion
On the eve of the Chinese New Year, the parents did not come at night, saying that they were going back to their father-in-law's house to pick up the children. Yan Bugui was very angry, knowing that the two children were at their in-laws' house, and of course the couple should be with the children, but Yan Bugui and his wife felt uncomfortable.

Yan Jiekuang didn't know how to persuade him, so he said, "I'll cook today, and we can have a reunion dinner together tonight."

Yan Bugui said unhappily, "What's the point of reunion when everyone is not here yet?"

Yang Ruiping followed up and said, "Okay, today is not New Year's Eve, let's have a good meal together, Lao San will cook, and I will help."

Shi Xiaoya and Ji Lian stood up at once, but Yang Ruiping waved his hand and said, "You guys take care of the kids, leave the kitchen stuff to us two."

The mother and son went to the kitchen and did whatever they were supposed to do. Yan Bugui looked at them and said, "I'm going to take a walk outside. Call me when it's time to eat."

The two daughters-in-law agreed in unison.

Yan Jiekuang looked at the ingredients and said, "Mom, what do you want to eat? I'll make it for you. Eat whatever you want."

Yang Ruiping smiled and said, "Let's prepare some authentic Shandong cuisine. After all, our hometown is in Shandong. Your grandma used to cook it. I still remember it when I was a child. But later, the conditions were not good, so I never ate it again."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay, let's focus on Shandong cuisine today. Mom, please help me. We have large intestines."

Yang Ruiping got busy along with his son. Yan Jiekuang planned to cook six dishes. There were five adults in total and the two children ate less, so it should be enough, just six dishes and one soup.

Yang Ruiping looked at the ingredients his son prepared, nodded and said, "It seems that you are really good at Shandong cuisine. Are you going to make nine-turn large intestine? What about the rest?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "In addition to the Nine-Turn Large Intestine, I plan to make a few more dishes, such as Chicken Slices with Lotus Root, Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin, Candied Sweet Potato, Braised Winter Melon, First-Class Tofu, and Mullet Egg Soup. How do you think?"

Yang Ruiping smiled and said, "How come you are exactly like your grandma, except for the soup. Your grandma's soup is like dark clouds supporting the moon."

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "These ingredients are easy to get. They are all ready at home. This is also thanks to Ji Lian, who bought a little bit of everything. Not to mention that I miss my grandma a little bit."

Yang Ruiping looked a little gloomy, and then he said: "After the Chinese New Year, I will go to see my parents on the second day of the New Year. You should get ready, and we will go together as a family."

Yan Jiekuang was happy and agreed immediately. The mother and son chatted while they were busy.

At around six o'clock in the evening, the New Year's Eve dinner began. The family sat down. The two little ones also sat on chairs, but they were not high enough, so a small stool was added. They were told not to move. Yongchang and Yongxin were full of curiosity and very obedient.

Yan Jiekuang was busy with Ji Lian and Shi Xiaoya. Soon, all the dishes were served. Yan Bugui said with his eyes wide open: "Is this Shandong cuisine? You can cook Shandong cuisine?"

Yang Ruiping said with some pride: "My third child knows everything. Okay, you are the head of the family, so say something?"

Yan Bugui sat in the main seat and coughed twice in a pretentious manner. Just as he was about to speak, Yan Yongxin asked, "Grandpa, Grandpa, are you sick?"

Everyone was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. Yan Bugui was very embarrassed. After everyone calmed down, he began to say: "Today is..."

As soon as the words came out, there was a knock on the door. Everyone was wondering, who would come to visit on New Year's Eve?
Shi Xiaoya went out to open the door. Several people in the hall looked back. When they saw the door, the door curtain was lifted and a figure rushed in and hugged Shi Xiaoya, which scared everyone. Yan Jiekuang stood up suddenly and saw a man in military uniform hugging his second sister-in-law. The familiar figure was his second brother. He blurted out "Second brother".

Everyone then saw that it was Yan Jiefang who came in. Shi Xiaoya suddenly went from being frightened to crying bitterly. Yan Jiefang was stunned and quickly put Shi Xiaoya down and started to comfort her. Yan Jiekuang and his wife looked at each other, thinking that their second brother was unreliable, while Yan Bugui and his wife stood up at once and looked at Yan Jiefang happily.

Yan Jiefang let go of Shi Xiaoya, saluted Yan Bugui and his wife solemnly, and said, "The second son Yan Jiefang is officially on leave and reports to father and mother."

Yang Ruiping went up and patted Yan Jiefang, grinning so hard that his mouth couldn't close and said, "You kid, you always make a fool of yourself." Yan Bugui also looked at his second son happily. Shi Xiaoya took over Yan Jiefang's luggage. Yan Jiekuang said, "You came back at the right time. The food is just right."

Yan Jiefang hugged Yan Jiekuang tightly and said, "That's my third son's cooking. I smelled it on the train."

Yang Ruiping was busy, saying, "Okay, hurry up and get to the table, and chat while eating. Third brother, go to your father's study. He has a bottle of Fenjiu there, bring it over quickly."

Yan Bugui was about to speak, but when he saw this situation, he shut his mouth.

The whole family sat at the table. Yan Jiekuang brought the wine and poured it for everyone, except Shi Xiaoya and Ji Lian. Each of them had a glass. Yang Ruiping also asked for it on her own initiative. She was really happy today because she got to eat the Shandong cuisine cooked by the third brother and see the second brother who had not been back for three years.

The two little guys sitting on the bench looked at the stranger with confusion, and he also hugged their mother. The two little guys secretly looked at the man. Yan Jiefang also saw the two little guys. Yan Jiefang burst into tears instantly. He really missed his children.

Shi Xiaoya said beside him: "Don't you always want to find your dad? This is your dad, call him quickly."

The two little guys looked at this stranger blankly until Yan Jiekuang said, "Yongchang, Yongxin, this is your father. He has gone to defend his country. Call him quickly."

Yongchang and Yongxin looked at their third uncle, then turned to Yan Jiefang and called out "Dad" in unison.

Yan Jiefang stood up and walked over, hugged them both, one in his left hand and one in his right hand, kissing one and then the other. Yongxin whispered, "Are you really my father? Why don't you come back to see us?"

Yan Jiefang didn't know how to explain, so he said, "Dad is in the army and has a mission. That's why I'm back. I will come back often in the future. By the way, I also brought you gifts."

As he said that, he put the two children down and was about to search his bag, but Yang Ruiping quickly stopped him and said, "Eat first, and we'll talk after dinner."

Several people sat back at the table. Yan Bugui was a little excited. After holding it in for a long time, he said, "Everyone is happy today. Let's not talk about anything else. Let's eat."

The dinner was full of ups and downs, but the people at the table couldn't stop after the first bite, especially the two little ones who kept eating the sweet and sour pork. Yan Jiefang was drinking with his father while taking care of the two little ones. Yan Jiekuang could see that his second brother was still a little unsure and didn't know if the child could get familiar with him quickly.

After the meal, no one knew much about the second brother's situation. They only knew that he was indeed promoted to company commander. However, in that unit, Yan Jiefang never mentioned it. He had to leave on the second day of the Chinese New Year. It was only a few days of leave, and the battalion commander was particularly kind to him.

After dinner, Yang Ruiping didn't let Shi Xiaoya clean up, and asked her to take the children and Yan Jiefang home quickly. The two children needed more time alone after getting familiar with their father.

Yan Jiekuang wanted to reach out his hand, but Yang Ruiping did not let him, saying that it would be enough for him, and that he and his wife should go back to the room and see if the two children were awake.

Yan Bugui was sitting there drinking tea, in a daze. Yan Jiekuang had no idea what he was thinking, probably trying to digest what happened to Yan Jiefang, so he quietly went back to the north room with Ji Lian.

Back in the north room, the two children were still asleep. Yan Jiekuang sighed and said, "I'll be busy again tonight. When have these two children ever slept so well at home? They will definitely wake up in the middle of the night."

Ji Lian said, "It's okay. I sleep lightly at night. If you wake up, I'll stay with you."

Yan Jiekuang shook his head and said, "Have you forgotten the old man in the backyard? You have to take the children to the old man's place tomorrow. The old man saw me today but ignored me."

Ji Lian laughed and said, "I see. This old man is so childish. How can I go back on New Year's Eve?"

The couple chatted for a while and then took a break.

(End of this chapter)