Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 181: Visit before the Lunar New Year
After a night of tossing and turning, Yan Jiekuang was completely exhausted when he woke up from a deep sleep the next day. The two little guys woke up in the middle of the night and stared at their father instead of sleeping. Yan Jiekuang could only stay with the two little guys for more than two hours before the two little guys let Yan Jiekuang go and fell asleep again.

Yan Jiekuang got up a little late. Seeing that his wife and children were not at home, he thought that they might have gone to the backyard, so he got up and washed up. While washing his face, he heard a lot of people chatting and laughing outside.

Yan Jiekuang listened carefully and found that his brother was in the yard. Xu Delin, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, Yi Jun and Sun Xiaolong were all there. There was also a familiar voice, but Yan Jiekuang couldn't recognize who it was.

After Yan Jiekuang finished cleaning up, he left the north room. When he opened the door, he saw several people standing there chatting animatedly. The unfamiliar voice turned out to be Liu Guangfu.

He hadn't seen him for a long time. Liu Guangfu had become even darker, probably because of the tan from being out at sea.

Yan Jiekuang walked over and greeted everyone one by one, especially chatting with Liu Guangfu. Liu Guangfu also asked him about his trip to Hong Kong Island, and Yan Jiekuang answered his questions one by one.

He Yuzhu was a man who could organize things. He said to Yan Jiefang, "I'll cook tonight. We have to get together. It's been three or four years since we last got together."

Xu Damao was a lively person, and he immediately agreed, "Yes, it's Chinese New Year, we have to get together, I'll prepare the wine."

Several people were busy preparing the meal. One person suggested meat, another suggested vegetables. Soon it was decided that they would gather at He Yuzhu's house in the central courtyard in the evening. Only He Yuzhu's house could accommodate a large table.

After a few people dispersed, they saw two little heads sticking out of the door of the south room. Yongchang shouted, "Dad, come and play with us. I will build a big house for you."

Yan Jiekuang turned around and asked Yan Jiefang in surprise, "Second brother, you are really capable. How did you manage to strengthen the relationship between father and son overnight? And they are so close?"

Yan Jiefang said proudly: "Father and son are connected by heart. Besides, you don't know your second brother's ability. When we were kids, who could be my opponent?"

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "Really? You are the only one who can cause such a commotion. Okay, I won't disturb your parent-child time. Go now. I have to go out for a while."

The two brothers parted ways, Yan Jiekuang walked to the backyard, came to Grandpa Ji's house and knocked on the door.

Ji Lian opened the door and said, "When did you become so polite and even knock on the door?"

Yan Jiekuang said: "Don't you have to respect the old man? Where are the children?"

Ji Lian replied: "The old man is watching in the inner room. I will wash his clothes for him."

Yan Jiekuang looked inside and said, "Then I won't go in. I'm going to Sister Huizhen's place. I have to go there before the New Year. Oh, and there's also Principal Chen's place."

Ji Lian said, "Then go ahead and come back early."

After saying hello, Yan Jiekuang went back to the north room to tidy up, said hello to Yang Ruiping, and headed for Yuer Hutong. He had to get his bicycle and the prepared New Year goods first.

When Yan Jiekuang pushed his bicycle out of the yard and was about to lock the door, someone behind him said, "Why are you going out?"

Yan Jiekuang turned around and saw that it was Cai Quanwu. Yan Jiekuang said, "What a coincidence. I was just about to go to your place. How did you get here?"

Cai Quanwu said, "Chen Xueru came home. Huizhen said that she wanted to have lunch together, but Chen Xueru insisted that you come to cook. So I invited you to come."

Yan Jiekuang said: "Okay, I'll take you on my bike."

The two of them returned to Huizhen's courtyard together. As soon as they arrived at the yard, Xu Jingli rushed over, followed by Xu Jingping.

"You haven't been here for a long time. I heard that you went to Hong Kong Island. Did you bring me a gift?" Xu Jingli came up and asked a lot of questions.

Yan Jiekuang smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I bought you some cosmetics, you can keep them secretly, don't let your mother know."

Xu Jingping was not happy and said, "Uncle San, what's wrong? Is there nothing for me?" Yan Jiekuang said, "Yes, they all are there. Don't worry, they are in this big bag." After that, he handed the bag to Xu Jingli. The two sisters happily took the bags and went into their own rooms without going to the central courtyard.

Cai Quanwu shook his head and said, "You are the one who spoils them. If their mother were here, they would be very obedient."

Yan Jiekuang smiled and followed Cai Quanwu into the central courtyard. In fact, there were things for Huizhen and her husband in his bag. Yan Jiekuang deliberately let Xu Jingli take them away because Chen Xueru was there and he wanted to avoid embarrassment. He didn't bring any gifts for Chen Xueru.

Xu Huizhen saw Yan Jiekuang coming over and said with a smile: "You always respond to requests."

Yan Jiekuang looked at Xu Huizhen and found that she was not in a good mental state, so he asked, "What happened to my sister?"

Xu Huizhen said hesitantly: "Nothing, I'm just not in the tavern anymore."

Yan Jiekuang understood at once that someone was causing trouble. It was probably the clerk named Fan from the subdistrict office again. He just couldn't stand Xu Huizhen.

Chen Xueru said from the side: "Forget it, it's all public property anyway, you should take a good rest and don't think too much. By the way, Li Kuang, you have to cook a good meal today to comfort your sister."

Xu Huizhen forced a smile, looked at Yan Jiekuang and said, "How about you show me your skills?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay, just take a look. What would you like to eat today?"

Xu Huizhen said, "You decide what to do. It's just the few of us."

Yan Jiekuang turned around and ran to the kitchen without saying a word. He looked at the ingredients, thought about it, and started preparing.

More than an hour later, Yan Jiekuang came with a plate of food and called out to the front yard, "Jingli, Jingping, come and serve the food."

In the main hall of the Central Courtyard, Cai Quanwu had already set up the round table and chairs. Yan Jiekuang placed the first dish on the table and said, "I have never cooked Fujian cuisine for you and your wife before. I will cook it for you today. How about you try it? I brought all the food back from Hong Kong Island."

After the two sisters brought the dishes to the table, Yan Jiekuang introduced them one by one. Yan Jiekuang made eight dishes in total, including emerald pearl abalone, shark fin, fish lips with meat and rice, meat bird's nest, lychee meat, Tai Chi taro paste, chicken minced golden bamboo shoots, stir-fried double crispy dishes, and the last soup was fish ball soup.

Yan Jiekuang said: "In fact, the most classic dish of Fujian cuisine is Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. We have the ingredients, but we don't have enough time. Let's try it and see how it goes."

Chen Xueru was not polite either. She was the first to reach out her chopsticks and picked up a piece of lychee meat and put it in her mouth. After eating it, she said, "It's really delicious. I've eaten this dish before. It's called lychee meat."

The Xu Jingli sisters started eating without waiting for Xu Huizhen to speak. Cai Quanwu did not move. He turned around and went to the inner room to get out a jar of wine, saying, "You are in for a treat. This is authentic Niulanshan, twenty years old. Try it."

As she spoke, she poured a glass for Yan Jiekuang. Chen Xueru said, "Give me one, too."

Xu Huizhen rolled her eyes and said, "You are here to laugh at me, and I have to work hard to serve you delicious food and drinks."

Chen Xueru smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll go find someone to settle your matter for you after this meal."

Xu Huizhen actually believed her a little bit, so she didn't say anything, and they all started eating. During the meal, Xu Huizhen also asked Yan Jiekuang about Hong Kong Island, and Yan Jiekuang told them everything he could.

Xu Huizhen didn't think it was a big deal, but Chen Xueru was different. She was curious about everything, especially when she heard about free trade. She became interested and kept asking Yan Jiekuang questions, which made Xu Jingli a little angry, and she kept picking up food for Yan Jiekuang.

Yan Jiekuang ate the food in the bowl with a wry smile, he had to eat without it, at the same time he had to deal with Chen Xueru. Xu Huizhen saw Yan Jiekuang's dilemma, so she pulled Chen Xueru aside and asked her if she had found a partner and if she had a goal. This immediately diverted Chen Xueru's attention. Yan Jiekuang breathed a sigh of relief and gave Xu Jingli an apologetic look.

Xu Jingli finally calmed down, but she glared at Yan Jiekuang fiercely. Then Yan Jiekuang realized that Xu Jingli was jealous.

(End of this chapter)