Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 182: Dinner in the Yard
After the meal, Yan Jiekuang left in a hurry. He couldn't stand Chen Xueru's enthusiasm. Xu Huizhen also knew Yan Jiekuang's dilemma and didn't keep him any longer.

Yan Jiekuang returned to Yuer Hutong, picked up another gift and went straight to his old principal's home. Unfortunately, the old principal had become busy since he resumed his post, so Yan Jiekuang missed the trip. However, he left the gift at the principal's home. It was received by the principal's wife, whom Yan Jiekuang knew, so he didn't feel awkward.

It was already afternoon when Yan Jiekuang returned to the courtyard. When he returned to his mother's room, he saw that only Yang Ruiping was at home, so he asked, "Mom, you are the only one at home?"

Yang Ruiping said: "Yes, they are all busy people, and they have all run out. It seems that I will have dinner alone tonight."

Yan Jiekuang knew that Yan Jiefang's family was going to the middle courtyard for dinner today, so he frowned and asked, "Where are my father and little sister?"

Yang Ruiping said, "After lunch, your younger sister was called away by a colleague, saying that she would have dinner with colleagues outside in the evening. Your dad, you don't know yet, but I heard that you guys were having dinner together in the evening, so she went to Yi Zhonghai's house. I guess she wanted to get a free meal."

Yan Jiekuang hesitated for a moment and said, "How about I accompany you? It's New Year's Day, how can I let you eat alone at home?"

Yang Ruiping knew that the third brother was worried about him, so he said, "You don't have to go to the middle court. I can do something myself."

Yan Jiekuang took off his coat and jacket and said, "I'll do it for you. I'll let Lian'er come over to accompany you later."

Yang Ruiping looked at Yan Jiekuang with relief. Finally, there was someone who cared about him. He did not stop him. Seeing Yan Jiekuang going to the kitchen, Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "I'll prepare it first. I'll make you something different tonight."

"Oh, I like everything cooked by my third son." Yang Ruiping said with a smile.

"That's right. I have to take good care of my mother and take care of my children." Yan Jiekuang said.

Yang Ruiping laughed out loud, and Yan Jiekuang rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen to start preparing for cooking.

Yang Ruiping heard the sound of Yan Jiekuang chopping stuffing outside and thought that Yan Jiekuang was going to make dumplings, so he stood up and went to the kitchen. Yan Jiekuang took a look and said, "You take a rest. I can cook today's meal myself."

Yang Ruiping asked, "Aren't you going to make dumplings? Don't you need me?"

"No, it's not dumplings. You can't help. Just take a rest." Yan Jiekuang said while busy chopping stuffing.

"Okay, then I'll see what you cook for me." Yang Ruiping smiled and went out to listen to the radio.

After Yan Jiekuang finished all the preliminary preparations, he washed his hands and came out, saying to his mother: "I will go and invite Mr. Ji, and let him eat with you, and Ji Lian."

Yang Ruiping nodded and said, "Wrap the child well, don't let him get cold."

Yan Jiekuang said he understood, turned around and went to the backyard, and walked to the middle yard, where he saw the sounds of lively chatting in He Yuzhu's house. From the sounds, he could tell there were quite a few people in the house, and there were also children laughing.

Yan Jiekuang knew that he was not needed here, so he went straight to the backyard and came to Grandpa Ji's room. He talked to Grandpa Ji about going out for dinner. Grandpa Ji liked Yan Jiekuang's food and agreed.

Ji Lian didn't ask why, she just listened to whatever Yan Jiekuang said.

Nearing evening, Grandpa Ji and Ji Lian came to the Yan family with their child. Yang Ruiping greeted them warmly and went to take the child in his hands.

Seeing that everyone was there, Yan Jiekuang started cooking. He cooked Hakka cuisine for his mother and Grandpa Ji. He made six dishes and one soup, namely poached chicken, stuffed tofu, stuffed spring rolls, braised pork with preserved vegetables, fish in vinegar, and meatballs. The soup was the Sanjidi soup.

When all the dishes were served, Yang Ruiping couldn't stop smiling and said, "What a sumptuous meal! Where is this dish from? I've never seen it before. Is this a spring roll?"

Pointing to the stuffed spring rolls, Yan Jiekuang replied, "This is a Hakka dish. I modified the soup and added some radish greens and wolfberries."

Then Yan Jiekuang introduced the dishes to the three people, and said: "Eat it while it's hot. Would you like to have a drink, old man?" Old man Ji nodded and said: "Such delicious dishes, and it's New Year's Day, of course I have to have a drink. Come on, drink with me first, and then you can go to the middle courtyard."

Yan Jiekuang nodded and turned to go to the inner room. He knew where his father's wine was, so he went in and took out the half bottle of Fenjiu that was left over from last time.

Returning to his seat, Yang Ruiping poured a glass for himself and the old man, and said, "Good food goes well with good wine. Pour me some too."

When Yan Jiekuang saw his mother asking for wine, he knew that his mother was in a good mood, so he poured half a glass of wine for Yang Ruiping.

Several people started eating. Grandpa Ji drank a sip with Yan Jiekuang at the beginning, but ignored Yan Jiekuang afterwards and just kept eating, praising Yan Jiekuang's cooking skills while eating. Yang Ruiping and Ji Lian did the same. In half an hour, the plates were empty.

Ji Lian finished eating first, stood up and went to the inner room to check on the children who were sleeping. Only then did Grandpa Ji and his mother raise their wine glasses. The three of them said blessings to each other while eating and chatting.

At this time, there was a knock on the door, and Yan Jiekuang said, "Who is it? Come in."

Jia Geng's voice came from outside, saying, "Uncle San, I won't go in. Please hurry over. Brother Er asked you to hurry up."

Yan Jiekuang stood up, said hello to his mother and Mr. Ji, and walked out of the house. As soon as he left the house, Yang Ruiping shouted, "Drink less."

Yan Jiekuang said he understood and followed Jia Geng to the central courtyard. On the way, Yan Jiekuang asked Jia Geng who had come.

Jia Geng said: "Almost all of them have gone, except the eldest brother of the Liu family. Even Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong and your father have come."

Yan Jiekuang guessed that since his father hadn't come back yet, he knew that some of the elders would definitely go, so he asked, "How many tables should we set up then?"

Jia Geng said, "There are four tables. Fortunately, there are enough dishes. Everyone brought a lot of food."

As they were talking, the two men arrived at the door of He's house. Jia Geng pushed the door open and went in, followed closely by Yan Jiekuang. As soon as they entered the house, Yan Jiekuang was shocked to see that there were three tables in the house, and no one knew where the round tables came from.

The table in the middle was the largest one. Sitting at it were the three elders, Chang Lin, Xu Damao, Yan Jiecheng, Yan Jiefang, Xu Delin, Jia Dongxu, Zheng Weiguo, and Chen Wen. There was an empty seat which should have been occupied by He Yuzhu.

At the other table were Yi Jun, Sun Xiaolong, Zhou Nianping, Qian Siwen, Fang Lixue, Jia Geng, Tang Yanling, and Liu Guangfu. There were three empty seats next to Jia Geng, which seemed to be reserved for Yan Jiekuang. The other two should be for Chang Li and Chang Chuang.

The last table was a group of children and their mothers. Yan Jiekuang was puzzled. Wasn't there four tables? So he asked Jia Geng.

Jia Geng said, "At the eldest uncle's house, my grandmother is having dinner with Xiaodang, Huaihua, Zhao Yue'e, Li Cuilan, He Yumei, and He Xiao. There are also my brother, Zheng Hanbin, and Chen Gang. These three guys insisted on sitting at the same table."

After a while, several women started serving the dishes. It turned out that He Yuzhu's cooking skills had improved again. Yan Jiekuang could tell at a glance.

The dishes were all served, and He Yuzhu also came to the table. Yi Zhonghai stood up and said, "Today is a New Year's dinner in the courtyard. I see that many families have brought wine. I have also prepared a box of Erguotou, authentic Niulanshan. I hope everyone will enjoy their meal. Let's start eating."

When Yi Zhonghai was speaking, Xu Damao curled his lips. Several people looked at each other and thought that this was supposed to be a gathering of our generation, but these old guys insisted on joining in, making it seem like they organized it.

A few people especially looked down on Yan Bugui. Not only did he not bring anything, he also called Yan Jiecheng back. So when the banquet started, a few people exchanged glances, indicating that they would start pouring wine from Yan Laokou.

Yan Jiekuang immediately understood what those people meant, but he pretended not to see it. He also thought that those old men were trying to force their participation, obviously to show off their status.

The party started. Yan Jiekuang originally thought that the people at this table had not eaten together for many times and were not very relaxed. Unexpectedly, Fang Lixue gave Yan Jiekuang such a big surprise. He was obviously a person who liked occasions and started drinking enthusiastically with the people at the table.

(End of this chapter)