Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 190 Returning Home in Free Time
Yan Jiekuang walked around the grocery store and was surprised to see White Rabbit milk candy, as it was not usually available there. Fortunately, he had his grocery book with him and had rarely used the candy coupons, so Yan Jiekuang paid for half a pound of it.

Thinking that he needed to buy some vegetables, he turned back to Yuer Hutong. He had to get his bicycle first. Yan Jiekuang took his grocery book and money and rode his bicycle straight to Dongdan Vegetable Market. Today was a weekday, so there were not many people in the market. Yan Jiekuang bought a chicken and some fresh vegetables, but no meat, as it was probably sold out in the morning.

When Yan Jiekuang walked to the door, a young man came over and asked in a low voice: "Brother, do you want fish?"

Yan Jiekuang looked at the young man and said, "Do you have fish?"

Seeing that Yan Jiekuang was interested in the fish, the young man said, "Come with me. It's in the alley ahead."

Yan Jiekuang pushed the cart and followed the young man into an alley. The young man walked to a tricycle and lifted the rag covering it. Inside were several buckets filled with fish. Yan Jiekuang asked, "This fish is quite big. This is not a fish from Shichahai."

The young man said, "Brother, you really understand. This is a fish from Miyun. I went to catch it early in the morning."

Yan Jiekuang looked at the young man and said, "You are really brave. Fishing is not allowed nowadays. I'll take two for your courage."

The young man scratched his head and said embarrassedly: "Just give me whatever you think is fine, food coupons will do."

Yan Jiekuang generously took out five yuan and stuffed it into the young man's hand, then pointed to two of the bills and said, "These two."

The young man stared at Yan Jiekuang in amazement and said, "This, this is too much. It's not worth so much money."

Yan Jiekuang looked at the young man meaningfully and said, "You are so bold to catch fish and sell them. I guess you are in trouble. I also need fish. The rest is my help to you. But I advise you to be more obedient. The arrests are very strict now."

The young man looked at Yan Jiekuang and said, "You guessed right. I came back to the city because my father was seriously ill. The street allowed me to come back. I had no choice. My family needed money and tickets."

Yan Jiekuang looked at the young man, who tied the two fish with a straw rope and handed them to Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang knew that the young man must be telling the truth. He hung the fish on the handlebars and pushed the bicycle for just two steps before suddenly stopping. He turned around and said to the young man, "You should go to the ghost market to sell them. This is safer than where you are now."

The young man looked at Yan Jiekuang, suddenly bowed, and said "thank you" as he stood up.

Yan Jiekuang rode his bike home, still thinking about the young man on the way. The street office is having trouble arranging matters related to returning to the city now, and the situation will probably be even more serious next year.

Arriving at the courtyard, Yan Jiekuang parked his bicycle, took the vegetables and went into the house. Yan Yongchang had sharp eyes and saw the two big fish at a glance. He shouted, "Grandma, there are big fish, look."

Yan Jiekuang held the big fish and shook it, saying, "I'll make you fish for lunch, okay?"

Yan Yongchang and Yan Yongxin said "OK" in unison. Yan Jiekuang sent the dishes to the kitchen, turned around and came out, took out a handful of candy from his bag, and teased the two little darlings, "Do you want to eat it? Do you know what kind of candy this is?"

Yan Yongxin rushed to say, "I know, Uncle San, it's White Rabbit."

Yan Yongchang also showed a longing look. Yan Jiekuang put the candy on the table and said to Yan Yongchang: "You are the older brother, share it with your sister, be fair. But you can't eat it all at once, no more than one piece a day, okay?"

Yan Yongchang and Yan Yongxin nodded vigorously. Yang Ruiping took them over, rolled his eyes at Yan Jiekuang, and said, "Why give so much? Leave it to me. If you want to eat, ask for it."

Then she said to the two little ones, "Grandma puts it here first, one each, and ask grandma for it when you want to eat it." The two little ones were very well-behaved and listened to grandma, so they took one each.

Yan Jiekuang turned and went into the kitchen, and came out after a while, "Mom, let's steam the silver carp for lunch. I think it's still alive, so it must be very fresh."

Yang Ruiping said: "I will eat whatever you cook, no need to ask me, but it cannot be spicy."

Yan Jiekuang then went back to the kitchen to cook. Yang Ruiping was making milk powder for the two little ones. The two little ones stared at their grandmother. Yan Yongchang said, "Grandma, can the brothers eat White Rabbit?"

Yang Ruiping replied: "They are still young. They can only eat it when they are as old as you." "Oh oh" Yan Yongchang ate the candy while watching his younger brothers by the bed.

When it was almost noon, Yan Jiekuang started to cook some home-cooked dishes, including braised chicken, steamed silver carp, fried fish slices and Chinese cabbage meatballs.

When the dishes were served, Yang Ruiping took one look and said, "Why are they all meat dishes? The child needs a balanced diet." Yan Jiekuang said, "Fish is nutritious enough, and there are also Chinese cabbages. We don't have much meat at home, just a few meatballs."

The two little guys had already climbed onto the stool, and Yan Jiekuang quickly took them down and said, "We need to add a small stool, otherwise you won't be able to reach it."

When the mother and her son and the kid just picked up their chopsticks, Yan Jiedi pushed the door open and came in. She was delighted when she saw the dishes on the table and said, "It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. Haha, I knew there would be something delicious today."

Yang Ruiping looked at his daughter and said, "You are not serious at all. Why don't you come back at noon as usual?"

"The factory has organized labor today. I'm back to get a shovel. I have to go back in a while." Yan Jiedi was about to go to the table. Yang Ruiping patted her and said, "Go wash your hands. Why are you in such a hurry?"

When Yan Jiedi came back, her rice and chopsticks were already on the table. Yan Jiedi started eating without saying a word. Yang Ruiping took care of the little one while saying, "Eat slowly. No one is going to snatch the food from you."

"The main reason is that the food cooked by third brother is so delicious." Yan Jiedi said, and the two little guys nodded when they heard it.

After lunch, Yan Jiedi wanted to leave, but Yan Jiekuang stopped her and said, "Ride my bike and come to my place in the evening."

Yan Jiedi exclaimed, happily took the car keys, turned around and went out. Yang Ruiping was still shouting in the house, "Ride slowly."

Yan Jie Di had disappeared. Yang Ruiping sighed and said, "This girl is so impetuous every day. I don't know who she resembles."

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mom. There will be big changes this year. Your daughter will have a hard time this year."

Yang Ruiping was puzzled and asked, "What changes?"

Yan Jiekuang whispered, "The college entrance examination will be resumed this year, probably by the end of the year."

"Really? Are you serious? That's great, I understand. Should you urge her to do something about it at night?" Yang Ruiping said.

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "I'm afraid she didn't take my words seriously. I'll test her tonight to see what her current level is. By the way, Mom, don't tell anyone else about this."

Yang Ruiping patted Yan Jiekuang and said, "Is your mother the one with the big tongue? You still don't believe your mother."

Yan Jiekuang was happy and turned to leave the house. He wanted to go to the backyard to see Grandpa Ji and deliver the meal he had just prepared. He left two dishes for Grandpa Ji, one was another fish and the other was braised chicken, which had been kept warm in the pot.

Yan Jiekuang put the vegetables in a shopping basket and walked to the backyard. When he arrived at Old Master Ji's door, he knocked. Old Master Ji's voice came from inside, "Come in."

Yan Jiekuang walked into the house and saw the old man sitting in a rocking chair with a book in his hands. Yan Jiekuang said, "We had dinner early today, so I left this for you. You haven't eaten yet, right? Hurry up, I made it for you today."

The old man put the book down, stood up, and said, "You have a conscience and still remember grandpa."

Yan Jiekuang put the dishes and chopsticks in place, and brought rice for the old man. Old man Ji was not polite and picked up the chopsticks to eat. Yan Jiekuang said, "Please go slowly. I'll go get you a glass of water."

The old man was eating something and said, "No, just refill the tea in my room. It's freshly brewed."

Yan Jiekuang refilled the old man's teacup with water and brought it over. He watched the old man eat, then walked to the rocking chair, looked at the book on the rocking chair, and said, "Are you interested in the chess manual? Where did you get it?"

The old man said, "Your father gave it to me. He said that if I could understand this book, I could fight him to a draw."

Yan Jiekuang laughed and said, "Don't look at it anymore. I'll get you a set of chess records tomorrow."

Mr. Ji nodded and said, "You are more reliable than your father."

(End of this chapter)