Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 223 Traveling with the Baby
On a May morning, the sun shines into the yard, making people feel warm.

The father and son sat on a stone bench in the front yard. There was a cup of tea on the stone table. There was an ashtray, a pack of cigarettes, and a box of matches. The two of them drank tea without saying a word.

After a long while, Yan Jiekuang sighed and said, "When I came back yesterday, I thought of many ways, but none of them worked. I really don't have any good ideas. First, the neighbors also know that this is against the rules, so they dare not ask the government to verify it. Second, after all, that person is from Hong Kong Island, and there are too many people involved. Third, without established facts, how can you prove that someone is a fraud?"

Yan Bugui thought about what Yan Jiekuang said, frowned, and asked, "Is there no other way?"

Yan Jiekuang asked: "Can you convince your neighbors? Can you convince your neighbors that this is a scam? They are about to sign the contract."

Yan Bugui heard this and said, "I can't do it. I rubbed my lips so hard yesterday. Jia Zhang kept saying that I couldn't eat the grapes and they were sour."

Yan Jiekuang finally said, "Just wait and see what happens. If things don't work out, let's call the police station first."

Yan Bugui thought for a moment and said, "This is the only way. I'm going back and reporting this to the police station."

After Yan Bugui left, Yan Jiekuang returned to the backyard. Aunt Wang was not at home these days, so he had to take care of the child by himself.

He turned around and went into the study to get a few books, all of which were chef tips, but they were all basic. He walked to the front yard and handed them to Wei Xiaobao. Wei Xiaobao was cleaning the front yard and immediately took the book handed over by Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang said, "Read it carefully. I will test you. When Yin Liguo and Yang Qingwei come over, tell them too."

Yan Jiekuang has been taking care of the children these days and it is impossible for him to be there to guide them all the time, but he still has to find something for them to do. The first is to practice knife skills, and secondly, to let them memorize recipes and cookbooks.

After Yan Jiekuang assigned homework to the three little brothers, he went to the backyard. The two younger ones were playing in their own play area, which was an area Yan Jiekuang had specially enclosed with wooden flooring. It was not big, but it was enough for the two little guys to have fun.

Yan Jiekuang said to Big Fat and Little Fat, "Do you want to go out and play? I'll take you to Shichahai."

The two little guys have never been to any park. The farthest they have been since they were born is a courtyard house. When they heard that their father was taking them out to play, they immediately got up from the ground and ran towards Yan Jiekuang.

Yan Jiekuang looked at the happy faces of the two little ones and felt a little guilty. He thought he should pay more attention to the children, especially in the recent period. When he got busy, he didn’t know if he would have the time.

Yan Jiekuang pushed the cart out, put two child chairs on it, and got a small bag, which contained the two little ones' bottles filled with warm water.

Yan Jiekuang said hello to Xiaobao, then took the two little ones away and rode his bike directly to Shichahai.

The two little guys kept looking around on the road, their eyes were not enough. When Yan Jiekuang arrived at Shichahai, he parked the car outside and walked in holding one of them in each hand. The sun and temperature were very good today. The two little guys were curious about everything. When they walked to the edge of Shichahai, they saw many people fishing and some old men playing chess.

Big Fat and Little Fat asked what this was and what that was. Yan Jiekuang patiently explained to the children. Seeing the two little guys fishing, they squatted beside and watched. From time to time, they communicated with each other, saying that the grandfather was so amazing to catch such a big fish. After walking for an hour, Yan Jiekuang saw that the two little guys were a little tired, so he found a pavilion to rest. There was a group of people in the pavilion, playing chess around the two people.

Dapang asked Yan Jiekuang what the grandfathers were doing. Yan Jiekuang said, "They are playing chess. Are you thirsty? Come and have some water."

The two little guys surrounded Yan Jiekuang and drank water. While drinking, they asked, what is chess. Yan Jiekuang patiently explained what chess is and also briefly talked about a few legends of chess and how to play it. The two little guys listened with great interest. Yan Jiekuang said, I will make a set for you when we get back and we can play together.

The two little guys were very happy. After a short rest, the three of them started strolling again. The two little guys were really energetic. When they reached the middle of Houhai Lake, Yan Jiekuang stopped taking them forward and went back along the original route. The two little guys might be hungry, so Yan Jiekuang said, "Let's go, let's go eat something and then go home."

Yan Jiekuang took the two kids to a hutong near Prince Gong's Mansion, found a state-owned restaurant, ordered two bowls of shredded pork noodles, and asked the waiter to give them an empty bowl. The two kids couldn't eat more than 400 grams of noodles, so they split one bowl into two. Maybe they were really hungry, the two kids ate with relish. While eating, Yan Jiekuang reflected on himself, whether he should cultivate the children's interests and let them go out more often. The meal was quickly finished, and the three of them went around Di'anmen to get bicycles. The two kids were really tired.

After returning home, he let the two little ones wash their hands and then let them take a nap. The two little ones fell into bed as soon as they got on the bed. It seemed that they were really tired. Yan Jiekuang looked at the sleeping little ones and thought about discussing the issue of cultivating the two children's interests with Ji Lian when she came back on the weekend.

Yan Jiekuang poured himself some tea and rested on a recliner in the backyard with his eyes half closed.

Not long after, Yang Ruiping came to the door. When he found Yan Jiekuang, the first thing he asked was, "Where is my grandson?"

Yan Jiekuang quickly stood up and said, "I took them out to play this morning. I'm a little tired and I'm taking a nap. Why are you here?"

Yang Ruiping looked at Yan Jiekuang with a smile and said, "You really guessed it right. Your second brother sent a letter saying that he would visit relatives in early June. Shi Xiaoya ran back home as soon as she received the letter."

Yan Jiekuang was delighted and said, "That's good. I can't ask you to come here in the middle of the day. I plan to go back in the afternoon."

Yang Ruiping's worries were solved, and he was in a good mood. He said, "It's okay. Shi Xiaoya asked for leave this afternoon. I'm fine too. I was thinking about going to see Da Pang and Xiao Pang."

While pouring water for his mother, Yan Jiekuang asked, "How's things going in the courtyard?"

Yang Ruiping took the teacup and said, "What can I do? She's crazy. Qin Yuru is clamoring to remarry Zhang Erzhu, but Zhang Erzhu said he would wait until the deal is done. It was Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru who came up with the idea."

Yan Jiekuang was stunned and asked, "How do you know?"

"Ms. Jia Zhang brags to me every day. She always says that she will move out and live in a new building when she has money. She tells me everything about her life. I am so annoyed." Yang Ruiping said.

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "You are not hiding from Jia Zhang and coming to me, are you?"

Yang Ruiping rolled his eyes at him and said, "It's a little interesting, but it's really annoying. Your dad has also gone out. Ever since your dad said he would not participate, Zhang Erzhu has been looking for your dad and trying to persuade him. Now your dad hides when he sees Zhang Erzhu."

Yan Jiekuang frowned. It seemed that Zhang Erzhu was unwilling to accept that he had failed to cheat the Yan family. He said, "Don't worry about him. He will be fine in two days. By the way, how has Brother Zhuzi reacted these days?"

Yang Ruiping thought for a moment and said, "It's quite strange. He was actually quite interested in it at the beginning, but everything changed in one day. He has been hiding from it since then and rarely shows up in the courtyard. He said he was going to his father-in-law's house to take care of him."

Yan Jiekuang said: "This is a master who is instructing He Yuzhu, but I don't know who it is. If it is Yi Zhonghai, this matter will be interesting."

"Impossible, Yi Zhonghai has never met He Yuzhu. By the way, didn't Zheng Weiguo say he wanted to invest? But for some reason, he suddenly went on a business trip a few days ago and hasn't shown up since." Yang Ruiping continued.

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "I don't know who is so kind as to pull so many people out of the fire pit. Is he trying to make a bigger fire pit?"

Yang Ruiping was confused but didn't say anything. He thought about going back to ask his wife what the third brother meant.

(End of this chapter)