Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 25 Letter from afar
June 1953, Siheyuan Backyard

The deaf old lady was basking in the sun on a recliner at her doorstep.

Pang Shi was cleaning the chicken coop, apparently wanting to raise some chickens. Pang Xiaobei was busy following him, looking like a nuisance.

The eldest, second and third sons of the Pang family said that they went out hunting. The eldest son of the Pang family has been converted to a regular employee with a salary of 270,000 yuan. The family is not short of money, but meat is hard to find in the market now.

Liu Haizhong's home is quiet, which is rare. The neighbors all remember that he has no relatives in the old city.

No one was at Xu Wude's house either. It seemed that he had not returned again. Ever since Xu Damao went to Shijiazhuang to study, his family rarely appeared in the courtyard.

Aunt Li Cuilan came with a tray to bring food to the deaf old lady. There were only three people in the yard. Liu Cuilan greeted Pang Shi and went into the house with the deaf old lady.

After Pang Shi finished cleaning up, she took Pang Xiaobei to wash her hands. It was time to make lunch, and those three bastards should be back soon.

Without anyone noticing, the three brothers and sisters, each holding a pheasant, walked into the backyard.

Pang Zi was also shocked, "You three have poked a pheasant's nest."

The second sister came over, jumping and skipping. "It's the third brother. The third brother is really good at setting traps. He hits the mark every time."

The third brother Pang Zhonghe scratched his head embarrassedly and said, "Luck, luck."

Pang Shi pointed at one and said to the eldest brother Pang Zhonghua, "Go give one to your wife."

Pang Zhonghua picked up one and went to the deaf old lady's house.

After a while, the bag was taken back empty. Pangzi did not ask any questions. Eating was the most important thing. The four little ones were hungry.

The deaf old lady was eating at home.

Li Cuilan looked at the chicken and wondered what to do.

The deaf old lady said, "It would be great if Shazhu was here." Li Cuilan nodded in agreement.

Li Cuilan said, "I'll go buy some mushrooms. Can we also make chicken stewed with mushrooms?"

"Old Xu's family has it. If not, He Daqing should have it. Go ask." The deaf old lady was greedy.

Li Cuilan said, "Come on, there's no one at Old Xu's. In the morning, Zhonghai was muttering about whether Old Xu's family was still a Siheyuan family. I'll go to Daqing's."

Li Cuilan turned around and went out. After hearing what Li Cuilan said, the deaf old lady frowned. Zhonghai is trying to be arrogant again. Who gave him the confidence?

The deaf old lady had just put down her bowl when Li Cuilan came back. He Daqing was not there either, and the mother and daughter were a little disappointed.

Li Cuilan was cleaning up the dishes when the door rang. "Who is it? Come in," the deaf old lady shouted.

Director Wang came in with a basket of eggs in his left hand and a pile of mountain products in his right hand.

"Grandma, I'm here to see you." Director Wang said to the deaf old lady while putting things on the table.

The deaf old lady pretended to be angry and said, "Come here if you want, but you're still taking things. Take them away when you leave later."

Director Wang took the deaf old lady's hand and said, "This is something my husband brought specially for you. Please keep it."

The deaf old lady's face was full of joy, and Li Cuilan was also happy. Well, we have the mushrooms, and they are of the best quality.

The front yard of the Siheyuan in late June 1953

Yan Bugui was watering the flowers in the front yard, glancing towards his own side room from time to time.

Ever since Yan Jiekuang moved to the ear room, Carpenter Zhang and Old Man Li brought him a lot of books, all of which were excellent works, some of which Yan Bugui had never even heard of.

Before Yan Bugui could open his mouth, a sign was hung at the door, "Private collection, not for loan. Gentlemen, please don't ask for anything!"

Yan Bugui almost vomited blood. This sign was for him. You and I should be friends like gentlemen.

Turning around, he saw the new couple coming in and greeted them warmly.

The newly moved couple next door were given a wing room and an ear room, which were next to Widow Wang's house.

Yan Bugui didn't say a few words before he found out that the man was a technician at a steel rolling mill and had just been transferred from the Northeast.

The couple, the man is called Wen Jun, the woman is called Li Juan. They are cheerful and generous, and within one day, Li Juan became the king of the children in the front yard of the courtyard.

Zhou Nianping and Sun Xiaolong just surrounded Li Juan, but they were too young and didn't consider seniority, so they let the two children call them brother and sister.

Li Juan also knew that there was another child in the front yard, but she had never seen him. He was Teacher Yan’s youngest child.

Yan Jiekuang now lives as a stay-at-home guy. Except for eating, he basically stays in the house and occasionally goes to the greenhouse.

In fact, Yan Jiekuang didn't want to either. He was sorting out Fu Beile's collection. He didn't understand it, so he had to learn from the beginning and then use Fu Beile's collection to verify each other. Books are read one by one, and things are studied one by one. China has a history of 5,000 years, and there is still a long way to go.

The efforts during this period have paid off. He seems to understand what physical alienation is, which is to become stronger when facing stronger opponents.

When you think your brain can only remember so much, you will reach a critical point and suddenly see the light, your brain area will expand, and your potential will be enhanced.

When you feel that you are exhausted and are about to collapse in the next second, your body will transform and make you stronger.

For three whole months, few people in the entire compound saw the Yan family's children.

Yan Bugui had finished watering the flowers and was about to go back to the house when he heard a car bell outside. Yan Bugui walked out quickly.

He was simply interested in bicycles, and as soon as he went out, he saw Xiao Wang from the post office.

"Oh, it's Xiao Wang, a rare guest. Please come in and sit down." Yan Bugui said enthusiastically.

Xiao Wang couldn't resist such enthusiasm and quickly waved his hand, "No, Uncle San, I'm at work. I have a letter from your hospital that needs my signature."

Yan Bugui was also curious and asked, "Who is it?"

"Let me see, is He Daqing from the Central Court here?" Xiao Wang asked.

Yan Bugui teased Xiao Wang and said, "You have such bad luck. He is not here today. How about coming back another day?"

Xiao Wang was anxious and said, "That won't work. This letter must be delivered to the person in question."

Yan Bugui saw that Xiao Wang was anxious, and quickly said, "Don't worry, Xiao Wang, go to the steel mill. He is working overtime today. He is the canteen director, so he must be there."

Xiao Wang put away the letter, turned around and rode away in a hurry.

Yan Bugui turned around and went home. When he reached the door, he glanced at the ear room.

June 30, 1953, Steel Mill Canteen

Today is not He Daqing's shift. Ever since Sha Zhu wrote to him last time, He Daqing has been immersed in work.

Whether in the courtyard or in the steel mill, he spoke very little. He Yushui also sensed something and became very well behaved. He ate and drank as usual and never made trouble with his father.

Today He Daqing brought He Yushui to the cafeteria, saying that he wanted to show off his skills to He Yushui. He Yushui knew that today was his birthday.

After He Daqing finished preparing lunch in the cafeteria, he took He Yushui to the small kitchen. He let Yushui play outside while he started to busy himself with the soup stock he had prepared last night.

He Daqing really put his heart into making the first soup. He prepared four dishes: "Abalone, Shark's Fin, and Fish Maw Soup", "Braised Sea Cucumber", "Lychee Meat", and "Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs".

He Daqing was just getting ready when a young apprentice came running over and said, "Master He, Master He, there's a letter for you at the gate, saying you must go pick it up in person. Go quickly."

He Daqing turned off the fire, took off his apron, gave some instructions to He Yushui, and ran to the gate of the steel rolling mill.

Not long after, He Yushui saw his father come back. Without saying a word, he went to cook.

After a while, they were served four dishes and a soup in a small private room. He Yushui was very greedy, but her father didn't move, and neither did she.

His father took out a glass of wine and two cups. He Yushui sat opposite his father, who placed a cup next to him.
She suddenly realized that it was prepared for his brother.

He Daqing took out a letter and a sealed file bag and placed them on the table.

"Girl, your brother sent me a letter, but I haven't opened it yet. What's the news? Can we read it together?" He Daqing asked.

He Yushui was only eight years old, and had no idea that He Daqing was thinking the worst. She nodded heavily.

He Daqing opened the envelope, took out the letter and unfolded it, then burst into tears. His son was fine, otherwise why would he write to him?

He Yushui didn't see the letter, but when he saw his father crying, he got anxious and shouted, "Dad, what happened to my brother?"

His father then remembered that his daughter was still there, and quickly said, "Your brother is fine, he said he will be back soon, your brother is a hero."

As he said this, he opened the file bag and poured it onto the table.

Three medals and a pile of money, which was his brother's allowance.

Second class merit once and third class merit twice.

He Yushui shed more tears...

　The silly guy is here.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)