Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 284 Answering questions
At seven o'clock in the evening, four tables were set up in the front yard, and Yan Jiekuang began to cook. In addition to two roasted whole lambs, Yan Jiekuang made ten more dishes, mainly lamb and lamb offal, as well as salted duck.

Today, everyone in the courtyard was present. Sitting at the main table were Yan Bugui, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Grandpa Sun, Chang Lin, Jia Dongxu, He Yuzhu, Yan Jiecheng, Yan Jiefang, Xu Damao, Xu Delin and Sun Xiaolong. Later, Liu Guangfu also took a seat.

The other table was for the women, who sat at a large table. Yan Jiekuang sat at a table behind them. That table was reserved for those who helped. Yan Jiekuang had to accompany Wang Qing, Erxiao, Lin Song and others. People like Yan Yongqing, Chang Li and Chang Chuang also sat at that table.

The last table was occupied by a group of children. Yan Jiekuang, Chang Li and Chang Chuang began to cut up the roasted whole lamb, but the people at the main table had already started drinking. No one had any opening remarks, as they all knew that this was a welcoming banquet for Yan Jiefang.

In the meantime, Yan Jiekuang took Wang Qing to the store and got a box of liquor, several boxes of beer and drinks.

Yan Jiekuang meant that since he was holding a welcoming banquet for his second brother, he might as well be generous for once. If Yan Bugui asked him for money tomorrow, he would give it to his father.

The meal started at seven o'clock and lasted until after eleven o'clock in the evening. Grandpa Sun and Chang Lin left the table early, one had to go to work the next day and the other was old after all. The other men had not left the table yet, only Xu Damao and Xu Delin, who were drunk, were sent back.

Yan Jiekuang didn't drink much because he was busy, but he admired his second brother very much. He had a huge capacity for drinking and would finish every glass of wine no matter who it was.

After a big drinking session, except for Yan Jiefang, everyone else was basically drunk. Yan Jiekuang and Wang Qing were busy sending everyone home. The two roasted whole lambs were eaten cleanly, and the only things left were the cold dishes, which Jia Zhang had to pack up and take away.

Yan Jiekuang didn't bother to clean up the things in the yard. He sent Wang Qing to the purchasing station. Wang Qing wanted to spend the night with Erxiao and the others. When Yan Jiekuang returned to his room, it was already midnight. Ji Lian hadn't gone to bed yet. She made a cup of tea for Yan Jiekuang and put it on the table. Yan Jiekuang asked Ji Lian to go to bed quickly. He sat in the main room, drank tea for a while, and then went back to sleep.

The next day, Yan Jiekuang got up a little late. When he took his toiletries and went to the sink in the front yard, he found that the yard had been cleaned up. Yan Jiekuang didn't care. Yang Ruiping and Shi Xiaoya made breakfast in the morning. After eating, Yan Jiekuang left with Ji Lian and the children, because Ji Lian had to go to work today.

Shi Lei stayed and wanted to go to school with Yongchang and Yongxin.

On the way, Ji Lian discussed with Yan Jiekuang about the children's schooling. Her son was easy to deal with as he was of age and could just go to Yuer Hutong Primary School to register. The main problem was Shi Li. She was one year younger. If she was left alone at home, Shi Li would definitely miss it. Besides, Shi Li had a strong learning ability. Yan Jiekuang was a little troubled by this matter, but he still had to give it a try.

Yan Jiekuang also asked his wife about her arrangements after the internship. Ji Lian said that her internship unit wanted her to stay, and she was also hesitant.

Yan Jiekuang originally wanted Ji Lian to manage his store, but he still respected Ji Lian's choice and did not put forward his own ideas, thinking of letting Ji Lian make her own choice.

Another person who gave Yan Jiekuang a headache was his younger sister. She did not go to the company for her internship. Like Xiaodang and Huaihua, she chose to teach in remote Yunnan. She has not sent a single letter back to her until now.

Yan Jiekuang returned to Yuer Hutong and saw a familiar person waiting at his door. Yan Jiekuang smiled and called out, "Wang Xuan, long time no see. Did you come to see me today?"

Wang Xuan also greeted them warmly. Ji Lian nodded and led the children into the backyard. Yan Jiekuang made tea for Wang Xuan and Wang Xuan offered Yan Jiekuang a cigarette. After the two sat down, Wang Xuan said, "Third brother, we have known each other for quite some time. I have something to ask you to help me with."

Yan Jiekuang said sternly, "Why are you being so polite to me? What do you want to talk about?"

Wang Xuan said, "It's like this. I built the courtyard for you, especially the one in the Summer Palace. People in the industry wanted to visit it, so I took them there. At that time, only the backyard was left to be built. The leader of the city's ancient architecture team also went there. When he saw the level of our team, he kept praising us."

Yan Jiekuang gestured to Wang Xuan to drink tea and said, "Isn't this a good thing?"

"Yes, he came to me two days ago and wanted our team to join their unit. I have been hesitant and asked several foremen, but they also disagreed. I really can't think of a good solution. I would like to ask you, my third brother, since you have worked in the archaeological institute, do you know their rules?" Wang Xuan said and took a sip of tea.

Yan Jiekuang was silent for a while, then said, "It's up to you to choose. Being on the payroll is a good thing, but there are gains and losses. I know your current income. If you were to join their team, I guess you wouldn't even get half of it. Also, if you're on the payroll, you can't do private work. That's their rule."

After listening to this, Wang Xuan said, "Yes, but it is a stable job after all. It is very tempting for those of us who are idle."

Yan Jiekuang smiled slightly and said, "It's a stable job now, let's wait and see in ten years."

Wang Xuan asked in surprise: "You mean, it might not be the case in the future?"

Yan Jiekuang said: "I didn't say that. Society is developing. Now we have reform and opening up. Many joint ventures have already poured into the south. Who can predict what will happen in the future?"

Wang Xuan was silent, and said, "Some want to go, some don't want to go, so the team will probably be dispersed."

Yan Jiekuang said consolingly: "You are too pessimistic. The army may change but the camp remains the same. The thing that is most in demand in this world is people."

Wang Xuan said, "Let me think about it. You have finished repairing the yard and repainted it. I will send you the key in two days."

Yan Jiekuang nodded, and the two chatted for a while, and then Wang Xuan said goodbye.

After Wang Xuan left, Ji Lian came over from the backyard and asked, "Third brother, you said that the iron rice bowl will be broken sooner or later, right?" Yan Jiekuang looked at Ji Lian and asked, "You heard it all. You have also studied corporate management. The drawbacks of this state-owned enterprise are there. If the iron rice bowl is not broken, it will go bankrupt sooner or later."

Ji Lian sat next to Yan Jiekuang thoughtfully. Yan Jiekuang knew that Ji Lian was thinking about her future. Yan Jiekuang did not disturb her. He took out a new cup and poured her a cup of tea, then lit a cigarette and started smoking.

After a while, Da Pang and Xiao Pang took Shi Li to the front yard. Da Pang ran to Yan Jiekuang and said, "Dad, you bully us every day."

Yan Jiekuang was stunned. Tiantian seemed to have changed his mind since he came back. He would never stand if he could lie down. He was very lazy and usually ignored the children. So he asked, "How did it bully you?"

Xiaopang said: "It ran away from the dog hole in the backyard with the five dogs. We looked everywhere for it but couldn't find it."

Yan Jiekuang also wanted to know what Tiantian was doing with the children, but he still comforted the three of them and said, "Maybe Tiantian took the dogs to find their mother. Maybe he will be back in the evening."

The three children thought about it, and Xiaopang said, "If they go to find their mother, I will forgive them. Dad, where are all the cats?"

Yan Jiekuang said helplessly: "I don't know either. Maybe he went out to exercise."

Ji Lian laughed beside him and said, "How can you fool a child like this? Take the child to the backyard and take a look."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay, I'll take them out for a walk." Yan Jiekuang stood up and walked towards the gate of the courtyard with the three children. When he reached the gate, he turned around and said to Ji Lian, "In the future, there will be a large number of private enterprises. This is also my goal."

Then, Yan Jiekuang took the children out to Cuihua Hutong behind. When they passed by an old lady selling ice cream, he bought some ice cream for the children.

After hearing what Yan Jiekuang said, Ji Lian fell into deep thought again. While drinking tea and thinking, the image of the strong woman Lou Xiao'e appeared in her mind.

Yan Jiekuang brought the children to Cui'er Hutong and saw the dilapidated courtyard. Director Yan happened to come out of a house in Cui'er Hutong and saw Yan Jiekuang at a glance.

Yan Jiekuang took the initiative to greet them and asked the children to call him Grandpa Yan. The children said in unison, "Hello, Grandpa Yan."

Director Yan smiled and said, "Hello, Jie Kuang, are you here to look for someone?"

Yan Jiekuang waved his hand and said, "No, this yard is behind our house, and our cat always runs here. So the children wanted to come and take a look."

Director Yan smiled and said, "Okay, let's use this yard as a cat's nest. I heard that the neighbors always say there are cats meowing in the middle of the night."

Yan Jiekuang felt a little embarrassed, and Director Yan said, "Just wait, I'm leaving now."

Director Yan walked out of the alley. After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned around and called Yan Jiekuang who was about to enter the yard. Yan Jiekuang looked at Director Yan and said, "Director, what's the matter?"

Director Yan said, "I want to ask you something. Do you still want the yard? Since it's behind your house, wouldn't it be great to repair it and open it up? Besides, you have a lot of children."

Yan Jiekuang looked at the yard and said, "This yard is not owned by me, but it is too dilapidated."

Director Yan said a little embarrassedly: "That's not the case. The land deeds and house deeds are all at the street. The main thing is that our street doesn't have the money to repair it, so it's useless. If you want it, I'll transfer it to you, which can also solve the problem of insufficient funds in the street. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"

Yan Jiekuang thought for a moment and said, "Okay, the price is right, I'll take it. How much do you want?"

Director Yan glanced at the yard, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Three thousand, is that okay? I know it's a bit high, but the street is really short of funds, so let's just consider it as a donation to the lonely elderly."

When Yan Jiekuang heard this, he thought it was a bit high. The renovation would still cost money. But looking at Director Yan who was in a dilemma, he said, "Okay, I'll ask my wife to go to the street office to find you later."

"Okay, then you go ahead and do your work. I'll go back and wait for you." Director Yan left happily.

Yan Jiekuang turned around and saw the three children heading towards the backyard. They didn't find the five kittens in the front yard, and there were also the newborn kittens from last year.

When Yan Jiekuang arrived at the backyard and looked at the layout of the backyard, he knew that this house needed to be greatly modified, otherwise the house in his backyard would be too close to the house in this backyard. After looking at it, Yan Jiekuang decided to seal the door of Cuihua Hutong directly. After connecting the two courtyards, it would become a three-courtyard house. Now a garden would be built in the front yard.

The children found Yan Jiekuang very unhappy and said that they didn't find any cats and dogs. Yan Jiekuang was also very puzzled, wondering where all the cats and dogs had gone. However, Yan Jiekuang didn't think much about it and took the children back to Yuer Hutong.

(End of this chapter)