Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 295 Family Members’ Response
When Wei Xiaobao got home, it was already evening. Yan Jiekuang wanted to take him home directly, but Wei Xiaobao refused and took him to a road leading to their village. They happened to meet the village's ox cart. Wei Xiaobao said hello to his master, picked up his bag and jumped onto the ox cart. He also said hello to the uncle driving the cart.

Wei Xiaobao looked back and saw his master's car leaving, then he let out a long sigh.

The one driving the cart was Uncle Liu from their village. Uncle Liu couldn't work in the fields now, but he couldn't sit idle either, so he drove out his own ox cart. He usually went back and forth between the village and the county town, delivering goods and helping people. Today, he happened to be coming back from delivering goods, and when he saw Wei Xiaobao, he said, "Didn't you say you were an apprentice? Are you on vacation?"

"Yes, Uncle Liu, I'm on vacation for a month, and now I'm back." Wei Xiaobao replied.

Uncle Liu said, "You came back at the right time. Your second son is going on a blind date today. Everyone in the village knows about it."

Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, "Yes, my second brother must be fine. I have to go home and check on him."

Uncle Liu looked at Wei Xiaobao and seemed to be hesitant to speak, so he changed the topic to Sijiu City. Wei Xiaobao then talked about what he had seen and heard in Sijiu City, and Uncle Liu listened with great interest.

Half an hour later, Wei Xiaobao arrived at the door of his house. The door of his house was open, so Wei Xiaobao pushed it open and walked in. When he arrived at the main room in the middle, he saw his eldest brother, his wife, his second brother, and his parents sitting there. The three of them were smoking dry tobacco and looked sad, which made Wei Xiaobao a little confused. He shouted, "Mom and Dad, I'm back."

At this time, everyone looked up and saw Wei Xiaobao at the door. Wei Xiaobao's mother forced a smile and said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

Father Wei frowned and said, "Why are you back? It's still early for the New Year. Is there something wrong?"

Wei Xiaobao shook his head and said, "The master has given the employees a month's holiday. They will be back at work on the 16th day of the first lunar month. No, Dad, what's wrong with you?"

Father Wei lowered his head and smoked his pipe again without saying anything. Mother Wei sighed and said, "Isn't this your second brother going on a blind date? The girl wants fifty yuan as a dowry. Your eldest brother's child got sick a few days ago, and the family has spent all their money. Now there is nothing left at home except for stored food. The main thing is that your brother and that girl are classmates, and they got along very well before. If you refuse her just because of fifty yuan, you will be very sorry to her."

Brother Wei said, "Mom and Dad, don't worry. No, I told her to delay it. I will go to the city to work after the New Year."

Wei Xiaobao quickly said, "No, I have money. I have money. I am planning to demolish our house and build a two-story building."

Father Wei was a little angry and said, "How much money do you have? You are dreaming about building a small building."

Wei Xiaobao didn't say anything. He locked the door, turned around, and poured all the money in his pocket onto the table.

The whole family was stunned. Wei's father picked up a dozen with shaking hands. Each bundle was worth one thousand yuan. There were ten bundles in total. Wei Xiaobao said, "This is my bonus. My master gave it to me. All employees get it. It's just that I'm the head chef, so my master gave me more."

Father Wei believed it after hearing it. Wei Xiaobao didn't dare to joke with his master, so he asked, "All of them? Your senior brother has them too?"

Wei Xiaobao nodded, and his father was so happy that he started crying and said, "Your master is a good man. I have never seen so much money in my life. Now our family has solved a big problem."

Wei's mother also started crying. The eldest brother, his wife and the second brother were very excited. With so much money, they could buy not only a small house but also all kinds of home appliances.

Wei Xiaobao said, "Dad, put it away quickly. Let's eat first. Tomorrow we should pay the betrothal gifts and build a house."

Father Wei said, "Yes, my dear, collect it quickly, save part of it tomorrow, pay off the debt, and then pay the betrothal gifts and build a house, so that we can move into the new house before the New Year."

The eldest and second brothers were very happy. Mother Wei said, "You must remember Xiaobao's kindness. We are all blessed by him."

Wei's father said sternly: "What do you mean by 'his blessing'? It's the blessing given to him by his master." The eldest and second brothers nodded continuously.

The family's worries disappeared. Mother Wei put a smile on her face and went to cook with her eldest daughter-in-law. Father Wei took out ten dollars and handed it to the eldest son, asking him to buy some wine, meat and roast chicken. They would have a good meal today. The family was in high spirits. Wei Xiaobao thanked the chef silently in his heart.

The shanty houses in Xinjiekou are very famous in Beijing. There are all kinds of people there. There is a small courtyard near West Street with three families. There are two rooms in the east house. At this moment, a middle-aged woman is steaming steamed corn bread in the small house outside. There is a plate of pickles and a plate of cabbage next to her. It seems that she is waiting for the steamed corn bread to be cooked before cooking.

An old lady from the opposite side came out of the house, holding two eggs, and said to the middle-aged woman: "Old Chen's family, it's not good to always eat steamed corn bread and pickles. Your old and young are still young, take them and fry them."

"Auntie Wen, no, I can't take it. You can keep it for yourself." said the woman from Old Chen's family.

Aunt Wen said, "If I tell you to take it, take it. You have many children, and they are all still young. We are just two old ladies, and we don't need these two eggs."

The woman from the Chen family accepted it with embarrassment and hurriedly thanked her. Aunt Wen asked, "Your second son hasn't come back yet. Didn't he say yesterday that he would have a holiday?"

The woman from the Chen family said, "Not yet, but probably soon. They said that the salary will be paid today, so the family can take some time off."

"The second child is a good child, well-behaved and sensible, but she has to go to work at such a young age. It's hard for her." Aunt Wen said.

At this time, a bald man, pushing a bicycle with a briefcase on it, walked in, glanced at the Chen family, and said, "Old Chen, you haven't eaten yet. By the way, since you can have a meal, can you pay us some of the rent you owe us?"

The woman from the Chen family said somewhat embarrassedly: "I will send it to you when my second child comes back. She gets her salary today."

The man said disdainfully: "Your girl is not even sixteen years old, how much can she earn? Well, if you really can't make anything, just find another place. Even if I consider myself unlucky, I won't ask for the rent."

The Chen family woman remained silent, and Aunt Wen sighed and went back. The man muttered something, then said, "I'll give you one more day, I need to eat too." He turned and went back to the main house.

The woman of the Chen family was busy at the stove with a sad face. No matter what, she still had to cook, and there were five children at home waiting to eat.

When the Chen family woman was about to cook, she heard her second daughter's voice. As soon as she entered the door, she shouted, "Mom, hurry up and pick me up. I can't carry me anymore."

When the Chen family woman looked, she saw her second daughter, Chen Zhaodi, carrying a large basket and holding a leather bag tightly in her hands.

The woman in the Chen family doted on her second daughter very much. Since she started working, she had handed over all her salary to her, not spending a single cent. However, her husband's illness had not been cured, and she had several children to go to school, so even the fifty yuan a month was not enough to make ends meet.

Chen Zhaodi was also a waitress at Chaofengzhai. Originally, Wang Qing did not plan to hire her, but when Chen Zhaodi cried and talked about the difficulties in her family, Wang Qing felt compassion and accepted her. Unexpectedly, Chen Zhaodi worked efficiently, was hardworking, and always rushed to work. Most importantly, she could learn anything she was taught and had a strong learning ability. Wang Qing was very satisfied with Chen Zhaodi.

The Chen family woman carried the frame into the house, and the Chen family children gathered around her. They were curious about what their second sister brought back. The Chen family woman was also curious and asked, "What's in the frame?"

Chen Zhaodi smiled and said, "Mom, just open it and you'll know."

Chen's mother carefully opened the cover and saw a large piece of pig's hind leg with two pork elbows next to it. Chen's mother was very surprised. She turned down and saw chickens, ducks, candies and soda. No wonder it was so heavy.

However, Chen's mother's face turned cold and she asked sternly, "Why are you spending money recklessly? I don't know what's going on at home. Did you spend all your salary?"

"How could that be, I..." Chen Zhaodi just wanted to say something when she saw her younger brother and sister staring at her, and hurriedly said, "Be good and play here, and our mom will cook meat for you later." She turned around, took the bag and pulled Chen's mother into the inner room, and locked the door. Chen's father, who was half sitting on the bed, was very surprised to see the mother and daughter acting suspiciously, and just watched them.

Chen Zhaodi opened the bag and put five bundles of money on the table. When Chen's mother saw it, she was surprised at first, then a little anxious, and asked: "What bad things have you done? Why do you have so much money? Tell me quickly?"

Although Chen's father was also shocked, he believed that his daughter was not a bad person, so he said quickly: "Wife, don't worry, listen to Zhaodi."

Chen Zhaodi was about to cry when she saw her mother's expression. She quickly said, "This is the bonus my boss gave me. We all got one. I just took out two to buy some food and snacks for my younger brother and sister."

Mother Chen was a little suspicious and asked, "Really?"

Chen Zhaodi said: "Of course it's true. Our manager's salary is twice as much as mine. We all have it. If you don't believe me, go ask Zhao Yuan. He is the foreman and he has 3,000 more than me."

Chen's mother believed it immediately, because it was Zhao Yuan who introduced Chen Zhaodi to Chaofengzhai, but she still said, "Is your boss crazy? He gave you so much?"

Chen Zhaodi said: "Our boss said that if you don't have a stable family, how can you have a stable world? He wanted us to arrange our family well so that we can work harder and more at ease."

After listening to this, Father Chen said, "Your boss is a great man and a good person. I believe you."

Chen's mother also believed it, but it felt too unreal. Chen Zhaodi became happy and said, "When I came back, I asked our manager how to spend the money. He suggested that we buy a small courtyard house near work, saying that it would definitely appreciate in value in the future and we could live and work in peace and contentment."

Father Chen nodded and said, "That's a good idea, what do you think, wife?"

Chen's mother finally got tough and said, "We have to move. That bald Wang is bullying me with rent every day. I've had enough of living here."

Chen Zhaodi said: "Then I'll send the rent to him?"

Chen's mother said, "No, I'll go find a house tomorrow, and when I'm done moving in, I'll throw it in his face."

Father Chen laughed and said, "My second daughter's fortune has turned. Go cook and let's celebrate. Oh, by the way, put the money away first."

Chen's mother happily collected the money, while Chen Zhaodi went out to share candy with her brothers and sisters. Chen's mother wiped away her tears in front of Chen's father, who said, "The hard days are over. Now that we have our second child, we can enjoy happiness."

Mother Chen nodded, turned around and went out to cook. The children hadn't eaten meat for a long time, so she must cook more today and give a bowl to Aunt Wen as well.

Different surprises have come to every family of the hotel employees. Those who work as cooks and waiters all don't live well at home. This bonus from Yan Jiekuang has helped every family to move up a notch in life, except of course Wang Qing.

As soon as Wang Qing got home, he was blocked in his room by his mother. In fact, his family had changed a lot since he followed Yan Jiekuang. They bought a house with two courtyards, and lived a comfortable and leisurely life with his parents and grandmother every day. The only thing was that his mother kept a close eye on him. She didn't care about her younger brothers and sisters' studies, but only focused on his wallet.

Wang Qing had just returned home with his bag and sneaked back to his room. Before he could hide the bag, his mother appeared. Since she recovered from her illness, Wang's mother had met Yan Jiekuang and knew that Yan Jiekuang never treated Wang Qing unfairly. Today was Wang Qing's last day at work, and Yan Jiekuang would definitely give him dividends.

Wang Qing made a bitter face and said, "Can't you leave some for me?" Wang's mother said, "No, if you leave too much, it will definitely be bad. Here, leave fifty yuan." Wang's mother put fifty yuan on the table and left with her bag.

Wang Qing sighed and shouted, "I am such a miserable person." Halfway through her walk, the Queen's mother burst into laughter.

(End of this chapter)