Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 30: Home Affairs
The front yard of the Siheyuan in January 1954
After a heavy snowfall, the entire city was covered in white.

The students are on vacation, and every household has begun to prepare for the New Year.

The Yan family was very lively today, as the eldest and second sons were back. They kept talking, dragging their mother to tell them everything that happened at school, and they didn't care whether Yang Ruiping could understand them or not.

Yang Ruiping listened patiently. She hadn't seen her son for a long time and she wanted to know everything about him, even though she didn't understand much.

Yan Bugui was sitting at the octagonal table, drinking tea and smoking. Yan Jiekuang was sitting opposite him, staring at him.

Yan Bugui was stared at and said, "I can get the books you want, but I will give them to you in batches of two. You think I'm the one who runs the library. Besides, the bookstore does have books, but they cost money."

Yan Jiekuang didn't say anything either, his meaning was very clear: you are my father, you have to find a way for me.

Yan Bugui's eyes turned and he said, "You can get to know Uncle Yang next door, the old man who moved in at the end of the year."

Yan Jiekuang was puzzled and looked at his father with a questioning look.

Yan Bugui took a sip of tea and said, "He is an employee of our street purchasing station. Think about it, the purchasing station has everything. If you say a few good words to him, he might give you some books."

Yan Jiekuang's eyes lit up. What a purchasing station. There were so many good things there. Yan Jiekuang stopped pestering Yan Bugui. He jumped off the stool and went to find his mother.

At the end of the year, two families came to the front yard. They were brought by Director Wang himself. One family was a mother and daughter. The mother was called An Li and the daughter was called An Lingling. An Lingling was only three years old. They were arranged to live in the house next to Old Man Sun. The other family was Grandpa Yang. He had a grandson with him. His son and daughter-in-law were both in the army. The grandson was the same age as Yan Jiefang. The remaining three rooms in the east wing were given to Grandpa Yang.

Now, except for the front yard of the back house, the whole place was full.

Both the middle yard and the back yard belong to the steel rolling mill, and there are still vacancies.

During dinner, Yan Jiekuang found out that his second brother had gone to practice track and field, short track. The eldest brother had not changed much, except that he looked a little more heroic.

The smile on mother Yang Ruiping's face never stopped. She would touch this one's head, and pick up a dish for that one.

Yan Bugui said inexplicably at this time: "Do you think we should hold a separate meeting in the front yard? Let's get to know each other."

Yang Ruiping frowned and asked, "What do you think? Do you think that if there are more people in the front yard, you will have more power? Where did you put Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong? Isn't this creating conflicts?"

Yang Ruiping guessed Yan Bugui's little thoughts correctly. They have been married for so many years and know each other too well.

Yan Bugui was shocked and said, "Yes, yes, this can't be done. Let's keep a low profile."

Yan Bugui went on to say, "Will you continue to send us vegetables this year? Or should we send less? We don't have much left."

"Your greenhouse is there, and many people are watching it. Every time Jia Zhang passes by, she will take a look at it, and so will Old Liu's wife. If you don't send it off, how can you continue to get along with your neighbors? Who will speak for you if something really happens in the future?" Yang Ruiping said angrily.

"What is worrying is not the scarcity but the inequality; what is worrying is not the poverty but the instability!" Yan Jiekuang suddenly interjected.

Yang Ruiping and Yan Bugui were stunned. Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiecheng also looked at their brother.

"Once someone makes trouble, a greenhouse is nothing for the sake of maintaining stability." Yan Jiekuang gnawed on a steamed bun with great effort.

Yang Ruiping and Yan Bugui were shocked and understood what their youngest son meant. The reason why no one had said anything in the past two years was because every household sent vegetables during the Spring Festival. But no matter whether you sent vegetables or not, if someone caused trouble, the superiors would not allow every household to have a greenhouse for the sake of stability and unity. They would have to have no greenhouse at all. This was stability and unity.

"Let's leave. I'll go to the greenhouse to get some vegetables and go see Uncle Yang." Yan Jiekuang jumped off the stool and walked away.

The family looked at each other in bewilderment. Yan Bugui sighed and said, "Old man Li is right. This is a monster."

Yang Ruiping hit him with chopsticks and said, "Don't talk nonsense."

East Wing of the Siheyuan
Grandpa Yang had just finished dinner with his grandson and was teaching him how to play chess at home.

A small figure was standing outside the door, holding a cloth bag in both hands.

"Grandpa Yang, Grandpa Yang, I'm here to see you."

Uncle Yang looked towards the door and had some impression of the mistress next door.

It's interesting that such a little kid knows how to visit and bring gifts with him.

"Come in, what do you have?"

Yan Jiekuang walked into the house, put the bag on the table, and said, "Isn't there a greenhouse in my house? Every year before the Chinese New Year, we send some small green vegetables to every household in the courtyard. They are not expensive, but they are fresh."

Looking at Yan Jiekuang who was like a little adult, Uncle Yang was happy.

At this time, Yan Jiekuang walked up to his grandson, stretched out his hand and said, "Hello, my name is Yan Jiekuang, I live across from you, you can call me Xiaosan, I will take you out to play in the future."

Uncle Yang laughed out loud.

His grandson shook his hand and said, "My name is Yang Qianjin, I am five years old, let's play together from now on."

The two kids ignored Grandpa Yang and ran to the side, where Yang Qianjin went to teach Yan Jiekuang how to play chess. After playing for a long time, the two kids became very familiar with each other.

Yan Jiekuang said, "I have to go home. It's too late. I'll come and play with you tomorrow morning."

Yang Qianjin said hesitantly: "Maybe not. I have to go to the purchasing station with my grandfather. My grandfather is worried if I stay home alone."

"Or I'll go to the purchasing station with you and we can play chess there." Yan Jiekuang seemed to have thought for a moment and said.

Yang Qianjin looked at his grandfather with a questioning look. Grandpa Yang said, "Sure, as long as your family agrees. It's not far away anyway, and there are places there."

Yan Jiekuang said, "I'll go home and ask my parents. If they agree, I'll come to see you tomorrow morning."

Yan Jiekuang went home.

When he got home, he saw Yan Bugui standing at the door looking at him. He said disdainfully, "Done!"

West Wing of the Central Courtyard of Siheyuan
Ever since Director Wang came home last time and had a talk with Yi Zhonghai, Yi Zhonghai has paid more attention to the deaf old lady.

Li Cuilan was confused and asked, "Everyone knows that you are good to the old lady. It's unnecessary for you to buy a radio."

Yi Zhonghai said: "The deaf old lady is the stabilizing force. With her around, everything will go smoothly for me. Besides, being nice to the old lady will also show every household what it means to respect the elderly."

"Is there nothing going on over at Dongxu?" Li Cuilan asked.

"Well, he found me one afternoon, and we had a meal and a deep talk. He made a promise to me, and I tried my best to help him."

"So how about the New Year this year?" Li Cuilan asked.

Yi Zhonghai thought for a moment and said, "Wait a couple of days, I'll ask the old lady first. Actually, the Jia family is not having a good time either."

Li Cuilan didn't say anything.

Yi Zhonghai said: "The front yard is full now. I have to find Lao Liu when I have time and arrange a general meeting for the whole yard so that everyone can get to know each other."

Li Cuilan discovered that after Director Wang left, Yi Zhonghai became a little keen on arranging the affairs of the courtyard house.

Siheyuan Backyard

Under Liu Guangqi's careful guidance, Liu Haizhong completed the primary school curriculum and obtained his graduation diploma within one year.

Liu Haizhong was very excited and his family was also very happy.

There is a strong learning atmosphere at home now, and Liu Guangtian's academic performance has also improved.

Second Aunt is very proud, and she has also made efforts to do the logistical work for the family.

Today the whole family sat together and celebrated happily.

Liu Haizhong specially bought meat and chicken, and the second aunt cooked a large table of dishes.

This year is a special year for Liu Guangqi, and he faces a choice.

Liu Haizhong asked Liu Guangqi, "Have you made a decision? Technical secondary school or high school?"

Liu Guangqi said, "Dad, look, let me analyze it for you. Xu Damao from the backyard went to Shijiazhuang. He chose the path of an engineer."

"Brother Shazhu, joined the army, went to the battlefield, and became an officer."

"Yan Jiecheng in the front yard, don't be fooled by his quietness. He has a second-class merit and is on the path of an officer."

"But look, is there a college student in the compound? No, right? Your son is not bad at studying, so he can go the way of a college student, okay?"

After Liu Guangqi finished speaking, Liu Haizhong thought about it carefully and realized that it was true. He was also excited. He was the first college student in the entire courtyard.

Liu Guangtian asked his brother, "Will I not see you anymore after I go to high school?"

Liu Guangqi touched his brother's head and said, "I will come back during the holidays. By the way, Guangfu has to go to school too. It's hard work for dad."

Liu Haizhong took a sip of wine, his face full of happiness, and replied: "It's not hard. I plan to go further this year and strive for a high level."

Liu Guangqi remembered something and said to his father, "Oh, I have a classmate whose father works in a bank. We are going to change to new currency. My family has changed to new currency. I heard that the old currency will be invalid after half a year."

Liu Haizhong looked at his wife and said, "Think about it and change it."

Zhao Yue'e nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)