Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 310 Trivial matters at home
Spring has come to the old city, and people no longer have the dull expressions of the past. More and more people are busy making a living, but most people are still cautiously holding on to their iron rice bowls. Those who run their own businesses are mostly young people who cannot find jobs and have returned from the countryside.

A period of severe crackdown has made society clear and social order has become better and better, and people who have lived here for generations have regained a sense of security. The police who fight day and night for people's safety have also been respected by the people. In addition to being respected, Yan Jiefang also won a second-class merit, was promoted to team leader, and was allocated a house in the public security community. Although it was only a two-bedroom tube building, Yan Jiefang was very excited.

The old couple were also happy for Yan Jiefang and immediately followed Shi Xiaoya to visit the house. Yan Bugui also helped Shi Xiaoya with ideas on what furniture to buy and how to decorate the house, as if the house belonged to him.

Yan Jie Di brought her boyfriend home on a weekend in mid-April. Yan Jie Di is almost 29 years old this year. Yan Bugui and his wife were looking forward to Yan Jie Di getting married at first, but during the meal, Yan Jie Di introduced that her boyfriend was from Langfang, Hebei, and his household registration was still in school. He had no house and lived in a staff dormitory.

Yan Bugui's face immediately fell. Even the conditions of Xu Delin, a prisoner in the yard, were better than his. Yang Ruiping's attitude remained the same. She thought that as long as her daughter agreed and was satisfied, it would be fine.

Yang Ruiping asked Zhao Lijun, "Lijun, when do you think your parents can come to Sijiucheng so that our two families can meet?"

Zhao Lijun said: "Aunt, I have already informed my parents, but it will probably take some time for spring ploughing to start at home."

Yang Ruiping smiled and said, "Don't worry, you guys should prepare first. But the house that Jie Di got is a little small, what are you going to do with the house when you get married?"

Yan Jiedi interrupted and said, "Lijun and I are from the same unit. He will also be allocated an apartment. When the time comes, I will return this one to you and ask the unit to allocate a larger one to you."

Yan Bugui sneered. The conditions were indeed a bit poor, but because Zhao Lijun was there, he didn't say anything.

Yan Jiedi and Zhao Lijun went home after dinner. The old couple discussed Yan Jiedi's marriage in the house. Yan Bugui said, "It's obvious that he is from the countryside. I don't know why Jiedi fell in love with him?"

Yang Ruiping disagreed with Yan Bugui's words and said, "What's wrong with being from the countryside? After all, they are college students and they work here, so what's the big deal?"

Yan Bugui said disdainfully: "What do you know? Didn't you hear his name is Zhao Lijun? Maybe his family has Liguo, Limin or something like that. He must have brothers and sisters. His family only supports him as a college student. He can't ignore the family. This burden must be heavy. Their wages will not be enough in the future. If they have children, they can't live on them. You will definitely have to pay for them in the future."

Yang Ruiping heard what Yan Bugui said and thought it made sense. He patted Yan Bugui and said, "Why didn't you ask when we were having dinner just now?"

"If I ask, Yan Jiedi will turn against me. Why would I cause trouble?" Yan Bugui said.

After that, Yan Bugui stood up and put on his coat. Yang Ruiping asked, "Where are you going now?"

"It's okay, I'll go out for a walk and ask my neighbors next door if it's time to pay the rent this month." Yan Bugui said and walked out.

After listening to what Yan Bugui said, Yang Ruiping's heart began to beat fast. She put on her coat and ran towards Yuer Hutong.

In Yuer Hutong, Yan Jiekuang was home alone. Ji Lian had gone to work, and the children had all gone to school. The two youngest ones were pushed into their own rooms by Tian Guixiang.

He was sitting leisurely on a recliner, drinking tea and petting the big cat. When the big cat was in the house, Tiantian would lie in front of the house with his eyes closed to rest.

Yan Jiekuang heard some noise in the front yard. He just stood up and saw Yang Ruiping walking in. Yan Jiekuang said, "Mom, why are you here? The two little ones are at Sister Tian's place."

"I know, I came to see you. Pour me a glass of water. I walked too fast." Yang Ruiping said as he sat down on a chair.

Yan Jiekuang poured a cup of tea and placed it on the square table next to his mother. Yan Jiekuang said, "What's the matter? Why is it so urgent?"

Yang Ruiping drank a cup of tea, and then told Yan Jiekuang about Yan Jiedi's affairs and what Yan Bugui said. Yan Jiekuang said, "I saw that man. I met him when I took my children to eat hot pot. I didn't bother them, but just settled their bill."

Yang Ruiping asked: "What do you think?"

Yan Jiekuang thought for a while and said, "You know what, the older you are, the wiser you are. My dad's guess is pretty close, but they are all civil servants now. I don't think they have a good life. With the development of society, their treatment will definitely improve and it won't always be like this."

Yang Ruiping said: "What do you think of that person?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "I observed him for a while and felt that he was pretty good. He had a scholarly air. He was very caring towards Yan Jiedi, constantly picking up food for her and letting her eat first. He seemed okay. After all, marriage is a matter between two people. If they think there is no problem, then don't interfere too much."

Yang Ruiping still trusted Yan Jiekuang, and was relieved to hear Yan Jiekuang's words. He asked, "Yan Jiedi still hasn't contacted you?"

"I don't know what she is thinking. Since the accident, she has never seen me or looked for me." Yan Jiekuang shook his head and said.

Yang Ruiping sighed and said, "Jie Di is not a cold-blooded person. Maybe she feels that she can't help you, so she feels that she owes you, so she doesn't dare to see you."

Yan Jiekuang said, "I hope so. By the way, are you going to eat here again when you go back?"

Yang Ruiping said, "No, if I eat here, your father will have nothing to eat. I'm going to go see the kids and then go back."

Yang Ruiping chatted with Yan Jiekuang for a while, then went to the front yard to chat with Tian Guixiang and look after the children.

Seeing that school was almost over, Yan Jiekuang strolled to Yuer Hutong Primary School to pick up the children. At the door, he met Shi Xiaoya. The two chatted while waiting for the children to finish school. After a while, the children came out one after another. The last one to come out was Shi Lei. When Shi Lei saw Yan Jiekuang, he said, "Dad, the teacher wants you to go to school tomorrow?"

"Huh?" Yan Jiekuang looked at Shi Lei, thinking that Shi Lei had caused trouble. Yongchang next to him said, "Uncle, it's a good thing. Shi Lei is going to represent our school in the mathematics competition."

Yan Jiekuang touched Shi Lei's head and said, "Great, great news. I'll come tomorrow morning." Yan Jiekuang said goodbye to Shi Xiaoya and walked home with the four children. Halfway there, he saw two people in the distance walking towards the alley where No. 95 Courtyard was located, flirting with each other as they walked.

Shi Lei had sharp eyes and said, "It's Uncle Damao and Aunt Jingru." Yan Jiekuang quickly covered his mouth and quickly walked into the alley with the child.

Dapang said, "Dad, why should we hide from them?"

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "It's better to have less trouble than more. Don't meddle in other people's business."

The children nodded, not quite understanding. Yan Jiekuang took the children home and asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Xiao Pang became interested when he heard about food and said, "I want to eat braised pork."

"Okay, go do your homework first, I'll make you some braised pork and reward Shi Lei." Yan Jiekuang said and ran to the kitchen. Tian Guixiang was already cleaning up the dishes, Yan Jiekuang walked in and said, "The kids want to eat braised pork, let me make it."

"Okay, you don't cook often, so I'll do the rest," said Tian Guixiang.

Yan Jiekuang asked, "Did Brother Sun write to you?"

"I received a letter saying everything is fine, the accommodation is good, the food is good, but I'm too busy with training right now." Tian Guixiang said as she was cleaning up the dishes.

Yan Jiekuang said, "Give him our home phone number and ask him to call back when he's free. This way it will be convenient for us to contact each other."

"That's great. By the way, when can they be transferred back here?" Tian Guixiang asked.

Yan Jiekuang laughed and said, "I miss him. Haha, don't worry, he will be back before the Chinese New Year next year. If nothing unexpected happens, I won't let him go again."

Tian Guixiang said a little embarrassedly: "No, the main thing is that the child is getting married, and he has to come back to arrange it. Fortunately, he can make it in time."

"That's good. Once you come back, you won't go out again easily." Yan Jiekuang said.

The two of them were busy for a long time, Yan Jiekuang went out to call the children to eat, and Tian Guixiang brought the dishes to the table.

Yan Jiekuang habitually glanced at the door, and Shi Lei asked, "Is mom not back yet?"

"Well, let's eat first. I guess your mother is having dinner in the restaurant." Yan Jiekuang said as he served rice to the child.

Tian Guixiang got an empty plate next to her and took out a little bit of food, saying, "I'll keep this warm in the pot. If she comes back and hasn't eaten yet, we'll have something prepared." After saying that, she took it and walked out.

Yan Jiekuang took the children to eat. After a while, Tian Guixiang also sat down to eat. After eating, the children went to the backyard to play with Tiantian. Dapang also went over with a chicken leg.

Yan Jiekuang ignored them, made himself a cup of tea, and sat in the middle hall, watching the big cat eat. The big cat suddenly stopped eating and meowed towards the front yard. Yan Jiekuang looked up and saw Ji Lian coming back, and asked, "Why are you so late again? Have you eaten?"

"I haven't eaten yet. Sister Tian brought it to me. I'll go wash my hands first." Ji Lian put down her bag and went to the bathroom to wash her hands.

Tian Guixiang put the food on the table and went back to the front yard. Ji Lian washed her hands, sat down and started eating.

Yan Jiekuang frowned and said, "Did you not eat lunch?"

"Yes, there was an engagement banquet halfway through the meal, so I ate half of it, and then we started to open for business." Ji Lian answered while eating.

Yan Jiekuang shook his head and said, "It's really not possible for you to do it yourself. Yang Lifen is very capable. And Qi Li, Zhao Yuan and Wang Yue are all capable of doing things on their own, right?"

Ji Lian was eating something and said, "I know, I just want to feel it all, and then I'll let go once I'm familiar with it."

Yan Jiekuang then realized that Ji Lian had such a plan, so he stopped talking and just said, "When we first opened the second store, I had planned to let Yan Jiedi be the general manager of this catering company. Unfortunately, we drifted apart."

Ji Lian couldn't comment on the relationship between the siblings, but said, "There are a few good talents in this store, and I'm keeping an eye on them. Right now, Wang Yue is in charge of the finances, but I'll have to hire a professional accountant in a few days. After all, Wang Yue is a latecomer and still not very professional."

"Okay, you decide for yourself, but you should shorten your adaptation period as soon as possible. After all, you are the president, not the foreman. I plan to leave after May 1st, and I will probably be back before the Spring Festival." Yan Jiekuang said and lit a cigarette.

Ji Lian poured the last of the dish into the rice bowl, ate it quickly, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and said, "I'm going to pick up the kids from Sister Tian's place. You ask the other four to wash up. It's past nine o'clock and they should rest."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay, I'll go after I finish this cigarette."

After washing up in the evening, the family went to bed early. The night was very quiet. The moon was hanging brightly in the sky, looking at the sleeping people gently.

The next morning, Yan Jiekuang sent his child to school and went straight to find Shi Lei's homeroom teacher.

Shi Lei was in Class 3 of Grade 5. His homeroom teacher was a very young teacher named Bian Liying. When Teacher Bian saw Yan Jiekuang, she asked, "Are you Shi Lei's father?"

Yan Jiekuang said: "Hello, Teacher Bian, I am Shi Lei's father, my name is Yan Jiekuang."

Teacher Bian was stunned. There were other teachers in the teacher's office. They all looked at Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang immediately explained, "It's like this, Teacher Bian, Shi Lei and Shi Li are both orphans. I adopted them when they were very young. In order to respect their parents, I didn't let them change their names."

Teacher Bian suddenly realized what was going on and asked, "Then are Yan Yongqing and Yan Yonghe, who are always with them, your sons?"

"Yes, Teacher Bian, Yan Yongchang and Yan Yongxin are my nieces, and they both study in this school." Yan Jiekuang explained.

Teacher Bian was amused and said, "Except for your little fat boy Yan Yonghe, all of them are good kids. It's not that Yan Yonghe is bad, he just loves to stir up trouble. No matter what happens, he has a part in it. You have to talk to him when you go back."

Yan Jiekuang said quickly: "Of course, of course."

Teacher Bian continued, "It's like this. There is a national math competition this year. If you make it to the top five, you need to go abroad to represent the country. Your Shi Lei is a math genius. Our principal and teachers have great confidence in him. We asked you to come because we want parents to be prepared. The finals will be held in Guangzhou. If you have time, you can go and visit."

Yan Jiekuang asked: "About when?"

Teacher Bian said: "The finals should be from October 2nd to 5th."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay, we agree to let him participate. What's more, I should be in Shenzhen at that time, so I will definitely go."

Then, Yan Jiekuang talked with Teacher Bian about several other children and got to know more about the children’s situation in school. When it was almost noon, Yan Jiekuang said goodbye.

(End of this chapter)