Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 311 Farewell to Mother
On May Day, Yan Jiekuang and Ji Lian packed the children's things early. They were going back to their parents' place today because after May Day, Yan Jiekuang would go to the south.

The children already knew that their father was leaving, but they didn't cry or make a fuss. Instead, they patted their chests and promised that they would take good care of their younger siblings.

Yan Jiekuang specially asked his apprentice Yin Liguo to send a lot of game, intending to get together with his family and say goodbye, as they would not meet again until the Spring Festival.

Yin Liguo put the things on the van, parked the car at the entrance of the alley, said hello to the master and hurried back to the store. Yan Jiekuang and his wife took the children and drove the van to the No. 95 courtyard. They parked the van at the entrance of the alley. Several children helped to carry the things. Yan Jiekuang carried the heavier things, and Ji Lian pushed the stroller. As soon as the family entered the yard, they saw Yang Ruiping picking vegetables in the yard.

As soon as he saw Yan Jiekuang coming back with his wife and children, he hurried to take the things from the children's hands and called Shi Xiaoya. Shi Xiaoya also came out of the house and took the things from the other children.

Yongchang and Yongxin ran out of the house. When they saw Shi Lei and the others, they were overjoyed. The children started playing and fighting together.

Yan Jiekuang put the things in the kitchen, walked out and asked, "Second sister-in-law, will my second brother be home tonight?"

Shi Xiaoya smiled and said, "Come back and I'll make sure you get drunk."

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "Then I have to prepare myself. I can't drink as much as him."

Yan Jiekuang asked his mother, "Mom, where is my dad? Will the eldest brother come back?"

Yang Ruiping said, "I came back and said I had something to talk to you about. Your dad is a busy man, and he is busy bargaining with people."

Yan Jiekuang was confused after hearing this. Yang Ruiping sighed and said, "He and Lao Yi liked a store in Liulichang. The seller offered 20,000 yuan for it. He bargained with Lao Yi and Lao Liu every day to buy it at the lowest price. It's been half a month and he hasn't negotiated a penny."

"Didn't you try to persuade him?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Yang Ruiping rolled his eyes at him and said, "Why didn't you persuade him? I have persuaded him several times, but he should have listened. He didn't listen to a word. He is blinded by greed."

Yan Jiekuang stopped talking about it and said, "Let's have a simple lunch and do it in the evening, shall we?"

Yang Ruiping said: "Don't worry about it at noon, you can cook in the evening."

Yan Jiekuang walked out of the house, sat at the door, lit a cigarette, and watched the children playing games. At this time, Sun Xiaolong just came back from outside with Sun Chengen. When they saw Yan Jiekuang, they walked over. Sun Chengen ran to the children and started playing with them.

Yan Jiekuang handed Sun Xiaolong a cigarette, but Sun Xiaolong refused to take it and said, "I've quit smoking. My wife won't let me smoke anymore."

"How's the factory going? Are you doing well? I heard that you got a salary increase?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Sun Xiaolong sighed and said, "It has increased a bit, but it has been stipulated that wages must be linked to the performance of the factory, so it is not much better in reality."

Yan Jiekuang said: "Yes, then there will be fewer people who just want to get by, right?"

Sun Xiaolong said: "It's not that easy to change. I think there needs to be further reforms. Otherwise, it will be really hard to pay salaries after a few years."

Yan Jiekuang said: "Yes, it is the general trend, but I heard that it is now advocated that employees contract the tertiary industry, can you give it a try?"

Sun Xiaolong turned his head and looked in the direction of Widow Wang's house and said, "If she doesn't nod, I can't do anything."

Yan Jiekuang did not answer. He was well aware of Widow Wang's dominance. Anyone who could fight against Jia Zhang on equal terms must have the final say at home.

Sun Xiaolong looked around and whispered mysteriously, "Do you know that Xu Damao and Qin Jingru are having an affair? I heard that Qin Jingru and Xu Delin filed for divorce."

Yan Jiekuang looked at Sun Xiaolong in feigned surprise and said, "How is that possible?"

"Really, everyone in the compound knows about it. Qin Huairu even had a big fight with Qin Jingru over this and claimed that she would never have anything to do with her again." Sun Xiaolong said in a low voice.

Yan Jiekuang said: "How did they get together? They are quite a few years apart in age, right?"

Sun Xiaolong said: "Xu Damao can make money. I heard he made a lot. He bought Qin Jingru this and that. I guess Qin Jingru fell for him."

Yan Jiekuang said with a smile: "Xu Delin is coming out soon, it will be exciting to watch."

Sun Xiaolong said: "Yeah, this is a mess. By the way, do you know that your father was cheated?"

"When did it happen?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Sun Xiaolong frowned and said, "You don't know? I heard from my grandfather that Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong wanted to open a store with your father. You don't know that their processing factory was closed down before, and they lost all their money. They wanted to be partners with your father, but your father didn't know what kind of magic potion he drank, and he really believed it. Those two old men are trying to get something for nothing."

Yan Jiekuang sighed and said, "I heard about this from my mother. I have no say. The old man doesn't like me. He always says that I am a jobless vagrant with no future. No matter what I say, he always says the opposite. I can't persuade him. There is nothing I can do. Let him toss around. He will stop when he runs out of money."

Yan Jiekuang put out the cigarette butt and threw it into the trash can next to him. After chatting with Sun Xiaolong for a while, Yan Jiekuang went into the house. When he entered the house, he saw Yang Ruiping was making dumplings and Shi Xiaoya was also busy. Yan Jiekuang washed his hands and went up to help, mainly because there were too many children and too many dumplings to make.

It was almost noon when Yan Bugui came back from outside carrying his bag. Yan Jiekuang looked at his father who came back from outside with a gloomy face and knew that he might not gain anything this time. He had not intended to persuade his father, but he couldn't help himself.

Yan Jiekuang said, "Dad, I'm back now. My mom told me that you want to open an antique shop? Dad, that antique shop is not something that ordinary people can open. There are many tricks involved. You have to be careful."

"What do you know? Although you studied history, you don't need to teach me about antiques. I have been involved in this business for many years." Yan Bugui said disdainfully.

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiekuang wondered if his father was forgetful and who taught him how to identify Ming and Qing furniture. Did he forget? He said, "Dad, have you forgotten who brought you the first piece of furniture to collect? All the books you read were from me. Dad, really, this antique business is too complicated. Can we not do this?" Yan Bugui thought for a while, shook his head and said, "You don't understand. We have been investigating for a long time. We have a much better grasp of this business. It's impossible for us not to do this. Isn't it just three years of not opening a business and three years of making a living after opening? We are mentally prepared."

When Yan Jiekuang saw that this stubborn old man was determined to be deceived, he stopped trying to persuade him. At most he could give his mother more living expenses in the future.

Yang Ruiping shouted from the kitchen: "San'er, go and call the children back for dinner."

Yan Jiekuang turned around and left the house to call the children. Ji Lian also came out from the inner room. The two children fell asleep after finishing their feeding.

The whole family gathered around the dining table and started to eat. Shi Xiaoya was considerate and brought each person a bowl of dumpling soup. The family ate dumplings and chatted.

Yang Ruiping was chatting with Yan Jiekuang and said, "Something strange is going to happen in the backyard again. You see, Xu Damao and Qin Jingru are having a hot affair right now, and the rumors in the yard have spread to the nearby streets."

Yan Jiekuang whispered, "I heard from Sun Xiaolong that we should stay away from here. Xu Damao's business is probably coming to an end. A clothing factory has reached a cooperation intention with Hong Kong businessmen in Hong Kong Island. They want to develop Xiushui Street and build a clothing factory."

Shi Xiaoya looked at Yan Jiekuang and said, "By then, won't Xiushui Street become a big market?"

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "If there is a chance, we can buy a few shops and make money from the rent."

Shi Xiaoya listened to Yan Jiekuang and remembered his words. When Xiushui Street reopened, Shi Xiaoya bought four shops in a row. It was really a big deal.

Yan Bugui was listening nearby, unmoved. He thought that this was a bait thrown by Yan Jiekuang because he didn't want him to open an antique shop. He quickly finished his meal and said, "I'm going to Lao Yi's place." Then he went out.

Yang Ruiping curled his lips and said, "This stubborn old man is always on the same path. By the way, your elder brother is looking for you tonight. I heard that his company has also allocated a house, and he even bought one with his own money. He said he is moving out. He said that the building has water supply, kitchen and bathroom, and it is convenient for living. He asked if you want his house."

Yan Jiekuang has an indifferent attitude towards the current courtyard houses. If the boss wants to sell it, it doesn’t matter if he buys it. He still likes the overall courtyard house.

"By the way, Jia Zhang is very boastful now. She talks about her two granddaughters in the yard all the time. Many people come to the house to have blind dates with Xiaodang and Huaihua, and the door of the Jia family is almost trampled down." Yang Ruiping said.

"By the way, is Qin Huairu's grocery store on Xiushui Street still open?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Yang Ruiping said, "It's open, but Qin Huairu never goes there, leaving everything to Jia Xiaobao. Jia Dongxu doesn't run the business anymore, he just goes to work. His family is now the best in the courtyard."

"Yi Zhonghai is also targeting my dad. Wouldn't it be better for him to focus his energy on Jia Dongxu? Besides, there was also Brother Zhuzi some time ago. Really." Yan Jiekuang was a little unhappy.

Yang Ruiping thought for a moment and said, "My guess is that his pension is running low, and he can't win over Jia Dongxu and Zhuzi, so he wants to make some money and then think of a way."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Mom, don't get involved in the affairs of the courtyard in the future. One person is more troublesome than the other. By the way, do you have enough money?"

"Enough, you don't have to worry about me. I haven't spent much of what you gave me." Yang Ruiping said.

After dinner, the children went to take a nap. Yan Jiekuang and Ji Lian carried baskets and went to the nearby market to buy some vegetables.

Yang Ruiping was watching the children next to the stroller, while Shi Xiaoya went back to her home to clean up.

In the evening, Yan Jiekuang prepared a large table of dishes. The Yan family members gathered together. Yan Jiekuang also told everyone that he would be out after May Day, and this time it might be a long time. The Yan family members did not react. Only Yang Ruiping said, "Go ahead. Don't worry about your family. I'm here for you."

After the family dinner, Yan Jiecheng found Yan Jiekuang and told him that he wanted to sell the house and asked him if he wanted it. Yan Jiekuang said, "If you want to sell it, I'll buy it. How much?" After Yan Jiecheng mentioned the price, Yan Jiekuang did not bargain and said that he would give him the money tomorrow and Ji Lian would handle the formalities.

Yan Jiekuang said goodbye to Yang Ruiping and was going back with his wife and children. Yan Jiekuang knew that after this separation, it would take a long time before he would see his mother again. He kept telling Yang Ruiping to take good care of herself and visit her grandmother more often when she had nothing to do. Yang Ruiping agreed, with tears in her eyes. She told Yan Jiekuang to be careful and come back early, and it didn't matter whether he made money or not.

Yan Jiekuang and his mother bid farewell to each other reluctantly. When Yan Jiekuang took Ji Lian and the children out of the yard, only Yang Ruiping saw them off. The others were busy with their own things. Yan Jiekuang looked back at the dilapidated yard, sighed, and strode away. Ji Lian and the children followed closely in his footsteps.

Back in Yuer Hutong, Ji Lian sent the child to Tian Guixiang's place, and she packed the luggage for Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang said, "Don't bring too many clothes. They won't be needed there, and I have to buy new ones. Also, I will call you back on time at 8 o'clock in the evening, so you don't have to wait every day. Just answer the phone when you have time. Don't worry about the phone if you have something else."

Ji Lian was a little reluctant and her tears fell. Yan Jiekuang hugged her and said, "Just this once. I will never leave you for such a long time again. When I come back, I will take you to fly."

Ji Lian nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will take good care of the children. When you come back, I will make sure they are all full of energy."

The children did not go to bed too early today. They were waiting for Yan Jiekuang in the study. When Yan Jiekuang and Ji Lian came in, the children were sitting there quietly. Yan Jiekuang said, "It's not that I won't be back. I'm just on a business trip for a longer time. You have to listen to your mother at home and wait for me to come back. Do you understand?"

The children nodded one after another, and Shi Lei said, "I will take good care of my brothers and sisters, Dad, don't worry."

Yan Jiekuang pulled Xiaopang out and said, "Xiaopang, Daddy is always reluctant to scold you. I heard from your teacher about your performance in school. You can't be like this anymore. You can be naughty, but you can't do everything, especially you can't bully your classmates."

Xiaopang lowered his head and said, "I will never be naughty again. Come back soon. I will miss you."

"Go to bed quickly. Aren't you going to see me off tomorrow? If you can't get up, I'll leave first." Yan Jiekuang said.

The children all went back to their rooms. Yan Jiekuang stood in the yard, looking at the clean and tidy yard and the house with carved beams and painted rafters. He smiled slightly, turned around and said to Ji Lian, "I still think our house is the most beautiful. By the way, when you have time, send the money to your eldest brother and complete the formalities. I won't say hello to Mr. Ji. You can talk to him after I leave."

Ji Lian nodded, then took Yan Jiekuang's arm, and the two of them stood quietly in the yard admiring the moonlight.

(End of this chapter)