Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 316: Interesting Things in the Courtyard
Yan Jiekuang woke up very early in the morning. He went to the kitchen first, prepared food for the big cat and Tiantian, and put it in their special bowls. Then he washed his hands and went out to buy breakfast. He bought a lot of fried cakes, buns and dough sticks, as well as fried liver and tofu pudding. When he got them home, the children and Ji Lian had already gotten up and were washing up.

Ji Lian ignored the children, ate breakfast in a hurry and went out. Yan Jiekuang saw that she was thinking about her new car.

Yan Jiekuang accompanied the children to eat breakfast and gave the two little ones some hot milk. The two little ones lay in the stroller, looking at Yan Jiekuang with their big eyes, holding the bottles in both hands and drinking them up. Yan Jiekuang saw that this was definitely not enough, so he got two more bottles and put them on the table.

After breakfast, Yan Jiekuang dressed the children in cotton-padded clothes, hats, gloves and scarves, put on his own military coat, and led the group of children straight to Yard No. 95.

As soon as he arrived at the courtyard gate, he saw He Yuzhu walking towards the courtyard with a bag of steamed buns. He Yuzhu also saw Yan Jiekuang, and hurried over and said, "Hey, isn't this Yan Laosan? I haven't seen you for a while. I mentioned you when I was drinking with your second brother yesterday."

"Brother Zhuzi, I haven't had breakfast yet. I just came back from the south, and I'm hurrying back to see my parents and old neighbors." Yan Jiekuang replied.

He Yuzhu said, "Then let's go back quickly and we'll talk later. Otherwise my buns will get cold. Go back quickly." After saying that, he walked towards the yard.

Yan Jiekuang was carrying the stroller, and the children had already entered the yard and were heading straight for their grandparents' house.

Yan Jiekuang pushed the baby carriage in and saw the children surrounding Yang Ruiping and greeting her. Yan Jiekuang said, "Mom, I'm back and I brought you a gift. Come with me home to get it later."

Yang Ruiping stood up, looked at Yan Jiekuang carefully, and said, "It's good that you're back. You've lost weight. I'll make dumplings for you at noon later."

Yang Ruiping picked up the child and put him on the kang in the inner room, which was warmer. Yan Jiekuang picked up another child and followed Yang Ruiping into the inner room. Yang Ruiping kept nagging him, saying, "This child is still young. You must dress him in cotton clothes and trousers. Don't let our baby get cold."

Yan Jiekuang replied: "I see, Mom, where's my dad? He's not home?"

Yang Ruiping sighed and said, "This is just an antique shop. You've invested a lot of money, but you haven't seen any return on your investment. Your father has to look after the shop every day. It's hard work for you, and he doesn't even trust others."

Yan Jiekuang said, "How can my father open a store with his level? I have told him several times, but he simply doesn't listen. The more I tell him not to, the more he insists on opening a store. Forget it, I will find someone to take over his store someday to save him from the hard work."

Yang Ruiping said with deep emotion: "It has to be my third son. Okay, do it as soon as possible. I'm really afraid that one day he will be exhausted."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Mom, don't worry, leave it to me, but you have to keep your mouth shut. You know my dad is born to be at odds with me. If I say east, he insists on going west, and I don't know why."

Yang Ruiping said, "Why? I see you doing nothing every day. Such a big business is gone just like that. I think you have no future and look down on you."

Yan Jiekuang chuckled and said, "It's better not to look down on him, otherwise I will be tortured to death by him."

"You are the only smart one. The eldest brother is annoyed to death by your dad. He hides every day and dares not come home." Yang Ruiping said.

Yan Jiekuang asked in confusion: "What can my dad bother him about?"

Yang Ruiping said, "Your father has no money now. He wants to buy nice things. From what he said, he needs a lot of money. He goes to the eldest brother to borrow money every day. You don't know the eldest brother, he is just like your father. He makes all kinds of excuses and finally hides away."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Forget it. My dad can't have too much money. He'll mess around with it if he has too much. By the way, Mom, I met Xu Damao in Shenzhen. He's made a fortune."

"I know. Xu Damao came back a long time ago. He bought a lot of things and drove a car. He washed the car every day at the entrance of the alley. Jia Zhang said that he was just showing off. Who would wash a car every day in the middle of winter?" Yang Ruiping said.

"Hahaha!" Yan Jiekuang laughed and said, "This really sounds like something Xu Damao would do."

Yang Ruiping smiled and said, "You don't know, just because Xu Damao showed off like this, the wind direction in the yard changed. Qin Jingru went to Xu Damao's house every day to accompany Damao's mother. Xu Delin was so angry that he almost vomited blood. He planned to go to the south, but was stopped by Yi Zhonghai. Later, Xu Delin and Yi Zhonghai jointly opened a store specializing in selling dried goods. Not to mention, I heard that it made a lot of money."

Yan Jiekuang asked in confusion: "Didn't Yi Zhonghai choose Jia Dongxu to take care of him in his old age? Why did he try to win over Xu Delin?"

"That was the lunar calendar for that year. Things changed after Xu Delin's divorce. Now Xu Delin stays at Yi Zhonghai's house every day except for sleeping." Yang Ruiping said.

"It's over then. When Xiaodang and Huaihua come back, Yi Zhonghai will regret it to death." Yan Jiekuang said.

Yang Ruiping asked: "What does it have to do with these two sisters?"

Yan Jiekuang whispered, "I heard that these two sisters have done a great job and are highly valued by the company. At the end of this year, each of them will receive a bonus of 50,000 yuan, not including their salary, and a car as a reward. Given their flamboyant personalities, I guess everyone in the hospital will know about this on the same day. Do you think Yi Zhonghai will regret it if he knows?"

Yang Ruiping chuckled and said, "This year must be very interesting. Why don't you come back and stay here to watch the fun."

Yan Jiekuang thought about it and said, "I will move back the day before the New Year. I guess Ji Lian won't be able to come back. Come on, you take care of the child. I'll go to the backyard to see the old man."

"Go, go. By the way, call your second sister-in-law over to make dumplings." Yang Ruiping said.

Yan Jiekuang went out and looked for his second sister-in-law first, then ran to Grandpa Ji's room, knocked on the door, pushed it open and walked in. He was stunned as he entered the room, because he saw the old man sitting in a wheelchair, playing chess with Liu Haizhong.

The two looked up and saw that it was Yan Lao San. Master Ji asked, "When did you come back?"

"You were in good health yesterday. I came to see you as soon as I got back." Yan Jiekuang replied.

Mr. Ji smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about me. I have your mother and Xiaoya. Old Liu plays chess with me when he's free. That's great."

Yan Jiekuang also greeted Liu Haizhong and asked how Liu Guangfu was doing. Liu Haizhong said, "It's still the same. Both husband and wife are working, and your aunt Liu is taking care of the child. By the way, Liu Guangquan and his family will be transferred back after the New Year. The child is by my side, so I won't bother with him anymore."

Yan Jiekuang gave Liu Haizhong a thumbs up and said, "Uncle Liu is getting wiser as he gets older. Well, I'm just here to take a look. I won't interrupt your chess game. I'm going back to the front yard."

Yan Jiekuang walked out of Grandpa Ji's house. There were really not many people in the backyard. Yan Jiekuang walked to the front yard and played with toys with a few children. Yang Ruiping and Shi Xiaoya were making dumplings there. Yan Jiekuang wanted to help, but Yang Ruiping didn't let him.

When it was almost noon, Yan Jiefang came back. Even Shi Xiaoya was surprised. Yan Jiefang explained, "I came here to handle a case. I'm going home to have lunch. I have to go out in the afternoon."

Yan Jiefang turned around and saw Yan Jiekuang looking at him with a smile. Yan Jiefang came up to him and gave him a bear hug, asking, "When did you come back? Are you going again?"

Yan Jiekuang replied, "I came back yesterday. I won't go anymore. I will stay in Beijing from now on."

Yan Jiefang was very happy and said, "It's not a bad place to take root. It's a place with many talented people and beautiful scenery."

Yan Jiekuang asked: "Second brother, are you still busy now?"

Yan Jiefang said, "No, this case is endless and we don't know when it will end. You should be careful outside. There are too many desperate criminals now."

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "I know, I will pay attention to it."

Yang Ruiping shouted, "Come and serve the dumplings. When can't you two brothers chat? Hurry up." The two brothers hurried into the kitchen and began to serve the dumplings. There was a large round table, and the children occupied half of it. Yang Ruiping put the pot of dumpling soup on the coal stove, sat down, and said, "Whoever wants to drink the dumpling soup, pour it yourself."

When they were halfway through their meal, there was a commotion outside. Yang Ruiping curiously opened the door and looked for a while, then closed the door and asked Yan Jiekuang in a low voice, "Guess what happened?"

"Hearing your question, I know that Xiaodang and Huaihua are back." Yan Jiekuang said while eating dumplings.

"Smart, it's really the two sisters who are back. Jia and Zhang have both come out, with all the bags and stuff." Yang Ruiping said.

Yan Jiefang and his wife were confused and asked, "Why are they back?"

Yan Jiekuang then recounted the sisters' experiences in Shenzhen. Yan Jiefang said with emotion: "This really allows some people to get rich first. I didn't expect it to be these two sisters."

Yang Ruiping said: "I also saw Yi Zhonghai standing at the Lotus Gate in the middle courtyard in a daze."

Yan Jiefang said: "Yi Zhonghai is always like this. After thinking it over, I think De Lin is a good person. Isn't it good for him to be well with his parents?" Shi Xiaoya nodded in agreement.

Yang Ruiping also said: "I think so too. Delin is not bad. The Jia family has Jia Zhang. Yi Zhonghai is just daydreaming and wishful thinking."

The front yard, which had just been quiet, became noisy again after a while. Jia Zhang's voice could be heard in the house, "Granddaughter, take grandma for a ride in your car. As for Lai Huaihua's car, have Xiao Dang drive it back some other day."

Jia Zhang's voice was so loud that it could probably be heard in the backyard.

Yan Jiekuang looked at Yang Ruiping, Yang Ruiping looked at Yan Jiefang, and everyone burst into laughter. Shi Xiaoya almost laughed out loud, and the children didn't know what was going on and looked at them strangely.

After laughing for a while, Yang Ruiping said, "Well, I guess Jia Zhang will have to visit every household again starting tomorrow."

Shi Xiaoya kept nodding her head and said, "Last time she came to my house, she talked so much that I was sleepy, but she refused to leave and kept talking about her gold necklace."

Yan Jiefang couldn't help laughing and said, "Let's go to our mother's place tomorrow and see how she deals with her."

Yang Ruiping said proudly: "I don't spoil her."

Yan Jiefang packed up and went to work, and asked Yan Jiekuang if he wanted to eat at home and have a drink together in the evening.

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay, let's have a drink tonight. I'll go back and get some wine later, and ask Ji Lian to come here directly after get off work."

Yang Ruiping said: "There are not many vegetables at home, you have to buy some first."

Yan Jiekuang said: "No need, I have them at home, I will bring them back when I go back."

At this time, the eavesdropping Xiaopang shouted, "Dad, don't forget abalone, it's my favorite."

Yang Ruiping smiled and looked at Xiao Pang and said, "You little greedy cat, you are the only one who can eat so many children."

Xiao Pang said calmly: "Only if you can eat can you grow up."

Several people were amused by Xiaopang again. Yan Jiefang went straight to work, Shi Xiaoya also went back to the house, and several children played with Yang Ruiping. It was too cold outside and they didn't want to go out.

Yan Jiekuang put on his coat and went out. As soon as he went out, he saw Sun Xiaolong looking at him with resentful eyes. Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "You don't have to look at me like that. That's what other sisters deserve. If you had gone earlier, you would have done the same. Don't blame others."

Sun Xiaolong said: "I regret it. Do you think I still have a chance?"

Yan Jiekuang whispered, "As long as you keep the secret, there will definitely be a chance, and this time you don't have to go out, you can stay in Sijiu City."

Sun Xiaolong was overjoyed when he heard this and said, "Really, you have to give my brother a chance. It's too hard to be in the company. I've wanted to get out a long time ago."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Talk to your wife first, and then do your job as Grandpa Sun. There's no problem on my side."

Sun Xiaolong patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I will never cause you any trouble and will work hard."

Yan Jiekuang strolled back to Yuer Hutong, and Sun Xiaolong went home full of confidence.

Yan Jiekuang used a small cart to transport the ingredients to his van, and then drove to Chaofengzhai. Ji Lian was busy in her office. When Yan Jiekuang walked in, she didn't notice him. Yan Jiekuang coughed, and Ji Lian saw him and asked, "Why are you here?"

"My mother asked you to come over for dinner tonight. I came here to ask you what you are busy with," Yan Jiekuang asked.

"Find a chef. Apart from your two apprentices and Fang Yuan, there are not enough. I'm a bit worried." Ji Lian said.

Yan Jiekuang frowned and asked, "Didn't you ask Fang Yuan?"

Ji Lian raised her head and looked at Yan Jiekuang, and asked, "Fang Yuan? No, does he have anyone?"

Yan Jiekuang shook his head and said, "Mr. Yu doesn't just have Fang Yuan as his disciple. He has many disciples. Ask Fang Yuan. I will also ask Li Guo and the others to accept disciples as well so that we can plan for the future."

Speak of the devil, he appears. Yin Liguo heard that his master was coming, so he ran to Ji Lian's office happily. After knocking on the door and coming in, he was very excited to see his master.

Yan Jiekuang was also very happy and asked him how he was doing recently, whether he earned enough to spend, and whether he was married.

Yin Liguo said: "It's good here. The master's wife treats us very well. I have found a girlfriend. Guess who it is?"

Yan Jiekuang was stunned. Ji Lian smiled beside him. Yan Jiekuang asked, "Tell me, who is it? Do I know him?"

Ji Lian said: "Who else could be in this store? Wang Yue. Both of their parents have met each other."

When Yan Jiekuang heard this, he thought it was a reliable thing. He knew Wang Yue very well. She was a capable and outgoing girl. He said happily: "Master is happy for you. I don't have anything good to give you. Find your master's wife and pick up a car. It will be a gift from Master to you."

Yin Liguo was shocked and quickly declined. Ji Lian said beside him, "Why don't you thank your master? Your master has made a fortune this time and brought back a batch of cars. Don't refuse. Consider it a wedding gift from my husband and me."

Yin Liguo then thanked his master and his wife and went to work happily.

(End of this chapter)