Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 318 Father and Daughter
Yang Ruiping returned home, not feeling sleepy at all, so he sat in the hall, waiting for Yan Bugui to come back. When it was almost eleven o'clock, Yan Bugui came back dejectedly, and Yang Ruiping hurried to pour Yan Bugui a cup of hot water.

Yan Bugui asked, "Why don't you make tea? You know I like to drink tea, but you still pour hot water. Come on, are there any more dishes? I want to drink some more. I feel depressed."

Yang Ruiping sighed, said nothing, and went to the kitchen to heat up the dishes, especially the two abalones reserved for Yan Bugui. After a while, he brought the dishes to Yan Bugui, saying that there were two more dishes, and then turned back to the kitchen to continue serving the dishes.

When Yang Ruiping came out of the kitchen, Yan Bugui had already started drinking. Yang Ruiping put the abalone in front of Yan Bugui and said, "I know you didn't eat it, so I saved it for you."

Yan Bugui glanced at Yang Ruiping, seemed to want to say something but hesitated, and finally said nothing.

Yang Ruiping asked: "Where did you get the money? Do you have any money left?"

Yan Bugui lowered his head to drink, and after a long while he said, "I borrowed that money from the shop next door, thinking I would pay it back after the things were sold. But today I went to his shop with my second brother, and found out that the things were sold by tomb robbers, and it was the tomb of the King of Han, a big case. I guess I won't get the money back."

Yang Ruiping looked at the old man who was making trouble for no reason and said, "If you can't come back, then don't come back. Just come back. I'll go get the money for you tomorrow. You pay me back first."

Yan Bugui was very surprised. He didn't expect his wife to not blame him but to help him pay back the money. He nodded and said, "Just consider it as a loan. I haven't given you money in the past few years and I still owe you money. I'm really useless."

It is said that young couples will be companions in old age. Yan Bugui felt that marrying Yang Ruiping was the best decision he had made in his life.

"Are you still going to open that shop? Find some time to close it. We are all old now. Isn't it nice to take a walk, play chess, or take care of our grandchildren when we have nothing to do?" Yang Ruiping advised.

Yan Bugui was silent for a while, then said, "I'll listen to you and sell the store. I'm not cut out for business, so I'd rather stay at home and grow flowers and look after my grandchildren."

Yang Ruiping was very pleased that Yan Bugui changed his mind, and turned into the inner room to rest.

Yan Bugui lit a cigarette and drank alone, thinking about what happened today. He was still very upset.

Yuer Hutong is getting quieter and quieter in the morning. Many of the younger generation living in the surrounding courtyards have moved into buildings, and most of the remaining ones are older people who still like to live in the courtyards.

Yan Jiekuang cooked porridge in the morning and went to the street corner to buy fried dough cakes. The porridge was ready and was being warmed on the stove. The children also got up one after another, and the backyard was in a state of chaos.

After Yan Jiekuang prepared food for the big cat and Tiantian, he sat there and watched them eat. Yan Jiekuang also asked Tiantian, "Tiantian, where did you take all those cats and dogs?"

Tiantian looked up at him, called out, and continued eating, as if to say "I don't know".

After a while, Ji Lian pushed the stroller and brought the children to the middle courtyard. The children shouted "Good morning, big cat, good morning, Tiantian."

Then they served the meal. Yan Jiekuang went into the kitchen and brought out the porridge and fried cakes. He turned over and got some pickled vegetables, and the family began to eat breakfast.

During the meal, Yan Jiekuang asked Ji Lian if he should bring her something when he went to the market. Ji Lian said, "No, I don't need anything. I'm going to buy some clothes for grandpa today."

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "It's my duty. Why don't you buy a set for my parents as well?" Ji Lian nodded.

After breakfast, Yan Jiekuang drove the van and took the children straight to Tongzhou Market. While driving, he introduced the market to the children, saying that he had come to the market when he was very young and that he met your second aunt here.

The children were in high spirits and chattered along the way about what to buy.

After driving for about thirty minutes, the car arrived at the entrance of Tongzhou Market. Yan Jiekuang parked the car and started walking around with the children. When they saw candied haws, each child got a string; when they saw donkey rolls, each child got a piece; when they saw someone selling oil tea, each child got a bowl. After a while, the children could not eat anymore, but they were still drooling at the sight of the delicious food.

Yan Jiekuang kept buying as he walked, and when he arrived at a stall selling beef and mutton, he directly bought half a cow and a sheep, and agreed with the owner to have them delivered to the market entrance in a while.

Yan Jiekuang also bought some vegetables, most of which were out of season. It was not known whether they were from Shijia Village or Sanyuan Village.

Finally, he took the children to buy firecrackers, fireworks, lanterns, window decorations and other things. Yan Jiekuang borrowed a tricycle from the butcher, put the things on it, and walked out. The butcher's boy pulled another cart, on which was the meat bought by Yan Jiekuang.

After a while, we arrived at where the van was parked. The boy asked us to help load the things into the van.

Yan Jiekuang looked at his watch. It was already past two in the afternoon. He had been taking the children out for such a long time.

Yan Jiekuang drove the children home and told them that they should decorate the house together after returning home to create a festive atmosphere.

The children had a great time on this trip and said they would come again in the future, and Yan Jiekuang agreed.

When they got home, Ji Lian had not come back yet. Yan Jiekuang took the children and started moving things home. Things that should be put in the warehouse were put in the warehouse, and things that should be put in the cellar were put in the cellar. Firecrackers and other things were put in the warehouse in the back house of the front yard, and lanterns and other things were put in the study.

Yan Jiekuang asked the children if they were still hungry. The children said no. Yan Jiekuang then fiddled with New Year's items with the children in the study.

More than an hour later, Ji Lian came back pushing the child. Yan Jiekuang took the stroller and pushed it to the backyard. Ji Lian said that the clothes had been delivered to grandpa and parents, and they were all very happy.

Yan Jiekuang picked up Xixi and teased her. Xiaohai stared at his father with big eyes in the stroller. Yan Jiekuang put Xixi in the crib and picked up Xiaohai again. Xiaohai smiled.

Yan Jiekuang asked Ji Lian what she wanted to eat in the evening. Ji Lian said anything was fine. Ji Lian turned and went to the study to see the children. As soon as she entered the study, she saw the children holding latte art and comparing them. Ji Lian happily joined in and decorated the study with the children.

In the evening, Yan Jiekuang cooked several dishes, mainly beef and mutton, but the most popular one in the end was the braised abalone.

The children were very tired today. After dinner, Yan Jiekuang asked them to wash up and go to bed. He and Ji Lian drank tea in the main hall, chatting and discussing some arrangements for the New Year.

On the day of the Little New Year, after Yan Jiekuang and his wife and their children finished their breakfast, they began to pack the things they would take to Yard No. 95. The children also packed their own clothes and toys, as they knew they would be staying in Yard No. 95 for many days. After Shi Lei and Dapang and Xiaopang packed their things, they began to move fireworks and firecrackers into the van.

After Yan Jiekuang finished packing, he drove to the courtyard with his family.

When Yan Jiekuang arrived at the courtyard, he saw a figure busy in his room. He walked in and saw that it was Yang Ruiping who was tidying up the room. Yang Ruiping saw Yan Jiekuang coming and said, "Isn't your room a little small? Can the children squeeze in?"

"Yes, didn't we live like this last year?" Yan Jiekuang said.

Yang Ruiping asked with a smile: "Have you forgotten the house in the old house?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "No, my eldest brother and his family are coming back for the New Year, so I decided to let them live here. After they leave, I will let the children move in."

Yang Ruiping said, "Okay, this is also good. What's the point of selling the house? I don't even have a place to live when I go back home."

Yan Jiekuang said, "I have some vegetables and meat in the car at the entrance of the alley. I will ask my dad to borrow a tricycle and I will go and bring them back."

Yang Ruiping said, "I'll go now, don't let it get damaged in the car." Then he went out to look for Yan Bugui.

Xiaopang ran back and said, "Dad, when are we going to move the firecrackers?" "Wait a moment, wait until your grandfather borrows the tricycle, then we'll go move them." Yan Jiekuang said.

After hearing this, Xiaopang ran out, and the four of them went to find Yongchang and Yongxin.

After a while, the little fat boy came running back and shouted, "Dad, I've borrowed grandpa's tricycle. Let's go quickly."

Only then did Yan Jiekuang put on his military coat, walked out of the house, and came to the door of Yan Bugui's house. He pushed the tricycle out, followed by six children.

Even though he borrowed a tricycle, Yan Jiekuang still made two trips and brought a lot of things, which made Yang Ruiping complain to him that they couldn't finish eating them during the New Year.

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "Then keep it and eat it slowly. By the way, where's my dad?"

Yang Ruiping said, "I went to the backyard to play chess with the old man. Now that I have some free time, I go to the backyard when I have nothing to do."

"Mom, what do you want to eat for lunch?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Yang Ruiping thought for a moment and said, "I haven't had your mixed noodles for a long time. How about some fried noodles with soybean paste?"

"Okay, let's make something special today, beef sauce." Yan Jiekuang agreed readily and went to the kitchen to knead the dough.

Ji Lian wanted to help, but Yan Jiekuang said, "No need, go talk to my mother and my second sister-in-law."

The children were distributing firecrackers in Yan Bugui's room. Yongchang specially opened a string of firecrackers with 500 bangs with Shi Lei.

Shi Xiaoya was chatting with Yang Ruiping, and soon Ji Lian joined in.

Just at this moment, there was a noise at the door and several people looked towards it. Yang Ruiping stood up when he saw the person coming. It turned out that Yan Jiedi had come with her boyfriend. Ever since Yan Bugui told Zhao Lijun to let his parents come to discuss the marriage, the two of them had not shown up. Yan Bugui had complained a lot about this.

Yang Ruiping went up and slapped Yan Jiedi on the back, saying, "You stupid girl, you still remember to come back?"

Yan Jiedi smiled and said, "It's Chinese New Year now, Lijun and I came to see you."

Ji Lian tried to smooth things over, saying, "Come inside and warm yourself by the fire, it's cold outside."

Zhao Lijun followed in with something in his hand, looking a little reserved. He placed the things on the eight-immortal table. At this moment, he heard someone shouting from the kitchen: "Lian'er, go to the cellar and get some cucumbers and carrots."

When Yan Jiedi heard Yan Jiekuang's voice, she was stunned and a little at a loss.

Ji Lian agreed and went out. Yang Ruiping saw Yan Jiedi's uneasiness and said, "Why? Can you hide from your third brother forever?"

Yan Jiedi said in a low voice: "No, I didn't hide."

Zhao Lijun knew that Yan Jiedi had three brothers. Apart from the eldest and second brothers, Yan Jiedi rarely mentioned the third brother to him, as if he didn't exist. Zhao Lijun was now full of curiosity about this third brother.

Yang Ruiping said to Shi Xiaoya, "Xiaoya, go to the backyard and call your dad back."

Shi Xiaoya also put on her clothes and went out. Yan Jiekuang knew that someone had come to the house, but he was busy frying the sauce, so he didn't come out to see.

After a while, Ji Lian came into the kitchen with cucumbers and carrots. Yan Jiekuang asked, "Who's here?"

"It's your sister and her boyfriend. They are in the main room." Ji Lian replied.

Yan Jiekuang was stunned at first, then continued with his cooking without saying anything. In fact, Yan Jiekuang now has complicated feelings towards his sister. He is angry, after all, she is the sister he has spoiled since childhood. But he is not angry, because his sister is getting further and further away from him.

Nearing noon, the aroma of soy sauce wafted through the front yard again. When people in the yard smelled it, they knew that Yan Jiekuang had returned, but today it was a special aroma.

Yan Bugui had just walked in, followed by Sun Xiaolong holding a bowl. This guy would change the staple food of his family as long as Yan Jiekuang made fried sauce. Sun Xiaolong greeted everyone politely and then ran to the kitchen.

Yan Jiekuang filled a bowl of beef sauce for him, and Sun Xiaolong asked, "Why is the aroma different from before?"

"Eat your food. This time it's beef sauce." Yan Jiekuang said unhappily.

Sun Xiaolong was not angry, and he even took a cucumber when he left.

Shi Xiaoya and Ji Lian started to carry out the dishes. Yan Jiekuang had already started to boil the noodles. After boiling, he carried out a large basin. When he arrived at the main hall, Yan Jiekuang saw Yan Jiedi and his girlfriend. Yan Jiedi hesitated for a moment, but still greeted them, "Third brother, you're back too."

Yan Jiekuang put the noodles on the table, nodded, and said, "Yes, let's eat first. This is your partner, right? Welcome, welcome."

Zhao Lijun stood up and said, "Hello, Third Brother!"

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "You too, please sit down."

Then Yan Jiekuang turned around and went out to call the children. When he came back with the children, the family had already started eating, so Yan Jiekuang also started eating with the children.

After dinner, Yan Jiekuang and Ji Lian took the children for a walk, leaving space for the old couple Yan Bugui and Yan Jiedi to talk with her boyfriend.

Yan Bugui asked directly: "Lijun, this is the second time we meet. Jie Di is our daughter after all. What do you think? Are your parents coming?"

Zhao Lijun replied with some embarrassment: "I wrote a letter home, but my parents thought it was too far to come, so they decided not to come and let me make the decision on my own."

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui and his wife were unhappy. How could parents not show up for a marriage? Yan Bugui was about to speak when Yan Jiedi said, "Dad, don't worry about it. We have already registered and we don't plan to get married."

Yan Bugui got angry and said, "They say that marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers, but what do you mean by that? You didn't discuss the betrothal gift, you didn't hold a wedding banquet, and you didn't even ask for our opinions. Do you think we are your parents?"

Yan Jiedi said to Yan Bugui, "It's a new society now. Marriage is free. This is a matter between the two of us. All your ideas are old-fashioned."

Yan Bugui's blood boiled, and he shouted, "You said I was old-fashioned. Then don't come back to this house. I will pretend that I don't have a daughter like you. Get out, get out now."

Yan Jie Di stiffened her neck, stood up, and pulled Zhao Lijun out. Zhao Lijun was embarrassed and wanted to persuade them, but he didn't know what to say, so he could only be dragged away by Yan Jie Di.

Yang Ruiping watched all this, silently shed tears, and said to himself: "How can this be? Jie Di was not like this when she was a child."

(End of this chapter)