Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 320 Peaceful New Year
Yan Jiekuang basically did not communicate with Jia Dang and Huaihua in the courtyard. This was arranged in advance. Although the two sisters did not quite understand Yan Jiekuang's overly low-key attitude, they still abided by the previous agreement.

Before the Spring Festival, Yan Jiekuang visited Minister Wang, Minister Liu and Yu Zhenqing, and had a reunion dinner with his apprentices. Afterwards, he stayed at home with his parents, cooked when he had nothing to do, and took the children out for walks.

Before the New Year, he drove a van with the children and Yang Ruiping back to Sanyuan Village. Since the greenhouses were built in Sanyuan Village, every household has lived a better life. The Yang family was very grateful to Yan Jiekuang for his help and warmly entertained the Yan family.

Grandma and grandpa were very happy about the arrival of Yan Jiekuang and Yang Ruiping. Grandma held Yang Ruiping and talked non-stop. Grandpa complained why Yan Jiekuang didn't bring the two youngest children. Grandma said beside him: "It's so cold today, it's better not to bring them. Come back in spring."

Yang Ruian mysteriously took Yan Jiekuang out to his home. Yan Jiekuang asked, "Uncle, why are you being so mysterious?"

Yang Ruian said, "I have collected some good things for you, come on, come in."

Yan Jiekuang followed him into the house. Yang Ruian took out a cloth bag from a box, opened the bag, took out an incense burner and placed it on the table. Yan Jiekuang stared at the incense burner with wide eyes.

The base was in the shape of a dragon and a phoenix, with a lotus body on top and a flame-shaped hollow lid. The whole thing was gilded and very beautiful. Yan Jiekuang was stunned. It was obviously from the Tang Dynasty, and it was well preserved. He asked, "Uncle, where did you get this?"

Yang Ruian said proudly, "It's in Xiatang Village, in the home of an old landlord. All his belongings were confiscated, and he only hid this one thing. I felt sorry for him, so I sent some food over. The old landlord gave this to me when he was dying. I saw it and I thought you would like it."

Yan Jiekuang waved his hand and said, "Uncle, this is a family heirloom. It is very valuable and cannot be bought with money. I dare not take it."

Yang Ruian said, "Just take it if I give it to you. It's useless for me to take it. If I didn't know you like old things, I wouldn't want it. Otherwise, I would have handed it over."

When Yan Jiekuang heard this, he quickly said, "Okay, I'll take it. Name your price."

When Yang Ruian heard this, he got angry and said, "You little third brother, you always talk about money. I'll beat you up."

Yan Jiekuang was deeply moved and said, "I was wrong, uncle, I accept it."

"That's right. Let's go, cook some food and have a nice drink." Yan Jiekuang put away his things, turned around and put them in the car, then ran to the kitchen to cook.

In the evening, everyone from the Yang family came back, filling three large tables. Grandma was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling, and everyone gathered together happily.

After returning from Sanyuan Village, the Yan family prepared to celebrate the New Year. Yan Bugui went out to buy a lot of window decorations, New Year pictures, lanterns and red paper. Yan Jiekuang saw that his father was planning to go back to his old job and write Spring Festival couplets for each family in the yard on the first day of the New Year.

There are not many residents in the courtyard now. There are only three families in the front courtyard, namely the Wang family, the Sun family and the Yan family. There are five families in the middle courtyard, namely the Xu Delin family, the Yi family, the He family, the Jia family and Qin Jingru. There are four families in the back courtyard, namely the Liu family, the Xu family, Mr. Ji and the Chang family.

The yard became much calmer. Except for the more flamboyant Xu Damao, every household was quite low-key. During this year's New Year, every household was in high spirits. Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong also became less concerned. Only Yi Zhonghai was still planning for his retirement career.

This yard is full of shrewd people. Everyone knows it, but they just don't say it out loud.

On the 29th day of the lunar year, Yan Jiefang and He Yuzhu arranged a meal for the same generation in the courtyard. He Yuzhu personally cooked a table of dishes, and they drank them at He Yuzhu's home. Yan Jiecheng was generous for once and brought a few bottles of wine, including Luzhou Laojiao and Lianhua Bai.

Everyone gathered together, Xu Damao also participated, wearing that suit. He Yuzhu joked: "You really think this place is the south, you are not afraid of freezing."

Xu Damao said with a smile: "My buddy is in good health and can resist the cold."

Liu Guangfu asked, "Tell me the truth, Brother Damao, how much did you earn in the South? Not even 10,000."

Xu Damao said proudly: "You underestimate me too much, it's much more than this."

Yan Jiefang said: "They say that the South is a pilot area for reform and opening up, and that there is gold everywhere. I really believe it. Look at Brother Damao, and then look at Xiaodang and Huaihua."

Jia Dongxu sighed and said, "If I weren't too old, I would want to go with my daughter."

Yan Jiecheng said, "Come on, Brother Dongxu, are you willing to give up your iron rice bowl?"

Jia Dongxu looked at Yan Jiecheng and said, "Aren't you still in the textile factory? Didn't you get the letter?"

Yan Jiecheng was stunned and asked, "What letter?"

Jia Dongxu said: "There will be reforms this year. Those who are late, leave early, or absent without reason, and those whose skills do not meet the requirements will basically be dismissed. Didn't your leaders say so? In the future, we will be responsible for our own profits and losses, and workers will also be evaluated. It will be difficult to work in this factory in the future."

He Yuzhu heard this and said, "Okay, listen to what Brother Jia said, I have to be the first in line."

Yan Jiefang said, "Let's not talk about those unhappy things and let's drink."

Xu Damao also said: "Yes, it's New Year's Day, you are not allowed to say anything unhappy and drink."

A group of people started drinking. He Yuzhu asked Yan Jiefang, "Why didn't your third son come?"

"He has something to do today. He said he is visiting a very important person." Yan Jiefang said.

At this time, Yan Jiekuang was driving to the home of Director Chen of the Education Bureau. Director Chen had already retired. When Yan Jiekuang arrived at Director Chen's home, Director Chen and his wife were both at home.

Yan Jiekuang came into the room carrying some game and dried abalone and said, "Director Chen, I'm here to see you and wish you a happy new year."

When Director Chen saw that it was Yan Jiekuang, he smiled and said, "Now that you've retired, don't call me Director Chen. I still like you to call me Teacher Chen. Come on, if you said you'd come, and bring something with you."

Mrs. Chen looked at the things Yan Jiekuang brought and said, "Yes, we have everything at home. I can't cook anything with you."

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "Master's wife, you don't know how to cook, but I do. I'll cook for you later."

Teacher Chen said, "Yes, let him cook. He is a great chef. We are in for a treat today. Come, take a seat and tell me what you are busy with."

Mrs. Chen went to make tea for Yan Jiekuang, and Yan Jiekuang chatted with Teacher Chen about his experiences in the past year. Principal Chen was very moved and said that Yan Jiekuang's life was becoming more and more exciting, and he was worthy of being his most proud student.

Mrs. Chen handed the tea to Yan Jiekuang and sat aside to listen. The three of them chatted for a long time. Yan Jiekuang looked at the time and said, "You two sit down. I'll go cook and have a drink with you later."

Teacher Chen said, "Go quickly, go quickly. I've been missing the dishes you cook for a long time."

Yan Jiekuang walked into the kitchen, put on an apron, and started cooking. After a while, he had prepared four dishes and a soup: braised abalone, ginger duck, beef tenderloin with oyster sauce, assorted stir-fried vegetables, and tea tree mushroom pork ribs soup.

When Yan Jiekuang brought it to the restaurant, Teacher Chen said, "Are you learning a new dish? Is this Cantonese cuisine?"

"Yes, teacher, this is what I learned during my time in the south. Come, you and your wife, try it and see how it tastes." Yan Jiekuang replied.

The three of them sat down, and Teacher Chen tasted each dish and said, "My dear, go get me that bottle of good wine. Such good food will take a long time to pair with."

Mrs. Chen went to the study room. Not long after, she came out with a bottle of Moutai. Teacher Chen said, "Let's have a good drink." Mrs. Chen also said while eating, "Why do I feel that Xiao Yan's cooking skills have improved again?"

Teacher Chen kept nodding, and the three of them began to eat.

After dinner, Yan Jiekuang chatted with the old couple for a while before saying goodbye and leaving.

Yan Jiekuang drove back to Yuer Hutong first. Although he prepared a lot of food for Tiantian and Damao before leaving, he was still worried. After returning home, he checked every house, made new food for Damao and Tiantian, and changed the water. Then he locked the door and returned to No. 95 Yard.

When Yan Jiekuang returned to the yard, the party in the central courtyard had not yet ended. Yan Jiekuang had no intention of going over, and went back to his room to play with his two little darlings.

At this time, Ji Lian came over mysteriously and said, "Our little baby can call me mom now."

"Really?" Yan Jiekuang was very surprised. Ji Lian hugged Xixi and said, "Call me mom."

Xixi looked at Ji Lian and said "Mom" with a smile. Yan Jiekuang suddenly picked up Xiaohai and said, "Xiaohai, call daddy." Xiaohai stared at Yan Jiekuang without saying a word.

Yan Jiekuang did not give up, and raised his hand twice, making Xiaohai laugh. Yan Jiekuang said again: "Call me daddy."

Xiaohai seemed to understand and shouted "Mom." This made Yan feel relieved. He put Xiaohai on the small bed and called Xixi again. Xixi did the same, shouting "Mom" over and over again.

Yan Jiekuang gave up, and Ji Lian was amused by Yan Jiekuang's expression.

Yan Jiekuang turned around and wanted to go out to smoke a cigarette. At this time, he heard Xixi shout "Dad". Yan Jiekuang turned around in surprise and said to Ji Lian, "Did you hear that? Xixi called me dad."

Ji Lian smiled and said, "I heard it. Are you satisfied now?"

Yan Jiekuang picked up Xixi and gave her a kiss, saying, "You are really my good daughter. Call me daddy again."

Xixi shouted "ba" with a smile

The couple was playing with their two little ones in the house, and the more they looked at them, the more adorable they seemed to them.

This year's Spring Festival was very lively in the Yan family. In the afternoon, Yan Jiekuang started cooking. In the middle, he let He Yuzhu snatch away a pot of red oil duck, which made Yan Jiekuang so angry that he jumped up and down and cursed. However, He Yuzhu remained calm and called it learning.

There were two tables full of dishes and all the Yan family members gathered together. Yan Bugui looked at everyone with a smile, said words of blessing, and announced that the New Year's Eve dinner of the Bingyin Year had officially begun.

In addition to the red oil duck for this year's New Year's Eve dinner, Yan Jiekuang also made several dishes that he had never made before. They mainly used good ingredients, namely cuttlefish soup, natural fragrant abalone, scallion-fried sea cucumber and the red oil duck. The other dishes had all been made before.

The wine was Jiannanchun. Yan Jiekuang often brought back this kind of wine. Even the women were poured a glass. As for Yan Yongqing, this time he was finally not allowed to sit at the table with the children.

During the dinner, Yan Jiecheng kept asking Yan Jiekuang what car he should buy. Yan Jiekuang looked at Yan Jiecheng and said, "Are you interested in my van?"

Yan Jiecheng said, "Can you sell it to me at a lower price?"

Yan Jiekuang shook his head and said, "That one won't work. You know I have many children. Chaofengzhai now has two cars. One is the Crown that I used to own less than two years ago, and the other is a newly bought Nissan. I can give you the Crown. How much do you want?"

Yan Bugui looked at Yan Jiecheng, and Yan Jiecheng didn't dare to speak when he saw his father's eyes. Yu Li said, "It's mainly for our convenience, so it's convenient for us to purchase goods. How about this, I'll give you 20,000 first, and then 30,000 when you make money in the future. Is that okay, Third Brother?"

Yan Jiekuang nodded happily and said, "It's you, sister-in-law. That's it. You can drive away tomorrow. The key is with Ji Lian."

Ji Lian whispered to Yu Li, "I'll give you money later when I have it. You can use it first. It's just sitting there anyway."

Yu Li was impressed by Ji Lian's generosity, clinked glasses with Ji Lian, and said, "Okay, I'll open it first, and I'll definitely make up for it when I make money in the future."

Yan Bugui looked at Yan Jiekuang in confusion and asked, "How many cars do you have now?"

Yan Jiekuang was stunned and said, "Ask Ji Lian, I really haven't counted them."

Ji Lian said, "Dad, there are seven cars in total. Each of the four stores has one, I have one, my third brother has one, and there is another one in Chunfeng Building as a spare."

Yan Bugui looked at Yan Jiekuang in surprise and said, "Including your eldest brother's car, you have eight cars? That's amazing, third brother. How much money do your restaurants make?"

Yan Jiefang was not surprised at all and said, "When we were having dinner yesterday, He Yuzhu calculated for the third brother and he made at least 1.8 million a year. Xu Damao's eyes turned red. He said if he had known that the restaurant could make money, he would not have gone to the south. He worked hard for a year but not as much as the third brother made in a month."

When Yan Jiekuang heard this, he realized that his second brother had let the cat out of the bag.

What Yan Jiekuang didn't know was that just yesterday, when Jia Dongxu went home and told his family about it, Huaihua somehow blurted out, "Third Uncle has more than just this amount of assets." The others didn't understand. Qin Huairu looked at Huaihua in surprise, and Jia Dang glared at Huaihua.

Qin Huairu already had her doubts in her heart. She was sure that 1.8 million was just a small amount, but her daughter definitely knew more.

Jia Zhang thought for a moment and said, "This Yan Lao San has been hiding very well since he was a child, and now he is even more capable."

Jia Dongxu also nodded and said, "Since they don't want to talk about it, let's not get involved."

After the Yan family finished their New Year's Eve dinner, Yang Ruiping started making dumplings. Yan Bugui carried out the TV and placed it in the middle hall, because there was a Spring Festival Gala today.

The children went out to play with firecrackers, and the men were just there drinking tea, smoking and watching TV.

After a while, He Yuzhu came with his wife and children. They also came to watch TV. Yan Jiefang scolded He Yuzhu and said, "You are the owner of two restaurants, so you can't buy one yourself? It's not hard to buy one now, right?"

"I bought it and sent it to my father-in-law's house. There are a lot of people there." He Yuzhu said.

He Yumei also washed her hands and went to help make dumplings, chatting as she did so.

In the evening, He Yuzhu asked Yan Jiefang: "Do you want to drink more?"

"It's New Year's Day, why not drink? Third brother, make some dishes and let's drink a little while watching TV." Yan Jiefang said.

Yan Jiekuang walked into the kitchen and made a simple dish. The main ingredients were fried peanuts and braised beef in soy sauce, which were both essential for drinking.

A few old men started a drinking party again. He Xiao and Yan Yongqing ran away. They could no longer drink white wine, so they ordered some food and beer and went to the east wing. The children were playing at the door of the east wing.

(End of this chapter)