Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 330 Damao Broken Leg
There was still fish for dinner. Yan Jiekuang specially called Yin Liguo to send a box of fish. The mandarin fish was steamed and the yellow croaker was braised.

Xixi saw that her father never left her side when he was cooking, and he always stayed around not far away, as if he wouldn't be able to eat the fish if she left.

Everyone came back to eat in the evening, and the whole family gathered together. When Yan Jiefang saw the third brother, his smile never disappeared, which made Shi Xiaoya so angry that she kept pinching him. Yan Jiefang always believed that when it came to cooking, no one could surpass his younger brother, and he had boasted about it many times at work.

Yan Jiekuang cleaned up the kitchen and led Xixi, who was holding a chicken leg in her hand, back to the restaurant. Yan Jiekuang asked Xixi, "Is your mother back?"
Xixi ate the chicken leg, nodded and said nothing.

This little foodie forgets everything when she has food. Today I specially made her a soft fried chicken leg. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and it is not difficult to eat. This little girl can't stop eating it once she starts.

When all the children in the room stared at Xixi who was eating the chicken drumstick, Yan Jiekuang knew that he was in trouble. Even Yang Ruiping went up to Xixi and asked, "Xixi, what are you eating? Is it delicious? Do you want to give it to grandma to try?"

"Grandma, this chicken leg is delicious. Try it. It's so tender." Xixi handed the chicken leg to Yang Ruiping. Yang Ruiping took a bite and showed a comfortable expression. Then he turned to Yan Jiekuang and said, "There are so many children. Do you know what to do?"

All of a sudden, Yan Jiekuang went back to the kitchen without even eating. Poor man, he worked for more than an hour and made chicken legs. Later, he found that it was not enough, so he made a big pot of chicken wings. When it was brought back to the restaurant, the whole family scrambled for it. Everyone ate while praising Uncle San's cooking skills.

When Yan Jiefang was leaving, he ran to Yan Jiekuang and said, "Pack ten chicken legs and ten chicken wings for me tomorrow. I will take them back for my colleagues to try."

The boss Yan Jiecheng also came over and said, "Me too."

Yan Jiekuang said unhappily, "My mom has them. Where can I find so many chicken legs and wings?"

Yan Jiekuang patted his chest and said, "Don't worry about it. I'll bring it back to my mother in the evening."

Yan Jiekuang nodded helplessly, wishing he could slap himself in the face. What was he doing with all this chicken legs? He was really idle and had nothing to do but to make trouble for himself.

Yan Jiekuang turned his head and saw Xixi attacking a chicken leg again. Yan Jiekuang was frightened and shouted, "Xixi, you've already eaten the third one. Stop. It's uncomfortable to eat too much."

Unfortunately, Xixi didn't listen to him at all. At this time, Da Pang came over and said, "Dad, please pay more attention to your third child. He hid so many chicken legs and disappeared without a trace."

At this time, Yan Jiekuang realized that Xiaopang had disappeared. He didn't know where he went. Yan Jiekuang kicked Dapang in anger and said, "You don't care about your brother. If you don't catch him, I won't make chicken legs anymore."

When Dapang heard this, he said with a smile, "Okay, Dad, just hold it." Then he rushed out of the yard.

In the afternoon, in the west courtyard, the sun shines into the back garden. The sound of dripping water pipes can be heard clearly. Flowers bloom and fruits sway, which is very beautiful. Yan Jiekuang lies quietly on a recliner. Next to him is a wooden bed. On a blanket, Xiaohai and Xixi lie quietly, snoring, each in their own posture.

It was very quiet. Everyone had gone out. Shi Lei took his other brothers and sisters to the courtyard, while Yan Bugui and his wife went walking in the streets. There were only Yan Jiekuang and the two children in the entire west wing. Yan Jiekuang felt that this was the happiest time. Unfortunately, happiness would not last too long. A cry shook the two courtyards.

In fact, Yan Jiekuang didn't want to get up at all. He didn't want to care about what was happening in the next courtyard, but when Xu Damao's familiar voice rang out, his curiosity overcame his lazy heart.

Yan Jiekuang woke up the two siblings, wiped their faces, and led them to the next yard.

The crying in the backyard was not as loud, but it was still intermittent. In the front yard, Grandpa Sun, Widow Wang, Yan Bugui and his wife, and Shi Xiaoya were all there, talking together, and Yan Jiekuang seamlessly joined in.

I understood why the man in the backyard was crying halfway through. Xu Damao had his legs broken by someone, and was sent back from the Guangzhou shelter. Grandpa Sun said, "You didn't see how miserable Xu Damao was. Even the beggars in BJ didn't dress like him."

Yan Bugui said: "What's going on? They're sending him back. Does that mean they don't even have the money to travel back?"

Everyone started talking about it, and Yan Jiekuang also interrupted and said, "When doing business, especially trade, it is possible to lose all your money overnight. This is common in the south."

Widow Wang said: "In that case, the iron rice bowl is still safe."

Grandpa Sun said, "They are all neighbors. Do you think we should go and take a look?"

Yan Bugui shook his head like a rattle and said, "Everyone else should go and see it. If you go to the Xu family, people will think you are here to watch the fun. Anyway, I won't go."

A few people were chatting when they saw Jia Zhang came back. She should have come back to check the house and clean it up. As soon as she entered the yard, Jia Zhang felt something was wrong and became excited instantly. She seamlessly connected and inserted herself into the conversation circle of the old neighbors in the front yard.

Yan Jiekuang discovered that Jia Zhangshi no longer wore gold jewelry, and she looked just like an old lady from the alley. Just as Jia Zhangshi was talking and boldly asking for confirmation, two police officers came to the door and asked politely, "Excuse me, is Xu Damao's family in this courtyard?"

Jia Zhang stood up and said, "Yes, it's in the east wing of the backyard."

The two policemen thanked them and ran to the backyard. Widow Wang asked in surprise, "Why did you call the police?"

Jia Zhang said: "I must have done something wrong, otherwise why didn't the police come looking for me?"

Grandpa Sun said: "It seems that Xu Damao was not just deceived in the south. There must be other things going on."

After a while, Xu Wude's wife, Xu Damao's mother, smiled and saw the two out of the yard. After coming back, she told the neighbors in the front yard that Xu Damao had been cheated and the police came to investigate.

After Xu Damao's mother left, Jia Zhang curled her lips and said, "They were all sent back, but they were deceived. What a lie! If they were deceived, why didn't they call the police there, but called the police after they came back?"

When everyone heard this, Jia Zhang was really on to something. At this time, someone squatting nearby said, "Aunt Jia is right. It's possible that he lied to others and was chased to the Forty-Nine City."

Everyone was startled. When did they see someone squatting next to them? They turned around and saw that it was He Yuzhu squatting there smoking. Grandpa Sun slapped Zhu in annoyance and said, "You came here, but you didn't make any noise."

"I'm listening to everyone's conversation with great interest. I'm also listening with great interest." He Yuzhu said with a smile, then stood up.

Everyone looked at He Yuzhu, who bowed solemnly to them, then stood up and said, "My dear old neighbors, my son's wedding will be held on the 20th of this month. The banquet will be held at my Sichuan Cuisine. I hope you will come. It doesn't matter if you bring gifts or not. If you go, you will give me, He Yuzhu, face. Thank you. I bow to you all again."

Yan Bugui said: "This is great news. Finally, someone in our hospital is getting married after so many years. Congratulations, congratulations."

"Yes, we actually saw a divorce. This is good news. Everyone must go and congratulate them." Widow Wang said.

Suddenly, He Xiao's marriage became the focus of discussion in the compound, and Xu Damao's matter had long been forgotten.

He Yuzhu dragged Yan Jiekuang to his home. After Yan Jiekuang sat down, He Yuzhu offered him cigarettes and poured him tea. Yan Jiekuang quickly stopped him and said, "Brother Zhuzi, if you have something to say, just tell me. Why do we brothers have to talk about this?"

He Yuzhu also sat down and said, "I need two favors from you. First, lend me two cars to support the occasion."

"Are two cars enough? How about ten? Our He Xiao's wedding must make a splash in the city, with all Nissan cars. Isn't that cool enough?" Yan Jiekuang said.

He Yuzhu was excited. If he organized such a convoy, his family would make a sensation in the whole city. He said, "Enough, enough." "What's the other thing?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

"I know your restaurant has a regular seafood supplier, but you know I don't. Can you please purchase the goods in bulk for me the day before the banquet? I'll charge the price." He Yuzhu said.

"Okay, no problem. You can go to Chaofengzhai to get it on the morning of the 20th. It's closer to Chuanweixuan. It's a small matter." Yan Jiekuang said.

"You're such a good brother. I'm counting on you." He Yuzhu said happily.

Yan Jiekuang said, "Don't worry, I promise I'll do everything for you."

The two chatted for a while, and then Yan Jiekuang returned to the west wing.

Yang Ruiping looked at the swaying Yan Jiekuang and asked, "What does Zhuzi want to talk to you about?"

Yan Jiekuang said casually: "Isn't He Xiao getting married? Let's borrow a few cars to make things more festive."

Yang Ruiping asked doubtfully: "Aren't you just a van?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "There are more. They are all in other places. We have watched He Xiao grow up, so we need to help him."

Yang Ruiping said, "Yes, He Xiao is a really good kid, but why haven't the two girls from the Jia family found a partner yet, now that they are so old?"

Yan Jiekuang said: "How should I know? However, Jia Dang seems to have a partner, but I don't know who it is."

"How do you know?" Yang Ruiping asked.

"I heard from a friend that it seems so, but I'm not sure." Yan Jiekuang said vaguely.

In fact, Yan Jiekuang knew that Jia Dang’s boyfriend was Liu Yutong, Erxiao who went to Shenzhen with Wang Qing. However, Yan Jiekuang directly stuffed Erxiao into Lou’s Group to study finance and go to university at the same time.

Jia Dang was also the financial director of Kodak and had a lot of business dealings with financial companies in Hong Kong. The two had frequent contacts and somehow ended up together. At first, they didn't dare to make their relationship public, as they didn't know whether their relationship would cause objection from the company's directors. Later, Lou Xiao'e dispelled Liu Yutong's concerns and told them that as long as there was no problem with their work, the company would not object to their relationship.

Yan Bugui returned to the west wing with a cup of tea, still reluctant to leave. Yang Ruiping and his mother looked at Yan Bugui with expectant eyes. It turned out that Yan Bugui and Yi Zhonghai went to the Xu family to express their condolences and see if they could help in any way.

Although the Xu family tried their best to cover it up, Yan Bugui could guess the truth from just a few words.

Yan Bugui sat down in the main hall. Yang Ruiping brought a thermos to refill his tea. Yan Bugui took a sip and then said, "I also know a little bit. It should be that Xu Damao was doing a short-selling business in the south, commonly known as a shell company. It seems that he is not alone. The last business was for a large amount of money. His companion became greedy and ran away with the money. By the time he reacted, he had been blocked by the buyer and could not escape."

Without waiting for Yan Bugui to continue, Yang Ruiping said, "Then he became penniless. The buyer was still not satisfied and broke his legs and threw him out?"

Yan Bugui nodded and said, "That should be the case. Not only did he lose his wife, but he also lost his soldiers. He met the wrong person."

Yan Jiekuang blurted out: "Li Huaide ran away?"

"Who? It sounds so familiar?" Yan Bugui asked.

"Xu Damao's partner, formerly the deputy director of the steel rolling mill." Yan Jiekuang said.

Yan Bugui was surprised and asked, "Are you talking about the one who defeated Director Yang?"

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "I ran into them a few times in Shenzhen. They were with a woman and seemed to be partners."

Yan Bugui shook his head and said, "How can you trust such a person? Xu Damao is really blind. Okay, there is no need to bother this time. Just stay at home honestly."

Yang Ruiping approached Yan Bugui with a gossipy look and asked quietly, "Didn't Qin Jingru go to the backyard to take a look?"

"Old Liu said that when Xu Damao just returned to the yard, Qin Jingru took a look, then locked the door and ran away." Yan Bugui said with a smile.

Yang Ruiping said angrily: "Hey, this person, Xu Damao has spent a lot of money on her."

Yan Jiekuang looked at his parents whose minds were full of gossip, shook his head, and went to the backyard garden.

The two little ones were brought back by Shi Li and went straight to the back garden. Seeing Yan Jiekuang looking at the strawberries carefully, he said to the two little ones, "Go and play with your dad. He has delicious food."

After he turned around and was about to leave, Yan Jiekuang turned his head and said, "Stop, what do you mean, are you impatient after taking care of your younger brothers and sisters for such a while?"

Shi Li stiffened her neck and said, "I didn't. We were playing hide-and-seek, and your two little darlings were making trouble. They always told Big Brother who was hiding where."

Yan Jiekuang chuckled and said, "Okay, go and have fun. I'll take care of them." Shi Li turned around and ran away.

The two little ones ran towards their father with their short legs. Xixi said, "Dad, what are you doing?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "See, that strawberry is ripe, and there's another one, I'll pick it for you to eat."

The two little ones seemed to have discovered a new world. They went to look for red strawberries on their own. When they found one, they excitedly called out to their father.

After a while, Yan Jiekuang picked a small basket and said to the two children, "Come on, Dad will wash the strawberries for you to eat."

Yan Jiekuang led the two children back to the central courtyard, washed and picked the strawberries in the pool, and brought them to the central hall. When the old couple in the room saw that it was their grandson and granddaughter who had returned, they quickly carried them to the kang, and Yan Jiekuang placed the strawberries on the kang table.

Yan Bugui glared and said, "There are only a few red ones, okay? You picked them all."

At this time, Xiao Hai took a strawberry and stuffed it into Yan Bugui's mouth, saying, "Grandpa, eat a strawberry."

Xixi did the same, taking one and putting it into grandma's mouth. Yang Ruiping said with a smile on his face: "Xixi's strawberry is so sweet."

Yan Bugui stopped talking and teased his little grandson. Yan Jiekuang went out to smoke.

(End of this chapter)