Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 358: Strolling in Late Autumn

Time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye, Grandpa Sun had been dead for half a month. The courtyard in late autumn was very desolate, and Grandpa Sun's yard was full of withered yellow leaves, as if the trees that Grandpa Sun had once taken care of were also seeing him off. I don't know if all old people have obsessions, or if Grandpa Sun was influenced by Grandpa Ji. He left a will, asking Sun Xiaolong not to bury him after he was cremated, but to send him back to his hometown.

At the end of October, Sun Xiaolong got a letter of introduction and a household registration certificate, took Zhou Nianping, and drove Yan Jiekuang's car and set off. Sun Xiaolong had mixed feelings on this trip, as every detail of how he and his grandfather escaped from famine came to his mind. This trip was more like a journey of memories and a journey of cleansing.

There are only a few old people in the courtyard, drinking tea and playing chess leisurely in the yard. The yard is no longer as noisy as before, which makes it look more quaint.

Shi Lei has transferred to No. 4 Middle School, which is the school where Yongchang and Yongxin are located. Yan Bugui is still very visionary, worthy of being someone who has worked hard in the education field. Yan Jiekuang has actually visited this school, which is under expansion. The campus is very beautiful, and both teachers and students exude a vibrant look everywhere.

Yan Jiekuang had achieved his goal throughout the entire year of 1987, so the rest of the time was spent busy with the logistics of the children's final exams and purchasing work before the New Year.

The main reason is that Shi Lei, Dapang and Xiaopang have changed a lot physically this year, and the cotton-padded coats and trousers they wore last year can no longer be worn. Originally, this was Ji Lian's job, but now Ji Lian has no time at all. I heard that she has to attend all kinds of meetings, big and small, let alone entertaining leaders. Now no matter who comes to study or visit, Ji Lian has to arrange food and drink. This is the trend nowadays. Fortunately, there are four restaurants in her family, so she can still handle it.

After taking care of several children who went to school, Yan Jiekuang took Xiaohai and Xixi for a stroll. Xiaohai now knew all the delicious food in that alley. Xixi didn't care about that. As long as her brother said it was delicious, it must be delicious.

On this day, Yan Jiekuang and his two children were strolling in Wangfujing. At that time, Wangfujing was still dominated by department stores and there were huge crowds of people. Xixi was holding a candied haws and holding Yan Jiekuang's clothes, fearing that his father would lose him. Xiaohai was jumping in front and turned around and said, "Dad, let's go eat fried tripe. That fried tripe restaurant is full and not crowded."

Of course, there weren't many people. It wasn't the right time, and it wasn't meal time either. Yan Jiekuang brought his two children into the store, and the waiter called out, "Customers have arrived. How many are you?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "Three of you." The waiter shouted, "Okay, will you please come in?"

Yan Jiekuang was just about to walk in with the child when he glanced at the guests inadvertently. At a table against the wall, He Yuzhu and his daughter were sitting, eating fried tripe with their heads down.

Yan Jiekuang was happy, and pointed to He Yuzhu's table and said, "I'll sit there. I know him. Give me two plates of tripe, two plates of sandan, one plate of tripe collar, and more cilantro."

When the waiter heard this, he said, "Okay, wait a moment."

Yan Jiekuang walked towards He Yuzhu with the children. When they got close, He Yuzhu saw Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang said, "Brother Zhuzi, you are such a lazy guy. You brought He Rui to eat fried tripe secretly?" The two children also shouted, "Hello, Uncle He! Hello, Sister Ruirui!"

He Yuzhu said with a smile: "Who is the idle one? Who is the one who ate secretly? You are not more idle than me." He Rui also greeted Yan Jiekuang.

Yan Jiekuang said, "The child wants to eat, so I asked for five more plates. Today is my treat, and you are not allowed to snatch from me."

"That's great, you get a free meal again. Eat as much as you can, daughter. If it's not enough, ask for more." He Yuzhu said.

Yan Jiekuang laughed out loud. At this time, the food he ordered also came up. So, two adults and three children sat here and started to eat, chatting while eating.

Yan Jiekuang suddenly remembered that he hadn't been to the Siheyuan for a long time, so he asked, "How is the Siheyuan?"

"What else can I do? I don't want to stay there. There are only a few old people and it feels like a nursing home," said He Yuzhu.

Yan Jiekuang asked as he ate: "So what are you going to do for the New Year this year?"

He Yuzhu said: "This year, I have to go to my father-in-law's house. My mother-in-law is in poor health. This year may be her last Spring Festival. I am here to take care of her. There is no other way. Our family has to go back this year."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Yes, we are all so old, and the elders are also old. This year I will go to the West Cross Courtyard to celebrate the New Year. If you have nothing to do, can we get together one day?"

He Yuzhu thought for a while and said, "Okay, otherwise, I mean, there are not many people in the Siheyuan anyway, why don't we get together with the neighbors in the Siheyuan on the second day of the Chinese New Year? Now there will be fewer people to get together."

Yan Jiekuang said: "I'm fine with that. I'll prepare more ingredients, or we can cook it ourselves." He Yuzhu nodded.

The two chatted for a while, and after they finished eating, Yan Jiekuang went to pay the bill and then parted ways with He Yuzhu.

Yan Jiekuang originally wanted to take his children to the department store, but there were too many people. Today was not a holiday, and he didn't know where so many people came from.

Yan Jiekuang had no choice but to go home. As he walked, Xixi burped. Yan Jiekuang said, "I told you to eat slowly, but you kept burping. You must be full. Walk slowly."

Yan Jiekuang took his two children, walked around the Forbidden City, and went on the small path in Beihai Park. The path was full of golden color, revealing the charm of autumn. On the small path by the Beihai Sea, the two children were jumping and running in front, while Yan Jiekuang lit a cigarette and followed leisurely behind.

After passing Di'anmen, Yan Jiekuang arrived at Yu'er Hutong. He knocked on the door. When the door opened, Yan Jiekuang was stunned, then smiled and asked: "Daming, why are you here? Is everything okay over there?"

Sun Daming smiled and said, "I have something to tell you. Come in and I will tell you."

When Yan Jiekuang came in, Sun Daming closed the door and said, "It's like this. I plan to take Guixiang back to my hometown in Shandong. I've been following you for the past few years and have made a lot of money. It's said that if you don't return to your hometown when you're rich, it's like traveling at night in fine clothes, so I plan to go back to my hometown."

Yan Jiekuang said, "That's great. Let's go back and stay for a few more days. By the way, how are you going to leave?"

Sun Daming said, "I was originally planning to take the train, but Wang Qiang told me that there are too many thieves on the train now, and it's hard to guard against them, so he asked me to drive back, the company's car." Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "Okay, tell Sister Tian that there's no need to worry about this. I'll be back to the West Crossing in a few days, and there's nothing to worry about here."

Sun Daming smiled and said, "Okay, then Guixiang and I will go out and buy some things to bring back in the next two days."

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "Tell me what you need. The restaurant still has some stock."

Sun Daming knew that Yan Jiekuang was talking about dried seafood, so he burst out laughing and said, "Have you forgotten where my hometown is? It's surrounded by the sea in Shandong."

Yan Jiekuang laughed when he heard it and said, "I forgot about it. OK, go ahead and do your work. Tell me if you have anything to say."

Yan Jiekuang went directly to the big study in the backyard. The two little guys were reading. Yan Jiekuang smiled and asked, "Are you going to have lunch?"

Xixi said frustratedly, "I want to eat dad's food, but my stomach can't hold it."

Xiao Hai echoed beside him: "Me too."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay then, if you're hungry in the afternoon, just eat some cakes and then have dinner in the evening."

Yan Jiekuang was sitting alone not far away, also reading a book. After a while, Tian Guixiang came to ask what he wanted to eat for lunch. Yan Jiekuang said he didn't want to eat, as he had eaten on the way today and would eat again in the evening.

The big cat staggered over and glanced at Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang looked at the big cat suspiciously, then stood up and asked, "What? Are you looking for me?" Even the two little ones became interested in the big cat.

The big cat turned and walked outside. Yan Jiekuang followed behind, and the two little ones also followed. When they went to the back garden, they saw that there were two new guests in the house, two puppies. They were lying in front of Tiantian with their eyes closed and shivering. Tiantian kept licking them.

The two little ones cried out, "Puppy, puppy."

Yan Jiekuang said helplessly: "Tiantian, Tiantian, this is the nth time I have raised a child for you."

Tiantian called out twice, and Yan Jiekuang asked in confusion: "Isn't this yours?"

Seeing Tiantian's appearance, Yan Jiekuang picked up one and took a closer look. It was indeed not Tiantian's, but he didn't know what breed it was. Maybe he would be able to tell it when it grew up a little.

Well, seeing how excited the two little ones are, I have to prepare the milk powder again. Fortunately, the tools I used to feed the dogs before were not lost and can be used again after washing.

Xiao Hai held one of the two little ones in his arms and brought them to the study. Xiao Hai also found a cotton mat and placed it on the table. Then he put the two puppies on the mat. Yan Jiekuang went to the kitchen. After a while, Yan Jiekuang came back and handed two small bottles of milk to the two little ones. Yan Jiekuang demonstrated to them, and the two little ones started to feed the babies in an orderly manner.

At noon, Yan Jiekuang coaxed the two children to take a nap and promised that there would be a beautiful puppy house when they woke up.

The two children fell asleep, and Yan Jiekuang went to the studio. An hour later, a double-decker doghouse was ready. Yan Jiekuang put him in the main room on the first floor and settled the puppy inside.

Yan Jiekuang had been busy for a long time. He made himself a cup of tea, took a newspaper and sat there drinking the tea and taking a rest.

In the middle courtyard of No. 95 Courtyard, He Yuzhu and He Rui had just walked home and were opening the door when Yi Zhonghai came over and said with a smile, "Zhuzi, are you out playing?"

He Yuzhu turned around and said, "Ah, yes, take the child out for a walk."

Yi Zhonghai asked: "How are you planning to celebrate the New Year this year?"

He Yuzhu looked at Yi Zhonghai and said, "Uncle Yi, my father-in-law's family has something to do this year, so we are going back to celebrate the New Year with them. But we have agreed that we will find him on the second day of the New Year and have a meal together in the courtyard. Do you think it's okay?"

Yi Zhonghai was a little disappointed. How could the second day of the New Year dinner be the same as the New Year's Eve dinner? But he said, "Okay, I'm just asking, do you know if your brother Jia will come back?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and said, "I've never met him, so I don't know. Why don't you ask Jia Xiaobao? By the way, Jia Xiaobao is getting married on December 1st at my Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant. Have they informed you?"

Yi Zhonghai shook his head and said, "I don't know. Jia Xiaobao is not home now."

He Yuzhu said, "Okay, I'll go and remind the Jia family. We've been neighbors for many years, and we're also master and apprentice. We can't be so cold."

Yi Zhonghai nodded and said, "Okay, thank you, Zhuzi."

He Yuzhu and He Rui entered the house, and Yi Zhonghai turned and walked towards his home with a sad look on his face.

(End of this chapter)