Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 359 Empty Nesters
In the afternoon, the children woke up and after calming down, they clamored to see the puppy. Yan Jiekuang said unhappily, went out the door and turned right, and the two children ran over happily.

Yan Jiekuang ignored them. It was nice to have a playmate when he was a child. Didn’t he also grow up with Damao and Tiantian?

In the afternoon, only Yan Jiekuang and his two sons were in Yuer Hutong. Yan Jiekuang went to the kitchen to get a plate of fruit and placed it in the pavilion in the back garden. The two younger ones were there, putting the puppies on the withered grass and teasing them.

Yan Jiekuang was drinking tea, smoking a cigarette and reading a newspaper.

In the middle courtyard of the quadrangle, Yi Zhonghai was worrying at home. This year's New Year was destined to be bleak. He Yuzhu's family would not come back, and it seemed that Jia Dongxu's family would not come back either. Only Qin Jingru was left in the middle courtyard. She must have gone back to the countryside to celebrate the New Year. The more he thought about it, the more bleak Yi Zhonghai felt.

Li Cuilai came over and asked, "What's wrong? Lao Yi, why are you so sad?"

Yi Zhonghai sighed and said, "I feel a sense of desolation in my old age now."

Li Cuilan looked at Yi Zhonghai in confusion. Yi Zhonghai looked at his wife who had always been by his side and told her what had happened before.

When Li Cuilan heard this, she thought that if this was the case, the Central Courtyard would be quite deserted during the New Year. She suddenly remembered her nephew and asked, "Old Yi, why don't we go to Tianjin? One is to relax, and the other is to spend the New Year with my nephew. It's just me and him here, so we have no choice but to go to his place."

After hearing this, Yi Zhonghai thought about it carefully. After smoking a cigarette, Yi Zhonghai said, "If you want to go, go early. By the way, we can also look around and it can be considered a trip."

Li Cuilan was very happy. This was the first time that Yi Zhonghai agreed to visit his nephew, so she began to think about what to bring over.

In the west courtyard, Yang Ruiping was busy cleaning the vegetables. She was the only one working at night, so she wanted to clean up as soon as possible. At this time, there was a knock on the door. Yang Ruiping opened it and saw that it was Li Cuilan. Yang Ruiping enthusiastically invited her in and hurried to pour water.

Li Cuilan stopped her and said, "Ruiping, it's just a few words. I have to go back after I finish speaking."

Yang Ruiping said: "It's been a long time since we had a good talk, why are you in such a hurry?"

Li Cuilan smiled and said, "My husband and I are going out and won't be back for the New Year, so we need to prepare some things. I asked you to come here for this. There are not many people in the Central Court right now, so I want you to look after our family."

Yang Ruiping said: "Oh, this is big news. You haven't left the yard for a long time. OK, don't worry. I'll go check it out if you're fine."

Li Cuilan said: "Thank you, we'll meet again when I come back."

Yang Ruiping said: "Okay, be careful. By the way, when are we leaving?"

Li Cuilan said, "I'll leave tomorrow. Thank you for your help."

"Don't be polite, we are just friends." Yang Ruiping said.

The two chatted for a while, and then Yang Ruiping left. At this time, Yan Bugui came out from the backyard and asked, "Who is it?"

Yang Ruiping said, "Cui Lan, she and Lao Yi are going on a long trip to visit relatives for the New Year, so they asked me to help look after the house."

Yan Bugui frowned and said, "What is Old Yi up to again?"

Yang Ruiping was stunned and said, "How should I know? Maybe she has figured it out. Cuilan has always been thinking about her nephew."

After listening to this, Yan Bugui shook his head and went about his own business, not taking the matter to heart.

On the day of the winter solstice, Yang Ruiping told each family in advance and asked everyone to come back to eat dumplings together. So at noon, Yan Jiekuang took the two children, dressed up and went to the west wing. When they arrived at the west wing, the two children ran to the west wing in the backyard, which was the room reserved for them by their grandparents.

Yang Ruiping looked at the two children who ran to the backyard in surprise and asked, "Old Three, what are these two children doing in such a hurry?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "Don't mention it. Tiantian brought back two puppies from somewhere. Now we have one for each of us. We are afraid that the puppies will get cold, so let's put them in the house first."

After listening to this, Yang Ruiping said, "You should also warn your Tiantian that he can't do this every time. It's either a kitten or a puppy, and he doesn't care about it. It's you and the child who are tired."

Yan Jiekuang washed his hands and said, "Mom, I understand. I'll make them with you. Ji Lian can only come after work, and the children can come directly after school."

While wrapping dumplings, the mother and son chatted. Yang Ruiping said with emotion: "You don't know, now most of the courtyard is empty, only Liu Haizhong and his wife are left in the backyard."

Yan Jiekuang was stunned and asked, "How is that possible? Aren't there still a few more?"

Yang Ruiping said, "They've all left. Sun Xiaolong took Zhou Nianping back to Henan. When Widow Wang saw that she was the only one in the front yard, she said that she was afraid of being reminded of her parents, so she took her children to Zhou Zhiping's house to celebrate the New Year. Yi Zhonghai and Li Cuilan went to his nephew's house to celebrate the New Year. The Chang couple went to the old house to celebrate the New Year. Who else do you think is left in the yard?"

"Then wouldn't Mr. Liu and his wife be even more lonely?" Yan Jiekuang said.

Yang Ruiping said, "In the past, Lao Yi and his wife were there to accompany him. As soon as Lao Yi left, Lao Liu panicked. He would look for your dad whenever he had nothing to do. He would either drink or play chess, which annoyed your dad."

"He can go to his son's place. Even though Liu Guangtian hasn't come back, don't we still have the eldest and the third son?" Yan Jiekuang said.

Yang Ruiping curled his lips and said, "Come on, they finally got rid of the eldest brother's family, how can they have the courage to go? As for the third brother, I guess he doesn't even know where Liu Guangfu is. Besides, Liu Guangfu was beaten on the day he left, and he threatened not to have any contact with him until he died."

Yan Jiekuang sighed and said, "It's really what he deserves."

"Who said it wasn't true? It's hard for Yue'e." Yang Ruiping said with a sigh.

Yan Jiekuang asked, "By the way, where is my dad? Why can't I see him?"

"Your dad is frightened by Liu Haizhong. He eats a bite of food early in the morning and goes out. He doesn't come back until dinner time at night, just to avoid Liu Haizhong." Yang Ruiping said. Yan Jiekuang laughed and said, "He's really good. By the way, how many kinds of fillings can you make?"

Yang Ruiping said: "I plan to pack three kinds of food, one with cabbage and pork, another with beef, and another one in the kitchen with three fresh delicacies, specially made for the children."

Yan Jiekuang and his mother were busy here, and they didn't have to worry about the two little ones playing by themselves in the backyard.

Towards evening, the mother and son had finished making dumplings. Yan Jiekuang prepared some cold dishes, including mixed black fungus, tiger vegetables, tofu with green onions, fried peanuts, pig ears with cucumbers, spicy shredded tripe, duck feet with mustard, and tomatoes with sugar.

Afterwards, Yan Jiekuang prepared the condiments to go with the dumplings, including garlic sauce, chili oil and spicy sauce.

The first to come back were the elementary school students. Shi Xiaoya went to pick them up, including Yongfang, Shi Li, Da Pang and Xiao Pang. Shi Li ran to Yang Ruiping and said, "Grandma, we all miss you."

Yang Ruiping kissed her and said, "Grandma misses you too. I'll make dumplings for you later."

Xiaopang asked Yan Jiekuang, "Dad, where are our brothers and sisters?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "I see you are not thinking about your brothers and sisters, but about the king and the little king. Go, it's in the backyard."

A group of children jumped and skipped to the backyard. Da Wang and Xiao Wang were the names Xixi and Xiao Hai gave to the two puppies. On the day they found the puppies, the children were attracted by the puppies in Xiao Hai and Xixi's arms when they came home from school. The two little ones were so scared that they ran to Yan Jiekuang, shouting, "These are ours."

Shi Xiaoya came to the kitchen and asked, "Mom, let me do it."

Yang Ruiping said: "You have worked all day, take a break. Everything is ready, except making dumplings. Let's make dumplings together."

After a while, Shi Lei, Yongchang and Yongxin also came back. They said hello to the adults and went to the backyard. Yongchang and Yongxin were very curious when they heard Shi Lei say that Xiaohai and Xixi had two dogs.

Then Yan Jiecheng and his wife came back with Yan Yongqing. Yan Jiekuang looked at Yan Yongqing and said, "When is your father going to get married?"

Yan Yongqing said: "After the New Year, the day to find someone to look after you is March 20th."

Yan Jiekuang said, "That's right. After you get married, you should concentrate on your work. If you want to open a restaurant, run it well. If you need any help, ask your Third Aunt."

Yan Yongqing said happily: "I see, thank you, Third Uncle."

Yan Jiecheng said: "Now that he's married, I've finally gotten rid of a worry. This guy keeps attacking me when he has nothing to do. If he does this a few times, I'm sure I'll have a heart attack."

Yan Jiekuang said, "I prepared some side dishes. Would you like to have some?"

"Okay, it's settled." Yan Jiecheng said happily.

Yang Ruiping was unhappy and said, "Why can only men drink alcohol?"

Yan Jiekuang was stunned, and took Yang Ruiping's arm and said, "Who said that? I love drinking with my mother the most."

"You're so old, yet you're still making a fool of yourself." Yang Ruiping laughed and hit him. The eldest couple and Shi Xiaoya burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at? You look so happy." Yan Bugui's voice came from the door, followed by Yan Jiefang.

Yang Ruiping said: "It's okay, the third brother said that our family should have a drink tonight."

"This is fine. Can I have the dish?" Yan Bugui asked with a smile.

Yan Jiekuang said: "Everything is ready, but there are no hot dishes, enough to eat."

Just as she said this, Ji Lian walked in the door and greeted her parents and others.

Yang Ruiping said: "Now that everyone is here, let the children wash their hands, make dumplings for dinner, and have a drink in the evening."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Jie Di hasn't come back yet?"

"No need to wait for her, she went out on a date and said she would be back later." Yan Bugui said.

Here, Yang Ruiping took Shi Xiaoya to make dumplings, the rest of the men prepared the table and chairs, and Yu Li and Ji Lian took Yan Yongqing to serve the dishes.

There were two tables in total, one for Shi Lei and the children, and one for the adults and Yan Yongqing. Soon the hot dumplings were served, and the cold dishes were already on the table. The children drank soda, and the adults opened two bottles of Fenjiu and filled them up, even Ji Lian.

Yan Bugui raised his glass and said, "Today we bid farewell to 1987 and welcome 1988. I wish you all good luck in your work if you are working, prosperity if you are doing business, progress in your studies if you are in school, and health and happiness if you are not in school. Cheers!"

Everyone shouted cheers together, and when they said cheers, they all took a sip of white wine and then started eating.

At Liu Haizhong's house next door, Liu Haizhong also made two plates of dumplings and two side dishes. He sat opposite Zhao Yue'e and ate while chatting casually. Suddenly, cheers came from the Yan family next door. Liu Haizhong and his wife were very envious.

Look at other people's houses full of children and grandchildren. I have quite a few sons too, but some leave and some disperse, while others ignore me. How did it come to this? The yard outside is quiet, and a sense of loneliness quickly rises in the hearts of the two people.

(End of this chapter)