Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 40 A Peaceful Beginning

Nanluoguxiang Hutong, a day in October

Yan Jiekuang took his younger sister out of the supply and marketing cooperative and bought her malt sugar. He wanted to buy something else, but the cooperative didn't have it.

The salesperson even mocked him and asked if he had any candy coupons. Yan Jiekuang took out one and shook it.

"Is it sweet?" "Sweet!" Before taking two steps, the little sister asked for a hug.

As soon as I walked through an alley, I was stopped by a few teenagers.

Yan Jiekuang didn't know what they were intercepting, so he asked, "Are they intercepting people or things?"

"Take out all your money." said the first one.

Yan Jiekuang turned out both of his pockets, but they were empty.

"Where's the money?" the boy continued to ask.

"Buying candy."

The boy got a little angry and shouted, "Where's the candy?"

Yan Jiedi said in a baby voice: "I ate it."

The boy became even angrier and was about to shout something.

Yan Jiekuang stomped his foot, and the bluestone slab under his feet shattered.

"It's okay, big brother, we're just asking." The boy stepped back cautiously.

When he retreated to the middle of the crowd, he turned around and howled, "This is a tough idea, run!"

The crowd dispersed in a hurry, and Yan Jiedi giggled.

Yan Jiekuang was in a good mood and said, "I'll make you egg tarts when I get home."

Yan Jiekuang held his little sister in his arms and walked towards home.

When he reached the gate of the west wing, a coincidence happened. A young girl rode a bicycle in a serpentine route and came straight towards him.

Yan Jiekuang quickly carried his little sister and ran to the steps of the west wing gate.

The girl fell down suddenly, but it was okay because she was not riding fast.

"Are you okay?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

The girl got up by herself, feeling that the scene seemed familiar. She looked up and saw a little boy holding a little girl.

Quickly brushing off her clothes, the girl blinked her big eyes and asked, "Hello, have we met before?"

"When I was as old as my sister, I ate one of your popsicles." Yan Jiekuang said with a smile.

The girl suddenly realized and said happily, "So it's you. You've grown up so much. Is this your sister? Oh, by the way, my name is Lou Xiao'e, you can call me Sister E."

Yan Jiekuang put his sister on the ground and replied, "My name is Yan Jiekuang, I live in that courtyard, No. 95."

"Are you learning how to ride a bicycle?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Lou Xiao'e took out two candies from her pocket and said, "I'll treat you to some candy. Yes, I'm a bit stupid."

"Thank you!" Yan Jiekuang took it, peeled one, and handed it to his sister's mouth, and his sister took a bite.

"You're almost there, but you're just not confident and keep looking at the bike. If you look forward and look at the road, I think you'll be fine." Yan Jiekuang shared with her his experience of learning to ride a bicycle in his previous life.

"How old are you? You've never ridden a bicycle, how would you know?" Lou Xiao'e giggled.

"Are you not here specifically to learn how to drive?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Lou Xiaoe's smile froze on her face. "Oh no, I forgot about my dad. I'm leaving now."

Lou Xiao'e picked up the bicycle and pushed it a few steps. After thinking for a while, she got on the bike again. This time she looked straight ahead and rode smoothly.

"Still so impetuous." Yan Jiekuang picked up his sister and walked home.

A man in black turned out, looked at Yan Jiekuang's back, and walked towards Lou Xiao'e.

Yan Jiekuang returned to his back room and asked, "Little sister, are you going to stay here or go find mom first? I have to be busy for a while."

"Mom, sugar," said the little sister.

"I see. You want to give candy to your mother, right? Here, give it to you. Put the remaining candy and malt ones in your left pocket, and the ones I just gave you in your right pocket. Let's go." Yan Jiekuang led his younger sister to the west wing.

"Mom, Mom!" The little mouth called out before the person arrived. Yang Ruiping hurried out from the inner room and picked up the child.

Yan Jiedi took out the candy from her right pocket and said in a baby voice, "Mom, have some candy."

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "Mom, I'm going back to the house. I'll make you something delicious."

Yan Jiekuang turned and left, while Yang Ruiping carried Yan Jiedi to the inner room. Yan Jiekuang had just left the west wing when he saw Jia Dongxu holding a stick, and Qin Huairu following beside him, carrying a woven basket.

This is a family of three who went shopping for groceries. Banggeng is holding a candied haws in his hand.

They walked towards the central courtyard chatting and laughing, and greeted Wen Jun as they passed by.

The Siheyuan is full of joy and happiness now. Except for the Yan family, no one calls themselves the Yan family when they hold a meeting.

At the beginning, Yan Bugui complained that they were neighbors, but they were treated like strangers.

Yan Jiekuang said: "If you feel lonely, just open your circle of friends. There are many friends to make in parks and Shichahai."

In the days that followed, Yan Bugui seldom appeared in the courtyard, and it seemed that he was very busy all day.

When Yan Jiecheng entered junior high school, he seemed like a different person. He went to school on time, went home on time, ate when he was supposed to, and studied when he was supposed to.

Yan Jiefang always mentions Shijia Village no matter what, which makes Yan Bugui very annoyed with him.

The years are quiet and good, and we grow up slowly.

Winter Solstice, December 1955
When I woke up in the morning, I saw a small red flower on the glass frame outside the window.

Yan Jiekuang knew that Lao Gui was looking for him because he was someone he could trust. From the first time, Lao Gui would not let him show up. Lao Gui's original words were, "If my grandson were alive, he would be your age, so I can't let my grandson take risks."

Lao Gui never asked him about the source of things. He knew some rules of ancient warriors, and Lao Gui was doing his best to protect him.

After packing up, Yan Jiekuang said goodbye to his mother and went out.

After a few turns, you will be out of Nanluoguxiang and not far away you will enter Shilaonian Hutong, where the old ghost lives.

I entered a courtyard. There were not many people in the courtyard. I turned right and knocked on the door of the east wing in the front yard.

"You only know this. I knew it was you as soon as the door rang." The old ghost opened the door and let Yan Jiekuang in.

Yan Jiekuang walked in and sat down on a stool. "You're here for me? You prepared this especially for me."

"This whole yard belongs to me. I don't come here often, and the other houses are empty. I just remembered this place the other day." The old ghost said while pouring water.

Yan Jiekuang smiled and said, "I am just a child, no one pays attention to me, but you are different, there are a lot of people watching you. You can't sell me out."

"What do you want to say today?" Yan Jiekuang asked directly.

Lao Gui handed Yan Jiekuang a piece of paper, and Yan Jiekuang threw it directly into the stove after reading it.

Yan Jiekuang hooked the lower fire mouth with a furnace hook and said, "It's a bit much, but it's available. Please prepare a place. When you're ready, give me the address."

The old ghost handed over a note, then sat back, drank a sip of water, and said, "I'm old, and they won't need me for many days. Do you want to continue playing, or disappear?"

Yan Jiekuang was very surprised and said, "If you leave, I will not exist. This time, I want something else, and I will talk about the money first."

The old ghost said, "You are a smart one. I will clean up my mess before I leave. After the New Year, you should not come here anymore. This is the last thing I can do for you."

Yan Jiekuang was very grateful and said, "Thank you for all these years, Grandpa. I am just a child, and there are so many people at home."

"Don't go out in the future, at least before you become an adult. You will be fine, but there will always be accidents." Lao Gui advised Yan Jiekuang.

Yan Jiekuang said sincerely: "Don't worry, this is the last time, I won't do it again. Be a child with a childlike heart in the future."

Lao Gui was happy. Yan Jiekuang told him his request and then left. This was the last time Yan Jiekuang saw Lao Gui.

Siheyuan Middle Courtyard

He Daqing's family is in a festive mood today. The door is tidy and there is no clutter at all.

This is not common. Xiaohu is busy running around, and He Yushui follows him around, carrying this and that.

He Daqing was tidying up in the kitchen.

Yi Zhonghai and Li Cuilan had just returned from the deaf old lady and told her what they had learned.

When I walked to the middle courtyard, I saw Xiaohu and greeted him warmly, "Xiaohu, when did you come? Have you eaten?"

"I've eaten it, uncle. My brother is coming back soon, so let's clean up." Xiaohu agreed although he was busy with his hands.

Yi Zhonghai smiled and said, "Oh, Zhuzi is back, that's great, we have to get together."

Xiaohu said: "My brother said that he would have a meal at home today and invite a few uncles and old ladies to dinner tomorrow."

"Okay, okay, then I'll take care of it tomorrow." Yi Zhonghai and Li Cuilan were very happy and turned to go into the house.

After a while, the two of them went to the backyard together again.

After Xiaohu finished his work, he took He Yushui into the house.

(End of this chapter)