Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 46 Harmonious Front Yard
The front yard of the Siheyuan in April 1955
When Yan Jiekuang got up in the morning, he heard a knock on the door.

Yan Jiekuang came out with his clothes on, and saw Yan Jiefang standing at the door with his little sister.

After opening the door, Yan Jiefang complained, "I don't lock the door, so you don't have to lock it in the future. It's so inconvenient." It seemed that they must have been knocking for a long time and were a little impatient.

"Okay, my busy man, good second brother, why are you looking for me so early in the morning?" Yan Jiekuang picked up his sister and walked into the house.

Yan Jiefang hesitated and said, "Well, the chili is gone. I want some from you."

The three of them walked into the back room, and Yan Jiekuang first put the little sister on the bed. The little sister slid into the bed, giggling.

Yan Jiekuang turned around and said to Yan Jiefang, "You have been selling here for nearly a month, right? Did you pay me for the seasonings before? Brothers should be clear about accounts. The money you make includes my costs, don't you think so, second brother?"

Yan Jiekuang thought about it and really ignored this matter. "Well, second brother, the things are with my dad. You discuss it with Grandpa Sun and Sun Xiaolong, and then go find my dad. I will not be involved in this matter. I have to see my sister and don't have time."

When Yan Jiefang heard this, he stopped worrying and turned around to find his father.

Yan Jiekuang then put on his clothes and asked his sister if she had washed up. His sister said she had finished washing a long time ago.

The two of them first stayed in the yard for a while, mainly feeding the fish. There were fish in the pond. These were not for eating, but goldfish that my younger sister specifically requested, as well as other ornamental fish. Yan Bugui also released two small turtles with interest.

After cleaning up, the two of them left the yard and came to the west wing. They went to the stove and filled two bowls of porridge, one bowl of corn porridge and one bowl of rice porridge, as well as a plate of pickled cucumbers and one egg, which was Yan Jiedi's.

Nowadays, everyone has different busy schedules, so everyone eats their own food in the morning.

Only Yan Jiedi’s food was better, while everyone else ate the same as their neighbors in the courtyard.

Yan Jiefang had experience in selling Shijiacun dates and had rich experience, so his team expanded and An Lingling and Zhou Nianping joined.

River snails are just food, so it is okay to earn a little money to supplement the family income.

Yan Bugui said: "Yan Jiefang told him that the neighbor's children were privately warned by the uncle not to get close to his family, and the adults acquiesced because of the uncle's status."

Yan Jiekuang said: "They are all children, why think so much? Fighting, breaking up and getting back together are all normal, don't take it too seriously."

Yan Bugui replied unhappily: "You are the only one who doesn't act like a child."

"I'm trying hard to become your third brother again." Yan Jiekuang made a face.

With the river snail business, several families have eased their family difficulties. But there are also discords. Zhang Erzhu and Jia Dongxu from the Intermediate Court found Grandpa Sun and blatantly asked for the secret recipe. Grandpa Sun gave them the answer with a broom.

However, the Zhongyuan Court is also making it. It’s not so authentic, but it’s edible. They sell it in Houhai.

Nowadays, food on the streets is quite cheap and doesn’t require a ticket, so it’s easy to sell, so those two families also made money.

Siheyuan Middle Courtyard

He Daqing was cooking and Li Cuilan was helping.

He Yuzhu was busy with his teaching materials. His academic qualifications were still low, although he was transferred from another industry. Today, the factory director specifically talked to him about how he could finish junior high school in night school.

Li Cuilan hasn't cooked since Yi Zhonghai was imprisoned, so He Yuzhu asked her to eat with him.

He Yuzhu gave Li Cuilan money in private, which made Li Cuilan cry again. Finally, she told He Yuzhu that she was not short of money and that Yi Zhonghai had a high salary and saved a lot of money, so that was enough.

The three of them were busy preparing the meal, and He Yuzhu called out, "It's time for Yushui to eat."

He Yushui came in skipping and jumping. He Yushui is in the third grade now. She feels that this period of time is a happy one because her father and brother are always around her, and she also has an Aunt Cuilan who cares about her.

He Daqing felt that this period of time was a good time. Although he was not the canteen director, his salary was not much reduced. He was assigned to the fifth-level cook, with a monthly salary of 65 yuan. His children were all around him, and he only had to cook at work, without worrying about anything else.

The four of them sat down and started eating. He Yuzhu took out a bottle of wine and poured a glass for He Daqing each.

Li Cuilan picked up some food for Yu Shui, and the two of them clinked glasses. He Daqing asked, "How is your schooling going? Are you able to learn well?"

He Yuzhu took a bite of food and said, "Even if you can't learn, you have to memorize it. Director Yang said that this is the bottom line."

"Then you should study hard. It's a good opportunity to be with He Yushui, so you can supervise her." He Daqing said after taking a sip. He Yushui pouted, and Li Cuilan laughed and said, "Look, Yushui is angry."

He Yuzhu laughed and said, "Don't worry, sister. Your brother is not as good as you. You supervise him."

He Yushui laughed out loud, and He Daqing and Li Cuilan also laughed.

East Wing of the Central Courtyard of Siheyuan
Jia Dongxu and Zhang Erzhu were sitting opposite each other at the table.

"Come on, brother, let's drink to our success." Zhang Erzhu raised his glass and clinked it with Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu said: "I didn't expect this little thing to make so much money. This month, it made as much as two months' salary."

Zhang Erzhu drank a cup and said, "Yes, what we do is no worse than the people in the front yard, but picking river snails takes too much time."

Jia Dongxu thought for a moment and said, "How about letting the kids playing by the river pick them up and giving them less money for their hard work?"

Zhang Erzhu's eyes lit up and he nodded in agreement.

Qin Huairu was in the inner room. Her family had been doing well recently and she had almost fifty yuan in pocket money.

He takes the children with him every day and the food they eat is pretty good. Jia Dongxu is a generous and family-oriented person and brings home all the delicious food.

She tried all kinds of pastries, roast duck, and braised beef that she had never eaten before. No one at home said anything to her anymore, and now she looks so cool when she walks outside.

The two brothers drank for a while and then stopped because they had to get up early tomorrow.

However, Jia Dongxu forgot one thing. He promised to visit his master once a month to deliver things, but he forgot to do so this month.

Since the last incident, the factory suspended the master. He still wanted to go and see it, but the river snails were so attractive that he only thought about making money and forgot everything else.

Jia Dongxu went back to his room to sleep.

Front yard of the Siheyuan

Widow Wang was at a loss as to what to do with the thirty yuan in her hand. This was the money that Nian Ping had taken back.

It was said that the money was earned from selling river snails with Brother Jiefang. Zhou Nianping was very sensible and never spent money, so he took the money back directly.

Widow Wang knew that her youngest daughter had gone to sell food with Yan Jiefang and others, but she didn't expect it to be so much money.

Zhou Nianping said proudly: "Mom, you see I also make money, you don't have to worry about it, and you don't have to be so tired."

Widow Wang hugged Zhou Nianping and looked at him tenderly.

The same goes for Grandpa Sun's family. His family is the main force and earns more. The only thing is that this thing can only be sold for money.

Food still requires tickets, so there is no choice but to go to the black market to exchange some tickets. This matter can only be left to Grandpa Sun.

When An Lingling took the money home, Dr. An didn't quite believe it until he found Grandpa Sun and learned the whole story.

Those who clean up and sell goods will get thirty, those who prepare food will get twenty more, and the Yan family’s seasonings can be paid at cost price.

Doctor An went home happily. She didn't need the money. She was happy that An Lingling was no longer the timid little girl after selling river snails. She became cheerful, laughed more often, and talked more.

Dr. An wanted to thank Grandpa Sun, but Grandpa Sun said, "Don't thank me, I have to thank others too, the Yan family. I heard it was Xiaosan's idea. It started out to help my family out of trouble, and later it developed into a job for the kids in the front yard, and it's also a lot of exercise."

Dr. An said, let’s not worry about who else, let’s all three of us thank Teacher Yan and Aunt Yang together, okay?

When Grandpa Sun heard this, he thought it was a good idea, so he went to see Widow Wang that day, and finally they decided to have a meal together.

When Yan Bugui received the invitation, he was still a little dizzy. The courtyard had changed unconsciously.

The front yard became more harmonious.

(End of this chapter)