Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 65 There are always interruptions
June 1960

Yan Jiekuang received the admission letter from the Fifth Middle School.

Yan Bugui also knew that the third child went to the Fifth Middle School, but he didn't know that he was ranked fifth in the entire city.

Yan Bugui had just finished watering the flowers in the morning and was tidying up the watering can and hose when three people came in. The first one was familiar, Director Wang, and the second one was unfamiliar.

Yan Bugui greeted him warmly, and Director Wang said, "You're welcome. I came here to see you today. Where is your Yan Jiekuang?"

Yan Bugui was stunned for a moment and said, "He went out to play with his sister. He finally got a day off."

Director Wang thought Yan Bugui knew about Yan Jiekuang's affairs, so he teased him, "Teacher Yan, you hid it very well. Now that you have produced a top scholar, you must treat me to some wedding candy."

Yan Bugui was stunned. "What?" Director Wang continued, "This is the vice-principal of No. 5 Middle School, Principal Chen, and this is the dean of teaching, Director Yin. They have come to visit you specially."

Yan Bugui hurriedly invited the guests, "Hey, I don't know how many of you are here, come in and sit down, sit down inside."

Yan Bugui invited them into the house and asked Yang Ruiping to pour water. When Yang Ruiping heard that it was the teacher of the third child, he quickly made tea, Zhang Yiyuan's scented tea.

Several people sat down, drank a few sips of tea, and after getting to know each other, Principal Chen explained the purpose of their visit.

Yan Jiekuang is too young, and it is quite difficult for him to live on campus, but the school does not want to give up on this outstanding student. Principal Chen and Director Yin came specially for the first home visit.

Yan Bugui was so angry, "Well, I'm the last one and he's the fifth in the city. What's going on?"

Yang Ruiping was so happy that he kept muttering in the inner room, "My third child is the smartest."

Since Yan Jiekuang was not at home, Yan Bugui agreed to take a leave of absence tomorrow and take Yan Jiekuang to school to explain the situation.

After seeing this, they decided that this was the only way and said goodbye.

Yan Bugui and Yang Ruiping discussed and decided not to cook at home today and go directly to the third brother's place.

The guy next door called Yan Jiefang, and the three of them went straight to Yuer Hutong.

Arriving at Yuer Hutong and entering the courtyard, they saw two people barbecuing. Yan Jiefang started to complain, "These two siblings really eat alone. Hurry up and serve more meat and other things. Pour a glass of wine for my dad. He will be happy today."

The family gathered together, eating barbecue and discussing school matters. Yan Jiekuang said that he had studied everything and would have no problem with the exam, so everyone could rest assured.

Yan Jiekuang looked at Yang Ruiping and said, "Mom, I will always be the first in the future, and you can hang the certificates all over the wall."

Yang Ruiping said happily: "That's great, we can save on newspapers." Everyone laughed.

"By the way, Dad, is Xu Damao okay?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

Yan Bugui chewed the meat a few times before swallowing it, then said, "It's okay, but I didn't ask for money. Director Li, seeing that I gave him such a face, gave me a temporary job. The letter of introduction is still at home."

Comrade Yan Bugui was preparing for a rainy day. He was thinking about Yan Jiefang. Yan Jiekuang glanced at his second brother, who had a skewer of meat in his left hand and another in his right hand, and was jerking them vigorously.

Yan Jiekuang mentioned Zhang Wenchang inadvertently, saying that Zhang Wenchang would go to junior high school next year, and after graduating from junior high school, his father would send him to join the army, and Li Chenggang might go with him.

Yan Jiefang heard it and came over immediately, "Old Third, what do you think about me joining the army after I graduate?"

"Not very good. If you want to join the army, you have to go to high school honestly and join the army when you are 18 years old." Yan Jiekuang said.

Yan Bugui also said, "Yes, you must be at least 18 years old."

"Well, next year I will be in the same grade as my brother. Fortunately, we are not in the same school, otherwise it would be embarrassing." Yan Jiefang said.

Everyone laughed again.

Yan Bugui said: "If the second son is determined to join the army, then I will give the temporary worker quota to Lao Zhaotou. His family is in too difficult a situation."

No one had any objection, and then a few people strolled back to the courtyard.

August 1960

Yan Jiekuang officially became a student in the first grade of the fifth middle school. The head teacher was Qian, a gentle middle-aged woman. Yan Jiekuang was now expanding his knowledge, so some subjects involved high school knowledge. So he found his father and went to the bookstore. He spent nearly a hundred yuan and moved a cart of books back to Yuer Hutong.

Yan Bugui kept saying, "Can you finish reading this? This is not some random book, this is science."

Yan Jiekuang was so angry that he rolled his eyes. Yan Bugui always thought that Yan Jiekuang's knowledge was all the old-fashioned pedantic ancient texts and ancient books.

The two rooms in the east wing of Yuer Hutong were connected and turned into a study room specifically for storing books.

The west wing was used as a study and studio.

Yan Jiekuang’s junior high school career began, but trouble came knocking on his door within a few days.

Now when he goes to school, he takes Jingshan Road, goes to Gulou, bypasses Nanluoguxiang, and then goes to Xiguan Hutong. It is basically a main road.

When he came back, he felt someone was following him. He didn't pay much attention at first, but when he just passed Jingshan and turned into the alley, several people rushed over.

Yan Jiekuang knew that this person was looking for trouble, so he ran into the alley. His speed was really no match for those gangsters.

Yan Jiekuang disappeared after walking down two alleys. He went up to the roof, remained calm, and listened to several people running towards him from a distance.

He also followed silently, and after a while, several people stopped when they couldn't find anyone.

The leader said, "This guy runs really fast. We can't do it with just a few of us. We need to find a few more people."

The person next to him said, "What should I do? It didn't work out. I've already collected the money."

"It's okay. Just say we're still stuck in traffic. Find a time to block the way in front of the school and call a few more people." The leader glanced at the far end of the alley.

Several people walked back the way they came. Yan Jiekuang thought about it and decided not to chase them. He turned around and went back to Yuer Hutong.

The next day, he called the police and reported to the school principal, Principal Chen, that someone was blocking the school gate.

Yan Jiekuang didn't care anymore and went to school. A few days later, those thugs were caught at the school gate.

Yan Jiekuang went to identify it and talked seriously about what happened that day, including their conversation.

A few days later, Yan Bugui came and said that the person who gave the money had been caught. Yan Jiekuang said without even looking up, "Is it Yi Zhonghai?"

Yan Bugui was surprised and said, "Did you guess it? It was him. He also said that he was resentful of you for talking back to him and not respecting the elderly. The deaf old lady came to me and said she wanted to reconcile. I'm not sure, so I'd better tell you."

"We are all neighbors, so let's reconcile. I have no objection," said Yan Jiekuang.

Yan Bugui was surprised by the third brother's attitude. Yan Jiekuang thought that there was no actual crime, it was just a moral issue. If he kept harping on it, it would only take three to five days at most. It would be better to reach a settlement and see if there was any compensation.

Yan Bugui said he understood and turned to leave. Looking at his light figure, one could tell that he had received another small amount of money.

During his junior high school days, Yan Jiekuang's life was rich and colorful, and he actively participated in various activities.

He also received a lot of praise. The principal and teachers all liked this little guy very much.

His poems are included in the ancient Chinese literature theory, he is also present in the archaeological team, and he also signed up for the school badminton team selection.

Of course, we also learn mechanical knowledge. The school has a special fitter workshop for learning.

After returning home, I prepared some food for myself. Of course, most of it went into my younger sister's stomach. Yan Jiefang also came and had a meal of meat, then left.

Mother Yang Ruiping comes over every now and then to do the housework.

Yan Jiekuang would return to the courtyard every weekend. After all, it was where his family lived and where he had lived since he was a child, and he had a special attachment to it.

In the second half of 1960, living standards fell again. This time, even Zhang Erzhu and Jia Dongxu could not buy food.

(End of this chapter)