Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 75 Sophora japonica blossoms

March 1962

Sophora japonica flowers are about to bloom in the middle courtyard of the Siheyuan
He Yuzhu and his wife haven't been home for more than a month. Today they finally showed up. Li Cuilan came to help and asked He Yuzhu, "Why don't I see you?"

"My mother-in-law is sick and needs someone to take care of her." He Yuzhu said with a shake of his shoulders.

Li Cuilan knew Sha Zhu too well. Shaking shoulders was Sha Zhu's habitual gesture when he lied. Others might not know, but she knew it clearly. This was the first time Sha Zhu lied to her.

Li Cuilan was a little panicked, but she didn't show it. She went home and told Yi Zhonghai about Sha Zhu's lie.

Yi Zhonghai is now at a loss as to what to do with Jia Dongxu. Yi Zhonghai's mind is now full of the Jia family. He has no intention of caring about Sha Zhu's affairs, so he just comforts Li Cuilan with a few words.

Yi Zhonghai said: "The water in the steel mill is getting muddy now. Some people are taking positions in factions, and some small figures are starting to stir up trouble. Sha Zhu may be too busy at work and doesn't want you to know, so he didn't tell you the truth."

Li Cuilan thought for a moment and said, "Maybe. By the way, the old lady is out. You don't have to go to the backyard to look for her for a while."

The deaf old lady went out for a trip to visit her elder sisters, but Yi Zhonghai didn't take it seriously.

April 1962

The Jia family’s top priority is Qin Huairu, whose due date is approaching.

This time, Grandmother Jia was fully prepared and had prepared everything that needed to be prepared.

Jia Dongxu was worried, so he told Jia Geng that if anything went wrong at home, he should go to the steel mill to find him.

Jia Geng agreed, and took Xiao Dang's hand and said, "That's good now. You are not the youngest anymore. You have to take care of the children from now on."

Xiaodang was about to cry after hearing this. She had always been used to sticking to her brother, but how come she suddenly had to take care of a child?

Xiao Dang said, "Can we not do that? I'm used to being the youngest."

After hearing this, Jia's mother laughed and said, "Xiaodang, you are the second child. Think about Yan Jiefang, he is the second child in the family."

Xiaodang thought about Brother Jiefang, what a free man he was, and his eyes lit up instantly.

In the afternoon, Qin Huairu started having contractions, and Jia Geng ran to find his father.

Grandmother Jia went to the front yard to find Yang Ruiping. After the two discussed it, they found Widow Wang and Grandpa Sun, and they sent Qin Huairu to the hospital.

When Jia Dongxu came back, Qin Huairu was already in the hospital waiting to give birth.

Jia Dongxu felt relieved and rushed to the hospital with Jia Geng and Xiao Dang.

In the afternoon, Qin Huairu entered the delivery room. Not long after, the nurse brought out a baby. She looked at Jia Dongxu and said, "You are the mother's family member. The delivery went smoothly. Both mother and daughter are safe. The baby weighed 5.12 kg."

When Lady Jia heard the word "girl", she was a little displeased, but she didn't say anything.

The nurse said, "Look, the child still needs a bath, please go to the ward."

The Jia family, Yang Ruiping, and Widow Wang were still there, helping to push Qin Huairu into the ward.

After everything was settled, the child was brought over. Qin Huairu woke up, held the child, and asked Jia Dongxu to name the child.

Jia Dongxu thought about it and looked at his mother, meaning, how about you get up?
Grandmother Jia was not polite and said, "When this child is born, the whole garden will be filled with the fragrance of locust flowers, so let's name him Locust Flower."

Qin Huairu held the child in her arms and said to him, "Little Sophora japonica, that sounds pretty nice, isn't it, Little Sophora japonica?"

Jia Dongxu also agreed and said, "Thank you all, it's all thanks to your help. After this busy period is over, I will invite all the aunts to have a full moon wine."

Yang Ruiping and Widow Wang also said goodbye. Grandmother Jia was also about to go back, and she took Jia Geng and Xiaodang with her.

Jia Dongxu thought for a moment and said to Qin Huairu, "I have approached the Yan family to see if there is any way to resolve the current predicament. Yan Jiekuang didn't say anything, but just asked if he could get you into the factory. If you do, your family's household registration and rationing will be resolved. He also said that this is what I should be busy with."

Qin Huairu thought about it, and instantly became happy, and said: "Yes, this is what our family should be busy with. We still have money at home. If it really doesn't work, we can buy one and find He Yuzhu."

Jia Dongxu thought about it and realized that this was the most important thing. He nodded suddenly. On the other side, the three women were also walking and chatting.

Yang Ruiping saw that Grandmother Jia was a little unhappy, so he asked, "What's wrong? Are you not happy about giving birth to a daughter?"

"Yes, a little. The Jia family has never been prosperous. His father is alone, and Dongxu is alone. Now that she has a baby with great difficulty, it's a girl, and Jia Geng is alone." Grandmother Jia expressed her frustration.

Widow Wang said, "Just tell us two, don't tell anyone else. We are advocating equality between men and women now."

Yang Ruiping said: "You, you think too much. If you are not satisfied, let Huairu have another child. There are four of us in my family, so don't talk nonsense."

When Lady Jia thought about it, it made sense. If it didn’t work, she could just ask for another one.

"We have to keep a low profile. I heard that the situation is very bad now. There are villains reporting us everywhere. We have to talk less in the future." Yang Ruiping warned.

Widow Wang also said, "My family now only eats steamed bread and cornmeal porridge. The clothes we wear are also patched. It's not a big deal to be careful."

"It's not possible in my house. Dongxu has to eat a fixed amount of food alone. I would like to eat good food, but the conditions don't allow it." Grandmother Jia said frustratedly.

"Come on, your family is the richest in the courtyard, and all the old people in the front yard know it." Widow Wang spoke frankly and directly exposed Jia Dongxu.

Grandmother Jia was suddenly shocked. She didn’t know and looked at Yang Ruiping, meaning that you also knew.

Yang Ruiping said: "I don't know whether he is the richest or not. You were not there when everyone was making crayfish. My third child said that your son should have earned the most."

Grandmother Jia said, "You mean my son is very rich, but he doesn't show it very much."

"Think about it carefully. Does your son need you to eat, wear clothes, and give you money from time to time? Have you ever calculated it yourself?" Widow Wang said.

Grandmother Jia said a little unhappy: "No wonder this son is hiding from me. No, I have to come over."

Yang Ruiping advised: "Why do you want to come here? Save it, don't eat or drink it. The most important thing for your family now is to find a job for Qin Huairu."

Grandmother Jia asked in confusion, "Why are you looking for a job for her?"

Yang Ruiping continued, "If she gets a job, she can get a city hukou. Your grandchildren can also get a city hukou, and they can also get a quota. Tell me whether it is important or not."

Grandmother Jia suddenly understood, and she decided to go home and ask Jia Dongxu to make arrangements.

Widow Wang said, "Your daughter-in-law is really good at giving birth. How did you choose her? You have such good taste."

Yang Ruiping also said that your daughter-in-law is worth finding. Jia's mother was instantly delighted and immediately boasted, saying, "I have a sharp eye."

Widow Wang said, "Please help me when my son finds a wife." Grandmother Jia agreed and said that she must take a look.

"Banggeng, run slower and keep an eye on Xiaodang." Grandmother Jia shouted from behind.

This handsome boy now has a special liking for sports. Xiaodang knows that she needs to find another playmate because playing with her brother is too tiring.

A few people returned to the courtyard, talking and laughing. The neighbors of the courtyard gathered around them, and Sophora japonica became well-known to everyone.

When Lady Jia returned home and unlocked the door, the door opposite opened and Yi Zhonghai came out.

Yi Zhonghai asked, "How is it, sister-in-law, is the baby born?"

Originally, Jia's mother was thinking about Qin Huairu's work. When she heard Yi Zhonghai's question, she said, "It's a baby girl, weighing 5.12 pounds."

"Congratulations. I'll go and see it when I have time," said Yi Zhonghai.

When Grandmother Jia saw Yi Zhonghai, her eyes lit up.

　It’s almost time to go back to work. I don’t know if I can keep up with the pace of updating, but I’ll try my best.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)