Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 83 The Deaf Old Man Returns

Nanluoguxiang
Yi Zhonghai and his son Yi Jicheng were carrying a fish as they walked from the north end of Nanluoguxiang to the entrance of the alley. Workers from the steel mill in the nearby compound greeted them and praised the child. Yi Zhonghai was smiling widely, but then the smile faded and turned into tears. "Old lady, where have you been?"

Across the alley stood a deaf old lady. Yi Zhonghai pulled Yi Jicheng and ran to the old lady. Yi Zhonghai introduced that this was the adopted son from his hometown, named Yi Jicheng. Yi Jicheng was still young, and whispered "Madam!"

The deaf old lady was very happy. The word "madam" meant that the Yi couple had already taught her. The deaf old lady took Yi Jicheng's hand, and Yi Jicheng had no resistance. The old lady was even happier. The three of them talked and laughed as they entered the courtyard. The neighbors gathered around them and greeted them, asking about their well-being.

Yi Zhonghai hurriedly said, "Everyone, everyone, the old lady is exhausted from the journey, let's let her rest first, thank you all."

The three of them then successfully entered the backyard. Li Cuilan was tidying up the old lady's room in the backyard. The old lady took a look around and muttered, "It's much better."

Four people, four dishes, after the meal, Yi Zhonghai didn't ask where the old lady went. He let her rest and the three of them returned to the central courtyard.

When they got home, Yi Zhonghai said, "Why do I feel that the old lady is in good spirits?" Li Cuilan nodded and said, "I feel the same way. It feels like something good has happened to her."

Front yard of the Siheyuan

Yan Bugui did not go out after he got off work. He was asked questions all day about the Lou family. He felt exhausted after he came back and sat there drinking tea.

Yang Ruiping came back from shopping and looked at Yan Bugui and said, "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

Yan Bugui was a little impatient and said, "No. Go ahead and do your thing. By the way, has the third brother come back?"

Yang Ruiping replied: "Are you stupid? Didn't the third brother just go back yesterday?"

Yan Bugui just remembered that today was Monday and the third child was in class. Yang Ruiping ignored him and went to the kitchen to work.

After a while, Yan Jiefang came back, followed by Yan Jiedi.

Yan Bugui looked at Yan Jiefang and said, "Aren't you living on campus? Why are you back?"

Yan Jiefang said, "The dormitory at the school is being renovated today, so I have to go back home this week and pick up my younger sister at the same time."

Yan Jiedi skipped and jumped to find her mother.

Yan Bugui felt relieved and blamed himself. It was just an investigation. Wasn't he a little too nervous?
During dinner, Yang Ruiping told Yan Bugui the news that the deaf old lady had returned.

Yan Bugui responded absentmindedly. He was still thinking about whether he should go to see the third brother. Then he thought, forget it. If he went, he would only cause trouble for the third brother.

Yan Jiefang smiled and said, "Mom, I heard from Zhou Nianping that his brother was deprived of the right to find a partner?"

Yang Ruiping laughed and explained the whole story.

The whole family sighed and said that it was all thanks to Mrs. Jia Zhang. They also felt sorry for Zhou Zhiping. Given Widow Wang's personality, she would definitely go on a series of blind dates, and would not be able to escape unless they got married.

After the family finished their meal, they all went about their own business. Yan Bugui was watering the flowers in the front yard as he had something on his mind.

Grandpa Sun called him and Yan Bugui responded, "What's wrong with you? I called you so many times. Are you worried about something?"

Yan Bugui looked at Grandpa Sun and said, "If things aren't going well at work, why are you playing two rounds?"

Grandpa Sun said, "Forget it. You are not in the right condition. Go back and rest."

Yan Bugui thought for a moment and said, "Uncle Sun, please say hello to my husband. I'm going to visit the third brother."

Old man Sun nodded in agreement, and Yan Bugui turned and left the compound, heading straight for Yuer Hutong.

Yan Jiekuang was currently struggling with a cat, a large black and yellow cat which looked quite scary at first glance. The cat was sitting at the door of his house.

If Yan Jiekuang wanted to go in, he had to drive it away. This big cat had been dominating Yu'er Hutong for many years, and it would not give way unless it had food.

Yan Jiekuang had no choice but to take out the leftover chicken offal from the space, put it on a plate, and put it on the side of the door.

The big cat was very considerate and went to eat the chicken offal. Yan Jiekuang opened the door and went into the front yard.

Yan Jiekuang had just finished school and had spent some time with the cat. He was very hungry, so he put his schoolbag in the hall and went to the kitchen in the front yard to cook.

Yan Jiekuang was alone at home, eating fine grains, so he planned to make himself a bowl of noodles with soybean paste. He fried fresh meat sauce, cut cucumber shreds, and a few heads of garlic, and placed them in the middle hall. He also picked a few corianders and green onions from the flowerbed in the front yard, so he made it quite complete. The noodles had just been rinsed and served. At the door came the cry of a big cat and a person's exclamation, which sounded familiar.

Yan Jiekuang opened the door and saw his father, who was fighting with the big cat. Yan Jiekuang shouted, "Let's go, that's my father."

The big cat really went to the side to eat chicken offal.

Yan Bugui and Yan Jiekuang walked into the house and asked as they walked, "When did you get a cat?"

"I don't raise it. This cat is the bully of this alley. Most people don't dare to mess with it." Yan Jiekuang said.

As soon as he entered the front yard, Yan Bugui smelled the smell of fried bean paste and sniffed. Yan Jiekuang looked at him and said, "I haven't eaten yet. Do you want to have some fried bean paste noodles?"

Yan Bugui ate cornmeal porridge with steamed bread at home. He was hungry, but not really hungry. He was greedy. "Then have a bowl."

As soon as Yan Bugui entered the hall, he saw that the ingredients on the table were quite complete, except for the vinegar. He didn't hesitate to scoop up the noodles while saying, "Old Three, go get some vinegar."

Yan Jiekuang went to the kitchen to get vinegar, and when he came back, he saw Yan Bugui scooping up his second bowl of noodles.

At this speed, Yan Jiekuang said: "Dad, I haven't eaten all day. You want vinegar, why do you eat a bowl first?"

Yan Bugui was immersed in the noodles, not even raising his head, and muttered vaguely, "Each has its own flavor."

Yan Jiekuang didn't waste any more words. He knew he wouldn't get anything to eat if he kept wasting time, so he just started eating.

The only sounds in the room were those of eating and scooping noodles. The father and son, eating two and a half pounds of noodles, sat in their seats and didn't say a word.

After a while, Yan Jiekuang went to pour tea for his father. The two of them drank the tea without saying a word, still savoring the taste of the noodles.

"Third brother, it seems like our family hasn't eaten white flour for a few years?" Yan Bugui asked.

Yan Jiekuang thought about it and realized that yes, the longevity noodles his mother made were made with two-piece flour. “It’s pure white flour and has been around for several years.”

Yan Bugui reminded Yan Jiekuang, "Don't let outsiders see it. Just eat it secretly."

"You met me today. I was really hungry, so I didn't go to the backyard to cook." Yan Jiekuang said.

Yan Bugui thought of the important matter and quickly told Yan Jiekuang the purpose of his visit and asked for his opinion.

Yan Jiekuang said, "My family doesn't know the Lou family at all. I just played with his daughter a few times. It's okay. If you don't do anything wrong, you don't have to worry about ghosts knocking on your door. Put your mind at ease."

After hearing what Yan Jiekuang said, Yan Bugui completely let go of the matter and planned to go back. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned around and said, "Put the meat sauce on me. I'll let your mother taste it when we get home. Oh, and there's also tea leaves."

Yan Jiekuang said to himself, "You are worthy of being Yan Bugui. I admire you very much." After packing the things and handing them to his father, Yan Bugui walked away with a swagger.

Yan Jiekuang cleaned up the big cat's plate, went into the house, locked it, and ran to the study in the backyard.

Siheyuan Middle Courtyard

Zhang Erzhu cooked at home and served his wife. Qin Yuru was pregnant again.

Zhang Yushan looked at his mother and kept asking, "Am I going to have a little brother?"

Qin Yuru became interested and asked, "How do you know it's the little brother?"

Zhang Yushan said in a baby voice: "Grandma Jia said that if we want to have a baby, we want a little brother."

Qin Yuru understood that it was Jia Zhang who was urging Qin Huairu to have a child.

Zhang Erzhu came over with the food and said with a bit of jealousy, "You already have three, why do you want more? Can you afford it?"

Qin Yuru didn't say anything and touched her belly.

(End of this chapter)