Life in siheyuan era

Zhang Yong, riding his bike with Guo Yanhong, sped into Ping'an Hutong, ignoring Zhao Ping's calls. He pedaled with all his might, rushing past.

He admired Zhao Ping immensely; stopping would definitely cost money, at least a fen for two candies.

But even this would mean spending several fen. Qin Huairu's three children, Wang Daji's child, and Yu Li, who also had a child, would need candy, costing three fen.

However, he absolutely wouldn't spend those three fen. Guo Yanhong was pregnant, and he needed to save money for his son to get married in the future.

The Zhang family had held a special family meeting last night to discuss this child. Zhang Xueqi, the chief engineer, participated in the meeting via telephone, providing guiding principles: the child must go to university and pursue a career as an electrical chief engineer.

Zhang Xueqi dared to be so domineering on the phone that Teacher Luo Sumei immediately opposed the hegemonistic approach, saying, "It must be a master of Sinology."

But Chief Engineer Zhang insisted on his own opinion, shouting霸气domineeringly, "It's settled!" and slammed down the phone.

Long-distance calls from the Northwest Base were not allowed to exceed three minutes unless there were special reasons. Whether Chief Engineer Zhang having a grandson counted as a special reason needed to be studied.

However, Chief Engineer Zhang wouldn't try to make exceptions. He also knew he couldn't win against Luo Sumei. An electrical engineer arguing with a Sinology scholar was bound to lose every time.

Not wanting to lose, Chief Engineer Zhang put down the phone and shouted, "I have a grandson!"

Immediately, he ran out of the room, sprinting around the field twice. Seeing the surprised expressions of several assistants, he calmed down, stopped, and walked over with measured steps, saying with a serious face, "Exercise is very important. Health is the foundation of revolution."

At that moment, He Yushui reacted quickly, replying, "Teacher is right. We should also strengthen our exercise in the future."

Chief Engineer Zhang covered it up, and Zhang Yong also dissuaded the furious Luo Sumei, who even wanted to call Zhang Xueqi to make a profound self-criticism.

Zhang Yong's reason for dissuading her was sufficient: "Why are you getting angry with my dad? You're the one who calls the shots in this family anyway."

These words reminded Luo Sumei of her position in the family. Zhang Xueqi's attitude was useless; the child would still study Sinology and become a master of Sinology in the future.

She calmed down, but Guo Yanhong became worried. Her parents-in-law kept talking about a grandson, but what if it was a girl?

She was straightforward and voiced her concern directly.

Luo Sumei's reply was also straightforward: "Does calling someone a grandson necessarily mean it's a boy? A girl is also my grandson."

At that moment, she didn't have time to consider the child's gender. She needed to formulate a training program immediately, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose, requiring many sets of training outlines.

Zhang Yong also wanted to add his own outline: "Mom, it's better to be proficient in both literary and martial arts. Let Zhiyuan teach him kung fu."

This suggestion was adopted by Luo Sumei. That kid had been away on missions for more than three years; it was time for him to come back.

So, this morning, Zhang Yong took Guo Yanhong to Ping'an Hutong. Such good news should be shared with the Zhou family in a timely manner, and the matter of teaching kung fu should be clarified. Zhou Dehou and Lin Shurong agreed, but if Zhou Zhiyuan disagreed, it would be all for naught.

He was thinking far ahead for the child but didn't consider other things.

The delighted Lin Shurong held Guo Yanhong's hand, giving her instructions and glancing at Qin Huairu.

Seeing Lin Shurong's gaze, Qin Huairu immediately became nervous. She wanted to have a child too, but after two years of no progress, she was helpless.

Having gotten her wish, Qin Huairu really wanted to have a child with Zhou Zhining. A couple is like two sides of a garment, and only the button of a child can firmly connect them.

She understood this principle. Wanting to spend her life with Zhou Zhining, she needed to have a child. Hearing Zhang Yong say that Guo Yanhong was pregnant made her even more anxious, and she couldn't help but think, "Should I ask Lan Yin to take me to see Miracle Doctor Xie?"

Miracle Doctor Xie's medical skills were superb. He prescribed several doses of medicine for Lin Shurong, and with Shen Lan Yin's acupuncture, Lin Shurong's health had improved, and her rheumatism hadn't recurred for over a year.

Thinking of Miracle Doctor Xie, Qin Huairu made up her mind. At this moment, she heard Zhou Dehou's voice, "Zhiyuan went to report to the chief early in the morning. He called just now and asked Old Zhao to inform us that he's going to see his master and then to Lan Yin's house. We'll tell him when he comes back tonight."

Zhou Dehou was responding to Zhang Yong's request. Only now could he get a word in. Zhang Yong had been chattering away since he came in, not giving others a chance to speak.

At this time, Zhou Dehou formally notified Zhang Yong, "Zhou Zhiyuan is back."

Zhang Yong paused for a moment, then jumped up and shouted, "Going to his father-in-law's house first thing? A classic case of valuing women over friends!"

Zhou Zhining corrected him, "Reporting to the chief was the first thing. The first priority is to marry Shen Lan Yin into the Zhou family. If everything goes well, I can go to your house tonight."

That order was correct. Zhang Yong thought about it and smiled, turning to Zhou Dehou and saying, "Uncle Zhou, it's settled then. Whether Yanhong gives birth to a boy or a girl, they'll be Zhiyuan's apprentice."

Saying this, he suddenly remembered something important and turned to Zhou Zhining, saying, "Brother Zhou, the matter of learning calligraphy and painting is up to you."

"No time," Zhou Zhining refused flatly, his eyes immediately turning to Qin Huairu, and said with certainty, "I still have to nurture my son."

At this moment, he remembered what Zhou Zhiyuan had said to him the night he returned home after being demobilized, "Nurturing children is very important."

He had married Qin Huairu for two years, partly because he had feelings for her, partly because he was grateful for everything she had done for Lin Shurong, and lastly, out of a bit of selfishness: Lin Shurong needed a woman to take care of her.

In this regard, only Qin Huairu was the most suitable. When Yu Haitang showed interest in him, he had been tempted, but after careful consideration, he still chose Qin Huairu. From the perspective of living a domestic life, Qin Huairu was the most suitable.

This was a natural thing, but it was somewhat unexpected that it stimulated Yu Li.

When Guo Yanhong came to the courtyard, she had to visit the Yan family and talk to Yu Li. She was naive and told Yu Li about Zhang Yong's plan.

So, this news stimulated Yu Li, making her immediately think of the relationship between Zhang Yong and Zhou Zhiyuan. Looking at the child on the bed, her son was only a little over a year old. Finding Zhou Zhiyuan now was a bit early.

But if she waited, would there still be a share for her child? Wang Daji's child was more than four years old, and Wang Dali's child was also more than a year old. Bang梗Geng was already more than nine years old.

Silly Zhu had spread the word early on that Zhou Zhiyuan wanted to invite Daji and Dali for a get-together, but he didn't mention Yan Jiecheng, indicating that the Daji and Dali brothers had a good relationship with Zhou Zhiyuan.

Hearing this news, Yu Li was already feeling a sense of crisis. Hearing Guo Yanhong talk about Zhang Yong's plan made her feel that time was pressing, so she made up her mind, "Talk to Zhou Zhiyuan as soon as possible."

Yu Li had found a reason. Before, she had contacted Zhou Zhiyuan to learn about antique knowledge in order to make money, but now it was for the future of her child.

This reason was very strong and could be justified.

But she wouldn't tell Guo Yanhong, chatting with her in a distracted manner, making Guo Yanhong feel that Yu Li was absent-minded.

And Liu Mingxue also felt that Hao Zhiwen was being the same way.

Today at noon, he invited Hao Zhiwen to dinner, and the two sat in a corner of the Modi Western Restaurant, chatting in a distracted manner.

Liu Mingxue smiled and said, "It's not easy for Doctor Hao to grace me with his presence!"

Hao Zhiwen replied faintly, "You, who have drunk foreign ink, look down on us natives. Why should I embarrass myself?"

Liu Mingxue explained, "Absolutely not. I grew up in Y Country, and some of my lifestyle habits are different from Doctor Hao's. Adapting to local customs takes time. Please forgive me for any improprieties."

"Understood," Hao Zhiwen replied and said nothing more.

At this moment, a plate of pickled cucumbers was brought up. Liu Mingxue turned to look at the waiter, hearing him say in a low voice, "Purchaser Yuan specially added it for you two comrades. Please enjoy."

The waiter turned and left, and another slim figure walked over, smiling softly, "Doctor Liu and Doctor Hao are both our distinguished guests. If there's anything, just come to me directly."

Liu Mingxue smiled and said, "Every time I come to dine, Purchaser Yuan is so enthusiastic. Thank you."

Hao Zhiwen said indifferently, "You don't need to thank him. It's not for you, but for Doctor Shen."

Hao Zhiwen actually understood. Among Shen Lan Yin's many bodyguards was this slim figure.

Hearing his words, Liu Mingxue was stunned, and Yuan Shi replied faintly, "Doctor Hao is an understanding person. Zhiyuan is back, and I'm still here as a bodyguard. Please enjoy."

After saying this, Yuan Shi turned and left, his light footsteps reflecting his mood.

Zhou Zhiyuan was back. The two had only stood at the entrance of the Modi Western Restaurant and said a few words, but Yuan Shi's heart had settled down.

Sometimes he also wondered, the two had not known each other for very long, but Zhou Zhiyuan could make him follow him wholeheartedly.

In recent years, Shen Lanbo had solved his work problems and allowed him to marry a wife, but in his heart, Zhou Zhiyuan was the one who dug the well.

Without Zhou Zhiyuan's discerning eyes, he would still be a laborer in the granary or a petty thief in the mall. How could he be the respected purchaser of the Modi Western Restaurant?