After traveling through the book, I realized my wish in my previous life

Jiang Yan and Shen Xiaoxia lived in Baihua Village for nearly a month after their marriage. A month later, they went to Shen Xiaoxia's hometown together and held a wedding there. After that, they went out to play for more than a month.

When they returned to Beijing, the weather was already very cold. It was early morning when they arrived. Jiang Yan took Shen Xiaoxia's hand and said he wanted to give her a surprise.

Fine snowflakes were floating in the sky, and a thin layer of white frost had accumulated on the willow branches by the Shichahai Lake. Jiang Yan, holding Shen Xiaoxia's hand, stood in front of a vermilion-painted gate. A brand new red lantern hung on the lintel, swaying gently in the cold wind.

"This is it," Jiang Yan took out a brass key from his pocket and placed it in Shen Xiaoxia's hand, "our home."

Shen Xiaoxia looked at the courtyard in front of her and was a little surprised for a moment. While Jiang Yan was busy with his career every day, he actually secretly prepared this surprise. The key in her palm was slightly warm. She looked up at Jiang Yan. His eyebrows and eyes seemed particularly gentle in the winter.

When you push open the heavy vermilion lacquer door, the first thing that catches your eye is an exquisite brick-carved screen wall with patterns of the three immortals of "Fu, Lu and Shou" carved on it. Two pots of cold-resistant holly are placed in front of the screen wall, adding a touch of vitality to the cold winter.

"This screen wall is original. I asked a master craftsman to repair the damaged parts," Jiang Yan explained softly, taking Shen Xiaoxia's hand and walking around the screen wall.

The front yard is paved with square bricks, with a row of side rooms on each side. The east side room has been converted into a modern kitchen and dining room, while the west side room is a tea room and study for receiving guests. An old pomegranate tree is planted in front of the main house. Although the branches and leaves are withered in winter, one can imagine the scene of its fiery red flowers blooming next summer.

"This pomegranate tree is at least fifty years old," Jiang Yan stroked the rough trunk. "The previous owner said its fruit is particularly sweet."

Entering the inner courtyard through the hanging flower gate, it is more private and quiet. There are five main rooms in the inner courtyard, the middle one is the living room, two rooms on the east side, one of which is the master bedroom, and the two rooms on the west side are connected to make a study.

There are also side rooms on both sides. The rooms in the east wing are used as guest rooms, and the rooms in the west wing are used as washrooms and storage rooms. The window frames of all the houses have been replaced with new ones, but the traditional Bubujin pattern has been retained, and the glass has been polished to a crystal clear finish.

"Come in and take a look," Jiang Yan pushed open the door of the master bedroom.

In the bedroom, a large double bed was covered with a brand new red satin quilt, a brass table lamp was placed on the bedside table, and a dressing table was placed by the window. The mirror frame was carved with exquisite twined flower patterns. What surprised Shen Xiaoxia the most was that there were many photos of her and Jiang Yan hanging on the wall, and the photos were decorated with dried flowers.

"These furniture..."

"I found them all based on the styles you liked," Jiang Yan smiled shyly. "I remember you described it before, and asked someone in Suzhou to find a master craftsman to make them custom-made for you."

Shen Xiaoxia walked to the closet and opened the door. Inside, there were many new clothes neatly hung, all in her size. She was very happy for a moment. She turned around and threw herself into Jiang Yan's arms, "Ayan, thank you, I like it very much."

"I'm glad you like it," Jiang Yan patted her back. "I'll show you the study. I'm sure you'll like it more."

In the study, an entire wall of bookshelves is filled with books, ranging from literary classics to professional textbooks, and even a few rare foreign language original books. By the window is a large desk with brand new pens and ink on it, and next to it is a desk lamp with a green glass cover.

"These books..."

"Some of these are things I've saved over the years, and some are new. I know you love reading, so this will be your little world from now on."

Jiang Yan pulled out a copy of Gone with the Wind from the bookshelf. "This is the latest translation. I bought it as soon as it arrived in the bookstore."

Shen Xiaoxia took the book and opened the title page. On it was Jiang Yan's neat handwriting, "To my Scarlett - May our story be better than fiction. Yan."

After touring the entire courtyard, perhaps because Jiang Yan put a lot of thought into it, Shen Xiaoxia felt that this two-courtyard apartment was better than the one she bought before.

Under the spring breeze of reform and opening up, housing prices in Beijing have begun to rise. Such a well-preserved and modernized two-courtyard courtyard house is already a considerable fortune in an area like Shichahai.

At noon, the two of them found a restaurant outside to have lunch. After lunch, they went to buy some daily necessities. In the middle of the meal, they heard Jiang Yan say that He Tingyuan, Han Zhuxin and others would come to Wenju tomorrow. So they went to the vegetable market to buy some vegetables and cleaned up the house.

The next morning, Shen Xiaoxia got up early and started busying herself in the new kitchen.

Although the kitchen retains the layout of a traditional courtyard house, the interior has been modernized with white tiles, a running water faucet and a canned gas stove.

The pots and pans had been washed yesterday afternoon. After the two of them had a simple breakfast, Shen Xiaoxia began to prepare the ingredients for lunch.

Jiang Yan was not idle either. He was sweeping the snow in the yard and lighting the coal stove in the living room.

At ten o'clock in the morning, the knock on the door sounded for the first time. Han Zhuxin was wearing a red cotton jacket and carrying a large cloth bag in her hand. As soon as she entered the door, she gave Shen Xiaoxia a big hug.

"Let me see this happy bride!" Han Zhuxin looked at Shen Xiaoxia with a smile, "She's different after getting married. She looks so good."

Shen Xiaoxia blushed and let her into the house. "You're the only one who can say that. Come in and warm up."

Han Zhuxin placed the cloth bag on the table and took out two woolen coats. "This is a wedding gift for you," she said, turning around and pulling out two sets of sofa covers from the bag. "This is a gift for your new home."

Shen Xiaoxia took it with a smile, "Thank you Zhuxin."

While they were chatting and laughing, He Tingyuan and Xie Yunheng also arrived. He Tingyuan was wearing a neat woolen coat and holding a box of Moutai liquor and some fruit cakes in his hands, while Xie Yunheng was wearing casual clothes and holding a cardboard box.

"Congratulations on moving into your new home!" He Tingyuan placed the wine on the table. "This is my grandfather's treasured possession. I was willing to part with it after a long time."

Moutai, this will be the finest wine from now on!

Shen Xiaoxia also stored some in her space, but of course, the more of this stuff, the better.

Jiang Yan patted his shoulder and said, "Thanks, brother!"

Xie Yunheng opened the carton and took out a set of exquisite tea sets. "I found these in Liulichang. They are from the Republic of China period and are perfect for your courtyard house."

Jiang Yan took the tea set and examined it carefully. The white porcelain was painted with elegant blue and white patterns. It was indeed a top-grade product. "Old Xie, this is too expensive."

"What's so valuable about it?" Xie Yunheng waved his hand. "We have such a close relationship, it doesn't matter."

Five people sat in the living room, drinking hot tea and chatting about recent news. The kettle on the coal stove gurgled, and white steam curled up in the cold air, which was warm and comfortable.

"Honestly," Han Zhuxin looked around, "this courtyard is really well built. It retains the flavor of old Beijing and is comfortable to live in. Jiang Yan, you have good taste!"