Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

It was lunchtime.

Chen Lanxiang couldn't bear to let her son He Yuzhu, who had just returned home, do any work.

The mother and her children simply cooked a pot of hand-pulled noodles at home, and ate a quiet, home-cooked meal with some pickled vegetables.

He Yuzhu had just finished eating when he got up to play with his family's several teenagers.

He specially rummaged through his luggage and found a box of exquisite tin train toys.

This was a rare item he specially brought back from Russia. It was made of high-quality materials and had exquisite workmanship. In Beijing at that time, you couldn't find the same model anywhere else.

Among the children, Wang Siyu was the oldest and most sensible, so she was the first to take control of the little train.

The two younger brothers, still quite young, could only stand by and watch with wide, round eyes, not even having the chance to play with the toys.

The two little ones stared longingly at the spinning toy train, their envy and resentment almost overflowing.

At first, the two children yelled and screamed, their cries sharp and loud, trying to get a chance to play by crying.

He Yuzhu looked down at the two little ones wriggling in his arms, a helpless yet amused smile curving his lips.

He knew perfectly well that these two little ones were just making a scene without actually doing anything, howling without shedding a single tear, purely acting out on purpose.

Seeing that howling had no effect whatsoever, the two little ones immediately changed their methods.

They writhed in He Yuzhu's arms, struggling desperately with their hands and feet, trying their best to break free from He Yuzhu's grasp and rush to Wang Siyu to snatch the toy train.

Her little mouth kept calling out in a soft, sweet voice.

"elder sister."

The innocent cries of children softened the hearts of all who heard them.

But Wang Siyu was completely focused on controlling the toy train, her mind and eyes filled with the novelty and joy that the toy brought her, and she had no extra time to pay attention to her two younger brothers.

She simply gave a casual reply without looking up, her gaze never leaving the toy train in her hand.

Unable to get a response from their older sister or get the toy they'd been longing for, the two boys instantly lost their temper.

Just moments ago, it was a dry wail, but now it was real tears of grievance. Large tears rolled down her tender cheeks, and her cries became heart-wrenching.

Hearing her younger brothers' increasingly loud cries, Wang Siyu finally raised her head with reluctance.

She looked down at the toy train she was so fond of, then turned to look at her two younger brothers, whose faces were red from crying and who looked pitiful.

The little girl was conflicted for quite a while.

On one side are novel and fun toys, and on the other side is her blood-related younger brother.

In the end, Wang Siyu's kindness prevailed over her playfulness, and she bit her lip, silently giving up the idea of ​​continuing to play with the toy train.

She put down her toys, took quick steps with her short legs to her two younger brothers, reached out her little hands, and gently coaxed them as they cried.

Chen Lanxiang was clearing the table when she heard the child's increasingly loud crying, and she became a little irritated.

She glanced at her two crying grandsons, then looked at the toy train box that the children were fighting over, and immediately spoke to He Yuzhu.

"Put your things away and take them to yourself."

"The third and fourth children are too young to play with such delicate toys. Instead, they cause the children to fight and cry, making a fuss."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately nodded and readily agreed.

"it is good."

This was exactly what he wanted to hear; he had already planned to put these rare toys away.

As for the subsequent supervision and distribution rights of these toys, we can think about that later. Right now, it's most important to calm the children's disputes.

About half an hour later, the three children, who had been playing for a long time, began to droop their eyelids and looked sleepy.

Seeing that the children were sleepy, Chen Lanxiang turned to look at He Yuzhu, who looked exhausted, and urged him to go back to his east wing to rest without saying a word.

"You should go back to your room and rest."

"Don't think you're safe just because you slept on the train. Trains are bumpy and crowded; you can't even get a good night's sleep, let alone a comfortable one."

He Yuzhu couldn't refuse his mother's kind offer, so he could only smile and agree before turning around and returning to his residence.

Once everyone had gone back to their rooms to rest, the courtyard finally became completely quiet.

Chen Lanxiang finally had some free time to carefully organize the large and small bags of luggage that He Yuzhu had brought back from Russia.

She squatted down and carefully took out each exquisitely packaged item, laying them out on the table.

As she tidied up, she silently made plans in her mind.

These rare items were all brought back by the son with great effort, so they need to be carefully distributed. Which ones should be given to the old lady, which ones should be given to Wang Cuiping and her daughter, and which ones should be kept for their own children? Not a single mistake can be made.

Time flies by, and before we knew it, it was time to let out for the afternoon classes.

Xiaoman and He Yushui, two little girls, came home from school one after the other, carrying their schoolbags and chatting and laughing.

As soon as He Yushui stepped into the main room, her gaze was immediately drawn to the exquisite and beautiful doll that Wang Siyu was holding.

The doll had golden curly hair and wore a pink lace dress. She was exquisitely cute and extremely rare in this era of scarcity.

He Yushui's eyes lit up, and she rushed to Wang Siyu in three steps, her tone full of curiosity and eagerness, and asked as soon as she opened her mouth.

"Siyu, where did you get this baby?"

"Let me see it quickly!"

Before she could finish speaking, she impatiently reached out, wanting to snatch the doll from Wang Siyu's arms.

Although Wang Siyu is young, she is very protective of him.

Sensing He Yushui's movement, she instinctively hugged the doll tightly to her chest and quickly hid it behind her back.

Between her beloved older sister and her cherished doll, the little girl chose the latter without hesitation.

She tilted her little face up and spoke in a childish voice, tinged with a hint of wariness.

"This was given to me by my older brother."

Upon hearing this, He Yushui's eyes widened instantly, and the eagerness on her face immediately turned into ecstatic joy.

She couldn't care less about the doll anymore; all her attention was instantly captivated by the bombshell news that "Big Brother is back."

"Oh! My brother's back?"

"I'm going to find him!"

With a single sentence, He Yushui's attention was completely diverted.

She shouted loudly as she ran straight towards He Yuzhu's residence in the east wing without pausing for a moment, afraid that if she was a step too late, she would miss seeing her brother who had just returned.

The two little brothers, who were stretching out their chubby little arms and calling out "Sister" in their soft voices, wanting to get close to He Yushui, watched helplessly as their second sister disappeared in a flash.

They slowly withdrew their outstretched arms, their two little mouths instantly pouting, their faces filled with deep disappointment and grievance.

He Yushui rushed out of the main room, and Wang Siyu carefully picked up the doll she had hidden behind her back and brought it back to her front. She sat quietly on the small stool and began to play with it with great joy.

Chen Lanxiang watched He Yushui's hurried and agitated back, and the words "You have one too, why are you fighting with your sister for it?" that were about to come out of her mouth were swallowed back down.

The girl ran incredibly fast, disappearing in the blink of an eye, giving her no chance to speak at all.

The courtyard returned to tranquility for a moment. Xiaoman stood quietly to the side, watching everything that was happening before her eyes, a gentle smile on her lips.

She turned to look at Chen Lanxiang, who was packing her things, and spoke softly, her tone full of concern.

"Auntie, is Brother Zhuzi alright after all that travel?"

Upon hearing Xiaoman's question, Chen Lanxiang stopped what she was doing, looked up, and replied with a gentle and kind smile.

"Everything's fine, the journey was safe and smooth."

"He was thinking of you too, and even brought you something back specially."

"I'll have him bring it to you personally once he's rested enough."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoman immediately looked flattered and waved her hand, her tone slightly embarrassed, and said softly.

"Huh? You even brought me something?"

"Why did Brother Zhu spend that money? It's such a waste."

Xiaoman today is no longer the naive and carefree little girl she once was.

As she grew older, she clearly remembered all the help, care, and kindness the He and Wang families had shown her over the years. She kept each and every one of these acts of kindness firmly in her heart.

In her heart, she had already secretly made up her mind that she would do everything in her power to repay this heavy debt of gratitude for the rest of her life.

Looking at Xiaoman's sensible appearance, Chen Lanxiang grew to like this well-behaved and insightful girl even more, and teased her with a smile.

"Don't you know him? He's always been a big spender since he was a child."

"You don't need to feel embarrassed. He bought gifts for everyone in the family this time. Everyone got one, and no one was left out."

When Xiaoman heard the words "everyone gets a share," the heavy burden in her heart instantly dissipated by more than half. However, the little expectation she had was also quietly dashed, and a slight, barely perceptible disappointment inevitably crept over her.

She responded softly.

"oh."

Just then, He Yushui's clear and urgent shouts came from outside, growing louder as they approached, and clearly entered the main room.

"Mom! Where's my baby? Give it to me quickly! My brother says the baby is with you!"

It's obvious without much thought that this girl rushed to He Yuzhu's place only to find it empty. He Yuzhu was getting dressed and had no time to pay attention to her, so she had to hurry back.

He Yushui rushed into the main room like a gust of wind, her forehead covered in a fine layer of sweat, her eyes bright and fixed on the suitcase beside Chen Lanxiang.

Chen Lanxiang rolled her eyes at her, her tone a mix of reproach and helplessness, and began to scold her.

"Did you make a wasted trip? You impatient little brat."

"You say you're going to see your brother, but you're clearly just thinking about the gift."

"I hadn't even finished speaking when you took off running. I don't know which member of your family you got your impulsive and impatient nature from."

He Yushui chuckled, showing no embarrassment at being scolded. She kept moving closer to Chen Lanxiang, pulling her arm and urging her on in a coquettish manner.

"Hehe, Mother, dear Mother, where's my baby?"

Chen Lanxiang sighed helplessly, deliberately whetting her appetite, and asked.

"Where's your brother?"

He Yushui stuck out her tongue and answered honestly.

"He was getting dressed inside when I woke him up, just after he had fallen asleep."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang frowned, her tone full of heartache and reproach.

"You're such a thoughtless child! Your brother traveled all the way back from abroad, and after a long and tiring journey, he finally fell asleep, and you go and bother him."

He Yushui didn't care about any of that; all she wanted was the doll she had been longing for. She shook Chen Lanxiang's arm and continued to act coquettishly.

"Mother! Baby!"

Chen Lanxiang, exasperated by her nagging, could only utter two words in an annoyed tone.

"Wait."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Lanxiang bent down and carefully took out two identical, exquisite and beautiful dolls from the wooden suitcase at her feet.

As soon as the doll appeared, He Yushui's eyes widened instantly, and she let out a joyful cheer. She couldn't wait to pounce on it and reach out to grab it.

She looked at the other doll left in the box and muttered in confusion.

"Why is there still one?"

Chen Lanxiang reached out and pressed down on her fidgeting little hand, explaining in a calm tone.

"That belongs to your sister Xiaoman."

Upon hearing this, He Yushui looked incredulous and instinctively raised her voice, asking in surprise.

"Oh? Sister Xiaoman is so big already, does she have dolls too?"

In her mind, dolls are toys that only children deserve to own. Xiaoman is already so old, why would she need such a thing?

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang's face immediately darkened. She reached out and slapped away He Yushui's hand, which was trying to snatch another doll, and scolded her sternly.

"How can you talk like that, child? Gifts don't discriminate based on age or size."

"You only have one, so behave yourself."

After saying that, she turned to Xiaoman, who was standing quietly to the side, and gently waved to her, speaking in a soft tone.

"Xiaoman, come here, you have one too."

Xiaoman, who had been standing quietly to the side, couldn't help but feel a little envious as she watched He Yushui's joyful expression.

Hearing Chen Lanxiang's call and seeing the exquisite and beautiful doll, her clear eyes instantly lit up, filled with undisguised surprise and joy.

Tell me, what girl in the world could resist a cute and exquisitely crafted doll?

Moreover, this was in an era of extreme scarcity of resources and very few forms of entertainment.

When He Yuzhu was buying gifts, he had already anticipated that the children would fight over the styles and appearances, causing unnecessary trouble.

So he specifically chose two identical dolls, with the same clothes, patterns, and hair styles and colors.

In this way, the two girls received exactly the same gift, so there was nothing to fight or compare, saving a lot of trouble later.

Not long after, He Yuzhu finished tidying up and slowly walked over from the east wing.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu, Xiaoman quickly suppressed her joy, stepped forward, and politely greeted him first, her tone sincere and grateful.

"Brother Zhu, you're back."

"Thank you for buying me the doll."

He Yushui showed no politeness whatsoever, running to He Yuzhu's side in a flash, grabbing his arm, jumping excitedly, and eagerly asking him questions.

"Brother! Brother! What other nice things did you buy for us? Let us see them!"

He Yuzhu stretched out his finger and gently poked He Yushui's head, his tone a mix of amusement and reproach.

"You silly girl, you're so happy to get something, you don't even know to say thank you first?"

Upon hearing this, He Yushui immediately lowered her head obediently and called out in a clear voice.

"Thank you, brother! Thank you, brother!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately raised her head, her eyes filled with anticipation, and continued to urge him on.

"Tell me quickly, what other nice things did you buy?"

He Yuzhu turned to look at Chen Lanxiang beside him and asked in confusion.

"Mother, didn't you tell them beforehand?"

Chen Lanxiang smiled and shook her head, speaking gently.

"I was waiting for you to come over before we talked."

"These things were brought back with great effort by you, so it's more meaningful for you to tell the children about them yourself."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu nodded knowingly and said with a smile.

"Alright, then I'll speak."

The children all crowded around, their big, curious eyes wide with anticipation, and asked in unison.

"What is it? What is it?"

He Yuzhu paused deliberately, whetting the children's appetites, before slowly speaking, enunciating each word clearly.

"It's clothes, beautiful new clothes."

Upon hearing this, He Yushui jumped up excitedly, grabbed Xiaoman's hand, and shouted excitedly.

"Quick! Quick! I need to put it on! I need to put it on now!"

Xiaoman, who was standing to the side, had a hint of anticipation and longing that she could not hide in her originally calm eyes.

Which girl doesn't love a stylish and pretty new outfit?

Soon, following He Yuzhu's instructions, Chen Lanxiang took out all the new clothes from the suitcase.

Colorful dresses and crisp Lenin suits were neatly stacked on the table, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

He Yushui immediately took a liking to the brightly colored dress and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, her tone full of envy and longing.

"Hey! Blake!"

"I saw other women wearing it when I went to the Cultural Palace before!"

"Brother, did you buy this dress especially for me?"

He Yuzhu smiled and nodded, speaking with certainty.

"You and Xiaoman each have two outfits, one a dress and the other a Lenin suit, perfectly balanced."

Upon hearing this, He Yushui was overjoyed and danced with delight, cheering loudly.

"Ah! Lenin suits too! Bro, you're so great!"

Without saying a word, she threw herself into He Yuzhu's arms, rubbing her little head against his chest affectionately.

He Yuzhu deliberately put on a stern face and joked with a smile.

"Now you know your brother's better? Why weren't you this well-behaved when you were waking me up?"

He Yushui chuckled, her lips as sweet as honey, and sweet words flowed from her mouth effortlessly.

"Hehe, my brother has always been the best!"

Standing to the side, Xiaoman looked at the brand-new clothes on the table, and her inner shock was far stronger than He Yushui's.

She knew better than anyone how precious dresses and Lenin suits were in this day and age.

They were also sold in state-run department stores in Beijing, but the prices were so exorbitant that ordinary families simply couldn't afford them.

She knew deep down that she had no face to ask Wang Cuiping, who raised her, to spend such a large sum of money to buy her such expensive clothes.

On ordinary days, Wang Cuiping would occasionally take her shopping, but even if she saw something she really liked, she would resist the urge to buy it.

Over the years, all the clothes she has worn have been sewn by Chen Lanxiang with her kind help.

Although the fabrics are all of high quality, durable and comfortable, the styles are ultimately too outdated and no longer keep up with the trends of today's young people.

In the past, when she went out to play with her classmates, she had seen other girls wearing fashionable dresses and smart Lenin suits, each one looking glamorous and stylish.

At the time, some classmates joked with her, saying that she had a great figure and looks, and that if she wore such new clothes, she would definitely be more beautiful and eye-catching than those girls.

Now, He Yuzhu had actually bought her two such precious outfits all at once. This sudden surprise almost made her dizzy, as if she had been hit hard by an overwhelming sense of happiness, and she couldn't come back to her senses for a long time.

Seeing the two little girls staring intently at their new clothes, their eyes practically glued to them, Chen Lanxiang couldn't help but laugh and break their reverie.

"Alright, alright, look at you two, you're so distracted, you can't even take your eyes off them."

"Quickly take the clothes to the side room to try them on and see if they fit."

After saying that, she reached out and handed the brand-new clothes to Xiaoman and He Yushui respectively.

Xiaoman quickly and respectfully accepted her clothes with both hands, bowed slightly, and gave He Yuzhu a deep bow, her tone sincere and grateful.

"Thank you, Brother Zhu!"

He Yushui, on the other hand, was much more carefree. She grabbed Xiaoman's clothes, pulled her wrist, and urged her impatiently.

"Thank you, brother! Let's go, Sister Xiaoman! I can't wait!"

"If we wear these new clothes out, I guarantee all the other girls in the compound will be green with envy!"

Before she finished speaking, she grabbed Xiaoman and ran towards the west wing, eager to try on the new clothes.

Not long after, He Daqing, who had been busy all day, slowly returned from outside.

As soon as he stepped into the yard, he could vaguely hear clanging noises coming from the direction of the kitchen.

He Daqing's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously walked towards the kitchen.

When he saw the familiar and tall figure in the kitchen, he was stunned and stopped in his tracks, his face filled with disbelief.

Chen Lanxiang happened to turn her head and see him. She couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, her tone teasing and joking.

"What? You don't recognize your own son after only a few months?"

He Daqing finally snapped out of his daze, and asked in a tone that was both barely perceptible excitement and a bit of deliberate awkwardness.

"When did this kid get back?"

Chen Lanxiang rolled her eyes at him and said irritably.

"I got home this morning."

"What? Don't you hope your son will come back safe and sound?"

He Daqing was very stubborn. Although he was overjoyed inside, he still refused to admit it and muttered in dissatisfaction.

"That brat, he's been gone for months without a word."

"I really thought he was having a great time out there and had no intention of coming back."

Chen Lanxiang knew her husband's personality all too well; he was the type to be stubborn to the end, even though he was deeply worried about her, he would never show it.

She stepped forward, gently pushed He Daqing, and softly urged him on.

"You're just stubborn as a mule."

"Your son is back, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and go say hello to him."

He Daqing cleared his throat, trying to suppress the surging emotions in his heart, stepped into the kitchen, looked at He Yuzhu who was busy, and called out in a seemingly calm manner.

"Pillar, you're back?"

He Yuzhu paused in his work, turned to look at his father, a gentle smile on his face, and teased him in a relaxed tone.

"Father, I'm back."

"You were out today, didn't you get a chance to have some special treatment?"

Both father and son knew that He Daqing often took advantage of his position to secretly treat himself to special meals when he was out.

Upon hearing this, He Daqing's face showed a hint of helplessness, and he spoke truthfully.

"Given the current uncertain situation and the tight scrutiny from above, there are naturally fewer opportunities for special treatment."

After a pause, he asked again with concern.

"Did you have a good trip? It was a long journey, was it safe on the road?"

He Yuzhu smiled and nodded, replying with certainty.

"Everything is fine. The journey was safe and smooth, without any mishaps."

"Dad, you've been traveling all day and must be tired. Go back to your room and rest. I'll take care of dinner."

Upon hearing this, He Daqing's face showed a hint of relief, and his tone was filled with nostalgia and anticipation as he spoke slowly.

"it is good."

"It's been a long time since I've had a meal cooked by your own hands. I really miss your unique cooking skills."

The conversations between father and son are always simple, straightforward, and unpretentious, without any unnecessary sentimentality or formalities.

In just a few simple questions and answers, concern, worry, and longing were all conveyed, with everything that wanted to be asked and said already hidden in their hearts, understood without being spoken.

He Daqing turned and went into the inner room. The first thing he did was to go to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and playfully wrestle with his two young grandsons. His face was full of a loving father's tenderness and smile.

After coaxing the two children to lie down obediently, he turned to look at Chen Lanxiang beside him and casually asked a question.

"Where's Yushui? Why hasn't she been seen since school ended?"

Chen Lanxiang answered casually while tidying up the clutter on the table.

"He and Xiaoman are trying on new clothes in the west wing."

Upon hearing this, He Daqing couldn't help but feel curious and asked a question in confusion.

"New clothes?"

With a hint of pride and joy on her face, Chen Lanxiang chattered on and on about all the gifts He Yuzhu had brought back.

"Where else could it be? It must have been brought back from abroad by your eldest son."

"I bought a thick vest and knee pads for the old lady in the backyard, because I was worried that her legs and feet would get cold due to her age."

"They also brought me stylish scarves and silk scarves."

"I also bought a beautiful and exquisite doll for each of the girls in the family. Look at the one Siyu is holding, isn't it gorgeous?"

Following the direction Chen Lanxiang pointed, He Daqing glanced at the doll in Wang Siyu's arms. Although he thought the doll was indeed rare and beautiful, he still didn't seem very interested and just gave a flat reply.

"oh."

Chen Lanxiang saw through her husband's little scheme at a glance and couldn't help but laugh and tease him.

"You're so old, yet you're still jealous of the younger generation. You're really getting more and more out of touch with reality."

"Don't worry, your son thinks about you too, and he bought you some nice things."

He Daqing's previously listless expression vanished instantly. His eyes lit up, and his tone was filled with urgency and disbelief as he hurriedly asked.

"And mine?"

Chen Lanxiang nodded smugly and said with a smile.

"That's natural."

"I'll get it for you right now. It's a thick woolen coat. Of all these gifts, this is the one for you—the best material and the most expensive!"

Upon hearing this, He Daqing instantly perked up, his tone full of anticipation, and quickly replied.

"Then I'll have to take a good look."

Soon, Chen Lanxiang carefully took out a brand-new black woolen coat from her suitcase.

The moment the coat was taken out, a sense of high-quality woolen fabric wafted out. It was thick and sturdy, clearly made of superior materials, and far superior to ordinary goods.

He Daqing eagerly reached out and took the coat, his fingertips gently caressing the smooth, thick woolen fabric. The texture was delicate and solid, and he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"This is high-quality material! It's clearly not the kind of ordinary stuff you can buy domestically!"

Chen Lanxiang urged with a smile.

"Of course, otherwise how could it be the most expensive?"

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and try it on, see if it fits!"

He Daqing nodded repeatedly, saying "okay" over and over again, and his hands moved quickly as he hurriedly began to take off his old coat.

Seeing his cautious demeanor, Chen Lanxiang naturally understood.

He was afraid that the dust on his body would soil this hard-won, brand-new coat.

Soon, He Daqing put on the woolen overcoat.

The coat fit him perfectly, neither too loose nor too tight, making him look tall, energetic, and several years younger.

The moment He Daqing put on his coat, he couldn't help but pace back and forth in the room, stopping and starting, occasionally raising his hand to adjust his collar and stretching his cuffs, his pride and joy impossible to hide.

Seeing her husband's clumsy yet joyful expression, Chen Lanxiang couldn't help but chuckle and turned to Wang Siyu beside her, teasing her.

"Look at your grandpa, he's wearing new clothes and he can't even walk properly."

Upon hearing this, He Daqing immediately stopped and retorted, feigning displeasure.

"Who can't walk? I can walk steadily and safely!"

Although he retorted defiantly, he was actually so concerned about the new coat that he walked stiffly, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet. Those few steps he took were incredibly awkward.

Fortunately, this coat isn't a dull military green.

If he wore military green, paired with a peaked cap and a military knife at his waist, He Daqing would feel as if he were a majestic general, standing tall and exuding an aura of power.

Chen Lanxiang suppressed a laugh and gave instructions to He Daqing.

"Okay, okay, I can walk, I'm very steady."

"Zhu Zi will be cooking dinner soon. Hurry up and go to the backyard to bring the old lady over for dinner."

He Daqing quickly agreed.

"it is good."

After saying that, he lifted his foot to walk out.

Chen Lanxiang quickly called out to him to stop.

"Aren't you going to take off your coat? It's dusty outside, don't get your new clothes dirty."

Without even thinking, He Daqing refused decisively.

"I'm not changing, I'll wear this."

As soon as he finished speaking, he straightened his back, deliberately slowed his pace, and strode out.

"Giggle giggle—"

Chen Lanxiang, Wang Siyu, and their children could no longer contain themselves and burst into joyful laughter.

Everyone knew perfectly well that He Daqing was wearing a new coat and wanted to go out and show it off to the neighbors in the compound.

As for the two youngest children in the family, they were still ignorant and could not understand what the adults were thinking. They just watched everyone laugh and laughed along, purely to join in the fun.

He Daqing blushed as everyone laughed at him, and his ears even felt a little hot.

Even so, he braced himself, straightened his back, put on his brand-new woolen overcoat, and walked out of the main room without looking back.

As soon as she stepped into the backyard, the old lady looked up and immediately noticed the brand-new, eye-catching woolen overcoat on He Daqing's body.

Having lived most of her life, the old lady understood all the complexities of human relationships and saw right through He Daqing's little scheme to show off.

She deliberately raised her voice, praising loudly and enthusiastically in an exaggerated tone.

"Great Qing! Your new clothes are truly impressive, so stylish!"

Upon hearing this, He Daqing felt instantly pleased, his smugness growing even stronger. He quickly replied with a smile, his tone full of boastfulness.

"Of course! Grandma, Zhuzi specially bought this for me from abroad!"

The old lady nodded and praised him in the same way.

"Yes, my grandson has good taste; he really knows how to pick things."

But the next second, the old lady's focus immediately shifted to He Yuzhu, and every word she uttered was praise for her eldest grandson.

He Daqing's smile froze for a moment, his desire to show off was instantly extinguished, and he gave a helpless bitter laugh, muttering something.

"So, in your heart, your grandson is the most powerful, and all of us should benefit from his success and enjoy the good life."

The old lady laughed heartily and said with certainty.

"That's exactly right."

"Where is the pillar right now?"

He Daqing answered truthfully.

"She's busy preparing dinner in the kitchen."

"You're in for a treat today, sir, as you get to enjoy the delicious food that Zhu Zi has prepared himself."

Upon hearing this, the old lady immediately urged her on impatiently.

"Let's go, let's hurry over there."

"My grandson's cooking skills are indeed far superior to yours, his father's."

The two walked slowly toward the front yard, one after the other.

When passing by Xu Damao's house, Xu Fugui was not home, but he happened to run into Xu Damao, who was out for a stroll.

Xu Damao's gaze was immediately drawn to He Daqing's crisp, thick, and high-quality woolen overcoat.

His eyes suddenly lit up, his pupils contracted sharply, and a storm raged in his heart.

This is a genuine imported wool coat from Russia!

Even though it's not the most popular military green color right now, it still makes He Daqing look powerful and stylish, clearly not an ordinary item.

Xu Damao strode forward, a fawning and enthusiastic smile plastered on his face, and hurriedly called out.

"Master! Master!"

"Where did you buy that coat? It's so beautiful!"

He Daqing raised his chin slightly, his face full of pride and smugness, and spoke with a hint of boastfulness, pretending to be profound.

"Forget about it, this is genuine Russian goods, you can't buy it even if you have money in China."

"How is it? Don't I look especially dashing in this?"

Xu Damao nodded repeatedly, praising him generously.

"So stylish! Absolutely amazing!"

He abruptly changed the subject, his eyes darting around as he pressed for an answer.

"Russian goods? So, Brother Pillar is back?"

He Daqing responded indifferently.

"Yes, I got home this morning."

Xu Damao was overjoyed and said excitedly.

"Great! I'll definitely pay a visit tonight and have a good chat with Brother Zhu!"

He Daqing nodded and said casually.

"Okay, I'll let him know when I get back. I'll take the old lady back for dinner now."

Xu Damao quickly bowed and said politely.

"Grandma, Master, please take care."

Xu Damao's appearance was perfectly timed, precisely satisfying He Daqing's desire to show off.

He deliberately wore a new coat out, wasn't it just so he could be seen and praised?

Moreover, Xu Damao was a master at reading people and flattering others. He saw through his master's little thoughts at a glance, and his praise hit He Daqing's heart with every word.

The two walked to the front yard and bumped into He Yuzhu carrying a steaming bowl of freshly cooked dishes out of the kitchen.

Upon seeing his son, He Daqing instinctively straightened his back, taking straight and steady steps, exuding a deliberate and energetic spirit.

He Yuzhu saw through his father's little scheme at a glance, and a helpless yet doting smile appeared on his lips. He then praised him at the right moment.

"Dad, this coat fits you perfectly and makes you look especially smart."

A simple compliment instantly made He Daqing overjoyed, his wrinkles crinkling into a smile as he replied happily.

"Right! I knew it would look good on me!"

Not long after, Xiaoman and He Yushui, two little girls, came out of the west wing one after the other.

Both of them were dressed neatly in sharp, dark blue Lenin suits.

The temperature has plummeted in the past few days, and the weather has become extremely cold. It's impossible to wear a thin dress outside; you have to wear it tightly inside thick clothes.

The two little girls spent a long time trying on their new clothes in front of the mirror in the west wing. They had thoroughly enjoyed wearing their new clothes and their faces were full of satisfaction and joy.

The old lady looked the two transformed young girls up and down, and couldn't help but smile and exclaim in admiration.

"Wow, where did these two stylish young ladies come from? They look so beautiful and vibrant the more I look at them!"

He Daqing, who was also wearing his favorite new coat, was in a great mood and even offered a rare compliment.

"It fits well and looks good."

Looking around the house, young and old, everyone had a genuine smile on their face because of the gifts He Yuzhu brought back. Chen Lanxiang felt warm and happy.

She couldn't help but laugh and sigh.

"Now, everyone is happy and satisfied, right?"

Just then, a cheerful and familiar female voice came from outside the courtyard gate, carrying a hint of curiosity as it approached.

"What's making you so happy? I could hear the lively chatter and laughter from inside even before I stepped inside."

"What delicious food did the He family make today? The aroma wafts all the way to the gate of the courtyard, it smells so good!"

The person who came was Wang Cuiping.

She usually leaves early and returns late, but today she got off work exceptionally early.

Before she even stepped into the main hall of the He family's house, she heard a lively commotion in the courtyard and couldn't help but make a joke.

Upon hearing Wang Cuiping's voice, Chen Lanxiang immediately greeted her warmly.

"Cuiping! We've been waiting for you! Come on in, come on in!"

"Zhu Zi's back! Come in and see! Our little Si Yu is wearing new clothes and holding a doll. She looks so pretty!"

As Wang Cuiping stepped into the main room, she casually asked.

"Zhu Zi's back? When did he get home?"

He Yuzhu put down the plate of food in his hand, turned to look at Wang Cuiping, and greeted her with a gentle smile.

"Aunt Ping, I got home this morning."

"Come in and sit down, dinner will be ready soon, just in time, let's eat together."

Wang Cuiping readily agreed.

"Eh!"

She didn't even step into her own house; she went straight into the main room of the He family's house.

His gaze first fell on the table laden with fragrant food, and he nodded in satisfaction.

Then, she glanced around the room and immediately spotted two stylish young girls in brand-new Lenin suits, a dashing middle-aged man in a smart woolen overcoat, and a smiling young girl holding an exquisite doll.

Everyone looked up at her, their eyes fixed on her, clearly expecting her praise.

Wang Cuiping instantly understood, and a knowing smile appeared on her lips.

She first looked at He Daqing, who was tall and radiant, and spoke first, praising him sincerely.

"Brother He, you look absolutely radiant and commanding in that new coat today!"

He Daqing was delighted by the praise and smiled happily.

"Hehe, not bad, not bad!"

Then, Wang Cuiping's gaze fell on Xiaoman and He Yushui, her eyes full of tenderness and affection, and she asked with a smile.

"Whose daughters are these two pretty little girls? Let me take a good look at them."

Xiaoman and He Yushui shouted in unison, their voices crisp and clear.

"Aunt Ping!"

Wang Siyu, not to be outdone, immediately waved her little arms and shouted loudly.

"Mother! Mother! I'm here! I'm here too!"

Wang Cuiping turned to look at her daughter, her gaze falling on the doll in her arms, and asked softly.

"My dear girl, the doll in your hand is so pretty, where did you get it?"

Wang Siyu raised her little face, a bright and satisfied smile on her face, and said in a childish voice.

"My older brother gave it to me! I really like it!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping turned to look at He Yuzhu, her voice filled with emotion, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Zhu Zi's trip was definitely worthwhile! He brought back so many good things; everyone in the family got a share!"

Chen Lanxiang smiled and took over the conversation, her tone somewhat mysterious as she spoke.

"There are some good things too, Zhuzi bought them especially for you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping looked surprised and quickly asked.

"And mine?"

Chen Lanxiang smiled and nodded, then turned around and took out a brightly colored scarf and an exquisitely crafted silk scarf from the cabinet, handing them to Wang Cuiping.

Wang Cuiping reached out and took it, her fingertips gently caressing the delicate and smooth fabric. Looking at the unique and novel patterns on it, she couldn't help but sincerely exclaim in admiration.

"These colors are so beautiful, and the pattern is so unique!"

Chen Lanxiang added with a smile.

"That's right, these are all genuine Russian goods. You can't buy this style in any of the state-run department stores in Beijing."

Wang Cuiping turned to look at Chen Lanxiang and asked curiously.

"Zhu Zi cares so much about you, sister-in-law, where's your gift?"

Chen Lanxiang smiled, her eyes crinkling, her tone filled with pride and satisfaction as she spoke.

"Don't worry, how could Zhu Zi forget his own mother who gave birth to him and raised him?"

"Everyone gets a share, no one gets left out, haha."

The old lady sat to the side, happily echoing her sentiments.

"Absolutely! My eldest grandson is really becoming more and more successful; he cares about our whole family!"

Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was lively, He Yuzhu's loud voice rang out in the main room.

"Dinner's ready!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang immediately realized what was happening and hurriedly urged everyone to hurry up.

"Quickly! Everyone, change out of your new clothes right away. It would be such a waste if you accidentally spilled oil on them while eating."

He Daqing was the most decisive. Upon hearing this, he took off his wool coat without saying a word, casually draped it over the back of the chair, and quickly put on his old coat that he usually wore.

Xiaoman and He Yushui, the two little girls, looked down at their brand-new Lenin uniforms with reluctance, their hearts filled with sorrow, yet they also knew the importance of cherishing their clothes.

The two walked to the entrance of the main room one after the other, but did not step out directly.

He Yushui grabbed Xiaoman's wrist, tilted her head up, and looked at He Yuzhu with bright eyes, a hint of girlish shyness in her voice, and asked softly.

"Brother! Do Xiaoman and I look good in our new outfits?"

Looking at the two girls' completely transformed appearance, He Yuzhu smiled and joked.

"Beautiful, beautiful, absolutely beautiful! She's almost like a fairy descended from heaven!"

He Yushui pouted, feigning displeasure, and said coquettishly.

"I'm not talking to you anymore! All you do is try to make us happy!"

After saying that, she grabbed Xiaoman's hand and skipped and hopped towards the side room.

Xiaoman, who was standing to the side, remained quiet the entire time and did not say a word.

But only she herself keenly noticed that in He Yuzhu's eyes, there was a fleeting, extremely profound light that flashed by in an instant.

She was young and inexperienced, and did not understand what that light represented, but inexplicably, a feeling of joy and excitement welled up in her heart.

For a moment just now, He Yuzhu was truly amazed.

He was used to seeing Xiaoman dressed in simple, old clothes and with a plain face.

Now, suddenly dressed in a smart and stylish Lenin suit, she looked slender and graceful, with delicate features. Her whole demeanor was completely transformed, radiant and dazzling, making him almost unrecognizable to her.

Of course, this amazing performance was entirely directed at Xiaoman.

As for He Yushui, she is still young, with a chubby face and a figure that has not fully developed. She is not stunning, but rather lively, cute, and endearing.

The family sat around the dining table, which was laden with steaming, fragrant, and plentiful dishes.

The first to ask was the perceptive Wang Cuiping.

Immediately following, He Daqing, filled with curiosity, kept asking questions.

He Yuzhu picked up his rice bowl and ate slowly, recounting his experiences along the way.

He recounted the long and bumpy cross-border train journey, the vast and boundless land of the Russian bear country, the imposing and grand Azov steel plant, and the various twists and turns and obstacles encountered during the execution of this foreign trade mission.

The only thing he concealed was the small-scale border conflict he had personally participated in during the final leg of his return journey; he didn't reveal a single word about it.

He Yushui listened with great interest, blinking her big eyes, and couldn't help but ask innocently.

"Brother, did you guys really sit on the train for that long? Won't your butts get so sore?"

He Yuzhu was amused by her naive words, shook his head helplessly, and said with a smile.

"Look at me, I'm perfectly fine, nothing's wrong with me at all!"

He Daqing put down his chopsticks, his face full of shock and disbelief, and asked urgently.

"Son, is that steel mill you mentioned really that huge? Is it almost the size of the entire Dongcheng district?"

He Yuzhu nodded and said with certainty.

"Yes, hundreds of thousands of workers live and work in that steel plant."

He Daqing couldn't help but sigh deeply, his face full of emotion and envy, and he muttered to himself.

"I've really learned something new today."

"I've always felt that our steel rolling mill is big enough, but compared to foreign mills, it's nothing, there's no comparison at all."

He Yuzhu spoke with a firm tone and a burning gaze.

"No need to be envious. Before long, our country will also be able to build such a large-scale factory."

He Daqing shook his head, his tone tinged with uncertainty, and slowly said.

"I hope so."

Wang Cuiping, who had been listening silently, suddenly raised her head, her eyes showing a hint of seriousness and keenness, and asked a question.

"Are those Russians really as friendly to us as they seem on the surface?"

Wang Cuiping works away from home for many years, and the people and things she comes into contact with are quite complicated, giving her a political sensitivity far beyond that of ordinary people.

He Yuzhu put down his bowl and chopsticks, thought carefully for a moment, and then spoke truthfully.

"On the surface, things seemed harmonious, and the ordinary staff members below were also quite polite."

"But in the end, they are not our own people. The inherent barriers and defensiveness can never be erased. They can never treat each other with the same sincerity that our fellow countrymen do for their compatriots."

Wang Cuiping nodded and said thoughtfully.

"Okay, I understand."

Such a sumptuous meal deserves fine wine to enhance the ambiance.

Without saying a word, He Daqing contributed his treasured collection of baijiu (Chinese liquor) that he had kept for many years.

The family sat around the table, clinking glasses, chatting and laughing, enjoying a pleasant and harmonious dinner.

After dinner, Wang Cuiping, along with Xiaoman and Wang Siyu, said goodbye to the He family and returned home.

He Yuzhu personally escorted the old lady back to her residence in the backyard.

But as soon as he returned from the front yard, before he could even step into his east wing, he was ambushed by Xu Damao, who had been waiting in the shadows.

Xu Damao rushed forward, his face beaming with a warm smile, and spoke in a tone that was both reproachful and affectionate.

"Brother Zhu! You're back, why didn't you tell me beforehand? I didn't receive a single word!"

He Yuzhu crossed his arms, raised an eyebrow at him, and asked in a calm tone.

"What's the point of telling you? You weren't even home when I got back."

Xu Damao chuckled, scratched the back of his head, and gave a fawning and honest look, not daring to say a word.

He Yuzhu knew Xu Damao's personality too well and saw through his little thoughts at a glance, so he spoke directly.

"Just say what you want to say, don't beat around the bush. Do you think I don't know you?"

Xu Damao didn't mince words and went straight to the point, asking with burning eyes.

"Tell me, do you have any spares of that woolen overcoat my master is wearing?"

He Yuzhu refused without hesitation.

"No. Even if you did, would you dare to wear it out in public and flaunt it?"

The current situation is sensitive, and Russian items are too conspicuous. If ordinary people wear them casually, they could easily get into trouble.

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's face flashed with disappointment, but his hope immediately rekindled. He rolled his eyes and said with a smile.

"It's alright if you didn't bring back a coat, but I heard you also brought back quite a few other nice things, like hats?"

"Come on, let's go to your room and have a look!"

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly and said with a smile.

"Alright, I knew it! My brother Zhu would never forget me!"

The two walked quickly into He Yuzhu's east wing room, one after the other.

He Yuzhu took out a thick, warm, and stylish bear fur hat from the wooden box.

Xu Damao immediately took a liking to the hat, his eyes practically popping out of his head. Without a word, he snatched it and eagerly put it on his head.

He spun around in place and asked He Yuzhu with a smug look on his face.

"Brother Zhu, look! Do I look manly enough with this hat on?"

"I dare say, in the entire compound, even the entire school, I'm one of a kind!"

"I can already imagine the envious and jealous looks my classmates will give me when they see me! Hehehe!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand dismissively, laughing as he shooed them away.

"Go away, go home and admire yourself, don't hang around in front of me."

After a pause, he remembered something else and casually gave an instruction.

"By the way, bring your sister to my house tomorrow."

"I even bought her a toy that girls play with."

Xu Damao looked completely unconcerned and muttered something casually.

"She's just a little girl, why do you need to spend money on her? Why bother with her?"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu raised an eyebrow, reached out, and gave Xu Damao a resounding slap across the neck without any hesitation.

"Then isn't she your biological sister?"

Xu Damao winced in pain and quickly begged for mercy, clutching the back of his head and nodding repeatedly.

"I'll bring her! I'll definitely bring her tomorrow, okay?!"

Then, he asked more questions out of curiosity.

"What kind of toy is it?"

He Yuzhu glanced at him indifferently and said casually.

"It's none of your business, it's a girl's toy."

Xu Damao's eyes darted around again, and a fawning yet curious look appeared on his face as he tentatively asked.

"Hey, Brother Zhu, didn't you bring back any other rare or interesting stuff from your trip to Russia? Like some kind of liquor, canned food, or cigarettes?"

He Yuzhu smiled knowingly and said slowly.

"Yes, wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao was overjoyed, his eyes widening in surprise, and he quickly responded.

"Okay! I'll wait! I'll wait patiently!"

He was full of anticipation, thinking that He Yuzhu would bring out some fine wine, canned goods, or rare snacks.

As a result, when He Yuzhu came out of the inner room and slammed the things he was carrying onto the table in front of Xu Damao with a loud "Duang," Xu Damao was completely dumbfounded. The smile on his face froze instantly, and all the color drained from his face.

On the table was a stack of thick books, almost half a person's height, all filled with dense Russian writing.

He Yuzhu crossed his arms, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and slowly asked.

"How was it? Wasn't I good enough? Do you like this gift?"

Xu Damao looked at the thick stack of Mao Zedong's documents in front of him and felt his scalp tingle and his legs go weak. He had only one thought in his mind—run!

He blurted it out almost without thinking, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke hastily.

"Brother Zhu! I suddenly remembered I have something urgent to attend to, I have to go now!"

Before he could finish speaking, he turned and ran away.

He Yuzhu reacted quickly, reaching out to stop him. His tone was forceful and left no room for argument as he smiled and said...

"Don't rush off. It's not easy for us brothers to meet, let's have a good chat."

Xu Damao's whole body stiffened, his body taut and straight. He began to stammer as he spoke, his tone filled with fear and resistance.

"Talk...talk about what? Brother Zhu, I really don't have anything to talk about."

He Yuzhu cracked his knuckles as he flexed his wrists, his tone carrying a hint of smirk and a touch of menace, and slowly asked.

"Let's have a good talk about what you want to do in the future."

"Don't tell me you plan to spend your whole life holed up in a steel mill, working as a projectionist."

Xu Damao spoke almost without thinking, his tone incredibly firm.

"Showing movies is great! It's safe and respectable, sheltered from the wind and rain!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's smile deepened, and he slowly moved his wrists, approaching Xu Damao step by step.

"Hehe, are you sure?"

Xu Damao was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he waved his hands repeatedly, begging for mercy, instantly becoming a coward.

"No, no, no! Brother Zhu! Let's talk this out! We can discuss anything! Please don't resort to violence!"

He Yuzhu coldly uttered a single word.

"sit down."

Xu Damao nodded vigorously and said hurriedly.

"Okay, okay! I'll sit! I'll sit right away!"

He hurriedly plopped down in the chair, but when he caught a glimpse of He Yuzhu still standing upright, he immediately stood up again in a flustered manner, respectfully reached out, and carefully pressed He Yuzhu into the main seat of the chair, while constantly flattering him.

"Brother Zhu, please have a seat, please have a seat!"

After He Yuzhu sat down steadily, Xu Damao dared to carefully turn sideways and sit down with half of his buttocks touching the edge of the chair.

He hurriedly ripped off his leather hat, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

He Yuzhu looked at him intently and asked in a calm tone.

"Is everyone at your school learning Russian now? How's your learning going?"

Xu Damao subconsciously glanced at the pile of heavy Mao documents on the table, instantly understanding He Yuzhu's intention. He immediately felt miserable and begged for mercy with a mournful face.

"Brother! My dear brother! Please spare me! I can't understand these Maoist documents at all, and I really can't do the translation work!"

He Yuzhu frowned, his tone suddenly turning cold, and he rebuked in a deep voice.

"Stop giving me that nonsense. Just answer my question honestly."

Xu Damao's heart skipped a beat. He dared not make any more excuses and could only give a vague and honest reply.

"It's just... just so-so, not too good, not too bad either."

He Yuzhu suddenly changed the subject, a playful smile curving his lips, and abruptly switched to fluent and pure Russian, slowly asking a question.

"You little rascal, do you usually use those few Russian phrases you learned to pick up girls and date women?"

Xu Damao was completely unprepared. His body reacted instinctively, faster than his brain could process, and almost subconsciously, he blurted out a rebuttal in fluent Russian.

"No! How could I possibly be that kind of person!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he froze instantly, his pupils contracted sharply, and his face was filled with fear and astonishment.

He Yuzhu's smile deepened, and he slowly switched back to Chinese.

"Isn't this perfectly well said? You speak fluently and naturally, without any awkwardness."

Xu Damao suddenly realized that he had fallen into He Yuzhu's carefully set trap!

He looked at He Yuzhu with disbelief and stammered, "What do you mean?"

"Huh? Brother Zhu! You...you can actually speak Russian?"

He truly never expected that He Yuzhu would be fluent in the Russian language.

After all, in the era when He Yuzhu was in school, this language was not taught in schools at all.

He Yuzhu rolled her eyes at him, annoyed, and said matter-of-factly.

"If I don't speak the Russian language, am I supposed to rely entirely on hand gestures the whole time I'm going to Russia to handle this business?"

Xu Damao was on the verge of tears. He pointed to the pile of heavy books on the table with a bitter face and said with a mournful expression.

"But these books, I really can't handle them! Brother Zhu, you know how I feel, my head starts to ache as soon as I see dense text, and I get sleepy and doze off after reading less than three pages!"

He Yuzhu spread his hands, his tone a mix of mockery and coercion, and slowly spoke.

"These books were the 'good gifts' you cried and begged for. What? Now you want to back out?"

Xu Damao swallowed hard and cautiously probed.

"I...I don't want it anymore, okay? Here's your gift back."

He Yuzhu refused decisively.

"That won't do. Now that I've already taken it out, there's no reason for me to take it back."

He paused, then pointed to the inner room and added in a light tone.

"Besides, I have a whole wooden crate in my inner room. If you don't want it, I'll bring it all out for you."

Xu Damao was so frightened that he jumped up and down, waving his hands frantically as he spoke.

"That's enough! That's enough! Any more and I'll go crazy!"

Looking at his bitter and resentful expression, He Yuzhu couldn't help but chuckle softly, softening his tone as he spoke slowly.

"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore."

"Take all these books back with you. When you have some free time, flip through them and see if there's anything that interests you."

Xu Damao asked cautiously.

"Can I watch it here? And put it back when I'm done?"

He Yuzhu's eyes darkened slightly, and he uttered a single word indifferently.

"Um?"

Xu Damao immediately backed down and quickly changed his tune, saying with a mournful face.

"Take them! I'll take them all back! I'll definitely look at them carefully!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand and said impatiently.

"Get lost."

"I'm giving you a week to study this carefully. You should know what the consequences will be if you try to fool me."

Xu Damao hung his head, looking dejected, and gave a listless reply.

"oh."