Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

That's not even mine; the duck leg in the bowl right in front of me is the real treasure.

He nibbled on the food in small bites, feeling anxious but not making a sound.

"Auntie, you've raised these two girls so well," Yingzi praised from the side.

Aunt Liu was overjoyed, her joy evident on her face. "My daughter is so good, obedient and easy to manage, unlike my son..."

Aunt Liu gave an awkward smile and shut her mouth.

Yang Jianguo chimed in, "That's right. I think my daughter is great. She's thoughtful and considerate, much better than that rascal."

Da Liu and his wife assumed he was just trying to comfort them.

After agreeing with a few words, I tried to change the subject.

But then Yang Jianguo gave the two of them a surprise.

"Auntie, actually, there's something else I'd like to ask you today."

Aunt Liu was taken aback, then quickly said, "Jianguo, you tell me, and I'll have no objections."

Yang Jianguo glanced at his wife, and only after she nodded did he reveal the fact that she was pregnant.

"Hey, how many months have you been here? Are you sitting still?"

"I must congratulate you both. I'll sew a couple of little clothes for the child later, and I guarantee you'll love them."

Liu laughed heartily: "The founding of the nation, what a joyous occasion! Come on, let's have a drink!"

"Let's go." Yingzi met up with Uncle Liu and briefly explained the situation to Aunt Liu.

Yang Jianguo continued, "That's right, I'm busy with work, and Yingzi is always home alone when she comes back."

"I'm not at ease with this situation, and I'd like to find someone to help me out."

At this point, Aunt Liu interrupted Yang Jianguo.

"Alright, I understand what you mean. From now on, Yingzi, just give the order if you need anything."

"Even if I'm not here, there's still Dajuan and Xiaojuan, you two sisters!"

Da Juan and Xiao Juan, who had just finished gnawing on a duck leg, nodded repeatedly and said, "Sister Yingzi, my ears are very sharp."

“Sister Yingzi, if you shout from inside the house, my sister can hear you. I guarantee it will work.”

Hearing Xiaojuan say the same thing, Yingzi asked in surprise and curiosity, "Really? Then if I need anything in the future, I can just call out from inside the house."

"Yes, my sister will definitely hear it."

After clarifying the matter, Yang Jianguo felt more at ease.

A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative; Yingzi really has an urgent matter to attend to.

The shouts were too loud for my parents to hear.

But the neighbors can always hear it and lend a hand, so a bad thing might turn into a good thing.

That's why Yang Jianguo told Aunt Liu directly about Yingzi's pregnancy.

At this moment, Aunt Liu pulled Yingzi aside and whispered her questions and instructions.

What kind of reaction should be expected, and what happened and what the situation is?

The most important thing is to reassure her: "If anything happens to you, or if you feel something is wrong, just shout as loud as you can."

Don't wait, sometimes if you wait, you'll lose all your enthusiasm for shouting.

"So even if we make a wasted trip, we still have to be prepared for the unexpected."

Everyone certainly hopes that everything goes well for Yingzi.

But life is full of surprises, so you have to prepare contingency plans in advance to minimize losses when unexpected events happen.

That's what smart people do.

He just said, "My wife is healthy, she'll be fine," and that was it.

It's good if nothing unexpected happens, but what if something does?

I regret it now, but I never had the chance!

While eating and drinking, and chatting, Yingzi used chopsticks to serve food to her two daughters.

Today, just as Aunt Liu said, the two of them were indeed in for a treat.

As for Dajuan and Xiaojuan, it was like a dream.

If only this dream would never end.

"Uncle Liu, what are your plans for the future?"

Yang Jianguo, with peanuts between his fingers, chatted with Da Liu about the future.

His auto repair shop can't last long either.

If the wind blows, it's definitely impossible to do anything.

Therefore, there still needs to be another way out.

Da Liu is also a man of strong will, and Yang Jianguo wanted to see if he had any ideas.

I'll give him some advice and help him find a stable job.

Da Liu smacked his lips, picked up some food with his chopsticks, and pondered in his mind.

Jianguo felt that his own auto repair shop wouldn't last long.

Or perhaps he has some other plan.

"Jianguo, do you think this shop won't last much longer?" Da Liu decided to ask directly.

We're all on the same side, there's nothing to hide.

Yang Jianguo thought for a moment, then nodded, which was his way of replying.

As for the reason, Yang Jianguo didn't say anything, so Da Liu didn't ask either.

People are different now than before; they can come into contact with high-ranking leaders, and what they hear and see is different from what they see outside.

Some things shouldn't be said to outsiders; being able to confide in him means you consider him one of your own.

Perhaps I should think about the bigger picture?

Chapter 138 Liu Guangtian, the Filial Son, is Definitely Better Than Yang Jianguo

The meal lasted until late at night, and it only ended when Da Liu was drunk and passed out.

Yang Jianguo didn't let Aunt Liu take the remaining dishes with him; he left them all behind.

He has to take the plates and jars with him.

Otherwise, he should have to eat the local specialty hand-grabbed rice with Yingzi tomorrow.

"Uncle Liu, I haven't been this happy in a long time." After seeing the two to the door, Aunt Liu listened to the snoring inside the house with great satisfaction.

"Auntie, there's still a long road ahead!"

"Uncle Liu is a real man, he'll definitely make sure you live a good life in the future."

Hearing Yang Jianguo say this, Aunt Liu nodded happily.

Even if it's just a glimmer of hope, it's still a nice thing to say.

She's willing to listen now, and even more willing to take it seriously.

It's time to take a breather at the end of the year.

It finally put my mind at ease.

"Auntie, we're heading back now. It's about time to set off the firecrackers."

"Sigh, let's go back. It's cold outside, don't let Yingzi get cold."

"Juanzi, bring me the hundred-shot amusement box that Mom bought."

"Here it is, Mom. Can you take some out for me and Xiaojuan to play with?"

Dajuan looked at the firecrackers in her hand with amusement, thinking that it would be good to keep one or two.

We only see each other during the Chinese New Year.

In the days when even rockets and gold coins were scarce.

Being able to light and set off firecrackers one by one is happiness.

Aunt Liu was reluctant to agree, but seeing the two children's expectant eyes, she softened.

"Then we'll take ten, five for each person."

"Oh, Mom, you're the best."

Hearing the cheers from the other side of the wall, Yang Jianguo and Yingzi, hand in hand, walked into the house and smiled at each other.

The festive atmosphere is here.

Yang Jianguo lit the 200-shot firecrackers by using a stick of firewood to prop them up at his doorstep.

crackling sounds...

As soon as the sound rang, every household opened their doors.

Those who hadn't gone to sleep yet came out, and seeing the firewood and the string of firecrackers, their eyes widened with envy.

If you take it apart and store it slowly, it should last a whole year, right?

They say two hundred shots, and they actually light them quickly.

About ten seconds later, its tail fell to the ground.

It struggled to jump a few times, then fell completely silent.

Banggeng, carrying Xiaodang, rushed into the pungent blue smoke filled with firecracker casings.

He rummaged around on the ground with his hands, trying to find any firecrackers that hadn't been lit and had been blown away by other firecrackers.

Dajuan and Xiaojuan ran over and bent down to search.

Even Yan Jiekuang brought Yan Jiedi over and bent down to search.

Anyone who finds a complete, unreleased item will immediately garner envious glances from everyone.

Yang Jianguo and Yingzi stood at the door watching what was happening.

People from the other houses also came out with firecrackers they had bought in advance.

Say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new! Drive away the Nian beast!

Those who have the means will set off a string of 100 or 200 firecrackers.

Or perhaps a wealthy family would buy a rare string of five hundred rings.

That made a loud noise!

When money is tight, you buy things together with others.

One hangs a string of bells, and the three of us split up.

Cut the fuse in the middle into three sections, and then wrap each of the disassembled firecrackers back together.

Twist them into a tight bundle, set off thirty volleys per family, and give the rest to the children to play with.

We've participated in this, so let's hope for good luck!

The firecrackers were going off incessantly in the courtyard, and the same was happening in other houses in the alley outside.

The children were running around inside like madmen, searching for 'survivors.'

After midnight, the sound of firecrackers gradually subsided.

Yang Jianguo and Yingzi also closed the door and went back inside to rest.

Take the kettle off the stove and pour him some hot water to soak his feet.

Yingzi sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and opened the handkerchief that she had always kept in her pocket.

A thick stack of unpaid bills appeared before my eyes.