Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

"No, I have to go home again and ask my mom." Yingzi's family used to raise chickens.

They roam freely in the yard, running around everywhere every day.

When it's time to cluck, the two chickens come back to eat.

However, she remembered that they were two large ones.

Like a newly hatched chick, I wonder if her mother knows how to raise it.

"Alright, let's wait until they hatch." After washing up, Yingzi got onto the kang (a heated brick bed) and continued crocheting.

Yang Jianguo, watching from the side, said, "Yingzi, shall we buy a sewing machine for you to use?"

Yingzi asked with a smile, "Does our family still have sewing plane tickets?"

Yang Jianguo nodded and said, "Yes, it's with me. I was so busy I forgot about it."

Yang Jianguo didn't forget; he was just afraid she'd complain about the expense, since it hadn't been of any use before.

So, it was left unmentioned.

Now, there is a reward of 1,500 yuan.

Yingzi is pregnant again, and it's time to prepare clothes, shoes, hats, and other miscellaneous items for the baby.

Having a sewing machine would definitely be more convenient.

“Okay, let’s go buy it tomorrow.” Yingzi nodded in agreement.

If it's useful, then it's not considered wasting money.

The province is the province, the flowers are the flowers.

She's not a real money-grubber; she lives off money.

"Then let's get some rest!"

"Hmm~"

They slept until midday before getting up to start cooking.

Seeing Yang Jianguo come out wearing only a single layer of clothing, Wu Shazhu looked on with envy.

Even when I'm at home, I have to wear a thick cotton-padded coat while the stove is on.

It's so much more comfortable for people to build their own country than for humans!

"Jianguo, have you heard anything about that stove? I'm counting on it to get through next winter."

Sha Zhu is still thinking about his 'earthen stove'!

Yang Jianguo filled the jar with water, dipped his toothbrush in it, and laughed, "Next year, next year we'll definitely have some."

"You said it yourself, otherwise I'd sleep on the floor in your side room."

"I have two old hens there, be careful they peck your eyes."

"Hey, do you think I, a cook, am afraid of two chickens?"

After exchanging a few words, Sha Zhu went back inside to busy himself.

Yesterday, he took her to the department store in the rain and bought her two new outfits.

After that, I bought some things I would need for daily school use.

I've been running around all day and haven't even had time to steam any buns.

Today, he has to steam the buns.

If you wait until after the New Year to steam it, it won't bring good luck.

Chapter 144 Using twenty or thirty years, who are you cursing?

Steaming buns during the Lunar New Year symbolizes continuous progress and prosperity.

However, it should be the 29th of the lunar year.

Since there are no elderly people in Sha Zhu's family, they don't pay much attention to such details.

Anyway, let's just steam a pot of food during the New Year; we're not asking for things to get better and better.

Just give me a… and I'll marry you.

Sha Zhu's heart is still most concerned about Teacher Ran.

Calling her Teacher Ran now is the right way to address her.

After the New Year, Ran Qiuye will be able to go to school.

The Ran family, being returned overseas Chinese, still has some connections.

As for these customs and traditions, are they feudal superstitions?

No, that's called the old tradition nowadays.

These are good words passed down from our ancestors, and they represent the people's expectations and hopes for a better life.

The future... who knows?

After all, what is what at that time is not up to people to decide, is it?

Sha Zhu was steaming buns at home, while Yang Jianguo drove Yingzi out.

The two of them were going to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a sewing machine.

Originally, Yingzi wanted to go to the department store.

But during the Lunar New Year, the people inside were crammed together like pancakes.

If we let her go, what if she gets sick from being squeezed out?

Therefore, this time Yang Jianguo took on everything and directly decided on the supply and marketing cooperative.

The two had just left, out of the alley.

A car was parked at the entrance of the compound.

The driver got out of the car, as did the man in the passenger seat. The two of them opened the back door and started unloading things.

Big bags and small bags, boxes and cases.

After all that commotion, the courtyard gate was blocked up.

"Master, Master, what's going on?" Aunt Yi was always quick to respond, coming over as soon as she heard the noise.

"Hello, ma'am, is this where Mr. Yang lives?" the driver asked politely with a smile.

The woman was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, that's where I live."

"That's right, this is for Master Yang."

Hearing this, Aunt Yi was stunned: "These are all for the founding of the nation?"

"Yes, it's the leader's order," the driver nodded in response.

Aunt Yi was incredibly envious.

shuh…

It hits straight in the forehead.

My goodness, Jianguo is so successful.

Then, a thought crossed his mind and he remembered the boiled peanuts that Jiefang had sent him before.

These peanuts are delivered just in time!

"Auntie, could you give me directions and tell me which room Mr. Yang lives in?" The driver picked up the box and entered the courtyard.

The dazed woman nodded repeatedly, "Yes, absolutely! Please follow me."

He led his men toward the central courtyard, and the men, young and old, all heard the commotion.

What happened?

"A leader sent his driver to deliver something to Jianguo."

"Really? Let me take a look."

"Let me take a look too."

"Let's go, let's go take a look."

We crowded around the entrance, and that's when we saw it.

They were all dumbfounded.

My goodness, what kind of high-ranking leader would be able to pull off such a big show?

Anyway, it must be a big shot I can't afford to offend.

Inside the courtyard, an elderly woman was apologizing to the driver with a face full of remorse: "Look at me, I forgot to mention it."

"This couple just went out, and we don't know where they went. Should I have someone look for them?"

The driver glanced at the locked gate and asked, "Ma'am, are you sure this is the right pair?"

“I’m sure, it must be this!” Aunt Yi replied.

Those watching the commotion in the courtyard also told him, "That's it, that's right."

"Yang Jianguo works at the steel rolling mill, and his wife Yingzi works at the food factory. That's right."

After hearing this, the driver knew he hadn't made a mistake.

He put the box down by the door and said, "It's okay, I'll bring it in first and wait for Master Yang."

As soon as Yang Jianguo and Yingzi entered the supply and marketing cooperative, they spotted Yang Jianguo's father-in-law.

“It’s our dad.” He tugged at Yingzi and pointed inside.

Yingzi was delighted and was about to run up when Yang Jianguo grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

"Don't panic, take it slow," Yang Jianguo said cheerfully.

Yingzi smiled, took his arm, and said, "Okay, then you can take me with you, alright?"

Arm in arm, the two approached Yingzi's father: "Master, let me take a look at this."

Yingzi's father, who was introducing the product to someone, called out without turning his head, "Please wait a moment, I'll be done soon..."

Yingzi's father, turning his head to see who it was, chuckled and scolded, "You little rascal, trying to tease me. What brings you two here?"

“We’re here to buy a sewing machine, and…” Yang Jianguo pointed to Yingzi’s belly, “so it’ll be easier to make clothes.”

Yingzi's father nodded in agreement, "It's time to start preparing."

Leaning back and looking to the right, Yingzi's father shouted loudly, "Old Ma, Old Ma, I have someone here, you take care of him."

The man gave him a wink, and he understood everything.

Seeing that Yingzi's father tilted his head, gesturing for them to come over, Yang Jianguo took Yingzi away.

When they arrived at the sewing machine section, Yang Jianguo first offered him a cigarette: "Uncle Ma, please have this."

Smoking is no longer prohibited these days; you can smoke all day long in a department store.

As long as you don't give anything to anyone, no one will ask a single question.

"Okay, you two want to watch the machine." After lighting a cigarette and seeing him nod, Old Ma led the two men inside.

When they reached the area near the wall, Lao Ma stopped and pointed to the machine placed in the far corner.

"There are only a few of the best ones, and the Yan brand produced in Beijing is quite good."

He moved his finger: "However, the best one is over there, invincible."

Yang Jianguo was completely baffled by the name.

What? You're invincible?

Seeing the two of them like that, Old Ma took a puff of his cigarette and explained with a smile.

This "Invincible Brand" was originally called Golden Lion, but in 46, it was felt that the name was not catchy enough, so it was changed to "Invincible".

And sure enough, sales and quality really did improve.