Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

All of it had to be exchanged for money and food.

Eggs, so that the whole family can survive?

He sells eggs, but eggs are an unattainable luxury for him.

I can’t afford it!

The porter from last time said something very true halfway through the trip: "I've almost forgotten what an egg looks like."

A pound of eggs costs 1.68 yuan, enough for an average family living a comfortable life.

Being able to eat a bite of an egg brings a sense of happiness.

Second Uncle, a level seven blacksmith, is the only one who can afford to eat eggs, along with his precious son.

Indeed, it has something to do with his family's traditions.

On the other hand, it's also true that eggs are too precious.

If you want to eat, money is one thing, but you also need a ticket!

Those eggs didn't fall from the sky; where did all those old hens come from to feed the whole city?

I saw Yingzi bring back eggs and put them on the stove, ready to use them.

Yang Jianguo, as if on cue, said, "Two for each person."

Hearing his voice, Yingzi chuckled and said, "One is enough for me. I'll just have a steamed bun. You've been working hard, you should eat more."

"Then why don't you say that you're eating alone?" Yang Jianguo hugged her and put his hand on her stomach.

Well, Yingzi knew he would say that.

"Okay, whatever you say." She replied helplessly, her eyes filled with happiness.

If you spoil it like this, how can it not get tired of the relationship?

Two steamed eggs, drizzled with water mixed with soy sauce, served with two steamed buns and a small dish of pickled vegetables.

After eating and drinking her fill, Yingzi quickly washed the dishes and went to pack her things to take with her.

Yang Jianguo was responsible for wiping the tables and stove, and sealing the fire.

"Honey, are you taking a shower tonight?" Yang Jianguo asked with a smile.

Yingzi lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement.

They added two buckets of water, and then the two of them went out together.

When we went out together, the two of us always rode the same bike.

Yang Jianguo rode away on his Phoenix 28-inch double-bar bicycle, carrying Yingzi.

When we arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative compound, a group of children surrounded us at the gate.

He chased after the bicycle, calling out, "Sister Yingzi, Sister Yingzi."

These are all children from the neighborhood, and they all know that Yingzi is doing well and is generous.

So every time she comes back, the children love to rush to her side.

I was just hoping to get some food to satisfy my cravings!

"Yingzi? Is Yingzi back?" Hearing the children shouting from afar, Yingzi's mother called out from across the house.

Yingzi, sitting in the back seat, exclaimed happily, "Oh, Mom, it's me! Jianguo and I have come back to see you!"

Yingzi's mother put down what she was doing, patted herself down a couple of times, and went outside to greet them.

The two men turned the corner and appeared before her.

Seeing the children, Yingzi's mother said with a smile, "Go, go, go! There's no food left, go play!"

The children were reluctant to leave, but they stopped chasing after them.

A few of the bolder ones even made a face at her, stuck out their tongues, and ran away making a "lè lè lè lè" sound.

"You brat, watch out or I'll give you a good spanking," Yingzi's mother said with a laugh, turning to look at her daughter and son-in-law.

His face was ruddy, and although his clothes weren't fancy, they were clean and tidy.

Seeing her daughter like this, Yingzi's mother was relieved.

Is that woman doing well?

A face that says it all.

Yingzi's face also reflected two big words: happiness!

After getting off the bus, Yingzi came upstairs carrying some things. "Mom, Jianguo and I came to see you. Where are Dad and my brother?"

Yingzi's mother took the things from her hands, "Slow down, slow down, look how impatient you are."

"Jianguo, you're here." She then greeted her son-in-law.

Then, without any panic, he said, "Your dad went out to play chess. Those two boys have gone off somewhere. They'll definitely be back by noon."

"Jianguo, come in and sit down." Yingzi's mother busied herself making tea and serving food to her daughter and son-in-law.

Food that used to be stored away and only taken out when distinguished guests arrived was now all laid out on the table.

"Mom, stop what you're doing and put those eggs away first." Yingzi pulled her arm, urging her to stop for a moment.

She's my own daughter, not an outsider.

Yingzi's mother smiled and replied, "Once you're married and live separately, you're a guest."

Yingzi laughed and said, "Alright, then I, your honored guest, will have some tea first. I must have a good lunch."

"Eat up! We'll make whatever you want to eat at home," Yingzi's mother said with a hearty laugh.

After opening the items on the table, Yingzi's mother scolded, "Why did you bring these things again? Didn't I tell you not to bring them home? We don't need anything."

Yingzi kept laughing, holding her teacup without saying a word.

Yang Jianguo spoke up, saying, "Mom, this is a token of our appreciation from Yingzi. We'll feel at ease if you accept it."

After glancing at her son-in-law and then at her daughter, Yingzi's mother smiled involuntarily: "Fine, never mind."

"Jianguo, are you busy this afternoon? If not, have a good drink with your dad."

"No rush, take a break today."

"That's good, that's good. You two have a nice lunch, I'll prepare the dishes."

Yingzi's mother nimbly walked out, preparing to go to the cellar to get meat and vegetables.

We also took out a few of the eggs that our daughter and son-in-law brought and made a stir-fry of chives and eggs.

For men... it's good to eat more chives and eggs.

These chives were specially brought by his father through a personal accomplice.

They used to be reluctant to eat it, always thinking about when their daughter and son-in-law would come.

"Mom, let me help you." Yingzi got up and followed, but before she got close, her mother pressed her back down to sit.

"You sit here, there's no need for your help."

"Jianguo, you two just sit here and have some tea. Mom will get things ready."

Seeing her mother leave like that, Yingzi's smile gradually faded, and her expression turned slightly sad.

Yang Jianguo moved a chair next to her, put his arm around her, and said, "Aren't you used to it?"

Yingzi nodded and said in a low voice, "The more I come back, the more I feel... like a guest."

Holding her in his arms, Yang Jianguo whispered, "Isn't she a guest?"

However, we are special guests, different from ordinary guests.

He pointed to the table and said, "Look, whenever someone comes to our house, we treat them to all this. The table is almost overflowing."

Upon hearing this, Yingzi looked at the things on the table and burst into laughter through her tears: "That's true, only you and I get this kind of treatment."

The two talked for a while, and then Yingzi's mother came back carrying a basin.

It contained raw meat, cabbage, radish, potatoes, some wilted chives, and a few sausages.

“This is what your dad brought back. He said it’s good stuff… and he specially saved a portion for you two. I’ll take it with me when you leave.”

Yingzi was about to speak politely, but she simply smiled instead.

"Okay, Mom, can you teach me how to make it? I'll make it for Jianguo when I get back."

"I do need to teach you, otherwise you'll waste things."

As Yingzi's mother spoke, she peeked at her son-in-law, "Jianguo, does Yingzi cook well at home?"

Yang Jianguo nodded firmly and said, "Delicious, extremely delicious."

"She kneads the dough, stir-fries the vegetables, and makes me delicious meals every day with different dishes."

Standing up, Yang Jianguo stretched out his arms and said, "Mom, look how fat she's made me."

Yingzi's mother laughed as she listened, saying, "Good, it's good to fatten them up, it's good to fatten them up, haha..."

"Mom, if you ask me, it's all thanks to your excellent teaching."

"Yingzi works just like you, quick and efficient, and can whip up a meal in no time."

"is it?"

"Of course, she's incredibly capable."

"Even the cook in our compound admires her. He says that the way she cooks shows she's definitely a top-notch cook."

"That's true. My daughter has always taken after me. She's decisive, efficient, and straightforward in everything she does."

"Or I could say it's because you taught her so well. Once I told her I was going to cook and let her try my skills."

"The stove hasn't even been started yet! The person has already laid out the meat, vegetables, and ingredients in front of me, one by one."

"And another time..." Looking at Yang Jianguo, who kept talking, and then at his mother, who was being coaxed into laughing heartily.

Yingzi's eyes were like the crescent moon on the fifteenth of the lunar month—beautiful.

At noon, Yingzi's dad and his two sons returned home right around lunchtime.

Before even entering the house, I spotted the parallel bars in the yard.

“This is my brother-in-law’s car. My brother-in-law has arrived.”

The two boys ran into the house, shouting, and saw Yang Jianguo sitting there as soon as they entered.

There was also the eldest sister helping Mom at the stove.

After calling out, the two of them went straight to their brother-in-law, flanking him from both sides: "Brother-in-law, when did you get here!"

"We've been here for a while now. Where have you two been?" Seeing the two of them, Yang Jianguo took out a few milk candies from his pocket.

"Thank you, brother-in-law." The two happily accepted the gift, and then began to talk about their own affairs.

In the morning, the two of them went to the ditch to catch fish.

About five kilometers away from here, there is a ditch that froze over a few days ago but has only recently thawed.

This is the time when there are fish.

The two boys took advantage of their free time to try their luck.

Chapter 171 Brothers, it's done.

Fishing?

Seeing that they were empty-handed, Yang Jianguo said, "So you two didn't get anything?"

Unwrap the candy wrapper and put the wrapper in your pocket.

These days, candy wrappers are something kids can brag about.

The kids are all envious of whoever has the most candy wrappers.

It's no exaggeration to say that he's like a great hero in the eyes of little kids.

"Got it, let my dad take it and sell it," the two said nonchalantly.