Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

Then, they would stand there and compare whose candy wrapper was prettier.

Hearing what her two younger brothers said, Yingzi knew that her husband was curious.

Looking back at him, she explained, "No one in my family likes to eat fish, so we only cook it on holidays. We usually sell it for money."

Yang Jianguo smiled and nodded, saying, "That's true."

Deep down, however, they knew it was because they were used to hardship and couldn't bear to give it up!

Unless you have an allergy, it's deadly.

Is there anyone who doesn't like to eat meat these days? Fish is meat too.

They simply feel that having a meal during holidays is a rare luxury.

There's no way we can eat every day, so we might as well sell it for a little money and save it up.

Yingzi was like that at the beginning too.

Even now, if you add too much white flour, you'll regret it for a while.

Besides, the Li family has these two boys, so Yingzi's father has to work harder and put in more effort.

Otherwise, how will we find wives for them in the future?

Just as they were talking about Yingzi's father, he came back from outside.

"Jianguo is here." Yingzi's father greeted his son-in-law, but his eyes were fixed on his daughter.

I lit a cigarette for my father-in-law and said a few words.

Yang Jianguo found an excuse to have Aimin take him to the... outhouse.

This break is a good opportunity to spend some time talking with the family.

Even the closest of friends have something to say to each other.

If Yang Jianguo is involved, he can't afford to offend his father-in-law.

man!

Hey, aren't they all the same?

When Yang Jianguo returned, the table had already been set.

Sausage stew, braised potatoes, stir-fried cabbage, scrambled eggs with chives, and a basket of steamed buns.

Work together!

"Mother, bring me my good wine, Jianguo and I will have a couple of drinks."

Before Yingzi's father could finish speaking, Yingzi's mother came over carrying a jar: "I brought this for you, knowing you two would need a drink."

“Jianguo, this is genuine homemade wine that your father bought from people at a high price at the commune.”

Yingzi's mother looked at the old man and asked, "How many years has it been buried?"

Yingzi's father replied, "Fifty-three years."

"Yes, it's a 53-year-old wine, and this is the only jar that ended up in his hands."

Yingzi's mother said with some regret, "It's just that we found it too late, otherwise you two could have used it when you held your banquet."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jianguo laughed and said, "Mom, that won't do. If we really use this for a banquet, how will Dad and I get to drink?"

Upon hearing this, Yingzi's father chuckled and said, "Jianguo is right. We're in for a treat today."

Yang Jianguo took the jar and opened it to drink the wine.

Yingzi's mother brought out two shallow porcelain bowls, which looked somewhat like enlarged teacups.

He poured in the wine; it was clear and bright. Yang Jianguo looked at it with pleasure: "This bowl is quite pretty!"

"You like it?" Yingzi's father said, turning around and adding, "Her mother, put this wine bowl in Jianguo's bowl later."

"Yes," Yingzi's mother responded, busy at the stove.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jianguo quickly waved his hand and said, "Dad, no need, I just think it looks good."

“If you like it, bring it on. Come on, let’s have a drink first, you and me.” Before he could speak, Yingzi’s father picked up the bowl.

Yang Jianguo could only pick up the bowl and tap it against the bottom: "I toast you."

Seeing that the two of them were drinking on an empty stomach, Yingzi smiled and said, "Dad, Jianguo, you two drink slowly and have some food first."

"Eat, eat." Yingzi's father put down his bowl, stroked his chin happily, and held up his chopsticks to invite the two of them to pick up some food.

Once the chopsticks were in use, the two boys also picked up their chopsticks, grabbed the slices of meat, and ate heartily with their steamed buns.

This table is even more lavish than during Chinese New Year.

They stared at it so intently they couldn't take their eyes off it, which made the two of them very envious.

After eating and drinking, Yingzi's mother also arrived.

The last item, brown sugar cake, was served.

I made the rice cake myself, sprinkled it with brown sugar, and steamed it in a pot.

It's sweet, sticky, and delicious.

Yang Jianguo picked up several mouthfuls with his chopsticks; this was a rare treat in these times of scarcity!

“Jianguo, Yingzi, your father asked someone at the supply and marketing cooperative to leave six catties of brown sugar. He’ll bring it over in July or August.”

"Remember to come and pick it up when the time comes. Take it back and save it for Yingzi to nourish her body after she gives birth."

Yang Jianguo was taken aback when Yingzi's mother mentioned it.

Brown sugar, how could I have forgotten about that?

"Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom. Look at me, I completely forgot about that." Yang Jianguo slapped his forehead in regret.

Yingzi's mother laughed and said, "A grown man like you is busy with work all day. You don't have time to worry about these things. Your mother and father are here for you!"

“Your mother is right. You are in your prime right now, and when you are capable, work is the most important thing.”

"Your mother and I will take care of these small things," Yingzi's father said calmly, picking up some food with his chopsticks.

Yang Jianguo didn't stand on ceremony and said, holding his bowl, "Thank you, Mom and Dad. Dad, I'll toast you again."

Seeing that the two were getting more and more into drinking, Yingzi opened her mouth several times to call them to stop, but in the end she held back.

My son doesn't usually drink, and his father drinks only a little; they have good self-control.

Today, the two of them really let loose and drank to their hearts' content.

Just let them drink it to have some fun!

Yingzi's mother smiled and said, "Drink up, drink up. This is the only time the two of us can drink freely."

I was genuinely happy, but things took a turn for the worse later on.

Yingzi's father draped his arm over his shoulder, stammering, "Brother, I, I have something to tell you..."

"My daughter is perfectly fine."

"Brother, then... then how could I... not know...?"

"Hehe, well, well, it's just a good burp..."

"Very good."

Squinting, Yang Jianguo looked across the room: "Wife, wife, I, I'm right, am I right...?"

Yingzi's mother and Yingzi stared at each other, bewildered.

I felt both angry and amused.

Look at you two, acting all high and mighty, calling yourselves brothers and sirs.

"Second brother, third brother, help your brother-in-law to your room."

"Yingzi, give me a hand and help your dad up to the kang (heated brick bed)."

They separated the two and helped them onto the kang (a heated brick bed). Yingzi's father was still looking around with his eyes open, asking, "My brother, where is he?"

Let go of him and throw him onto the kang (a heated brick bed).

Yingzi's mother laughed and scolded, "Your little brother is resting, you should rest too, look how drunk you are!"

"Rest now, um... it's good to rest, just rest..."

"Snoring, snoring..."

By the time Yang Jianguo woke up again, it was already dinnertime.

He scratched his head, didn't go inside, said a few words to Yingzi's mother at the door, and rode away on his bike.

Seeing the two walk away, Yingzi's mother was about to go back when the door opened.

Yingzi's father, looking embarrassed and pretending to be asleep, came out and asked, "You're leaving. Did you... bring your things?"

Yingzi's mother said with a smile, "Yes, yes, I brought them all for your little brother."

"What, bro? What nonsense are you talking about?"

Yingzi's father, with a stern face, scolded in a low voice, "If someone hears this, is that appropriate?"

Yingzi's mother ignored her and replied, "Didn't you ask them to call him that yourself? Jianguo couldn't refuse, and you got angry!"

"Don't call me Dad, call me Brother, or you can forget about drinking this wine."

puff~

Yingzi's mother couldn't help but talk about it.

She covered her mouth, lowered her head, and walked into the house. Oh my god, I can't help it, it's hilarious!

Yingzi's father had a dark expression, his eyes filled with embarrassment.

What are we going to do next time we meet after this?

On the way back, Yingzi kept laughing the whole way.

She used to think that her father was quite serious.

I never imagined it would have such a funny side.

And then there's Jian Guo; he's actually kind of cute when he's drunk.

Lying in bed, he was muttering his own name.

They say she's a treasure, a blessing from heaven.

No matter what happens in this life, I'll still be with her in the next...

That's right, they started getting off-topic later on.

Yingzi felt both ashamed and happy when she recalled those words.

No wonder people say that the more cultured a person is, the more cunning they are; he's no exception.

I can't go shopping today, I'm still carrying a lot of bags.

The two went straight home. As soon as they entered the house, Yang Jianguo asked, "Wife, why is your face so red?"

Yingzi's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "It's hot, I'm hot."

Yang Jianguo said with a smile, "Go wash up and go to bed early, you have to go out tomorrow!"

The lights were turned off early, and a spring breeze blew through the night.

The next day, Yingzi didn't get up until after 10 a.m.

When she went out to fetch water, everyone who saw her said, "Yingzi, your face... it looks so good, so radiant! Is there good news?"

Yingzi blushed slightly and replied, "Yes, I've got it."

Hearing her say that, the person who asked the question was taken aback.

After a few seconds, I realized what she meant: "Oh my, Yingzi, you're really pregnant?"

"Really?" Yingzi touched her belly and smiled, "I'm three months pregnant."

"Great news! It's wonderful news!"

"Congratulations, Yingzi."