Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

Upon glancing at the open cloth bag containing a basin of chive dumplings, Yingzi couldn't help but swallow...saliva.

I'm so hungry!

"Sit down, Mom will heat it up for you so you can eat it." Yingzi's mother busied herself quickly and efficiently.

After asking where the plates, bowls, and chopsticks were, Yingzi's mother wiped the stove surface clean with a cloth.

Once it's done, place the chive boxes on the stovetop to bake.

After finishing, I went to the stove to light the fire and knead the dough: "Mom brought some pickled cabbage, I'll make you pickled cabbage and pork dumplings for dinner tonight."

"Gulp." Yingzi swallowed even faster.

As expected of her own mother, she knows her tastes perfectly.

Even Yingzi didn't realize that she wanted to eat sauerkraut dumplings.

But when the mother mentioned it, oh my god!

She just wanted to eat the filling right now, why did she suddenly think that way?

Yingzi's mother is incredibly efficient at her work.

In no time, less than half an hour.

Hot and sour dumpling soup, forty sauerkraut and pork dumplings, and freshly baked chive pancakes were served.

He Yushui, who was helping to serve the food, was moving her throat almost as fast as Yingzi.

I ordered soy sauce, and the soup was amber in color.

The aroma of sauerkraut and pork dumplings is irresistible, as is the crispy chive pancakes made on a hot griddle.

"Auntie, shall I be your daughter?" This time, He Yushui was genuinely jealous.

Not only did she marry well, but her own family is also so kind to her.

Just look at all those chive boxes you made and brought back – how much flour, chives, and oil will be wasted?

My aunt is really generous; this mother is so kind...

Yingzi, how come you're so lucky?

Yingzi's mother chuckled and wiped her hands, then patted He Yushui's head: "From now on, just tell your aunt what you want to eat."

"Yingzi said you took good care of her, so your aunt has to take good care of you too."

"Mmm." He Yushui nodded repeatedly, and neither of them mentioned the joke about just "becoming a daughter" again.

These days, "godfather" is no joke.

If you really want to establish a godparent relationship, you have to ask a respected elder to be a witness, and you also have to offer tea, kowtow, and give a red envelope.

After the ceremony, they are officially a family.

If He Yushui really acknowledges Yingzi's mother as her godmother, even Shazhu would have to call her "godmother."

This isn't something you can just admit to so easily.

"Okay, you two keep eating. When it's almost time, I'll wrap up the rest for Jianguo."

When Yang Jianguo returned, he saw that his stove was still smoking and the house was brightly lit.

He didn't go inside; he just propped up the car at the doorway.

Then I heard my mother-in-law and Yingzi laughing happily, and it seemed like He Yushui was there too.

Pushing open the door, I saw him sitting at a small table.

"Mom," Yang Jianguo called out towards the stove.

Yingzi's mother, who was chatting and laughing with her daughter, turned around and said happily, "Jianguo is back! Hurry up and wash up and eat dumplings."

“Yes…” Yang Jianguo nodded in response.

I went to the table first, spent some time cuddling with my wife, and asked her how her day went.

Yang Jianguo then carried the basin out of the house and turned to enter the side room.

Inside the house, He Yushui, trembling from the couple's affectionate display, complained to her aunt.

"Auntie, look what I told you! Look at Jianguo, oh my... it's so cheesy!"

Knowing she was joking, Yingzi's mother was overjoyed.

Seeing her daughter and son-in-law getting along so well and being inseparable, what else could she, as a mother, say but be happy?

When Yang Jianguo returned, Yingzi's mother had already started cooking the dumplings.

Sixty large dumplings.

They were all packed for Yang Jianguo. "Eat more, and try these chive pancakes too."

Yingzi's mother beamed with joy, finding him pleasing to the eye no matter how she looked at him.

Yang Jianguo couldn't find a single fault with his own daughter, not even with her as her mother.

She's gone to such lengths; as a mother, she treats Jianguo like her own son.

Moreover, the more you look at it, the happier you feel.

He had a long procession, was tall, and had a strong build.

She is a family man, knows how to care for others, and is devoted to Yingzi. Her devotion is so great that even Yingzi's mother sometimes envies her.

She is a mother, and also a woman!

It's good to be envious; Yingzi's mother loves to hear her daughter brag to her.

If she suddenly stops talking, Yingzi's mother should be wondering, 'What's going on between them?'

"Auntie, I'm going back to my room now." Seeing that it was getting late, He Yushui decided not to stay any longer.

If we stay any longer, we'll be disturbing their conversation.

"Okay, then I won't see you off."

"How could I let my aunt take me? Besides, it's just across the street."

He Yushui said this and went out, hurrying home.

The main door opened, and Shazhu, wearing a vest and shorts... poked his head in: "Rain, is Yingzi's mother here?"

"Yes, let's talk inside!" He Yushui quickly came closer. "Brother, Auntie's cooking smells amazing."

Sha Zhu chuckled, "You're really enjoying yourself today."

"No way, I'm so full I can barely walk." He Yushui rubbed her stomach and laughed.

After saying a few words, He Yushui remembered the sauerkraut dumplings from earlier: "Brother, I'll ask Auntie how she makes the filling tomorrow."

"Make some dumplings for your sister-in-law too. They're delicious; she'll definitely love them."

Seeing Yingzi's satisfied expression, He Yushui thought of her own sister-in-law.

Since they were both pregnant, she must have loved the sour taste.

He glanced at her and said happily, "Okay, your sister-in-law didn't spoil you for nothing."

"That's right, my sister-in-law is much better than you." With a haughty snort, He Yushui jogged back into the house.

“This girl…” Sha Zhu laughed and scolded.

Looking back at the light across the street, a hint of envy crossed her eyes: "Should I also find some time to take Qiuye back to visit her?"

Sha Zhu pondered to himself, waiting for Yu Shui to ask him how to make dumpling filling.

He took the rainwater with him and his wife, bought a piece of material, and went home.

The family of five sat down, and he personally cooked a delicious meal.

Yang Jianguo ate the dumplings one bite at a time with great relish.

These sauerkraut dumplings are really satisfying, with a slightly spicy aftertaste that makes them even more appetizing.

"Mom, you eat too." Yang Jianguo took another chive pancake and drank some dumpling soup.

Yingzi's mother, who was eating chive dumplings, gestured with her chopsticks and said, "You eat, you eat, Mom has already eaten at home."

"I cooked a meal for your dad and those two boys before I came, and they ate quite a lot."

Yang Jianguo laughed and said, "I've already eaten, that was the last meal. Besides, I can't eat all sixty of these."

“You have to give me some space to put these chive dumplings and noodle soup.”

After he said that, Yingzi's mother smiled and went to pick up some dumplings, saying, "Okay, let's eat together, mother and daughter."

Yingzi sat to the side, feeling both guilty and touched.

She was so engrossed in eating that she didn't even think about her mother not getting any.

Yingzi smiled happily, knowing that her husband was the most thoughtful. "Mom, you and Jianguo eat. I'll go tidy up the house."

Yingzi's mother, who was drinking the dumpling soup, quickly put it down and waved to her.

After swallowing the soup in her mouth, she quickly said, "Don't worry about it, Mom will take care of it herself in a bit."

"Right now, the most important thing for you is to take care of yourself. Don't worry about anything else."

Yang Jianguo looked up and smiled, "Mom is right. Besides, I've already tidied up that room."

Upon hearing this, the mother and daughter exchanged bewildered glances. Yingzi asked, "When did you tidy up?"

"I just took care of it when I went out to wash."

Seeing his indifferent attitude, the mother and daughter felt a mix of emotions.

This son-in-law is so thoughtful!

After dinner, Yingzi's mother domineeringly took over the stove area...

I rushed them to get ready and wash up, and took care of all the pots and pans myself.

After wiping his hands, he said, "Get some rest, Mom's going to bed too," and left.

Yingzi was a little worried and followed him outside, saying, "Jianguo, I'll go check on him."

Yang Jianguo didn't object, and picked up the coat hanging by the door and put it on her: "It's chilly at night."

With crescent-shaped eyes and a bright smile, Yingzi nodded and went to the side room.

When Yingzi knocked on the door and entered the room, she saw her mother standing by the bed.

"What's wrong, Mom?" Seeing her like that, Yingzi thought something had gone wrong.

Following her gaze, I glanced at the bed and couldn't help but chuckle.

Chapter 193 Oh dear, my landlord sister!

A brand-new mattress was laid on the bed, and two quilts, one large and one small, were placed at the foot of the bed.

The pillow looked brand new, but Yingzi's mother was completely baffled by these things.

These are all brand new items, wouldn't she just waste them?

Yingzi helped her sit down, saying, "You're my mother, how can it be considered wasteful for you to use this?"

Yingzi's mother was restless, feeling that such good material was being wasted.

"No, get Mom an old quilt and replace this one."

Holding her daughter's hand, Yingzi's mother said, "I can't sleep at night if I use this."

Yingzi found it both funny and heartbreaking. "Mom, just use it without worry. Besides, we don't have any old bedding at home, so we've already had it altered."

This bedding is for the child; the cotton inside is a blend of old and new.

The fabric was bought by Yingzi; the sewing machine at home was never stopped being used as decoration.

It took a lot of persuasion to get Yingzi's mother to accept reality.

I was so touched.

When Yingzi returned to her room, she looked at Yang Jianguo reading a book on the kang (a heated brick bed), and her eyes were filled with... spring-like feelings.

"You really startled your mother." Leaning against him, Yingzi recounted her mother's earlier reaction.