Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

When they got home, the handlebars of the two bicycles were covered with ropes and cloth bags.

Two hearty dishes were strapped to the back seat: a pig's head and a large pork knuckle.

The parallel bars weren't idle either; four ribbonfish were hanging on them!

Yingzi came home early today. Seeing him carrying all those big and small bags into the house, she quickly went over to help: "What's wrong? Why did you buy all this stuff?"

"Yes, I'll treat you to a meal." Yang Jianguo told her about the team that had been assembled and was about to officially start work.

Yingzi was delighted to hear this and said, "That's great news! We should celebrate! Tomorrow night, right?"

Yang Jianguo laughed and said, "Yes, I was thinking of asking Zhuzi for help and having him cook a good meal for me."

Yingzi thought for a moment and said, "Does Zhuzi have time? You can ask him first, and I'll come back early tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll go ask after I finish eating." Yang Jianguo wasn't in a hurry.

We don't know if the two of them have returned yet, so there's no rush.

"I'll put these in the cellar first, and then cook when I get back."

Yingzi picked and chose, packing up and carrying away the items that couldn't be kept indoors and didn't need prior processing.

Dishes like braised pork hock and pig's head meat need to be prepared in advance.

If we wait until tomorrow to prepare it, it will be too late to stew it.

Just as we were about to leave, Zhiyi ran into the house excitedly and asked, "Mom, what's good to eat today?"

"There's nothing good here, but you've come at the right time. Take these to the cellar."

Yingzi shoved the basket into her hands and turned back to the stove to cook.

Looking down at the basket in her arms, Zhiyi was dumbfounded.

I just walked in, what a coincidence!

Yingzi was making dinner, while Yang Jianguo first prepared the pig's head and pork hock.

The surface hair wasn't cleaned properly, so I filled a basin with hot water and placed it at the doorway before throwing the pig's head inside.

Then, keep pouring hot water over it with a ladle until it's scalded to the right consistency.

Use special hair-removing tweezers to pluck all the fine hairs off the pig's head.

The same goes for the pork knuckle; every nook and cranny was thoroughly cleaned.

After rinsing it again, I carried the basin back into the house.

Yingzi had already served the food, and I could see the pig's head and pork knuckle that he had prepared.

He reached out and took it, saying, "Go eat first, I'll take care of this."

Put it in a pot, add water and ingredients!

Once it's done, put it on the stove, open the vents, and let the fire burn as brightly as possible.

Once the stew is ready, Yingzi will come over to eat.

After we finished eating, the pot was still sizzling and steaming.

Close the vent and simmer it over a low flame.

A fragrant aroma wafted out, making Zhiyi's mouth water.

Yingzi tapped her on the forehead and said, "Don't be greedy, it won't be ready until tonight."

Hearing her say that, Zhiyi covered her head and said ingratiatingly, "Mom, can I eat breakfast?"

Yingzi glanced at her husband with amusement, her eyes clearly saying, 'Look at your precious daughter.'

"Sure, I'll make you a piece tomorrow morning." Yang Jianguo said with a chuckle, "It's a blessing that my daughter can eat so much!"

"Thank you, Dad." Zhiyi looked up and laughed happily.

Looking at the father and daughter, Yingzi said irritably, "Oh~ so you're just going to believe whoever feeds you is your mother?"

"No way, this is my own father." Zhiyi jumped up and grabbed Yang Jianguo's arm, her pride and smugness were indescribable.

In her eyes, her father was the best man in the world.

No one can compare!

In the future, she's determined to find someone as capable as her father.

Chapter 312 Growing Up, Zhiyuan's Decision

The pig's head and pork hock were stewed until it was time to go to bed at night before the heat was turned off.

Yingzi left the pot to dry in front of the window crack by the stove before going to bed.

When I get up in the morning, I'll make the fire burn brightly.

Yingzi placed the pot on the stove, allowing the broth to repeatedly infuse the flavors.

When we leave, we'll take it down and let it air dry.

When I came back in the evening, a hot plate of food was ready to eat.

"Mom, where's the stewed meat?" Zhiyi asked about the meat before even sitting down in the house.

Seeing her greedy look, Yingzi lifted the pot lid and said, "Wait, it's not hot yet!"

Zhiyi happily moved closer, "Mom, let me help you."

"Where's your brother?" Yingzi asked curiously when she didn't see her son.

"I'm washing clothes inside!" Zhiyi said.

"Why are you washing clothes so early in the morning?" Yingzi asked, even more curious.

I just got up this morning, where would I get clothes to wash?

"Who knows? I don't dare to interfere with him." Zhiyi was trying to sow discord between her and her brother, saying, "Look how domineering your son is."

Yingzi knew what her daughter meant, since it was her own child.

He slapped his bottom and said with a laugh, "Then you'd better try to be more responsible and stop making mistakes!"

After hearing her say that, Zhiyi left looking unhappy.

She bumped into Yang Jianguo, who was coming out of the inner room, and pulled him aside to complain: "Dad, look how biased your wife is, she's siding with her son."

When Yingzi turned around in front of the stove, the girl was so frightened that she jumped directly behind her father.

Yingzi gave her an angry glare and said with a laugh, "You're just being cheeky. You'll get what's coming to you sooner or later!"

"Alright, go call your brother to come eat." Yang Jianguo patted his daughter's head, his face full of affection.

After Zhiyi ran out, Yingzi, who was standing in front of the stove, said with a laugh, "You just keep spoiling her!"

"It'll be over in a few days. Next year, the children will be over, and in the blink of an eye, they won't be by my side anymore."

Yang Jianguo sighed, "If we don't spoil them now, they'll be too old when they come back."

You just want to be close to people, and you don't even have the chance if you're indulged.

Yingzi's smile gradually froze, and a deep reluctance appeared in her eyes.

Yes!

In another six months or so, both children will be gone.

This departure means being separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, and it's uncertain whether we'll be able to meet again even once a year.

Yingzi felt sad whenever she thought about these things.

She regretted it!

"Jianguo, how about we let Zhiyuan go and let Zhiyi stay?" Yingzi nestled against his chest, looking up at him hopefully.

Yang Jianguo's expression was gentle, but his attitude of shaking his head was very firm.

In this matter, we cannot say that just because they, as parents, are reluctant to let go, we should sacrifice their child's future.

Today, the gap is enormous and despairing.

But that's precisely why we need to go out and explore.

Go out and see, go out and learn, go out and gain something.

Only in this way can we make up for the lost time.

Yang Jianguo made many plans for the future of his two children, but ultimately gave up on them all.

As children grow up, they will have their own thoughts and decisions.

When it's time for parents to let go, they need to learn to let go.

They're not puppets, you can't expect them to obey your every command and arrangement for their entire lives.

Now, all he wants is to provide the best platform and opportunities for his children.

Yingzi raised her hand and punched him in the chest, as if to vent her dissatisfaction.

Yang Jianguo hugged her and just smiled, everything was understood without words.

The family was very quiet during breakfast time.

It's normal for Yingzi to feel a little sad, even though it's understandable.

Zhiyi was busy eating meat and didn't have time to pay attention.

Why is Ke Zhiyuan keeping his head down?

"Zhiyuan, is something wrong?" Yang Jianguo asked casually, picking at his pickled vegetables.

"No, it's nothing," Zhiyuan said hurriedly.

As if realizing that something was wrong with his behavior, he lowered his head and continued eating.

But then he added, "Nothing's wrong."

To the couple, these words sounded like a blatant attempt to cover up their wrongdoing.

Yingzi gave him a wink, and Yang Jianguo nodded knowingly.

After they finished eating, Zhiyuan left first, and Yang Jianguo put down his bowl and followed him.

"Zhiyuan." Yang Jianguo called to his son who was walking forward, put his arm around his shoulder and asked, "What's wrong? Tell Dad."

Zhiyuan looked conflicted, glancing back and forth.

When no one was around, he tilted his head back and put his hand to his mouth.

Yang Jianguo lowered his head to listen, his expression gradually becoming strange: "Haha, I thought it was something important!"

"Looks like our Zhiyuan's grown up. What, do you have a girl you like?"

Hearing his father's teasing, Zhiyuan forced himself to remain calm: "No, I still have to pursue my dreams."

"Dreams and love are not in conflict. If they exist, it's fine as long as they are positive and uplifting."

"If we can support each other, encourage each other, make progress together, and urge each other to become better, Dad will support you."

Upon hearing his preconditions, Yang Zhiyuan didn't want to mention a single word.

You might as well just say: Stop thinking about all that nonsense and wasting my time!

Seeing his dismissive attitude, Yang Jianguo said earnestly, "What Dad said is true. Feelings aren't just about love and affection."

"Of course, it is an essential condition, but that doesn't mean we can only revolve around it."

That's enough. If I go on, they'll get impatient and won't listen to a single word.

Yang Jianguo believes he will make his own judgment.

As for getting your boxer shorts dirty in the morning, that's not a big deal!

Boys should have started having children by this age.

Ten years ago, children his age would have been preparing to start working.

Many people get married, have children, and settle down.

It's just getting your boxer shorts dirty, no big deal.