Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

Yang Jianguo withdrew his gaze and smiled, "It is indeed different. People have more smiles on their faces, but they have also lost their spirit."

Yang Jianguo has seen far too many people who have lost their dreams and beliefs.

They seem happy, but in reality, their happiness only comes after their material needs are met.

The hole in my heart keeps getting bigger and bigger, and I can never fill that emptiness.

However, that is also a matter for the future.

When even basic needs like food and clothing cannot be guaranteed, how can we talk about spiritual pursuits?

It is similar in meaning to "Why not eat meat porridge?"

"You've said everything." Lou Xiao'e chuckled and reminded the driver to drive to the teahouse first.

"Let's go have afternoon tea first, and I'll introduce you to someone while we're at it."

Lou Xiao'e knew his temperament; taking care of important matters first was the priority.

However, Lou Xiao'e was somewhat surprised that he came alone: ​​"Why didn't Yingzi and the children come with us?"

"Something came up, I can't come. The child isn't going abroad, Yingzi is taking care of things at home!"

Upon hearing this, Lou Xiao'e remembered her plan to go abroad.

The last time I saw him in Beijing, he brought this up again, asking, "Have you chosen a school yet?"

“The Big Apple, Trinity College,” Yang Jianguo responded.

"What about universities?" Lou Xiao'e didn't know much about these schools; she was just asking casually.

Actually, she thought Jiangdao's school was pretty good.

If it weren't for her somewhat awkward position, Lou Xiao'e would definitely have suggested to him that their child come to Jiangdao to attend high school.

“Hmm, Northwestern University or Princeton,” Yang Jianguo said.

"Northwest University?" Lou Xiao'e was a little surprised; the name was unfamiliar to her.

Princeton is doing better, having gained considerable popularity in recent years, but it still lags behind the top-ranked universities on the list.

"A list?"

Yang Jianguo turned to her, as if asking, "Rankings controlled by capital are just one of the results of a game; don't be naive enough to believe them."

So-called lists, even non-profit ones.

Those who manage to survive do so through a process of weighing options and making compromises.

Those truly 'fair' lists either remain unknown or fade away under pressure and exclusion.

Very few people support this project out of pure love.

It only spreads within a small area, lacking any space or soil to grow.

Once you become famous, your fate is 'Game over'.

Northwestern University is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and a member of the Association of Universities. Its medical, engineering, education, and music programs are consistently ranked among the best.

"Although its overall ranking is not high, it is actually very famous in its field."

"Princeton's lineage is purer than itss. Foreigners often say that it has a purer lineage."

"A century of history, and they still don't know what they're talking about regarding lineage? Aren't they just humiliating themselves?"

Lou Xiao'e was amused by him and pressed on, "So both of these universities are truly excellent?"

"There are many universities with real substance, mainly because of their environment."

"Northwestern University and Princeton have a great academic atmosphere and should be more tolerant and friendly towards foreigners."

Compared to rankings, Yang Jianguo cares more about the overall academic atmosphere and living environment.

Currently, the environment abroad is not ideal either.

"Then why did you let them out?"

"Children need to experience things as they grow up. How can they grow if they stay by your side all the time?"

Lou Xiao'e rolled her eyes and said, "You're really quite trusting."

Yang Jianguo smiled, turned his head to look out the window, and did not reply.

His actions instantly shattered the already ambiguous atmosphere.

Lou Xiao'e felt a little frustrated. Did he really not have any feelings for her at all?

Have it?

Maybe a little!

It wasn't liking, much less love; it was just a sense of familiarity between friends.

Lou Xiao'e has a very ordinary appearance.

She has a good temperament and, having lived a life of luxury for many years, is always well-dressed.

Standing there, she did have the air of a goddess.

However, these were not enough to sway Yang Jianguo's interest.

He and Yingzi had a very good relationship.

It was so good that even I sometimes felt envious, and I longed for love...

In short, his only pursuit is to stay together until old age.

He was fortunate to have such a love.

Did you mess it up yourself?!

No, Yang Jianguo will only strengthen this relationship, making it even more solid and lasting.

Moreover, there is also a responsibility involved.

Marriage also requires effort; if you put your heart into it, you'll have a good outcome.

They're just giving up. What else is there to say?

Let it rot!

Therefore, he kept his distance from Haitang.

He ignored Lou Xiao'e's explicit or implicit suggestions.

Some things are better left unsaid, even if everyone knows the truth.

If you really expose it, the relationship will be impossible to maintain.

Central, Lan Kwai Fong, Wellington Street.

The Mercedes stopped in front of an old-fashioned teahouse, and the three characters "Lianxianglou" came into view.

"This teahouse has been open for over 50 years. The chrysanthemum tea is delicious, and it's my favorite place to come."

Yang Jianguo glanced at the sign and walked up the stairs side by side.

Turn right at the end, and a commotion erupts as a round table, back to back, is filled with all sorts of people.

Some were dressed in suits and ties, while others were dressed casually in shorts, vests, and flip-flops.

There were also people with cell phones tucked under their arms, shouting and yelling, all huddled together chatting wildly about everything under the sun.

Next to the tables side by side were two aisles, where women selling their wares pushed their carts back and forth.

Anyone who wants something can take it themselves or tell their older sister.

You don't need to open your mouth to add water; the waiter, carrying a large, copper-yellow water pot with a long spout and a towel draped over his shoulder, moves tirelessly through the teahouse.

"Xiao'e..." Lou Xiao'e was still looking around when Huo Wenxun, who was sitting by the window, stood up.

Seeing Huo Wenxun waving, Lou Xiao'e led Yang Jianguo forward quickly.

"Wen Xun, let me introduce you, this is Yang Jianguo." Then he introduced Yang Jianguo's identity, and the two hands were clasped tightly together.

"Mr. Yang, I've heard so much about you!"

"I've heard of the Huo family's reputation for a long time, and I'm finally meeting one of them today."

As is customary when strangers meet, mutual flattery is naturally an essential part of the interaction.

Once both parties were seated, the waiter brought teacups and added water to them using a long-spouted copper kettle.

Just then, the older sister pushed her cart over, and Lou Xiao'e turned around and grabbed two trays of char siu, pork liver shumai, pork belly shumai, roasted pork belly rolls, and large steamed buns...

Yang Jianguo was shocked to see the table full of miniature steamer baskets.

Is she here for tea or for a meal?

"You don't come often, so I wanted to invite you to try everything," Lou Xiao'e said softly.

That makes sense; it really was Yang Jianguo's first time doing this in his life.

Moreover, he had never actually tasted these snacks before.

In the past, when I came to Jiangdao, I would come and go in a hurry, and I didn't have time to stop and explore properly.

Not to mention specifically seeking out a teahouse to experience what "one pot of tea and two pieces of dim sum" truly means.

A cup of tea and two snacks.

Sitting there for an entire afternoon—that's the tea culture of the people of Guangdong Province.

Drinking tea is all about enjoying a lively and pleasant atmosphere!

From a modern perspective, sharing a table with strangers to drink tea and sample snacks feels very strange.

But everyone here is already used to it!

Most of the people who come to drink tea are neighbors who know each other very well.

After sitting down, you order two dishes, I order two dishes, and we can take turns eating, drinking tea, chatting, reading the newspaper, and talking about everyday life and gossip.

This is what everyday life in the city is like...

"Yang Sheng, is the food to your liking? Would you like something else?" Huo Wenxun, as the host, was very enthusiastic towards Yang Jianguo.

Perhaps it was due to family influence, or perhaps it was because of Lou Xiao'e.

As an observer, Yang Jianguo saw it very clearly.

Huo Wenxun was very attentive to Lou Xiao'e, and any adult would understand the meaning behind it.

Lou Xiao'e couldn't possibly be unaware that this wasn't her first day on Jiangdao Island.

So, this was arranged on purpose?

Do you want to see how you will react to this, or are you trying to exert pressure by using external forces?

Yang Jianguo chuckled inwardly, secretly shaking his head at her childish behavior.

Compared to Lou Xiao'e's thoughts, Yang Jianguo believed that Huo Wenxun was a good match.

If they could get together, it would be a wonderful match.

"Yang Sheng, Xiao'e told me you're here to inspect Lou's instruments. Is there anything else you need?"

When Huo Wenxun asked this, Yang Jianguo actually had some things he wanted to ask him for help with.

He himself studied medicine, and with the Huo family's influence, it's unclear whether he could procure some medical equipment that is in short supply in China.

"As long as it's not on the banned list, I can find a way."

Huo Wenxun looked at him, somewhat surprised, and asked, "Yang Sheng didn't have anything, did he want it himself?"

From the moment he sat down until now, aside from the initial pleasantries, Yang Jianguo has been talking about work non-stop.

Isn't this a bit too much?!

"Myself." Yang Jianguo had actually thought of something.

"Yang Sheng, just tell me, and I'll definitely do it for you," Huo Wenxun confidently assured him.

Chapter 331 Sunning the Horses, Meeting an Old Friend at Happy Valley

On Jiangdao Island, given his status as the young master of the Huo family, he certainly had the confidence to back it up.