Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

All day long, he just keeps shouting "Aba aba".

I heard someone say that it's driving their family crazy.

"Who knows? Let's wait until they arrive!"

These two issues were resolved, but there's still a major problem at the end.

The monkeys in our yard are the most cunning and think they're the smartest.

Just thinking about the family of the former Third Uncle is enough to give anyone a headache.

If this family really comes, things will get really lively.

Where are the founders?

"I went to work. I've been busy lately, you know that. Yingzi took the day off and is keeping an eye on things for me up front!"

"Sigh, what a mess this is."

A single funeral was held as a double event, as if we were expecting to support Old Yi for a few more years.

Sha Zhu was a little worried that the old man would start causing trouble again after Aunt Yi left.

Unexpectedly, ga~

Gone.

There was sadness, but also relief; the pressure in my heart seemed to have vanished almost instantly.

However, Lao Yi's reputation became his lifelong fame.

All the sordid things that happened in the compound in the past vanished with the touching story that he was so deeply in love that he couldn't accept the blow of his wife's death and followed her to the afterlife.

I've lived my whole life based on 'virtue,' and now I've finally achieved what I sought.

Old Yi, Old Yi, your life... was worthwhile.

"Don't stay inside after you're done. Come out and help out. We still have to entertain guests at noon!"

Organizing a funeral is a long, complicated, and troublesome affair, and not only people who knew the deceased during their lifetime need to come.

Neighbors, residents who have lived nearby for many years, might all come to offer incense.

Once they arrive, you have to treat them well.

If the hospitality is not handled well in any way, the whole thing will be a disaster.

If word gets out, not only will the person lying inside lose face, but those kneeling below, and those managing things inside and out, will all be disgraced.

This is where Lao Yi's life comes to an end.

How people will remember it, how it will be evaluated, and how long it will stay in their minds.

Whether a funeral is well-organized or not, and how grand or impressive it is, plays a significant role.

When Lao Yi was still alive, he had already saved enough money for himself and his wife.

Sha Zhu agreed, promising to give him a grand funeral and make sure everything was handled properly.

Look, good cigarettes and good wine.

The three meals a day were served by a team of cooks that Sha Zhu brought over from Tianxia Village.

He was in charge of cooking, and his fancy wok-tossing and stir-frying skills were like a show-off.

Hey, this looks really lively!

When Yang Jianguo returned home from work at night, people could already hear the commotion of gongs and drums coming from the alleyway entrance.

"Welcome, please come in."

"Please take care, thank you for your kindness."

"Master Bai, oh my, why did you come in person?"

I saw Sha Zhu standing at the door, bustling about, greeting everyone coming and going.

Yang Jianguo quickened his pace and stood next to Sha Zhu.

He wasn't there to be a 'filial son and virtuous grandson' to Lao Yi, but to meet some of the veteran workers from the Red Star Factory.

Back then, all of these masters personally taught and mentored him.

Although they may not have the formal title of master and disciple, they can have the practical relationship.

Without their guidance and support, Yang Jianguo would not have been able to adapt to the work environment and understand the scale and operation of the entire production process.

That's why he didn't later establish a special workshop at a young age and soar to great heights.

Today, his name is mentioned in the Hongxing Factory.

What people miss most is the special workshop he led at the time.

such a pity!

Currently, the workshop is still nominally owned by Hongxing Factory, but the actual management rights have been transferred to the higher authorities.

The Red Star Factory was just a name, gaining some reputation in the eyes of outsiders.

The past was better!

"Jianguo, it's not easy to see you."

"Engineer Li, you're here too. How are you feeling?"

"Isn't that Jian Guo, the young man?"

"Dad, he's a big leader now, please don't address him like that."

"Engineer Liao... It's alright. It's only right that you call me 'kid.' Back then, I used to follow him around, pestering him to teach me drawing. You must have had a real headache back then, right?"

"Hahaha..." Mentioning those days, the veteran workers who were about the same age as Engineer Liao.

His eyes seemed to have gained a new vitality, and even his laughter was louder.

Back in the day, this old man was in his prime, and he could do the work of three men.

Back then, a sledgehammer weighing over ten kilograms would be swung around like a straw.

Back in the day, we could eat six steamed buns in one go, and then we'd have to make a whole pot of rice porridge.

Back then, we workers had power...

For a moment, the veteran craftsmen were filled with sadness, and they lowered their heads to wipe away the tears from the corners of their eyes with their sleeves.

Their era is finally over.

Now, all that's left are a bunch of old bones that people and dogs hate.

"Masters, we can't say that. Look, look there..."

Yang Jianguo pointed to the tall buildings in the distance and the bustling traffic at the intersection of the alley and the main road.

"This new society, these skyscrapers, this road beneath our feet, all bear the marks of your blood and sweat."

We're getting old; our legs aren't as nimble as they used to be, we walk slower, our hearing is failing, and our eyesight is failing.

But this reinforced concrete, this road beneath our feet, the skyscrapers, the bridges and railway tracks—everything that flies in the sky, runs on the ground, and swims in the water—all bear witness to what we were like in our youth.

"Even if one day we are forgotten by others, the land will not forget, the people will not forget, and the history of the Republic will never forget..."

Chapter 633 This scene, before and after life

White cloths were hung over the doorway, and wreaths with eulogies were placed in the front and back courtyards.

Two white lanterns were also hung on the eaves outside the gate of the courtyard house.

The opera troupe would set up camp in the backyard and perform for seven days and seven nights straight.

Inside the courtyard, two tables were set with loose cigarettes, melon seeds, and candy.

Guests coming and going can grab whatever they want.

"Hey, Lao Yi's life... was worth it."

"Yes, this was handled even better than what a biological son would do."

"Old Yi, he's really lucky!"

The old folks who came to the funeral were all filled with emotion.

The funeral arranged by Sha Zhu was truly beautiful.

Even the most discerning person can't find any fault with it.

Fortunately, the policy has been relaxed in the past two years, and large-scale events are no longer explicitly prohibited.

Sha Zhu isn't part of the system, so there's no need to worry.

Otherwise, such a grand event would definitely attract a lot of criticism.

"Jianguo, won't that affect you?"

Sha Zhu was busy welcoming and seeing off guests in the courtyard.

Even at this time, he didn't forget to care about his old neighbor.

Take this person for example, so many years have passed.

He still can't shake his bad habit of meddling in other people's business.

No matter what, no matter how much has happened.

He still seems restless.

Otherwise, he wouldn't still be in charge of the kitchen at Tianxia Manor.

He shouldn't lack money now.

"Sigh, actually, having that much money is useless."

Sha Zhu looked helpless. "Tell me, what do you need so much money for? Food? The kitchen takes care of that. And accommodation? Such a big house."

"As long as the clothes are wearable and warm, and we have a bicycle or a van to go out, we can go anywhere."

Yang Jianguo smiled and said, "Don't forget, you still have two sons!"

"Hehe~" Sha Zhu grinned and scratched his head, saying, "That's true, we have to arrange a wedding for our son."

"Jianguo, why is getting married becoming more and more complicated these days?"

There are so many things like the "four major items" and "three gold items." Some families even pay attention to where their house is located and how big it is.

“You’re talking about wealthy and powerful families,” Yang Jianguo said.

Sha Zhu grinned and, with his neck stiff, said, "What high-class family? Did they go back to their old ways after a while?"

It took a tremendous price to bring down those powerful clans and families.

Only a few years have passed, and now people are already concerned about social status again.

If our advisor saw this, he'd definitely launch another decade-long storm.

Moreover, it's likely that he himself will lead the 'rebellion'.

Since the world has changed, even if it means leading a rebellion against ourselves, we must set things right and restore order to the world.

Listen to Sha Zhu muttering under his breath, full of complaints.

Yang Jianguo was also a little annoyed. He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag: "Phew~ He really knows how to do things."

……

After a long day, Yingzi wearily lifted the curtain and returned home.

Yang Jianguo, who was writing a document, put down his pen and stood up: "I'm back. The water is boiled. Go take a bath and rest first."

I've prepared the dough; I'll cook it now, so it'll be ready to eat after you've finished washing up.

Watching his hurried figure heading towards the kitchen, Yingzi's tired body and mind seemed to lighten instantly.

Soaking in a warm bucket of water, Yingzi wiped her body with a towel.

I couldn't help but think about what had happened in the past few days.

I'm getting old, really getting old.