Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

Sure enough, when Yingzi's father thought about this, he couldn't help but nag, "When you make money, you should also think about helping ordinary people, raising workers' wages, paying attention to people's lives, and knowing how to give back to society, do you understand?"

"Dad, didn't I already tell you? Our company is a major taxpayer. Besides, we've sponsored the construction of schools and done charity work. It's cost me several million yuan in total."

"Okay, that's good. The money was well spent."

Seeing his son's helpless expression, Yingzi's father patted his shoulder and said, "Aimin, you can't earn all the money in the world. The most important thing in life is this."

Patting his chest, the old man said earnestly, "When you get old, and feel at peace touching your chest, then you can say that your life has been worthwhile."

Yang Jianguo couldn't agree more. "Dad is right. The most important thing in life is to live with a clear conscience. Dad, I salute you."

"Sit down, sit down and talk, haha..." The father-in-law laughed heartily, overjoyed.

When I'm in a good mood, my energy and spirit also improve a lot.

Yingzi saw it, made a mental note of it, but said nothing.

"Grandpa, Tongwei and I would also like to toast you." Zhiyi tugged at her husband, and the two of them stood up together to offer a toast.

"Grandpa," Tongwei said, still somewhat reserved.

"Good children, all good children." Yingzi's father picked up his glass, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp.

After finishing the drink, he couldn't stop coughing, which made Yingzi's mother feel sorry for him: "Drink slowly. The children are just trying to make you happy, not to get you drunk."

Yingzi's father stiffened his neck, raised his eyebrows, and said stubbornly, "How can I refuse the drink offered by that child?"

"Drink, drink, can you drink slowly?"

Yingzi's mother smiled wryly. This old man, he's gotten so old that he's become temperamental.

"Grandpa, please drink slowly. If you get drunk, my dad will punish me."

Zhiyi playfully stuck out her tongue, looking every bit the young lady.

“He wouldn’t dare.” Yingzi’s father raised an eyebrow, his eyes widening.

Yang Jianguo waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, they're all grown women now, they're already married, how could I possibly take charge of them!"

Hearing this, Qi Tongwei was even more dumbfounded: "Grandpa, Dad, then I dare not interfere even more. At home or outside, she is the one who calls the shots in our family. I am just a nobody."

Upon hearing this, Zhiyi raised her fist and tapped him on the shoulder twice, saying coquettishly, "You, you're so annoying."

Seeing the two flirting like this, everyone burst into laughter again.

"Haha, good, good!" The old man's eyes narrowed into slits with joy, filled with heartfelt delight.

Old Li is alive today, surrounded by children and grandchildren, with a happy family and brothers and sisters of one heart and one mind.

It was worth it, absolutely worth it!

Ringing~

The phone rang, and Yingzi quickly got up and said, "It must be Zhiyuan calling. I need to tell him how lively it is at home."

"Hey, Zhiyuan?"

"Hey, it's Mom... Happy New Year! Your grandpa, grandma, and uncle are all here!"

"Zhiyi and Tongwei are here too. How are you doing over there? Do you have dumplings to eat?"

"Oh~ Runye's family sent dumplings. Okay, remember to thank them. They're still taking care of you during the New Year. How come everyone in your area is so busy?"

Looking down at his wife beside him, Yang Zhiyuan chuckled, "Mom, I'm not a model worker, but I still have to set an example, right..."

"It's good to set a good example, but you can't do it every year. When everyone else goes home for the New Year and their parents greet them warmly, won't your mom want to see you?"

"I know, I know, it's my fault... It's not that I'm busy with tasks this year, I've been rushing to meet deadlines, I just really can't get away... Next year, next year I promise I'll bring my wife and kids back to see you."

"Okay, it's a promise then, I'll definitely come back next year... Wait a minute, your grandpa has something to tell you."

"Zhiyuan, everything is fine, you should be fine too!"

"That's good. Take good care of your wife and child. Grandpa's still waiting to see my great-grandson... Haha, you'll definitely see him, you definitely will..."

"Work hard and live up to the trust and cultivation of the organization and the country. Learn from your father, but don't neglect your family. Your father has done a great job..."

Li Aimin, who was standing by, urged his father, who was nagging on and on, "Dad, let us say a few words too. This phone call is quite expensive, so please stop nagging."

"Alright, alright, I won't nag anymore. Come on, come on." Yingzi's dad glared at him and reluctantly handed him the phone.

"Zhiyuan, how are you? What's wrong with me? I'm eating and drinking well, driving a luxury car, how cool is that? Others can only envy me."

"Haha, why don't you come? I'll immediately give you my seat and we'll take your aunt and me on a round-the-world trip."

"That's right, what doesn't your uncle know? Don't underestimate me..."

"Uncle, let me talk to my brother, let me talk to him."

What goes around comes around, and this time it was his turn to be urged. Zhiyi was so anxious that she was jumping up and down, patting his arm and urging him on.

Li Aimin couldn't take it anymore and handed the microphone to her with a grumbling: "This girl, Tongwei must have suffered a lot of grievances, right?"

Qi Tongwei grinned and said, "No, really. Actually, it's me who's never home, and she's suffered because of me."

Li Aimin gave a thumbs-up and affirmed, "A real man should treat his woman this way... Zhiyi is a girl who knows how to take care of people."

Chapter 654 Joy and Sorrow, One Family

They were reunited, but it didn't last until next year.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Zhiyuan's entire family rushed back to Beijing.

Snowflakes were falling heavily from the sky.

As soon as he arrived at his doorstep, Zhiyuan couldn't help but tear up.

Two white paper lanterns hung on the gate of the courtyard house, and rows of wreaths lined the courtyard wall.

Zhiyi, who was standing at the very edge of the doorway, was the first to see him.

The brother and sister looked into each other's eyes, and Zhiyi could no longer hold back her tears.

With sobs choked in her throat, she ran towards him, calling out, "Brother~"

Zhiyuan hugged his sister tightly, and the two of them cried uncontrollably.

Grandpa passed away on what should have been a joyous New Year's Eve.

In accordance with the old man's wishes, everything was kept simple, with no grand celebration, no announcements, and no publicity.

I intended to only notify relatives about the funeral, but in the end, I couldn't keep it a secret.

Yang Jianguo and Li Aimin are both under a lot of scrutiny.

Yingzi, Zhiyi, and Tongwei are the same.

In the past, her own brilliance was overshadowed by Yang Jianguo's dazzling brilliance.

But in their own positions, they are also shining new stars.

Especially Zhiyi, ever since the Biological Research Institute was investigated and rectified twice, with reversals happening again and again.

She gained considerable prestige within her workplace.

Everyone knows that Yang Zhiyi has a powerful background and a man who is extremely protective of her.

The key point is that this man is still in a critical position.

You say his authority is small, but it's also surprisingly large...

So now, even without the dean's protection, no one in the workplace dares to mess with her.

Moreover, she is a PhD who returned from studying abroad, and recently took on the most important project in the Institute of Biological Sciences in recent years.

The project involves collaboration between the Ministry of Industry and the private sector, and is a simulated prosthetic limb project.

The deputy general manager in charge of this project is Yang Zhiyi.

As a rising star in the hospital, she lost her immediate family members and was the only elder in both sets of parents' lives.

Regardless of his usual relationship with Zhiyi, he wouldn't let her down at this crucial moment.

Let alone her, even Yang Zhiyuan...

To show that they valued the matter, the organization specifically notified the Beijing office through its own channels.

He instructed the branch office to obey his orders at any time, providing money or personnel as needed.

I just hope to satisfy Deputy Chief Engineer Yang.

This commotion has complicated what should have been a simple funeral.

The family also had to set aside a lot of time and manpower to receive these uninvited guests.

Such days are only possible for those with a life-or-death feud.

Whoever comes to offer incense and pay respects is showing their affection, and as filial sons and grandsons, we should remember that.

Yingzi wanted to ask Yang Jianguo to avoid suspicion, but he refused.

At this point, how could he possibly leave because of something like this? The old man has been so good to him his whole life.

They treated him like their own son, even better than their own son.

He was not present at that time.

Is that even human?!

"Minister, please accept my condolences."

"Thank you."

Standing in front of the mourning hall, Yang Jianguo would bow in gratitude whenever someone finished offering incense.

Accompanying him were Aimin and Aiguo, their son, and Yang Zhiyuan, who had just returned.

From morning till night, there wasn't even time to eat.

People kept coming and going, spreading the word, and then more people came to mourn.

Finally, the wreaths outside the courtyard wall completely blocked the alley.

"This can't go on any longer, let's bury him!" Li Aimin looked at the situation outside and decided to bury him ahead of schedule.

If this continues, it won't just be a big event; it will become the talk of the town throughout Beijing.

He believed that the old man would not want to see this happen.

I don't want those who are still alive to have their situation made difficult by me.

“Bury him. I agree with Aimin’s opinion. If this continues, it will probably never end.”

"Let's talk to Yingzi!" Yang Jianguo felt that this kind of thing required the consent of all three siblings.

"I'll go talk to my older sister," Li Aimin said as she walked outside.

A little while later, Yingzi came back with him.

"Let's bury him now!" Yingzi made a decisive decision.

In this family, her words still carry a lot of weight.

"Mom, I'll go talk to her." Yingzi walked to her mother, who was kneeling in front of the mourning hall, and knelt down with her.

The mother and daughter spoke quietly for a while, then embraced each other and sobbed.

A dozen minutes later, Yingzi wiped away her tears, stood up, and said, "It's ready. Let's tell someone to come and prepare!"

The car from Babaoshan People's Cemetery drove directly to the entrance of the alley.

Then, professional funeral staff came to make preparations.

The coffin-carrying was naturally done by the filial sons and grandsons. Aimin and patriot came first, followed by Yang Jianguo, while Tongwei carried the other pole.

This is what the old lady meant: "Your grandfather is very satisfied with this grandson-in-law and will definitely want him to see him off on his final journey."

Now that Yingzi's mother has spoken, what else can be said?

After carrying the coffin out the door and getting it into the vehicle, things became much easier.

Yingzi, Yu Haitang, and Li Lan remained at home, along with the younger generation, to greet the guests.

The son and son-in-law would take the elderly to the cemetery, where they would be cremated before being buried.

After finishing their work, they offered incense, kowtowed, and prayed.