Siheyuan, don't mess with me

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I didn't realize how long I had slept when the sound of firecrackers rang out. It was the first day of the Chinese New Year! When Chen Zhiguo woke up, the hot dumplings were already on the table!

I hurriedly wished my grandparents, parents, uncle and aunt a happy new year.

"Happy New Year!",

Chen Zhiguo has to go out this morning to pay New Year's greetings to his teacher Li Guoqiang! And Chen Dayong and his family are going to visit the temple fair!

Temple fairs, in layman's terms, are markets. Visiting temple fairs is not only a Spring Festival custom in Yanjing City, but also a great pleasure for old Yanjing people during the New Year!

The temple fairs were originally mainly for burning incense and worshipping gods, and holding religious activities. Due to the large number of pilgrims, clever vendors began to set up stalls and food stalls in the temples to meet people's needs. The temple fairs gradually developed into markets, also known as "temple markets". In the south, it is called "chenxu", in the north, it is called "ganji" or "ganhui". In old Yanjing, there is also a name "ganmiaohui", abbreviated as "ganmiao".

The Records of the Sui Shi of Yanjing recorded: "On the day when the temple was opened, all kinds of goods gathered, including pearls, jade, silk, clothes, food, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, flowers and birds, fish and insects, as well as daily necessities, divination, acrobatics and the like. It was a huge fair in the capital."

Among the many temple fairs in Yanjing, Changdian Temple Fair is a very special one, which is special in that it is not named after a temple. It started in the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of hundreds of years. It is the largest, most Beijing-style, well-known and popular. There is no old Yanjing person who has not visited Changdian Temple Fair.

Today, Chen Dayong is taking his family to the Changdian Temple Fair. Its main venue is on Dongxi Liulichang Street, about two miles outside Zhengyangmen!

Jiang Xiaohua doesn’t want to go with her child because the child is too young and it would be troublesome for him to go out!

"Go have fun! Go and see the excitement during the New Year! I'm home with the kids, what are you worried about?"

Grandpa and grandma didn't go, as such a lively scene didn't have much appeal to them! With milk powder at home, it was still easy to look after a child, so grandma sent Jiang Xiaohua away directly!

They all wore new clothes. It was great to have Chen Xueru at home. She bought clothes for the whole family! Especially the children, new clothes, new shoes, and bright red woolen hats, scarves, and gloves. They all looked festive!

Chen Zhiguo was also wearing new clothes today. He had a dark blue woolen Zhongshan suit with a stand-up collar and a coat made of the same material on the outside. He also had mid-cut velvet leather shoes. He looked very energetic. Chen Xueru looked at him carefully and put a light grey scarf around him! So handsome! So handsome! Jiang Xiaohua, who was standing next to him, blushed and turned away!

"You can go, but don't run around! Hold hands! Follow your sisters Xueru and Xiaohua closely!" Chen Zhiguo pulled Chen Xiaoli and told her confidently. When his father went out, the first person to be taken care of would definitely be Wang Meihua, so Chen Xiaoli and the others would have to let Chen Xueru take care of them.

"I know, brother!"

"Brother, aren't you going?"

"Brother wants to go and wish the teacher a happy new year!"

"Should I wish the teacher a happy new year?" Chen Zhiguo rubbed his sister's head, "You are still young, you don't need it yet!"

"Oh! Got it!"

It is not far from Nanluogu to Liulichang, only about seven or eight kilometers. The whole family was packed into Chen Zhiguo's car, and Chen Zhiguo drove them there. However, after five kilometers, the car could not move anymore because there were too many pedestrians on the road, all of them were going to the temple fair in groups!

Chen Zhiguo pulled over and let them down. He once again reminded the three little ones to be well behaved, then turned the car around and headed towards the teacher's house!

"Master's wife, Happy New Year! I wish you a happy new year!"

"Happy New Year, Zhiguo, you look so handsome and energetic today! You came just in time, why do you bring so many things?" Although the sister-in-law who opened the door was happy in her heart, she still had to say something to Chen Zhiguo!

"Just some food, nothing else!" Chen Zhiguo carried a sack and walked into the kitchen with familiarity. He didn't even need his wife to do anything, as he arranged the things he brought himself!

Fried meatballs, hairtail, and braised meat were all packed in lunch boxes. Sea cucumbers and prawns were also placed in a basin with ice cubes. They wouldn’t melt if left outside in this weather! The pork belly of the slaughtered rooster was hung up directly!

Li Guoqiang was eating in the living room. "Teacher, Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year! Zhiguo, come and have something to eat?" Li Guoqiang pointed at the dumplings on the table.

"Teacher, have you forgotten something?" Chen Zhiguo stretched out his hand in front of Li Guoqiang.

"What did I forget?" Li Guoqiang pretended to be confused!

"Teacher, Happy New Year! Give me the red envelope!" Chen Zhiguo stretched out his hand again.

"Oh!" Li Guoqiang pretended to be enlightened, "Why are you looking for me? I don't know who is in charge of this company!" Li Guoqiang pointed behind Chen Zhiguo, and his master's wife had already walked out of the bedroom with a red envelope!

"Master's wife is the best!" After receiving the red envelope, Chen Zhiguo simply ignored Li Guoqiang!

Why did Chen Zhiguo come so early? It was because he wanted to help the teacher receive the leaders who came to pay New Year's greetings to the teacher. He had to serve tea and water, and welcome and see off guests!

He had to do these things, because he was Li Guoqiang's last disciple! At this time, the importance of the disciple was reflected!

Chapter 248 Returning to My Mother’s Home (1)

Li Guoqiang was in charge of the Design Institute of the Ministry of Industry. All factories under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry had to be approved by him for production and construction. Therefore, he had to visit these factories, big and small, every year. There were only so many production plans each year, and everyone wanted to get the support of the leaders!

Many factories had come here before the New Year, and those who came today are all heavyweight leaders, such as leaders of the First and Second Steel Rolling Mills and the Bearing Factory!

Chen Zhiguo had no idea how many people he had received this morning. He had dozens of packs of cigarettes. Can you imagine how many people were coming and going? Of course, Li Guoqiang had his own purpose in calling him here. Simply serving tea and water was only secondary. The main purpose was to introduce Chen Zhiguo to these factory leaders and make him familiar! He was familiar with Lao Jiang, Lao Hu, and Lao Luo. He also had to meet the leaders of other units. It would be ok to just make them familiar!

"Teacher, I won't do anything in the future. I'll just come here to be your doorman!" It was almost noon and it was finally quiet. Chen Zhiguo took out a cigarette from his pocket and said jokingly, "Okay! You'll just stand at the door in the future and don't have to do anything!" After receiving guests who came to pay New Year's greetings all morning, Li Guoqiang was very tired. However, he could not refuse others. It is human nature to have interpersonal relationships. It is a taboo to be aloof and unsociable!

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around at noon, Chen Zhiguo cooked a simple lunch, sea cucumber egg custard, cut some braised meat, smashed shrimp into paste, added pork belly stuffing, made a vegetable meatball soup, fried some vegetables, and added some dumplings made by the master's wife! Accompanying the teacher, the master's wife drank a little wine, and Li Guoqiang now also drank the medicinal wine prepared by Chen Zhiguo, which is very good for recuperation!

After Li Guoqiang finished his meal, he went to sleep for a while to replenish his energy! After Chen Zhiguo cleaned up the kitchen, he started to boil water to prepare for the visitors who would come in the afternoon. He also cleaned the living room. The master's wife was not in good health, so these things needed to be done by Chen Zhiguo. This was when the value of the apprentice was reflected!

After being busy from two o'clock in the morning until four o'clock in the afternoon, basically no one comes. Chen Zhiguo rubbed his face, which was a little stiff. He hadn't smiled the whole day!

He cleaned the living room swiftly and said, "Okay, stop working. You've been tired after a long day!" Li Guoqiang also collapsed on the sofa and didn't want to move. He kept talking and receiving people, which consumed his energy!

"It's okay, Master. What do you want to eat tonight?"

"Don't move. Once you're done cleaning up, go back home! Let your mistress make dinner!"

"It's okay. How about I cook some porridge for you?" Chen Zhiguo didn't listen to him, but continued,

"Okay, let's make something light. This year has been more tiring than working!" Li Guoqiang sighed.

I cooked some shrimp porridge, cut some pickles, fried the leftover dumplings from lunch, and cut two salted duck eggs!

Even though they had finished a dinner, they did not stay for dinner. After the meal was ready, Chen Zhiguo went back, still holding a large sack in his hand, and said with a smile, "Master's wife, I am not at a loss, it is more than what I brought!"

They knew that Li Guoqiang didn't accept gifts, but those who came today were all close to him. They knew Li Guoqiang's character, so they didn't bring many gifts, but good ones! Unlike Chen Zhiguo, who had to carry a large sack! Just two or three simple gifts, Li Guoqiang couldn't refuse them at all. He couldn't refuse them during the New Year! But little by little, more people came, and naturally more gifts!

Milk powder, malted milk, and fruits were all rare items. Li Guoqiang asked Chen Zhiguo to take them back. Fruits, in particular, would go bad if not eaten. Chen Zhiguo picked and chose, and took away bananas, mangoes, and other southern fruits that were not easy to preserve, except for a few that were enough for Li Guoqiang to eat for a while. He was not polite at all! If you eat them, they are fruits. If you don't eat them, they are just decorations. They are beautiful. If they go bad, it will be a pity!

Finally, the master's wife brought several more cans of milk powder and malted milk and put them in Chen Zhiguo's car. There are only two elderly people in the family, and they can't finish what they received today in a year!

"Master's wife, I didn't work in vain this day, I ate and took things," Chen Zhiguo said jokingly.

"If it weren't for you, I would be miserable. In the past, every Chinese New Year, after two days of busy work, I would lie down for several days. It was too tiring!" The master's wife shuddered when she thought of the past! In fact, they also wanted to have a quiet Spring Festival, but this is a society of favors, and it is normal for people to interact with each other. How can you refuse? This year, the master's wife is much more relaxed and not tired at all!

Chen Zhiguo was not worried at all that he had brought back too much fruit. There were many women in the family, so it was good to eat more fruit! Sure enough, only grandpa and grandma, Chen Dayong, Chen Dahu and Chen Zhiguo had dinner. The others were full after eating the fruit! It is true that women are made of water!

Grandpa and grandma said that the people who came to visit today were Grandma Hu's family, He Daqing's family, Liu Haizhong, and Liu Guangqi! Chen Zhiguo nodded. They were all people in the yard. Just go over when you have time!

At night, Chen Xueru waited for Jiang Xiaohua to fall asleep as usual, then ran out and lay in Chen Zhiguo's arms for a long time, and then reluctantly went back! What she didn't know was that Jiang Xiaohua hadn't fallen asleep yet!

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Chen Dayong and Chen Dahu both went to their father-in-law's house, while Chen Zhiguo went to work as a doorman at his master's house. However, they were only busy for the whole morning. There were not as many people today as yesterday, and they were driven away by Li Guoqiang before eleven o'clock!

Chen Zhiguo drove straight to Qinjia Village. It was New Year's Day, and he had to kowtow and wish his grandparents a happy new year!

Knowing that Chen Dayong was coming back today, Chen Zhiguo's uncles did not take their children back to his mother-in-law's house, and were waiting for his arrival at home!

Now, the four sons of Old Wang’s family are all regular workers in the steel rolling mill and eat planned grain, which makes everyone in the entire Qinjia Village envious!

The Wang family is an outsider, settled in Qinjia Village. In the past, they were bullied by the villagers, but now, who dares to do it? It’s too late to curry favor with them. They all hope to make friends with the Wang family, hoping to talk to them and help their children find a job in the city, even if it’s a temporary job, it’s much better than farming at home! The work points earned in a year working in the fields are enough for a month’s salary for a temporary worker in the city! This is the gap, and it’s also the reason why everyone wants to move to the city!

Today, Jia Dongxu brought Qin Huairu back to his mother-in-law's house as well. They set off together with Chen Dayong. Chen Dayong rode a bicycle with Wang Meihua, and Chen Xiaoli sat on the front bumper!

Jia Dongxu took Qin Huairu to squeeze into the bus. After getting off the bus, they had to walk several miles!

This way, the time to arrive at Qinjia Village was different. Chen Dayong arrived before 10 o'clock, while Jia Dongxu staggered into Qinjia Village after 11 o'clock. Qin Huairu was carsick and couldn't stand the strong smell on the bus, so she got off the bus halfway, vomited first, and then reluctantly walked! Fortunately, they met a big brother who was pulling a rickshaw on the road. He looked pitiful and pulled them for a while. Otherwise, they would not be able to reach the village until the afternoon, or they would not have to go at all and go home directly!

Today is the day when girls go back to their parents' home. The villagers who have nothing to do gather under the big tree at the entrance of the village, chatting and comparing how much things each girl has brought back!

Among those who returned to their parents' home, Chen Dayong ranked first. Apart from other things, he was the first to come back on a bicycle, not to mention the big fat fish wrapped in oil paper hanging on the handlebars, and a big carp! And the big package in the wife's hand, although you can't see what's in it, but who can bring so many things back home? Chen Dayong was not familiar with them, and there was no need to stop to greet them, but everyone who saw the lovely Chen Xiaoli's new clothes envied her. It was so beautiful! So festive!

Although it is Chinese New Year, people in the countryside still eat two meals a day, so even though it is already past eleven o'clock, there are still many people gathered at the entrance of the village!

"Look who that is?" He noticed Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu walking over with his sharp eyes!

Gradually approaching, "She is the eldest daughter of a wealthy family, right?"

"Qin Jianjun, look and see if she is your sister?"

Soon, a young man ran out from the crowd, "Sister! Sister!" This is Qin Huairu's brother-in-law, Qin Jianjun!

"Sister, why did you come only now?" Qin Jianjun grabbed Qin Huairu, whose face was pale.

"Don't shake your sister. She's carsick and feeling uncomfortable. Come and help me get my things!"

Jia Dongxu was not polite at all to his brother-in-law and had no tact at all. He only went for his sister and didn't even say hello to his brother-in-law, let alone help him carry things. Qin Huairu was carsick and had difficulty walking. Not only did Jia Dongxu have to carry the stick, but Jia Dongxu also had to carry the things she was going to bring back to her parents' home!

Hearing Jia Dongxu's tone of voice was not right, and seeing Jia Dongxu's slightly gloomy face, Qin Huairu hurriedly said, "Hurry up and help your brother-in-law get his things. How can you be so ignorant? Did you call him brother-in-law?"

Qin Jianjun laughed and didn't take it seriously, and casually called Jia Dongxu "Brother-in-law!"

Then he snatched the package from Jia Dongxu's hand, "Sister, what good things did you bring? Let me tell you, the gang at the entrance of the village are watching us. If anyone brings less, they will be laughed at. Sister, please don't embarrass our family!"

As he spoke, he was about to open the package! Jia Dongxu was so angry that he really wanted to turn around and go back, but Qin Huairu was quick to react. She knew that Jia Dongxu was unhappy, so she kept observing Jia Dongxu and quickly stepped forward to slap Qin Jianjun twice, "What are you looking at? Do you understand the rules?" She was about to take back the package,

Qin Jianjun was young and full of energy. Qin Huairu couldn't control him at home, and it was even more impossible now. How could a married girl control him? He pulled the package hard, and Qin Huairu almost fell down. Fortunately, Jia Dongxu helped her up!

"Go back to my parents' home. Aren't these things meant for our family? Can't I take a look?" Qin Jianjun shouted dissatisfiedly. Without untying the knot of the cloth, he pulled hard, and a big hole was torn in the wrapping cloth, revealing the gifts Qin Huairu brought back!

What could Qin Huairu bring back? It was just the New Year benefits distributed by the steel rolling mill. She brought back half of it. It was only because Jia Zhang’s personality had changed for the better. Otherwise, don’t even think about it!

Chapter 249 Returning to My Mother’s Home (2)

This year, the steel rolling mill distributed two kilograms of flour, two kilograms of soybeans, one kilogram of sugar, two kilograms of rapeseed oil, and five kilograms of hairtail. Jia Dongxu arranged to bring back one kilogram of flour, half a kilogram of sugar, two kilograms of hairtail, one kilogram of rapeseed oil, and some melon seeds, peanuts, and candies. All these were thanks to Chen Zhiguo, who didn't ask for a ticket!

Normally, these things are good enough to bring back to the mother's house, and can beat 99% of the sons-in-law in the village. However, there is Chen Dayong in front, so these things are not enough. The big piece of fat and the big carp alone are the best!

"Sister, why is there no meat?" Qin Jianjun looked through it and said dissatisfiedly,

"What the hell do you want? You still want to eat meat? Don't you know how hard it is to buy meat now?" Qin Huairu was also shaking with anger at this idiot brother.

"But the son-in-law of Old Wang's family not only came back on a bicycle, but also brought back a large piece of meat and a big fish. Why didn't you bring them back? Did you leave them at home?"

This time, not only was Qin Huairu shaking with anger, but Jia Dongxu was also really angry. He turned around and was about to go back. He decided not to go back to his mother's house!

Qin Huairu hurriedly grabbed Jia Dongxu and looked at him with pleading eyes. If she really went back, Qin Huairu would never be able to come back again, and both families would dislike her!

Jia Zhangshi's personality has only improved now. Jia Dongxu has suffered such a great injustice. Given Jia Zhangshi's character, can she let Qin Huairu go? Even if she doesn't beat or scold her, it will be difficult for Qin Huairu to return to her parents' home in the future. "Why go back? Are you looking for trouble?" This sentence can block Qin Huairu's way back to her parents' home!

As for Qin Huairu's mother's family, the son-in-law did not enter the house, but went back to the village entrance. In front of all the young and old men in the village, how could the Qin family still have face? Even if it was Qin Jianjun's fault, the son-in-law had no eyes for his father-in-law's family and was not good to Qin Huairu. This impression would definitely be there!

Therefore, Qin Huairu would not let Jia Dongxu go back now, even if he just wanted to go home and sit for a while. And once he entered the house, could Jia Dongxu still leave? Qin Huairu held Jia Dongxu tightly, and with Qin Jianjun around, Qin Huairu did not dare to say anything to beg, and could only look at Jia Dongxu with pleading eyes!

"Let's go!" Jia Dongxu also felt that it was not a good idea to remain in a stalemate, as he would be the one being laughed at. So, he carried the stick and walked towards the village. Qin Huairu hurriedly followed, not caring about Qin Jianjun who was still searching!

"Sister! Sister! Wait for me!" Qin Jianjun stuffed two candies into his mouth. Seeing that Qin Huairu was not waiting for him, he quickly put the package behind him and chased after her!

Jia Dongxu was in no mood to exchange pleasantries with the villagers of Qinjia Village under the big tree. He just nodded lightly and listened to Qin Huairu introducing who was this and who was that. He did not stop and continued to walk forward. Qin Huairu could only follow closely!