Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 250: Qin Huairu took care of her mother-in-law about those things a year ago
As we approached the south entrance of Nan Xinhua Road, there were more people on the road than usual. Most of them were going to the cultural market. There were also occasionally a few people who clearly looked like students, playing in groups, and there were actually a few Rolling a hoop at the entrance of an alley attracted a group of children to chase him.

"Young people don't know what it's like to be sad. It's still fun when you're a kid."

Xia Yuhong looked at the playful primary and secondary school students and said something faintly.

"Sister, you're not that old now. What's there to worry about? Besides, sister is so beautiful, hehe."

The little girl is quite good at making jokes. After playing with Xia Yuhong for a long time, she became so intimate that she kept holding Xia Yuhong's hand.

Xia Yuhong smiled. Only Zhu Xuefeng knew that she was remembering her grandma looking at her when she was a child.

"You don't want to write poetry. Why are you so sentimental? It doesn't even look like you anymore. Let's go, let's go in and take a walk."

Xia Yuhong realized her gaffe and held her little sister's hand.

"Xuemei, let's go. If you like something later, tell your sister..."

Without the closely connected stalls on both sides of the road, without the shouts, and without the noisy gongs and drums of the temple fair, it was really quiet here.

The stores are all open, and there are big red letters on the door to welcome the Spring Festival. It reminds everyone that it is time to celebrate the Spring Festival, and it is time to buy some New Year paintings, spring couplets, blessing characters, window decorations and so on.

A few people walked around the first few shops. There were not many people there, and the business was quite light. Occasionally, a few people came in and out, holding Spring Festival couplets and New Year pictures. This is also everyone's habit. They are always willing to come to these shops. If you buy this, you have identified the cultural market.

These people are very purposeful. Besides, there is no temple fair, and there is no intention to hang out. Don't look at antiques, books, etc.

"Brother, there is a New Year painting seller there, they look good."

"This is the one, let's go check it out first."

A few people got into a shop whose door was hung with New Year paintings. The shop must have been old. The paint on the wooden doorposts and doors and windows were all mottled, and it had not been renovated.

There was nothing to choose from. I bought a lot of big and small blessing characters, which I will have to put up all over my house. Except for the front door, there were quite a few Spring Festival couplets, but nothing suitable.

Lao Zhu just left last year. According to the rules, in the first year, there are no blessing characters on the door. Spring couplets are either not posted at all, or they are green, white, purple or something. Zhu Xuefeng thought about it and decided not to put them up.

There is nothing to choose from in the New Year pictures, they are all similar. Everyone in the capital recognizes the New Year pictures and Spring Festival couplets of Jinhai Yangliuqing.

Basically, they are all fat dolls, and then there are combinations of lotus leaves, lotus flowers, lotus pods, big carps, big flat peaches, and zodiac signs, all of which are blessings for abundance every year, peace all year round, and a good harvest.

Looking at the plump doll, the little girl smiled and said. "Whose little guy is so happy to look like this? His little arms are full of circles..."

The New Year pictures are a bit exaggerated, but the children of later generations are really in circles after birth, and the arms are like lotus roots, segment by segment, and there is a desire to take a bite.

"How much should we buy for my second uncle and the others?"

This is not about buying toys. It depends on how many people there are. Now that the paintings have been put up, I have no idea what my sister-in-law’s house looks like.

"Let's have six for each family. We only need two to stick inside. We'll talk about more."

A loudspeaker was tied to a telephone pole nearby. After a few buzzes, I started to try to broadcast. When I heard it, it was "Buying Monkeys" written by Teacher Jin Haima a few years ago. He was talking about going to a factory in the northeast corner to buy fifty boxes of monkey cards. Soap story.

Seeing that the three of them were stopping and listening to the cross talk attentively, they slowly walked forward and browsed a few small shops without urging them.

I picked up a few toys in the toy store and waited to give them away. It didn't cost a lot of money, but there were still too few types. The temple fair can dazzle you with countless kinds of toys.

"Brother, there are lanterns for sale now, why don't we buy a few too."

The lanterns looked okay, but unfortunately there were too few types and there was nothing to choose from. Zhu Xuefeng and Lao Er were not very interested.

"It's not even the Chinese New Year yet, so the lanterns are still very early. If you don't go to the temple fair during the Chinese New Year, you can buy a few. Otherwise, wait until the temple fair starts. It will dazzle you."

The shopkeeper watched Zhu Xuemei look at the lanterns carefully, and obviously liked it a little, so he came over and spoke.

"This meeting is fate. If we really close our eyes, this is fate..."

Yes, what they said makes sense. Seeing that Zhu Xuemei liked it, Xia Yuhong bought one for her little sister. Zhu Xuefeng didn't stop her. It only cost [-] cents.

"Sister Xia, thank you. Sister is so kind."

This little girl is hopeless and can be bribed with a lantern. The little girl is holding an exquisite lantern and leaning on Xia Yuhong happily.

Back in the compound, the younger brother and sister glanced at the eldest brother, and the second brother directly pulled the younger sister in.

"Goodbye, sister!" "Well, goodbye Xuemei."

"I prepared this for you. You are going back to your hometown, so I will give it to you first."

Zhu Xuefeng took out a small bag from his bag and handed it over. Xia Yuhong took it smoothly and couldn't help but open the small bag and take a look. Inside was the Pechoin and Snowflake Cream he bought a few days ago. Every girl wouldn't like it.

"I didn't expect you to take the lead again. I don't care." Xia Yuhong also took out his small school bag.

"This is for you. I have replaced the ones you have now. No matter who gave it to you, you can only make it with me now. It took me several months to learn this. Don't dislike it."

...

Zhu Xuefeng was about to go out when he turned around again.

"By the way, Xuesong, I'll give you these money and meat tickets. Get up early tomorrow and go queue up. Buy the meat and chickens first. Remember to buy two roosters. If there are big fish, buy two too."

"As for other vegetables and so on, you can look at the note yourself and buy whatever you feel is missing. If it's not enough at one time, just run a few more times. If you can't finish it tomorrow, then go there the day after tomorrow."

Zhu Xuesong's face was filled with sadness. This job was not easy to do, and he looked at his elder brother helplessly.

"Brother, I'm the only one. There are so many people to queue up. Little sister, why don't we both go together?"

Zhu Xuemei blinked and did not answer her second brother's invitation.

"Brother, these chickens are okay. You can buy two live ones and keep them for a few days. But the meat and fish will last for about ten days during the Chinese New Year. Don't worry about them spoiling."

Of course it won't be damaged if there is space. We can't say that yet. Zhu Xuefeng touched the little girl's head.

"Don't worry. I chipped the ice back before you guys went on vacation. I made a small icehouse in our cellar. It's not like you two don't know that now that we have ice, the icehouse can be used."

The little girl jumped up, with regret on her face. "Brother, why don't you take us with you when cutting ice is such a fun thing? You must take me with you next time."

"Okay, I'll take you with me next time. Don't you guys have a holiday this time? I'll do it first because I'm anxious. You can also go with your second brother tomorrow."

"Oh, okay then. Second brother, I'll wake you up tomorrow morning and we'll line up."

Zhu Xuefeng took out two more big black tens and handed them to Zhu Xuemei.

"After buying these, you and your second brother will go to the department store to buy something you two like. Prepare some Pechoin and cream. You will need it for yourself, and you will also want to send it to your second aunt and sister-in-law when you go back to your hometown."

In fact, Zhu Xuefeng has prepared several sets of these two things and plans to give them away. Now it is just a temporary idea to let his younger brothers and sisters go to the department store. They don't have to study at home just after the holiday. It is quite boring.

...

"Let's clean up the things we bought today and take them with us when we go back. After all, we will spend most of the New Year in the old house."

I have prepared various snacks and candies, as well as some fruits. There are not many types, including apples, hawthorns, grapes, and persimmons. I bought some of them, and also bought some bananas. However, these things cannot be stored, so I bought some, but when I came back, I was wiped out by three brothers and sisters.

There is also a small box, which is full of firecrackers. There are only [-] firecrackers, and they cost [-] cents a bunch. They are not too cheap. I remember they only cost [-] cents to [-] cents before.

When the time comes, there will be one for the New Year's Eve dinner, one for the first day of the lunar month, and one for the fifth day of the lunar month. The rest will be left for the younger brothers and sisters to play with, which is enough to play until fifteen. At this time, there seems to be no child who doesn't like to set off firecrackers. Not every family has spare money to buy firecrackers for their children. When one family starts to set off firecrackers, a bunch of children will hear the sound and gather around to wait for the firecrackers to finish setting off, grabbing the unexploded ones.

Of course, the one with leads is best, but the one without leads is also good. Place it directly on the stone and bang it with stones or bricks.

Or just break off the gunpowder and pour out the gunpowder, blow on the burning incense in your hand twice to make the fire in the incense head brighter, carefully put it into the gunpowder, and there will be a sizzling sound, and a dazzling firelight next to the thick smoke. It's enough to rise.

Dozens of two kickers, one for every five points. This will make a lot of noise at that time. It’s good to catch up on the bad luck in the yard, so I grabbed two Sky Monkeys and let my younger brothers and sisters have fun.

As for those who worship ancestors and parents, they have to find time to buy them. The supply and marketing cooperative does not have these things.

These days, there is no need to go to Xia Yuhong's house, and there is no need to run around during the New Year. Xia Yuhong has already taken a car to go home to be with her grandma. Lao Xia and Xia's mother have to take a day off around 28 before leaving.

At this time, there is only one day off on the first day of the Lunar New Year. This year’s New Year’s Day is only 29. It is up to each unit to decide whether to go to work. Generally speaking, most of them will only let the leaders work for half a day and leave in the afternoon.

The sub-district office also went there, and the godmother brought Uncle Kong’s commission. She spent the afternoon in No. [-] Courtyard, delivered a lot of ingredients, asked a few uncles for guidance, and competed with several peers. a while.

I will go to the rolling mill again to see the research on ductile iron and the shell processing of the novice station. I will forget about the work outside before the year. I will take a few days to rest and go to my hometown again, waiting for the New Year.

Time flies so fast. It has been more than ten months since I came to this world. I have changed a lot, and Lao Zhu's family has also changed a lot. I walked back to the compound.

"Thank you, uncle, are you okay during this time?"

"Thanks to my boss for taking care of this. Everything is fine, fine."

"That's fine. If you have anything to say, I'll go in first and you close the door."

"Brother, there is something I want to discuss with you." During dinner, the younger sister hesitated.

"Say it, there are no outsiders, so I don't dare to say anything at any time."

"It's just that it's too cold to study here. My second brother and I discussed it and decided to study at home. Besides, sleeping at home is also comfortable and warmer than this."

Yes, there is a fireplace here, but there is no heating. If you move away from the fireplace, there will be no heat.

"Okay, big brother will accompany you and come back after the New Year. But you have to practice when you go back. No matter how cold the weather is, you can still study. You can go out with your classmates when you have time, but you are not allowed to ride on the scooters during the day."

The three of them went out with large and small bags, but they couldn't keep them in front of their younger brothers and sisters, so they had to work harder. The two brothers made another trip to move all the things they had prepared years ago back to the old courtyard.

I watched a group of people coming out of the backyard from a distance, still talking and pointing. It must be that there was a good show that I didn't catch up with.

"Little sister, what's going on in this backyard? It's so lively. Brother and I were moving things just now, but you didn't go take a look?"

The younger sister looked disdainful, "It's nothing, it's just trivial things that big brother said. It's not interesting. I took one look and came back."

It turned out that Mrs. Jia Zhang got mad again and blocked the second uncle's house, saying that the second uncle was stirring up trouble and instigating the relationship between their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, which caused Qin Huairu to give birth prematurely. She wanted an explanation and gathered some older girls and younger daughters-in-law to watch the fun. This meeting should be It's done.

This Jia Zhang family is really amazing in fighting ability. After so many days, Qin Huairu has probably settled down and went to find the second uncle to settle accounts. Really, the Jia family has basically taken care of all the excitement in this yard this year. .

"Hey, brother, where have you gone? There's no one at home."

Silly Zhu was quite happy. Seeing Zhu Xuefeng's car was there, he opened the door and came in.

"I'm going to visit a distant relative's house and buy some things when I come back. Brother Zhuzhu, what happy event are you having? You're all so happy."

The three siblings were arranging the items they purchased. There were so many types of items, some of which had to be put into the cellar. Silly Zhu was so excited to see them.

"You guys really bought a lot. Tsk tsk. You only bought so many candies. How can you use them? There are only these children in the yard."

"Most of these are going to be sent back to my hometown. I won't be able to keep much. There are two other families in my hometown. I was thinking that it might be hard to buy these things in the valley, so I might as well bring some to them."

Only then did Silly Zhu remember that in the first year after Lao Zhu left, he really had to go and pay homage, which required a lot of preparations.

Silly Zhu lowered his head with a smile, his face full of mystery. "Brother, you know, we were in the backyard just now..."

It turned out that Mrs. Jia Zhang blocked the door of the second uncle. She was worried about the deaf old lady and did not dare to make a fuss. Liu Haizhong was also a mute eating coptis. Jia Zhang only shouted once, and Liu Haizhong immediately withered and pulled. Jia Zhang entered the door.

After muttering with the door closed for a long time, Liu Haizhong sent the smiling Jia Zhang away with a dark face. It must have been a lot, no one knew the exact amount.

"This old guy deserves to be tricked."

After Sha Zhu finished speaking, he even cursed bitterly. That's right, Liu Haizhong's provocative actions at that time also got Sha Zhu into trouble.

...

Mrs. Jia Zhang swung her huge butt out of the backyard and went straight to the house excitedly. Suddenly she remembered something, stopped for a moment, and tidied up before returning home.

After closing the door, the kang in the room was burning brightly. Qin Huairu was holding her child, sitting on the kang and reluctantly breastfeeding. This was a confinement period with closed doors.

These days, the uncle helped me get some chickens, eggs, fish, and meat, and some aunts and daughters-in-law in the yard also gave me some brown sugar, eggs, and so on.

Although my parents and eldest brother from my hometown did not come, they asked someone to bring some local products. The street office also sent condolences, plus the funeral expenses secretly given by the elder, donated by the compound, and reissued by the steel rolling mill. Life has become much better, at least now I don’t lack anything.

After this period of nourishment, my energy has obviously improved a lot. I haven’t been out for a while, and my face has become fairer and rounder. My milk supply is also much better, and I can barely eat enough.

Banggeng was tearing up the paper from his homework book, making a lot of small paper balls, and playing with Xiaodang on the kang. The room was airtight, and even the windows were covered, so he couldn't see the light outside, and there was a faint feeling. The fishy smell.

Qin Huairu saw her mother-in-law smiling with all the fat on her face, and couldn't help but sigh. She raised her right hand to smooth her hair that hadn't been washed for a long time, and then changed her hand to hold the child to make the little thing as comfortable as possible.

In the eyes of outsiders, the Jia family must be in a very difficult situation and cannot survive. What the hell are you doing with a smile on your face?

"Mom, how far has it come? I see you are so happy. This is not appropriate. You have to do this..."

Mrs. Jia Zhang was stunned, yes, why couldn't she control her emotions? It wasn't appropriate, or her daughter-in-law reminded her correctly, but she couldn't help but feel a little proud.

"I wanted 100 yuan and two chickens, saying I would give you supplements. He hesitated and finally agreed to 40 yuan. He asked me to buy the chickens myself. He said he had no face to come to the door."

The one hundred and two chickens were what Jia and Zhang had agreed upon when they left home. According to Jia and Zhang's temperament, how could Liu Haizhong cut off the price to forty if he wanted one hundred and two chickens.

The mother-in-law must have swallowed a lot more, but there is no evidence for this, so she can't say anything. Besides, if Jia Zhang bites her to death and refuses to let go, she really has no way to get out.

"Give me the money, we agreed."

Qin Huairu held the child in her right hand and stretched out her left hand. The light in Jia Zhang's little eyes flickered. The last time Qin Huairu came home from the hospital, she had a husband and a wife to support her. In addition, Jia Zhang moved her hands, which led to Qin Huairu's birth. I didn't go to the hospital for a visit, so I felt very unreasonable, so I agreed to many conditions without hesitation.

Now these conditions seem quite unreasonable. From now on, Qin Huairu will be in charge of money in this family. Jia Zhang hesitated for a while, and finally reluctantly took out four big black tens and handed them over.

Qin Huairu held the child up with her forearms and nodded carefully with both hands free. She frowned but still didn't speak. She put the money into her underwear pocket and then raised her head and said to Jia Zhang.

"I have to trouble you to make a hard trip to the market tomorrow to buy two chickens. Your granddaughter has no milk, and we can't blame the uncle for everything."

I heard that I was asked to run away to buy chickens. I really didn’t want to run in this cold weather, but thinking about the money, I felt energetic again.

"Then you have to give me the money to buy the chicken. It should be ten yuan anyway."

Qin Huairu put the child on the kang, covered her with the quilt, and wrapped her head with a towel again. She stood at the door of the factory twice. Coupled with the fatigue of the previous few months and the torment of giving birth, she actually got a headache. problems.

"Don't ask me for it. Two chickens are enough to last for only six or seven yuan. They are asking for them in the name of my premature birth. As for how much you keep for yourself, I don't ask."

(End of this chapter)