Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 411: Housewarming ()

The next day was a nice day. It was April in early spring. The sun was shining brightly. The yard was bustling with activity. I couldn't help it. Silly Zhu made too much noise. Several partners came to the cafeteria. Looking at their posture, it looked like they were preparing a wedding banquet for others. Similar.

"This new neighbor is quite interesting. It's a housewarming celebration for us. This family seems to be well off." The third uncle saw Zhu Xuefeng moving tables and chairs and leaned over and said.

The new neighbor was a university professor before, and the third uncle knew it a long time ago. Now he is not the only intellectual in the yard. One teaches in elementary school and the other teaches in university. He feels very uncomfortable about it.

"Oh, third uncle, I want to take this opportunity to get to know you all so that we can deal with you in the future. Didn't I tell you all yesterday? I will set up a few tables at noon today, and every household in the yard who wants to come will be able to come. Representatives, of course, if they all come, they will not be able to greet them well, and Xiao Baizi will not be able to greet them well."

This year, the food shortage is a little better, but it is really not an easy task to entertain dozens of households with nearly a hundred people. Everyone knows that it is necessary to have a representative at home. In this way, there are three or four people. The table was also set, and the location was chosen in the middle courtyard. Firstly, it was a large location, and secondly, it was more formal. Besides, the first master was in the middle courtyard, and it was easier for Shazhu to cook in the middle courtyard.

"Your family has got tables, chairs and benches, so you should celebrate the occasion. I will bring some of what your family is prepared to pay later."

The third uncle will definitely have to show up on this occasion, which feels a little painful. He is still thinking about his family's happy event. Someone else is actually having a housewarming celebration, and how many tables need to be set up.

"You can do whatever you want with this. The owner has no intention of taking it. Look, there's not even a bookkeeper and tables and chairs arranged. I'll move it over first. You can help arrange it later and show off to the new neighbors."

The third uncle had a complicated expression on his face, but he managed to squeeze out a smile.

Silly Zhu shook his head, "Brother, why can't you carry it clearly? This is Professor Xu's housewarming celebration. What's the point of going to your cellar to get ingredients? You are not the owner, so why are you joining in the fun? Go, go, busy yourself. Go ahead, I really don’t need you here, right? Let me tell you.”

"Then you'd better do it yourself. I've never used a big pot like this before and I'm not used to it."

"Dele, if you want to get started, I'll just rest. I don't believe you can handle such a huge array."

Shazhu saw Zhu Xuefeng coming and said with a smile.

"Master Yi, I made it very clear. I really don't have the ability or the energy. Don't worry, since I have moved to this compound, I will do my part in what I should do. There are people in this compound. Whatever activities and requirements you may have, I promise to support and comply with them in a down-to-earth manner.”

"Okay, Chef He, you're busy. You're busy now. I'll ask you something. If you need anything, just let me know. Or you can go to the cellar to get it yourself."

Zhu Xuefeng and Zhu Xuesong moved tables and stools into the central courtyard. There were already two tables in the courtyard, one belonged to the uncle's house, and the other was moved in by Professor Xu just yesterday. The table from Sha Zhu's house was still in use. It was piled with ingredients.

Seeing Professor Xu's repeated excuses, the first uncle gave up. In the past few years, there have been constant big events in the courtyard. For two years in a row, someone has been arrested and sentenced, and the courtyard has also lost its civilized courtyard. He has been struggling for so long, and indeed There were also some people who wanted to give up. It was really a thankless job, so they changed their minds. The most important thing was to earn a high salary and serve their wife well in a down-to-earth manner.

"Second brother, you and your sister will be eating at home later. Don't mix in. There are many people today."

Professor Xu waved his hands repeatedly. This kind of thing is not what he likes to do. It is more interesting to study something by himself all day long with his neighbors over trivial mushrooms.

In fact, according to Professor Xu's temperament, he would not do such a thing. He would not have thought of it. This was Chen Rui's initiative. Professor Xu also thought about it. This place is a courtyard, and everyone can see each other without looking up, just like in the university. Living in Tongzilou is different. You are all neighbors when you walk in and out, so you have to say hello and make yourself familiar.

"Brother Zhuzi, if you need help if you need help, just say something. My skills are quite acceptable."

Silly Zhu was happy, "Brother, you finally admit that there are times when things don't work. I thought you could do anything. Look, in a while, this dish will come together, and the stew over there will be just right. Professor Xu is here now Where is the grandpa’s house? If you want to find him, go to the grandma’s house.”

Silly Zhu set up two pots, one large and one small, in the yard, and was cooking with his apprentice and Liu Lan. At the same time, his younger sister and Yan Jiedi were also helping to wash the vegetables, but Qin Huairu and a girl were also busy. , that’s right, it’s Qin Jingru, her face is red, she seems to have been busy for a while, and there are several aunts and daughters-in-law who are also helping to spread the meat, and many little kids are smelling the meat and sucking it. Snot, very lively.

After being squeezed twice in front of Silly Zhu, Zhu Xuefeng just smiled and left. Silly Zhu's old habit happened again. When he was happy, he had no choice but to act blindly according to his own temperament. Zhu Xuefeng had already understood that he Of course I have no idea about this problem.

"That's right, hahaha." Some of the young wives, the apprentices who came to help, and Liu Lan smiled and cheered for Silly Zhu.

Zhu Xuefeng was not angry after being laughed at by Silly Zhu. He was a cook. Of course, his field could not tolerate others, especially in front of the neighbors. He was blinded by lard and actually wanted to help cook. It was really stupid.

The same person who had no idea was Professor Xu, who was currently at the uncle's house. He blushed and refused, "Master Yi, that won't work. I'm just a person. Nothing else. I just like to read and study something. I manage a large courtyard. I don't have the ability. Besides, I probably won't be able to live in this compound for long. I'd better not bother myself. I'm going to treat you all with a favor and a meal today. It's nothing more than a familiar face. From now on, everyone There is a mutual care.”

"Yes, I know. We will come back after we finish helping. Brother Zhuzhu said he would leave some for us. Sister Yuyu will also come back by then, and the three of us will eat at home."

"Professor Xu, you are the most knowledgeable in our courtyard. You have to contribute to the construction of civilization in the courtyard. I really have no other intention, so I just wanted to take advantage of the dinner party to let everyone make a recommendation. , If it can be done, we will report it to the sub-district office, so that you can come in a legitimate manner..."

"Okay, you get busy first. When it's almost done, I'll call someone over."

"That's it. If you really don't want to, we can't force you to do anything. Don't worry, go ahead and make arrangements. I'll be there in a moment."

Professor Xu left the uncle's house and met Zhu Xuefeng who came to see him at the door.

"Professor Xu, there is something we didn't explain clearly. If you come to have a meal later, you will probably have to give a red envelope. How to do this? You, the accountant, have no idea."

Professor Xu said with a wry smile. "How did I know there were so many details? If you hadn't hired Chef He, I would have thought about asking you to do this. Let's make some home-cooked meals ourselves."

"Then what should we do now? If we set up a counting room, I will move a table and let the third uncle do it. He will definitely be happy. He does this often and knows the rules." Professor Xu shook his head, "I don't lack this. It’s only 80 cents. I don’t know the rules, but I still know that I have to return gifts after receiving them. How can I have so much time to return gifts to each family? According to me, I don’t want any red envelopes. Let’s just treat everyone to a meal. , just get to know each other.”

Zhu Xuefeng was also helpless. Professor Xu was right. It was too difficult for him to frequently participate in various neighborhood social gatherings. He still didn't know the reason for this joyful move.

"Okay, I'll just tell you, you don't want any red envelopes. However, you have to accept the two thermos bottles I prepared. I saw that you don't have any thermos bottles in your new home."

Professor Xu smiled awkwardly, "It was damaged during the move and I haven't had time to add any more. Okay, I'll take the thermos bottle first. I really don't need the others. My sister helped prepare them. Even the quilt and mattress are newly made." ”

"Okay, but we can't skip the process of hanging the decorations, rice jars, and moving the bed. Since it's a housewarming ceremony, these are all necessary. I'll ask Uncle Xue and the others to decorate the house later. When the time comes, the wedding ceremony will be held. You have to post the couplet yourself, it is against the rules for someone else to post it..."

Professor Xu had a headache. He didn't know that there were so many details to a housewarming ceremony, so he had no choice but to nod.

"Then please trouble them to make arrangements. I don't understand any of this. You can just watch and make arrangements. If I had known it would be so troublesome, it would be better to set up a table at home and invite some of the masters to have a drink to save trouble."

"You regret it. It's too late. Who asked you to do this in the name of a housewarming? There's nothing you can do about it. You can't avoid being particular."

Ordinarily, there are a lot of things to pay attention to in this housewarming ceremony. Starting from the move, every step is very particular. But Professor Xu didn't understand this and moved here in a daze. Then he said that he wanted to hold a wedding banquet. Zhu Xuefeng had to bite the bullet and ask Xue for advice. Uncle, make up as much as you can.

After a long time of busy work, we finally opened the table on time at noon. Everyone in the courtyard was very generous. Basically, except for the several restaurants that had to go out to work on weekends, representatives from almost every household came and sat down. There were five tables, and the children also placed a small table on the side, which served as a flowing table.

The number of participants exceeded Professor Xu's expectation. I originally thought that four tables would be enough, but now with the addition of children, it would be six tables. Fortunately, Zhu Xuefeng and Silly Zhu had already thought of this possibility and made arrangements in advance.

When Silly Zhu heard that he didn't need to pay for the red envelope, he knew that this scene was a small one. According to the rules, only one table was reserved, but it seemed that he had to give his children a flowing seat.

No red envelopes are needed, there will definitely be a lot of people coming, and if the parents are not at home, there will definitely be no one to take care of the children.

Amidst the sound of firecrackers, the wedding banquet started in a lively manner. The first man stood up, smoothed things over, and introduced everyone with a smile.

"Everyone, stop for a moment and let me introduce to you. We are lucky enough to sit here and have dinner together today. We have to thank the host first, right? Come on, come on, let's all come together, first..."

The first gentleman warmly introduced Professor Xu. In fact, everyone had heard about it to some extent. A professor came to live in the courtyard. When he saw Professor Xu, he looked polite and easy-going. He was indeed very easy-going and liked him very much. Many people followed him. Yelling loudly, Uncle Zhang from the backyard even said.

"Professor Xu, you are lucky enough to live in the same courtyard as us..."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by the third uncle, "Then we are lucky enough to live in the same courtyard as Professor Xu..."

"Okay, okay, I'm a talkative, uneducated, and I made a mistake. That's what I meant anyway. Don't worry, this yard is your home, and we are all your relatives. If you have anything to say, please tell me, and we promise to help you make things right." ”

The elder smiled and said, "Professor Xu, we are all rough people with no culture, that's pretty much it. We will all be a family from now on, so we have to help each other."

Silly Zhu was accompanying the deaf old lady, looking at the dishes on the table and introducing them one by one, when he heard the second uncle muttering quietly to the side.

"Why don't we just move in with a new neighbor? It's such a big show, and a bunch of people are still shamelessly joining in the fun. What the hell?"

The voice was very low, and among the bustling scenes, no one really heard it, except for one person. Chen Rui, who was sitting next to Professor Xu, heard it and frowned at the second uncle without saying a word.

Zhu Xuefeng was not far away and had good ears, so he could hear it. The second uncle was like this. He didn't like others, especially after the accident a year ago and the group leader was dismissed.

A burst of warm applause interrupted this episode. Seeing the first man sitting down, Zhu Xuefeng stood up.

Seeing Zhu Xuefeng take the initiative to stand up on such an occasion, many people were surprised. They heard Zhu Xuefeng bow to the tables and say happily.

"Dear grandparents, uncles and aunts, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to you today. Many people may not know that Professor Xu and I started dealing with each other two years ago."

As expected, there was a lot of discussion below, and even Chen Rui didn't know that Zhu Xuefeng had known Professor Xu so early.

"Professor Xu is a person with good knowledge and good temper. You will know these things after we have been together for a long time. What I want to say is that Professor Xu is an expert in automobiles specially invited by our steel rolling mill. Our factory has established a special Everyone knows about the vehicle factory.”

Seeing everyone listening attentively, Zhu Xuefeng paused, "I'm telling you now that Professor Xu has almost completed the design of the first new truck. It is now in the experimental stage, and its performance has far exceeded that of existing trucks. Think about it, everyone." , What will this truck bring once it is produced in our factory?”

There was an uproar below. No one knew about this news, but if this truck was put into production, everyone was still clear about the benefits it would bring. A motorcycle project would significantly increase the welfare of the factory, which is much higher than other projects in the same area. Factory, it is now much easier for employees in steel rolling mills to find partners.

"I won't say much else. Professor Xu is the key to the rapid development of our steel rolling mill. I am lucky enough to live in the same courtyard with everyone. Let's talk about whether we should provide Professor Xu with an environment where he can conduct research with peace of mind, right? It’s time for Professor Xu to feel the care and love of our family members.”

(End of this chapter)