Siheyuan: Domineering life

the next day.

On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, adults were busy preparing for the New Year, and children were on holiday, running around the yard, making it especially lively.

Yang Jun was especially happy today. He went to see his newborn children and is still immersed in the joy of becoming a father.

The weather outside was gloomy, and it looked like it would snow soon. It was exceptionally cold. The children were playing and frolicking in the yard, running around with snot running down their faces, completely oblivious to the cold.

He tightened his gray coat and then went out.

I walked out of my house and along the alley until I stopped in front of a steamed bun shop near the intersection.

It was ten o'clock, past breakfast time, and the shop had sold out of steamed buns. Cleaning was underway, and the shop was bustling with activity. Yuan Erni was leading a group of employees in cleaning, some wiping tables, others washing dishes…

"Big brother."

Busy as she was, Yuan Erni spotted Yang Jun standing outside and quickly came out to greet him.

"Brother, have you eaten? Shall I make you something?"

After saying that, he went inside to cook.

"Erni, stop fussing, I've already eaten."

Yang Jun called out to her, looking at her with a smile: "Do you have time? I'd like to talk to you."

Yuan Erni paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course I have time. I run a shop, so I have plenty of time."

"Okay, let's talk then."

Yang Jun originally wanted to go into the store to talk with Yuan Erni, but seeing that the store was busy, he didn't go in. Afterwards, the two of them went to a place not far from the store.

"Big brother, is something the matter?" Yuan Erni looked at her with a smile.

Yuan Erni is no longer the same Yuan Erni she used to be. The old Yuan Erni was timid and hesitant, and she didn't even dare to look people in the eye when she was talking to them. Now she can talk and laugh freely, and even crack a few jokes.

Seeing her dramatic transformation, Yang Jun was deeply moved. Life truly can temper a person, turning a weak woman into a strong woman and making her more mature.

Yang Jun could tell that Yuan Erni was living a very good life now; at the very least, she looked happier than before.

"Yes... something came up, it's just..."

“Brother, just say what you want to say. I’m not an outsider,” Yuan Erni said.

"Alright, since you've put it that way, I'll get straight to the point."

After a slight pause, Yang Jun continued, "You also attended the ceremony yesterday for my child to be included in the family genealogy, right?"

"Yes, I participated."

"Um... I suddenly thought of Xiaoya... Um, there are some things I can't bring myself to say."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Erni smiled and said, "Big brother, are you referring to Xiaoya being included in the family genealogy?"

Yuan Erni knew that Yang Huai had a child with another woman, and she also knew that Xiao Ya's mother had abandoned her to pursue her own happiness. She also knew that Xiao Ya was currently living with Yang Mei.

"Sister-in-law, you really can't hide anything from me. There are some things I, as your brother-in-law, really can't say." Yang Jun's face was flushed.

"Brother, what's there to be ashamed of? It's Yang Huai who's sorry, not you."

Yuan Erni said, "Besides, the child is innocent. I can't hold a grudge against the child."

“Sister-in-law, I’m glad you said that. You are a magnanimous and cultured person. It’s just that… I really find it hard to say these words.”

"Big brother, do you want Xiaoya to be included in the family genealogy under my name?" Yuan Erni asked with a smile.

Yang Jun remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"I agree."

Yuan Erni readily agreed.

"Actually, before you, my eldest sister, second sister, and third sister all came to me, saying that they wanted me to adopt this child and have the child included in the family genealogy in my name."

"But... I had a lot of concerns at the time and didn't agree. Now that you've brought it up today, let's just leave it at that."

Yang Jun was extremely grateful upon hearing this.

"Sister-in-law, may I ask what made you change your mind?"

Yuan Erni smiled bitterly, "If my elder brother had come to me a day earlier, I wouldn't have agreed. I only changed my mind after I attended the ceremony yesterday where your child was included in the family genealogy."

"The ceremony of being included in the family genealogy?" Yang Jun looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, the ceremony of incorporating into the family genealogy."

Yuan Erni nodded heavily and said, "Since participating in the ceremony, I have realized the importance of a person's status within the clan. If a person is not included in the clan register, they cannot receive the protection of the clan members. If they are not included in the clan register, they cannot receive the support of the clan's resources. If they are not included in the clan register, they cannot rightfully claim their place..."

Yuan Erni rattled off several points about the importance of being included in the family genealogy, which, to put it bluntly, meant that one had to obtain the protection of the Yang family, this powerful clan.

Although her two sons have been included in the Yang family genealogy, it doesn't mean they can enjoy the family's resources. If she offends Yang Jun and his sisters because of Xiao Ya, her children will no longer be able to enjoy the family's resources. Human nature is selfish, and she doesn't dare to offend the Yang family siblings easily. Moreover, she is now divorced from the fifth brother, Yang Huai. If Yang Jun doesn't acknowledge her as his sister-in-law, there's nothing she can do.

“Sister-in-law, I hope this is your own choice. I will not force you,” Yang Jun said. “Although you and Lao Wu are divorced, you will always be a member of the Yang family. Whether you agree to this or not, I will not mistreat your two children.”

"Brother, I am truly doing this willingly."

Yuan Erni laughed and said, "The fault lies with the adults, not the children. Putting myself in their shoes, if my two children were abandoned like Xiaoya, I... I don't know how I would feel, so..."

"Therefore, I agree to let Xiaoya be adopted into my family."

After hearing Yuan Erni's words, Yang Jun was speechless for a long time.

"Thank you."

Yuan Erni gave a wry smile and continued, "Brother, don't say such things. No matter what, Yang Huai and I were husband and wife, so it's only right that I take care of his child."

“If possible, I would like to bring Xiaoya to live with me. I will take care of her and support her education until she gets married. Is that alright with you?”

"Sister-in-law, let's forget about that. I'm already incredibly grateful that you let Xiaoya be adopted by you. As for raising her, forget it. After all, she's the child of Fifth Brother and another woman. It would be awkward for you to raise her yourself."

"Let Xiaoya stay with Meizi."

“Okay, whatever you say, I’m fine with anything,” Yuan Erni said with a smile.

"Thank you, Erni."

"Big brother, no need to thank me, we're all family." Yuan Erni said, "If anyone should thank you, it's me who should thank you for taking care of us all these years."

"They're all one family."

Afterwards, Yang Jun discussed the adoption date with Yuan Erni and then went home.

When I got home, I saw Yangmei there too.

"How did you come?"

As Yang Jun took off his overcoat, he asked.

"Look at what you're saying, can't I even go back to my parents' home?"

Yang Mei rolled her eyes and continued, "Even though our mother is gone, I still have an older brother."

“In previous years, I would come to give my mother holiday gifts at this time. Now that my mother is gone, I will give these things to you to eat.”

After saying that, he pointed to a pile of gifts behind the living room door.

"Wow, that's quite a lot. I feel like you've given more than before." Yang Jun glanced at the pile of gifts, which seemed to be more than double the amount of previous years. "How can I not give more?" Yang Mei rolled her eyes and said, "Now that Mom is gone, there's no one to stand up for me anymore, so I have to curry favor with you."

"Heh, so you've finally learned to flatter me? You didn't treat me like this before," Yang Jun teased.

"Nonsense, I didn't."

After saying that, he laughed it off and moved on.

"By the way, big brother, I heard you just went to see Erni?"

"How did the talks go?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Jun did not rush to answer her, but instead lit a cigarette.

"With your brother on the case, is there anything we can't accomplish?"

"So Erni agreed?" Yang Mei sighed deeply and said sourly, "You have a lot of influence. Liu'er, Yu'er, and I took turns trying to persuade her, but we couldn't get through to her. I didn't expect you to solve the problem as soon as you stepped in. Sigh... It's really frustrating to compare yourself to others."

"Now you know the gap between yourself and me, right?" Yang Jun said with a smile.

"You're just relying on your status as a big boss. If you weren't a big boss, do you think Erni would give you that kind of face?" Yang Mei said with a sneer.

“What are you saying? I became a high-ranking leader because of my own ability. Why can’t you do the same?” Yang Jun said.

"Big brother, shouldn't you be asking yourself that?" Yang Mei said shamelessly, "If you had wholeheartedly helped the three of us sisters, we would be big leaders by now."

"Oh... so it's all my fault after all?"

"Why not?"

Yang Jun: "..."

"Big brother, how did you convince Erni to agree to let Xiaoya be adopted into her family?" Yang Mei asked.

"I don't want to bother with you."

"Big brother, just say something, why are you acting like a child?"

I don't want to talk to you.

"Big brother."

Yang Jun got up and walked outside.

"The ancestral hall will be opened on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month after the New Year."

After saying that, he disappeared into the living room.

"The ancestral hall opens on the fifteenth of the first lunar month..." Yang Mei muttered to herself, "It still has to be my eldest brother; there's no problem he can't solve."

"Hey, Boss Yang, did Erni say anything else...?"

……

As the Spring Festival approaches, the festive atmosphere is getting stronger.

It's not even the end of the year yet, and the children have already started setting off firecrackers.

As soon as he heard the sound of firecrackers, Yang Jun couldn't help but lash out at the group of kids.

"Go put it in the front yard. If anyone dares to put it in the back yard again, I'll spank their ass."

We just had four new kids in our family, and we're terrified of the sound of explosions. Every time we set off firecrackers, the kids cry their eyes out, and it takes forever to calm them down.

"Chengyun, keep an eye on your younger siblings. If they set off firecrackers in the backyard again, I'll spank your ass first."

Just as Yang Jun had chased the group of children away, he saw Yang Chengyun walk in.

"Dad, I still need to review my lessons. You should leave this to someone else," Yang Chengyun said, displeased.

"What did you say? Say it again if you dare!"

Yang Jun pointed at his nose and said, "With your grades, you still have the nerve to mention studying?"

“My grades may be bad, but I’ve tried my best. You can’t stop me from having a desire to improve, can you?” Yang Chengyun retorted.

"Where's my whip? How dare you talk back?"

As Yang Jun pulled off his belt, he walked towards him, cursing all the while.

Seeing this, Yang Chengyun turned and ran, saying as he ran, "You can't handle this, don't come looking for me."

"You brat, if you don't discipline him for a day, he'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles," Yang Jun said with a laugh.

At this moment, Meng Wenya stood at the doorway of the living room, holding the child.

"It's the Lunar New Year, the children are happy, let them relax."

"At most, I'll just leave the child in the bedroom and not take her out."

Yang Jun glared and said, "That won't do either. Didn't you see them setting off firecrackers in the backyard?"

"Isn't the child happy? Besides, even if you're disciplining your own child, do you expect the entire city of Yanjing to stop setting off firecrackers?"

“That’s not impossible.” Yang Jun glared and said, “After the New Year, I will introduce a policy to ban the setting off of firecrackers in the city.”

"You're such a grown-up, why are you still throwing tantrums like a child?" Meng Wenya said with a smile.

Yang Jun didn't say anything, but silently kept the matter in mind.

Later, he did introduce a policy to ban the setting off of firecrackers and fireworks in cities, but that came later.

"Alright, take the child inside, don't let her catch a cold." Yang Jun helped her into the living room.

"Don't be so delicate. It's not cold when it's snowing; it's cold when the ice melts."

Scattered snowflakes drifted down from the sky; though not large, they were enough to cover the ground. The weather was heavily overcast, suggesting that this snowfall would be quite heavy.

"Sigh, I'm about to turn another year older, I'm getting old," Yang Jun sighed.

Meng Wenya rolled her eyes at him after hearing this.

"It's more like we're getting old, but you seem to be getting younger and younger."

"Don't let my youthful appearance fool you, I'm mentally older than anyone else," Yang Jun muttered to himself, gazing at the falling snowflakes outside, his thoughts wandering elsewhere.

"Hey, I've seen people worry about getting old, but I've never seen anyone worry about getting young. Are you trying to make me so envious?"

After Meng Wenya finished speaking, she noticed Yang Jun's movement and looked up at him. She saw Yang Jun sitting there, staring blankly outside, and she didn't know what he was thinking.

Following his gaze to the snow-white world outside, she seemed to see something that captivated her.

The swirling snow was just like her own life, adrift like duckweed, dancing in the cold wind, leaving her nowhere to stand. Her life had been full of hardship; she and her brother had relied on each other since childhood, only able to reunite occasionally. But before they could enjoy a few good years, her brother died, leaving her a homeless child.

Later, she met Yang Jun, and that's when she had her first real home. After that, she had three children, and her family grew larger and larger. She finally felt the warmth of home again.

She cherishes her life now. She has no worries, her children are around her, her father is loving, and she and her husband are a perfect match. Yang Jun treats her well, and apart from not being able to give her a formal title, everything else about him is impeccable.

The snowflakes outside were getting bigger and bigger, and you could faintly hear them falling.

At that moment, the sound of firecrackers outside stopped, and everything fell silent, as if time had stood still.

"Life is peaceful and beautiful, thanks to you," Meng Wenya murmured. (End of Chapter)