Siheyuan: Domineering life

The next day, Sun Zhaocai came to work.

This was his first official day at work since being discharged from the hospital. He had been recuperating at home, and after the incident where he apologized to his wife and children, he became much more low-key. Now he always has a smiling face, completely different from the arrogant Sun Zhaocai he used to be.

Upon arriving at the fishing platform by the river, Sun Zhaocai did not enter the glass house, but instead sat down on the stone railing of the pier outside.

"Zhao Cai, it's cold outside, come in and sit down," Ding Erzhu greeted.

Yang Jun lay on the rattan chair, gazing outside, completely unaware of Sun Zhaocai behind him. Upon hearing this, he turned around and glanced back.

"No need, it's a bit hot today, I'll cool off outside for a while," Sun Zhaocai said sheepishly.

The guy kept avoiding eye contact while he was talking, and when he saw Yang Jun looking this way, he immediately turned his head to the side.

Yesterday, he apologized to his wife and children and wrote a guarantee in front of Yang Jun. Yang Jun had seen him at his most embarrassed, so he was a little ashamed.

It was just past the first month of the lunar calendar, and the weather was still a bit cold. The north wind was howling outside, making people shrink their necks. Sun Zhaocai was no exception, sitting there wrapped in his coat, shivering.

This guy was too embarrassed to come in, afraid that Yang Jun would bring up that embarrassing incident.

"So, are we still going to eat roast duck?" Sha Zhu asked in a muffled voice.

This guy was only thinking about food and didn't care at all about Sun Zhaocai's embarrassing incident.

"Hmm, let's not eat it. I've been taking too much supplements at the hospital lately." Sun Zhaocai struggled for a while before coming up with this reason.

"The duck will be roasted soon, are you sure you don't want to eat it?" Sha Zhu asked again.

"I won't eat it. If I say I won't eat it, then I won't eat it."

When Sun Zhaocai said he wouldn't eat, his eyes kept glancing at the barbecue grill. His Adam's apple bobbed, and sometimes you could hear him swallowing. He was a typical foodie; it was impossible for him not to want to eat roast duck.

"Oh, what a pity, tsk tsk." Sha Zhu shook his head after hearing this.

Eating roast duck by yourself is no fun; it's much more enjoyable when shared with someone.

"Bring in wealth."

At this moment, Yang Jun called out.

Sun Zhaocai paused for a moment, then reluctantly went inside.

"Uncle Yang, is something the matter?"

This guy was standing far away when he spoke.

"Sit down and talk."

Yang Jun glanced at him, but didn't seem to intend to mock him.

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhaocai took a small stool and sat down in the corner.

"Get closer, or I'll eat you up."

Yang Jun was somewhat angry upon seeing this.

"No, I... I just came in from outside, and I was afraid that the chill on my body would pass on to you."

It took Sun Zhaocai a long time to come up with such a lame excuse.

"Am I that delicate?" Yang Jun glared at him and said, "Aren't you just afraid I'll bring that up?"

"A real man can take things in stride and let them go. It's not shameful to apologize to your wife and children."

"Look at you, you pathetic state! Where did your former arrogance go?"

Sun Zhaocai blushed and took a long time to say, "I don't feel ashamed to apologize to my family. I... I just want to calm down..."

"What are you trying to slow down for? You've already been beaten, admitted your mistakes, and made the disgraceful decisions. What are you trying to slow down for?"

Sun Zhaocai remained silent after being scolded, sitting there with his head down.

Seeing this, Yang Jun lit a cigarette.

"You haven't been doing well lately; you're like a complete wreck."

"I'm absent-minded at work and often make mistakes. Now I've even lost interest in food."

"Given your condition, I don't know if you're still capable of continuing to work."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhaocai became anxious.

"Uncle Yang, I can do it, I'm fine, I can handle the job."

"I just got discharged from the hospital and my body hasn't fully recovered yet, but... don't worry, I'll be back at work in three days at most."

Yang Jun listened, looked at him without saying a word.

After a long pause, he said, "I hope you keep your word. If you're still acting like this in three days, don't blame me for replacing you."

Yang Jun's status is different, and he needs to be protected by more professional people when he goes out. If Sun Zhaocai is still in this listless state, he definitely cannot be kept by his side.

"Yes, Uncle Yang, I promise I'll keep my word."

Sun Zhaocai sat up from the stool and saluted Yang Jun.

Seeing this, Yang Jun waved his hand downwards, gesturing for him to sit down.

"As I said before, it's not shameful for a real man to admit his mistakes to his wife and children."

“You don’t need to feel ashamed here. I’m your elder and I won’t laugh at you. But you must remember this: live a good life with Erni from now on. If you go back to the way you were before… don’t think Erni and the child won’t give you a chance. Even I won’t give you a chance.”

"Understood, Uncle Yang," Sun Zhaocai replied respectfully.

Ever since he saw that Yan Erni was determined to divorce him, he was scared. Despite his habit of beating his wife and children, he was actually terrified of losing his family. After being beaten to the hospital by his two children, he had a sudden realization and deeply understood how much of a bastard he had been.

After much painful reflection and complete repentance, he finally earned this opportunity through his sincerity. He secretly resolved to live a good life from now on and never beat his wife and children again.

Of course, he's too old to fight anymore, and he can't beat two kids either.

"I'm planning to bring Xiaoguo back. What are your thoughts?"

Yang Jun changed the subject and brought up Sun Xiaoguo.

Since taking the blame for Yang Chengdao, Sun Xiaoguo has been hiding on Orphan Island. While hiding there, he has been receiving formal training. Now, two years later, he has been completely transformed.

After two years of filing complaints without getting a reasonable result, the family was perhaps disheartened. Things finally calmed down recently, and Yang Jun felt that the storm had passed, so he planned to bring Sun Xiaoguo back.

Since Yang Chengdao took over the family business, he has been even more short of people around him. Sun Xiaoguo and he grew up together. They were classmates and deskmates from elementary school to university. The two had long been inseparable.

It wasn't that Yang Jun insisted on keeping Sun Xiaoguo out in the shadows; it was just that he wanted his son to have more professional people around him, so he sent Sun Xiaoguo there for training and development.

"Uncle Yang, are you telling the truth?"

Upon hearing that Yang Jun planned to bring Sun Xiaoguo back, Sun Zhaocai was overjoyed.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jun glared at him.

"Hehe, Uncle Yang, of course you're telling the truth."

Upon seeing this, Sun Zhaocai quickly changed his tune, saying, "It's a good thing that you're back. I wholeheartedly agree."

"Aren't you afraid he'll come back and beat you up?" Yang Jun teased. "If I hadn't stopped him, Xiao Guo would have come back and punched you a long time ago."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhaocai blushed and mumbled, "Let him beat me up if he wants. Anyway, I was the one in the wrong this time. But as long as he comes back, I don't mind taking a beating."

Yang Jun laughed when he heard this.

"Zhao Cai, you really have changed from before."

In the past, Sun Zhaocai would have definitely gotten angry upon hearing this, but now he seemed willing to accept the punishment, which surprised him. "Hehe, people have to grow up, and I'm no exception," Sun Zhaocai said, scratching his head sheepishly.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jun's expression suddenly turned serious.

“I’m glad you’ve become like this, but I don’t want your fighting spirit to change too. You can’t choose to swallow your anger because of this.”

"I don't keep useless people around me."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhaocai immediately glared and said, "I, Sun Zhaocai, only bow my head to my own family, and I will never admit my mistakes to anyone."

"Yes, I hope you keep your word."

After a slight pause, Yang Jun continued, "I've already arranged for him to set off, and he should be back next week."

"When he comes back, you two should have a calm and proper talk. Admit your mistakes if you need to. There's nothing shameful about it."

“Yes, Uncle Yang,” Sun Zhaocai said in a muffled voice, “Don’t worry, I know what to do.”

"Also..." Yang Jun glanced at him and continued, "Tell Xiao Guo to keep a low profile during this time and not to cause any trouble."

“Yes, Uncle Yang.” Sun Zhaocai continued, “After he comes back, I will immediately have him go and report to Chengdao. Then he won’t have time to cause any trouble.”

"Yes, that's what a father should be like."

Yang Jun was very pleased to hear this.

Afterwards, the two of them chatted about other things for a while.

The weather outside changed. It was sunny in the morning, but in the afternoon, the wind suddenly picked up and the sky became overcast, with faint signs of snow.

There has been very little rain or snow this year; it only snowed once during the Lunar New Year and hasn't snowed since.

For middle-aged people, the Spring Festival is just a fleeting moment, especially when it rains or snows. They are particularly fond of such weather. Whenever it snows, they sit behind the glass room and watch the snowflakes fall from the sky, immersing themselves in memories of the past.

Although Yang Jun was already immortal, he could still clearly feel the anxiety of middle age, especially as his family grew larger and he felt the burden on his shoulders becoming heavier, and he always felt a strange pressure on his body.

From birth to school, work, marriage, and having children, every aspect of his child's life is inseparable from him, and he needs to take care of all of these things. He is afraid that he is not a good enough father and tries his best to make up for his shortcomings. Therefore, he always has a sense of gain and loss.

Sure enough, at four o'clock in the afternoon, snowflakes began to fall from the sky, and they fell heavier and heavier, soon covering the ground.

Having not seen such a beautiful snow scene in a long time, Yang Jun felt both excited and melancholy.

He was excited that he could finally enjoy the memories, but also saddened that his world consisted only of memories. This was a tragedy, a sorrow that suffocated him.

As a middle-aged man, he could deeply understand this kind of pressure and state of mind. Even though he held a high position and lived a comfortable life, he still couldn't avoid many worries.

"Dong dong dong."

Just then, the sound of stomping feet could be heard outside the door.

Just as Yang Jun was about to turn around, the door was opened, and a biting north wind rushed in, making him shiver involuntarily.

"coming?"

Upon seeing Yi Qiushui arrive, Yang Jun smiled and poured her a cup of hot tea.

"Thanks husband."

After accepting the tea, Yi Qiushui sat down on the small stool next to her.

Yang Jun glanced back at Sun Zhaocai and Shazhu, who were munching on sweet potatoes.

"It's snowing today, so you should all go home and spend time with your families. I don't need you here anymore."

"Yes, Uncle Yang."

"Yes, godfather."

The two responded and then quickly took all the roasted sweet potatoes and soil with them.

After they left, only Yang Jun and Yi Qiushui remained in the glass room.

It was freezing outside, but warm and cozy inside. Sitting in the glass room watching the snow scene outside, there was nothing more comforting than this.

"so beautiful."

Seeing the snow scene outside, Yi Qiushui couldn't help but sigh, and then said, "No wonder you like to stay here all day. If I were you, I would like it too."

"Since you like it so much, then enjoy it to the fullest."

Yang Jun stood up with a smile and offered her the rattan chair.

"Hehe, then I won't be polite."

Yi Qiushui sat down in the rattan chair with great joy.

She found a comfortable position, propped her legs up on the low stool, and looked quite relaxed.

"Comfortable."

Yi Qiushui couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"You're already saying it feels good before it's even started?" Yang Jun raised an eyebrow.

Yi Qiushui was stunned for a moment, then said angrily, "How old are you? How can you still be so addicted to that kind of thing?"

"Men are boys until they die; they're addicted to that kind of thing no matter how old they are," Yang Jun chuckled. "Besides... can't you tell my age?"

Upon hearing this, Yi Qiushui glanced at him and said, "You really can't be judged by common sense. You're in your early twenties, full of youthful vigor, which is exactly the time when you're addicted."

"So... please don't say that about me." Yang Jun.

"Okay, I'll be more careful next time."

After a slight pause, Yi Qiushui continued, "I'm going through menopause right now and can't take care of you anymore, but... I don't object to you finding other women."

At this point, he quickly added, "I'm not saying I agree to you having affairs outside the home, but rather with all the women in this house besides me."

"I know."

Yang Jun responded calmly.

"Hehe, you know..."

Yi Qiushui originally wanted to say something sarcastic to him, but for some reason, she swallowed the words back.

If nothing unexpected happens, Yang Jun will continue to look like he's in his early twenties, while she and the other women, including Yang Qingxiang, will grow old eventually. When that happens, Yang Jun will still bring young and beautiful women into his home.

This was inevitable, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Fine, fine, whatever."

At this point, Yi Qiushui said, "I can't control what happens in the future, and I don't want to. I just hope that I can have a good old age and not be kicked out by you."

"Who... me chased you away?"

Yang Jun pointed to himself and said, "Don't worry, I'd rather kick myself out of the house than kick you out. You can put your mind at ease."

Yi Qiushui rolled her eyes after hearing this.

Although she said that, she still trusted Yang Jun. Despite his womanizing ways, Yang Jun was a loyal and devoted man, and he wouldn't kick her out.

“Even if you kick me out of the house, I’m not afraid. At worst, I’ll live with my son and let him take care of me in my old age.” Yi Qiushui.

Yang Jun: "..." (End of this chapter)