Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1083 The Background of the Compound
As the saying goes, "One autumn rain brings one chill." On the second morning of his leave at home, Wang Zhan was awakened by a heavy rain. The sound of rain pattering outside was very loud. Wang Zhan first went to check on his younger sister, Wang Li, who was still fast asleep like a little pig. Only then did Wang Zhan go to the main room.

Wang Zhan had just woken up. He poured himself a glass of water, then opened half of the door and drank the water while looking at the rain scene in the yard.

He was on vacation today, but Wang Li had arranged to go to Zhang Erya's house. Before going to bed last night, Wang Li specifically mentioned that the two of them had agreed to do their homework together.

Wang Zhan quickly washed up and then rushed into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The heavy rain outside showed no signs of stopping and seemed to be getting heavier. In the morning, Wang Zhan made a pot of hot and sour soup, as well as a few sesame flatbreads and steamed buns. He made these in particular, mainly because he thought the temperature might drop today and his sister would be going out.

Wang Li can now use an alarm clock by herself. She doesn't stay in bed late in the morning. She gets up on time, gets ready, washes up in the corridor, and brushes her teeth while squatting on the steps. Wang Li also looks at the sky from time to time, frowning and looking very unhappy.

Wang Zhan knew that Wang Li had her own plans for today, and he was happy to accept them. He planned to visit a few close friends. Since he had figured things out, he no longer intended to hide himself away. He would face what needed to be faced and make the necessary arrangements.

Wearing a raincoat, after dropping Wang Li off, he picked up his prepared bag and disappeared at the intersection of Nanluoguxiang.

Wang Zhan wrapped three pieces of cured meat in oil paper, put them in his usual schoolbag, slung it over his shoulder, and rode his bicycle to Black Sesame Alley. He hadn't seen Xiao Si and Xiao Wu for a long time and didn't know if the two boys were avoiding him or if they were really that busy.

Upon entering the brothers' courtyard, the door to the west wing was open, indicating that someone was home at Xiao Si's house. Wang Zhan parked his car and went inside. Xiao Si was busy in the kitchen, his rear end sticking out. Wang Zhan called out, and only then did Xiao Si notice him, smiling as he said, "What brings you here?"

"I figured you guys were on holiday, so I came to check on you. I know you'll be busy with the college entrance exam next year, so I had to take the initiative," Wang Zhan said, taking out a two-pound piece of cured meat from his bag and handing it over.

"Here you go, to give yourself some extra nutrition. You're studying so hard every day, you can't afford to not get enough nutrition," Wang Zhan continued.

Xiao Si accepted it without hesitation, and said with a smile, "By the way, my grandfather asked me to bring you two old hens as a thank you. I haven't had time to deliver them yet. Take them with you when you leave later."

Only Xiao Si was home. After chatting with him for a few minutes, Wang Zhan went to the backyard. Xiao Wu's mother was tidying up wild vegetables at the door, while Xiao Li was making a fuss. Xiao Wu's mother looked at Wang Zhan walking over from the front yard and said irritably, "I thought you were going to break off relations with my family this afternoon. I've only heard your voice all day, but I haven't seen you."

Wang Zhan chuckled and said, "Even if I break off all ties with Xiao Wu, I still have to think about Mom and Xiao Li, right? Xiao Li, do you miss your brother Zhan?"

Xiaoli immediately threw down the wild vegetables in her hand, threw herself into Wang Zhan's arms, and said, "Brother, you haven't seen Lili for so long. Lili has forgotten the taste of candy."

Wang Zhan grabbed a handful of fruit candies from his pocket, put two in Xiao Li's hand, and stuffed the rest into her two shirt pockets. Xiao Li's eyes narrowed into slits, but her joy didn't last a minute before Wang's mother took the candies from her pockets, claiming that children shouldn't eat too much candy and that she was saving them for her, one a day. If it weren't for the candy in her mouth, Wang Zhan would have believed her. After leaving Xiao Si and Xiao Wu's courtyard, Wang Zhan rode his bike to Da Lao Tie's house. Although it was a bit far, Wang Zhan still went. Da Lao Tie wasn't home, only his mother was. Wang Zhan left a piece of cured meat and left. Da Lao Tie's mother knew Wang Zhan and didn't say much. This favor could only be repaid by Da Lao Tie himself. After leaving Da Lao Tie's house, Wang Zhan headed straight for Nanluoguxiang. He didn't go straight home; there was someone else he needed to visit: Officer Yu. It was a coincidence that he was home today, as he had a feeling it was his day off. Officer Yu's wife opened the door.

Wang Zhan smiled and said, "Is this your sister-in-law? I asked Wang Zhan to find Officer Yu." At this moment, Officer Yu heard the commotion from the inner room and came out of the main house. He saw Wang Zhan standing at the door and quickly said, "Xiao Zhan, what brings you here? This is the first time you've waited at my door. Come in and have a seat."

Wang Zhan walked in with a smile, sat down at Officer Yu's house, greeted his parents, and then said, "Brother Yu, look, I've been so grateful for your help these past few years. I've always wanted to thank you, but I haven't had the chance until now. I've finally graduated, so I've come to thank you." As he spoke, Wang Zhan took out a piece of cured pork and a cured chicken from his bag.

Officer Yu's expression changed immediately upon seeing this, and he said, "No, Xiao Zhan, you're making me make a mistake. I'm helping you because of Company Commander Li's kindness, so it's only right that I do it. I can't accept this."

“Brother Yu, this meat and chicken are all from my own hunting, not from the market. I have a lot at home, and I only gave them to relatives and friends because I couldn’t eat them all. Aren’t you my friend?” Wang Zhan said generously, without any intention of taking it back.

Upon hearing this, Officer Yu knew that further passing the buck would be a bit pretentious, so he didn't say anything. After chatting for a while, Wang Zhan took his leave.

The rain stopped around noon, and Wang Zhan wasn't too worried about Wang Li. With Zhang Erya's grandmother there, nothing would go wrong. When Wang Zhan rode his bike home, Wang Li was indeed still not back. He looked at the front yard and saw nothing unusual. Then he noticed a pile of large bones in Jinbao's rice bowl and turned back to the back yard.

Courtyard No. 95, East Wing of the Middle Courtyard

Today, the deaf old lady came to Yi Zhonghai's house. Just after lunch, Director Wang came with a junior staff member.

The deaf old lady was somewhat surprised, but she didn't say much. After Director Wang sat down, he said, "Old Yi, you want to create momentum and hold a poverty alleviation conference, but this is not a good time. The quota has just been reduced, and every household is having a hard time. What do you think, old lady?"

She had heard about Yi Zhonghai's application for a donation conference, but remained noncommittal. However, when it came to Yi Zhonghai, it was a different story. Yi Zhonghai was her handpicked person to care for her. The deaf old lady thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Wang, this is a good thing, but it can't be done badly. Those with money should contribute money, and those with strength should contribute strength. There should be no coercion, and that's fine. It can help the poor and promote our charitable tradition. Why not do it?"

Director Wang fell into deep thought. After a while, he said, "Alright, anyway, the rumors are already rampant. If I force it to stop, it will anger the public. I agree this time, but only this once. You have to tell Yi Zhonghai that this can't be done again."

The deaf old lady nodded and said, "Don't worry, just this once, let them set an example, that's enough."

(End of this chapter)