Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1124 Intervening

In the west wing of the front courtyard of No. 49 Yu'er Hutong, Grandpa Yang and Grandpa Feng sat facing each other. Grandpa Yang kept smoking, while Grandpa Feng drank water and waited for Grandpa Yang's decision.

Grandpa Yang knew about Wang Zhan and his sister, and he also knew that they were orphans of martyrs. No matter how you look at it, he had to stand on Wang Zhan's side. But he also knew that Wang Zhan didn't lack houses. Didn't he see that the front yard of No. 47 was empty?

However, just because Wang Zhan has a house doesn't mean you can withhold the house that Aunt Sun gave him. This can't be done. No one has the right to withhold a house. After understanding this, Grandpa Yang looked at Feng Nianxuan and asked, "How did you find out about this?"

“Director Wang came to see me. I was going back to my parents’ home today, and I ran into her at the alley entrance early this morning. She detained me. Not only me, but also other people were discussing this matter. I didn’t say anything at the time, but said I would come back to talk to you. But I could tell that the old woman was very unhappy when I said I wanted to talk to you,” Feng Nianxuan said.

"Hehe, she's afraid of me, afraid that I'll find out about this. This Director Wang is far worse than his predecessor. He's too selfish and only cares about saving face," said Grandpa Yang.

Feng Nianxuan said, "This matter also involves the courtyard at No. 95 in the next alley. Today, the old lady from that courtyard and Yi Zhonghai are also present. It seems that they have their eyes on these three houses."

"Hmm? They don't lack houses, why are they thinking of this? Is there something else going on?" Grandpa Yang asked.

“Well, there are two households in their courtyard that don’t obey the management. They argue with the management every day and don’t interact with their neighbors. These two want them to change houses, but to change houses, you need to have a house, right? So they’ve set their sights on these three houses,” Feng Nianxuan said.

"This old lady is Director Wang's father! Does Director Wang have no principles left?" Grandpa Yang was very angry.

“You know what, although she’s not her father, she’s her aunt, and I heard they’re blood relatives,” Feng Nianxuan said.

"No wonder, but this old lady is so old, what's she trying to do, jumping around like that, even walking on a tightrope? Isn't she afraid of falling to her death?" Grandpa Yang said.

Feng Nianxuan thought for a moment and said, "I'm not quite sure about that. It seems like there's something wrong with those two households. But thinking about it carefully, it also seems like Yi Zhonghai is a bit xenophobic. I haven't figured it out either. But when we were discussing this, the old lady didn't say a word, as if she was avoiding suspicion. She's obviously a wise old woman."

“Sigh, I heard from the Sun family before that Director Wang had a grudge against Wang Zhan. I thought it was just a casual remark, but I didn’t expect Director Wang to hold a grudge. Now that you’ve come back and told me, how are you going to respond tomorrow?” Grandpa Yang said.

Feng Nianxuan looked at Grandpa Yang and said, "You should make the decision about this. You're the oldest man in this courtyard, and Grandma Sun's family lives right across from you. I'll just act as a messenger."

Grandpa Yang pursed his lips and said, "You've managed to distance yourself from both sides, huh? Fine, if you ask for my opinion, just say I disagree. No matter who ends up with the house, we have to transfer it to Wang Zhan according to Grandma Sun's wishes first. As for who wants to buy or exchange houses later, they can discuss that with Wang Zhan. That's the only way to do it. Don't get involved in any dirty business."

Feng Nianxuan nodded and said, "Okay, as long as you have an idea. Well, I have to go to my father-in-law's house too. My wife has been giving me the cold shoulder this morning, and I can't afford to offend her. I have to get there quickly."

Grandpa Yang nodded, and Feng Nianxuan stood up and walked out. When he reached the door, Grandpa Yang suddenly said, "Old Feng, remember that Director Wang who isn't a nobody, pass on a message saying that I've already told Wang Zhan about it." Feng Nianxuan said he understood and went straight out the door.

Grandpa Yang lit another cigarette and stared blankly at the gate.

At this time, Wang Zhan was still unaware of the situation. After he and his sister finished lunch and cleared the table, the two siblings were about to leave.

Wang Zhan had planned to take Wang Li to Guanyuan Park, but while shoveling snow, Grandpa Yang said there were hardly any people there, as everyone had gone home for the New Year, and told him not to go. Wang Zhan then mentioned this to his sister during dinner, and Wang Li immediately said, "Brother, how about we go to Shichahai to see the snow scenery and go ice skating?"

Wang Zhan thought his sister's idea was good. Staying at home would be boring, so after dinner, the two siblings wrapped themselves up tightly, went straight out of the yard, locked the door, and strolled off to Shichahai.

Snow possesses a noble air, perhaps most fitting for the "face" of this ancient city. But if one wishes to delve into the "inner workings" of the city, experience the joys of everyday life, and find a place to truly let loose, perhaps another destination is needed. Not far from the Forbidden City, Shichahai becomes a popular winter retreat for people of all ages during the coldest and most desolate season.

On an open-air ice rink, some people were skateboarding, some were riding ice sleds, some were speed skating, some were figure skating, some were playing ice hockey, and many others were just skating around in cotton shoes. Regardless of age or gender, they spent the most joyful time of winter on this bustling ice surface.

Shichahai, despite its name, is actually a relatively small body of water. It likely got its name from the ten ancient temples that once surrounded it. Shichahai's history predates even the Forbidden City. Some say Shichahai is a vibrant, down-to-earth area of ​​old Beijing. Many stories of winter in old Beijing are connected to Shichahai and ice skating. When Shichahai freezes over, Beijing experiences winter.

The ice rink at Shichahai is located in the city center. A short walk from there, you can climb Jingshan Park or visit the Forbidden City. The nearby Beihai, Zhonghai, and Nanhai lakes also freeze over in winter, but only Shichahai allows citizens to skate there for free, making it the most famous.

The Shichahai ice rink had its own set of rules. Skating was divided into zones, with those wearing proper skates going to the main rink. The main ice was also divided into two sections: one for running skates and the other for figure skating. Back then, the skates were clearly distinguished: figure skates were double-edged and short, while running skates were single-edged and long. "One focused on figure skating, the other on speed, and they looked down on each other. If they didn't get along, they would start fighting at the drop of a hat."

When Wang Zhan and his sister arrived at the ice rink, the ice had already been cleared and looked just like it used to be. Now, the ice was full of people.

Wang Zhan and his sister didn't have any ice skates either. Seeing a crowd gathered in front of the skate rental stall, Wang Zhan knew that there were no skates left to rent. He looked at his sister and pointed to an empty area next to the ice rink, saying, "Why don't we go ice skating? There are fewer people there."

Seeing the children laughing and gliding on ice sleds on the ice, Wang Li was eager to try it herself and said, "Okay, let's go ice skating, but you have to buy me a string of candied hawthorns first."

Following his sister's pointing finger, Wang Zhan saw a man holding a straw stick he had woven himself. The stick was made of straw with a wooden stick in the middle, and the straw was covered with candied hawthorns. A group of chattering children surrounded the man.

Wang Zhan pulled Wang Li along and headed towards the candied hawthorn vendor.

(End of this chapter)