Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1237 Moving
It was early spring, and the Tie family couldn't wait to help Tie Laoda (Tie Yuan's eldest son) prepare his new house. Wang Zhan had already promised them that, as long as the policy allowed, the house would be transferred to Tie Yuan. Therefore, the Tie family paid even more attention to the arrangement of the house, since it was Tie Yuan's new home.

Wang Zhan asked Master Tie if he needed any help, but Master Tie refused outright, saying that Wang Zhan had already helped enough and that this was a matter for the Tie family, so they didn't need anyone else's help. Wang Zhan knew that with Master Tie's reputation, he was a force to be reckoned with in Nanluoguxiang, so he stopped paying attention to the matter at No. 95 Courtyard.

On the other hand, he felt guilty towards Grandpa Qi. His words that day might have hurt Grandpa Qi, who was a man who had come from a bloody and turbulent past. He always kept his sad stories deep in his heart. But Wang Zhan knew that he had inadvertently revealed the most painful part of Grandpa Qi's past. He had been wanting to find an opportunity to apologize, but he couldn't bring himself to do it and couldn't find the right opportunity.

The spring breeze of April has blown into every corner of Beijing, but the streets are less noisy than in previous years. This situation is not quite what everyone is used to. In the past, you could always see groups of men chatting and whispering in the alleys, and the young wives and aunties laughing and talking. They are all gone. Wang Zhan saw this too, but he didn't care. He was feeling depressed about his current situation.

It was another weekend. As usual, Wang Zhan got up early to exercise, wash up, and make breakfast. Before seven o'clock, he went to knock on his sister's door. An angry voice came from inside, "Brother, it's the weekend and there's no school today. Can't you let me sleep a little longer?"

Wang Zhan stood awkwardly at the door of his sister's west bedroom. He had completely forgotten about resting. Looking at his sister's tightly closed door, he ultimately said nothing, turned around and went to the dining room. He sat there alone, served himself a bowl of cornmeal porridge, ate two steamed buns with pickled vegetables, cleaned up the dishes, glanced at the breakfast his sister had left in the steamer, and then went to his study.

In early spring, the weather was still a bit chilly, but Wang Zhan still opened all the windows. He wanted to let the room air out and let the sunlight in this room that was always surrounded by sandalwood incense. He brewed himself a pot of tea, sat alone in the chair at his desk, and began to daydream.

He didn't know how much time had passed when a hand waved in front of Wang Zhan's eyes. Only then did Wang Zhan come to his senses and look closely. It turned out to be his younger sister looking at him with a curious gaze.

"Brother, are you in a meditative state, starting to gain enlightenment?" Wang Li's playful voice rang out beside him.

Wang Zhan composed himself and said, "What are you talking about? I was just lost in thought. By the way, the kitchen left you some food, have you eaten?"

“I’ve already fed Jinbao. This guy ran out again after eating. I’ll seal up the dog hole in the backyard for him sooner or later,” Wang Li said, plopping down in a day chair and swinging her legs.

“Jinbao is old enough, don’t worry about him, it’s his instinct. Did he do his homework today?” Wang Zhan picked up the cigarettes and lighter on his desk and lit one for himself.

Wang Li was very curious and asked, "What instinct does it have, and how old is it?"

Wang Zhan was stunned. He forgot that Wang Li was already at an age where she was full of curiosity about everything. He didn't know how to answer his sister's question. Should he just tell her that Jinbao was in heat and needed to find a partner? That's not something an older brother would say to his younger sister. Wang Zhan didn't know how to respond and just stood there dumbfounded.

Just as Wang Zhan was wondering what to do, there was a knock on his door. Wang Zhan rushed to the front gate in a panic, leaving his puzzled younger sister sitting there watching her brother's back from afar.

As soon as the door opened, Tie Yuan stared blankly at it and asked, "What's wrong with you? You didn't even ask before opening the door?" Wang Zhan smiled awkwardly and said, "Didn't we agree to move today? Who else could be coming to see me besides you?"

"I've finished moving everything. I need you to go over to the yard and help me pick up the leftovers. Hurry up, you seem a bit confused," Tie Yuan said to Wang Zhan with a frown, then turned and left.

Wang Zhan also breathed a sigh of relief. It was his own fault. He hadn't expected his sister to be such a little girl, saying all sorts of things, which left him feeling helpless and flustered.

Afraid that his sister might ask him more questions, Wang Zhan turned around and left the courtyard without saying goodbye. He went straight to courtyard number 95 to help Tie Yuan decorate his new house.

When Wang Zhan arrived at the gate of No. 95 Courtyard, he was quite surprised. In the past, apart from the three old men and their wives who were stationed there all year round, there were also some old ladies and aunties in the courtyard. But today, none of them were there. It was as if the city was deserted and the place was cold and quiet.

Wang Zhan bypassed the screen wall and immediately heard the chattering in the front yard. He couldn't make out the details, but he knew there were quite a few people. Wang Zhan strolled into the front yard, and as soon as he entered, good heavens, a bunch of people were gathered at the entrance of the east wing. Tie Yuan was alone, blocking the way of the things Wang Zhan had brought, talking to the aunties and grandmas.

Wang Zhan walked over, but he didn't dare to rush into the circle. He listened outside to find out what was going on. After listening for a while, he understood that the furniture Tie Yuan had brought was all secondhand. Although most of the Tie family members were working and had a stable income, in this day and age, buying a piece of furniture was not an ordinary matter. Therefore, the Tie family decided to move all the furniture they didn't need to their eldest son's place first, and then add a few more main pieces of furniture. That would be their preparation for the wedding. Tie Yuan was very grateful for his family's decision and valued his old furniture very much.

However, when the people in courtyard number 95 saw these pieces of furniture, their eyes lit up. They thought these were old pieces of furniture that Tie Yuan's family had given him as a way to get rid of him. They figured that Tie Yuan was newly married and wouldn't want such old furniture, so they discussed it among themselves and decided to give Tie Yuan a few cents to get rid of him and divide the pile of old furniture equally.

Sure enough, the three aunts led the way to Tie Laoda. Tie Laoda was a very honest and kind person who saw everyone as a good person. He had no suspicion of the three aunts and they found out about him in just a few words. After hearing what the three aunts said, everyone knew that Tie Laoda had separated from the family. They thought that Tie Laoda had been kicked out of the Tie family and had started his own household. So someone stepped forward and went to Tie Yuan with a smile.

"Oh, so you're buying furniture for your wedding? Are you thinking of getting rid of these old ones? I'm telling you, Tieyuan, new people, new things, new furniture, you should buy new things. You don't need these old ones, do you want Auntie San to help you throw them away?" Auntie San's words instantly made the eyes of the several aunties behind her light up.

To be honest, no one in the courtyard knew anything about Tieyuan. This kid had always been straightforward, saying whatever came to mind without considering the consequences. Hearing what the third aunt said, he sneered and stared at her directly, saying, "Third aunt, what are you dreaming about? The furniture is still in good condition and usable. Our teacher taught us about hard work and frugality, but you've forgotten all about it. New furniture and new things? This is extravagance and waste."

Upon hearing Tie Yuan's words, the middle-aged women were all stunned, especially the third woman, who instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

(End of this chapter)