Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 812 Visiting the Principal
After saying goodbye to Teacher Yang's family, several people rode tricycles straight to Liuhai Hutong. The address was told to them by Teacher Yang. In fact, Teacher Yang had his own selfish motives in telling them the address.

Principal Ren's home is in a courtyard near the inner side of Liuhai Hutong. It has its own door and courtyard, and it's just a small courtyard. Principal Ren and his wife live alone there all year round. Except for one of his children who is serving in the army, the rest of them have gone abroad. Except for correspondence, these children don't go home all year round. Teacher Yang thinks that the old couple must be very lonely. The Chinese New Year is coming soon, and the old couple should be very happy if this group of children come over.

Just as Teacher Yang expected, when they knocked on the door, a voice came from inside: "Who is it? Come right over!"

As soon as the door opened, it was Principal Ren who opened it. Principal Ren was stunned at first, then he said with a smile: "Why are you here? Haha, there haven't been any children here for a long time. Haha, children, come in quickly. Lao Liang, my students are here to see me." Then Principal Ren shouted towards the main hall again.

Wang Zhan could see that Principal Ren was very happy, so several people pushed the tricycle into the yard, because the gate of Principal Ren's house had no threshold, only a step.

At this time, the door curtain of the main hall was raised, and a kind old lady came out. She was wearing a pair of glasses. She looked at the children, and there was an even younger one following behind. She smiled and said, "It's cold, children, hurry up and come inside. It's warm inside."

Principal Ren and his wife led them into the main hall. The hall was very large and decorated in traditional styles. There was a world map on the wall, two paintings on both sides, and a table against the wall with a clock, two porcelain vases and a radio on it. In front of the table was a square table with two official hat chairs on both sides.

There is an open space in the middle, with four armchairs on both sides, two on each side, and a half-high table in the middle of the armchairs. This is a traditional reception room. As there are not many chairs, Principal Ren took the fourth and fifth children and the eldest brother to the east wing to get some square stools and a square table.

Except for the curious Xiao Si and his friends who each occupied an armchair, Wang Zhan and the others were all sitting around the square table. Principal Ren's wife took little Wang Li to talk, and then Principal Ren said, "Lao Liang, should we get some soda for the children? I remember I bought some."

"Yes, yes, yes. It's in the small warehouse. I'll get it." With that, the lady walked out. Big Boss stood up and followed her out. Principal Ren nodded slightly.

Principal Ren pointed to a pile of gifts nearby and asked, "Why, Xiao Wang Zhan, you're about to graduate, what's the gift for your teacher?"

Wang Zhan scratched his head and said, "It's a bit like that, but it's definitely not a thank-you gift. This is our last Spring Festival before graduation. We thought about it and realized that you and Teacher Yang have taken good care of us for the past six years. We have all had happy memories at school, and we also want to thank you and Teacher Yang."

Principal Ren laughed and said, "Okay, I'll take the gifts, but no one is allowed to leave at noon. Please accompany me and my wife to have a meal. I haven't seen so many people here for a long time. Is that okay?"

Wang Zhan nodded heavily and said, "Of course, even if you chase us away, we won't leave. We want to try Madam Ren's cooking."

"You've got good taste. Lao Liang's craftsmanship is truly amazing. Haha." Principal Ren laughed after he said this.

Fei Qing frowned, looked at Wang Zhan, and whispered to Xiao Si: "Why do I feel that this old man has bad intentions?"

Xiao Si nodded and said, "I totally agree."

At this time, Big Boss came in carrying a box of soda, followed by Mrs. Ren. Big Boss began to distribute soda to everyone, while Mrs. Ren went to the study on the west side and took out her and Principal Ren's tea cups.

After Mrs. Ren sat down, Principal Ren took her aside and introduced the children one by one. What surprised Wang Zhan was that Principal Ren knew each of their families, their personalities, and their strengths and weaknesses very well.

He also pointed out that Wang Zhan had been hiding his incompetence in the first few years, and that Fei Qing had also been hiding his incompetence in the last two years when he was learning from Wang Zhan. Wang Zhan didn't even notice this, but Principal Ren knew it.

Principal Ren also talked about He Yushui. If he hadn't missed a few years of primary school, He Yushui might have been ranked first or second. He Yushui's eyes turned red. Mrs. Ren went up to hug He Yushui and said, "My poor child, it would have been great if I had met you earlier. Come to my house often in the future. If you have any questions about your studies, come to me. I'm not that old man in primary school. I'm a university teacher." Principal Ren finally said, "I can see that you want to solve everything during this holiday. What? Are you ready to sprint with all your strength?"

Several people said in unison: "Ready!"

Principal Ren said, "Then charge ahead. Charge ahead as hard as you can. I will be your best backing and support."

The children chatted and drank tea with Principal Ren, telling each other's embarrassing stories, making jokes and making the old couple laugh continuously. Before they knew it, it was noon. Principal Ren said to Mrs. Ren, "Lao Liang, let's keep the children for lunch and leave it to you. Cook the chicken and fish at home. Oh, and also cook the eggplant and cucumber sent by the Agricultural Science Academy. They will wilt if they are left for a few more days."

Mrs. Ren smiled and agreed, then walked out. Fei Qing quickly pulled Wang Zhan and whispered, "Brother Zhan, go and help. I think the old principal's laughter is very abnormal. Go and keep an eye on him."

In fact, Wang Zhan also felt it, so he stood up and said, "Principal Ren, I'll go and help. I'm a pretty good cook."

Principal Ren looked at Wang Zhan with a wicked smile and waved his hand, signaling him to go.

Wang Zhan went to the kitchen. As soon as he entered, he saw Mrs. Ren washing the pot. Wang Zhan frowned, but quickly said, "Madam, I'll light the fire."

"Oh, yes, we should light the fire first, and then we can work together." Mrs. Ren said.

After a while, Mrs. Ren went to get the ingredients. Wang Zhan lit the fire, heated the pot, and washed it again. Looking at the ingredients Mrs. Ren brought, Mrs. Ren said, "Let's make a clear stewed chicken first, and then do the other things."

Wang Zhan's heart skipped a beat. If he cooked the clear-boiled chicken first, it would take up the only pot. By the time he finished cooking the other dishes, he would probably have to wait until after 3pm to eat. Wang Zhan smiled and said, "Mrs. Ren, you can cook the other dishes first, and leave the chicken to me. I can make dry fried chicken, a Yunnan specialty. Let me show you my skill."

Mrs. Ren was happy and said, "Okay, go cut the chicken and I'll make some scrambled eggs first."

Wang Zhan couldn't say any more, as saying more would be annoying, so he went to the chopping board to prepare the ingredients, but he was secretly observing Madam Ren. When Madam Ren put sugar into the eggs as salt and started to stir them, Wang Zhan's heart completely sank.

Principal Ren walked in with He Yushui. As soon as He Yushui entered the door, he shouted, "Brother Zhan, what can I do?"

"Go wash these vegetables and clean the fish. I'll cut the fish." Wang Zhan said.

At this time, Mrs. Ren's scrambled eggs were already on the plate. She even picked up a piece of it with chopsticks, handed it to Principal Ren, and asked, "Try it. How is it?"

Principal Ren ate it in big mouthfuls, praising its deliciousness, and then said, "I heard that Wang Zhan is a great cook, let him have this, and we can enjoy it for once. This dish of eggs is really delicious, I have to eat it all."

He Yushui kept laughing secretly, and Wang Zhan almost cried after hearing it.

(End of this chapter)