Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 167 Qiao Lingyi, who is he to you?

As soon as he came out, Chen Lanxiang handed him a few grain coupons and a few ounces of meat coupons. He Yuzhu obediently put them away and left the central courtyard under Chen Lanxiang's watchful gaze.

After being discharged from the hospital, He Yuzhu checked his watch, then jogged to the bus stop, found the bus route he needed to take, and started waiting.

These days, buses aren't that frequent. I waited quite a while before one finally came. Luckily, there weren't many people, so I just found a seat and sat down.

After a swaying ride for almost an hour, He Yuzhu finally reached his stop. As soon as the bus stopped, he rushed off. The bus was unbearably hot and stuffy.

The station was a few steps away from the school gate, but He Yuzhu breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see many students coming out.

It would be so awkward if he came over and then went back on his own.

He was spotted after loitering around the school gate a few times. The gatekeeper thought he was a street urchin trying to pick up girls at the school.

"Comrade, what are you doing here?"

"Comrade, we are waiting for someone."

"Waiting for someone? Who are you waiting for? What department and year are they from, and what's their name?"

"Chinese Literature Department, I don't know which year, her name is Qiao Lingyi."

"What do you do? Do you have a work ID? Show it to me."

"Comrade, I've been working lately, and I've handed in my work ID. Would this work?" He Yuzhu handed over his rank certificate, which seemed to be the only thing he had to prove his identity. His discharge certificate had long been kept by Chen Lanxiang as a souvenir.

"Greetings, Commander." The gatekeeper snapped to attention, saluted him, and then handed the rank certificate back to He Yuzhu with both hands.

"Take a break."

"Sir, why aren't you wearing a military uniform, or having a car and bodyguards?"

"This is not a question for you. You are a veteran, right? You should know the regulations."

"Yes, I served in the army in 52, went to the peninsula, and was discharged due to injury."

"You've been to the peninsula, which military unit?"

"Reporting to the commander, the 39th Army."

"Your army is fighting very fiercely."

"The commander knows that you have also been to the peninsula."

"Yes, the 27th Army."

"27th Army, Chosin Reservoir?"

"Correct."

"We arrived late; the major battles were already over."

"Coming back alive is more important than anything else." He Yuzhu patted him on the shoulder.

Before the security guard could say anything more, the school bell inside the "bell" rang, signaling the end of get out of class.

He Yuzhu said, "Go back to your post."

"Yes." The gatekeeper saluted and then jogged back to his post.

Back at the station, the guards who had been on duty with him questioned him for a long time, and kept glancing at He Yuzhu. Because He Yuzhu was so young, and a colonel, he must have made so many merits. They didn't suspect that He Yuzhu was some kind of second-generation military officer who had been given a gilded veneer. Who would go to the peninsula to get a gilded veneer? Once you're on the peninsula, you've fought your way up through blood and fire.

Students gradually came out of the school, and they all looked at the big guy at the gate with curiosity, especially the female students.

Although He Yuzhu wasn't wearing a military uniform, he stood ramrod straight, clearly indicating he wasn't an ordinary person.

There were too many students, and He Yuzhu looked for a long time but couldn't see Xiaoman. He walked a little further towards the school gate, afraid of missing her.

As he was searching, he heard a joyful shout: "Brother Zhu!"

Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw a tall girl, about 1.7 meters tall, with two braids, wearing a white floral shirt and blue pants, pushing a bicycle and running towards him from the crowd.

"It's Xiaoman!" He Yuzhu exclaimed with a smile.

Then he opened his arms to give her a hug, but then awkwardly withdrew them. He almost forgot that Xiaoman was already a grown woman. Besides, what era was this? If he actually hugged her, people would say he was being indecent and send him to the police station.

When Xiaoman saw his actions, she burst out laughing, and a bright smile appeared on her face, which had been somewhat awkward and shy.

He muttered to himself, "Brother Zhu is still so unconventional."

When Xiaoman ran up to him, she whispered, "Brother Zhu, what brings you here? When did you get back?"

"I've come to pick you up. You've been back for a few days."

Are you still leaving?

"I'm not leaving for now."

"Oh."

"Let's go home, I'll take you."

"it is good."

He Yuzhu had just taken the bicycle and climbed on, and Xiaoman hadn't even gotten on the back seat yet, when suddenly the two of them were surrounded by a group of students.

There were both boys and girls present. A male student wearing green military trousers and a white shirt pointed at He Yuzhu and shouted, "Qiao Lingyi, who is he? Do you want him to take you away on his bike?"

"Tan Yong, is this any of your business?"

"How can I not care? You're my classmate. What if something happens to you if you just leave with someone you don't know?"

"What do you mean 'unclear'? This is my brother. What business is it of yours if I go home with my brother?"

"Oh, it's you, big brother. Hello, my name is Tan Yong, Qiao Lingyi's classmate. Please take care of me in the future."

The kid parked his bicycle and walked over to shake hands with He Yuzhu, but He Yuzhu didn't even look at him and instead looked at Xiaoman.

The young man was completely embarrassed on the spot, unsure whether to retract his hand or leave it out, his face turning ashen.

"Zhu, Brother Zhu, we're classmates. He, he's always bothering me. We're in the same class, and I can't avoid him." Xiaoman blushed.

"Did you hear that? My sister doesn't want to talk to you. Stay away from her from now on, understand?"

"Why should I? Aren't you her biological brother?"

"Does it have anything to do with you?"

"Qiao Lingyi, you're a college student now. Look at him, he's probably a factory worker somewhere, or a retired soldier. He's obviously uneducated. Let me tell you, you two aren't a good match."

Qiao Lingyi was taken aback. "Workers? Soldiers?"

She tried hard to suppress her laughter and looked at He Yuzhu, wanting to see what he planned to do.

"Oh, so you're a good match for me?"

"Yes, my family is a cadre family, and I'm a college student."

"Hehe! From the military compound?" He Yuzhu looked at the students and saw that several of them were wearing military trousers.

"Yes!"

"I'll say it again, stay away from my sister from now on, or you won't believe the consequences!"

"Let's go, Xiaoman!" He Yuzhu said to Xiaoman as he got back on the bike.

He's just a silly kid; there's no need to argue with him.

"Okay!" Xiaoman was about to get on the bus.

"No, Qiao Lingyi, you can't get in his car."

Unexpectedly, the kid grabbed the back seat of the car, and Xiaoman couldn't get in.

"Tan Yong, let go of me! I want to go home!" Xiao Man shouted angrily.

"Make him come down, and I'll let him go."

"Why?"

"Qiao Lingyi, isn't this your brother? Who is he?"

"He's my boyfriend," Xiaoman blurted out in her haste.

Tan Yong was stunned when he heard this, and He Yuzhu was also slightly taken aback. Then, the corners of his mouth curled up. Was this girl really that bold?

"What? You? How could you fall for him? What do you see in him? He's just tall and strong, what else does he have?"

Just then, a voice came from behind the crowd: "Commander, do you need us to help you disperse these people?"

Then the security guards at the gate ran over, not just one, but all of them.

“What leader? There’s no leader here. Don’t shout like that,” Tan Yong said.

"Sir, do you need our help?" The guards ignored him and gave He Yuzhu a military salute as they came over.

"Please don't hurt anyone."

"Yes."

“Young man, please let go of the leader’s bicycle. The leader wants to go home.”

"What kind of leader is he? How old is he? You've all been fooled by him, haven't you?"

"Please let go of the commander's bicycle immediately, or I will send you to the school security office."

"Why do you think so?"

"Is your slander enough?"

"I do not believe."

"Sir, what do you think?" The gatekeeper who was the first to greet He Yuzhu walked up to He Yuzhu and whispered.

"Show him this, and tell him to get lost." He Yuzhu didn't expect this kid to be so shameless, so he simply took out his ID and handed it to the security guard.

The security guard carefully took the document with both hands, then walked over to Tan Yong and opened the document, practically slapping it in his face.

"Look carefully, student. What does it say on there?"

"Colonel He Yuzhu, something's not right. There's no serial number. This must be fake." Tan Yong let go of his bicycle and tried to snatch the certificate.

Tan Yong's hands were already touching the certificate, both of them, and it looked like he was going to tear it up.

Then the gatekeeper watched as Tan Yong flew out, the certificate still in his hand. It turned out that He Yuzhu had lost his bicycle and kicked Tan Yong away. The action was so fast that no one had time to react.

"He snatched my ID and tried to tear it up. Is it okay for me to kick him?" He Yuzhu took his ID from the gatekeeper and said to him.

"It's alright, it's alright. If this happened in the army, he would probably be crippled."

"Okay, then I'm leaving."

"Take care, sir!"

"Xiaoman, get in the car."

"Ah, oh, okay!" Xiaoman was also stunned on the spot. What just happened was too sudden. It took her a while to react when He Yuzhu called her.

"You, you can't leave! Are you just going to watch me get beaten up?" Tan Yong struggled for a long time but couldn't get up. He Yuzhu's kick wasn't heavy, but it wasn't light either. This was at the university gate, and too many people were watching. If it were anywhere else, he would have crippled this guy with one kick.

He could kill this guy on the battlefield. No, he doesn't need to; plenty of people will do it for him.

"Tan Yong, what you just did was wrong," a female student said.

“Exactly, how dare you tear up someone’s ID?” another female student said.

He Yuzhu left with Xiaoman, while Tan Yong continued his incompetent rant, yelling that he would teach He Yuzhu a lesson. Who was he relying on? Of course, it was his parents.

He Yuzhu also noted this down. He would first ask Wang Cuiping that night, and if that didn't work, he would ask Lao Zhao. If that still didn't work, he would have to go to Team Leader Fang, who was unwilling to go there.

"Brother Zhu, are you really okay after hitting him?"

"It's okay. If he keeps bothering you, just deal with him. I'll cover for you if anything happens."

"Really?"

"Don't tell me you can't handle it. You've been secretly practicing martial arts with my mother and Aunt Ping. Don't think I don't know."

"Hehe, she's a girl, it's not good to hit people."

"It's up to you."

"Aren't you angry?"

Why would I be angry?

"I...that's not what I meant."

"What is that?" He Yuzhu didn't react for a moment.

"Ugh, it's...it's that..."

"Which one?" This time He Yuzhu realized what was going on, but continued to play dumb.

"I'm not talking to you anymore, hmph!"

"You just want to be my boyfriend, don't you?"

"You, you, so you understood! You're so mean!" Xiaoman kept pounding He Yuzhu's broad back with her fists.

"Do you want to kill me?" Xiaoman's punch had some force, but it was nothing to He Yuzhu.

"Did I hit you too hard? Let me rub it for you." Xiaoman was a little flustered.

"Alright, I was just kidding."

"Oh, you're teasing me!" Xiaoman used the ultimate trick every woman knows: pinching the soft flesh on He Yuzhu's waist.

"Ouch!" This time, He Yuzhu really felt the pain. "Hmph, serves you right for being naughty." Xiaoman said this, but she had already let go of his hand and even rubbed it for He Yuzhu.

"Who taught you that?"

"I learned it from the old lady."

He Yuzhu was stunned; it seemed his father had fallen victim to this quite a bit.

Is economics easy to learn?

"It was alright, not too difficult. After listening to your report, I wanted to write down your experience because I wanted to study Chinese. Uncle Zhao came to me and told me that economics could help me in the future. After graduating from high school, I applied to the Department of Political Economy at Beijing University. I didn't expect to get in."

"I had no idea you were such a good student."

"Who told you to always be out and about? Besides, I'm not as good at studying as you are; you're already doing your postgraduate studies abroad."

"That's different."

"Anyway, you're better than me."

Do you want to eat out?

"Eating out?"

"Your mother wants me to take you out to eat."

"No, I want you to cook for me. You cook the best."

"Okay, let's go home then."

"it is good."

They chatted and laughed all the way back to Nanluoguxiang. When they were almost at the courtyard, Xiaoman insisted on getting out of the car. He Yuzhu knew that the girl was shy.

On the street, you meet strangers, but it's a different story when you get to your own doorstep.

As they entered the courtyard, they still received many strange looks. The older people all had an "I knew it" expression, but the younger people didn't think so.

For example, Liu Guangqi and Yan Jiecheng, the goddess in their hearts belongs to someone else. Originally, they thought they had a chance after He Yuzhu left for many years.

Xiaoman was focused on her studies, and when she played, it was only with He Yushui and the others.

When he went out to play, he would only go with female classmates. If there were male classmates, he would pull Xu Damao along, leaving no opportunity for others to take advantage of him.

Then she got into university. She was a talented girl from the compound. Matchmakers came many times, but in the end, she was probably scolded, and the matchmakers never came again.

Now that they saw He Yuzhu and Xiaoman come back together, they realized that they had been waiting for someone all along, and that person was He Yuzhu.

This is also why they didn't know the story of Tianjin; if they had known, they would have given up long ago.

Back home, Chen Lanxiang looked at He Yuzhu and said strangely, "Why are you back so late? I thought you ate out."

"Something came up and I was delayed."

"Is everything okay?"

"fine."

"Perfect timing, your father is hosting a dinner party today, you can cook dinner."

"it is good."

After sending He Yuzhu to the kitchen, Chen Lanxiang pulled Xiaoman into the inner room, and then the old lady and Chen Lanxiang began to ask Xiaoman about He Yuzhu's performance.

Xiaoman blushed when asked the question. He Yushui and the other children had been playing in her second room, but they had returned sometime earlier, probably because they smelled the aroma of the food.

Seeing that the food wasn't ready yet, she prepared to go to the inner room, but stopped at the door.

As she listened, He Yushui shouted, "Mom, am I supposed to call Xiaoman 'sister-in-law' from now on?"

"You little brat, you scared me! Come in here."

"Brother, are you going to marry Sister Xiaoman?" He Yushui couldn't possibly go inside; she ran straight to the kitchen, shouting as she ran.

Chen Lanxiang didn't chase after them, but Xiaoman blushed and followed.

"He Yushui, you, you stop right there."

"Hehehe, sister-in-law, sister-in-law." He Yushui ran straight into the yard.

"Stop right there, and I'll show you what I'm made of."

"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law"

"sister in law."

"sister in law."

"sister in law."

A group of furry kids joined in the commotion, and the aroma of the food in the kitchen couldn't compare to the lively atmosphere.

"Go back to your quarters, I'll deal with you later," Xiaoman shouted at the group of kids.

She still had some authority over the years, and the animals all ran back to the He family's house, then lay at the door watching the commotion.

"Sister Yushui, run! Sister Man is catching up!" Wang Siyu shouted.

"Go, Sister Man! Go, Sister Man!"

"Second Sister is going to get caught!"

He Yuzhu also looked out the kitchen window, smiled, and continued cooking.

After running around the central courtyard for a few laps, He Yushui was about to be caught. Seeing that the circle was getting smaller and smaller, she took off running towards the backyard.

He Yushui ran to Xu Damao's door and shouted, "Brother Damao, help!"

Xu Damao was probably still cooking when he rushed out with a rice paddle in hand.

"Rain, what's wrong? Who bullied you? Look, it's me, Xiaoman!"

He stopped halfway through his sentence because it was Xiaoman who had chased after him. What business was it of his to interfere with the two sisters' bickering?

She turned around and prepared to go back to continue cooking.

"I have some big news, do you want to hear it?" He Yushui shouted again as Xu Damao was about to enter the house.

"What news?" Xu Damao stopped and turned around.

"My brother is going to marry Sister Xiaoman."

"Is that all? I thought it was some big news. I'm going back to cook."

"Ah! So you knew all along, Brother Da Mao. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you? If I tell you, the whole city will know!" Xu Damao said speechlessly, then hummed a little tune and went back to the kitchen.

At this moment, He Yushui had already been caught red-handed by Xiaoman, who grabbed her by the ear and led her towards the central courtyard.

"Sister Xiaoman, be gentle, be gentle."

What did you just shout?

"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law?"

"The pressure on my ear tightened a bit more."

"Waaaaah, brother, my sister-in-law is bullying me, waaaaah!" He Yushui pretended to cry as she walked to the kitchen window.

He Yuzhu peeked out and immediately freed He Yushui.

Xiaoman blushed, lowered her head, and softly called out, "Brother Zhuzi."

He kept rubbing the hem of his clothes with both hands, completely forgetting that the culprit had already fled.

"Dinner will be ready soon!" He Yuzhu said.

"Okay, I'm coming right now." Xiaoman covered her face and ran out of He Yuzhu's sight, then started looking for He Yushui, as she hadn't finished settling the score from earlier.

He Yushui escaped Xiaoman, but not her mother's clutches. Right now, Chen Lanxiang is grabbing her by the ear and poking her forehead.

"You brat, what are you yelling about? Don't you know your little sister Xiaoman is easily embarrassed?"

"Mother, I didn't call you the wrong name, why didn't you tell me?"

"What am I telling you, so you can gossip all over the world? Your brother wasn't here before, were you hoping people would start gossiping again?"

"I won't."

"No, no, you weren't shouting all over the yard just now?"

"They were just being chased too hard. Besides, my brother's back now. By the way, Mom, when are they getting married?"

"What do you know, you little brat? Marriage isn't something you can just talk about."

"Mom, please stop poking her. If you make her stupid, your daughter won't be able to get into university."

"With your grades, you think you can even get into university? I doubt you'll even be able to get into high school."

Because He Yuzhu changed many things, He Yushui didn't struggle to break free of the cage like in the original story. Staying at home was so much better; she had no worries about food and clothing, had people to play with, and someone to stand up for her if she was bullied.

Therefore, his academic performance was just average.

"Mother, you underestimate me."

"Then you'd better get into a good high school and show me."

"Fine, I'll take the exam, Mom, can you please let me go? My head hurts."

"Go, go, go and help your sister Xiaoman set the table." Chen Lanxiang released He Yushui and pointed to the main room.

Xiaoman came over and saw He Yushui being disciplined. She turned around and went back to the main room, but Chen Lanxiang still saw her.

Normally, Xiaoman would have pleaded for her younger sister long ago, but today she's probably too embarrassed to do anything about it.

"Oh," He Yushui mumbled in response, then slowly made her way towards the main room, where someone else was waiting to settle scores with her.

"He Yushui, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up!"

"well."

He Yushui quickened her pace, went out of the inner room, and saw Xiaoman setting up the table and chairs. She quickly bypassed Xiaoman and ran into the kitchen.

Then he peeked out and met Xiaoman's reproachful gaze.

Xiaoman silently said, "You can't escape. I'll deal with you tonight."

He Yushui shrank back and hid in the kitchen.

Although she didn't hear it, she understood. They had lived together for so many years, growing up together, and knew each other too well.

Dinner wasn't very lavish; He Yuzhu cooked the leftover fish from yesterday because they hadn't bought any meat.

The vegetarian dishes on the table were all beautifully presented and delicious, and the young and old alike ate with great relish. Xiaoman said as she ate, "It's much better than the food in our cafeteria."

“Of course, my brother’s skills are probably among the best in Beijing.” He Yushui said subconsciously.

"You talk too much. How many restaurants have you eaten at before you dare to say that?" He Yuzhu said with a laugh.

“Dad said he can rank high enough, and your skills have already surpassed his. How could you not rank high enough? By the way, brother, why don’t you go and get a chef’s certification?”

"Why bother taking that exam? I'm not going to be a chef."

“It’s impressive to talk about this. Our dad has a level three chef’s certificate. You should at least get a level four, five, or six one.”

"What nonsense are you talking about? If you don't understand, don't talk. The chef's level is the opposite of the worker's level. If you're going to take an exam, take the level two or level one exam," Chen Lanxiang said.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Usually, the higher the number, the higher the level. Why is it the other way around for chefs?"

"How would I know? That's how the people who set the rules did it. Besides, your dad was just drunk and bragging. Don't go around talking nonsense."

"understood."

After dinner, He Yushui helped Xiaoman tidy up, which was somewhat ingratiating. As a result, after she finished tidying up, Xiaoman pushed and pulled her into her side room.

Then, the side room was filled with howling and wailing. Xiaoman didn't hit her, but she tickled every inch of her body.

The little ones didn't dare go in, so they peeked through the crack in the door to watch the fun, one on top of the other, a row of little heads from top to bottom.

He Yuzhu was pulled aside by the old lady and Chen Lanxiang to ask about the afternoon's events. He Yuzhu said, "Grandma, Mother, give us some time. We need to talk about dating, right?"

He wasn't trying to buy himself time. Although in this day and age, a successful blind date usually means getting married, their relationship as childhood sweethearts didn't really qualify as a blind date.

But Xiaoman hasn't experienced anything yet, and she got her marriage certificate in a daze, so she must have some regrets.

"Then hurry up, I'm eager to hold my great-grandson."

"That's right, Mom is also waiting to hold her grandson."

"well."

That evening, when Wang Cuiping returned, Xiaoman didn't say anything, but Wang Siyu told her the truth.

Wang Cuiping held Xiaoman's hand and said, "My eldest daughter has finally made it! That blockhead Zhuzi has finally seen the light."

"Aunt Ping."

"Hahaha, it won't be that easy for you to marry my Xiaoman. Let's see how this kid performs. I told you, you'd better not go easy on him."

"Um"

The sound of Xiaoman is as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

　Thank you to the readers Sangeng and others for the generous donations. Thank you for your support!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)