Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 332 The He Family's New Residence
A few days later, after filming at Liushahe, the crew moved to Suzhou to film the scene of "The Four Sages Testing the Mind of Zen".

Thankfully, the vehicles sponsored by the Yellow River were sturdy; otherwise, the mountain roads in Guizhou would have been impassable.

He Yuxin also asked Li Chengru, "Chengru, is there enough cars?"

“Mr. He, we can barely manage with people and equipment squeezed together. There are many roads that trucks can’t pass through. If we had jeeps, our equipment would basically be pulled and carried by people.”

"Okay, I see."

Li Chengru and He Yuxin took turns driving along the way, and Director Yang also got into their car, since it was the best-equipped one with air conditioning and sofa seats, much better than the two basic models sponsored by the company.

This really benefited Cherie Chung and Rosamund Kwan, who asked each other all sorts of questions along the way, and Director Yang answered them all.

Upon arriving in Suzhou, after finding a place to stay, they first visited the filming location. The exquisite elegance of the Suzhou gardens captivated Cherie Chung and Rosamund Kwan, as they had never seen such a poetic and picturesque real-life setting before.

“Brother He, just based on these sights alone, our trip to the mainland was definitely worthwhile,” said Cherie Chung.

“Yes, are these all houses belonging to wealthy families from the past? They’re much bigger than villas,” Rosamund Kwan remarked.

"Wealthy households? You could call them that. These are the residences of big merchants and officials," He Yuxin said with a smile.

“What a big businessman he must be to live in the same mansion as an official,” said Cherie Chung.

"I'm not sure about that either, but the business is definitely not small," He Yuxin said.

The filming process was slower than expected.

For a simple shot of them smiling while holding a flower, Director Yang asked them to not only portray the otherworldly elegance of fairies, but also to convey a touch of playful curiosity about mortal desires.

The two of them had to retake the scene more than ten times just to get the eye contact right.

"Cut!" Director Yang called for a stop again, walked up to the two of them and gestured, "Zhenzhen, your eyes need to be more ethereal, imagine yourself as a fairy in the clouds. Ai'ai, you need to be more charming and innocent like a girl in the human world, don't be so aloof."

Chung Chor-hung and Rosamund Kwan exchanged a wry smile. When filming at TVB, directors would at most ask for a general outline, but would never scrutinize such details.

"Hey, He Qing, come over here and teach them some more."

"Okay, Director!"

In fact, the girls had already become friends in the past few days. He Qing is a student of Kunqu Opera and is quite skilled in singing, reciting, acting and fighting.

She even sang a short song on the spot to teach the two girls, and they wanted to learn it after watching it; it was so charming.

The problem is that this is not something that can be learned overnight. After teaching for a long time, the two girls only managed to grasp a few similarities.

However, it was enough for filming. Director Yang took two or three more takes, and the scene was finally done.

After finally finishing filming this episode, another problem arose during the dubbing stage.

The two actors spoke Mandarin with a distinct Cantonese accent, which didn't match their character's temperament.

Director Yang brought in two actors with dubbing skills to dub their voices.

When they heard their characters being voiced by heavenly voices, even more so than their own performances in certain emotional moments, the two women sat outside the recording studio, speechless for a long time.

“It turns out our performance still has so many shortcomings,” Cherie Chung murmured.

Rosamund Kwan was also deeply moved: "They can express feelings that we can't express just with their voices."

At that moment, they truly realized that they were not even beginners in the performing arts.

After filming the scenes in Suzhou, the crew had to return to Beijing for a rest. The two women were quite reluctant to part with He Qing, their new friend, as they didn't know when they would see each other again.

The girls exchanged contact information and said their goodbyes. He Yuxin then drove the two girls north with the film crew's convoy.

Upon entering Beijing, the two women initially thought that this was just how the capital was. Although they didn't say it aloud, He Yuxin could clearly see it in their eyes and expressions.

Therefore, he deliberately had Li Chengru drive along Chang'an Avenue. The grand square, the towering monument, and the magnificent Tiananmen Square left the two girls from Hong Kong speechless.

The two women looked a little ashamed; how could they not know that He Yuxin had sent Li Chengru specifically for this purpose?

"Gentlemen, how is it?"

Chung Chor-hung rolled down the car window, gazed at the Forbidden City in the distance, and couldn't help but exclaim, "How did the ancients build such a magnificent structure?"

Rosamund Kwan also leaned against the car window, not daring to blink: "Even the tallest building in Hong Kong can't compare to the grandeur of these ancient buildings."

Li Chengru suppressed a laugh, while He Yuxin chuckled and said, "Hong Kong's buildings? You're comparing those to this. This is the Imperial City, where the emperor lived."

"Ah?" the two women exclaimed in surprise.

"This is just what you can see from the outside. It's even bigger inside. Once we're settled, we'll go in and take a look," He Yuxin said.

"Okay, okay!" the two women said in unison.

"Chengru, find a better place to stay."

"With your status, you should at least stay at the Beijing Hotel."

"Then let's go to the Beijing Hotel."

When they arrived, they found the hotel was fully booked. The staff even enthusiastically recommended the Jianguo Hotel to them. This was the first time He Yuxin had ever seen a hotel recommend its guests to a competitor.

However, he had a new idea in mind, which he would discuss with his older brother later.

After checking into the Jianguo Hotel, Li Chengru went home and drove back. He Yuxin let him have his way, letting him go back and show off.

However, when they told him that he would pick them up for dinner later, Li Chengru readily agreed.

After checking in, the group washed up and rested for a while. Then the front desk called to say that Li Chengru had returned.

When I went downstairs, I saw that the kid had also changed his clothes and even cut his hair.

"Mr. He, where shall we eat?"

"You old Beijinger actually asked me? Shouldn't you recommend someone? By the way, you know where Director Yang lives, right? Pick her up too!"

"We know each other, shall we go pick them up first?"

"Let's go!"

"okay!"

Director Yang didn't want to go with the young people, but Li Chengru and the two girls dragged him into the car.

Before boarding the train, Li Chengru quietly asked He Yuxin if she had a ticket. He Yuxin measured her ID card, and Li Chengru slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten about that.

They then drove directly to Quanjude, where the five of them ordered two roast ducks and a bottle of Moutai. Director Yang was about to say something, but He Yuxin had put in so much money and effort on this trip, so he felt a little embarrassed. However, the two girls immediately said, "Director Yang, this meal is on us."

Director Yang looked at He Yuxin, who smiled and said, "Director Yang, have you forgotten their salaries in Hong Kong?"

"Yeah, you guys earn in a year what we do in ten years. We're taking advantage of you today," Director Yang laughed. He had offered to pay them quite a lot during filming, but the two of them refused, not because they looked down on them, but because they felt the crew had it tough.

“I’ll ask for more if that’s not enough,” Cherie Chung said generously.

The meal was filled with laughter and chatter. Li Chengru was engrossed in eating, but in the end, he insisted on ordering another roast duck and several stir-fries.

"You're not being polite at all, kid!" Director Yang said, pointing at Li Chengru with a laugh and a scolding tone.

"Why be polite when you're eating at someone's house?" Li Chengru laughed, having already become quite familiar with them over time.

“Yes, let’s eat well.” Chung Chu-hung said. Not counting He Yu-xin, even among the group, she was the only one with money. Rosamund Kwan still had debts, not to mention Director Yang and Li Cheng-ru.

When paying the bill, they used foreign exchange certificates, which this restaurant loves to accept.

After dinner, Li Chengru first took He Yuxin and the others back to their hotel, and then took Director Yang home. On the way, the two women made an appointment with Director Yang to take them to the National Theatre of China to meet the Queen of Women.

Director Yang naturally agreed, but she had things to do when she got back and would have to wait a few days.

Over the next few days, Li Chengru acted as both driver and tour guide, visiting all the open places like the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. He Yuxin even went through dozens of rolls of film.

After they had had their fun, Director Yang also had some free time to take the two girls to see places like the National Theatre and the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

He Yuxin made an excuse that she had something to do and did not go, and gave the car to Li Chengru to drive, continuing to be his full-time driver.

No one asked what He Yuxin was going to do. He was a businessman, and he had already wasted so much time on this trip; it was time to get some serious business done.

He Yuxin wasn't handling official business; he made a direct phone call to Wang Hongxia.

"Aunt Xia, it's me, Yuxin!"

"Yuxin, where are you?"

"I've arrived in Beijing."

"Then why didn't you go straight home?"

"I just finished my business, that's why I'm calling you."

"Come home tonight, I'll cook you a nice meal."

"Okay, by the way, Aunt Xia, is my house finished being renovated?"

"Okay, I'll take you to see it tomorrow."

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuxin went out and left a note for the two women at the front desk saying that she wouldn't be back for dinner that night.

Then he found a taxi and asked the driver to take him around, mainly to introduce the hotels in Beijing and the newly built restaurants.

The driver was overjoyed; this round trip would bring in quite a bit of money.

The drivers in Beijing are all very talkative. They not only introduce the restaurants but also tell you when they were built and what the places used to be. These rumors are usually about 50-60% true. He Yuxin thought to himself, "This is an unexpected bonus."

Before dinner, He Yuxin bought some things, then took a tricycle to Wang Hongxia's house.

"Yuxin is here?"

"You're here, Aunt Xia."

"You came all this way, why did you bring so much stuff?"

“There’s no reason to come empty-handed,” He Yuxin said with a smile.

"Sheng Li, when will your second brother and the others arrive?"

"We should be there soon," Zhao Shenglin replied from the kitchen.

"I'll go help in the kitchen!" He Yuxin put down her things and headed to the kitchen.

"Go away, what are you guys doing? You're all like this, don't be so polite. Why do you think our food is bad?"

"No, no!" He Yuxin hurriedly waved her hand. "Sit still, let's have a chat, mother and daughter."

"it is good."

"How's your life at home?"

“The old lady’s energy and spirit are not as good as before. My father and mother are both very good, as are my brother and sister,” He Yuxin began to say.

“Hey, now that your house is all set up, why don’t you let the old lady come back for a visit and fulfill her wish?” Wang Hongxia said.

"That's what I meant, which is why I asked you about the house during the day."

"It's all installed, but your brother really knows how to spend money; he wants the best of everything."

"Now that it's all furnished for our own home, it should definitely be nice and comfortable to live in, right?"

"That's true. What brings you here? You didn't come all this way just to look at houses, did you?"

"No, I came with someone."

"Who are you with? Where are you?"

“Them,” He Yuxin said briefly.

"Are you a young lady? Do you have a boyfriend?" Wang Hongxia asked with a smile.

"They haven't agreed yet!" He Yuxin said with a smile.

"This should be enough now, right? If not, bring him over and I'll put in a good word for him. He used to work at the neighborhood committee."

"Mom, are you bringing up old stories again?" At that moment, Zhao Shenglin walked in carrying a plate of cold dishes.

"What, can't I even speak up? You guys don't want to listen, but someone else does, right, Yuxin?"

"Yes, yes!" He Yuxin said with a smile.

"Yuxin, how long are you staying this time?"

"I can stay for a while. I still need to go to eastern Hebei. Why don't you come with me?"

"Where are you going? Your Uncle Zhao will start nagging again."

"Who cares? I'll take you there. He doesn't need to make any arrangements," He Yuxin said.

“There’s nothing fun about that place,” Zhao Shenglin said.

“I’ll take you around to Shanhaiguan and Beidaihe,” He Yuxin said.

"Really? It won't interfere with your work?"

"No delay."

"You brought people with you, is there enough room in the car?" Wang Hongxia asked.

"Bring people? Who did you bring? Where are they? Why didn't they come?"

Wang Hongxia briefly mentioned it to Zhao Shenglin, who replied, "Then we're not going. We'd be like third wheels."

"Sister Shengli, you're not a girl. Besides, one car is definitely not enough. We need to borrow another one."

"You're unfamiliar with Beijing, where are you going to borrow from?"

"Where can't I borrow a car? Even from a car factory, do you think my brother Zhenhua wouldn't lend me a single one?"

"Who's been nagging me? They come right up to borrow my car." As the group was talking, Zhao Zhenhua led his wife and children through the door.

"Brother Zhenhua!" He Yuxin stood up and greeted him.

"Oh, it's our big boss, Mr. He! I'll definitely borrow this car; it's a brand new one, how about it?"

"The new car rolled off the production line so quickly?"

"We do have some foundation, after all," Zhao Zhenhua said proudly.

"Alright, stop bragging. You were so busy a while ago that you didn't even have time to go home. You actually lived at the factory for several months. Who are you to talk to?" Zhao Zhenhua's wife directly exposed his boasting.

"You old woman!" Zhao Zhenhua said irritably.

"What, you think you're so capable that you can't be criticized?"

"Alright, alright, go help Shengli cook, I'll have a chat with Yuxin."

"Go and go."

Then Wang Hongxia went too. It wasn't good to talk about the house in front of so many people, especially since her daughter-in-law was a big mouth and would spread the word as soon as she heard it.

He Yuxin and Zhao Zhenhua talked about the factory. Mass production wasn't possible yet, and even if they did, they could only supply the domestic market.

Zhao Zhenhua also inquired about the situation at the Xiangdu automobile factory and was amazed by the astonishing speed of progress there. The production line had already begun installation and would be put into production by the end of the year.

However, there was not much conflict between the two sides, as the models to be produced there were different from those at the Sijiucheng Automobile Factory.

Zhao Zhenhua also had ambitions; he even asked about the export situation, and the answer he received was mixed.

Huanghe can't even sell his own cars to Europe and America; he can only exchange them for resources. It's probably even worse for him. The country needs foreign exchange, and he's already exporting those resources himself, so he probably wouldn't be interested.

The meal was a pleasant one for both host and guests. Zhao Zhenhua was in a good mood and drank a little too much, which led to a scolding from his wife.

After Zhao Zhenhua left, Wang Hongxia arranged a time with He Yuxin to go see the house the next day, and He Yuxin returned to the hotel.

The next morning, He Yuxin asked the two women if they were going out again that day. The two women said that Director Yang had something to do that day and they had nowhere to go.

"Since you have nowhere to go, come with me today!"

"Where to go?"

"You will know when you go."

After breakfast, Li Chengru came again. He's gotten used to it now and works full-time as a driver in Beijing.

After getting in the car, He Yuxin gave an address. Li Chengru looked at He Yuxin strangely. He Yuxin blinked, and Li Chengru understood and drove off.

The jeep drove through the streets and alleys until it arrived at a courtyard in Nanluoguxiang. After getting out of the car, the group saw the large "He Residence" sign on the bright red gate.

Li Chengru couldn't hold back any longer. He was very familiar with this area, and this house had three courtyards.

"Mr. He, is this your home?"

"What, can't I own a house in Beijing?"

"No, no, aren't you in the Special Administrative Region?"

“My ancestral home is in Beijing,” He Yuxin said with a smile.

“Oh, oh! I thought it was only President Xu!” Li Chengru said.

"Brother He, is this your home?" Chung Chu-hung asked.

"I guess so, but it's not mine, it belongs to my brother," He Yuxin said.

"Shall we go in and take a look?" Rosamund Kwan asked.

"I'll have to wait a bit longer, I don't have the key either," He Yuxin said, shrugging.

Before long, the group heard the bicycle bell, and He Yuxin turned around to see Wang Hongxia approaching.

He hurriedly went to greet her, saying, "Aunt Xia!"

"How long have you been waiting?"

"Just arrived, just arrived!" He Yuxin said.

"Let's go, I'll take another good look at this house today. I've seen it once since it was finished," Wang Hongxia said, parking the car and taking out her keys.

"it is good!"

"These two girls are really pretty!" Wang Hongxia said, praising the two women as she walked to the door.

"This is my Aunt Xia!"

"Hello, Aunt Xia!"

"Which one of you is Yuxin's boyfriend?" Wang Hongxia asked with a smile.

Chung Chor-hung pushed Rosamund Kwan forward, leaving Kwan completely bewildered.

Wang Hongxia grabbed her hand and started bombarding her with questions: "How old are you, little girl? Who else lives in your family?"

Rosamund Kwan blushed all the way to the roots of her neck; she was a little overwhelmed by the enthusiasm.

"Hahaha, this little girl is quite shy. Our Yuxin is such a good boy, she's really lucky to be with him," Wang Hongxia said as she opened the door.

"Mmm," Rosamund Kwan responded softly.

The door opened, and Wang Hongxia said, "Let's go in and take a look."

“Let’s go,” He Yuxin said.

Rosamund Kwan breathed a sigh of relief, and Cherie Chung pulled her close with a big smile.

The screen wall at the entrance is carved with a design of five blessings surrounding longevity.

Five lifelike dolls surrounded the God of Longevity.

"Aunt Xia, was this screen wall there before, or was it newly carved?"

"Of course, it's something I had before. I specifically chose it. You have five children, isn't it very fitting?"

"It's fitting for the occasion, it's fitting for the occasion!" He Yuxin said hurriedly.

"Let's go in and take a look."

"Okay." He Yuxin waved to the others, and they followed.

As He Yuxin walked past the screen wall, he was a little surprised. He had lived in courtyard houses before, but he had never seen one so newly decorated. The ground was paved with blue bricks, the corridors were winding, and several pomegranate and jujube trees were interspersed among them.

The building was clearly renovated using traditional techniques, giving it a new look while retaining its antique charm and comfort.

(End of this chapter)