Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 343 Meeting Old Friends: Some Rejoice, Some Sorrow

The rest was simple: the guarantee and the house exchange agreement were written, and then signed and sealed.

The first to leave were the street office staff, followed by the police and Tan, Jia, and others.

After leaving the He residence, Yu Lei pulled Tan Yonghui a few steps behind the others, patted his old comrade on the shoulder and said, "Old Tan, you'd better take care of yourself in the future. Go visit your own son when you have time."

"Speak," he said, ignoring Tan Yonghui's reaction, and strode forward. He walked up to a few junior policemen and shouted, "Hurry up, they don't provide meals here."

"Yes, Chief." The young police officers were also very annoyed; what kind of situation was this?

With everyone else gone, the He family compound finally returned to tranquility.

He Yuzhu had He Yaozong bolt the door from the inside, then turned to the family and smiled, "Now it's quiet! Mom, you were really impressive today!"

Chen Lanxiang leaned the feather duster against a pillar in the veranda and sighed, "What's so impressive about it? It's beneath me to argue with such scoundrels. I'm just holding my breath, why should they occupy our house and act so self-righteous?"

“Sister-in-law He, I didn’t see you being all high and mighty before,” Wang Hongxia said with a smile.

"Let me tell you about Grandma Wang," He Ningxue said, pulling Wang Hongxia along as she began to tell her story.

Laughter from the crowd filled the air.

The old lady was pushed back to the backyard by He Yuzhu, still muttering to herself, "Zhuzi, I haven't really wanted that house since I came back. It's a mess inside, better off without it."

"Madam, why don't we take our house back? That's your old house."

"Home is where you are," the old lady said.

"Now we don't have to worry anymore. They came to us on their own. Who can we blame? As for those households in the front yard, I'll have my dad talk to them. They'll buy them for you sooner or later."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to have troubled you all." The old lady wiped away her tears.

“This is a happy occasion, why are you crying?” He Yuzhu said.

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm just happy."

“When the renovation is finished, I’ll push you back, and you can still live in your back room.”

"No rush, no rush," the old lady said with a smile.

He Yaozu and He Yaozong from the Intermediate People's Court sat next to Chen Lanxiang, watching Chen Ningxue gesturing excitedly.

"Grandma, is Beijing really this lively?" He Yaozong asked.

“It used to be much more lively than this,” Chen Lanxiang said.

"Why haven't I heard you mention this before?"

"What's there to talk about? None of it is good news, just trivial matters and family squabbles."

"Were you this good before?"

"I'm getting old, not as good as I used to be," Chen Lanxiang said.

"And what about my grandfather?" He Yaozu asked.

“He’s just a cook, what’s there to say?” Chen Lanxiang said.

"Hey, old woman, why are you stepping on me for no reason? I was a director back then, you know."

“Well, the director in charge of the kitchen isn’t actually the cook,” Chen Lanxiang said.

"Fine, I can't argue with you, I'm going to cook." Walking over to Wang Hongxia, He Daqing said, "Wang family sister, eat at home tonight, don't rush back."

"Then I'll trouble you, Brother He. It's been years since I've had a meal cooked by you personally," Wang Hongxia said without any hesitation.

"Just you wait and see, I'm going to show you what I'm capable of today."

"Then I'm in for a treat."

"Grandma Wang, Grandma Wang, how high a position was my dad back then? Wasn't he powerful?" He Ningxue and Wang Hongxia chatted about the past.

"Your dad has a higher official rank than I do now."

"Aunt Xia, don't just focus on making the child happy. I used to be a deputy, how could I compare to you?" He Yuzhu's voice came from behind the two of them.

"Haha, same level," Wang Hongxia laughed.

"So my dad was an official before. How many people did he manage?"

“There are several thousand people,” Wang Hongxia said with a smile.

"Oh, not as much as it is now."

“That’s different,” He Yuzhu said.

"Why is it different?"

“Your dad used to be an administrative cadre, but now in China, I’m just a self-employed individual.”

"Huh? Really?" He Ningxue exclaimed in surprise.

“Really, most of the businesses here are state-owned or collectively owned. As for me, I’m really just a self-employed individual,” He Yuzhu said with a laugh.

"Third Uncle, is what my dad said true or false?"

“Don’t listen to your dad’s nonsense. We’re an investor, your dad is the boss, and your third uncle is the one working for your dad,” He Yuxin said.

"dad"

"You wouldn't understand even if I explained. You should just focus on your studies. Once you graduate and gain some experience, you'll understand everything."

"That's a long way off. My mom insists I can only start working after I finish at least a master's degree." He Ningxue wrinkled her cute little nose.

"Are you in such a hurry to go out and work to earn money?"

"No, it's just that I feel I didn't learn enough at school," He Ningxue said.

“Then when you go back, don’t play during your holiday. Have your mom arrange things for you to do. If you do well, you’ll get paid. If you don’t do well, hmph, she’ll deduct your allowance!” He Yuzhu said.

"Dad, no! Can you deduct it from my eldest brother's or second brother's account?"

"We object!" the two brothers protested immediately.

"Objection overruled!" He Ningxue said.

"Hahahaha!" The whole courtyard burst into good-natured laughter; these siblings were really making a scene.

Let's turn our attention to Courtyard No. 95.

The main building of the central courtyard was filled with smoke, and the atmosphere was gloomy and desolate.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua returned, and after hearing what had happened, the two sisters were completely dumbfounded.

They just go to work, and when they come home, everything is gone.

"Brother, what's wrong with you?" Huaihua asked.

"Yeah, bro, this isn't like something you would do."

"It was by some strange twist of fate!" Bang Geng managed to utter four words after a long pause.

"The He family's little girl is indeed very pretty," said Madam Jia.

"Mom, is it really that exaggerated?"

"Ask your brother," Qin Huairu said irritably.

"elder brother"

"Alright, alright, stop being so annoying," Banggeng said.

Tan Yonghui's face was ashen as he chain-smoked, the last words of his old comrade-in-arms had dealt him a heavy blow.

"Old Tan, are we just going to accept this?" Qin Huairu asked.

"Then what else do you want? I may have some influence, but it depends on who it is. Today, the person who helped them was District Chief Wang. The people I know don't have that much influence."

"The house where Banggeng, Xiaodang, and Huaihua live now?"

“If you have the necessary transfer documents, we’ll proceed as normal. If not, don’t even bother asking at the housing management office, or you’ll just make a fool of yourself,” Tan Yonghui said.

"Then what was the point of all that effort in the first place?"

"Yeah, what are you after? Go ask your son," Tan Yonghui retorted angrily.

"I'll take responsibility for my actions. I'm going to the police station right now," Banggeng said, and started to walk out.

"Stop right there, you think you're so great? Why can't you be so tough with other people? What, you're only good at bullying your own family? If it weren't for your mother, I wouldn't care whether you live or die."

"Then just leave me alone."

"Fine, go ahead. Hooliganism, you'll be in jail for at least a few years. When you get out, you'll be jobless and unable to find a wife. You'll be a bachelor for life." Tan Yonghui threw the half-smoked cigarette on the ground.

"Hey, you'd better apologize to your dad right now!"

"He's not my dad." Banggeng didn't dare to go outside, but instead turned around and went back to his east wing room, then slammed the door shut with a loud "bang".

"I've poured my heart out all these years, and this is all I got in return?" Tan Yonghui slumped back down and lit another cigarette.

These words were actually meant for Qin Huairu's ears. Qin Huairu was shameless: "Bang Geng hasn't been back from the countryside for long, and things aren't going well at work. Can't you, as his elder, be a little more understanding?"

“Yes, Xiao Tan, our Banggeng are good kids,” Jia Zhangshi chimed in.

Hearing this, Tan Yonghui became even angrier and got up to leave.

"Old Tan, where are you going?"

"I'm going out for a walk. You and your family can discuss how to move," Tan Yonghui said without turning his head.

As they exited the hanging flower gate, they saw Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui peering inside. Upon seeing Tan Yonghui, the two greeted him, "Director Tan, going for a stroll?"

"Go home if there's nothing else to do. Oh, and be prepared to give up. The He family will probably be coming for you soon."

Upon hearing this, Liu and Yan exchanged bewildered glances, wondering how they had ended up getting caught up in this mess.

Meanwhile, at the Intermediate People's Court, after Tan Yonghui left, Xiao Dang asked, "Mom, are we really moving?"

"move."

“We’ve seen those other courtyards before, but none of them are as nice as this one.”

"No matter how good it is, it's not ours."

"How can it not be ours? We've lived here for over ten years."

"What about more than ten years ago? Besides, the property certificate is in their hands." Qin Huairu was also angry. These people just know how to make her upset.

"Mom, that's not what my sister meant."

"So what does she mean?"

"That's right, could we move to a better house, preferably an apartment building?"

"You really dare to open your mouth! Do you think you're destined to live in an apartment building? If it weren't for you guys, I would have moved to an apartment building a long time ago. What am I doing this for?" Qin Huairu cried as she spoke.

"Alright, it's already like this, why make a fuss in your own home? When choosing a house, pick a better one. If it's not suitable, I'll live there. I should be able to buy two more houses if I sell my few rooms."

"Grandma, what about us?"

"You two will get married sooner or later, and then you can just share a room."

"Ah!" The two sisters were dumbfounded.

That night, the courtyard at No. 95 was not peaceful. Tan Yonghui returned very late. He went to see his son, but he lingered outside his son's house for a long time without going in.

In the front yard, Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui secretly discussed for a long time, mainly trying to sell the house for a reasonable price, or whether they could avoid moving.

What they're really afraid of is that after selling the house, they won't be able to hold onto the money. Their children are like nagging ghosts, coming back from time to time to drain their savings, even after they've all gone to work.

He Yuxin drove Wang Hongxia home. After dropping Wang Hongxia off, He Yuxin talked to He Yuzhu about their next plans.

He Yuzhu instructed him to deliver food to the 'Wolf Fang' group every day. As for the operation, he said there was no rush; they would wait until Lao Fang had arranged everything. He Yuzhu also inquired about Alan Sheffield and his men, deciding to meet with them. After all, he was back, and his subordinates had traveled a long way; he should at least see them.

He Yuxin said she was helping to arrange it, but the meeting wasn't scheduled at the He family home because there were too many people and too many eyes on the place.

The next day, He Yuxin went out to run errands, while He Yuzhu was dragged by his father and took his children to visit his master, Li Baoguo. His master had long since retired and now spent his days idly at home, walking his birds and practicing martial arts.

Li Baoguo was overjoyed to see his master and disciple. He was already excited to see his senior brother whom he hadn't seen for many years, and now his disciple had also returned, bringing his children to visit him.

"Zhu Zi, you haven't aged at all."

"Master, I'm only in my forties."

"You look like you're in your thirties."

"No way!"

"I'm not getting old and blind."

“Come on, you guys, quickly call him Grandpa Li,” He Daqing said from the side.

"Hello Grandpa Li!"

"Oh, good, good, this is Yaozu, this is Yaozong, this must be our little Ningxue, she was still in swaddling clothes when she left."

"That's right, eighteen years have passed in the blink of an eye. How about it, my grandchildren are all doing well, aren't they?" He Daqing said smugly.

“Not bad, not bad, but that has nothing to do with you. These kids all look like Xiaoman, which is a good improvement for your He family,” Li Baoguo said with a smile.

"Hey, I have a short temper."

"What, you want to make a move?" Li Baoguo said.

“You’ve never practiced kung fu before. If we’re going to have a competition, let’s compete on our skills on the stove,” He Daqing said.

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Let’s go to the market. I want to see if you, He Daqing, have improved over the years.” Li Baoguo was not to be outdone.

"Let's go here."

He Yuzhu watched and laughed from the side, while the younger children looked at each other in bewilderment. So this is what it means to be an old person with a childlike heart.

But despite watching the excitement, the two brothers actually went to the market. At noon, one cooked Sichuan cuisine and the other Shandong cuisine, along with Cantonese cuisine, each showing off their skills.

After eating, Li Baoguo commented: "You haven't improved much in Shandong cuisine, but you've really mastered the essence of Cantonese cuisine."

"That's right, being close to the water tower gives you an advantage. My family owns a seafood restaurant in Hong Kong, and there are many Cantonese chefs there. I learned a little bit from them," He Daqing said smugly.

"Don't try that on me. He's already taught you all his secrets."

"Hehe, it's because I'm the one paying his wages. Why don't you come to Hong Kong with me?" He Daqing laughed.

“I’m not going. If you open a restaurant in Beijing, I’ll let you see the kitchen. I can still wield this ladle for a few more years.”

"That's settled then, but your Sichuan cuisine skills have really improved since then."

"That's right, you know about state banquets, right? I've been there." Li Baoguo gave himself a thumbs-up.

"You're amazing, you're amazing!" He Daqing readily admitted defeat.

“Zhu Zi, don’t you have any plans to do anything in Beijing?” Li Baoguo asked.

"Yes, we're talking about it right now."

"Oh, what kind of business?"

"hotel."

"Accommodation?"

“It’s an integrated facility for accommodation, catering, and conferences,” He Yuzhu said.

How big would it be?

"The exact details are still unclear, but it should be quite large."

What cuisine are you planning to serve?

"What's wrong, Master? You can't stay at home anymore?"

"hey-hey!"

"How about I invest some money in you and you open your own Sichuan restaurant? Waiting for my project will take several years."

"Wow, that took so long."

"Yes, I want to build a building with dozens or even hundreds of floors."

"My goodness, how much money did that cost? Seriously, you guys didn't come here today to show off your wealth, did you?"

"How could that be? I just came to see you. But to be honest, if you want to open a restaurant, just tell my dad and have him invest his savings in you."

“You brat, what are you talking about? Where would I have any secret stash of money?” He Daqing said.

“I can vouch for it, my grandfather had it!” He Ningxue said.

"You silly girl, why are you siding with outsiders?" He Daqing said with a laugh.

“Your granddaughter is worried that you’ll be bored in Beijing. Judging by the current situation, you won’t be able to return to Hong Kong anytime soon. In that case, it’s good for you to do something in Beijing,” He Yuzhu said.

“I’ll go back and ask your mother,” He Daqing said.

"You can see for yourself, you have your own money anyway."

"So you just don't want to pay?" He Daqing said.

“If I provide the money, and you make a profit or a loss, where is the fun in that, right, Master?”

"Exactly, if you open one, I'll take a stake. I've saved up some money over the years, but the kitchen..."

“If you want to manage it, then manage it. You’ve been managing it for decades and it’s still not enough,” He Daqing said.

"You said this, so don't go into the kitchen and interfere later."

"Do I really need to make such a fuss?"

"Not always."

"Hahahaha." The two looked at each other and laughed.

In the afternoon, He Daqing took two bodyguards (He Yaozu and He Yaozu) and strolled over to No. 95 Courtyard. What were they going there for? To talk to Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui in the front courtyard.

Upon entering courtyard number 95, Yan Bugui was carefully watering his potted roses with a small spray bottle, his eyes glancing towards the door every now and then.

"Hey, Mr. Yan, you take better care of these flowers than you would your grandson!" He Daqing said in a loud, teasing voice.

These words struck a nerve with Yan Bugui. He looked up sharply, ready to retort, but when he saw it was He Daqing, he stammered, "He, He Daqing, is it really you?"

"Who else could it be but me?"

"I heard from Lao Liu that you said you didn't know him before, so why are you back today?" Yan Bugui asked.

"That was before. That fat guy wasn't likable, but can't I deny it?"

"Who are these two?"

"How are my eldest grandson and second grandson?"

Yan Bugui looked at the two tall, handsome young men, feeling a pang of sadness, but said aloud, "You young men are quite spirited."

"Are you free? Let's chat?" He Daqing asked with a smile.

"Talk, talk about what?" Yan Bugui's heart skipped a beat.

"I'm already here, and you still don't know what to talk about? Didn't Old Jia's family pass on their message yesterday?" He Daqing asked in confusion.

"Are you really going to buy the house back?"

"How could it be fake? We were forced to sell it to you back then, but now that the policy allows it, why wouldn't we buy it back?"

Yan Bugui put down the watering can, rubbed his hands together, and forced a smile: "Da Qing, look, I've lived in this courtyard my whole life, I know all the neighbors. If I went anywhere else, I'd be a complete stranger."

"Are you reluctant to leave the neighbors, or reluctant to leave this location?" He Daqing asked with a half-smile.

"Yes, yes, I have everything," Yan Bugui mumbled. "Besides, it's not easy to find a place to live after moving out. My old bones can't take any more moving."

"What about your wife?"

“Ruihua, Ruihua passed away last year.” Yan Bugui took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

“She’s gone. I remember she was under sixty.” He Daqing was taken aback.

“I’m sick and I don’t have the money to get treatment,” Yan Bugui said.

"No money for treatment? You'll have money if you sell your house?"

"Well, it's a long story."

"You, Yan Laoxi, are so calculating with money, don't you have any cash on hand?"

This touched a nerve with Yan Bugui. His wife had initially refused to let him sell the house, and if they had, regardless of whether he could be cured, Yan Bugui would have ended up homeless.

"All our scheming has come to nothing!" Yan Bugui said.

“My He family won’t take advantage of you. We’ll find you a house and include it in the price. We’ll pay the market value,” He Daqing said.

Yan Bugui's eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice: "Daqing, to be honest, you know about my family situation. Holding onto money isn't necessarily a blessing. If... if your family continues to live in this courtyard, I'll keep this house; it'll be good for us old neighbors to look after each other."

He Daqing understood. This old miser was both afraid that his children would take all his money, and also thinking that if the He family came back, he could benefit from their wealth.

He shook his head: "We won't squeeze into this big courtyard with other people when we come back. As long as you don't finish moving out, this back courtyard will be empty all day. Don't think about things that are just wishful thinking. Be straightforward, can we sell it?"

"Empty?"

“If you want to live in the front yard, that’s fine. We’ll seal off the hanging flower gate, and you can just live there as if you’re in the main courtyard.”

"Ah!" Yan Bugui was dumbfounded. Could this really be done? This is just burning money.

Just then, Liu Haizhong heard the noise and came out of the house, his belly protruding: "Oh ho, who do we have here? He Daqing! You ignored me when I called you yesterday, but you've come to my door today?"

He Daqing glanced at him: "Fatty Liu, your voice is still so loud. It's good I was looking for you, saves me a trip. What about your house?"

Liu Haizhong snorted and crossed his arms: "What do you mean? It's easy! We, the neighbors, support your family in taking back the house. It's just that the market price now is not what it used to be."

"Oh? Then name your price and let me hear it." He Daqing said calmly.

Liu Haizhong's eyes darted around, he held up two fingers, then felt it wasn't enough, so he added another: "It has to be at least this many! My house has a good location, a good orientation, and I just finished plastering the ceiling."

He Daqing was so angry he laughed: "Fatty Liu, are you out of your mind? This price is enough to buy six new rooms. What, do you think I'm a sucker?"

"You can't say that!" Liu Haizhong said sternly. "With your family's current situation, do you really care about a pittance? A little bit leaked from between your fingers would be enough for us to live on for a while. Old He, you have to consider relationships; we used to live in the same courtyard."

"Stop!" He Daqing waved his hand. "We have no personal relationship here. You've been stirring up trouble for my boss a lot. We're talking business now, at market price, not a penny more, not a penny less. If you're willing, we'll go to the neighborhood committee right away to get the paperwork and the money. If not..."

He paused, glanced at Yan Bugui, then looked at Liu Haizhong: "We're not in a hurry, anyway, the property rights are in our hands. You can live there slowly, and we'll talk again when you've figured it out. Yaozu, Yaozong, let's go, let's go look around at other places."

The two grandsons responded and followed He Daqing out, one on each side.

"Hey! Don't go!" Yan Bugui exclaimed anxiously.

If the He family really seals off the hanging flower gate, they'll probably have to build a wall around the front house as well. Then, once inside, it'll really just be him and Fatty Liu's two families, two old bachelors living in a courtyard that's blocked off from both the front and back. To be honest, just thinking about it makes me...
"Why are you calling him!" Liu Haizhong said irritably.

“Once they build up the front and back gates of this courtyard, it will just be the two of us left. I don’t want to live in such a courtyard with you,” Yan Bugui said.

"What? When did he say that?"

"Just now, hey, Great Qing, Great Qing, don't go, don't go!"

"Holy crap, is He Daqing really that ruthless?" Liu Haizhong was stunned.

(End of this chapter)