Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 345 Wishful Thinking
The courtyard was quiet, except for Jia Zhangshi, who was dozing off at the entrance of the west wing.

Hearing footsteps, Jia Zhangshi opened her eyes and saw Chen Lanxiang leading three radiant young men in. Her triangular eyes rolled back habitually, but she quickly suppressed them and remained silent. She simply twisted her plump body and turned to continue her feigned sleep.

Chen Lanxiang ignored her and pointed to the layout of the courtyard, saying to her grandchildren, "Look, this is where Grandma and your grandpa used to live. This is the main house, and the east and west sides are the side rooms..."

Just then, Qin Huairu came out of the house carrying a basin, as if she was going out to pour water. In fact, she had already seen it and deliberately came out to test the waters.

Qin Huairu greeted her with a smile: "Oh, Aunt He, you've arrived! Please come in and sit for a while."

"I'm not sitting here." Chen Lanxiang waved her hand. "I just came to take a look. Huairu, when can you move? It can't keep dragging on like this."

Qin Huairu's smile froze for a moment, then she smiled even more earnestly: "Aunt He, how can you just move things like that? We have quite a lot of stuff here, you won't be in a hurry for a few more days, will you?"

"Do you have a lot of stuff? Just get a few more hamsters, and we'll be done moving in no time." Chen Lanxiang didn't take the bait. They could move everything in the front yard in a morning; how much stuff could they possibly have?

"Aunt He, please give us a few more days. The house over there hasn't been cleaned up yet."

"But it doesn't seem like any of you have thought about cleaning up. You're not even tidying up here. What are you trying to do, stay here and not leave?"

"No, no, we'll move in the next few days, we'll move in the next few days," Qin Huairu said.

"Hmph..." Madam Jia snorted sarcastically from the other end of the line.

"What, Madam Jia, you have a problem with that? Believe me or not, I'll have someone throw all your things out right now!"

"You dare! Chen Lanxiang, don't push your luck!"

"This is outrageous! You've done so many disgusting things, have you forgotten them all? How dare you move back into this house?" Chen Lanxiang said coldly.

"I"

"What do you mean, 'you'? You're old and still have a shame? Do you want me to tell the neighbors what you read back then?"

"Old Jia, Dongxu..."

“Old Jia, you really think you’ll come back to see this woman? You married such a wretch, do you expect to suffer at her hands over there? Jia Dongxu, your mother is worried you’ll suffer over there, so she went with you to take care of you,” Chen Lanxiang shouted.

"Grandma, stop shouting, it's creepy," He Ningxue said softly, shivering.

"What are you afraid of? Your two brothers are here. Even if a ghost comes, we'll beat it back," Chen Lanxiang said with a smile.

The two brothers looked at each other in disbelief. If their grandmother was talking about their father, they would believe it. But as for the two brothers, they dared not even think about it.

On a bright sunny day, a dark cloud suddenly appeared, plunging the courtyard into darkness. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees in the yard.

Jia Zhangshi quickly slipped back into the west wing, and then slammed the door shut.

Qin Huairu's face was also frighteningly pale. Her father-in-law and husband had both died violent deaths, and she certainly couldn't bring her mother-in-law back, because Jia Zhangshi always invited them back to help. But Aunt He had hit the nail on the head.

"Aunt He, please, please don't say anymore. We'll move in the next couple of days."

"Really moving?"

"It's really moving."

"Alright, I'll come back in a couple of days. If you try to fool me, don't blame me for exposing all your family's past. Don't think that just because everyone in this courtyard has moved away, no one will know what you've been up to."

"well!"

"Let's go." Chen Lanxiang waved her hand and walked out with her grandchildren. She had seen the yard and found it to be terribly dilapidated, with many illegal structures. She really didn't want to come back unless it was repaired; it made her feel bad.

After saying that, Chen Lanxiang turned and walked out with the three children.

Qin Huairu was still calling out from behind, "Aunt He, please take care! Come visit us anytime!"

Chen Lanxiang ignored them completely. What they didn't know was that four pairs of eyes were darting around He Yaozu and He Yaozong in the side room.

It was Xiaodang and Huaihua; neither of them went to work today.

They had just heard the commotion outside and wanted to come out and help, but since Grandma and Mom had both finished work, they didn't dare to come out. However, when they saw two tall and handsome young men standing in the middle of the yard through the window, their eyes lit up immediately.

Only after the He family members had walked out of the hanging flower gate and disappeared from sight did the two women turn their gaze away.

The two of them nudged each other and whispered among themselves, their faces flushing.

"What are you two brats doing? You didn't even come out to say a word for your mother just now," Qin Huairu shouted into the side room when she heard the commotion.

"Mom, were those two Uncle Zhu's sons?" Huaihua asked.

"What's with that look on your face? Are you being frivolous? Let me tell you, don't even think about it. Look at yourself, do you really think anyone would be interested in you?"

“Mom, how can you talk about your own daughter like that?” Huaihua said.

"Hmph, our two families don't get along, so don't even think about it."

"Why?" Xiao Dang asked anxiously before Huaihua could answer.

"You two sisters are possessed by ghosts, what are you doing acting so wildly?" Qin Huairu said angrily.

"No way."

"Get out of here! You're not even paying attention at work. If you're home, tidy up your own room so you can move in."

"Oh, you're really cleaning up?" Huaihua said.

"Nonsense, otherwise, why would we wait to be thrown out?" Qin Huairu said angrily.

"Oh"

Once outside, He Ningxue, walking a little behind, whispered to He Yaozong, "Second Brother, there were two girls peeping at you and Eldest Brother in the house just now!"

"Is there any?"

"Yes, it should be from Old Jia's family."

"Oh," He Yaozong said dismissively.

"Hehe, second brother, aren't you even a little curious?"

"What's there to be curious about? Do you think your brother has never seen a girl before?"

"Hmph, how boring!" He Ningxue stomped her foot and chased after Chen Lanxiang.

"Girl, what are you whispering to your brother?" Chen Lanxiang asked.

He Ningxue recounted what she had just witnessed, and Chen Lanxiang spat, "The Jia family wouldn't even take it for free, did you hear me, eldest grandson and second grandson?"

"Got it, grandma."

However, no one expected that the two girls from the Jia family would be so shameless. The next morning, as soon as the gate of the He family courtyard opened, two girls dressed in their finest attire stood on either side of the entrance. They were none other than Xiao Dang and Huaihua.

Xiao Dang was wearing a red plaid shirt and her hair was permed and fluffy, while Huaihua was wearing a floral dress. Both of them had powder on their faces. When they saw He Yaozu pushing his bicycle to go out, their eyes lit up.

"Hey He brothers, are you going out?" Xiao Dang took a step forward, his voice high-pitched.

He Yaozu nearly dropped his bicycle when He Yaozong, who was pushing it from behind, bumped into him. "Brother, what are you doing? Why aren't you moving?"

Just then, Huaihua's voice came: "Yes, we know Beijing well. Would you like us to show you around?"

Then I heard footsteps behind the door and the clanging sound of a bicycle being pushed too fast.

He Yaozu was stunned. His second brother had actually abandoned him at the door without any humanity.

"Second brother, why are you going back? Weren't you supposed to go grocery shopping with Grandma?"

"Oh, I forgot something." He Yaozong continued walking.

"What did you forget? Just bring the money, Grandma has it with her."

"Never mind him, let's go out first," Chen Lanxiang said.

As they reached the door, He Ningxue saw her older brother pushing a bicycle, wedged between the doors. The bicycle had one wheel inside and one outside the door. Curious, she asked, "Brother, what kind of pose are you striking?"

"It's nothing, I just bumped my leg."

"That's weird, one of them bumped his leg, and the other forgot something," He Ningxue whispered.

"Brother He, where did you bump your head? Let me take a look. I've learned some first aid." A woman's voice came from outside, and the sweet voice gave He Ningxue goosebumps.

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang immediately understood the situation and shouted, "Yaozu, if you can't get out, why don't you come back? What are you doing blocking the door? Is it for show?"

"Okay, Grandma!" He Yaozu was about to turn back with his new bicycle when someone grabbed the handlebars—not by a pair of hands.

"What are you dawdling about?" Chen Lanxiang called out again when He Yaozuguang agreed but didn't move.

"Here it comes!" He Yaozu let go of the handlebars, and with two loud "bangs," "ouch," and "ouch," the car overturned, and the two people outside landed on their bottoms.

He Yaozu returned to the courtyard with a flushed face. Chen Lanxiang said irritably, "You really are something else."

"Hehe, is Grandma a good-for-nothing after all?"

"You brat, how can you talk about your own brother like that? Be careful your mom doesn't beat you up."

"My mom would never have the heart to hit me."

Chen Lanxiang stepped out the door and saw the two sisters sitting at the door. She said jokingly, "Oh, who do we have here? Are you two putting on a show at my doorstep?"

Grandma He

"Hmph, are all the Jia family's daughters so idle these days? Instead of going to work this early in the morning, they're here stopping young men?"

Xiao Dang blushed and argued, "Grandma He, what are you saying? We just happened to be passing by and wanted to say hello."

"Greeting?" Chen Lanxiang took a few steps closer, bent down and looked them up and down. "Dressed up like it's New Year's, you came all the way to my door to say hello? The way you Jia family greet people is really something else. The old and the young are all the same, you just love to block other people's doors, don't you?"

Huaihua, being easily embarrassed, had tears welling up in her eyes from what she was being said. She tugged at her sister's sleeve and said, "Sister, let's go..."

Xiao Dang, however, was unwilling to give up and forced a smile: "Grandma He, look at you, we're all neighbors, we just want to..."

"Stop!" Chen Lanxiang waved her hand. "Who are you neighbors? We He family can't afford to associate with your Jia family. Where did you come from? We He family don't welcome you. Also, tell Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu to move out quickly, so as not to make things awkward for everyone."

These words struck a nerve, and Xiao Dang's face flushed red and then turned pale. Some early-rising neighbors were already peeking around.

Chen Lanxiang ignored them and shouted into the doorway, "Hurry up, you lot! If you're late, the vegetables won't be fresh."

"Here she comes, here she comes, Grandma!" He Yaozong pushed the cart out of the hanging flower gate and ran out.

He Yaozu went to the gate, picked up his car, took out a cloth from under the seat, and wiped the dirt off the car.

He Ningxue walked out the door with a smile, and took a serious look at the Jia sisters. She couldn't help but curl her lips and say, "They're just so-so!"

The main reason is that she has seen too many beautiful women. She has been to TVB countless times, and the first time she went, she was almost dragged to audition.

After the group left and closed the door, Chen Lanxiang, sitting in the car, said, "Let's go, what are you standing there for? Keep an eye on things on the road, don't go around ignoring everything that smells good or bad."

The two brothers responded, got on their bikes, one with their grandmother and the other with their sister, and rode off.

Chen Lanxiang glanced at the two sisters who were frozen there. Xiao Dang and Huaihua were so embarrassed that their faces turned bright red. Under the gaze of the neighbors, they wished they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. In the end, they could only slink away.

At this moment, in the courtyard of the He family, Xiaoman complained, "Brother Zhu, why did you pull me just now?"

"What, are you going out to help your two sons too?" He Yuzhu asked with a smile.

"The Jia family is truly shameless," Xiaoman said.

"With our mother here, and besides, how can those two rascals grow up if they don't experience the harsh realities of society? This is just the beginning."

"You're so easygoing."

“Your eldest son is over twenty years old. Look at his behavior just now. Isn’t it embarrassing?” He Yuzhu said.

"That's your problem." She couldn't continue, because He Yuzhu simply didn't have time to manage it; ultimately, it was because she rarely saw him.

“I’ve been looking at what the eldest brother will do after he graduates. Let him learn from Da Mao for a while,” He Yuzhu said.

"What do you learn from Da Mao?" "Hehe, how to deal with women."

"What kind of father are you?" Xiaoman punched him.

"Of course there is. This is it. Besides, if they learn three or five parts of Da Mao's skills, they can succeed anywhere in the future."

"You can't let my son learn those kinds of nonsense."

"Do you think they won't learn unless I find someone to educate them, or they might even go astray? It's more reliable to hand them over to our own brothers. Besides, there's still Yuxin, isn't there?"

"I have to keep an eye on it too."

"If you have time, then go ahead and keep an eye on things. I think you'd be better off keeping an eye on our daughter."

"Why are you staring at her?"

"What if such a beautiful girl gets kidnapped?"

"Why can't you be a proper father?"

"Alright, I was just teasing you, but you better keep an eye on her, my dear."

“I know, I know where she goes and who she meets every day in Hong Kong.”

"Does our daughter know?"

"If she finds out, won't she make a scene?" Xiaoman said.

"Someone came to install telephones today. Ask them if they can install a few more. At the very least, each courtyard should have one. Even cross-line installations are fine."

Where are you going again?

"I'm going out to run some errands, and Yuxin is coming with me. I probably won't be back for lunch."

"Alright, you two better watch out."

"understood."

A few minutes later, He Yuzhu and He Yuxin went out and drove to an inconspicuous teahouse in Dongcheng.

The two experts arranged by Lao Fang were already waiting in the room. One was surnamed Qian, specializing in ceramics and calligraphy; the other was surnamed Zheng, specializing in bronzes and miscellaneous items.

They were both in their fifties, wearing glasses and faded Zhongshan suits, exuding a scholarly air.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Expert Qian adjusted his glasses and said urgently, "Mr. He, the higher-ups have told us the general situation. Some antique shops are underpricing good items to meet their foreign exchange quotas, or they're not strict enough with their checks, allowing some items that shouldn't be going out to be sold. It really pains us to see this!"

Expert Zheng added, "Yes, storage conditions are limited in some places, and items get infested with insects or damp. Alas! Our museum is short of funds, and it's disheartening to watch our valuable items pile up in store warehouses or be bought by private individuals."

He Yuzhu poured them tea: "I understand what you two mean. I invited you here today so that you can follow my men and try to recover as many historically valuable, collectible, and non-circulating items as possible. Money is not a problem."

"Don't worry, Mr. He, our eyes are still quite reliable," Expert Qian immediately assured him.

He Yuzhu nodded: "I feel reassured with your words. I've arranged the itinerary and personnel, and we can set off in the next few days. Along the way, Manager Li will be in charge of receiving the goods, but whether the goods are genuine and worth the price will depend on your oversight. My people will also be with us for safety."

The two experts exchanged a glance, both somewhat excited.

Expert Zheng rubbed his hands together: "That's wonderful! Mr. He, to be honest, we've wanted to do something like this for a long time, but we've lacked the opportunity and funding. Let alone buying them, we couldn't even afford the train tickets to see the actual items or the risks involved in our appraisal. This time, we might actually be able to salvage a batch!"

After discussing some more details, He Yuzhu and He Yuxin got up to say goodbye.

As he escorted him to the door, Expert Qian hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Mr. He, some things... if, if they are indeed national treasures, what do you think..."

He Yuzhu stopped and smiled: "Old Qian, Old Zheng, once we get the items back, we'll first put them in my 'Antique Collection.' As for whether they'll find a better home in the future, that depends on fate. It's too early to talk about that now. Let's take it one step at a time and get the items in hand first, right?"

The two experts nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, yes, take it back first, taking it back is the most important thing!"

On the way back, He Yuxin couldn't help but laugh as he drove: "Brother, these two teachers are really anxious, they wish they could sprout wings and fly over right now."

He Yuzhu looked out the window: "They really care about those things. It's a good thing they're with us. By the way, did Tiger get all the equipment?"

"We got it. Uncle Fang sent someone to deliver it. All the equipment and documents are complete. Fan Hu said the brothers are really itching to get their hands on it."

"Tell them they have to endure the itch. This is a security escort mission, not a war mission. Use all the skills they've learned at the security company. If anything goes wrong, I'll deal with them."

"clear."

"Don't rush home yet, let's take a stroll around Beijing!" He Yuzhu said.

"What are you looking at?"

“My dad and my master have nothing to do at home, so let’s see if there’s a good storefront for them to open a restaurant.”

"Really opening?" He Yuxin asked.

"You can't possibly be fake?"

"Ok."

The two brothers went around in circles, and He Yuzhu marked a few places on the map, thinking of going back to discuss it with his father.

When I got home, the phone was already installed, but there was only one number. The post office didn't have any extras, and I couldn't pay them.

"Yuxin, tell Damao to contact the post office here. Our equipment can't just be installed in the south."

"it is good."

Then He Yuzhu made a phone call to Lao Fang.

"Uncle Fang."

"Zhu Zi, have you seen the person?"

"seen."

"How was the conversation?"

"We didn't talk about much," He Yuzhu said briefly.

"Oh, don't agree to their requests blindly. This is a matter for higher-ups; their word doesn't count."

"I know."

"By the way, do you need me to send some people for you? I heard you're making a big splash this time, so don't let anything go wrong along the way."

"No need for that, but you should have someone contact the police in different areas to make sure they don't mistake our people for antique dealers."

"Hmm, that's quite possible."

"It's just to prevent them from taking any action, creating the illusion that they have connections and can accept anything."

"You're getting government employees to throw out the bait for you, aren't you?"

"It's more convincing than if we did it ourselves, otherwise why would those people dare to come to us?"

"Alright, I'll have to use a lot of favors again," Old Fang said.

"Come on, they owe you more than they owe you."

"You little brat, you think you know everything."

"And the Cultural Relics Bureau, don't let them trip us up."

"I'll talk to them about this; they're really eager to get involved."

“They’re all doing their own thing, they can’t work together. By the time they’ve identified the person, the stuff will already be out there,” He Yuzhu said.

“I know. By the way, I heard that your family has had quite a commotion over the house.”

"There was no commotion at all. It didn't even leave Nanluoguxiang. It's already been resolved."

"It's good that it's resolved. I was wondering if I could help in any way."

"Stop it, it would be a real problem if you intervened," He Yuzhu said.

"Oh, but we also have quite a few houses that were confiscated when we captured enemy agents. Are you interested?" Old Fang asked.

"So, you were just waiting for me here. What, you're short of money too?"

"Which department dares to say it doesn't need money? Our funding gap is huge."

How much money can you make by selling a house?

"We don't have many, we still have dozens of courtyards," Old Fang said.

"so much?"

"How is it? Can you eat it?"

"No, aren't you afraid of creating a big landowner or capitalist for me?"

"Hahaha, all you know how to do is use your Uncle Fang as an excuse. The higher-ups can't solve the funding issue, so they told us to handle it ourselves. Just tell me if you want it or not."

"Let me buy it, no problem, but that'll only solve the problem temporarily, right?"

"Then why don't you think of a way for your uncle?" Old Fang perked up; He Yuzhu must have another way if he said that.

"Does your company have any subsidiaries or anything like that?"

"Companies? Let me think, there doesn't seem to be any."

"Then there's nothing I can do to help!" He Yuzhu said.

"Wait, tell me what you need the company for first. It's just a company, can't I just apply for it?" Old Fang said impatiently.

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said, "You know about the business that Da Mao and his group do, right?"

"I know, so what? What does it have to do with that?"

“You can do that too, but don’t make the mass-produced goods. Just make the equipment that they don’t allow to be sold over there.”

"Will this work?" Old Fang understood, but there was no precedent for it.

"Go ask them, I think it's pretty much true," He Yuzhu said.

"You're not going to dig a hole for me, are you?"

"You're wronging me! What would I be after?" He Yuzhu protested.

"Oh, so you really don't have any ulterior motives, yet you're willing to take risks. I get it, you're dragging us all into this risk!"

"I didn't say that. Besides, I'm the one who's taking on all the risks outside. What are you taking on?" He Yuzhu said irritably.

"Hey, Pillar!"

"Stop, stop, old man, stop complaining. My ears are practically calloused. If you want to do it, go ask. If you don't want to, just pretend I didn't say anything. As for the house, you find someone to come and handle it, and I'll have Yuxin take care of it. Is that alright?"

"You little brat, I haven't even said anything yet."

"If you tell me, I'm afraid I'll soften my heart again."

"Okay, I'll go ask. Are you sure you can secure funding for us?"

"Maybe we shouldn't ask anymore?" He Yuzhu said, speechless.

"Hehe, ask, you have to ask!"

"Hanged up."

"toot toot"

(End of this chapter)