Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 346 Returning to the old place
After hanging up the phone, He Yuxin continued using the phone, while He Yuzhu took the map and strolled to the backyard.

He Daqing was sitting on the porch, leisurely drinking tea with a purple clay teapot in his hand, humming some off-key opera tunes.

"Dad, you seem to be in a good mood?" He Yuzhu said with a smile.

He Yuzhu has rarely joked with his father in recent years, which He Daqing found strange. He glanced at him and said, "Get to the point!"

"Regarding the restaurant we talked about before, what exactly are the plans between you and my master?"

He Daqing said irritably, "What plan? Two old men are just having a few drinks and bragging. Why take it so seriously?"

"Oh, you're just bragging. Well, keep singing, I'm going to check on my wife!" He Yuzhu turned to leave.

"Wait a minute, how old are you? Stop messing with your old man! What are you holding in your hand?" He Daqing shouted.

"A map!"

"Why are you taking a map? Are you going out again?" He Daqing said.

"Map of Beijing".

"You went to look at storefronts?"

"Wow, Dad, you can predict the future!"

"Get out of here! You brought a map of Beijing to me asking about opening a shop. If I still can't guess, I'd be a fool!"

"You think you're so smart?" Chen Lanxiang said as she walked out of the house.

I, He Daqing, was choked up.

"Zhu Zi, when did your dad say he wanted to open a shop and that we weren't going back to Hong Kong?" Chen Lanxiang asked in a low voice.

“Madam probably won’t come back with you, don’t worry. Besides, do you want to go back?” He Yuzhu replied.

“I don’t want to go back, but if you all leave, how lonely will it be for us old folks to be left here?” Chen Lanxiang said.

"No, Yuxin. At worst, I'll have him stay in Beijing permanently, and I'll come back from time to time."

"Oh, what about my grandchildren?"

“We’ll see about them then. These days, you can go to university in China too,” He Yuzhu said.

"Let's not," Chen Lanxiang said. "Universities in China have only been open for a few years. Let's not delay the children's studies. Let them come back to spend time with us during the holidays."

“Okay, anyway you can’t go back anytime soon, my dad has nothing to do at home, and my master also wants to continue working, so I showed them the storefront.” He Yuzhu waved the map in his hand.

"Where are they all?" He Daqing couldn't help but ask.

“They’re basically all within the Nine Gates,” He Yuzhu said.

"Then point it out to me first, and then take me and your master to see it this afternoon. Do you have time?"

“Sure!” He Yuzhu said with a smile.

“Since you’re going out, take your wife and grandfather with you. The roads in Beijing are good; once you come back, you’ll just be stuck at home all day.”

“Take them out. We’ll talk about it in a couple of days, after my other trucks arrive. Our truck can’t fit them all,” He Yuzhu said.

"Alright then, I'll go see the old lady. You two can chat!" Chen Lanxiang said and left.

"Come inside!" He Daqing turned and walked into the house, and He Yuzhu followed.

While He Yuzhu was unfolding the map, He Daqing pulled out a notebook from somewhere, picked up a pencil, and said, "Speak!"

"This place is about 500 square meters. This is the third floor near the front gate. This is..."

As He Yuzhu spoke, He Daqing took notes. After He Yuzhu finished speaking, He Daqing began to add to the notes, such as how many tables could be placed and whether the storefront was big enough.

He Yuzhu didn't disturb him; it was rare for his father to be able to focus on something.

He Daqing wrote and asked questions simultaneously, asking about his surroundings and other details, and then added them to the notebook.

After he finished writing, He Daqing said, "You don't need to come with me. I'll go find your master after lunch. I can have my grandchildren with me. You can go about your own business."

Are you driving?

"Why drive a car? We haven't even left the Nine Gates. Let's just ride around on bicycles and see what's going on."

"Alright, you can decide for yourself. I'll go check on Madam now."

"Go."

At this moment, He Yuxin finished her phone call and arrived at the backyard. He Yuzhu asked, "Has everything been explained clearly?"

"Understood. Oh, right, I also asked about the car you had them send. It should arrive at Tianjin Port tomorrow. I'll bring some people to pick it up."

"Okay, you go make the trip."

“I have to take everyone with me, otherwise I won’t be able to drive them back. I also need to borrow a car from Zhao Zhenhua.”

"It'll only take one phone call!"

He Yuzhu had cars, jeeps, minibuses, and even two police vans sent from Hong Kong. That type of vehicle could be used as both an escort vehicle and an ambulance.

As for why we have so many cars, it's not just for family use; we also need cars to conduct business here. People like Allen Sheffield can't take taxis every day, can they? These days, people would look down on you for doing business with a car.

When they arrived at the old lady's back room, several people were discussing returning to their hometown.

Then Grandpa Chen said, "Elder sister, at your age, you can't take too much trouble. The roads back home are bad, and the conditions are poor. We can just go back and take a look; it's the same there."

"Are you all going?" the old lady asked.

“Daqing and Yuxin will stay. Zhuzi went once; he'll lead the way. As for the children, it's up to them. After all, none of the Chen family's children have come back,” Chen Lanxiang said.

These words are directed at Chen's second uncle. That's the Chen family's ancestral grave, not the He family's. It's not like they can't come back now. We did ask them before, but none of them came back with them.

"Don't mention them, they're a downer!" said Chen's second uncle.

"Go call Hong Kong later and ask your older brother. If he can come back, wait for him for two days. If he doesn't come back, then we don't care," said Old Master Chen.

"it is good!"

The old lady was a little disappointed, but she knew it was for her own good, and sighed, "Well, that's true. Then you can go. Burn some paper money for my parents for me!"

"Don't worry, eldest sister!" Old Master Chen replied.

The two brothers listened for a while at the door, then left. This matter was Old Chen's family affair, and it wouldn't be appropriate for them to go in and say anything.

After lunch, He Daqing, as expected, excitedly went to find Li Baoguo with his little notebook in hand.

The brothers He Yaozu and He Yaozong were conscripted and made to ride bicycles with the two old men all over Beijing, looking at storefronts.

He Yuzhu didn't go out in the afternoon. He was setting up his study in the front yard. He took out some ancient books from his spatial storage to fill his bookshelves. He Ningxue helped him and asked him about the sources of the books from time to time.

Before the bookshelf was even full, the phone on the desk rang. He Yuzhu stopped what he was doing and answered the phone. It was Lao Fang.

"Zhu Zi, I've reported the matter you mentioned this morning to my superiors." Old Fang's voice was tinged with excitement.

"Judging from your tone, it's done?" He Yuzhu asked with a smile.

"The higher-ups want us to do a pilot project first, so they've allocated us a space factory and set up a company in Hong Kong to see how things go. But you need to give us some advice on how to operate it specifically and how to control the risks."

"The company is easy to talk to, but what about your factory? Do you have any explanation?"

"It was in the military industry, but it was acquired by another factory and then delisted."

"Oh!"

"Also, start-up capital. I don't know if selling those houses will be enough. Oh, and I need foreign exchange certificates."

"What's up, Uncle Fang? Are you planning to make a name for yourself out there?"

"What, you look down on us?"

"No no!"

"Then you can help us get this set up, so we don't have to bother you so much in the future."

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Uncle Fang, I agree with that. But you need to choose your people carefully. Let me make this clear from the outset: business is business, and it has to be done according to market rules. You can't do anything reckless."

"Of course! Anyone who misbehaves will be skinned alive!"

"Is it official seal?"

"Nonsense, what did you think it was?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing!" He Yuzhu laughed. Old Fang said that, but if he really messes it up, well, who knows?

"Regarding the house, I'll have someone send the inventory list and keys over this afternoon?"

"So urgent?"

"You told me this morning that I called you without even having lunch. What do you think?" Old Fang said irritably.

"Okay, send it over. I'll let you know after I have someone assess it."

"Hurry up, my people will select one as soon as possible. If all else fails, I'll go somewhere else to ask."

"Actually, I have a suggestion," He Yuzhu said.

"Go ahead, I'm listening!"

"You can look for similar young people using the same channels as Da Mao before, except for those who are solely focused on starting their own businesses." "That's a good idea. I've got it. Okay, I'm hanging up now, I'm going to a meeting. *beep beep beep*"

He Yuzhu hung up the phone with a wry smile. This Uncle Fang, how old is he, and he's still in such a hurry.

"Dad, what's wrong? Why do you look like that!"

"It's alright, kids shouldn't ask such questions!"

"Are you going to tidy up the bookshelf or not?" He Ningxue asked.

"Keep going, we have to finish this today," He Yuzhu said.

"Okay, but you have to cook for me tonight as a reward!"

"no problem."

He Daqing returned after having dinner with his two grandsons. Naturally, He Yuzhu cooked for them that evening. Chen Lanxiang asked He Daqing where he took his grandsons to eat, and He Daqing replied, "Fengzeyuan!"

"Why did you run off there?"

"Hey, we just happened to get there, so we went in to check, but none of the old people are left," He Daqing said.

"Oh, how's the storefront looking?"

“There are a few suitable ones, but we still need to discuss the specifics,” He Daqing said.

"Do we need Zhu and the others' help?"

“No need, I can handle this little thing myself,” He Daqing said.

"Then you and Baoguo should be careful, you're getting on in years."

"understood!"

The next morning, He Yuxin led the 'Wolf Fang' gang to pick up the car. They didn't leave any guards behind, but they sent the money they had taken earlier back to the He residence.

He Daqing took his grandson out for another day, while He Yuzhu spent almost the entire day making phone calls. Since they had been back for so long, he had to check on things in Hong Kong, Singapore, and North America, as well as He Yushui and Wang Siyu's pregnancy progress.

Everything was running normally, so they were told to handle ordinary issues themselves first. Only then did He Yuzhu leave the phone number for Sijiucheng.

Xiaoman also called to inquire about the operations of the companies she directly managed. But a phone call is just a phone call, so she asked He Yuzhu if there were any fax machines for sale in Beijing. He Yuzhu went out for a ride on his bicycle and came back with a tricycle, a fax machine, a computer, and a color TV. He had all of these things in his spatial storage.

He attracted the attention of passersby on the street; they thought he must be either a reseller or someone who had made a fortune.

He Ningxue cheered when she saw the TV. Every night was so boring. The old lady and Grandpa Chen were also very happy.

After setting up the TV and antenna, He Yuzhu got the computer and fax machine ready, and Xiaoman got busy again, calling the companies to fax over their financial reports.

He Yuxin and the others didn't get back until late at night. The problem was that there were too many cars and nowhere to park, so they ended up driving to the car factory where there were security guards.

On the third day, He Yuxin started driving the car again, and encountered some minor troubles along the way. Many people asked if he was selling the car, as Huanghe's model was definitely the most eye-catching in this era.

He Yuxin was surrounded and couldn't get away. In the end, he had no choice but to hand out some business cards and tell him to go directly to the trading company in Hong Kong before he was able to escape.

The joint venture nameplate was easily obtained, and then Allen Sheffield and his team were given a brand-new Yellow River-Benz and a minibus, while 'Zangguzhai' received a sedan, a jeep, and two armored vehicles.

The remaining two cars and two jeeps are kept at home for use. All the men in the family, except for Grandpa Chen, can drive, and Xiaoman can too.

Once the car arrived, He Yuzhu called two cultural relics experts to go to 'Cangguzhai' and then gave Li Shoucheng the task of going on a shopping spree.

The following day, the four cars left Beijing and headed straight for the capital of Shanxi Province.

Two days later, No. 95 Courtyard was finally completely vacated.

On the day the last batch of furniture from the Jia family was moved out, the old lady, sitting in her wheelchair, insisted that He Yuzhu push her to see it.

"Pillar, let's take your wife to see it. If we don't go soon, we might never see it as it used to be."

He Yuzhu squatted down and grasped the old lady's withered hand: "Madam, that courtyard is in a very dilapidated state. Can't we wait until it's repaired before going to see it?"

The old lady shook her head, her eyes resolute: "We have to go now. Once it's fixed, it'll be brand new. I need to see it again when it was old, and say goodbye to it."

He Yuzhu couldn't refuse, so he had to ask his family to accompany the old lady to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

The midsummer sun was scorching, casting dappled shadows on the ground through the branches and leaves of the locust trees in the alley.

The closer they got to No. 95, the straighter the old lady's back became, and a light gradually returned to her cloudy eyes.

After opening the Guangliang gate, the brothers He Yaozu and He Yaozong carried the old lady over the threshold and carefully looked her over from the front yard, through the middle yard, to the back yard.

The paint on the hanging flower gate was badly peeled off, revealing the natural color of the wood underneath.

One of the window frames in the west wing is broken, and the hanging flower gate and moon gate are somewhat dilapidated. Sunlight can shine through the tiles on the covered walkway. Over the years, the residents have only cared about living there, and no one has thought about repairing it as long as it is still habitable.

This courtyard is far more dilapidated than it was eighteen years ago. With the addition of earthquake shelters, kitchens, storage rooms, and other structures, it's almost unrecognizable as it was originally.

Once inside the courtyard, the old lady didn't say a word, but simply pointed in a direction, letting He Yuzhu push her to see it.

After seeing all the places, they returned to the front yard. The old lady asked He Yuzhu to turn her wheelchair around, and she gazed at the yard where she had lived most of her life for a long time.

Sunlight shone on her wrinkled face, and her eyes, which had witnessed nearly a century of vicissitudes, slowly welled up with tears.

He Yuzhu squatted down and saw a tear slide down the old man's deep wrinkles, silently dripping onto his clothes.

He said nothing, but gently held the old lady's thin hand.

After a long silence, the old lady finally spoke: "Zhu Zi, if you're going to repair this yard, could you show the blueprints to Madam first?"

“Sure, the repairs will basically restore it to its original state, so naturally we’ll need your approval,” He Yuzhu said.

"Good, good!" the old lady said, patting He Yuzhu's hand.

"However, there's something I need to tell you first."

"what's up?"

“I will definitely push down the front building, and the screen wall will also be pushed back a bit to the front yard. There will be a place to park all the cars in the future, and those rooms will no longer be inhabited.”

“Sure, the front was originally for the stable boys and the others to live in, but now that it’s not needed, it’s good to use it for the carriages.”

"As long as you don't object!"

"Why would I object? Alright, you've seen it all, let's go home," the old lady said with a smile.

"Okay." Everyone responded in unison.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they locked the door, the whole family was stopped.

The leader was a middle-aged man with shrewd eyes, and the men and women following behind him were also staring expectantly at the large group of people from the He family.

"Master He, do you take in the east wing?" the middle-aged man asked He Daqing.

He Daqing said, "The neighborhood committee came to ask us before, and you said you weren't selling, right?"

"We've changed our minds after discussing it!" the middle-aged man said with a smile.

"Oh why?"

“We went to the neighborhood office, but they could only issue us a rental certificate. When we asked, we found out that the land deed for this courtyard was in your son’s name.”

"and then?"

"No one else can buy this house except your family. Why don't you talk to your son and transfer the land deed to us?" the middle-aged man said.

"Transfer? How exactly is it transferred?"

“Master He, we’ve lived in this house and yard for over ten years, and you know the condition of the yard. How about we sell it to you at half the price of a garden? You can still make some money back.”

He Yuxin listened from the side, a cold smile creeping onto her lips.

He Daqing said calmly, "You've got a good plan. What if I don't sell?"

"Then you can take this courtyard. We won't ask for more. We'll just pay the same price as the neighboring courtyard!"

What if we don't accept it?

"This is your own yard, you don't want it anymore?"

"Selling like this, do you think I'm a sucker?" After saying that, He Daqing turned around and said, "Let's go home!"

"Hey, hey, Master He, Master He, don't go, don't go!" The middle-aged man blocked his way.

"What, you still want to force me to buy and sell?" He Yuxin stepped forward and blocked He Daqing's way.

"No, no, it's a new society now, who would dare!" the middle-aged man said.

"Then get out of the way!"

"Hey bro, can we talk about the price?"

"Zhu Zi, you and the old lady go back first. Yu Xin, Yao Zu, and Yao Zong can stay here," He Daqing said.

He Yuzhu glanced at his father and replied, "Okay!"

Then He Yuzhu pushed the old lady away, and together with Grandpa Chen, Chen Lanxiang and others, they left first.

He Daqing stood there with his third son and grandson, and said to the middle-aged man in the lead, "If you want to negotiate the price, then be honest!"

(End of this chapter)