Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 349 The Legend of the Condor Heroes and Dubbed Films: Reveries

A few days later, Chen Lanxiang and the others returned home, arriving after dark.

None of them had a smile on their faces; they looked travel-worn and exhausted.

He Yuzhu was talking with Xiaoman in the main room when he saw them come in. He stood up and asked, "Grandpa, Mom, Second Uncle, Yuxin, you're back? Have you eaten?"

"No, we'll just make do with whatever we have at home," Chen Lanxiang replied.

"Okay, I'll go get it right away. You guys go wash up first." He Yuzhu went to the kitchen, and Chen Lanxiang and the others went back to their rooms to wash up.

Half an hour later, the group sat at the table, silently eating the simple meal prepared by He Yuzhu: stir-fried greens, cold dishes, a plate of pickled vegetables, a few steamed buns, and a pot of millet porridge.

He Yuzhu felt something was off. Shouldn't everyone be happy to be back? Why was everyone acting like this? So he asked, "Mother, is everything alright back home?"

Chen Lanxiang slammed the bowl down: "Good? What's so good about it!"

"What's going on?" He Yuzhu was completely baffled.

"Well, let me explain!" Old Master Chen sighed.

It turned out that after returning home, Mr. Chen told the older generation the truth, saying that they had come back from Hong Kong.

This was quite a shock; the news spread like wildfire throughout the surrounding villages and towns, becoming increasingly exaggerated and outlandish.

From then on, their temporary residence was constantly bustling with visitors. Aunts and uncles came one after another, claiming to be visiting relatives they hadn't seen for many years, but in reality, they had only one purpose: to establish a connection with the Chen family so that they could be taken to Hong Kong to "make a fortune."

"Now that you're big bosses from Hong Kong, shouldn't you help out your own people?" The Chen family had heard this kind of talk countless times.

What's even more absurd is that some people even used the credit of "helping to look after the ancestral graves" to morally blackmail others. A distant cousin patted his chest and said, "If we hadn't taken care of them from time to time over the years, your family's ancestral graves would have been overgrown with weeds long ago!"

If He Yuzhu hadn't gone back to repair the ancestral graves two years ago and seen with his own eyes that the weeds on the grave mounds were taller than a person, they might have actually believed this story.

In the following days, the situation became increasingly outrageous.

They discovered that wherever they went, villagers would "unintentionally" follow them.

It was only later that I learned from a kind neighbor that several village officials had specially arranged for someone to "accompany" them, ostensibly to "protect the safety of our Hong Kong compatriots," but in reality, they were afraid that they would leave quietly.

In the end, they had to use every trick in the book to pretend they would stay a few more days, but at three o'clock in the morning, they secretly packed their bags and drove away.

"Good heavens, the village is using the same methods they use to monitor spies on us." My second uncle finally couldn't help but interject, his tone full of helplessness and lingering fear.

Old Master Chen shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Luckily, we were careful and didn't reveal our exact address in Beijing. Otherwise, things would have gotten quite lively here in a few days."

He Yuzhu listened without commenting, as he considered this quite normal.

After hearing this, the children were stunned. After a long while, He Ningxue murmured, "Grandma, this...this is too much."

"Alright, what's past is past. Let's eat. Try not to go back in the future if you can avoid it. Just burn some paper money for them," the old lady said.

Next, the children were sent off to watch TV, leaving only the sounds of chopsticks, bowls, and plates clattering during meals in the main room.

Two days after Chen Lanxiang and the others returned, He Yuzhu said he wanted to take Xiaoman and the child to Tianjin to visit the child's maternal grandmother's grave.

Grandpa Chen and his second uncle took over the work of supervising the construction, and He Yuzhu drove a Jeep Pra with his wife and children to Tianjin.

He Yuxin continued to keep an eye on the Junyue project and 'Cangguzhai', and also helped Xu Damao contact sales channels. You know, refrigerators, color TVs, and tape recorders are hot commodities. Department stores can't keep up with demand, and even supply and marketing cooperatives are thinking about transferring goods.

On the way to Tianjin, Xiaoman was in a low mood, and no matter how the children tried to coax her, it didn't work.

Upon arriving at the cemetery, Xiaoman began to weep and needed He Ningxue's support to stand. He Yuzhu, meanwhile, led his two sons to begin repairing the graves.

When things were almost done, He Yuzhu and Xiaoman kowtowed first, and then the children kowtowed as well.

While burning paper money, Xiaoman cried and said, "Mom, Zhuzi and I have brought the child to see you. Please forgive your daughter for not being able to visit you for so many years. Your daughter really can't come back."

"Grandma, we've come to see you!" Several children also shed tears with Xiaoman.

"Mom, don't worry, I will take good care of Xiaoman and the children!" He Yuzhu said while burning paper money.

Xiaoman stayed at the cemetery for more than an hour, burning paper money and chanting prayers. When she left, she kept looking back.

After getting on the bus, Xiaoman said, "If I don't come back in the future, you guys have to come back and visit your grandma!"

"Mom, what are you saying? Why can't we come back?" He Yaozu said.

“That’s right, if we’re going to come back, we should all come back together to visit,” He Yaozong said.

“I’m going with Mommy!” He Ningxue said.

"We're not going back today. We'll take you to try some of Tianjin's delicious food," He Yuzhu said.

"it is good!"

He found a place to stay that night, and the next morning He Yuzhu went to see his other master, Yuan Taihong.

Yuan Taihong was overjoyed to see He Yuzhu, his most talented apprentice. However, when He Yuzhu told him that he hadn't become a chef, Yuan Taihong was a little disappointed, as his skills hadn't been fully passed down.

After He Yuzhu showed off his skills, Yuan Taihong was happy again. He Yuzhu hadn't lost his skills. However, he told He Yuzhu to find an apprentice. He Yuzhu didn't give a clear answer. He didn't have time to take on an apprentice.

Yuan Taihong saw what He Yuzhu was thinking and did not insist, but he still gave He Yuzhu a recipe book before leaving.

He Yuzhu said that he will pass on this recipe.

Back in Beijing, Chen Lanxiang inquired about the trip, and could only sigh, lamenting that her mother-in-law's life was unfortunate, as she hadn't enjoyed any of the good fortune.

As for Yuan Taihong's news, He Yuzhu also gave it to He Daqing, who said he would call to greet his old brother.

In the days following their return from Tianjin, the He family gradually returned to their usual routine.

That evening, after dinner, the family gathered in the main room to watch television, as was their custom.

The newly acquired color television became the most popular item in the house, especially for the old lady and Mr. Chen, who watched it almost every night.

The TV was showing the Hong Kong-imported TV series "The Legend of the Condor Heroes." Although the picture quality was rough compared to what it would be a decade or so later, it was enough to attract everyone's attention at the time.

Guo Jing's honesty, Huang Rong's agility, and the exciting fight scenes captivated the young men, including He Yaozu and He Yaozong. Even He Ningxue watched with great interest, resting her chin on her hand.

He Yuzhu sat in the back, his eyes on the television, but his mind was on something else.

He knew this show was airing in Hong Kong, and he could also foresee the sensation it would cause now that it's being introduced to the mainland.

Seeing the focused expressions on his family's faces, and thinking about the many things that people had gradually forgotten over the decades, he felt even more strongly that the idea of ​​starting a film and television company could not be delayed any longer.

After the TV series ended, a dubbed film followed, with a somewhat strange Mandarin dubbing coming from the television, telling a story from a foreign country.

As Chen Lanxiang peeled grapes for the old lady, she casually remarked, "This foreign film is quite novel, but the way they speak sounds awkward."

"It's good enough to have something to watch. There are so many domestic films, we've watched them over and over again, we're tired of them!" He Daqing said from the side.

He Yuzhu suddenly spoke up: "There will be more and more films like this in the future, but they don't tell the stories of ordinary people."

"What's wrong? Is there something you want to say?" He Daqing asked.

Before He Yuzhu could answer, He Yuxin said, "Brother, Lao Si and I mentioned to you before about starting a film and television company. Are you planning to do it?"

“Yes,” He Yuzhu nodded, “Some stories, if we don’t film them now, no one will remember them in a few years. Especially those people with stories, by the time we look for those stories, they may be gone.”

Chen Lanxiang said, "What story? Who are they? I don't understand at all."

The old lady patted Chen Lanxiang's hand and said, "Zhuzi is talking about things of the past. Just like me, won't I really be gone in a few years? As the old saying goes, a tree lives by its bark, and a person lives by their breath. Some things, some truths, need to be known and remembered."

“Why film those things? They’re all sad stories,” Chen Lanxiang said.

"Whether to film it or not, and what to film, we'll see. But it's better to find someone to collect the story first, otherwise we won't have anywhere to collect it later."

"Go by yourself?"

"That's definitely not the case. I don't have the time for that. I'll just find someone else to do it."

"Those intellectuals?" He Yuxin's tone was very disdainful.

He Yuzhu could understand; people like them didn't really like "scar literature" because it exaggerated certain things. Realism would have been better.

“We don’t need them. Just find some high school graduates who are unemployed to do it. They just need to record the facts and come back to us. We’ll pay them based on the content,” He Yuzhu said.

“A company like this wouldn’t be able to be established in mainland China using our identities,” He Yuxin said.

"Just use Hong Kong's name."

"Are you serious?" He Yuxin asked.

"What do you think?"

“I’m not good at this,” He Yuxin said.

"You just need to find someone you're good at."

"Okay, you're the boss, you make the decisions."

"Hehe, don't make it sound like I'm forcing you to work. Our dad and mom are both here," He Yuzhu said with a laugh.

"That can't be."

"Dad, can I get involved in this?" He Yaozong asked.

"You, you should focus on your studies and talk about it again in a few years."

"Can't you even edit the manuscript?"

"That's fine."

"That's a deal, Dad, you can't go back on your word!"

"It's settled then. You won't neglect your studies; everything else is up to you."

"That's great!" He Yaozong said.

"Second brother, do you want to become a great writer?" He Ningxue asked.

"I wouldn't dare to dream of becoming a writer, but if my dad really gets into film and television, I think I could learn how to be a director and screenwriter."

He Yuzhu was taken aback. He hadn't expected that a casual topic would lead his second son to choose a path for the future.

"Have you thought this through, Yaozong?"

"Well, I've always been interested in these things. My family will definitely need me in the future, so I didn't mention it. But today, Dad, you said you wanted to work in this industry, so I brought it up."

“Okay, what about you two?” He Yuzhu looked at He Yaozu and He Ningxue.

“I’ll just stick to my finance studies,” He Yaozu said.

"Can I choose? I'll have to think about it carefully!" He Ningxue said with a smile, it seemed that this girl hadn't thought about it yet.

"Then take your time to think about it!" He Yuzhu said to his daughter.

The next day, He Yuxin began contacting the special economic zone, but Xu Damao came up with a new idea.

"Yuxin, since our brother is already in the film and television industry, why not go into the record industry? Let's do it together. Cassette tapes are selling very well right now."

"You mean the one that goes empty, right?"

“I also had someone investigate the genuine products, and there is still a market for them,” Xu Damao said.

“This is getting bigger and bigger, is it okay?” He Yuxin asked.

"Why not give it a try? We're going to have to invest in it anyway."

"Okay, you go over there and handle the relevant procedures, I'll talk to my brother again."

"Row."

He Yuxin hung up the phone and told He Yuzhu, who said, "It's possible. Actually, we should focus on related hardware products. The technology involved in things like Walkmans and VCRs isn't high, and the electronics factories in the special economic zone can definitely do it."

He Yuxin was a bit overwhelmed. How come things were getting more and more complicated? He said, "Brother, it's not enough for just me and Brother Da Mao on the mainland. This mess is getting bigger and bigger."

"Then you should start training your own people. You can't rely entirely on people who have come from Hong Kong, can you?" "That's a bit difficult!"

"We still have to do it. That's how I got here when I first went to Hong Kong."

"Okay." He Yuxin went to do it.

A few days later, Lao Fang called to tell He Yuzhu that the matter in Shanxi Province had been completely resolved, the tomb raiding gang had been busted, and the tomb had been initially protected.

He Yuzhu hung up the phone and then called Fan Hu and the two experts over.

"Tiger, Mr. Qian, Mr. Zheng, everything's fine in Shanxi Province. The original plan remains unchanged. You guys get ready to make another trip to southern Shanxi, and then head directly to Qin Province from there," He Yuzhu instructed.

Fan Hu nodded: "Understood, boss. We'll be more careful this time."

The expert, Qian, was somewhat excited: "Qin Province has even more good things; we're sure to have a great harvest this time."

"Safety first, receiving the goods second," He Yuzhu instructed. "Follow Tiger's arrangements in everything."

"Don't worry, Mr. He," Expert Zheng assured him.

After seeing Fan Hu and the others off, He Yuzhu looked at the calendar, calculating the time in his mind. The children's holiday was almost over, and there was still a lot of work waiting for him and Xiaoman in Hong Kong.

During dinner that evening, He Yuzhu looked at the children and said to He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang, "Dad, Mom, the children will be starting school soon. Xiaoman and I plan to take them back to Hong Kong in a couple of days."

A moment of silence fell over the dinner table. The old lady spoke first: "It's good to go back. Your studies are the most important thing. We old folks are doing fine in Beijing, don't worry about us."

Although Chen Lanxiang was reluctant to let them go, she knew there was nothing she could do. She just kept putting food on her grandchildren's plates and said, "When you go back, listen to your parents and study hard. Come back when you have a holiday."

He Yaozu, He Yaozong, and He Ningxue were also somewhat downcast. Although everything in Beijing was new and exciting, they knew they had to go back.

He Daqing was quite nonchalant: "Go back. Yuxin and I are here. The restaurant is being taken care of, and I'm also overseeing the renovation of No. 95 Courtyard. Don't worry."

He Yuzhu nodded, then looked at He Yuxin: "Yuxin, before I leave, you need to start doing something."

"Brother, tell me."

"We've started recruiting security personnel, mainly veterans. We'll have the people left behind by 'Wolf Fang' handle the initial screening and training. As our operations grow, we can't afford to be without our own people watching over things."

"Understood, brother," He Yuxin replied solemnly.

He knew that ten from Hong Kong was the limit; the mainland had to have them, both for industrial security and to deal with potential troubles.

For the next two days, a faint sense of parting filled the house.

Xiaoman took the children to buy a lot of local specialties from Beijing, which they planned to bring back to Hong Kong as gifts.

Chen Lanxiang almost always had He Daqing cook the dishes that the children liked.

On the night before leaving, He Yuzhu had a long talk with He Yuxin, carefully explaining the ongoing projects on the mainland and the things that needed attention.

On the day of departure, the whole family came to the door to see him off.

He Yuxin drove the minibus, taking them to the airport.

"Madam, Great-Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandma, Second Uncle, we're leaving!" He Ningxue leaned out of the car window, waving vigorously, her eyes a little red.

"Come back when you have a holiday!" Chen Lanxiang shouted as she chased after the car.

The car drove out of the alley, turned onto the main street, and gradually accelerated.

“Let’s go back, we can’t see it anymore,” He Daqing said.

“Okay!” Chen Lanxiang said.

"It's all my fault, old woman!"

“Grandma, it’s our own choice to stay. To be honest, I feel more comfortable here than in Hong Kong. How can you blame us?” Chen Lanxiang said.

"Don't try to fool me!"

"I didn't, it's true, isn't it, Great Qing!"

"Yes, yes, ma'am, didn't you see I've been busy arranging the restaurant? No matter how good it is outside, it can't compare to home."

"What about Zhu Zi and the others?"

"The situation is unusual right now, but things will get better!"

"Yes, madam, once my brother has settled things in Hong Kong, he should be back with my sister-in-law."

"Why did you come back? Don't you care about the children?" the old lady said irritably.

“Those guys are all getting on in years,” He Yuxin said.

"That won't do either. I'll talk to Zhuzi later and tell him not to keep coming back unless it's absolutely necessary," the old lady said.

"Okay, then you can call and tell them yourself later."

"Well, come back!"

The Ho family home became lively the day after returning to Hong Kong.

He Yushui, with her slightly protruding belly, was helped over by her husband; Wang Siyu was the same, but she was accompanied by Wang Cuiping and Yu Zecheng, as her husband was hesitant to come to the He family home.

"How is Beijing now? Are the people's lives any better?" Wang Cuiping asked.

Xiaoman smiled and said, "Aunt Ping, things are much better than before. There are more small businesses on the street, and people are wearing brighter colors. It's just that housing is still tight, with many families having several generations crammed into one room."

He Yuzhu asked He Yushui, "How are you doing? What did the doctor say?"

"Everything's fine, but I'm really craving the donkey rolls from Beijing," He Yushui said with a smile. "Brother, didn't you go to Huguosi Snack Street this time you went back?"

"I went and brought you several boxes. They're in the suitcase. I'll have your sister-in-law get them for you later."

"Great!"

"Is the house situation settled?" Wang Cuiping asked again.

"It's all settled. We'll have somewhere to stay next time we go back," He Yuzhu said.

"Good, those few companies are all sorted out."

“That’s right! In our courtyard, the Jia family…” He Ningxue eagerly brought up the story of courtyard number 95.

Everyone found it incredibly novel; they hadn't heard anything like it in years. However, when they heard that He Ningxue had almost been bullied, they were all filled with righteous indignation, and when they heard Chen Lanxiang unleash her fury, they wished they could be there in person.

Then He Yaozu and He Yaozong added details about the showdown between He Daqing and Liu and Yan, as well as the matter of the East Wing.

"Brother He is truly a hidden talent; I never expected those other families to be like that!" Wang Cuiping said.

"I guess it can't be changed," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

Just then, He Yuyao arrived with Cherie Chung, both carrying large and small bags of fruit.

“Brother, I brought Chu Hong here to familiarize herself with the place,” He Yuyao said.

Chung Chu-hung was a little nervous, especially in front of Ho Yu-chu; the saying "elder brother is like a father" was no exaggeration.

After exchanging greetings, He Yuzhu called He Yuyao to the study, leaving space for the women and children below.

"Why did you suddenly bring him back?" He Yuzhu asked as he entered the study.

"Brother, there's something I want to tell you."

"what's up?"

"I want to get engaged to Chu Hong."

He Yuzhu looked up and sized up his younger brother: "Have you thought this through? Does the Zhong family girl understand what you mean?"

“She knows, and we’ve discussed it.”

"You're pretty fast! Why didn't you wait for your third brother?"

"By the time we wait for him, the daylily will be cold!" He Yuyao said.

"So what do you plan to do?" He Yuzhu asked.

"That's why I came to ask you. Our elders are all in China, it's not easy to handle."

"Ask his family if it's okay to hold one ceremony on each side, or you can just wait and get married directly."

"I don't think I can go back!" He Yuxin said.

“There’s nothing you can’t go back to. It’s just a change of identity. The problem is whether you can get leave. Of course, you can’t leave through the border,” He Yuzhu said.

"Oh, you're really something, big brother. I'll discuss this with Chu Hong again."

"You need to act like the third young master of the He family. Negotiation is not compromise, understand?"

"I understand, I understand!"

"That's OK!"

"When will my third brother come back? If he doesn't come back soon, his Miss Guan will run off with someone else."

"If he ran away, he ran away. He didn't care about this matter, and no one else can help him."

"Could he have found someone in China?"

"He needs to have some free time!"

"Seriously, brother? You're treating your own brother like a mule!"

"You little brat, do you want a beating?!"

"Hehe, luckily I chose the police, otherwise I would have ended up like Third Brother," He Yuyao said.

After a while, they called for dinner. During the meal, Cherie Chung was still a little reserved, but Xiaoman kept putting food on her plate, so she ate quite a bit.

The chef for the He family was specially recruited by He Daqing from a restaurant, so his skills are definitely up to par.

After the meal, Cherie Chung was about to leave, and the other women tried to persuade her to stay, but to no avail. He Yuyao naturally followed her.

"Why did the fourth brother suddenly bring someone back?" He Yushui asked.

"If this kid wants to get married, shouldn't he bring his girlfriend over to meet everyone?"

"Huh, this kid got it done without making a sound?"

"more or less!"

"What about the third brother?"

“Look at him, I don’t think he’s made more than a few phone calls,” He Yuzhu said.

"I'll go ask Aunt Guan and see what she thinks," He Ningxue said, running to make a phone call.

"You should go to the side hall to fight, otherwise people will feel embarrassed if they hear there are so many people here," Xiaoman said.

"Okay." He Ningxue stuck out her tongue and jogged to the side hall.

He Ningxue returned shortly afterward and complained, "My third uncle is really something. He calls people every ten days or half a month, and he's so lukewarm. People think he's lost interest and is considering giving up."

"Oh, so you mean this Miss Guan has those kinds of feelings?" He Yushui asked.

"Well, I can't really say, since I'm still young and don't really understand!" He Ningxue said shyly.

"You naughty girl!" Wang Siyu tapped He Ningxue's forehead.

"Hehe, anyway, I've asked. You adults can handle the rest." With that, He Ningxue ran off.

(End of this chapter)