Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 373 Another Spring Festival

He Yuzhu took the hot water cup to warm his hands, and looked at Old Zhao with a smile, "Uncle Zhao, I heard you retired too? Now that you're retired, you're not welcomed by anyone!"

"Go away, what are you saying? How could I not be hospitable?"

“Zhu Zi is right, you just don’t treat me well, my daughter has already left.”

"What does that have to do with me? Your son-in-law couldn't refuse, and I did try to persuade him."

"Humph!"

"Zhu Zi, look at the treatment I get when I come back."

"Then why don't you keep going!"

"What are you doing? I'm old and useless. It's not right for me to occupy this position. I'll retire when I'm done." Old Zhao waved his hand.

"Oh, so you can't do it anymore?" He Yuzhu laughed.

"I have a successor now, Xingbang transferred to eastern Hebei!"

"When did you go?"

“Just a few months ago, he was considered late; those who were with him had already returned to their hometowns two years earlier.”

"What position?"

"Yes, he's at the Industry Bureau over there, a junior director." Old Zhao's tone was indifferent, but there were subtle smile lines at the corners of his eyes. "He's busy, he won't be able to come back until the end of the year."

"You're acting a bit like an old Zhao praising melons!" He Yuzhu laughed.

"hey-hey!"

“Look at him, he started submitting reports as soon as Xingbang was about to be demobilized, insisting on getting my son transferred there. He was originally going back to Beijing, but he’s not afraid of what people will say,” Wang Hongxia said.

"What are you talking about? Jidong needs cadres. What can he do if he goes back to Beijing? What can he do as a section chief in a government office? Jidong is the place to get things done."

"You're so right, fine. I think you should change your name to Zhao Youli (meaning 'Zhao is Right')."

"Hahahaha!" Everyone burst into good-natured laughter.

“I’m telling the truth, and I’m right. If you want to change my name, then change it. Why don’t you take me to the neighborhood office and we can change my household registration and ID card together?”

"You're really pushing your luck. You think you can just change your household registration like that? Who do you think you are?"

"Hey, once you retire, you're nothing." Old Zhao slapped his thigh.

"Come on, you haven't been idle since you got back. You've been going out to see your colleagues and comrades-in-arms every day, and you're having a great time." Wang Hongxia directly exposed him.

“That’s great. After a lifetime of hard work, it’s time to take a break,” He Yuzhu said.

"If I weren't stuck here, I really would like to go and see Zhu Zi," Old Zhao said.

"There will be opportunities, you need to take good care of your health," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Really?"

"Ok!"

"Alright, I'll be waiting."

"no problem."

Then He Yuzhu chatted with Lao Zhao for a while about work and development, while Wang Hongxia pulled Xiaoman and He Ningxue aside to chat about everyday things.

He Yaozu and He Yaozong sat on the side listening to their father and Lao Zhao chat, occasionally asking questions.

After Old Zhao learned what the two brothers were doing, he said he had connections and would help them get introduced to someone. The two brothers were overjoyed; how could someone of Old Zhao's rank be an ordinary person?

They ended up staying for lunch, and Wang Hongxia wouldn't let him leave, so He Yuzhu made a phone call home.

They chatted for a while longer in the afternoon. When He Yuzhu left, he said, "Uncle Zhao, Aunt Xia, on New Year's Eve, come over to our house! Let's all get together and have some fun. Uncle Zhao, could you give my brother Xingbang a call and ask if he can come back? It's been so many years since we last saw each other."

Old Zhao rubbed his hands, a little hesitant: "Isn't this too much of a bother? Your whole family."

"Tsk, what are you saying! It's settled then. I'll go check on Lao Fang again and ask him to come along."

"Yes, Uncle Zhao, Aunt Xia, it'll be so lively if we all come together. My house can fit everyone, and besides, Brother Zhu will be cooking during the New Year."

Wang Hongxia laughed from the side: "Okay, then we'll shamelessly go. We can't miss out on any good food. We'll definitely be there on New Year's Eve."

“Hey, now that I’m home, I’m not in charge here anymore. Go, everyone go,” Old Zhao said.

"Ha ha ha ha."

After leaving the Zhao family, He Yuzhu and the others went to Old Fang's place.

Old Fang's courtyard was deserted. He had sent the nanny home, and the old man was studying chess scores by himself.

"Old Fang! Stop being so hard on yourself!" He Yuzhu shouted as he pushed open the door.

Old Fang looked up, adjusted his reading glasses, and said, "Hey, you're a rare guest!"

"Xiaoman, Yaozu, Yaozong, Ningxue, you're here too! It's lively today. Please, have a seat!"

"Hello, Uncle Fang."

"Hello, Grandpa Fang!"

"Okay, okay! I'll go get you some water."

"You can rest now. Yaozu and Yaozong, go see what good tea and food your Grandpa Fang has and bring it up."

"You're really not being polite, kid. Go ahead, I have some good tea and some snacks that Lao Fan and the others sent over."

While his two sons were making tea, He Yuzhu got straight to the point: "Uncle Fang, it's so boring for you to spend the New Year alone. Come to my house on New Year's Eve, and Old Zhao and the others will be there too. You have to come."

Old Fang shook his head: "I'm not going. You guys keep having fun."

“No way! If you don’t go, I’ll tie you up and take you there.” He Yuzhu said sternly.

Old Fang was both amused and exasperated, pointing at He Yuzhu: "You, alright, alright, I give up. I'll go, okay?"

"That's more like it. Why don't you just move to Nanluoguxiang?"

"I'm quite happy living here."

"What's so good about it? What's the point of you, an old man, staring at a chessboard all day? My Uncle Zhao lives nearby in Nanluoguxiang. You and your old friends can drink tea, go fishing, and walk your birds with my dad. That would be much better."

"Is this... convenient?" Old Fang was tempted.

"What's wrong with that? I'll arrange it for you after the New Year."

“I can arrange it myself; I can just move to another place.”

“Then I’ll talk to Uncle Zhao during the New Year. Your two courtyards are big enough to exchange for a two-courtyard house. If that’s not possible, you can live together in the front and back courtyards.”

"Isn't it inconvenient? Old Zhao has quite a few family members."

"If there's anything inconvenient, I'll just put up some more money and we'll get an even bigger one."

“Brother Zhu, our No. 66 courtyard isn’t empty.”

"Then let's move to number 66. I'll have Yuxin find another place nearby. There will be enough room for even more people."

“I have my own money,” Lao Fang said.

"Keep your retirement pension for yourself and spend it slowly."

"I have nowhere to spend my money," Old Fang said.

"It's good to be a retired cadre," He Yuzhu joked.

"You little brat, you think you can get away with this?" Old Fang said irritably.

"Yes, I envy your retirement life."

"I don't believe it."

“You saw right through me, so it’s settled then. We’ll move after the New Year. If you think this nanny is okay, she can stay; if not, we’ll find another one,” He Yuzhu said.

"It's not right to tell someone to quit when they're doing a good job."

"See for yourself."

"alright."

On New Year's Eve, No. 95 Courtyard was more lively than in previous years.

Zhao Xingbang rushed back, covered in dust, and saluted and shook hands with everyone as soon as he entered the door, his voice booming.

Old Zhao and Wang Hongxia arrived early and helped set the table.

Old Fang arrived shortly after, carrying two bottles of fine wine, which He Daqing accepted with a smile.

As darkness fell, lanterns were lit in the courtyard, illuminating the snow-covered ground in a red glow.

Several families sat around the table, which was laden with stewed meat, fried fish, dumplings, and steamed cakes.

The children squeezed and crawled through the gaps in the table, screaming and laughing.

He Yuzhu stood up and raised his glass: "I won't say much else, just one thing: may we all be safe and sound, young and old, and may our lives get better and better! Cheers!"

The crowd responded enthusiastically, and the clinking of wine glasses filled the air.

Chen Lanxiang stood next to Wang Hongxia, looking at the people in the room, and suddenly sighed: "It would be even better if Cuiping's family could come back too."

"Yes, it would be even better if Cuiping could come back."

“No, I need to call her in a bit,” Chen Lanxiang said.

“Together, I miss her too…” Wang Hongxia added.

After dinner, the TV started playing "Qi Tian Le," a pre-show program for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Actors from the Journey to the West cast dressed up as various gods and monsters, creating a lively atmosphere.

The children in the room, big and small, watched intently.

"Look! Sun Wukong!"

Little He Ningyu was amused and giggled, waving her little hands.

He Yaochen also started babbling and trying to imitate the actions on TV.

The kitchen was steaming with heat, and He Yuzhu, wearing an apron, was skillfully rolling out dumpling wrappers.

He Daqing was preparing the fillings on the side, laying out pork and cabbage, chives and eggs, and three kinds of seafood fillings one by one.

"Dad, is there enough salt in the filling?" He Yuzhu asked.

"That's enough. Add some more water, or it will dry out," He Daqing instructed.

Xiaoman, along with Gong Xue and Chung Chuh-hung, made dumplings with their two mothers-in-law.

Several women worked quickly, arranging dumplings in the shapes of ingots and crescent moons one by one.

"Sister-in-law, these dumplings you made look really nice." Gong Xue picked up a dumpling that Xiaoman had made and examined it closely.

"You'll get the hang of it with practice," Xiaoman smiled. "You Southerners don't eat dumplings for Chinese New Year, do you?"

"Yes, eat up, but I think the dumpling filling isn't as good as ours," Gong Xue said.

“I eat it too, but I’m not so particular about it,” Chung Chu-hung said.

In the courtyard, He Yaozu and He Yaozong were setting off firecrackers with Zhao Zhenhua.

Zhao Hongqi is Zhao Xingbang's son, around ten years old, and curious about everything.

"Brother Yaozu, can this string of firecrackers be separated and stored individually?" Zhao Zhenhua asked.

"It's possible, but you have to be careful not to break your hand." He Yaozu handed him a stick of incense. "Light it and throw it away, don't hold it in your hand."

The sounds of firecrackers, "bang—pop—", rang out one after another in the courtyard, mixed with the excited screams of children.

Inside the main room, Zhao Xingbang was having a lively conversation with He Yuxin. "Yuxin, your group's electronics factory in the special economic zone, are the CNC machine tools they use imported?" Zhao Xingbang asked.

"Most of them are, but some are domestically made, though their precision is lower," He Yuxin replied. "What, your bureau wants to get some too?"

“I’ve had that idea. Technological upgrades are happening all over the place right now, and the equipment in several factories under our bureau is outdated.” Zhao Xingbang offered a cigarette. “Are you interested in cooperating? You provide the technology, and we’ll provide the factory buildings and workers.”

He Yuxin took the cigarette and thought for a moment: "This matter needs to be discussed slowly. However, I can send someone to check out your factory and make an assessment first."

"That's great!" Zhao Xingbang slapped his thigh. "I'll make the arrangements after the New Year."

On the other side, Lao Zhao, Lao Fang, and He Daqing sat on the sofa drinking tea and chatting.

"Old He, your son is really something." Old Zhao took a sip of tea. "His business is so big, and he even cooked for New Year's Eve himself."

He Daqing was beaming, but he said modestly, "Hey, I'm just busy doing nothing. On the other hand, your family Xingbang is young and promising, already at the bureau level."

"It's all about serving the people." Old Zhao waved his hand, then asked Old Fang, "How's it going on your end? I heard you're moving to Nanluoguxiang?"

Old Fang nodded: "Zhu Zi insisted that I move there, saying it would be more lively. I thought it was fine, since I'm all alone anyway, it doesn't matter where I am."

"That's great!" He Daqing chimed in. "Now we brothers can get together more often."

The Spring Festival Gala officially began on TV.

Fei Xiang's rendition of "A Fire in Winter" ignited the entire audience, followed by "Hometown Clouds".

After listening to the song, Zhao Xingbang brought up the collaboration again: "Yuxin, about that project we just talked about, how much would the initial investment be?"

He Yuxin said, "It depends on the scale. If it's just about upgrading one or two production lines, a million or so should be enough. But if it's a complete upgrade, then the cost is unpredictable."

"Money is no problem!" Zhao Xingbang said loudly. "As long as it improves efficiency, the bureau can provide a loan!"

“Xingbang,” Old Zhao interrupted his son, “It’s the New Year, so let’s talk less about work.”

"It's alright, Uncle Zhao." He Yuxin smiled. "Brother Xingbang is just worried about official business."

As the gala on TV reached its climax, Jiang Kun and Tang Jiezong's crosstalk performance, "Daydreaming in the Tiger's Mouth," brought laughter to the entire audience.

The conversation was paused again.

After the song "Unforgettable Tonight" was sung, it was already past ten o'clock. He Yuxin, He Yaozu, He Yaozong and others drove everyone back. Luckily, the He family had many cars, otherwise they would have had to make several trips.

On the way, Zhao Xingbang also made an appointment with He Yuxin to have a good talk sometime, clearly indicating that he hadn't had enough fun today.

After eating New Year's Eve dumplings at midnight, the young people went out and set off another round of firecrackers before going to sleep.

The next morning, He Yaozu and He Yaozong were woken up by He Ningxue. Then they picked up the two little ones, He Yaochen and He Ningyu, and started visiting each house to wish them a Happy New Year, receiving a bunch of red envelopes.

Then He Yuzhu's family went to the Zhao family and Lao Fang's place to pay their respects for the New Year.

We invited Lao Fang over for dinner, but he refused to come no matter what.

It's worth mentioning that Li Chengru came over to wish them a Happy New Year. He earned over 10,000 yuan in salary and bonuses that year, and his family's New Year celebrations were much more prosperous than in previous years.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Gong Xue's family and Zhong Chuhong's family ate at home separately, so only Lao He's family ate both meals.

On the evening of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the television in the main room was on, and the first episode of "Dream of the Red Chamber" was playing on the screen.

The women finished washing the dishes early and sat around the television.

Gong Xue and Cherie Chung sat side by side, their eyes fixed on the screen.

Upon seeing the scene where Lin Daiyu enters the Jia family mansion, Gong Xue sighed softly, "This production team really put their heart into it; they paid attention to every detail, from the costumes to the headdresses."

Cherie Chung nodded: "The actors were well-chosen; they looked just like they stepped out of the book. I wish we could act in them too."

"Yes, the production team contacted me, but I had other projects at the time," Gong Xue said.

"I don't know, otherwise I would have asked Yuxin to help me look for it," Zhong Chuhong said.

He Ningxue sat on a small stool and suddenly turned to He Yaozong and said, "Second brother, can your company get this drama broadcast in Hong Kong? Let my classmate see what a real period romance drama is like."

He Yaozu said, "We need to ask CCTV first if they are willing to sell the overseas rights. Last time, it was a coincidence with 'Journey to the West,' but this time it might not be so easy."

"Give it a try!" He Ningxue tugged at his sleeve.

He Daqing sipped his tea and glanced at the television: "What's so interesting about all this crying and wailing? I'd rather listen to a crosstalk performance."

Chen Lanxiang slapped him: "You old fool, if you don't like it, we do! Why don't you go to the back room and watch your crosstalk?"

"I'm not going, it's too crowded and noisy."

"Then don't say anything."

The first episode only had six episodes, and the women were all left wanting more, discussing every day whether the rest would be the same as the original story.

On the afternoon of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, He Yuyan and Zhou Baige entered the courtyard, looking travel-worn.

Zhou Baige's face was red from the cold, and she was carrying a military bag.

He Yuyan, carrying her luggage, called out, her breath steaming in the air, "Mom! We're back!"

Chen Lanxiang poked her head out of the kitchen: "Why didn't you tell me beforehand? I could have had Yuxin and the others pick you up. Come inside and warm up!"

"This wasn't a last-minute decision; I was planning to give you a surprise!" He Yuyan said.

"I used you to surprise me, and look how cold my daughter-in-law is." Chen Lanxiang had already come out and pulled Zhou Baige into the house.

"Where are my brothers?"

"I took the kids out to play, they'll be back soon."

"Oh!"

At this moment, He Daqing also came out and helped his son carry the luggage into the side room. "Was the journey smooth?"

"It's alright, but the tickets were hard to buy, and it was a crowded journey." He Yuyan took off her military overcoat and hung it on the hanger.

Zhou Baige took a sip of hot water to calm herself down, and took out a few packets of Cantonese snacks from her military bag: "Mom and Dad, these are from Huacheng, for you to try."

"Oh dear, why bring this all the way here?" Chen Lanxiang said, but her face lit up with a smile.

At dinner time, the family sat together for another lively reunion meal.

After the meal, He Yuzhu asked He Yuyan, "What kind of mission do you have during the Spring Festival?"

"Hey, they've gone to support the armed police; it's kind of like an exercise."

"The armed police need your support?"

"We're well-equipped, and ships at sea can't outrun helicopters."

"Hmm, mission went smoothly?"

"It went smoothly. I won't go into details, but I did learn something new. Those people are really daring."

"Okay, be careful on missions in the future."

"I know."

Then the brothers started talking about things like 'national affairs,' and even He Daqing joined in.

Zhou Baige huddled together with Chen Lanxiang, Xiaoman, Gong Xue, and Zhong Chuhong, chatting intimately among women.

He Ningxue was playing with the two little ones, while He Yaozu and He Yaozong also ran over to listen to 'national affairs'.

On the morning of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Xingbang came and chatted with He Yuxin for a whole morning before leaving in a hurry. He was going back to Jidong in the afternoon and wanted to have one last meal with his family before leaving.

On the morning of the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Baige received a call from home. After hanging up, she said to He Yuyan, "Dad wants to come over. He says he has some things he wants to talk to my eldest brother and third brother about."

He Yuyan turned around and went to the main room.

He Yuzhu was playing chess with He Daqing, while Xiaoman was helping Chen Lanxiang wind yarn.

Upon hearing the news, He Yuzhu placed a chess piece: "Alright, let Uncle Zhou come over. We'll have lunch here. Where's Yuxin?"

"I went to Zangguzhai early this morning, I should be back soon."

Around noon, Mr. and Mrs. Zhou arrived. Mr. Zhou was wearing a slightly worn dark Zhongshan suit, while Mrs. Zhou was wearing a relatively new outfit. The secretary behind them was carrying two boxes of tea.

He Yuzhu and his group greeted them at the courtyard gate.

"Uncle Zhou, it's so cold, yet you still made this trip."

"It's nothing, just stretching my muscles."

Upon entering the house, Zhou's father greeted He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang with a smile, saying, "Brother and sister-in-law, we're bothering you again."

"What are you disturbing? We'd love for you to come over, it would be so lively," Chen Lanxiang greeted them.

"Yes, yes!" He Daqing was still a little intimidated by officials.

“Your family is quite large and lively,” said Mr. Zhou.

Then Zhou's mother was pulled away by Chen Lanxiang to chat, while Zhou's father went to the study with He Yuzhu and his brother.

"Zhu Zi, Yu Xin, I have something I'd like to talk to you about."

“Uncle Zhou, please speak!” He Yuzhu said.

"I went on a trip to the south before the Lunar New Year and visited several factories. I felt really bad. Our equipment and technology are far behind those of other countries. Many factories are still using old machine tools from the 1950s, which are inaccurate and inefficient. The higher-ups are anxious, and we old folks are anxious too."

He Yuzhu poured him a cup of hot tea: "Uncle Zhou, this isn't something that can be done overnight. Foreign countries also went through this step by step."

“That makes sense, but seeing the gap widening like this is really frustrating,” Zhou’s father sighed. “Zhu Zi, you’ve seen a lot in the world, tell us, where exactly is this gap? And how do we catch up?”

He Yuzhu leaned forward and tapped his finger lightly on the table: "Uncle Zhou, the gap is all-encompassing. It's not just in machinery and equipment, but also in management, standards, and people's mindset. Many of our factories are still stuck in the stage of completing plans, and they are not sensitive enough to costs, the market, and technological iterations. For example, we think that as long as the same parts are good enough, it's fine, but overseas, they emphasize precise fit, and even the slightest difference is unacceptable."

“Yes,” He Yuxin chimed in, “We’ve experienced this firsthand when we work with domestic factories. Sometimes it’s not that we don’t want to use domestically produced parts, it’s just that they simply don’t meet our requirements and aren’t stable enough.”

"What should we do then? Bring them all in? Foreign exchange is too tight." Mr. Zhou frowned.

“Complete import is unrealistic, and it may not be a good thing either.” He Yuzhu shook his head. “We have to be selective. We should import key basic equipment and core technologies, but more importantly, we need to digest and absorb them. We can’t just buy and use them; we have to learn how to build them ourselves and think about how to improve them. We need to establish our own standards system and train our own people. This is a slow process; we can’t rush it, but we also can’t afford to be slow.”

Mr. Zhou listened attentively: "Tell me specifically, what are the key points?"

He Yuzhu thought for a moment: "For example, high-precision CNC machine tools, precision instruments, special materials, and integrated circuits are the foundation of industry. Foreign countries are currently imposing heavy technological blockades on these technologies, but it's not a monolithic entity. We can gradually break through through cooperative production, technology trade, and talent exchange. In addition, management must keep up. The same equipment used by different people will produce vastly different results."

“Talent cultivation is key,” He Yuxin added. “We are now cooperating with several universities to run training courses, inviting engineers from outside to teach, and also sending workers out to learn.”

Mr. Zhou pondered for a moment: “These things are easier said than done. There are many departments involved, and coordination is too much of a hassle. Moreover, the money invested doesn’t show immediate returns, so many people are unwilling to do it, and whether the people we send out will come back is also a question.”

“Looking back and forth won’t work. We can select a few factories with good conditions to pilot, concentrate resources to support them, and if they succeed, we can gradually promote it. It’s like farming; you have to have a few high-yield fields first. As for people, there will always be those who fawn over foreigners; there’s no way to tell before they go abroad,” He Yuzhu said.

The three talked for a long time, from specific technological upgrading projects to industry planning, and then to international technological development trends.

Mr. Zhou nodded occasionally and asked further questions, the worry between his brows seeming to ease somewhat.

As dusk settled outside the window, Zhou's father stood up: "After listening to your words, I feel much clearer. Although it's difficult, someone has to do it. I'm getting old and can't keep up with your young people's thinking, but I can still lend a hand."

"Dinner's ready," Chen Lanxiang's voice came from that moment.

"Let's go, we're going to have a feast at your house again today. My cook is... well, let's just say he's not a good cook," Mr. Zhou said with a smile.

“Then come to our house more often. My parents will be very happy. In-laws should visit each other more often,” He Yuzhu said.

"Hehe, they'll be very reserved if you're not home," Zhou's father said with a smile.

"It's not that exaggerated. They'll get used to it if you come more often. By the way, my Uncle Fang and Uncle Zhao will probably be holding events nearby after the New Year, so you'll have someone to talk to when you come."

"Really?"

“Really,” He Yuzhu said.

"You've done a really big job. If I cancel my registration, will you at least arrange a place for me?"

“No problem,” He Yuzhu said.

"Hahaha, good!" Zhou's father laughed.

(End of this chapter)