Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 380 Joy and mourning
The New Year's Eve dinner was arranged in the newly renovated restaurant in the east courtyard.

The room is spacious and bright, with terrazzo flooring and four newly made large round tables in the center, the kind with turntables, surrounded by chairs with backrests.

Several cabinets were placed against the wall, containing tea sets and bowls, and a 22-inch color TV was placed on the TV cabinet.

In one corner of the room, a small room was partitioned off with a screen, where a sofa and coffee table were placed for people to rest and drink tea before and after meals.

The kitchen next door was even more spacious, with a gleaming stove and all sorts of utensils.

As darkness fell, lanterns were lit, casting a reddish glow on the snow in the courtyard.

Two large tables were already laden with dishes: tender braised pork knuckles, golden and crispy whole fish, glistening roast chicken, neatly arranged dumplings, and various Sichuan, Shandong, and Cantonese stir-fries, steamed dishes, and cold dishes, all steaming hot and fragrant.

He Yuzhu came out of the kitchen wearing an apron, beads of sweat still on his forehead, and greeted everyone with a smile: "Don't just stand there, come and sit down, eat while it's hot!"

The adults politely offered themselves to each other as they sat down, while the children, unable to contain themselves any longer, stared longingly at the dishes on the table.

As the host, He Daqing was seated at the head table. Old Master Chen was brought back to Hong Kong this year after his two sons persuaded him to return. He was getting old, and the younger son didn't want to come back. It wasn't appropriate for him to always stay at his daughter's house.

At the main table were Lao Zhao, Lao Fang, Yu Zecheng, He Yuzhu, He Yuxin, He Yuyao, He Yuyan, Zhao Xingbang, Zhao Zhenhua, He Yushui, and Wang Siyu's husband.

The women and children sat at other tables, where Chen Lanxiang, Wang Cuiping, and Wang Hongxia greeted them.

Originally, they wanted the old lady to speak first, but she just raised her glass. Then they asked He Daqing to speak, but He Daqing didn't come either. In the end, it was He Yuzhu who spoke.

He Yuzhu stood up, raised his wine glass, and looked around at his children, grandchildren, and old friends filling the room: "It's the New Year, so I won't say much else. I just hope that our whole family, young and old, will be safe and healthy! May our lives become more and more prosperous! Come on, let's drink to this!"

"Cheers!" Everyone responded in unison, and the wine glasses, teacups, and beverage glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

After everyone started eating, the table immediately became lively.

The men talked about everything. There were so many new things brought about by the reform and opening up. The He family knew a lot about what was happening outside, and the topics kept coming up one after another.

"Zhu Zi, you guys have really accomplished something big with that rare earth project this time!" Old Zhao took a sip of his drink.

“Uncle Zhao, it’s all about going with the flow.” He Yuzhu put a piece of fish on his plate. “The main thing is that we caught the right opportunity.”

"You always downplay it like that," Old Fang laughed. "But you did a great job. This kind of tactic is befitting your current status."

Old Fang spoke in a very veiled way, but He Yuzhu understood. In the past, it could only be done secretly, but now, by using formal means, it could be done openly and legitimately.

The women's table was even more lively. Chen Lanxiang, Wang Cuiping, and Wang Hongxia, along with their older sisters, were drinking today, accompanied by He Yushui and Zhong Chuhong. The others didn't drink alcohol, but instead had small bottles of champagne, Jianlibao (a popular Chinese beverage), and almond milk.

The meal lasted from a little after 4 p.m. until a little after 7 p.m., when they said the Spring Festival Gala was about to start, and the men finished drinking.

The women cleared the table, some washing the dishes and chopsticks, while others began kneading dough and making dumpling filling.

Halfway through making dumplings, the Spring Festival Gala started. The tables where no dumplings were being made were filled with various fruits, dried fruits, and candies. As for the men who wanted to smoke, they could just go to the tea area, which even had an exhaust fan installed.

This year's gala is different; for the first time, it adopts a multi-venue linkage model (main venue + Huacheng branch venue), achieving north-south interaction through satellite transmission.

When Chung Chor-hung saw the people who appeared at the Huacheng branch venue, she opened her mouth wide. These were all her juniors at TVB.

"Fourth Aunt, there are so many from your company! When will you be able to perform on the Spring Festival Gala?" He Ningxue asked from the side.

"Hehe, if your fourth aunt hadn't been busy taking care of the children, she should have been born this year," He Yuyao said.

"What a pity!" He Ningxue said.

“It’s not that easy to get on stage. I’m not good at singing or dancing,” said Cherie Chung.

"Hehe, Fourth Aunt is so beautiful, she's a sight to behold standing on the stage," He Ningxue teased.

"You brat, you're joking with me." Chung Chuh-hung grabbed He Ningxue and started tickling her.

"Ah, hahaha, giggle, no, I'm ticklish." He Ningxue couldn't stand it for long and got up to run away.

"Hmph, you'll get away with talking about me like that. I won't let you off the hook next time."

Outside the window, sporadic firecrackers could be heard.

With He Yuyan's shout, "Fire off the cannons!"

The women and children all rushed out of the house.

"Crackling, popping, bang!"

"Crackling, popping, bang!"

Wow, what beautiful fireworks!

"I want to release it too."

"I'll have one too."

The courtyard in the east wing was bustling with activity.

After the fireworks display, everyone took a large group photo.

Afterwards, each family took a group photo.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the He family courtyard was bustling with activity.

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang sat in the center of the main room, receiving New Year's greetings from their children and grandchildren.

They ate sunflower seeds and chatted about everyday things. Old Zhao and Old Fang set up a small table in the yard, drinking tea and playing chess, arguing heatedly over a single move.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, only Zhou Baige returned to her parents' home in Huacheng. Gong Xue's parents returned to Shanghai this year, while Zhong Chuhong's parents, who had gone back last year, did not come this year.

Starting from the third year of junior high, the younger kids went out to have fun.

After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the old lady Long Chenshi's spirits were not very good. She went to the hospital for a check-up, but there was nothing wrong with her, except that she was old. So they brought her back.

He Yuzhu quickly made a phone call, and his two uncles brought his grandfather back.

"Ohh Ohh ohh!"

The old lady lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at her children and grandchildren surrounding her, a smile on her lips. "Why are you crying? I've lived to be 103 years old, and my time has come."

"Grandma, I can't bear to part with you," Chen Lanxiang cried.

"Silly girl, everyone comes together and then goes apart. I have to go now. You all need to take good care of yourselves."

"Waaah!" Chen Lanxiang cried even harder. This was the relative who had raised her since she was a child, someone who was more than a mother to her.

“Madam, you’re still alive at 120? You won’t even get to see Yaozu and the others get married yet,” He Yuzhu said, tears streaming down her face.

"Zhu Zi, I'm afraid Madam won't live to see that day." The old lady tried to reach out and touch He Yuzhu's head, but she was too weak. He Yuzhu grabbed the old lady's hand and placed it on his own head, tears silently rolling down his cheeks.

"Don't cry, don't cry. You're so old. What haven't you experienced? Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all normal." The old lady's hand slid down He Yuzhu's head, trying to wipe his tears, but instead slid down He Yuzhu's face.

"Madam." He Yuzhu took the old lady's hand and placed it on his face. The old lady struggled to wipe away the tears of her beloved grandson, and a tear slid down her cheek.

She wanted to live a few more years, but age catches up with everyone, and her health was failing. This year, with everyone gathered together, her worries were relieved, and that's why she turned out like this.

"Zhu Zi, don't do anything foolish again!"

"Yes, madam, I understand."

"Xiaoman, keep an eye on the pillars."

“Yes, I will, madam!” Xiaoman replied, crying.

"."

After saying a few more words, the old lady became unwell, and Chen Lanxiang chased everyone out.

After everyone had left, Chen Lanxiang grasped the old lady's thin hand and said hoarsely, "Mother, I can't bear to part with you."

“My daughter, I’m so reluctant to leave you, but it’s my time to go. Don’t cry, don’t cry.” As she spoke, the old lady herself began to cry.

After Chen Lanxiang came out, she found He Yuzhu and said, "Zhuzi, I'm afraid your wife is really not going to make it this time."

“I know, Mother,” He Yuzhu said, her eyes red.

"Spend some quality time with her these next few days. You're always traveling, so you spend very little time at home."

"it is good."

The sixteenth day of the first lunar month, early morning.

As usual, He Yuzhu quietly pushed open the old lady's door to see how she slept during the night.

The room was quiet. The old lady lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), covered with a thick quilt, her face peaceful, as if she were still fast asleep. "Madam, it's dawn," He Yuzhu called softly, approaching the kang.

There was no response. His heart tightened, and he reached out to check the old woman's breath, his hand trembling violently.

"Mother! Father!" He Yuzhu called out towards the door, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

Chen Lanxiang and He Daqing rushed in first. When they saw He Yuzhu's face, Chen Lanxiang's legs went weak and she almost fell over, but He Daqing caught her.

Chen Lanxiang rushed to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), grasped the old woman's already cold hand, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. "Mother, why didn't you say goodbye before you left?"

When Grandpa Chen and He Yuzhu's two uncles arrived, they didn't find anything wrong with Chen Lanxiang's shout.

"Big sister, why did you leave us?" Old Master Chen staggered to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and cried.

He Daqing, his eyes red-rimmed, took a deep breath and said, "It's a happy funeral. The old lady didn't suffer. It's a blessing."

"Waaah!" The room was filled with sobbing.

The burial clothes that the old lady had chosen herself before her death were brought out; they were traditional satin jackets and skirts in solemn colors. The women, with tears in their eyes, carefully washed the old lady's face, combed her hair, and dressed her in the burial clothes.

He Daqing led the men to set up the mourning hall in the east courtyard, as requested by the old lady.

All the tables in the dining room were moved aside, a memorial tablet was set up, and a white cloth curtain was hung up.

This place, which should have been filled with laughter and joy, was now only filled with weeping.

According to custom, the old lady's body was kept at home for three days to receive condolences from relatives and friends.

Old friends such as Lao Zhao, Lao Fang, and Wang Hongxia all came, bowed to the memorial tablet, and comforted the He family.

The day of the funeral was gloomy.

The funeral procession was long, with the He family descendants dressed in mourning clothes, supporting the coffin.

The old lady's grave is in a quiet cemetery, and the burial plot has already been prepared.

During the burial, Chen Lanxiang cried so hard she almost fainted, and was supported by He Yuzhu and Xiaoman on either side.

He Daqing gently sprinkled a handful of yellow earth onto the coffin and said in a hoarse voice, "Mother, rest in peace."

After the funeral, Wang Cuiping, Yu Zecheng, He Yuyao, Cherie Chung, and He Yaozu all returned to Hong Kong.

He Yuzhu, Xiaoman, He Yaozong, and He Ningxue stayed in Beijing.

Chen Lanxiang fell ill after seeing the old lady off. If everyone else hadn't had to leave, they would have all stayed.

Chen Lanxiang's illness came on quickly but went away slowly.

He seemed to have lost his backbone, listless and lacking energy all day long.

After discussing it with Xiaoman, He Yuzhu decided to stay in Beijing for a while longer.

After He Yaozong finished the post-production work at the August First Film Studio, he was recommended to the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy for graduate studies.

He Ningxue was assigned to study hotel management at Grand Hyatt. Her major in university was business administration, so this was a good opportunity for her to do an internship.

Two telephones and a fax machine were added to the original study in the middle courtyard of No. 95. A telephone was also added to the study in the front courtyard. One was He Yuzhu's temporary office, and the other was Xiaoman's temporary office.

When Lao Zhao and Lao Fang saw this, they joked, "Zhu Zi, have you put the command post in the courtyard house?"

"What, you're not welcome?"

"Welcome, of course you're welcome. We'd be happier if you didn't come back to Hong Kong."

"That might not work, but I should be here for the first half of this year," He Yuzhu said.

"That's great! So, is there any work we can do that you can assign us?" Old Fang asked.

"I wouldn't dare make arrangements for you."

"Why do you look down on us?" Old Zhao asked.

"I can't afford to pay salaries to guys like you," He Yuzhu joked.

"Tch, we have retirement pensions, we don't need you to give us money," Old Fang said.

"I really don't have any right now, but I'll definitely ask you two for help when I do," He Yuzhu said with a wry smile, spreading his hands.

"Alright, it seems we two old buddies can only continue playing chess."

In January 1988, housing system reform was officially launched.

However, the implementation of the policy was not so quick. In April, He Yuxin received documents from several municipalities directly under the central government, and his fingers trembled slightly with excitement.

He strode to the huge national map on the wall, which was densely marked with the plots of land that Yellow River Industry had acquired in recent years.

"Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and the old city of Beijing," he muttered to himself, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

If it weren't for his elder brother He Yuzhu's almost "stubborn" insistence last year that he acquire more land at any cost, given this year's policy trends and the instantly soaring land prices, it would have been a pipe dream to acquire these prime locations at the previous cost.

The land price hasn't been officially announced yet, but rumors are already circulating. Compared to last year, it's estimated to be two or three times higher, and without strong connections, it's difficult to even qualify for the bidding.

"Brother's eye for talent is so sharp it's frightening." He Yuxin breathed a sigh of relief, his admiration for his older brother deepening even further.

In courtyard number 95, the crabapple blossoms are in full bloom.

He Yuzhu was sunbathing in the yard with Chen Lanxiang, whose spirits were gradually improving, when Lao Zhao and Lao Fang strolled over.

Old Zhao picked up the newspaper on the stone table, squinted at the report on housing reform, and turned to He Yuzhu, saying, "Zhuzi, Huanghe is moving fast! I heard that Yuxin acquired a huge plot of land in several major cities before the new year? How many houses are they going to build?"

Old Fang picked up the conversation, his tone filled with doubt and elder-like concern: "Even now, work units are still allocating housing. How much money do ordinary people have? If so many buildings are built, can they really be sold? Don't let them become unsellable."

He Yuzhu poured tea for the two elderly people and smiled, "Uncle Zhao, Uncle Fang, the policy has changed. From now on, people will gradually have to buy their own houses. Housing provided by work units can't solve everyone's problems. There are more and more people in the city, and young people want to start families. Who doesn't want their own place?"

“That makes sense,” Old Zhao shook his head, “but these house prices don’t sound cheap at all. An ordinary working-class family might not be able to afford the nice apartment buildings you’ve built even if they saved up their whole lives.”

“It will definitely be difficult at the beginning,” He Yuzhu explained patiently, “but life always moves forward. Wages will rise and the economy will develop. Besides, we’re not building just one type of house. There will be bigger ones and smaller ones, some in good locations and some more affordable ones. We need to give different people something to look forward to.”

Just then, He Yuxin rushed into the courtyard, her face glowing with the busyness of her work.

"Brother, Uncle Zhao, Uncle Fang," he greeted He Yuzhu excitedly, "The policy details have been released, and they're even clearer than we expected! The land we acquired earlier has such a clear locational advantage! Several companies in Shanghai and Huacheng have already contacted us privately to inquire about the possibility of cooperating in building staff dormitories."

Old Fang and Old Zhao exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised. They were used to the housing allocation system under the planned economy and were still unfamiliar with the concept of "commercial housing".

He Yuzhu nodded and instructed He Yuxin, "This is an opportunity, but we must proceed cautiously. First, select one or two plots of land to conduct pilot projects. The design must be practical, the quality must be guaranteed, and the price must demonstrate sincerity. If we get this off to a good start, the rest will go smoothly."

“I understand!” He Yuxin replied emphatically. “The design drawings are already being prepared by the teams in Hong Kong and the Special Administrative Region. They can be modified to suit local conditions and then used. I’ll make the arrangements right away and try to start construction this summer!”

Watching He Yuxin's hurried departure, Old Zhao clicked his tongue and sighed to Old Fang, "Old Fang, it seems we old folks are really falling behind. The world changes so fast."

Old Fang gazed thoughtfully at the sprouting green willows outside the window: "Things have changed, but Zhu Zi and the others have foresight. Who wouldn't want a home of their own? Perhaps this is truly the right path."

He Yuzhu listened to the two elderly people without interrupting, and simply sipped his tea in silence.

My gaze seems to have already passed over the courtyard wall, and I can see the buildings that are about to rise from the ground, and the new expectations of countless people for "home".

During dinner that evening, Chen Lanxiang asked about it.

"Zhu Zi, do you think that with this policy change, we'll really have to buy our own houses in China from now on?"

"Mom, it's the way things are. How can a workplace support you forever? In the future, young people will get married, start their own families, and have their own place to live. That's something to look forward to."

"I just asked a question, and things have changed so fast."

Just then, a car horn sounded from the east courtyard, and a moment later He Yuxin came in hurriedly, carrying a briefcase.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Chen Lanxiang asked.

"Dad, Mom, brother, sister-in-law. I just saw two groups of people off at the office and rushed back for dinner. Brother, do you know why those people came?"

"I didn't receive them, how would I know?"

"They all inquired about the plots of land we acquired before the new year in roundabout ways."

"How do they have the qualifications to build buildings?"

“When the company builds housing, they ask for 30% more than the original price, and want us to give them a piece of land at the allocated price, saying that they will raise funds to build dormitories to solve the difficulties of employees.”

(End of this chapter)