Siheyuan: The happy life of a little chef

When Li Jianjun arrived at the gate of Han Chunyan's yard, he saw her waiting at the gate: "Have you been waiting for a long time? Why don't you wait at home?"

Han Chunyan smiled and said, "There are a lot of people at home. I don't know when I can go out. This is my first time to visit an elder, so I can't be late."

Li Jianjun thought about it and realized that he had gotten up late to begin with. If he delayed any further, he would be late. "Then I won't go in. Come on, let's go."

Han Chunyan sat behind and followed. The two of them talked and laughed at a fast pace. After a while, they arrived at Li Huaide's house. Li Huaide lived in an apartment building on the second floor. Li Jianjun knocked on the door directly.

Li Huaide opened the door: "Jianjun is here, come in quickly, this must be Chunyan, come in, come in."

Li Huaide stared at Han Chunyan. He felt that Han Chunyan looked very much like Lou Xiao'e. Li Jianjun also noticed his gaze.

Li Huaide explained: "Jianjun, your girlfriend looks very similar to the daughter of someone I know, so I took a closer look."

Li Jianjun knew who he was talking about, but he could only pretend not to know: "Who is it, uncle? There is someone who looks so similar?"

"The world is full of wonders. There's nothing wrong with looking alike. I was just a little curious at first sight." Li Huaide didn't intend to talk about Lou Bancheng.

Li Jianjun did not ask any more questions. He picked up the cloth bag in his hand. It was hung on the front of the bicycle when he went out. There were two turtles in it. "Uncle, I brought some good things to nourish you."

Li Huaide was curious and opened it to take a look: "Wow, these two turtles are not small, they are very tonic, you are willing to build an army." Li Huaide smiled a little obscenely.

"By the way, uncle, where is aunt? Is she not at home?" Li Jianjun asked.

Li Huaide sat down and said, "You two come and sit down. Be casual when you are at home. Don't be restrained. There are no leaders here, only uncle and aunt." Li Huaide saw that Han Chunyan was a little nervous.

Li Jianjun put down the bag, pulled Han Chunyan to sit down, and poured her a glass of water: "Don't be nervous, uncle is a very nice person."

Li Huaide smiled and said, "We are almost a family. There is no need to be nervous. Just treat it as your own family and be casual."

After hearing this, Han Chunyan felt a little better and picked up the teacup to drink some water.

Li Huaide picked up the apples on the table and gave them one each: "This is what your aunt brought back from her parents' home yesterday. Try it, it's quite sweet."

They chatted like this for a while, mainly Li Jianjun and Li Huaide talking, while Han Chunyan listened.

Half an hour later, Li Huaide's wife Wang Xia came back. Li Huaide immediately introduced her: "Axia, this is my nephew Li Jianjun, and this is his girlfriend Han Chunyaner."

Wang Xia greeted with a smile: "Jianjun, I hear your uncle mention you every day, but today I invited you to my home. Don't blame your aunt!"

Wang Xia thought it over. Without children, she would have to rely on Li Jianjun for her old age. A daughter who is married off is like water spilled, and if she goes back, her two sisters-in-law will not be easy to deal with.

Li Jianjun quickly said, "Aunt, I just joined the factory and I have a lot of things to do. It's my fault for not visiting you earlier."

"Don't be polite. You stay and chat with Chunyan'er, and I'll go help Jianjun. You can try Jianjun's cooking and see if I'm bragging. Jianjun also brought some good stuff." As he said that, he went to the kitchen with a cloth bag.

Wang Xia was chatting with Han Chunyan, while Li Jianjun and Li Huaide were cooking in the kitchen. Li Huaide asked, "Jianjun, when do you plan to get the marriage certificate?"

Li Jianjun was stunned for a moment: "Uncle, don't be so anxious, I plan to take it slowly."

Li Huaide said seriously: "What do you mean by take your time? Once you see the opportunity, you should act immediately. Men should not drag their feet when doing things. Marry her as soon as possible so that the Li family can have more children and branches sooner."

Li Jianjun could only smile awkwardly. Seeing that Li Jianjun didn't respond, Li Huaide planned to ask Han Chunyan.

"Chunyan, when do you plan to get the marriage certificate? I still want to have a grandson." Li Huaide asked impatiently.

Han Chunyan blushed: "Uncle, it depends on Jianjun."

Li Huaide said angrily, "That brat wants to take it slow. Don't listen to him. It's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Jianjun and I are the only ones left in the Li family. I have the final say on his marriage. So, next Sunday I will ask the matchmaker to go to your house to propose marriage, and then invite your family to have a meal together. We will discuss when to get it done, and we must get the marriage certificate before the New Year. You have a heavy burden on your shoulders. The expansion of the Li family depends on you."

Han Chunyan lowered her head and said, "I'll listen to uncle. I'll tell my family when I get back."

Lunch was ready quickly. Wang Xia tasted Li Jianjun's cooking and praised it repeatedly. Li Jianjun accompanied Li Huaide for a few drinks, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

After dinner, Wang Xia and Han Chunyan cleaned the table, while Li Huaide and Li Jianjun went to the study to discuss things.

Li Huaide handed over a note: "This is the note for yesterday's material inventory. Keep it safe. Go to the finance department tomorrow to get the money and give it to the person. You must maintain a good relationship."

"Don't worry, uncle. I'll give it to him tomorrow afternoon after I get the money." Li Jianjun put the note into his pocket, which was actually already put into the space.

The two chatted for a while and then Li Jianjun said goodbye. He still had to go to the hospital to see Xu Damao. Before leaving, Li Huaide gave them eight apples, four for each of them. Fruit was a luxury these days.

Li Jianjun sent Han Chunyan home first before going to the hospital. Li Jianjun gave the apple directly to Xu Damao.

"Brother Damao, are you feeling better today?" Li Jianjun asked.

"It's much better. It doesn't hurt so much anymore. You are so polite. You even gave me some fruit." Xu Damao sighed when he saw the fruit. He was worthy of being Director Li's nephew.

"Brother Damao, I saw Uncle Xu and the police arrest Sha Zhu this morning. What happened?" Li Jianjun was also very curious and wanted to know how the incident developed.

Xu Damao's face was gloomy. "Shazhu insisted that he hit me because I said something bad about him, and that we had an argument before and he got angry and kicked me."

Li Jianjun thought that Sha Zhu definitely did it on purpose: "So what do we say now?"

"The police said that no matter what the reason was for beating me like this, if I pursue the matter, they can send Sha Zhu to prison for three years. Now my dad is following up on this matter, I still have to recuperate. I estimate that I will not be able to leave the hospital for more than a month." Xu Damao is still thinking about his girlfriend. Isn't this the end? If his girlfriend knew his current situation, it is still unclear whether she can marry him.

"Where's your mother? She's not here with you?" Li Jianjun didn't see Xu Damao's mother.

"My mother went back to cook, and my sister still needs to come home for dinner. My father is at the police station talking to them about things. Who do you think is Sha Zhu? He doesn't care about his own sister. He is filial to an old lady and doesn't even take care of his sister. His sister lives in school and goes to her classmate's house during holidays. She only comes back when she has no money." Xu Damao was still complaining about Sha Zhu at this time.

Li Jianjun was speechless. "Brother, you are already like this, just take care of yourself." "That's his business, we won't get involved. You take care of yourself. I'm going back too. I still have to cook."

Xu Damao tried to persuade him: "Why don't you just eat here, so you don't have to go back and cook."

Li Jianjun waved his hand and said as he walked away: "Forget it, Auntie must have brought only enough food for you. I'd better go back. You should take good care of your injuries and stop thinking about it."

After saying that, Li Jianjun left.