Siheyuan: A journey of mountains and rivers

In front of a stall, He Yuzhu met Lao Zhang, who was selling vegetables. Lao Zhang smiled and said, "Yuzhu, why are you buying so many vegetables today? Is there something happy happening at home?"

He Yuzhu responded with a smile: "Lao Zhang, there is nothing special to do today, I just want to make a delicious meal and have a reunion dinner together."

Lao Zhang nodded, helped him pick out some of the best vegetables, and gave him a few extra scallions and garlic: "Everyone knows about your affairs these days. You are a very good person. Take more back. Don't be polite."

He Yuzhu smiled gratefully: "Thank you, Lao Zhang, I won't be polite then."

After buying vegetables, He Yuzhu returned to the courtyard with satisfaction. He entered the kitchen and began to get busy. He washed the vegetables, cut them carefully, and prepared various seasonings. Everything was in order and full of the breath of life.

In the evening, Qin Huairu and Banggeng came back. As soon as Qin Huairu entered the yard, she smelled a strong aroma of food. She walked into the kitchen and saw He Yuzhu busy at work. She said in surprise: "Brother Yuzhu, you cooked so many dishes today?"

He Yuzhu turned around and smiled: "Huai Ru, there is nothing special to do today, I just want everyone to have a good meal together. You and Bang Geng have worked hard, so enjoy yourself today."

Bang Geng also ran in after smelling the aroma, looking at the dishes on the table with sparkling eyes: "Uncle Yu Zhu, what's delicious today?"

He Yuzhu smiled and touched Banggeng's head: "Today we have your favorite braised pork, sweet and sour fish, and a lot of vegetables, all of which you and your mother like to eat."

Qin Huairu looked at He Yuzhu with emotion, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart: "Brother Yuzhu, thank you so much. You always think about us so much."

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Huai Ru, don't say that. I feel very satisfied when you are happy. Okay, everyone sit down and let's eat."

The dinner was held in a warm atmosphere, with everyone chatting and laughing, sharing each other's daily life and feelings. He Yuzhu looked at the smiling faces of Qin Huairu and Banggeng, and felt extremely happy and satisfied. He knew that he had fallen deeply in love with this family and was willing to give everything for them.

After dinner, Bang Geng took the initiative to help clean up the dishes. Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu sat in the yard, enjoying the tranquility of the night. Qin Huairu looked at He Yuzhu and said softly, "Brother Yuzhu, you are so good to us. Sometimes I don't know how to thank you."

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Huai Ru, we are friends, this is what I should do. You and Bang Geng are the ones I care about the most, and I am willing to take care of you like this forever."

Qin Huairu was so moved that her eyes were slightly wet. She lowered her head, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that He Yuzhu's kindness to her was not just a friend's concern, but she didn't dare to respond to her feelings easily. She was afraid of destroying the current harmony, and she was also afraid that she would not be able to bear new feelings.

He Yuzhu looked at Qin Huairu and understood her concerns. He decided not to force her anymore, but to prove his feelings with more actions, so that she could slowly feel his sincerity. He believed that as long as he persisted, Qin Huairu would eventually understand his feelings.

Late at night, Qin Huairu and Banggeng went back to their room to rest, and He Yuzhu also returned to his room. He lay on the bed, thinking about everything that happened today, and felt a sense of satisfaction and happiness in his heart. He knew that the road ahead was still long, but he was willing to go on step by step, guarding Qin Huairu and Banggeng until they could both feel his love and warmth.

He Yuzhu sat on the bedside, feeling mixed emotions. He looked out the window at the night sky, his mind racing. Over the past few months, he had been silently caring for Qin Huairu and Banggeng, and his feelings for them had been deepening. However, he also realized that Qin Huairu had not completely opened up yet, and had always been reserved and concerned about her feelings for him.

He Yuzhu began to think whether he should slow down and stop being so eager to express his feelings. He decided to give Qin Huairu more space and time to let her slowly experience his sincerity instead of asking for trouble.

The next morning, He Yuzhu got up early as usual and prepared a simple but nutritious breakfast. He placed the breakfast at the door of Qin Huairu's house, knocked on the door, and then turned and left, leaving them some private space.

Qin Huairu opened the door and saw the carefully prepared breakfast. She was touched and a little guilty. She knew that He Yuzhu had been silently paying for them, but she never had the courage to respond to his feelings. She thought silently in her heart that maybe she should take the initiative to understand and accept He Yuzhu's sincerity.

That night, Qin Huairu plucked up her courage and decided to talk to He Yuzhu. She walked to the door of He Yuzhu's house and knocked gently. He Yuzhu opened the door and saw Qin Huairu. He was slightly startled, but soon calmed down and said with a smile: "Huairu, what's wrong? Is there something wrong?"

Qin Huairu nodded and whispered, "Brother Yuzhu, I have something to talk to you about. Can you come in?"

He Yuzhu let her in, and they sat at the table. Qin Huairu lowered her head, her thoughts a little confused. After a while, she finally raised her head and looked at He Yuzhu, with a hint of complicated emotions in her eyes: "Brother Yuzhu, I know in my heart that you have cared for us and helped us during this period. In fact, I am also very grateful to you, but... I just don't know how to respond to you."

He Yuzhu felt sad when he heard this, but he still smiled and said, "Huai Ru, I understand your concerns. In fact, I don't want to put pressure on you. I just want to tell you that no matter what happens, I will always be by your side, supporting you and taking care of you. You don't need to respond to my feelings now, time will tell us the answer."

Qin Huairu nodded, tears in her eyes: "Brother Yuzhu, thank you. You are a good person, I know you really want to be good to us. I just... just need a little time."

He Yuzhu reached out his hand, gently held Qin Huairu's hand, and said softly: "Huairu, no matter how long it takes, I will wait for you. You and Banggeng are the most important people to me. I will always protect you until you are willing to accept me."

Qin Huairu felt He Yuzhu's sincerity, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She knew that this man truly loved her and was willing to give everything for her. She lowered her head, tears silently falling: "Brother Yuzhu, I will try my best to feel your heart, thank you."

From that day on, He Yuzhu was no longer eager to express his feelings, but silently cared for Qin Huairu and Banggeng with his actions. He still got up early every day, prepared breakfast and put it at the door of Qin Huairu's house; he still lent a hand without hesitation when they needed help; he still patiently coached and encouraged Banggeng when he encountered difficulties in his studies.