Siheyuan: Five mouths waiting for food at the beginning

In the middle of the night, Zhao Shanhe woke up because he was thirsty. He went downstairs to drink some water and found that Qin Jingru was really sleeping with the money in her arms. She couldn't stop smiling. He didn't know what kind of good dream she had. Zhao Shanhe originally planned to tease Qin Jingru and shout "The money is gone" to see how Qin Jingru would react, but then he thought of her big belly and decided to forget it. She was just a silly woman.

The next day, Zhao Shanhe got up very early. He didn't know why he couldn't get up for work and couldn't sleep on his holiday.

As usual, I went to pay my respects to my boss two days before the New Year. This year, there was also Uncle Zhou. I don’t know how that girl Zhou Xiaozhou is doing, whether she has found a partner or not. I haven’t visited him for a long time.

When they arrived at Uncle Zhou's house, Uncle Zhou was still sleeping. He was on duty last night, and Zhou Xiaozhou was not there either. Only Aunt Zhou was busy. Aunt Zhou wanted to go and call Uncle Zhou, but Zhao Shanhe didn't let her.

He just chatted casually with Aunt Zhou for a few minutes. He didn't expect that Zhou Xiaozhou really found a partner. Aunt Zhou and the others had already met each other. Zhao Shanhe didn't ask any further questions. He just congratulated her a few words and left.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. On New Year's Eve, Second Aunt came with Grandma early in the morning. Second Aunt said that Second Uncle had gone to the army that day and had not returned. She also apologized to Zhao Shanhe on behalf of Second Uncle.

Daya's family also came early. Her parents-in-law were no longer around, she had no brothers, and her two sisters were married, so they had no interest in coming to Zhao Shanhe's house for the New Year's Eve dinner. Erya's parents-in-law would probably not be back until the second day of the New Year.

The New Year's Eve dinner at Zhao Shanhe's house could be said to be the most sumptuous in the entire courtyard, with chicken, duck, fish and meat. They were divided into two tables before sitting down. The women were in Aunt Chen's room, and the men were on Zhao Shanhu's side.

Women just chat and look after the children. Zhao Shanhe and a few others started bragging and drinking again.

This year, Yi Zhonghai and his wife went to Sha Zhu's house to celebrate the New Year again, and they seemed to be having a great time. Since Yi Zhonghai provided a monthly subsidy of 50 yuan, the relationship between the two families has become very good and they have officially entered their honeymoon period.

During the meal, Ma Dongmei brought up something that made Yi Zhonghai and his wife so happy that they couldn't stop smiling. That is, Ma Dongmei's decision to provide for their retirement was not just empty talk. She suggested that Zhonghai and the auntie no longer have to cook in the future, and they could eat together, which was also an explanation for the fifty yuan she gave to Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai agreed without even thinking about it. In fact, if you think about it carefully, Ma Dongmei didn't lose out. In addition to the fifty yuan, Yi Zhonghai and the aunt's food also came to them, especially the white flour, which could provide for the children.

"Lao He, how about I go ride a tricycle with you after the New Year? I've retired suddenly and I don't know what to do next."

"That's great, we can take turns pedaling for half a day."

"No, I mean I'll buy a tricycle too, and you can take me with you when the time comes."

"Farewell, Lao Yi. We are so old now. Let's take turns. Riding a tricycle is really tiring. If I hadn't held on for a breath, I wouldn't have been able to make it through the day. I'm exhausted every day when I get home. I haven't cooked a single meal since I started riding the tricycle. I've long wanted to find someone to take turns with me."

"Father-in-law, why didn't you tell me earlier? I told you that we would each do half a day, but you insisted on showing off. You must be tired now. From now on, you stay at home to take care of the kids and I'll go ride the tricycle. I'm still young. Besides, He Dong and the others also like the food you cook."

"Forget it, Dongmei. You can't handle it. You are a woman after all. Don't you know that it's okay to pedal an empty tricycle, or even to pull one person? The hardest thing is when there are goods. It's impossible to pedal. Now I see so many goods that I won't even take them. I can't handle it at all."

"Dongmei, listen to your father-in-law. From now on, Lao He and I will take turns. We are free anyway."

"Old Yi, we should settle accounts clearly. You have to pay me for the car rental. I won't ask you for more. How about 50 cents for half a day?"

"no"

"Old Yi, don't be ungrateful. Do you know how much Old Yan asked his son to charge? That's average. I only want fifty cents."

"No, Lao He, listen to me. What I mean is that I don't want money. I will give you the money I earn. Why do I need so much money at my age? I have figured it out. Since Dongmei has said that we are a partnership, then we are a family. So why do I need money?"

"That won't do, uncle. You already pay me fifty bucks a month, how can I let you work for nothing?"

"Dongmei, what I said is true. Since you don't want it, why not give it to He Dong? You can save it for him. Anyway, I will be yours even after a hundred years. I'm telling you the truth. I'm not short of money, but sons and grandsons. I'll be satisfied if you are willing to take care of me in my old age."

The third uncle's family did not just make dumplings like in previous years, but also added some meat dishes this year. The third uncle was very happy now, because the second son's daily tricycle income was half of his, at least thirty yuan a month. He had to let his son eat better, so not only did he add some meat dishes, but he also bought a few bottles of wine and brought them out without adding any water.

Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiecheng were quite excited. Their father was finally not so stingy anymore and they could finally drink some wine without water. Yan Jiefang never expected that he was overthinking it. Before he had even had a few drinks, his father started talking.

"Second brother, drink less and don't get drunk. Tomorrow is the first day of the Chinese New Year, and there will definitely be a lot of people visiting relatives and friends. You will definitely be able to earn more than usual."

"Dad, I still have to ride a tricycle on New Year's Day. Can't I take a few days off? He is just a donkey. He needs to take a few days off after working for a few days. I haven't taken a day off since I bought this tricycle. If I don't take a rest, I feel like my body is going to fall apart."

"That's right, Dad, let me slow down for a few days. I feel so tired and sore every day when I come home."

"Jiefang, and Jiefang's wife, I'm doing this for your own good. Think about it, you can earn two days' worth of money in one day during Chinese New Year. Can't you earn a few days' worth of money during Chinese New Year and then relax after the Chinese New Year? There's nothing you can't buy with money."

"Liberation, Dad is right, why don't you just work hard for a few more days."

"Okay." Yan Jiefang regretted buying the tricycle. It was more tiring than doing odd jobs. He had to give half of the money he earned every day to his father. He felt like he was digging into his flesh.

The Jia family was not stingy and also cut some meat to make several dishes. One was to celebrate the return of Banggeng, and the other was to ward off bad luck and hope that they would not suffer any more next year. The family of five ate until their mouths were full of oil, leaving nothing at all. They even drank the soup with steamed buns, which was cleaner than what a dog had eaten.

Compared to the Zhao family, the He family, and the Jia family, the Liu family lived a more miserable life. There were only two old people, and none of their sons came back. Even Liu Haizhong's favorite eggs found them tasteless.

Who can understand this kind of pain? I have three sons, but the New Year's Eve dinner I had was worse than that of a person without sons. Tears of regret flowed down my bangs. If I had known earlier, I would not have beaten him so harshly. I would not have become a lonely person.