Siheyuan: Five mouths waiting for food at the beginning

On the fifth day of the New Year, Zhao Shanhe sent his eldest son and daughter-in-law to the train station. They were going to his father-in-law's home in Guangzhou, and then they would go straight back to school.

At the Jia family, on the fifth day of the New Year, Qin Huairu still didn't wait for Xiaodang and Wu Jianjun to come.

Ding Dong, Ding Dong,

Qin Huairu hurried to open the door, thinking it was Xiaodang who came, but it turned out to be He Dong.

"Aunt Jia, I thought I was seeing things, but I didn't expect this to be your house."

"Happy New Year, Aunt Jia!"

Qin Huairu, born in 85, is already 52 years old, with a few more white hairs on her head. The word "Aunt Jia" silenced her. Not long ago, this was the name for Jia Zhangshi.

"Are you He Dong?"

"Yes, Aunt Jia"

"Come in and sit inside"

After He Dong went in, he wished a happy new year to Jia Zhang and Banggeng's wife. Banggeng was not idle during the New Year, as both the restaurant and the square were open for business.

"Aunt Jia, when I saw you buying groceries, I thought I had made a mistake. I didn't expect you really lived on the fourth floor. I live above you."

"I saw you too, but I really couldn't recognize you. I haven't seen you for several years. You've changed a lot."

“Isn’t this growing up?”

"Come and have some tea and some fruit," the Banggeng wife greeted.

"Thank you, sister-in-law"

Jia Zhang asked, "Are you the only one living upstairs, or are your whole family here?"

"I live alone. Sometimes my sister He Hua comes to stay for a few days. My grandfather and my father still live in the courtyard."

"Then how do you eat as a grown man?"

"Grandma Jia, I am the descendant of a chef. Although I did not inherit the skills of my grandfather and father, I still know a few cooking skills. Why don't I just do it myself?"

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have run into Aunt Jia at the vegetable market this morning."

"That's true. He Daqing and your father are both good at cooking. It's normal that you can cook."

"How is your grandfather He Daqing's health?"

"My grandfather is in good health. He likes to go out for a walk every afternoon and sing opera with the old lady. He doesn't go home until dark."

Jia Zhang sighed, "I haven't been back for several years since I moved out. I didn't expect that I would end up living upstairs and downstairs again."

"yes"

"By the way, isn't Xu Damao the one across from you? Have they come over yet?"

"You mean Uncle Xu? He moved here. I went to visit him on the first day of the new year."

"Then why doesn't your father come over? He and Xu Damao are enemies."

"My grandpa and Grandpa Yi are left alone at home. There's no room for them upstairs, so they're used to living there. If I hadn't had a place to live at home, I wouldn't want to move here. It's too boring to stay alone."

"You are 18 now, right? Do you have a partner?"

"I'm 19 and still single. Don't worry, wait until you graduate from college before looking for a partner."

"You are 19, not young anymore. Your brother Bang Geng is already married at 19. To start a family and build a career, you still have to start a family first."

He Dong was a little confused. Why was there always people urging him to get married wherever he went? He was only 19 and not even old enough to get a marriage certificate.

"Grandma Jia, why don't you see my brother Bang Geng?"

"Bang Geng is busy. He is in charge of the hotel and the square. These two places don't rest during the Chinese New Year. It's a busy time. He hasn't rested either."

"Your father probably didn't rest either, did he?"

"Yes, I was still busy even on New Year's Eve, and I didn't get back until midnight."

"Tell grandma what kind of partner you want to find, and grandma will help you keep an eye out?"

“I’m not in a hurry”

He Dong chatted for a few more sentences and then quickly said goodbye and left. Sitting with the old lady was just urging her to get married, there was really nothing to talk about.

When we got back to the fifth floor, "Brother, where have you been? An Huan and I have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Brother He Dong" An Huan saw

"I went downstairs to pay New Year's greetings. He Hua, do you know who lives downstairs from us?" He Dong said as he opened the door.

"Who? Your future father-in-law's family?"

"Go to hell, you little girl, you're making fun of your brother."

"An Huan, come in and sit down."

After the three of them went in, He Hua asked, "Brother, isn't the house downstairs your future father-in-law's? Then who is it?"

"It's Aunt Jia's house. I didn't expect that not only did Uncle Xu live across from us, but the one living downstairs was also our former neighbor. So I went to pay them New Year's greetings."

An Huan was surprised and said, "So this is my aunt's house. I have to go there to wish them a happy new year. My cousin Bang Geng came to wish my father a happy new year on the first day of the new year. I didn't know where he lived."

"I also have to go to Uncle Xu's house. It would be unreasonable for me not to go since I'm here now."

"An Huan, you said you would come, so what did you bring?"

"Brother He Dong, how can you come to my house empty-handed during the Chinese New Year?"

"He Hua, why don't you stop it?"

"Brother, I tried to stop him, but An Huan insisted on buying it. I told An Huan that your cooking is also delicious. The two of us are having lunch at your place today."

"Okay, okay, I just went to buy some groceries this morning. He Hua, go get An Huan a cup of tea. I'll be ready to go now. It's almost noon."

"Brother He Dong, why don't you prepare first? I'll go downstairs to buy some things and go to wish my aunt and Uncle Xu a happy new year."

"What are you buying? I have some at home, just take it with you."

"Brother He Dong, this is not good. How can I take your things? There is a fruit seller downstairs. It is very convenient."

After An Huan left, He Dong said to He Hua, "What's going on between you and An Huan? Are you inseparable all day long?"

"Brother, what are you thinking? We are still students. What kind of relationship can we have? We are classmates. We grew up together and have always been in the same class. We are good brothers."

Brother, you have become a bad person in college. You have never been so gossipy before."

"Go to hell, why did you and An Huan come here suddenly? Fortunately, I bought some vegetables, otherwise it would be embarrassing."

"Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao went to see Brother An Tong and his wife off, and Brother An Huan came to play with me. It's not a good day today, and it's very cold outside, so I brought him to have a meal with you.

Besides, we grew up together, so bring him here to get acquainted with the place. I told mom I won’t be coming back today, and it’s warmer upstairs than in that little room.”

"Okay, what do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."

"Just cook a few of your specialty dishes. I've told An Huan that you're a great cook. Please don't embarrass me."

"Forget it. I have only learned about 30% to 40% of my grandfather and father's skills. I am afraid I will embarrass you."

"I don't care, you have to make it delicious and use all your skills."

"Okay, then go wash the vegetables. It's so cold, let's have hot pot. I'm good at making soup base."

After a while, An Huan came up and said, "Brother He Dong, leave this bag of fruit at your house first. I'll go to my aunt's house first."

Ding Dong

The doorbell of Jia's house rang again. Qin Huairu was very happy when she heard the doorbell, thinking that it might be Xiaodang coming.