Siheyuan: I just want to live

Jin Ling and Lou Xiao'e, smiling, led a group of lively children and slowly parked the white van outside the gate of the courtyard.

After a whole day of wandering around the bustling and bustling streets and alleys of the city, everyone's face was filled with satisfaction and joy.

Lou Xiao'e got out of the car lightly and walked briskly towards Chen Feng who was standing at the door waiting quietly. Her bright eyes sparkled with joy and the corners of her mouth raised into a beautiful arc.

When she walked in front of Chen Feng, Lou Xiao'e happily stretched out her hand, handed him the car keys she was holding tightly in her hand, and said to him gently: "Xiao Yue's father, we are back!"

"Well, we've already had a big meal outside, so you don't have to call us when you want to eat later." After saying this, she winked playfully.

Chen Feng took the car keys handed over by Lou Xiao'e with a smile and replied softly: "Okay, I got it! You guys take a good rest."

At this time, Jin Ling also got off the car. When she got off the car, her hands were full of things, big bags and small packages filled with various snacks and toys.

After getting off the car, Jin Ling didn't say much to Chen Feng. She just walked past Chen Feng with graceful steps and walked into the yard.

Along the way, the colorful bags swayed gently with her movements, as if telling of the day's full of happy memories.

His gaze always followed Jin Ling's graceful back, his eyes full of doting.

Chen Feng seldom sees Jin Ling so happy, especially after the third and fourth children were born. Now seeing Jin Ling so happy, Chen Feng is really happy.

When Lou Xiao'e saw that Chen Feng kept looking at Jin Ling, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and she stopped talking. She immediately took a step forward, caught up with Jin Ling, and took her arm as they walked towards the backyard.

The child behind him probably thought that the conversation between Lou Xiao'e and Chen Feng was quite interesting, so he imitated Lou Xiao'e's tone and said, "Dad, I've had dinner too, so don't call me when you want to eat later!"

Even the youngest, Chen Shuo, said the same thing in the same way.

Chen Feng also said to each child very seriously, "Okay! I understand. Go and have a good rest! I won't call you for dinner!"

After hearing Chen Feng's answer, the group of little ones ran into the yard, laughing and chasing Lou Xiao'e and Jin Ling, like a gust of cheerful breeze.

For a moment, their laughter, as clear and melodious as silver bells, echoed in the courtyard.

Chen Feng stood at the gate of the yard, and heard the clear and pleasant laughter of the children in the yard. The sound was like a spring breeze, gently brushing his heartstrings.

He couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile. This smile seemed to be infected by the cheerful atmosphere, with a bit of warmth and comfort.

After laughing, Chen Feng slowly stood up and walked towards the van parked in the alley at the door with steady steps.

He came to the car, first looked around the car body carefully, then reached out and grasped the door handle, pulling hard to make sure the door was locked firmly.

After confirming that everything was correct, he nodded with satisfaction and turned to walk towards the door.

Standing at the door, Chen Feng first closed the door carefully, then picked up a thick door-pushing stick and placed it steadily behind the door.

After finishing this, he clapped his hands, seeming to be very satisfied with his work. Then, he turned around again and walked towards the main house.

When Chen Feng stepped into the main house, the other family members had already had dinner and went back to their rooms to rest.

The room was exceptionally quiet, with only the ticking of the wall clock clearly audible. Looking at the empty kitchen, Chen Feng thought that since everyone had already eaten, he was too lazy to start cooking.

So he opened the refrigerator and took out the leftover dishes from last night and a few cold and hard steamed buns.

Chen Feng skillfully put the leftovers into the pot to heat them up. After a while, the aroma of the food filled the air. He took the steaming food to the dining table, sat down, and began to eat with big mouthfuls.

Although it was just simple leftovers, it was delicious to Chen Feng who was starving at the moment.

After quickly filling his stomach, Chen Feng cleaned up the dishes, washed his hands, and then dragged his slightly tired body onto the bed. He got into the warm quilt and soon fell into a sweet dream.

The next morning, the sky was still a little dark, but Chen Feng had already opened his eyes out of habit.

Over the years, on the second day of the first lunar month every year, he would bring his wife Jin Ling and daughter Lou Xiao'e to visit Old Man Li's home to pay New Year's greetings. This tradition has never changed.

Therefore, even though it was still quiet outside at the moment, Chen Feng still got out of bed without hesitation and started a busy new day.

After getting dressed and washing up, Chen Feng walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family.

He lit the stove skillfully, took out the ingredients one by one, and cooked in an orderly manner. After a while, waves of tempting aroma wafted out of the kitchen.

When breakfast was ready, Chen Feng walked out of the main house, gently knocked on the doors of each room in the yard, and softly called Jin Ling, Lou Xiao'e and the children to get up.

In fact, ever since sleeping in separate rooms from Jin Ling, Chen Feng gradually discovered that this also had an unexpected benefit.

When the two of them slept in the same bed in the past, he was always worried that the noise he made when he got up in the morning would be too loud and would wake up Jin Ling who was sleeping soundly and affect her rest.

Now, after Jin Ling moved to another room in the backyard, he no longer has to worry about this. He can move his body as he pleases, and even if his movements are a little bigger, he won't disturb anyone.

This unrestrained feeling made Chen Feng feel very comfortable.

When I wake up every morning, I no longer have to carefully control my every move. I can stretch my muscles freely, as if my whole body has become relaxed and happy.

Moreover, this will help him better devote himself to the new day and meet various challenges with full energy.

After calling everyone, Chen Feng returned to the kitchen and started serving breakfast to the table.

After Chen Feng had prepared everything, Jin Ling and the children came to the dining table one after another, sat down and started eating.

Seeing the situation in front of him, Chen Feng quickly turned his head to look at Jin Ling beside him, and said with a smile on his face: "Dear daughter-in-law, please take the children to eat quickly."

"I'm going to warm up the car first. After you all finish your meal, we'll set off immediately to visit Grandpa Li's house to wish him a happy new year!"

When Jin Ling heard this, she nodded without hesitation and quickly responded, "Okay, boss, I got it. Go warm up the car!"

After getting Jin Ling's affirmative answer, Chen Feng's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a satisfied smile. Then he turned around and walked straight to the door of the main house with big strides.

Soon, his figure disappeared into the main house.

After exiting the antique gate of the courtyard, Chen Feng immediately saw the van parked not far away.

He walked quickly to the front of the car, stretched out his hand and pulled the door open slowly.

Then, he skillfully inserted the key into the keyhole and turned it clockwise. A low engine roar was heard and the vehicle started successfully.

Then, Chen Feng moved sideways into the driver's seat and took out a pack of cigarettes and a match from his pocket.

Chen Feng took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. After lighting it with a match, he took a deep breath. As the smoke slowly exhaled, he suddenly relaxed.

In this way, Chen Feng puffed his cigarette leisurely while patiently waiting for Jin Ling and the children to finish their meal.

Time passed minute by minute, and when the cigarette in his hand was about to burn out, Chen Feng estimated that the car should have been heated enough.

So Chen Feng put out his cigarette, opened the car door and got out. After closing the door again, he hurried back to the courtyard.

See if Jin Ling and the others are ready and can set off to visit Grandpa Li’s house to pay New Year’s greetings at any time.

When Chen Feng returned to the main house restaurant again, he found that Lou Xiao'e, Chen Yue and Chen Xiao were still dressed very casually. Judging from their clothes, it seemed that they had no intention of going out at all.

Seeing this, Chen Feng asked Lou Xiao'e in surprise, "Xiao'e, we are about to go out. Aren't you three going to change your clothes and dress more formally?"

"After all, we are going to our elders' house today. If we dress too casually, it might not be a good idea, right?"

Lou Xiao'e, who was still leisurely eating breakfast, paused when she heard Chen Feng's words, then looked up at Chen Feng in surprise and asked.

"You said you would take me and Xiaoyue and her brother to celebrate the New Year together today?"

After hearing Chen Feng's answer, Lou Xiao'e asked hesitantly, "Given our relationship, is it appropriate for me to go with you to pay New Year's greetings?"

Seeing Lou Xiao'e asking this, Chen Feng said indifferently, "Hey! As for our relationship, she knew it earlier than I did! She knew it when I didn't even know you gave birth to two children for me!"

"Besides, even if you don't want to go, you have to let the children go with me! After all, if they return to Sijiu City to do business in the future, they will be able to find a way, right?"

Hearing Chen Feng's words, Lou Xiao'e stood up from her chair at once, and then said excitedly, "Who said we can't go! I just didn't expect you to let us go with you today!"

After saying this, Lou Xiao'e stopped eating, took the bowl and immediately went to the kitchen.

As he left, he shouted to Chen Yue and Chen Xiao, "Stop eating, both of you. Wash the dishes quickly and change your clothes!"

When the two children heard what Lou Xiao'e said, they quickly put down the porridge in their hands, stood up at the same time, took the bowls to the kitchen, quickly washed them, and then ran to their rooms at a high speed.

Chen Feng looked at the leftover breakfast on the table and shook his head. Thinking that it would take some time for Lou Xiaoe to put on makeup, Chen Feng started to clean up.