Siheyuan: Learning to be the sixth

He Yuzhu didn't want to continue discussing the topic of who was stronger and who was weaker, as it was meaningless, so he changed the subject and asked, "Dad, have you eaten?"

He Daqing listened to He Yuzhu's concern and said with tears in his eyes: "Zhuzi, I ate it. I brought it with me when I came back from Tianjin."

Feeling that there was nothing to talk about, He Yuzhu said, "Dad, it's getting late, and you've been on the train for a long time. You should wash up and go to bed early."

He Daqing took He Yuzhu's foot basin and went to the yard to wash his feet. Since the electrical wiring had not been re-laid, He Yuzhu could only light a candle to provide lighting for He Daqing.

After washing their feet, the father and son lay on the bed in silence, but they did not fall asleep.

After a long while, He Daqing whispered: "Zhu Zi, I can't stay for a few days this time, so we have to hurry up and arrange your engagement with Xiao E."

He Yuzhu was originally very excited, but with the alienation he felt from inside and outside when He Daqing came back, he became much colder. He could only say helplessly: "Dad, let's hurry up and do it."

He Daqing listened to his son's indifferent tone and felt that he was also ashamed, so he simply stopped talking. The father and son lay there all night, each with their own thoughts.

The next morning, He Daqing got up early and went straight to the backyard. He missed his little cotton-padded jacket, Xiao Yushui, but he was very nervous and didn't know how many times he would see her in the future.

Lou Xiao'e and He Yushui opened the door and found a man standing in the yard. They were startled and almost screamed in fright until He Daqing hurriedly said, "Xiao'e, I am your uncle He."

Xiao Yushui, who was still half-sleepy, felt the voice was very familiar. She opened her eyes wide and saw that it was her father.

She jumped towards He Daqing happily, threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

When He Yuzhu came to the backyard, Lou Xiao'e's face turned red instantly. Although she had been looking forward to this day for a long time, she was still a little nervous when the time came.

He Yuzhu looked at the shy Lou Xiaoe and took her hand. He smiled and said softly, "Xiaoe, after breakfast, I will take you back to tell your uncle and aunt that my father and I will come to propose marriage tomorrow."

Lou Xiao'e raised her head and asked, "Zhu Zi, is it so fast?"

He Yuzhu touched Lou Xiao's head and said, "Xiao'e, I'm sorry for wronging you. There's nothing I can do. My dad won't be able to stay for a few days this time."

Lou Xiao'e stopped complaining when she heard this, and looked up and said to He Yuzhu seriously: "Zhuzi, I will go back and tell my parents later, you stay at home and spend more time with Uncle He."

He Yuzhu looked at Lou Xiao'e who always thought of him and nodded with emotion, saying: "Xiao'e, thank you, it's great to meet you."

He Yuzhu's sudden confession made Lou Xiaoe smile especially sweetly.

He Daqing finally calmed He Yushui down and was about to make breakfast. Little Yushui said with a twitching nose: "Dad, my brother's arm was injured and we have been eating at Uncle Yi's house during this time."

When He Daqing heard what his daughter said, he saw He Yuzhu's injured hand. He wanted to show concern, but he didn't know how to start, so he could only sigh.

Aunt Yi, who came to call everyone to eat, also saw He Daqing returning and said happily: "When did Master He come back?"

He Daqing was very grateful to Aunt Yi for taking such good care of his children, and replied with a smile: "Aunt Yi, I came back last night."

Aunt Yi waved her hand and said, "Master He, Old Yi is no longer an uncle. You can just call me Old Yang."

He Daqing didn't expect that so many things had happened in the hospital in less than a year since he left. Looking at He Yuzhu's injured arm, his face was full of guilt.

Aunt Yi looked at the silent crowd and shouted enthusiastically: "Come to my house for breakfast, or it will be cold."

Everyone at the table had something on their mind, except Xiao Yushui, who happily finished her breakfast and went to school joyfully.

After breakfast, Lou Xiao'e prepared to go back to her room to pack her clothes. He Yuzhu followed her and said, "Xiao'e, what are you packing? You can come back with me after the engagement tomorrow. This will be your home sooner or later."

When Lou Xiao'e heard this, she also felt that what He Yuzhu said made sense. Sooner or later, they would become a family, so there was no need to pretend. So she said shyly, "Zhuzi, I'll go home later."

After thinking it over, He Yuzhu realized that he was fine, so he licked his face and said, "Xiao'e, my arm is injured and I can't help you at home, I'll take you home."

Lou Xiao'e I no longer insisted. Lou Xiao'e looked at He Yuzhu's hand in confusion and said, "Zhuzi, can you ride a bicycle with this hand?"

He Yuzhu said proudly: "The Siheyuan Car God can be operated with one hand."

In the end, Lou Xiao'e felt sorry for He Yuzhu and didn't let him take her, but decided to ride a bicycle each.

He Yuzhu returned to the central courtyard and told He Daqing that he was going to send Lou Xiao'e back.

He Daqing waved his hand and said, "Zhu Zi, just send Xiao E home safely. As for the rest, I and your Aunt Yi will take care of it for you since you don't understand."

The two of them rode their bicycles slowly towards Lou's house. On the way, Lou Xiaoe saw He Yuzhu riding a bicycle with one hand, which was very cool, so he also tried to imitate him and almost fell over. He was so scared that he never dared to try it again.

The two of them returned to the Lou family's door, chatting and laughing, and knocked on the door. After a while, they heard Lou's mother shouting, "We are here, please wait a moment."

Lou's mother opened the door, glanced at her daughter, and finally her gaze stopped on He Yuzhu's injured arm, and her eyes suddenly turned red.

He hurriedly said, "Zhu Zi, come in and sit down. Your uncle will be very happy to see you."

He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e parked the car in the yard and walked into the house hand in hand. Lou Bancheng, who had received the news, had already been waiting in the living room making tea.

Lou Bancheng watched He Yuzhu stand up and said excitedly: "Zhuzi, is your arm injury okay?"

He Yuzhu also replied with emotion: "I'm sorry to have worried my uncle, but fortunately the matter has been resolved satisfactorily."

Hearing that the matter was successfully resolved, Lou Bancheng felt relieved and kept saying, "It's good that it's resolved."

He Yuzhu looked at the old man who loved this land deeply, and whispered: "Uncle Lou, this matter has alarmed the top leaders, the Lou family should be safe for the time being."

Lou Bancheng was surprised to hear such good news and shouted excitedly: "My dear, today everything will be clear."

Seeing her father so excited, Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "Dad, Mom, Uncle He will come to our house tomorrow to propose marriage."

He Yuzhu also quickly added: "Uncle and aunt, this is indeed a bit sudden. Please explain if I am impolite."

Lou Bancheng and his wife looked at each other and said happily: "Zhu Zi, it's not easy for Master He to come back. It's not surprising at all. Today is really a double happiness."

Lou's mother also said happily: "Zhu Zi, treat Xiao E well in the future. If she does something wrong, don't hit her. Tell me and I will criticize her."

He Yuzhu took Lou Xiao'e's hand and said seriously: "Uncle and aunt, you two can rest assured. I will not let Xiao'e suffer any injustice."

Father Lou patted He Yuzhu's shoulder and said solemnly: "Zhuzi, I'll leave Xiao'e to you. You don't need to bring too much when you come to my house tomorrow. Let's have a meal together and your relationship will be settled."

He Yuzhu nodded to show his understanding, but also said that Lou Xiao'e would not be left out. This attitude made Lou's mother even more satisfied.

He Yuzhu drank some tea and was about to leave, but in the end, Lou's mother said: "Zhuzi, your mother doesn't listen to me anymore."

He Yuzhu also climbed up the pole, stood up, bent over, and called out sweetly: "Mom."

Lou's mother responded happily: "Oh." Then she helped He Yuzhu up. The more she looked at him, the more satisfied she became, and the smile on her face never stopped.

Lou Bancheng and Lou Xiao'e, who were watching nearby, were stunned, thinking that you two must be mother and son, and we are outsiders.

Lou Bancheng, who was becoming more and more satisfied with He Yuzhu, coughed in disgust. He Yuzhu also turned around and picked up the teacup and bowed and called: "Dad, please have some tea."

Father Lou's eyes narrowed into a line of joy, and he happily responded: "Ah."

Only Lou Xiao'e next to her felt that she was at a disadvantage, as she felt that Zhuzi and her parents were a family and she was an outsider.

The family had a happy lunch. He Yuzhu was also very happy to drink with Lou Bancheng. In the end, Lou's mother took the wine away because she felt sorry for her eldest son.

After lunch, He Yuzhu chatted with the two elders for a while, then stood up and said goodbye, saying goodbye tomorrow.

The family watched He Yuzhu riding away on his bicycle, and Lou Xiaoe said jealously: "Mom and Dad, you don't love me anymore."

Mother Lou touched her daughter's long hair and said with emotion: "My daughter has grown up and is going to get married."

As they talked, the mother and daughter's eyes turned red. Lou Bancheng, who was standing by, was reluctant to leave but still said, "Zhu Zi is a nice person and he's not far away."

Mother Lou held Lou Xiao'e's hand and walked back, saying, "Xiao'e, you have to slowly adapt to the engagement and live a good life with Zhuzi in the future."

Lou Xiao'e said coquettishly: "Mom, I still have some time before I get married."

Father Lou sighed and said, "Xiao'e, you didn't bring anything back. Don't think I don't know your little thoughts. You'll run back and forth after the engagement. It will be good for you to integrate into the courtyard where Zhuzi is as soon as possible."

Lou Xiao'e also understands her family's current situation. Although it has improved, she dare not take it lightly.

Lou Xiao'e nodded seriously, and the family returned to the house and began to discuss how to entertain the He father and son tomorrow.

He Yuzhu returned to the yard and saw Aunt Yi and the old lady preparing things for tomorrow.

He Yuzhu was also very curious about the things needed for engagement in this era, and asked questions like a curious baby.

In the end, the old lady gave He Yuzhu a cane and said, "Zhuzi, there is nothing for you to do here, go out and play."

He Yuzhu suddenly felt that he had no sense of involvement in his engagement. Since he didn't have to be busy, he might as well just lie down.

He Yuzhu felt very bored at home, so he wanted to find Director Zhao of the supply and marketing cooperative to pull some strings and have the electricity re-arranged.

He Yuzhu did what he said. He Yuzhu came to the supply and marketing cooperative. The saleswoman took a long time to recognize He Yuzhu and asked with a smile: "Comrade He, are you here to buy something or to see our Director Zhao?"

He Yuzhu replied: "Sister, is Director Zhao here?"

The elder sister smiled and said, "Director Zhao is in the office in the backyard."

He Yuzhu walked straight to the backyard and came to Director Zhao's office with ease.

When Director Zhao saw that it was He Yuzhu, he was very surprised and said, "Zhuzi, I haven't seen you for a while."

He Yuzhu raised his arm and said, "Brother Zhao, I was on a business trip and injured my arm. I'm recovering from the injury recently."

Director Zhao poured a cup of tea for He Yuzhu and said with a smile: "Zhuzi, you don't come to the temple for no reason. If you have something to say, just tell me directly."

He Yuzhu said awkwardly: "Brother Zhao, I do have something to trouble you with."

Director Zhao waved his hand and said, "Zhu Zi, tell me what you want, as long as I can do it."

He Yuzhu smiled and replied: "Brother, I'll be frank. I've finished cleaning up my house and would like to ask your relatives to help me rewire the wires."

Director Zhao heard this and said, "Well, Zhuzi, this is what you are talking about. I will let him go there tomorrow, okay?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and quickly refused, saying: "Brother, to be honest, I will go to your sister-in-law's house to propose marriage tomorrow, and it will be done in a few days."

When Director Zhao heard that He Yuzhu was going to get engaged, he quickly stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Zhuzi, this is a big deal for you. You must call me when you drink the wedding wine."

He Yuzhu thought that he wouldn't even have enough food to eat next year, so holding a wedding would just be asking for trouble, but he couldn't let Brother Zhao down.

So he smiled and replied: "Don't worry, brother, no one can be without you."

Director Zhao said bluntly: "Zhu Zi, that's right, you sit down and wait for me."

After a while, Director Zhao came in with a bag and handed it to He Yuzhu and said: "Zhuzi, you are getting engaged tomorrow. This is a little gift from your brother. Don't refuse it. There are no outsiders."

He Yuzhu didn't act pretentiously and accepted it directly, saying: "Brother, if you have any problems in the future, just call me directly."

Having resolved his worries and having gotten six peonies for free, He Yuzhu walked back carrying his bag.

Halfway through the journey, He Yuzhu always felt that he had forgotten something. When his arms felt a little uncomfortable carrying the thing, He Yuzhu secretly cursed himself for being an idiot. How could he have forgotten the plug-in?

So he found an empty corner and put the bag into the space. Looking at his freed hands, He Yuzhu felt that he was really bringing shame to those who traveled through time. He was probably the one who was suffering the most among those who used cheats.

He Yuzhu got up early in the morning and finally calmed Xiao Yushui down. Then the father and son rode their bikes to Lou's house.

When they arrived at the Lou family, He Daqing and Lou Bancheng decided on their marriage during the chat, just like they were old friends who had not seen each other for a long time.

After lunch, Lou Bancheng and He Daqing, who officially became relatives, were both a little drunk. The two grown men held hands and talked emotionally for a long time before saying goodbye.

After returning to the house, Lou's mother opened the betrothal gift box given by He Daqing and found a large stack of big unity coins inside. After counting carefully, there were one thousand and one.

Although Lou Bancheng was used to seeing countless amounts of money, he was still shocked and happy about the He family's generosity.

Lou's mother handed the gift box containing the betrothal gifts directly to Lou Xiao'e, and said with red eyes: "Xiao'e, your father and I were worried about your marriage, but meeting Zhuzi is a blessing for our family, you must cherish it."

Holding the gift box containing a huge sum of money, Lou Xiao'e was also very moved. She nodded heavily and said, "Mom, no matter what happens in the future, I will continue to walk well with Zhuzi."