Siheyuan: I am the Smart Pillar

Xu Damao said with a smile to the blacksmith Sun beside him, "Hey, isn't this Uncle Sun? Didn't you say you were going to the countryside to do business today? How come you are here so soon?" Blacksmith Sun blushed, thought for a while and said, "Yes, I'm nimble and have finished the work long ago. Isn't the Jia family inviting us to dinner today? We are all neighbors, it would be inappropriate if we don't come."

Xu Damao curled his lips. Even the seemingly honest and simple blacksmith Sun could talk nonsense like that. But everyone knew the truth and didn't say much on this topic. Instead, they looked forward to the ingredients for the banquet. The aunts and girls in the yard were also helping, which saved Jia Dongxu's face a little.

Xu Gaoshan was frowning now. He looked at the piece of pork on the table, thought for a while and said, "This piece of pork seems to be a little spoiled. And these vegetables seem a little stale. Sister-in-law, while it's still early, let's go to the vegetable market and buy some more."

Jia Zhang said nonchalantly, "Hey, what nonsense are you talking about, Old Xu? Who said that the pork I bought is not fresh? This is the pork I bought last night. It has been overnight, so it may be a little stale, but it does not affect the eating quality at all. You can use this to make as much as you can." She looked around secretly and whispered to Xu Gaoshan, "Put less meat. We still have to live with the remaining meat."

Xu Gaoshan stared at Jia Zhang in a daze. How could he have agreed to this matter last night? Forget it, let's finish the work early and call it a day. Don't bother with Jia Zhang anymore. Although he is a chef in the prison, he still has to save face.

Xu Lide was also dragged over by Yan Fugui. Jia Dongxu paid two cents, and Yan Fugui reluctantly wrote two couplets. Yan Fugui was very unhappy that the two couplets were only sold for two cents. Xu Lide stared at Xu Gaoshan blankly, and Yan Fugui touched Xu Lide and said, "What are you doing? Let's go to the table and eat."

Xu Lide thought for a while and said, "That person, why do I feel familiar with this person?" Yan Fugui followed Xu Lide's gaze, thought for a while and asked, "You mean, you mean you know that cook." Xu Lide nodded. He thought for a while, slapped his forehead and said, "Isn't that person Xu Gaoshan who cooked for prisoners in the Kuomintang prison before liberation? I heard that this person is still cooking in the prison."

Yan Fugui opened his mouth in surprise and said, "Ah, what you said is true. How do you know this person?" Xu Lide took a puff of cigarette and said, "This person is very familiar with Jia Dongxu's father Jia Dahai. At that time, your family had not yet moved into this courtyard. I'm telling you in secret, this cook and that old man Jia Zhangshi once had an affair."

Yan Fugui opened his mouth wide and said, "What you said is true. You can't talk nonsense." Xu Lide curled his lips and said, "Who is talking nonsense? It was less than half a year after Lao Jia died, and the two of them hooked up. I once ran into He Daqing, and they were very close."

Yan Fugui moved to this courtyard very late, so he didn't know about this news at all. Scratching his head, he said with a gossipy look, "I didn't expect that such a shrew would have someone in love with him." Xu Lide smiled bitterly and said, "Don't think that Jia Zhangshi looks like an old sow now, but Jia Zhangshi was pretty good when she was young. Otherwise, do you think she, who was born in the countryside, could marry into the city?"

Xu Lide thought about how his son's wedding banquet was actually prepared by a chef who cooked for the prison, and curled his lips and said, "This old sister-in-law, isn't she afraid that her son will get angry with him if he finds out?" Yan Fugui also smiled bitterly. He felt that he was also stingy, but if his son was getting married, he would definitely not hire a chef who cooked for prisoners just to save a few dollars.

About half an hour later, people from Liu Chunhua's mother's family came. Liu Chi was ready to give money as a gift, and Jia Dongxu beside him said quickly, "Dad, we don't have any gifts in the courtyard today. Everyone just needs to eat and drink well, and I'll be generous today too."

Jia Dongxu felt that it was not good that the people in the courtyard did not collect money but asked his wife's family to pay for it. So he treated them all equally and did not collect money for it. Jia Zhang stood aside and felt like blood was dripping from her eyes. Her son did not know how expensive firewood, rice, oil and salt were without taking charge of the family. Holding back the pain in her heart, she forced a smile and said, "Well, my relatives. Everyone, please take your seats quickly. We will start the feast soon."

Liu Chi nodded and said, "Okay, I'll have to trouble you today, mother-in-law." Originally, Liu Chi looked down on his son-in-law's family, but today's action of not collecting money for the gift made Liu Chi earn enough face. Jia Zhang smiled awkwardly, "Do you think I don't want to collect money for the gift? It's just because of the situation."

Jia Zhang pulled her son aside and said, "Where are your co-workers? Why aren't there any?" Jia Dongxu's face was not very good. Yes, he had a lot of friends in the steel mill, but why didn't anyone congratulate him? Jia Dongxu sighed and said, "It's good that they didn't come. Then everyone can eat more."

Jia Zhang sighed and said, "Why? Why did you fool that fool? So many people came to congratulate him when he got married. How come you are useless? Not even a worker from the steel mill came." Jia Dongxu became anxious when he heard his mother's merciless words. He snorted coldly and said, "You are really capable. Everyone in Nanluoguxiang knows your name."

Jia Zhang's eyes widened as she said, "You dead thing, how dare you say that to your mother? Say it again." At this time, Yi Zhonghai came over and said, "Dongxu, what are you doing here? Why don't you go and greet the guests? You let them come all the way to the banquet and just sit there? How come you haven't made any progress at all?"

Yi Zhonghai's temper was not very good either. When he found Jia Dongxu's fault, he criticized him harshly. Jia Dongxu was relieved and left his mother's side to greet the guests.