Siheyuan: With a system in place, you don’t need to worry in times of famine

Yan Jiecheng went out to buy medicine. Yu Li sat at home for a while, thought about it, and decided to go out first.

Yan Bugui caught a cold and was sick, so she had to go help her mother-in-law.

"Mom, is my dad's cold still not healed?"

Yu Li pushed open the door and walked in. She saw Yan Bugui lying sick on the bed, and the third aunt was bringing him hot water to drink. She frowned.

Nothing can happen to her father-in-law, after all, he is the head of the family. If her father-in-law falls, as the eldest brother and sister-in-law, won’t they have to support the whole family?

Although the old couple can be annoying sometimes, there aren't many problems now that they live separately. What's more, they are much better off now than before.

"Not yet. It keeps getting worse day by day. I don't know when it will end. It's been like this since winter. I take medicine every day, but it doesn't get better. It's really worrying."

The three aunts complained that they were old and not as strong as they were when they were young. Who would have thought that a small cold could cause them so much trouble for so long.

Many elderly people cannot survive the winter.

Although the old couple have not reached that point yet, she is still a little worried that if they don't recover from the illness, they will suffer in the future.

"Jie Cheng went to buy medicine. If it doesn't work, take my dad to the hospital. We can't just keep going like this, right?!

Go to the hospital for a check-up to find out what the problem is and let the doctor prescribe the right medicine.

This Chinese medicine needs to be boiled every day, if it doesn't work, just take the pills, I heard that they are more effective..."

"Well, that's the only way."

The third aunt tucked in the quilt for Yan Bugui and stood up:

"I'll go make you some food first. It's so cold, so pour yourself some hot tea to warm yourself up."

Yu Li nodded in agreement, poured herself a cup of hot water, took a sip, and felt much warmer.

I didn’t feel it at first, but the longer I sat there, the colder I felt. It was even colder than their home.

The hot water in the cup quickly cooled down, and Yu Li stopped drinking it. If she drank too much, she would have to go to the toilet. It was even colder outside, and she didn't want to move at all.

After having dinner at the Third Aunt's house, Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng returned to their own home. On the way, Yu Li thought for a moment and said:

"Jie Cheng, why don't we build a kang for our parents' house?

I was sitting there just now, and it felt even colder than our home..."

"what?

Kang?

Who will pay for it then? "

"Who are you talking about?

If my parents use it, it must be my parents who paid for it. "

"A kang costs eight or nine yuan, and I guess they are definitely not willing to take that money.

You know your parents’ nature. They’d save as much as possible. Why would they be willing to spend money?”

Yan Jiecheng explained.

“It’s good to save as much as possible, but my father has been ill for a long time, and the medical expenses alone have cost a lot.

Isn’t there an old saying that all medicines are poisonous?

It would be better to save the money and build a kang, which is warm and not easy to catch a cold. "

"That's true, but I'm afraid they can't turn this corner..."

"Well, just discuss it with your parents. At worst, I can give them two dollars when the time comes."

Yu Li gritted her teeth and finally spoke.

Two dollars can buy a lot of things, but her monthly salary is only seventeen dollars.

Seeing Yan Bugui looking so sick today, she felt really worried. He couldn't survive the winter.

For the sake of the future, she should be a little more generous.

"Ah, this..."

Seeing that Yan Jiecheng was still hesitant, Yu Li's expression changed:

"Yan Jiecheng, he's your biological father. If you don't want to do it, forget it. I can just save two dollars."

"No, Yu Li, I'll tell my parents right away."

Yan Jiecheng hurriedly tried to stop him. No matter what his purpose was, he certainly hoped that his father would be in good health.

The next day, the sun shone into the yard and everyone in the courtyard began to get busy.

Maybe because it was the weekend, the courtyard was bustling early in the morning.

After dinner, Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng came directly to Ye Fei and told him their purpose:

"Ye Fei, I remember the guy you found to build the kang was called Lao Li, right?

Do you know where to find him?

My dad is sick. In the past two winters, he has caught a cold for more than a month each time. He has taken so many bitter medicines, but it is not easy to get better. So I thought of making a kang for them to keep them a little warmer so that they will not get sick so easily. "

"Yes, it's in the alley ahead..."

Ye Fei said casually, and he looked at the two of them with some admiration.

I didn't expect that the two people's thoughts have changed so much now. If it were put aside in the past, to put it bluntly, even if Yan Bugui died of illness, I guess they wouldn't care a word.

"Thank you, Ye Fei."

The two asked about the situation and went straight to look for someone. It would only get colder, so they had to hurry and fix the kang.

When Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li found Lao Li, Lao Li had just put down his bowl and chopsticks and burped loudly.

In the past two years, everyone's living conditions have gradually improved, and more people are making kangs. His skills have found a place to be used. He is very busy every autumn and winter. Today, he has a rare chance to relax, so he plans to take a good rest.

"Uncle Li, could you please build a kang for our family..."

"Okay, but let's agree on the price first. Nine dollars for a fire bed. If you think it's suitable, I'll take the tools and go with you."

Old Li mentioned the price first. He had encountered a situation like this before. He built a kang, but ended up having a conflict over the price, so in the end he only charged five yuan.

"Well, then I'll trouble you, Mr. Li."

When Lao Li heard this, he immediately went to pack up his tools. It was rare to find someone so straightforward. There were always some people asking this and that, and trying to bargain the price down.

He has been making kangs for many years and has never raised the price. His main selling point is conscience and reality.

"This road looks so familiar, are you from the same courtyard as Ye Fei?"

Looking at the familiar courtyard in front of him, Lao Li asked.

"Well, Uncle Li, it was Ye Fei who introduced you to us. He said that you have excellent cooking skills..."

Yu Li explained with a smile that according to an old acquaintance, Lao Li must be very dedicated in his work, and it would be better if he could be paid less.

“Oh, so it was Ye Fei who introduced it.

Don't worry, we will be more careful and cautious when making the kang. How many kangs do you plan to make?

If there are two, I can give you one dollar less..."

"Let's do a..."

“Two, let’s do two.

Uncle Li, thank you so much. "

Before Yan Jiecheng finished his words, Yu Li interrupted him and said that it was okay to save a dollar. A kang would be indispensable in the future anyway, so it was better to save as much as possible.