Siheyuan: A Family of Loyal and Brave People

In the 50s, celebrating the New Year was a simple yet complicated affair.

It was simple because of material scarcity and limited conditions, so there wasn’t much variety. Most families’ New Year’s Eve dinners simply had more meat dishes than usual, and that was all.

The complexity lies in the scarcity of material resources. During the Chinese New Year, various etiquette and customs, such as pasting couplets, setting off firecrackers, family greetings, and visiting relatives and friends, are all essential and must be carried out strictly according to the rules. To put it bluntly, it is a matter of being poor and particular.

The situation of Cheng Hao's family is different from that of most people of this era. The house has its own door and yard, and there are not so many rules. It is both complicated and simple.

To celebrate the first Spring Festival after marriage, Cheng Hao invested a lot of money.

The New Year's Eve dinner in the evening had eight dishes and one soup, with chicken, duck, fish and meat, and even rare preserved fruits of various colors were served on the table.

Cheng Hao has a very strong physique, but he is not good at cooking. In order to prepare these ingredients well, he specially invited He Yuzhu to come and take charge of the cooking to ensure that every dish is delicious and tasty.

It was just getting dark and the snow outside had not stopped yet. The lights in Cheng Hao's house were bright and the charcoal stove in the house was burning very brightly. The whole room was warm, as if it were spring.

"The last dish, ginseng stewed chicken, all ready~"

As a loud voice sounded, He Yuzhu walked in from outside holding a clay pot. The soup in the pot was still boiling, making gurgling sounds, and a rich aroma emanated through the lid.

"Zhu Zi, I'm really sorry to bother you."

Cheng Hao stood up and said with a smile.

He Yuzhu came over to help as soon as he got off work in the afternoon, and didn't even take care of his own family. Cheng Hao felt a little sorry for him.

"No trouble, it's a small matter.

I can add a few more dishes for Yu Shui and the others tonight, I am so happy.”

He Yuzhu placed the casserole in the middle of the table and said with a smile.

As a reward for helping with cooking, He Yuzhu packed up some of the first few dishes as they came out of the pot and prepared to take them home to enjoy.

"It's getting late. I'm going back first."

After finishing his last shift, He Yuzhu couldn't wait to go back and reunite with his family.

"Zhu Zi, please ride my bike back.

Get home early so the food doesn’t get cold.”

Cheng Hao's home is not far from the courtyard, and can be reached quickly by bicycle.

"If I take my bike away, what will you do?"

I will inevitably visit relatives on the first day of the Lunar New Year next year.

Especially since Xu Yun is pregnant, Cheng Hao must take her back to Xu's house to meet his parents-in-law, and it would be inconvenient without a bicycle.

"It's okay, I'll just ride your sister-in-law's bike."

Xu Yun didn't learn how to ride a bicycle until she became pregnant. After she became pregnant, Cheng Hao didn't dare let her try, so her bicycle remained in the room with no place to use.

"Thank you, Brother Hao."

He Yuzhu didn't waste any time. He just said thank you and walked out of the house, not forgetting to close the door before leaving.

"Come on, wife, let's have the New Year's Eve dinner."

There were only the couple left in the room. Cheng Hao moved the stool directly next to Xu Yun and picked up some food for her attentively.

"There are so many dishes, can we finish them all?"

There are eight dishes and one soup, which is enough for the whole family to enjoy. The couple will probably eat until the end of the holiday.

"I have a big appetite, don't worry."

As he spoke, Cheng Hao picked up a piece of braised pork and put it into Xu Yun's bowl, then began to eat it with relish.

The training intensity of the troops is high, and the soldiers' appetite is larger than normal people.

People like Cheng Hao have physical fitness far beyond that of ordinary people, and their appetite is even more amazing. He can become the champion in a big eating competition.

Watching the food on the table being eaten up at a speed visible to the naked eye, Xu Yun realized how restrained her husband was when eating.

"Eat slowly, no one will compete with you."

Seeing her husband enjoying his meal, Xu Yun stroked her bulging belly and couldn't help imagining the future.

If the little troublemaker in her belly is as bad as his father, Xu Yun will have a lot of trouble.

……

Riding a bicycle, He Yuzhu quickly returned to the yard.

At this time, many neighbors have already started eating, and those who haven't started eating are also looking forward to it, eagerly waiting for the most sumptuous meal of the year.

"Silly Zhu, when did you buy a bicycle?"

When Yan Bugui saw He Yuzhu pushing a bicycle into the yard, he hurried out to check.

He had long wanted to buy a bicycle, but he had not had enough money, so he had never been able to do so.

In order to save money for buying a car, the quality of the Yan family’s New Year’s Eve dinner has declined a lot in the past two years. There are not enough slices of meat in the meat dishes for the several children in the family to share.

Thanks to his stinginess, Yan Bugui finally had a car after the Chinese New Year.

"I didn't buy the car, I borrowed it from someone else."

He Yuzhu has enough money to buy a car, but his wife is used to being frugal and is reluctant to buy one.

After returning to Beijing for a few months, the He family not only renovated their house, but also bought a sewing machine, spending a lot of money.

Qin Huairu wanted to wait for a while and buy a bicycle when she had more financial resources.

"Borrowed? Can you lend it to me for a few days?"

Yan Bugui's eyes lit up. If He Yuzhu could borrow, he could borrow too.

Wherever there is an advantage, Yan Bugui can never stand it.

"No, if you want a bicycle, you should buy one yourself."

He Yuzhu said as he continued pushing the cart into the yard.

"Besides, why are you so arrogant? I'll buy you a bicycle after the Chinese New Year. Then we'll see if you can still show off!"

Yan Bugui cursed in a low voice at He Yuzhu's back.

"Dad, it's getting late. When are we going to have dinner?"

Yan Bugui's eldest son Yan Jiecheng ran out and asked impatiently.

"I'm starving."

"Go, go, go. It's New Year's Day. Don't say anything unlucky."

Yan Bugui frowned and waved his hands as if trying to shake off the bad luck.

“If you eat so early, you’ll get hungry quickly at night.

Eat later so you won’t be hungry in the morning.”

"what?"

Yan Jiecheng was so shocked that his mouth opened wide, and he said with a bitter face: "Dad, it's the New Year, why are you still as stingy as usual?"

It’s New Year’s Day, and even the Yan brothers and sisters who are used to living a hard life are looking forward to the big dinner tonight.

I don't need any big fish or meat, but it should be fine to have enough to fill my stomach.

Who would have thought Yan Bugui would be so petty? It's really disappointing.

“If you have enough food and clothes, you will be poor, but if you fail to plan, you will be poor.

You can't be extravagant during the Chinese New Year, it's good enough to have food.

That’s how you live your life.”

Yan Bugui raised his head proudly, not noticing his son's disappointment at all, and continued to look smug.

In the courtyard, the most calculating person is Yan Bugui.

On the other side, He Yuzhu had already returned home. He took out the lunch box wrapped in his coat to keep warm, and smiled at his sister with shining eyes: "Yushui, wait a moment, I'll make two more dishes, and then we'll have dinner."

Qin Huairu had already prepared staple foods such as steamed buns, and was just waiting for He Yuzhu to come back to cook so that the family could have a reunion dinner.

"Um……"

He Yushui smelled the fragrance coming from the lunch box, resisted the urge to open it, and nodded vigorously.

A lunch box full of unknowns can only be opened when it is time to eat to get the greatest satisfaction.

The little girl who was tempted could only stay away to avoid losing control of herself.