Siheyuan: Yan Jiekuang's carefree life

Yan Bugui looked at Yan Jiekuang who was busy assembling the bicycle, and his face instantly became embarrassed. Yan Bugui looked at his wife angrily and asked, "What does this kid mean?!"

The third aunt looked at the angry Yan Bugui and did not intend to comfort him. Instead, she added fuel to the fire and said, "Old Yan, I think you should reflect on what you have done. You see, you hurt the child, and I am embarrassed to say anything to you. Among our four children, Jie Di is still young, so we won't say anything. Among the three brothers, only Jie Kuang is humane. I have figured it out now. Who have we been scheming for all our lives?! Isn't it for the children?!" After that, the third aunt took Jie Di out of the main room.

Yan Bugui thought about it carefully, and found that what his wife said made some sense. But many things cannot be changed just by saying so. Yan Bugui couldn't help but sigh, and muttered like a sour grape: "You damn old woman, your son is capable, but he also started to shake."

Although Yan Bugui's muttering was very soft, every word was heard by Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang looked up at Yan Bugui and thought to himself, "Without me, this family will fall apart sooner or later!"

Yan Jiekuang's hand speed was quite fast. By the time of dinner, there were two more assembled bicycles in the main room. Yan Bugui looked at the sudden extra bicycles and felt jealous. Yan Bugui rubbed his hands and asked with a smile: "Jiekuang, are these two bicycles for me?!"

Yan Jiekuang replied: "Dad, are you still asleep? If you are not awake, then go back to your room and sleep for a while. We will save dinner for you."

Yan Bugui's face changed and he asked, "Jie Kuang, what do you mean by that?!"

Yan Jiekuang replied, "It means exactly what it says. Eighty dollars for a bicycle, no credit."

Yan Bugui calculated in his mind and said, "Jie Kuang, these two cars are not as good as the one I own. How dare you ask me for eighty-one?!"

Yan Jiekuang replied, "That car was originally prepared for me. If you want it, I'll give it to you at a family price. If it's someone else, you can't take it without 120 yuan." Then he asked, "Do you want these two cars? Just tell me the truth!"

Yan Bugui hesitated for a moment and replied, "Of course. But at this price."

Yan Jiekuang said very firmly: "The price is eighty. If you want it, pay. I'll give you the receipt. If you don't want it, forget it."

Yan Bugui then asked: "What are you going to do with the remaining one?!"

Yan Jiekuang said hurriedly, "Dad, you are too greedy! It's already good to have two cars. You want to buy them all? Aren't you afraid that the people in our courtyard will sue you for speculation?!"

Yan Bugui was immediately frightened. Except for a few residents in the courtyard, there was still some humanity. The others were just people who couldn't stand others living better than them. His family now had a bicycle and a radio. He also had a watch. Although these were not new, in the eyes of outsiders, they were a symbol of wealth. These days, it's not about who is rich, who is good! It's about who is poor, who is the most glorious.

Yan Bugui sighed and said, "Okay! Eighty is eighty! I'll go get the money for you."

After Yan Bugui left, Yan Jiefang looked at Yan Jiekuang with a pitiful look. Yan Jiekuang felt a little scared when Yan Jiefang looked at him. Before Yan Jiekuang could speak, Yan Jiecheng came in from outside. As soon as he entered the room, Yan Jiecheng took a look at the food on the table and asked, "Mom, did you cook my meal tonight?!"

The third aunt replied, "I thought you would be back in the next two days, so I made a little more."

At this time, Yan Jiecheng noticed two bicycles parked in the corner. His eyes suddenly lit up. He walked to the side of the bicycles, looked at them carefully, and asked, "Why do we have two more bicycles?!"

"Jie Cheng is back?!" Yan Bugui just walked out from the inner room.

Yan Jiecheng saw the money in Yan Bugui's hand and asked, "Dad, what's the matter with these two bicycles?!"

Yan Bugui replied, "My colleague at work asked Jie Kuang to assemble it." Then Yan Bugui walked up to Yan Jie Kuang and said, "Please keep the money."

Yan Jiekuang took the money, counted it and put it in his pocket, then took out the prepared receipt and handed it to Yan Bugui, saying, "Just go directly to the public security bureau with these receipts to register the license plate."

Yan Bugui smiled and checked the receipt, saying, "I'm familiar with this process."

Yan Jiecheng asked: "Jie Kuang, when will you help me get a bicycle?!"

Yan Jiekuang said, "No problem! We are all family. Brothers should settle accounts clearly. Eighty for a car. One hand over the money and the other hand over the car."

Yan Jiecheng immediately jumped up and said, "Jie Kuang, you are too greedy! Eighty?! You can even offer that."

"If you think it's too expensive, forget it. I'm not forcing you." Yan Jiekuang took the bowl handed over by his mother, drank a mouthful of cornmeal porridge, and said, "Dad, I have a classmate whose father works at a grain station. He told me that food is in short supply in many places outside. Should we stock up on some food?!"

Yan Bugui replied, "I've heard about this, too. But it's hard to get food right now! I'll go to Pigeon City later to have a look." Then Yan Bugui looked at Yan Jiecheng and said, "Jiecheng, we've made some progress in renting the house next door. The rent is 1.5 yuan per room per month. But the street office won't take care of the house maintenance. We'll have to bear it ourselves."

Yan Jiecheng replied: "I live well now. In a few years, I can apply for a house from my company. It won't be that troublesome."

Yan Bugui nodded slightly and asked, "Xie Cheng, did you forget something?!"

When Yan Jiecheng heard Yan Bugui's question, the food in front of him suddenly lost its flavor. Yan Jiecheng put down his bowl and chopsticks, took out a big unity banknote from his pocket and handed it to Yan Bugui, saying, "This is my living expenses for this month."

When Yan Bugui took the money, he gave Yan Jiecheng a look that said "you did a good job" and took the money with a smile. When Yan Jiecheng thought about how Yan Jiekuang had just earned more than 100 yuan, he said unhappily, "Dad, I made money to pay for my living expenses. Jiekuang earns as much as I do. We are both your sons, shouldn't you treat us equally?! Shouldn't he also pay for his living expenses?!"

When Yan Bugui heard what Yan Jiecheng said, his face changed slightly, and the good impression he had left on Yan Jiecheng disappeared. Without waiting for Yan Bugui to speak, the third aunt spoke first: "Jiecheng, during the few days you were away, our family bought a lot of things. The radio at home and the watch on your father's hand were all brought by Jie Kuang. These did not cost the family a penny. You should know the price of radios and watches. Since you said you want us to treat everyone equally. That's fine! I won't ask for more from you, just give me fifty yuan!"

Yan Jiecheng felt uncomfortable now. He never thought that Yan Jiekuang could make so much money. Yan Jiecheng instantly became jealous. Yan Bugui said: "Jiecheng, you are the eldest son in the family. Your father and I don't require the eldest son to share the burden of the family. As long as you live well, that's enough. You are not too old now. You can take advantage of these few years to work hard and save more money. When you are old enough, your mother and I will help you find a marriage partner. But you will have to pay for the wedding yourself."

Yan Jiecheng immediately refused to do so and said, "Dad! Aren't you too partial?! My marriage is a big event for our family. Shouldn't you also contribute a little?! Are you planning to leave the money for your younger brothers and sisters?!"