Siheyuan: Cooking journey

Several women gathered together, laughing and chatting. The protagonist Yu Li talked about the careful budgeting in the third uncle's family, and Liu Lan followed suit, adding fuel to the fire and being the most talkative.

Lou Xiao'e listened with great interest and occasionally interjected a few words.

Qin Huairu is basically a taciturn person and doesn't talk much.

He Yuzhu listened boredly, wondering whether he should arrange a few more female employees to the kitchen to make his wife's social circle more lively. After all, it was a bit boring to talk about these things all day long.

When it comes to Uncle San's house, everyone in the cafeteria knows it.

"Hey, it seems like salary is paid today."

Someone brought this up and suggested, "It's nothing anyway."

"Then let's hurry up and go after work."

Lou Xiao'e's eyes twinkled. She loved the moment of receiving her salary the most.

Several people left as soon as they were told.

The foreman took a quick look and thought that as long as Lou Xiao'e came back with the money, there would be no need to make a second trip.

Soon we arrived at the finance office.

There weren't many people queuing.

There was a table in the room and two accountants, one of whom was a woman who was responsible for cash withdrawal.

"Qin Huairu, salary is 18 yuan..."

Yu Li couldn't believe it when she counted.

She hurried to confirm, "Did I make a mistake in my calculation? Life is so tight these days, and I only earn this little every day. Two meals are covered, but at the end of the month, am I making a profit or a loss?"

After deducting 6 yuan, the remaining amount is barely enough to make ends meet. With less income than expenses, does Qin Jingru really have to go back to her hometown and invite her powerful mother-in-law to come over in order to break this predicament?

Qin Huairu was stunned and a little dazed. She bit her lips subconsciously, her heart full of bitterness and helplessness.

No matter how smart you are, do you still have to bow to reality in the end?

Salary payments continue.

In Liu Lan’s second year as an apprentice, her salary was 17 yuan.

In Yu Li's first year, she received a total of 23 yuan including subsidies.

"Sister E, can we collect Director He's salary together?"

Seeing Lou Xiao'e, the accountant's attitude immediately improved and he was all smiles.

Holding the money in hand, I feel comfortable and satisfied.

Only when I receive my monthly salary can I have a little more money.

"Okay, Director He's salary is 74 yuan, plus yours."

Lou Xiao'e took the money and felt more at ease, and held it tightly.

Thinking about how my husband squandered all of last month’s salary, I have to keep a close eye on it this time.

Qin Huairu glanced sideways unconsciously, then slowly retracted her gaze.

She had heard about He Yuzhu's monthly salary.

Although the 18 yuan in my hand seems little, life still has to go on.

If at the beginning... this thought was extinguished by Qin Huairu as soon as it came to mind.

Now is not the time to think about those things. The most important thing is that my monthly salary has shrunk, so how to live in the future is the top priority.

"Salary is coming, salary is coming..."

The voice was as sweet as honey, with a hint of pride.

In the cafeteria office, Lou Xiao'e was walking around with the money she had just received, smiling like a flower.

He Yuzhu looked at her quietly from the side without saying anything.

Let her have some fun for a while, and when she gets home from get off work, I'll find a way to get the money back, and see if she can still laugh. Time passed by, and exciting music sounded on the radio.

He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e were walking home together. He was thinking about how to get the money back when He Yushui came running over and shouted, "Brother, go out and have a look. Sister Qin is kneeling at the door of my house for some reason."

"..."

He Yuzhu frowned slightly, walked to the door and looked outside, his heart skipped a beat.

Qin Huairu was seen holding Xiao Huaihua, with Xiao Dang beside her, and they were both kneeling on the ground.

It was the time when the people in the courtyard were coming back from get off work. Everyone was watching from a distance, curious but not daring to ask. The old man said solemnly with a sullen face, "Qin Huairu, what are you doing? Get up quickly."

"Yes, Huairu, get up quickly. It's not proper to kneel here."

The old lady hurried forward to help her, but found that she couldn't pull her at all.

Qin Huairu lowered her head, hugged Xiao Huaihua tightly, and said with sobs: "My family is not well off, I have nothing to repay you, and I don't know how to thank you. Thanks to your help in the past two years, my children and I have not been hungry; Xiao Huaihua's life was saved by you, Auntie, Xiao Dang...

"I'd like to ask you to help look after the children while I'm at work. I know this may be a bit much to ask, but I really have no other choice..."

As she spoke, Qin Huairu suddenly touched the ground with her forehead and kowtowed.

This scene made the air around them become heavy.

Although the old man was also moved, he still remained calm.

He knew in his heart that Qin Huairu did this because she had no other choice.

From the past to now, they have not been able to provide much substantive help.

The old man thought for a moment and said, "Qin Huairu, you get up first. It's not difficult to be a godparent here. But..." A complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He knew that being a godparent meant that he might have to take on more responsibilities in the future. But seeing the old lady's excitement, he hesitated again.

After all, what my family lacks most now is the laughter of children, and this kind of family love cannot be bought with any amount of money.

"Qin Huairu, you get up first, and let's talk it out. In our area, being a godparent is nothing. But you have to think it through."

The old man's voice became much softer, and his eyes were a little moist.

The aunt looked at the uncle, understood what he was thinking, walked forward and hugged Qin Huairu tightly, tears falling from her eyes.

He Yuzhu watched from the side and felt a little heavy-hearted.

He never expected that Qin Huairu would do this.

When he sent Granny Zhang and Banggeng back to their hometown, he was still thinking that if Granny Zhang were still alive, this marriage might not have taken place.

Even though the mother-in-law has a serious patriarchal mentality, she probably wouldn't be happy if she were asked to give her granddaughter to someone else as a goddaughter.

But now that Granny Zhang is gone, things have become much simpler. Besides, this time they are recognizing a granddaughter, not a grandson, so even if she wants to object, she can't make much trouble.

As for those vows to respect one's parents as if they were one's own, they are often just empty words.

If swearing works, there won’t be any bad people in this world.

But grandpa and aunt are kind-hearted, and what they want most is someone to be filial to them.

Everyone in the yard was watching, and the old man had already agreed, so there was no way to stop him now.

He Yushui came up to He Yuzhu and asked in confusion: "Brother, why do you look unhappy? I think this is a good thing, why are you unhappy?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and didn't answer directly. He just smiled and pretended to be relaxed: "I'm not unhappy, I just feel a little touched. Grandpa and Mom have had a hard time over the years, and this child's affairs are indeed a responsibility. Well, don't mention it. Grandpa must be in a very excited mood today, and he won't listen to anything you say. Let's not disturb him."