Siheyuan: I am different He Yuzhu

At dusk, He Yuzhu finished his day's work. He rode his bicycle without hesitation and rushed towards Daqianmen. His destination was the home of his cousin Cai Quanwu. Since the tavern sold the last bit of Erguotou in stock two months ago, the tavern has been closed down. After asking for instructions from the Daqianmen Street Office and getting approval, Cai Quanwu made a decisive decision to close the tavern. Now, Cai Quan, who has nothing to do, helps Su Xiulian take care of the children at home all day, and occasionally delivers pork to the descendants of the bannermen who want to buy pork according to He Yuzhu's instructions.

"Ding ding ding..." Cai Quanwu, who was playing with his children in the yard, heard a knock on the door. He walked towards the door and asked, "Who is it?"

“Uncle, it’s me.”

Hearing He Yuzhu's voice, Cai Quan quickly opened the door and asked enthusiastically: "Zhuzi, you're here! What's the matter?" After that, he stepped aside and let He Yuzhu push the bicycle into the yard.

"I'm here to bother my aunt again." He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"We are all family, why are you being so polite? Tell me, what do you want your aunt to help you with this time?" Cai Quanwu said readily.

"Next month, our factory will arrange for me to go on a business trip to Lingnan Province for about half a month. When I go, I want my aunt to help Xiao'e look after the children. Uncle, you know that Xiao'e can't take care of six children at home by herself."

"It's just a small thing. Okay, no problem. The tavern just happened to be closed recently and I have nothing to do at home. I'll send your aunt over before you leave." Cai Quanwu said readily.

"The specific departure time has not been decided yet, so I'll come and tell my aunt when it's confirmed. By the way, uncle, please take some time these days to tell those who need the goods that the supply will be tentatively scheduled for half a month next month. If they need it, try to prepare more in advance. Okay, I've said what I want to do, so I won't go in to say hello to my aunt. I have to go back quickly."

"Then drive slowly on your way back." Cai Quanwu sent He Yuzhu out the door and waited until He Yuzhu was far away before returning home.

At this time, Su Xiulian, who had just finished working in the kitchen, came out and asked in confusion, "Boss, I seemed to hear Zhuzi talking just now. Where is he?"

Cai Quanwu replied: "He has already left. After all, Xiao'e and the six children are waiting for him at home!"

Su Xiulian then asked: "Then what is he doing here?"

Cai Quanwu explained, "Next month, Zhuzi's factory will arrange for him to go on a business trip to Lingnan Province in the south for half a month. This way, only Xiao'e and the children will be left at home. Xiao'e will definitely be very busy taking care of so many children, so Zhuzi wants you to come and live with us for a while and help him take care of the children."

After hearing this, Su Xiulian smiled and said, "So that's how it is. I thought Zhuzi had something important to talk to you about! In that case, I don't think I need to wait until next month when Zhuzi goes on a business trip to go over. I can go over this month and help in advance, so that Zhuzi can relax a little and go on a business trip to the south in a better condition."

"Wife, you are right. Tomorrow, when the children go to school, I will send you to Zhuzi's father-in-law's house." He Yuzhu looked at Su Xiulian and said gently.

"Why do we have to go to Zhuzi's father-in-law's house? Didn't his father-in-law's family go to Xiangjiang in the south? Shouldn't they go to Zhuzi's house in Nanluoguxiang?" Su Xiulian asked with a puzzled look on her face. She really couldn't understand why she had to go to Zhuzi's father-in-law's house.

Cai Quanwu smiled and explained: "I forgot to tell you that Zhuzi is now living in his father-in-law's house."

"Doesn't Zhuzi have his own house? Why does he live in his father-in-law's house?" Su Xiulian frowned and continued to ask.

Cai Quan answered impatiently: "Isn't it that his father-in-law's house is closer to where he works, so it will be convenient for Zhuzi to rush home after get off work? After all, Zhuzi has to go home to cook for Xiao'e every day at noon!" He knew that Su Xiulian cared about Zhuzi and Xiao'e, so he explained the reason in detail.

Hearing this, Su Xiulian suddenly realized that He Yuzhu moved to his father-in-law's house to take care of Xiao'e more conveniently. She couldn't help but sigh: "Zhuzi is such a good man, it's a pity that his mother passed away too early, otherwise if there was an elderly person at home to help, Zhuzi wouldn't have to work so hard!"

"Alas, my aunt died early, and my uncle... never mind." Cai Quanwu sighed, "By the way, remember to pack your clothes tonight so I can take you to Zhuzi's father-in-law's house tomorrow."

"I understand. Don't worry. I will definitely not delay you from sending me there." Su Xiu Lian said with a smile.

He Yuzhu rode his bicycle back home. When the family sat at the table to eat after dinner was ready, he said, "Xiao'e, our factory director talked to me today and asked me to go on a business trip to Lingnan Province for half a month next month."

"Ah, Brother He, if you go on a business trip, what will happen to me and the children? I can't take care of them alone at home?" Lou Xiao'e said with a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. When I came back, I stopped by my cousin's house. I've already told my cousin that I'll let my aunt stay at our house to help take care of the children while I'm away on a business trip. I won't let you stay home alone to take care of the children. If it weren't for my aunt's help, I wouldn't have agreed to let the factory director arrange for me to go on a business trip."

"I feel relieved now that my cousin is here to help."

The next day, Cai Quanwu sent Su Xiulian to Zhuzi's father-in-law's house as planned. Along the way, the two talked about the daily life of He Yuzhu and Xiao'e, full of warmth and care. Cai Quanwu rode a tricycle and took Su Xiulian to He Yuzhu's father-in-law's house. Since He Yuzhu had already started working at the Red Star Steel Plant, Cai Quanwu had a brief conversation with Lou Xiao'e, then left Su Xiulian at He Yuzhu's father-in-law's house, and then rode away on a tricycle.

After Cai Quanwu left, Lou Xiao'e, holding a child, asked in confusion: "Aunt, Zhuzi told me yesterday that you would come to my house to help when he is on a business trip next month. Why are you here today? And you came so early, what about the children at home?"

Su Xiulian smiled and explained, "The pub where your cousin works closed down two months ago because it couldn't get any alcohol. He's idle at home every day, so I want him to stay home to take care of the children so that I can come to your house earlier to help you and Zhuzi take care of the children. With one more person to help, Zhuzi will be more relaxed, and he will have more energy when he goes on business trips."

"Then is it okay for my cousin to look after the child alone at home?" Lou Xiao'e asked with concern.

Su Xiulian smiled and replied, "Xiao'e, don't worry. The youngest of my three children is five years old. They are very sensible and there is no need to worry too much. In addition, during the day, the two older ones will go to school, and there will only be one younger one at home who needs to be taken care of. Your uncle can handle it all by himself."

Lou Xiao'e nodded, but still seemed a little worried. She then asked, "Can my cousin cook?"

Su Xiulian smiled and said, "Your uncle was a poor kid since he was young. He learned to cook very early. Besides, my brother from my mother's side lives with us. He has loved cooking since he was young and his cooking skills are quite good. If there is anything that is too busy, he can help. Oh, by the way, speaking of his love for cooking, it was influenced by Zhuzi!"

Lou Xiao'e was puzzled when she heard this and asked, "Really? Then, aunt, can you tell me why?"

"My hometown is in Anhui Province. That year, my hometown suffered a flood. The flood was fierce and devoured everything like a beast. My parents were ruthlessly washed away by the flood and disappeared from then on, leaving only me and my younger brother to depend on each other. In desperation, I could only take my brother on the road of fleeing famine, and traveled all the way to the prosperous Sijiu City. Perhaps it was fate that we happened to meet Zhuzi here. Zhuzi was kind-hearted. Seeing that my brother and I were lonely and helpless, he felt pity and kindly introduced me to his cousin. If it weren't for Zhuzi's help, my brother and I would probably have starved to death on the street. Later, on the day of my wedding with his cousin, Zhuzi cooked himself and carefully prepared a large table full of delicious dishes. The rich dishes on the table made my brother feast on his appetite. From then on, he developed a strong interest in cooking and set an ambition to make mouth-watering food like Zhuzi when he grew up." Speaking of this, Su Xiulian couldn't help but think of her deceased parents, and tears flowed down her face involuntarily.

"Aunt, don't be sad. Let the past be the past. Now you have three lovely children and live a happy life. And your brother has grown up and is old enough to get married. You have done your parents a good job. I believe they will be pleased to see your life now."

"Xiao'e, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you. I'm not sad, I just miss my deceased parents. Since we fled to Beijing in 1951, we have never returned to our hometown." Su Xiu Lian explained, "Okay, let's not talk about the past. I'm going to wash the baby's diapers." After saying that, Su Xiu Lian went to the bathroom.