Siheyuan: Survival Guide for Courtyard No. 95

After much persuasion, Zhao Shanhe finally persuaded these enthusiastic villagers to leave. Only then did he dare to put the wild boar into the small world, then took out his bicycle and rushed all the way to the city.

The Chinese New Year is approaching, and the city is filled with a strong festive atmosphere. The Chinese New Year celebrations at this time are not like those in the 21st century. Not only are firecrackers set off at will, but there are also many special snacks that only appear around the Spring Festival.

Wangfujing Street has long been closed to the public, and the situation in Dashilan and Daqianmen is not much better.

It was still afternoon when Zhao Shanhe returned to the city. He had wanted to go to these places, but was immediately discouraged when he saw this situation. He was really afraid of losing his shoes. With such a surging flow of people, he really didn't dare to go in...

Before the Spring Festival, the pork that Li Huaide had contacted for the steel rolling mill was delivered, and of course Deputy Director Ye also came with them. Sha Zhu once again did his best to prepare a fish feast. This time Director Li really went all out. I heard from Sha Zhu that he drank six bottles of Fenjiu alone. In the end, the factory ran out of Fenjiu, so they changed the table. As for how much he drank in the end, we would have to go to the warehouse to see if there was any good wine left.

The steel mill also used this batch of pork to distribute Spring Festival benefits. Poor Old Yan once again stood at the gate of the yard, watching everyone carrying pork back. Jie Cheng's training had not yet ended, and he was not even an apprentice, so of course he had no benefits.

However, this month made Yan Bugui understand many things. Ever since he presented two 3-jin grass carps to his leader, not only did the grade leader look at him more favorably, but even the director of studies would chat with him when they met. These changes made him reflect deeply on his past stinginess. Before the Spring Festival, he borrowed some cigarette and wine tickets from Zhao Shanhe, bought Daqianmen and Xifeng wine (two yuan and fifty cents a bottle with tickets), and waited to give New Year greetings and gifts to his leader on the second day of the New Year.

PS: The Spring Festival at this time only has half a day holiday on New Year’s Eve and two days of holiday on the first and second days of the New Year.

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Yi Zhonghai, who had not been seen for a long time, knocked on Zhao Shanhe's door again.

"Uncle Yi, what's up?"

The fruit trees in Zhao Shanhe's small world have already produced a good harvest, and he is experimenting with making fruit juice. This thing can be regarded as a nuclear weapon in the food industry in this era. As long as it is taken out, there is no leader that cannot be conquered.

"Shanhe, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. I was thinking that you're the only one at home this year, why don't you go to Grandpa's house to celebrate the New Year together? Tomorrow Shazhu will be the chef, and the old lady in the backyard, the Jia family in the middle yard, and our family will celebrate New Year's Eve together. If you go there, it will be lively, which is better than being alone at home in the cold and lonely, right?"

Zhao Shanhe was very wary of Yi Zhonghai's words. What did this old man mean? Could it be that he wanted to make himself a spare tire after seeing that he had completed the task for two consecutive months?

What is this? Jia Dongxu is number one, Sha Zhu or Qin Huairu is number two, and I am number three, the backup?

Thinking of this, Zhao Shanhe declined politely.

"Uncle Yi, my father just passed away this year, so it's not convenient for me to go to your house for the New Year. Let's talk about it later."

Yi Zhonghai actually wanted Zhao Shanhe to provide some meat and vegetables. Since the other party was a buyer and could complete the task, he must have his own way. But when he saw the reason Zhao Shanhe gave, he knew that he came at the wrong time. The man's father had just passed away not long ago, and it was indeed inappropriate for him to invite him to his home to celebrate the New Year.

"I'm sorry Shanhe, I got things wrong. Let's leave it at that for this year. We can get together again when we have a chance. Don't forget to burn more paper money for your father during the New Year, so that he can have a better life over there."

Zhao Shanhe breathed a sigh of relief after watching the old man hurriedly leave. It seemed that the other party did not treat him as a backup, which was good news.

On New Year's Eve, Zhao Shanhe made a bunch of delicious food in his own little world, and took out a few of them to display in the yard. After all, other families were eating fish and meat, and it would be a bit too fake for you to eat steamed corn bread.

However, if you want to say who has the best food in the courtyard, you have to look at Sha Zhu. This guy set up a big pot in the middle courtyard, took out the oil from his own house and Yi Zhonghai's house and started frying all kinds of food, meatballs, vegetable meatballs, pheasant necks (a kind of snack wrapped in noodles), big carp, eggplant boxes..., making the whole courtyard full of fragrance, and even the children in the next yard came to watch the fun.

He Yushui even stood next to the bowl of meatballs and started eating. At that time, her silly brother had not yet been sucked blood, and it was also her last carefree time. But when grain production decreased and prices rose in 59, that was another story.

I don't know what Xu Damao's family is busy with today. Every time Xu Wude goes in and out, he carries a lot of things. It's the first time I see him and Sha Zhu not arguing. Of course, it may also have something to do with the oil pan next to Sha Zhu.

The deaf old lady entered Yi Zhonghai's house at noon wearing new clothes and new shoes made by her aunt. As for the people from the Jia family, let alone coming to help, they would not come until the meal was served.

Zhao Shanhe saw that even the Yan family across the street was bustling today, but his family was the only one in the deserted yard. He felt really lonely. After playing with the carefree little wild boars, rabbits and pheasants in his little world for a while, he felt that he was not as good as these animals. At least these animals still had their families with them. Of course, next year the whole family must be together.

I rode my bike to Dazhalan. At that time, every family was preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner. The number of people in Daqianmen and Dazhalan had decreased by 99%. Some restaurants and shops had already closed. Only a few that might have shared the same fate as me were still open.

I wandered until it was almost dark, and saw a pub between Dashilan and Daqianmen. I knew from the words on the door that this must be the one in "Zhengyangmen". It was still open, so I went in to take a look. (Don't use your brain when reading, and don't think about the timeline)

Xu Huizhen was checking the accounts while holding her child, while Cai Quanwu was busy tidying up the tables, chairs and benches. When he saw Zhao Shanhe come in, he greeted him.

"Comrade, we've run out of side dishes today. Would you like some wine?"

Looking at Xu Huizhen, who was 90% similar to Jiang Wenli (intentionally), Zhao Shanhe knew that this was not his type. In his two lifetimes, he had liked women like Jiuyijie who were sexy and charming, but he did not like this kind of homely woman.

"Boss, you're still not resting during the New Year? Give me the biggest jar of wine in your house. It's said that your wine is never diluted with water. I came here because of your reputation."

A jar of wine weighs 50 kilograms, and Xu Huizhen definitely cannot lift it. However, she has the royal all-round servant Cai Quanwu, who is an expert in carrying heavy bags and can lift 50 kilograms of things effortlessly.

When Zhao Shanhe saw that Cai Quanwu was with Xu Huizhen during the New Year, he knew how the plot had developed. He gave them his deepest blessings in his heart, asked Old Cai to take the wine jar out of the store, and after he went in, he stuffed it into the small world and went to find the silk shop.

Not far from the tavern is Xueru Silk Shop, but it was closed at this time. Zhao Shanhe had a slight liking for the female boss and liked her bold love and hate personality, so he decided to come back after the New Year.