Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the New Year, and every household celebrates the Lantern Festival. The Beijing-style Sichuan cuisine private restaurant will officially open to the public tomorrow. Today, He Yuzhu's family and Xu Damao's family are having a dinner in the restaurant to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

The children ate quickly and went out to the alley to set off firecrackers and fireworks. Only six adults were left in the restaurant, each chatting with their own things.

Xu Damao and He Yuzhu were still drinking.

"Da Mao, what are you going to do when Xiao'e and the others come back? You won't divorce and remarry, right?"

"Brother Zhuzi, how can that be possible! Meifang has been with me for more than ten years and we have five children. I said I would divorce her! It's not necessary. Besides, Ezi won't come back. She has two other children in Hong Kong with someone else and their household registration is gone. Can the child come back?"

"Hehe, you are a blessed man, boy. You have eight children. Now Lou Xiao'e is coming back, and you have two wives."

"Hey, ... there are gains and losses, right? Besides, Ezi is also my ex-wife. Of course, my ex-wife is also my wife. Let's not talk about this anymore, let's drink."

The two of them drank wine in the wind.

"Brother Zhuzi, you often come to the restaurant for dinner. The factory knows about this, but didn't they say anything?"

"Yes, but luckily I am still mainly responsible for the small kitchen, so there is no evening banquet. However, there may be some trouble in the future. I heard that Lao Yang will retire this year. If the newly transferred factory director does not allow employees to work part-time outside and forces you to work for the night shift, it will be a bit troublesome. But there will always be a way. There are two other chefs in the restaurant, my senior brother and their apprentices. If it doesn't work, we can transfer them to each other. Since our business has been opened up, we can't close our own business because of the cafeteria. If it doesn't work, I can apply for unpaid leave, take a two-year leave, go back and work for another year, and then move for two years. There are always more solutions than problems. Now my own restaurant is definitely ten times better than working. Don't worry, I know my limits and will make arrangements."

"Well, that's fine. There are many people in the factory who are jealous of you. When they see you making money, they will do something behind your back."...

Yu Li and Gu Meifang also chatted about women's topics.

"Sister Fang, will Ezi come back in the future? How will you and Ezi get along in the future? There was nothing we could do about Ezi running away before. Although she abandoned Brother Damao, she was the one who gave birth to his child after all."

"Yu Li, what's the big deal? I'll listen to my Damao. I don't want to worry about this or that. But when Xiao'e came back last time, she didn't say she was going back to Kyoto. She just came to Kyoto to do some business. I don't think the two women will fight for a husband. Besides, if they fight, they can. I'd love to have someone to share the burden with me. Yu Li, how is your Zhuzi doing now? He's not thinking about making money and not working the land at home, is he?" Gu Meifang teased Yu Li. The two of them were talking in private.

"Sister Fang, you're right, it's true that we don't farm that much now. I'm busy in the restaurant from morning till night, and I fall asleep as soon as I get home, after washing myself. Brother Zhuzi is the same, he works in the factory during the day and cooks in the restaurant at night. Business is booming, so he basically has no time to rest, and he falls asleep as soon as he lies down. I can't even remember the last time I did that." Yu Li laughed as she thought about it.

"Sister Fang, why did we end up talking about this? It would be so embarrassing if the kids heard us."

"Hey, Yu Li, this is also very important. I think we can hire a few more people if you feel tired. I can also cover for you. Women should be nicer to themselves. This is also very important. Otherwise, if you run dry, what's the point of making so much money? Right, isn't the purpose of making money to have a better life?"

In another corner, Xu Jun and He Jianxin were reminiscing about their childhood and getting married.

"Dun Dun, you are not a child anymore, when are you going to get married?"

"It's almost time. My aunt has found a good wife for me. She's a loom blocker at a textile factory. I've met her several times. She even visited her during the Spring Festival. Her parents are quite satisfied with me. I just don't have time to go shopping with her. We should get married this year, right? How about you? Brother Huo Huo, you're one year older than me. Do you have a partner?"

"Well, yes, we are currently discussing it, but it's probably too early to get married. You know, I'm still in school."

"Where? Brother Huo Huo, don't tell me you found yourself a foreign wife?"

"No, she's from Kyoto. We played together in kindergarten. I wonder if you still remember her? Yaya, the girl with the round face and pigtails when she was little. She's a teacher now. But maybe I'll take her to the United States. I haven't decided yet. We'll see later."

"I don't remember. It feels too far away. Brother Huo, you won't leave again in a few days, right?"

"No, I'm going to school in Kyoto for a while, so I'll be staying in Kyoto for a short period of time."

"Okay, bring your partner to the restaurant for dinner when you have a chance. Uncle Damao also owns the restaurant, and it's our own business. I'll cook for you."

"Okay, you know what, you're really talented at cooking, just like your dad, a godly chef, the dishes are delicious."

"Hehe, Brother Huo, I feel a little embarrassed when you praise me like that. It's mainly because my dad taught me well, otherwise how could I become an apprentice so quickly? A chef is a skilled worker, so I just need to cook a few more times. Hehehe..."

This Lantern Festival was quite successful. It was already 10 o'clock in the evening when Xu Damao and his family returned home. The moon in the sky was so round and bright.

Xu Damao and Gu Meifang stood in their yard, looking up at the bright moonlight, hugging each other.

"Meifang, every festive season makes me miss my family, but I have something I want to ask you."

"Boss, what's the matter?"

"I heard you say before that your parents sold you to the Chen family, and you almost cut off all ties with your mother's family. Don't you miss them all these years?"

Gu Meifang did not answer, but stood beside Xu Damao for a long time before she said, "Da Mao, who doesn't want to have a loving father and a loving mother? When my parents sold me to Xiaoyong's father so that my brother could get married, they said they would cut off contact with me. Later, I secretly went back to the village to see them, and they were not doing well. Later, when Xiaoyong's father had an accident while repairing the canal, he really wanted to go back to my mother's house to seek help when he couldn't make ends meet. But I was afraid that I would be sold again by my parents, so I hesitated. When I was in the most difficult and hungry time, you came and gave me five yuan. I completely gave up the idea of ​​going back to my mother's home. The year before last, we spent the New Year in Baishui Village. Xiaoyong's aunt quietly told me that my parents were gone. Why should I go back? My parents are gone, and my eldest brother didn't even come to inform me of the death. He just doesn't recognize me. If he doesn't recognize me, then so be it. This is fate, and being poor is a sin. Damao, meeting you may be my blessing. In the future, when Xiao'e comes back, you don't have to avoid me. I don't care about your three wives and four concubines. As long as I am by your side, I will be willing to be your maid."

Xu Damao looked back at Gu Meifang and found that she was in tears, with tear marks all over her cheeks. Xu Damao wiped her tears with his warm hands, "Meifang, now the conditions are good and life is prosperous, we don't cry anymore. The past is the past. If the children see you crying, they will think that I bullied you on this Lantern Festival night."

Gu Meifang burst into laughter, "Boss, these are tears of joy. Look at our five children, they look so happy. Our future will be prosperous. No matter how beautiful the moon is, it is still in the sky. Let's go back to the room and sleep. I've been thinking about something today."