Siheyuan: A Family of Loyal and Brave People

Hearing that Cheng Hao was going to give the watch to someone else, Xu Yun's pretty face sank, and she snatched it away, saying, "I didn't say I didn't want it."

"This watch suits you very well. Let me help you put it on."

After accepting the token of love, the relationship between the two was made clear. Cheng Hao made up his mind and was glad for his decisiveness.

Xu Yun did not refuse. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing her white wrist, and helped Cheng Hao put on the watch.

It was dark and the light was poor. Xu Yun raised her arm and looked carefully at the gift Cheng Hao had given her under the light of the street. This was the first gift Cheng Hao had given her, and she had to remember it well.

"How about it, it's okay."

"Thank you, I love it."

Xu Yun put her hands down, joy revealed in her watery eyes. She tilted her head slightly and gave Cheng Hao a bright smile.

The two looked at each other, and Xu Yun's expression suddenly froze, and she hurriedly searched her pockets. After searching for a while, Xu Yun finally took out a black fountain pen from her pocket, took a deep breath, and solemnly handed it to Cheng Hao.

"This is for you. You should be able to use it now that you are working in the neighborhood office."

Xu Yun took the initiative to come and look for it, and of course she was well prepared. She originally wanted to be the first to give the gift, but she didn't expect Cheng Hao to get there first.

"Thank you. I like it too."

Cheng Hao took the pen with both hands, looked at it for a while, and then carefully put it away.

The two parties exchanged tokens and formally confirmed their relationship. The next step was to meet the parents to discuss the wedding date.

……

This was the first time Cheng Hao invited his girlfriend to dinner and he took it very seriously. Even though Xu Yun didn't have any requirements, he still found a big restaurant to ensure the quality of the food.

These days, the quality of dishes in the famous restaurants in the city is very guaranteed, unlike in later generations when there are all kinds of false propaganda, all kinds of technology and hard work that make people nervous before they even eat.

"I heard that the braised oxtail and coriander fried dan in Hongbinlou are pretty good. How about we try them today?"

Before entering the room, Cheng Hao asked again, fully respecting Xu Yun's opinion.

"Listen to you."

Xu Yun didn't care much about what to eat, but Cheng Hao's respect still made her very happy.

In this era, people's minds have not been completely liberated, and male chauvinism is still prevalent. Most families are still headed by men, wife beatings happen from time to time, and women's rights are not protected. It is hard to find someone like Cheng Hao who knows how to respect women from the bottom of his heart. Xu Yun was right.

The two entered Hongbinlou and sat down by the window in the lobby on the first floor. Soon a waiter came forward to greet them and brought them the menu.

Cheng Hao ordered a few signature dishes and then handed the menu to Xu Yun.

Xu Yun glanced at Cheng Hao and saw that he had almost finished ordering, so she ordered a vegetarian dish and handed the menu back to the waiter. She came from a prominent family, but she didn't like extravagance.

If Cheng Hao hadn't dragged her to Hongbinlou, Xu Yun could have just found a small restaurant to have the meal.

The waiter left. While waiting for the food to be served, Cheng Hao took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, raised his head and looked around, observing the scene inside the room.

As a famous restaurant in Beijing, Hongbinlou not only has first-class food but also exquisite decoration.

Although it does not have the splendid and magnificent pomp of later generations, the tables, chairs, ornaments and various decorations complement each other and exude a strong cultural atmosphere. It must be said that dining in such an environment is indeed a pleasant thing.

It turns out that no matter what era it is, the life of rich people is always so enjoyable.

"What are you looking at?"

Xu Yun's words brought Cheng Hao back to his senses.

Thinking of the girl sitting opposite him, Cheng Hao gave an embarrassed smile.

"I didn't see anything. It was just my first time in Hongbin Building. I was curious so I just looked around."

In his previous life, Cheng Hao was just an ordinary person who had never been to any high-consumption places. Instead, he made a fool of himself in front of his girlfriend.

Thinking of how Cheng Hao came from a humble background, joined the army, and fought hard to get to his current position, and how much hardship he had endured during that time, Xu Yun felt distressed and secretly sad.

Fortunately, the depressing atmosphere did not last long and the waiter quickly brought the food.

Fried dandan with coriander, deep-fried lamb meatballs, and lamb and zucchini potstickers are all signature dishes of the restaurant. In the middle is a plate of brightly colored braised oxtail, which is the signature dish of Hongbinlou.

Cattle are very important livestock for production and are rarely slaughtered, so oxtails are a very rare ingredient. The braised oxtail dish is limited to a certain day and sometimes even unavailable.

Cheng Hao arrived at the right time today and just happened to catch this oxtail dish.

“Try this braised oxtail.”

Cheng Hao picked up a large piece of oxtail and gave it to Xu Yun, then picked up another piece and put it in his own bowl. An instant fragrance filled his face, and it seemed that the ingredients were very fresh.

Oxtail is a very difficult ingredient to handle. It has a special smell that is difficult to remove. Once the smell is not removed, the whole dish will be inedible. In addition, oxtail is very difficult to stew. If it is not soft enough, it will fail. If it is too soft, the meat will fall off the bones, which is also a failure. It is very demanding on the cooking time.

Cheng Hao picked up the oxtail and stuffed it into his mouth impatiently. With just a light bite of his teeth and a lick of his tongue, he peeled the soft and tasty beef off the bones. The beef was soft and tasty, with a light medicinal aroma, but the aroma was not too strong and did not cover up the delicious taste of the beef itself.

With just one bite, Cheng Hao knew that this braised oxtail was worthy of its reputation and that the trip today was not in vain.

"I don't eat much, you eat more, don't waste it."

Compared to Cheng Hao who was eating heartily, Xu Yun seemed much more gentle. She only tasted a little of each dish and did not forget to pick up some food for her boyfriend.

"Ah."

Cheng Hao, who was busy eating, enjoyed the food his girlfriend fed him, feeling very happy. Eating with someone you like is so delicious.

Without Xu Yun, the meal would have been much less enjoyable.

After a quick meal, Cheng Hao cleared the food on the table. The two of them had almost finished eating and started chatting casually.

"Now that we have come this far, when do you plan to propose marriage?"

The topic soon turned to what Xu Yun was most concerned about.

There is no problem with the relationship between the two, so it is time to plan the marriage as soon as possible.

“I want to wait until the house is renovated before going to your house to propose marriage.

I can't let you live in the dormitory with me after we get married."

Of course Cheng Hao was eager to get married immediately so that he could be intimate with Xu Yun.

But I don’t have a place to stay yet, and I’m afraid of mistreating others.

"But if you don't mind, I can come and propose marriage tomorrow."

"Go! Go! Go.

He is a director and a hero, but he still lives in the dormitory?

If you have nowhere to live, just come live with me."

Xu Yun is very independent. After working for a few years, she moved out from home early and bought her own house outside.

After getting the marriage certificate, Cheng Hao wanted to move in, and she didn't mind.

"I am a grown man, how can I trouble you?

Wait a few more days, I will definitely arrange everything and come to propose marriage within a week."

Cheng Hao patted his chest and assured.