Siheyuan: Starting with one acre and three fen of land

While Zhang Baishu was eating dumplings in the living room, children from various families in the yard came to his house one after another, wearing new clothes and wishing a happy new year.

He Yuzhu sat on a chair with a smile on his face, and gave out red envelopes one by one.

Seeing this, Yu Shui couldn't suppress the urge in his heart and ran out with them to wish them a happy new year.

When Yu Shui returned to the living room, he hurriedly pulled out a chair and sat down. He took out a stack of red envelopes from his inner pocket with both hands, and began to count the red envelopes with excitement in his eyes.

When Zhang Baishu saw Yu Shui's appearance at this moment, a look of kindness appeared on his face, and he happily took out the remaining two red envelopes and gave them to her.

Yu Shui looked up, took it with surprise, and immediately said some half-baked flattery, which made Zhang Baishu laugh.

He Yuzhu watched from the sidelines and laughed: "Alright, Yushui. Let's go out and pay New Year's greetings."

"Okay, wait a moment." Yu Shui rushed into the bedroom like a whirlwind and hid the red envelope.

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly and turned to look at Zhang Baishu: "Grandpa, you can choose what you want to eat for lunch. I should have eaten outside today."

Zhang Baishu waved his hand: "I understand, go ahead! Be careful when riding your bike!"

The alley was piled with residual snow, dotted with firecracker debris.

Yu Shui put her hands in her pockets and looked up at He Yuzhu: "Brother, where should we go to celebrate the New Year first?"

"Let's get in the car! Let's go to Master Wu's house in Xicheng District first."

He Yuzhu said this as he got on the bicycle, raised his chin at her, and motioned for her to get on the back seat.

"Okay!" Yu Shui reached out and grabbed his coat, stepped on the iron bar and climbed onto the back seat, holding on to the horizontal bar tightly.

As a crisp bell rang, He Yuzhu pedaled hard, and the bicycle slowly drove out of the alley and merged into the bustling street.

On the first day of the first lunar month, I hurriedly visited only three houses. In addition to the homes of my two masters, I also visited Zhang Deqing's home.

At Zhang's house, I met Duan Gui who also came to pay New Year's greetings. We sat around the tea table, and as the aroma of tea wafted in the air, we talked about interesting things from the past year and our aspirations for the new year.

The next day, He Yuzhu brought Yu Shui and made a special trip to Shijingshan.

Fortunately, Lu Qiufu and Guo Yue's families lived not far from Zhang's family, so they didn't have to go back and forth.

After returning from Shijingshan, he continued his unfinished New Year's greetings by shuttling back and forth between the alleys.

He Yuzhu rode his bike in the alley, thinking that this was the last one.

The last family is the Guan family. We have had a pleasant cooperation over the past few years and they came to pay New Year’s greetings this year.

When he arrived at Guan's door, He Yuzhu braked, stopped, pushed the bike to the side of the steps, and locked the bike.

He climbed the stairs and knocked on the door. The sound of "dong dong dong" rang out in the front yard.

The door curtain of the gatehouse swayed, and Butler Hu walked towards the courtyard gate.

The door was opened with a creaky sound, and when Butler Hu saw He Yuzhu outside the door, a smile instantly appeared on his face.

"Zhu Zi, you're here! Please come in!"

He Yuzhu held the gift in his hand and bowed: "Housekeeper Hu, I wish you a happy new year and good luck!"

After he stood up, he walked into the yard and handed the gift to Butler Hu.

Butler Hu took the gift and pulled his arm affectionately: "Zhu Zi, I thought you would come today. The master is waiting for you inside."

"Ah? Butler Hu, does Mr. Guan have any instructions for you?" He Yuzhu asked in surprise after hearing this.

Butler Hu laughed and walked without stopping, leading He Yuzhu towards the central courtyard.

"Zhu Zi, don't worry. This is a good thing. You will know when the master tells you."

He Yuzhu nodded, wondering what he was looking for. Was it to increase the shipment volume?

This thought flashed through my mind, and I stopped worrying about it and followed Butler Hu to the living room.

Not long after, the two arrived at the door of the living room, and Butler Hu walked in first with gifts in his hand.

"Master, the pillar is coming!"

He Yuzhu followed him into the living room, stepped forward quickly and bowed: "Grandpa Guan, I wish you a happy new year. I wish you good luck!"

Old Master Guan put down his teacup, looked at He Yuzhu who was bowing with gentle eyes, and his hearty laughter instantly filled the entire living room.

"Zhu Zi, excuse me! Get up!"

There was a glimmer of admiration in his eyes, and he extended his hand to support her.

In the past two or three years, the Guan family has been able to revitalize their old relationships by relying on the high-quality rice provided by He Yuzhu.

The family's daily life is no longer tight, which really makes Mr. Guan proud.

Hearing this, He Yuzhu stood up, walked to a chair nearby and sat down, then took the teacup handed to him by Butler Hu and took a sip.

Old Master Guan glanced at the gifts on the coffee table, picked up the teacup and gestured to He Yuzhu across the air.

He took a sip and put down his teacup: "Zhu Zi, we have always had a pleasant cooperation. You are reliable and I thought of you first for this matter."

"Mr. Guan, please speak!" He Yuzhu put down the teacup, leaned forward slightly, and looked at him seriously.

Grandpa Guan nodded slightly, with a hint of reluctance in his tone: "My in-laws intend to move overseas, and I have only one daughter, so of course I have to go with them. What do you think of this courtyard?"

"Grandpa, this happened so suddenly. When exactly did it happen?" He Yuzhu didn't expect this to happen. After pondering for a moment, he asked him.

Grandpa Guan bent his fingers and tapped the coffee table lightly, making a crisp sound: "It won't be July at the latest. If it's fast, we will leave in May."

He Yuzhu did not reply immediately after hearing this, but frowned and thought.

Seeing this, Mr. Guan did not urge him. He picked up the teacup and sipped the tea slowly, giving He Yuzhu time to think.

He Yuzhu sat on the chair, wondering whether it was necessary to take it down now.

This courtyard is a standard three-in-one quadrangle. Although the Guan family had fallen on hard times before, things have gotten better in recent years and a lot of repairs have been done to the courtyard.

When he passed by just now, he could vaguely see a newly opened passage, which obviously had been opened again.

He Yuzhu now has the deeds to several houses in the central courtyard, but considering the future, it is still necessary to buy an independent courtyard.

He made up his mind, picked up the teacup again and took a sip.

When Mr. Guan saw his action, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes, and he knew that the matter was done.

After a while, they both put down their teacups.

He Yuzhu bowed and asked, "Grandpa, have you got the backyard back?"

"Yes, you are very observant." Old Master Guan nodded in reply with a proud look on his face.

He Yuzhu heard his affirmative answer and continued to ask: "What price do you want?"

Mr. Guan stated the price he had in mind: "Before we leave, we still have a few more opportunities to trade, let's say five.

I will not give you any more money for the five payments. In addition, I will add this amount, and all the items in the yard will belong to you."

As he spoke, he extended his index finger and gestured to He Yuzhu.

After hearing his offer, He Yuzhu quickly calculated in his mind and realized that he was giving a friendly price, not to mention those valuable old items.

"No problem, old man. But I have to pay half of the 10 million, and the remaining half will be given to silver dollars and yellow croaker."

Mr. Guan was overjoyed after hearing this. He thought that he would be given all in banknotes, and he would have to go through the trouble of exchanging them for small yellow croakers. Now he saved a lot of effort.

"Okay! Next time you come to deliver the goods, we'll go directly to handle the property transfer procedures. But don't rush to chase the old man away! Haha!"

He Yuzhu heard his joke and laughed heartily: "Old man, what are you talking about? You are too lenient, and I can't do anything wrong. Just stay here and rest assured."