Siheyuan: Starting with one acre and three fen of land

The twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year in the South.

Yesterday was the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, and the He family had just celebrated the New Year’s Eve.

Just after breakfast, He Yuzhu started to get busy in the house, apparently preparing to go out today.

Under Chen Xueru's command, He Yushui ran in and out of the house, handing brand new winter clothes to He Yuzhu from time to time.

"Okay, okay, Yu Shui, you don't have to run back and forth. Look, I'm almost wrapped into a ball!" He Yuzhu rubbed Yu Shui's head, his eyes full of smiles.

He Yushui threw the scarf in her hand to him, looked him up and down, then turned to look at Chen Xueru with a smile.

"Sister-in-law, this ball is not round enough, add a few more pieces!"

Chen Xueru looked at this scene with a faint smile on her lips, as if it was a bit too much.

But never mind, I’m not going out wearing it myself.

He Yuzhu stretched out his hand and pinched He Yushui's ear, scolding with a smile: "Yushui, I think you deserve to be punished!"

He Yushui quickly broke free from his clutches, ran to the sofa, covered her slightly red ears with her little hands, and looked up to Chen Xueru to act coquettishly.

"Sister-in-law, look, he has pulled my ears red, you have to take care of him!"

Chen Xueru glanced at He Yushui with a smile, and when she saw her eyes rolling around, she realized that she was bluffing.

They were just playing around with each other, why would they use such harsh methods?

"Okay, okay, I'll go and teach him a lesson right away!" As he said that, he slowly walked towards He Yuzhu.

When He Yuzhu saw her coming, he didn't even bother to tie his scarf and quickly stepped forward: "Just take a rest, don't I know how to put on clothes?"

Chen Xueru patted his arm, rolled her eyes at him in reproach, and reached out to tie his scarf for him: "When can you come back today?"

He Yuzhu doesn’t know what’s going on yet, he only knows that Lu Ming will come to pick him up today.

He thought that Chief Chen might have something important to say, so he guessed, "I'm not sure yet, maybe in the afternoon!

If it's past mealtime, don't wait for me, just leave one portion for me. You have to take care of yourself and don't go hungry."

Chen Xueru tied her scarf, nodded in agreement, and felt a warm feeling in her heart.

Seeing that the two of them were getting naughty again, He Yushui pouted, rolled her eyes, muttered, walked to the sofa, sat down, and poured herself a cup of tea.

He Yuzhu turned his head and looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost time. "Xue Ru, I'll be leaving first."

As he said that, he helped her walk towards the sofa.

After she sat down on the sofa, He Yuzhu turned around and waved to He Yushui: "Let's go! Follow me to close the gate in the front yard."

"Okay!" Although He Yushui was a little reluctant, he did not dare to neglect it. He agreed honestly, stood up and followed him.

The clock just struck eight when a familiar jeep sounded in the alley, and Lu Ming's smiling face was clearly visible behind the car window.

As the car stopped steadily in front of the He family's house, He Yuzhu opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.

"Brother Lu, what's the urgent matter today? Why are you being so secretive?"

As he spoke, he handed a box of cigarettes to Lu Ming, his eyes full of curiosity.

Lu Ming took the cigarette box, stuffed it into his coat pocket, started the car, and slowly drove to the other end of the alley.

"Don't worry, you'll know on the way."

Seeing that he was acting mysterious, He Yuzhu frowned and thought for a moment, but he still had no idea what he was up to.

He simply sat quietly in his seat. He knew he would know the destination once he reached it, so he didn't want to keep anyone in suspense.

Seeing that he didn't ask any more questions, Lu Ming felt uncomfortable and glanced at He Yuzhu frequently.

The jeep moved forward, and the buildings outside the window rapidly receded.

He Yuzhu looked at this road and thought it didn't look like the road to Xicheng District. He exclaimed and thought to himself, could it be...

Lu Ming glanced at his face, noticed the change in expression, and raised the corners of his mouth, satisfied with his surprised reaction.

The night was as dark as ink. The room was illuminated by orange-yellow lights. Leftovers were placed on the central table, and it was obvious that a banquet had just ended.

The waiters were tidying up the table quickly, glancing at the figures on the side from time to time.

"Xiaotian! Today is the Little New Year's Eve. Go and distribute the red envelopes I prepared to everyone. I wish everyone happiness!"

The old man, cigarette in hand, took the cup of tea and gave instructions to the visitor.

Xiao Tian nodded and said, "You never forget us, how can we ask for your red envelope?"

"At my age, I am considered your elder. It is only natural for the elders to give you red envelopes. Xiao He, don't you think so?"

The old man put down his teacup, took a puff of cigarette, and looked at He Yuzhu beside him with a smile.

He Yuzhu held the teacup and smiled: "I dare not refuse the gift from the elder!"

"Xiaotian, look at them. Go quickly!" The old man pointed at He Yuzhu and said to Xiaotian.

Oda was familiar with the old man's temper, so he quickly nodded in agreement and turned to get the red envelope.

When the cigarettes in their hands were finished and the attendants had cleaned up, only three people were left in the room.

"Xiao He, I wanted to treat you to dinner today, but I overslept and it's so late. Please don't mind!"

The old man raised his teacup and saluted from afar, looking at He Yuzhu happily.

He Yuzhu bowed slightly and waved his hand quickly: "It's a good thing that you slept well. I'm so happy!"

The old man nodded, took a sip of tea, looked sideways at Chief Chen, and said jokingly: "Shukang, Xiao He is much more polite than you!"

Commander Chen looked calm and waved his hand: "Don't talk nonsense! I'm famous for my courtesy!"

"Oh! I was wrong about you! Haha!" The old man pointed at Commander Chen and laughed.

He Yuzhu grinned unconsciously and laughed silently.

When the laughter died down, the old man took a deep breath and his eyes fell on He Yuzhu.

"Xiao He, everyone has read the manual, it's very good!"

He paused here and gave an encouraging look.

"Today is the Little New Year in my hometown, so I asked you to come and have a meal together, but I didn't expect that I would ask you to cook."

He Yuzhu understood the meaning and thought it was not a good reward for his contribution, so he wanted to treat him to a dinner.

Compared with his selfless predecessors, his contribution was nothing and he didn't need to sacrifice his life.

"With your kindness, everything I have done is worth it." He straightened his body with a serious look on his face.

Chief Chen suggested: "Just write him a couple of words, and I guarantee he'll be happy."

There was a glimmer of admiration in the old man's eyes. Hearing this, he thought of Chief Chen's previous stamp collecting experience and burst into laughter.

"Well, it seems that this piece of paper of mine is worth a thousand gold pieces!"

He Yuzhu was beaming with joy and gave Chief Chen a thumbs up in his heart. There was a way to get a huge fortune, which was something that could not be sought after.

The old man was very excited when he saw He Yuzhu's smile. He put down his teacup, stood up and waved his hand.

"Come on! Xiao He, I'll write for you right now. I think one is not enough, good things come in pairs, so I'll write two for you. How do you think?"

He Yuzhu was overjoyed when he saw this and nodded repeatedly: "That's really great! Haha!"

"See, I was right!" Commander Chen pointed at He Yuzhu and said to the old man.

"Xiao He, when your baby is born, remember to invite me to the wedding banquet, and I will write a calligraphy for you! Okay?"