Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

Courtyard house

"Old Yan, we're going to the hospital to see Old Yi. What do you think we should get?"

Yang Ruihua finished his work early today and returned home just after noon.

"There's still half a box of pastries left from before the New Year. It's getting hot now, so I can't keep it any longer. You can bring it to Lao Yi when you visit him."

"Old Yan, do you feel guilty?"

Although it was half a box of cakes, Yang Ruihua knew that there were only two or three pieces left. They were brought by Yi Zhonghai and his friends when they visited Yan Bugui a few years ago. It has been almost four months now, and Yan Bugui would eat a piece from time to time when he was craving for it. Of course, this piece was shared by the whole family.

"You old woman, I've done everything right, what am I guilty of?"

When it comes to speaking, Yan Bugui's arguments are very convincing.

"Let's not talk about other things. When Lao Yi came to see you before the New Year, he brought 20 yuan with him. That was enough to solve our urgent needs. This time Lao Yi has something to do. Let's not talk about bringing money, but at least he should buy ten eggs, right?"

When the father and son of the Yan family were in the hospital, apart from Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong and Sha Zhu, no one else went to visit them in the hospital, not to mention that Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong also pooled thirty yuan. They were really not bad people. If this time it was really like what Yan Bugui said, and they took the few remaining pastries, they would really have no way to live.

"Eggs? Ruihua, where can I buy eggs now?"

"I heard from Li Jinzhi that there are some eggs from time to time at the office, but the quantity is not large."

"How much does it cost per pound?"

"If it's not by kilogram, it should be 10 cents for two."

"Five cents a piece? The eggs must be small, right?"

"Just a normal-sized egg."

"Well, go to the office and buy some eggs for one dollar. No, buy some for two dollars. Let's improve our food."

Yan Bugui calculated in his mind that two yuan meant forty eggs. It was okay to eat them occasionally. Besides, the four of them really needed some delicious food to replenish their energy.

"I'm going to take a look now."

Yang Ruihua didn't feel bad about spending money. She could earn two yuan a month. Yan Bugui also gave her a living allowance from the school every month, so the family had no problem with food.

"By the way, buy some big bones. They are the most economical. One big bone can be used to make soup for two days."

"Well."

Yang Ruihua didn't even enter the house. She went to the office after leaving the courtyard. She knew that things in the office were hard to sell and if she delayed for a while, she might not be able to buy anything.

"Four-year-old daughter-in-law, why are you here?"

When Yang Ruihua arrived at the office stall, he saw Wang Sigen's wife and Zhang Qingfang cleaning there.

After May Day, Xu's mother stopped coming to the office to work. She had to stay at home to take care of her pregnant daughter-in-law. That was the most important thing for their Xu family. Besides, their family really had no shortage of money.

"Si Gen asked me to help. Are you here to buy something?"

"Help? Pay?"

In the eyes of the Yan family, if you help others, you have to pay for it. There is no such thing as helping for free.

"Give"

"How much? Is it just for one day, or for a long time?"

"I don't know how much I gave, but I gave the money directly to four people."

Wang Sigen’s wife, Sun Xiaomei, knew that she would be working in the office for the next two or three months, so she would definitely be paid, but she didn’t really ask how much.

"Are you still hiring? Auntie is very efficient at work."

Yang Ruihua knew that the benefits of working in the office were better than those in the steel rolling mill. She had seen the gifts given out during festivals and holidays many times. Every time, Li Jinzhi would take large and small packages home. According to Li Jinzhi, the office provided three meals a day, with meat for every meal, and sometimes there would be fruit.

It’s enviable just to think about it. Yang Ruihua has fantasized more than once that one day he would be able to work in an office.

It is unexpected that a person as unknown as Xiao Hong is lucky enough to work in an office.

"I don't know that."

"Oh, then when Liu Guozheng comes next time, can you help me ask?"

Now Yang Ruihua has forgotten that he came here to buy things, and his mind is full of work.

"We'll talk about it when the time comes. It's hard to say when Guo Zheng will come."

Sun Xiaomei was a widow, only two years younger than Wang Sigen and ten years older than Liu Guozheng. When she addressed Liu Guozheng, she did the same as Zhang Qingfang, by calling him by his name.

"Well, when you get here, please ask for me."

As she said this, Yang Ruihua turned around and was about to leave, but after taking two steps she turned back. She remembered that she came here to buy eggs.

"Xiaomei, do you have any eggs now?"

"Aunt, we are closed at noon now."

"No, I remember they were selling eggs at noon a few days ago, right?"

"During the months between May 1st and October 1st, the business hours are in the morning and afternoon."

Zhang Qingfang took over the conversation and explained that Sun Xiaomei really didn't know, after all, it was her first day there.

"Will there be eggs this afternoon?"

"No, all the food is cooked in the afternoon. If you want to buy eggs, you have to wait until the morning. It depends on luck. Eggs are not available every day."

"Where's Big Bones?"

If there are no eggs, then there is no need for them. It is also okay to buy big bones. Yang Ruihua has bought them many times. The big bones in the office are more affordable than those in the vegetable market and have more meat on them.

"Eggs, fresh meat, and large bones are only available in the morning. If you want to buy them, come early tomorrow."

What Zhang Qingfang said was not wrong. No matter whether they were residents nearby or people from other streets, they would line up before dawn every morning just to buy the meat without a ticket. If they came too late, they really could not buy anything.

"Xiaomei, if you have eggs, can you leave two dollars worth of eggs for me tomorrow morning?"

Sun Xiaomei looked at Zhang Qingfang. It was her first day and she didn't dare to act on her own.

"Okay, come and pay first. Here we call it a reservation. I'll write you a receipt and you can pick it up any time tomorrow."

"this.."

Yang Ruihua was a little hesitant. It was always the Yan family who collected money first and never paid first. The Yan family, who were good at calculating, always believed in paying first and delivering goods at the same time.

"If you're worried, get up early tomorrow."

Zhang Qingfang has seen many people like Yang Ruihua. It can be said that most people are like this. They would rather get up early every day to queue up than pay for a reservation in advance.

"Then I'd better get up early tomorrow."

It is difficult to change old ideas that have been passed down for many years, and Yang Ruihua is no exception.

"Drip drip..."

Before Yang Ruihua left, the sound of a car came from the alley.