Chapter 600: The ending of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang Courtyard!!!

Time flies, the years are like a shuttle.

Since entering the 1990s, the pace of life has been like being fast-forwarded, with rapid changes that are overwhelming.

It seems like everyone was still celebrating the joy of the harvest yesterday, but in the blink of an eye it is the end of the year again.

According to the old custom of the people in Yanjing, the Spring Festival almost begins in the first ten days of the twelfth lunar month.

“The seventh and eighth days of the twelfth lunar month, the crows are frozen to death!” This is the coldest time of the year.

However, after the severe winter, spring will soon come, so people do not reduce their enthusiasm for celebrating the New Year and welcoming spring because of the cold.

In the past, on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, every household would cook Laba porridge.

This special porridge is used to worship ancestors and gods. It is made with various kinds of rice, beans, and dried fruits (almonds, walnut kernels, melon seeds, lychee meat, lotus seeds, peanuts, raisins, water chestnut rice…).

This is not porridge, but a small agricultural exhibition.

Of course, we also have to pickle Laba garlic on the Laba Day.

Put the garlic cloves in high vinegar on this day, seal it and use it for eating dumplings during the New Year.

By the Chinese New Year, the garlic has turned into an emerald green, and the vinegar has become a little spicy, the color and taste are both beautiful, making people want to eat more dumplings.

In Yanjing, every Spring Festival, no matter what the family situation is, every household must have a meal of steaming hot dumplings. This is not only a continuation of traditional customs, but also a symbol of family reunion.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it is already the mid-1990s, and people’s living standards have changed a lot.

Once upon a time, people could only afford to make pork dumplings when the New Year was approaching, which was a rare luxury.

Nowadays, dumplings are no longer a rarity and can be enjoyed at any time.

Not only that, there are also several “hard dishes” on the table, including chicken, duck, fish and meat. The sumptuous banquet demonstrates the wealth and beauty of the new era.

This earth-shaking change is the tangible benefit brought about by reform and opening up.

As material life becomes increasingly affluent, the social landscape has also quietly undergone profound changes.

In the fast-paced urban life, many young people have gradually forgotten the traditional significance of the Spring Festival. In their eyes, the Spring Festival is just a rare holiday where they can have a few more days of rest.

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However, the real old Yanjing people still adhere to some traditional customs.

Starting from Laba Festival, merchants who want to make a fortune before the festival have stepped up their preparations for the New Year.

There are more stalls on the streets – selling Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures, honey offerings, daffodils, incense, candles, fireworks and firecrackers, etc., which only appear in this season.

These New Year stalls make children’s hearts beat especially fast.

In the alleys, the sounds of hawking are more numerous and complex than usual, and some of them only appear in the twelfth lunar month, like those of people selling legal books, pine branches, barley rice, rice cakes, etc.

The Little New Year on the 23rd is almost a “rehearsal” for the New Year.

In the old society, every family would worship the Kitchen God on this night. Firecrackers would be set off as soon as it got dark, and the paper image of the Kitchen God would be burned along with the sound of the firecrackers, which was euphemistically called sending the Kitchen God to heaven.

During these days, there are many people selling maltose and glutinous rice candy on the street. The candy is either in the shape of rectangular blocks or in the shape of large and small melons. According to the old saying:

Stick the Kitchen God’s mouth with sugar, and he will not report bad things in the family to the Jade Emperor when he goes to heaven.

Nowadays, there are no vendors selling candy on the streets. Everyone goes to supermarkets or markets to buy candy for the New Year, and they enjoy it themselves instead of sticking it on the Kitchen God.

After the 23rd, everyone becomes busier and the New Year is here in the blink of an eye.

Before New Year’s Eve, every household must put up Spring Festival couplets and do a thorough cleaning, which is called sweeping the house.

In the past, people had to prepare enough meat, chicken, fish, vegetables, rice cakes and other foods for the New Year.

At least enough for a week’s supply – according to old custom, most merchants in Yanjing would close for five days and only open on the sixth day of the first lunar month.

If you don’t prepare food for the next few days, it will be difficult to replenish it temporarily.

Today’s society is very different from the past, and shopping has become extremely convenient. You can see large supermarkets such as “Jia Le Jia Supermarket” or “RT-Mart” within a few steps. These supermarkets are still open during the Spring Festival, and you can buy whatever you need at home at any time.

Working overtime during the Spring Festival is really unpleasant. After a year of hard work, who doesn’t want to relax and reunite with relatives and friends?

In order to motivate employees and ease their resistance, the two companies made a heartwarming decision: employees who work overtime during the Spring Festival can not only enjoy five times the salary, but also get corresponding compensatory leave.

This move not only reflects the company’s humanistic care, but also provides substantial compensation for employees.

Once the company’s new policy was released, it immediately caused quite a stir among employees.

Those employees who were originally scheduled to work overtime had joyful smiles on their faces, as if they had unloaded a heavy burden; while those colleagues who were unable to work overtime cast envious glances at them.

Working overtime for a few days is almost a month’s salary, and there is still one day of vacation. Who wouldn’t be envious? Isn’t it just a few days later? I can do that too!
The 28th day of the twelfth lunar month is a day worth remembering for He’s Catering Company. On this day, the company officially opened the Spring Festival holiday, and all employees were immersed in the joy of the festival.

The company’s helmsman He Yuzhu hosted a unique year-end dinner at the head office, and cordially invited managers from various departments, branch managers, and outstanding employee representatives with outstanding performance.

During the dinner, He Yuzhu personally awarded generous year-end bonuses to every employee who worked hard on the job. This is not only a recognition of everyone’s hard work over the past year, but also an incentive for them to continue to work hard in the coming year.

The banquet was over, and the tipsy employees left one after another, their laughter fading away in the night.

Just as Qin Huairu was about to turn around and leave, she was suddenly stopped by the CEO He Yuzhu: “Sister Qin, wait a moment, I want to talk to you about something.”

The word “Sister Qin” made Qin Huairu’s heart tremble, and a familiar and long-lost feeling surged in her heart.

Ever since she was promoted to branch manager, He Yuzhu has always addressed her as “Manager Qin”. This sudden use of the old name seemed to instantly bring her back to the scene many years ago.

Qin Huairu sat down gracefully on the sofa opposite He Yuzhu and gently adjusted the hem of her skirt.

She is a woman in her fifties, but she doesn’t look old at all. On the contrary, after working as a branch manager for so many years, her temperament has become more and more outstanding.

Otherwise, Lao Ma loves her to death and follows Qin Huairu closely every day on his way to and from get off work!

“Mr. He, is there anything else you need my help with?” she asked gently.

He Yuzhu smiled cheerfully and waved his hand: “Sister Qin, there are only two of us here, so please don’t call me ‘General He’. It sounds strange.”

Qin Huairu smiled slightly but did not change her words. You just need to listen to what the boss has to say.

She is not an ignorant little girl. The He Yuzhu in front of her is no longer the stinky cook who worked in the steel mill thirty years ago.

He Yuzhu’s status and position today are no longer what they used to be.

He Yuzhu is now worth over 100 million yuan. The “He’s Catering Group” he founded enjoys a high reputation in the catering industry in the Beijing-Tianjin area. Many of its restaurants are doing a booming business and have an excellent reputation.

Not only that, He Yuzhu also serves as a member of the district CPPCC. He has extensive connections and close contacts with celebrities and dignitaries from all walks of life. His every move reveals the confidence and composure of a successful person.

As a highly respected and successful person, He Yuzhu is respected wherever he goes.

If Qin Huairu relied on their past friendship to lose her sense of propriety and treated him disrespectfully, He Yuzhu might just laugh it off, but his management would not be so tolerant.

He Yuzhu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and looked at Qin Huairu gently: “Sister Qin, you have worked hard over the years.

Our company’s success today is inseparable from the efforts of you and Liu Lan.” His tone was sincere, as if he had returned to the loyal steel mill cook of the past.

Qin Huairu was slightly stunned, then smiled and said, “Mr. He, you are too kind. This is what we should do. If the company develops well, we employees will also benefit from it.”

He Yuzhu put down the teacup, leaned forward slightly, and his tone became serious: “Actually, I came to you today to discuss something with you.

The company plans to focus on expanding the Tianjin-Hong Kong market next year and plans to open several branches. I want you to be in charge of that area, what do you think? “

Qin Huairu’s heart was moved when she heard this. Tianjin Port was only a hundred kilometers away from Beijing, and not far from her home.

If I go there to be a branch manager, it would be equivalent to a frontier governor, and the welfare benefits would be much better than those of a branch manager now.

She pondered for a moment and asked, “Mr. He, isn’t this decision a bit sudden? After all, I’m not young anymore, and I’m afraid I won’t have the energy to keep up.”

He Yuzhu waved his hand and said with a smile: “Sister Qin, you are being modest. Everyone knows that you have managed the Wangfujing branch in an orderly manner over the years.

Besides, Tianjin Port needs an experienced leader, and most importantly, one who can make me feel at ease, understand? I think you are the best fit.”

Qin Huairu did not answer immediately, but lowered her head in thought. She knew that this was not only He Yuzhu’s trust in her, but also a rare opportunity.

But at the same time, she also understood that this meant she would leave the capital city where she had lived for decades and start over in a completely new environment.

He Yuzhu seemed to see her concerns and slowed down his tone: “Sister Qin, you don’t have to rush to make a decision. You can go back and think about it carefully and discuss it with Lao Ma. No matter what you choose in the end, I respect your opinion.”

Qin Huairu raised her head, a trace of gratitude flashed in her eyes: “Mr. He, thank you for your trust. I will seriously consider it.”

He Yuzhu nodded and stood up: “It’s getting late, I’ll ask the driver to take you back.”

Qin Huairu stood up, straightened her clothes, and said with a smile: “Don’t bother, Lao Ma is waiting for me outside. Mr. He, you should also go to bed early.”

Qin Huairu walked out of the revolving glass door of the main store and saw Lao Ma waiting for her in a second-hand van.

Seeing her come in, Lao Ma immediately came up to her and asked, “Why are you out so late? Are you tired?”

Qin Huairu smiled, got into the car and took off her coat: “Mr. He wanted to talk to me about something.”

As Lao Ma started the van, he asked, “What’s the matter?”

Qin Huairu sat in the co-pilot seat and said softly, “Boss He wants me to go to Tianjin Port to be in charge of the new branch next year.”

Old Ma was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, “This is a good thing! It shows that Mr. He thinks highly of you.”

Qin Huairu sighed: “But I’m already this old, how many more years can I still work? Besides, I’m a little unsure about going to a strange city and starting over again.”

Lao Ma held the steering wheel with one hand and held her hand with the other: “No matter where you go, I will follow you. Let’s go together!”

Qin Huairu looked at Lao Ma’s determined eyes, and a warm feeling surged in her heart. She smiled and nodded, “Okay, let’s try it together!”

The night was dark, but a fire was burning in Qin Huairu’s heart.

In the first half of her life, she sacrificed herself for the Jia family, but ultimately failed to save this broken home.

It cannot be said that they failed to save the family. After all, the three children of the Jia family were raised to adulthood, and they have done their best for the Jia family.

It’s a pity that after Jia Zhang passed away, his son Banggeng was an ungrateful person, and his two daughters got married and started their own families, and the old Jia family has since disbanded.

It is extremely ironic that since Qin Huairu became the manager of the “He’s Catering” branch, her son Banggeng, who used to be rarely seen even during the holidays, has begun to frequently visit her, the mother whom she had long forgotten.

As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his mother. From Bang Geng’s evasive and hesitant attitude, Qin Huairu could tell at a glance that he was not living happily in his wife’s home.

Perhaps it was due to financial constraints or a rift in the relationship between the couple that forced this ungrateful man to shamelessly come back to ask his mother for help.

After all, he is his own flesh and blood. Qin Huairu, who has long given up on this, can help Bang Geng once or twice, and can she continue to help this good-for-nothing for the rest of her life?

Well, it would be nice to go to Tianjin Port!

After suffering for half her life and doing many wrong things, Qin Huairu wanted to live for herself in the second half of her life.

After tossing and turning all night, Qin Huairu finally made up her mind and returned to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, which she had been away from for a long time.

This three-courtyard courtyard, which carries countless memories, has gone through the baptism of time and is no longer the same as it used to be.

The once mottled and old gate is now brand new and carefully painted, as if it has regained vitality and is quietly welcoming her return.

The layout of the courtyard house has not changed much. The biggest change may be the demolition of the messy “earthquake-proof shed” that was originally built in the courtyard, restoring the original layout of the courtyard.

Qin Huairu remembered that when she was young, there were hundreds of people living in Courtyard No. 95, and it was very lively.

The third uncle in the front yard, Yan Bugui’s family, had the most prosperous population. Qin Huairu’s generation included four siblings: Yan Jiefang, Yan Jiecheng, Yan Jiekuang, and Yan Zhaodi.

The east wing of the front yard was originally occupied by the Guan family, but after something happened, the guy named Liu moved in.

The main house in the central courtyard was occupied by the siblings He Yuzhu and He Yushui, the west wing was occupied by the family of the eldest uncle Yi Zhonghai, and the east wing was occupied by their Jia family.

In the backyard there are Xu Damao’s family, the deaf old lady, and the second uncle Liu Haizhong’s family.

The east and west courtyards as well as the back house are occupied by the Liu family and other residents respectively.

Every night, the yard is full of people, adults and children.

Time flies, and the hustle and bustle of the past have long disappeared in the long river of memory.

Today, Courtyard No. 95 has changed a lot, with only a few families left, as if it had been forgotten by time in this quiet corner.

The east wing is still occupied by Ge Shuping and his wife, the west wing is occupied by Liu Haizhong and his wife, the front yard is occupied by Yan Bugui and his wife, the middle yard is occupied by He Yuzhu and his wife only, and the back yard is entirely occupied by Xu Damao’s family, although they do not come back often.

Ever since Qin Huairu remarried, the Jia family’s house was sold to He Yuzhu.

What is commendable is that Qin Huairu left all the money she earned from the house to her three children without leaving a single cent. Perhaps she wanted to make a complete end to the past.

As for the aunt in the west wing, she unfortunately fell seriously ill two years ago, which made her son Yi Yuanchao very worried.

In order to take better care of his mother, he resolutely decided to bring Yi Zhonghai and his wife to live with him.

Before moving out, Yi Zhonghai sold his house to He Yuzhu, who was financially well-off.

In this way, all the properties of the Intermediate Court eventually fell into the name of the He family.

In fact, with He Yuzhu’s current wealth, he can afford any luxury house he wants. However, why does he still choose to live in this old house and is reluctant to move out?

The reason is nothing but nostalgia.

He Yuzhu has always been a man who values ​​friendship and loyalty, and he has an inseparable attachment to this old house that carries countless memories.

Not only that, his wife Wang Qiuju is the same. The couple are deeply attached to every brick, every blade of grass and every tree here.

Wang Qiuju’s feelings for this place are no less than those of He Yuzhu, who has lived here since childhood. Her life became different since she came to this courtyard.

In fact, all this talk can be summed up in one sentence: the once bustling courtyard now only has a few old residents holding on.

With the changes of the times, most neighbors, especially the younger generation, have moved away from this place that carries countless memories.

Today the yard appears exceptionally spacious and tranquil; walking through it, one feels as if they are in a paradise.

In spring and summer, the yard is full of birdsong and flowers, and is full of vitality.

Colorful koi fish are swimming in the fish tank, sweet chirping can be heard from the bird cage hanging under the eaves from time to time, and a quaint tea and chess board is placed under the pergola, exuding a leisurely and contented atmosphere everywhere.

This courtyard has become a secluded place in the bustling city, making people indulge in this rare tranquility and beauty.

Because it’s the new year, it snowed all night last night.

Early in the morning, when Qin Huairu walked into the courtyard on the thick fallen snow, what caught her eye was the third uncle Yan Bugui, who was over 80 years old, sweeping the snow in the courtyard with trembling hands.

“Uncle, have you eaten?” Qin Huairu asked softly, with a hint of concern in her tone.

Yan Bugui raised his head upon hearing the voice and squinted his eyes hard.

Time is merciless. Due to his severe myopia and advanced age, his eyesight is no longer as good as before.

He looked carefully at the radiant middle-aged woman in front of him and felt that she seemed familiar.

“You are… Oh, is it Qin Huairu?” After some effort, Yan Bugui finally recognized his former neighbor.

After a long separation, Qin Huairu’s emotions instantly surged in her heart. Her eyes were slightly red and her voice was a little choked: “Third Uncle, it’s me. How are you?”

“Very good, very good! You feel healthy and enjoy eating. Huairu, how come you have time to come back today?” It’s no wonder that Yan Bugui asked this. Since Qin Huairu remarried and sold the house, Yan Bugui rarely saw her.

Qin Huairu paused, then smiled and said, “Uncle, I came back today to report some work matters to Mr. He.”

Yan Bugui nodded and said, “Then you can go to Zhuzi’s house first. Don’t leave in a hurry at noon. We old neighbors haven’t seen each other for a long time, so stay at home for dinner!”

Qin Huairu said, “Third Master, I appreciate your kindness, so I won’t bother you anymore.”

“Hey, what’s the trouble? It’s just about two more pairs of chopsticks!” Yan Bugui waved his hand.

(End of this chapter)