"You're being too polite. Consider it a benefit from our factory. Please stay here for now, and let me know if you have any questions later."
Wang Shouren had made preparations beforehand. He always spared no effort in creating a good environment for talented people.
Zhao Wuliang's father, Zhao Ruizhe, is over eighty years old this year. He never expected that he would be able to return home and live in this two-courtyard house in his old age. He stood in front of the courtyard house for a long time without saying a word, not knowing what he was thinking.
Wang Shouren didn't linger. He knew that once his family returned, they would likely have a lot to say.
After dropping them off, I drove away.
Zhao Ruizhe and Lin Wanrou looked at the courtyard house in front of them, their eyes filled with memories.
Zhao Wuliang's children and wife, however, were quite curious.
Zhao Wuliang's son, Zhao Xinglan, is a high-achieving graduate of Yale Law School. He actually opposed his father's return to China. It wasn't a matter of patriotism, but rather that he believed the medical conditions in the US were far superior to those in China. He thought that if his grandfather encountered any problems, he could receive medical care nearby, given his advanced age.
In addition, he actually had some thoughts in his heart.
Returning to work in the country is fine, after all, he was instilled with patriotic values from a young age. But he is pursuing a career in patents, which is influenced by his father. He is truly afraid that all his knowledge and skills will be meaningless here.
He was filled with trepidation that his whole family was coming together this time.
His wife probably thought the same way.
The two fell in love in the United States. His wife's family was no longer home. Years ago, she had studied alone in the US, which had been quite difficult. Fortunately, they were both Chinese, and that's how they fell in love and had a son. His wife's objections were even stronger than his; her concern was about their child's education. She didn't believe they could receive a good education in China.
However, she still brought her child back with her.
To be honest, they were nervous the moment they got off the plane, but their anxiety subsided when they saw the three cars.
Until Zhao Ruizhe led them into the courtyard house.
Zhao Xinglan and Lin Shui'er were both stunned.
Upon entering the courtyard, a spacious front yard immediately comes into view. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slabs. A snowdrop still stands in the flowerbed in the front yard, exuding a vibrant life force even in the cold winter.
Passing through the front courtyard, you arrive at the first central courtyard. This courtyard is even more tranquil, as if time has stood still. The ancient trees in the courtyard are covered with a thin layer of snow, and a set of stone tables and benches are placed under the trees, all of which are spotless, creating a unique aesthetic.
The walls of the houses surrounding the central courtyard are covered with icicles, which are crystal clear and sparkle in the sunlight.
Following the corridor, we entered the second courtyard. The stone benches and tables in the courtyard had been wiped clean.
In this two-courtyard siheyuan, the winter scenery is like a traditional Chinese ink painting, allowing the couple, who had just returned from abroad, to experience the beauty of Chinese culture for the first time.
Every single spot is just right, every single spot is breathtakingly beautiful.
The youngest grandson spoke up, "Wow, Mom and Dad, this place is so beautiful! Will we live here from now on?"
Lin Shui'er was still a little worried. This place was beautiful, but what was it like inside? Having adapted to modern life in the United States, she was suddenly brought to this picturesque place. It was nice, but what would it be like inside? She had no idea.
With a hint of anticipation, she followed her parents-in-law into the room.
Inside the room, the heating was on, so it wasn't cold at all; on the contrary, it was quite warm. My father-in-law familiarly took off his coat and draped it over the coat rack. The home's decor wasn't luxurious, and a faint, pleasant fragrance filled the air.
"This factory manager is really taking this seriously. I, an old man, never received this kind of treatment before." Zhao Zeduan glanced around the room and got a general idea of what was going on.
"Why does this room smell so good?" Lin Shui'er asked her husband in a low voice.
“This is agarwood,” Zhao Wuliang said. “Agarwood is one of the most famous fragrances in China, and is known as the ‘King of Fragrances’.”
After a brief introduction, he exclaimed, "The furniture in this room is amazing!"
The room's decor is best described as antique and elegant.
The room's layout is based on Wang Shouren's three-courtyard mansion.
The renovation was done by the same contractor that Wang Shouren had asked his third uncle to hire.
Later, during the conversation, it was learned that the craftsman was a descendant of the Lei family of Yangshi. Putting aside everything else, his expertise in interior and exterior decoration, and his selection of furniture, was unparalleled. Moreover, he possessed all sorts of materials. He even had some high-end furniture, which Wang Shouren, after considering, decided to have entirely replicated. Needless to say, in later generations, that room full of furniture would probably be incredibly valuable.
It can at least leave some inheritance for future generations, just in case a few spendthrift sons emerge.
For the first time, the two young people experienced the profoundness of Chinese culture. Behind almost every piece of furniture lay a unique story—the official kilns and the folk kilns—things that the United States could never possess. Previously, they had only seen such things in books and in their family's descriptions. Now, seeing them in reality, they could directly experience this beauty.
"Knock knock knock!"
Suddenly, there was a heavy knocking on the door.
Zhao Wuliang stood up, and Zhao Xinglan quickly followed.
"We just arrived, why is someone knocking on the door?" Lin Shui'er (Zhao Xinglan's wife) helped Lin Wanrou (Zhao Zeduan's wife) to sit down on a chair.
Lin Wanrou said cheerfully, "It must be the cook arranged by that Factory Director Wang. In the past, wealthy families all had cooks. This courtyard has two sections, and in the past, there were also places for maids and servants..."
Lin Wanrou talked to Lin Shuier about some things from the past.
Lin Wanrou also came from a prominent family, but her family later declined and no one from the Lin family remained. However, she was quite knowledgeable, and she was very satisfied with the room that Wang Shouren had arranged for her.
Just as Lin Wanrou had predicted.
Outside the door stood three fat cooks, one big and two small.
They saw Zhao Wuliang and Zhao Xinglan come out.
The portly cook in the lead spoke first: "Are you Old Master Zhao? I was called here by Factory Director Wang to help with the cooking..."
The cook introduced himself briefly, then didn't say much more before heading off to work in the kitchen. In the cook's profession, no matter what kind of client you encounter, it's best not to talk too much.
The business of providing in-home cooking services has never ceased in Beijing.
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