Wang Da Niang's courtyard is about the same size as Gu Zhiyuan's, but it looks much more crowded.
Next to and in front of the east and west wing rooms, several small huts were built with bricks or wooden planks, which looked seriously out of place with the original buildings.
However, this is common in this era. What if there are many people in the family and not enough rooms? They can build a few small rooms themselves or hire someone to do so that they can live comfortably.
Everyone does it this way. In Gu Zhiyuan's courtyard, there are absolutely no haphazardly built structures; in fact, it's extremely rare to see such things.
Grandma Wang's yard is a bit crowded, but it's kept neat and clean, which shows that the family members are hardworking and love cleanliness.
Aunt Wang asked Xu Ningyan to sit down in the courtyard, took the bowl from Xu Ningyan's hand, went into the kitchen, and after a while, brought out a bowl of mung bean water. "It's hot today, girl, drink some mung bean water to cool down. I added brown sugar."
Xu Ningyan took it and drank a sip. Aunt Wang was an honest person. There was a lot of brown sugar in it, making it a bit too sweet, but she still drank it without changing her expression.
Aunt Wang sat down next to Xu Ningyan and started chatting with her, also inquiring about Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan's situation.
The two chatted animatedly, and soon Xu Ningyan learned that most of the residents in Cat Alley were people who worked in government offices, as well as older generations who lived there.
Everyone knows each other well, the residents have good jobs and decent benefits, there aren't many people living here, and the social backgrounds aren't complicated, so compared to other hutong courtyards, this place is considered quite intimate.
We all get along well. If there's anything we need, we just need to call out, and anyone who can lend a hand will do so.
Mao'er Hutong is a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle. Not far from the hutong is Fukui Department Store, the largest department store in Beijing. There are several parks in the surrounding area, and schools and hospitals are also nearby.
In later generations, this location would be well within the East Second Ring Road, close to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. A courtyard in such a location could fetch an astronomical price.
Xu Ningyan had to admire him. This big shot was indeed a big shot. He could buy a courtyard house anywhere within the East Second Ring Road. No wonder he was so rich!
Aunt Wang, on the other hand, chatted with Xu Ningyan for half a day about everyday things, and she told him most of the situation in Mao'er Hutong. However, she didn't get much information out of Xu Ningyan.
In the past half day, all I know is that Gu Zhiyuan works on Chang'an Avenue, while Xu Ningyan is the daughter of a martyr and works in a county town thousands of miles away. The two are engaged and she has come to meet the man's parents.
I didn't get any other information out of them.
Aunt Wang couldn't help but take a second look at Xu Ningyan. She never expected that this adorable and well-behaved girl was actually the daughter of a martyr. No wonder she kept her mouth shut so tightly.
I was initially puzzled as to how Xu Ningyan, a girl from a small county town thousands of miles away, could be dating Xiao Gu, who has a formal job in Beijing. But now that he's the daughter of a martyr, it makes sense.
Although we don't know what unit Gu Zhiyuan belongs to, judging from his style of doing things, his upright posture, his imposing presence, and the fact that he has a partner who is the child of a martyr, he must be related to the military.
Once Aunt Wang guessed this, she dared not inquire any further.
His attitude became increasingly enthusiastic. Seeing that it was still early and not so hot, he simply took Xu Ningyan out and introduced her to several places she needed to go in her daily life.
There were grain stores, food stores selling meat and vegetables, the nearest street supply and marketing cooperative, places that sold coal, and state-run restaurants.
After the introductions, he led Xu Ningyan back: "Comrade Xu, just past that street, there's the subdistrict office. Since you're visiting relatives from down here, if you're staying for a long time, you'll have to register at the subdistrict office, otherwise you'll be arrested as a vagrant! By the way, did you bring your letters of introduction?"
This is what it means to offer a suggestion or guidance.
Xu Ningyan hadn't expected this to happen; at this point, it was truly impossible to move an inch without a letter of introduction.
He nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, I'll go register tomorrow."
After saying that, they thanked Aunt Wang repeatedly, saying that it was thanks to her reminder that they, being young and naive, might have forgotten and that it would have caused a misunderstanding.
He then flattered Aunt Wang, saying that thanks to kind-hearted people like Aunt Wang, everyone in Cat Alley gets along so well.
Wang Da Niang was so pleased with herself that she invited Xu Ningyan to go grocery shopping with her the next morning, promising that Xu Ningyan would buy fresh and cheap vegetables.
The two agreed to meet the next morning. Aunt Wang went back to her yard, used the bowl that Xu Ningyan had used to hold dates, filled it with a bowl of cold shrimp, and handed it to Xu Ningyan: "Try Aunt Wang's cooking. This is how it's made in Sichuan. My eldest daughter-in-law is from Sichuan, so she makes this the most authentic way. It's refreshing and appetizing to eat this in the summer."
"Take it back and chill it with well water. Just add some brown sugar water when you eat it!"
Xu Ningyan knew this was a customary exchange of gifts between neighbors, so she accepted it without hesitation.
So in the evening, two bowls of brown sugar water with cold shrimp appeared on the dinner table.
Gu Zhiyuan looked at it curiously: "What is this?"
Xu Ningyan smiled and said, "These are some cold shrimp that Aunt Wang from next door gave me. I chilled them in well water and then drizzled them with brown sugar water. Try them."
Gu Zhiyuan was surprised that Xu Ningyan had already gotten to know all the neighbors in just half a day, and they seemed to have a good relationship. The anxiety that had been weighing on him immediately eased.
Take another bite of the liangxia (cold shrimp), and it's icy cold and smooth with a hint of brown sugar sweetness. Before you know it, you've finished the whole bowl.
Nothing was said that night.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Aunt Wang from next door knocked on the door: "Little Xu, Little Xu girl, get up quickly. There's meat and fish at the supply station today. Hurry up and grab your little Gu's ration book and coupons, and come with me."
Xu Ningyan had already woken up. Hearing Aunt Wang's voice, she quickly washed up and picked up the money and tickets from the coffee table in the living room. Gu Zhiyuan was also awakened and came out from the inner room with his ration book and ticket holder in his hand, which contained his monthly ration coupons.
"Do you need me to go?" Gu Zhixing asked.
"No need, you should go to work as soon as you buy breakfast. I don't know when I'll be back!" Xu Ningyan worked at a department store in Jingshan County, and Li Cuiying helped her reserve meat. She had never rushed to buy meat and vegetables before, so she wasn't sure what to expect.
Gu Zhiyuan smiled and placed the tickets and ration book into Xu Ningyan's hands. He ruffled her hair and watched her carry a bamboo basket, full of anticipation, as she went out the door to meet up with Aunt Wang next door. They chatted and laughed as they walked towards the alley entrance.
Watching the two figures from behind, Gu Zhiyuan couldn't help but imagine what married life would be like after he got married.
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