“But I don’t like having people around me. It’s fine as it is. People with four generations living together in courtyards like this. I live alone. It’s already a luxury.”
Suddenly someone knocked on the door, and Wang Xiaoshun went to open it.
"Hongmei, someone is looking for you."
Zhang Hongmei went out to take a look and found that it was the young man from next door.
"Here are the keys, ma'am. We're leaving now."
"Okay, have a safe journey with you."
"Hongmei, what's going on? What key?"
"Oh, so Liu Jingze bought the house next door. He was leaving today, so I came over to deliver the keys."
"The yard next door?"
"Yes, it's because the man next door had an accident, and the mother and her four children couldn't protect their family property, so they sold it and left."
"Then you can still buy it."
"I'm afraid that family will come and cause trouble; they're all the worst kind of people."
“Hongmei, you should go live in Xinyuan. There are too many people here, and that means more trouble.”
Zhang Hongmei didn't answer. She bought this place with her own money, so it felt like her own home. Although she was the head of that other place, it just didn't feel the same.
"Uncle Zhang, please come inside and sit down. I'll cook the rice and stew the fish right away. I made the braised pork yesterday, and we can have a meal after stir-frying a few more dishes."
Where did the fish come from?
"These were brought from my hometown and fried into fish pieces. They should taste delicious if braised."
As the two were chatting, Zhang Shouyi came in, carrying a paper bag. He really had gone to pick up the photos.
"Dad, let me show you Hongmei's picture."
"Red Plum? I'd like to see that. When were the photos taken?" Zhang Xingguo took the paper bag, first pulling out two enlarged photos, and then the paper bag itself.
"Hongmei, I've put the negatives inside for you."
"Sure."
"These photos are really good, this one is beautiful. This one is beautiful too. This girl is very photogenic, she looks good in all of them. Xiao Shun, go and find someone to make two frames the size of this photo, and hang them up in the courtyard later."
Zhang Hongmei ignored them and told them to choose.
"Dad, the photographer is coming over at noon, let's take some group photos too."
"Okay, Xiaoshun, how about my clothes? I should have just changed into something new. Are you taking pictures at home?"
"Let's just take a few group photos of the three of us, and we won't go anywhere else. When it gets warmer, we'll go outside and play. I'll bring the camera, and we'll take the photos ourselves."
“Okay, we can’t go too far. There are some good places nearby.” Zhang Xingguo selected a few more photos. In fact, Zhang Shouyi had already selected all the photos again. Of the fifty-odd photos, only thirty were left. Xingguo selected these as well, and there really weren’t many left.
Seeing that there was nothing for him to do, Wang Xiaoshun went into the kitchen to help, but Zhang Hongmei refused.
Zhang Shouyi also took off his coat to offer help, but was refused.
"Brother Zhang, you don't need to. It'll be fine in a bit. You stay with Uncle Zhang for a while."
“Then I’ll stay in the kitchen with you, Hongmei. I’ll invite the photographer to our house. He’ll come over at noon to take a group photo of the three of us.”
"OK."
"Let's take pictures here after we finish eating, and then we'll take some more at Xinyuan later."
"I have no objection." You've already made all the arrangements, what objection could I possibly have?
Zhang Hongmei started stewing the fish. It wasn't difficult; she didn't add much water, and it would be ready to serve after the sauce thickened.
The rice is already steaming, and a pot of braised pork has also been steamed.
All that was left was to cook the vegetables. When Zhang Hongmei took out the tomatoes, Zhang Shouyi smiled; she really had a way with them.
Zhang Shouyi took the bottle and slowly poured the contents out. "This is a good idea. We can eat tomatoes anytime."
"Hehe, people who like to eat will always find a way."
"We have to find a way."
The food was served at 11 o'clock. Zhang Xingguo was overjoyed to see the table full of dishes. "Xiaoshun, go to the car and get some wine. Hongmei, would you like some?"
"I won't drink it, I don't like the taste."
"You're too unlucky to have this. It's grain. It's all good stuff."
"I don't want that kind of pleasure. I just yearn for beauty. Eat up, or it'll get cold. Uncle Zhang, you can drink alcohol, but only half a bowl. No more than that."
"Alright, alright, little housekeeper, I'll just drink half a bowl."
Zhang Shouyi did not drink, knowing that drinking heavily and eating large amounts of meat was bad for his health.
Zhang Xingguo didn't care about anything and only cared about his own happiness. After this happened once or twice, Zhang Shouyi let him be.
Wang Xiaoshun was so engrossed in eating that he didn't even look up. It was so delicious! The cafeteria also had braised pork, but it wasn't as fragrant and flavorful as Zhang Hongmei's. It was fatty but not greasy at all. And the braised fish chunks were just perfect.
Xiao Li ate in silence, but judging from how often he picked up food, he clearly enjoyed it very much.
Zhang Xingguo drank wine, ate meat, and occasionally ate a bite of cabbage heart mixed with bean shreds.
Wang Xiaoshun rubbed his stomach, looked at the food on the table, and sighed dejectedly. He really couldn't eat anymore. He should have skipped lunch yesterday and saved some room.
Xiao Li was better than Wang Xiaoshun; he was still eating, which made Wang Xiaoshun grit his teeth in anger. This kid got lucky today.
After finishing their meal, Wang Xiaoshun and Xiao Li cleaned up the table and kitchen.
Zhang Xingguo sat contentedly in the chair, while Zhang Hongmei brought over a pot of hawthorn and rock sugar water.
"This is for women to drink."
"There's no distinction between men and women; it's just for aiding digestion."
Wang Xiaoshun led Liu Jingzhang in. "Zhang Hongmei, is this your home? Then you must be from Liu Jingze's hometown?"
"Yes, you're Jingze's classmate?"
"Yes, we have such a connection. What about Liu Jingze?"
"Hehe, Brother Jingze has gone out."
"Okay then, are you planning to take a group photo?"
“Yes, let’s begin.” Liu Jingzhang prepared his camera on his own.
Wang Xiaoshun followed Zhang Shouyi's instructions and moved the chair into the yard.
First, there was a group photo of the three of them, then a group photo of Zhang Hongmei and Zhang Xingguo, then a group photo of Zhang Shouyi and Zhang Hongmei, and finally a group photo of Wang Xiaoshun and Xiao Li, all five of them.
"Comrade, let's go to another place and shoot another set."
The group walked to the new garden, and Liu Jingzhang particularly liked its layout. He even took several extra photos.
"Comrade, today all the photos need to be three sets of two-inch photos and three sets of twelve-inch photos."
"Okay, comrade, you can pick up the photos next Thursday."
Liu Jingzhang went back, and the five of them returned to the courtyard house.
"Uncle Zhang, Brother Zhang, please go ahead and do what you need to do, don't let it interfere with important matters."
"Hongmei, I'm leaving now. I won't be coming over for dinner." Zhang Shouyi really had something to do. He was only able to come over for lunch because he hadn't slept all night and had squeezed out some time.
"Okay, Brother Zhang, go ahead and get busy."
"Hongmei, I'm leaving first too. I still have to go to the troops, and I might go to the border to take a look in a while."
"Isn't that too dangerous? Can't we just not go?"
"Hehe, I'm just going to offer my condolences. It's alright, don't worry."
Zhang Hongmei stopped talking, after all, Zhang Xingguo's status was what it was.
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