Chapter 180

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Hahaha......"

The crowd gathered around to watch the fun burst into laughter.

"Hurry up and get up, someone else is coming down......."

Right behind, a small child came down; Li Liang was quick-eyed and quick-handed, pulling her up.

"Ouch."

That child couldn't stop either and fell flat on her bottom.

The melon-eating crowd watched the fun with smiles, and no one cared whether the little fairy's bottom hurt.

One after another, several more children slid down; some could stand steady and won cheers, some fell but didn't care, crawled up, and kept charging up with their heads down.

"Xiyu is coming down."

Lin Xiyu was too embarrassed to cut in line, and several children jumped ahead of her, leaving her far behind Wu Meng before she finally had a chance to slide down.

She had played this since she was little; she kept both legs flat on the slide to maintain her balance, didn't stop in the middle, and slid down very quickly.

Guben instinctively stepped forward, and just before she landed, he scooped her up with both hands.

Lin Xiyu got up and patted the nonexistent dust off her pants.

"Look at Guben, how thoughtful he is....."

Wu Meng watched with heat in her eyes and glared resentfully at Li Liang: "Having you as my boyfriend is like having none; even sliding down a slide makes me a laughingstock."

"Didn't I pull you up?"

Li Liang was innocently hit and was quite speechless.

"Is that the same?"

Wu Meng pouted unhappily: "That's hindsight; I had already fallen before you helped me up."

"Fine, fine, fine, go slide again, I'll catch you....."

Li Liang didn't want to argue with her and helplessly admitted defeat.

"Catch steady this time; this time you can't let people laugh at you again."

Wu Meng settled down and climbed up again, feeling pleased with herself.

Lin Xiyu hadn't had enough and wanted to slide again.

Guben naturally had no objections; his boyfriend power was overflowing, she slid once and he caught once, never missing, making sure she wouldn't fall to the ground.

Li Liang also learned his lesson, imitating his movements, making Wu Meng very happy.

The two couples flirted and showed affection, sweetness dripping, so sweet it made people's teeth ache, making Qu Peng feel mixed emotions and constantly spill jealousy.

"You all play; I'm going back first."

Not long after, he couldn't stand it anymore and took his leave first.

"Leaving so soon?"

Wu Meng hadn't played enough and found an excuse for herself: "Fifteen yuan per ticket; not playing a while longer would be such a waste."

Is it a matter of money?

The key is it's heart-wrenching!

Staying any longer would make me be tortured to death.

Qu Peng ignored her, waved his hand, and decisively turned to leave.

—

"Has Qu Peng made progress with your female cousin?"

Lin Xiyu glanced at Qu Peng's slightly lonely back and frowned with some worry for him.

"I didn't ask......"

Guben guessed to himself: "Looking at this, probably not."

Lin Xiyu sighed faintly: "High-class families are hard to enter....."

"What are you randomly thinking about again?"

Guben pinched her nose: "Our family isn't a high-class family."

"Isn't yours?"

Lin Xiyu rolled her eyes almost to the sky: "Who would believe that? You're just fooling children."

"If my family really were a high-class family, wouldn't you be impressive?"

Guben smiled and teased: "May I ask, how does it feel to marry into a high-class family? Do you feel so lucky yourself that you wake up laughing in your dreams?"

"Cut it out....."

Lin Xiyu pretended to be angry: "Ever since we got engaged, I haven't slept a single peaceful night; in my dreams, your mother doesn't like me and wants to break us up."

"My mother has been persuaded by Eldest Brother and won't cause trouble anymore."

Guben pulled her into his arms, wanting to embrace her.

"Don't make trouble, so many people are watching....."

Although Lin Xiyu wore a hat and scarf, covering half her face, after being outside for a long time, she was still recognized by sharp-eyed melon-eating crowds.

Someone whispered and stretched their necks to look at the two of them.

"Xiyu, come quickly......"

Wu Meng hadn't had enough fun yet and still wanted to go down the slide.

"Coming."

Lin Xiyu took the opportunity to push her away and ran up to Jibei Pavilion in a hurry.

Guben and Li Liang exchanged a glance and sighed resignedly.

The two unfortunate brothers could only drink the northwest wind and continue waiting below.

It was rare for them to return home for the New Year, and the two best friends played wildly until nearly dark, reluctantly leaving the park and returning home respectively.

—

Wu Meng was having fun outside, but unexpectedly there were uninvited guests at home.

After the promotional film for Quancheng Water was broadcast, the renovated Qu Shui Ting Street area gradually became lively, with out-of-town tourists coming one after another to seek the famous spring and admire the beautiful scenery of every household having spring water and willows.

Someone saw a business opportunity and wanted to rent the old siheyuan to make money riding the wave of tourism.

Xigengdao Street was well located, right near Qifeng Bridge, adjacent to Wangfu Pool and Qu Shui Ting Street.

So it was targeted.

Even during the New Year they weren't left in peace; people came to persuade them, wanting them to vacate the house and turn it into a restaurant with local characteristics.

Courtyard No. 1, Xigengdao Street had more than one household; besides Wu Meng's family, there were two others, all living in public housing with ownership not in their own hands.

Logically, public housing cannot be rented out, but the businessman offered a high price, and the other two families were tempted.

Wu Meng's mother made clothes, relying on word of mouth and repeat customers; most people who came to her for clothes were neighbors.

If they really moved far away and didn't interact often, personal ties would gradually fade; even if the clothes were well made, people would complain about the distance and not want to trouble themselves to travel so far, and business would be greatly affected.

Wu Meng's mother firmly refused to rent out, clashed with the businessman, and drove him out.

The other two families, seeing the rental deal fall through, were also dissatisfied with Wu Meng's mother.

The two sides argued, and Wu Meng's mother locked the door in anger and returned to her hometown in the countryside with Wu Meng's father.

Wu Meng knew nothing about this; after returning home she found the door tightly locked and no one in the house, and couldn't help but panic.

Fortunately Xigengdao Street was very close to Wangfu Pool; Lin Xiyu followed Guben back to his Grandfather's house for a meal, and on the way she and Li Liang took her home first.

With someone accompanying her, she wasn't overly frightened; after composing herself and contacting her parents, she learned the truth and was furious that certain people had come to harass them.

"What are these people thinking? Relying on having a few stinking coins, not letting people have peace even during the New Year."

"Such things will be unavoidable in the future..."

Li Liang helplessly rubbed his forehead: "The Old City District will be noisy again; under the temptation of profit, many people will surely be tempted. Those unwilling to leave are all old people who have lived here a lifetime and have feelings for it, wanting to guard their old house. Young people don't care about that; whoever offers more money, they want to rent to them. As for whether the old house will be damaged or the spring water polluted, they won't take it to heart."

"Such things are very likely to happen..."

Guben nodded, then changed the subject: "Unless there is a hard regulation from above forbidding damage to the overall planning of the Old City District; even if opening a restaurant, old houses cannot be demolished and rebuilt privately, changing the original layout."

"It was just renovated, painted with grey tiles and white walls, how beautiful..."

Wu Meng said resentfully: "These people really can't stand others living well. The matter of the swimming ban at Wangfu Pool had just calmed down not long ago, and now they want to make a scene again. Can't they let people breathe comfortably for a while?"

"The Neighborhood Committee will surely step in to coordinate."

Li Liang patted Wu Meng's shoulder to comfort her: "Don't think too much for now. Pack some clothes and come live with me for a few days. We'll talk after your parents return from your hometown."

"Sigh."

Wu Meng sighed: "I can only do this. I wanted to spend more time with my mom during the New Year, but these people caused trouble, and I'm not even in the mood to stay at home."

"You two pack slowly; we'll leave first."

Guben glanced at the time, estimating it was nearly mealtime at Grandfather's house, greeted Li Liang, and intended to say goodbye.

"Fine."

Li Liang readily agreed: "We'll find another time to get together again."

"Before school starts."

Guben said with a smile: "Find a place to eat mutton skewers; I'll treat."

"Okay."

Li Liang smiled knowingly, saw them out the door, and only turned back after they were completely out of sight.

—

Wangfu Pool West Street.

Night fell, the New Year visitors had all left, Eldest Uncle also took the Three Golden Flowers back to Guangdong, and the courtyard became quiet.

Grandma was cooking dinner in the kitchen; seeing Guben bring Lin Xiyu in together, she couldn't help but complain again.

"You come back to eat without saying anything in advance. I have nothing prepared and was just going to make a bowl of noodles to get by."

"Noodles are fine; we're not outsiders..."

Guben gave Lin Xiyu a look, signaling her to go help in the kitchen.

"Grandma, let me help you make the sauce."

Lin Xiyu understood and smiled as she entered the kitchen.

"Don't meddle; it's almost cut..."

Grandma was cutting meat on the cutting board to make the sauce.

"What kind of sauce is this?"

Lin Xiyu saw tomatoes beside her and looked curious.

"Tomato fried sauce noodles."

Grandma raised her eyebrows quite proudly: "Haven't tried it, right? I figured it out myself. Using tomatoes for the sauce is tastier than eggplant noodles."

"Really?"

Lin Xiyu smiled and deliberately flattered the Old Man to make her happy: "Then I'm in for a treat this time and can taste your Old Man's original craft."

"Cut a cross-shaped opening in the tomato with a knife, then blanch it in boiling water."

Grandfather Gu is particular about eating; tomatoes must be peeled.

"All right."

Lin Xiyu did as told, and sure enough, after scalding, the tomato skin separated from the flesh and was peeled off easily.

Grandfather cut the tomatoes into cubes, tossed them with minced meat and soy sauce for a stir-fry, and just before taking it off the heat added a little white sugar and sweet bean sauce; a pot of fresh, fragrant, delicious tomato sauce was done.

Lin Xiyu boiled water, put in the noodles, and together with Grandfather carried bowls and chopsticks into the living room.

—

The living room was filled with many gifts, mostly cigarettes, alcohol, tea, and the like; during the New Year many people came to visit, from the first to the third day, with hardly a break during the day—it was bustling, with carriages and horses like flowing water and the courtyard like a market.

Grandfather was busy cooking and hadn't tidied up yet, so the living room looked rather messy.

Guben saw the two come in, casually shoved the gifts on the floor into a corner, and pulled out the large round table used for eating.

"Time to eat, try my tomato fried sauce noodles."

Grandfather Gu showed off in high spirits: "Add some authentic Shanxi Lao Chen vinegar—that taste, it's superb."

"I love Grandfather's tomato fried sauce noodles the most."

Guben flattered and acted cute: "After going to Shanghai, I don't want anything else, I just want this taste made by Grandfather's own hands."

"If you like it, eat more..."

Grandfather Gu was indeed very happy after hearing this, and personally ladled a big spoonful of sauce over his bowl.

"You're being too biased, aren't you?"

Grandfather smacked his lips a few times, expressing dissatisfaction: "You gave all the sauce to him alone, what do we eat?"

"Isn't there still some in the bowl?"

Grandfather glared at him displeased: "You're already so old, still quibbling with a child; when has the family ever been short of your mouthful of food, making people laugh."

"Cough cough."

Grandfather's old face turned red, and he pretended to complain while muttering softly: "Ever since you, kid, came back, Grandfather's status in the family has plummeted; before, when eating chicken, I could still get a chicken neck, now not even a chicken butt is left."

"Enough of you, stop nagging..."

Grandfather laughed in anger, and ladled another spoonful of sauce into his bowl: "Eating can't even shut your mouth."

"Xiao Bin, pass me the vinegar."

Grandfather, having gotten the sauce, was appeased and showed a smiling look.

"Let me pour..."

Guben very diligently and filially pulled out the stopper and poured vinegar for his old man.

"Pour more."

Grandfather greatly enjoyed his grandson's filial piety, and raised his eyebrows smugly at Grandmother.

"Showing off."

Grandmother didn't want to deal with him, and glanced away disdainfully.

"Grandmother, you've worked hard."

Guben, being very thoughtful, added some vinegar to Grandmother's bowl too.

"Stop being busy, eat yourself."

Grandmother's eyes showed affection: "If you don't eat the noodles soon, they'll get soggy."

"All right."

Guben smiled, poured some vinegar into Lin Xiyu's and his own bowls, picked up chopsticks, and started mixing the noodles.

The tomato fried sauce was sweet and sour and tasty, the noodles smooth and chewy, plus a little Lao Chen vinegar to enhance the flavor—needless to say, how delicious it was.

Lin Xiyu lifted a strand of noodles, took a bite, and her little eyes lit up.

"Is it delicious?"

Grandmother looked at her with smiling eyes, full of desire for praise written on her face.

"Delicious."

Lin Xiyu gave very strong support.

"Delicious, eat more..."

Grandmother was satisfied, smiling especially kindly and approachable.

"Tsk..."

Grandfather smacked his lips a few times, and was just about to tease Grandmother with "It's just a bowl of noodles, is it necessary?" but was glared back by Grandmother's look.

"Hehe."

Guben was already used to the two elders' way of getting along, and let out a joking laugh from his throat.

—

After a few mouthfuls of noodles, dinner was finished; it was still early, and Lin Xiyu did not immediately take her leave, but followed Guben with interest to his bedroom.

Guben lived in a south-facing room, not small in area, twenty-some square meters, with complete furniture. Besides the bed for sleeping, there was also a lounge chair by the window, and the book desk and bookcase were full of books, from historical documents to scientific exploration, all types available.

On the very top of the bookcase were placed several trophies, some provincial and municipal level, and also awards won from participating in national competitions.

"What kind of books do you like?"

Lin Xiyu withdrew her gaze from the trophies, casually picked up a book on computer applications from the book desk, flipped through a few pages, and seeing the dense annotations on it, her eyelids involuntarily twitched.

"Any books at all..."

Guben flopped onto the lounge chair, stretched out his long legs, and comfortably narrowed his eyes.

"Do you usually lie here reading books?"

Lin Xiyu saw how carefree he was, and also had the thought of wanting to try whether it was comfortable or not.

"Come here, I'll hold you."

Guben saw through her little scheme, smiling as he patted his own thigh.