Life in siheyuan era

In Zhang Yong's memory, Zhou Zhiyuan's eloquence was average, but he excelled at daring to speak. He would have Zhou Zhiyuan tell his parents things he didn't dare to say.

Zhou Zhiyuan was loyal and couldn't bear to see his buddies in trouble. He spoke his mind directly, often drawing stern criticism from Luo Sumei.

She was Zhou Zhiyuan's teacher, and it was only natural for her to sternly criticize her students. Over time, it became a habit.

Thus, Zhang Yong benefited from it. After Luo Sumei criticized Zhou Zhiyuan, she didn't have the energy to reprimand him anymore. Words of scolding couldn't be repeated twice; the second time lacked the same momentum.

This method was known as the 'sneak-past' strategy. Although it hadn't been used for five years, it was still easy to use now. Importantly, Zhou Zhiyuan was still that loyal kid.

The loyal kid could stand in front and state Guo Yanhong's shortcomings. A middle school education didn't matter, and family difficulties didn't matter either. These things could all be glossed over.

Then, he could talk at length about her strengths: filial piety, diligence, and good character. These were common concerns for all parents, and these things needed to be discussed in detail. Zhang Yong believed he could complete this task.

Although Zhou Zhiyuan had many shortcomings, such as being stubborn, clumsy, and careless... one particular shortcoming was crucial to him. Zhou Zhiyuan spoke his mind directly, and he definitely wouldn't stop until he finished speaking.

Zhang Yong understood clearly that he definitely couldn't say these things himself, but if Zhou Zhiyuan said them, he would definitely be able to complete the whole spiel. His speaking was like practicing martial arts, a set of 108 moves, and he would never stop until he finished the entire routine.

After he finished speaking, Zhou Zhiyuan would become Luo Sumei's punching bag, and after a stern criticism, she wouldn't have the energy to say anything to him.

This plan was excellent, but its implementation required a prerequisite: Luo Sumei valued etiquette. Once Guo Yanhong entered the house, she was a guest and wouldn't be kicked out.

Implementing this strategy would first accomplish the plan of Guo Yanhong entering the house. He would have a way to deal with things afterward, saying, 'Zhiyuan asked me to bring Yanhong along. He has a very good impression of Yanhong.'

In short, the scapegoat plan was progressing smoothly.

Then, he would invite Han Xue and He Yushui to form a double insurance. In front of her colleagues, Luo Sumei would have to save him some face, no matter how unhappy she was.

Zhang Yong's plan was successfully implemented. Together with He Yushui, he invited Han Xue. Upon entering the house, they saw Guo Yanhong sitting blankly on the sofa, as if she didn't dare to move.

Zhou Zhiyuan spoke concisely, but Teacher Luo, who hadn't sternly criticized him in five years, would definitely add interest.

Thinking of this made him itch unbearably. The image of Zhou Zhiyuan being sternly criticized could make him happy for days. He lowered his voice and whispered, 'Section Chief Han, Comrade He Yushui, please sit for a while.'

Then, he tiptoed toward the study. To be silent, he didn't even wear slippers, standing at the door in his socks and pressing his ear against it.

Seeing him like this, Han Xue and He Yushui looked at Guo Yanhong together, knowing from her expression that she was also confused. Then, they turned to look at the study together.

The study was located on the north side of the living room. The three women could clearly see Zhang Yong sticking to the door, listening carefully, with a surprised expression on his face.

Of course he was surprised. There was no stern criticism from Teacher Luo inside. The two were actually talking and laughing.

'I understand your loyalty to your neighbors, but impersonating a boyfriend is not right.' This was Teacher Luo's voice.

Zhou Zhiyuan's voice came, 'Injustice! I never said He Yushui was my girlfriend.'

'You have to bear the injustice. But this girl is also pretty. You're twenty-one, it's time to find a girlfriend.'

'You taught us to prioritize our careers. I just came back from the military, and I should put all my energy into my career.'

'That's right, but prioritizing your career should also take into account matters of the heart. Don't wait until all the good girls are snatched away before you regret it.'

'You know I'm stubborn.'

'Heh...'

Hearing Teacher Luo's laughter, Zhang Yong pondered to himself, 'This kid didn't mention Yanhong?'

Thinking this way, a small flame rose in his heart. He straightened his back and shouted, 'Mom, Section Chief Han is here!'

After the shout, the door of the study opened, and Luo Sumei said as she walked out, 'I will talk to Chief Engineer Zhang about this, but don't rely on me entirely. You have to think about how to tell Chief Engineer Zhang about this.'

Zhou Zhiyuan, following behind her, smiled and said, 'Chief Engineer Zhang will definitely agree with what you say. I'll talk history with Chief Engineer Zhang.'

Speaking of this, Luo Sumei laughed and said, 'Is what you two talk about called history? Which is more powerful, the Fantian Seal or the Sea-Calming Pearl? How can you two call that history?'

The Fantian Seal and the Sea-Calming Pearl were both magical treasures described in 'Investiture of the Gods.' Zhang Xueqi believed the Sea-Calming Pearl was more powerful, while Zhou Zhiyuan believed the Fantian Seal was more powerful. They argued for a while but hadn't reached a final conclusion.

Seeing the two walk out of the study, Han Xue smiled and gracefully stood up, He Yushui jumped up joyfully, while Guo Yanhong stood up cautiously.

Luo Sumei came closer and exchanged pleasantries with Han Xue, asking her and He Yushui to sit down, then turned to Guo Yanhong and said gently, 'Little Guo, don't be nervous. Just be at home here, and be casual.'

Hearing this, Zhang Yong immediately looked at Zhou Zhiyuan. Seeing him smile slightly, he immediately said, 'Mom, Yanhong bought you leather shoes. Take a look.'

Saying that, he was about to take the shoe box, but Luo Sumei frowned and said, 'Little Guo's kindness, Mom will like whatever she buys, no need to look.'

Zhang Yong was rash. This was not the time to take out gifts.

But Zhou Zhiyuan immediately changed the subject, looking at the two bottles of wine on the coffee table and laughing, 'Xinghua Village, Section Chief Han really has good wine. "Where can I find a wine shop, a shepherd boy points to Xinghua Village." Good wine, good wine.'

He shifted the target, but Luo Sumei asked displeased, 'Have you become an alcoholic?'

'Which soldier is an alcoholic?' Zhou Zhiyuan replied, then recited, '"Facing wine, let us sing, how long is life? Drunk, I trim the lamp and look at my sword, dreaming of the bugle sounding in the barracks," heroines and contemporary heroes gather together, how can it be without wine?'

Zhou Zhiyuan's words praised all the women present. Luo Sumei laughed and said, 'There are heroines, but the contemporary heroes are just two little devils.'

Luo Sumei praised the women and belittled Zhou Zhiyuan and Zhang Yong, but it was also modesty.

Zhou Zhiyuan laughed and said, 'In front of you, Xiaoyong and I will always be little devils.'

Seeing this scene, Zhang Yong was surprised. This straight man could actually talk, making Luo Sumei happy. Guo Yanhong had actually passed this hurdle.

But he couldn't ask at this time. Hearing a knock on the door, he went to open it. The cafeteria of the building delivered eight dishes, which Luo Sumei had ordered last night.

This was a characteristic of the building. There was no kitchen in each resident's house. A large cafeteria was set up on the first floor, where one could dine or order dishes to be delivered.

The Zhang family's house was very neat. The position opposite the living room was the dining room, with a dining table and three chairs and three stools placed next to it.

Zhang Yong and Guo Yanhong were busy placing stools and bringing dishes to the table. Luo Sumei glanced at them from time to time, nodding slightly when she saw Guo Yanhong's nimble hands, then turned to Han Xue and said, 'The two families live upstairs and downstairs, you and Zhang Yong only know today, it's not too late.'

She said so, but there was a hint of regret in her tone, as if Guo Yanhong wouldn't have appeared if Zhang Yong and Han Xue had known each other earlier.

Han Xue replied, 'There are three elevators in this building. Director Zhang and I usually take one each. After all, we haven't lived here for long, it's normal not to meet.'

But Zhou Zhiyuan laughed and said, 'I heard that Section Chief Han's boyfriend is very handsome, and also a detective in the criminal police team. Section Chief Han's heart and eyes are filled with that police comrade, how could she have noticed other young men?'

He said this to subtly point out to Luo Sumei, 'It's useless for you to regret, it wouldn't have worked even if they had met before.'

Of course, Luo Sumei understood Zhou Zhiyuan's meaning and could only sigh slightly.

But Han Xue turned to look at He Yushui, this information could only have been revealed to Zhou Zhiyuan by her.

Qin Xue didn't know what He Yushui meant? But He Yushui didn't pay attention to this matter.

Zhou Zhiyuan told Luo Sumei about her, and she was thinking about how to make Luo Sumei like her.

He Yushui understood that Zhou Zhiyuan was just a bridge, but she was the one crossing the bridge. It required her own efforts to pass this bridge steadily. It was very important to have a good relationship with Luo Sumei after becoming Chief Engineer Zhang's assistant in the future.

She was thinking about this matter, not paying attention to Zhou Zhiyuan's words. Hearing Han Xue mention her, she was puzzled, 'Why did she say this?'

He Yushui was puzzled because Qin Xue replied, 'Yushui's boyfriend is a handsome figure, and also an excellent policeman.'

Han Xue reciprocated, He Yushui revealed her information, and she said He Yushui's information. After saying this, she saw a hint of disappointment on Luo Sumei's face, and couldn't help but feel a shock in her heart, thinking, 'Didn't I cause trouble for Yushui?'

Han Xue was worried that He Yushui and Zhou Zhiyuan were getting too close, but she had to admit one thing, Zhou Zhiyuan helped her a lot.

Judging from Luo Sumei's attitude towards Zhou Zhiyuan, the relationship between the two seemed like mother and son. Mistaking He Yushui for Zhou Zhiyuan's future girlfriend, she would definitely go all out in handling things, and Chief Engineer Zhang would also value this relationship.

But she had broken this window paper. She glanced at He Yushui apologetically, and heard Zhou Zhiyuan say, 'Our people's police are both handsome and mighty, no wonder I wasn't assigned to the Public Security Bureau, what a pity.'

Hearing him say this, Luo Sumei laughed and said, 'You are ugly, stupid, and useless. Wouldn't assigning you to the Public Security Bureau be tarnishing the police force?'

Luo Sumei used his words to attack him, this was an old trick.

But Zhou Zhiyuan shouted, 'How can a teacher say that about their own student? Shouldn't they say they are smart and eager to learn, and will definitely become a pillar of the country?'

He didn't hide his cleverness and eagerness to learn, but Teacher Luo always adopted the strategy of attacking him, and Zhang Yong would definitely interrupt, 'That student who is smart and eager to learn, and will definitely become a pillar of the country, is referring to me.'

At this time, Luo Sumei and Zhou Zhiyuan would definitely reply to him together, 'Have some shame.'

This scene was like this five years ago, and it's still like this five years later. The three of them are used to it, this is habitual thinking, and it hasn't changed even after not seeing each other for nearly five years.