Mother Wen also agreed with this viewpoint somewhat, as they indeed rarely encountered such a distinctive young man. However, her expression showed some worry: "But we are still concerned that you might lack common topics in your future lives."
Mother Wen also mentioned: "Our Wen Li has been an outstanding child since she was young, and after attending normal school, she became engrossed in the field of literature."
As soon as she said this, Hé Yǔzhù immediately chimed in: "It makes me angry when you mention this, what was the situation with that Teacher Zhong during Wen Li's time at school? A place meant to cultivate teaching talent, why would he always talk about novels with students? Moreover, Wen Li clearly studied mathematics."
This evaluation displeased Wén Lì, who was standing nearby. "Zhuzi, you're not allowed to talk about Teacher Zhong like that."
"See!" Hé Yǔzhù turned to Father Wen, "Uncle, you also graduated from normal school and taught for a lifetime. What is mathematics? It is the foundation of science! Our new country's construction right now cannot do without science.
It's such a shame to not study mathematics properly and spend all day reading novels!"
"Wen Li, I just passed the Level Six cook assessment. What's your level now?"
Wén Lì was taken aback. "I..."
"Right? You didn't study thoroughly enough in school back then, did you?" Hé Yǔzhù pressed with a smile. "Have you seriously researched your profession after starting work?"
"You..." Although Wén Lì was annoyed, she was used to being lectured by Hé Yǔzhù like this.
"Don't think I don't know what those romance novels are about, filled with so-called romance and sentiment," Hé Yǔzhù continued non-stop. "In reality, it's just lust at first sight. Moreover, the national conditions of the two countries are different. At that time, the other side had already sparked a red tide in the cities, while we followed the path of surrounding the cities from the countryside.
Just because I haven't read those novels doesn't mean I don't understand human relationships!" He continued, "It's like when our Steel Rolling Mill expanded, many technical personnel came, and they had quite high academic qualifications. But look at their behavior? They talk about ideals all day, drink alcohol as if it were water, and their eyes wander when they see pretty girls."
"Do those novels describe the reality of living a life?" He asked and answered himself, "Besides the initial attraction of so-called romance, what else is practical? It's all empty, boring plots. Our traditional culture pursues reservedness, subtlety, and mutual support; this is the most simple and unadorned truth of life!"
Father Wen couldn't help but sigh as he listened, "Little He, based on what you just said, it doesn't seem like you only finished elementary school."
"Uncle, school is just a small world. The real great classroom is in society, in real life, and in people's hearts," Hé Yǔzhù further explained. "Think about it, if Wen Li finds a partner of comparable level, how complicated will the family conflicts be in the future? The first day I met her, I already understood her personality traits and way of handling things."
"If she chooses a husband with parents living with them, the future conflicts might be even more severe!" He added, "She is actually just a young lady who hasn't truly grown up."
Wenhui, the second sister, said straightforwardly, "Little He is right! Wen Li, you have to admit that what your brother is saying makes sense."
"This is what it means to see clearly and be able to control her!" Wenhui added teasingly.
"Second sister!" Wén Lì pouted a little coquettishly. "He just knows how to spew a bunch of twisted logic to argue."
"Wen Li, this isn't twisted logic, it's truth and wisdom," Hé Yǔzhù replied with a smile. "Besides, if your Teacher Zhong is truly talented, why doesn't he write novels himself? People who always talk about romance tend to be like half a bottle of water shaking vigorously, based on the many examples I've seen. Ever since I was young, I followed my dad around in restaurants and saw all sorts of people. Later, I entered the Steel Rolling Mill and moved into a communal courtyard house, with twenty-odd households and over a hundred people.
As the saying goes: 'Above, there are a hundred types of people, each with their own characteristics.' The more people you see, the more you understand," Hé Yǔzhù narrated.
"This saying is very insightful," Mother Wen agreed, nodding. "Little He, listening to you, you seem like quite a character."
"You flatter me by saying that, and I gratefully accept," Hé Yǔzhù said, standing up. "Since I'm here today, why don't I personally show you my culinary skills in the kitchen?"
He then said to Wén Lì, "Come here, lend me a hand."
"Okay!" Wén Lì responded and then left the room.
"Sigh~" Wenhui couldn't help but let out a light sigh. "Dad, Mom, look how easy-going Wen Li is?"
"Little He just criticized the novels Wen Li likes, but she doesn't seem to have taken it to heart."
"I think... she's just used to it," Father Wen mused. "I approve of this marriage. It seems that Little He can indeed handle Wen Li. Compared to him, her experience is indeed too shallow."
"At least she won't be bullied in the future. This young man is quite reliable because he already knows what Wen Li is like."
"That's true," Mother Wen nodded. "Wen Li was born late and was carefree as a child. We thought it was amusing then, but it became a nuisance as she grew older."
"If she married someone else, how would she live in the future?"
After a moment of silence, the conversation in the room continued.
At this time, Hé Yǔzhù was standing in the courtyard smoking a cigarette and ran into Wén Lì. "You really impressed me today."
Wén Lì glared at Hé Yǔzhù, her expression slightly displeased, but he said nonchalantly, "I didn't make it up, it's the truth."
"There's no arguing with that, is there? Do you know who Bei Mao Nan Ba is? He's a great writer, he doesn't need to talk about sentimental things, and his works are still classics passed down."
"Alright, take me to see the kitchen and what delicious food there is. I'll definitely let you eat your fill."
Upon hearing about delicious food, Wén Lì's spirits immediately rose, and she turned to lead Hé Yǔzhù to the kitchen.
Before long, tempting aromas wafted from the kitchen.
Wén Xiù exclaimed upon smelling it, "This Little He is really amazing, the dishes he stir-fried smell so good!"
"Big sister, this is just the beginning," Little He said with a smile as he brought out a dish. "The seasonings at home are not complete. When I buy the seasonings next weekend, I'll make it properly again. Only then can everyone taste authentic Sichuan Cuisine, that's my specialty."
"It's a shame the factory's rating exam is for cooking large pot dishes, otherwise I would have already gotten Level Four or higher as a cook."
Soon, the table was filled with various delicacies. Hé Yǔzhù sat next to Father Wen. Mother Wen brought a bottle of wine, and Hé Yǔzhù quickly got up to help open it and poured it for everyone. He raised his glass, "Uncle, Auntie, Big Sister, Second Sister, I'll toast to all of you."
Wenhui raised her glass in response, "Little He, the difference between you and me is too great. You're indeed much stronger."
Everyone raised their glasses together and began to taste the delicacies.
Big Sister Wén Xiù repeatedly praised, "These dishes look and taste so good!"
"Little He, teach me when you have a chance."
"No problem. When I buy the seasonings next time and prepare the ingredients, I'll also have your brothers-in-law and the children come over for a lively meal here," Hé Yǔzhù readily agreed.
After the meal, the atmosphere between the two families became even more harmonious.
The cleanup was naturally not something Hé Yǔzhù needed to bother with; the four women of the Wen family worked together and tidied up efficiently.
This meeting was undoubtedly a success.
As he bid farewell, Hé Yǔzhù confidently realized that the high-level relations were firmly secured. The next step would be to speed up the pace, make further preparations for the wedding, and also tidy up the house.
He returned to the courtyard and indeed saw Third Uncle Yan waiting there. "Zhuzi, you're back?"
"Was it smooth?"
"Smoother than ever!"
Hé Yǔzhù parked his bicycle, casually took out a cigarette and offered it to him. After lighting up, they both smoked. "So I plan to strike while the iron is hot and quickly tidy up the house."
"After all, I'm not in a hurry to have children after getting married, but if we have children later and then tidy up, it will be too late."
"Marriage is a major event in life. No matter what, the house must be carefully renovated."
Yán Bùguì nodded. "Indeed. Our family members are also constantly increasing. Fortunately, we still have a side room, otherwise, we really wouldn't have enough space."
"Are you also planning to set up partitions?"
Hé Yǔzhù shook his head. "It can't be that simple. A three-room house can be divided into three independent rooms!"
"What do you think if I build an eave room next to the main house?"
Yán Bùguì looked towards the central courtyard. "Honestly, in our courtyard, only your main house is suitable for adding an eave room without affecting the aesthetics."
"But... the other residents probably won't agree."
Hé Yǔzhù understood this point. What if others followed suit after he built it?
"And the street management department might not approve," Yán Bùguì added.
"Then I won't add it. It's sufficient for now, but we can consider relocating the stove there and building a shed," Hé Yǔzhù said while thinking. "Can this matter be directly handled by contacting the street's engineering team?"
"That's right. Our Jiaodaokou subdistrict now manages thousands of households. Anyone can find the subdistrict for help with any issue. The subdistrict has its own engineering team, and all the members are residents here," Yán Bùguì explained.
"They not only provide materials, but their craftsmanship is also excellent. They earn money with this skill!"
"But Zhuzi, where will you live temporarily while you're tidying up the house?"
"I plan to live with Jiecheng and the others for now. I'll have to trouble you, Third Uncle, to look after things then," Hé Yǔzhù said, planning to stay in Yán Bùguì's side room, which was currently occupied by Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang. Yan Jiekong and Yan Jiedi were still young and lived in the west wing of the front yard with Yán Bùguì and his wife.
"No problem!" Yán Bùguì didn't mention rent at all. He knew Hé Yǔzhù wouldn't treat him unfairly, and bringing it up would be counterproductive.
Hé Yǔzhù finished his last puff of the cigarette. "Okay, I'll go to the subdistrict office to sort this out, and then we can discuss it in detail."
"If you have any difficulties, just ask," Yán Bùguì replied with a smile.