Chapter 219: Chapter 211: Niu Jia’s Chengsi
Niu Erniu wanted to change He Chengsi’s surname on his household registration to restore the Man Clan surname. When talking to He Xuewen about it, she felt somewhat embarrassed, thinking it was not quite moral to hijack someone’s hard-raised child halfway through.
However, to her surprise, He Xuewen appeared startled upon hearing this, then rarely blushed and in a low voice admitted that because he had been busy making money, he hadn’t yet managed to register He Chengsi’s household, and strictly speaking, He Chengsi was an unregistered person; the Police Station didn’t even have his record.
Tian Sisi rolled her eyes upon hearing this. Her Daddy was indeed very shrewd in conducting business outside, unwilling to take even a one cent loss, but at home, he was entirely a simpleton. This was not a matter of not having time; he probably never even thought to register the household!
Niu Erniu, on the other hand, was quite happy. Not having registered the household was good; it saved the hassle of having to change things back and forth. She immediately asked Luo Datou to go to the Police Station and register He Chengsi, changing his name to Niu Jia’s Chengsi and put the household under their family. Later, when Chengsi got married, they could split the household then.
Luo Datou was quite efficient at handling matters. The next day, he had already completed the registration for He Chengsi. And just like that, He Chengsi naturally became Niu Jia’s Chengsi. However, Tian Sisi still called him Brother He, her mouth had gotten used to it and couldn’t change the habit.
He Chengsi himself also stated that he would still use the name He Chengsi in public and continue to call He Xuewen Daddy. He did not want to alienate Daddy and sister Sisi.
Niu Erniu fully supported her nephew. Their Niu family was not ungrateful. She even made a point to explain to He Xuewen, changing the surname was only for the sake of the Niu family’s lineage; Chengsi was still the son of the He Family, how they dealt with him before, they would do the same in the future.
However, this year Chengsi wouldn’t return with them for the New Year celebration. Though Niu Erniu verbally suggested that Chengsi return with He Xuewen for the New Year, the reluctance in her eyes was visible to all. He Chengsi also felt torn; he didn’t want to leave his aunt and uncle but also wanted to spend New Year’s Eve with Daddy and sister. His face showed his dilemma.
He Xuewen made the decision for him, indicating that he and Tian Sisi would stay to celebrate the Pre-New Year Festival before returning home, suggesting that He Chengsi stay with Niu Erniu to spend New Year’s Eve, as it was better to reunite with his closest relatives.
So it was settled. Although He Chengsi still felt uncomfortable, he was happy that Daddy and sister were going to spend the Pre-New Year Festival with him. It was only the 17th now, still a week away from the festival!
He Xuewen called the Old Man to explain the situation, so the family would not worry. Meanwhile, Mr. Yun enlisted Tian Sisi to play a tune on the musical instruments for him, as a sleep aid.
Originally, Yun Mansion didn’t have a piano or guzheng. However, once Mr. Yun heard that Tian Sisi was learning piano and guzheng, he had Luo Datou procure these instruments. Luo Datou, clueless about such items, thought for a moment and then went to the unlucky Liu Jinyi, tasking him with acquiring the best piano and guzheng to be sent to Yun Mansion.
Liu Jinyi dared not disobey and felt a bit of schadenfreude, relieved they were not asking for gold or other treasures. Pianos and guzhengs were relatively simple matters for him, and without much effort, he had them delivered respectfully to Yun Mansion.
According to Liu Jinyi, the piano was from a Princess of a Prince Mansion who had to sell it when she fell on hard times, and the guzheng was also sold alongside it by the same Princess. Both were fine items.
Of course, they were fine goods. If placed in the present time, these would be antiques. However, in Luo Datou’s eyes, no item was as good as gold.
Every time Tian Sisi came to stay at Yun Mansion, Mr. Yun would always ask her to play a few pieces on the piano, claiming it was to assess her skill level. No one said anything, but everyone secretly laughed. The old man couldn’t even read sheet music, what was there to assess?
Tian Sisi smiled and walked over to the piano, lifted the lid, and played Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata". The soothing music flowed out and captivated everyone in the living room; He Xuewen even tapped his hand in time with the beat, while Luo Datou yawned occasionally as he listened.
After the piece ended, Luo Datou murmured, "Ah Nan’s lullaby really does the trick," and went off to his room to sleep.
Tian Sisi found it amusing; Luo Datou was quite the character, always getting sleepy listening to piano music, even if she played something as impassioned as the "Fate Symphony". That the old man could fall asleep with his eyes closed, you just had to admire that.
Considering she had just gotten off the train, Mr. Yun only asked her to play one piece before letting Tian Sisi go rest, and he himself also took a teapot back to his room to sleep.
Ever since Tian Sisi had made it a rule for him to go to bed before 10 p.m. each night, Tian Xinhua would make sure he adhered to a sleep schedule, even enlisting Luo Datou to keep watch if he wasn’t around. Over time, he too had gotten used to going to bed and rising early.
There were still several days left before the Pre-New Year Festival, so Tian Xinhua and He Chengsi took Tian Sisi out to stroll and have fun, eating street snacks along the way.
Every time Tian Sisi came to Beijing before, it had been summer. This was her first time experiencing the capital’s winter streets, which were even more bustling, especially with the approach of the New Year’s shopping frenzy. The streets were filled with people out buying holiday goods.
Nowadays, buying New Year’s goods was indeed a serious affair, starting as soon as December rolled in. All the money and ration coupons saved up over the year would be spent on these goods, with careful budgeting to ensure the most lavish goods were purchased with the least amount of money.
Thus, it was common to see long queues at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and the markets, with everyone waiting to buy scarce commodities like fish, meat, and eggs. Sometimes arriving late meant leaving empty-handed, necessitating rising early the next day to queue again, come rain or shine.
Despite the difficulties, every person’s face was lit up with joy. Adults and children alike were very happy, looking forward to having a sumptuous meal for the New Year. The festive atmosphere was thick in the streets, palpable everywhere, and even greetings between acquaintances revolved around "How’s your New Year shopping going?" or "What do you still need to buy for the New Year?"—very cheerful indeed.
Tian Sisi, of course, didn’t need to worry about these things. Her job was to have fun; the three of them cycled around Beijing, covering every big and small alley, and also visited the Forbidden City and Yihe Garden.
Although she had been to these places before, she still preferred their current state, unlike later when they were overdeveloped into a mess, damaging the original aesthetic beauty of these ancient sites.
The day before the Pre-New Year Festival, He Chengsi went out with Niu Erniu and Luo Datou. Niu Erniu had made a spirit way for her big brother and, having just finished it, dragged He Chengsi to go pay respects.
Taking advantage of this, Tian Sisi and Tian Xinhua sneaked out, leaving He Chengsi behind. Tian Xinhua, naturally, selfishly preferred not to have anyone between him and Ah Nan.
But Tian Sisi had other plans; she wanted to drive and enjoy the thrill of it. If He Chengsi were there, he would surely tattle to He Xuewen, and she would have to endure the nagging again. With Tian Xinhua, she didn’t have to worry—they had more than enough secrets between them!