The winner of life in the courtyard

Chapter 145 New Year’s Eve

"Shen Zhiping, thank you!"

"Haha, Wanqing, I can cook now!"

“It still tastes so good!”

When Lou Xiao'e finally succeeded in making a home-style dish of stir-fried cabbage with meat, she was as excited as a 100-pound child.

After thanking Shen Zhiping, Lou Xiao'e hugged Liu Wanqing and was so excited that she burst into tears.

Shen Zhiping looked at Lou Xiao'e who was so excited that she lost herself in thought. He couldn't understand why she was so excited. Wasn't it just that she learned how to make a dish?
"Sister Xiao'e, that's great!"

"Before, we must have not found the right method!"

“It is said that everything is difficult at the beginning!”

"Now that you have learned one dish, you will definitely be able to apply it to other dishes and become better and better!"

Liu Wanqing was also happy for Lou Xiaoe.

Shen Zhiping really couldn't imagine how difficult it would be for a person to learn to cook, and how he could perform like this after learning a dish.

But forget it, I don’t want to think about it anymore!
The joys and sorrows of people are never shared.

"Sister Xiao'e, let's keep working hard and learn another dish!"

"This time, let's stew chicken with cabbage and vermicelli!"

It’s still a home-cooked dish.

This time, Shen Zhiping just gave a few instructions and Lou Xiaoe finished the dish. Although the taste was not very good, it was indeed done.

So, for lunch on New Year's Eve, Shen Zhiping and Liu Wanqing had this ordinary-tasting dish of cabbage and vermicelli stewed chicken at Lou Xiaoe's place, and the staple food was white rice.

Although the taste is average, the ingredients are sufficient.

In this age of food and clothing shortages, except for a few people who can be particularly particular, most people don't care.

It’s fine as long as the taste is similar!

Being able to eat enough is better than anything else.

After lunch, Shen Zhiping resolutely took his wife away. He didn't want to stay with Lou Xiaoe and teach her how to cook.

Simply put, Lou Xiao'e is starting to understand things a little bit now.

Liu Wanqing will come and teach slowly when she has time. It’s just a matter of teaching a few more times. Anyway, these two have a deep friendship and they have plenty of time to tinker with it slowly.

"Wife, shall we go out for a walk this afternoon?"

Taking Liu Wanqing back to the East Courtyard, Shen Zhiping spoke with a smile.

"I don't want to move!"

"I'm tired, I need to take a nap!"

"It's all your fault!"

Liu Wanqing glared at Shen Zhiping, and the reproachful look made Shen Zhiping feel a little embarrassed. But it was not his fault. His wife was too attractive. How could he, a normal man, remain indifferent?
If this is really indifferent, then that would be a problem!

However, Liu Wanqing wanted to rest, and Shen Zhiping could only let her do so.

He went to heat the kang, then closed the small door of the east courtyard and took a nap with Liu Wanqing.

Well, vegan, just sleeping!

When Shen Zhiping woke up from this sleep, it was already past four o'clock.

Liu Wanqing also woke up at about the same time. After knowing what time it was, she quickly got up.

The dinner on New Year’s Eve must be dumplings.

Shen Zhiping helped Liu Wanqing.

When the two of them were halfway through their preparations, there was a knock on the small door of the east wing. It was Lou Xiao'e.

"I'll open the door!"

When Liu Wanqing heard Lou Xiao'e's voice, she happily opened the gate and led Lou Xiao'e in.

Lou Xiao'e can still make dumplings.

Sure, the styling is a bit magical.

By the time the dumplings were wrapped, the sound of firecrackers could be heard outside.

While Liu Wanqing was putting the dumplings into the pot, Shen Zhiping went outside to hang up and light the firecrackers.

When the sound of firecrackers rang out in the east wing, some residents in the courtyard also lit firecrackers, and the sounds of bang and pop occurred one after another.

Lou Xiao'e ate dumplings on New Year's Eve at Shen Zhiping's place. After eating the dumplings, she even took the initiative to help Liu Wanqing wash the pots and pans.

Then, Lou Xiao'e was about to say goodbye and leave, but was kept by Liu Wanqing.

Three people, playing cards.

Shen Zhiping thought that his clever little head would be able to invincibly defeat everyone, however, he lost a little miserably.

Even with cheats, there was still no way to stop him from losing.

To put it bluntly, his luck today was really bad.

"This unscientific!"

Shen Zhiping, who had been losing all night, felt that this matter was a bit mysterious.

Because of him, I never got a good hand.

"No more playing, no more playing!"

Looking at the time, it was already past nine o'clock, so Shen Zhiping decisively threw the cards in his hand.

It’s not early at this time.

Although they have to stay up all night to celebrate the New Year, to be honest, it is not very appropriate for Lou Xiao'e's sister to stay at his house all the time.

After Shen Zhiping lost his cards, Lou Xiao'e stood up and said goodbye.

This time, Liu Wanqing did not try to keep her.

This day was indeed special, and it was indeed getting late.

After Lou Xiao'e left, Shen Zhiping sent her back to the backyard, then returned to the east courtyard and directly closed the small door of the east courtyard.

"Wife, come out and set off the fireworks!"

At this time, someone was already setting off fireworks outside. Shen Zhiping naturally wanted to join in the fun, so he called Liu Wanqing who was in the house to come out.

Liu Wanqing came out of the house and saw the pile of fireworks that Shen Zhiping had placed in the yard. The surprise on her face was beyond words.

"When did you prepare it?"

"so much!"

"Why didn't I see that before?"

"Hey, this is a surprise I prepared for you. I definitely can't let you see it!"

Shen Zhiping arranged a pile of fireworks, found some incense and handed it to Liu Wanqing.

"Let's do this together, you on the left and I on the right, is that ok?"

"No problem at all!"

It was just fireworks. Liu Wanqing had done that before.

But, I never enjoy it.

This time, Shen Zhiping prepared so many fireworks, but she didn't expect it at all.

When Shen Zhiping was chatting with Liu Wanqing before, he found out about Liu Wanqing's love for fireworks. As a good man who dotes on his wife, he must arrange this little request.

It is already 1963. When the wind starts to blow, there is no way to spend the New Year like this. If you can set off two strings of firecrackers, it is good enough. Want to set off fireworks? Haha, go to bed, you can dream about it.

Fireworks soaring into the sky!

There were roars and fireworks, it was beautiful and brilliant.

As the fireworks in the east wing shot up into the sky one by one, not only did the residents of the Siheyuan run into the yard to watch, but many families nearby also ran out.

Lou Xiao'e returned to the backyard and walked out of the house. Seeing the fireworks rising from the east wing, she felt a little heavy.

Although they are all women, there is a huge difference in their fates.

She married the wrong person.

As for Liu Wanqing, she married Shen Zhiping and lived a life that was no worse than when she was a girl in her parents' home. Thinking of the time when she first met Shen Zhiping in the courtyard, Lou Xiaoe felt very heartbroken.

She felt that her life was really bad.

The fireworks were beautiful, and Shen Zhiping and Liu Wanqing’s lives were also beautiful, but she could only watch from the side.

The deaf old lady came out of the house at some point and stood beside Lou Xiao'e. She suddenly said, "Xiao'e, are you a little envious?"

When Lou Xiao'e heard what the deaf old lady said, she turned her head to look at her, said nothing, and went straight back to the house.

She now has only one attitude towards the deaf old lady, which is to ignore her.

No matter what the old lady's plan is, as long as she remains unmoved, then no matter how you plan, it will be in vain.

The deaf old lady looked at Lou Xiao'e and ignored her, and went straight back to the house, without any change in her expression.

Old ladies like her are usually accustomed to pretending to be deaf and dumb. They can simply pretend not to hear anything they don't want to hear. This skill of cultivating energy is quite overbearing.

Lou Xiao'e's attitude had no effect on the deaf old lady at all.

"Why can't you understand my good intentions?"

The deaf old lady sighed, and looked at the fireworks that were still rising in the east wing in front of her. There was a look of joy on her face that her plan was about to succeed.

In her opinion, the happier Shen Zhiping and Liu Wanqing are, the more touched Lou Xiao'e will be.

By then, as long as she adds fuel to the fire, this silly girl will be doomed to be unable to escape from his grasp and will be destined to become the wife of her silly Zhuzi.

Lou Xiao'e naturally didn't know the deaf old lady's conspiracy, but she was indeed very uncomfortable. Just as the deaf old lady thought, the happier Shen Zhiping and Liu Wanqing were, the more turbulent Lou Xiao'e's heart became.

Women love to compare the most.

As a woman, why are you so happy?

This kind of thought can easily appear in the minds of most women.

However, the deaf old lady didn’t know that Lou Xiao’e was not one of the majority of women, she was another kind of woman.

A little silly, a little naive.

She did envy Liu Wanqing for meeting such a good man like Shen Zhiping, but she was not jealous or resentful, she only wished her the best.

Although she encountered a scumbag like Xu Damao, she did not complain about it.

Women don't have to rely on men, nor can they live without men.

……

"This Engineer Shen is really willing to give up!"

"How much does it cost to have so many fireworks?"

At the gate of the Yan family's front yard, Yan Bugui and Yang Ruihua, as well as their children, were watching the fireworks over the east wing with envy.

"Dad, are we going to pay New Year's greetings to Engineer Shen tomorrow?"

While watching the fireworks in the east courtyard, Yan Jiecheng suddenly asked a question in a low voice.

Yan Bugui thought for a moment and said, "Yes!"

"I am of the same generation as Engineer Shen. You are a generation shorter than Engineer Shen!"

"Especially you, Jie Cheng. Don't think that just because you are about the same age as Engineer Shen, you are from the same generation as him!"

"You must show enough respect to Engineer Shen!"

Yan Bugui specifically mentioned his eldest son. He also hoped that Shen Zhiping could introduce a formal job to Yan Jiecheng.

Therefore, before this, Yan Jiecheng must maintain enough respect for Shen Zhiping.

"Oh!"

Yan Jiecheng responded indifferently and did not argue with Yan Bugui.

If this had happened in the past, he would have definitely fought for it.

But now, Yan Jiecheng is thinking about whether he can receive New Year's money when he goes to pay New Year's greetings.

You said he was already an adult?

Sorry, as long as you haven’t got married, you are not considered an adult.

What's more, he doesn't even have a formal job!

Yan Jiecheng had his own plans, and so did his brothers. However, Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiekuang did not think so much.

The two brothers, who were still children, thought that they would definitely receive lucky money when they went to pay New Year's greetings.

As for Yan Jie Di, the little girl of the Yan family, she is still young and hasn't made so many calculations. She just feels that if she kowtows to her elders and wishes them a happy new year, she will definitely receive lucky money.

……

Middle Court.

Yi Zhonghai and his wife did not leave the house. At their age, they actually had no interest in this kind of fireworks.

He Yushui ran out of the house, watching the fireworks blooming one after another, jumping and dancing excitedly.

At the Jia family's side, Banggeng and Xiaodang were also watching the fireworks in the yard.

Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu did not come out.

Qin Huairu is still in confinement after giving birth, so naturally she won't go out.

As for Jia Zhang, she was not interested in this.

Banggeng is also a tough guy. He was beaten badly by Qin Huairu, but now he has recovered.

He looked at the gorgeous fireworks and wanted to set them off.

However, given the current situation of the Jia family, how could he have fireworks when he didn't even have a whip?
The Jia family had a rather lonely New Year.

Although we also ate dinner before going to bed, there was only a little bit of meat flavor.

Jia Zhang had money, but she was reluctant to spend it.

In her mind, this money was her retirement money and her coffin money. Even though she had promised Qing Huairu to split it equally, Jia Zhang still broke her promise.

But now, Jia Zhang had to fulfill her promise, because if she continued to make trouble, Qin Huairu would really have to remarry.

If Qin Huairu remarries, the Jia family will collapse.

"Grandma, can you give me a dime?"

"I want to buy a whip!"

Knowing that he had no chance of getting the stick for the fireworks, he could only find Jia Zhang and make a humble request.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhang did not refuse.

This is the only child and the only precious grandson of the Jia family.

It’s New Year’s Day, so setting off some firecrackers is reasonable and appropriate.

"Thank you grandma, you're the best!"

When he received the ten cents given by Jia Zhang, Bang Geng immediately flattered Jia Zhang.

Qin Huairu was lying on the kang. When she heard the conversation between the grandparents and grandchildren, the corners of her mouth twitched, but her eyes did not move at all.

Qin Huairu really had no expectations for Jia Zhang.

She had a miscarriage and was so weak, but in order to save money, Jia Zhang took her out of the hospital.

Admittedly, she could have resisted and refused at that time, but Qin Huairu did not do so. She was using these things to chill her heart.

Good people being bullied!
She was too kind before!
That's why she was always bullied by the evil mother-in-law Jia Zhang.

But now, not anymore!
In the past, she was very soft-hearted and accommodating to Banggeng in various ways.

But now, she will no longer be soft-hearted, nor will she indulge Bang Geng anymore.

Jia Zhang did not notice the change in Qin Huairu's expression, because Qin Huairu's face quickly returned to calm, and she showed no interest in anything around her.

"Huairu!"

Jia Zhang looked at the calm Qin Huairu, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "In the past, it was my fault as the mother-in-law."

"Today is Chinese New Year, tomorrow is the first day of the Chinese New Year, it's a new year!"

"Our Jia family can only rely on the two of us widows to support us now. I apologize to you. From now on, I promise to listen to you!"

(End of this chapter)