Courtyard House: Drunk and barging into the Xu family's house, I woke up numb.

"Then we will each contribute six yuan a month to you, as a way for my wife and I to do our part for the Yan family."

"The second option is to continue eating at your place, but we will have to enjoy the same treatment as our younger siblings and we won't have to pay for living expenses."

"Of course, we won't just freeload. Every month, we'll hand over half of our salary, just like before."

After speaking, Yu Li looked at Yan Bugui and the three aunts who were deep in thought.

"We will all have to live our own lives in the future, and we should always think about ourselves."

"Please consider these two options. Whether or not to separate is up to you."

"If none of you agree, then I'll go all out and go to Second Uncle to convene a general meeting of the entire courtyard so that everyone can judge the matter."

Yu Li directly passed the buck, which boils down to one thing: they want financial power.

Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up when he heard Yu Li's two proposals; his wife was indeed clever.

Knowing that it wouldn't be easy to regain full control of the finances, they decided to take back half first, which basically meant removing the requirement to pay living expenses.

In this way, they can control half of their monthly salary, which adds up to 28 yuan.

After deducting some extra expenses, I can save at least twenty yuan this month, which doubles my savings.

Yan Bugui and the Third Aunt were both very troubled by the two proposals. It wasn't that they had a hard time choosing, but rather that the proposals didn't suit their tastes.

Regardless of which proposal they agree to, they will receive one less dollar each month, which makes them somewhat resentful.

"Jie Cheng, Yu Li, how about adding another five yuan?"

Before Yan Jiecheng could speak, Yu Li, who was standing to the side, preemptively revealed her last trump card.

"Dad, Mom, these two options are my bottom line."

“If you don’t choose my option, then I can choose not to have children.”

"Wait until I'm able to support him, then you can start thinking about having a grandson!"

Chapter 210 The Third Aunt's Blood Pressure Soars, She Introduces Cao Xu to a Potential Partner! [Please Subscribe]

Yan Jiecheng smiled and saw Yan Bugui and his third aunt out of the house, and even dutifully took care of his third aunt as she returned home.

On the way, they met Old Xu from next door, who praised him for being filial and looked at Yan Bugui with envy, saying that he had raised a good son and was very fortunate.

Yan Bugui forced a smile in response, while the three women beside him remained silent with dark faces.

Yan Jiecheng was indeed shameless in accepting the praise, and even acted very innocent, saying that these were things that children should do.

This whole situation left the elderly Yan couple speechless; they had finally witnessed just how shameless their son was.

The expressions of the family of three puzzled their neighbor, Old Xu. Had he said something wrong?

After Yan Jiecheng dropped the person off at home, he left. Yan Bugui went inside, sat down in a chair, and began to sulk.

After the third aunt came into the house, she poured a glass of water, took the blood pressure medication that she didn't usually take from the table, and swallowed it.

She felt that if she didn't take some medicine, her blood pressure would skyrocket.

He'd spent his whole life hunting eagles, only to have his eye pierced by one. Today, his eldest son and daughter-in-law had truly opened their eyes.

She lost ten yuan in just one meal. How many cardboard boxes would she have to make up for it?

In those days, neighborhood committees in Beijing had various side businesses, such as folding pages, binding books, making paper boxes, embroidery, patching, sewing, and so on.

A few of these manual labor jobs are done in workshops, but most jobs are not.

Therefore, most workers would take the semi-finished products home to complete them and deliver them within the stipulated time.

Such jobs are mainly assigned to residents from relatively poor families, mostly housewives without formal employment.

The purpose of doing this was simply to let them earn some pocket money to supplement their household income, and pasting cardboard boxes was one of the most common ways to make a living.

While they are called paper boxes, they are actually more accurately described as paper products, including paper boxes and paper bags.

Cardboard boxes include those for medicine, locks, and tools, as well as bags and paper sleeves, such as crepe paper sleeves for light bulbs and tubes, and paper bags of various sizes.

Back then, there were no plastic bags; everything was packaged in paper products, so the required quantity was extremely high.

The unit price also varies depending on the type; for many cardboard boxes and bags, you only get one cent for every few you make.

Doing these jobs in my spare time, I might only earn three or five cents after working for most of the day.

The three women thought about it and realized that even if they were to make a paper box that cost five cents each, which was relatively expensive, they would have to make two thousand boxes to earn ten dollars, which would take more than half a month.

This calculation meant she had worked for nothing for half a month. Thinking about this, the third aunt started to feel dizzy again and couldn't help but complain about her old man.

"Why do you insist on paying that 50 cents for the bicycle fee?"

"Now it's all over. I didn't make five cents, and I'm losing ten dollars every month. I'm losing money either way."

"This is truly a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead; it's been years since I've done such a losing business."

Yan Bugui said in a muffled voice.

"I never thought they would pull this stunt. Separating the family property—this must have been Yu Li's idea."

The three aunties nodded in agreement.

"You're right, in my opinion it's Yu Li who corrupted us."

“Our eldest son is such an honest and filial child, how could he have come up with such an idea?”

"You really learn by observing what you're taught. She usually seems so honest and unassuming, but when it really matters, she's more cunning than anyone else."

While the elderly couple were sulking, Yan Jiecheng returned home and hugged Yu Li as soon as he entered.

"Oh my, my dear wife, you were really amazing today."

"My parents have never suffered such a loss in all these years."

Yu Li was scared and patted Yan Jiecheng's head to signal him to put her down.

"Alright, let them suffer this in silence. It was the reputation I built up over the past three years that I got to do it."

"In the future, I'm afraid I'll become a wicked daughter-in-law who schemes against her in-laws and corrupts her husband in their eyes."

After exchanging a few casual words, the conversation returned to Yu Li's younger sister, Yu Haitang.

"Jiecheng, do you think it would be okay for me to introduce my sister to Cao Xu?"

"If Cao Xu becomes our brother-in-law, then we won't be afraid of anyone in this courtyard anymore."

Yan Jiecheng pondered for a moment and said.

"Haitang works at the radio station, which is part of the publicity department. She also graduated from high school, so in that respect, they are quite a good match."

"It's just that Haitang is more than three years older than Cao Xu. After her birthday in May, Haitang will be twenty-four. I don't think Cao Xu will agree."

· ·······Requesting flowers···· ······

Yu Li disagreed.

"I don't think so. I think they are a good match. So what if she is three years older? A woman three years older is like a gold brick."

"Haitang is quite beautiful, one of the best among the women in your steel mill. Didn't you tell me before that our Haitang is the factory beauty?"

"Cao Xu is one of the best among the young men in your factory. Two outstanding people together are a match made in heaven."

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiecheng felt that his wife was being a bit like a peddler praising his own wares.

"Haitang is indeed quite beautiful, but she's no longer our factory's most beautiful girl."

"A female doctor named Ding Qiunan came to our factory clinic before the Lunar New Year. Ever since she arrived, the factory's most beautiful girl has changed hands."

......... ......... ...

“A few days ago, a deputy director named Xia Jie came to our factory’s security department. She is just as good as Ding Qiunan, each with her own strengths.”

“Especially that Ding Qiunan, I heard from others that she went to the security office to see Cao Xu several times and even brought him clothes.”

"I reckon she might be pursuing Cao Xu, and they might even be together now."

"So, if you want to introduce your sister to Cao Xu, you'd better find out more about her first."

Yu Li waved her hand.

"What's the big deal? Being good-looking doesn't put food on the table."

"My sister is equally adept at social graces and domestic skills; she is knowledgeable and insightful, unlike most women."

"As for Ding Qiunan, it's not a problem as long as she doesn't marry Cao Xu. We've all seen couples date today and break up tomorrow."

“Look at Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu from the Intermediate People’s Court. They used to be inseparable, but they’ve only been married for a few days and they’re already starting to argue about divorce.”

"Besides, I'm going to introduce him to someone, not to ruin his relationship with someone else."

"Even if he and Haitang don't end up together, he should still owe me a favor, right?"

Yan Jiecheng thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay, then ask Haitang when you see her tomorrow and see what she thinks."

"If Haitang agrees, I'll go and sound out Cao Xu's opinion and see if he's interested."

P.S.: Yu Haitang, the "playboy," is not one of the female leads; she's just there to introduce the plot.