Courtyard houses: Those who are capable are rewarded, and many children bring many blessings.

After saying that, Sha Zhu looked at Niu Dazhuang with a playful gaze. Little did he know, Niu Dazhuang didn't care at all.

"I know! Why are you still waiting for me to give you a reward?" Niu Dazhuang teased, seeing Sha Zhu staring straight at him.

"Don't you have any thoughts?"

"What are you thinking? It's just my cousin's wedding, right? As one of the few family members on her side, I definitely have to be there!" Little did he know that Cai Quanwu, who usually seemed quiet, had already embellished his story with Xu Huizhen and told Sha Zhu the whole story.

"Brother-in-law, when did you get a cousin in Beijing? How come I didn't know?"

Sha Zhu has achieved his goal. Let's see how Niu Dazhuang explains this to his wife.

I'm still single, and you have a wife and a sister-in-law, and they're all incredibly beautiful. Why am I so unhappy about this?

Sha Zhu isn't really stupid. If he can beat someone, he'll go straight for them, like Xu Damao. If he can't beat someone, we'll take a roundabout approach.

"There's a lot you don't know. Go kill your fish!"

"Damn it! Comrade Niu Dazhuang, you can watch Ningru kill fish, but why are you being so rude!" Sha Zhu continued to provoke.

"Silly Zhu, this is none of your business. Why are you trying to sow discord within our family? Brother-in-law, let's go home!"

"Wow! I'm exhausted! Brother-in-law, you're so good at managing a household, teach me!" Seeing Qin Ningru's attitude, Jia Dongxu, who was standing to the side, was extremely envious.

They're both daughters of the Qin family, so why is there such a big difference between them?

Niu Dazhuang, having won a complete victory, glanced triumphantly at Sha Zhu and swayed back to the west courtyard.

Once home, Niu Dazhuang carried the stove to the doorway and opened the damper. He then began preparing the ingredients, including scallions, ginger, and garlic.

The iron wok started to smoke. Niu Dazhuang poured in a copper ladle of peanut oil to sauté the oil, then added the fish. With a sizzle, he poured in soy sauce, vinegar, a capful of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), added water to cover the two carp, and then put the lid on the wok.

"Brother-in-law, come inside!" In just a short while, Ningru told Xueru about what happened at the Central Courtyard.

It's one thing to keep things unspoken, but now that an outsider has brought it up, Qin Xueru has no choice but to ask.

"Xu Huizhen is the woman you found outside, how come she's married now?" Qin Xueru asked bluntly.

Niu Dazhuang quickly waved his hand: "No, it's not true. She's trying to trick me. Your man is the one who's been wronged."

Qin Ningru was amused by Niu Dazhuang's expression, which resembled that of a wronged little wife, and she couldn't help but giggle.

"Brother-in-law, how did you get tricked? You're a grown man, and you're strong enough to fight back. The woman is the one who's going to suffer. I bet Xu Huizhen is hurt."

"The day she got me drunk..." He doesn't hide anything from his woman.

Niu Dazhuang confessed, and instead of chaos, he received praise from Qin Xueru: "Hmph! At least you still have a conscience. Ningru, give it your all tonight!"

"Ugh, why am I always the one who ends up getting hurt? No way, I should rest tonight!"

"Take a rest. I have some errands to run tonight and won't be back."

"Oh! Is that so? Then can I skip the rest?"

"No way! You want to stay in bed and be lazy tomorrow?"

Seeing Ningru pouting, Niu Dazhuang said, "I'll be back tomorrow, how about I take you out to play?"

"Didn't you go to Tiananmen Square last time? Are you going again?"

"Silly girl, there are so many fun places in Beijing. Get a good rest tonight, and I'll take you out to play tomorrow."

Ningru looked at Xueru with a questioning gaze.

"Your brother-in-law already said you should go, but my third sister and I aren't coming. We can't stand the smell of the bus!"

Two carp were stewing on the stove until the bones were soft, then I took them down. I went to the backyard to call the old man and the others over for a couple of drinks…

After dinner, everyone left, but Niu Dazhuang dawdled until after nine o'clock before finally going out.

I haven't been to Chen Xueru's house much lately, but I need to talk to her about something tonight.

When Chen Xueru saw him arrive, she wasn't as enthusiastic as she had imagined. Instead, she spoke coldly, "Oh, Niu Dazhuang is here. What brings you here, little lady?"

Niu Dazhuang sat down next to her and put his arm around her: "I've been a bit busy lately, so I haven't been able to come as often. Don't be angry."

What can we do but appease them?

Chen Xueru tried to break free, but despite her efforts, she couldn't escape Niu Dazhuang's clutches.

The more she struggled, the more excited Niu Dazhuang became...

"Damn it! You little slut, this is the only outfit I have, and I'm wearing it to Xu Huizhen's wedding tomorrow."

"Serves you right! You have a bed, but you insist on sitting on the sofa."

"Did Xu Huizhen send you a message?"

"Ah...can I not give it to you!"

"I want to get back at that crooked-necked Cai Quanwu!"

"What did he do to offend them?!"

"He offended me. I just can't stand his smug attitude."

"That wouldn't be better, would it? You sleep with Xu Huizhen again, and give him a whole green hat!"

"Forget it! I'm just giving him some sweet nothings; I don't want him to fight me!"

"Fight to the death? You overestimate him. With his stubborn and unyielding nature, he wouldn't dare to fight you to the death."

"Don't underestimate anyone. The more ruthless someone is, the more dangerous they can be! Besides, I don't mess with Xu Huizhen. She's too cunning. I've been tricked by her before."

"Hehe... Look at you, so cowardly! Try using the same methods you used to discipline me on Xu Huizhen, and I guarantee she'd be even more obedient than me. Why can't you use your own strengths and talents!"

"You're different from Xu Huizhen. I can't give her what she wants, so I can only stay far away from her. Let's think about something else."

"Ah... be gentle, Yongmei, come to my rescue..."

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. The next day, Chen Xueru was bedridden, and Niu Dazhuang went out to buy a gift.

I was aimlessly riding my bicycle around when I somehow ended up in Liulichang. Since I was already there, I figured I might as well take a look around; I wasn't in a rush to buy a gift anyway.

Rongbaozhai, a century-old brand! Just look up and you're in.

"Oh!" I ran into someone I know.

"Xiao Ye, are you working here?"

"Hehe! I've only been working here a few days and I've already run into an acquaintance. What a coincidence! Brother Niu, are you interested in calligraphy and painting?"

"Xiao Ye, we don't even know who's older yet, I can't accept being called 'brother'!"

"Brother Niu, 'brother' is a respectful title, like the old way of addressing someone as 'master'!" Xiao Ye explained.

"Oh, I see. A friend of mine is getting married, and I didn't know what gift to give her, so I came here."

"Is your friend interested in antiques?"

"It's something I'd call an interest or hobby, any recommendations?"

At this moment, Xiao Ye leaned forward again and whispered, "Are we close?"

"Best buddy, what's wrong?" Of course we're best buddies, we've slept together, even if Niu Dazhuang wasn't willing. But we did have some deep discussions about life. He sobered up later, didn't he?

"Alright then, come with me!" With that, Xiao Ye led Niu Dazhuang into the backyard.