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

When Chen Xueru saw Dazhuang studying the swing on the grape trellis in the yard, she knew what he was up to.

"Zhang Ma, you can take Xiao Kui to Huizhen's house. You and Yongmei can stay there and take care of the child tonight. You don't need to come back."

"Okay, I'll pack my things."

Chen Xueru never hid her inner desires. Last time they were under the grape trellis, she felt a special kind of pleasure.

After sending Zhang Ma away, she swayed her slender waist and came over. When she reached the grape trellis, Niu Dazhuang was already sitting on the swing, ready to go.

After swinging back and forth on the swing for half an hour, Xu Huizhen pushed the door open and came in: "You guys are really careless! You didn't even lock the door properly! What if someone came in? Where would you put your faces then?"

"Oh... I knew you'd be here soon. Opening the door for you again would disrupt the flow, wouldn't it?"

What a feast for the eyes! The sun is almost setting, and the game is only now in its halftime break...

After dinner, the three of them sat under the grape trellis to admire the moon. How could they appreciate the moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival without osmanthus wine and mooncakes? After a few drinks, their spirits soared even higher.

The moon wasn't even shy anymore; it hid behind the clouds and wouldn't come out...

On the morning of August 16th, I ate at Chen Xueru's house before returning home, and left Qin Xueru another hundred yuan.

"Don't worry about the moving. I've already arranged everything. Move to the backyard. See if you need anything new and go buy it. As for any physical labor, wait for me to come back and do it..."

"I know, I've said it eight hundred times already, hurry up and go, I'm tired of hearing it."

"Dazhuang, don't worry, we still have Jia Dongxu if things get really bad." Since Ningru and her sister left, Qin Huairu has become a regular visitor to their home again.

"By the way, isn't the place where you're building the reservoir in Changping? It shouldn't be too far from home, right? If you have time, go there and call the person back for me, so I don't have to write another letter."

"One is in the northeast of the county town, and the other is in the northwest of the county town. They're quite far apart."

"What do you mean 'far'? If it were far, our village wouldn't have sent anyone. You're just lazy!"

"Okay, okay, I'll make the trip, alright?"

"Why are you driving a truck? Why didn't you bring bicycles?" Qin Xueru reminded her.

I dawdled through lunch before returning to work.

Niu Dazhuang rocked the truck, waiting for Bai Hongyan and the others.

Bai Hongyan stood in front of a row of trucks, holding a small notebook, and loudly called out names. Once everyone was present, she gave the order, and the convoy set off in an orderly fashion.

Just like last time, Bai Hongyan was sitting next to Niu Dazhuang, but the person sitting next to the car door had changed.

"Where's the leader?" Niu Dazhuang asked.

"Sister Su's family has run into some trouble, and she's busy pulling strings. I got Yu Li to help me out. For the next few days, I'll be your boss, Comrade Dazhuang, so do your best!"

Since we parted ways last time, we haven't seen each other much. Meeting again felt like a lifetime had passed.

Yu Li had a long braid, with all the hair in the front pulled back, revealing a wide forehead. Her face was a little chubby, but her big eyes were still as beautiful as ever.

She was wearing a short, orchid-patterned jacket, probably an old one. Now that she had gained weight, the soft fabric at her chest stretched it up high, making the jacket look much smaller and revealing her slender waist.

Bai Hongyan nudged Niu Dazhuang with her elbow: "Hurry up and leave, or you'll see!"

Niu Dazhuang deliberately ignored Yu Li and started talking to Bai Hongyan, saying, "What happened to Vice President Su's family? If it's inconvenient to talk about it, then forget it."

"There's nothing inconvenient about it. To be precise, something happened to her sister's family. Her brother-in-law was labeled a rightist, and Sister Su is pulling strings to see if he can be rehabilitated in Beijing. Her brother-in-law was only concerned with his own words, and now look what happened!"

"Is it really necessary for President Su to get involved? Doesn't she have powerful connections?"

"Su Jie's father has said that it's good for his son-in-law to get some experience so he won't forget his mistakes. Su Jie should be back soon, at most a week. How was your Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"It's nothing special, except for a nice meal. Sister Bai, how about indulging in a treat every now and then?"

"Everyone is eating in the cafeteria now, how could I possibly cook for them separately?"

"I meant everyone together!"

"Of course I want to! Do you have a solution?"

"Hehe, since I asked, I must have a way," Niu Dazhuang said smugly.

"Contributing money? I have no objection. We'll discuss it when we get there."

"No, I don't need you to spend any money, you just need to do some work for me for a few days."

"Stay a few more days? That won't do. It's a one-size-fits-all job. If you leave, your car will stop running."

"Two radishes can be planted in one hole. Hehe..." Niu Dazhuang chuckled mischievously after saying that.

Although Bai Hongyan is usually hot and passionate, she had never experienced anything like this before. It took her a while to react.

He reached out and pinched Niu Dazhuang's waist.

At this moment, Yu Li also spoke up: "You can make a scene all you want, just pretend I don't exist."

"By the way, what's going on between you two? You haven't said a word to each other."

Yu Li, chin raised, said, "I exposed someone's little scheme, and they got angry out of embarrassment!"

"I'm like Jiang Taigong fishing—those who are willing will take the bait. Don't take yourself too seriously."

"What are you two talking about? Yu Li, what are you thinking that you've seen through? Da Zhuang isn't a petty person!"

"Hmph! Sister Bai, I was just telling you. I said he wanted to film me. He said I should take the bait. Do you think I'm that cheap?"

"Take a picture of you? What do you mean?" Bai Hongyan really didn't understand.

"In the slang of the alleyways, having a relationship with a girl is called 'shooting a woman.' You're asking Jiang Ziya to fish, why don't you use a straight hook?"

What was originally a tacit understanding among the three of them was now exposed by Yu Li, a novice, leaving Bai Hongyan at a loss for words.

Niu Dazhuang realized that the girl's words had a hidden meaning.

It's not the right time to ask in front of Bai Hongyan. Let's find another opportunity to probe and try something different.

Niu Dazhuang brought up the topic of improving their lives again.

"We have two maintenance guys with us this time, and they can drive too. Have them keep an eye on things for me for a few days, and I'll get you a big goat."

Upon hearing the mention of mountain goats, Bai Hongyan understood: "You mean, you went hunting in the mountains?"

"Now is the best time of year for hunting. The animals in the mountains are all fattening up for winter, and they are at their fattest and most delicious. I am a well-known hunter in our brigade, and I have never come back empty-handed from the mountains."

"You're bragging again. Will you die if you don't brag? I've been hunting in the mountains before, it's not as simple as you say." Bai Hongyan didn't believe him at all.

"Fine, don't believe me then."

"You left the team without permission. As the temporary leader, I can't make that decision. Let's wait for Sister Su to return!"

After passing Changping County and heading into the mountains, Niu Dazhuang once again started his mode of deliberately turning and swerving the steering wheel.