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

"I'm an honest person, didn't you tell me to tell the truth?"

"You're an honest person? Then there are no bad people in this world!"

"Then tell me, what kind of person am I?"

"I think you're just a boorish man!"

"Haha...yes, from now on I'll call myself a roughneck!"

The two were whispering sweet nothings when a voice suddenly shouted from outside the door, "Su Wan, your water's boiling!"

Su Wan quickly broke free and walked outside.

Niu Dazhuang was a little worried. Living in a tenement building was worse than living in a large courtyard. There was no privacy at all. If he wanted to mess with Su Wan again, where would he find a safe place? In her office?

Su Wan filled the thermos, carried it in, and asked, "Tea or coffee?"

"Coffee? What's that?" Niu Dazhuang asked, feigning ignorance.

"You should try it! Foreigners like to drink it. I drink it like medicine; it's quite effective at boosting my energy." Then Su Wan changed the subject.

"You'd better not drink anymore. You're already so energetic even without it. If you drink some coffee too, it'll just kill you!"

"This thing can even enhance male potency?" Niu Dazhuang continued to play dumb.

"What are you thinking about? It's just something to perk you up; my mind is full of those things!"

"Hehe, as the ancients said, food and sex are human nature! That's what a normal person does. Pour me a drink, I'll try something new today."

Su Wan bent down from under the long cabinet, took out a tin box, scooped out a spoonful of sugar, and said, "Put the sugar in yourself!"

Aren't you going to drink it?

"I'm not drinking, I need to catch up on my sleep after you leave!" Su Wan could tell that Niu Dazhuang was reluctant to leave: "If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together every day?"

"Sister, I'm just a rough guy, can we please stop using fancy words when we talk?"

"I'll pull your head, you can't do that." With that, Su Wan started rummaging through the bookshelf.

"This is a book of Tang poems, and this is a book of Song lyrics. Take them home and study them carefully. I'm going to test you in a few days, and if you don't pass, I'll... I'll not let you touch me!"

"Damn it! You're so unreliable, can't you back out now?!"

"No, it's too late to back out now. You're quite studious, aren't you? You go to Bai Hongyan's place every day to learn Russian."

"You've already learned Russian, how can you not learn some of our own Chinese! Here, my requirements aren't high, just memorize one poem a week!"

Niu Dazhuang gulped down his coffee, grabbed two books, and ran off. If he stayed any longer, he wouldn't get any meat and might get another task.

After Niu Dazhuang left, Su Wan lay down on the bed and fell asleep without eating dinner, sleeping until dawn.

Niu Dazhuang had gotten so used to walking through the west side of the courtyard on his way home that he forgot about moving.

Upon entering, I saw a young woman cleaning the house with her backside sticking out; from behind, I knew she wasn't my woman.

Perhaps the young woman was engrossed in cleaning, or perhaps she was distracted, because she didn't hear anyone come in.

Niu Dazhuang's words startled everyone.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"

"Oh my god!" The voice is so beautiful, like the song of a nightingale.

I was so scared that I sat down on the ground.

She patted her chest, which wasn't particularly large or small. Turning her head, her almond-shaped eyes widened, she said, "That's the question I should be asking you."

Wow, this kind of clothing already exists in this era? It turns out this young woman is wearing some kind of martial arts outfit, the clothes clinging tightly to her body, perfectly outlining her curves.

She wasn't exactly voluptuous, but her proportions were pleasing to the eye, especially her long, straight legs.

The young woman noticed Niu Dazhuang's piercing gaze and quickly crossed her arms, saying warily, "Don't do anything rash, there are people all over the courtyard!"

Just then, a little girl, about ten years old, ran out from the inner room. She had two small braids and looked at Niu Dazhuang with her big eyes: "Mom, who is this person?"

The young woman quickly hugged the child to her arms: "Who are you?"

Niu Dazhuang finally realized what was happening: "Sorry, I used to live here, it was just on my way. You guys just moved here, right?"

"Since you've gone to the wrong place, please leave!"

Niu Dazhuang awkwardly touched his nose: "I'm really sorry, I live in the backyard. From now on, we're all neighbors. If you need any help, just let me know." After saying that, he turned to leave.

Walking to the window, Niu Dazhuang paused for a moment when he heard the young woman inside calling the little girl's name.

It's quite a lively scene. Zhao Xinmei and Niu Shurong have both appeared, so Qin Ling is just one more. If Zhou Xiaobai joins, it will be even more perfect.

Whether Zhou Xiaobai will appear is unknown; there's something even more exciting waiting for Niu Dazhuang.

When they reached the backyard, Qin Huairu was there too. Niu Dazhuang then told them about his trip to Qinjiawa.

"Don't worry about this, Third Sister. We'll go back together in a couple of days!"

"Alright, the sooner the better."

"You two are going back with such big bellies? I think you should forget it. You should wait until after you've given birth!"

"Ningru has been back for so many days and hasn't come back. I knew this would happen. She always takes the carriage. Write a letter to Niu Deshui, arrange a date, and have him pick us up in his donkey cart. Also, give me two hundred yuan!"

Since Qin Xueru wanted so much money, Niu Dazhuang could roughly guess what she was up to.

"I don't have that much on hand right now, I'll give it to you tomorrow. Whether it works out or not, don't get upset, man proposes, God disposes."

"You wish! You've already tormented Ningru to a pulp, don't you know what you've done to her? How can you be so irresponsible?" Qin Xueru scolded irritably.

"I was just afraid you'd get angry! Getting angry isn't good for the baby!"

"Just prepare the money, and don't worry about the rest. Oh, by the way, why are you back after only a few days away?"

"I got caught in a downpour on my way back from Qinjiawa and was stranded halfway. I'll go again once the road is repaired."

"Where's your bicycle? I can't find it."

"They were swept away by the flood."

"Ah..." The two sisters looked Niu Dazhuang up and down in unison.

"It's good that everyone is alright. We can just buy a new car."

Niu Dazhuang is a restless person; after dinner, he went out to have some fun again.

This further solidified Qin Xueru's determination to bring Ningru over. She had no choice but to bring her over; there was no woman in the house, and even Niu Dazhuang didn't live there anymore.

The next day at work, everyone was busy, but Niu Dazhuang had nothing to do. Now Niu Dazhuang had become someone no one cared about.

Just when he was at a loss, Su Wan arrived.

"Come to my office."

Niu Dazhuang didn't dare to be as playful as he was with Bai Hongyan. Instead, he looked very serious and obediently followed behind Su Wan.

Entering Su Wan's office

"I happen to have a bicycle ticket. Here's 180 yuan. I see you have nothing to do, so why don't you buy a bike today? It'll be more convenient when you need it."

"Hehe, it's good that this rough guy gets a bicycle!"

"Stop being silly and hurry up, I have things to do!"