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

"Oh, then I'm off." Niu Dazhuang didn't press the matter further; he also needed to make a trip to Mentougou.

There were still top-grade deer antlers left, but Niu Dazhuang didn't take them out; instead, he tucked a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes between his legs.

Scarcity always makes things valuable, especially now that transportation is so underdeveloped.

For long-distance drivers like them, good things from other places are readily available and they don't find them anything special. But for ordinary people, it's a different story.

"Haha! Brother Niu, it's been half a year, you've probably forgotten about your old brother!"

"I haven't forgotten you, brother. I'm off to help with the construction of the Ming Tombs Reservoir!" he said, placing the cigarette wrapped in newspaper on his desk.

"Come on in, no need to be so polite!"

"I'm not just being polite. I haven't come to see you in half a year, so I can't come empty-handed! And it's not anything good either."

Factory Director Yang casually opened the drawer and put the cigarettes inside: "I was thinking of buying some more deer antler from you; this is just the right amount. It's a pity you haven't been on a business trip for half a year!"

"Brother Yang, I'm going to help with the construction. Our unit's routes to the Northeast haven't stopped."

"That's true! Are you asking someone for help? Is it convenient?"

"It's convenient, what's inconvenient about it? We're all from the same company, we all need each other's help!"

"Then I'll trouble you, brother. You need as much as last time; more would be even better."

"Before the New Year, I'll get it for you before the New Year."

"Haha... Brother Niu, it's always a pleasure to deal with you. This time, I'll take several tons."

"Ten tons first, and another ten tons before the New Year."

Factory Director Yang pointed at Niu Dazhuang with his finger: "Young people are quick-witted." After saying that, he started approving the slips of paper.

This reminded Niu Dazhuang that he could make a profit if he bought it on the black market at that price. But then he thought, he wasn't short of money right now.

Practice makes perfect. I paid the money first, then went to the transportation department. The ten tons were divided into two parts: five tons were sent to my own home, and five tons were sent to the old man.

Having secured the coal for the winter, Niu Dazhuang's trip was essentially complete. He returned to Director Yang's office, said goodbye, and rode his bicycle home.

Yesterday afternoon, the two sisters, Qin Yueru and Qin Ningru, surrendered. After dinner, they went out early in the morning.

Although it's a bit chilly to stay in the yard this time of year, it's better than being alone at home with nothing to do.

Niu Dazhuang's appearance in the courtyard at night was also purposeful; he and Su Ting understood each other with just a glance from afar.

In the middle of the night, Niu Dazhuang sneaked out. He was about to use his knife to pry open the door when he found that the door wasn't locked.

Pretending to be dazed is nowhere near as stimulating as being fully awake. No wonder she's a pillar of the performing arts troupe; even yoga practitioners in later generations are more standard in this regard.

What is this "Golden Rooster Standing on One Leg", what is this "Turning the World Upside Down", what is this "Holding the Moon in One's Arms", what is this "Striking a Cow Across a Mountain"?

Niu Dazhuang had a great time that night; women with good physical and emotional coordination offer a unique kind of pleasure.

From the kang (heated brick bed) in the inner room, to the chairs in the outer room, and then to the stove...

Finally, Su Ting, wearing only an apron, fainted in Niu Dazhuang's arms.

After a while, Su Ting finally woke up. When she opened her eyes, her big eyes were unfocused and she looked confused.

The man grinning foolishly in front of her was not only powerful but also incredibly resourceful, leaving her utterly powerless to retaliate. That's when she truly fainted.

"Why...why haven't you left yet!"

"I don't trust you, huh? Why are you kicking me out right after we've had our fun?"

"I didn't chase you away." Su Ting tilted her head and looked out the window. "It's almost dawn."

"It's good that you're awake. I'm leaving now, don't think about me."

"I don't even want to think about you." This time, Su Ting was completely smitten.

When Niu Dazhuang returned, he started making breakfast in the backyard. He had been up all night and needed to eat some good food.

I also made breakfast for the three sisters in the house. They ate five boiled eggs and two large bowls of rice porridge in one go, and then took a nap in the outer room.

Around 10 a.m., after saying goodbye to his women, Niu Dazhuang rode his bicycle back to Changping County. Su Wan had told Niu Dazhuang on the way that she would be staying at her workplace for a few days to coordinate winter supplies. Therefore, Niu Dazhuang had to go back first.

Niu Dazhuang left, and the courtyard became lively again. Qin Xueru's groceries arrived, and they couldn't fit them all on one cart. Three cartloads of groceries were delivered, along with a large magnetic humming hood that was as thick as a five-person arm and more than half a person's height.

When the neighbors asked Qin Xueru about all the vegetables they had, she said they were all for making pickled vegetables and preserved vegetables.

The neighbor aunties were unhappy.

The third aunt spoke first. "Hey Dazhuang's family, if you were like everyone else, pickling a whole vat of salted vegetables, we wouldn't say anything. But you've got three big cartloads! Your family will have to pay a lot more for water this month."

There was only one water meter in the entire courtyard. Usually, everyone paid according to the number of people. Today, the Niu family bought so many vegetables. Shouldn't all the vegetables on the three-cartload cart be washed with water? Washing them once wouldn't be enough.

Before Qin Xueru could even speak, Qin Yueru retorted with her hands on her hips, "Why should our family pay more? If you want to do it, then do it. We're not stopping you."

"Hey! Qin Yueru, you seem to be here as a guest. You're not from the Niu family, so what's it to you?" The third aunt wasn't jealous.

"Third Aunt, how can this have nothing to do with me? My Eighth Sister's family's business is my business. How dare you bully an old person?" Qin Yueru was not at all outdone in terms of momentum.

"Hey, let everyone be the judge. Your family used more water this month, so you should pay extra."

"You see we're washing vegetables a lot? Who knows how much water you use in your front yard? According to you, does that mean everyone has to pay extra for laundry? Besides, my brother-in-law hasn't been home much for over six months, and we've still paid a lot for water."

This is something that's hard to explain.

"Why are you being so unreasonable, you little brat! Go away, I'm talking to Xue Ru."

"What my seventh sister said is exactly what I mean." At home, you can call her Seventh Sister, but in front of outsiders, you must call her Sister.

The three aunties craned their necks, looking for help. They glanced at Qi Da and Zhang Da from the next courtyard, but the women quickly turned their heads away. They were all shrewd and had long since experienced how unreasonable Niu Dazhuang could be.

The three women muttered under their breath, "Hey, they're using me as a pawn." But Qin Yueru's retort left them somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing Qin Huairu, who was heavily pregnant and watching the commotion, he said, "Huairu, aren't you going to do anything about your own sister? How can you talk to your elders like that!"

"Elder? Who are you to call yourself an elder? Our Qin family doesn't have an elder as petty as you!"

"Alright, Yue Ru, shut up. Third Aunt, look at all these people in the compound, do you think you're the only one who can figure things out? Why don't the others say anything?" Qin Huai Ru said, trying to both appease and criticize.

"I... I guess I was just meddling. I think from now on, your Qin family should be in charge of this compound."

"We don't have time to meddle in the affairs of the compound. Living our own lives is more important than anything else. Don't talk nonsense." Qin Yueru's words were always perfectly reasonable.

The three women were so angry that their asthma almost flared up, and they stormed back to the front yard.