Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

When Qin Huairu saw the expectant looks on Banggeng and Xiaodang's faces, tears welled up in her eyes.

She wiped away her tears, ruffled the curls of the club, and comforted it:

"Bang Geng, let's not go, okay? When Mom gets her salary this month, she'll definitely find a way to buy you some meat."

"No! No! I want to eat meat, I want to eat meat now, if you don't let me eat meat today, I won't eat any more food."

Bang Geng slapped Qin Huairu's hand away, plopped down on the ground, and started rolling around, not caring how dirty the ground was.

Although Banggeng is only seven years old, he has been smart since he was a child. He knows very well that his aunt's family usually doesn't give them meat. He and his mother had been kicked out several times before when they went to ask for meat. Only this time when his maternal grandparents came did his aunt and uncle give him meat.

Seeing this, Qin Huairu's tears fell like raindrops, as if they were free. She gritted her teeth and said to the stick:

"Banggeng, get up! Mom will take you, okay?"

"Yay, we get to eat meat!"

Banggeng shouted happily and quickly stood up from the ground.

Seeing this, Jia Zhangshi revealed a cunning smile. She had taught Bang Geng to throw a tantrum, and she knew that Qin Huairu would fall for it. As long as Bang Geng and Xiao Dang were around, she had Qin Huairu firmly under her control.

Previously, Banggeng was kidnapped by a womanizer, and Xiaodang wasn't influential enough. She was really afraid that Qin Huairu would just remarry someone else. But now it's different. Banggeng is back. With such a big bargaining chip as Banggeng, it's a piece of cake for her to control Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu placed the large bowl on the table. Seeing that Bang Geng's clothes were all dirty, she quickly brought over his clothes and said:

"Bang Geng, your clothes are too dirty. Change them quickly. Mom is taking you to your aunt's house for dinner."

"Mom, I'll change it right away."

Upon hearing this, Banggeng immediately went to his aunt's house to eat meat. He was incredibly well-behaved, quickly taking off his clothes and putting on clean clothes without taking a minute.

"Mom, I've changed my clothes, let's go quickly," Banggeng urged.

Qin Huairu nodded, picked up Xiao Dang from the bed, took one of them by the hand, and walked out of the room.

When Jia Zhangshi saw that Qin Huairu hadn't even taken the large bowl, she thought, "How can this be? They can't go out and eat and drink to their hearts' content while I stay at home eating cornbread."

She quickly picked up the large bowl and called out to Qin Huairu, who had already walked out the door.

"Wait, Qin Huairu, you forgot to bring your bowl. Remember to bring back more meat for me, and also bring back any leftovers you've eaten."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu turned around, sighed, and said firmly:

"Mom, if you ask me to bring a bowl over, I won't go. Don't worry, if there's any meat left, I'll bring some back for you."

"Alright, alright, you guys go ahead, but don't forget about your mother."

Seeing Qin Huairu's determined look, Madam Jia knew she couldn't push her any further. Otherwise, if Qin Huairu really didn't go, she wouldn't get a single piece of meat.

Qin Huairu nodded, then pulled Banggeng and Xiaodang along as they headed towards Wang Feng's house.

"Banggeng, Xiaodang, you two need to be polite later. Remember to greet your Third Grandfather and Third Grandmother when you see them, understand?"

"Mom, I understand, don't worry," Banggeng said with a smile.

"Grandpa, Grandma."

Little Dang's babyish voice was actually quite cute.

The Jia family's house was only a few steps away from Wang Feng's. The three of them quickly arrived at Wang Feng's house. Seeing that the door was open, they immediately saw Uncle and Aunt drinking tea inside. Qin Huairu, holding Banggeng and Xiaodang's hands, walked towards the house, shouting into it as she went:

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt."

When Qin's parents heard Qin Huairu's voice, they turned their heads and saw Qin Huairu leading Banggeng and Xiaodang into the house.

"It's Huai Ru."

Qin's parents nodded indifferently to Qin Huairu, not showing much enthusiasm. They had heard from Wang Feng about Qin Huairu's current character, and they didn't have a good impression of their niece.

Wang Feng wasn't surprised to see the three arrive. He would have found it strange if Qin Huairu hadn't come today, since even if she didn't want to, Bang Geng and Jia Zhangshi would have forced her to come—that's the Jia family's usual practice.

Seeing that her third uncle and aunt weren't very welcoming, Qin Huairu quickly tugged at Banggeng and Xiaodang's sleeves and whispered a reminder:

"Hey, Xiao Dang, hurry up and call for help."

Banggeng and Xiaodang kept swallowing as they looked at the White Rabbit candies, peanuts, melon seeds, and fruit on the table. Hearing their mother's reminder, Banggeng snapped out of his daze and quickly said:

"Hello, Third Grandfather! Hello, Third Grandmother!"

"Grandpa, Grandma."

"Okay, okay."

Qin's parents managed a weak smile. Although they were furious about Qin Huairu's actions, the two children were innocent, and they couldn't let their anger affect them.

"Hey, what about your uncle? Why aren't you calling him?" Qin Huairu reminded her again.

"Hello, Uncle."

Wang Feng felt a little uncomfortable when Bang Geng called him "Uncle-in-law," but since Jing Ru's parents were present, he could only force a smile.

Seeing this, Qin's father took four White Rabbit milk candies from the fruit plate, gave two to Banggeng and two to Xiaodang.

"Bang Geng, Xiao Dang, you can have this candy."

"Thank you, Third Grandfather."

Banggeng quickly took the White Rabbit milk candy, feeling very happy.

"Thank you... Grandpa."

Little Dang called out in a childish voice, took the White Rabbit milk candy, and stuffed it into his pocket.

Qin Huairu sat opposite her father with a smile and asked, "Third Uncle, isn't it spring plowing season? How come you and Third Aunt have time to come to the city to see Jingru?"

When Qin Huairu sat down, Qin's father knew immediately that she wanted to stay for dinner, which made him feel very uncomfortable. No wonder Jingru and Wang Feng, who lived in the same courtyard as her, did not want to associate with her. However, she was still his niece, so he couldn't just kick her out.

Seeing this, Qin's mother smiled and said, "Huai Ru, we heard that Jing Ru is pregnant. As her parents, no matter how busy we are, we have to come and see Jing Ru."

"Yes, yes, Auntie is right." Qin Huairu nodded hurriedly.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Her third uncle, third aunt, and Wang Feng didn't ask her to stay for dinner, leaving her unsure whether to leave or stay.