Courtyard House: In this life, I have a new home!

Jia Zhangshi glared fiercely at Huaihua and Xiaodang with her triangular eyes. The two children were so frightened that they huddled together, not daring to breathe.

Qin Huairu didn't say anything, but reached out and took the steamed buns, putting one in each of her daughters' hands. There were still two white steamed buns left on the plate, and the rest were all hard cornbread, the kind that could give you a bump if you hit someone on the head.

She grabbed a cornbread, took a big bite, and then slurped up some corn porridge. There was also a plate of shredded green peppers and potatoes on the table; vegetables were cheap and affordable at this time of year.

What are you doing?

Madam Jia's eyes widened. "I said I wanted to eat it tomorrow morning, and you've let those two freeloaders get away with it!"

Qin Huairu sneered: "Mother-in-law, aren't you a woman yourself? So, according to your logic, aren't you also a money-losing burden?"

Madam Jia opened her mouth, but the words were choked back.

"Just behave yourself, I'll make sure you get a hot meal."

Qin Huairu's voice was neither cold nor warm, "If you cause any more trouble, don't blame me for being impolite. Stop bringing up the Jia family's work station and house; those were left to me by my husband. I've already been more than kind by supporting his mother and children. If things really come to a head, I'll send you back to your rural hometown, and no one will be able to find fault with me."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "Qin Huairu, you...you dare talk to me like that? Heavens above, I don't want to live anymore! Old Jia—"

"Mother-in-law, have you forgotten what it was like to spend seven days in the cowshed and a month in jail?"

Qin Huairu spoke casually, as if she were saying that the weather was nice today.

Madam Jia immediately shut her mouth, her face stiffening. She opened her mouth several times, but dared not call out "Old Jia" again.

.

"Oh, right, hand over my husband's compensation."

Qin Huairu smiled and said, "And the three yuan monthly pension will be gone from today."

"You, you..."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes were wide open, like copper bells.

"I've figured it out now. I was so naive before, and you guys had me completely under your thumb."

Qin Huairu said slowly, "Even if Jia Dongxu were alive, I don't intend to be so spineless anymore. Don't try to intimidate me with your status. This is a new society. Your old ways are no match for me. I could go to the neighborhood committee or the Women's Federation and have you paraded through the streets."

Madam Jia was completely dumbfounded. She never expected that Qin Huairu would be like a completely different person, managing to control her so thoroughly.

Qin Huairu knew in her heart that all of this was thanks to Li Weidong's words. She had overheard him say it casually at the factory, and that led her down a completely different path.

Qin Huairu used to mingle with men, exchanging her body for a little food to feed Jia Zhangshi's insatiable mouth and her three children. Even so, Jia Zhangshi never gave her a kind word.

But Qin Huairu is different now; she's devoted herself entirely to learning technical skills. During lunch breaks, while others take a nap, she goes to learn from the women's cadres. The more time she spends with the women's federation members, the more Qin Huairu understands. Sometimes, just a few more questions and the intricacies become crystal clear.

"Give me Jia Dongxu's compensation."

Qin Huairu said, word by word, "Our family is almost starving."

"Dream on! That belongs to my son—"

Jia Zhangshi's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"That's money my man earned with his life!"

Qin Huairu's voice was neither cold nor warm, "If you want to hold onto this money, fine, but don't expect me to take care of your food, drink, or anything else in the future."

"I'm not giving it to you, what can you do about it? If you don't give me some, I'll beat you to death!"

Jia Zhangshi raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

In the past, Qin Huairu would have been used to being slapped like that. Jia Zhangshi was using this method to try and scare Qin Huairu into becoming an obedient daughter-in-law.

But this time, Qin Huairu raised her hand and directly blocked Jia Zhangshi's pig paw, then slapped Jia Zhangshi across the face with her other hand.

With a crisp snap, the room fell silent.

Qin Huairu stood there, her eyes fixed on Jia Zhangshi. Jia Zhangshi opened her mouth, wanting to wail, but those eyes made her uneasy, and she swallowed back her sobs.

"This slap is on behalf of the guy."

Qin Huairu said, "You were craving food but didn't have money to buy it, so you made Banggeng steal it. You've turned a perfectly good child into a thief."

"Give me the money now. Otherwise, I'll sue you tomorrow. You'll have to give me the money back, and you'll be sent back to the countryside."

Madam Jia was completely dumbfounded. She opened her mouth to cry, but the thought that she couldn't wail and summon the soul made her lose all will to cry.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua huddled in the corner, each holding a steamed bun filled with stir-fried shredded potatoes and green peppers. They didn't dare lift their heads, just stuffing the buns into their mouths. What had just happened had terrified them.

"Fine, I don't need my retirement money anymore!"

Madam Jia softened, "That's my son's pension, I'm saving it for my coffin."

"Take out two hundred yuan first."

Qin Huairu took a step back, "I have to send something to Banggeng; he's having a hard time inside."

After much haggling, Jia Zhangshi, as if her flesh had been cut off, finally pulled out one hundred yuan and handed it to Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu's heart was in turmoil, partly because of the hundred yuan, but mostly because she finally had Jia Zhangshi under her control. From now on, she wouldn't have to suffer so much in this house anymore.

After finishing dinner, Li Weidong started making furniture and worked until four o'clock in the afternoon before stopping.

Lin Yurou and the other two went to bed early. The air was so stuffy that it was hard to breathe; the room was barely warm enough with the electric fan on.

Li Weidong has already finished building the wardrobe and chest of drawers in his bedroom, and has also set up the shelves and desk in his study.

The offering table in the main room has also been completed.

Yan Jiefang and Liu Guangtian lent a hand, and Li Weidong's work went much faster.

"Brother Dong, we're leaving now to rest."

Yan Jiefang bowed and nodded as he spoke, quite politely. Liu Guangtian wiped the sweat from his hands onto his trousers.

"Don't rush, have your late-night snack before you leave."

Li Weidong interrupted, "I'll go get something to eat."

He turned and went into the house, and soon came out with a wooden plate. On the plate were pieces of pork head meat, sardines poured out of a can, a dozen or so braised eggs, and a pile of boiled peanuts.

The beer was brought out, and as soon as the cap was unscrewed, the aroma of malt filled the air. This flavor was incomparable to the industrial beers of later generations.

The octagonal table and long benches were set up in the courtyard, and the three people sat around it, drinking and chatting. A floor fan was also turned on nearby, and the breeze was quite comfortable.

Xu Damao and his father, Xu Fugui, were also outside enjoying the cool air. They had spread out a reed mat on the ground and were lying there. It was stuffy inside, so at least it was cooler outside.

The aroma of food and wine wafted over, instantly waking the drowsy father and son.

Xu Fugui muttered, "Damn, he really knows how to enjoy himself."

Xu Damao swallowed hard. "I'll buy some tomorrow too."

"Da Mao, you can't waste your money."

Xu Fugui turned his face and earnestly advised, "Keep it with me, I'll save it for you so you can use it to get a wife in the future."

"I'm almost thirty, not a three-year-old. Do you think I'm going to let you manage my money?"

Xu Damao retorted without even thinking, "Don't even think about it."

Xu Fugui's face darkened. He had completely given up hope on this son and was now thinking of creating a new one to raise from scratch. But that would cost money.

He indulged in all sorts of vices, from drinking and gambling to whoring, and had no savings whatsoever. He wanted to have a mistress, but the problem was that his wife had stopped menstruating and couldn't have children.

Finding a pretty young widow isn't difficult. But what about after the child is born? Money will be needed for everything from then on.

Xu Fugui set his sights on the five thousand five hundred yuan in Xu Damao's pocket.

"Da Mao, you're my only son. How can I let someone else profit from my money?"

Xu Fugui's expression was quite sincere.

Li Weidong installed a large electric light in the yard, illuminating the entire area. Xu Damao could clearly see the sincerity on Xu Fugui's face.

"Yes, I'm your only son. But you're in such a hurry to get the money over there, there's definitely something fishy going on."

Xu Damao sneered, "No matter what you want to do, you're not getting your hands on this money."

At Liu Haizhong's doorstep, Liu Guangqi was discussing something with his father.

"Dad, Xiaojuan is coming to visit us tomorrow, so we need to make sure dinner is decent."

Liu Guangqi specifically instructed, "There must be fish and meat."

"Okay, okay, no problem."

Liu Haizhong readily agreed, "Don't worry about this."

"You're finally getting married. It took a lot of effort to win over Xiao Juan."

Liu Guangqi chuckled, a smug look on his face. "That's right, Xiao Juan is incredibly beautiful, so it's not easy to win her over. Now that she's come to our house, we should start talking about the wedding."

Ding Xiaojuan is bringing her younger brother over tomorrow at 5 PM.

Liu Haizhong and Liu Guangqi were whispering together, the whole room filled with the aroma of wine and meat.

"Liu Guangtian made something delicious, but he didn't even call you. He should at least have invited his old man, right?"

Liu Guangqi shook his big head, thinking that if Liu Haizhong went to eat, he could also get a bite.

"Don't even think about it, those belong to Li Weidong."

Liu Haizhong knew exactly what his son was planning.

Liu Guangqi was furious and yelled at them, "Liu Guangtian, I'm bringing my girlfriend home tomorrow, aren't you going to pay for a couple of groceries?"

"Hey, you're Liu Guangqi's girlfriend, why should I spend money to support you? What, are we going to partner up to get married?"

Liu Guangtian sneered.

"How...how dare you talk like that?"

Liu Guangqi already had a lisp, and when he got anxious, he became even more tongue-tied.

"How can I speak?"

Liu Guangtian, his bangs gleaming with murderous intent, said, "You've spent all of Dad's money. And now you want me to pay for tomorrow's groceries? What does that mean?"

"I haven't even received my salary yet!"

Li Weidong sensed something was amiss and lowered his voice to ask Liu Guangtian, "How's your older brother's girlfriend?"

"It's alright, watchable."

Liu Guangtian said, "I saw him on a blind date last time he came to our house. He didn't seem very satisfied with Liu Guangqi, so he's been relentlessly pursuing him."

"I guess he came here this time to see if the house Liu Guangqi mentioned is real."

Yan Jiefang chimed in, "What do you mean 'not bad'? Ding Xiaojuan is my classmate, she's incredibly beautiful!"

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Li Weidong laughed, "Why don't you take tomorrow afternoon off to go see her? From what you're saying, you have feelings for her?"

Yan Jiefang chuckled awkwardly: "I do have ideas, but my conditions... wait, that's not right, my conditions aren't bad right now."

"That settles it!"

Li Weidong said, "I have some old furniture for you."