The Life of a Son-in-Law in a Courtyard House

The old man was very grateful to see so much grain.

Yang Dalin looked around the impoverished house and asked the old man, "Grandpa, have you heard anything from Xiao Cui's older brother and second uncle who went to the Northeast?"

The old man, smoking the cigarette Tian Xueyi had given him, said, "Yes, we received a letter saying that we had just settled down but weren't fully settled yet, and asked us to go over next spring."

But this winter has been very difficult for the three of us. I can only lie down as much as possible, not move around, and dare not consume any food.

"Let's save some food for the two kids."

These words were heartbreaking. Yang Dalin knew why the old man was often bedridden, and he also knew that the other man probably had no money and no travel expenses. If it weren't for Yang Dalin, the old man might have died this winter.

Master Bai could only save a little bit of his own food for his two children.

The others are difficult too.

If Yang Dalin can help them get through this winter, the old man should be able to take the two children to the Northeast next spring without much trouble.

Putting everything else aside, the wild vegetables in Northeast China in the spring can help them get through this period. If they also clear some land, plant some crops, catch some fish, and gather some wild fruits and pine nuts in the autumn, there won't be much of a problem.

Yang Dalin told the old man, "Old man, it's fate that we met. You must take good care of your health. I'll leave some money and tickets with Master Bai and have him secretly give them to you in batches. You can go there in the spring. It's better there than here."

"Don't keep starving yourself. Once you get over there, there's more water, and it's not as dry as here. Then you can make a living."

Not daring to linger, due to time constraints, Yang Dalin left some money and notes for Master Bai.

Ask Master Bai to take good care of him, because Yang Dalin might not be able to come for a while.

After giving his instructions to the old man, Yang Dalin left amidst the reluctant farewells of Xiao Cui and Xiao Yuan.

He left his address with Master Bai.

When spring arrives, even if I don't come myself, I will send money for the three of us to cover our travel expenses. If there are other matters, you can also write to me.

Yang Dalin was still soft-hearted. There might still be people in Xiao Cui's village who were in trouble, so he could only help as many as he could.

There are too many people in need, and I can't help that many.

Back at the hotel, the other drivers were waiting for Yang Dalin and his group.

After saying goodbye to Master Bai, Yang Dalin and his team drove off without stopping all afternoon, speeding towards the freight station.

It wasn't until it was completely dark, almost seven o'clock, that we arrived at the freight station.

Everyone else had already gone home, but Lao Qi was still standing at the entrance of the freight station waiting for the truck convoy to return.

Old Qi knew about what happened that morning; the team leader had already made a phone call from the Tianjin Public Security Bureau.

However, Qi Desheng wouldn't feel at ease leaving get off work until he personally saw all fourteen drivers return safely.

I was relieved to see that everyone was alright.

Qi Desheng patted Yang Dalin on the shoulder and said, "Good lad, you're a lucky star, you've done another great service."

I'll reward you later.

Everyone, hurry up and pack up to go home. We'll unload the cargo on the truck tomorrow.

My family must be getting impatient. I need to hurry home and let them know I'm safe. I'll get a good rest at home tonight.

Before leaving, Yang Dalin gave Qi Desheng several large yellow croakers and some dried seafood that he had brought with him.

Yang Dalin wanted to share the large yellow croaker with Brother Tian, ​​but he refused. He offered it to the team leader and the others, but they all refused to accept it.

Since they each brought seafood, they let Yang Dalin take it home and eat it slowly.

He rode his bicycle with three bags of seafood on the back: two bags of dried seafood and half a bag of fresh seafood, a luggage bag, and a bag containing fried dough twists and Goubuli steamed buns for his family. If no one was watching him, Yang Dalin would have just put them into his personal space.

Now that he was tied up, Yang Dalin had just stepped out the gate when he saw Ma San sitting in a tricycle waiting for him at the door.

What a great younger brother! I didn't see him when I drove back just now.

Ma San quickly got out of the car and told Yang Dalin to stop. Ma San then kindly helped Yang Dalin steady the car.

Yang Dalin asked him, "San'er, why didn't I see you when I came in?"

You didn't go home first after dark, you've been waiting for me here?"

As Ma San helped untie the ropes, he said, "Brother, I've been waiting for you around here all afternoon. I was called away to deliver some goods, and I just got back when you came out."

Yang Dalin then realized the reason: "So that's why you've been waiting here all afternoon!"

Ma San said, "Yes, didn't you say you'd be back this afternoon? So I've been waiting here."

Yang Dalin put his luggage bag and three bags on the Ma San tricycle and tied them up simply.

Tell him, "Don't wait like this next time. You should go do your work. Go home when it gets dark. Sometimes I'm not so punctual. I was delayed by something over there this morning, otherwise I would have arrived earlier. Try not to wait like this in the future."

For us drivers, especially on long-distance trips, the return journey might be delayed by a day or two.

Because nobody knows if the car will break down on the road, or if other things will cause delays.

So don't wait like this next time, okay?

Ma San scratched his head and said, "Okay, I know, brother. It's mainly because it's your first business trip, and I was worried about you. I guess Aunt Qi at home is worried too. I was afraid that if I went back too early, she wouldn't be able to sit still, so I waited for you here."

When Yang Dalin heard him mention Aunt Qi, he quickly greeted him, "Yes, Aunt Qi is still waiting for me at home. You should hurry home."

Yang Dalin pedaled faster and faster, quickly leaving Ma San far behind.

Ma San originally wanted to call out to Yang Dalin to wait for him, and he sped up his ride, but in the end he still couldn't catch up with Yang Dalin, who was eager to get home.

It would be good to let Brother Dalin go home and let him know he's safe.

So Ma San stopped shouting and just rode slowly behind.

Because Yang Dalin had already disappeared.

Yang Dalin rode home in just over ten minutes. Even though it was dark, his eyesight was excellent, so he couldn't knock anyone down, and he was very fast.

The journey that normally takes twenty minutes by bike, Yang Dalin completed in just over ten minutes by speeding up.

When Yang Dalin arrived at the gate of No. 95 Courtyard, he noticed several people standing at the gate waiting for him.

Some people in the crowd were stomping their feet incessantly.

Yang Dalin discovered that not only were Aunt Qi and her two daughters there, but also Uncle Qi, Sha Zhu and his sister, Zhang Meiyun's sister-in-law in the back house, and Niu Dali and Niu Ge in the backyard.

Apart from the Qi family mother and daughter, everyone else was someone he cultivated good relationships with.

Everyone heard the bicycle bell at the entrance of the alley, and Qi Xiaoning shouted, "It's Brother Dalin's bicycle! Brother Dalin is back!"

A group of people hurried down the steps at the door. Yang Dalin arrived in the blink of an eye and braked abruptly, saying, "Auntie, Uncle Qi, Brother Zhu, Sister-in-law Meiyun, Brother Dali, thank you for waiting for me here. I'm fine. I was delayed on the way and came back late."

Qi Yulan stepped forward and grabbed Yang Dalin's bicycle handlebars, saying, "Good, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."