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

After Niu Dali and his wife expressed their gratitude repeatedly, Yang Dalin left Niu Dali's house.

Niu Dali wanted to send him out of the backyard.

Yang Dalin stopped Niu Dali: "Brother Dali, you don't need to see me off. It's just a short walk. I'll go to Brother Da Mao's house next door. You can go back now."

Yang Dalin knocked on Xu Damao's door and glanced back at Liu Haizhong's house across the street.

There seems to be a figure in the corner of the window opposite.

Liu Haizhong was observing Yang Dalin. Although there were curtains on the window, the figure was too conspicuous.

The door to Xu Damao's house opened quickly, and Xu Damao revealed his signature smile: "Dalinzi, you need something from your brother?"

Come in and sit down.

Xu Damao invited Yang Dalin to sit down, but Yang Dalin said, "Alright, Brother Damao, no need to sit down. I didn't know you were home. I went on a business trip to Tianjin yesterday with our station's convoy and brought back some dried seafood. I didn't know you were home, so I didn't give it to you. Come on, come to my house and sit down. I'll get you some more to try."

Xu Damao, who had just been wearing a fake smile, was now grinning like a blooming chrysanthemum.

Xu Damao might not care about what Yang Dalin brought.

But this guy is petty. You give gifts to others, but I don't give gifts to people I've treated you to meals. I don't know what he'll think.

Yang Dalin then explained that he didn't know the man was home, and even invited him to come and sit with them so he could go and get the items.

Xu Damao's smile became even more genuine.

Of course, if you ask him to go and get it, he'd be too embarrassed to actually go.

However, the kid was pleased with Yang Dalin's attitude.

Yang Dalin tugged at Xu Damao, but Xu Damao really wouldn't go, so Yang Dalin said, "Then Brother Damao, wait for me and I'll bring it to you later."

Xu Damao quickly said, "Brother, I really don't need your things. I'm satisfied with your kindness. You haven't eaten yet, so go back and eat first. I won't bother you any longer. I'll treat you to drinks another day."

Seeing that Xu Damao really wasn't going, Yang Dalin took his leave and left first.

Back in the front yard, Yang Dalin saw Yan Bugui stomping his feet. Yang Dalin said, "Teacher Yan is exercising. That's good. Keep going."

Before Yan Bugui could reply, Yang Dalin lifted the curtain and entered the house.

Yan Bugui reached out his hand, wanting to call out to Yang Dalin, but before he could say anything, after standing outside for a while and his mouth getting a little numb from the cold, Yang Dalin had already gone inside.

Yan Bugui stomped his foot hard and sighed, then turned and went home.

Upon entering the house, Aunt Qi had already set the table with the food. Yang Dalin was also hungry, so he decided to eat first.

Dinner was very plentiful tonight, but thankfully the seafood didn't have a strong aroma.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal of Goubuli steamed buns, which left everyone with greasy mouths.

When Yang Dalin and Ma San left, they also packed him a bag of dried seafood so he could cook porridge with it.

They also gave him a pound of fried dough twists, which Ma San couldn't refuse, so he had to accept it and take it home.

When Aunt Qi saw Yang Dalin packing a bag of dried seafood after seeing Ma San off at the hospital, she asked him, "Dalin, who are you sending this to?"

Yang Dalin explained, "I'm sending another bag to Xu Damao in the backyard. He treated me to dinner last time. I ran into him at Brother Niu Dali's house just now and told him I'd send him some. If I don't send him some now, he might not be able to sleep well tonight."

"Let's go anyway."

Aunt Qi chuckled upon hearing this: "Alright, it's good that you have a plan. Then hurry back."

It was past eight o'clock when they finished eating. By then, many houses in the yard had turned off their lights and gone to sleep. When Yang Dalin came to the backyard, he found that all the houses except Xu Damao's were dark.

I knew Xu Damao was still waiting.

This kid is so petty. Yang Dalin just said he'd bring it over soon. If Yang Dalin doesn't come, believe me, Xu Damao won't be able to sleep tonight.

Then, who knows what he might be thinking when he goes to sleep at night? Xu Damao might wonder if Yang Dalin is looking down on him or just messing with him. He's sending things to that idiot Niu Dali, but not to me.

Yang Dalin knew Xu Damao all too well what kind of person he was.

So Yang Dalin deliberately arrived a little late after finishing his meal.

Since I've already promised, it wouldn't be right not to give it to him. I'd better let Damao get a good night's sleep.

Yang Dalin had barely knocked on the door when Xu Damao opened it.

"Brother, I told you no, why did you actually come?"

Yang Dalin was too lazy to expose him. He had just seen Xu Damao peeking through the curtains from time to time through the window.

"Brother Da Mao, I keep my word. I said I'd bring it to you, and I did. I just got home and dinner was ready, so I ate first before coming. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Brother Da Mao."

Xu Damao was overjoyed to actually receive the gift from Yang Dalin.

They insisted on returning the gift to Yang Dalin.

This kid was demanding a gesture. Seeing that Yang Dalin had actually given him the gift, and even prepared a piece of cured meat and some dried mushrooms, he wanted to reciprocate. He couldn't refuse.

Alright, Yang Dalin carried a piece of cured meat, a string of dried mushrooms, and a string of dried chili peppers home.

He also promised to drink with Xu Damao again next time.

Once outside, Yang Dalin smiled and muttered to himself, "That was really fun."

Yang Dalin went home and looked at Liu Haizhong's house and the deaf old lady's house, but neither of them made any noise.

Then, when they passed the Intermediate People's Court, they didn't see anyone from the Yi or Jia families causing trouble, so they quickly went home.

Back home, Aunt Qi had already cleaned up all the seafood.

Yang Dalin gave the cured meat, mushrooms, and dried chili peppers to Aunt Qi.

Aunt Qi asked, "Did Xu Damao reply?"

Yang Dalin said, "Yes, we can't refuse. Auntie, please keep it. We'll stew some pheasant and mushrooms another day."

Aunt Qi told Qi Yanhua to put it away, saying, "Xu Damao is a decent person, but he's cunning, just like his father. Be careful when you're dealing with him."

Yang Dalin knew what kind of people Xu Damao's family were, of course. He smiled and replied, "Auntie, I know Xu Damao is a cunning man. I'll be careful. It's just a courtyard house, as long as it's manageable."

Aunt Qi knew that Yang Dalin was young, but he was very good at judging people and had his own style of dealing with people.

He nodded and said, "It's good that you know. Don't let him trick you. But we'll stay in this courtyard, neither causing trouble nor being afraid of it."

It seems Xu Damao's reputation isn't very good; no wonder so few people speak up for him at large meetings.

He would only occasionally give Yan Bugui dried mushrooms, hoping he would put in a good word for him.

She occasionally tries to win over Liu Haizhong, wanting to give Yi Zhonghai gifts, but Yi Zhonghai refuses them. Her relationships with other people are also not very good.

So it's fair to say that Xu Damao doesn't have many friends or acquaintances.

He had never bullied anyone else in the courtyard, yet he had a bad reputation, which was probably related to the reputation left by his father.

That's why Aunt Qi doesn't really like Xu Damao.

Yang Dalin replied, "I understand, Auntie. You should get some rest too."

Qi Xiaoning obediently brought the foot-washing water to Yang Dalin and said, "Brother Dalin, here's your foot-washing water."

Yang Dalin patted her ponytail: "Good, my good little sister."

Aunt Qi told him to wash his feet and get some rest, as driving for two days must be tiring.

Yang Dalin obediently washed his feet and then crawled into bed.

The heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) is so warm and cozy.