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

The group wandered around until almost noon before hailing a tricycle to take them home, carrying their bags and belongings.

As soon as he arrived at the courtyard, Sha Zhu put the things he bought back home, took out the wedding candies, and started handing them out to each household, beginning with the gatekeeper, Uncle Qi.

Many people who work nearby come back for lunch at noon.

If no one comes back, Shazhu plans to send it again tonight.

When the wedding candy was being distributed, apart from the Yan and Jia families taking a few extra pieces, nothing unusual happened.

When they arrived at the backyard, at the old deaf man's door.

Sha Zhu first gave his wife a brief introduction of the old deaf man.

They didn't seem particularly close.

Sha Zhu knocked on the deaf old lady's door.

It was an older woman named Wen Xiumei who opened it from the inside.

"Oh, is this Zhu Zi bringing his wife to visit the family?"

"Yes, there's an older woman here too. I brought my wife to meet the old lady and also to give her some wedding candy."

Wen Xiumei quickly invited several people into the house.

The old deaf man was sitting in the house eating the lunch that Wen Xiumei had brought him.

When Sha Zhu led in a woman dressed in new clothes, he grinned and said, "My grandson is here. This must be his granddaughter-in-law."

Good, good, this girl is really pretty.

"Come, sit down, sit down."

Unexpectedly, the deaf old man was unusually enthusiastic.

The deaf old lady pulled Miya's hand and sat down, showing great affection.

Sha Zhu never expected the old deaf man to be so accommodating today.

The old deaf man spoke a few words to Miya, then took out a small wooden box from beside the pillow on the bedside table.

They insisted on saying it was a gift for their eldest grandson's wife.

Sha Zhu and Mi Ya refused to accept it no matter what.

The deaf old man slammed his cane down: "What, are you looking down on this old lady?"

Oh, grandson, this isn't for you. This is for my granddaughter-in-law.

My dear wife, I've been ready for a long time, and I'm just waiting to enjoy your wedding candy.

It's nothing expensive, just a token of my grandmother's affection. Come, granddaughter-in-law, let me give it to you.

Upon hearing what the old deaf man said, Sha Zhu couldn't bring himself to continue arguing with him.

The old deaf man opened the small wooden box, inside which were two silver bracelets.

It's really not a valuable item; silver bracelets aren't worth much these days.

However, the texture is very beautiful.

Miya wanted to decline, but she never did.

They put the wristbands on both of the old deaf man's wrists.

The deaf old man also said, "When you have nothing to do in the future, come and sit with the old lady more often."

Keep the old lady company and help her pass the time.

Sha Zhu and Mi Ya had no choice but to agree.

From beginning to end, the deaf old lady didn't say a word to He Yushui and Mili, as if she hadn't seen them at all.

After leaving the old deaf man's house, Miya quietly asked, "Brother Zhuzi, what's your relationship with this old lady?"

Why give such an expensive gift?

And why is the way you're looking at me so strange?

Sha Zhu had heard Yang Dalin mention the old deaf man before, and they had also discussed it privately.

I vaguely know what the old deaf man is thinking: he's good to himself, but not so good to his sister.

However, the clever Sha Zhu didn't mention anything and just said, "This old lady might have some connection with the older generation in my family."

He's usually okay to me, but he's not so good to my sister; he has severe symptoms of favoring boys over girls.

It's just two silver bracelets, not worth much money, so just keep them.

Just maintain a polite distance from her.

No need to be so polite.

She's always been quite worried about me getting married. The strange look in your eyes is probably because she wants to get a good look at you. Don't worry about her.

Sha Zhu and his wife went to Niu Dali's house again to deliver wedding candy.

At the home of the deaf old lady, Wen Xiumei was quite happy to see her.

I asked her, "Grandma, why are you so happy today?"

The old deaf man grinned from ear to ear as he replied, "Yes, my eldest grandson has finally gotten married."

I'll be able to see my great-grandchildren soon! I'm so happy!

Xiumei, you should spend more time with Zhuzi's wife.

Take better care of her and help her out more.

Let her know that you are a good person, be grateful to you, and exchange sincerity for sincerity.

She'll be able to take better care of you from now on.

We are all women, it would be more appropriate for you to have a young wife to take care of you.

As for Jia's daughter-in-law, I think we should forget about her. She's too cunning and there's nothing good about it. She'll probably just pretend to be nice.

"I've seen Zhu Zi's wife; she has honest eyes and a kind heart. She's better than the daughter-in-law from the Jia family."

Wen Xiumei nodded heavily after listening.

Sha Zhu and his new wife handed out wedding candies before heading home to prepare a meal.

Sha Zhu wanted to invite Aunt Qi over for dinner today.

Aunt Qi said she wouldn't be coming today; she had to go back to work later.

You are officially married today.

If everyone has a little more fun in the evening, then it'll be done.

Aunt Qi also gave us two new quilt covers.

In the afternoon, many women who were not at work came to Shazhu's new house to join in the festivities.

Everyone was eating sunflower seeds, wedding candies, and gossiping.

This afternoon, a few people from the cafeteria who were on good terms with Sha Zhu came to give him congratulatory gifts.

Some people gave away thermos flasks, while others gave away washbasins.

There are also gifts like mirrors.

Yang Dalin came over with two new thermos flasks after get off work in the evening.

Sha Zhu looked at the six new thermos flasks in the house and asked with a worried face, "Da Linzi, with so many thermos flasks, when will I ever be able to use mine?"

Yang Dalin said, "That's easy. You two can each have one for washing your face and one for drinking water."

There are two more; they'll be useful later too.

Yang Dalin didn't say that it could be used to wash one's bottom later.

Anyway, I've given it to you, so I don't care how you use it.

Sha Zhu pulled Yang Dalin aside and told him about delivering wedding candy to the deaf old lady at noon that day.

It was emphasized that the old deaf man had given a gift, and that was also mentioned.

Yang Dalin asked, "Just two silver bracelets?"

Didn't you take out any gold or jade bracelets?

Sha Zhu shook his head: "No, just two silver ones."

Yang Dalin then asked, "Did you send anything to Mili as well?"

Sha Zhu thought for a moment and said, "No, Mi Li went with her, but she didn't say a word to Mi Li."

Yang Dalin said, "That's settled then. I'm giving your wife a gift because of you."

Because your sister-in-law will bear your children in the future, Mili might be like rainwater in her heart—a burden that will eventually be discarded.

She still favors sons over daughters, and she's still thinking about how you might be able to use her in the future.

So, two silver bracelets aren't expensive, so just accept them. Don't make a big deal out of it; as long as it's presentable, that's fine.

If you really wanted to treat you well, you wouldn't offer anything valuable or be nicer to your two younger sisters.

That old deaf man is so biased and has such a strong ulterior motive.

Just keep it in mind.

Sha Zhu was relieved after hearing Yang Dalin's analysis, which was similar to his own.

Yang Dalin then instructed him, "Tonight, tell your sister-in-law more about the people in our courtyard."

Don't let her fall for it.

Be careful, someone might come and eavesdrop at night.

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu said, "Let's see who dares. I'll prepare several more basins of cold water later."

We received a lot of basins today, which will come in handy.

"Dalinzi, you're not coming tonight, are you?"

Sha Zhu glared fiercely at Yang Dalin!

Yang Dalin nudged Sha Zhu: "Am I that kind of person? It's so cold, I wouldn't come."

Besides, I already know you went to get medicine, why would I bother coming here?

Sha Zhu grabbed Yang Dalin's clothes: "You, Yang Dalin, you actually had this plan in mind."