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

Driver Shao glanced at the fruit that Yang Dalin had placed in front of him.

I wasn't in a hurry to eat it. I still had to be cautious. How could I just eat something a stranger offered me?

Driver Shao then casually asked him, "Is Xiao Yang from the Pear Tree Commune in the neighboring Jun County, the one that produces pears?"

While munching on a pear, Yang Dalin said, "Yes, I'm going on a business trip to Jinan with my company. I asked for leave to go back to my hometown to take care of some things. I'll meet up with my colleagues in Jin County, which is east of your braised chicken market."

Otherwise, our team leader wouldn't have made me drive the company car all the way home, would he?

We left Jin County directly into the province, passed through Cangzhou City and Jinmen, and went straight back to Beijing.

This route is the shortest and most fuel-efficient; Brother Shao must know the shortest route from Beijing to Jinan.

That's right, Yang Dalin was talking about the shortest route from Beijing to Jinan.

On the map, it appears to be traveling in a straight line.

That distance is definitely the shortest and most fuel-efficient.

If the convoy drives west from Quancheng, through Shuicheng, through Junxian, to Handan, and then north to Sijiucheng, it will add several hundred kilometers to the journey.

A convoy of several vehicles—this will consume a huge amount of fuel; even the convoy leader wouldn't dare to do it.

If you go back and report it, you'll be caught red-handed; it's a waste of the country's fuel.

That's really asking for trouble.

Driver Shao nodded: "You're right, this route is the most fuel-efficient."

Your hometown's pears are quite famous, comparable to those from Hebei Province.

"Then I'll try some too."

As they talked, Driver Shao seemed to lower his guard a bit. His mouth was also a little dry, so he picked up a pear and said...

Seeing that Yang Dalin didn't move, Apple didn't move either.

After saying that, he picked up a pear, wiped it on his pants, and took a bite: "Not bad, sweet."

Yang Dalin finished eating his pear, shook off a piece of glass and threw out the pear core, saying, "Sweet, right? The apple is good too. I'll leave all the ones in my bag for Brother Shao later."

Fruit from my hometown isn't worth much. Maybe Brother Shao can bring some back for us sometime when he visits.

If any organizations in your city need to distribute welfare benefits during the Spring Festival, and if your vehicle fleet is passing by, you can also stop by our commune to exchange some.

Cheap, affordable, and delicious.

Yang Dalin also made sure to help his fellow villagers back home with their orders.

While eating, Driver Shao said, "Sure, I'll bring some back if I have the chance."

There are two boys and a daughter at home.

They like to eat fruit.

However, Brother Yang, you didn't bring much, so I won't take it. You can take it back and eat it yourself.

It's so far away, it's not easy for them to come back."

Yang Dalin's only belongings appeared to be a shoulder bag, and there was nothing on the back of his bicycle.

Actually, he has plenty of space; he just didn't put a bag on the back seat while riding his bike.

Otherwise, cycling would be too tiring. He planned to release two more baskets of fruit when he arrived in Jin County, so that his colleagues could eat them.

It's just not being shown yet.

So Yang Dalin explained, "It's alright, Brother Shao. After the last autumn harvest, I brought a lot back to Beijing."

There are plenty at home.

I only brought a little less food in case I got thirsty while cycling on the road.

After all, the water in the water bottle I brought was frozen solid, making it inconvenient to quench my thirst.

Now that I've hitched a ride with you, I don't have to pedal anymore, which saves me from getting thirsty.

"It's alright, take it back for the kids. It's worthless in my hometown, don't be shy."

Driver Shao was a straightforward man, and when Yang Dalin said that, he didn't stand on ceremony and prepared to accept it. He planned to treat Yang Dalin to lunch when they arrived at the braised chicken market, as a way of returning the favor.

Driver Shao said, "Okay, thanks brother, I won't be polite."

Yang Dalin also said, "That's right, we're all in the same industry and from the same hometown, so why be so polite?"

If you ever visit Beijing, Brother Shao, feel free to contact me. My workplace is at the freight station of the train station, and I live at No. 95, Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing, in the west wing of the front yard.

I'll write you an address later. If you actually come to Beijing, I'll treat you to dinner.

Driver Shao felt more and more that Brother Yang was to his liking.

He readily agreed, "Okay, we'll go to Beijing every now and then. If we have time next time, I'll come visit you."

The two chatted a lot about the local customs and culture of the braised chicken market along the way, as well as about the delicious food in Beijing.

The most famous dish in the city is braised chicken.

Before Yang Dalin could even mention it, Brother Shao said, "Brother, when we get to our city, I'll treat you to braised chicken."

Yang Dalin politely replied, "No need, Brother Shao. If you can take me with you, it will save me a lot of effort."

"I'll treat you when we get there."

Driver Shao pretended to be serious and said, "That won't do. You even gave your brother a bag of fruit."

If you consider me your elder brother, then don't be so polite. Besides, since you're on my turf, shouldn't I, as your elder brother, show you the hospitality of a host?

Why would I ask you to pay?

"Next time I visit Beijing, you can treat me to some Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) from Beijing, right?"

Seeing this, Yang Dalin thought that this driver, Shao, was a straightforward and cheerful person, as well as cautious and steady in his work, and could be befriended.

So Yang Dalin nodded readily and said, "Okay, let's do it this way. I'll treat you to Peking duck, fried liver, and roast meat in Beijing."

Then I'll treat you to Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), all you can eat, we won't leave until we're completely drunk.

After they finished speaking, they laughed heartily.

Then Driver Shao said, "Brother, what you're saying makes me want to have a big drink with you at noon."

Yang Dalin said, "No, Brother Shao, I'll just have a quick bite at noon and then I have to hurry to Jin County."

Otherwise, if I missed the time to meet up with the convoy, I might have to ride my bicycle all the way back to Beijing.

That road is long, you'd better take a detour.

Upon hearing this, Driver Shao said, "Haha, that's true. I also have to work this afternoon, so I'll just have a simple lunch."

Yang Dalin then wiped the sweat from his forehead.

People in Shandong province used to encourage each other to drink at the dinner table, but this custom was changed as more people own private cars and enforcement became stricter.

However, when visiting relatives, if there is a driver, you must drink with everyone except the driver, and you must drink well.

If you don't drink until you throw up right away, it won't be easy for you to leave.

Therefore, Yang Dalin was still a little afraid of drinking with his fellow villagers.

Yang Dalin changed the subject and asked, "Brother Shao, is it easy to buy braised chicken in your city now? If it's convenient, I'd like to buy a few more to take back for my family and share with my colleagues."

It's quite common for them to bring along some local specialties as a side business.

After thinking for a moment, Driver Shao said, "It's hard for others to buy them. I can take you to buy ten or eight, but any more will have to wait."

Is that enough?

Yang Dalin said, "Ten or eight will do."

Next time I have the chance and time, I'll buy more if I'm on the way.

This time, time was too tight.

While the two were chatting about braised chicken, Yang Dalin glanced at the road ahead and suddenly noticed something was wrong.

On one side of the road, there was a large pothole that took up half of the road, while on the other side, a large log was placed horizontally.

It's definitely not feasible for a car to drive through a ditch.

Yang Dalin didn't know exactly how deep the pit was, but the large log was clearly placed there intentionally.

Once you choose to park and move the wood, twelve people are hiding in the ditch next to you.

They've encountered robbers again.

Yang Dalin hurriedly shouted, "Brother Shao, look ahead! There's a big log over there in the distance, and halfway down the road there's a big ditch. There are definitely people hiding in the ditches on both sides of the road."

It looks like we've encountered robbers.