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

Yang Dalin waved his hand and said, "Auntie, don't worry. I hunted the pheasant myself, and I traded the flour and rice for the rabbit. Rabbit meat doesn't have much fat, so I didn't take it. This bag of dried seafood is what I bought from the fishermen by the sea when I was on a business trip to Tianjin. It was very cheap."

I have connections, so these didn't cost much. Consider them a gift from my brother Wang to you.

This time, don't be stingy with your food. Take good care of your health. The doctor you saw before couldn't cure your illness, so try a different doctor this time.

Otherwise, why haven't you gotten better despite taking the medicine for so long? Is it because the medication isn't working properly?

After Yang Dalin finished speaking, he deliberately changed the subject.

Otherwise, the elderly couple would always be concerned about the value of these things.

Yang Dalin didn't lack these things; he genuinely wanted to help the parents of that Wang brother who was living in anonymity.

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Wang listened and said, "Yes, that's right. I've been taking the medicine for over a year, but I haven't seen any effect."

I've always heard you're malnourished, but I never really thought much of it. Now that Dalinzi has said this, it's quite possible that the medication isn't working properly.

Otherwise, why has it taken so long? It's not that I'm getting better, but it's also not that my health is getting worse with each dose of medication.

Let's stop the medication for now and see another doctor later.

Yang Dalin followed up on what Grandpa Wang said: "Grandpa Wang, there is a clinic in Dongmianhua Hutong near my aunt's house, and there is a famous young doctor there. He used to be known as the 'Young Tiger of Dongcheng.' He is very good at treating patients. He has a master and there are many famous doctors who work there regularly."

Many people go to him for treatment every day.

There's no shortage of wealthy and powerful people, so I doubt his abilities are a problem.

You two can find some time to go and take a look.

He does it in order; whoever arrives first gets to see it first, so you can rest assured about that.

Many poor people went to see him, and sometimes he only paid for the medicine. He had a very good reputation in our area.

No, I'll have my three brothers, Ma San and Ma San, take you there in a tricycle another day.

That's more convenient.

Grandpa Wang grabbed Yang Dalin's hand and said excitedly, "Thank you so much, Dalinzi. You're such a good kid."

"I have no way to repay you, so I'll accept these things. How much are they? I can't let you suffer a loss."

As he spoke, Grandpa Wang was about to go into the inner room to get the money.

Yang Dalin grabbed him and said, "Uncle, I already told you, I didn't spend much money on these things; I got them all through trade."

I told the old lady yesterday that I wouldn't sell it for money, I would only exchange it for other things.

Otherwise, it would be considered speculation and profiteering.

Aunt Wang also said, "Child, I know you mean well, but I didn't expect you to bring so many things today."

What could that auntie possibly have at home to replace for you? She wouldn't let you suffer a loss.

These things of yours are very valuable.

You should ask your uncle to give you the money to make up for it.

Otherwise, we would really be embarrassed to accept it.

Yang Dalin scanned the room and spotted a long table made of nice wood; an idea came to him.

Yang Dalin pointed to the long table and said, "Grandpa and Grandma, I think that long table is nice. I like it a lot. It should be made of good wood. How about we exchange it? And when you move, can you leave it behind?"

Yang Dalin made up an excuse; otherwise, it would be impossible for the old couple to accept it for free.

Grandpa Wang glanced at the long table and said, "Dalinzi, it's just an old piece of furniture. Why would I be reluctant to part with it? Although that long table is made of rosewood, the wood itself isn't that good. Besides, this thing isn't really worth that much money now."

You'll lose out if you exchange it like that.

Yang Dalin explained, "Sir, money can't buy what I want. I just like this. In my heart, it's worth that much. Since you're willing to part with it, just leave it for me when you move in the future."

Let's leave it at that. We have a long time to get to know each other, so let's not keep going back and forth like this.

The elderly couple exchanged a glance, and seeing that Yang Dalin had made up his mind, they didn't insist any further.

He nodded in agreement.

Yang Dalin didn't know that the table was made of sandalwood, but that didn't stop him from knowing that it should be worth some money in the future.

It's not like we lost out. These foods might not be worth hundreds or thousands of times more in the future than a single rosewood table.

Yang Dalin then pointed to a vase, saying that the color was quite nice, "Grandpa and Grandma, that vase looks pretty to me too. You don't think it has any sentimental value for you, do you? If not, save it for me next time."

I'll bring something to replace it after a while.

So please don't be reluctant to eat what we give you.

Taking good care of my health so that my brother Wang can work without worry while he's away from home is the greatest support I can give him.

If you want to send anything to Brother Wang again, just contact me. But don't send things too frequently, otherwise it'll be troublesome if someone notices me."

Grandpa Wang nodded and said, "We know that, we know that. We used to save up a month or two's worth of fine grains before sending it to him."

We'll pay attention.

Thank you so much, Dalinzi. We don't really have any sentimental value for that vase, but we'll keep it for you. Take a look later and see what else you like; I'll keep it all for you.

That new building isn't very big, and we don't need many of the things there anymore. Rather than selling it cheaply, we might as well leave it to you.

"It's really unfair to you, I feel terrible about it."

Perhaps in the mind of Mr. Wang, a technician with a somewhat bookish personality, he felt that these old objects were not very valuable.

He only went to the black market once and got robbed.

He was also unaware of the prices of antiques on the black market.

However, he had also heard from his colleagues that these old items are now worthless.

This is an era where food is of paramount importance; a few pounds of cornmeal can be exchanged for a top-quality antique.

For some people, a simple steamed bun can be exchanged for a gold ring.

Yang Dalin said again, "Grandpa, don't feel bad. You have them, and it just so happens that I like them."

In my heart, it's only valuable, worth that much grain, and that's enough.

But I'm only being honest with you. I won't trade other people's things with me, and you have to keep it a secret from me.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to produce so many things.

Alright, the things have been delivered. Auntie, hurry up and make something nice to eat. You shouldn't eat too much of that dark cornbread. You all go ahead and eat. I might have something to do this weekend and won't be able to come. I'll have Ma San come over again and take you to see a doctor.

That's all for now, I'm going back to work, grandpas and grandmas.

The couple warmly saw Yang Dalin off at the gate.

When they returned, Aunt Wang said, "This child is so kind and warm-hearted; he was intentionally trying to help us."

Grandpa Wang said, "Yes, that case is decades old. It was added when we got married. It was worth some money back then. I haven't been to the black market since, and I know that old things don't fetch a good price now."

It's probably only worth the price of some meat.

We've gotten a great deal here. Let's deduct 100 from the extra room fee later.

These items might cost over a hundred on the black market.

Those two pounds of fatty meat alone are worth ten or twenty yuan.

Not to mention the value of pheasants, dried seafood, and refined grains.

Aunt Wang nodded: "Okay, we won't need that much money in the future."

We can't let Dalinzi suffer a loss.

Yang Dalin had walked away and didn't hear those words. Even if he had, he wouldn't have agreed.

However, when spring comes next year, the elderly couple will give him a big surprise when they move to a new house.