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

Aunt Qi instructed her two daughters not to wear the brightly colored fox fur scarf outside, but only to wear it at home for admiring. At most, they were allowed to wear the gray fox fur scarf.

The color is so subtle that people who aren't familiar with it might mistake it for rabbit fur.

Moreover, you can't even mention the brightly colored fox fur scarf to outsiders.

Qi Xiaoning tried to resist, but was easily suppressed by her aunt with one hand. When it comes to a mother's control, no matter how strong a girl is, she can't win.

Yang Dalin asked Qi Yanhua to cut some meat so he could cook more meat dishes that evening to improve their meals.

Yang Dalin guessed that since he had been away for more than half a month, Aunt Qi must have been reluctant to eat the fine grains and meat he had left behind.

As expected, Qi Xiaoning was the happiest when Yang Dalin said that more flesh was cut off.

While Qi Yanhua was cooking, he needed to go to the bathhouse near the neighborhood office for a bath.

I'll be back in a bit.

In the past ten days or so, apart from the few days I stayed in Hulun City where I took a shower, the most I did on the way back was wash my feet.

I'd rather take a bath and get my back scrubbed; that would feel good.

Aunt Qi gave him a change of clothes, a towel, and soap, and told him to go with Ma San.

He doesn't need to worry about cooking at home.

Some meats need to be stewed for a longer time.

They just happened to come back and have something ready to eat.

Yang Dalin took a bag containing a change of clothes, and Ma San went home to get a change of clothes as well.

After the two met up, they went to a public bathhouse near the neighborhood office and soaked in it for a while, getting a scrub before returning.

When Yang Dalin returned, he happened to run into Yan Bugui.

Yang Dalin thought to himself, "This old guy must have been waiting at his own doorstep for a while now."

The guy was holding a bottle of liquor and said, "Dalinzi just got back today, right? Was the journey smooth?"

"Grandpa even brought a bottle of baijiu. How about we have a drink together to celebrate your successful business trip?"

Yang Dalin sneered. It seemed that Yan Bugui had smelled the meat cooking at his house.

That dog has a really sharp nose; it wants to get some meat, but it's making up a lame excuse.

He must have seen his bicycle parked in the yard. He knew he would bring delicious food when he came back. Yan Bugui was just daydreaming.

Yang Dalin directly refused him: "Teacher Yan, no need. My family is having a family reunion dinner today, so we won't invite any outsiders. If you want to drink, go home and drink it with some pickled vegetables."

I'm worried that your liquor is diluted with too much water, and that drinking it will give me diarrhea.

Keep it for yourself and enjoy it slowly.

After saying that, he ignored him and went straight into the house with Ma San, locking the door behind them.

Yan Bugui was left alone in the courtyard, bewildered in the wind.

As soon as Yang Dalin entered the door, the room smelled wonderful.

Several dishes were covered with bowls to keep them warm.

There was also a serving of meat stewing in the pot.

When Aunt Qi saw that the two of them had returned after taking a bath, she quickly greeted them, "Perfect timing, you're back. The dishes are all ready."

Let's eat.

Aunt Qi also took out a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and gave Yang Dalin some to drink to relieve his fatigue.

Yang Dalin also poured a glass for Ma San, half a glass for Aunt Qi, and no glass for Sister Yanhua and Qi Xiaoning.

The two of them were drinking soup, and there wasn't any juice available, otherwise they could have poured themselves a glass of juice.

Four meat dishes, a soup, and a basket of steamed buns—everyone ate with great relish.

After eating and drinking his fill, Yang Dalin chatted with everyone about many interesting things that happened on the road.

Yang Dalin didn't mention any of the dangers on the road, so as not to worry Aunt Qi and the others.

Qi Xiaoning was very envious. From childhood to adulthood, she had only ever been to the suburbs of Beijing at most, and she longed to see the outside world.

Qi Xiaoning asked, "Brother, we're on winter break now. Could you take me with you on your next trip?"

I've never even been to the surrounding counties.

Yang Dalin also noticed that Qi Yanhua was somewhat interested.

Before Yang Dalin could speak, Aunt Qi's suppression began again.

Qi Yulan slapped her little girl on the back: "Your brother Lin is going to work, why are you going with him?"

Are you just bored and have nothing better to do?

I'm telling you, you better behave. If you don't, I'll absolutely spank your ass into eight pieces.

Yang Dalin stopped the irritable Aunt Qi and said, "Auntie, I'll be off for the next two days. I'll ask around when I get back to work. I think it shouldn't be a problem for me to take Xiaoning and Sister Yan with me to the suburbs."

Long distances are definitely not an option.

If it's allowed, I'll take them out to have some fun.

It's okay, I'm here, it's quite safe.

If my workplace doesn't allow it, I'll just ride my bike and take them out for a ride myself.

After listening, Qi Yulan said, "Don't spoil them. They can't interfere with your work. It's so cold. What are you playing around for? Just stay home and study. If you have nothing to do, learn to make clothes, do housework, and cook with me."

Stop thinking about playing all the time.

Alright, Aunt Qi is in a bad mood. Yang Dalin winked at his two sisters, meaning they'd talk about it later.

Today it's obvious they're looking for trouble.

They chatted for a while longer, then it got late, and Ma San went home to rest.

Yang Dalin also lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed).

It's still more comfortable and reassuring to live at home.

Yang Dalin soon fell asleep.

.........

.........

But at Qi Desheng's house that night, Qi Da Gou Xiong's days were far from over.

The children were locked in another room.

In this room, there was only Qi Desheng kneeling on a washboard, and Gong Xuemei.

Qi Desheng said pitifully, "Wife, that's enough."

You have to tell me why, right?

I didn't do anything wrong, did I? I didn't deliberately hide and sleep in the office, did I?

Gong Xuemei blushed: "Pah, who told you about that?"

Think carefully about what you did wrong today.

They dare to do it but not to take responsibility.

Do I really need to spell it out? Just confess voluntarily.

After saying that, Gong Xuemei played with the fox fur scarf in her hand, and liked it more and more the more she touched it.

Qi Desheng started recalling things when he woke up in the morning and continued until he returned home in the evening.

I really can't remember what mistake I made.

However, when his gaze fell on the fox fur scarf his wife was holding, he understood something.

Qi Desheng asked cautiously, "Wife, are you talking about that little rascal Yang Dalin?"

Gong Xuemei sat on the bed and snorted, "Not bad, you're not completely stupid. Remember, he's my own brother. If you dare call him a little rascal again, I'll deal with you first."

Qi Desheng shouted, "Wife, I'm innocent! I didn't do anything! I just asked him for two wolf skins!"

"It's nothing, really?"

"It's nothing. My brother risked his life to get those two wolf pelts. How can you shamelessly ask for them? Where do you get the nerve?"

They also ordered a whole wolf meat and a wolf skeleton.

I heard that he got one for a former leader?

Qi Desheng, Qi Desheng, I never knew you were this kind of person. You've gotten too comfortable being an official and now you want to seize wealth and become a corrupt official, right?

If you're going to do that, don't blame me for turning against you. We'll get a divorce tomorrow, and then I'll report you.

I live with my children. I've made them disown you, this corrupt official, as their father. I've even made them all change their surname to Gong.

From now on, we'll pretend we don't have a father like you, this corrupt official.