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

In Yang Dalin's previous life, this happened when guests came to visit his rural hometown.

If guests come to visit, they might bring a roast chicken or something similar.

His mother would tear the meat apart in the kitchen and let Yang Dalin secretly eat a few inconspicuous pieces.

But chicken heads, drumsticks, and wings are essential and must all be served on the table.

Otherwise, it would be too obvious if a big chicken leg were missing, and the customers would laugh at us.

Only after the guests finished their drinks and left could Yang Dalin eat whatever was left.

Of course, guests won't finish all the dishes; there will be a lot left over.

Moreover, when they eat, they only pick up a corner of the plate and don't rummage around.

In rural western Shandong, Yang Dalin and his mother would not sit at the table when the adults were drinking.

On the one hand, there are outdated customs; on the other hand, when adults drink, they smoke and drink alcohol, and it's unclear how long they'll continue.

Why not just have a simple and satisfying meal in the kitchen?

Yang Dalin insisted that Wang Yuhuan and Liu Guangfu sit at the table for dinner, and the mother and son were very grateful to Yang Dalin.

Yang Dalin saw Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu looking at the dishes on the table, their mouths practically watering.

Yang Dalin had no choice but to speak up, saying, "Brother Guangtian, Brother Guangfu, please eat quickly and take more food."

"Anyway, none of you drink."

Liu Haizhong was a little angry; his second son and third son were really being unreasonable.

He acted like a glutton.

If it weren't for Yang Dalin and Ma San being outsiders, Liu Haizhong would definitely have dealt with his two sons directly.

At the dinner table, Liu Guangtian did not drink alcohol; only Yang Dalin, Ma San, and Liu Haizhong drank alcohol.

Therefore, Wang Yuhuan and the Liu brothers ate much faster.

She had been given a lot of food, and it wasn't for Liu Haizhong glaring at her sons several times that she was so upset.

Less than a third of the food remained on the table.

Seeing that his two sons had almost finished eating, Liu Haizhong shooed them off the table.

Anyway, they don't drink alcohol.

Wang Yuhuan and her son also left the table and went to the next room.

Only three people remained at the table, still drinking.

Today, Liu Haizhong heard from his wife that Yang Dalin and Ma San went to Lao Yi's house for dinner yesterday.

Now that no one was bothering them, Liu Haizhong casually asked a question.

Yang Dalin repeated the same story as Aunt Qi.

Then he added, "Uncle Liu, I was thinking that since I went to Uncle Yi's house for drinks yesterday, I should at least come to your place today."

So I had Ma San inform you today, and that's why I'm bothering you."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong realized that he still held a place in Yang Dalin's heart.

So Liu Haizhong was very happy after hearing this.

He then invited Yang Dalin to drink and eat.

After a few more drinks, Liu Haizhong's slurred speech became quite noticeable.

Taking the opportunity, Yang Dalin inquired, "Uncle Liu, I'm a little curious, I'd like to ask you something."

Liu Haizhong said, "Okay, go ahead and ask. If I know the answer, I'll definitely tell you."

Yang Dalin asked, "Uncle Liu, Uncle Yi doesn't have any children, so haven't you thought about adopting one?"

With so many children in orphanages these days, adopting one shouldn't be too difficult.

Your two families are the best off in our hospital. You could support three or four, let alone one.

Why didn't he consider adopting one or two children?

Liu Haizhong slurred, "Hey, I actually know a little about this."

I asked that too.

Lao Yi and I were both transferred from other places; he came from Northeast China, you know.

They must have originally migrated to Northeast China, then worked in a factory there before coming here.

They came with a large group of people, and I inquired about them.

He did indeed adopt a child before liberation and raised him for several years.

They were quite good to that child.

As it turned out, after liberation, the parents came looking for them.

Then the child went back to his biological parents and didn't come to Beijing with him.

He and his wife were quite heartbroken about this.

So even after coming to Beijing, I didn't dare to adopt children casually.

I fear that my efforts will be in vain again.

Yang Dalin said, "Oh, I see. This is because Master Yi suffered a loss in this regard."

No wonder.

Liu Haizhong took another sip, put down his cup, and said, "I heard it from someone else, but I'm not sure if it's true or not."

But there shouldn't be any major problems.

After all, the organization checks the backgrounds of all factory workers coming to Beijing; those with ulterior motives certainly won't have a chance to come to Beijing.

Liu Haizhong meant that all the workers who were transferred from Beijing at that time had been investigated, and most of them were fine.

The person who told him probably won't have any problems.

The information you're giving seems pretty reliable.

I just don't know why the couple can't have children.

However, it is true that these two people had adopted children before, but unfortunately they didn't raise them properly.

It broke the hearts of the couple.

Yang Dalin knew this news, and he didn't ask why Yi Zhonghai or Wen Xiumei couldn't have children.

I asked, but I doubt Liu Haizhong knows either.

It's estimated that Yi Zhonghai's identity is not problematic. If Lao Liu knew that Yi Zhonghai had any issues, Lao Liu would definitely report him.

They still had enough to allow Lao Yi to celebrate the New Year. For someone obsessed with officialdom, would he let go of such a good opportunity?

impossible.

Yang Dalin and Liu Haizhong drank a few more cups, and seeing that Liu Haizhong was about to get drunk, they didn't linger any longer.

He called out to Wang Yuhuan in the inner room, "Aunt Liu, let's stop drinking here for today. Uncle Liu has had a bit too much to drink, please keep an eye on him."

He left some food coupons before taking his leave.

Liu Haizhong, drunk, saw Yang Dalin giving him grain coupons and wouldn't let Wang Yuhuan take them.

However, Yang Dalin still went out and stuffed the item into Wang Yuhuan's hands, which she actually wanted.

They were just being polite; you can't take their words seriously.

Besides, the Liu family's quota wasn't that generous.

However, I ate until I was about 70% full at Lao Liu's house.

It's a bit more comfortable than drinking with Lao Yi.

It wasn't prepared in a way that made it impossible to drink.

Back home, Aunt Qi did her needlework while waiting for the two of them to return.

The food left for them that evening was still covered on the table.

Yang Dalin wasn't very hungry this time; he ate until he was about 70% full, which was fine for dinner.

I asked Ma San, and Ma San also said he wasn't going to eat it.

So they put the leftover food into the cupboard.

Ma San wanted to discuss Yi Zhonghai's matter with Yang Dalin.

Yang Dalin said, "San'er, we should just keep his affair to ourselves, don't tell anyone else."

You see, Liu Haizhong didn't mention this matter in the yard, right?

After all, it's a sad thing, so we should learn to keep it a secret and not rub salt in their wounds.

Just know that, and keep your mouth shut.

Alright, go home and get some rest.

After listening to Yang Dalin's words, Ma San nodded seriously: "Okay, I understand, brother, I'm leaving now."

After Ma San left, Yang Dalin closed the gate before washing his feet and getting into bed.

Lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), he carefully considered Liu Haizhong's words and Yi Zhonghai's usual behavior.

If Yi Zhonghai is a spy, then it's possible that spies wouldn't dare have children in order to ensure the success of their undercover work.

After all, having a wife as a cover is fine, but with children, it's possible that the truth will be exposed.

After all, children sometimes don't understand anything.

Because the Northeast was occupied by the Japanese for the longest time, and he came from there, he only had a wife and no children.

That's a bit questionable.