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

After exchanging pleasantries with Uncle Pi for a while, Yang Dalin left a New Year's gift and then went to his new home, to visit his landlord, Old Wang.

The couple treated me well.

Who knows where my son is making contributions to scientific research again, in some hidden corner.

The house that Mr. Wang and his wife sold to themselves wasn't expensive.

It's still possible to get along well.

So Yang Dalin said goodbye to Uncle Pi and rode his bicycle to his new home, a courtyard house.

Upon entering the courtyard, we encountered children from two neighboring houses, the west wing and the rear house, playing games.

Yang Dalin has come several times, and the children from both families know him.

One by one, they took the initiative to greet Yang Dalin.

A little girl even came over and bowed to him, saying, "Happy New Year, Uncle."

Yang Dalin looked at the polite little girl with a smile.

I patted her on the head and gave each of them a few pieces of candy.

Then someone gave out one cent as a New Year's gift.

The two mothers were sitting at the door doing needlework. When they saw Yang Dalin handing out money, they quickly tried to stop him, saying, "Little Yang, just give us some candy. How can we let you give us New Year's money?"

Yang Dalin smiled and said, "It's alright, Auntie, it's only one cent per person, not a dollar in total."

Let them buy some small firecrackers to set off for fun.

After all, they haven't moved in yet, and they're not that close yet. A penny per person isn't much, and the parents won't take it away. The kids can spend it themselves.

If you give out too many, one family might not want them, and the other might have them confiscated.

The little ones received their New Year's money and happily ran out to buy snacks and firecrackers to play with.

Yang Dalin walked into Grandpa Wang's house carrying a bag.

Grandpa Wang went to work again, and only Grandma Wang was at home.

Her complexion looks much better than before.

Aunt Wang had just heard Yang Dalin's voice and happily welcomed him into her home.

Seeing that he was carrying another bag, she scolded him, "Dalinzi, you're here, so just come and see us. Don't keep carrying things."

Yang Dalin changed the subject, saying, "No, Auntie, I was away on a business trip during the Spring Festival and wasn't home."

"Knowing you have some treasures here, I'll come and exchange some more for something."

Knowing that Yang Dalin was kind-hearted and pitied them, and intended to help them, Aunt Wang sighed and said, "These are all old things from the past, nothing precious or anything. Take whatever you like this time."

"Have lunch here. The auntie will cook you something delicious, and you and your uncle can have a drink."

Yang Dalin waved his hand and said, "Auntie, not today. My leave is limited, and I have several other places to visit later."

I went on a business trip before the Lunar New Year and only got back yesterday.

I have to visit all these houses today; I really don't have time to drink.

Next time, after the wine I've been brewing in the cellar is ready, I'll drink with Grandpa then.

I make medicinal wine with my colleagues; it's good for your health and better than regular wine.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Wang said, "Okay, then I'll listen to you. It just so happens that your Uncle Wang's health isn't great either, so let him take some tonics too."

"Dalinzi, are you in a hurry to move in? If you are, we'll move after the fifteenth of the lunar month. We can't delay your move."

Yang Dalin quickly said, "Auntie, don't rush, you can move in after spring."

That was a convenient time to clean the house.

It's alright, I'm not in a hurry. Even if I were, the east wing would be big enough for me.

I'm still several years away from getting married and having a wife, so there's no rush.

Don't worry, you can stay here. We'll move in when it gets warmer in the spring. Let me know before you move and I'll come help you.

Even if I'm busy, you've met my buddy Ma San; he has a tricycle, which can be convenient for helping you load up large items like furniture.

Hearing Yang Dalin's words, Aunt Wang said with emotion, "Okay, good boy, then we'll stay a few more days. We've been neighbors for so many years, it's hard to bear to see you move away all at once."

Yang Dalin added, "It's alright, Auntie. The building isn't far. You're feeling much better, so you can come back whenever you want. I'll save you a room then, so you can stay for a few days if you wish."

There are so many rooms, I can't possibly stay in them all.

"You can come and stay occasionally in the summer; the old house is cool. In the winter, you can stay in the apartment building with heating, isn't that fine?"

"I can't accept that. I've already given you the house, so how could I possibly come back to live here?" Aunt Wang said, feeling very embarrassed.

Yang Dalin mainly respected the fact that their child was making contributions to the country anonymously.

Although Yang Dalin doesn't have the ability to take care of his parents, he can still help take care of them in his place.

Yang Dalin continued, "Auntie, it's alright, you know what my job is like."

Sometimes I have to go on business trips for many days at a time.

My aunt's family won't be coming to stay for the time being.

Your occasional visits bring some life to the house.

People say that old houses deteriorate faster if no one lives in them for a long time.

So this isn't something to be embarrassed about; you're actually helping me out.

When you come, you can also help me tidy up a bit.

If that's the case, then I should pay you for your work.

"In a few years, after I get married, if I'm too busy with work, you can come and help me take care of the children. Do you think I should pay you?"

Aunt Wang laughed and said, "Haha, I'll just give you a quick cleaning, why would I take your money?"

However, now that my old bones are healed, after a few more years of recuperation, I can really come and help you take care of your children when I have free time.

I'd be happy to do this job.

Seeing that Aunt Wang was very happy, Yang Dalin said, "Okay, then it's settled. My aunt lives far away, so she'll probably be too busy to come over. After I get married, Auntie, please come visit more often and help out."

Please enjoy the food I brought this time.

"Get well soon so you can help me in the future."

"Okay, then I'll agree, but I can't take it for free. See if there's anything in the house that you like."

You can take it or move it to your east wing.

Anyway, there are a lot of things that my husband and I won't need anymore.

Yang Dalin knew that Aunt Wang wouldn't take things for nothing, so he glanced at her and pointed to a chair, saying, "Let's change to this one."

I'll come back next time to get a different one.

Yang Dalin then took out some meat and grains from his bag and gave them to Aunt Wang.

Aunt Wang was worried that Yang Dalin would be taken advantage of, so she insisted that he choose a few more items.

Yang Dalin resolutely refused.

Then he went to the cellar to check on the wine.

Grandma Wang did not come down.

Yang Dalin then took the medicine he had prepared last time and various processed bones from his spatial storage and put them into the wine vat.

These wines need to be soaked for a while.

Let it sit there for now.

After saying goodbye to Aunt Wang, Yang Dalin rode his bicycle to Tian Xueyi's house nearby.

After all, Brother Tian is his nominal mentor. Although he often visits him before the Lunar New Year, he still has to pay his respects.

Brother Tian hasn't gone to work today; today is his last day off. He won't start work until tomorrow.

I happened to ask him to take care of my lunch.

Yang Dalin took out some meat and two bottles of wine from his spatial storage and put them in his bag. He soon arrived at the courtyard where Tian Xueyi was.