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

"Why are there three children? Doesn't his family only have Banggeng and Xiaodang?" Yang Dalin asked, pretending not to know.

Ma San looked around and, seeing no one was there, whispered, "I heard Jia Dongxu's wife is pregnant again."

Well, it really is Xiao Huaihua's posthumous child.

She will be coming into this world soon.

It's estimated that Qin Huairu has just become pregnant.

Yang Dalin saw Qin Huairu a few days ago, and her belly didn't look big. It seems that she was wearing thick clothes in winter and was still in the early stages of pregnancy, so she hadn't shown her pregnancy yet.

Good heavens, Jia Dongxu's life is truly miraculous.

They've already changed his job, how could he not?

It can only be said that this was fate.

Yang Dalin then asked Ma San, "San'er, how's it going in the courtyard? Has any gossip started circulating?"

Did Yi Zhonghai say anything?

Ma San thought for a moment: "It seems like there's nothing wrong. Jia Dongxu didn't get it yesterday afternoon."

Qin Huairu fainted right after leaving the factory and was taken to the hospital.

Rumors circulated at the hospital that she was pregnant again.

Jia Zhangshi cried and sobbed in the courtyard, lamenting her miserable life.

Yi Zhonghai looked extremely uncomfortable.

Her eyes were red from crying, her face was miserable, and she wouldn't talk to anyone.

Some people in the courtyard whispered that Jia Zhangshi was a jinx to her husband and children, while others said that Qin Huairu used to be a vixen who flirted around everywhere, and that she was also a jinx to her husband.

That's about it.

Yang Dalin understood.

Thinking that today is the second day, and that I need to attend the funeral uninvited.

My relationship with Jia Dongxu is fairly good.

His wife is his wife. Jia Dongxu is a good person. They live in the same courtyard. He's gone. We should respect the dead and help him out.

Yang Dalin told him to follow along, but he needed to find Captain Wang and ask him for a day off.

I also need to tell my mentor, Tian Xueyi.

Fortunately, Captain Wang was still on duty because he was recording the goods entering the warehouse.

Brother Tian was also taking a shower in the station's shower room.

Yang Dalin told the two of them that there was no one left in the yard and he needed to ask for a day off.

This kind of thing is common, and Captain Wang readily agreed.

Tian Xueyi also told him that social interactions are normal, and he should go about his business if he needed to.

He'll be fine tomorrow.

Yang Dalin bid farewell to his superiors and mentor.

He rode his bike home with Ma San.

When Yang Dalin arrived outside the courtyard, he could hear crying from afar.

As soon as I entered, I ran into Grandpa Qi.

When Grandpa Qi saw Ma San with Yang Dalin, he knew that Yang Dalin knew that Jia Dongxu was gone.

Grandpa Qi sighed: "Dalinzi is back. If you have time tomorrow, go and help out. The burial is tomorrow."

"We don't need anyone to ask us for help; we're all neighbors in the same courtyard, so we should offer our assistance."

Yang Dalin nodded: "I know, Uncle Qi. I'll go home first and then go over to take a look."

Grandpa Qi waved his hand, indicating that he should do as he pleased.

Yang Dalin helped Ma San push the tricycle to the small courtyard behind Grandpa Qi's gatehouse.

I pushed the bike to the front yard myself.

There were several neighbors in the front yard, standing around the central courtyard from the side of the main hall.

I guess they were just looking to see if they needed any help.

Yang Dalin parked his bicycle at the door.

Carrying two bags, I pushed open the door.

Aunt Qi wasn't home.

Only Sister Yan and Xiao Ning were there.

Qi Xiaoning probably wasn't as excited to welcome Yang Dalin this time because someone had died in the yard.

Sister Yan and Xiao Ning took Yang Dalin's bag.

Sister Yan said gently, "You're back. Are you hungry? I'll go get some rice."

Yang Dalin nodded and asked, "Sister Yan, where's Auntie?"

Sister Yan said, "I'm helping out at the Jia family's place."

I went to call her back for dinner.

Yang Dalin said, "Okay, then you go ahead, Sister Yan. I'll go check over there after I finish eating."

Sister Yan nodded and went out. A little while later, Aunt Qi returned.

Aunt Qi also shed tears as she watched.

Her eyes were quite red.

Upon seeing that Dalinzi had returned safely, he said, "Dalinzi's back. You know what happened, right?"

Yang Dalin nodded: "Okay, I understand."

Aunt Qi then said, "Then you must be careful when you go to work in the future."

Dongxu is so young, not even thirty, and already... sigh... pitiful.

Leaving behind the entire family, Dongxu's family is also pregnant.

Jia Dongxu was born in 1932, and is now 1961. He just celebrated the Spring Festival, so he's not yet thirty.

He's only thirty years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning).

Yang Dalin patted Aunt Qi's hand: "Auntie, I know. I'm very safe at work. I have weapons to protect myself. There are always several of us on each trip. Don't be sad. Let's help each other out in the future. It's also a way of showing neighborly affection."

"Okay, let's help each other out in the future if we can."

They've been neighbors for decades; we can't just watch their family starve to death.

Yang Dalin nodded.

This kind of neighborly relationship is normal now.

When we encounter difficulties, we help each other out, although we often argue over trivial matters.

But when it really comes down to it, everyone will work together to help.

Unlike decades later, when neighbors living across the hall from each other in the same community don't know each other.

However, in rural areas, even if the relationship is not good, if someone in the other family dies, people will still go to pay their respects.

Otherwise, the villagers' spittle could drown someone.

Sister Yan and Ma San brought the food up.

Yang Dalin and Aunt Qi ate the meal without much interest.

Before they had finished eating, Sha Zhu arrived with his wife Mi Ya, He Yushui, and Mi Li.

Yang Dalin quickly invited them in.

Miya saw that Yang Dalin and the others were eating.

I'm a little embarrassed.

Sha Zhu was a little embarrassed, but he still took the initiative to greet Yang Dalin: "Just got back, brother?"

Yang Dalin quickly finished his meal, then took Mili from him. Mili seemed a little listless and clung to Yang Dalin, looking unhappy. Yang Dalin hugged her and gently patted her back, saying, "Yes, Brother Zhu, we just got home."

Sisters-in-law, have you eaten yet? If not, have something to eat at home.

Sha Zhu and Mi Ya quickly shook their heads: "We've already eaten, Da Linzi, Auntie, you don't need to be so polite."

that……"

Seeing that Sha Zhu was hesitant and that the whole family had come for dinner, Yang Dalin knew something must be wrong, so he asked directly, "What is it, Brother Zhu? Just say it."

They were still being so polite to me.

"If it's within my power, I'll definitely help."

Seeing that Yang Dalin spoke so readily, Sha Zhu immediately said, "Well, something happened at the Intermediate People's Court, didn't it?"

Rainwater and rice grains were frightened last night and dared not sleep.

I was thinking of letting Yushui and Mili squeeze in with my aunt and the others tonight, since there's a funeral tomorrow. I'll leave Mili at your house for another day tomorrow.

"Hey, I thought it was a big deal. Zhu Zi, don't worry, let Yu Shui and Mi Li sleep with us. If your wife is scared, she can squeeze in too. The room inside is big enough for her." Aunt Qi readily agreed.

Miya grabbed Aunt Qi's hand and said, "Auntie, I don't need it, I'm fine. It's mainly the rainwater and rice grains that are affected. The rice grains are too small. I was scared by Aunt Jia's crying last night. I'll just stay at your house for the day."

Aunt Qi readily agreed, and then blamed herself, saying that she also liked Mili very much, and that she should have thought of it yesterday and taken the initiative to collect the rainwater from Mili.

Actually, He Yushui is alright. She's so old, and it's not like she hasn't experienced people dying in the yard before.

The main problem was that Jia Zhangshi's crying was truly terrifying.