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

Yi Zhonghai's intention to take Jia Dongxu as his apprentice and find him a place to live in his old age was obvious to everyone in the courtyard.

He was usually very kind to Jia Dongxu's family.

However, I really didn't expect that the investment would end up being worthless.

It's really frustrating.

Yi Zhonghai did not deny it after the deaf old lady saw through his thoughts.

"Grandma, I thought I had done it very discreetly."

"Haha, secluded, Zhonghai, let's talk behind closed doors, just the three of us. You don't need to be afraid of losing face, don't treat everyone like fools."

Even if someone in the courtyard seems foolish, others can still see right through them.

Do you think Jia Zhangshi of the Jia family can't see through things? Do you think Qin Huairu doesn't know?

They probably both know what's going on. They see you as an old man in the courtyard and have a high income, so they might be trying to take advantage of you.

Don't underestimate people.

People aren't stupid.

Others can see through you, but they're too lazy to expose you. Anyway, you're willing to be the sucker, and it's a willing buyer and a willing seller situation, so why should they say anything?

It saves other people trouble, so...

Don't overthink things in the future, and don't be so cunning.

Just speak your mind openly and honestly.

We'll maintain the pillar for a while first, then we'll get straight to the point.

If their family is willing, you should maintain a good relationship with them.

If he's not willing, you should adopt a child as soon as possible, or find another target.

Otherwise, be careful not to continue using underhanded tactics to manipulate others, or they will rebel.

"Grandma, shouldn't you just say it clearly and explicitly?"

"Yeah, what are you embarrassed about? Instead of hiding it, just say it outright."

If Zhu Zi is unwilling, just replace him to save time; otherwise, it will all be for nothing.

"I...I..."

"What do you mean, 'you'? The old lady isn't trying to harm you. It's best to just say it directly."

He agreed, so you should treat everyone to a meal, establish a godparent relationship, and finalize the matter.

It also lets everyone know and puts things out in the open.

If he ignores you in the future, everyone can condemn him and criticize him.

If you still try to manipulate others, and they develop a rebellious attitude and refuse to agree to your demands, won't you end up with nothing?

Why waste that time and money?

"What if, like the Jia family, they invested for so many years, only to end up with nothing?"

Wang Yumei found the old deaf man's words to be very reasonable.

He interrupted directly, saying, "Old Yi, I think the old lady is right."

If Zhu Zi really doesn't want to, we should adopt a child as soon as possible, or find another target.

If one child isn't enough, we can adopt two or three.

Don't adopt a very young one; a two- or three-year-old who doesn't remember anything is fine.

We've raised us from childhood to adulthood, so they can't just not take care of us in our old age, right?

When you retire, let them take over your work and pass on your skills to them.

This way, our future will be secure.

Yi Zhonghai had actually been persuaded by the deaf old lady long ago. He thought of Yang Dalin, whom the Qi family had brought back, and Ma San, who were all good children.

Even if you actually adopt a few, they might not all be ungrateful.

With my own income, raising two or three children is really not a big deal.

The difficulties have arisen in the past two years due to reduced grain production.

However, it's impossible for famine to continue indefinitely.

It will pass sooner or later.

We can maintain Sha Zhu first, and then look for other suitable candidates.

If Shazhu really doesn't want to, then he can choose a backup candidate or adopt an orphan.

It's a pity that I've invested in the Jia family for so many years; it's a bit heartbreaking.

Yi Zhonghai thought of Dongxu's son, Banggeng, and Qin Huairu's unborn child.

If Qin Huairu is pregnant with another boy, could Banggeng and his brother take care of her in her old age?

After all, he had invested in the Jia family for so many years and had a foundation of affection for them. In the future, Qin Huairu would be there to help the couple with their laundry and cleaning.

Bang Geng should be properly educated so that he and his brother can take care of the couple in their old age.

Upon having this idea, Yi Zhonghai, hoping for the best, asked the deaf old lady.

"Grandma, what do you think about me relying on Dongxu's child Banggeng and his unborn son in the future?"

After all, given this relationship, maintaining it isn't easy, especially since they live across the hall from each other.

The deaf old woman closed her eyes and pondered for a while before saying, "This is not advisable. Hesitation will only lead to trouble."

Let's not even discuss whether Qin Huairu's next child will be a son.

With Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu teaching the children, Bang Geng wouldn't be able to teach them very well.

As the saying goes, "You can tell what a person will be like at three years old," and my daily jokes are all based on Qin Huairu.

Just you wait and see, he'll definitely be raised by Qin Huairu to be a selfish and self-serving person.

You've never heard of hamsters being so delicious, but also stealing other people's food?

I've heard of the old lady before.

Since Jia Zhangshi had lost her husband and son, she would inevitably be instilled with the idea from a young age that her son should be filial to them in the future.

Banggeng lost his father at such a young age. You'd better watch out for him in the future. He'll never amount to anything.

His grandfather and father both died young. What if he also dies young?

Who can say for sure?

If you get old and he gets old, and he has a short lifespan, won't you end up with nothing to show for your efforts?

"By then you'll be old, retired, and won't have the energy anymore. Will you still have the energy to find someone to train you then?"

These words sent a chill down Yi Zhonghai's spine.

Yes, fate is a tricky thing.

Old Jia died young, and Dongxu died at only thirty.

Don't let the same happen to the sticky rice.

Forget it, let's listen to the old lady. Let's find Zhuzi first. If that doesn't work, we'll adopt two or three boys ourselves and educate them from a young age. That would be safer.

Yi Zhonghai: "Grandma, you're right. Old ginger is spicier. We'll listen to you."

First, find Zhu Zi; if that doesn't work, just adopt two or three boys.

Wang Yumei quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, we'll listen to the old lady."

The deaf old lady nodded with relief: "Yes, it's good that you can understand."

In the future, if I pass away, leave this house to you. You can move in and leave your houses for your children to use when they get married.

This way, Zhonghai will have a pension and a house for his children to get married.

We won't have to worry about the next few decades.

"Grandma, what are you saying? You will surely live to be a hundred years old."

"Haha, good, may you live to be a hundred years old."

"Alright, I'm tired and need to rest. You all go visit the Jia family again. We were master and disciple; let's part ways amicably."

"Okay, then you can rest now, ma'am. We're leaving."

With Yi Zhonghai letting go of his obsession with the Jia family, he felt much more at ease.

I thought to myself, the old lady was truly farsighted and had a long-term vision.

Yi Zhonghai and Wang Yumei, a married couple, helped the deaf old lady close the door and then went to the Intermediate People's Court to check on her.

Yang Dalin, meanwhile, was concentrating on listening to the sounds coming from the deaf old woman's house in the backyard.

Yang Dalin heard their entire conversation clearly.

Upon hearing that Yi Zhonghai and his wife had returned to the Intermediate People's Court, Yang Dalin turned his attention back to the court, ready to hear what Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu would say later.