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

Ignoring Yan Bugui behind him, Yang Dalin knocked on the door of Yi Zhonghai's room in the east wing of the central courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai had just finished dinner, and in the dead of winter, the door was definitely closed.

Upon hearing the knock, Yi Zhonghai first shouted, "Who is it? The door isn't locked, just come in."

Yang Dalin pushed open the door and said, "Uncle Yi, it's me."

"Oh, oh, Dalinzi, come in and sit down."

Why are you carrying alcohol?

Want to have a drink with me? Why did you bring your own alcohol? I have some.

"Just come empty-handed."

Yi Zhonghai warmly welcomed Yang Dalin in.

Yang Dalin placed two bottles of wine and an oil paper package on the table and said, "Uncle Yi, didn't you say last time that we should have a drink together when we have time?"

As a result, I suddenly received another assignment to go on a business trip.

"That's why I came looking for you as soon as I got back today."

"Haha, if you're busy with work, then go ahead and do your work. If you want to drink, just come to my place, no need to bring anything."

"Just come and see the elderly folks, talk to us, and we'll be happy."

"Oh, Uncle Yi, you're too kind. You are, after all, our elders. Aunt Yi, this is a package of mutton I brought back. I brought you two jin (1 kg), please don't think it's too little."

Wen Xiumei quickly declined, saying, "Dalinzi, it's enough that you're here. I'm happy you came empty-handed. We're all neighbors, so there's no need to be so polite. You have a lot of people in your family, and Xiaoning is still growing. You can take it back later."

I'll go prepare a couple of dishes right away; you and Lao Yi can have some drinks.

Yang Dalin forcefully shoved the mutton into her hands: "Aunt Yi, I've already brought it."

There's no reason to take it back.

Besides, as you all know, I drive long distances, so it's easier for me to buy meat outside without needing a ration coupon. Please don't be shy about buying it.

This meat is also a way of thanking your family.

The money I owed you before, only 20% was left. I'll pay it all back this time.

"We've spent so much money and so much time on you, we can't just leave without a thank you!"

When Yi Zhonghai heard Yang Dalin's words, they were reasonable and well-founded, which made him likeable.

He said, "Alright, old woman, then accept it. You can go and prepare some snacks to go with the drinks, then cook this meat."

Yang Dalin stopped her again: "Aunt Yi, I've already eaten. Just make a couple of simple dishes to go with your drinks. You can save this meat for the New Year."

No need to go to so much trouble, any small snack will do, even a pickled vegetable dumpling will do.

Don't get too busy, or I won't drink with Uncle Yi anymore.

You've gone to all that trouble to prepare this; I won't eat a single bite and I'll just turn around and leave.

Wen Xiumei knew that Yang Dalin meant well; he was just worried that she would prepare too many dishes and told her to just make a couple of simple dishes so as not to waste food.

After all, no one has abundant resources right now.

Of course, Yi Zhonghai was a newly promoted eighth-level worker, and his family consisted of only two people.

Their living conditions are still much better than those of many ordinary workers.

The two of them are simply frugal with food and money, saving most of their savings for retirement.

Wen Xiumei took the mutton and said with a smile, "Auntie Xing knows what you mean. It won't be too much trouble. I'll just make a couple of simple dishes. Please sit down, have some water, and wait."

After saying that, Wen Xiumei turned and went to the kitchen.

Yang Dalin took out forty yuan from his pocket and handed it to Yi Zhonghai: "Here, Uncle Yi, I paid you back one hundred and sixty yuan six months ago. Here's the remaining twenty percent, forty yuan."

You count them.

Grandpa Yi even pretended to be polite and said, "Hey, what's the rush? Why don't you use it first, and we can talk about it later."

Yang Dalin pressed down on Yi Zhonghai's hand, who was trying to stuff the money back into his hands: "Uncle Yi, my family doesn't need it for the time being, really. Now that we have the money, we should naturally pay back the money we owe. As the saying goes, if you borrow and repay, it's not hard to borrow again."

If you have money but don't pay back the money you borrowed, then you have no character.

Right? Don't worry, my family still has money for the New Year.

"Why don't you give me back my IOU?"

"Okay, you're not that old, but you're really good at handling things. You said you'd pay it off in two years, and you're really not short of time."

I'll keep it for now, and you can let me know if you need anything later.

I'll get you the IOU right now.

Soon Yi Zhonghai returned to his bedroom, took out the IOU, and handed it to Yang Dalin.

Yang Dalin glanced at it and confirmed that it was indeed the one he had written. He then picked up the thermos on the stove next to him, threw the IOU into the stove, lit it, and said, "Uncle Yi, we're even now about the money I borrowed from you."

"Yes, we're even."

Oh, by the way, will you be able to pay back the money you borrowed from Lao Liu's family, as well as Zhu Zi's and Xu Damao's families this time?

Why don't you take this money back and use it first, just in case you run out? I'm not in a hurry.

After all, the Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and your family has quite a few expenses.

"Don't worry, Uncle Yi, I've saved up some money in the past six months, enough for you. You can rest assured."

Ma San and Aunt Qi both chipped in money for me, that's enough.

"I'll have money to spend during the Chinese New Year."

"Okay, that's good."

It's good to have many breadwinners in the family.

Yi Zhonghai didn't actually know that Yang Dalin hadn't lent Sha Zhu any money at all. Yang Dalin had just had Sha Zhu put on a show, telling everyone that he had lent him money, but no one else knew that Sha Zhu hadn't contributed a single penny.

Yang Dalin only borrowed money from Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Xu Damao on purpose.

This was also to cover his tracks, because at the time he wanted to buy three radios and one watch at once.

If he doesn't proactively lend out some money and just takes it out himself, the people in the courtyard will become suspicious of him.

Fearing that these people might cause trouble, he deliberately borrowed money from their family, hoping that their debt would make them treat his family more politely.

Because the one who owes money is the boss.

Judging from Yi Zhonghai's words, it seems that Sha Zhu has kept this a secret quite well and has been cooperating well with him.

Yi Zhonghai was unaware that Sha Zhu hadn't contributed any money.

The two chatted for a while, and soon Wen Xiumei brought out a plate of scrambled eggs and a plate of peanuts and placed them on the table.

She told them to drink first, and then she went to prepare two more dishes.

Yang Dalin stopped Wen Xiumei: "Aunt Yi, I've already eaten, and you've eaten too. These two dishes are enough."

There's really no need for more; otherwise, it would be a waste. Please, have a seat.

Let's talk together and stop preparing the food.

That's enough.

Wen Xiumei struggled several times but failed to break free.

In the end, they agreed to Yang Dalin's suggestion.

Yang Dalin and Yi Zhonghai drank the Lao Bai Gan liquor that Yang Dalin had brought.

Wen Xiumei happily drank a small cup, then followed suit with boiled water.

Let's chat.

As they chatted, Wen Xiumei suddenly said, "Dalinzi, I'm quite envious of your auntie!"

Yang Dalin asked, "What does Auntie envy about my aunt?"

What is there to envy?

Wen Xiumei poured herself some more wine, drank it all in one gulp, and said, "I envy your family's lively New Year celebration."

Look at your family, there's you, Yanhua, Xiaoning, and Ma San'er, several children are celebrating the New Year with your aunt.

Unlike our family, it's just you, Uncle Yi, and me, two old folks, spending the New Year in a cold and quiet atmosphere.

There's absolutely no liveliness about it.