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

It's not entirely wrong for Wen Xiumei to call herself and Yi Zhonghai "old guys".

Because when the country was first founded, the average life expectancy was 35 years.

Last year's figure was 43 years as the average life expectancy.

Of course, the small increase is also due to the disasters of the past three years.

After this year, the average life expectancy will increase significantly next year.

The average life expectancy in China this year should be over 50, but the official figure has not yet been released. It will be over 60 next year.

Yi Zhonghai and Wen Xiumei are both around fifty years old.

It's not wrong for him to call himself an old guy.

Yang Dalin understood what Wen Xiumei meant; she felt that there were no children in the family.

Yi Zhonghai remained silent and made no comment.

Wen Xiumei said this deliberately, under the influence of alcohol.

Yang Dalin thought to himself, "That's exactly what I was thinking of bringing this up."

That's even better since you took the initiative to speak up.

Yang Dalin said, "Hey, this matter is quite simple, Auntie."

I understand what you mean, do you want to adopt a child?

Wen Xiumei said excitedly, "Yes, yes, I told your aunt about this a few days ago and asked her to keep an eye out for me."

I think she has good taste. Otherwise, look how well your family is doing after you came to your aunt's house.

Many people in the courtyard envy your aunt.

Leaving you aside, let's talk about Ma San. When you're not home, Ma San helps your aunt carry water, sweep the floor, tidy up the house, and buy winter vegetables every day. He's done a lot of chores for your aunt.

Everyone who sees you will praise your aunt for being so lucky.

Suddenly, I have two more sensible sons.

She won't have to worry about taking care of herself in her old age.

Take another look at our house.

"Don't laugh at us, ma'am, we're afraid that when we get old and can't walk anymore, there will be no one to take care of us!"

Yang Dalin first said modestly, "Hey, Auntie, don't flatter us. Ma San and I aren't as good as you say."

It's all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes.

Our aunt is good to us, so naturally we'll be good to her in return.

Yang Dalin glanced at Yi Zhonghai, who had remained silent, and asked, "Uncle Yi, have you discussed it with Auntie and agreed to her wishes to adopt a child?"

When Yi Zhonghai saw Yang Dalin asking him, he glanced at Wen Xiumei, exchanged a look with her, and then nodded heavily: "Yes, Dalinzi, I've been quite envious of your aunt lately."

I agree with what your aunt did.

I'm planning to adopt a child.

That's why I asked your aunt to go to your sister-in-law and ask her to secretly inquire about it for you.

Finally, find a bright, intelligent, and healthy little boy.

Yang Dalin waved his hand: "Uncle Yi, you're mistaken."

Yi Zhonghai quickly asked, "Ah, what's wrong?"

Wen Xiumei also looked at Yang Dalin nervously.

Yang Dalin explained, "Don't be in a hurry, let me explain slowly."

Grandpa Yi, Grandma Yi, due to special circumstances in recent years, there are quite a few orphans in the country.

You may not know this, but a few years ago, because there were too many orphans in Shanghai and they couldn't afford to raise them all, they sent more than 3,000 children to the grasslands to be raised by herders.

Among them, I also met someone, and before returning from this business trip, I even visited their home.

Think about it, there are so many orphans in Shanghai, how could our old city of Beijing be lacking in orphans?

Orphanages are probably overcrowded.

With a large population, there will definitely not be enough food.

More or less, these children may all have some stomach problems or minor ailments.

You asked me to find someone healthy and smart to introduce to you, but that's quite difficult in itself, because my aunt can't always be there to watch over things; she only goes to help out occasionally.

She might think he's smart, but you might not.

She might think the child is healthy, but you might think the child has some minor health issues.

That's why I said you're wrong.

Ideally, you two should go and see for yourselves which child you like best, and then adopt that child.

Also, I suggest you don't just adopt one boy.

"Ah, why?" Wen Xiumei quickly asked.

Yang Dalin said, "Auntie, think about it. You're right about the boy. You're raising him when he's young, and he'll take care of you in your old age."

However, boys are generally more careless and not very good at washing, cleaning, or mending.

I suggest you adopt another little girl.

From now on, we'll raise her like our own daughter. We'll have a son to care for her in her old age and see her off in her final days, and a daughter to do all the sewing and mending and washing.

After all, girls are more meticulous, and they're better at these things.

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai and Wen Xiumei nodded repeatedly: "That makes sense, Dalinzi, what you said makes sense."

Wen Xiumei added, "Dalinzi is more knowledgeable and has a wider range of experience; he speaks very eloquently."

Do you have any other suggestions?

Yang Dalin's mind raced. Yi Zhonghai earned over a hundred yuan a month, with a salary of ninety-nine yuan alone. With subsidies and allowances, it was easily over a hundred yuan.

Let alone raising two children, raising three, five, seven or eight is no problem.

Isn't it said that with great power comes great responsibility?

Let him raise a few more orphans; that will save him from having to scheme and plot against others.

With Yi Zhonghai's abilities, teaching a few children shouldn't be a problem.

He may not be good at anything else, but Yi Zhonghai certainly knows how to manipulate children and use moral blackmail, right?

Yang Dalin added, "Let me think about it some more. Oh, by the way, I think you two shouldn't adopt babies that are too young, like those that haven't been weaned or have just been weaned. It might be quite troublesome for you."

After all, the child is too young, and you can't get a lot of formula. Besides, the child is too young and prone to getting sick.

I suggest you adopt some well-behaved children, and it would be best to adopt several, as you shouldn't just choose one boy.

At least two, or three; girls should also choose two.

"Oh, are you going to adopt a child who can already remember things?" Yi Zhonghai asked.

Yang Dalin said, "Yes, otherwise, Uncle Yi, how would you know if he's smart or not if he doesn't remember things?"

If the baby is too young, do you have the energy to breastfeed him every day?

Very young children can cry several times a night.

Are you two still able to keep up with your energy?

You're so sensible, so don't be afraid. After all, they're orphans and have no relatives. Now that you've adopted them, you're their closest family. The neighborhood and the street are watching. How could they possibly be unfilial to you in the future?

"They're so unfilial, the neighbors' gossip could drown them."

Yi Zhonghai then asked, "Then why raise more?"

"We can't afford to raise too many!"

Yang Dalin then explained, "Uncle Yi, you're overthinking it."

Think about it, if you only adopt one child, what if something happens to that child later?

Just look at Grandpa Zhao's son and daughter-in-law in the main room.

Did something happen to them that caused their deaths?

The couple was walking peacefully down the street when they were hit by a bomb planted by spies and were gone in an instant. Who could have imagined that?

And speaking of the person across the street from your house, your former apprentice, Brother Dongxu, you know him best.

When this matter was mentioned, Yi Zhonghai's face darkened.