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

In some rural areas of northern China, men and women sleep together on a large kang (heated brick bed).

There's nothing we can do about the housing shortage.

With so many children, if they don't sleep together, there might not be enough blankets and firewood for heating.

I had no choice but to squeeze in and sleep there.

It's a bit better in the summer, as we can sleep in separate rooms.

After all, there's no need for heating anymore; in the sweltering summer, you can sleep on a tattered mat or even a tent outside.

Yang Dalin said, "Uncle Yi, tidy up this room. I think you should put two bunk beds in there."

That takes up less space.

In the summer when it gets hot, the children can come over to sleep.

Just put a small curtain in the middle.

In winter, let them squeeze in with you.

After all, your kang (heated brick bed) is warm and spacious.

Or in the summer you can bring your two boys, Xiao Rui and Xiao Peng, to sleep in this room, while the older woman and the two little girls sleep in the other room.

Two study desks can be installed next to the bunk bed. They can be folded up and stored away when not in use, saving space.

Build some storage cabinets under the bed, like pull-out drawers, where you can put thick blankets or warm clothes.

Yi Zhonghai was very interested in what Yang Dalin was talking about regarding bunk beds.

Bunk beds are not nonexistent; they are available now.

Yi Zhonghai had met him before.

These types of beds are often found in factories or school dormitories.

It's not used very often in households.

Yi Zhonghai was interested in the study desk and storage boxes that Yang Dalin mentioned could be folded up.

"Dalinzi, that's a great idea. Draw me a diagram later, and I'll have a carpenter make two sets."

Yang Dalin shook his head: "Uncle Yi, I can only offer suggestions. You want me to draw? Forget it, I can't do that."

Describe the process carefully to the carpenters and let them try it.

And they'll definitely come inside to take measurements and stuff.

Leave professional tasks to professionals.

"Well, I'm only good at theoretical discussions; please, spare me the task of drawing diagrams."

Yang Dalin can draw simple diagrams, but he's afraid he won't be able to draw diagrams for professional carpenters making furniture well.

So I'd better not embarrass myself by showing off.

Yi Zhonghai knew that Yang Dalin had only dropped out of junior high school, so it was normal that he could think of it but couldn't draw it.

Yi Zhonghai said, "Alright, then I won't trouble you. I'll talk to the carpenter about it later."

I reckon they could probably make it just by hearing about it.

"Oh, by the way, leave the tricycle with me later. Your aunt and I need to take the four kids to buy some groceries and other things this afternoon."

"Alright, Uncle Yi, do you still need me to go with you?"

"No need, you've been busy all morning, that's enough."

Take a rest; you just got back from a business trip.

I can ride a tricycle; I can take them all there.

Yang Dalin could tell that Yi Zhonghai was even more motivated now that he had a child.

So when no one else was paying attention, he lent Yi Zhonghai some more receipts.

Let him take it and use it first.

With four new children in the family, I'm guessing we'll need to buy a lot of things.

Qian Yizhonghai certainly doesn't lack money; he may not have saved much for retirement.

What he might be lacking is some receipts.

After tidying up here.

Yang Dalin gave Yi Zhonghai the key to the chain lock on the tricycle.

Yang Dalin went out first.

People came and went from one room to another at Yi Zhonghai's house.

Seeing that Qi Yulan had given two small bundles of clothes, other families who had received help from Yi Zhonghai also contributed some things from their homes.

I also took a look at the four children.

Unexpectedly, the deaf old lady from the backyard came over with a small bag of things.

The person supporting her was Wang Yuhuan, Liu Haizhong's wife.

Before the deaf old lady even entered the house, she encountered Yang Dalin outside the door.

She stopped, and Yang Dalin greeted her, "Hello, ma'am, you've come too?"

The old deaf man didn't seem unhappy at all, and said kindly, "I heard Xiao Yi went to the orphanage, and Da Linzi, you went with him?"

"Yes, madam, I had a day off today and happened to have some free time, so I accompanied Grandpa Yi to take a look."

"You've come to see the children too?"

"Okay, okay, I thank you, Dalinzi, on behalf of Xiaoyi and his wife."

Yes, I've come to see the child.

"Come on, help me up, I need to go inside and check on the children first."

Yang Dalin helped the deaf old lady into the house, and as soon as she entered, everyone in the house stood up.

The four children were also a little uneasy.

The deaf old lady first said, "Don't be so polite, there are no outsiders here, everyone please sit down."

Xiumei, these four children, 1, 2, 3, 4, are good, good, two boys and two girls, that's great.

"Tell me their names, ages, and that you have a gift for them, madam."

Seeing that the deaf old lady was quite happy, Wen Xiumei began to introduce everyone to her one by one.

Every time she introduced someone, she would have the child call out "Hello, Mrs./Mrs."

When she heard the children calling her, the deaf old lady took out a small gift from her little bundle and gave it to Xiao Rui and the others.

It seems that this deaf old man, like most elderly people, likes children.

After the introductions were finished, Yang Dalin and Wen Xiumei also spoke, and then to Xiao Rui and the other children: "Xiao Rui, I live in the front yard."

Come visit me when you have time.

I'll head back now.

These children are somewhat dependent on Yang Dalin, especially since Xiao Rui has a very good impression of him.

Moreover, they were a bit unfamiliar and nervous being surrounded by so many people since they had just arrived here.

Yang Dalin patted Xiao Rui on the shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid, this will be your home from now on."

I'm in the front yard. I'll take you to my house to play later.

"Hey, this is Mili from next door. Mili, come here, you can play with Brother Rui, Sister Hong, Sister Tong, and Brother Peng."

Yang Dalin happened to see little Mili squeezing in to watch the excitement.

This little girl has been well cared for by the silly couple; she's become much more lively and cheerful.

After saying goodbye, Yang Dalin left. Just as he left Yi Zhonghai's house, he saw Mi Ya holding He Dan and watching the commotion outside the Yi family's gate. Yang Dalin said to Mi Ya, "Sister-in-law, tell Brother Zhuzi tonight that I'll ask him to come over."

Miya learned that Yang Dalin had accompanied Yi Zhonghai throughout the entire child adoption process today. Now her husband, Zhuzi, no longer had to worry about Yi Zhonghai scheming against him in his old age.

Sandpaper certainly didn't hide these things from Miya, who shared a bed with him.

She said cheerfully and generously, "Okay, I'll cook a few dishes for you tonight and wait for you to come over for drinks."

"Let's skip the drinking, sister-in-law. I just want to talk to Brother Zhu about a few things tonight."

Yang Dalin teased Sha Zhu's son, He Dan, for a while longer before leaving.

Yang Dalin arrived at the front yard and saw that the Yan family's gate was tightly closed.

Yang Ruihua hid inside the house, peering out through the glass in the window.

I guess Yang Ruihua was afraid to deliver the things.

They kept their own doors tightly shut.

Perhaps she was waiting for the head of her household, Lao Yan Yanbugui, to return.

Without Lao Yan's permission, Yang Ruihua dared not easily move any of her family's belongings to send over.

Yang Dalin pursed his lips and remained silent.