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

Just as Yang Dalin was about to leave, Sha Zhu and Xu Damao stood in front of him at the same time.

Both of them wanted to take Yang Dalin out for drinks.

Yang Dalin refused the two men: "No, brothers, I won't drink today. I'll come to your house for a while later."

I haven't had a few meals with my aunt since I came back.

Besides, I've already prepared everything at home.

"And isn't Chinese New Year just around the corner? We'll have a holiday then, and I'll be treating everyone to dinner and drinks during the holiday, okay?"

After declining the two men's enthusiastic invitations, Yang Dalin went home to prepare for dinner.

The food is all ready, we're just waiting for people to come back so we can eat.

While Yang Dalin was waiting for his family, he focused his attention and overheard the conversation at Yan Bugui's house across the street.

Yang Ruihua said, "Old Yan, Old Yi adopted four children at once, and many people from the courtyard brought them some things during the day."

I didn't move because I saw you hadn't come back.

You said you'd like to take something with you after you finish eating.

Yan Bugui's eyes darted around: "Haha, no need. Believe it or not, not only will I not have to give him anything, but Old Yi will have to give me gifts on his own initiative."

Yang Ruihua asked, "Ah, why is that?"

"I have a clever plan."

"Alright, just tell me directly, so I don't have to guess for so long."

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you."

Look, they adopted four children at once. So do you think those four children need to go to school? And if they need to go to school, won't they have to ask me for help?

He had the nerve to come empty-handed when he asked for my help.

"What you said makes sense, but these are two different things."

Visiting their family to see their new baby is one thing, but them asking you to help them get their child into school is another.

Their family suddenly welcomed four new members; we should at least offer our condolences.

After our family moved here, when our third and fourth children were born, Lao Yi always gave a gift.

Everyone else in the courtyard went, and if we didn't, wouldn't that look bad?

Old Yan thought this made sense and said, "Then how about this, you fill my half-full bottle with cold water, and I'll take the wine to congratulate you."

I'll put in two more yuan as a token of my appreciation, just to return the favor. I reckon Lao Yi won't accept the money.

Do not worry.

Even if he does take it, it's fine. After the New Year, when he arranges for the children to go to school, I'll definitely take more back.

I won't be eating at home tonight.

Old Yi's family must have cooked something delicious today.

Well, that's very Yan Bugui; he's really good at scheming.

They can only see what's in front of them, but not what's in the distance.

Yang Dalin gave a disdainful laugh.

I'm too lazy to listen anymore.

At this moment, Qi Xiaoning and Aunt Qi returned first, and then Ma San and Qi Yanhua also returned home shortly afterward.

As soon as they got home, Yang Dalin told everyone to wash their hands and eat dinner.

After a happy family dinner, Yang Dalin told Qi Xiaoning that he would bring Yi Zhonghai's four children to play together later.

Upon hearing that Yi Zhonghai's family had four new children, Qi Xiaoning immediately wanted to go and see them.

Aunt Qi smacked her on the head with her chopsticks: "Everyone's eating now, let's go tomorrow."

Seeing Qi Xiaoning's discomfiture, Yang Dalin couldn't help but laugh again.

Qi Xiaoning was unhappy, so she wanted to bite Yang Dalin.

The two of them ended up bickering for a while.

Yang Dalin then said, "Auntie, I'm going to Xu Damao's house and Liu Haizhong's house to pay back all the money I borrowed last time."

"To avoid them finding out I've paid off Yi Zhonghai, and then they'll be unhappy."

"Alright, go ahead then, but don't drink. Shouldn't you take some more mutton from each household?"

"Okay, take it. Sister Yan, could you cut me three pieces of mutton, each weighing about two pounds?"

If Yi Zhonghai's family gave, then other families should also give.

Otherwise it won't look good.

Aunt Qi knew that Yang Dalin hadn't borrowed any money from Sha Zhu, so she bought two extra pounds of meat to visit his house as a show for others.

Sending two jin to Sha Zhu's family wouldn't be a big deal.

The Sha Zhu family and the Yang Dalin family have a very good relationship.

It's all because Aunt Qi found Miya, Shazhu's wife.

Miya gave birth to another big, healthy son for Shazhu, and she became pregnant with her second child very early.

Miya also often brings her child over to chat with Aunt Qi.

Sha Zhu would bring over any good food he could find so that Aunt Qi's family could have a taste.

So giving them two pounds of meat is no big deal.

Yang Dalin didn't bring Ma San this time either.

He took three paper packages and carried six bottles of wine by a rope in his hand, and went out the door.

As Yang Dalin passed by Yi Zhonghai's house, he happened to see Yan Bugui being politely escorted out by Yi Zhonghai.

What's wrong? Did Lao Yan not get a free meal?

Old Yan was still carrying his bottle of baijiu, which was 99% cold water.

Seeing that Yang Dalin was carrying so many things, it was a pity that he should have received a share.

Old Yan was envious, but also a little regretful.

Yi Zhonghai was right behind Lao Yan. When he saw Yang Dalin, Yi Zhonghai greeted him, "Dalinzi, have you eaten? Want to come over and have a couple more drinks?"

Yang Dalin held up what he was carrying, and Yi Zhonghai immediately understood: the person was returning the money, and it was the same as the gift he had given to his family.

"Uncle Yi, let's call it a day. I'll go and take care of things at the other places."

Neither of them paid any more attention to Yan Bugui, and seeing this, Yan Bugui had no choice but to slink away with a dark face.

After he left, Yang Dalin asked Yi Zhonghai, "Uncle Yi, what's up? Old Yan's here to freeload again?"

Yi Zhonghai said helplessly, "Yes, there are so many people in the house today, and a few more children, so your auntie will cook later and is preparing to cook more dishes."

Originally, it was supposed to be a family reunion, but he came again with that bottle of wine that had been diluted with cold water countless times.

I was thinking it would be good if he ate some too.

However, he later implied that he wanted to give these children gifts when they went to school in the future.

I couldn't resist and asked him to leave.

I know people everywhere—on the street, in the factory, and at the Red Star Primary School affiliated with the factory. I don't need to ask them for help with something like this.

They've become a bit greedy.

The people in the courtyard not only didn't offer to help, but they also tried to scheme against me. I used to be too lazy to bother with them.

He even schemed against me in front of my child today. How could I tolerate that?

It seems that Yi Zhonghai's mindset has undergone a complete transformation today.

Because he suddenly had two sons, even though they were adopted, he suddenly felt more confident.

But he was much more assertive than before when he had no children and was childless.

Parents are supposed to set a good example for their children. Yang Dalin gave a thumbs up: "That's right, Uncle Yi, you did the right thing today."

There's no need to always indulge this person.

Alright, I won't disturb your family reunion any longer. I'm going to pay back the money to those families.

I paid it off before the new year, which put my mind at ease.

You're busy, I'll go first.

"Alright, go ahead then. I'll prepare a nice meal for you another day and treat you properly."

"Okay, Uncle Yi, I'll be waiting."