The entire courtyard is full of villains

Xu Fugui clasped his hands in a fist salute to everyone: "My old neighbors in the courtyard, I'm sorry for today! It's the New Year, and I really didn't want to do this, but someone in the courtyard had a bad temper and insisted on throwing mud at my Da Mao! My Da Mao is still a young man in his prime. If he gets this kind of reputation, how will he live in the future? That's why I had no choice but to put on this show."

He said sincerely, "Please don't find it troublesome. I'll have Da Mao bring over the sunflower seeds that the company gave us before the New Year, and we'll distribute them to everyone. Just a handful to each person, not much, just to give everyone a little something to eat."

After saying that, he led Xu's mother and Xu Damao back to the backyard.

As soon as they left, the courtyard erupted in chaos.

"Wow! Jia Zhangshi really is having an affair with Yi Zhonghai!"

"That's right! I heard people talking about it when I first entered the hospital, but after Yi Zhonghai became an old man, no one mentioned it anymore."

"Wow! I heard about that too. Those two did quite a bit of work in the cellar back then!"

"Hey, do you guys think He Daqing knew about their affair and was forced to leave by them?"

"That's possible!"

Sha Zhu and He Yushui, standing to the side, looked at each other in bewilderment—how did they end up gossiping about their own family? Could it be that their own father was really forced to leave like this?

Even Guan Xue leaned close to Zhang Erhe and whispered, "Erhe, could Jia Zhangshi really be having an affair with Yi Zhonghai?"

"Really?" Zhang Erhe lowered his voice. "I already knew."

Upon hearing this, Guan Xue punched him in the chest: "Why didn't you tell me if you knew?"

Zhang Erhe chuckled: "Back then, I saw Jia Zhangshi and Yi Zhonghai sneaking into He Daqing's cellar quite often. Later, He Daqing seemed to realize something and seemed to want to 'crawl' into Jia Zhangshi's cellar as well—as for whether they actually succeeded, I don't know."

Guan Xue stumbled upon another juicy tidbit and exclaimed in surprise, "Didn't they say He Daqing ran off with a widow?"

"Hmph, there's a lot going on here." Zhang Erhe shook his head. "It's just too dirty for you to listen to. Guan Xue, let me tell you, there's no one in this courtyard who's easy to deal with. Underneath the skin of Beijing, who knows how many black-hearted, rotten things are hidden."

Guan Xue was somewhat stunned by what she heard.

"Let's go back." Zhang Erhe put his arm around her. "Today is the second day of the Lunar New Year. Pack your things and I'll take you back to your parents' home. We still have to go to Lao Si's place for the wedding banquet tonight."

"I...I don't want to go back." Guan Xue clutched the hem of her clothes, her voice lowered.

"What's wrong?"

"It's all my dad's fault... If he hadn't gambled, you wouldn't have hit him, and the Yan family wouldn't have spread those bad rumors about you, ruining your reputation..."

Zhang Erhe laughed heartily: "What reputation do I have left!"

"What if your boss disciplines you after you start working?"

"So what if I get punished? He's just a lowly workshop deputy director. Does he think I want to be in this position?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Guan Xue quickly covered his mouth with her hand. "If your boss dares to punish you, I'll take my dad to confront him and tell him he's asking for a beating!"

Zhang Erhe burst into laughter at her words and pulled her into his arms: "Okay, I'll listen to my wife. So... are you coming with me to my parents' house now?"

"Yes!" Guan Xue finally smiled and responded crisply.

The two went inside and tidied up, then woke Zhang Jiao. Zhang Erhe pushed over a bicycle, ostentatiously placing some New Year's gifts on the back rack, while Zhang Jiao sat on the front bar.

"Going back to my parents' home!"

Chapter 97 Inside Talk of the Guan Family

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the earthen kang (heated brick bed) in the Guan family's house wasn't very warm. Old Guan lay stiffly, staring blankly at the ceiling, occasionally humming a few words. In previous years, you wouldn't find him at this time of year. He was either attending a banquet at some prince's mansion or joining in a gathering at a noble family's house. A bunch of old-timers and their sons would shout and play drinking games, making quite a scene.

But this year is different—some heartless bastard spread the story that he was beaten by his son-in-law Zhang Erhe, making it a huge uproar. He even embellished the story, making it sound so vivid that he was hung on the stable, whipped until his skin was torn and bleeding, and cried and begged for mercy.

"You bastard!" Old Guan spat inwardly. "When have I ever cried? When my father and mother passed away, I was still outside organizing a performance!" He had only hurriedly called out the names "Xue'er" and "Jiaojiao" a couple of times, who knew it would be spread like such a pathetic story.

Guan Baishi, sitting by the kang (heated brick bed), stood helplessly by his groans. The outer door creaked open, and Guan Linpeng poked his head in: "If you're in a lot of pain, I'll go buy some medicine from Uncle Han. If you're not in pain, stop groaning. It's the New Year, isn't it annoying?"

Old Guan rolled his eyes: "Old Han, that country bumpkin, can only make a living like this in these days. In the past, we could easily hire famous doctors from the capital. In my grandfather's generation, they even sent imperial physicians. How could he possibly get a chance?"

"Alright, alright," Guan Linpeng interrupted him as he walked in, "Don't you even know what time it is? Imperial physician? Why don't we put you with Kang Deguan and keep you as his benefactor?"

"Being imprisoned with the Emperor is my honor!" Old Guan retorted, sticking out his neck.

"Are you out of your mind?" Guan Linpeng said anxiously. "What time is it now? Why are you still talking about the Emperor like that? If you keep talking like that, our family will be criticized and denounced. My brother-in-law will never forgive you!"

Upon hearing the words "brother-in-law," Old Guan visibly shrank back. "He wouldn't dare?" The words had barely left his mouth when a voice came from outside: "Grandpa—"

Old Guan turned to Guan Baishi with a "whoosh": "Did you hear that? I think I heard Jiaojiao... Jiaojiao called for Master?"

Guan Baishi raised her head: "Perhaps Xue'er and Jiaojiao have returned. Today is the second day of the Lunar New Year."

"Oh dear!" Old Guan jumped up. "Quick, quick, get the kang (heated brick bed) ready! Xue'er and Jiaojiao are here, and that living devil Zhang Erhe is definitely coming too. If he sees me still lying here, what will he do? No, I have to get up right away!" He jumped off the kang, grabbed a mirror, and slicked his hair back. Guan Baishi was flustered by his urging and hurriedly tidied up the kang.

Just as they finished tidying up, Zhang Jiao rushed in from outside: "Grandpa, Grandma, did you miss me?"

"Oh, it's my little golden bean! I've missed you so much!"

"Master, did you just wake up?"

"Nonsense, the master has been awake for a long time!"

"Hey—you're kidding, you've buttoned your shirt up wrong!"

Old Guan looked down and, sure enough, the buttons on his shirt were misaligned and crooked. While frantically unbuttoning them, he said seriously, "This isn't called buttoning it wrong, it's called 'Welcoming Spring with Misaligned Buttons,' and that's how you dress for the New Year!"

Zhang Jiao was skeptical, and turned to look at Zhang Erhe at the door: "Dad, is what Grandpa said true?"

Zhang Erhe leaned against the door frame, a smile playing on his lips, and nodded to his daughter: "Yes, what your grandfather said is true."

Old Guan was a little embarrassed: "Erhe, come on, hurry up and get on the kang (heated brick bed)."

"Father-in-law, you haven't been scolding me at home, have you?"

"No, no," Old Guan hurriedly shook his head, "I'm very happy that you and Xue'er could come and see us."

Zhang Erhe took off his cotton hat: "Really? It's good that you didn't scold me." He turned to his brother-in-law and said, "Go, unload the things from the car."

Guan Linpeng was about to respond when Old Guan glared at him: "Hurry up and go! Your brother-in-law and sister are here, don't you know how to greet them? You're just standing here like a donkey stake, you have no sense of propriety at all! Hurry up!"

He turned his head again and said, "Xue'er's mother, go and prepare some good dishes. I'll have a few drinks with my good son-in-law at noon."

"Forget it," Zhang Erhe waved his hand. "You're still taking your medicine, so you won't drink. Mother-in-law, I trust your cooking skills. Let's prepare a nice meal and have lunch together as a family."

"Understood," Guan Baishi replied softly, and went out to busy herself.

"Old man, why didn't you go out to catch up with your princes today?"

"I... I want to have some peace and quiet this year."

Guan Linpeng came in from outside carrying some things and exposed his true colors on the spot: "Brother-in-law, don't listen to him. He's hiding at home because he's ashamed that you beat him up this year."

"The news has spread over here too?" Zhang Erhe narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, it's been all over the place here too."

Old Guan blinked: "Erhe, could it be that someone deliberately spread this rumor?"

Zhang Erhe nodded: "That should be it. But father-in-law, you're being dragged into this because of me. Someone's targeting me."

Guan Xue also spoke up: "Dad, what kind of thing have you done? Erhe finally became the deputy director of the workshop at the factory, and now that you've made a scene, he might be dismissed after the New Year. You really are... Ever since I was a child, you've been chasing after hawks and dogs all day long, and I never said anything. But now that I'm married to Erhe, you still..." As she spoke, tears started falling down her face.

"Oh, my Xue'er, don't cry!" Old Guan panicked. "This is just how I've always been, I'll never change. But don't worry, if the leaders of Erhe dare to cause trouble for Erhe after the New Year, I'll hang myself on their door!"

“Alright, old man,” Zhang Erhe patted him on the shoulder, “you’re a real man.” Then he pulled Guan Xue into his arms, “Xue’er, don’t cry. Let me tell you, it’s okay. No matter how bad it is, my master is still the workshop director. Don’t forget, I helped someone look for something before the New Year.”

Guan Xue wiped away her tears and sniffed: "You mean Director Li?"

"Yes, I'll go to his house tomorrow night and talk to him then. With him there, everything will be fine."

"That's good." Guan Xue's tears turned into a smile, but she turned her head and glared fiercely at Old Man Guan. "Dad, this is the last time I'm telling you. If you dare to misbehave again and affect Erhe and Jiaojiao, I... I won't acknowledge you anymore!"

Old Guan knew his daughter's temperament well—she had never liked to say harsh words since she was little, and for her to say such things to his face today, she must be extremely angry. He dared not hesitate any longer and hurriedly promised, "Xue'er, don't worry, from now on... from now on I will never gamble again."

After saying that, he sighed, his tone softening: "To be honest, your dad isn't some clueless fool. If it weren't for Erhe's help all these years, our family might be like those impoverished households—so poor we couldn't even afford to eat, having to smear lard on our mouths to pretend we'd just eaten meat when we went out." He paused, his voice lowering, "After lying in bed for so many days, I've figured it out. After the New Year, I'll ask Erhe to help me find a job as a gatekeeper, so I can go out and earn some money."

“Alright,” Zhang Erhe said from the side, “Father-in-law, since you’re so keen on this job, you don’t need to go and watch the gate. I, Zhang Erhe, have some reputation, what kind of talk is it to let my father-in-law watch the gate? You just stay here.”

After the New Year, I'll find your brother-in-law a job—it's only right that he works to support you. You, on the other hand, should stay home and chat with my mother-in-law, and when you have time, tidy up this house; don't let it look like a pigsty when you come in.”

As he spoke, he glanced up at the blackened ceiling. Old Guan blushed with embarrassment and said in a low voice, "I know, I'll find a few people to give it a good white coat and clean it up properly after the New Year."

"Grandpa—Grandpa!" Zhang Jiao's voice came from the outer room, "Come quick! There's a bird in this tree that I don't recognize!"

"Hey—coming, coming!" Old Guan gave his daughter and son-in-law an awkward smile, turned around and walked towards the outer room, saying, "Jiaojiao, don't worry, Grandpa's here!"

Chapter 98 A Few Things

After lunch, the sun was shining brightly, and the family was sunbathing in the yard. Zhang Jiao was very lively, running around here and there. Old Guan was also in high spirits, telling Zhang Erhe old stories about Beijing, occasionally interspersed with tales of family feuds and old news.

You know what, he spoke with great clarity and logic, and Zhang Erhe listened intently, nodding from time to time.

As the sun began to set, Zhang Erhe stood up and stretched. "Xue'er, Jiaojiao, you two stay here tonight. I reckon those 'beasts' in the courtyard are up to something again tonight. I'll be back late, so I don't want them bothering you." He turned to Old Guan and said, "Old man, let Xue'er and Jiaojiao stay here tonight."

"Okay!" Old Guan pulled Jiao Jiao into his arms. "Jiao Jiao, how about you sleep with Grandpa and Grandma tonight?"

“Okay!” Zhang Jiao replied crisply.

"It's settled then, I'll be going now."

Zhang Erhe rode his bicycle, turning around for a long time according to the address given by Ma Qianli, before finally finding a small courtyard house. It seemed to be a converted two-courtyard house, so it looked like "Mongolian Ma" came from a well-off family. Ma Qianli had indeed hooked up with a rich woman.

He went up and knocked on the door a few times, and Wu Qian opened the door.

"Hey, Qian'er, you're here so early?"

"Second brother, we've been waiting for you! The eldest brother and I will be here this afternoon."

"Hey! What are you doing here this afternoon? Let me tell you, that Mongolian horse is now Lao Si's wife. You can't mess with your friend's wife!"

"Don't worry, Second Brother, I definitely won't be polite." Wu Qian said seriously, then grinned.

The two entered the main room, where a large copper pot sat. Qiqige was cutting meat beside it, with a little girl of about five or six years old helping her. Seeing Zhang Erhe enter, Qiqige turned and smiled, "Second Brother is here!" The little girl also timidly called out, "Second Uncle."

"Alright, alright, what's your name?" Zhang Erhe pulled a red envelope out of his pocket!

The little girl hugged Qiqige, who patted her back. "Didn't your father say? Be generous, everyone here today is family! Tell your uncle your name is Yunduo!"

"Second Uncle, my name is Yunduo. Daddy Ma said I'll be called Ma Yunduo from now on!" Encouraged by her mother, the little girl answered with a blush.

"Come on, your name is Ma Yunduo, right? Yunduo, here, you can't refuse the New Year's money your second uncle gave you."

Ma Yunduo walked over carefully, and Zhang Erhe stuffed the red envelope into her hand: "How old are you?"

"Second Uncle, I am eight years old."