Chapter 110: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 111: Seventies Hutong Daily Life (9)

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Fengshou Hutong led straight ahead, and the Xie family lived inside Courtyard No. 5.

With Xie Ci'an as their guide, the Shen family definitely wouldn't take a wrong turn.

They went through the street gate smoothly, and saw Tian Na and Xie Shangjin waiting at the doorway.

"In-laws," "In-laws."

Upon meeting, both sides exchanged greetings, their faces beaming with enthusiastic smiles; Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an, the younger generation, couldn't get a word in.

"An Zi, take Little Shen inside to rest. In-laws, you come with me. We sisters need a good chat."

Tian Na waved her hand, pulling Yuan Li into the house, while Shen Zizai was invited away by Xie Shangjin.

As for Grandmother-in-law Zhou, no special instruction was needed; she had already followed Tian Na.

The three women gathered together, chattering away, looking unexpectedly harmonious.

As for Shen Ning and Shen Jin, the younger ones, didn't the Xie family still have Shitou and the others?

Tian Na had already arranged everything properly; Shitou led Mumu and Duoduo, and the five children shouted and ran off to play.

In the blink of an eye, the dense crowd scattered like starlight.

Shen Yao looked up at Xie Ci'an, dressed in clean, fresh clothes; neither of them spoke.

It seemed this meeting of the in-laws had gone unexpectedly smoothly?

"Auntie Tian is so enthusiastic," at least she seemed very much to her mother's taste.

Xie Ci'an took Shen Yao to the Right Side Room. It had been just over twenty days since their last visit, and the furnishings in the Right Side Room were more complete now.

Including the tiles Shen Yao had mentioned before, which Xie Ci'an had found an opportunity to bring back, all piled in a corner by the doorway of the Right Side Room.

"Once it warms up after the holiday, we can start work and pave the stove and both sides of the room in a few days."

Xie Ci'an gestured with his hand, then took out an A4 diary, opened a page, and showed it to Shen Yao.

Shen Yao lowered her head. "A room design drawing?"

Including beds, wardrobes, shoe racks, and so on, all were marked out.

"Not really a design, just doodled it. Do you like it? Tell me if you need anything."

Xie Ci'an spoke lightly, but the nervousness in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

Shen Yao curled the corner of her mouth. "Anything? Everything?"

She deliberately drew out the tone and let it rise slightly at the end, and Shen Yao gave Xie Ci'an a wink.

Xie Ci'an:...

He lightly clenched his fist and coughed near his mouth; Xie Ci'an's gaze wandered. "Everything."

Shen Yao:... Cute, want to kiss.

If she wanted to do it, she would do it; besides, there were no outsiders around, perfect for doing something naughty.

Shen Yao stood on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of Xie Ci'an's mouth; seeing his earlobe turn red quickly, she couldn't help but reach out and touch it.

Xie Ci'an:...

Xie Ci'an grabbed Shen Yao's mischievous little hand, warning her not to mess around.

Shen Yao opened her innocent big eyes. Mess around what? She hadn't messed around; this was normal intimacy between an engaged couple.

"Okay, okay. I also want a clothes rack placed at the doorway."

"And a workbench for daily use. We can sit together at night and learn and improve together."

"By the way, if conditions permit, a manually extendable dressing table is a must; it can save space."

Having seen modern methods and experienced the various inconveniences of this time.

Shen Yao's imagination ran wild as she began making all sorts of suggestions about this blueprint.

Xie Ci'an had a serious expression; whatever Shen Yao suggested, he would note down and organize.

Finally, after writing a full page of notes, he capped the pen and put it away. "Next time I come, everything here will be arranged as you wish."

Shen Yao held her chest, moved, and didn't forget to hug him to give him encouragement.

Xie Ci'an:...

Xie Ci'an didn't know if this counted as him taking advantage or being taken advantage of.

It seemed that after their relationship was confirmed, Shen Yao's intimate gestures toward him increased unconsciously.

Xie Ci'an felt somewhat troubled; after all, he could see but not touch.

He was a normal man; too many times would inevitably harm his health.

"Be obedient, be good. Once we get the marriage certificate and marry, it'll all be fine."

Embracing Shen Yao from behind, Xie Ci'an leaned to her ear and said softly, then calmly released his arms.

Shen Yao rubbed her earlobe, feeling a bit numb, and subconsciously synced with Xie Ci'an's train of thought.

Yes, once they got married, it would be fine.

"Is it Little Shen? Come quickly, come quickly. The food is ready. Mom sent me to call you."

"Eldest Sister-in-law, I'm Shen Yao."

"Tsk. We'll be sisters-in-law in the future. Don't be formal. Go on."

Wu Zhaodi smiled and scratched her head, wearing a ragged padded jacket, head down as she hurried along.

Shen Yao blinked slightly and signaled Xie Ci'an to look at what was wrong with his Eldest Sister-in-law.

"Eldest Sister-in-law likes this kind; she doesn't care about outward appearances, but the inner lining she actually wears is good fabric."

Huh?

Shen Yao asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Xie Ci'an said it was hard to explain in a few words: "Eldest Sister-in-law thinks being too Gaochao is bad. Eldest Young Master, Shitou, and Mumu all wear tattered outer clothes, but their insides are neat and clean."

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao looked up at Wu Zhaodi, who had already entered the door, feeling a bit dazed.

"You'll understand once you enter the door yourself. Eldest Sister-in-law's situation can't be explained in a moment."

Can't be explained?

Looking at Xie Ci'an's troubled expression, Shen Yao thought to herself: Could Wu Zhaodi really be that complicated?

To some extent, Wu Zhaodi was indeed complicated, and this person's persona completely overturned Shen Yao's understanding, but these were all things after Shen Yao married in.

For now, in Shen Yao's shallow impression, Wu Zhaodi was a pitiful person who had lived in a family with a Preference for Sons over Daughters since childhood, had long suffered family pua, and might herself have a Preference for Sons over Daughters and be a Demon of Subservience to Her Husband (inferred from the name).

Walking through the room door, right ahead was a dining table already laid out and filled with all kinds of dishes.

Several members of the Xie Family and several members of the Shen Family gathered together were indeed lively.

To let everyone sit down, Tian Na simply set up two tables in the main hall.

There was no distinction between you and me; just one table for men and one for women.

There were also several bottles of clear wine on the men's table, all unique to the culture of this era.

"This is Little Shen, right? So handsome."

Another young woman, completely different in style from Wu Zhaodi, smiled and greeted Shen Yao.

Shen Yao knew this was Xie Ci'an's Second Sister-in-law Wang Yanyan; the person matched the name, with decent looks, generous and measured.

"Second Sister-in-law."

Shen Yao pursed her lips and smiled, behaving with ease and grace.

"Sit down and eat quickly; in a moment, once the dishes cool, they won't have the taste of just leaving the pot."

For today's meal, Tian Na could be said to have put in great effort.

Even all the various meats on the table were fully prepared with the help of Wang Yanyan's family.

The big family usually lived well, but they weren't this luxurious at every meal.

The adults might bear it a bit, but like children who knew nothing, they had already started clamoring to eat.

"Eat well and drink well today; we're family, no need for formalities. I'll drink first."

Tian Na poured a small cup of white wine and downed it in one gulp, then nimbly served dishes for Shen Yao and the others.

Crispy and delicious fried meat, sour and refreshing pickled cabbage, smooth and tender pigskin, sweet chicken soup... every dish on the full table was stunning upon tasting.

Shen Yao boasted that she had eaten many fine things before, but even now she was still attracted by such food.

Eating with her head down to fill her shrunken little belly, Shen Yao put down her clean bowl and chopsticks and let out a long sigh of relief.

Several children had already eaten their fill and, led by Shitou, went to the big courtyard.

Behind them came bursts of children's laughter, like an uncommon background sound, adding a touch of warmth even to the idle chatter of several people.

As the newcomer being taken care of at the table, not to mention the older generation Tian Na, even the two sisters-in-law Wu Zhaodi and Wang Yanyan were very gentle.

It wasn't like wearing a false mask; because both had good natures, it was more like they were restraining themselves, always mindful of their words and deeds.

Shen Yao found it amazing, especially Wang Yanyan, who was fine; their Laojia was in the Northeast, and after living in Jing Shi for decades, they hadn't changed that rustic and straightforward nature of theirs.

Wu Zhaodi spoke softly and gently, but every time she got excited, she would unconsciously stutter.

Shen Yao had noticed those stuttering places; certain measure words were extremely likely to appear there.

Uh, could it really be as Xie Ci'an said, that Eldest Sister-in-law's situation was complicated?

While taking up the other person's conversational thread, Shen Yao pondered that she had to communicate with Xie Ci'an when she had time; how could a family not understand, otherwise it would only add trouble to future life.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yao's understanding came so suddenly.

A piercing scream came from the distance, followed by the crying unique to children, and the people idly chatting in the house subconsciously looked outside.

Tian Na's mouth corner twitched: "It's just the children in the courtyard playing around, it has nothing to do with our family."

"Grandma, Mom, something happened; Zhao Laibao and Zhou Erni are fighting."

Shitou's high-pitched tone followed closely, also cutting short Tian Na's words.

Tian Na:... you brat.

"Mom, I'll go take a look; are the old Zhao Family and old Zhou Family dogs bullying people too much!"

Wu Zhaodi stood up, and by the time her words landed, she had already run over.

Shen Yao felt as if a gust of strong wind had blown past before her eyes.

If she wasn't mistaken, her Eldest Sister-in-law's eyes lit up upon hearing the commotion.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou and Yuan Li at the same table were also very interested; the mother and daughter exchanged a glance, using the excuse of going to see the children at home, and closely followed them out.

Fine then.

One told two, two told three... at the women's table, there was no one left.

The whole crowd rushed out in a swarm, especially Grandmother-in-law Zhou, who was the most excited.

Shen Yao:... won't that be a bit too Gaochao?

The facts proved Shen Yao's worry was purely unnecessary, because not only them, but the Cheng Family and Qian Family in the side rooms next door also ran out to look.

Even Xie Ci'an appeared soundlessly behind Shen Yao.

Shen Yao helplessly said, "Is your family this lively?"

Xie Ci'an slightly lowered his head, revealing a beautiful jaw and delicate eyebrows and eyes: "Far livelier than now."

Nowadays? Just a small scene.

Shen Yao admired her in her heart, her pair of beautiful pupils scanning everywhere.

While the two were speaking softly, Zhao Laibao, rolling on the ground in a tantrum, successfully drew his mother Zhao Meizhi's heartache.

Zhao Meizhi, pretty in appearance and plump in figure, pointed at the Zhou family next door and opened her mouth with a string of national curses.

The Zhou family, because of Zhou Erni's matter, had run out before finishing their meal.

The dense crowd watched, compared to the Zhao family they were sturdier, not to mention Zhou Erni had already drawn the fire onto the Zhou family's treasure lump Zhou Tiedan.

"Laibao grabbed my meat first, the meat was saved for Tieda-ge to eat.

Tieda-ge had only taken a bite, the rest was all eaten into Laibao's mouth."

Zhou Erni was sallow and thin, her hair dry and withered, only that pair of eyes was bright and scary.

Shen Yao reached out and touched Xie Ci'an, "This girl, eight years old?"

To the naked eye she looked about the same age as Shen Jin, but Shen Jin was clean, white and chubby, with a silly nature who only knew eating and drinking.

Xie Ci'an shook his head, "Twelve."

Shen Yao was surprised, "The Zhou family's conditions aren't good?" Feeling there was suspicion of child abuse.

Xie Ci'an covered his head with one hand, "Conditions are not bad, but Zhou Erni was born to the Zhou family's Second Brother, they are all girls, and the Zhou family parents prefer the two sons born to the Zhou family's Eldest Brother."

Shen Yao:... Got it, preference for sons over daughters.

Gaze turned back, Zhou Erni had already been taken back by her father Zhou Jiang, at this time Zhou Erni's grandmother and eldest aunt were tearing at Zhao Meizhi.

The Tieda-ge in Zhou Erni's mouth took over Zhao Laibao's work, lying on the ground rolling back and forth.

The Zhou family parents had five siblings, excluding two daughters already married, only three brothers remained living by their side.

Third Brother Zhou He is twenty years old, nowadays still unmarried, Eldest Brother and Second Brother are married with children, but because the two daughters-in-law, one strives and one does not strive, resulting in the Zhou family's youngest generation having five children but only two boys.

Now lying rolling Tiedan is the Zhou family's Eldest Brother's eldest son, the youngest son is called Tong Dan, burying his head holding a bowl hiding to one side watching the spectacle.

"Zhao Meizhi you lazy thing, dare to bully our old Zhou family's grandson, looking for a beating!"

Zhou Dama walked with small steps, don't look at her being somewhat thin, but her hand strength is not small.

Cooperating with her eldest daughter-in-law, in two or three times she pressed Zhao Meizhi to the ground and hammered her.

The three fought into a ball, stirring up dust everywhere around, smoke and ash flying.

Shen Yao subconsciously retreated several steps, turned her head to look and found everyone had this idea.

The small courtyard was forced to empty out enough space, Shen Yao simply appreciated a full-scale brawl in the courtyard house.

"Good you old undead, you..."

"Zhao Meizhi, keep your mouth clean, don't think other people don't know you're messing around..."

"Slander! Dare to slander a hero's relative, I want to go to the factory and sue you."

"Go ahead, who's afraid of whom, your family's Jinbao and Yinbao stole wood from the factory, I also want to report to the police station."

"..."

Good fellow, Shen Yao just listened to these three exposing each other's shortcomings, without holding back.

Hiss "Is it true?"

Asking Xie Ci'an behind her in a low voice, Shen Yao didn't expect this era to be so open.

"Half true half false, just mutually disgusting each other."

Xie Ci'an had lived in the big courtyard for many years, still able to figure out some truths and falsehoods.

Looking up at the surroundings, the big guys were all listening to the gossip with great interest, Xie Ci'an simply moved closer, convenient for him to open his mouth and supplement.

The front performs a big show, the back has background introduction, Shen Yao's melon-eating could be said to be smooth sailing.

But sometimes, the old heaven can't stand people whose days are too smooth.

Like Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an, what does all this before their eyes have to do with this newlywed young couple? But Zhao Meizhi's three mouths spoke without restraint and spread to them.

Uh, saying spread isn't entirely right.

The cause was the Cheng family's aunt talking too much herself, provoking Zhao Meizhi to open her mouth and mock the Cheng family's Cheng Xue being old and unable to marry out, the Qian family's eldest son Qian Jian'gang liked Cheng Xue, naturally unwilling to listen to Zhao Meizhi speaking, opened his mouth and retorted two sentences, then was said by Zhao Meizhi that he had a pig nose inserting scallions and liked to act like a clown.

After scolding that wasn't enough, Zhao Meizhi turned her head and boasted onto Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an's heads, insinuating others have ugly hearts but beautiful appearances and can cause trouble (specifically referring to Cheng Xue and Qian Jian'gang).