Chapter 120

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

After the incidents with the Cheng family and the Zhao family, Shen Yao inexplicably discovered that the entire small courtyard seemed to have hit an accelerator.

Those originally single men and women all began rapidly finding marriage partners, registering their marriages and holding wedding banquets.

The first to do so were undoubtedly Zhao Jinbao and Cheng Bing, the two of them.

On the day the two of them held their event, Shen Yao happened to be on vacation; feeling bored, she simply went over with Tian Na to join the lively atmosphere.

As a result, she ran into a Shura field involving Zhao Jinbao, Zhao Yinbao, and Cheng Bing, the three of them.

Not only was the atmosphere among these three strange, but their words were also somewhat inexplicable.

It was the first time Shen Yao had ever seen Cheng Bing so agitated, looking like she wanted to tear Zhao Yinbao apart with her bare hands.

In contrast, Zhao Jinbao kept pulling at Cheng Bing, preventing the two of them from coming into conflict.

Zhao Meizhi was responsible for greeting the neighborhood guests who had come; Zhao Yuanbao and Zhao Laibao were too young, and throughout the whole event they only cared about eating and drinking, having no other thoughts.

Shen Yao and Tian Na sat together, looking at the food the Zhao family had prepared, and could only sigh that Zhao Meizhi still had some savings — meat dishes and vegetable dishes split fifty-fifty, properly decent.

"Eat this, it tastes good and nourishes the body."

Tian Na picked up a pair of chopsticks of the stir-fried pig liver, paired with rice glistening with oil.

Shen Yao licked her lips, quickly ate it, and couldn't help but nod her head.

Tian Na grinned, "Pack some to take back, bring a bit for your Grandma."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou wasn't someone from the courtyard; normally going out to chat a bit was fine, but for a banquet like this, Grandmother-in-law Zhou generally didn't show up.

Shen Yao said softly, "Mom, that's not too appropriate, is it."

Eating it herself was fine, after all she had given a gift, but packing it to take home always felt a bit improper.

Hearing this, Tian Na let out a "Hmph," "What's wrong with that? Back when you and An Zi held your wedding banquet, it was the Zhao family who took the most."

Tian Na always liked reciprocal courtesy; whether taking advantage or suffering a loss, she judged case by case.

Hearing this, Shen Yao indeed felt it was true; back then her and Xie Ci'an's wedding banquet was much better than the current one, their whole family barely ate a few bites and it all went to outsiders.

Now the feng shui has turned; what use is face to Shen Yao.

Face can't be eaten or drunk; it's not as practical as swapping for two plates of dishes.

And it wasn't just Tian Na letting Shen Yao pack food; the others sitting at the table weren't idle either.

At this time everyone was having a hard time; coming out to eat a banquet, they were all thinking of their families at home.

Shen Yao no longer hesitated, picked some meat dishes and vegetable dishes Grandmother-in-law Zhou liked, and filled the jar Tian Na had sneakily brought to the brim.

At this moment one couldn't help but admire her own mother-in-law's wisdom; she thought of everything.

Her movements picking up dishes with chopsticks were deft; she packed dishes while filling her belly at the same time.

After Shen Yao finished eating, she stood up, said a word to Tian Na, and carried the jar back to her room herself.

In the room, Grandmother-in-law Zhou had her feet on the sewing machine treadle, making clothes.

The sewing machine was the one Shen Yao bought when she got married; after Grandmother-in-law Zhou came, it was moved over.

After all, Tian Na had her own, and Wu Zhaodi and Wang Yanyan normally didn't need Shen Yao's new one for making clothes.

"Grandma, I brought you dishes; there are still a few steamed buns left on Mom's side."

Shen Yao brought the whole lot back, placed it by the edge of the kang, signaling Grandmother-in-law Zhou to eat.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou put down the small garment she had just finished, looked at the dishes and then glanced out the window, "Nothing happened, right?"

Shen Yao walked up to the sewing machine to admire the baby clothes Grandmother-in-law Zhou made, "Nothing, just that there are two more families behind, guessing they'll be comparing with each other."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou washed her hands, pinched a steamed bun and tore it open, used chopsticks to pick dishes into it, "There are five families in the inner courtyard in total; currently only the Zhou Family Third Old Man has no movement.

Yao Yao ah, you avoid the Zhou family a bit when you go out recently; that old woman might just try to find you to introduce a match."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou has spent quite a lot of time in the courtyard these days.

Not to mention the other residents in Fengshou Hutong, just the few households living in the Courtyard House, Grandmother-in-law Zhou has figured them out more or less.

The Zhou family old woman in the courtyard counts as the most ill-intentioned person.

"Grandma, Zhou Dama just introduced her natal family niece to Qian Jian'gang, why does she still want me to introduce one for her son?"

I don't have that many personal connections, could it be she's set her sights on the canning factory's benefits, aiming straight for the job?

Grandmother-in-law Zhou sighed, "She's set on the job all right; her youngest son is a Temporary Worker, his salary doesn't even compare to Qian Family Second Brother who manages the warehouse.

A whole huge family all crammed together without separating, hoping the bride's family will subsidize them."

Shen Yao:... Qizhi

Shen Yao shook her head, "Miao Dama had this idea before and I didn't agree; Zhou Dama can forget it, no chance."

She absolutely wouldn't do this kind of thing that harms others without benefiting herself; if complaints fell on her later, how wronged she would be.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou took a bite of steamed bun, "Ugly people make trouble; all day long they only think of beautiful things.

You live in the courtyard often, you mustn't learn from them, too unpromising."

Shen Yao nodded, thinking in her heart that she would never learn that; altogether it's just this square, palm-sized little place, what use is it to struggle and come out with some petty ranking.

Her goal has always been the Reform and Opening Up later on; now is the time to accumulate strength, lie low and wait for the timing.

Shen Yao touched her belly, "Grandma, is the cloth at home enough? I still have some cloth tickets here; when free, buy some more."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou was surprised, "You still have cloth tickets in your hand, where did you get so many?"

Shen Yao's excuse came right out, "The factory issued some, and Xie Ci'an gave some.

Rest assured, no stealing or robbing, all earned by me," as for how she earned them, that's classified, can't be said.

……

Half a month after Cheng Bing and Zhao Jinbao held their wedding banquet, Cheng Xue of the Cheng family also got her marriage certificate and held her wedding banquet.

This time Shen Yao had no leave, so she could only go to work; she only heard Tian Na and Grandmother-in-law Zhou explain Cheng Xue's marriage partner after returning from work in the evening.

"His name is Zhang Wang, with skinny arms and legs, nothing remarkable in appearance."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou frowned and glared, clearly despising this son-in-law living with his wife's family of the Cheng family.

Tian Na also looked down on him; she had gone over to help out and eat at the wedding banquet.

"The food wasn't good either, with hardly any meat, and Qian Jian'gang even ran over there to make a drunken scene."

Anyway, it was quite an ugly scene; apart from that Zhang Wang, no one was happy."

Especially Cheng Xue, her face pulled as if everyone else owed her money, not a single smile throughout.

Shen Yao ate melon, "Getting married like this, how will they live after marriage?"

Cheng Xue isn't even willing to put on a surface show of kung fu, isn't she afraid Zhang Wang will show her some color? Some people have deep schemes.

"Who knows how to handle it, live your own life, make do if you can, divorce if you can't."

Tian Na spread her hands, also feeling resigned to all these miscellaneous messes that came out of the courtyard these days.

Counting them up, not one had anything to do with them, but strangely enough, the old Xie family didn't live comfortably either.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou told Shen Yao not to think too much, "Being a son-in-law living with his wife's family isn't easy."

The Cheng family still has the old couple, Cheng Xue won't suffer any wrongs."

I reckon right now Zhang Wang still has to fear Cheng Xue giving him wrongs."

For men and women, as long as they live in someone else's home, there are no comfortable days.

Today holding the wedding banquet, Cheng Xue was throwing a tantrum and not giving Zhang Wang face.

What can happen? Zhang Wang has to live in the Cheng family, and the children born later must also take the Cheng surname.

Unless the old couple of the Cheng family are gone, otherwise Zhang Wang can't turn things around."

What Grandmother-in-law Zhou said could be called prophecy; Zhang Wang is indeed in this situation in the Cheng family nowadays."

Cheng Suo, as the head of the family, doesn't speak easily; no matter what Xue Hongmei says, she is Cheng Xue's biological mother, and her actions will definitely favor Cheng Xue."

"Today little Xue didn't do things quite right, Zhang Wang, a couple living their life, how can there be no bumps and stumbles; Mom hopes you can take more responsibility."

"After you two have children later, little Xue should become more sensible."

Zhang Wang: ……

Zhang Wang looked up at Xue Hongmei standing in front of him without even hiding her gaze, and couldn't help but feel anger rise in his heart.

Hmph!

They despise his looks and short stature, why didn't they make it clear from the beginning?

He was willing to be a son-in-law living with his wife's family only because he fancied Cheng Xue's appearance and figure.

In the end it turned out like this; at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative he is a formal worker, although he can't match up with city girls, he can definitely find a countryside girl."

Finally holding back his anger, despised and still having to endure, Zhang Wang almost wanted to curse someone."

Sure enough, what his own parents said wasn't wrong; being a son-in-law living with his wife's family isn't easy to be."

When he has children, take the Cheng surname? Don't let the Cheng family gather a single point."

"Mom, what you said is right; little Xue's temperament, treating people sincerely is quite good."

Zhang Wang smiled, exchanged a few courteous words with Xue Hongmei, turned around and entered the room with the double happiness character pasted on it.

Inside the room, Cheng Xue sat by the bedside, two hemp braids draped across her chest.

Zhang Wang truly liked Cheng Xue; otherwise he couldn't be a son-in-law living with his wife's family.

But because of today's matter, Zhang Wang had no mood to coax Cheng Xue.

Simply tidying up his clothes, Zhang Wang turned around and pulled Zhang Xue onto the bed to sleep.

After all, their purpose was the same: to have a son.

Cheng Xue watched Zhang Wang undressing; even though she despised him to no end in her heart, she was clear about her own purpose for getting married.

Turning her head and closing her eyes, Zhang Xue pinched both hands tight, feeling she had truly sacrificed a great deal.

Pity that Cheng Xue's behavior only added to Zhang Wang's dissatisfaction with her.

The two were unwilling, similarly hinting that their marriage was full of bumps and hardships.

But no matter how bumpy these two were, it couldn't affect Shen Yao.

Shen Yao still lived her own life, riding a bicycle to work in the morning, riding a bicycle home from work in the evening, occasionally going with Grandmother-in-law Zhou to buy toothpicks in between, regular and normal.

Mid-September

Qian Jian'gang still got his marriage certificate and held his wedding banquet with Zhou Dama's niece from her maiden family.

Just like when Cheng Xue got married, Qian Jian'gang had a cold face throughout, leaving the little daughter-in-law at a loss, not knowing what to do.

Shen Yao was already five months pregnant at this time, her belly was as big as seven or eight months.

It was really inconvenient to go to and from work, so after thinking it over, she took maternity leave in advance.

As for her position and work at the Canning Factory, the position was temporarily filled by Zhou Shujuan helping out, and the work was replaced by a Temporary Worker.

As for who this Temporary Worker was, from Shen Yao going to the wedding banquet and being verbally sarcastic by Zhou Dama and Zhao Meizhi speaking up to defend her, it could be known that this job went cheaply to Cheng Bing.

"The old Xie family's, all are neighbors and fellow villagers; the Zhao family lives much better than our Zhou family, why not let the job go to your two aunts?"

"Pitiful our old Zhou family's children, usually can only eat coarse grain to fill their bellies, you"

"Zhou Dama, what era is it now, why still call the old Xie family with every word."

"Old society's bad habits can't be changed, that's a personal thought problem, an enemy of the people."

"The ideological improvement class run by the street still has quotas; Zhou Dama should go listen, can't let her own harm to the family's children."

"Tie Dan and Tong Dan are students; Zhou Dama needs to watch her words usually."

Cheng Bing took Shen Yao's place as a Temporary Worker at the Canning Factory, earning eighteen yuan and eight Portion in salary every month.

Zhao Meizhi absolutely could not let this job go, so as soon as Zhou Dama spoke, she talked back, firmly refusing to let Shen Yao suffer any loss.

Shen Yao sat on a stool, eating while watching Qian Jian'gang and his new bride throw tantrums; as for what Zhou Dama said? Sour grapes, huh—let them hate.

Zhou Dama was entangled by Zhao Meizhi, and the two fought with sharp words, unable to stop.

By the time Shen Yao finished her meal, the two were still talking back and forth without pause.

Shen Yao:... Awesome! Truly capable!

"Sister Zhao, I'm going home first, you eat slowly."

"Sigh, do you want me to help you?"

"It's fine, it's fine, Sister Zhao, you're busy, I can walk a few steps on my own."

Shen Yao smiled and waved her hand, walking quite steadily under Zhou Dama's eye roll.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou heard the noise and stood at the doorway, "That old woman of the Zhou Family won't stop talking?"

Shen Yao nodded, "She's being sour anyway, I wouldn't ask anyone from their family for my job."

Not acknowledging a dry relative yet liking to take advantage, Tian Na had specially told Shen Yao about the Zhou Family's rotten affairs before Shen Yao thought to find someone, emphasizing that the Zhou Family was no good.

Shen Yao wasn't someone who couldn't take advice, and considering there were no acquaintances at the Shen Family's place while the Xie Family's side all had jobs, after choosing and picking, she finally settled on Cheng Bing.

As mentioned before, Cheng Bing wasn't noisy, and getting along with her, she was also quite capable at work.

Since that's the case, and they two had no deep grudge, finding someone to cover the shift was still finding someone.

Comparing Cheng Bing's growing environment, Shen Yao felt that if a person wasn't bad, she would lend a hand, and perhaps in the future they could still share a bond of incense.

Anything was possible, besides, Cheng Bing was ruthless to herself; even excluding all difficulties, she had to stay in Jing Shi, and her methods were not those of a common person.

"Not looking for them is right, go into the house and rest, we'll go to the Hospital in a couple of days."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou looked at Shen Yao's big belly with heartache, thinking that carrying twins was not easy; when Yuan Li gave birth to Shen Ning and Shen Jin back then, she had been afraid, and now this talent for carrying twins had been inherited by Shen Yao, ayo, she had to be careful.

Shen Yao smiled and soothed Grandmother-in-law Zhou not to be nervous, she had a System in her hand.

The System basically reported the fetal breath situation in her belly to her every day.

"Just right to have the Doctor prescribe some jujubes and brown sugar, and if there's a chance, prescribe some pork bones."

For things like Shen Yao said, one had to have the Doctor write a slip to buy them, otherwise one would have to go to the Black Market and pay a high price.

Xie Ci'an had gone there several times before because of this, and almost got caught by the Inspectors.

For safety's sake, nowadays they either went directly to the Hospital or spent money to exchange with other patients.

After all, some people didn't need these things; selling to them meant neither side suffered a loss.

"Rest assured, Grandma still has some meat stamps; in a couple of days I'll buy you pork ribs and pork belly to stew."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou knew pregnant women lacked nutrition, especially carrying twins, nutrition must necessarily be doubled.

These days, Shen Yao had never eaten so well; if not for the System Pill controlling it, her weight would surely climb up rapidly.

Grandmother and granddaughter stood at the doorway of the Room talking, but before they finished speaking, a child from the courtyard came to call, saying someone was looking for her at the doorway.

Looking for herself?

"Grandma, I'll go take a look."

Shen Yao turned around, holding her belly as she went out, not forgetting to stuff two milk candies to the child who passed the message.

The child shouted excitedly, and before running, told Shen Yao that a young woman had come to visit.