[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-good-life":3,"chapter-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-good-life-siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-117":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Courtyard House: A Salted Fish's Good Life",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2104130,3398,"Chapter 117","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-117",117,"\u003Cp>Sha Zhu’s face turned bitter: \"I, I’m empty-handed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The Deaf Old Lady stared: \"Haven't you been quite busy lately? Didn't you earn any money from catering those banquets for people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sha Zhu laughed sheepishly: \"The money was all lent to Sister Qin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The Deaf Old Lady angrily slapped Sha Zhu: \"You silly Sha Zhu! Qin Qin Huairu has a salary and a mother-in-law; why are you meddling in other people's business?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sha Zhu said: \"Bang Geng needs to go to the hospital to change his dressings, and it costs a lot of money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The Deaf Old Lady sighed and pulled some small change from her pocket: \"Take this money and use it. Don't be so naive in the future; keep a little for yourself, or how will you get by?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Clutching the money, Sha Zhu felt warm and moved: \"Old Lady, I will definitely repay you and be good to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sihe Academy\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sha Zhu returned to the courtyard, looking radiant as he carried melon seeds and sugar cubes, just in time to run into Qin Qin Huairu, who had just finished work.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Sha Zhu, are you having relatives over? You bought so many melon seeds and sugar cubes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sha Zhu said, his face full of joy: \"The Old Lady asked Matchmaker Du to introduce a partner to me, and she’s coming to the house for a blind date tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly asked: \"Where is the girl from? What does she do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sha Zhu laughed and said: \"Sister Qin, why are you more anxious than I am?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu rolled her eyes at Sha Zhu: \"Isn't your sister just concerned about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sha Zhu said: \"Thanks, Sister Qin. The girl is from the West City and works at the flour mill. Alright, I won't chat with you anymore; I need to go back and tidy up the room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Watching Sha Zhu carry his things back to his room, Qin Qin Huairu felt a bit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That Deaf Old Lady is truly a busybody!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If Sha Zhu gets married, what will happen to her family?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu washed the clothes, filled with worry, various thoughts flashing through her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She didn't want to lose Sha Zhu’s support at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After finishing the laundry, Qin Qin Huairu returned to the kitchen to cook.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Bang Geng walked in, limping: \"Mom! I want to eat meat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu said crossly: \"We can barely afford corn buns at home; where would I get the money to buy you meat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>During his recovery, Bang Geng had become picky about food after eating meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If he didn't eat meat for a few days, he would crave it terribly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A flash of cunning crossed Qin Qin Huairu’s eyes: \"Your Uncle Sha bought quite a few melon seeds and sugar cubes; you can go over and ask for some.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"There's sugar!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Bang Geng’s eyes lit up, and he turned and ran toward the He family’s place.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In a short while, he ran back, his pants pockets bulging, his hands also full.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Mom! I snatched all of Sha Zhu’s sugar back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi said happily: \"Good grandson, give the sugar to Grandma; Grandma will keep it for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Bang Geng turned and ran out of the room, not giving Jia Jia Zhangshi a single piece of sugar.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"This ungrateful brat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Jia Jia Zhangshi stomped her feet in annoyance: \"Look at the good son you've raised!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu kept her head down, cooking, ignoring the resentful Jia Jia Zhangshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Isn't it your own doing!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You have money but won't pay for Bang Geng’s leg treatment; do you really think Bang Geng is an ignorant one-year-old?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Cao Cao Weiguo! Buddy is going on a blind date tomorrow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"My partner is from the city!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Qin Qin Huairu was cutting pickled vegetables when she suddenly heard Sha Zhu’s proud voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Congratulations! I wish you success in winning the beauty over!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo said with a smile, pushing his bicycle toward home.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sha Zhu stared at Cao Cao Weiguo’s bicycle, feeling jealous: \"Hmph! What’s so great about him? He still married a village girl from the countryside!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When Cao Cao Weiguo returned home, Song Song Yulan had already prepared dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Shredded potatoes with meat, pickled vegetables, white flour steamed buns, and cornmeal porridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo said: \"Wife, didn't I tell you to buy more meat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Song Song Yulan said: \"I bought over a pound.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo shook his head helplessly: \"You! I really don't know what to say to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The family clearly wasn't short on money, yet she lived so stingily.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Excessive frugality made Cao Cao Weiguo somewhat dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A day or two was fine, but in the long run, it made him feel uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Song Song Yulan didn't notice Cao Cao Weiguo’s expression and happily picked food for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Taste it and see if my shredded potatoes have improved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo took a bite: \"Hmm, very good, a big improvement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>As the two were eating dinner, Aunt Sun arrived at the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Cao Weiguo, do you need these industrial coupons?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo took the industrial coupons, his face full of smiles: \"Yes, I was just thinking of buying some things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>These industrial coupons included towels, iron pots, thermos flasks, yarn, cigarettes, and white liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Aunt Sun said with a smile: \"As long as you need them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo pulled out the liquor and cigarette coupons and handed them to Aunt Sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Aunt Sun, could I trouble you to help me buy a carton of Da Da Qianmen cigarettes and three bottles of Moutai?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Aunt Sun said: \"Da Da Qianmen is no problem, but the quota for Moutai is too small; I can get at most one bottle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo laughed: \"One bottle is fine; buy Fen liquor for the rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>One bottle is better than none!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If it weren't for Aunt Sun’s connection at the supply and marketing cooperative, he probably wouldn't be able to buy even one.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo looked at Song Song Yulan: \"Wife, get me ten Brother Yuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Song Song Yulan went into the room, took ten Brother Yuan, and handed it to Cao Cao Weiguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo gave the money to Aunt Sun: \"Aunt Sun, sorry for the trouble; this is for the cigarettes and liquor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Aunt Sun took the money and laughed: \"It's just a small favor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After Aunt Sun left, Song Song Yulan asked with a frown:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Why buy so many cigarettes and liquor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ten Brother Yuan for cigarettes and liquor, that’s too wasteful!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo said: \"Wife, I have to maintain social relations at work; these things are for giving as gifts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Song Song Yulan said unhappily: \"That’s too many gifts! Ten Brother Yuan is enough for the family’s expenses for a whole month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Cao Cao Weiguo sighed: \"Wife, if I don't handle interpersonal relationships well, how can I secure the position of Deputy Director? Without the title of Deputy Director, where would I earn a high salary? Money isn't saved; it's earned...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After a long explanation, Song Song Yulan finally relented.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But in her heart, she still felt pained by those ten Brother Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After dinner, Cao Cao Weiguo dove into his study.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Recently, Lu Jinpeng had sent back quite a few old artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They were varied and numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Just identifying and organizing them required a lot of energy and time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Among them was a gold-bronze Kadampa stupa, heavy in the hand, like holding a gold brick.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Looking closely at the stupa body, the bronze was smooth and delicate, with the deep and uneven rust of old patina, the bright antique bronze color at the corners, and the \"gold-inlaid\" accents formed by different alloy ratios.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"False colors dazzle on the outside, true colors melt within; it emits a strange light from the dimness, just like the skin of a beautiful woman, soft and tender to the touch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This bronze Kadampa stupa was a treasure from the Ming Dynasty, and when shaken gently, it emitted a faint sound of metal clashing inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Additionally, there was a Ming Dynasty bronze-bodied cloisonné flower-and-fruit pattern tripod furnace, a Ming Dynasty Longquan kiln celadon carved bowl, a Qianlong period snuff bottle...\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The various objects made Cao Cao Weiguo feel delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>",1395,"2026-06-16T06:49:19.248Z","2026-06-17T08:52:03.356Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","780cac10bb7d147479c811e5fa940396c9c1975e611371ccd0ac0e6dcf1c45d0","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-118","siheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-beautiful-life-chapter-116",843,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsiheyuan-the-salted-fish-s-good-life-cover.jpg"]