Chapter 91: Gao Tingyu returns home frozen numb, the courtyard residents envy

Upon entering the house, Su Liyan was dazed by the wave of heat inside.

The weather is really freezing now; even though Su Liyan came back jogging, she's still cold.

But after she went inside, closed the door, and put down her things, she warmed up in less than two minutes.

Once Su Liyan came to her senses, the scarf and clothes felt a bit too much to wear.

Su Liyan turned her head in surprise to look at her own home while undoing her scarf.

Su Liyan could now see that the two walls in front of her were slightly bulging out a large chunk.

Otherwise, she didn't notice anything else.

After hanging her coat and scarf on the rack, Su Liyan walked curiously to the wall that bulged out more than the entire wall before, and gently touched it with her pale, slender jade hand.

Hiss, it's hot.

What??

While Su Liyan looked astonished, a proud voice came from behind her: Lu Yuan's.

"How's it, wife? Is the house warm enough?"

Su Liyan immediately turned her head and saw that he was already sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling at her.

Having come to her senses, Su Liyan immediately ran to Lu Yuan, flung herself into his arms, and exclaimed delightedly.

"Brother~~ how did you manage this?"

At this moment, Su Liyan felt nothing but admiration for her husband.

Lu Yuan embraced Su Liyan, who was still wearing her high-neck sweater, and laughed loudly with pride.

"Marrying me means you're blessed, huh? From now on we won't freeze in winter. ~"

Su Liyan's peerless beautiful face pressed against Lu Yuan's chest as she nodded repeatedly and spoke sweetly.

"Ever since the day I met you, brother, I've been blessed. ~"

This heated chamber is Lu Yuan's proud achievement, after all, it wasn't made relying on Craftsmanship.

Hmm...

No, it also counts as being made by Craftsmanship.

Afterwards, he still watched Craftsmanship.

But the idea was Lu Yuan's first, and then he looked at how Craftsmanship was made.

He still felt proud about it.

Immediately, Lu Yuan took Su Liyan's hand and explained the basic principle of the heated chamber to her.

Su Liyan had never heard of such a thing before; at first she only half understood, but she was greatly shocked.

Anyway, Su Liyan may not know other things, but she knows her husband is the smartest and most capable person in the world. ~

After finishing the explanation to Su Liyan, Lu Yuan sat in the main hall, crossed his legs, and picked up a cigarette to put in his mouth.

Su Liyan, sitting on Lu Yuan's leg, immediately picked up a match and lit his cigarette.

Lu Yuan is now satisfied; from now on he can smoke whenever he wants.

Before, the weather was too cold; if he smoked at home and opened the window for ventilation, the little heat from the stove would all escape.

Now he can smoke freely, even sitting at home with the window open.

Su Liyan, sitting in Lu Yuan's arms, now feels utterly blissful.

How does her husband have such talent~

What great luck did she walk into back then, to actually be able to marry her husband~

Su Liyan now finds that just thinking about it makes her want to laugh out loud.

But after happily sitting in Lu Yuan's arms for a while, Su Liyan suddenly startled, quickly got up from his embrace, and said:

"Oh dear, brother, you haven't eaten lunch; I'll hurry and make you some food. ~"

Having said that, Su Liyan went to the nearby table and opened four lunch boxes, saying sweetly:

"There's still plenty left of the four meat dishes brother brought at noon."

After Lu Yuan turned his head and glanced, he saw the four meat dishes that Lin Fusheng had prepared for him at noon today.

Now each lunch box contains at least half remaining.

First, Lin Fusheng gave a lot; one lunch box could hold three big scoops for Lu Yuan.

Even when it couldn't fit anymore, they still pressed it down with a spoon and then added a ladle of meat broth.

Second, the female workers probably felt awkward giving all of it to Lu Yuan, since everyone knows this is Lu Yuan doting on his wife, bringing it for her.

Everyone just ate a couple bites and then felt embarrassed to finish it.

Lu Yuan looked at the four big portions of meat and directly said:

"Tonight we don't need to go through too much trouble; just a banquet leftover stew will do

Put the four dishes in a pot to stew, then chop some dried tofu strips, some white cabbage, add some vermicelli, and one pot will do."

Having said that, Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows and said:

"Remember, don't forget to add two drops of oil; that's the right flavor."

Banquet leftover stew is simply putting all the leftover meat dishes from the banquet together and stewing them.

It doesn't matter if they're sour, spicy, salty, or sweet.

Throw in the scallions, ginger, and garlic, fry them until fragrant, then dump everything in.

Adding a few drops of white liquor is the finishing touch; it's even better if you can somehow get a cigarette butt from that meal, because the flavor is just right.

Of course, the cigarette butt is a joke.

And Su Liyan immediately nodded sweetly and said:

"Okay~ but we're out of dried tofu at home, brother; I'll go buy some first. ~"

Su Liyan walked to the coat rack, dressing herself and putting on a scarf, then turned her head and said:

Brother, should I buy some more cloth to bring back? These thick clothes won't do at home; I'll make us a few shirts to wear indoors.

Brother~ I already know how to use the sewing machine~

Seeing Su Liyan's somewhat proud little look, Lu Yuan laughed heartily and said:

Fine, Brother, I'll wear the clothes you make tonight.

After happily nodding and finishing dressing, Su Liyan went to the sheetless, pillow‑less Soft Dream Thoughts Bed, then thought of something and said:

Brother, our bedding is still at the manor; after I finish cooking for you, I'll go get it, okay?

Lu Yuan shook his head and said:

No need, we still have new blankets and pillows at home; we'll use the new ones and not the old.

Su Liyan felt it a shame, those blankets and pillows were still quite good.

However, a woman ought to listen to her man; whatever her man says goes.

Immediately, Su Liyan lifted a corner of the Soft Dream Thoughts and felt inside with her jade hand.

Huh?

Su Liyan froze.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan, sitting in the main hall with his legs crossed, smoking, curled the corner of his mouth in a smile and said:

What, are you looking for money?

With a clatter, Lu Yuan placed twenty-six silver dollars on the table.

Su Liyan turned her head, saw it, and ran over with a smile, saying:

Oh, it was Brother who put it away for me~

I thought maybe the renovation people came and took it~

Seeing Su Liyan like that, Lu Yuan shook his head, somewhat amused, and said:

Can't you hide your money well so no one can find it? This is your money; shouldn't you hide it better?

First time you put it on the nightstand, second time you tucked it under the mattress?

Meanwhile, Su Liyan puffed her little cutely and said:

Anyway, there are no thieves, Brother wouldn't take it, and besides, my money is Brother's money, it's all the same.

Seeing Su Liyan acting cute in front of him, Lu Yuan couldn't help but laugh and smack her butt, saying:

You still dare to talk back? Hurry and hide it well; next time if I find it, I'll spank you.

Su Liyan, blushing shyly, said in a coquettish voice:

I know, Brother~

So Brother, close your eyes, I'll go hide the money~

Lu Yuan didn't immediately close his eyes, but instead took out another thirty from his pocket and placed them aside, saying:

Here, this month's as well.

Seeing her man produce another thirty, Su Liyan really didn't want it.

Why bother?

I'm already this happy; I have what I need, why take so much money~

Even if I later want to buy something, I could just ask my man for it, right?

But Su Liyan didn't dare say no, otherwise the man would glare at her again~

Su Liyan certainly didn't want to make her man angry.

Anyway, this money is also saved for her man~

After putting the money away, Su Liyan coyly looked at Lu Yuan and said:

So Brother, close your eyes~ I'll go hide the money~

Lu Yuan grinned and indeed closed his eyes.

Alright, a little fun in life~

Soon Su Liyan had hidden it, and while heading out she said coquettishly:

Brother~ I've hidden it~ I'm going out to buy dried tofu and floral cloth~

When Lu Yuan opened his eyes, Su Liyan had already dashed out.

Meanwhile, after Lu Yuan sat where he was and took a puff of smoke, he came to the bedside with a strange expression.

Previously, the place where Su Liyan hid the money was beneath the soft cushion.

Lu Yuan reached in and felt around; hmm, nothing there.

Then Lu Yuan went to the top of the Soft Dream Thoughts mattress and felt.

Hmm…

Found it.

Lu Yuan smiled helplessly and shook his head.

Alright, let's leave it like that; as long as my wife is happy.

Anyway, I wouldn't take this money myself.

As Su Liyan dashed out of the courtyard, she happened to see Gao Tingyu and Pang Kaige returning together.

Seeing Su Liyan, Gao Tingyu felt a pang in his chest, while Pang Kaige curiously asked:

Sister Su, what are you doing out again?

Su Liyan said with a happy smile:

My man wants to eat shredded dried tofu, I'm going out to buy it for him~

Having said that, Su Liyan quickly ran off.

Gao Tingyu felt more pain in his chest.

In this deep winter, it's hard enough coming back from outside that one would almost freeze to death.

Not bothering to let his wife stay warm at home, he immediately ordered someone to go out and buy food.

He really doesn't know how to feel sorry for his wife at all!!

Pang Kaige on the side didn't think much about it.

Pang Kaige's blind date was very successful; both families have already started discussing marriage, now just waiting to pick a good day to hold the banquet.

When the time comes, he Pang Kaige will have taken a wife.

He too, like Lu Yuan and Gao Tingyu, now has a wife to attend to him~

Arriving at his own doorstep, Gao Tingyu greeted Pang Kaige, then turned and went inside, while Pang Kaige headed toward the back courtyard.

Upon entering the house.

Gao Tingyu couldn't help but shrink his neck and said:

"Taohua, why is it so cold in the house? Haven't you lit the stove?"

Chen Taohua came over with a bowl of food, placed it on the table, and said:

"Brother, we're out of coal at home. Brother, you get your wages today; we need to buy more, winter is coming."

Hearing Chen Taohua's words, Gao Tingyu frowned and couldn't help shivering as he said:

"No coal, just buy some first. My mother also has money. Why just wait for my wages to come down to buy? Are we not lighting the stove tonight?"

Chen Taohua, being scolded by her husband, also said feeling wronged:

"I asked my mother-in-law today, and she said she has none; we'll wait until you come back and get your wages to buy..."

This afternoon Chen Taohua was frozen badly; especially since it was overcast today and there's no stove in the house, it's really unbearable to sit.

Hearing Chen Taohua's words, Gao Tingyu frowned and said:

"How could she have no money? I used to give all my wages to her to manage; no matter what, she should at least have a dozen or so bucks; why can't she take some out to buy coal?"

Chen Taohua fell silent, not daring to say more.

One side is her husband, the other is her mother-in-law; it's hard to say anything either way.

Gao Tingyu is now very angry, especially since the house is this chilly, not much better than outside.

This makes him even angrier.

However, after his anger subsided, Gao Tingyu also knew he couldn't blame his wife, and immediately said with a pout:

"Fine, this isn't your fault either; later I'll give you money, and you can buy more tomorrow."

After saying that, Gao Tingyu looked around his single room and then asked again:

"Where is my mother?"

Upon hearing her husband say he'd give her money to buy coal, Chen Taohua immediately smiled and said:

"Mother went to visit other courtyards; she should be back soon."

My mother-in-law, because of the previous incident, is embarrassed to stay in this courtyard and has been going to other siheyuans to hang out lately.

I guess she's also going to other people's homes to mooch off their stoves.

Chen Taohua, however, can't go, as she still has to watch over the house and tidy up.

Moreover, in this city, Chen Taohua doesn't know anyone, so she can only stay at home.

Gao Tingyu listened to Chen Taohua's words, nodded, didn't say much, glanced at the table beside him, and then said helplessly:

"Why are we eating steamed corn buns now?... Did we finish the mixed flour?"

Chen Taohua nodded and said:

"Um... we've eaten it all... just a bit of coarse cornmeal left."

Instantly, Gao Tingyu's anger flared up again as he said:

"I've been working myself to death outside, and you come back and give me this to eat? There's nothing left at home, you won't even go first..."

Gao Tingyu stopped mid-sentence, forget it, this isn't his wife's fault.

My mother really is...

She can't just take out some money to buy something first; she insists on waiting until I get my wages...

At this moment, Chen Taohua gave Gao Tingyu a bowl of thin cornmeal porridge, handed it to him and said:

"Brother, eat first; Mother doesn't know when she'll be back, and I don't know which house she went to, so I can't find her..."

Looking at the porridge Chen Taohua handed over, Gao Tingyu's heart felt warm.

It's still his wife who cares for him.

Not like his old mother!

Previously, he gave all his monthly wages to his mother, yet there was nothing to show for it in the house, and by month's end there was no money.

As for where the money went, Gao Tingyu also has a sense; his mother is lazy and gluttonous, perhaps she secretly ate it all.

Even if she steals food, the house has no coal or flour, and she doesn't know to take money to buy.

With weather this cold, how are we supposed to get through tonight!!

Even stuffing three hot water bottles in the quilt doesn't help!!

Gao Tingyu also felt angry inside, then he picked up his chopsticks and bowl and said:

"You eat too, leave some for her; you're freezing enough at home today, hurry up and drink some cornmeal porridge to warm up."

Chen Taohua repeatedly nodded, laughing as she responded:

"Eh~"

At this moment, Gao Xushi was just returning from outside; this afternoon she went to someone else's house to mooch off their stove, not to mention she also snagged some little snacks, feeling pleased.

Just as Gao Xushi stepped through the door, she heard someone shouting in the courtyard:

"Everyone, hurry over to Lu Yuan's house to look~~~"

That shout made the residents in the courtyard who heard it involuntarily poke their heads out to look toward the backyard, not knowing what was happening.

And then, after a few more shouts, everyone also curiously headed toward the backyard.

After Gao Xushi froze for a moment, she too headed toward the backyard.

It seems Lu Yuan set up a heated brick bed at home yesterday; could it be... that the heated brick bed collapsed??

We'd better hurry to the backyard to see Lu Yuan's joke!!

When Gao Xushi arrived at the backyard, she was dumbfounded.

Through that hazy window, she saw many residents crowded inside Lu Yuan's house, their faces full of envy and jealousy, saying:

"Lu Yuan, your place is way too warm—how did you manage that!!"

Thanks to Hu Wukelian, Guoguobao Laoge's 100 book-coin reward, thank you very much, mwah~





(End of chapter)