Chapter 92: Gao Tingyu's money isn't being turned over, and Gao Xushi is in the courtyard

At this moment, Lu Yuan sat with his legs crossed in the main hall seat, looking utterly self-possessed.

Lu Yuan was very pleased with himself.

He didn't let those people come yesterday, just waiting for today.

"Lu Yuan, just what did you do?!"

Everyone in the courtyard was dying of envy.

It's way too warm!!

After coming in just a moment, everyone felt their heavy clothes were too much to wear.

With this heat, everyone felt a slight itchiness on their bodies.

Being this comfortable in the house in the middle of winter!!

Lu Yuan just sat there in the room, grinning silently.

Only one person in this courtyard can enjoy blessings, and that's me.

Lu Yuan has no intention of teaching these people.

Besides, they'd need money to do it anyway!

As for whether these people could sneak in and learn...

Hmm...

No way!

The Kang heating ducts still require some skill.

Not to mention letting these people just have a look; even the migrant workers who helped build it can't just throw it together!

This requires designing the route of the heating ducts.

Not to mention the Kang heating ducts; even just having a small stove at home, if the extending chimney is placed incorrectly, lighting it could easily fill the room with smoke.

This needs to be designed according to each household's situation; every home is different.

It's not as simple as copying Lu Yuan by digging a pit at home and calling it done.

How high one end of the duct is, how low the other, how to extend it, how to arrange it—all these details matter.

Lu Yuan sat in his seat, smoking, and said with a grin:

"There's nothing special; it's just the same principle as heating a kang."

Everyone listened to Lu Yuan's words without speaking.

Everyone felt it wasn't that simple.

If only it were really that simple.

Lu Yuan just wouldn't say.

Since he won't say, then he won't; everyone thought they were smart enough that a little research would let them figure it out.

Besides... building this also costs quite a bit.

Just the materials Lu Yuan brought back yesterday cost seventy or eighty dollars!

Who could afford to live like Lu Yuan does!

Not many households in this courtyard could afford it.

"Warmth is warmth, but burning this much coal all winter—how much would you need!"

A sarcastic, sour-toned voice rang out in the room.

I don't know when Gao Xushi also came in.

Everyone had no good expression toward Gao Xushi, and immediately raised their eyebrows, saying:

"Come in and close the door properly!"

"How can Lu Yuan not afford to burn coal? Yesterday they even rewarded him another three hundred!"

The residents of the courtyard don't like Lu Yuan, but that doesn't mean they like Gao Xushi.

After all, Lu Yuan, no matter what he says, hasn't really screwed anyone over.

If you think about it, it's just that one banquet, but everyone did indeed eat well.

But Gao Xushi is different; she really was out to swindle people back then!

So compared to Lu Yuan, everyone dislikes Gao Xushi more.

And upon hearing those people's words, Gao Xushi looked bewildered and said:

"Again... another three hundred?!"

Gao Xushi definitely didn't know.

After all, these days Gao Xushi has been feeling ashamed and hasn't chatted with the elder ladies of her own siheyuan.

For the past few days she's been shut in at home; today, out of desperation from having no coal and freezing, she went to another siheyuan.

Gao Tingyu definitely knows about this.

But how could Gao Tingyu possibly tell his own family about Lu Yuan's impressive deeds?

At this moment, Gao Xushi was numb.

Just a while ago they gave her three hundred, and now another three hundred??

So much money, what to do with it...

For a moment, Gao Xushi felt her heart turn sour...

Meanwhile, Gao Tingyu and Chen Taohua also came to the rear courtyard.

Just now there was a bit of a commotion in the courtyard, so the two put down their porridge and came over to see what was happening.

Gao Tingyu hoped Lu Yuan's house would catch fire.

Burn the whole house down.

As a result, after they came, uh……

It could be said to have caught fire……

It's also too warm, huh??

Gao Tingyu and Chen Taohua didn't go in, but just outside they saw a thick layer of steam on Lu Yuan's house window, and knew how warm it must be inside.

「Sister-in-law, you're back. 」

Chen Taohua's voice suddenly pulled Gao Tingyu out of his daze back to reality.

Gao Tingyu turned his head and saw Su Liyan, who had gone out to buy things, now returning with a happy face, carrying a bag of stuff.

At this moment, Su Liyan seeing so many people in her house also felt a bit dazed.

But hearing the various envious and admiring sounds from inside the house, Su Liyan also understood what was going on, and felt a surge of pride.

Regarding Chen Taohua's words, after coming to her senses, Su Liyan was also taken aback, and then spoke with a sweet smile:

「Ah, it's so cold outside, come inside and sit. 」

Whether it's Chen Taohua or Su Liyan, the two harbor no hatred toward each other.

Even though their previous banquet overlapped.

But Chen Taohua is not an unreasonable woman; she knew that it was her mother-in-law who first wanted to scheme against the people in the courtyard.

Putting herself in their shoes, if she were a resident of the courtyard, she would absolutely not come to eat this meal at her own home.

So, Chen Taohua bears no grudge against Lu Yuan nor Su Liyan.

As for her mother-in-law, Chen Taohua doesn't hate her either; she just feels her life is bitter.

But it's not all bad; after all, being able to marry into the city is already climbing a high branch.

Su Liyan also has no objections to Chen Taohua; although she dislikes the Gao family, it has nothing to do with Chen Taohua.

Others even called her 'sister-in-law' first, so Su Liyan naturally gave them a pleasant face.

After Su Liyan finished speaking to Chen Taohua, she glanced at Gao Tingyu, too lazy to bother with him.

Su Liyan is annoyed with Gao Tingyu and Gao Xushi.

Before, they kept saying they were the Gao family's daughter-in-law and such.

Su Liyan wondered, how did she become the Gao family's daughter-in-law? Just stepping into their house and sitting for three to five minutes made her a daughter-in-law?

It's annoying to death!

Immediately, Su Liyan went to her own door, pushed it open, and went inside.

And Gao Tingyu, feeling embarrassed to enter, eventually turned and pulled Chen Taohua away.

This ink stain took a while, after Gao Tingyu returned home, the boiling congee didn't steam, it cooled.

Instantly, Gao Tingyu was furious beyond measure.

What the hell is this?!!

Gao Tingyu felt his own home wasn't as warm as Lu Yuan's doorstep!!

After thinking it over, Gao Tingyu felt he was about to die of anger.

Why does Lu Yuan get to live in such a warm place, while I can't even afford a house with a stove?!!

Coming back, I have to eat this lousy steamed corn bun, drink cold congee, and the side dish is just a bit of pickled vegetables!!

I'm at least a craftsman!!

The more he thought about it, the angrier Gao Tingyu became.

And seeing her husband's expression off, Chen Taohua quickly said:

「Brother, I'll take the food back and heat it up. 」

Having said that, Chen Taohua went to heat the food.

Waiting for Chen Taohua to return, Gao Tingyu was still stewing in anger.

However, Gao Tingyu wasn't angry with Chen Taohua, after all, this wasn't her fault.

His wife, Gao Tingyu is actually quite satisfied with her.

She can manage the household and knows how to care for people.

Immediately, Gao Tingyu directly said:

「Wife, rest assured, after the New Year I'll be able to take the grade exam, and I'll definitely pass to become a second‑class forge worker. 」

「By then our household income will be twenty‑six or twenty‑seven yuan a month, definitely enough to spend! 」

Chen Taohua sat aside, not knowing what to say, just thinking, having such a mother‑in‑law……

Maybe even thirty‑six or thirty‑seven yuan a month would still be like this……

Chen Taohua fell silent for a moment, then looked at the bowed‑head Gao Tingyu drinking his congee and said:

「Brother… what if, after you pass the grade exam, we don't give the wages to Mother, but keep them ourselves? 」

「From now on, each month when you get your wages, you keep seven yuan for meals and pocket money at the factory. 」

「The remaining twenty yuan, we give Mother three yuan each month for her support, and we save five yuan each month. 」

「The remaining twelve yuan, I'll manage to make sure you have two‑grain flour to eat every night when you come home. 」

「That way we can eat white flour at least three to five times a month, and have meat once a week. 」

Chen Taohua's words made Gao Tingyu's eyes light up.

「Eh? 」

「This works!! 」【118】 Gao Tingyu also realized that his mother is truly a waste; no matter how much money is given, it's useless.

Gao Tingyu also realized that his mother was truly wasted; no matter how much money was given, it was of no use.

His wife is someone who knows how to manage a household.

According to his wife's plan, this is far better than giving the money to his own mother!!

Moreover...

Gao Tingyu had long since not wanted to give money away.

Sometimes when he was short of money and went to ask his mother, he would still be scolded by that old mother.

Each time it made Gao Tingyu quite angry—what the heck!

This is all money I earned myself—even asking for a mere eight mao gets me lectured!

And… after marrying and setting up a household, whose family still hands over their money to their parents?

Shouldn't one just save it for oneself?

Immediately, Gao Tingyu nodded heavily and said:

「Fine, no need to wait until next month—I'll give you the money this month, brother. From now on, you handle the household funds. 」

By rights, in this household the men handle the money.

Who ever heard of a woman handling money!

Unless there are special circumstances, like in Gao Tingyu's family—after his father died, his mother took charge.

Letting the daughter-in-law manage the money would become a laughingstock if it got out.

However, Gao Tingyu thought to himself, this is just him doting on his wife~

Let Su Liyan see—what does it matter if Lu Yuan has all that bonus money?

He doesn't give you the money, only giving you five yuan a month—you couldn't even bear to eat a plain steamed bun at the Bing Jia Chang canteen before!

Look at me—I give all my money to my wife, I dote on her so much!

After saying that, Gao Tingyu directly took out nineteen coins from his pocket and gave them all to Chen Taohua.

Chen Taohua never expected her husband to have her manage the money; she instantly felt excited, on the spot she counted out five coins and stuffed them back into Gao Tingyu's pocket, saying:

"Brother, this month we're celebrating New Year at home, we need to buy some things, and there are several days during the New Year when we won't go to the factory, so brother, take less; if it's really not enough, brother can come get more."

Gao Tingyu now feels a great sense of accomplishment, especially seeing Chen Taohua's delighted smile, which makes him feel extremely good.

Before, when I used to give money to my old lady, what I got in return was neither a nose nor a face.

Moreover, she would often complain that I was late too much, and this month's wages were less than last month's.

Or she would say I spent too much money at the factory.

And after giving the money to Chen Taohua, seeing her demeanor, Gao Tingyu felt a great sense of accomplishment.

This is the treatment the head of the household ought to have!

Immediately, Gao Tingyu nodded and said:

"Alright, you handle the arrangements, brother trusts you."

Chen Taohua is now very happy; she still has fourteen coins left, and tomorrow she can go to the market to properly buy whatever the household lacks.

However…

Chen Taohua again looked at Gao Tingyu with some worry and said:

"Do we need to first tell mother…"

Her mother-in-law is not someone easily fooled, Chen Taohua knows that well.

Gao Tingyu, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow and said:

"No need to say anything first; this is settled as is. When she returns, I'll tell her directly, and also see if I can get my previous money back."

The days of letting his mother manage the money, Gao Tingyu has truly had enough of.

But as for getting his previous money back… Gao Tingyu feels it's uncertain…

After nodding beside him, Chen Taohua carefully put the money away.

Not long after, Gao Xushi came back, fuming.

Seeing Lu Yuan living so well, Gao Xushi was practically about to die of anger.

Especially the way Lu Yuan had just been puffing on his cigarette, looking smug.

After returning home, seeing her son and daughter-in-law both eating, Gao Xushi also hurriedly sat down.

She picked up a steamed bun, frowned, and said:

"Why didn't you wait for me before eating?"

Gao Tingyu didn't speak, while Chen Taohua on the side interjected:

"Brother just came back from outside, he's cold, so he first had something hot."

Gao Xushi also remained silent; after taking a couple of bites of rice, she suddenly thought of something.

She immediately raised her head, looking at the silent Gao Tingyu, and said:

"You got your wages today, right? Hurry up and hand over the money—give Taohua two coins so she can go tomorrow to buy some coal and some mixed flour; today we're practically freezing to death."

After Gao Tingyu finished the last mouthful of porridge in his bowl, he gave the bowl to Chen Taohua to serve the rice, and then looked at Gao Xushi and said:

"Mother, our money—why don't you first give Taohua two coins so she can go out and buy today?"

Gao Xushi stared in surprise, then glared and said:

"Wasn't I saving that for you? It's for emergencies!"

Gao Tingyu frowned and said:

"There's no coal, no grain in this house—how is that not an emergency? Without coal, how are we supposed to get through the night."

"Mother, I've started a family now; I've decided that from now on, all the household money will be managed by Taohua, so you shouldn't keep any money in your hands."

"I'll give you three coins each month for your support."

……

In Lu Yuan's home, Lu Yuan, while stuffing meat into his mouth, nodded and said:

"Wait until tomorrow when brother goes to order a big wooden tub; from then on, we'll bathe together at home every night~"

Su Liyan blinked, her face full of anticipation—being able to take a bath every day in such a cold lunar month, how comfortable that would be~

Hearing Lu Yuan say they would take a bath together… made Su Liyan blush, yet she still happily nodded lightly and said:

"Mmm~ bathing together~"

At that moment, the courtyard was in a noisy uproar, and someone in the back yard called out.

Lu Yuan rose and looked, then heard someone shouting that Gao Xushi was causing a scene in the front yard.

Any excitement to watch?

Having eaten only half his fill, Lu Yuan immediately put down his chopsticks and said:

"Brother's going out to see the excitement, you don't need to worry about me."

Having said that, Lu Yuan flung open the door and dashed out.

Su Liyan startled, then came to her senses, quickly grabbed her coat, closed the door, and rushed out after him, anxiously saying:

"Oh dear, brother, put on your clothes first."

It's so warm inside, but so cold outside—don't go catching a cold just like that!!

When Lu Yuan arrived at the front yard at a speed of 180 mph.

He saw Gao Xushi sitting on the ground, flailing and wailing:

"My son is so unfilial—after marrying a wife he forgets his mother!!"

"Wuwuwuwu, this daughter-in-law isn't human either—just a few days after moving in she's had my son give her all his money."

"Wuwuwuwu, everybody come judge this… how am I supposed to go on from now on… elder… elder, please come judge this!!"

(End of chapter)