Chapter 288: Doing Laundry, Cooking, and Raising Kids

Qin Huairu glanced at Sha Zhu and asked, "Why would I be waiting for you? Are you calling me? Am I waiting for you to be stubborn and keep pining after Teacher Ran?"

"How can you say that? How did I become a thief?"

Sha Zhu grinned, rubbed Bang Geng's big head, and said, "I'm just concerned about Bang Geng's grades. I was going to your place to ask how he's doing in school."

Uncle Sha, I really appreciate your concern, but I'd ask you to act like a human and stop asking about my grades.

If you don't ask about my grades, I can at least have a good New Year.

Bang Geng swatted Sha Zhu's big hand away from his head; he hated having his head ruffled more than anything.

He learned this from his grandmother.

His grandmother said that a man's head and a woman's waist are not to be touched.

Bang Geng glared at Sha Zhu, comparing him to Wu Shu in his mind.

Hmm, Uncle Sha just isn't as good as Wu Shu. Wu Shu never touches his head; he only pinches his cheeks.

"Uncle Sha, my grades are very stable. You don't need to worry about them."

Seeing Bang Geng lift his chubby face to brag, Sha Zhu let Qin Huairu pass through the second gate first, then followed behind Bang Geng, saying, "Heh, you really dare to say that. You've turned being dead last every year into 'stable grades'."

Just as Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu entered the middle courtyard, He Yu Shui's voice called out from behind them.

"Brother, Sister Qin, you two were out?"

Qin Huairu turned back, saw it was He Yu Shui, and said with a smile, "What do you mean? We were just at the back-row rooms. Did you just get back?"

Sha Zhu was also surprised to see his sister pushing her bike in, her face smeared with grease.

"Why are you coming back so late? Did you have another falling out?"

He Yu Shui walked and talked with Qin Huairu, "Hi, no. I got off work late, and my bike broke down. I figured it was close, so I pushed it back. That's why I'm late."

Qin Huairu pursed her lips at Sha Zhu and said, "Your bike is broken, let your brother fix it. Have you eaten?"

Sha Zhu also pressed, "Have you eaten? If not, I'll take you to the back-row rooms to eat."

"Why go to the back-row rooms to eat?"

He Yu Shui rubbed her stomach and said, "I really am hungry. Is there no food at home?"

Sha Zhu laughed, "You're never home. I've been eating at the back-row rooms every day. We haven't lit the stove at home for days."

Seeing that his sister was truly hungry, Sha Zhu pointed under their window and said, "Go park the bike first. Teacher Ran is here; I'm going to see her. We'll go to the back-row rooms to eat after a word."

"Okay."

He Yu Shui knew her brother had moved the grain directly to the back-row rooms and that she could only eat there, so she agreed and went to prop up her bike.

As for the Teacher Ran her brother mentioned, He Yu Shui didn't pay much attention.

Her brother had been pining after this piece of swan meat for more than a day or two, and she had already tried to talk him out of it over ten times; she couldn't be bothered anymore.

Seeing Yushui go to park the bike, Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu returned home.

Actually, Li Xuewu had already met the Teacher Ran that Bang Geng mentioned when he went to find Qin Huairu at the back-row rooms.

It was the young woman with two big braids he saw entering from the second gate when he stepped out of his house.

This Teacher Ran was visiting on New Year's Eve to collect tuition.

Following the instructions of the gatekeeper on duty, Ran Qiuye found Jia Banggeng's home.

She stood outside the door, looked in, and seeing the lights on, raised her voice to ask, "Excuse me, is this Jia Banggeng's home?"

Bang Geng was sharp; hearing his teacher's voice, he stood up and said to his grandmother, "It's our teacher."

Jia Zhangshi hurried to the door to welcome Ran Qiuye in, invited her to sit, and told Bang Geng to pour tea.

It must be said, no matter the time, people's first impression of teachers is always one of respect.

Even an old woman from the old society like Jia Zhangshi, who didn't understand social graces, knew to respect teachers and education.

Ran Qiuye was also very polite, "It's like this: today, all the teachers at our school are doing home visits, and the school also held a meeting. Bang Geng must have told you, right?"

Jia Zhangshi knew what this meant, but since Qin Huairu wasn't there, she said, "He told us. Teacher Ran, I'm sorry. We should have paid this tuition when school started, but our family is truly struggling. You can see the state of our home."

Teacher Ran was also very understanding, "Actually, I've been trying to find a way to get Bang Geng's tuition waived, but there are just too many struggling families in the school. The higher-ups have regulations: only families with an average monthly living expense of less than 5 yuan per person can be exempt. But your family... it's just enough. I really have no way."

Jia Zhangshi knew about this; she had already gone to the neighborhood office to ask about it the month before last. At that time, she had even run into the Third Master complaining about Li Xuewu "occupying" the back-row rooms.

Her intention in saying this now was to drag it out and see if she could get past the tuition payment.

Just like dragging out a famine, old people all had this habit.

The crosstalk master Liu Baorui had talked about this in his routines.

Although their family's conditions had improved, this improvement didn't happen overnight; it required Qin Huairu to earn and save month by month.

That was why she was crying poor to Teacher Ran, who had come to collect the tuition.

It wasn't that Jia Zhangshi was truly faking poverty—their family was indeed poor—but in this day and age, which family wasn't?

That standard for tuition exemption was nothing more than comparing who was poorer.

Jia Zhangshi was cornered by Teacher Ran and had no choice but to say she was going to the front courtyard to find her daughter-in-law for money.

This was also one of Jia Zhangshi's tactics.

You're here to ask for money? Then I'll leave you hanging, let you sit in my house, and see how this old woman drags things out for you.

Bang Geng heard what Teacher Ran said and, thinking of what his mother and grandmother had said before, knew the family wasn't short of this money now.

Bang Geng said very proactively, "Grandma, you stay here and keep Teacher Ran company. I'll go call my mom."

Seeing Bang Geng run out, Jia Zhangshi hurriedly smiled awkwardly and said politely to Teacher Ran, "Please sit, please drink some water, oh my."

Jia Zhangshi didn't know Teacher Ran, so she didn't know what to chat about.

But since Teacher Ran had come to the door and they were in the wrong, she couldn't just let her sit there; that would be too impolite.

Could chatting stump Jia Zhangshi?

Jia Zhangshi considered herself second to none in the field of idle chatter and gossip, and she was very good at opening up a conversation with strangers.

"Are you... still single now?"

"..."

Ran Qiuye saw Bang Geng go find his mother and felt happy that she could complete another family's task today.

But Jia Banggeng's grandmother suddenly said this.

This was like coming home happily, only for your mother to look behind you and ask, "You came back alone again?"

Although Ran Qiuye kept a smile on her face, she really couldn't help but mutter to herself inside.

If you knew how to be polite, you could say a few words. If you really didn't want to be polite and couldn't be bothered to deal with me, the one who came to "collect a debt," I wouldn't mind if you just sat there in silence.

But isn't saying it like that a bit suspicious of intentional retaliation?

Ran Qiuye nodded awkwardly and said, "Well, I just haven't met the right person yet."

Actually, it was because Ran Qiuye's parents had too high standards. Her parents were both returnees from studying abroad, and their knowledge and insight weren't something an average person could impress.

Teacher Ran was also an only daughter and couldn't avoid listening to her parents' opinions, so it had been delayed.

Jia Zhangshi had just asked, and Ran Qiuye couldn't say her parents had high standards, so she used a universal excuse.

But Jia Zhangshi didn't know it was an excuse. If she didn't know, she didn't know; she could have just changed the subject.

But she wouldn't!

To prevent Teacher Ran from feeling awkward sitting there, she started randomly playing matchmaker.

"Let me tell you, there are quite a few good young men in our courtyard."

As she spoke, Jia Zhangshi ignored Ran Qiuye's awkward expression and started counting on her fingers.

"The older one is the one living in the main room of the middle courtyard, He Yuzhu, the cook at the steel mill. He's twenty-nine."

"The younger one is Li Xuewu, who lives in the back courtyard. He's the security section chief at the steel mill and is only nineteen. He has a scar on his face, but he earns a lot. Look at that house he built; it's beautiful."

"Then there's Yan Jiefang from the Third Master's family at your school. He's only eighteen..."

Teacher Ran was listening awkwardly and couldn't refute it. If she said the wrong thing and they didn't pay the money, what then?

But inside, she kept saying: Confirmed, confirmed. Jia Banggeng's grandmother is definitely retaliating against me for coming to collect the debt today.

Look at the people she introduced: an older greasy young man, a young man with a scarred face and money, the son of the famous "calculator" Yan Lao Kou...

This is all over the place!

Not to mention the conditions, just look at the age.

Ran Qiuye is only twenty-six; it wouldn't be appropriate to find He Yuzhu, who is almost thirty, right?

Then is it appropriate to find Li Xuewu, who is nineteen?

Jia Banggeng's grandmother even introduced an eighteen-year-old!

She really isn't afraid of people saying she's an old cow eating tender grass!

"Jia Banggeng's grandmother is really good at chatting, hehehehehe."

What else could Ran Qiuye say? She could only compliment Jia Zhangshi like that.

At this moment, Bang Geng ran into the room and said, "Grandma, my mom is back."

As he spoke, he remembered there was someone behind him, so he added casually, "Oh, and my Uncle Sha."

Bang Geng originally wanted to give Uncle Sha some face, knowing Uncle Sha liked his teacher, and he shouldn't call him Uncle Sha today no matter what.

But he had just smoothed over the scar in his heart, only for Uncle Sha to tear it open again.

Then don't blame me, Manager Jia, for not giving you this face.

Teacher Ran thought to herself: "Finally, someone came. If I keep listening, I'll be able to dig out a courtyard with my toes."

As soon as Sha Zhu entered the room and met Teacher Ran, he said with a smile, "Hello, Teacher Ran. You still remember me, right? Hehehe."

Teacher Ran nodded unnaturally and said, "Hello, hello."

Ran Qiuye thought: Today, collecting this money is really difficult. I just got rid of the chatty Jia Banggeng's grandmother, and now here comes the cook who made me lose face last time.

Jia Zhangshi was also very surprised, "You two know each other? Sit down and chat."

Sha Zhu was thinking about easing the relationship with Teacher Ran, so he said, "Teacher Ran, please sit, hehehe. You've really worked hard. You're not even resting on New Year's Eve."

Ran Qiuye's mouth twitched when she heard this. Are all the people in this courtyard this good at chatting?

"It's not hard work; it's all tasks assigned by the school. We have no choice. Please understand."

Qin Huairu glared at Sha Zhu and then said to Ran Qiuye with a smile, "We understand. It's our fault; we should have paid it earlier. But we've been working, and we just forgot about it. Please forgive us."

As she spoke, she took money out of her pocket, counted out 2.80 yuan, and placed it in front of Ran Qiuye.

"It's okay, it's okay. Let's understand each other."

Teacher Ran was naturally happy to collect the tuition and miscellaneous fees, and she laughed, "I know you're busy with work. I had no choice either. The school insisted that I come to the house to collect it. Here is the receipt."

As she spoke, she handed the receipt to Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi said to Teacher Ran, "You're not wrong; it's our fault. Next time, we will definitely pay in advance."

Sha Zhu watched Teacher Ran stand up and felt that this teacher had class, confirming his choice was correct.

Hearing Jia Zhangshi talk about paying tuition in advance next time, Sha Zhu immediately interjected, "What next time? Isn't school starting on March 1st? Don't worry, our Bang Geng will be the first. This can be considered supporting Teacher Ran's work, right?"

Qin Huairu looked at Sha Zhu, who was making decisions for her, and wanted to say something, but thinking they were all neighbors, she swallowed her words, only glaring at Sha Zhu.

But Sha Zhu's eyes were all on Ran Qiuye now, and he completely missed Qin Huairu's signal.

Teacher Ran was naturally happy to hear Sha Zhu say this, "Then I will thank you again for your support."

Jia Zhangshi looked at Ran Qiuye, who had stood up, and asked, "Not sitting for a while longer? Teacher Ran."

Thinking of the chatty Jia Banggeng's grandmother, how could Ran Qiuye dare to stay?

So Ran Qiuye refused very decisively, "No, I have five more students' homes to visit."

Sha Zhu laughed and took over, "Business is business. Busy with business, busy with business."

Teacher Ran said this and left the room.

Sha Zhu wanted to seize the last bit of time and said enthusiastically, "I'll see you out, I'll see you out."

"Okay."

Ran Qiuye thought: Collecting the money is a success; I don't care about being seen out.

Qin Huairu saw Sha Zhu making decisions to see the guest out for her and was very annoyed, poking Sha Zhu, who was walking in front.

Sha Zhu didn't pay any attention and helped Teacher Ran kick up the bike stand with a smile.

Ran Qiuye saw He Yuzhu seeing her out, with Bang Geng and his mother following behind, and thought He Yuzhu had some relationship with this family.

But this wasn't something she could ask, so she politely said there was no need to see her out.

This was Bang Geng's teacher; Qin Huairu had to see her out of the courtyard no matter what, so she brought Bang Geng along.

Sha Zhu was just making small talk. When they reached the threshold of the third gate, he helped Ran Qiuye lift her bike and asked with a smile, "How is Bang Geng doing in school?"

Bang Geng, following behind, originally didn't feel anything; he was just seeing his teacher off.

But hearing Uncle Sha's question, Bang Geng glared at Sha Zhu.

I really appreciate you; do I need you to help me ask?

"Hehehe... hehehe."

Ran Qiuye felt that all the awkward situations she had encountered this year combined were not as many as she had met tonight.

It was already embarrassing enough to collect tuition at a student's home on New Year's Eve.

In front of parents of students with Bang Geng's grades, she had restrained herself from talking about academic performance, so why bring the topic back to this?

It was fortunate that Ran Qiuye had quick wit. She walked two steps faster and said while walking, "Student Jia Banggeng has active thinking, stable grades, and strong hands-on ability..."

"Hahahahaha."

Ran Qiuye had only said half of it when she was interrupted by Sha Zhu's laughter. She didn't know what was going on and looked at the laughing Sha Zhu, completely bewildered.

Today's debt collection experience was really testing people.

Bang Geng looked at the laughing Sha Zhu in front and fumed. The excuse he had just made for himself was repeated by Teacher Ran; didn't this just confirm that his grades were dead last?

Sha Zhu kept chatting up Ran Qiuye, ignoring the resentful eyes of Qin Huairu and Bang Geng behind him, always thinking about "reuniting" with Teacher Ran.

When they got out of the courtyard gate, Sha Zhu suggested again, "How about I see you back?"

"No need, I have to ride my bike."

Ran Qiuye walked two steps faster, ignoring the snow on the road, and pedaled her bike shakily toward the outside of the alley.

If she didn't leave, she would die of embarrassment here. What kind of people are in this courtyard?

"Oh my, what a good teacher. Look at this..."

"This look, this figure, right?"

Sha Zhu suddenly heard Qin Huairu's cold voice behind him and laughed unnaturally.

Sha Zhu was blunt, not stupid. He knew there was still no chance with Teacher Ran, so he couldn't show too much in front of Qin Huairu.

Originally, Sha Zhu was very laid-back about his marriage, thinking that fate would eventually come to him.

But Wen Saner's marriage gave Sha Zhu a blow.

Previously, he heard that Wen Saner was getting married, and it wasn't just "marrying into the wife's family," but the woman also brought a "drag-oil bottle" (a child from a previous marriage).

This made Sha Zhu laugh at him for a long time in his heart.

Although he didn't say it or show it in daily interactions, he looked down on Wen Saner's kind of son-in-law who married into the family.

But the moment the bride was brought back, Sha Zhu's ideological world collapsed.

Wasn't she a widow? Wasn't she bringing a drag-oil bottle? How could she look so young and so moist?

Look at that drag-oil bottle again; it was like Wen Saner's own son. Even a biological son wouldn't call him "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" so affectionately.

Every time that child named Zhang Xinmin called Wen Saner "Daddy" in a milky voice, Sha Zhu would think: What would it be like if I had a son?

This was also the reason why he tried to test Teacher Ran's attitude today, even though he knew he couldn't make it with her.

Sha Zhu missed having a wife and wanted a baby who could call him "Daddy."

"Sister Qin, hehe, look at you. I was just trying to help you entertain Teacher Ran."

"I really thank you so much!"

Qin Huairu didn't say anything, but Bang Geng spoke up, though the "thank you" was said with such "sincerity."

Qin Huairu knew what kind of person Sha Zhu was, so although she was dissatisfied with Sha Zhu's performance just now, she still rubbed her son's head.

"You are not allowed to talk to your Uncle Sha like that. It's impolite."

Bang Geng wrinkled his little nose, shook his big chubby face, snorted, and ran back into the courtyard.

Sha Zhu didn't mind Bang Geng's impoliteness. Naughty boys were all like this; children who grew up in the alley rarely spoke politely, and they only learned manners when they grew to seventeen or eighteen, or twenty years old.

"Sister Qin, don't be angry. I was just in a hurry."

Qin Huairu glanced at Sha Zhu and said, "I understand, I understand you."

As she spoke, she turned and walked back, saying, "You should also find a wife. It's right for you to be in a hurry, but it's not that I'm lecturing you."

Seeing Sha Zhu following behind her and listening, Qin Huairu said a little more.

"You don't know the situation with Teacher Ran. If you ask around, you'll know. Her family is very special; her parents are both returnees from studying abroad. It's unlikely that someone like you could enter the eyes of an intellectual."

Seeing the smile on Sha Zhu's face disappear, Qin Huairu immediately explained, "This isn't me belittling you, nor is it me looking down on you, because I'm the same as you. There is a gap between us and intellectuals. This isn't about status, nor can it be made up for by work or salary. Li Xuewu said this is a gap in thought."

Sha Zhu put his hands in his pockets and nodded, "Yes, yes, yes. What you said makes sense, but I'm really in a hurry now. Why can't I find a suitable one?"

Qin Huairu glared at Sha Zhu and said, "What kind of suitable one do you want to find? What kind of wife do you think is suitable?"

Sha Zhu followed Qin Huairu into the second gate and said, "Of course, one who can do laundry, cook, and raise children, of course."

Sha Zhu added embarrassedly, "It would be even better if she could have some culture and temperament."

"You're still thinking about Teacher Ran!"

Qin Huairu glared at Sha Zhu and said, "Think about what I just said. Do you have the cultural level and ideological level to communicate with her?"

Entering the front courtyard, Qin Huairu pointed her chin at the south room of Li Xuewu's house and said softly, "That Zhao Yafang has culture and temperament, can do laundry, can do chores, can do everything. But does she look at you? Can you talk to her?"

Sha Zhu looked at the window of Li Xuewu's house; Zhao Yafang was pouring tea for Li Xuewen.

Look at Li Xuewen again, like a master, with an impatient look as if he had been disturbed.

What a scene of "red sleeves adding fragrance" and the master being slightly angry; this was something Sha Zhu didn't dare to think about.

Qin Huairu turned and pointed at the Third Master's house, saying, "Look at the Third Master's house again. Look at the Third Master and the Third Mistress. Do they have anything to say to each other in a day? Isn't it just the Third Master despising the Third Mistress for having no culture, wrinkling his nose every time she speaks? If that's not despising, what is it?"

Sha Zhu looked at the Third Master's house again; the Third Master was impatiently waving his hand behind his wife's back, looking unwilling to speak or listen.

The Third Mistress had a face full of grievance and helplessness, but her mouth opened and closed without saying a word.

Even Sha Zhu, standing in the courtyard, could feel this helplessness.

"Can you live the life of Li Xuewen? Are you willing to live the life of the Third Mistress?"

Sha Zhu was silent; his long-standing fantasy was shattered by Qin Huairu's sharp words.

Qin Huairu tugged at the sleeve of Sha Zhu's jacket, gesturing for him to follow her toward the back; the two of them standing there talking had already caught the attention of the Third Master.

Ever since his bicycle was stolen last time, anyone who lingered for more than five seconds in front of the Third Master's door was automatically identified by him as a bicycle thief suspect.

Sha Zhu followed Qin Huairu toward the back courtyard in a daze, his head bowed as he pondered his own thoughts while walking.

Qin Huairu said as they walked, "You have to realize that you're marrying a wife, not buying a vase for the house to use as a decoration. You're looking for a wife to live your life with, not bringing a grandmother home to worship."

Sha Zhu nodded in agreement.

He also knew that what Qin Huairu said was correct; there really was a gap in thinking between intellectuals and workers like himself.

"Sigh."

Seeing that Sha Zhu could take her words to heart, Qin Huairu nodded and said, "If you lower your standards for choosing a wife a bit, and we just pick someone who can wash clothes, cook, and take care of children, wouldn't you have a lot more choices?"

Sha Zhu still nodded, but he was still struggling internally; he was unwilling to be a live-in son-in-law like Wen Saner or to find someone who came with "excess baggage" (a child from a previous marriage).

If he were willing, someone would have given him one long ago.

Qin Huairu knew what Sha Zhu was thinking; she lifted her leg, stepped over the threshold of the triple gate, and entered the middle courtyard.

She stopped at the entrance to Sha Zhu's home and her own, turned around to look at Sha Zhu, and said, "Although we didn't grow up together, how has your sister treated you?"

"That goes without saying!"

Sha Zhu nodded and said, "I know you're a warm-hearted person, Qin Jie, a good person."

Qin Huairu said sternly, "But I also know you're a good person, a good young man. Just for the sake of how much you've helped me over these years, I have to remember your kindness, don't I?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

Sha Zhu nodded and said, "We're all neighbors; it's only right that we get along well."

Qin Huairu didn't take Sha Zhu's polite remark, but continued, "Think about it, when I introduced my cousin to you back then, wasn't I thinking of helping you?"

"Hmm..."

Sha Zhu also remembered Qin Huairu's cousin, remembering that rustic country girl.

Qin Huairu saw Sha Zhu's hesitation and said, "Think about it, an eighteen-year-old maiden, is she a match for you, a twenty-nine-year-old man? Isn't it just that you care about her rural status?"

"No."

Sha Zhu said somewhat awkwardly, "I don't look down on her status."

Qin Huairu looked at Sha Zhu and said, "You don't need to explain. I know in my heart how much scrutiny I've been under since marrying into this courtyard. But think about it from the other side: do you really lack that rural status of hers?"

"Qin Jie, what do you mean by that?"

Sha Zhu didn't know why Qin Huairu said that, as if he were counting on a wife to make him rich.

Qin Huairu glared at Sha Zhu and said, "You're a kitchen shift leader now. Never mind how much 'grease' (perks) you have, just look at your salary—is it hard for you to support a family? Are you really counting on a wife to earn money to help you support the family?"

"That's not it."

Sha Zhu was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what Qin Huairu meant.

Qin Huairu pointed at Sha Zhu and said, "At your age, never mind your conditions, just look at your name, 'Sha Zhu' (Silly Pillar). Is it possible to find someone young, pretty, and with a job in the city?"

Sha Zhu also frowned and thought about it; it really didn't seem very possible...

Qin Huairu continued, "Think about it again: if you find someone young, pretty, who can wait on you and treat you like a master, isn't that much more practical than all that talk about 'temperament' or 'status'?"

"Qin Jie."

Sha Zhu thought for a moment and said, "Qin Jie, I understand what you mean. Let me think about it, let me think about it."

Qin Huairu looked at Sha Zhu and said, "A lifelong matter should be thought about carefully. You're not a child anymore. Look at the eligible young men in the courtyard; which one isn't flirting with girls and having kids? Don't you want that?"

"Alright."

Qin Huairu saw He Yu Shui coming out of the room, her face still wet, clearly having just finished washing up.

"You think about it, but this is the only one I can help you with. Give me an answer soon; once this village is passed, there won't be this shop anymore."

After saying this to Sha Zhu, she turned to He Yu Shui and said, "Yushui, are you finished washing?"

"Yes, Qin Jie. What's wrong with my brother?"

Watching her brother standing in the courtyard frowning and dazed, He Yu Shui rubbed the hand cream on her hands and asked Qin Huairu in confusion.

Qin Huairu glanced at Sha Zhu and then said, "He's thinking about his own affairs. Hurry up and go to the inverted-U room to eat."

"Okay."

He Yu Shui watched Qin Huairu return to her room, then walked around the veranda to her brother and waved her hand in front of Sha Zhu's eyes.

"Brother, are you possessed?"

"Go on, your brother is fine. Come on, I'll take you to eat."

As he spoke, Sha Zhu waved his hand and took the lead walking toward the inverted-U room.

Although he said he was fine, Sha Zhu didn't say a word the whole way, clearly still thinking about his own affairs.

When they entered the inverted-U room and saw no one in the kitchen, he went to check the inner room and saw Yu Li sitting on the edge of the kang wiping away tears, with Li Xuewu lying inside the kang.

This...

This scene doesn't look very auspicious~

"Brother Zhuzi!"

Yu Li saw Li Xuewu speak up, so she turned her head to look. Seeing Sha Zhu looking at them in surprise, she said somewhat embarrassedly, "Brother Zhuzi, why are you here?"

Sha Zhu said in a daze, "Oh, oh, oh, Yushui is back and hasn't eaten yet, so I brought her over to grab a bite."

Then he asked in confusion, "What is this...?"

Yushui kicked Sha Zhu's heel from behind; why didn't her brother have any social awareness? Didn't he see what they were doing?

Only Sha Zhu could ask such questions directly.

Li Xuewu smiled and didn't speak, but he didn't have an embarrassed expression either.

Yu Li, however, stood up embarrassedly and walked over, saying, "It's almost the New Year, how can we just make do? I'll go stir-fry some vegetables and heat up the steamed buns."

Sha Zhu walked into the room, looked at Li Xuewu, then at Yu Li, not knowing what they had been talking about to make her cry.

He Yu Shui looked at Li Xuewu with a probing gaze. She had long known about Li Xuewu's philandering, so she didn't show surprise at Li Xuewu "hooking up" with the young wife Yu Li, though she did frown a little.

Yu Li walked up to them and whispered, "It's because my housing allocation came through, I'm just happy, hehe."

"Oh, oh, oh, that's what I thought, hahahaha."

Sha Zhu also knew he had misunderstood; now he knew the reason for Yu Li's tears and Li Xuewu's smile.

Sha Zhu knew that Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng had been kicked out by the Third Master; isn't the enemy of an enemy a friend?

Sha Zhu could feel Yu Li's obsession with the house, so he didn't think anything else of her crying.

"It was Xuewu who helped you handle it, right? Hahahaha."

Sha Zhu laughed and said, "My brother is still the most straightforward. When you deal with him, there's never a time when you can say a bad word about him."

Sha Zhu praised Li Xuewu, then explained to his sister, "We've borrowed a lot of Li Xuewu's light in this courtyard; the firewood burned in the gatehouse is all from Li Xuewu."

Yu Li smiled and said, "I didn't dare say anything until the matter was settled. Please keep it a secret for me; let's talk after I finish the paperwork tomorrow."

It was just that their awkward situation today had been stumbled upon by the Sha Zhu siblings; otherwise, she would absolutely not have revealed the reason for her crying.

Sha Zhu promised, "Don't worry, even if you didn't say it, I wouldn't either. You're right to be on guard; there are bad people in this courtyard."

As he spoke, he glanced toward the Third Master's house.

Although Yu Li had conflicts with her father-in-law and mother-in-law, she didn't dare speak ill of them here; what would that make her?

Sha Zhu said it was fine, but she said it wouldn't do, so she smiled and went to the kitchen to get busy.

Sha Zhu walked to the stool where Yu Li had been sitting, sat down, and said to Li Xuewu, who was lying on the kang, "Where did you find the house? It must have been a lot of trouble, right? Old Xu in the cafeteria has been wanting to change to a bigger one and hasn't found one yet."

Li Xuewu shook his head and said, "I just promised to keep it a secret for Yu Li, so I can't tell you. You'll know in a few days. It wasn't difficult, actually; it was very simple."

"Oh, oh."

Sha Zhu nodded. Seeing He Yu Shui still standing, he pointed to the kang and said, "Sit, why are you being so polite here?"

He Yu Shui, having received Yu Li's explanation just now, had her impression of Li Xuewu slightly improved.

But there was still no friendship to speak of, so she sat on the edge of the kang and listened to her brother talking with Li Xuewu.

Seeing his sister sit down, Sha Zhu didn't say anything more to her, but instead told Li Xuewu about his own affairs.

"Hey, Xuewu, there's something I want you to analyze for me; I'm a bit confused."

Watching Sha Zhu scratch his head, Li Xuewu smiled and said, "You have times when you're worried?"

Sha Zhu laughed and replied, "You mean I'm simple-minded? Hahahaha."

He Yu Shui watched her brother's self-deprecation and was somewhat surprised by the relationship between her brother and Li Xuewu.

Usually, her brother was very sensitive about others calling him silly; if he didn't turn hostile, he would at least give you a hard time.

But today, he seemed completely unconcerned in front of Li Xuewu, and instead began to mock himself.

Sha Zhu rested his arms on the edge of the kang and asked, "What kind of wife do you think I should find?"

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu laughed when he heard this, then asked, "Didn't you go chasing after Teacher Ran just now? Didn't you catch her?"

"Sigh!"

Sha Zhu sighed and said, "The trick you told me last time wasn't used correctly, so I failed at the last hurdle. Now I can't even get close to her; she avoids me like a thief."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu turned over, lay on his side, looked at Sha Zhu, and asked, "Don't want to think about that anymore? That's a female teacher, tall, with temperament and culture."

As he praised her, Li Xuewu added, "Although her mouth is a bit crooked when she smiles, she has temperament."

"Hahahaha."

"Pfft~ Giggle."

Sha Zhu laughed out loud, and He Yu Shui couldn't hold it in and laughed too.

Why is Li Xuewu so funny when he talks?

Sha Zhu pointed at Li Xuewu and said, "Your mouth is truly vicious. What 'crooked mouth'? Hahaha, after you put it that way, I actually have fewer regrets."

After joking for a bit, Sha Zhu said with emotion, "What you can't get, you can't force. I can only settle for second best."

"Yo, yo, yo."

Li Xuewu joked with a smile, "You're even using idioms now. How did you get enlightened? A sudden epiphany?"

"Hahahaha."

Sha Zhu laughed and said, "You're even mocking me? Why can't I have an epiphany?"

Li Xuewu smiled, pointed at He Yu Shui, and said, "Let your sister say it; see if your obsession with finding a wife isn't a sign of not being enlightened."

Sha Zhu looked at He Yu Shui's expression and asked, unconvinced, "I'm not enlightened?"

"Hehehe."

He Yu Shui certainly wouldn't speak about her brother in front of an outsider, but she gave a subtle "hehe."

Sha Zhu clearly felt the meaning of his sister's "hehe" and looked at Li Xuewu speechlessly.

"Am I that silly?"

Li Xuewu didn't answer Sha Zhu's question, as that would be impolite, but instead asked, "I'm curious to know how you had this epiphany?"

"I haven't had an epiphany yet."

At this moment, Yu Li put the dining table on the kang. Yushui jumped down to help politely, then said, "I'll just eat a bite at the table; you don't need to go to such trouble."

Yu Li smiled and said, "It's no trouble. The dishes are a bit simple, though; the fish was all eaten up by them. I cut some braised meat for you; taste it and see if it's the same flavor as your brother's."

While joking, Yu Li went to the kitchen to bring more dishes, and He Yu Shui followed to help.

Sha Zhu looked at the nimble Yu Li and thought about how Yan Jiecheng's wife was also from the countryside, even though her home was close to the city.

At this time, the area hadn't been developed much, so it was no different from an ordinary village.

Thinking that finding such a diligent wife would also be a good choice, after all, Sha Zhu could see Yu Li's good qualities.

He also felt incredibly envious of Yan Jiecheng; even a good-for-nothing like him could find such a good wife.

Li Xuewu looked at the dazed Sha Zhu and asked, "You haven't figured it out yet, so why say you haven't had an epiphany?"

Sha Zhu turned his head and said to Li Xuewu, "I'm still a bit indecisive. You've always been decisive; help me see what I should do."

Li Xuewu laughed, "That's my work. Are you really treating emotions like work?"

Sitting up, Li Xuewu said to Sha Zhu, "I can't really speak on emotional matters. If I say the wrong thing, it could ruin your whole life. This is two different things from work."

"I'm not asking you to make the decision for me, just to give me some advice."

Seeing Li Xuewu trying to escape, Sha Zhu grabbed Li Xuewu's leg.

"Listen to me: Qin Huairu has a cousin, right? The one I told you about last time that she introduced to me."

"Hmm, hmm, hmm, I know."

Li Xuewu picked up the cigarette pack on the kang, lit a cigarette, and nodded, saying, "I've even seen her, during that movie screening. What about her?"

Sha Zhu hesitated and said, "Qin Huairu just told me, and I've thought about it; what she said makes sense."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu laughed and said, "Qin Jie knows how to persuade people? What did she tell you to make you so enlightened?"

Sha Zhu looked at Li Xuewu and said, "She said marrying a wife isn't about marrying a vase or a grandmother; it's about marrying someone to wash clothes, cook, and take care of children at home. She told me to lower my standards."

Li Xuewu watched He Yu Shui and Yu Li set the food on the table. He Yu Shui sat on the kang with her legs tucked, took a steamed bun from the plate, and watched them while eating.