Chapter 321

Knowing that Yin Manshan came often, and that every time he came he would sit in the house for a while, the eldest sister-in-law nodded in agreement.

After Li Xuewu finished giving his instructions, he left the room, allowing the eldest sister-in-law and Zhao Yajun to let go of their emotions.

The figures of the Third Master and Yan Jiecheng were no longer in the courtyard, so Li Xuewu headed straight for the south-facing rooms.

Li Xuewu did not see Yan Jiecheng, but Yan Jiecheng certainly saw Li Xuewu.

Seeing Li Xuewu pass through the second gate and enter the screen gate from the window, Yan Jiecheng had wanted to greet him to get away from his chattering father.

But Li Xuewu had long legs, and before Yan Jiecheng could speak, he was already out of sight.

It turned out that the father and son were talking in the gatehouse; this gatehouse was kept tidy and had now become a sanctuary for private conversations.

"Eldest, it's not that Dad is forcing you, you have to listen to me explain the logic behind this..."

Yan Jiecheng was also having a headache now; Comrade Ge Shuqin had already gotten off the train, he had gone to the station to pick her up, and now she was staying at the steel mill's guesthouse.

Don't think that because Yan Jiecheng was a steel mill employee, the guesthouse was free; it was a proper 50 cents a night.

The price was high?

Indeed, that was basically the price everywhere in the country, and there were even higher ones, at one yuan a night.

Even this was only because Yan Jiecheng had the face of driving for Li Xuewu; otherwise, Comrade Ge Shuqin's introduction letter wouldn't have gotten her into the steel mill's guesthouse no matter what.

The pocket money Yan Jiecheng had saved up previously was only enough for Comrade Ge Shuqin to stay for two nights, which meant that before the day after tomorrow, Yan Jiecheng had to solve the problem of Comrade Ge Shuqin's accommodation.

"Dad, Dad, listen to me first."

Yan Jiecheng waved his hand to interrupt his father, then awkwardly glanced outside and whispered: "Dad, you have to lend me some money."

"What the hell?"

Hearing that Yan Jiecheng wanted to borrow money, Yan Fugui was ready to jump up and bite someone.

Ever since Yan Fugui moved to this city, he had truly never lent out any money; that money was all sewn into his ribs.

Now that Yan Jiecheng wanted to borrow money, it was like taking a pair of pliers and pulling it out of him.

Seeing his father's reaction, Yan Jiecheng was also a bit anxious; this was the only person who could save his life, and he absolutely dared not ask Yu Li for money.

"Dad, listen to me, I'll just borrow 20, no, 15, you just need to lend me 15 yuan and that'll be enough."

"Not even a dime!"

Yan Fugui changed his attitude from when he was discussing the house with his son, acting just like a landlord from the old society, waving his hand and saying: "How could our family have any money!"

"Don't lie to me, that bicycle compensation money was something I got back for you."

Yan Jiecheng had been lied to by his father too many times and no longer believed his father's words.

"That... wasn't that compensation money used to buy the bike?"

Yan Fugui stammered as he explained where the money went, then negotiated: "How about you wait until I get my salary? Let's solve your younger brother's housing problem first."

"Wait until you get your salary..."

Yan Jiecheng heard his father mention the house and money again, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

Then, thinking of something, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

But then thinking of the person staying in the guesthouse, and thinking of the pleasure of the afternoon, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

"Dad, didn't you say you'd pay half for building the house? Give it to me now."

"Really?"

Yan Fugui looked at his eldest son and asked suspiciously: "Did you discuss it with Yu Li? Have you really decided to give your brother half the house?"

Yan Jiecheng's eyes flickered as he said: "Just give it to me, I can make the decisions for the big things in the family."

"You said that yourself!"

Yan Fugui pointed at Yan Jiecheng and said: "I'll give you the money, but you have to give your brother the house when the time comes."

Yan Jiecheng heard his father was willing to give the money and thought he'd solve the immediate problem first.

"Fine, fine, fine, building the house and renovating the east courtyard will cost a thousand, our family accounts for 500, just give me 250 yuan."

"What the hell? What kind of house is that, so expensive!"

Yan Jiecheng said impatiently: "Dad, what state is that courtyard in? Can it be done without renovation? Besides, that's building a new house, do you want us to live in a horse stable?"

Yan Fugui thought about it and knew that housing was tight now, so 250 it is, as long as they can live in it.

"You wait here, I'm going home to get the money from your mom."

Saying this, Yan Fugui left the door and headed home.

Yan Jiecheng watched his father leave, calculating in his heart what 250 yuan could do.

Buying a house in this city was out of the question, but renting was possible, though the location would have to be far from home so they wouldn't run into each other.

Rent at this time was truly cheap, and public housing rent wasn't a one-size-fits-all price.

According to the quality of the house, it was divided into five grades. Grade 1: Tiled roof, ceiling and floor or ceiling without floor, good natural conditions, good quality wood, complete window frames, painted walls or wall panels.

Grade 5: Ordinary tiled or thatched roof, broken brick or mud floor, old glass windows or old-fashioned wooden windows, dark light, unpainted walls or peeling paint, poor house quality or low-lying terrain.

From Grade 1 to Grade 5, the charging standard per square meter was 7 cents, 6 cents, 5 cents, 4.5 cents, and 3.5 cents respectively.

Just as Yan Jiecheng was calculating where to rent a house, Yan Fugui pushed the door open and walked in.

"Here is 250."

Yan Jiecheng saw his father brought the money and smiled, reaching out to take it, but Yan Fugui pulled his hand back.

"Wait."

Yan Fugui took out a piece of paper, a fountain pen, and an inkpad from his pocket.

"Eldest, you put this matter down on paper first."

"What?"

Now it was Yan Jiecheng's turn to be annoyed.

"Dad, is this necessary? I'm giving my brother a house, not taking my brother's house!"

Yan Fugui said with a bitter face: "This is your mom's idea, I can't help it. Your mom said that since we've already split the family, it's not easy to talk about things later if the accounts aren't clear."

Yan Jiecheng looked at his father, knowing his mother couldn't have thought of so much; it must be his father's own idea.

He wanted to throw a tantrum and not take his father's money, but thinking of his future happy life, he gritted his teeth and said: "Fine, I'll write it."

As he spoke, he picked up the pen and wrote on the paper: "Received 250 yuan from Dad for house money today, will give brother half after the house is built..."

"How can you write it like this? Are you writing a composition for me?"

Yan Fugui frowned and pointed at the paper, saying: "Who would recognize that I'm your dad in black and white? Besides, when will the house be built? Where is the house? What you wrote has no basis, it's just a piece of waste paper."

"Then how do you say it should be written?"

Yan Fugui took another piece of paper from his pocket and said: "I knew you couldn't write it in one go, here."

Saying this, he handed the white paper to Yan Jiecheng and said: "I'll dictate, you write."

Yan Jiecheng saw he couldn't fool his father and had no choice but to take the paper and rewrite it.

"Today, an agreement has been reached with Yan Fugui, regarding the house in the east courtyard of No. 99 Nanluoguxiang this year..."

Before Yan Fugui finished speaking, Yan Jiecheng interrupted: "Dad, don't we need to specify whose house this is? There is still Li family property in the east courtyard."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Yan Fugui nodded with a smile: "You have to specify that it's your house, how could I split the Li family's house?"

Under his father's gaze, Yan Jiecheng wrote: "Today, an agreement has been reached with Yan Fugui, regarding the house belonging to Yan Jiecheng in the east courtyard of No. 99 Nanluoguxiang this year."

Yan Fugui nodded with a smile and continued: "After construction is completed, one room will be given to Yan Jiefang, Yan Fugui is responsible for the construction cost of 250 yuan, this needs to be written in capital letters."

Saying this, Yan Fugui pointed behind the number and asked Yan Jiecheng to write it in capital letters.

Yan Jiecheng felt relieved when he heard his father agree to split the house under his own name.

Yes, it was the one under his name, not Yu Li's, so that was no problem.

"Fine, fine, fine, capital letters, right?"

"Mhm, mhm."

Yan Fugui saw his son was cooperative and continued: "The house construction money has been received, here, sign your name and write the date."

"Fine, fine, fine."

Yan Jiecheng signed his name and happily pressed his thumbprint.

"Dad, give me the money."

"Wait a minute, let me sign it first."

Yan Fugui signed his name on the paper, pressed his thumbprint, and only then gave the money to Yan Jiecheng.

"Eldest, once this thumbprint is pressed and the money is handed over, you can't go back on your word. Our family only has this much money, your mom's and my coffin money is all here."

"Fine, fine, fine."

Yan Jiecheng took the money, counted it with spit on his fingers, his face full of joy.

Although Yan Fugui was stingy, he still had basic moral integrity; if he said 250, he would absolutely not be short a dime.

"Alright Dad, perfect, I'm leaving now."

Yan Fugui looked at the money in his eldest son's hand with heartache, wanting to say something, but closed his mouth and watched his son leave and walk away.

Seeing his eldest son so straightforward, Yan Fugui always felt uneasy in his heart.

But looking at the black and white on the table, he felt the house deal wouldn't fall through, so Yan Fugui carefully put away the receipt.

Yan Jiecheng happily entered the south-facing room, saw Li Xuewu and the others playing cards, and greeted everyone with a smile.

When he wanted to see his wife, he saw Yu Li turn and go to the kitchen, so he said awkwardly to Li Xuewu: "Section Chief, well, I'm going back to the factory for duty."

"Why not leave after the New Year's Eve dinner? Is it really that urgent?"

Li Xuewu threw down a 2 and turned back to say a word to Yan Jiecheng, not looking closely at Yan Jiecheng's expression.

It wasn't that it was urgent, but Yan Jiecheng was afraid his father would go back on his word, or see something, so he wanted to run away early.

Another thing was, what was there to stay here for? The factory had...

Yan Jiecheng said with a smile: "No, the factory has food, and I can earn some overtime pay at the factory."

"Mhm, mhm."

Li Xuewu held the cards in his hand, not thinking about Yan Jiecheng's business.

Yan Jiecheng saw Li Xuewu was playing cards and had agreed to him, so he turned and left the room.

Passing by the kitchen, he saw his wife squatting in front of the stove door, which was pasted with "Speak good words in heaven, bring good luck to the world," filling it with firewood, not even looking up at him.

"Yu... Yu Li, I'm going back to the steel mill."

"Mhm."

Yu Li didn't even lift her head, watching the flames on the wood.

Yan Jiecheng knew Yu Li was still angry, and the kind that wasn't easily coaxed, so he stammered: "I... I...".

Yu Li waited for Yan Jiecheng's "I" for a long time, but what she heard next was the sound of the door slamming.

She suddenly lifted her head to look at the doorway, but there was no one there.

Tears streamed down Yu Li's cheeks, which happened to be seen by Qin Huairu who walked into the kitchen.

Seeing someone come in, Yu Li lowered her head, burying her face in her knees, not wanting others to see her crying.

Qin Huairu first took a kettle to draw a pot of cold water from the water vat, then placed the kettle on the stove.

"Mhm, here."

Yu Li looked at the handkerchief handed over, lifted her head, and saw Qin Huairu standing in front of her.

"It's New Year's Eve, why are you crying?"

Seeing Yu Li crying sadly with tears like rain on pear blossoms, Qin Huairu also squatted down and began to wipe Yu Li's tears with the handkerchief in her hand.

"Qin Jie, wuwuwu~"

Yu Li couldn't hold it in anymore, threw herself into Qin Huairu's arms, and began to cry.

Qin Huairu knew Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li had a falling out, but didn't know exactly what for.

Now seeing Yan Jiecheng not staying at home for the New Year and insisting on returning to the steel mill, it must be that the two of them hadn't made up yet.

"Alright, alright, what's so hard to get over? When I go to work later, I'll go talk to him."

"Qin Jie, I can't get over it."

Yu Li said with tears flowing: "This afternoon I went to the steel mill to find him, thinking he couldn't come back, so I went to bring him food, but... wuwuwu."

Qin Huairu hugged Yu Li's head, not knowing what happened to Yu Li, why she was crying so sadly.

"What exactly happened?"

Yu Li cried for a while before sobbing: "He's keeping a woman at the guesthouse."

"What?"

Qin Huairu lifted Yu Li's face and asked: "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

Yu Li cried and said: "It happened today, I asked the waiter downstairs, she moved in today, wuwu."

Qin Huairu frowned and asked: "Are you sure it's his woman?"

"Wuwuwu."

Yu Li nodded and said: "I saw with my own eyes the two of them hugging at the door, and they even kissed...".

"That bastard."

Qin Huairu hugged Yu Li and cursed, then said: "You wait, tomorrow I'll go to the steel mill and kick her out."

"Wuwuwu."

Yu Li shook her head and said: "No need, let him keep her, if he has the ability to keep her, then let him keep her, wuwuwu."

Qin Huairu wiped Yu Li's tears with the handkerchief, looked into Yu Li's eyes, and asked: "Does he know?"

At this question, Yu Li knew who Qin Huairu was asking about, pouted, shed tears, nodded, and said: "He should know, the waiter said the introduction letter was from Steel City, which is where they went on this business trip."

"Sigh..."

Qin Huairu sighed, hugging Yu Li, also not knowing what to do.

"You didn't bring this up with him this afternoon?"

Now that Yu Li had been wronged, the only person she could talk to was her "good sister" Qin Huairu.

And Qin Huairu also knew that in this courtyard, the person least likely to ruin her was this Yu Li in front of her.

Li Xuewu would eventually get married, and neither of them could get him, so all they could do was figure out how to serve that living ancestor well.

"I didn't dare to bring it up, he was tired at the time."

Qin Huairu said with hatred for iron not becoming steel: "It's already this time and you're still feeling sorry for him, men are not good things."

Although she was cursing men, Qin Huairu still said: "You still have to talk to him about this matter, you have to make him make the decision for you, a woman's eyes can only see the small area right in front of her."

Yu Li just cried, not knowing what to do either.

Qin Huairu lowered her head, looked at Yu Li, and asked: "I heard you arguing before they left, what do you plan to do now? If you want to go and deal with that vixen, I'll go with you, I guarantee I'll tear her face up."

Yu Li shook her head and said: "I've lost heart for him, whether he's a coward or doesn't seek progress, whether he has no money or no house, let that person have him from now on."

"What do you mean?"

Qin Huairu asked in surprise: "You want a divorce?"

Yu Li nodded and said: "I can't go on like this, it's meaningless."

"He's a man after all."

Qin Huairu sighed and said: "You don't know the bitterness of being alone, just think about me and you'll know."

Yu Li hugged Qin Huairu and said: "What kind of man is he? Besides knowing how to make people angry, he doesn't know how to do anything. I'll be quiet and save my heart if I'm alone."

Qin Huairu patted Yu Li's back, sighed, and said: "If you leave this one, can you rely on him?"

Yu Li shook her head and said: "I never planned to rely on him anyway, besides the house, the only thing I took from him was a pair of shoes, the cloth for the cotton jacket was all given to me through Yan Jiecheng's hand."

"Sigh..."

Qin Huairu knew Yu Li was different from her; Yu Li had no burden, she could leave whenever she wanted, she dared to love and hate, but she couldn't.

"I don't know how to advise you anymore, I can only say that if you do this, the one who will be happy is Yan Jiecheng, and the one who will be fulfilled is also those two people."

"No."

Yu Li had figured it out by now, her eyes firm as she said: "The one who will be happy is myself, and the one who will be fulfilled is also myself."

Qin Huairu frowned and said: "Where will you live after the divorce? Go back to your maiden home?"

Yu Li shook her head and said: "The house in the east courtyard is mine, my name is written on it, it will still be mine after the divorce, I'll live here if I want to."

Qin Huairu really felt she should re-examine this young wife; had she been prepared for this long ago?

"But, don't you feel awkward?"

Yu Li looked at Qin Huairu and said: "He doesn't feel awkward, what do I have to be awkward about?"

Stroking Yu Li's hair, Qin Huairu nodded and said: "This depends on yourself, I have no way at all."

"Thank you."

Yu Li hugged Qin Huairu and said: "Thank you, Qin Jie."

Qin Huairu chuckled and said: "Not fighting with me anymore?"

"Mhm."

Yu Li shook her head gently and said: "From now on, you are my own sister."

"What are you two doing?"

Li Xuewu got off the heated brick bed, preparing to go out to take a leak, but saw these two "sisters" hugging in the kitchen.

"Go! Haven't you seen women hugging each other!"

Qin Huairu scolded Li Xuewu, then pointed at Yu Li and mouthed something.

Li Xuewu quickly pushed the door open and went out to take a leak.

Women these days are not to be trifled with, not to be trifled with.

When Li Xuewu returned, the kitchen was already empty. He entered the inner room and saw the two sitting together chatting with the old men and women on the edge of the heated brick bed.

The energy of the elderly group was limited after all; they had played leaf cards all afternoon and had already called a truce.

The Ye Ye Erye sat with a table of old women, married women, and young wives, reminiscing about the past and talking about New Year's events from before.

Yu Li had already wiped her tears; although her eyes were red, everyone tacitly didn't mention it.

Qin Huairu sat beside Yu Li, holding her hand, occasionally chatting about village affairs.

Li Xuewu hung up the military overcoat on his shoulder, glanced at Qin Huairu and Yu Li, and returned to the poker table.

Shen Guodong had been shouting all afternoon with Old Biaozi until his throat was hoarse, so he gave his seat to Li Xuewu so Li Xuewu could play poker.

The poker table was all young people, so their stamina was long-lasting.

Old Biaozi and Li Xuecai were with Chen Xiaoyan's group, while Li Xuewu was with Yang Erhai and He Yu Shui's group; this could be considered evenly matched.

Li Xuewu counted the poker cards, looked at the cards in Old Biaozi's hand, and asked: "Did you steal cards?"

Old Biaozi cried out in surprise: "How is that possible? Would I need to steal cards to play with you? I could beat you until you're looking for your teeth all over the floor with my eyes closed."

Li Xuewu looked at him suspiciously, then threw out a 5.

Several people started playing this round, and just as the last few cards were left, Li Xuewu threw the cards in his hand and went straight for Old Biaozi.

"And you say you didn't steal cards? Chen Xiaoyan just played an A, where did these four A's come from?"

"Hahahaha."

Caught by Li Xuewu, Old Biaozi could only laugh.

"I was just saying how come I can never catch him, he always has good cards."

He Yu Shui also laughed and pinched Old Biaozi, whom Li Xuewu had dragged to the card table.

Besides Li Xuecai and Chen Xiaoyan who were on Old Biaozi's side, everyone in Li Xuewu's group hit Old Biaozi once.

Li Xuewu flicked Old Biaozi's forehead hard and laughed: "I knew you had a record, I've suspected you for a long time."

"Hahahaha."

Banggeng stood on the heated brick bed, pointed at Yushui, and said: "I also saw Aunt Yushui steal a 2."

"I saw it too!"

Huaihua knelt on the heated brick bed, pointed at Chen Xiaoyan, and said: "Aunt Yan'er also stole, I saw it, a 6."

"Hahahahaha."

Old Biaozi couldn't straighten his waist from laughing, lying on the table, laughing until he was twitching.

Li Xuewu was also laughing in anger, saying: "Did I fall into a thief's den? I was just saying the number of poker cards wasn't right, not counting the ones in hand, more than sixty cards have been played."

He Yu Shui covered her mouth and laughed: "It was Biaozi who stole first, besides, who remembers the number of cards when playing poker?"

Old Biaozi sat up straight and said with a smile: "Wu Ge doesn't just remember when playing poker, he remembers even when playing mahjong, he remembers everything everyone plays, and by the end, he knows what cards you have in your hand."

Shen Guodong sat on the fire wall, nodded with a smile, and said: "Wu Ge used to take us to the park to cheat old men out of money."

"You have such a glorious history?"

He Yu Shui stared with wide eyes, unable to believe it as she looked at Li Xuewu, as if these people were talking about someone other than Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu pushed Old Biaozi's big head away, collected the poker cards, shuffled them in his hand, and laughed: "I was small then, and when I was starving, there was nothing I wouldn't do, let alone mahjong, I could even remember drawing lots."

"Your brain is truly good."

Yushui nodded and said: "I really haven't heard of anyone so amazing."

Li Xuewu placed the shuffled poker cards in the middle, and several people started drawing cards.

"There are many amazing people, previously Qianmen Street was full of places like this to play cards, if you didn't have a skill, you'd have to leave with your pants off."

Seeing the commotion here, the Ye Ye Erye and the others stopped talking, watching the fun with a smile. When Li Xuewu mentioned the gambling house, the Ye Ye Erye nodded and said: "That's the kind of gambler."

Then he told stories of people losing their family fortunes in the old city, he had seen too many of these things when he was a pawnshop manager.

It was eleven o'clock at night, and Seeing Sha Zhu brought Qin Huairu, Yu Li, Chen Xiaoyan's mother, Wen San's wife, and the elderly group to start wrapping dumplings.

Qin Huairu and Yu Li couldn't keep up with wrapping the dumpling skins for all these people.

Today, there were twenty people, young and old, eating dumplings in the south-facing room. The flour was pooled by everyone, and the dumpling filling was also pooled by everyone, otherwise, there really wouldn't be enough to eat.

Li Xuewu's side had all big guys, so they took more flour and meat, and Seeing Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu didn't ask the deaf old lady's side to bring any.

The edge of the heated brick bed was wrapping dumplings, while the two tables on the bed continued playing cards.

When the dumplings were almost wrapped, Seeing Sha Zhu went to the kitchen again and started stir-frying dishes.

Because they were cut beforehand, they were stir-fried quickly.

Here, they were preparing to eat and welcome the gods; the mahjong table was scattered, and the poker side was also scattered.

Li Shun took Li Xuecai home, while Li Xuewu and the men went to the courtyard to light a fire; this was a spot left over long ago.

Old Biaozi and Wen San had also used snow to make fire prevention measures nearby in the morning.

The old tradition says that on New Year's Eve, you should light a fire in the courtyard, which might be called "age fire" in the south, and you have to keep watch until dawn.

Li Xuewu guessed that this might be related to the genetic legacy habits of primitive humans, and as for lighting a fire, it might also be the most primitive firecracker, which is burning bamboo in a fire to make a popping sound.

"Are the lights on in the back courtyard?"

Grandfather, wearing an overcoat, stood in the west courtyard watching Li Xuewu and the others leading a group of children to light the fire, and asked Li Xuewu about the lights in the back courtyard.

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "They are on."

Old Biaozi crossed his arms and asked with a smile: "Grandfather, why do we need to light the lights?"

Grandfather looked at Old Biaozi, smiled, and said: "Feudal superstition, early on it was lighting a fire in the courtyard, later it was lighting candles and oil lamps, and later when there were electric lights, we turned on the lights."

"What are we illuminating?"

Wen San threw the big piece of wood in his hand into the fire; his parents died early, and no one had told him about this.

Grandfather explained with a smile: "Illuminating the void, also called illuminating the age, they say that after illuminating it, the family's wealth will be abundant in the coming year."

After explaining, Grandfather also asked: "Do you believe it?"

Wen San said with certainty: "I believe it, I'll throw two more pieces of wood, our family's wealth will definitely be abundant next year!"

"Hahahahaha!"

At this time, there was no taboo against saying "abundant wealth," and everyone laughed at Wen San's greed.

After lighting the bonfire, several children ran around the bonfire to play, and Li Xuewu and the others stood by the fire chatting.

Wen San and Old Biaozi stood on the left and right of Li Xuewu, and the others knew that Li Xuewu must have something to say, so they all stood apart.

Old Biaozi smoked and said softly: "Director Ma's family sent fish and meat, and I also stuffed red envelopes for all three children, ten yuan each."

Wen San used the wood in his hand to support the ground and said: "Don't feel heartache, it's what should be given."

After saying a word to Old Biaozi, Wen San continued: "I sent cigarettes to the scrap company, melon seeds and candy to the neighborhood office, and I also stuffed a carton of cigarettes for Director Liu."

Li Xuewu held a cigarette and said: "It's all mutual courtesy, did Director Wang say anything when you sent the things today?"

"No."

Wen San shook his head and said: "He should be planning to talk to you."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Then we'll talk later, don't worry, but we must be careful this year, be prepared at all times, I'll go to the Northeast after the New Year, and there should be goods when I come back."

Wen San nodded and said: "There are still people looking for us at the pigeon market."

Li Xuewu shook his head and said: "Cut it off, it's the rabbit's tail."

"Understood."

Wen San nodded and said: "What we have already mastered is enough, relying on this courtyard is enough for us to eat."

Li Xuewu glanced at Wen San and said: "Where are we now? Keep the roots solid, don't float, wait for my news, I'll take you to play something big."

Old Biaozi and Wen San both stared at Li Xuewu.

"Isn't it big enough now? Our operating funds are already over ten thousand."

Li Xuewu pointed to the junk in the courtyard and said: "Calculate how much money we have after clearing all this out? Operating funds are over ten thousand, and debts are also over ten thousand."

"Before May, try to reduce inventory, don't let the junk sit on your hands, collect it at any time, and send it as soon as you have enough for a truck."

Wen San flicked the cigarette butt into the bonfire and said with a smile: "The guiding policy for the first half of this year is here, leave the rest to us."

Li Xuewu laughed and bumped Wen San with his shoulder, then asked: "Add one more item to the guiding policy, have children soon."

"Hehehe."

Wen San looked at the south-facing room and said with a smile: "We are working hard on it."

"Alright, you work hard, how about you?"

After finishing with Wen San, Li Xuewu turned his head to Old Biaozi.

Old Biaozi laughed and said: "I'm working hard too."

Li Xuewu poked Old Biaozi's belly and said: "Look around, see if there's anyone you like, I'll find you a house to get married, I'll cover everything."

"Mhm, mhm."

Old Biaozi agreed, winked at Shen Guodong and Yang Erhai standing opposite, and had a mischievous smile on his face.

The two walked over and asked with a smile: "What are you talking about, with that expression?"

Old Biaozi laughed mischievously: "Talking about you and Chen Xiaoyan's business."

Shen Guodong's face turned red instantly when he heard Old Biaozi's words, looked at Li Xuewu, then jumped up to pinch Old Biaozi's neck.

Old Biaozi was still laughing while being pinched, shouting: "You've already done it, don't let people...".

Shen Guodong covered Old Biaozi's mouth with a red face to stop him from talking, Old Biaozi struggled hard, and everyone around the fire watched the fun.

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked Wen San: "When did this happen?"

Wen San shook his head with a smile and said: "How would I know, just like I don't know how he knows about my business, this bastard is too sensitive to these things."

"Hahahahaha."

The children didn't know what happened, but seeing Old Biaozi and the other two fighting, they still laughed happily.

Shen Guodong dragged Old Biaozi to the side, and after signing some unequal treaties, the triumphant Old Biaozi and the blushing Shen Guodong walked back.

"This is a good thing, why are you embarrassed to say it?"

Li Xuewu put his hands in his overcoat pockets and asked Shen Guodong with a smile.

Shen Guodong just blushed and didn't speak out of shyness.

Old Biaozi, on the other hand, said in a strange tone: "Afraid of others saying an old cow eating tender grass."

"You're still talking, what did you just promise me?"

Shen Guodong grabbed Old Biaozi and muttered in a low voice, wanting to pinch this bastard to death.

Old Biaozi defended himself with a "hehe": "I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about my third uncle."

Shen Guodong didn't believe it and stuck his cold hands directly into Old Biaozi's neck.

Watching the two play around, everyone laughed again.

Just at this time, Yushui and Chen Xiaoyan came over from the south-facing room courtyard gate and called everyone to welcome the gods.

"Dinner is ready, those welcoming the gods hurry home."

Before the New Year's Eve dumpling feast, some dumplings had to be served first to offer to one's own ancestors or predecessors; those with conditions would also have other sacrificial dishes.

Seeing Sha Zhu had prepared everything for each family long ago, some dumplings were put into the pot first, served separately in bowls, and the dishes were arranged on large plates, plus the red date buns sent by the Li family at noon.

This could be considered the most sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner for the ancestors of these families in so many years.

The First Master, Seeing Sha Zhu, and Jia Zhangshi with Banggeng, these three families each took the prepared offerings home to worship their ancestors.

Shen Guodong's home was close, so he served dumplings and dishes first and rode his bike home to deliver them, because there was an old lady at home.

Because Li Xuewu had split the family and was living alone, he needed to return to his own home to worship his ancestors tomorrow; although it was so close, the rules were the rules.

Grandfather and Ye Ye Erye just bowed in the east room.

Everyone was busy going back to worship their ancestors, leaving only Li Xuewu and Old Biaozi and these "side branch disciples" standing and chatting by the bonfire.

"Xuewu."

Li Xuewu was whispering something with Old Biaozi when he suddenly heard someone calling him from behind, so he turned around slowly.

"Yushui, didn't you go home with Brother Zhuzi to worship the ancestors?"

Old Biaozi saw Yushui coming over, so he went to the firewood pile to move firewood.

Yushui looked at Li Xuewu's strange movements and asked with a smile: "Why are you like this... did you twist your neck?"

Li Xuewu shook his neck and said: "Has no one told you? People have a lamp on each of their left and right shoulders, and a lamp on their head. Don't turn your head suddenly when someone calls you at night."

Yushui glared at Li Xuewu reproachfully and said: "You take me for...".

Before the words were out, she was interrupted by Li Xuewu's index finger held in front of his mouth.

"It's New Year's, don't talk nonsense, hehe."

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "Actually, this is to prevent wolves. When wolves attack people in the wild, they like to pat people on the shoulder, and then tear their throats when they turn their heads. Now it has evolved into a rule to prevent that thing."

Yushui raised her eyebrows and asked: "So you mean I'm a wolf?"

"Hahahahaha."

Li Xuewu looked at Yushui, smiled, and said: "Don't say that, you didn't look like one just now, but now that you're angry, you look a bit like one."

Watching Li Xuewu laugh, Yushui was also laughed into anger.

When Li Xuewu finished laughing, Yushui looked at the people around and asked softly: "Is the case finished?"

Li Xuewu knew He Yu Shui would come over to ask this.

"Almost, it involves other cases, it might need to be investigated separately."

He Yu Shui nodded, turned her gaze to the bonfire, and said: "If...".

"There is no if."

Li Xuewu interrupted: "How can there be an if in life?"

Yushui nodded and said: "Yes, it's only now that I understand that 'too late' are the three most painful and helpless words in the world."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu put his hands in his pockets, kicked the wood chips under his feet, and said with a smile: "There are many painful things in the world. Once the immortals in Journey to the West make a mistake, the biggest punishment is to be demoted to the human world. How bitter do you think this human world is?"

Savoring Li Xuewu's toxic chicken soup, Yushui stood by Li Xuewu's side, watching Xiaodang, Huaihua, and the children in the courtyard playing happily around the bonfire, full of envy.

"When I was young, I thought that when I grew up, I could save all unhappiness. Now I realize that growing up is the beginning of all problems."

Li Xuewu nodded and agreed: "Everyone has times of unhappiness, everyone has times of being trapped by problems, life is unsatisfactory eight or nine times out of ten."

Yushui turned to look at Li Xuewu and asked: "How do you regulate your emotions? Or rather, how do you solve problems?"

"Me? Mhm..."

Li Xuewu frowned and thought for a while, then said: "I don't seem to have suppressed any emotions, hehe, so I've been beaten a lot. As for problems...".

Pinching his chin, Li Xuewu looked at Yushui and said: "If there is a problem that cannot be solved, then I will solve the person who created the problem."

Hearing Li Xuewu's words, Yushui was stunned, then covered her mouth and laughed.

"You can really bluff."

Li Xuewu also narrowed his eyes and followed with a laugh: "Yes, I'm the best at bluffing, hehehehe."

He Yu Shui, who didn't believe Li Xuewu's words, didn't think much of it, but those who didn't believe him before... this year is not going to be easy, some grave soil is already frozen hard.

"Dinner is ready, dinner is ready."

Seeing Sha Zhu shouted with his hoarse voice at the door of the south-facing room, and everyone walked toward the south-facing room.

"Come, come, come, wash your hands, then hurry up onto the heated brick bed, there's no room to stand on the floor."

Seeing Sha Zhu stood at the door of the inner room and organized, and the kitchen and the doorway were equipped with three washbasins for everyone to wash their hands.

When Li Xuewu let Grandfather and the others sit at one table first, he then took Old Biaozi and the others to sit at the second table.

The remaining table was for the women and children.

Qin Huairu and Yu Li took Chen Xiaoyan and the others to serve dishes and dumplings to the table plate by plate, and Erhai used a large pot to warm a pot of white wine and poured it for everyone at the table.

When the dishes were set and the dumplings were set, it was time for the New Year's greeting.

Today, the young people spending the New Year here included Li Xuewu and Old Biaozi who weren't married, and the children included Banggeng, Xiaodang, Huaihua, and Zhang Xinmin.

"Greet the old lady."

Seeing Sha Zhu stood on the side and directed, first Li Xuewu and the other young people cupped their hands and said auspicious words to the old lady, Grandfather, Ye Ye Erye, and others.

"Spirit of a dragon and horse, everything goes as you wish, health and longevity..."

Li Xuewu and Old Biaozi and the others also mischievously greeted Wen San, wishing Wen San "have children soon" in unison, which made everyone laugh.

The children stared at Li Xuewu and them, preparing to learn the auspicious words they said.

Wen San was thick-skinned, waved his hand, and gave each person a red envelope of ten cents, unlike Fei Shanying, who was already blushing.

After the young people finished greeting, it was the children's turn.

Seeing Sha Zhu directed again, with Banggeng leading, first kneeling on the ground to kowtow to the old lady, Grandfather, and others, learning the auspicious words of health and longevity from Li Xuewu and the others.

The old lady took out the red envelope she had prepared long ago, gave one to Banggeng, and Grandfather, Ye Ye Erye, and others were happy today, so they also gave red envelopes.

Then it was Xiaodang and Huaihua learning from Banggeng to greet everyone, and they also received red envelopes.

When it was Wen San's son, three-year-old Zhang Xinmin's turn to greet, seeing the children who greeted before all holding red envelopes and smiling, he knew this was a good thing.

Learning from Banggeng, he first knelt down and kowtowed to the old lady and others in a decent manner.

"Wish... wish... wish..."

When it was time to say auspicious words, Zhang Xinmin stuttered, blinked his little eyes, and looked around, wanting to find his mother for help.

Seeing Sha Zhu stood on the side and saw the child forgot the words, so he reminded: "Health and longevity."

Zhang Xinmin got Seeing Sha Zhu's reminder and remembered the auspicious words those people said before, and said loudly and excitedly: "Wish the old lady, grandfathers health and longevity, have children soon!"

"Ah?"

"Hahahahahahaha."

The elderly group sitting on the heated brick bed waiting for auspicious words were so embarrassed they wanted to dig a hole in the bed.

The young people were laughing until they were lying on the bed, and Seeing Sha Zhu was laughing until he was holding the wall and couldn't stand.

"Hehe... hehe... hahahahaha."

Zhang Xinmin didn't know what happened, but seeing everyone laughing, he also followed and laughed forcedly.

In the end, the old lady and others still gave little Xinmin a red envelope.

When everyone was sitting at the table eating dumplings, their mouths were still smiling, only Wen San was grinning from being pinched by his wife.

Dumplings with wine, the more you drink, the more you have.

Today, Old Biaozi and the others ate and drank to their heart's content, and what was even rarer was today's good atmosphere.

The women and children finished eating first, the children ran out to play, and the women didn't rush to clear the table, sitting on the heated brick bed chatting.

Chen Xiaoyan saw there was no wine, got off the bed to warm the wine and pour it for everyone.

When pouring wine for Li Xuewu, Li Xuewu smiled and pointed at Chen Xiaoyan's hand with his finger and asked in a low voice: "Did you really take a fancy to your Brother Guodong?"

Hearing Li Xuewu's question, Chen Xiaoyan's face turned red instantly, and she almost crushed the wine pot in her hand.

She wanted to tell Li Xuewu, but still glanced at her mother's side.

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "If you like him, you like him, you are my own sister, I'll make the decision for your business."

Chen Xiaoyan glanced at Shen Guodong, who was sitting beside Old Biaozi with a blushing face and a simple and honest smile, and lowered her head shyly.

Li Xuewu teased and asked: "Or did I hear wrong? Did you take a fancy to your Brother Biao?"

"No, it's Brother Guodong~"

Hearing Li Xuewu's words, Chen Xiaoyan suddenly lifted her head and corrected him hurriedly.

But looking at Li Xuewu's mischievous smile, and then looking at the eyes of everyone at the table looking at her, she was so angry that she stuffed the wine pot into Li Xuewu's hand and said: "Wu Ge, why are you like this? I'm not talking to you anymore!"

"Hahahahaha."

Li Xuewu pulled Chen Xiaoyan's arm and said with a smile: "If you like him, you like him, why are you embarrassed? I'd be too happy if you two could make it."

Old Biaozi held his wine glass and said with a hurt face: "Yan'er, it was in vain that I treated you so well, your Brother Biao is truly heartbroken today."

Chen Xiaoyan saw Old Biaozi's appearance and explained anxiously: "It's not like that, Brother Biao, it's not like that...".

But how could she explain this? Even though she was usually eloquent when dealing with customers, she couldn't explain it now.

Seeing Shen Guodong winking at her, Chen Xiaoyan understood that she had been tricked by Brother Biao again.

"Brother Biao! You should learn something good from Wu Ge!"

"Hahahahaha."

Chen Xiaoyan ignored these bad guys, shook off Li Xuewu's hand, and ran back to the table at the edge of the bed.

Didn't control the word count, wrote too much, this chapter's words

Also: Thanks to the alliance leader Meng Bulao for making the list!!!

Thanks to the big boss for the support!!!