Chapter 900: A Woman of the World

"Sigh~ If only I could dream of him~"

The old lady smiled faintly, her gaze distant with reminiscence as she sighed, "By now, I can barely recall what he looked like."

"Great-Grandma!"

Perhaps because she hadn't seen her great-grandmother in a while, or realizing the old lady was ignoring her, Li Shu stretched out her small hands, reaching for her.

"Haha~"

Interrupted from her reverie by her great-grandchild, the old lady's focus shifted to Li Shu; smiling, she reached out to tease the child and said, "Alright, if I can't remember him, I won't think of him; let's just think about our little Li Shu~"

"Great-Grandma!"

Li Shu twisted her body, both small hands stretched out simultaneously, grasping at the air, insisting on being held by her great-grandmother.

The old lady helplessly patted the child's small hand and said, "Let your father hold you; Great-Grandma can't lift you today."

"Did she catch a chill?"

Ever since the old lady had come out of the room, Li Li Xuewu had noticed she didn't look well.

A short nap at noon was fine, but the old lady rarely slept in the afternoon.

It wasn't just the old lady; even an adult sleeping all afternoon would wake with a heavy, dizzy head and significant strain on the heart.

Hearing her grandson's concern, the old lady sat down on the sofa and waved her hand to indicate it was nothing serious.

Li Li Xuewu, however, remained vigilant; bouncing Li Shu gently in his arms, he coaxed her upstairs to find her mother.

Seeing that her great-grandmother wouldn't hold her and that her father was taking her to find her mother, Li Shu became unwilling, scrunching up her little face and looking back.

The old lady understood her grandson's intention to avoid troubling her, but just then, Qin Qin Jingru emerged from the dining room calling everyone to eat.

As Han Han Jiankun entered from outside, Li Li Xuewu and his wife came down from the upstairs.

"Qin Jingru, fetch the medicine chest."

Gu Ning called out to Qin Qin Jingru, then walked over toward the old lady.

Han Han Jiankun, still unaware of what was happening, looked at his leader with some bewilderment.

Li Li Xuewu patted Li Shu's back, coaxing her not to make a scene, while calling out for Han Han Jiankun to wash his hands and prepare for dinner.

Ever since Qin Qin Jingru's wedding, Han Han Jiankun had stayed here for dinner every evening.

Li Li Xuewu had never raised the issue of food expenses, still paying Qin Qin Jingru twenty yuan a month as wages.

Han Han Jiankun, for his part, was straightforward, eating when it was time to eat and working when it was time to work.

After washing his hands in the restroom, he came out to see Gu Ning taking the old lady's blood pressure, so he took Li Shu from Li Li Xuewu's arms.

Being a grown young man, though clumsy, he possessed considerable strength.

Li Shu, chubby like a little dumpling, was over a year old yet looked as big as a two-year-old, and quite heavy at that.

No wonder the old lady said she couldn't lift her; the child grew fast, ate well, and was never picky.

Being taken into her uncle's arms, Li Shu glanced at Han Han Jiankun, then turned her big eyes toward her great-grandmother on the sofa.

At her tender age, she seemed able to sense that something was wrong with her great-grandmother.

"It's nothing, just slightly high blood pressure."

Gu Ning removed the cuff from the old lady's arm, took the thermometer from under her armpit, checked it, and said, "We can't sleep this long in the afternoons anymore."

"Just feeling a bit weary, nothing serious."

The old lady smiled somewhat embarrassedly; she didn't want to cause the whole family to worry over her.

Especially with her grandson and granddaughter-in-law acting so jumpy, it made her insist repeatedly that everything was fine.

"Still, we must be careful; the weather is getting cold, the air is dry, and the body tires easily."

Packing away the medicine chest, Gu Ning admonished, "A nap at noon is fine, but an hour and a half is enough."

"Alright, alright."

Listening to her granddaughter-in-law's instructions, the old lady smiled and nodded at her grandson, saying, "It's nothing; isn't it always like this at home?"

Waving her hand as she spoke, she signaled to Qin Qin Jingru, who was watching her with concern, "Don't just stand there; the meal is ready, let's eat quickly; the family is waiting."

"You just worry too much~"

Seeing that Gu Ning's expression didn't suggest anything serious, Qin Qin Jingru finally put down her worried heart.

She stepped forward to help the old lady up, broke into a smile, and teased, "Didn't I tell you already? Our old lady would be delighted to have some peace and quiet at home."

"You~ stop trying to chase me away!"

Teasing intentionally, she said as they walked toward the dining room, "Wait until later; I'll be just like Sister Xiao Ning, and you won't see me for ages."

"I'd be happy even if I didn't see you!"

Seeing her grandson's worry, the old lady felt a bit afraid herself; since supporting herself onto the sofa earlier, she hadn't moved.

With one foot already in the grave, it wasn't that she feared death, but that she feared causing trouble for her grandson and granddaughter-in-law.

If she suddenly collapsed and couldn't get up, truly passing away right here, she wouldn't be willing herself, and it would be indefensible in the eyes of her grandson and granddaughter-in-law.

Besides, coming back to it, she did fear death; she hadn't lived enough yet.

Though her mind thought of her old man, at this moment she didn't dwell on him; she still wanted to watch Li Shu grow up and see her children and grandchildren blessed.

Hearing Qin Qin Jingru's teasing, she followed along with the conversation, saying, "As for me, I've long been hoping for your good news; adding a person to the family and spreading the branches, your mother-in-law doesn't know how happy she'll be."

Speaking thus, she pulled Qin Qin Jingru closer and whispered, "Are you feeling something?"

"What are you talking about~"

Qin Qin Jingru had only been teasing the old lady intentionally, never expecting to draw fire onto herself, only to be mocked by the old lady instead.

She protested with a teasing scold, "It's only been a few days; how could there be any feeling yet?"

"Hey! Don't disbelieve it!"

The old lady patted her hand and said solemnly, "This is called fortune arriving; you are a person of fortune and will not suffer disasters meant for the unfortunate."

"Then I'll borrow your auspicious words~"

Qin Qin Jingru said with a smile, then headed to the kitchen to bring out the dishes.

Li Li Xuewu gestured for Han Han Jiankun to carry the child to the dining room first, while he himself sat by the sofa, looking at Gu Ning.

"It's really nothing."

Gu Ning knew Li Li Xuewu was worried, afraid she hadn't explained things clearly to the Old Lady, so she comforted him now, saying, "When people get old, how can their bodies be like those of young people?"

"But she still needs some tonics."

She was a practitioner of Western medicine, yet even Western doctors in this era had to learn techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

However, given Li Li Xuewu's family background, she lacked the confidence to prescribe anything for the Old Lady.

Her words were also hinting to Li Li Xuewu: either invite the Eunuch back or go to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.

Li Li Xuewu knew his own family affairs best; although they claimed to be a family of Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, only his father was truly capable of practicing medicine and prescribing herbs.

He couldn't even trust Xiao Xiao Laosan; trusting Xiao Xiao Laosan was less reliable than trusting himself.

If he couldn't even trust Xiao Xiao Laosan, do you think he would trust the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, where medical resources had dwindled to just a handful?

Since Gu Ning had said there was no problem, Li Li Xuewu's heart finally settled.

"I'll discuss it with Father; we shouldn't worry him suddenly."

Li Li Xuewu was worried about his father; he and Xiao Xiao Laosan had already been thinking of home while up in the mountains, and if they told him the Old Lady was ill and summoned him down, he would surely be frightened out of his wits.

"Mm, let's eat; don't let the Old Lady worry."

Gu Ning nodded, reached out to pinch the back of Li Li Xuewu's hand, her eyes full of comfort.

"Tomorrow, go home and discuss it with Mother."

Li Li Xuewu looked at Gu Ning and said, "Let's just have the Old Lady stay and live at home."

"Okay, I have no problem with that."

Gu Ning could see the worry in Li Li Xuewu's eyes; he was afraid she would be lonely and unable to take good care of the child.

"Qin Qin Jingru will be here during the day, and at night we can move Li Shu's small bed upstairs."

Saying this, she pinched Li Li Xuewu's hand again and added, "Eldest Sister-in-law's due date is approaching, and the Old Lady is concerned about her; it's better to mention this sooner rather than later."

"Mm, then let's do it that way."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said softly, "We'll go back tomorrow evening to discuss it first, and later we can pack up the Old Lady's belongings."

After all, she had come to help them look after the child; they must not let her leave with a heart full of anger, nor cause her to lose face.

Even if the matter of returning home was to be raised, it had to be the Old Lady who said it; as grandchildren, they could not be the ones to broach the subject.

Worried that the Old Lady might become agitated or burdened with too many thoughts, this matter had to be handled slowly, preferably after discussing it with Mother.

They could not say it, and the Old Lady would be too embarrassed to say it; but if Mother spoke, or if Eldest Sister-in-law brought it up, there would be room for compromise.

Did you think that just because they were family, one could speak bluntly and say whatever came to mind?

Li Li Xuewu was a twenty-year-old young man, a man who supported his household, with a wife and child, and a successful career.

At home, he was a father and a husband, his word as good as gold; outside, he walked upright and straight, every promise he made as firm as a nail driven in.

If he could not maintain good relations within his family, what ability or dignity would he have to preach morality out in the world?

In the world of adults, even among closest blood relatives, one must observe the art of speech and pay heed to propriety and morality.

The filial piety of our people is carved into their bones and grown into their genetic chains.

Since Qin Qin Jingru came to the house with her wages to look after the child and do chores, he still spoke to her gently and actively helped with her life; how much more so should he treat the Old Lady.

Although Gu Ning was usually somewhat cold in temperament, she was also a person with a heart.

Li Li Xuewu's filial devotion, his sense of propriety, and his value for affection—she saw it all with her eyes and felt it warm in her heart.

Not to mention his care for his own family; even toward her natal family, was he not more devoted and diligent than she, their own daughter?

Especially in handling family matters, ever since their marriage, Li Li Xuewu had mostly discussed things with her.

Regardless of whether she had any additional suggestions, just for this respect alone, she felt he was a good man.

The Li Li Xuewu of today, who loves his family kindly, will have children tomorrow who will love him kindly in return.

This is what is meant by 'a family that accumulates goodness shall have abundant blessings'; this is how fine traditional family values are formed.

As long as one spouse in a couple understands reason, the family will not produce a bad person, nor will it commit evil deeds.

If husband and wife are of one heart and treat each other with mutual respect, even if life is currently bitter, it will surely be only temporary; the future sweetness will likely be something that not even a thousand or ten thousand gold pieces could buy.

The young couple quietly discussed this matter and talked about the day's events until, hearing the Old Lady's urging, they went together to eat.

The autumn night was exceptionally chilly, especially after dark; with each household's lights dim and yellow, it felt as though a gloom had enveloped everything, leaving one's heart uneasy.

Li Li Xuewu loved brightness and warmth, so both the courtyard and the rooms were fitted with the brightest lamps, and the heating stove had been lit by Qin Qin Jingru even before he left for Yangcheng.

Unlike the earth-based heating system over at Sihe Academy, the heating system here was more delicate.

The outdoor temperature was already nearing zero degrees; while a short interruption in heating might be acceptable, it would be absolutely impossible as the days grew later.

Not to mention that the radiators were all installed under the windowsills; many other items inside the room simply could not withstand such freezing.

Therefore, ever since the day Li Li Xuewu's stove was first lit, like the stoves in Gangcheng, it could rarely be allowed to go out.

In the dining room, the light was bright and the warmth like spring; Qin Qin Jingru, working inside the room, was even accustomed to wearing short sleeves.

Yet looking out through the windows of the Octagonal Hall, the vegetable patches in the courtyard had basically been cleared for the season.

"The corn was sent by Brother Shen Guodong; he said it was from September and had been stored in the cellar."

Qin Qin Jingru handed an ear of corn to Li Li Xuewu, explaining its origin.

Li Li Xuewu took it, looking at the large, full ear of corn with a mixture of helplessness and amusement.

Did they really expect him to hug it like a child, squat on the threshold, and gnaw on it while blowing away the husk?

Under Gu Ning's expression of suppressed laughter, Li Li Xuewu broke it by hand and gave her a small half.

He knew Gu Ning did not like eating this, yet he deliberately teased her.

He then broke off some corn kernels from his own portion and placed them on the small plate in front of Li Shu.

Li Shu didn't mind this; while still chewing the rice porridge fed to her by Great-Grandmother, she grabbed corn kernels with her small hand and stuffed them into her mouth.

"She really can eat."

Qin Qin Jingru held an entire ear of corn and gnawed on it; she lacked Li Li Xuewu's refined fastidiousness, eating with great relish.

She glanced at Li Shu and said to Li Li Xuewu, "I've never seen a child so easy to coax."

Gu Ning shot Li Li Xuewu a glare, yet still took that remaining half-ear of corn and began gnawing on it.

"My family raises a little piglet; it eats whatever it catches and isn't picky."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, scraped his daughter's chubby cheek with his finger, and deliberately teased her.

Li Shu didn't understand what Papa was saying, but it didn't sound like anything good.

She craned her neck, widened her big eyes, and shouted at Tell Baba: "Ya!"

"Come, eat."

Great-Grandmother called out, then scolded Li Li Xuewu for disturbing the child while eating, asking what would happen if she choked.

Seeing Great-Grandmother bolster her position, Li Shu lifted her small face in triumph, turned her head, and took a huge bite; the rice porridge in her spoon vanished.

She was happy, murmuring softly in her mouth, her small hand grabbing the corn kernels Papa gave her, her little legs restlessly kicking back and forth.

"It's a bit old; not as tasty as during the summer."

Qin Qin Jingru ate very quickly; she had finished gnawing the entire ear of corn in the time it took to say a few words.

While speaking, she stood up, went to the kitchen to wash her hands, then scalded a clean cloth until it was slightly warm and placed it beside Gu Ning.

Gu Ning nodded to express her gratitude, causing the smile on Qin Qin Jingru's face to never fade.

"Originally, I wanted to store some corn cobs in our family cellar, but when I went down to look, it was dry; everything gets sucked dry in there."

Qin Qin Jingru chattered on like a gossip, dominating the conversation at the dining table all by herself.

Great-Grandmother, attending to Li Shu, occasionally chimed in with a remark, acting like a supporting performer in a crosstalk.

Li Li Xuewu and Gu Ning spoke little, quietly listening to her talk.

Han Han Jiankun had even less say in the matter here; he could only watch his wife act more impressive than the factory leaders as she lectured Li Li Xuewu.

The key was that some of the things his wife said even made Li Li Xuewu nod in agreement; after all, when it came to daily household matters, Qin Qin Jingru had the most authority.

When snow was expected, the garden needed to be tidied up in advance; when temperatures were set to drop, window paper had to be used to seal the cracks; and at the right time, the garage needed to be cleared out to store Chinese cabbage.

Just look; if you really think about it in this family, his wife is the number one boss, and everyone else has to stand aside.

She couldn't stop moving even while eating; while talking, she also had to serve more food to the several people at the table and help Great-Grandmother take care of Li Shu.

Qin Qin Jingru had been tempered through exercise; she was diligent with her hands and feet and had strength, and although the words from her mouth were increasing, Li Li Xuewu felt it was fine.

Didn't a family need someone talkative like this? Otherwise, he would have considered turning on the radio.

Gu Ning was too lazy to engage in idle chatter with him, and Great-Grandmother couldn't tune into the same frequency, so it was up to this big chatterbox who dared to say anything.

"Tomorrow, you all go back to your own homes; I'll have some free time to tidy up both upstairs and downstairs."

Qin Qin Jingru stood by the table, holding a bowl of thin porridge and drinking from it.

On her last mouthful, she was too lazy to sit down; seeing Li Li Xuewu had finished eating, she said, "My mother-in-law is going to Jin Province to see her eldest grandson, and Han Jiankun will be able to help me out after dropping her off at the train station and returning."

"Stop making such a fuss."

Great-Grandmother let Li Shu pick up corn kernels from the plate herself, while she also held her bowl and began to eat.

Seeing Qin Qin Jingru arranging household affairs at this moment, she nodded and said, "Wait until I return, and the two of us will work on it together."

"It's such a small amount of work; there's no need for you to bother."

After drinking the porridge in her bowl in two or three mouthfuls, Qin Qin Jingru lifted Li Shu from the small stool and coaxed her right beside the dining table, declining verbally: "Washing and scrubbing, changing bed sheets and quilt covers—that's what he's here for; he'll handle the outside."

Saying this, she then asked Han Han Jiankun, "What time is the train tomorrow?"

"Nine o'clock."

Han Han Jiankun absolutely never interrupted his wife when others were present; he only waited until the two of them were alone to go full throttle.

"That's perfect; tomorrow we'll tidy the garden, clear out the garage, and move the Chinese cabbage and potatoes inside."

Qin Qin Jingru acted just like a commander-in-chief; everyone in this house had to obey her orders.

Li Shu was used to her; at this moment, she pressed against her body, blinking her big eyes as if she could understand.

"No need to rush; does it all have to be cleaned up in one day?"

Li Li Xuewu, sitting in the seat of honor, said to her, "Tomorrow I'll ask Shen Guodong to arrange for some people to come over and help."

"Forget it; how big is the garden anyway?"

Qin Qin Jingru smiled and said, "It can be cleaned up in the blink of an eye; I'm the one who needs to tidy the rooms; otherwise, would I need him?"

"Brother Shen Guodong is busy too; last time he came to deliver coal, he even said that now he's working even in his dreams while sleeping."

"It's good that he's busy; his nature is too soft, and his body is too lazy."

Li Li Xuewu felt both helpless and at a loss regarding this little brother.

Ranking from Wen San'er, the senior by generation, down to the youngest of the Thirteen Protectors, just look at these people from the Recycling Station; which one of them is as Buddha-like as him?

Who isn't seizing every opportunity to push hard, striving for the upper reaches, all wanting to rise above others?

But he is different; he only moves a step when whipped, just wanting to guard this miserable little stall and enjoy a life of wife, children, and a warm kang.

When Li Li Xuewu arranged for Wen San'er to go to Gangcheng, his initial thought was to send him to Gangcheng for training.

Because Lao Lao Biaozi had relational foundations and a deep background in Jingcheng, it was convenient for maintaining and developing interpersonal connections.

But seeing his appearance of having no ambition, anger arose within him uncontrollably.

Just when Lao Lao Biaozi had a mental short-circuit and attempted to kill two birds with one stone, Li Li Xuewu drove him off to Gangcheng and kept Shen Shen Guodong in Jingcheng to train right under his own nose.

He could have arranged for one or two more helpers for Shen Guodong; after all, the business had grown large now, and it wasn't good for one person to handle everything alone.

But Li Li Xuewu simply wouldn't open his mouth to suggest it; he just wanted to keep him busy; without his permission, who would dare to assign people to the Recycling Station?

Especially now that Yang Yang Erhai has left, all the burdens have fallen onto his shoulders alone; he has no choice but to run.

"Go back tomorrow and watch him pour out his grievances."

Qin Qin Jingru chuckled and said, "He might even shed tears."

"Hehe~ it won't come to that~"

Li Li Xuewu chuckled softly, gesturing to her as he asked, "When you returned to your maiden home, did you go to the courtyard compound?"

"I went, but we didn't argue."

Qin Qin Jingru knew what Li Li Xuewu wanted to ask; she bounced Li Shu slightly and said, "Rest assured, I had no intention of stooping to their level; it would be far too undignified."

"Mm, thinking this way is correct."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Once such matters are past, they are past; bringing them up only invites ridicule from others, which isn't worth it."

"Our family's Old Lady said the same: once it's past, let it be."

Li Shu dozed off, resting on her shoulder and drooling.

Qin Qin Jingru patted Li Shu's back to lull her to sleep while telling Li Li Xuewu, "If I really blocked their door to curse them, I might have vented my anger, but as a widow dragging along children, I would have lost all face."

"After all, your sister still lives in the courtyard."

Li Li Xuewu reminded her, "In the future, when you meet, speak when speaking is due and act when action is due; live your own life, and let others see the difference in stature."

"Understood."

After getting married, Qin Qin Jingru had obviously become much more sensible; perhaps it was due to experiencing emotional turmoil, or perhaps becoming a wife for the first time had opened her mind.

Previously, even if she didn't understand what Li Li Xuewu said, she would listen and follow his instructions.

Now, when listening to Li Li Xuewu, she could not only grasp half of his meaning but also respond with her own words.

One learns the Way from the company one keeps; Li Li Xuewu had always been mostly forbearing toward the neighbors in the courtyard compound.

Whenever he could extend a helping hand, he would never stand by and watch someone suffer misfortune.

Even when encountering someone as difficult as the Third Master's family, he neither lost face nor forfeited reason.

In truth, they were just ordinary common folk with no real power; if the Third Master had authority and influence, he wouldn't have acted this way.

Suffering a small loss and enduring it allows one to move on; who can live forever in the past, unable to walk out of it for a lifetime?

The principles of conduct and human relations that Li Li Xuewu taught her, urging her to interact normally with the Third Master's family, were meant to help her live clearly and avoid splitting hairs.

If every meeting reminded one of past events, what good would it do to hold a grudge and complain for a lifetime? In the end, when tallying the score, the one who truly loses is oneself.

If one were to insist on settling every score, Li Li Xuewu would have to argue and curse at the courtyard residents every day, leaving no time for anything else.

When encountering the violent, like the Liu family in the rear courtyard, he would send them straight inside 【to jail】, killing the chicken to scare the monkey.

When encountering the shameless, like the Yan family in the front courtyard, he would avoid them if possible; if avoidance was impossible, he would find an opportunity to give them a kick and send them far away.

Unless you move house, you can never completely escape such shameless hangers-on; life must go on regardless.

Could Li Li Xuewu never return to his parents' home for the rest of his life, or could he abandon his own house in the courtyard?

Neither was possible; therefore, since one cannot change the environment, one should strive to change oneself and live with greater clarity.

Yan Yan Fugui lived rather muddled; his days, once fine, had become confused and blurry, and he didn't even know how he had ended up in such a state.

On this Saturday, he returned early from school; just as he propped his bicycle under the window, he heard a child's crying coming from the eldest son's room.

Looking at the dim yellow light filtering out from that room through the window, he couldn't help but frown.

Turning around, he lifted his bag, pushed aside the door curtain, and entered the main hall.

"I say~ child's mother, if this child keeps crying, where is the end? Why don't you go check?"

"Check what? What child doesn't cry?"

The Third Mistress's voice came from inside the kitchen; a moment later, she pushed aside the door curtain and spoke to him irritably, "I went to check during the day; her milk has dried up, so of course the baby cries when there's nothing to eat."

"You! You...!"

Yan Yan Fugui felt frantic with anxiety; seeing his wife's indifferent attitude, he felt angry but could find no words to express it.

"What? If you have money, go buy milk powder! Do you expect this old woman of mine to breastfeed the child?!"

Saying this, she slammed the door curtain and returned to the kitchen to busy herself.

Yan Yan Fugui widened his eyes, but since she had already left, Neng You Sha Fa.

He genuinely wanted to go over to the eldest son's side to take a look, but as a father-in-law, it was inconvenient to interfere with his daughter-in-law; yet, hearing the child's wailing, he couldn't sleep for half the night after half the night.

"Having no milk is not a trivial matter; what shall we do if the child starves?"

He muttered to himself, pacing anxiously in the room until his eyebrows were furrowed into deep trenches.

Glancing toward the inner room, he saw only his young daughter reading a book, so he asked, "Yan Jie Di, where is your second brother?"

"He went out."

Yan Yan Jie Di turned her head to glance at her father and said indifferently, "I haven't seen him for a long time; I don't know what he went to do."

"Ah, Dad."

She put down the book in her hand, stood up, walked to the doorway, and asked her father, "Could you buy me a woolen coat to wear, the kind with a large collar?"

"A woolen coat?"

Yan Yan Fugui looked at his youngest daughter and said, "You already have clothes to wear; what do you need a woolen coat for?"

Saying this, he habitually began calculating aloud, "A woolen coat costs at least sixteen or seventeen yuan, and you are still growing..."

"Then don't buy it."

Yan Yan Jie Di, tired of hearing her father's same old rhetoric, flung the inner room's door shut and refused to converse with him further.

"This child!"

Just as he was burning with anxiety, seeing that his youngest daughter was also being unreasonable made his anger flare even higher.

Looking at the darkening sky outside, he scratched the hair on his head, stood up, and went to fetch his fishing rod.

"Where are you going? Dinner will be ready soon."

The Third Mistress came out of the kitchen and saw her husband packing a water bucket and a fishing rod.

"If you're going fishing, you should wait until tomorrow; what kind of nonsense are you up to in the middle of the night?"

"Wait until tomorrow, my foot!"

Yan Yan Fugui said in a bad temper, "Can't you hear the child crying his lungs out? Do you really have the heart to just sit inside and listen?"

After saying this, he tossed out a remark about never having seen such a grandmother, then turned around, pushed his cart, and walked out.

"Why are you taking your anger out on me!"

The Third Aunt stood at the doorway, muttering resentfully for a few moments, before turning back, grabbing a corn bun from the table, and shouting into the inner room to her young daughter, "Yan Jie Di, hurry up and chase after your father; take the corn bun over to him."

"I'm not going!"

Yan Yan Jie Di's voice came from the inner room, equally resentful, equally sulking and complaining.

"If you want to go, go yourself; I'm reading a book."

"You! You child, isn't that your father!"

The Third Aunt scolded her twice under her breath, then turned and went out to chase him, but how could her old legs and feet possibly catch up.

Outside, the cold wind was blowing hard, making the large-character posters on the alley walls rustle noisily, an exceptionally unpleasant sound.

At this hour, the residents of the courtyard were finishing work and heading home one after another, yet seeing the Third Aunt standing at the gate, few bothered to speak to her.

The Yan family had handled this matter so shamelessly this time that not only had they become a joke themselves, but they had also made the rest of the courtyard a laughingstock to outsiders.

Since they all lived in the same courtyard, being reminded by others of such a neighbor made them all feel ashamed.

In the past, people would ask, "Is the Deputy Director Li from the Rolling Steel Mill, or the Deputy Director Li from the Public Security Bureau, in the same courtyard as you?"

The neighbors in the courtyard would naturally proudly recount their connection with Li Li Xuewu.

For instance, playing in the mud together since childhood, getting into trouble together, or having been beaten by Li Li Xuewu, or having joined Li Li Xuewu in beating others up; in any case, they were proud.

But now?

Now, when meeting people from the street office and introducing themselves, the question would be, "Is your courtyard the one where the funeral procession clashed with the wedding parade?"

How the hell was one supposed to answer that!

Matters within their own courtyard were usually easy to coordinate and discuss, but now that their family shame had been exposed to the outside world, how would others view the moral reputation of their courtyard?

Encountering such neighbors was nothing short of suffering eight lifetimes of bad luck.

Some people found it strange: why did everyone care so much about the moral reputation of a single courtyard, and why did they care what others said about their neighbors?

Times were not like in later generations, where you lived your life and I lived mine, and everyone shut their doors to mind their own business.

Even in matchmaking, they would look at your own family and your own relatives.

But in these times, when a matchmaker came to your door, they didn't just look at your family; they also looked at your neighbors.

Even if your own family was outstanding, if you had bad neighbors and an improper moral reputation, it would still leave a bad taste in the matchmaker's heart.

If a matchmaker happened to meet them and inquired, finding that the family on the left were scholars and the family on the right were paragons of filial piety, the prospective in-laws would think, "If the neighbors are like this, your family can't be much worse; even if you're a bit poor, we'll still give our daughter."

In this Sihe Academy, with roughly a hundred people living as next-door neighbors, which family didn't have a daughter or a son; who would dare let the old Yan family cause such harm?

The Third Aunt standing at the gate also felt dispirited; unable to catch her husband and ignored by everyone, she could only sulkily turn back.

She hadn't walked two steps when two beams of headlights shone from behind; looking back, she saw Li Li Xuewu's jeep returning.

It wasn't the one without a canvas top, but the large jeep Li Li Xuewu used for commuting to and from work.

Who in this courtyard didn't recognize this vehicle, just as they recognized Li Li Xuewu himself.

The car stopped directly at the main gate of Bai Bai Xiyuan; Li Li Xuewu jumped out to open the gate, and in that short time, quite a few workers finishing their shift went over to greet him.

This warm scene formed a sharp contrast with the cold reception at the other gate.

The bleak cold wind could not stop the smiling faces of the courtyard residents welcoming Li Li Xuewu; that enthusiasm was enough to turn the cold wind into a warm breeze.

"Hmph~ What are you so proud of~"

The Third Aunt snorted coldly, nearly crushing the corn bun in her hand, and walked back resentfully.

Her husband had returned from the Rolling Steel Mill and lain in bed for three days without getting up; the first words he spoke upon waking were that he regretted it bitterly.

Regretted what?

He regretted provoking Li Li Xuewu, regretted not handling matters thoroughly, and regretted the foolish things he had done.

What was the result? The matter of his second son succeeding to the job at the factory had fallen through, and it had truly become Ge Comrade Ge Shuqin who was assigned the position to succeed.

Back when Qin Qin Huairu had succeeded to the job at the factory, she had to beg the factory director before finally passing the hurdle.

But when it came to his family, before he could even find the factory director to cry and plead, the quota for the bereavement succession had already been issued, and it was not for his second son.

If you told him there was no one "helping" behind the scenes, he wouldn't believe it even if you beat him to death.

Only his eldest son worked at the Rolling Steel Mill, and he wasn't even a cadre, so how could he possibly offend the person who decided this matter.

With no grudges in the past and no enmity today, who would be so "kind-hearted" as to help his family.

Even a fool could figure it out; hadn't he simply offended someone.

Even if Li Li Xuewu hadn't personally made the move, it was inseparable from Qin Qin Huairu; wherever Qin Qin Huairu was involved, Li Li Xuewu was inevitably involved.

Therefore, the Third Aunt had thoroughly harbored hatred for this matter in her heart.

In her understanding, Ge Comrade Ge Shuqin was an outsider; if she had given birth to a grandson, it would have been fine, as the eldest son would still have heirs.

But now it was a daughter, who would sooner or later be raised by someone else's family, so how could that possibly satisfy her wishes.

The eldest son's job should have gone to the second son to succeed; the family had spent money on this back then.

Even if Ge Comrade Ge Shuqin went to work, what kind of post could she handle, and how much money could she earn to support the family.

Just thinking about this made her even angrier for no reason.

Returning home, looking at the meal that should have been delivered to the eldest son's room, she couldn't even be bothered to send it.

"Money-losing goods!"

She cursed silently under her breath, but her young daughter heard it.

Yan Yan Jie Di stared wide-eyed at her mother, pursed her lips, picked up the meal from the table, and walked out.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

The Third Aunt turned and chased to the doorway, shouting, "Isn't that..."

She had just been about to say that the plate of eggs in her daughter-in-law's hands wasn't for the eldest son's wife, but seeing the glances cast by the people in the courtyard, she quickly shut her mouth.

Even though she had shut her mouth, that did not stop people from cursing her as heartless.

No matter how many faults Ge Comrade Ge Shuqin had, wasn't the scene she caused on the day of the funeral enough to vent their anger?!

Even if she only gave birth to a daughter, doesn't that child still carry the Yan surname!

Who doesn't know that Ge Comrade Ge Shuqin secretly gave money to her, causing Yan Brother Jiecheng to die because of it?

The reputation of abandoning her son for money had long been pinned on her; if she had even a shred of conscience, she could not have treated Ge Comrade Ge Shuqin and her daughter this way.

Upon learning that the factory had awarded the succession quota to Ge Comrade Ge Shuqin, everyone in the courtyard, including the neighbors, was saying that the cadres at the Rolling Steel Factory understood reason, and not a single person spoke against it.

If this continued, the courtyard would truly have no place for their family; they had lost all face.

As for those eggs, who didn't know the truth of the matter? Would the Yan family ever be willing to buy eggs!

To dare embezzle the eggs meant for her daughter-in-law's milk production, this person was simply beyond hope.

Everyone said the Yan couple lived frugally and calculated every detail, yet even so, no one in the courtyard envied their family.

If such a life had actually led to prosperity, that would be one thing, but what was the point of ending up with a broken family and dead relatives?

"Pah! She has no shame!"

In the middle courtyard, only the light in the main room of the Jia family was on, where three heads—one large and two small—were bent over the table doing homework.

Widow Jia, wearing her reading glasses, hurriedly made up for the handiwork she had missed in the afternoon by the light of the lamp.

Qin Qin Huairu had just entered the home and recounted what she had encountered at the gate, prompting Widow Jia to curse and grumble.

She was exactly that kind of busybody; whenever anything happened in any family, Widow Jia loved to pry into it, then gather with those old wives and grandmothers to pick it apart and criticize.

Gossiping about this family's strengths and that family's weaknesses, the Yan family's affairs had long since become notorious within their circle.

Of course, if you said the Yan family's reputation was ruined, no one dared deny that these people contributed to it.

But if one were truly to measure the share of credit for this, according to Widow Jia's own opinion, she deserved the lion's share.

With that mouth of hers, it was as if she had caught a stinking toad and was squeezing it for all it was worth.

It wasn't that she hadn't criticized others before or spread rumors; sometimes she even got cursed back for it.

But this time, everyone was united in their hatred; no one stood on the Yan family's side, and all were condemning the Third Aunt as a wicked mother-in-law.

Truly, Widow Jia felt the Third Aunt was too excessive! No mother-in-law, no matter how vicious, would treat a daughter-in-law this way.

Not only did she verbally condemn such behavior, but in her heart, she also compared herself to the other woman.

The result was that she was wrong; she was wrong to even compare herself to that kind of person!

On what grounds!

What kind of mother-in-law was she!

If there were truly a contest throughout the entire courtyard—no, throughout the entire sub-district—to select a good mother-in-law, she dared not claim first place, but she dared say a spot in the top three was securely hers!

Just look at how she treated her daughter-in-law: did she not do the laundry and cooking, did she not care for her grandchildren, treating them all equally, and did they not share hardships and support each other?

Taking just these few points, she, Widow Jia, owed nothing to heaven above and nothing to her daughter-in-law; she only felt somewhat indebted to her son...

But this was only temporary; the daughter-in-law would forever be the Jia family's daughter-in-law, an unchangeable fact.

Now that there was food to eat, clothes to wear, the family finances were comfortable, and life was better, why dwell on those useless matters?

Truly, if she forced her daughter-in-law to find someone else to marry, could she even stop it?

Therefore, Widow Jia dared to call herself a sensible person; having suffered no losses when she was a young widow, naturally she would not let her daughter-in-law suffer losses either!

Truly, at this moment, she was righteously ranting about the Third Aunt's shameless conduct, strongly condemning the woman, and conveniently promoting her own values.

Bang Geng sat there scratching his ears and cheeks; the knowledge in the book might recognize him, but he certainly did not recognize that knowledge.

Staring wide-eyed at each other, listening to his grandmother's endless nagging while smelling the aroma of his mother's cooking, he couldn't help but want to stuff his homework into the stove.

He had actually done this before; the result was that he truly didn't have to do homework anymore, because his mother had beaten his buttocks until they were swollen for two days, preventing him from attending class.

"Brother, why aren't you writing?"

Seeing her eldest brother not moving his pen, Xiao Dang whispered a question.

Bang Geng raised his eyebrows, glanced to ensure his mother wasn't paying attention to this side, rolled his eyes, and said in a bad temper, "I was just about to write; you broke my train of thought. Well now, you write the homework for me!"

"..."

Xiao Dang felt utterly exasperated; she had watched her eldest brother sit there "thinking" for ages, and now that she asked, suddenly he was ready to put pen to paper?

How could it be such a coincidence!

Could it be that he deliberately wanted her to do his homework for him!

"Brother, if you trust me, I will help you write it."

Xiao Dang was also cunning; not daring to refuse outright for fear her brother wouldn't play with her in the future, she used a feint to deflect the request.

Bang Geng scratched his head; his sister was two grades below him, so if his sister really wrote it, it would surely not work.

"It's all your fault~"

Unable to stick to his story and feeling a mix of anger and shame, he lashed out at whoever was near.

Muttering a sentence in a bad temper, he continued to "think."

"Dinner is ready; Xiao Dang, clear the table, and we'll write after eating."

At this moment, Qin Qin Huairu had finished cooking the dishes and called the family to eat.

Bringing the rice and dishes to the table, Qin Qin Huairu said to her mother-in-law, "You two eat, and after clearing up, don't forget to supervise the three children doing their homework."

"Mom, where are you going?!"

Bang Geng's ears perked up; hearing his mother speak of leaving, he immediately jumped up to pursue the question, his shout nearly startling his grandmother into pricking her finger with the needle.

Widow Jia glared at her grandson, then looked over as well, asking, "Do you have to go on night duty again?"

Qin Qin Huairu ignored Bang Geng and explained to her mother-in-law, "The front courtyard has called for dinner; Shen Guodong is organizing a welcome banquet to wash the travel dust off Li Li Xuewu."

Bang Geng said, "I'm going too!"

Xiao Dang said, "I'm going too!"

Little Little Huaihua said, "I'm going too!"

"Going for what? Stay home."

Qin Qin Huairu knew this would be the result of her explanation; she suppressed them, saying, "It's so noisy. Aren't you doing your homework?"

Bang Geng said righteously, "I'm going to welcome Wu Shu!"

Xiao Dang blinked her eyes and said, "I'm going to wash the travel dust off Wu Shu!"

Little Little Huaihua was just following the trend; whatever her older brother and sister said, she repeated: "I dust!"