Restarting life in Siheyuan

"Of course I came to see a doctor, but you, a grown man, why did you come to the gynecology department for no reason?"

In front of Li Huaide was his sister-in-law, his wife's third sister, and the new director of the sub-district office, Zhu Yingzhu.

"Brother-in-law, of course, came to see Director Ding. He has something to discuss with him. You came to the gynecology department. Are you not feeling well?"

Seeing her brother-in-law asking questions, Zhu Ying didn't feel embarrassed at all.

"I came to take a look too. I just finished the checkup. We are going to have a little one."

Li Huaide felt a little envious when he heard this. His wife's sister just got married this year, and there was news so soon. He had been struggling for so many years, and was still going through roundabout ways, and finally there was hope. The hardships involved were beyond words, but he still put on a smile to express his congratulations.

"Oh, this is good news, congratulations, dad should be happy now. I haven't told mom and dad yet, okay, I will go back and tell dad the good news to make him happy."

My father-in-law has been a revolutionary all his life. His three children were all born during the Anti-Japanese War. They include a son and two daughters. They were first raised by their fellow villagers and suffered a lot. They were finally found later. They were all very weak. The eldest and the second child had no children for so many years, which made my father-in-law very anxious.

Now the eldest son is working in another city, while his wife is in Beijing. They are rarely together and have not had children for many years. It seems that it will be difficult in the future. His wife is the second child. She suffered a lot when she was young and has never been able to have children. The father-in-law has mentioned it several times in a tactful way, but there is still no movement from Li Huaide.

I also want a child, but unfortunately I am unable to do so. All my efforts have been in vain. I didn't expect that the youngest child, who just got married this year, is already getting pregnant.

"Brother-in-law, you'd better not say anything. I'll tell you myself. You and my sister should hurry up. My sister is not young anymore. If she doesn't want it anymore, she will be like my eldest sister-in-law. It will be difficult for her to want it again in the future."

Li Huaide felt a bit bitter in his mouth. This was not something he could worry about. What could he do if his wife's land was not doing well? He shook his head regretfully. Director Zhu saw that his brother-in-law seemed uninterested and knew the reason. He smiled and quietly came over.

"Brother-in-law, I'll tell you a secret."

Li Huaide saw that his sister-in-law was acting mysterious and asked in confusion.

"What secret?"

Director Zhu looked at the people coming and going in the gynecology department and pointed outside, "There are too many people here. Let's go outside and talk. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear it."

Li Huaide followed his sister-in-law out of the obstetrics and gynecology department full of doubts. The two whispered for a while. It turned out that Li Huaide's wife secretly sought out a master of traditional Chinese medicine, who discovered her problem. She had been secretly recuperating for almost a year according to the doctor's method. A few days ago, the doctor said after the examination that her body was now in good shape and there was a high probability that she would be able to give birth, so she should hurry up.

Li Huaide opened his eyes wide with a look of disbelief, "Really? Your sister told you? Why didn't she tell me?" Thinking of the occasional time he returned home, the house was always filled with the smell of Chinese medicine. Li Huaide already had an idea in his mind that this was probably true.

Ever since Li Huaide took charge of the steel rolling mill, he has been able to go home less often and spends more than half of his time staying in the guesthouse. He treats the factory as his home, which is not a problem. There are many leaders like him during this period. Li Huaide really doesn't want to go home, and his home is always cold and emotionless. The two of them communicate less and less at home, but they still respect each other in front of their parents.

"Of course it's true, brother-in-law. I have to criticize you. You don't care enough about my sister. You didn't notice such a big thing. My sister said that you only go home two or three times a week now, and you fall asleep as soon as you go back. It's too unreasonable. Is your steel mill so busy? Hurry up and have a child. You don't know that although my sister didn't say it, everyone knows that she wants a child. Haven't you seen that every time she goes home, she has to tease Uncle Xiao's grandson, and the look in her eyes...tsk tsk."

Li Huaide felt a little confused. The couple had not had children for many years. Because of his father-in-law, he did not dare to bring up the matter at home. His wife also seemed indifferent to having children. She seemed to let things take their own course and never mentioned it. It turned out that all this was a cover-up on her part.

My wife has a strong personality and cares a lot about her reputation. She is always striving to be the best at work, like a strong woman, but she is silent at home. After listening to what my sister-in-law said, Li Huaide realized that all this should be because they have no children.

Although the family is not warm and seems to lack family affection, divorce is impossible. Not to mention that divorce will leave a stigma, without the support of the father-in-law, even the director of the Revolutionary Committee may be affected.

"You are right, little sister. I have been busy with factory work these days and have paid less attention to your sister. I will go back today after I finish my work at the company. By the way, do I really not need to tell your father about your matter?" Li Huaide accepted Zhu Ying's suggestion solemnly, and smiled to divert the attention of his sister-in-law.

"Brother-in-law, you should still care about my sister. We both take care of my affairs. Remember to care more about my sister..."

Zhu Ying reminded her brother-in-law with a smile, and the two of them left the hospital, pushing the cart and walking away while talking in low voices.

"You mean, you met your brother-in-law in the gynecology department?"

The person who spoke was a middle-aged woman who was making tea for her sister. She was obviously a female cadre. Her hair was neatly tied into a simple shawl, which made her look neat and tidy. Although her face had been weathered by the years, she still maintained a calm and firm look. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes seemed to record the ups and downs she had experienced. Her eyes were deep and powerful, revealing an imperceptible sharpness, as if she could see into people's hearts.

She was dressed simply and appropriately, in the usual dark blue cadre uniform. The clothes were simply cut and without any extra decorations, but every stitch and thread revealed her rigor and seriousness.

"Well, I told my brother-in-law about your conditioning, and he said he would be back in the evening after finishing his work at the company."

The woman had a hint of surprise that was barely noticeable, but she concealed it well and responded in a calm tone.

"In his current position, he has a lot of things to deal with every day. You don't have to force him to come back. In fact, it's good enough for him to be able to go home half of the time a week. I'm used to it."

"But, second sister, you two can't continue like this. You are already in your early forties. Didn't the doctor say that you have to get pregnant now while your body recovers? He is not in a hurry, and neither should you."

Zhu Ying was a little anxious. It was extremely difficult for a woman over 40 to have a child. If it weren't for the example of the former street office director, she would not have the confidence to persuade her second sister to go to the doctor. Now that she finally saw hope, her second sister had this attitude. It was really like the emperor was not anxious, but the eunuch was anxious. What kind of thing was this? The woman smiled and said, "This kind of thing can't be rushed. It's been so many years and it's really possible to have a child once the doctor says there's hope. Besides, you're pregnant, aren't you? If Dad knew, he would definitely be happy, and my pressure would be reduced. It doesn't matter whether I can have the child or not."

"Second sister, you are really ungrateful. I will ignore you. Anyway, I have told you my message. You can handle it yourself." In front of her second sister, although she has been promoted to deputy director and is in charge of the work, Zhu Ying still acts like a younger sister.

"Okay, okay, I know you mean well, and I want it too. Otherwise, I would have to drink this bitter medicine for more than a year. I'm just teasing you. Thank you, sister. I guess this is fine."

Seeing her sister getting anxious and angry, the woman burst out laughing.
"Sister, you just know how to bully me. I will go home with Xiao Xu tonight and tell mom to deal with you." Zhu Ying still looked unconvinced. After she finished speaking, she laughed.

Not to mention the two Zhu sisters whispering, Qin Huairu, who had been tossed around by the hospital for examination, unexpectedly went home early today. She had already talked to Li Huaide this afternoon. Li Huaide seemed a little distracted when he got his examination results. Although he expressed his concern for her, he seemed a little listless. Qin Huairu didn't think about it too much. She was a straightforward person and she often had such worries since she became the real boss of the steel mill.

He should think about how to explain to Jia Zhang when he gets home. But before he enters the house, he meets Xiaodang and Huaihua in the front yard, watching the crucian carp in the fish tank at the door of Zhu's house.

It's summer again, and Teacher Yan has caught a lot of fish and kept them in the Zhu family's water tank. This tank is exclusively used for raising fish in their family, which means it's not placed at the door of his house. The water in the fish tank is still pumped by that silly Zhu Laosi.

"Sister, why are you back so early today? You haven't finished get off work yet."

When the two little girls saw their mother coming back, they quickly gave up the crucian carp and surrounded them. Qin Huairu squatted down and hugged one in each hand.

"I'm not feeling well today, so I'll come back early."

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

"Sister, there is something I want to talk to you about." Seeing that there was no one in the yard, Qin Jingru squatted down, picked up Xiao Huaihua, and spoke in a low voice.

"Why can't we talk about everything at home? We have to talk in the yard." Qin Huairu took Xiaodang's hand, stood up, and wanted to go home. Qin Jingru also stood up, picked up Xiao Huaihua, and said anxiously.

"Sister, just say it here. Your mother-in-law is at home and I don't want her to know."

"Then let's go to the market and buy some vegetables." How could it be possible to talk about family matters in the yard? Qin Huairu came up with an idea. Qin Jingru didn't mention that there were any vegetables at home, so she nodded and followed. The two sisters took the two children out of the yard.

It turned out that Qin Jingru felt that it was really uncomfortable to live in the Jia family at night. Qin Huairu and Xu Damao lived on the big kang, while she slept on a temporary bed. Banggeng also set up a temporary bed in front of Jia Zhang's bed. There were only two rooms, which seemed too crowded. Especially since she could hear every conversation between her sister and her new brother-in-law at night, she felt very embarrassed.

"Do you want to move out? Have you found a place?" Qin Huairu actually felt very awkward too. Fortunately, she was pregnant now, so she had an excuse. Xu Damao would not have the chance to bother her at home anymore. Otherwise, if her sister heard the noise, it would only be more embarrassing.

"It's the Zhu family. They have three side rooms and one ear room. Now only Zhu Lao Si lives there. They are all deserted. I told him about it and he agreed. I will move out and Bang Geng will sleep at my place in the future. Your mother-in-law won't scold me all day long. Tell me, I come here to serve her, but she still finds fault with me. What kind of thing is this? I can't stand her. She keeps saying bad things about me all day long. She always says that I am a freeloader. Sister, I also have a salary, okay?"

Qin Jingru had obviously been holding back a lot of anger these days, and she would never stop talking about it. Qin Huairu knew very well that only the two sisters knew that her sister had a salary, and this matter could not be made public. She had to wait until things on her side were arranged properly before she could find a chance to let her sister go to work legitimately.

"Sister, I'm sorry for putting you in such a difficult position. Thank you, but will the Zhu family agree? Besides, you're a girl and they only have one boy. This isn't appropriate. If you tell anyone about this, you won't be able to get married in the future."

Qin Jingru's face flushed a little, but Qin Huairu was pulling Xiaodang to look ahead and didn't notice. She was asking in a low voice that there were too many empty houses in the Zhu family, which made people jealous, but no matter who lived in the compound, no one had any intention of taking their house, except that Teacher Yan had borrowed their house for the eldest son's wedding a few years ago.

"Sister, I asked him, and he has no objection. Don't worry, sister. He doesn't even want rent. He said it's empty anyway, and the wood in the house will rot easily if no one is around. He's looking forward to my going there."

Qin Huairu was a little surprised when she heard this. She turned around and looked at her sister who was holding little Sophora japonica. Her sister's eyes were a little evasive. Qin Huairu became more cautious and asked as if nothing had happened.

"Why don't you let Banggeng take his younger brothers and sisters with you? That would be more appropriate. The old lady's bed would be lighter, and it wouldn't be a big deal for the little girl to squeeze in with the old lady for long."

Qin Jingru quickly shook her head in protest, "Sister, you don't know Bang Geng yet. I don't think he would want to go even if you kill him. Don't ask me. I've thought about what you said. I won't go to their wing room. The three rooms are connected. It's not appropriate for me to go. But their ear room was where the eldest son of the Yan family lived when he got married. I saw it. Except for the lack of furniture, everything else is fine. We can move in after cleaning it up. There is even heating in winter."

What her sister said made some sense. Qin Huairu couldn't find any fault with it, but she still felt a little uncomfortable. A few months ago, Xu Damao brought people to cause trouble for Zhu Xuefeng. This happened before he got married to her. She heard it from Li Huaide by chance.

In fact, she fully supported Li Huaide's efforts to torment Lao Yang. In her heart, Lao Yang had done many things to trip her up in the past and she hated Lao Yang. But she had some reservations about Xu Damao dealing with Zhu Xuefeng, but Xu Damao was very secretive at the time and the matter was not spread out afterwards.

Xu Damao was causing trouble for Zhu Xuefeng, so how could their family agree to let their family use their house? It seemed that Zhu Xuefeng had concealed this matter and had not told their fourth child. Now that he and Xu Damao were a family, it would be unspeakably strange if all this was made clear.

No, I have to find an opportunity to express my attitude to Zhu Xuefeng. What Xu Damao did was his own business, and I was completely unaware of it. Yes, I am firmly against it.

Qin Huairu knew that she and Xu Damao could not last long. According to Li Huaide's plan, as long as Qin Huairu's pregnancy became public, his job as a tool would be done. By then, they would divorce for various reasons. This was a good deal for him. A straightforward person should be able to understand that there was nothing he could do about it.

The tool man in Qin Huairu's eyes was also in a rented courtyard at this time. In front of him were three men, a slightly older middle-aged man and two young and strong men.

(End of this chapter)