Siheyuan: I found a wife right after I crossed over

Seeing Yang Chong catching fish one after another here just now, they all thought that this was a "good feng shui land" and were eagerly waiting to catch the fish, but Yan Bugui came from behind and snatched it away. So they all refused to agree: "Why should I give it to you? I came here first, so it should be mine!"

"That's right. You were just watching from a distance. We've been waiting for a long time. How could it be your turn?"

……

Yan Bugui blushed: "Chongzi and I live in the same courtyard, and he calls me Uncle San. After he leaves, this position will of course be mine."

The two walked a long way and could still hear the old men fighting for the position behind them. Yan Bugui even called Yang Chong's name: "Chongzi, don't be in a hurry to leave. Tell them that you gave this position to me."

Yu Xiu chuckled and whispered, "Brother, this uncle is so funny. He just said he would charge you 50 cents to teach you how to fish, but now he shamelessly takes your place."

Yang Chong said: "This old man just likes to take advantage of others. He doesn't have any bad intentions. Just ignore him."

Yu Xiu nodded: "Well, brother, you are really amazing. You caught so many wild rabbits and pheasants yesterday, and you caught so many fish today. Didn't you see the way those old men who were fishing looked at you? They were so jealous!"

Yang Chong smiled and said, "Have you given up yet? How much did the fish sell for?"

Yu Xiu was about to speak excitedly, but then she realized something. She looked around, then put her mouth close to Yang Chong's ear and whispered, "Brother, you caught seventy or eighty fish, two dollars a fish, a total of more than one hundred and sixty dollars."

Then he counted on his fingers and said, "Adding the money from selling pheasants and rabbits yesterday, we now have more than 300 yuan. Brother, you are amazing. The money you made in two days is almost the same as what those working people make in a year."

Yang Chong said: "No matter how much money you make, you will be in charge from now on."

Yu Xiu felt even sweeter when she heard how nice he was to her.

Yang Chong warned again, "But don't let anyone else know, otherwise we'll be in trouble."

Yu Xiu nodded vigorously: "Brother, I know that some people are just thin-skinned. If you know that you make so much money, you will definitely harm us."

After saying that, he remembered something and said nervously, "But that old man saw everything just now. Will he be in trouble?"

Yang Chong thought for a moment and said, "It's okay. At worst, I won't come here to fish anymore. I can just tell him that I was lucky today and I won't catch any fish again."

Yu Xiu nodded: "Yes, that's what I said."

Yang Chong was also thinking to himself: It seems that I have to find a way to avoid people in the future, and I can't let myself be bumped into by the Third Uncle and others like today.

The two men returned to the yard carrying buckets and fishing rods. When the people in the yard saw that they returned empty-handed, they just smiled and said nothing.

Jia Zhang stood at the door and pouted, "Huh, I knew I couldn't catch any fish. Anyone can catch that kind of fish?" She said with a fascinated expression, "Speaking of fishing, it has to be our old Jia. When he took me fishing when he was young, he could catch several fish a day. At that time, our family had no shortage of fish to eat. It's not like now..."

Yu Xiu heard it clearly, but didn't want to pay attention to her.

He thought to himself that his brother Chong had made more than a hundred yuan just from selling fish today, and this old woman would be so mad that she would die.

At noon, Yu Xiu rolled some noodles and poured the leftover chicken from last night on them. The two of them ate the delicious noodles.

Before I finished my meal, I heard Yan Jiedi calling out from the front yard, "Dad, are you back from fishing? That's great, we have fish to eat today."

It seems that Yan Bugui has also returned from fishing.

But Yan Bugui did not respond. Instead, Yan Jiedi ran over to take down the bucket containing the fish and took a look. She immediately looked annoyed and said, "Why is it empty? Dad, you fished all morning and didn't catch any fish?"

Yan Bugui had a gloomy look on his face. He stopped his bicycle, looked towards the central courtyard and shook his head.

The third aunt came out and asked, "What's wrong? Old man, you didn't catch a single fish today? Don't you usually get something?"

Yan Bugui sighed, shook his head and said, "Who knew my luck would be so bad today? I fished all morning and not a single fish took the bait."

He put away his fishing rod and walked into the house, then added: "Yang Chong is really lucky today. He must have stolen my luck."

The third aunt said curiously, "Yang Chong is lucky? Didn't he catch one too?"

Yan Bugui said: "He didn't catch any? He sold all the fish he caught!"

The third aunt widened her eyes in surprise: "You said he caught some fish today, and caught quite a few?"

Yan Bugui said, "No, I saw it with my own eyes. The boy's fishing rod was never idle. He caught fish one after another, and each one was fatter than the last. He caught 70 or 80 fish! The boy sold them all at 2 yuan per fish, so he made at least 100 yuan."

The third aunt's eyes almost fell to the ground: "What? More than a hundred yuan? That's almost equivalent to your three or four months salary."

"Who says it's not true? This kid is so lucky. I've been fishing for so many years, but why don't I have such good luck as him." Yan Bugui sighed and said, feeling very annoyed. After Yang Chong left today, he quarreled with others for a long time and finally succeeded in snatching the "feng shui treasure land" left by Yang Chong.

He originally thought that he could harvest fish like crazy like Yang Chong, but he didn't expect that when Yang Chong left, it seemed as if he took away all the feng shui of that place. He fished for a long time but didn't catch a single fish.

Chapter 21: Is this the end of Chongzi?

After lunch, they remembered that the clothes they had made earlier were ready to pick up, so they simply went out together again.

When they arrived at the cloth shop, Chen Xueru greeted them warmly as soon as she saw them: "Come on, big brother and sister, the clothes were made yesterday and we were waiting for you to try them on, but you haven't come yet."

As he said that, he quickly took out the finished clothes and said to Yang Chong, "Brother, please sit down first. I will take my sister inside to try on the new clothes."

As he spoke, he grabbed a handful of melon seeds and put them in Yang Chong's hand, then pulled Yu Xiu to the inner room at the back.

Out of boredom, Yang Chong ate some melon seeds. The taste of these melon seeds was a little different from the usual ones. They had a sweet taste, just like honey.

After a while, the curtain was opened and Chen Xueru walked in first. As soon as she came in, she giggled and said, "Brother, look, can you still recognize your wife?"

As he said this, he moved aside, revealing Yu Xiu behind him.

Yang Chong's eyes suddenly lit up. Yu Xiu looked even more beautiful and charming in her new dress, just like a bride-to-be. Yang Chong couldn't help but stare at her in a daze.

Yu Xiu was a little shy at first, but when she saw him staring at her in a daze, she felt sweet inside and asked softly, "Brother, does it look good?"

Yang Chong came back to his senses and nodded quickly: "It looks good, of course it looks good, just as beautiful as the bride."

Chen Xueru also said: "Brother, you are so lucky to have married such a beautiful wife. Although I am a woman, I am also a little jealous of you."

Yu Xiu felt very happy and tried another top. The effect was very good and both of them were very satisfied.

"Madam, this dress is really well made." Yang Chong said and paid the rest of the money.

Seeing that he paid so readily, Chen Xueru also said readily, "Brother, you are a straightforward person and so am I. So, I'll give you a discount of one dollar. It's a deal. Remember to come to me when you make clothes in the future."

This lady boss knows how to handle things!

Yang Chong nodded: "Okay, Madam Boss, I'll remember it, for sure."

After paying and picking up his clothes, Yang Chong was about to leave when he remembered something: "By the way, Madam Boss, where did you buy the melon seeds you gave me just now?"

Chen Xueru did not answer but asked: "Is it delicious?"

Yang Chong said honestly: "It's delicious. I just want to ask where you bought it. I also want to buy some back for my wife."

Chen Xueru chuckled: "You can't buy this, I fried it myself and added some homemade honey."

Yang Chong said, "I thought it was sweet, and it tastes like honey."

Chen Xueru smiled and said, "If you like it, I'll pack some for you to take back."

As he spoke, he picked up a piece of newspaper from the side, wrapped some melon seeds in it and handed it to Yang Chong.

Yang Chong wanted to pay, but Chen Xueru said angrily, "Brother, it's just a handful of melon seeds, why pay for it? If you come to my place more often to make a few sets of clothes, won't you have everything you want?"

Seeing her say that, Yang Chong did not insist: "Okay, Madam Boss, I'll remember it."

After coming out of the store, Yu Xiu also said, "Brother, this boss lady is not only beautiful, but also very kind."

Yang Chong said: "This is how people do business. They don't care about the small profits. This is how they can make big money."

When they were almost at the door of their house, Yu Xiu suddenly cried out, "Brother, I forgot to change back into my old clothes. No wonder people kept looking at me along the way."

It turned out that after trying on new clothes in the store, he was so happy that he forgot to change into his old clothes and came back wearing the new clothes.

Yang Chong said, "I didn't forget. I planned to let you wear new clothes. These new clothes are what you should wear. Don't they look better than my old clothes?"

Yu Xiu said, "But isn't this new? I want to keep it for the New Year. It would be a shame if it gets dirty."

"What's the pity? Just wash it if it gets dirty. Besides, we can make a new one during the New Year." Yang Chong said disapprovingly.

Yu Xiu shook her head vigorously: "No, that's too wasteful. I don't want to make new clothes for the new ones I just made."

Yang Chong chuckled, stretched out his hand and pinched her little face and said, "Silly girl, I'm making new clothes for you and you don't want them. What are you afraid of? Our family is rich. Let alone making one or two sets of new clothes, even if I make them every day, I can afford it."

Yu Xiu thought of the more than 100 yuan she had just earned today, and immediately smiled again: "Brother, I believe it."

The two of them walked into the yard, chatting and laughing. As soon as they entered the yard, the aunties and ladies in the front yard gathered around them curiously: "Hey, Xiu'er, is this a new dress you just made? It's so beautiful!"

"Yes, this fabric is really beautiful. I have never seen such beautiful fabric in the supply and marketing cooperative."

"And the workmanship is really good, it fits me perfectly, it's not something an ordinary tailor can make."

"Xiu'er, did Chongzi just make this new dress for you? How much did it cost? It must be quite a lot, right?"

Yu Xiu was very happy and said proudly, "Yes, Brother Chongzi said that we are getting married and we can't wear his old clothes anymore, so he made me a set and spent 18 yuan on it."

"Eighteen yuan?" The aunts and grandmas were amazed: "Wow, this Chongzi is really rich. He spent so much on a set of clothes. This is enough to support the family's food and drink for a month."

"Yeah, I really didn't realize that this Chongzi usually looks hungry and cold, but I didn't expect him to be so rich!"

"You know nothing! Chongzi is a man who keeps his wealth to himself and doesn't want to spend it all. He gives it all to his wife. Xiu'er, you are so lucky. Chongzi loves you so much."

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At the Yan family, the third aunt said enviously, "Old Yan, look how blessed Xiu'er is. Chongzi loves her so much that he spent 18 yuan to make her a dress. I have been married to you for decades, and I have never worn a dress that cost 18 yuan."

Yan Bugui said disapprovingly: "Humph, he must have spent all the money he earned from selling fish today! This kid really doesn't know how to live! As the saying goes, if you can eat well and wear well, you will be poor, but if you can't plan well, you will be poor. Life is long, and if he spends money like this, he will cry in the future!"

The third aunt sighed: "You calculate this and that every day, but your life is not going to be that good!"

Yan Bugui said unconvincedly, "These days, I earn a salary to support six people. I'm lucky if I don't starve to death. What good life do you want? But your eldest son doesn't have a job even though he's so old. How will he support his family when he gets married? Do you want me to support seven people with one salary?"

Speaking of Yan Jiecheng, Auntie frowned: "Old man, you should think of a way to find him a job. He's been wandering around without a job all day. What if Yu Li flirts with him again?"

Yan Bugui said helplessly: "What can I do as a primary school teacher? The school is not hiring."

The third aunt looked towards the central courtyard and said, "Why don't you go and look for Lao Yi to see if there's any way for him to get help from the steel mill? He's an eighth-level fitter and has a lot of connections with the factory director."

Yan Bugui shook his head: "Do you think I didn't ask? That old Yi is very ruthless. He wants 800 yuan for one quota. I have already inquired about it. The quota for formal workers in state-owned factories is 500 yuan, but he asked me for 800 yuan right away. Isn't it obvious that he wants to rip me off? Where can I get these 800 yuan?"

The third aunt sighed, "We can't afford the quota of the steel mill. Why don't we let the eldest son go out and do some odd jobs, running around with other people, it's better than staying idle at home."

Yan Bugui waved his hands quickly: "Forget it. What's the point of doing odd jobs with these street thugs? You work so hard to earn a few cents a day. Besides, if you ask your son to carry a heavy bag, can he handle it?"

The third aunt said depressedly: "This doesn't work, and that doesn't work, so what should I do?"

Chapter 22 The Shoes Are Dirty Again

In the central courtyard, Yi Zhonghai sat behind the curtain, looking coldly at Yang Chong and Yu Xiu who were surrounded by people, and a disdainful snort emanated from his nose.

"A street thug with a big bag on his back picked up a beggar on the roadside and treated him as a treasure, and even bought him new clothes? In a few days, we will see how he lives. By then, his wife will have to throw him away in the same way she picked him up!"

The lady glanced at him and said, "What's wrong with Chongzi? It's a good thing that he finally got a wife. Can't you expect a little good from her?"

"Hmph! Just because he doesn't know his place and doesn't take me, a senior official, seriously, he can't be tolerated in this courtyard!" Yi Zhonghai said hatefully.

The aunt said, "You asked for it. You know what kind of person Jia Zhang is. Why do you have to take her side and bully her? How can she be nice to you? I just can't understand why you have to take her side so much?"

Yi Zhonghai said angrily: "Do you think I am willing? It's because you are not pregnant. If you had given me a boy or a girl, would I have to look for someone to take care of me in my old age? Wouldn't we still have to rely on her son Dongxu to take care of us in our old age? Otherwise, why would I choose her?"

The aunt was touched in the soft spot, and she was a little depressed. After a long while, she said hesitantly: "But is it reliable to find this Dongxu? There are so many children in the yard, and you have to find him. I don't understand why you like him and let him take care of you in your old age."

Yi Zhonghai said, "There are many children in the courtyard, but the parents of the others are all here. Who will take care of us in our old age? Only Dongxu has lost his father. Yes, there is also Zhuzi. Although He Daqing ran away with the widow, who knows when he will come back. What's more, Dongxu is my apprentice now. If I treat him well, it will be natural for him to take care of me in my old age."

The aunt curled her lips and said, "You have a good plan, but you don't see that Jia Zhang is a troublemaker who makes trouble in the yard every day. Aren't you looking for a troublemaker for yourself? Besides, Jia Dongxu is just like his mother, lazy and stupid like a pig. He has been in the factory for several years, but he is still only a second-level fitter. Don't you feel ashamed?"

As he said this, he suddenly had an idea: "Actually, Chongzi is also an orphan now, isn't he? Why don't you consider him? I think Chongzi is a hard-working kid, and he's smart, isn't he better than Jia Dongxu?"

Yi Zhonghai shook his head: "What do you know? Although this kid is smart, he is disobedient. Didn't you see that he doesn't even have me in his eyes? Do you still want to count on him to support us in our old age? Besides, he is just a heavy bag carrier, what can he use to support us in our old age? Although Dongxu is a little stupid, he is at least a formal employee of a state-owned factory. Besides, I will take care of him in the future. It will be no problem for him to be promoted to a fourth or fifth grade fitter. There will be no pressure for him to support us in our old age."

While the two were talking in the house, Yang Chong and Yu Xiu had already broken out of the encirclement of the aunts and grandmas in the front yard and returned to the middle yard.

Qin Huairu was carrying a rice pot and preparing to fetch water from the pool in the yard to cook.

Seeing the two of them walking in together, talking and laughing, they looked like a pair of golden boy and jade girl, so affectionate. Especially Yu Xiu, wearing a brand new and beautiful new dress, she looked as beautiful as a fairy from a painting, and could not be associated with the unkempt and dirty little beggar that Yang Chong had picked up from outside.

Qin Huairu didn't know why, but she suddenly felt sour in her heart.

Thinking back to the past, she was also a beautiful flower in Qinjia Village. Many young men came to propose marriage to her, but she didn't like any of them. She only wanted to marry to the city and enjoy a good life. Finally, after careful selection, she got her wish and found Jia Dongxu, a city man.

But the result?

Although she married a city dweller as she wished and became a formal worker in a state-owned factory, it was not the good life she dreamed of. Although Jia Dongxu was a formal worker, he had been in the factory for several years. While those who had joined the factory at the same time had become third- and fourth-level fitters, he was still only a second-level fitter. This was only because he had Yi Zhonghai as his master, otherwise he would not even have been promoted to the second level.

Also, although she married a city dweller, Jia Dongxu was the only one in the family with an urban hukou. She, her two children, and her mother-in-law Jia Zhang were all rural hukou. Rural hukou had no quota, so the family of five relied on Jia Dongxu's quota to make ends meet, and if it was not enough, they had to find a way to buy pigeons at the pigeon market.

One can imagine how miserable these days are.

That’s not all. What made Qin Huairu feel most aggrieved was that she was like a servant in this family.