Courtyard houses: Those who are capable are rewarded, and many children bring many blessings.

"We also need to learn how to use an abacus!"

"Not only do you have to learn, but I have to learn too."

"Oh, sis, you're a manager at the flour mill now?"

"Well, I guess you could say I'm the investor's representative. My annual dividends are given directly to me; it's kind of compensation from that old man!"

Is this house in your name?

"Of course, since you're here, after the New Year, we won't let Zhang Ma come anymore. Things are different now than usual; hiring Zhang Ma again would be exploitation! I'm also working hard to learn so that next year I can read the Dong newspaper independently and do addition and subtraction on an abacus! You should work hard with me too!"

Without further ado, Ye Chunlan took out her notebook from her midnight snack: "Perfect, I'll teach you first, and I'll review it myself!" ————

Ye Chunlan was teaching seriously when she noticed that her younger sister kept getting distracted. "Never mind, you only came tonight. Let her rest for a couple of days first. I was too hasty." Ye Chunlan threw the notebook on the bed, looking unhappy.

"Sister, give me a break. I promise I'll study hard tomorrow!" Ye Chunmei assured her.

"As the saying goes, it's better to guide than to block. Since you want to talk about that man, I'll let you speak your mind tonight!" The older sister understood her younger sister's thoughts all too well.

"No way," Ye Chunmei denied.

"If you don't want to talk about it, then forget it. I'm too lazy to listen."

"Sister, why are you like this? People have pride too," Ye Chunmei said coquettishly.

"Alright, I'll give you face. Let my Miss Ye Chunmei tell us how she fell for that man, and what they went through together?" Ye Chunlan asked indulgently.

"Sis, I bet your old man can't give you that kind of blissful, ecstatic happiness!"

"Hmph! You think being someone's concubine is a life of luxury? I don't know about other families, but in their family, the rules are very strict. To put it nicely, you're a concubine, but to put it bluntly, you're just like a servant, sometimes even worse than their servants."

"Oh no, how could this happen!" Ye Chunmei was still a little incredulous.

"When I used to write home, I would only report good news and not bad, so as not to worry you. Now it's all right, we've finally made it through."

"Sis, why don't you tell me what's bothering you? It'll make you feel better if you talk about it." The younger sister felt sorry for her older sister.

"Well, I have so much to say to you. We were just talking about how strict their family rules are, so let's get back to that. That old man isn't just one of my concubines, but I'm the youngest and the last to join the family, so he does show me some favoritism."

Those concubines are even worse off than me. Not only do they spend their days alone in their empty rooms, but they also have to do menial tasks all day long. If the first wife is unhappy with them, she resorts to family discipline.

If the older man comes to my room more often, the older woman will look at me with disdain.

However, since liberation, the old woman has become much more restrained. A few years ago, she sent away those concubines. I was only released because she couldn't withstand the pressure from the government.

"We have to thank the government for this. Did you think they would kindly give me these properties? It's all thanks to the government for taking charge of our lives..." After years of pent-up frustration, Ye Chunlan finally found someone to confide in, and poured out all the pent-up feelings in her heart.

As Ye Chunmei listened, she took her sister's hand. Her eyes reddened, and she said with heartache, "Sister, you've suffered so much for our family."

"It's alright, we've made it through, haven't we? Chunmei, my experience is a cautionary tale. You should find a single man to marry."

It's already so difficult for me to be someone's concubine; you don't even have a proper title, so life will be even harder for you in the future.

I guess I'll never be able to have children in this lifetime. So, if you have a few sons, give me one to adopt. That way, I'll have an heir. Otherwise, who will inherit all this property?

"Sis, did you ruin your health by taking that kind of medicine?"

"Yes, I've already seen a doctor, and they said it's unlikely I'll make it. So I've given up hope."

"How could they be so cruel!" Ye Chunmei said indignantly.

"I'm afraid that if I have a child, I'll fight with his legitimate son for the inheritance! In their family, I'm practically an actress, acting all day long. Even though I don't feel anything, I have to pretend to enjoy it and even praise him against my will, saying, 'Master, you're so amazing!'"

Girl, I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, but with that snotty-nosed guy, it's not as satisfying as me doing it myself!

Hearing about how hard her sister had suffered in the past, Ye Chunmei gritted her teeth and said, "Sister, next time Dazhuang comes, I'll let you experience that feeling of being in heaven and hell. I promise you'll like it."

"Nonsense! How could you do something like that!"

"Sister, I understand you're thinking of never getting married in this lifetime, and so am I. So why make things difficult for ourselves? Let's just live comfortably. Besides, I can't handle him by myself. You saw it yourself; after just one of his encounters, I can't get out of bed for half a day!"

"Chunmei, you're still young, why do you always say you don't want to get married?"

"Sis, we haven't taken a bath together since we grew up, you didn't know that."

Sister, I'm not bragging, but with looks and figures like ours, we'd have no trouble finding a man. But—when they hear about Bai's reputation, they all stay far away. How am I supposed to get married?

"That deadbeat of yours back then, how could he tell everyone about the little things that happened between you and your husband in bed!" Ye Chunlan didn't quite understand.

"Sister, he's not stupid. He definitely wouldn't tell you about something so private. You know, there's no outhouse when you're working in the fields, and women always like to go to the outhouse in groups... It's perfectly normal for other women to see you."

"If my husband hadn't died, it wouldn't have mattered at all. Who knew he'd be so useless! He had health problems, yet he still wanted sex every night. Now look what happened, he's kicked the bucket, and he's ruined my reputation too."

The two sisters each had their own troubles, and they talked until midnight before finally going to sleep.

As for Niu Dazhuang, after a night's rest, he was fully recovered. At the second crow of the rooster, the young couple tacitly began their morning exercise.

It was another cheerful day. After breakfast, Niu Dazhuang hummed a little tune as he went to work. There's nothing more fulfilling than conquering a beautiful woman.

It's only been a few days since I transmigrated, and not only did I lose my own wife, I've also snagged a pretty widow.

"Hey! Dazhuang, it's really different now that you've married a beautiful wife, you're even humming a little tune." This time, it was Zhang's sister-in-law from the village who was teasing him.

"Sister-in-law Guihua, you know better than me whether marriage is a good idea or not. If Zhang Laosi doesn't make things clear with you, I don't mind going to help out tonight!" Niu Dazhuang is no longer the taciturn man he once was.

"Oh! It seems your training last night has been quite good, at least your tongue has become much sharper. If you're willing, I'll leave the door open for you tonight!" This woman in her thirties dared to say anything.

"Hahaha... Sister-in-law Guihua, I dare not go. I'm afraid you two will take turns bullying me!"