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

High school students in this era were not like those in later generations, who could simply focus on studying. After school, high school students, especially girls, had to do all sorts of chores. They had to work hard, even if it meant their families wouldn't pay for their education.

You can't blame the parents for this. They can do the math. They've worked so hard to support their daughter all the way to junior high school, and now that she's married, she's part of her husband's family.

For families today, this cost must be considered, especially since they often have more than one child—three or four is considered a small number, and some have as many as seven or eight.

Anyone in that situation would have the same thought.

The Yu family is quite good; they've all been sent to school. No matter how many years they study, at least they're not completely blind.

Yu Haitang was the youngest child in her family, and life had improved compared to before, which is why she was able to attend high school.

Aunt Yu glanced at Yu Li's slightly protruding belly. Being her mother after all, she sighed and asked, "Where's your mother-in-law? Doesn't she live with you?"

"My husband told me that they died before Liberation. Their father is gone too, and now the only elderly person in the family is an old bachelor. We don't live in a large courtyard; we rent a small, detached house! Otherwise, we wouldn't have let Haitang keep me company!"

"My dear daughter, speaking of my son-in-law, I have to say a few words. Is he really that busy with work? Busier than the Prime Minister? You two are married and have children, and we haven't even met yet!"

"He is indeed very busy. He's always traveling for work and only spends a few days at home each month. I'll have him bring some gifts to visit you two during the Chinese New Year this year."

"Don't try to sweet-talk me. It's better if he doesn't come at all; then I won't have to entertain him."

"Mom, then..."

"Sis, when did you get here? You're so heartless, getting married so secretly and not coming home for months!" Yu Haitang complained as soon as she walked in the door after school.

Just as Yu Li said, she has grown into a young woman at 17, with a height of over 1.6 meters, two long, shapely, and straight legs, and her chest is beginning to take shape, although there is still a lot of room for growth.

Yu Li got up and took her sister's hand: "I went to the countryside to help with the construction of the Ming Tombs Reservoir, and then I got pregnant, so I didn't want to travel back and forth anymore. Haitang, I'm all alone now, how about you come keep me company tonight?"

Yu Haitang first looked at her mother, and seeing that her mother did not object, she said, "Brother-in-law is quite capable. We've only been married a short time, and he's already gotten you pregnant."

"You little brat, you're really reckless! You haven't even crossed the line yet, why do you say everything!" Aunt Yu couldn't stand it anymore.

"There are advantages to having me as a companion. Not only can you eat your fill three times a day, but you're also guaranteed to have dry food for each of those three meals."

Upon hearing this, Yu Haitang's eyes lit up: "Are you serious? We can eat dry food morning and night?"

Why would I lie to you? If you're not eating well, you can come back anytime.

"Hehe, no way." Saying that, she pulled Yu Li and walked out.

"Hey! Slow down, I can't stand you being so arrogant right now!"

"It's my fault, it's my fault, I forgot."

"You don't have to bring your own bedding; you can use your brother-in-law's."

"Ah! Then I'll just take my own!" she said, running off to pack her things.

The two sisters returned to their rented courtyard house. Yu Haitang threw her things onto the fire pit and asked, "Where's your kitchen? What are we having for dinner tonight?"

Yu Li smiled and said, "Come on, I'll take you to see what you want to eat tonight. I'll make whatever you want."

Upon entering the east wing, Yu Haitang eagerly lifted the lid of a large earthenware jar: "Wow! White flour, a whole jar full. Let me see what's here, wow, so much lard too, the two of us sisters couldn't finish it in a year..." Yu Haitang looked at all seven or eight large earthenware jars.

She said enviously, "Sister, you really married a good man! Your husband is so capable; he even rented you a small, separate house!"

"Your brother-in-law is quite capable. But he has a bit of a temper; most people couldn't stand it."

"Capable men are often short-tempered! I'm so envious. I hope I can find a man as capable as him someday!"

"You little brat, how old are you, and you're already thinking about men!"

"Tch! Sis, you were about my age when you started working! I'll be eighteen next year, and I'm still in school. Quite a few of my junior high classmates are already married. Why can't I think about men?"

"Keep thinking, didn't any of your high school classmates pursue you?"

"How can it be useless? I think they're too childish and boring. Sis, I've never even met your husband, can you tell me about him?"

How did you two meet? Your marriage is so sudden! It can't be...?"

"What could it be? Stop guessing all day and hurry up and cook, I'm hungry too."

"Hehe, okay, after we eat, let's have a good chat, you and I!"

Since we just moved here, we have plenty of food, but we haven't prepared any fresh vegetables.

Yu Haitang ate a large pancake rolled with pickled vegetables, and it tasted especially delicious.

"Look at the way you're eating! Don't choke, have some porridge!"

"Mmm...it smells so good! I can't even remember the last time I had a whole white flour pancake. Sis, you should have some too!"

The next day at work, Niu Dazhuang was relieved to learn that Yu Haitang had gone to keep Yu Li company.

Now, Niu Dazhuang no longer works with trucks. He's been reassigned from the front line. Whether he goes to the logistics support department or the administration is up to him. He won't be there for long anyway, and he'll just be coasting along there until school starts in July.

Niu Dazhuang didn't want to spend all his time bowing and scraping to leaders in the administrative department, so he chose to go to the logistics support department.

The logistics support department has the most miscellaneous tasks and doesn't pay much.

The only advantage of this department is that it allows you to talk to everyone in the company. As for extra income, Niu Dazhuang hasn't figured out how to make it yet.

Niu Dazhuang doesn't care about such a small amount of money now, but they can't be fools and keep it from him.

I can do without it, but you can't treat me like a fool!

Niu Dazhuang was too lazy to scheme against them, so he spent half a day in the warehouse.

Now that Yu Li and Su Wan are both pregnant, there's no need to think of ways to play games with them at work anymore.

Only Bai Hongyan is left to deal with.

With the warehouse key in hand, Niu Dazhuang was always the last to leave after get off work each day.

The warehouse is so big, it's much safer than Bai Hongyan's office.

He would only wave his hand after Bai Hongyan had talked nonsense each time.

Afterwards, Bai Hongyan nestled against Niu Dazhuang's broad chest and said coquettishly, "Dazhuang, I'm going to the branch factory next month. The thought of not seeing you for so long makes me so unhappy!"

"Are you missing me, or are you missing my family's big sledgehammer?"

"Ugh, you want everything, fine!"

"How about we just stay put and enjoy each day as it comes!"

"Screw you, you feel good now, but what about later?"