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

Qin Xueru happily rested her head on Niu Dazhuang's shoulder: "It smells so good... Dazhuang, did you just carry the meat back on this shoulder?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"Ugh, you got mutton fat all over my face! Let's go to the county town tomorrow and buy some fabric to make you a new outfit. You can't go to Beijing next year wearing just cotton-padded trousers!"

"Making it yourself is too much trouble. Do you even know how to cut clothes? Even if you do, there isn't a single sewing machine in the entire Niujiazhuang village. You can't possibly sew it by hand!"

"I don't know how. There are tailors at the market, right? It's cheaper to buy the fabric and have them cut it than to buy ready-made clothes."

Oh, I remember now. When my sister Huairu got married, her dowry included a sewing machine. She could cut and sew clothes. You can buy the fabric and have her make you a new outfit when you get to the city.

"Silly wife, I can just buy the fabric when I get to Beijing."

"Hehe, that's true!"

The young couple chatted and didn't feel the time passing slowly. It was more than an hour after the mutton stew was ready.

With such delicious food, I definitely need to have a couple of drinks.

Qin Xueru was in a good mood and drank a couple of cups with her man. Her rosy cheeks turned bright red from the drinks, making her look even more beautiful.

Perhaps the alcohol had a numbing effect, or perhaps Qin Xueru had gradually gotten used to it, but that night Niu Dazhuang succeeded again.

The next day, I was able to get out of bed normally. Although walking was still a bit difficult, it was much better than before.

Niu Dazhuang carried a basket on his back, covered with a burlap sack, and left the village early in the morning.

Qin Xueru tidied herself up and went to Qinjiawa. The three sisters returned around 10 o'clock.

As soon as she entered the house, Yue Ru sniffed a few times: "Xue Ru, you two are living a good life. I can smell the mutton."

Yue Ru is only a few months younger than Xue Ru, and she's never really called Xue Ru "sister" much, but the two sisters are the best of friends, always doing everything together. Anyone who didn't know them would think they were twins.

"You think you have a good nose? I'll let you have some meat at lunchtime today!"

Qin Yueru walked into the inner room, sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and then lay back on it: "Oh! Seeing you two living like this, I really envy you. Is the family of the person you met like this too?"

"Probably not, my husband is the best hunter in the whole village!" Qin Xueru's tone unconsciously carried a hint of pride.

"Then I won't marry him! I have to find someone similar to your husband!"

"Yueru, someone like Dazhuang is hard to find in our area!" Qin Huairu said, sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

Qin Xueru started by poking the coal fire, setting up the kang table, taking out three porcelain bowls, putting in a pinch of brown sugar and a pinch of sweet potato starch, and waiting for the water to boil.

"Although he doesn't hunt like my family, we can still have stewed meat from time to time, so it shouldn't be a problem. He only has an elderly father and two older brothers; one is deceased, and the other is married and lives separately." Qin Xueru then explained Niu Deshui's family situation.

"Another point is that there isn't as much farm work in their village, unlike in our hometown where we're busy with farm work all year round."

Look at their village, as soon as December arrives, they become idle. They either go hunting in the mountains, brew wine, or the men go out to find work.

"This is only because their village chief is keeping it under control; otherwise, all the young people would have left."

"Hey, times have changed. I remember when we were kids, the adults were afraid we'd come here to play. But now, you've actually married into this family and even helped me find a husband!"

"Hey, that person, did they call you 'little aunt'? If we've figured it out, wouldn't that mess up the family hierarchy?"

"We're already beyond the fifth degree of mourning, it's alright, we'll treat each other as we are. Sister, my husband is going to the city in the spring, and he doesn't have any decent clothes. Could you help him make some?"

"Okay, that's simple. Just don't complain that it doesn't look good!"

As they were talking, the water boiled, and one person made a bowl of brown sugar sweet potato noodles.

"Wait a moment, I'll call them over right away!" With that, Qin Xueru turned and left.

Seeing Xue Ru leave through the gate, Qin Yueru whispered, "It's all Dad's fault. He's not as efficient as Uncle. His hesitation allowed Xue Ru to cut the cake. And Mom too..."

They used to say that no good family would marry their daughter off to a bandit's den, but now look at them, they're living a good life and they don't stop them anymore.

Actually, I know that Niu Deshui too. He's always following Niu Dazhuang around. There's also this guy named Niu Dachuan, who's so skinny he looks like he's been smoking opium.

So, do you agree or disagree?

"Although I know the person, I don't know them well. Let me learn more about them first before making a decision."

"Yueru, it's good to get to know each other first. You're both still young, so it's not too late to get married next winter."

"Sister, don't worry about my affairs. But what's going on between you and your husband? I didn't dare ask you at home."

"Your brother-in-law and I get along very well. It's just that my mother-in-law is lazy and good-for-nothing. Our family of four relies on your brother-in-law's meager salary. I offered to have her help take care of the kids, and I also went to the market to pick up some handicrafts to do at home. She was happy to oblige!"

"What's there to be unhappy about? You're helping the family earn money, and she's not happy about it?"

"Who says otherwise? She's just afraid I'll show my face in public, she's got such feudal ideas! Never mind, I'm not going to talk about her anymore, talking about her just makes me angry."

"Sis, you've been back for seven or eight days now, you must have missed your husband!" Yue Ru teased.

"Get lost! But it's not good for a married woman like me to always stay at my parents' house!"

"Sister, don't look at your sister-in-law's face. They've already separated and are living their own lives. There's no use in them being jealous."

"Sigh! That's what I say, but haven't you noticed that our nephews and nieces have been coming over a lot these past few days?"

"Oh, you mean the two sisters-in-law behind us were up to no good?"

"It's not really mischief; it's perfectly normal for grandchildren to come to their grandparents' house!"

The two sisters were chatting when Qin Xueru brought the person back. Niu Deshui entered the courtyard alone, while more than a dozen onlookers gathered at the gate.

At the crucial moment, Niu Deshui became shy and embarrassed; he blushed before he even saw the person.

"Deshui, come in!" Qin Xueru called to Niu Deshui from the doorway.

"Auntie, Uncle isn't home!"

"Didn't I tell you? Your uncle went to the county. Come in!"

Once inside, Niu Deshui stood in the outer room and didn't move.

Qin Xueru became anxious upon seeing this, reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him into the inner room.

"You two should know each other, right? Now let me formally introduce you. This is my cousin, Qin Yueru."

Yue Ru, my husband's nephew, Niu Deshui, is a year younger than you. You two chat, sister, let's go to the annex and help me with some chores." Qin Xue Ru made up an excuse and took Qin Huai Ru's arm as they went out.