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

Chen Xia didn't actually steam cornbread; by the time Niu Dazhuang arrived, a whole basket of dumplings was already wrapped. They were just waiting for Niu Dazhuang to cook them.

Hearing the door being pushed open, Chen Xia started a fire in the large pot: "Sit on the kang (heated brick bed) to warm up for a while, it will be ready soon."

"Hehe, dumplings! That's right, I love dumplings." Niu Dazhuang didn't go into the inner room, but instead took a small stool and sat down next to Sister-in-law Chen Xia.

"Chen Xia, haven't you found the right person in the past year or so?" Niu Dazhuang didn't mince words and asked directly.

Upon hearing this address—no longer calling her "sister-in-law" but directly using her name—Chen Xia was secretly delighted; this meant things were looking promising.

He immediately understood, quickly shook his head, and turned to ask, "You don't mind that I'm a country woman, and you're not afraid that I'll be a burden to you?"

Niu Dazhuang didn't answer her question, but proceeded at his own pace: "Let me first tell you about my current family situation..."

Chen Xia felt increasingly heartbroken as she listened. She also felt a pang of inferiority. Finally, she retorted, "You already have so many women, you don't need to pity me!"

Niu Dazhuang explained his situation clearly, and Chen Xia didn't seem to mind. You have to understand the underlying meaning; she wasn't saying I was unhappy, but rather that I didn't need her pity. This implied tacit agreement.

Niu Dazhuang put his arm around her shoulder and said, "I didn't pity you. I was just being blind to your feelings. I was overthinking things before."

I told him about it tonight at Uncle Youliang's house. Also, Dachuan and the others will be coming over later.

Chen Xia had forgotten how long it had been since she had been with a man. Now, with Niu Dazhuang holding her in his arms, her heart was pounding, and her cheeks were flushed even more by the firelight from the stove.

"The water... the water's boiling, let's put the dumplings in first!" Chen Xia stammered excitedly.

Once the dumplings were cooked, Chen Xia ladled out a large bowl for Niu Dazhuang and one for herself.

Having missed lunch, Niu Dazhuang was starving. Dipping the food in vinegar, he devoured them one after another.

Seeing how much he was enjoying his food, Chen Xia was quite pleased. She slowed down her own eating pace, glancing at the dumplings in Niu Dazhuang's bowl as she ate.

Chen Xia ate four or five herself, then stopped and dumped the rest onto Niu Dazhuang.

Niu Dazhuang knew that this was the custom in the countryside: the male laborers in the family were always given priority in having enough to eat.

He ate the dumplings that were turned upside down, drank half a bowl of dumpling soup, and lit a cigarette.

Niu Dazhuang didn't even have to do it himself; Sister-in-law Chen Xia brought over the kerosene lamp.

"Let me finish off all the refined grains in the house in one go!" Niu Dazhuang asked after taking a puff of his cigarette.

We're all from the same village, so everyone knows what's going on in the village.

"Not yet, there's still some cured meat left. I can handle it, you don't need to worry about it."

"She's quite stubborn. Last December, I had Deshui bring back a whole truckload of stuff, you know?"

"I didn't know that. Is that so?"

"Hmm, tomorrow then. Now that she's my woman, she can endure hardship with me, and she can enjoy happiness with me!"

"Who's the woman here! I haven't agreed yet."

"Now that I've spoken, you can't refuse," Niu Dazhuang said domineeringly.

Chen Xia was completely won over by this approach. Not only did she not get angry, but she also insisted that a man should be like this, and how could the head of the household be so weak-willed?

"Hmm! He's starting to look like the head of the household." Just as the two were about to continue their conversation, they heard someone push open the gate and enter the courtyard.

Chen Xia quickly went out to greet her.

Happy New Year, sister-in-law!

Happy New Year, Auntie!

Suddenly, more than a dozen young people entered the courtyard. The house was small to begin with, and there wasn't enough room for all of them to fit inside.

"Alright, Da Chuan, let's build a fire in the yard and play here!" So many people have come, and we can't just chase them away, so we can only play in the yard for a while.

These are truly our own people, our own soldiers.

Those who are a year or two older than the eldest are called by their names, while the younger ones are called either "brother" or "uncle".

Many hands make light work, and before long a bonfire was lit in the yard.

Niu Dazhuang stood in the middle, took off his overcoat, and asked, "Who wants to go first?"

Since Dazhuang entered the city, Deshui has become the leader in a subtle way. Despite his young age, he is quick-witted and skilled.

It had been over a year since we'd practiced with Dazhuang, and we were all a little embarrassed. We looked at each other, but no one said a word.

"Deshui, you go first. Let me see if your skills have improved in the past year or so." Since no one else would accept the challenge, Niu Dazhuang had no choice but to call on someone.

Niu Deshui wasn't intimidated. He threw the dog fur and sheepskin coat on the ground and said, "Hey, Uncle Dazhuang, you're a city person now, do you still have time to practice martial arts? If I take you down in a bit, don't make excuses."

"You brat, it's been over a year since I've dealt with you. Are you itching for a beating? You dare to challenge me now." No sooner had he finished speaking than Niu Dazhuang was already in front of Deshui. He reached out and grabbed Deshui's arm.

Niu Deshui tried to break free, but it was too late. Before he could even muster any strength, he felt his feet leave the ground. By the time he realized what was happening, he was already lying on the ground.

Niu Deshui quickly got up: "This doesn't count, I'm not ready yet."

It may be due to the effects of Tibetan Buddhist practices, but Niu Dazhuang is now much stronger than he was a year ago. Not only is he stronger, but his endurance has also improved significantly, especially his waist strength.

None of the dozen or so young men could match them.

Just like drinking and circling around, Niu Dazhuang also circled around when he wrestled. After two rounds, none of his friends would help him anymore.

Niu Dazhuang was only slightly sweating.

"We're not playing with him anymore, he's even worse now." Niu Deshui was the first to admit defeat.

Da Chuan, hands tucked into his sleeves, watched the spectacle: "Nephew De Shui, if Da Zhuang doesn't come back, you're the boss. But even if Da Zhuang does come back, you're just following orders!"

"I'm convinced by Uncle Dazhuang's commands! What, you have a problem with me being the second-in-command?"

"What opinions could I possibly have? Whoever's in charge, I'll just follow orders." - Da Chuan Miao Xiong.

"Let me say a few words. Our village traditions can't be broken in this generation. We should practice more when we have free time."

Furthermore, our village is small, so we must unite. No matter what conflicts we have privately, if something happens outside, no one can back down. Otherwise, humph! Our Niujiazhuang will not tolerate you!

More than a dozen people nodded in agreement.

"Uncle Dazhuang, is this going to turn into chaos?"

"It's not exactly chaotic, but it's not as peaceful as it was a few years ago either."

When it came to the fact that things weren't very peaceful outside, these dozen or so young people not only didn't feel scared, but were also excited, as if they could show off their skills in a chaotic world.

Seeing their open expressions of joy and anger, Niu Dazhuang guessed what they were thinking: "Don't be so happy. Now is not the time for you to show off your skills. In the next few years, hurry up and get married and have children, leave more descendants for yourselves."

"In a few years, when we go out on business, even if we don't come back, we'll at least have something to show for our ancestors."

The excitement on everyone's faces immediately turned serious. They were all thinking about how to get rich, but they never thought that this would lead to people dying.

Niu Dazhuang continued, "If you need money to get married, you can come to Chen Xia after I leave! That's all I have to say. You guys have fun first, I'll go get you something to eat."