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

Niu Dazhuang stepped out the door and looked back to see Da Chuan following behind, slurping: "Dazhuang, don't you need my help?"

"Go back, no need, we don't have much stuff."

"Oh, not to get sweet potatoes?"

"No, let's go back and get the brothers something good to eat." Of course, no one can follow you when you're taking things out of your personal space.

Not long after, Niu Dazhuang came in carrying two roasted ducks.

"It tastes best when it's roasted over a fire and piping hot."

When Da Chuan saw the plump roast duck, he immediately perked up and shouted, "Wait for me! You're not allowed to eat it until I'm back!" Before he finished speaking, he was already outside the gate.

Chen Xia looked out at her vibrant little courtyard, feeling a mix of emotions.

When I was alone, I felt that the wind in the yard was cold all year round.

Tonight, Chen Xia didn't feel the winter wind was cold anymore; it even felt like spring. Glancing at the man in her heart, her heart started pounding uncontrollably.

The crimson of the double-clawed ducks never faded. Niu Dazhuang returned carrying two ducks, but Dachuan rushed out in a hurry.

He poked Niu Dazhuang in the ribs. "Hey, Dachuan, where did you rush off to?"

"What else could they be doing? Stealing wine from the brewery!"

"That's right, it would be such a waste not to have wine with such hearty dishes."

"You should have a couple of bites later too."

"Just a couple of sips, please. It's been a while since I've had one. Don't laugh at me if I drink too much!"

"No way!"

"Sister-in-law Chen Xia, from now on you're Da Zhuang's woman. With his word, I'd like to see who dares to climb over your wall again. I'll make sure they pay!" De Shui was showing his loyalty.

The dozen or so people practicing their martial arts around the campfire also chimed in.

Chen Xia, this young widow, was quite famous. Every time she went out to the market, she would attract the covetous eyes of some hooligans.

The men in this village all know the rules. Tomorrow, everyone in the village will know that Dazhuang is staying overnight at Chen Xia's house. Those men with ulterior motives will all shut up.

But people from other villages don't care about any of that. As long as a young widow is pretty and doesn't have a man at home, who else would they climb over if not her?

"Sister-in-law, my dog ​​had puppies after spring. I'll bring one over." Erhe was a man of few words but ruthless actions.

They had many children, and this boy, at seventeen or eighteen, went out to live as a vagrant. He was gone for two or three years, and everyone in the village thought he had died out there.

Last winter, this kid came back wearing a tattered overcoat.

Niu Dazhuang patted him on the shoulder: "Stay behind for a bit, I have something to tell you."

"Um!"

Two big ducks, divided among more than a dozen young men, each only needs to speak a few words.

But people were content and happy. The noise continued until after nine o'clock, and no one showed any sign of leaving.

Niu Dazhuang had no choice but to stand up and say, "Everyone, let's disperse. There will be plenty of opportunities like this in the future."

The three of them, Da Chuan and Er He, who remained behind, did not return to the house. Instead, they added some new firewood to the fire.

"Chen Xia, go back to your room and heat up the kang (heated brick bed). I have something to talk to them about." He sent her away first.

Since they were all on the same side, Niu Dazhuang didn't beat around the bush.

"Erhe, Dachuan, I want to do something big in Beijing. You two go and scout out the area for me. I did it myself two years ago, and it caused quite a stir. These capitalists must have scattered all their valuable assets. I'm planning to cast a wide net this time," Niu Dazhuang said in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Erhe and Dachuan's eyes lit up. "Dazhuang, capitalists are a gold mine. If they're going to smash the mine, the three of us might be a little softer."

"You guys just need to scout out the location for me, and you don't need to worry about the rest. There's one more thing I want to tell you in advance."

If this matter is handled well, we certainly can't do what the older generation did and divide up all the valuable goods. The external environment is different now; having the inferior goods in your hands will only bring trouble.

"You're the boss, so whatever you say goes." Erhe nodded first.

"Of course, I won't treat you two unfairly. When my family builds a house next year, I'll build one for each of you as well. I'll cover all the expenses for your weddings."

"Boss, we're just scouting the place, isn't it a bit too much to divide up?" Despite his usual carefree, lazy, and greedy nature, Da Chuan is quite disciplined when it comes to important matters.

Niu Dazhuang patted him on the shoulder and teased, "You should just call me by my nickname. This nickname won't do. If you get used to it, it'll be troublesome if people hear it outside."

"Hehe, fine, whatever you say!"

"Here's one hundred yuan and 200 jin of grain coupons. Go to the brigade to get a certificate after you break five. Once you're in Beijing, stay at the guesthouse. We'll meet again outside Chaoyangmen at noon on the Lantern Festival. The main thing is to follow up with someone nicknamed Lou Bancheng. His home is on—street."

"Tsk tsk, you can tell from that nickname that he's a fat sheep—Lou Bancheng! Fat enough!" Da Chuan said slyly.

Niu Dazhuang was still a little worried: "He's fat, but let's see if you two can find all his dens."

The two brothers exchanged a glance: "As long as you're not in a hurry, I'll count for you exactly how many flaws Lou Bancheng has!"

"Alright, now it's up to you guys to perform!"

The two knew it was time to leave.

Niu Dazhuang saw the two people to the gate, then turned around to close it.

Chen Xia stood at the door and said, "We won't close the main gate tonight!"

Niu Dazhuang soon realized what she was thinking.

Chen Xia was unusually unrestrained tonight. It was as if she wanted the whole village to know.

She, Chen Xia, is now a woman with a man.

"Your nickname is absolutely perfect!" After saying that, he tilted his head and fainted.

Early the next morning, Niu Dazhuang went to the kitchen first, filling the grain storage trough in her space with grain from his spatial storage. He also took out some cured meat and put it in a hanging basket. He wanted to take out some firewood from his spatial storage as well.

After thinking it over, Niu Dazhuang decided against it. After finishing all the work, he didn't go back to the house. Instead, he got on his bicycle and returned to the city.

Chen Xia didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky. She thought to herself with endless感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion): "How can the difference between men be so vast?"

Chen Xia wanted to get up and go outside for a stroll, but just as she was about to stand up, she frowned and lay back down, exhausted.

It was almost noon when my stomach started growling loudly. I had no choice but to grit my teeth and slowly go to cook.

Open the porcelain jar containing grain, and wow, it's completely full. Open another one, and it's still full.

Although it was all coarse grains, Chen Xia was still very pleased. After eating some rice and resting for a while, she took out her bright red floral jacket that she hadn't worn for many years.

She looked in the mirror, tied her hair up, and swayed as she went to the threshing ground.

"Hey, Chen Xia, you're really different with a man's touch! Look at the way you walk!"