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

Everyone agreed with Sister Zhao's point of view. Although they were only ten years old in old China, and although they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they must have heard of it.

Sister Zhao looked at everyone, and seeing that they had all listened, she continued, "Everyone is helping Huai Ru find a husband for two reasons. First, Huai Ru's appearance and figure are very pleasing to the eye. Second, everyone means well."

In the past six months, I've introduced Huai Ru to at least twenty or thirty men, both within our company and outside. Do you think Huai Ru has been interested in any of them?

It's obvious she has someone in her heart, and this man seems to satisfy Huai Ru quite a bit. Whatever the reason, since Huai Ru doesn't want to talk about it, let's not ask anymore. And as for arranging a marriage for Huai Ru, let's not bother with that anymore.

Qin Huairu didn't say anything to refute it, which can be taken as an admission that she already had a man.

"Oh! I thought Huai Ru was some kind of chaste and virtuous woman, but it turns out she's just like us, she can't live without men either."

While I like to be close to Qin Huairu, there are also those who dislike her. These people are led by Yang Meijuan.

Don't be fooled by the fact that these women are all married and mothers; they're all in their early twenties, except for Sister Zhao, who was just speaking—she's a little older, in her early thirties.

They're all at an age where they're competitive and eager to show off their skills. Before Qin Huairu arrived, Yang Meijuan was the most beautiful girl in the kitchen.

Although Yu Lilai's arrival initially challenged her status, Yu Lilai was, after all, a virgin.

Men aren't stupid; they're not so easy to take advantage of young, unmarried women. Especially married men.

There are a few like Niu Dazhuang who disregard consequences and have no dietary restrictions.

"Meijuan, I never said I was some kind of chaste and virtuous woman, but I'm not like you, trying to seduce any man! You're more worldly than me!" Qin Huairu wasn't exactly weak-willed either.

"What's the use of having a lot of knowledge? A plate of bean sprouts is still a dish." Sister Liu and Qin Huairu are in cahoots.

"Hehehe... Sister Liu, tell me, who isn't good enough?"

"Tch, I don't believe you haven't heard of it? Stop pretending to be so righteous!"

"Hehe... We've heard about it, but we've never seen it with our own eyes. We'll have to ask Huai Ru about it."

"Why are you dragging me into this again? I don't know anything about it."

"They go to and from get off work together every day, you didn't know? You're kidding me!"

"Alright, alright, you're getting more and more absurd. Let's take a break, we'll be busy this afternoon."

Since the weather got hot, Qin Xueru hasn't been living in the courtyard house much anymore. This small detached house is so convenient. Whether it's night or day, she can take a shower when it gets hot without worrying about being exposed.

Since they're all sisters, they dress very casually. Little Qi Jin is always naked, and Little Dang only wears a pair of shorts. The children are happy to play here.

Some things you can't avoid.

Qin Xueru was watching the two little ones digging and playing in the yard when she heard someone knocking on the door.

Qin Xueru asked warily, "Who is it?"

"Is your fifth uncle Huai Ru or Xue Ru?" Qin Lao Wu called out from the doorway.

The voice sounded familiar, and the person could call out my name and my third sister's name, so they must be someone from out of town.

"Fifth Uncle, please wait a moment." Qin Xueru quickly went back to her room, put on a pair of trousers and a short-sleeved shirt.

Only after peeking through the crack in the door and confirming it was his fifth uncle did he open the door.

"Fifth Uncle, please come in and sit down. I'll pour you some water. Sister Xiuru, it's been so long! Please come in."

"Seven catties, Little Dang, call him Fifth Grandfather!"

Qin Laowu didn't stand on ceremony and took the stool that Xue Ru handed him, sitting down in the shady spot by the south wall.

Qin Huairu's small courtyard is located to the west of Yuanen Temple. Although there are no trees in the courtyard, there are quite a few large trees in Yuanen Temple, and their shadows cover most of the small courtyard.

"This awful weather is unbearably hot." As she spoke, Qin Xueru brought out a plate of watermelon and two palm-leaf fans.

"Stop looking at it, you're being too polite when you come to my side." Qin Xueru picked up a slice of watermelon and handed it to the shy Xiuru.

While eating watermelon, Qin Laowu kept talking: "Let me find it. We went to Nanluoguxiang first, but when we asked..."

I just found out you've all moved here. I have to rush back in a bit, so I won't be able to visit Yue Ru and Ning Ru. Just give them my regards.

Qin Laowu knew nothing about the sisters' situation. He hadn't told his family about Qin Huairu's divorce either. He only knew that Yue Ru and Ning Ru had gotten married, but he had no idea who they had married.

Qin Xueru politely said, "You've come all this way, why don't you stay for two nights before going back?"

Qin Laowu looked at the two main rooms and the two side rooms on the west side, and thought to himself, "These four rooms are cramped enough to house the Xue Ru and Huai Ru families."

"I won't stay here. I can't leave my house. Xiuru will be eighteen after the New Year, so she'll stay here for now. I'll find her a husband in the city. You wouldn't refuse my fifth uncle this favor, would you?"

People must stay, but the difficulties must be addressed.

If you don't get used to it, it won't just be about stuffing people in; when you ask for things, you'll get upset if you don't get enough.

Qin Xueru looked troubled: "Fifth Uncle, in a normal year, if Xiuru stayed for a year or two, I would absolutely not say a word."

But what year is this? The workers' rations have been reduced. To avoid starving, they have to buy expensive grain on the black market. Life is even worse than in our rural area!

"Xue Ru, your fifth uncle isn't blind. Look at how you look now, and then look at Xi Ru."

Qin Xueru was now embarrassed. Even if the food at home was of a lower standard, there was still enough to eat. But looking at Xiuru, a perfectly healthy young woman, all that was left was a big skeleton.

Seeing that Xue Ru was silent

Qin Laowu continued, "We are close relatives, so I won't say any more words of gratitude. Your fifth uncle is incompetent, so I can only entrust this to you, my dear niece."

"Fifth Uncle, what are you saying? Let them stay, but let me make one thing clear first!"

Upon hearing that the person had stayed, both Qin Laowu and Qin Xiuru showed joy.

"you say."

"Now every household is tightening their belts to make ends meet. Xiuru doesn't have a city household registration, and without a city household registration, she won't have a grain quota."

"I know that, Fifth Uncle, I'll remember this huge favor!"

"That's not what I meant. It's just that you can't rush Xiuru's marriage. These days, who in the city would dare to marry a woman without a grain ration?"

Qin Laowu was embarrassed by what he said and gave an awkward laugh: "Hehe, that's true. Then let Xiuru help you take care of the children and cook."

"That's all we can do, Fifth Uncle. I also want to tell you, Third Sister, Yue Ru, and Ning Ru, don't bother looking for them anymore. It's not that they don't want to help you, it's that they don't have the ability."

"If you want to marry all three of your daughters off to the city, send them to me when they turn eighteen."