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

"Hehe, since you've already solved it for me, I definitely won't bother Huai Ru and the others anymore. I had no choice but to swallow my pride..."

"Fifth Uncle, that's enough. There are no outsiders here. If you keep saying that, you're being too formal. Xiuru, could you watch the child for me? I'll go knead some dough and steam some cornbread!"

"Eighth Sister, let me do it!"

"Xue Ru, you rest, let Xi Ru do it!"

"Let's skip it today. From now on, Xiuru will cook. Don't feel bad about it, Fifth Uncle!"

"Cooking a meal? What's it to me? Which of you sisters hasn't done farm work before?"

As she spoke, Xue Ru told Xi Ru where the rice and noodles were kept. Then she brought the coal stove into the yard.

Qin Laowu ate seven steamed buns made from two different types of dough in one go.

"These pickled vegetables are really good with cornbread! Xue Ru, I'm full now, I'm leaving!"

Qin Xueru took out another fifty cents from her pocket and stuffed it into his hand.

"Fifth Uncle, I know things aren't easy for the family, so please don't take the money for the return trip!"

Qin Laowu's eyes were red-rimmed. He nodded heavily: "Yes, good boy! I'm leaving, don't see me off!"

The two sisters stood at the gate until they watched him leave the alley before Qin Xueru closed the gate.

"Xiuru, let me give you a heads-up. When they come back from get off work this afternoon, don't be surprised if you see anything. My only requirement for you is that you must keep your mouth shut. You can't tell any outsiders about our family matters, not even your parents."

Qin Xiuru was startled by Xue Ru's serious demeanor, and her large eyes even forgot to blink. She stared blankly at Qin Xue Ru.

"What's wrong? You weren't this timid before?" Qin Xueru teased.

"Eighth Sister, what you just said sounds like I've joined some secret organization! And we have to keep it a secret!"

"You'll understand tonight. Let me tell you something first: Third Sister is divorced a long time ago, but the family probably doesn't know!"

"Oh! You were doing so well, how did you end up getting a divorce?"

"Outsiders may think we're doing just fine, but living well in Beijing is much harder than back home. Everyone has their share of problems, it's just that nobody talks about it."

Qin Xiuru nodded: "That's true, Eighth Sister. I don't want to eat and stay for free. Can you help me find a way to make money?"

"I understand how you feel, but this year is different from before. In the past, all kinds of companies were hiring, so it was easier to find a job."

In the past six months or so, we've persuaded tens of thousands of people without city residency to return home. Since I've decided to keep you here...

Just stay home and help me with the housework; we don't need you to feed us.

"oh!"

As she spoke, Qin Xueru went inside to change into some cool clothes, and also found a set for Xiuru: "Change into these, we sisters are about the same size, you should be able to fit into them!"

Qin Xiuru glanced at her shorts and tank top, then took off her trousers and jacket.

"Eighth Sister, I'm wearing clothes that are too loose. When will Brother-in-law get off work?" Qin Xiuru's question meant that Niu Dazhuang should change back into his own clothes when he got off work.

"From now on, don't call him brother-in-law anymore. Just call him Big Brother Niu, like Ningru does!" After saying that, he looked at Xiuru.

"It's really loose. It's okay, it'll fit you in a month or two at most. Look how hungry you are, you're almost naked. You didn't eat enough earlier, did you? Eat some more tonight."

With her younger sister at home, Qin Xueru felt much happier. Taking care of the children was easier, and she could also talk to her. They were from the same place, so they had a lot in common to talk about.

Around 6 p.m., Ningru and Yueru returned on their bicycles. When they saw Xiuru, they showered her with kisses.

Finally, there was Qin Huairu. She took the bus home by herself.

"Don't bother looking, Dazhuang has something to do these next couple of days, so he won't be coming over." With that, he closed the door.

The five beauties were all dressed in their own way, and Xiuru, seeing that her sisters were all dressed like that, didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Xiuru was like a curious child, asking all sorts of questions. Xiuru and Ningru were only two years apart in age, and the two sisters were very close in age and had the best relationship.

The question that had been on her mind was first asked to Ningru: "Why are you and Seventh Sister living here too?"

Ningru didn't answer, but looked at Xueru first.

"Since you're staying at our house, there's no point in hiding it. Just tell the truth."

With Xue Ru's consent, Ning Ru finally spoke up: "Actually, neither my seventh sister nor I have traditionally sought to marry a man."

"Ninth Sister, what does that mean? I don't understand. If you're not married, why tell the family you're married?"

"You'll understand in time. As for telling our families we're married, it's because we don't want them constantly pressuring us to get married. It's nice to have some peace and quiet."

"Why is everyone acting so mysterious?"

"Let's have cold noodles tonight. Cold noodles rinsed in well water are so comforting!" Yue Ru said as she prepared dinner.

They set the dining table in the courtyard, ate cold noodles, and then opened a watermelon. As darkness fell, they lit the tinderbox.

Each of the five sisters had a palm-leaf fan, and they chatted idly around the dining table.

Niu Dazhuang wasn't as relaxed as them. Yu Li had been resting for almost half a year, and it would be too inappropriate for her not to go back to work soon.

Having no other choice, Niu Dazhuang had to rent another small courtyard for the two sisters in Mentougou.

Yu Haitang stopped clamoring to go home and became Yu Li's full-time nanny. Yu Li was really worried about not having someone to look after the child when she went to work.

Moving was relatively simple for Niu Dazhuang, but renting a suitable small detached house was not so easy.

It's not good if she lives too far from her workplace; it's unsafe for Yu Li to commute to and from get off work.

Niu Dazhuang had almost traveled all over Mentougou District before finally renting a relatively suitable small detached house.

It's not enough to just consider Yu Li. Soon, Bai Hongyan will also be going to work, and then we can just move in.

It took three days of effort to finally get things settled with Yu Li.

With everything arranged, a reward is of course indispensable. Yu Li and Yu Haitang are so different, not only in personality but also in physique.

Just their height difference is significant; Yu Li is petite and cute, making it very easy for Niu Dazhuang to carry her...

This is something other women can't compare to, not even Su Ting, who is relatively slender.

Yu Haitang was the tallest woman around, and also had the longest legs. Long legs make standing easier for women…

On Monday, Niu Dazhuang and Niangen went on patrol together again. By the time they reached Xidamochang, it was already past ten o'clock.

Under this blazing sun, who would want to move around? So the two of them found a shady spot to sit down.

Niu Dazhuang pulled out fifty cents: "Go buy two bottles of soda, it's unbearably hot today!"

Small favors and small gifts are the best way to unite subordinates.

After finishing his soda and returning the bottle, Niu Dazhuang consciously headed towards the gate of the Le family's old house.

This kind of large house has a draft at the main entrance.

There's shade here too, so old men and women who have nothing to do chat, sew shoe soles, play chess, and gossip about the old mansions not far away!