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

Lou Xiao'e's waist-length cotton-padded jacket was stretched taut by her graceful figure, and Tan Yali beside her was even more so.

Both of them had a smirk on their faces as they watched Niu Dazhuang rush after them.

Tan Yali pretended not to know him and asked in a serious tone, "Comrade, do we know each other?"

Niu Dazhuang was stunned by the question. What the hell? Could it be that she really didn't recognize me? That shouldn't be the case.

The look in his eyes just now meant he definitely recognized me.

"Gentlemen, may I speak to you in private?"

Lou Xiao'e couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Where are we going?"

"People's Park isn't far from here, let's go for a walk inside."

"It's freezing cold, and we don't want to go ice skating. Why go to People's Park? It's too crowded and noisy!" Tan Yali disagreed.

"Where do you want to go?"

"If you have something to say, just say it. If not, we'll head back." Tan Yali's move was brilliant. You usually make us anxious, but today it'll be your turn to be anxious.

"No, there's so much I can't say here!"

"Do we know each other? What's there to be shy about?" Tan Yali stopped Xiao'e from speaking, wanting to put Dazhuang in a difficult position. Otherwise, wouldn't it seem too casual?

Who is Niu Dazhuang? He's shameless! Not only was he not angry, but he grinned widely and said, "My two ladies, I was wrong, okay? Please give me a chance."

Hearing this, Tan Yali's expression softened. She looked around and said calmly, "We have a vacant house near the back gate of People's Park."

"Hehe, got it. I'll go first and wait for you at the back door!"

Watching Niu Dazhuang's disappearing figure,

Lou Xiao'e asked, "Mommy, we recognized him. Can we make him return all the things he stole from our house?"

"Foolish! As the saying goes, to catch a thief red-handed, you need to catch an adulterer in the act. What will you do if he denies it?"

Also, his medicine is so potent that it's impossible to guard against it; you can use it for stealing, or even to kill someone and cover your tracks. Remember, no matter what, staying alive is the most important thing.

These words startled Lou Xiao'e. "Oh," she said, then secretly glanced at Tan Yali's expression and cautiously asked, "So, I don't have to marry Xu Damao?"

"Didn't you see him playing with the child? Do you want to be a mistress?"

"Anyway, I don't like that long face!"

Tan Yali walked ahead without saying a word for a long time, while Lou Xiao'e followed silently behind. They were almost at the back gate of People's Park.

Tan Yali suddenly stopped: "Xiao'e, this isn't like before Liberation."

Lou Xiao'e was not willing to accept this fate, and she might have resigned herself to it before she even recognized Niu Dazhuang.

I've been comparing Niu Dazhuang and Xu Damao in my mind all the way here, and the more I compare them, the more unwilling I feel...

Others may not know how much a quarter of the Lou family's wealth is, but Lou Xiao'e knows very well, including what Ma Xingbang's family had a few years ago...

Putting everything else aside, the dividends from the public-private partnership alone were enough for several ordinary workers to earn in a lifetime. And there were gold bars too…

The three met again, and Niu Dazhuang greeted them with a smile: "Sister Yali, Xiao'e. Which way do we go next?"

Tanya Li also changed her attitude and responded with a smile: "You investigated us quite thoroughly, you even found out my maiden name."

"Hehe! Everyone has their own expertise. I didn't use such a strong drug back then, so I wasn't afraid of being recognized by you."

"Alright, stop talking. Aren't you afraid of being overheard?"

After walking for another twenty minutes or so in a dull manner, the three of them entered a large courtyard next to Beihai Lake.

The person inside opened the door a crack, and only after confirming it was Tanya Li did they open the side door.

Niu Dazhuang cursed inwardly, thinking that Lou Bancheng, that old fox, was too cunning. Putting aside everything else, just look at this big courtyard in front of him. Although it couldn't reach the level of a prince's mansion, it was definitely at the level of a prince.

This one big courtyard, placed in the reform and opening-up policy, wow...

"Old Wu, you can go now, this is none of your business."

After Old Wu, the gatekeeper, walked away, Tan Yali said, "We don't know anything about you, aren't you going to introduce us?"

"His name is Niu Dazhuang. It's a family heirloom! You'll see the rest in the courtyard house."

"You're quite strong. Da Zhuang, our two families have no recent conflicts or long-standing grudges. We don't intend to pursue what you've done..."

"Then thank you for your generosity, Sister Yali."

"Let me finish. We may not care about money, but Xiao'e is my only daughter. Her happiness is what I care about most. Do you understand?"

Niu Dazhuang had considered many possible outcomes, but he had never considered this situation. He didn't know how to respond for a moment, and finally he could only bite the bullet and say, "I'm married, and I have a bunch of kids."

"Hmph! I know you men all too well. Which one of you isn't always looking for something better than what you have?"

"Is Xiao'e willing to be a concubine?"

"It seems you and your first wife have a very deep relationship! See this yard? If you agree, you two can move in together."

"Sister Yali, I'm not so lucky. Don't you see how society is these days? The poorer you are, the more glorious you are. Living in this courtyard isn't enjoying life, it's like being roasted on a fire!"

"You're just going to stand by and watch your woman marry another man? Sleep with another man?" As expected of an old hand, he immediately hit Niu Dazhuang's sore spot.

Niu Dazhuang cursed inwardly, realizing he was still too young and lacked experience.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

Instead of answering the question directly, Tan Yali changed the subject: "How much do you know about Xiao'e's father?"

"You mean, Lou Bancheng's first wife and son?" Niu Dazhuang asked tentatively.

"It seems your family has been keeping an eye on the Lou family for more than just the last two years; you even know about things before Liberation!"

Niu Dazhuang secretly gloated, "My family is almost all dead, all because I read a lot of online novels before I transmigrated!"

So brothers, read more online novels when you have free time. Maybe one day God will give us such an opportunity!

Tan Yali was reminiscing about events from many years ago. For a moment, none of the three spoke. Niu Dazhuang didn't say anything, but he was busy making faces at Lou Xiao'e.

Lou Xiao'e's lips curled up in a smile as she looked at Niu Dazhuang with amusement in her eyes. In her heart, Lou Xiao'e prayed that this man would change her fate and turn bad things into good.

Fate is so cruel. Logically speaking, after being bullied by this scoundrel, I should hate him, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

Not only could I not hate her, I even felt a little anticipation and a bit of liking her. Women are such strange creatures.

After a long while, Tan Yali finally came to her senses from her memories of the past: "Dazhuang, I only had a few years of comfortable life after Liberation."

You have no idea how difficult it is to be a mistress. Back then, I was extremely obsequious and fawned over that old woman.

This time, she made me give birth to Xiao'e, my only daughter. It's not that I can't have more children, it's that she won't let me...

Today, Tanya poured out all the grievances she had suffered over the years, and even shed a few tears when she got emotional...