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

Niu Dazhuang hugged Su Wan from behind again: "Don't be jealous. You have your beauty, and she has her good points. I treat them both equally!"

"Who cares about being jealous of her? But I'm warning you, don't do those kinds of things in the office. If someone catches you doing it, it won't be good for either of you."

"Hehe, we've spent quite a bit of time in the office too..."

"I'm doing this for your own good, why are you like this? Ugh, your paws are so cold... Waaah..."

It was almost noon when Niu Dazhuang finally left Su Wan's office, looking rather dejected.

Whether Niu Dazhuang is promoted to deputy section chief or not, he really doesn't care at all. Even if he is promoted to deputy section chief, he will still be doing the same thing. His salary and benefits will also increase by one level. This job is no longer on Niu Dazhuang's mind. Every month after he receives his work pay, he hands it all over to Qin Xueru.

However, being promoted to deputy section chief has its advantages; I might get a private office.

Niu Dazhuang is someone who likes new things but doesn't dislike the old.

With Tan Yali's support, she went back that day and called off her engagement with Xu Damao.

A few days later, a small courtyard was built for Lou Xiao'e next to Beihai Lake.

It's not far from Nanluoguxiang, and while I was taking a walk after dinner, Niu Dazhuang came over. He's been coming over a bit too often.

Lou Xiao'e's body withstood the strain, and she even tried to shoo people away.

"Why are you here again? I'm not fully recovered yet. If you keep bothering me, I'll need another two or three days to recover."

"Time is short, and the task is heavy. Didn't your mommy say how many babies I have in three years depends on my own abilities!"

"You're already past your prime, and at this rate, not to mention three years, you'll wear me out in three months! How am I supposed to have a baby then?"

Niu Dazhuang pulled the person into his arms.

"Who can blame me when my Xiao'e is so charming? She's intelligent, beautiful, and has such a stunning figure!"

"You've got a mouth that can charm you to death, you're so good at talking." Lou Xiao'e's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter again.

"Why isn't your mommy coming over? Ouch! Why are you pinching me?"

"I know what you're thinking. Give me some face, will you?"

"Fine, pretend I didn't say anything."

The two were snuggling together when Tan Yali entered through the gate, carrying a basket in one hand and a jar of wine in the other, her face beaming. She knew Niu Dazhuang would definitely come tonight.

Another issue is Xiao'e's meals.

Everything else was fine, but neither she nor Lou Xiao'e had much experience in the kitchen, so eating became the main problem.

Now I'm afraid to spend money even if I have it.

Hiring a cook isn't suitable. Having the restaurant deliver every day is even less suitable.

They had no choice but to learn to do it themselves. Another reason why Niu Dazhuang ran over here every day was to help Xiao'e heat the kang (a heated brick bed) and watch the coal stove.

I'm really afraid that this silly woman might accidentally get gas poisoning tonight.

Don't let Tan Yali's family background and worldly experience fool you; if she really got into trouble, well...

When she saw her mother arrive, Lou Xiao'e broke free from Niu Dazhuang's clutches, her chubby little face flushed.

She said shyly, "Don't try to get me drunk tonight, or my head will hurt the next day!"

"Okay, then you drink it yourself."

"Sigh! Why are you so greedy!" Lou Xiao'e asked resentfully.

"It's not that I'm greedy, it's just..."

"What is it?" Tanya entered the room at that moment.

"Fine, I was greedy."

Don't underestimate these old-fashioned drinking tricks; they really work! When you're drunk and your head's spinning, you'll do things you wouldn't normally dare to say or do, fueled by alcohol.

A mouse, drunk, grabbed a brick and challenged a cat to a fight! That's the allure of alcohol...

In winter, there are no cicadas chirping outside, but there are crickets chirping inside.

Crickets, unlike cicadas, don't chirp loudly or carry far in the summer, but it's quite interesting to see two crickets, one big and one small, competing in singing folk songs...

Around 10 p.m., Niu Dazhuang returned to the courtyard house, completely satisfied.

The dinner party here is over, but the Su family's dinner party is waiting.

When Grandma Su saw that this silly boy had come again around 10 o'clock, she skillfully took out four wads of cotton and gently plugged Qinling's ears, and then plugged her precious nephew's ears as well.

Old Mrs. Su saw things very clearly. Ever since she arrived, she has prevented Xiao Qinling and Niu Dazhuang from getting close.

Having lived through the old society, she had seen it all before—how could a stepfather like that get involved with his stepdaughter?

Qinling and Niu Dazhuang are not related by blood. Qinling was a little girl for two years and grew up for three. In the blink of an eye, Qinling has become a young woman.

Judging from Old Mrs. Su's perspective, Qin Ling's trust and admiration for this bad man were so great that he didn't even need to use his wits to win over the young girl.

That won't do, so as long as Grandma Su stays here for one day, Niu Dazhuang won't be able to say another word to Qin Ling.

Qinling will be fourteen by the New Year, right in the middle of puberty. The more adults don't want her to do something, the more enthusiastic she becomes.

Qin Ling believes that since moving to the courtyard house, her mother has stopped looking worried and is now cheerful all the time, as if she has returned to those happy times.

My older brother is very good to me, often giving me a piece of candy. In particular, he's more generous with my allowance than my own mother.

If I was bullied at school, as long as I told the older boy, the boy who bullied me would come to apologize with a bruised and swollen face within three days.

When I asked my older brother, he still wouldn't admit it was him. He's such a good person, why doesn't Grandma want me to be friends with him...?

It was past 1 a.m., and Niu Dazhuang didn't go back. He just slept there with women on either side of him.

It was only a little past six in the morning when Grandma Su got up to cook, making a lot of noise with the clattering of pots and pans.

Su Ting couldn't resist any longer, so she got dressed and came to the room.

He patiently said, "Mom, why bother? You can't break us up. It's been years, why are you still holding a grudge?"

"How could I dare! Children grow up and are no longer under their fathers' control. You're both over thirty, you should walk your own paths and not regret it. Xiaoting, I want to bring both children back to live with us."

"Mom, you know what my two sisters-in-law are like. Bringing them home to live is just asking for trouble!"

Grandma Su made up her mind, tugged at Su Ting's sleeve, and Su Ting bent down and brought her mouth close to the old lady's lips.

"Let me tell you, Xiaoling isn't a little girl anymore. If she finds out something, it won't be good for her. Also, don't let her get too close to any men. Xiaoling is going through puberty, and she's very active. What if..."

Su Ting hadn't expected this at all, and muttered to herself, "No way!"

"It's best if it doesn't happen, just in case. I've seen this kind of thing quite a few times before."

"Xiaoling doesn't listen to me anymore, but she tells Dazhuang everything. She's much closer to me than to me."

"Exactly! If things continue like this, it'll be disastrous!"

Su Ting couldn't accept it for a moment; Qin Ling and Da Zhuang had that kind of relationship!

Su Ting didn't dare to think any further; the hairs on her body stood on end. Her heart began to race.

"Mom, what do you suggest we do?"

"The best solution is to prevent them from seeing each other in the future. Things should be much better when Xiaoling finds a boyfriend in a few years."

Grandma Su's words were very appropriate; she said things should be much better, and it's not impossible!