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

"Let's skip it tonight. What if Meiru can't resist? Her second uncle's family might overhear. Don't let his cheerful demeanor fool you; he can be ruthless when it comes to getting back at someone!"

"We beat kids in my hometown too, but I've never seen it done this badly. Outsiders would think that Auntie Er didn't control her pants back then, as if Guangtian and Guangfu weren't her own children!" Qin Xueru's words were quite harsh.

"He's so cruel to his own son, just imagine what would happen if he got hold of something against our family!"

"Yes, yes, better safe than sorry. Why don't you go to Third Sister's place tomorrow night? If you don't win Meiru over, she'll still have some doubts!"

In two years, we'll bring Jingru to our home too, so my fifth uncle won't accuse me of favoritism. Then the seven of us sisters will be able to share both good times and bad! Meiru, are you alright? Come in and chat."

Meiru entered shyly with her head down.

"Why are you shy? You're not usually like this."

"Eighth Sister, I'm a little embarrassed!"

"Hehe, that's normal, there are many like Lao Qi."

Qin Meiru held Xue Ru's hands and asked curiously, "Eighth Sister, tell me quickly, what was Seventh Sister's reaction back then..."

"She's such a show-off; she even went out for a couple of drinks halfway through..."

"You two sisters chat, I'm going out for a walk."

"Remember what I just told you!" Qin Xueru was still worried.

Niu Dazhuang waved his hand, indicating that he understood.

From the backyard to the middle yard, Su Ting's family was still burning candles. This was highly unusual.

When I opened the door, I saw that Qinling's eyes were red and swollen from crying.

"What's wrong? Who bullied you? Tell me, and I'll teach them a lesson tomorrow!"

Niu Dazhuang's question had a significant impact; Qin Ling suddenly stood up, hugged Niu Dazhuang's waist, and started sobbing again.

Niu Dazhuang was also anxious and quickly asked Su Ting, who was standing next to him, "What's going on?"

Su Ting sighed and said, "It's all because of that damned Qin Youyang. He got labeled a rightist himself and dragged his child down with him."

Niu Dazhuang understood most of it: "Xiaoling didn't get into the art school she longed for?"

"It would be better if I didn't pass the exam; if I did, I might have failed the background check."

Niu Dazhuang was at a loss for what to do, so he could only pat Qin Ling on the back and comfort her, "Xiao Ling, don't cry. Whether you want to learn to sing or to perform opera, it's fine. It's their loss if the school doesn't accept us."

"If you really want to learn, I can use my connections to get you a mentor. A teacher will teach you one-on-one; isn't that better than going to some art school?"

"Waaah... It's not that I absolutely have to learn to sing. My grades aren't bad either, and I can get into a regular junior high school. It's just that I'm so angry. Why is it that my dad is labeled a rightist, but I'm not?"

"Alright, stop crying. Your eyes are all red and swollen like peaches. Go wash your face. Next Sunday, I'll take you hiking and we'll drink iced soda..."

"I'm not going, it's unbearably hot. Just buy me an ice-cold soda instead!"

Qin Ling washed his face, and the three of them went into the inner room. Su Ting used a palm-leaf fan to fan them.

"I wasn't kidding you. If you really want to learn to sing or perform opera, I really can find a way."

"I work in a song and dance troupe, yet you know fewer people in this industry than I do?"

"Hehe, that's true! This reminds me, Xiaoling, when you go to a regular middle school and get to the second year of junior high, which is the year after next, 65, remind me that there is something very important."

Su Ting, the child can't remember, so could you help me remember some things, and I'll try to remember some too.

"What is it? Can't you say it now?"

"It's not the right time yet. Xiaoling, let me tell you, don't hate your own father. He didn't want things to be this way either. As individuals, we can't change anything. The environment is what it is, and you can only accept it."

Whether you cry or laugh, you're accepting it, so why not be kinder to yourself? Think more positively, things will get better...

"Big brother, what you've said makes me hungry. I want to eat bread tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll buy it for you tomorrow..." Niu Dazhuang was always willing to grant Qin Ling's requests.

Seeing how well the two got along, Su Ting was happy.

At twelve or thirteen years old, she wasn't very old. She had cried and made a fuss, and she was tired. It was getting late, and after talking for a short while, Qinling yawned: "You guys go to that room. I'm fine now, I want to sleep."

"You...you knew all about it?" Su Ting stammered.

"I'm not stupid, and I'm not deaf!"

"Xiaoling, you're not mad at your mother, are you?"

"No way, isn't it great as it is? I have an older brother who loves and cares for me, and you have a wonderful man. It's the best of both worlds!"

"You little rascal, you're not that old, but you know a lot." Niu Dazhuang patted her head affectionately.

Little Qinling made a face at Niu Dazhuang: "I'm going to sleep!"

Su Ting first rolled her eyes at Niu Dazhuang, then pinched him as the two approached, muttering under her breath, "It's all your fault, it's always like the endless nagging in Jiangnan..."

"Yes, all the bad things happen to me, but I never get any of the good things. Why is my life so miserable!"

Playing around in small ways has its own kind of charm...

Niu Dazhuang usually wouldn't stay overnight at Su Ting's house. There are so many people in the yard, some even getting up at four or five in the morning. It wouldn't be good if someone saw him.

On my way home, I inevitably passed by Xu Damao's house. I subconsciously glanced at his door.

Why was it moved aside? Did Ding Qiunan forget to lock the door?

Niu Dazhuang's legs gave way, and he stood at the doorway, calling out softly, "Da Mao..."

There was no response. I listened with my ear turned to the side, but apart from Xu Damao's snoring, there was no other sound.

Niu Dazhuang squatted down and looked again in the direction of Liu Haizhong's house to the east. He didn't see anyone. He looked at Old Lady Long's window, but didn't find anything either.

He crouched down and slipped into Xu Damao's house. He had completely forgotten Xue Ru's instructions.

How could we give up halfway through? Ding Qiunan had already drunk the medicinal wine. This final sliver of effort was all that was left…

Although this situation is similar to Lou Xiao'e's, the formality outweighs the enjoyment, let's get the first kill first first.

But it was different; back then, Lou Xiao'e's boudoir was always empty except for her…

The next morning, Ding Qiunan woke up, turned her head and looked at the people who were still sleeping soundly, their breath still smelling of alcohol.

She immediately realized something was wrong. She was a medical student; she knew this basic common sense: a man cannot perform sexually when completely intoxicated…

He was completely drunk, not half-drunk and half-awake.

But the pain in her body was real. Ding Qiunan's mind raced, and she immediately thought of a possibility: an outsider had taken advantage of the situation.

"Wait a minute, I didn't drink that much, how did I get so drunk?" He shook his head, trying hard to recall what happened last night...

I started thinking about toasting last night and it's still going on until tonight, when I go to bed...