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

Su Wan was still skeptical: "Is it as serious as you say?"

"It has surpassed, and is even worse than, others!"

Having experienced the famine of 58, Su Wan now believed him completely because he spoke with such certainty.

"Then I'll retreat immediately if I see anything amiss!"

"There's one more thing. If all goes well, I'll be going on a long trip early next year and won't be back for a year or two."

"You, you did this on purpose, didn't you? I just said I can't live without you, and now you're leaving for a year or two? No, where are you going for a year or two?" Su Wan perked up this time.

"My initial plan is to take a trip to Hong Kong Island."

"You can't stay in the mainland anymore, so you went to Hong Kong Island for a spin. Do you think Hong Kong Island is so easy to go to? You're doing just fine now, why did you go to Hong Kong Island?"

"There's an opportunity to make some money over there. I have to go."

"You weren't scammed by your relatives, were you?"

"I don't have any overseas connections."

"How did you find out about it?"

Niu Dazhuang and Shen Bian had discussed this several times, but only Su Wan had thought of it.

"Never mind that, I have to go anyway."

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Um"

"So you just wanted to let me know!"

"That's one way to understand it."

"Then what else can I say? Go to sleep."

The next morning, Su Wan not only ate twice-cooked pork, but also a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast.

"You're crazy! Is our excellent boss not at work today?"

"Go ahead, it's okay to take sick leave occasionally. You're going to be away for over a year, so make sure you come back often before you leave."

Su Wan wasn't the only one with this need; everyone knew Niu Dazhuang was going to be gone for so long, so they were desperately trying to get what they wanted.

Finally, I have to tell the old man that swinging a sledgehammer every day is only possible because Niu Dazhuang learned Tibetan secret techniques; otherwise, he really couldn't have endured it.

What Niu Dazhuang least expected was Chen Xia from his hometown.

When he heard that Niu Dazhuang hadn't returned for a year or two, he was initially taken aback, but remained remarkably calm, at least outwardly.

But things changed at night; things became even more chaotic than Su Wan's.

The large millstone in the production team spun for half the night again...

Niu Dazhuang had another important matter to attend to upon his return: all his women had come back, and supplies had to be adequately prepared.

He had both space and money, so he needed to prepare food, coal, and firewood while the old house was still unoccupied.

Living halfway up the mountain is great in every way except that it's difficult to transport things uphill.

Niu Dazhuang first put more than 30 tons of smokeless coal into the cave behind the house. There was also a lot of grain in the space, which he also stored at home.

In winter, the main problem in the north is heating. Once that problem is solved, everything else is easier to manage. Although resources are not abundant now, you can buy things if you have money and ration coupons.

It's just that living in the mountains is inconvenient.

The next evening, after eating, Niu Dazhuang didn't immediately go to bed with Chen Xia, but instead went to find Dashan.

Now, Niu Dashan has taken over Niu Youcao's role and become the team leader and head of Niujiazhuang.

As soon as I entered, I put the thousand yuan I had prepared on the dining table.

This completely baffled Niu Dashan.

"Brother Dazhuang, what are you doing?"

"These past two years, I've had some extra money. Find a place and build three rooms for our village to keep those little brats who only know how to play around naked. Apply to the brigade and see if they can send a teacher over."

"You scared me! Is that all? It's something that benefits everyone. Everyone contributed their labor to building the house; it shouldn't cost that much money."

"Then put it in the team's account, and lend it to whichever family is in need first."

"Don't you know the situation in our village? It's pretty much the same everywhere!"

"Then you can arrange it as you see fit. I won't take it back. There's something else I need to tell you. My husband will be back in a couple of days. There will be at least seven women and six or seven children. They'll all be staying at my old house. You'll have to take care of them."

"So many? Are you staying for a while, or...?"

"We've lived here for at least three or four years. You don't need to worry about the food; we'll pay for it ourselves. Just tell Deshui tomorrow, and I won't make a special trip."

"Oh, is that so? You're not coming back?"

"I have something to do and need to go on a long trip."

I also need to tell you something: things will be very chaotic outside next year. No matter how chaotic it is, you must stand up to any outsiders who try to enter your territory, even if it means resorting to force.

We can't let outsiders in either. Including women. You see the situation; if it's not feasible, send someone to stand guard at the village entrance.

"Is it that serious?"

"Maybe so. It won't hurt to be better prepared. We use bullets all the time in our village anyway."

"Hehe, now the money you gave me will come in handy. I'll send someone to buy more hunting shotguns tomorrow..."

"If there are any women here who are using my name, you can let them in and take good care of them for me."

That's all I can think of for now. We'll come back for Chinese New Year this year, and I'll tell you more details then.

"You little rascal, in such a hurry to get back to bed!"

"Hehe, you bet, it's so warm in bed."

Niu Dashan was just teasing him on purpose.

"Hey, Dazhuang, what do you think? My sister-in-law is back. What if she and Chen Xia get into a fight? Whom should I take?"

"They're both sensible women; they definitely won't fight!"

"What if?"

"Just in case, I'm leaving!"

"Haha...it's so much easier to have a woman at home."

When Niu Dazhuang returned, Chen Xia had already put the child to sleep and prepared hot water...

Niu Dazhuang returned to work the next morning.

This year, Bai Hongyan transferred Yu Li back from Mentougou, and Yu Li is now in the logistics department.

He frequently interacted with Qin Huairu.

Both women were intelligent, and from the way the other looked at Niu Dazhuang and the tone of her voice, they could tell that something was going on between them.

Now, the only people in the company who can get Niu Dazhuang to work overtime are Yu Li, as Bai Hongyan and Qin Huairu are both pregnant.

This guy is really addicted. Last night, even though it was just Chen Xia, Niu Dazhuang wasn't satisfied, and by noon he was already entangled with Yu Li again.

"Next time you get out of another woman's bed, can you at least tidy yourself up first? Look, there's still a long hair here."

"I'm going to your place tonight to give Haitang a good dressing down."

"What did Haitang do to upset you this time? She's been behaving quite well lately!"

"I'm leaving for a year or two. I'm afraid she might act impulsively and do something reckless with them. I want to give her a heads-up."

"What kind of vaccination can last for one or two years? You're really funny. Oh..."

"Then you'd better keep an eye on him for me."

"When are you leaving?"

"Let's do it next spring."

"If you get her pregnant, once she has a child, her heart won't wander anymore."

"When I was her age, I already had a second child. I don't know what you're waiting for. Are you trying to kill me? Be gentle..."

"Yes, that's a good idea. Let's do it tonight."

"Um……"