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

Niu Dazhuang really didn't mean to leave the gate open this time; he also didn't expect Qinling to come back at this hour.

Su Wan was already at the age where she could play in the dirt while sitting on the ground, how could she resist Niu Dazhuang's teasing...

Qin Ling, covering her mouth, slowly retreated from the courtyard. The questions buried deep in her heart had finally been answered today.

This answer is indeed quite startling. Another, even bigger question arises: is it really that intoxicating and captivating...?

Back at the threshing floor, I pretended to be nonchalant and joined the vegetable chopping team...

A big pot of pork stew with cabbage, topped with potatoes and glass noodles, tsk tsk...

Everyone had a large bowl, serving themselves food and steamed buns. As long as they didn't waste food, they could eat as much as they wanted...

There were no tables or chairs; people usually ate while squatting.

Qinling also ate two large steamed buns and a big bowl of mixed vegetables. When he got home, he deliberately coughed lightly twice outside the gate.

"Is that Xiaoling back? Go and find Chengyan." That was Su Wan's voice.

Qin Ling curled his lip, thinking to himself, "They're really addicted; it's been almost half a day, and they're still not done."

"Auntie! I just saw Chengyan. He ate four big steamed buns and a bowl of mixed vegetables. I called him, but he won't come back with me."

As he spoke, Qinling slowed his pace, showing no intention of leaving.

For some reason, Qin Ling lifted the curtain and went into the room. Seeing them hurriedly getting dressed, he felt inexplicably pleased!

Niu Dazhuang didn't panic; instead, he crawled into bed.

Even the usually elegant and composed Su Wan was now flustered, smoothing her messy hair with her hand to hide her embarrassment.

Su Ting said irritably, "You child, you're doing this on purpose. I told you to go see Cheng Yan, so just go!"

"A month later, I'll be nineteen. I remember you said that when you were my age, you were already married to my dad, so why am I still a child now!"

"You...you're being unreasonable!"

"Hmph! I'm being unreasonable, aren't I? I just caught you two having a good time, and now I'm furious! Hey! You big guy lying on the kang, don't you want to say something?"

"You brat, you don't call me 'big brother' anymore, you just call me 'big guy' now. The older you get, the less sensible you become."

"It's because I've grown up that I don't call you 'big brother' anymore. You and she have already slept together, and I don't know what to call you anymore. What do you think is appropriate for me to call you?"

"Qinling, did you drink something tonight? Why are you arguing with everyone you see? It's really hurting my feelings!"

"Hmph! You're sad? I heard you were happy just now. I'm the one who's sad. You said you were so good to me since we were little, was it because of her?"

"Damn! Your rebellious phase is going on for a while now. You're almost a wife, and you're still so rebellious. That's not good! You should avoid me for now, and I'll talk to you later."

Qinling pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Who cares about you? Even the donkey in the production team is better looking than you." After saying that, he didn't go out, but turned his back.

Qin Ling pretended to be nonchalant, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her true feelings.

Su Ting poked her head with her index finger: "You brat, what's gotten into you today?"

Su Wan guessed most of her thoughts. She was a typical young woman coming of age. Seeing the man she liked being intimate with another woman made her jealous.

Su Ting didn't want to think about it, and she was even less willing to accept this fact. She understood this better than Su Wan did.

Niu Dazhuang finished dressing: "Sister Wan, I'll eat here tonight, and I'd like to have a couple of drinks too."

"Okay, Xiaoting, come with me to cook, let them have a good chat."

The two went to the kitchen to cook.

Qinling, who had been acting like a ruffled little hen just moments before, let out a long breath and relaxed her slender waist.

"Big brother, do you still stand by what you promised me?"

"Damn, Rego, your change of attitude is too fast! What did I promise you before? I don't remember at all."

Qin Ling pouted: "Hmph! So you were lying to me all along."

"Just a heads-up?"

"Forget it, let's forget about it and start afresh!"

Niu Dazhuang was secretly pleased with himself; his emotional investment over the past few years hadn't been in vain—the reward was finally coming.

But on the surface, he pretended to be completely clueless.

"What do you mean by starting over?"

"Nothing? How are you leaving?"

"what?"

"I want to go with you!"

"That won't do. Do you even know where your classmates went?"

"Yes, I know. We correspond with each other."

"You also want to go to the countryside in Shaanxi?"

"I can't say whether I want to or not, I just want to go out and travel. It's been more than two years since I came to Niujiazhuang, and I haven't left the village."

"That's acceptable. Were you doing that on purpose just now?"

"Yes, I did it on purpose. Seeing you being so close with them made me uncomfortable."

"That won't do. You should know my family's situation! You can't be so petty!"

"That's why I need to go out and get some fresh air. I feel like I'm going to get sick from being cooped up in this little mountain village all the time."

"I said, things are very chaotic outside right now, you probably don't understand. Since you want to go out and see for yourself, that's fine."

No matter what other experiences you have, nothing beats firsthand understanding. Perhaps we've been too protective of you; it's good to experience it for yourself!

Niu Dazhuang's appearance likely changed the trajectory of Qinling's life after her father was labeled a rightist.

The person is still the same person, the appearance is still the same, but the thoughts are different.

"You go and say it for me."

"I'll tell you for me, you definitely won't be able to get out. Your mom definitely won't agree to you going out with me."

"Why? Why can she be with you, but I can't go out with you?"

"There are many ways to solve the problem, why do you have to argue with her? Your mother has had a hard time too."

If I tell you that your mother has had a tough time, you probably won't accept it. But in a few years, when you have your own children, you'll understand what it's like to be a parent.

Okay, cheer up later. We haven't eaten together in over three years!

"Yes, you're still you. Three years have passed, and I'm an adult now. I'd like to have a drink tonight too."

"I can put in a good word for you in this matter."

"Thank you, you can stay here by yourself. I'm going to cook for them." This girl has calmed down, and her intelligence has returned.

On the kang table, there were three dishes, a soup, and a pot of hot wine.

Niu Dazhuang looked around and, seeing that his son hadn't returned yet, asked, "Sister Wan, where's Chengyan? Aren't you going to call him?"

"When you're tired of playing, you'll know to come back on your own."

"Now that the child is older, my sister has let him grow up more freely."

"Great talents cannot be cultivated in a greenhouse!"

"That's true, it's been a long time since we ate together. Everyone, fill your cups. Now that Qinling is an adult, he can try having a drink."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ling took the wine pot, filled his aunt's cup first, then Niu Dazhuang's, then Su Ting's, and finally filled his own cup...