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

The two sisters snuggled into the same bed: "Xueru, it's not that I want to help, it's just that you've never lived in a tenement before. If there's any noise in one house, the whole compound will know within five minutes. But don't worry, I'll help keep an eye on things."

"That's true. If you help with cooking all the time, people will definitely gossip," Qin Xueru suddenly thought of a problem.

She asked shyly, "Then doesn't that mean we can't speak freely anymore?"

Qin Huairu could tell from her tone and expression what she meant. "That's right. I don't know if other tenements have different customs, but where I live, there's a habit of eavesdropping."

My mother-in-law lives in the outer room, so she has to do everything secretly. It's not as convenient as it is in our rural area!

"Yeah, I guess I'm not in a hurry to go. Sis, how do you manage to keep quiet at home?"

"Well... Xue Ru, not every man is as valiant as Da Zhuang. Anyway, your brother-in-law is no good. He's weak and loves to play around. I haven't even had a chance to react yet, and he's already preparing for the next round."

"Hehe... that's bad enough. Just share it with Dazhuang, so I don't get hurt when you're not around."

"Don't take your good fortune for granted. I envy you, getting all that hammering and chiseling from Dazhuang. You'll feel even less for your brother-in-law when you get home."

"Dazhuang went there, didn't he? Go find him when you have time. If you feed him well, he won't have any other wicked thoughts."

"You're quite generous. Didn't you just say that if there's any noise in the courtyard, the neighbors will hear it? Da Zhuang's place is separated from an old lady by only one wall. That old lady doesn't work, so she doesn't have any free time!"

"What should we do then?"

"What can we do? Just hold it in!"

"City life is so tiring!"

"Alright, lie down a little longer. I need to get up quickly; Dazhuang should be back soon!"

"Okay, sister, you can come again if you have the chance! I won't see you off." Qin Xueru really wanted to find a sister to share a bed with at this moment. She had been flying for too long last night, and she was still feeling weak and limp all over this morning.

Qin Huairu got up and sat on the kang for a long time without getting off.

"Hehe...Sis, I thought you were more capable than me, turns out you can't even get out of bed!"

"Don't you know what your man's assets are? No normal woman could handle that."

"Weren't you free the day before yesterday?"

"You little rascal, I was just trying to keep it a secret before the New Year because I was afraid you'd find out and it'd be embarrassing! Besides, I've had kids before, I'm definitely more resilient than you!"

At that moment, Niu Dazhuang shouted from the gate, "Let's go!"

"How can he still be so energetic! He's a real monster." Qin Huairu said, suppressing her emotions, and swayed as she went out.

He got on the donkey cart as soon as he left: "Auntie, please sit inside, the road must be difficult." In front of Niu Deshui, this was the only way he could address Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu sat in the middle of the donkey cart, while Niu Deshui and Niu Dazhuang sat on either side of the front of the cart, their legs dangling outside.

On the mountain road, if you encounter a mud pit, you have to get off and walk a few steps. Sometimes, two people are needed to push the donkey cart to get through.

After a bumpy journey of nearly two hours, we finally arrived in Changping County.

"Deshui, let's not go into town. If we linger there, you'll be back too late!"

"Yes, I brought some dry rations."

"shelf……"

The rest of the road was clear, although there were some potholes, it was much easier to travel than the mountain roads.

Before noon, we could see the front gate tower.

Walking east along Qianmen Street for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you'll reach Dongjiaomin Lane.

It wasn't far from the train station, so Niu Dazhuang parked his donkey cart under a wine shop sign.

"Auntie, wait a moment, let me explain things, then we'll go back together."

Qin Huairu's legs were numb from sitting on the donkey cart, so she asked Niu Dazhuang to help her off the cart so she could walk around a bit.

Following the original owner's memories, Niu Dazhuang led Niu Deshui into the tavern.

In 1957, He Yongqiang had already divorced Xu Huizhen. Xu Huizhen was raising her child alone and still had to run a small tavern to make money.

Around noon, when the tavern was busiest, Niu Dazhuang saw Cai Quanwu helping to clear the tables as soon as he entered.

When Xu Huizhen saw that guests had arrived, she quickly came out from behind the counter to greet them.

"Sister Huizhen, this is Niu Dazhuang from Niujiazhuang."

"Hey, who do we have here? You're just in time. I was just about to deliver a message to you. Cai Quanwu, keep an eye on things for me." After saying that, he went back to the back alone.

Niu Dazhuang pulled the donkey cart around the tavern and went to the backyard.

"Sister Huizhen, I won't send you wine anymore. He'll send it to you."

"Oh, is that so! Sigh, I wonder if my little tavern will even be able to stay open." Xu Huizhen sighed.

"Why are you so busy?" Niu Dazhuang asked knowingly.

"Brother Dazhuang, you really know how to talk. After the New Year, the neighborhood committee aunties talked to me about public-private partnerships. You know, I just have this little tavern, not a big restaurant like Quanjude."

We can't make much money each day. If we merge with the state and take half, how will my daughter and I survive?

Niu Dazhuang glanced at the young woman who was still breastfeeding her child. She looked much younger than in the TV series, probably around the same age as Qin Huairu outside. Although she didn't have Qin Huairu's figure, she had her own unique charm.

"Deshui, don't just stand there like an idiot, hurry up and unload the truck. Sister Huizhen, I'll be living in Beijing from now on too. Come over for a drink tonight, and I'll give you a proper talk."

"Brother Dazhuang, your marriage is quite good. You used to be a quiet person, but this time, after only a short time since the wedding, you've been able to give me advice."

Okay, it's settled then. If your idea is good, I'll treat you to dinner tonight.

"Hehe, then it's settled." After chatting for a few minutes, Niu Deshui unloaded the wine jars from the donkey cart.

Xu Huizhen looked at the intact clay seal on the jar lid. "Three years old? Five years old?"

"Three years."

"Come on, let's go over there and settle your payment."

Niu Deshui put the money away, took the water bucket off the donkey cart, and began to fetch water for the donkey to drink.

"Deshui, once you've fed the donkey, there's a meat stall up ahead. Have a bowl of noodles before you go back. The cost will be deducted from your wine bill."

"Hehe, is this appropriate?"

"I've always done it this way, do you think it's appropriate or not? I won't wait for you anymore, Auntie, let's go back."

The two walked out of several alleys one after the other. Qin Huairu tugged at Niu Dazhuang's arm: "Slow down, I'm not very nimble yet. You can't wait to take me back, can you?"

Last night, the two of them finally untied the veil between their hearts, and Qin Huairu became much more casual in her speech when no one was around.

"Sis, I didn't mean that. I didn't eat much this morning, and now my stomach is about to rebel."

"What do you suggest we do from now on?"