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

"Then have your mom bring you more money!"

"My mom is so stingy. She won't give me a single penny. She says that it's already a great favor that the school is giving us subsidies and that I don't have to send any money home."

"Hey, you little rascal, you've learned to tattle now. How come your monthly allowance of 22 yuan isn't enough to eat?"

Today's college students are the pride of heaven, not only are their tuition and accommodation fees waived, but they also receive a monthly stipend of more than 20 yuan.

Most college students not only don't spend a penny during a semester, but can even save some money to help their families.

Those who excel academically and receive scholarships accumulate even more savings.

In this day and age, 22 yuan a month is indeed a lot when you eat at school.

"Xiao Rui, do you have a girlfriend?" Niu Dazhuang asked.

Niu Chengrui quickly shook his head: "No, no, the school has a clear rule against dating! If you get caught, you'll be expelled."

"Then you've started saving up your own secret stash," Niu Dazhuang said confidently.

Upon hearing that her son had secretly saved money, Chen Xia grabbed his ear and said, "Well, well! You're already being cunning before you're even married!"

Niu Dazhuang thoroughly enjoyed this family atmosphere, watching the mother and son bicker with a smile!

"Dad! Dad! Please put in a good word for me! Ouch... Mom's hitting me so hard! It hurts like hell!"

"Alright, that's enough with the lesson."

Just then, the little girl, Niu Hezhen, lifted the curtain and offered her help: "Mom, my brother tricked me out of my allowance last month!"

"You're so clever, so clever! I didn't manage to fool you!"

"Having that motive is unacceptable!"

Niu Chengrui said with a long face, "I can't stay at this place anymore!"

"You've grown wings, haven't you?"

"Alright, alright, loosen up first." Niu Dazhuang started to smooth things over.

This time, Chen Xia let go. "Tell me honestly, did you save the money secretly, or did you spend it?"

Niu Chengrui looked at Niu Dazhuang with pleading eyes.

"Chen Xia, I need to talk to my son. Please excuse me for a moment!"

"Let's talk, why are you afraid I'll hear?" Chen Xia listened to Niu Dazhuang's words.

"Come on, girl, let's go back inside and let the father and son talk."

"Let's go to your room!"

Under the south window of the east room, there was a writing desk. Niu Dazhuang sat in the chair and glanced at the stack of books on the desk.

Just as he was about to randomly pick out a book to look at, Niu Chengrui stopped him: "Dad, don't go through my things without permission."

"Okay, do you need my support?"

"Hey Dad, can you lend me some money?"

"You haven't been saving up any money?"

"No!"

"So where did you spend your money? Did you really eat it all?"

Niu Chengrui scratched the back of his head shyly: "No, I was just helping someone out!"

"Anyone who helps out? Do any of your classmates not receive subsidies?"

"No, it's...it's that she needs to save as much money as possible to take it home. Her family is from Shaanxi..."

"You just said that your school strictly prohibits dating, right?"

"We're not dating, and I've helped more than just her; I've helped quite a few of my roommates too. It's just that she's the one who's most pitiful."

Niu Dazhuang stood up and patted him on the shoulder: "Son, I approve of your kind heart and willingness to help others. But don't let people take advantage of you."

Many people don't deserve pity. So, when school starts, stop helping them and see how they react.

"What do you mean?"

"Son, do as I say first. Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles is not as good as meeting countless people. Human nature is something you must slowly ponder!"

"Come talk to me again after school starts. I'll give you whatever amount you want then! If you don't do as I say, not only will you not get any money from me, but I'll also have your mom get the school subsidy for you!"

"oh!"

"You're a college student now, stop spending all your time just reading books. Participate in more social activities at school, and go out and have fun with your brothers when you get home!"

"Ah! Dad, can't I have any time for myself? You should go find Mom!" With that, she pushed Niu Dazhuang out of her room.

"Am I really getting old and becoming more of a chatterbox?" He subconsciously touched the stubble on his chin.

Niu Dazhuang lifted the curtain and entered the west room, but was still criticized: "Dad, you have to knock before you go in, especially before a boy enters a girl's room."

Niu Dazhuang angrily pushed him out again and knocked on the door: "Can you come in now?"

"You'd better not come in. I need to do my homework. You and Mom should both leave!"

The two sat in the middle of the main room, looking at each other.

"Perfect timing! You can move again next spring. I've bought the entire alley where Xue Ru and the others live now and will pick out a courtyard for you. It'll be a two-courtyard house, so each of them will have their own room, saving them from complaining."

"That's the only way. I've already tidied up the west wing; let's go stay there..."

"Just stay here like this? Get me some wine, and you can have a couple of sips with me."

"There's a stove in the west room, I'll go get it for you."

Chen Xia was bending over, her big butt sticking out, frying eggs for Niu Dazhuang...

"It's burnt, it's burnt! Are you still going to drink or not?!"

"Dumplings and wine, the more you drink, the better..."

"Where did these dumplings come from? We haven't even had a drink yet, and there are already so many."

"..."

"You silly goose, you really know how to make connections..."

February 16, 1980, the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year

The snow at the base of the south wall of Niujia Hutong (formerly Shajing Hutong) had not yet melted, and snowflakes began to fall again.

A jeep was parked at the entrance of the alley.

A man in his thirties wearing a gray Zhongshan suit got out of the jeep and looked at the dozen or so gates. Each gate was decorated with festive couplets and the character "福" (fortune).

I checked each house one by one, and when I saw one with a locked door, I moved on to the next. It wasn't until I was almost at the end of the alley that I found a house with an unlocked door.

Snap. Snap snap...

Ten minutes or so passed, and no one had opened the door yet.

They could only keep knocking. Half an hour passed, and still no one came to open the door. The man, freezing, started rubbing his hands and stamping his feet.

Looking at my watch, it's almost eight o'clock. I don't have time to think about it now.

He knocked harder and shouted, "Comrade Niu Dazhuang! Open the door!..."

Finally, someone in the courtyard spoke up: "Who is it?" It was a woman.

"I'm from the Municipal Office, Mayor Bai's secretary, here to pick up Comrade Niu Dazhuang."

The door creaked open.

"Who are you?" Qin Meiru asked.

"The secretary of Mayor Bai Hongjun was the one who picked up Comrade Niu Dazhuang for the banquet."

"You're not kidding me, are you? When did my husband ever meet the mayor?"

"Comrade, go back and ask Comrade Niu Dazhuang. That will tell you whether I'm lying or not. Please hurry up."

"Oh, then please wait a moment."

On the night of the 29th of the lunar year, there is a custom of staying up all night. The whole family eats the New Year's Eve dinner in a lively atmosphere. The children stay up until about 10 o'clock, then get sleepy, and the older ones lead the younger ones back to their rooms to sleep.