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

"You're putting yourself in a difficult position! As for the children's marriages, I won't interfere. You can arrange it however you want, and I'll cooperate."

"You're just lazy and don't want to bother with anything. You don't even bother to pick up the sesame oil bottle if it falls over."

"The current situation in China doesn't allow for this. If it did, I could take care of ten or eight older women, and I wouldn't even have to lift a finger to eat!"

"Fine then, doing absolutely nothing, just having more breath than a dead man!"

"Hey! Qin Laoba, it's Chinese New Year's Day today, what's wrong with you? No matter what I say, it's not right."

Qin Meiru quickly chimed in, "Brother Da Niu, Eighth Sister is feeling really down because she saw that Qi Jin's marriage is going to fall through again!"

"So it's all my fault after all!"

"Yes, it's all your fault." This time, the two sisters said it in unison.

"Fine! It's all my fault, okay? If I can't beat them, I'll just avoid them." Niu Dazhuang didn't stay in bed anymore and started getting dressed.

Seeing that he was truly angry, the two sisters softened their tone: "What's wrong? Are you really angry with me?"

As he spoke, he began to pull down Niu Dazhuang's cotton-padded coat, which he hadn't had time to put on yet.

"That's too hurtful, I'm leaving!"

"Where are we going during the New Year? Meiru, help him regain his confidence. I'll go call Jingru." Qin Xueru wiggled her big buttocks as she went to call for someone.

"That's enough. You should also understand Eighth Sister's situation. Seven Jin is having such a hard time finding a partner, and he has more than a dozen other women in his life. It's driving her crazy!"

"Meiru, do you believe me?"

"Of course I believe you! What's wrong?"

"Don't worry, everyone. Wait two more years, and the social atmosphere will change. By then, with our family's financial situation, we'll have no shortage of daughters-in-law."

"real?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"If it's true, that's great. We sisters were so worried when you weren't around. Now I feel so relieved. It'll help you regain your confidence..."

During the Spring Festival, Niu Dazhuang stayed at home, not venturing out of the house at all. He comfortably lived the life of a landlord.

Niu Dazhuang's main principle is to have a good attitude; as long as you don't know, nothing will happen.

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, just after eight o'clock, Niu Chengqun, wrapped in a military green overcoat, was waiting in the pavilion in Beihai Park.

I waited until almost noon before I finally saw that figure I had been longing for. I ran over to greet her.

Seeing his face red from the cold, Linlin complained with heartache, "Why did you come so early? Look how cold you are. Let me warm your hands."

Niu Chengqun chuckled sheepishly, "It's not cold, I'm dressed warmly. I had nothing better to do at home anyway, so I came over, just in case you were too early. Did your parents approve?"

Linlin shook her head bitterly and remained silent.

Seeing her expression, Niu Chengqun understood. He took off his cotton gloves, rubbed them, and then rubbed his face, forcing a smile: "It's okay, I'm used to it. But this time, I want to try again. Linlin, take me to your house. I want to talk to them in person."

"Oh! This isn't a good idea!"

"I don't want to regret it. I'm going all out for you."

Linlin suddenly hugged him, crying, "It's no use. My mom said if I dare to continue seeing you, she'll kill herself!"

Niu Chengqun patted her back and said with heartache, "Don't cry. It hurts me to see you cry. Even though I know it's useless, I still want to try. Let's go to your house now."

"Um!"

Niu Chengqun locked her bicycle to a big tree at the park entrance and rode it with Linlin to her house.

Linlin's father is a university professor and lives in the university's staff housing.

They all work for the same company, and Linlin is pretty; most of the people living in the family quarters know her.

"Linlin, why is your prospective son-in-law coming to visit empty-handed?" Nosy old ladies are never short of questions.

"Linlin, didn't your mom mention you have a boyfriend?"

……

Neither of them spoke, and they walked straight to Linlin's front door.

"Linlin, that lady is right. Did I come in a bit of a rush? I didn't bring anything with me."

"I'll wait for you now. Go buy something? We're practically at your doorstep, you're not thinking of backing out, are you?"

Niu Chengqun gritted his teeth and said, "Knock on the door. I'm going to come empty-handed today."

When Linlin's mother came out of the house, she saw her precious daughter standing at the front door with a young man, and her face immediately darkened.

"Auntie, Happy New Year!" Since Niu Chengqun had come, he didn't care about saving face and followed Linlin into the house without being invited.

In the living room, a middle-aged man wearing glasses was intently reading a newspaper.

"Uncle, Happy Chinese New Year!"

"Who are you?"

"I am Linlin's boyfriend."

"Don't talk nonsense. When did Linlin ever have a boyfriend like you?" Linlin's mother immediately corrected him on how he addressed her.

"Young man, what brings you here today?"

"Auntie, you might as well admit it, I'm also Linlin's boyfriend. The country now advocates freedom of marriage. Why don't you agree to me being with Linlin?"

"Niu Chengqun, right? Since you've come to our door today, you must want to talk. Don't be so hostile."

"You're a guest, please sit down. Let's have a good chat." Linlin's father stood up, easing the tense atmosphere.

The cattle, with their necks stiffened, sat down.

"You are a very outstanding young man. You dare to take the initiative to question my lover for the sake of your own happiness and love."

"I... I'm not accusing you. I just want to know the truth. Even if I die, you have to let me die knowing why!"

"It's the Lunar New Year, don't die, it's so unlucky."

If you and Linlin get together, it won't just be a simple matter between the two of you; it will involve the two families.

"I've already told Linlin that my mom bought me a house outside the city for my wedding, and I won't be living with them anymore."

"Linlin told us about this too, but can we please cut off all contact in the future?"

"That won't do. You can't marry a wife and forget your mother. You probably wouldn't even look down on someone so unfilial!"

"That's it! One mother-in-law is enough for a daughter-in-law to handle, let alone more than a dozen! And so many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. What an incredibly complicated web of relationships!"

The university professor spoke with great skill, pointing out Niu Chengqun's family problems while leaving him speechless.

Niu Chengqun was full of energy just now, but that energy has been neutralized by the other party's soft approach. Now all he can do is listen to the report.

"Linlin and I truly love each other."

"We don't deny that. Otherwise, Linlin wouldn't have told us about your situation. Linlin's mother took it seriously and even inquired about your family's circumstances. Your father is a capable man."

Niu Chengqun felt as if he were tightly wrapped in a fishing net, unable to use his strength.

They didn't say a single unpleasant word, so even if I wanted to argue, I had no reason to. And what they said was all true, and I couldn't refute it.

"Just because I have a large family and it's difficult to get along with them, you disapprove of my relationship with Linlin?"