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

"Sister Chunlan, what I said just now was for Chunmei's own good. You know times have changed, and I can't give her any official status. If she finds a good match, I will immediately step aside without hesitation."

"Hmph, well said. She has you in her heart now, how could she possibly have other men?"

"Look, you know she still has feelings for me, so why are you trying to break them up? A woman gets married simply to have food, clothing, and a home."

Although I can't give her a formal title, I will not only satisfy her in other aspects, but also give her more than she would have if she married an ordinary person.

"Hmph, if you said this before liberation, I might believe you. But what kind of society is this now? Landlords have been overthrown, and capitalists in the city are all going to be forced into joint ventures. How are you going to provide Chunmei with a good life?"

"Sister Chunlan, how can I put it to you? A happy life has many aspects. For example, to outsiders, you two sisters seem to have no worries about food and clothing, which is a happy life, right? But what is the actual situation? I think you know better than I do."

"Even if you find a job in the city, the monthly salary will only be enough to support your own family. What about my sister? Will she have to support you instead? Is this the happy life you're talking about?"

After thinking for a while, Niu Dazhuang said, "Sister Chunlan, you are living a life where you don't have to worry about food and clothing right now, but society will change in the future. You're not sure about that, are you? In my words, you feel insecure and uneasy."

Although the path to becoming a capitalist is currently blocked, it doesn't mean it won't change in the future. Also, what will you two women do if there's some social unrest?

Ye Chunlan's face grew even more serious after hearing these words: "You mean there will be major upheaval in the future? That shouldn't be the case. Where did you get this information?"

"Sister Chunlan, I'm only saying this to you. Once we're out the door, I won't acknowledge it."

"Okay, go ahead."

"Now all the Eight Great Hutongs have been closed down for rectification, and all those women have been reformed and reformed."

This goes against human nature. This industry has existed since ancient times; it's just that it doesn't exist in our current special era. While corrupt officials aren't entirely absent now, they are rare.

We admire the intellectual and moral standards of their generation.

"But what about twenty or thirty years from now?" Niu Dazhuang took a sip of water, glanced at Ye Chunlan's expression, and seeing that she was listening attentively, continued, "

In any era, capable men always occupy more social resources.

Survival of the fittest is not something that can be changed by individual will, except in this current period, which is why we say that the old man is a great man.

Although I also wish for his long and healthy life, what is the reality?

"You're thinking far ahead. Now let me ask you, what are your plans for my sister right now?"

"Well—you know I only arrived in Beijing today, so I need to be given some time!" Niu Dazhuang countered, "Sister Chunlan, just tell me what conditions I need to meet before you agree, so I have a goal to strive for."

"Personally, I disagree completely, but since you've come this far, I can't very well stop you." Ye Chunlan paused to observe Niu Dazhuang's facial expression before continuing.

"Your relationship is special; living in a large courtyard isn't appropriate. Chunmei needs at least a small, private courtyard to settle in!"

Niu Dazhuang nodded: "Of course."

Ye Chunlan was surprised that the other party agreed so readily. But then she thought about it and realized that he had just said it casually, so of course he agreed so readily.

"Can you afford a small detached house now?"

Niu Dazhuang shook his head: "I definitely can't afford it now, but I'll definitely have it in three years."

"Logically speaking, I shouldn't discourage you. Even if you manage to find a job and buy a house, it won't be an easy thing. Besides, you still have someone in your family! What will you do then?"

"You don't need to worry about that. I have my own methods. I know that no matter what I say now, you'll think I'm bragging. We'll see."

"Okay, let's see how it goes."

Having given her a show of force and finished discussing the important matters, Ye Chunlan's tone softened considerably.

"Dazhuang, Chunmei told me that you took good care of her when we were in Niujiazhuang. I thank you. If it weren't for this relationship, we could have been very good friends."

Only then did Niu Dazhuang properly examine the young woman in front of him.

"As expected of a woman who was once a capitalist's concubine, she gives an ordinary first impression, but she is very attractive. Her eyes are not very big, but they have a kind of charm. Her skin is fair, her face is small and delicate, and her mouth is just the right size. Looking further down, she has a typical pear-shaped figure, with a beautiful upper body curve that is not exaggerated, and a full hip..."

Ye Chunlan got a little angry at Niu Dazhuang's blatant staring: "Niu Dazhuang, how can you stare at women like this? This is Beijing. Staring at women like this will get you scolded."

Niu Dazhuang awkwardly scratched his head and quickly said, "Sorry, it's just that Sister Chunlan is too beautiful, I got a little mesmerized!"

Although she was the older sister and had been a concubine for a few years, she wasn't very old, only two years older than Chunmei, and would only be twenty-five after the New Year.

This was the first time a man had so openly complimented her on her beauty, and she couldn't help but feel secretly pleased, but outwardly she pretended to be very angry.

"Hmph! How can you say such a thing? I'm Chunmei's own sister. How frivolous!"

Niu Dazhuang thought to himself, "You can doubt the capitalists' intentions, but you can't doubt their vision! In later generations, this would definitely be considered star quality."

Just as Niu Dazhuang was wondering how to answer,

"Dazhuang, come and eat." Ye Chunmei called from the kitchen doorway.

"They're here!" This shows they don't treat Niu Dazhuang like an outsider.

"You're really capable! You've cooked three dishes and scallion pancakes in such a short time!" Niu Dazhuang praised.

"It's not difficult at all. We have everything we need at home. It just takes a little longer to prepare, and we don't need to cook in a big pot."

The second room on the east side is the kitchen, there are three outbuildings on the east side, the middle room is the dining room, and the two sides are storage rooms.

After the three of them sat down, Ye Chunlan said politely, "We don't usually drink alcohol, so we didn't prepare any at home. Please make do with this!"

Niu Dazhuang didn't stand on ceremony; he picked up a scallion pancake, rolled it up, and took a bite...

After eating and drinking their fill, the three returned to the main room, each with a mug of jasmine tea.

Niu Dazhuang spun his teacup, glancing at the words written in red paint on it.

He asked, "This was issued by your company, right?"

"Yes, my sister is the fee representative at Hongqi Flour Factory in Dongcheng District, and I work there now too."