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

Don't think that fifteen tables is too few. It depends on the era. In the 1980s, most families only had three to five tables for a wedding. Ten or eight tables were considered a big event.

Another reason is that Niu Dazhuang doesn't want to be too ostentatious. Even if he were to host a three-day banquet, the cost would be negligible for him now.

But Qin Xueru was very insightful and said it wasn't necessary. If you invite people you're not close to to dinner, they might not even appreciate it; they might even be jealous of how well your family is doing.

So it's best to just have a lively gathering with your own family.

On her wedding day, Linlin's parents and siblings all came. What they heard was one thing, but what they saw was another.

It was a dead end, and Niu Dazhuang had deliberately blocked the eastern exit. Inside, there were over a dozen courtyards with two entrances, all belonging to the Niu family.

Just these dozen or so courtyards are enough to impress. The brothers and sisters all secretly think that Linlin is lucky to have found such a well-off family to marry into.

The ceremony was simple; the director of the neighborhood committee was the officiant, and he simply bowed three times to Niu Dazhuang and Qin Xueru.

Niu Chengqun had already completed his resignation procedures, but he didn't invite any of his former colleagues. Instead, Linlin's boss and a few close friends from her workplace came. They were like family to her, taking up a whole table.

The rest were all members of the Niu family. Bai Hongyan and Bai Hongmin, who had never met Qin Xueru before, also came with their children.

Although Chen Xueru was unhappy, she still came. Yu Li and Yu Haitang, who were not present, also arrived.

Let's put it this way: all of Niu Dazhuang's women from China have arrived this time...

After the banquet ended and the guests were seen off, Yu Li, Yu Haitang, and the other women who didn't stay there also left one after another.

The younger siblings clamored to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber, and after a while of making a fuss, Tian Tian happily took her red envelope and left.

"Good heavens, finally some peace and quiet! You have way too many younger siblings!"

"Anyone else who hasn't arrived yet?"

"Didn't you say all of your father's women were here? Why are there still some who haven't arrived?"

"The little one is only a little over a week old, how could it be? When we have children in the future, there will definitely be younger brothers who are even younger than our children."

"It's not that surprising, it's just that your younger brother and sister-in-law are really too much, they're so noisy it's giving me a headache."

"It's alright, it won't be so lively anymore. Everyone can play in their own yards. If you don't like living here, we can move out."

"Your dad said we should have a honeymoon trip, right? Let's talk about family matters after we get back from the trip. How long until our passports are ready?"

"It should be soon. We haven't been affectionate for days, and I miss you."

"Go wash up first..."

Three days after returning to her parents' home, Niu Chengqun took Linlin on a trip...

Life returned to normal, and this peace lasted until 1983.

Since the beginning of the year, Niu Dazhuang has hardly gone out and requires his children to come to him every night.

The main beneficiaries are Yu Li's son, Niu Chengjun, born in 1964, who is 20 years old this year (by Chinese reckoning). Also, there is Yu Haitang's son, Niu Chengguo, born in 1966, who is 18 years old (by Chinese reckoning).

At that impulsive and reckless age, Niu Chengjun was still a bit too impulsive. His temperament and personality were similar to Yu Li's, and he was quite shrewd.

What really gave Niu Dazhuang a headache was Niu Chengguo, who kept getting pocket money and had become the local big brother.

It was truly a small crackdown every three days and a large crackdown every five days. Normally, Niu Dazhuang was too lazy to care. What kind of year was 1983? It was the beginning of the crackdown, and also the most severe year.

Even the most outstanding grandson wasn't physically eliminated.

"Yu Haitang, let me tell you, don't take my words lightly. While I'm keeping a close eye on things, you're secretly sabotaging me. Do you really want to send your son to jail? I'm not kidding, two days in jail is the least of your worries. He might just be out of a job."

"What? He's already killed off?"

"Execute him!"

"No way, it's just little boys fighting! What little boy doesn't fight?"

"I didn't say that. Things are different starting this year. Let me tell you, Yu Haitang, if you keep giving Cheng Guo pocket money behind my back, see how I deal with you."

"Hey! Old Niu, we've been married for ages, I'm not afraid of you getting into trouble, come on!" Yu Haitang was also a pushover.

"Yu Haitang, don't argue with me. I'm doing this for your own good. If this is your attitude, I don't care anymore. Do whatever you want!" With that, Niu Dazhuang stormed off.

"Hmph! You've hardly cared about the child all these years, and now that the child's grown up, you've come along. We were doing just fine without you around."

Yu Li was in the next courtyard when she heard the commotion, so she came over through the side gate.

"Haitang, the more you argue with him, the less he'll want to come over. Why bother?"

"Come if you want, don't come if you don't want to. It's not like we can't live without each other!"

"You're so stubborn. Every time you come over, you're the one causing the most trouble. What's wrong this time?"

"I know he means well for the child, but the tone of his voice makes me angry. Why can't he just talk things out properly? He's so quick to anger."

"That must be it. He told you before, but you didn't listen!" Yu Li knew the two of them too well.

"He forbids me from giving Xiaoguo any more money. Xiaoguo is unemployed now. If I don't give him money, am I supposed to make him steal or rob?"

"Does Dazhuang mean you should cut off Xiaoguo's money, forcing him to stay home every day?"

"Why come home? There are two courtyards, front and back, just the two of us, it's so quiet and deserted."

"Begonia, you're being a bit dramatic. When we bought the courtyard, you said you weren't happy living in a small one. Now that you have a big courtyard, you're complaining about how quiet it is. Even if the Queen Mother of the West came, she wouldn't be able to satisfy your needs!"

"If you feel it's too quiet, you can move to Niujia Hutong. It's more lively there." Yu Li didn't hold back this time and retorted directly.

After the argument, Niu Dazhuang gave up and didn't care anymore. But the good times didn't last long, and Yu Haitang and Yu Li came to Niujia Hutong.

This karma came too quickly.

When Niu Dazhuang saw the two sisters come straight to him, and their expressions weren't good, his heart sank. It was exactly what he feared.

Niu Dazhuang retorted irritably, "Did Cheng Guo cause trouble?"

Yu Haitang nodded, her eyes red.

Suddenly, Niu Dazhuang stood up and raised his arms...

Yu Haitang closed her eyes, bracing herself for a beating, and Yu Li didn't stop her.

In the end, Niu Dazhuang didn't continue the fight... He sighed and said, "Let fate decide what happens! Having a mother like you is his misfortune! Has anyone died yet?"

Yu Haitang shook her head.

"I don't know, I just know he was sent to the hospital, and they arrested him before he could come. We need to think of something quickly!"

"I can't help it. I told you before, this crackdown is really severe. Even that guy's grandson couldn't escape it, let alone a family like ours. Now we just hope no one dies!"