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

"What are you planning to do with these two silly girls?"

"Mommy, who says we're stupid? Only you always say we're stupid. Even if we're not stupid, you'll still make us look stupid."

Even if others are open-minded, Niu Dazhuang can't say it's just for fun.

"I've also thought about it. I'd like to acquire some property in Europe. She can stay here if she wants, and go to Europe if she wants."

"Mommy, you promised me you wouldn't interfere in my love life, even though I'm drinking."

"Yes, I won't ask. Cheers, Comrade Da Niu."

Niu Dazhuang wasn't a big drinker to begin with, and since they usually drank straight from the bottle, he was even less able to hold his liquor.

He could manage a few sips of wine, but when it came to drinking vodka, Niu Dazhuang started using cheat codes.

Place the wine glass to your lips, silently recite the mantra, and the Wotega inside the glass will enter your spatial dimension.

The four of them had each drunk an average of nearly two jin of vodka, and even the three women, who were good at drinking, were having trouble speaking.

"Mom...Miss, I didn't expect Big Ivan to be such a good drinker. It seems your plan has failed."

"What nonsense are you talking about? What plans do I have!"

"Mommy, I really like Ivan. Don't scare him away. People from the East are very conservative."

"I told you you're stupid, and you still disagree. Have you even looked into Big Ivan? He has more wives than your uncle. Is he conservative?"

"Oh, I see. That puts my mind at ease. Hehe, Big Ivan is amazing, you'll see soon enough..."

Niu Dazhuang felt as if someone had reversed his own destiny...

These three have clearly done this kind of thing together quite a few times...

With Reina's help, both the mortgage loan and the contracting of the Sakhalin Island oil field proceeded quite smoothly.

Niu Dazhuang was so happy he almost forgot about home. On January 1, 1985, Moscow celebrated the New Year with a three-day holiday.

With countless dances and parties to attend, Niu Dazhuang became Re Nina's exclusive dance partner.

Why did she become his exclusive dance partner? Unlike her daughter, Reina doesn't flaunt her good things everywhere.

Renena didn't want Big Ivan to be snatched away by someone else, and she was also afraid that Big Ivan would follow her daughter around and cause trouble, so she had no choice but to keep him by her side.

After New Year's Day, Niu Dazhuang returned to China.

A chemical plant is to be built in Dalian, a coastal city in the north. Crude oil from Sakhalin Island will be transported to Dalian by sea, processed into refined oil products, and then sold to Japan or South Korea.

Until the early 1990s, China was still an oil exporter.

Unfortunately, I had no money.

If you're in trouble, just ask your brother-in-law for help.

The usually composed Bai Hongjun, upon seeing Niu Dazhuang, grabbed Niu Dazhuang's sleeve and pulled him outside before he could even speak: "You're finally back! The old man said he'd take you to see him as soon as you're back."

"Have I become that important now?"

"Stop being so glib. What have you been up to in Russia? Why are the higher-ups there sending signals of easing tensions back home?"

"I really don't know. Haven't the tour group returned yet?"

"Most people have returned. The investigation results are even more serious than you described. I'll tell you the details when we get home."

My brother-in-law is really something else; he's becoming more and more capable of stirring up big trouble. Before, it was only in China, but now that he's abroad, he can even make waves on the international stage.

The jeep drove all the way to the Western Hills on the western outskirts of Yanjing...

"How did you end up here? Did the old man move in here?"

"Yes. With several big shots living together, it's easy to discuss anything."

Well, it was another three-way interrogation. Niu Dazhuang honestly recounted everything that had happened in Da Mao over the past six months.

"So, you're saying you weren't the one behind that?"

"Boss, I don't have that ability!"

What are your thoughts on the restoration of diplomatic relations?

"I have no opinion; as long as it benefits our country, I'll support it!"

"You little rascal."

"I think it's not appropriate for us to have such a big guy in the north!" After being told off, Niu Dazhuang had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Ah, that's more like it."

Every time Niu Dazhuang was called in for a talk by the big shots, he would break out in a cold sweat; the pressure was immense. The big shots always spoke directly, never bothering to beat around the bush.

Niu Dazhuang summarized his experience as follows: "Too much talk leads to mistakes, so it's best to keep quiet if possible."

After leaving Xishan, Niu Dazhuang said in a cheeky tone, "I've run into some trouble, and you have to help me."

"Now that you're so capable, what help do you need from me?"

"Introduce me to the person in charge in Shengjing. I want to build an oil refinery with an annual output of five million tons in Lüda City."

"That's a good thing!"

"I don't have any money right now!"

"What did you say? You're not kidding, are you? You have no money! You went abroad for half a year and squandered all your billions?"

"That's all gone, they've all turned into offshore yen. And the projects here can't wait."

"What's going on?"

"The Russians and the Japanese jointly discovered a large oil and gas field on the east side of Sakhalin Island..." Niu Dazhuang recounted the biggest gain from his trip to Russia.

"Oh, is that so? Domestic infrastructure development is easy to arrange, but how can you import advanced oil refining equipment if you don't have the money?"

"Hehe, I can get a loan from Da Mao. Their oil refining equipment isn't the most advanced, but it's sufficient."

"You little rascal, you really have that ticklish spot that women adore, how come you always have women helping you wherever you go?"

"I've already sold myself, haven't you noticed how much weight I've lost?"

"Get lost, I think you're just hungry because you don't like rye bread. Wait a couple of days, it's almost the end of the year, the top two leaders of Shengjing should be coming to Yanjing, I'll introduce you then."

84 was arguably the busiest year for Niu Dazhuang. With the promise of his brother-in-law, Niu Dazhuang was finally able to rest at home for a few days.

Back in Niujia Hutong, the lively scene was worth mentioning again. Half a month later, Niu Dazhuang rode his big motorcycle to Chen Xia's place.

Chen Xia, who was in charge of the millstone, gave birth to a son and a daughter for Niu Dazhuang. The son was named Niu Chengrui. He was chubby when he was young and was nicknamed Little Fatty. He was the only one among his older brothers to be admitted to university.

Now a proud teacher, Niu Chengrui married a teacher. Despite having a house elsewhere, he doesn't move out and lives with his mother.

My daughter was born in 70 and is now 16 years old. She is in high school and her grades are among the best. If she performs normally, she should have no problem getting into university.

Niu Dazhuang was gone for more than half a year. When he came back, he didn't bring any gifts. He gave his daughter a few rubles, yen, and Hong Kong dollars as gifts.

This girl loves collecting all kinds of coins, both domestic and foreign.

Niu Dazhuang was staring blankly at Chen Xia's large buttocks when he said, "It's really strange. Other women your age would definitely have sagging but you haven't changed at all."