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

Yan Jiecheng deliberately sized up Xu Damao a few times before saying, "Damao, we all saw what Jia Dongxu used to be like. Now, he's as thin as you. It's good that his wife is beautiful, but I'm afraid he won't have the fortune to enjoy it! You're sleeping with both of them! Aren't you afraid of shortening your lifespan?"

"I asked you to judge who's better looking between the two of them, but you're just spouting nonsense. Jia Dongxu has lost weight now, and he can't blame it on his wife. He's got no skills, yet he's always trying to act tough. If he doesn't lose weight, who will?" Liu Guangqi spoke up before Sha Zhu could even say anything.

"Don't rush me, I'm just giving Da Mao a heads-up! When it comes to looks, they're both pretty and equally good-looking. But when it comes to figure, I prefer the voluptuous type, because a bigger bust means more sons."

"Yan Jiecheng, your waist isn't even as thick as mine, yet you like big territories. Aren't you afraid of breaking your waist with a single sit?" Xu Damao retorted.

"Hahaha……"

"Hahaha……"

Xu Damao's words delighted the three of them.

The atmosphere became lively as soon as the four of them started talking about young women and wives. It was past eight o'clock when the five of them finally dispersed and went home.

Through this chat, Niu Dazhuang became somewhat familiar with them.

Back in the backyard, Niu Dazhuang was still a little restless. A real man shouldn't go back on his word.

I promised to protect them, but I don't even know who's climbing the wall. I have to go check it out.

Thinking of this, he said goodbye to the old man and went out again. When he was almost on the main street, Niu Dazhuang took out a jujube wood stick from his space. It was about three feet long and as thick as a forearm.

I used to store this in my spatial storage as firewood when I was hunting in the mountains. Now it's perfect for hitting someone with a club.

When they arrived at Xu Huizhen's house, Niu Dazhuang didn't intend to disturb her, afraid of being tricked again. That little woman was too cunning.

If I win the bid and then insist on marrying her, I'll be in real trouble.

Niu Dazhuang squatted down where the other person was standing, waiting for the guy who had climbed over the wall last night.

Inside the room, Xu Huizhen tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She had drunk some alcohol and had too much fun last night. It was almost dawn when she finally managed to doze off for a short while, and now she couldn't get off the bed during the day, remaining dozing on the bed the whole time.

Cai Quanwu was in charge of keeping track of everything at the tavern. Sleeping too much during the day naturally made it hard to sleep at night.

Xu Huizhen felt a little regretful. She had finally met someone she liked and knew quite well, but she had acted too eagerly last night and scared him away.

"You're a grown man, so big and strong, how come you're so timid? I'm a woman and I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of?" Xu Huizhen thought to herself.

A sudden scream startled Xu Huizhen, who quickly pulled Xiao Jingli into her arms and took out the scissors from under her pillow.

It sounded like it was coming from outside the courtyard. One scream after another was heard. Then the screams stopped, and you could faintly hear pleas for mercy.

Xu Huizhen put the child down and patted her a few times. Xiao Jingli was sleeping soundly. She put on her coat and shoes, then opened the door. She tiptoed behind the door and listened intently to what was happening outside.

"I don't care who you are or who you're with, this family is under my protection. From now on, watch your backs. Losing one of your hands today is punishment. If you dare come again, hmph! I'll take your life. Get lost!"

Xu Huizhen was all too familiar with that domineering voice; they had just slept together last night, and her sense of security surged.

Hearing the pleas for mercy from outside, Xu Huizhen could tell who it was. After the person scrambled away, she suddenly opened the door, ran out, and grabbed Niu Dazhuang's arm.

Xu Huizhen was thinking more deeply. Judging from today's situation, Niu Dazhuang was clearly frightened by her. He didn't dare to enter the yard and squatted outside. If he got away, she didn't know when she would see him again.

She was right: "Cousin, I'm not going in. I chased them away, so I doubt anyone will dare to climb over your wall again."

By the moonlight, Xu Huizhen stared directly into his eyes. "Can't we talk inside? I have my pride too; it wouldn't be good if someone saw us."

Niu Dazhuang tried to pull his arm back, but couldn't. He then felt a soft, tingling sensation in that area.

"Alright." Niu Dazhuang made up his mind that he wouldn't drink any more alcohol tonight.

The two entered the courtyard, and Xu Huizhen quickly locked the gate. There was no need to brace the gate anymore; with such a strong man at home, there was no need to worry about thieves.

Niu Dazhuang was quite familiar with the place, so he went straight to the west room upon entering. The east room was Xu Huizhen's bedroom, where Xiao Jingli was still sleeping.

After entering the room, Xu Huizhen set up the kang table: "Don't worry, I won't force you to drink today. Drink as much as you want. We can't just sit here like this. It's okay if you don't drink." As Xu Huizhen spoke, a plate of rice sausage, a plate of peanuts, a plate of pickles, a pot of wine, and two wine cups were set out.

"Cousin, did you plan this all along? I'll be coming over tonight." Niu Dazhuang saw her quickly set the things on the kang table, clearly she had prepared in advance.

Xu Huizhen stoked the charcoal fire in the room, took off her shoes, climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed), and sat down cross-legged.

"Why are you so scared that you don't dare to come in? You've been freezing outside all night, you must be cold. Have a cup of hot wine to warm yourself up."

"Wow, cousin, I feel like our roles should be reversed!"

Xu Huizhen ignored him and poured herself a drink: "Were you scared by my enthusiasm?"

"That's terrifying!"

After drinking several cups, Xu Huizhen said, "Sigh! I can't count on any of my family members. They might even be eyeing my family's property."

"I'm a woman raising a child alone, and I still have to keep this little tavern afloat. It's so hard for me..."

He poured himself a drink, talked to himself, and poured out all the grievances he had suffered over the past few years. By the end, he was even in tears.

Niu Dazhuang, a man with a strong personality and a bit of a male chauvinist, is not afraid of women throwing tantrums or being unreasonable; what he fears is women acting coquettishly and showing weakness.

Seeing Xu Huizhen crying with tears streaming down her face, his heart softened. He stopped sitting opposite her, walked around the kang table, and pulled her into his arms.

"Zhen'er, it's okay. I'm here for you. If you have any difficulties, just tell me, and I promise I'll take care of it perfectly."

Xu Huizhen was secretly pleased with herself. "You little brat, let's see if you can still run away. You think you can sleep with me and then deny everything? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Xu Huizhen obediently pressed her head against Niu Dazhuang's chest, sobbed a few times, and then whispered, "I don't need your help now. Just stand in the yard during the day and let the neighbors see that I have a man protecting me, and they won't have any ulterior motives."