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

"Oh my! You've already made an appointment?" Xu Huizhen lifted the curtain and came in. Although she had been prepared for this, she was still jealous.

"Come on, just put the food box on the table." There were restaurant staff following behind.

"Cousin, we're all family, why are you being so polite?" Niu Dazhuang said politely.

"Since you said we're family, then don't stand on ceremony. I didn't really treat you well when you came to my house last time, but since you have time this time, and Xue Ru is here too, come on in and have a seat."

Well, it turns out these two are not only best friends, but also good drinking buddies. Niu Dazhuang can drink over a pound of liquor, so it's not like he can't drink at all, but compared to these two pretty young women, he's still a bit lacking.

Having drunk seven or eight ounces, Niu Dazhuang was starting to feel dizzy. Looking at the two young women, Xu Huizhen's face was flushed, while Chen Xueru's expression remained unchanged.

"Huizhen, can you talk to our younger brother? He insists on going to the ghost market to make a living!"

"A man can't get rich without unexpected wealth, and a horse can't get fat without night grazing. How can he support so many people with that meager salary? There are quite a few people who make a living from the ghost market." The two disagreed on the ghost market.

"You, how could you think that way too?"

"What else can we do if I don't think that way? Neither of us can convince him."

Niu Dazhuang raised his glass: "Thank you for your concern, ladies. I'll drink this, you can drink as you like."

Damn it, karma's got its comeuppance. It just happened once, and now it's happening again. After finishing this drink, Niu Dazhuang slumped onto the table, pretending to be drunk.

Chen Xueru nudged him, "Is this all you're going to drink?" She then glanced at Xu Huizhen and whispered, "Did you drink this much last time too?"

"Pretty much. I was a little tipsy too. We were having so much fun drinking, who remembers how much he drank!"

"This... this is way too fast! How am I supposed to get it back in broad daylight?"

"Didn't you two agree that he'd come to see you again tomorrow afternoon?"

"You've already set a trap for him twice. I'm afraid this trick won't work again. I don't even know if it will work tomorrow."

"You were laughing at me yesterday for not knowing how to be reserved. Where did your reserve go?"

"It's all your fault, you've made me really curious. My dear sister, here's a spot for you."

"I'm back again, alright? Let's keep drinking!"

Chen Xueru angrily picked up her wine glass: "Come on, drink. You're really something."

Finally, the two of them started drinking.

The jar of baijiu beside them was almost empty, and the two young women, having had their fill, started putting their arms around each other again.

"Huizhen, you know, men are only good for that kind of thing. What do we women lack compared to them? They can't even hold their liquor. This big guy can't even last a pound! Hehe..."

"That's just how society is. It's a rule passed down from our ancestors. It's so difficult for a widow to raise a child. You've been through it yourself."

"Damn it, that guy surnamed Hou actually kicked me out of business. I was in a much worse situation than you were back then. Only my relatives back home could give me credit, otherwise I would have gone out of business long ago. Damn it, men are considered capable if they have three wives and four concubines, why can't we women?"

"Wow, Xue Ru, you actually have such a bold idea. I think I'm brave enough, but you're even more daring than me."

"I can't compare to you—" he said, pointing at Niu Dazhuang, who was lying on the octagonal table. "I was just thinking about it and feeling unbalanced, but you took action."

Hehe... Even you miscalculate sometimes.

"What miscalculation? I just have good judgment. I wouldn't like an irresponsible man. A man should be responsible."

"Stubborn to the end." The two were chatting animatedly, arms around each other's shoulders.

Niu Dazhuang had been climbing for a long time, and his arms were sore. He wasn't really drunk. Suddenly, he stood up unsteadily and said, "I—I'm going to the outhouse. I'll come back and drink with you guys."

After saying that, he swayed and went out.

"Huizhen, was he faking being drunk just now?" Chen Xueru was startled when she saw Niu Dazhuang stagger out.

"Hehe...who knows?"

"You...you're not reliable at all! How come you're so unreliable in your work?"

"I didn't say anything. I can't even remember how much he drank last time. Let him hear it if he wants; he's not an outsider anyway."

"Are you kidding me? You're not outsiders now, but I am! If my younger brother heard what I just said, wouldn't he think I'm a slut?"

"Big brother... that's a good name, such a big, big brother. Hehe."

Xu Huizhen had really drunk too much today. She was conflicted and depressed. She wasn't in a good mood.

When she was sober, she felt that she shouldn't continue developing her relationship with Niu Dazhuang. But after drinking, she thought that she could live the same life without marrying him, which was better than not having a man to rely on before.

I'm so conflicted...

Chen Xueru was simply curious; the two had different motives. She had drunk alcohol but wasn't tipsy, although she was a little dizzy, her mind was still relatively clear.

Niu Dazhuang sauntered back, and upon entering, he said to the two women, "Thank you for your hospitality, sisters. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave." Without giving them a chance to speak, he turned and left.

"Hey...hey, don't forget about tomorrow." Chen Xueru knew that Xu Huizhen had returned and the good deed was ruined, so she didn't stop her.

After everyone left

"Huizhen, I should go now. Let's call it a day."

Xu Huizhen was still hugging her neck. You could pry her off.

"You can't leave. Have another drink with me. Why can't you stay home when there's no man around?"

"You crazy woman, without a man, who will go crazy with you?" Chen Xueru said this, but she didn't move.

"Hehe, I'm making you so hungry, boohoo... Xue Ru, I'm so heartbroken!" Xu Huizhen said, and started to sob.

"Everyone has their own troubles. Blame your older cousin. If he hadn't shown up, you would have married Wai-bo this year."

"Yes, Xue Ru, you understand me, sob... Fate is so cruel!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Niu Dazhuang pushed his bicycle out the gate, shook his big head to clear his head, and then rode home.

"Luckily, I was smart enough not to fall into the same trap twice."

By the time they returned to the courtyard house, it was already dark, and Niu Dazhuang had mostly sobered up.

I went to check the side courtyard, and everything in the east wing had been cleaned up.

I ate well at noon, so I just wanted some corn porridge for dinner. I added three ladles of water to the big pot and started making dinner...

After the three little ones returned, they helped with the cooking. When Niu Youliang came back, he happily took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Niu Dazhuang.

"Alright, report to Kyoto Transportation Company next Monday. Do your best and try to get promoted as soon as possible." He turned to the three little ones and said, "I'll think of something for you after a while."

"Thank you, sir," the three said in unison.