Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

After He Daqing, Li Guifen returned to the courtyard house. Passing by the He family home, she deliberately slowed her pace, her eyes filled with longing as she gazed at the retreating figure inside. She then hesitantly stepped into the backyard.

The deaf old woman looked at Li Guifen, whose eyes were full of spring, and spoke with certainty.

"It's done!"

Li Guifen nodded, blushing. "Yes, thanks to my godmother! I'll go cook..."

The deaf old woman looked at the much lighter figure and shook her head, swallowing back the words she was about to say.

There's no guarantee of getting married with someone else's sperm! One is widowed, the other divorced; they know each other well, so there's always a chance. She had this idea, but He Ping'an reacted strongly to He Daqing and Li Guifen's affair.

Convincing them to use sperm donation is already difficult enough, but marriage? That's a long and arduous road... It's nothing to be discussed, and talking about it will only cause more trouble. If it makes Li Guifen resentful and offends He Ping'an, then there really won't be any chance left!

At dinner, the deaf old woman selectively recounted a few sentences from the conversation at the He family's house the previous night. Finally, she gave Li Guifen a meaningful piece of advice:

"Girl, now that you and He Daqing are happily married, why not get closer to his two children? They're your future children's older brothers and sisters; it won't hurt to be closer to them!"

After that day, No. 91 Beiluoguxiang became the place where He Daqing and Li Guifen would meet secretly.

For over a month, except for a few days when she was feeling unwell, Li Guifen would arrive at courtyard number 91 every evening to wait for He Daqing. After their intimate encounter, they would return to courtyard number 95 one after the other.

Although the courtyard house no longer has the amusement of Jia Zhangshi, it has also seen some other interesting changes...

For example, Yi Zhonghai became like a dog-unwelcome guest in a courtyard house; wherever he went, the bustling crowds would immediately disperse. Even if he bumped into someone, no one would respond to his greetings.

For example, Li Guifen became increasingly affectionate towards He Yuzhu, and even the deaf old lady would occasionally call him "Silly Zhuzi".

For example, the lingering look in He Daqing and Li Guifen's eyes when they looked at each other...

Whether it was Yi Zhonghai suffering the consequences of his actions or He Yuzhu running to the backyard more and more frequently, He Ping'an watched coldly from the sidelines. He simply sternly refused Li Guifen's suggestion to help take care of Xiao Yushui, and continued to take her to school every day without fail!

Every year is difficult, yet every year passes; every year, I am consumed by alcohol, my blue robe is torn!

January 14th, the Little New Year in northern China, the coldest days of winter couldn't dampen the festive spirit...

In the Yi family home, the freshly cooked dumplings were still steaming. In the dimly lit room, Yi Zhonghai stood alone at the door, like a thief, greedily and cautiously absorbing the myriad lights outside.

"Hehe..."

After an unknown amount of time, Yi Zhonghai suddenly let out two strange cries, his face contorted as he overturned the table. Bowls and dishes clattered all over the floor…

Six months ago, he was a prominent figure in the courtyard, with a wife who took care of his household chores, took the blame for him, and endured his beatings and scoldings.

In less than six months, his wife found a powerful backer and took over the household. Now she doesn't even come home, treating him like a stranger. He, on the other hand, has become ostracized by everyone, destined to be childless and die alone.

Every night, lying alone in bed, Yi Zhonghai would review everything that had happened in the past six months... The turning point was the day he coerced the He family to hand over grain!

Even though he could no longer hold his head high in front of Li Guifen, he was still the deaf old woman's godfather outside. No one in the courtyard looked down on him, and no one dared to isolate him!

That very day, the deaf old woman left him to fend for himself. The opportunistic people in the courtyard began to use him as a scapegoat, isolating and ostracizing him!

As Yi Zhonghai downed glass after glass of strong Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), he cursed everyone furiously.

"He Ping'an, the deaf old woman, Li... you bastards, you're all bastards!" The deep, muffled growl was like that of a wounded old wolf, its eyes bloodshot as it devoured its prey.

He hated... hated He Ping'an, hated the deaf old woman... he wanted to take revenge on everyone. But he didn't have the power...

For over a month, he tried everything but still couldn't break free from the exclusion. In the end, he could only place his hopes on the deaf old woman.

As long as the deaf old lady speaks up, the people in the courtyard will no longer dare to isolate him, and He Ping'an will no longer keep harassing him!

Therefore, even though the deaf old woman regarded him as an ant and let him kowtow until his head bled; even though Li Guifen mocked him mercilessly and even cuckolded him!

He still went to great lengths to prepare a feast, inviting the deaf old woman and Li Guifen to celebrate the Lunar New Year together. He hoped to use this opportunity to curry favor with the two women and, incidentally, use his influence to extricate himself from a difficult situation!

But the result?

The deaf old woman showed no mercy. "Yi Zhonghai, you're still delusional enough to think you can use my influence? You self-important ant, dream on! Get out... or die!"

Li Guifen's scolding was even harsher.

"Yi Zhonghai, have you no shame? I was blind to marry such a good-for-nothing. You're always thinking you're so clever, but you're not even as good as that Jia Zhangshi. At least she knew how to make fun of people and apologize. What about you?"

You resented being exposed, so you instigated the theft of their grain. Afterwards, instead of repenting, you even tried to ruin their reputation. Now, facing the consequences, you've remembered me and your godmother. Why didn't you ask me and your godmother first before doing these disgusting things?

You're not welcome here, get out...get out now!

"Bang!"

The bottle shattered, and Yi Zhonghai stumbled and rolled onto the bed... still cursing under his breath!

In the backyard, the deaf old woman watched the lively celebrations, and her spirits lifted somewhat. In the past, during holidays alone, she felt like a lonely grave...

Standing there, watching your closest strangers set out a table of delicacies, say a few auspicious words, and then quietly leave. It's no different from visiting graves during Qingming Festival!

Unable to withstand He Daqing's constant nagging, and with He Yuzhu, that simple-minded fellow, chiming in as well, He Ping'an finally agreed to spend the Lunar New Year with the deaf old lady and Li Guifen.

The official explanation given was that the deaf old woman had taken a liking to the simple-minded He Yuzhu, and consequently, she held the He family in higher regard. As for the truth of the matter...?

This time, no one presumptuously pointed out the truth; what the He family and the deaf old woman said was the truth.

"Sigh... He family boy," the deaf old woman teased, looking at the aggrieved He Ping'an, "who are you trying to impress with that sour face during the New Year? It's so unlucky!"

He Ping'an retorted with a long face, "Anyway, it's not for blind people!"

The deaf old woman wasn't angry; she half-closed her eyes and teased He Ping'an.

"You little brat, you have a really sharp tongue! It's a waste that you're a college student, an educated person, with all that talent God gave you!"

He Ping'an chuckled twice. "I study to understand things, so that when others criticize me, I can understand and directly retort!"

He Ping'an glanced sideways at Li Guifen and He Daqing, who were flirting in front of the stove, then looked at the deaf old woman with a forced smile:

"Are you right?"

Seeing He Ping'an bring up the old matter again, the deaf old woman lowered her voice and muttered in dissatisfaction, "Go away... this matter was over and done with that night! You brat, not only are you sharp-tongued, but you're also petty and vindictive!"

He Ping'an gave a sarcastic laugh:

"Yes! I'm stingy and I hold grudges, so to get revenge on you, I'm coming to your house for the Lunar New Year and eating your way out of house and home!"