Courtyard House: Starting by inheriting the tradition and suppressing the barbarians.

Jia Dongxu's funeral ended hastily with Li Xuan throwing out "toll money" and the neighbors withdrawing their investment.

There was no grand funeral, only a mess.

The Jia family became a laughingstock in the courtyard house and truly became extinct.

The man is dead, and his only son is still in juvenile detention.

Night falls in the central courtyard.

There was no fire in the Jia family's house; it was as cold as an icebox.

Jia Zhangshi, wrapped in a tattered quilt, huddled in the corner of the kang (a heated brick bed), her triangular eyes gleaming with calculating light in the darkness.

Even though her son had just died, her first thought was how she would survive.

"Huai Ru."

Madam Jia sighed, "Dongxu is gone, and this family can't function without a pillar of support."

"We are an orphan and a widow, we will be bullied to death."

"Especially Li Xuan and Xu Damao, they're both keeping an eye on us."

Qin Huairu sat at the table, mending clothes by the moonlight.

Wearing mourning clothes, she looked even more beautiful.

Her still-charming face bore traces of tears that hadn't completely dried, conveying a poignant sense of brokenness.

"Mom, what do you suggest we do?"

"My salary is so low right now, and I still have to support Xiaodang and Huaihua, and save money for Banggeng..."

Qin Huairu's voice was hoarse; she was truly distressed.

Do you think I'm stupid?

Jia Zhangshi shouted angrily, "All these years, you and Sha Zhu have had an affair, do you really think I didn't see it?"

The only reason she didn't stop it was because of the money!

There was no other way; the family was too poor and could only rely on Sha Zhu for support. They absolutely couldn't afford to fall out with him.

"Now, Dongxu is gone."

Madam Jia glanced at Dongxu's portrait, her heart hardening, "Then you're a widow."

"A widow's door is always a source of gossip, but a widow can also easily remarry!"

"That silly Zhu, although he's a bit poor now, he has a skill and is the head chef at the steel mill."

"If he's willing to work hard, how can he not make a living?"

"Most importantly, he's interested in you!"

"It's been so many years, they're always there when we call, we can't be driven away even if we beat them!"

The most important thing right now is to survive.

reputation?

What does it matter!

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu paused in her needlework.

She never expected that Jia Zhangshi would take the initiative to let him go find Sha Zhu.

"Silly Pillar..."

To be honest, she used to look down on Sha Zhu.

He looks old, has a foul mouth, and doesn't like to be clean.

But now, circumstances are beyond our control.

She couldn't possibly be with Li Xuan, and Xu Damao was an even more ruthless man.

Only Sha Zhu, this backup plan, it's time for him to be promoted to the main plan!

"Mom, I understand."

Qin Huairu bit off the end of the thread, her eyes hardening.

For survival and for her child, she had to keep Sha Zhu firmly in her grasp!

Make him willingly become a crony of the Jia family!

......

Across the street, inside Sha Zhu's house.

Sha Zhu was lying on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Jia Dongxu died, and he felt somewhat sorry for his brother.

But more than anything, it's a secret excitement.

"Sister Qin is a widow..."

"Does that mean I have a chance?"

The image of Qin Huairu with tears streaming down her face flashed through his mind, and he felt as if a cat was scratching at his heart.

However, he was also somewhat insecure.

Now he has neither money nor status.

Even his own sister doesn't recognize him anymore.

Under these circumstances, would Sister Qin be interested in him?

Suddenly! A knock sounded on the door.

"Knock knock knock".

Sha Zhu jolted awake and sat bolt upright: "Who?"

"Zhu Zi, it's me, Sister Qin."

The voice that haunted his dreams came from outside the door!

Sha Zhu didn't even bother to pick up his shoes; he rushed over and opened the door in three quick steps.

Qin Huairu was standing in the cold wind, carrying a washbasin; she had come to wash his clothes.

"Sister Qin! Why are you here so late?"

"Come in quickly! It's cold outside!"

Sha Zhu quickly ushered the person into the house.

Qin Huairu did not sit down after entering the room.

Instead, they started cleaning up Shazhu's messy, doghouse-like room.

Folding the blankets, sweeping the floor, throwing dirty clothes into the basin...

Her movements were swift and efficient, giving off the vibe of a hostess.

"Zhu Zi, really, you can't live like this even if you're living alone."

As Qin Huairu tidied up, she scolded him, but her tone was full of affection.

Sha Zhu stood to the side, rubbing his hands together and grinning foolishly.

This feels so good!

Just like a married couple living their lives!

"Sister Qin, I'm used to not having a wife." Sha Zhu scratched his head.

Upon hearing the words "no wife," Qin Huairu stopped what she was doing.

She turned around, looked at Sha Zhu, her eyes red-rimmed.

"Zhu Zi... why is my life so miserable..."

"Dongxu is gone, Banggeng is in jail, and we, a widow and her children, are left behind."

"How are we going to live like this..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string.

When Sha Zhu saw Sister Qin crying, his heart broke.

"Sister Qin! Don't cry! Please don't cry!"

He frantically searched for a towel, but couldn't find a clean one.

She could only wipe it with her sleeve. "Even though Dongxu is gone, I'm still here!"

"As long as I, He Yuzhu, have a bite to eat, I will never let you mother and children go hungry!"

Qin Huairu seized the opportunity to grab Sha Zhu's hand and pressed it against her face.

"Zhu Zi... I know you're good to me."

"When Dongxu was around, there were some things I didn't dare to say, and couldn't say."

"Now, I really can only rely on you."

She raised her head, her peach blossom eyes glistening with tears.

"You...you look down on me because I'm a widow?"

"Does she look down on this woman who has three children and also has to support her mother-in-law?"

"Dislike? Why would I dislike it!"

Sha Zhu trembled with excitement, his face flushed red. "Sister Qin! In my heart, you are like a fairy from heaven!"

"Being able to take care of you is the greatest blessing of my life!"

"As long as you don't mind that I'm poor or that I have a bad reputation, I'm willing to support you for the rest of my life!"

"I'll support your whole family for the rest of your lives!"

This is a confession of love!

This is the most humble yet most fervent vow of a simp!

Qin Huairu burst into laughter through her tears and gently leaned into Sha Zhu's arms.

"Pillar, you're so kind..."

She was in Sha Zhu's arms, but a triumphant smile curled at the corner of her lips.

This long-term meal ticket is finally completely secured!

Although Sha Zhu is penniless now, as long as he is still alive and strong, he is the best ox for the Jia family to pull carts!

Sha Zhu held his beloved goddess in his arms, feeling his mind go blank, so happy he almost fainted.

He had finally waited for this day!

After the clouds disperse, the moon will shine brightly!

What do you mean by "no offspring"?

What reputation?

As long as Sister Qin is around, none of those things matter!

......

backyard.

Li Xuan withdrew his spiritual power and couldn't help but shiver.

"Ugh! This smell is too strong."

"That idiot Zhu is hopeless."

"You get sold out and then help them count the money, and you even have to support their whole family?!"

"You're awesome!"

Li Xuan shook his head, no longer paying attention to the man and woman, each with their own ulterior motives.

"sleep!"

Li Xuan turned on the lamp.

Tomorrow I'm going to deliver medicine to Old Chen and also discuss the important matter of escorting the national treasure.

That's the real business.

As for Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu?

It's just something to laugh about over tea.

......