My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]-Chapter 160

People in the courtyard didn't know much about the Fan family, but they certainly knew Guan Guiling. After all, she was the woman Bai Fendou almost got married to. Who could forget that? When news of her recent troubles spread, people couldn't help but gossip and lament how fate has been unkind to her.

When it comes to fate, Zhao Guihua didn't quite agree. She had heard plenty from Ming Mei and couldn't trust Guan Guiling one bit. But since they were just chatting, she didn't necessarily say Guan Guiling deserved it. Amidst the casual gossip, He Lan seemed to be in high spirits.

Perhaps it was because the Fan family was having a rough patch that lifted He Lan's mood. It wasn't that she was gloating; after all, who wouldn't feel a bit of schadenfreude when a rival suffers? Not setting off firecrackers to celebrate was already very restrained. Although everyone was gathered chatting, they were also busy with their own tasks.

Zhao Guihua was making a cotton jacket for her child, and others were doing the same. The tasks of a homemaker are endless. Not only do they have many people to tend to, but even young wives like Wang Zizhen and He Lan have their hands full.

Wang Zizhen, now pregnant, came over every day. She was sewing small blankets for her unborn child, preparing early to avoid chaos later. Everything in her home was being readied in advance.

Aunt Zhou looked at her and asked, "Zizhen, will your mother-in-law come to take care of you when you give birth?"

Wang Zizhen nodded, "Da Qiang has talked to her, and she will come, but only for a month to take care of the postpartum period."

That’s why everyone prefers having parents around. Although it’s nice to have no elders above you, making your own decisions, having a mother-in-law to help out makes life much easier. Especially for young couples, a mother-in-law becomes even more crucial.

Take Da Qiang, for example. Although he is a city dweller, this is considered his weak point. His mother usually stays with his older brother, leaving him without much support. However, Wang Zizhen doesn’t mind; she quite enjoys their current life.

When she first came out from the mountains, she never imagined she could live like this.

She smiled and said, "It's actually alright. I think I can manage."

She has never shied away from work, only wanting to have enough to eat. Now, their life is like living in paradise. Not only do they have enough to eat, but they can also eat quite well. She and Da Qiang often go fishing after work, enjoying a leisurely life.

She continued, "You all know, I’m not afraid of hard work."

Aunt Zhou replied, "That’s true, but you also have to take care of yourself, especially during the postpartum period and right after. Overworking then can lead to trouble later in life. Your mother-in-law will come to help during this time, so don’t feel awkward about asking for things. That one month is crucial for a woman. Don’t hesitate to speak up. Don’t hold back your feelings. You and your mother-in-law haven’t lived together before, so it’s natural to feel uncomfortable. Speak up when needed. I’ll come by to support you, so don’t let her bully you."

Zhao Guihua added, "Da Qiang’s mother isn’t the type to mistreat her daughter-in-law. All these years, you know she’s biased towards the eldest but hasn’t been harsh to her daughters-in-law."

Da Qiang’s first marriage ended badly, but his mother didn’t mistreat that daughter-in-law either.

Zhao Guihua continued, "But Aunt Zhou is right. After the month of confinement, you should take care of yourself. Don’t overwork just because you’re young."

"Exactly. Look at Guan Guiling—she’s had miscarriages, been beaten, and fallen down the stairs. Her body is ruined. Even if she seems fine now, years later, those problems will catch up to her."

Aunt Wang thought about Guan Guiling and couldn’t understand her. Despite their difficult circumstances, how could she keep getting pregnant? It seemed she didn’t care about her health at all.

Moreover, having more children only makes them poorer.

"Is Guan Guiling in the same unit as Ming Mei? Any new gossip?" Everyone wanted the latest scoop, staying on the cutting edge of gossip.

Zhao Guihua replied, "What new news could there be? She’s not even working right now."

"True, but being in the same unit, news spreads quickly."

Zhao Guihua said, "We’ll ask Ming Mei when she gets off work."

"Sounds good."

The conversation shifted to Ming Mei, who was currently following Sister Chen out, complaining, "Why is it always me? I don’t want to go to the hospital."

Sister Chen laughed and pulled Ming Mei along, saying, "Who else would I ask? You’re here to boost my confidence." The truth was, she was a bit scared, and having a strong girl like Ming Mei around made her feel more secure.

Ming Mei retorted, "They can’t be fighting every day. Besides, with Guan Guiling in such a state, if she fights again, she’s really done for."

Sister Chen replied, "Who can say for sure?"

Although Sister Chen didn’t elaborate, she suspected foul play regarding Guan Guiling falling down the stairs. Seeing the dug-up soil made her suspect something. The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became.

After all, according to Jiang Baohong, Guan Guiling had previously tried to use her pregnancy to frame others. She was the type to harm herself to hurt others. So Sister Chen couldn’t help but entertain dark thoughts about her fall.

She pulled Ming Mei closer and said, "As long as you’re here, I feel at ease."

Ming Mei chuckled and said, "Actually, I’m scared too."

She didn’t specify what she was afraid of, but exchanging a glance with Sister Chen, they both shared the same uneasy suspicions. Sister Chen sighed, "Great minds think alike."

Ming Mei added, "Hopefully, it’s not what we fear."

They certainly didn’t want it to be true, but what actually happened? Only those directly involved know for sure.

At that moment, Guan Guiling lay in her hospital bed. Although it was still hot, she was covered with a thick blanket. She looked extremely weak, having suffered one blow after another. She was barely hanging on.

It’s a bit exaggerated to say she was on her deathbed, but her condition wasn’t life-threatening and was unlike a severe injury. In reality, it was a moderate injury, but with all the trauma she’s endured, the damage to her foundation was considerable, not something that could fully recover.

Guan Guiling lay there, her breath faint, and said, "I’m thirsty."

The man sitting beside the bed immediately stood up and said, "I’ll get you some water."

Dressed in a patient’s gown, he was rather thin. He poured a cup of water, supporting Guan Guiling as he said, "Here, be careful."

Guan Guiling nodded lightly, "I know."

The ward was a double room, not a single room, but this was a good arrangement—both she and her husband were patients and had been moved to this room together. Compared to the eight-bed dormitory, this was much more comfortable and peaceful. They could talk without much restraint.

Guan Guiling’s husband was Zheng Yufeng. After giving her water, he asked, "Feeling better?"

Guan Guiling shook her head and joked, "Still hurts."

Zheng Yufeng looked at his wife with concern and said, "Shall I call the doctor?"

Guan Guiling quickly replied, "No need. I’m already under normal treatment; no need to bother anyone." She paused, then said, "I just wanted you to feel bad for me."

Zheng Yufeng returned to his bed and lay down, saying, "Who else would I feel sorry for? We’ve always relied on each other."

As he lay in bed, he moved slightly and said, "This is thanks to you. It’s my first time in a double room."

He had been hospitalized for some time but hadn’t been discharged.

Guan Guiling had been urgently trying to make money to pay for his hospital bills. Zheng Yufeng coughed a few times and said, "All these years, I’ve been a burden to you."

Guan Guiling shook her head, "What are you talking about with this 'burden' nonsense? We are a family. If I were to say you're a burden, would that make me a human being? You should know how I feel about you. I don't ask for anything else; I just hope you get better."

Zheng Yufeng: "I will definitely focus on getting well."

"That's the right attitude."

Zheng Yufeng: "It's also been hard on you. You don't know, in that moment when you fell, my heart felt like it was being sliced by a knife. I..."

"You don't need to say anything. I know you care for me, but I was willing. You're right; those old couple didn't have just one son. If we had demanded too much, they might have been willing to sacrifice their son. Instead of gambling on whether they would truly care for their son, it's better to drag them into this. No matter how unwilling they are to spend money, they wouldn't be unwilling to redeem themselves."

Guan Guiling looked at her man with admiration, feeling that he was incredibly clever. She had been quite pleased with herself for finding a scapegoat, but it was her husband who had given her the brilliant idea to directly implicate the old couple and drag them into the situation.

Guan Guiling asked in admiration, "Fengge, how are you so smart? How did you know for sure that the Fan family's old folks are mean and shameless?"

Zheng Yufeng let out a light laugh and said, "Do you think a good person could raise a son like Fan Jianguo? Like father, like son. As soon as you described the scene, I knew those two old folks would be difficult to deal with. Luckily, they showed up the next day, giving us time to prepare. Instead of waiting for them to make a move, we took the initiative and waited for them. See, if we hadn't caused a commotion, how could we have ended up in this double room? I've never stayed in a room like this before; last night was a great sleep."

He chuckled softly, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

"Usually in the hospital, there's always someone coughing at night, which really affects my sleep. But now, there's none of that."

Guan Guiling, even though she couldn't get out of bed herself, looked at her man with heartache and said, "Fengge, you've been through so much."

Zheng Yufeng: "It's not hard; it's nothing. We're just dealing with the situation as it is."

Guan Guiling immediately asked, "This time, let's ask for more. What do you think would be a suitable amount?"

Zheng Yufeng: "Regardless of what the police ask you for, don't give them a direct number. First, demand they cover your medical expenses, and mine too. They certainly won't want to agree, but you can play the pity card. Handle that first. The police will probably know you can't work and will ask about compensation, including lost wages. Don't mention a specific amount; let them suggest it, but don't agree at first. Keep pushing back, and they'll keep increasing the offer. We need to squeeze every last drop out of them, but remember, anything under a thousand yuan is not even worth discussing. Didn't they swindle money from a rich lady before? I don't believe they only have a few hundred yuan."

Guan Guiling: "I understand. Fengge, just you watch."

After a pause, she asked a bit worriedly, "But will the police believe us? Yesterday, the police kept questioning me, and I think they might not believe it was those two old folks who pushed me."

Zheng Yufeng sneered, "Whether they believe it or not, it doesn't matter. If they say it wasn't the old couple who pushed you, do they have any evidence? As the victim, you just have to stick to your story. They won't dare say you jumped on your own to frame someone. Don't mention anything about the soil being loose; that can't be used as evidence. It wasn't us who dug it up."

He asserted firmly, "As long as you stay calm, stay firm, and don't budge, they can't do anything to you! And after all, it's not like we can prove those old folks are lying either. They don't exactly seem like honest people, do they?"

Guan Guiling nodded.

She marveled, "Fengge, you're really amazing. You even managed to get someone else to dig up that spot."

Zheng Yufeng smiled smugly and said, "It's nothing; just a small matter."

As the two were conversing, Sister Chen and Ming Mei finally found the ward. They had initially gone to the previous ward but didn't find anyone there. It turned out that Guan Guiling had been moved to another ward. They found their way there, now on the third floor.

Ming Mei remarked, "Fortunately, Guan Guiling was on the second floor yesterday. If it had been the third floor, wouldn't it have been even more dangerous?"

Sister Chen pursed her lips, and the two arrived at the door of the ward, knocking before entering. Sister Chen greeted with a smile, "Guan Guiling, Ming Mei and I are here on behalf of the bus station to visit you."

Guan Guiling's complexion was much worse than the day before, but that was expected, considering she had not only miscarried but also fallen from a building.

Guan Guiling forced a smile, saying, "You're here; please, take a seat."

Despite her frail appearance, it was hard to imagine that this woman was constantly scheming and plotting against others.

Sister Chen: "Zheng Yufeng? Why are you here too? Oh, right, I remember now; Guan Guiling mentioned that you were in the hospital. It's good that you're together; you can take care of each other."

Zheng Yufeng had been part of the bus station but had left due to illness, after which Guan Guiling had taken over his position.

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Zheng Yufeng nodded and said, "Exactly. Initially, we were staying in separate wards, but who would have thought something like this would happen? I just couldn't bear to be apart, so I asked to move in with my wife."

His words made it sound as though they hadn't divorced.

Zheng Yufeng, seemingly understanding their thoughts, immediately added, "By the way, we remarried."

Sister Chen: "Oh, you remarried?"

Zheng Yufeng nodded, "Yes, although we divorced, we still lived under the same roof, and our feelings remained. We really wanted to give our child a complete family. In fact, we've always had feelings for each other, but with my health condition, I didn't want to hold her back. But Guiling is truly a good woman; no matter what, she never left my side."

Ming Mei understood now. No wonder Guan Guiling dared to use the child to plot against others; they had already remarried, though they hadn't announced it. She wondered why Guan Guiling hadn't mentioned their remarriage upfront. Could it be... to exploit others?

After all, if Guan Guiling was single, she might attract some widowers or bachelors paying attention, but if she was married, that wouldn't happen. With someone paying attention, it would be easier to extort money.

Ming Mei didn't want to speculate too negatively about others, but she had seen this scenario far too often.

Ming Mei, following Sister Chen, observed that this was the first time Zheng Yufeng had seen her. He looked at her with a gentle smile and said, "So you're Ming Mei. Guiling has often mentioned you, saying you're young and accomplished, and very pretty. Thank you for coming to see Guiling."

Ming Mei gave a gentle smile in return and said, "Young and accomplished is an exaggeration. I just do my job."

Sister Chen: "Ming Mei is being modest."

She sat by the bed, looking at Guan Guiling's deteriorated state, and sighed, "Look at what you've done to yourself. Oh, by the way, something else happened; yesterday, after Jiang Baohong came to fight with you, the hospital security took her to the police station."

Guan Guiling nodded faintly, "I heard about that." She also knew that this matter would be reported to her workplace and couldn't be kept secret.

She had heard about it the previous night and felt very satisfied. Jiang Baohong thought she could still swagger in front of her? She thought too highly of herself. Guan Guiling was no pushover; she said, "Jiang Baohong has always been framing me, causing trouble in the hospital. Now, this is what she deserves."

Sister Chen: "I know; I know you must be feeling terrible. Yesterday, the police notified our bus station, and I represented the leadership to handle the matter at the police station. The police's decision was to detain her for three days."

This hospital is no place for causing trouble. If they dare to cause trouble here, what else wouldn't they dare to do? Speaking of which, we have to thank the residents of the Siheyuan for this situation. In the past, the hospital would deal with troublemakers lightly, as there was no strict policy that every disturbance warranted police involvement. However, these people have been too unreasonable. Time and time again, they’ve treated the hospital like their local marketplace, causing major and minor disruptions without end.

This has made the hospital extremely frustrated. Now, anyone who causes trouble is immediately sent to the police station, and at the very least, they’re detained for a few days to teach them a lesson. A three-day detention is neither too long nor too short—it’s just enough to discourage them from acting so arrogantly in such a place. So when Jiang Baohong was detained for three days, it really wasn’t surprising at all.

Guan Guiling heard that Jiang Baohong had been detained for three days and couldn’t help but smirk.

She said, “I don’t want to blame her, but there are rules everywhere, and the hospital has its own difficulties.”

Sister Chen nodded, “What she did was indeed wrong.”

Guan Guiling’s eyes flickered as she asked, “Sister Chen, has Jiang Baohong’s bicycle been found? She lost her bike and blamed me for it...”

Sister Chen replied, “No.”

She added, “Where would we even start looking? She claims you lost her bike, so I expect the police station will question you about it.”

Guan Guiling pouted, looking pitiful. “It seems like people will blame me for anything—even the dirtiest and most ridiculous things.”

Ming Mei said very little; she was just here as a companion and didn’t dare to speak out of turn. However, watching Guan Guiling’s theatrical performance, Ming Mei was shocked. She was really pretending to be innocent.

In reality, it was Guan Guiling who had borrowed Jiang Baohong’s bicycle. If not for her giving them this opportunity, Zhuang Zhixi wouldn’t have had the chance to throw Jiang Baohong’s bicycle into the lake. Of course, the bad deed afterward was Zhuang Zhixi’s doing, but if Guan Guiling claims Jiang Baohong is lying, that’s simply not true.

Ming Mei sat quietly on the side, watching as Sister Chen exchanged a few more pleasantries before finally suggesting they leave. Ming Mei stood up silently, and the two of them walked out together. Once outside, they both let out a sigh of relief. Ming Mei followed Sister Chen down the stairs, murmuring, “Guan Guiling’s husband used to be a driver at our station, right? I rarely hear anyone mention him.”

Sister Chen replied, “Why would anyone talk about someone they’re not familiar with?”

Seeing Ming Mei’s innocent look, Sister Chen hesitated for a moment before whispering, “Don’t underestimate this person. The reason he left wasn’t just because of illness.”

Ming Mei: “Ah?”

Curious, Ming Mei looked at Sister Chen. If anyone would know more, it would be Sister Chen. She quickly leaned closer and asked in a whisper, “So, what happened to him?”

Sister Chen whispered, “His injuries caused his poor health, that’s true, but there’s another reason he left his position and let Guan Guiling take over.” She paused, then spoke with a mix of scorn and disdain, “He had an affair with someone and even got her pregnant.”

Ming Mei’s eyes widened. “Goodness! I’ve never heard about this. Not even from my mom.”

Sister Chen looked smug. “Of course your mother wouldn’t know. Almost no one at the station knows. Only a few leaders are aware. You know, I handle these kinds of things at the station, so I’m informed. After all, these disgusting affairs can’t be left for the leaders to deal with themselves, can they?”

Ming Mei nodded, “That makes sense.”

Sister Chen warned, “Don’t spread this around.”

Ming Mei mimed zipping her lips shut. “Rest assured, my mouth is sealed tight. But seriously, I can’t believe it!”

She felt like she had just witnessed something monumental.

Ming Mei exclaimed, “I thought Guan Guiling was so devoted, and I assumed their marriage was solid. So, does Guan Guiling know about this?”

Sister Chen nodded. “Of course she knows. But Guan Guiling said it’s her husband we’re talking about, so she’s not the one who’s at a disadvantage.”

Ming Mei: “…”

She rolled her eyes. “Does she think she’s living in the old society? Being at a disadvantage? He should’ve been locked up for this.”

Sister Chen explained, “Zheng Yufeng has his ways. He managed to keep the woman from causing a fuss. Not only did she not make trouble, but she also left town on her own.”

Ming Mei: “…”

It was truly baffling.

Sister Chen said, “You’re young, but you’ll learn. No matter the time, there are always some messy situations.”

This wasn’t news to Ming Mei, who had already seen a lot. She said, “I get it.”

As they were returning together, Ming Mei was deeply reflective. She simply couldn’t understand why someone would lose themselves in love. She couldn’t imagine herself doing the same. That evening, when Ming Mei returned home and saw Zhuang Zhixi, she pinched his cheeks and said, “If you ever dare to stray, don’t expect me to be nice to you.”

Zhuang Zhixi’s face was distorted from her pinch, and he groaned, “Honey, why are you picking on me? I’m innocent here. What’s gotten into you?”

Ming Mei replied, “I’ll only tell you, and you’re not to tell anyone else. It’s about Guan Guiling’s husband… he…”

As for gossip, once it’s out, it’s impossible for it not to spread.

Zhuang Zhixi’s mouth twitched after hearing the story. “I need to swear to the heavens that I’m not that kind of guy. Plus, from any angle, I have no reason to stray. Anyone who does is just foolish.”

Ming Mei: “Hmph.”

Zhuang Zhixi protested, “Hey, don’t doubt me. I mean it. Look, I’ve got a beautiful, loving wife who’s my soulmate. We’ve got a cute kid. Why would I look elsewhere? Anyone who does that is just crazy. More women are a good thing? Just look at whether you’ve got the stamina for it. All the sheep testicles in the world won’t make up for it—and it’ll ruin family harmony. Oh, right, I haven’t smelled any of that weird smell from our courtyard in ages…”

He seemed a bit nostalgic for the peculiar aromas that used to linger in their neighborhood.

Ming Mei shot him a look. “Aside from our family, does anyone in our front courtyard even need to eat that stuff? And if you ever dare eat it, I’ll beat you—what a disgusting taste. I can’t even stand it.”

Zhuang Zhixi: “…”

Indeed, that’s how it is.

The Su family doesn’t have a man, neither does Zhou Qun nor Bai Fendou. Ming Mei’s grandfather, Uncle Lan, is too old for such needs. The only young men in the front courtyard are the Zhuang brothers. Zhuang Zhiyuan is often off on trips, leaving only Zhuang Zhixi.

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled, “So, in our front courtyard, I’m the only real man, huh?”

Ming Mei smiled sweetly. “Feel free to say that in front of my mother-in-law or my sister-in-law.”

Zhuang Zhixi: “… No need for that.”

Ming Mei: “Hmph.”

“Oh, by the way, I heard from Zhang San that Pan Pan’s family can get fabric without ration tickets. Do you want some? I can talk to him if you do.”

Ming Mei: “Of course, I want it! I need some new clothes for the New Year.”

Zhuang Zhixi: “I’ll let Zhang San know.”

In their courtyard, the two newly moved-in families—one already disappeared without a trace, and the other doesn’t seem to live here much either. So, their presence is minimal. Normally, Zhang San and Pan Pan would live here, but they got married and had a child quickly. Pan Pan being the favored daughter, she went back to her parents’ home to give birth. They only come back occasionally.

More often, it’s just Zhang San coming back alone, as he’s not too keen on staying at his in-laws.

As for Chen Yuan, he’s completely disappeared, likely scared off by Zhou Qun. He probably won’t come back anytime soon.

Zhuang Zhixi thought about this and chuckled. He couldn’t help but think of Bai Fendou.

He sincerely exclaimed, “That’s a real legend.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Zhou Qun, of course. Who else? Zhou Qun and Bai Fendou scared Chen Yuan off with their antics.”

Ming Mei chuckled at the thought. Yes, this topic is still occasionally brought up. In most places, such gossip could last for years, but in their neighborhood, it gets replaced so quickly.

Ming Mei: "Oh right. How's the old lady from the Yu Family doing?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "She's still held up. She was charged with theft and feudal superstition, and with both offenses combined, she's looking at at least five or six years. You might think she only stole petty things like underwear and socks, but those items are valued at their original price, and the cost of the cloth coupons she used is added on top. The total value already exceeds two hundred. That's a significant amount. Who knows how many cloth dolls she made. If the police station had quotas like we do at the factory, they'd definitely exceed their targets. They'd probably rank first every year."

Ming Mei: "What about her husband...?"

"Her husband probably won't be classified as an accomplice, but he is guilty of failing to report the crime, so he'll likely spend a few months inside too. Their family is in chaos over the house now; their courtyard is anything but quiet, it's quite a scene."

Ming Mei: "Tsk tsk."

"Aww."

The couple was chatting idly, but their little ones were having none of it; they wanted to go out and play. Ming Mei: "Oh, babies, do you want to go out?"

The little ones babbled in response.

Ming Mei: "Alright, let's take a stroll."

"Auntie, Auntie, we caught lots of cicadas! We want to roast them and share some with Tuantuan and Yuanyuan, okay?" Hutou came bouncing back, a caring brother who always thinks of his younger siblings when there's something good to eat.

Ming Mei smiled brightly and said: "No, sweetie, they're too young to eat that. You and Xiao Yanzi can enjoy them together. We'll give Tuantuan and Yuanyuan some when they're older."

Hutou was disappointed: "Can't eat them?"

Ming Mei nodded: "That's right. Thank you, Hutou, you're such a good boy."

Hutou proudly patted his chest and said, "I'm the big brother; big brothers take care of their younger siblings."

Ming Mei ruffled his hair, while Zhuang Zhixi said: "Come, I'll help you roast them."

"Great."

Zhuang Zhixi roasted the cicadas for the two kids. Seeing this, Tuantuan and Yuanyuan began wiggling their little bottoms, eagerly reaching out with their tiny hands, "Aww, aww," they called, but Ming Mei and Zhuang Zhixi wouldn't give them any. Such things are not for little ones.

Hutou sniffed the aroma of the roasted cicadas and said: "Uncle, I don't want to leave."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Leave where?"

Hutou earnestly said: "I don't want to leave with mom and dad to live somewhere else. I want to stay here, where there are so many friends. If we leave, we won't have any more friends, and we won't be able to play with Tuantuan and Yuanyuan anymore."

Although Tuantuan and Yuanyuan were tiny infants, to Hutou, they felt like big playmates.

"But I don't want mom and dad to move away either. If the house they get is in the courtyard, we can still live together." Little Hutou was deeply troubled.

Xiao Yanzi, next to him, also pouted and vigorously nodded, fully agreeing with her brother. She didn't want to move away, nor did she want her parents to move away. It felt impossible. The little girl sighed with worry, "I still want to live here."

Her grandma always made beautiful dresses for her and delicious treats.

The girl propped her chin and said, "Uncle, you're the smartest. Can you help us think of a way?"

Zhuang Zhixi laughed and said, "Even your parents couldn't find a way. What can Uncle do? Your dad isn't from the machinery factory, so even if he gets allocated a house, it won't be in this neighborhood. And even if he could, look at our courtyard—where could we find an empty house?"

Xiao Yanzi immediately said, "There is one. Our courtyard has an empty house, right over there." She pointed directly at Chen Yuan and Tao Yuyue's house.

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled and said, "What are you thinking? It's still theirs. It's Chen's and Aunt Tao's house."

The two kids drooped their heads silently, even with the tempting roasted cicadas in front of them, they felt somber. They had thought about this idea for days, but it just wouldn't work. The little ones dragged their feet, feeling deeply upset.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Look at you two, all glum. Your dad and mom—"

He paused abruptly, his gaze drifting toward Chen Yuan's house. After mulling it over, he suddenly smiled.

He said, "You know what, maybe there's a chance."

Hutou and Xiao Yanzi both looked at Zhuang Zhixi, and Ming Mei did too, asking, "You have an idea?"

Zhuang Zhixi said meaningfully, "I think Chen Yuan and Tao Yuyue probably don't want to come back to live here either. If your dad only gets allocated one room, and Chen Yuan also has just one room, we can swap houses."

Such arrangements weren't rare back then. Even though buying and selling houses weren't allowed then, all kinds of unofficial rules emerged to make life easier, like swapping homes.

He said, "Swapping is possible, but I don't know if your dad would agree. If we swap, he'd be giving up a building apartment for a courtyard house—and that's a loss."

Swapping one room for another meant his elder brother was at a disadvantage.

Ming Mei blinked, saying, "Talk to mom about it, and then see how things go."

Hutou immediately grabbed his Uncle and said, "Uncle, go find Grandma."

He was more eager than Zhuang Zhixi himself. Zhuang Zhixi: "..."

Hutou: "Hurry, hurry!"

Xiao Yanzi parroted, "Hurry, hurry!"

They didn't want to separate from their parents, but they also didn't want to be apart from their grandparents or their friends. Don't think kids don't care about such things. For them, it was a very big deal.

The two kids dragged Zhuang Zhixi to see Zhao Guihua. Zhao Guihua was sewing a cotton-padded jacket. Hearing their suggestion, she lit up. She said, "That's a good idea. But... would Chen Yuan and his wife agree?"

Zhuang Zhixi looked at his mother in surprise and said, "That's not the issue of whether Chen and his wife would agree, but whether Elder Brother and Sister-in-law would agree. If we swap, we'd be the ones losing out!"

Zhao Guihua was momentarily stunned, then realized she was using her past experiences to judge the current situation, which was wrong.

Indeed, if they swapped now, Chen Yuan and his wife would actually be the ones gaining. Forget that Zhuang Zhiyuan's house would be an older building, but their own courtyard house was even older. Living in a building meant no more outdoor toilets—unlike a courtyard house, where you'd still need to use the communal facilities.

She knew that in the late nineties, near the turn of the millennium, their old courtyard surged in value and was eventually demolished. But others didn't know that. In the eighties, these old-style courtyards were still worthless.

If they swapped now, they could later go through the formalities and secure ownership of the property in the eighties.

It seemed like a win-win, but the problem was, it would mean they were the ones losing out now, and would Zhuang Zhiyuan and his wife be willing to give that up? She couldn't just say, "I know how this turns out, so let's just do it," because real estate decisions affected people's entire lives. Asking them to give up a more modern home to live in an older courtyard could cause internal strife.

Zhao Guihua said, "Let me talk to your elder brother. I personally really support swapping houses, but if Zhiyuan and his wife don't agree, I won't push them. Coercing someone into something always ends badly, and I don't want any resentment."

Zhuang Zhixi nodded, "I think so too. It's better if they decide for themselves. Actually, it was because I heard the little ones talking that I thought of this. Hutou and Xiao Yanzi have their eyes on Chen Yuan's house."

Zhao Guihua chuckled, "Those two certainly know what's good."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Mom, do you think the courtyard is better?"

Zhao Guihua: "That's what I think, but I don't know if you feel the same way."

She added, "If Lao Da agrees, how do we approach Chen Yuan about this? By the way, I heard Chen Yuan is in the process of transferring to the food factory?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Your info is really sharp. Many in the factory don't even know, but you do."

Zhao Guihua: "I heard it from Aunt Wang. Li the Cook overheard it while cooking for the leaders."

Zhuang Zhixi: "I heard it's true. He's probably avoiding Zhou Qun and Bai Fendou. Chen Yuan is really afraid."

Zhao Guihua: "..."

What to do, she feels like laughing!

Hmm. Really fair!

Zhao Guihua feels that anyone who knows about this wouldn't be able to look at the words 'really fair' the same way again.

Zhao Guihua: "About Chen Yuan..."

Zhuang Zhixi: "If Lao Da agrees to swap, we shouldn't approach Chen Yuan first. I'll make it so he comes to us."

Zhao Guihua looked deeply at her youngest son, "Your big brother has your shrewdness, he's been promoted faster than you."

Zhuang Zhixi: "What shrewdness? I'm just an honest man."

Zhao Guihua: "Hmmph."

Zhuang Zhixi: "I'm genuinely simple."

Does Zhao Guihua believe him?

No!

But does it matter?

Not really.

It's worth noting that despite the many gossip in the courtyard lately, Zhuang Zhiyuan hasn't been curious at all. Every day when he comes back, the most important thing is to talk about the progress of house distribution. It seems like everyone in their unit is the same.

Anyone who can get a house is like this.

Even those who can't get one discuss it every day.

At dinner, he brought it up again, feeling really lucky. "Let me tell you, I was so lucky this time. Just a little more, and I wouldn't have gotten one. I was the third-to-last one."

Ming Mei: "What about my brother?"

As soon as she found out Zhuang Zhiyuan could get a house, Ming Mei went back to her parents' house to ask about her brother's situation. She knew her brother could also get a house.

Zhuang Zhiyuan: "Your brother is in the middle, much better off than me."

They entered the railway station at the same time, but Ming Cheng was luckier. Three years ago, their line caught a gang trafficking women and children, successfully capturing everyone. So, the whole train crew was commended by the city. Thus, his actual rank is one level higher than Zhuang Zhiyuan's, and merits like this are highly valued now. When it comes to house distribution, Ming Cheng doesn't have Zhuang Zhiyuan's worries; he has more choices.

Ming Mei: "So, just because you're ranked higher, you get to choose first?"

Zhuang Zhiyuan nodded, "Yes, in that order. My position is basically at the top."

Currently, the most popular is the second floor, the third floor is also okay. Due to superstition, the fourth floor is not preferred. The fifth floor and the first floor are about the same; many older folks like the first floor, but the sixth floor (top floor) is not popular.

People don't like the top floor; it's too high, and it's inconvenient to go up and down. In winter, buying coal or vegetables isn't convenient.

Zhao Guihua: "Lao Da, have you thought about swapping houses?"

Zhuang Zhiyuan: "Swapping?"

Zhao Guihua briefly explained the idea they discussed today and said, "Of course, this is up to you. We don't mind."

Zhuang Zhiyuan was stunned, even Liang Meifen looked a bit dazed.

Zhao Guihua: "Don't feel burdened. If you still want to live in an apartment, don't swap. Your dad and I aren't insisting you stay with us. We're fine either way. We brought this up today because Hutou and Xiao Yanzi took a liking to Chen Yuan's house. That's why Zhixi and I thought of swapping. But swapping from an apartment to a house might feel like a loss, so it's your decision. I'm just throwing out the idea."

Although Zhao Guihua rules the roost at home, she doesn't want to be resented for this. Even if she knows it won't be a loss, she won't say it. After all, it will only be proven ten years later, so why be so forward-looking?

Zhuang Zhiyuan fell silent, then said, "I need to think about this carefully and discuss it with my wife."

Liang Meifen nodded. She really likes apartments. In these times, who doesn't like apartments? There's water and a toilet at home; unlike now, water has to be fetched from the courtyard, and in winter, there's the issue of frostbite. Using the toilet requires going to the alley.

In any case, it's not as good as living in an apartment.

However, Liang Meifen knows that household matters are up to Zhuang Zhiyuan. That night, the couple went back to their room, and Liang Meifen quickly asked, "Hubby, what do you think about this? Do you want to swap? Apartments are so good."

Zhuang Zhiyuan nodded, "Apartments are nice, but there are pros and cons to this."

Liang Meifen: "Are there drawbacks? What drawbacks are there to living in an apartment?"

She frowned and looked at Zhuang Zhiyuan in confusion.

Zhuang Zhiyuan sighed, looking at his wife, "There really are. First, we'll probably have to separate from Hutou and Xiao Yanzi. I've seen the layout of the house; it's only about thirty square meters, one room. Do you think it's spacious enough? If they stay in this courtyard, we'll have to live separately. We won't have time to visit often, maybe just on weekends."

Upon hearing this, Liang Meifen felt uneasy. She doesn't want to be separated from her children. This mother's heart immediately felt uncomfortable. She nodded, "That's true."

“We could take the kids with us, but we'd be living very cramped. There are still empty rooms here, yet we'd be squeezed together?” Zhuang Zhiyuan's words made Liang Meifen think of another darker thought.

If they completely move out, the remaining rooms would be taken by the third brother and his wife, right? Wouldn't that mean they're at a loss?

But she glanced at Zhuang Zhiyuan, seeing no such intention, so she didn't mention it. However, the scales in her mind tilted just a little.

"Moreover, with house distribution, since my position is so low, I'll definitely be choosing late, basically the top floor. Living on the top floor, I often travel for work, so you'll have to do most of the housework. If I travel in the fall, leaving for ten days or half a month, I might not be able to buy vegetables in time. The good cabbage only comes in for a few days; I might miss it. You'll have to carry winter storage vegetables and coal all the way up to the sixth floor. Think about how much work that is? Will your brother help, or my brother?"

Liang Meifen: "My brother's an ungrateful wretch; I've severed ties with him. Your brother, Zhixi, isn't very hardworking. Plus, if we move out, he'd be the only young man here, so he'd have to take care of all the work here, and he'd also have to help Elder Lan. Even if he's diligent and capable, he won't be able to handle it all."

Actually, Zhuang Zhiyuan hadn't thought of all this. He was analyzing it for his wife as he spoke, and it dawned on him. Thinking about it, there are indeed many disadvantages to moving out.

"Plus, if we move to an apartment, we won't have a storage room, just the limited space at home. Think about how cramped that would be. But in the courtyard, we have a storage cellar."

Each family has a storage cellar, no matter the size, but it can hold a lot of stuff.

Liang Meifen fully agreed with this. She nodded, "You're right. After your explanation, I also think living in a siheyuan has many advantages."

Zhuang Zhiyuan: “There are indeed advantages to living in an apartment. They’re clean, and in the winter, you suffer less. There’s no need to fetch water; everything is convenient. Take using the toilet at night, for example. If you get a stomachache and have to make that long trip outside, by the time you get back, you’re practically frozen through.”

Liang Meifen nodded with a smile.

Yet, the drawbacks were strikingly obvious compared to the benefits.

Such a cramped space, and with Hutou and Xiao Yanzi gradually growing up, it wasn’t ideal for them to continue living like this.

Liang Meifen gritted her teeth and said, “I want to trade our place for a bigger one.”

Zhuang Zhiyuan, who was uncertain about the idea at first, after some thought, nodded in agreement. “I think so too. Trading does seem like the better option.”

Liang Meifen: “So…”

Zhuang Zhiyuan: “Let me talk to my brother tomorrow and see if he can help us come up with a plan. You know, if we can successfully trade with Chen Yuan, it could actually be a good thing. We’d move into the courtyard, and our two kids can move into our current room. They wouldn’t have to squeeze into that tiny side room anymore.”

Liang Meifen nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, yes.”

“And since we’re not separating from the family, it would also give us an extra storage space.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Liang Meifen was overjoyed but then whispered, “If our kids move into this room and we move out, do you think my brother-in-law might get upset?”

Zhuang Zhiyuan gave her a look. “My brother isn’t the petty type. What is there to be upset about? His two kids are still infants and can’t sleep alone yet. Even when they’re four or five years old, it’s still too early to let them sleep alone. Xiao Yanzi and Hutou started sharing that little side room when they were five and a half. Right now, his kids are only a year old, so there’s still a few more years to go. He wouldn’t fuss over this. Once his kids are a bit older, I’ll talk to Mom about dividing our room into two sections, so each of the four kids gets their own space. If any of them have more kids in the future, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Besides, in a few years, my brother and Ming Mei will be allocated a new place to live too! By then, they might want to move into a bigger place and leave their current one for the kids. Don’t you think?”

Liang Meifen: “Yes, yes, yes. They’ll get a new place too.”

She continued calculating, “There’s another advantage to staying in the same courtyard. We can still eat together, which means I’ll save a lot of trouble.”

These woman-specific tasks were something men often failed to understand. It wasn’t because men were insensitive; it was just that they didn’t go through the grind of working all day and then coming home to manage the household. Women like her had a tough time balancing it all.

Right now, Zhao Guihua was able to cook, so Liang Meifen only had to help out in the kitchen. If she had to cook after a long day at work, it would be a struggle. Determined, she declared, “We must find a way to trade our place with Chen Yuan. I don’t want to leave the courtyard.”

Zhuang Zhiyuan nodded, smiling.

The decision the couple made was incredibly quick, a surprise even to Zhao Guihua, who had thought they would agonize over it for a couple more days. After all, living in an apartment was the current trend, and everyone thought it was superior.

But to her surprise, the two discussed it among themselves and quickly reached a very firm conclusion.

In reality, they hadn’t been trying to convince each other of anything. They just weighed the pros and cons and realized that staying put was the better choice.

Most parents were like this—whenever it involved their children, they tended to think more about their well-being.

And so it was with them. They could be together and still live comfortably. They truly didn’t want their kids to feel cramped and uncomfortable.

The next morning, Zhuang Zhiyuan went straight to his mother, Zhao Guihua, and said, “Mom, Meifen and I have talked it over, and we want to try trading our place with Chen Yuan. What do you think would be the best way to approach this?”

Zhao Guihua: “What are you rushing for? Let him come to you.”

Zhuang Zhiyuan: “Huh?”

Zhao Guihua spoke with wisdom. “Your brother is a force to be reckoned with—he can get things done.”

Zhuang Zhiyuan chuckled. “Then I’ll wait for my brother’s good news.”

At that moment, Zhuang Zhixi walked in rubbing his eyes, his hair sticking up, and heard this exchange. He stood there, dazed.

Me? Worrying too much about this family? Never!