When Li's mother heard that her child's household registration could be improved and that he could go to school in the capital, she was so happy that she said she wanted to stay here. Her daughter was already married and had no children, so there was no point in her staying in Chuncheng.
Cheng Qiao has to take care of four children by herself and go to classes at the same time, so she definitely can't help. So she should stay and help, even if it's just picking up and dropping off the children or cooking. But Cheng Qiao and Li Huan disagreed because there is a grocery store in Chuncheng.
Moreover, Cheng Qiao always felt that this grocery store must be opened, otherwise she didn't know what would happen. Anyway, she would feel uneasy if the store was not open.
Seeing that her son and daughter-in-law both disagreed, Li's mother was a little disappointed, but when she thought about what Li Huan said about opening a shop, she seemed to understand a little. Whether living in the capital or Chuncheng, it would cost a lot of money.
Her own savings are limited, and she will have no income if she leaves the village. She is now also supported by her son and daughter-in-law, but Huanzi only receives a subsidy of 10 yuan per month, which is enough for her to eat and drink alone.
Moreover, if Huanzi stops being the village chief next year, he won't even get that salary. Then the whole family will have to rely on their daughter-in-law. How can this be possible? Cheng Qiao will be exhausted to death. Mother Li suddenly felt that she needed to open a shop to make money.
Thinking that she could earn money for her son and daughter-in-law, Li's mother became happy again. She secretly made up her mind to earn at least 50 yuan a month and send 40 yuan to Cheng Qiao every month, as she had four children there.
Cheng Qiao went to the kitchen and took a look around. The stove was cold and the pots were empty. She couldn't help but shake her head. Men's life is rough, and living alone means they just get by.
She was going out to buy vegetables, rice and meat. Anyway, she had to buy everything for the whole family. Li Huan followed her hurriedly. After asking where the vegetable market was, the two of them rode their bicycles out.
Ye Jun originally wanted to give the money and tickets to Cheng Qiao and the others. This is the capital, and the tickets from his hometown cannot be used. But when he thought of Cheng Qiao's ability, he didn't say anything.
The two of them went to the vegetable market, where they still needed tickets, but they didn't have tickets to Beijing, so they could only buy some vegetables that didn't require tickets.
After finding a secluded place, chickens, ducks, fish and meat appeared, as well as ten kilograms of rice, a large jar of oil, and some snacks and cakes.
Seeing two people coming in with bags, Ye Jun smiled. It was just as he expected.
"This is a briquettes card, limited supply."
Ye Jun handed over the family's grain books, coal briquette cards and other things to Cheng Qiao. Since there was someone in charge of the family, he became a hands-off boss.
Cheng Qiao looked at the shockingly small supply and couldn't help but shake his head. Few houses in the capital had kangs, and the coal was used for cooking.
"I know where I can get some coal. It's too late today. I can get it tomorrow."
Cheng Qiao patted his chest with confidence. It was cold in the capital, but much better than his hometown. Besides, the beds here were just beds, unlike the kangs in his hometown. It was very warm at night.
"Mom, grandma, were you cold last night?"
Although Cheng Qiao took out a lot of bedding in the name of Ye Jun, people who are used to sleeping on a heated kang will always be afraid of the cold. Sure enough, both of them nodded and felt chilly, as if wind was blowing into the quilt.
"Then put a coal stove in the room tonight and boil some water."
Mother Li nodded. This was the only way. They would have to leave after just a few days anyway.
The next day was the Little New Year. Cheng Qiao and Li Huan went out and brought back a lot of coal, almost filling up the two empty houses in the yard.
"What a coincidence! You brought back so much coal, but there's no kang at home. Isn't it a waste?"
Cheng Qiao shook her head. It was definitely too late to build a kang now. She would build one after her mother and the others left. One reason was that the children could use it. Another was that they wouldn't have to suffer from the cold when her mother and the others came next year.
The mothers started to work in the kitchen, washing and rinsing. Soon they had prepared more than a dozen dishes, a big pot of rice, and dozens of steamed buns.
There is no other way. There are more than a dozen people. If we don’t prepare so much, they will not be full. Especially Qin Guoqing and Li Huan, they are big eaters.
After lunch, Cheng Qiao and Li Huan went out again. This time they brought back more things. Lele, Li's mother and Ye Jun were no longer surprised. However, Qin Guoqing admired them in his heart. He thought that Brother Huan was amazing and could even get good things in Beijing.
Mother Li sat in her west wing, feeling somewhat worried. Grandma also seemed to be shaking her head and sighing. Cheng Qiao didn't understand what was going on. Li Huan laughed. Every year on New Year's Eve, they would secretly worship their ancestors.
Cheng Qiao smiled. Her courtyard house should belong to the Li family, so she would go there to worship and also pay her respects to her mother.
Li Huan's eyes sparkled and he hurried to find Cheng Liguo. The three of them rode out on their bicycles again. Cheng Liguo excitedly came to Zhao Min's courtyard, touching the broken door knocker, feeling sad.
When Li Huan saw that Cheng Liguo looked unhappy, he hurried over to support him. This father-in-law was really great. His wife had been dead for more than ten years, but he still insisted on remaining a virgin. His love was so loyal.
When I opened the door, the yard was no longer overgrown with weeds as before. Instead, it was clean and tidy. Apart from the golden leaves swept down by the autumn wind, there was not a single piece of garbage.
"Coincidentally, you want one?"
Cheng Qiao shook her head: "It should be Uncle Liang who cleaned it."
"Liang Qingya, why is this guy here?"
Cheng Liguo felt a little uncomfortable. Zhao Min had been dead for so many years, but his ghost was still lingering around and now came to harass his daughter again. If he saw this guy, he would beat him to death.
Li Huan did not notice the change in Cheng Liguo's expression, but was amazed at the uniqueness of this courtyard house. Ye Jun's courtyard house was large, but deserted and simple.
But Cheng Qiao's courtyard house is small and exquisite, revealing the taste and meticulousness of the original owner everywhere. When he saw the huge step-out bed in the master bedroom, he gasped.
"What a coincidence, this..."
"Uncle Liang helped to save it, and since it's located in the suburbs, it's still preserved until now."
"This Uncle Liang is great. When can we meet?"
"See you, you shameless guy."
Cheng Liguo suddenly became furious. Zhao Min had told him about this bed and even drew a design for him. Unfortunately, it was too big and too luxurious. If someone saw it, he would be dead.
Li Huan was startled and suddenly understood Liang Qingya's identity. He couldn't help but light a candle for Liang Qingya, whom he had never met. If he also had a love rival, Cheng Liguo would probably be even more furious.
Thinking of this, he rubbed Cheng Qiao's waist tightly, as if worried that she would disappear if he let go. Cheng Qiao rolled her eyes at Li Huan, how could he think so much.
Cheng Qiao placed the table in the middle of the reception room, prepared incense, candles and other items, and of course some food. They were going to worship their ancestors tonight.
Ye Jun also brought Li's mother and others. Li Le saw such a beautiful courtyard, and it would be a lie to say that she was not envious, but Qin Guoqing held her hand tightly:
"When I get promoted, I'll be able to get an independent yard, and we'll arrange it like this."
It was getting dark, Cheng Qiao turned on all the lights in the courtyard, and then began to worship his ancestors, starting with Zhao Min. After all, this was the property left by Zhao Min.