Siheyuan: Five mouths waiting for food at the beginning

"Brother, I have been at home for more than half a year, and my child is six months old now. When do you think I should go to work?" Qin Jingru asked while lying in Zhao Shanhe's arms.

"What's wrong? You can't stay here anymore. Who will take care of the child if you go to work? Shanhu's child is so young, Aunt Chen can't take care of him alone. At least wait until Shitou is out of confinement and your sister-in-law can move around.

You are the eldest sister-in-law, so you should set a good example. Our family has no shortage of food or clothing. Aunt Chen has contributed a lot to this family over the years. Don't let Aunt Chen get too tired. You should also help Aunt Chen with work. I married you because you are diligent," Zhao Shanhe said.

"Brother, my original dream was to marry into the city, clean the house every day, and take care of the children. Now not only has my dream come true, but even my father, mother, eldest brother and sister-in-law have become workers, and my mother's family doesn't need my help anymore.

Brother, this is the life I only dreamed of, but now that it has come true, I feel empty inside and don’t know what to do. Even when I go to work, I just sit there drinking tea and knitting sweaters. I really don’t know what to do anymore,” Qin Jingru said.

"What's wrong? Are you complaining that your life is too good and you can't find the value of your existence? The most important thing for you now is to take good care of your children. Look at your sister's children, how crooked they are now.

Parents are their children’s first teachers. Today’s children are like a blank sheet of paper. All you have to do is paint on this blank sheet of paper. Good words and deeds can benefit children for a lifetime,” said Zhao Shanhe.

"Brother, but I don't have enough education to educate my children well," Qin Jingru asked nervously.

"Jingru, the most important thing for a person is not how much knowledge he has. Before learning knowledge, the most important thing is to learn how to be a good person.

You also have many advantages, such as diligence, obedience, and kindness. You should teach your children the good things about you, and let them learn to be grateful, honest, and other excellent traditional virtues. But you cannot turn your children into mama's boys. You should let them learn to be independent.

I am not busy at work, and I will educate my children when I get home. We must first teach them how to behave.”

"Brother, what is a mama's boy?"

"A mama's boy is a child who has no independent thoughts or opinions and listens to his mother in everything. This kind of child will never grow up even if he grows up. He only grows in age, but his mind is still immature," said Zhao Shanhe

"Brother, do you regret marrying me? Sometimes I often wonder if you will leave me and find someone else who is educated. I don't know anything except housework, and I'm from the countryside. I'm not worthy of you at all." Qin Jingru suddenly sat up, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Jingru, is this just your own thinking, or is it someone else gossiping about you? I don't want to hear these words anymore, and you are not allowed to have such thoughts again.

I tell you I have never thought about changing my wife. This is how a couple lives together, they need to complement each other. I am lazy but you are diligent. You keep the house very well, so I don't have to worry about you. You also take good care of me.

You said I should find someone who is educated. We are both busy with our own things. Who will take care of the family? If there are problems and we disagree, won't we quarrel every other day?

I'm only 23 years old and I'm already the chief engineer. I have both salary and future prospects. What I lack is a good wife like you. You're nice and obedient. I love you so much that I can't wait to change you. Don't worry, be down-to-earth, good days are still ahead," said Zhao Shanhe

"Brother, I was wrong, don't be angry. My sister Qin Huairu told me. She said that you are a chief engineer at a young age, with a high salary, good looks, and are very popular with female comrades. I am from the countryside. If I don't work to earn money, you won't want me in the future, and I will have no money to live. So I want to go to work," Qin Jingru said

"Jingru, do you remember the request I made to you before we got married? I told you not to associate with Qin Huairu, but why didn't you listen?

Qin Huairu must be envious of you for saying this. Her husband died when she was pregnant with Huaihua. She had no time to rest after giving birth to the child, and she had to wash clothes and cook for the whole family. When the child was only three months old, she went to work at the factory, and had to run back and forth to feed the child.

Look at your life again. You have an easy job and a higher salary than hers. Aunt Chen takes care of you during your confinement. You eat better than him. Now your child is half a year old and you still don't go to work. You just watch over the child and cook every day. We have several sets of clothes.

You and she came from the same place, you are relatives, and you married into the same compound. You see her every day. How can she not envy you? Your life is more painful than killing her.

She is just planting a seed in you that makes you doubt that I don't want you, and then she will sow discord between us later. Do you think we can still get along? Isn't that what she wants?" Zhao Shanhe said

Qin Jingru said, "Brother, please listen to my explanation. I didn't do that. It was Qin Huairu who said she wanted to see the child and came to our house on her own initiative. I didn't take the initiative to look for her. How could she be so mean? How could my life be a hindrance to her?"

"You two both married in the city, you said you were living well, but she wasn't, especially when your parents came back to the village to show off, she was happy to go back to her parents' home, I guess she showed off a lot before you got married,

You are sisters, plus the comparison in the courtyard, she feels even more unbalanced. She is not afraid that her sisters will suffer, but she is afraid that her sisters will drive..., she is afraid that her sisters will marry well." Zhao Shanhe wanted to say that she drove a Land Rover, but forgot that Land Rover only entered China in 2003.

"Yes, she used to show off a lot and was the envy of us girls, so I also want to marry into the city," Qin Jingru said

"By the way, Jingru, when you go to your father-in-law's house, tell Xiaojun to keep a low profile. I'm not worried about your father-in-law and your brother-in-law, they're all honest people. Xiaojun's temper is too erratic. It's not peaceful outside right now, but I'm not afraid of the factory. The main thing is to keep a low profile when you return to the village, and don't let anyone report you," said Zhao Shanhe.

"Brother, don't worry. I will tell my brother later that the village will not report it. They are all Qin family members. My second uncle is the village party secretary. If anyone reports it, I will beat him to death," Qin Jingru said

"Jingru, you can't judge a person by his appearance. You have to remember that you and Qin Huairu are relatives. It's better to be safe than sorry. What if someone reports you anonymously?" Zhao Shanhe said

"Brother, I've got this. You've been so good to my family, I won't let them cause you any trouble, or I won't recognize them," Qin Jingru said.

Qin Jingru suddenly remembered that her father had told her something. "Oh, brother, my brother talked about a marriage a few days ago. My father asked you to go and take a look. If it's okay, we'll get it done."

"Xiaojun isn't even 20 yet, you're getting married so early? Why should I care about Xiaojun's choice of partner? It's not me who's looking for one, so my opinion is not important. It's enough as long as your family agrees," Zhao Shanhe said.

"Xiaojun is already 19 years old. People of the same age as him in the village are all married. My mother is anxious and has been looking for a partner for him recently. My father said that he must let you see it and you have to agree," Qin Jingru said

Zhao Shanhe couldn't understand why his father-in-law wanted him to watch it. If it was to help his new daughter-in-law find a job, then forget it. The situation is so tense now. If that's the case, he will never help his father-in-law's family again. He is just asking for too much.

"Then find a time to go over and take a look. I definitely won't have time this weekend as Daya is getting married. If you're in a hurry, find a time after get off work. If you're not in a hurry, go over the weekend after next. I'll ask my father-in-law when I'm at work tomorrow."

"Okay, brother, I'll listen to you."

"Jingru, it's getting late. Guoqing must be lonely alone. Let's give him a younger brother or sister." Zhao Shanhe said and got on the horse without waiting for Qin Jingru's consent.