The courtyard: the atmosphere of human life

Darong looked at Zhou Xiaomei's expression, knowing how sensitive and fragile her heart was at the moment, and she carefully considered her words.

"I heard that you were going to get married." Darong admitted frankly that she had heard about her.

"What did they say about me?" Zhou Xiaomei smiled bitterly, with a layer of frost in her eyes.

Darong was silent for a moment. Before she could figure out how to start the conversation, Zhou Xiaomei spoke again.

"They must be laughing at me." Tears flashed in Zhou Xiaomei's eyes.

It turned out that after Zhou Xiaomei graduated, she caught a good opportunity and successfully got a job in the factory as a formal worker. She met her current boyfriend in the factory. Unable to resist the boy's pursuit, the two of them got together.

Originally, both families had agreed. After all, the two children were of similar age and both were formal workers. They were just waiting for Zhou Xiaomei to reach the age so that they could get the marriage certificate.

In fact, Zhou Xiaomei is one year older than Darong, and they will be able to get married in another year. However, they have been together for a long time, and it is difficult to control the intensity of their passion.

This accidentally caused a commotion, and Zhou Xiaomei didn't dare tell her family. The boy was quite responsible, and he went home and told the truth, then brought his parents to the house to propose marriage.

However, Zhou Xiaomei's family didn't know that she was pregnant. They refused to give in no matter what they said, and the talks broke down.

In that era, girls were treated more harshly than boys. Once a girl became pregnant before marriage, it was almost a foregone conclusion that she could be manipulated at will.

After the boy's parents left in anger, Zhou Xiaomei had no choice but to confess to her mother that she had not had her period.

After the live fish was killed and sold, Zhou Xiaomei's parents went back to the man's house again. As a result, the news of her pregnancy spread like wildfire.

"It doesn't matter what others say. What matters is what we do. Since you are married, just live a good life. Others won't laugh at you." Darong comforted Zhou Xiaomei softly.

Zhou Xiaomei smiled bitterly. Will it be okay? In a wedding where even the wedding date can be changed back and forth, if there is anything worth looking forward to, it is probably only the boy who never leaves her. I hope he can remain consistent.

Zhou Xiaomei didn't leave until the afternoon, and Xiao Ling also said goodbye and left.

Xiao Ling's home is far away, and in previous years, Sibei would come home in the afternoon. Darong's mother always asked Sibei to send Xiao Ling back early. This year, Sibei has not come back, so Xiao Ling has to get home before dark.

"Mom, do you think Si Ge and Xiao Ling can succeed?" In fact, Darong could see that her mother was not very happy today.

"Humph."

Darong's mother did not answer Darong's words, but her snort was enough to explain everything.

Sibei didn't return home until it was completely dark. As soon as he entered the door, he started looking for food. He pinched two of the cold dumplings in the kitchen and ate them.

"Don't eat something cold, or you'll get an upset stomach." Darong's mother scolded Sibei'er while asking Darong to heat up the food.

"It's okay, Mom. My dad hasn't come back yet?" Sibei looked into the house and saw only Xiaoying and the third brother were there.

"Your dad is a jerk. I wonder whose house he's at playing cards and drinking again."

Darong's mother gets angry whenever it is mentioned. Darong's father has some hobbies like playing cards and raising insects, but Darong's mother can't stand it the most. In her eyes, playing with money and making trouble are not serious matters.

"Where have you been all day? You're so hungry. Did you miss lunch?" Darong quickly changed the subject.

"No, I was too lazy to come back, so I went out to play with Sanhezi at noon."

Sibeier never said where he went to play, and just muddled through it with vague answers.

When the family was having dinner in the evening, Darong's father was supported by Laoliu and returned home.

"Third sister-in-law, my third brother drank too much."

Lao Liu was an employee of Nanjian and also lived in the dormitory. In the evening, several men would drink together. Darong's father drank too much, so Lao Liu carried him back.

"Oh, how much is this to drink? His sixth uncle is in trouble."

While supporting Darong's father, Darong's mother did not forget to thank Laoliu who brought Darong's father back.

After Lao Liu left, Darong's mother and Sibei'er helped Darong's father to the bed. Darong's mother's face had already turned ugly, but she couldn't just turn hostile over this during the New Year.

"Darong's mother, you are great, you deserve this." Darong's father suddenly gave Darong's mother a thumbs up.

Not only Darong's mother, but also the children were surprised by their father's behavior.

In that era, parents never talked about love, and home was their common protection. What Darong's father said while drinking might seem very ordinary now, but it made Darong's mother feel warm and shy.

Darong's mother didn't say a word. She took off Darong's father's shoes, covered him with a quilt, and continued to eat with the children.

Da Rong's father was lying on the bed, facing the wall, with a triumphant smile on his face.

Early in the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, Darong's father rode a big iron donkey, loaded with the New Year gifts that had been prepared long ago, and set off first with Darong's mother and Xiaoying. Darong followed with the fourth brother and the third brother, and walked towards Zhouzhuang.

"Da Rong..."

I had only taken two steps when Pei Bin's voice came from behind.

"Darong, luckily you made it. My mother asked me to get this for you." Pei Bin got out of the car and handed a bag of snacks to Darong.

"How can I feel embarrassed?" Darong didn't expect Pei Bin to come to see her, and she was a little at a loss for a moment.

"Brother, who are you? Why are you bringing something to my sister?"

The third brother behind him set the tone at the right time, looking at Pei Bin opposite him with a cunning look on his face.

The fourth brother didn't think much about it at first. He was always slow to react. It was only after seeing the third brother's expression that he realized what was going on.

Looking at the two children who might become his brothers-in-law, Pei Bin really felt nervous.

"I, I am..."

"He is Master Pei from our restaurant."

Pei Bin stuttered and couldn't speak clearly, so Darong simply introduced himself generously.

"Oh, hello, Brother Pei." The third brother greeted Pei Bin with a sly smile, and ran with the fourth brother.

"Sister, we are waiting for you in the dormitory of the small hospital."

Darong looked at the third brother and sighed helplessly. This brat was quick-witted and more thoughtful in his approach. He was completely different from the fourth brother in terms of personality.

"I told my family about our relationship. My mother is very happy and wants you to come over to get to know our family after the New Year." After seeing the fourth brother and the third brother walk away, Pei Bin spoke happily to Darong.

Darong's face was red, and she was obviously shy, but she still pretended to be generous and decent. Pei Bin liked her even more when he saw her.

"Then... when are you going to tell your family?" Pei Bin asked cautiously and tentatively.