Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

Unsurprisingly, we've got another job coming up.

Sure enough, Sha Zhu, who was sitting and drinking tea, put the lid on and asked, "Is the workshop not letting us out today?"

"Yes, Master has some ideas, and Zhang Chao has gone to submit the application."

Hearing this, Sha Zhu stood up and nodded: "Alright, twisted dough sticks, let's see what other dishes we have."

"Yes, Master." Ma Hua went to prepare the dishes.

Sha Zhu then went up to Qin Huairu and chatted for a bit. Their relationship was... alright.

Anyway, it's just a normal neighborly relationship.

We weren't that distant; it was just casual chatting.

We won't talk about serious matters for long, just want to have some fun.

However, today, Qin Huai asked a couple more questions: "Zhu Zi, did you say something to Teacher Ran?"

There's a reason why she asked that question.

Putting aside other things, Qin Huai is quite adept at judging people and understanding their thoughts.

Just like Yingzi's mother's attitude this morning, she could guess what the other person was thinking.

She was afraid that if she got too close to her master, something might happen, or she might develop some inappropriate thoughts.

As a mother, she's protecting herself for her daughter!

Therefore, Qin Huairu also decided to see each other as little as possible in the courtyard.

If it's something that can avoid bothering the repairman at his home, then do it during working hours.

In short, don't get too close.

Qin Huairu didn't want the fire that had been extinguished in her heart to reignite.

She was a young widow, living with such an outstanding man as Yang Jianguo, spending every day with him.

To say that you have even the slightest thought is pure nonsense.

It was all due to Yang Jianguo's attitude that Qin Huairu changed and suppressed it.

Knowing it was impossible, Yang Jianguo wouldn't give her any hints.

Qin Huairu longed for better days and was also aware of people's attitudes.

Yingzi's kindness towards her led to changes in her life and public image.

The respect and admiration gained, the praise of others, and fame.

A variety of factors eventually extinguished the fire in her heart.

If there really is a chance, let Qin Huairu see hope.

She herself was also afraid of doing something she would regret.

Therefore, keeping your distance is the right thing to do.

The reason she asked Sha Zhu that question was because she noticed that Teacher Ran's attitude towards her had changed.

Ran Qiuye is someone who can't keep secrets.

I had overheard that Sha Zhu was involved with the widow, so I thought I'd ask her about it.

Sha Zhu is a fool; he just told her directly.

He poured out his heart, the misunderstandings and rumors, and what really happened.

Ran Qiuye listened with bated breath, gaining a deep and intuitive understanding of the situation in the courtyard.

But deep down, I also felt a little uneasy.

When he met Qin Huairu again, his attitude naturally followed suit.

"You already told me?" Qin Huairu had a bit of a headache.

Why does this silly Zhu tell everyone everything?

Once you've made up your mind, you're all heart and soul. But how long can your heart really stay hidden?!

"said."

Sha Zhu responded honestly, with a hint of smugness in his expression.

“What can’t my wife and I say? If we keep this up, people will think there’s something going on.”

Seeing that she seemed a little embarrassed, Sha Zhu said, "Don't be so awkward, the autumn leaves will be gone in a couple of days."

Qin Huai remained silent, but in his heart he thought, "It would be good if I could let it go."

Women are all the same in this respect.

Selfish, sensitive, and petty!

Qin Huairu is now aiming for a better future and doesn't want any conflicts or misunderstandings with anyone.

Especially Yang Jianguo and Sha Zhu.

One is his own master, and the other is the one who is closest to his master and is also the most capable young man in the courtyard.

Kind-hearted, remembers good people, and reliable.

Qin Huairu also wanted more friends and more opportunities.

Ran Qiuye is a teacher and a kind-hearted person.

If things go well, they can even help their own kids with their studies later.

After Sha Zhu got married, she often asked others for advice.

They explained things clearly every time, and Qin Huairu really benefited a lot from it.

Now look at her, even the way she looks at me is off.

How will she face Ran Qiuye and continue to interact with others after this?

No, this misunderstanding needs to be cleared up.

She also needed to let Ran Qiuye know that she really had no feelings for Sha Zhu right now.

"I still have to go to work, I'm going back now." After saying this to Sha Zhu, Qin Huairu turned and walked back.

He was thinking to himself that he would talk to Ran Qiuye when he got home today.

Since Sha Zhu had laid his cards on the table, he decided to tell her the truth as well.

Let's make things clear and clear up the misunderstanding.

Only in this way can we continue.

It was almost 10 p.m. when Qin Huairu finally got home.

Seeing that the lights were on at both Master's and Sha Zhu's houses, Ran Qiuye went back inside to put her things away.

She fixed her hair in front of the mirror before walking towards the door.

When Granny Jia saw this, she asked, "Where are you going in the middle of the night?"

Qin Huai replied, "I need to talk to Teacher Ran about something," and then left.

Looking for Teacher Ran?

Granny Jia moved to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) with some unease and peered out through the corner of the window.

Qin Huairu arrived at Sha Zhu's door and knocked: "Teacher Ran, it's me, Qin Huairu. Are you resting?"

Inside the room, Ran Qiuye, who was enjoying her man massaging her feet, couldn't help but change her expression.

He glanced at Sha Zhu and saw him shake his head.

Ran Qiuye thought to herself, "What is she buying this for? It's so late."

But she has a good nature and finds it hard to refuse people unless absolutely necessary.

So, I replied, "I'm here, wait a moment."

Seeing that Sha Zhu was still sitting there, Ran Qiuye didn't tell him to do anything and put on her shoes to open the door herself.

Upon seeing Ran Qiuye, Qin Huairu said with a gentle smile, "Teacher Ran, I'd like to speak with you alone. Would that be convenient for you?"

Ran Qiuye was curious and wanted to hear what she had to say if they talked alone.

"Pillar!" Ran Qiuye called out as she turned around.

When Sha Zhu came over, she asked him to put the chair by the door and gave Qin Huairu a small stool.

Only then did he close the door, put on his coat, and talk to Qin Huairu on the doorstep.

Qin Huairu didn't beat around the bush and told her directly why she had come.

"...Actually, it was my fault for doing this, Uncle Yi...Yi Zhonghai was also at fault."

"Master He is a good man. He wanted to help the orphan and widow, so he became closer to them."

"But nothing happened afterwards. You can ask my master's wife about this; she knows best."

Qin Huairu was open and honest, taking all the responsibility upon himself.

As for Sha Zhu, he was simply an honest man who got fooled.

Ran Qiuye knew that things were definitely not as simple as she made them out to be.

It was all Qin Huairu's fault; Sha Zhu did nothing.

But Qin Huai had such an attitude, and her words contained assurances.

Then there's Sha Zhu's heartfelt sincerity towards her, the fact that they got married, and her own understanding of Qin Huairu now.

The discomfort I felt these past two days has mostly subsided.

He looked at Qin Huairu with a calm expression and sincere eyes.

The remaining awkwardness has mostly subsided.

That's just how Ran Qiuye is. If Qin Huai could come and talk to her...

Explaining things clearly made her feel comfortable.

I also believe that there was really nothing between the two of them, and that the past is the past.

If you keep dwelling on it, you won't be able to live your life from now on.

"Sister Qin, I understand. Actually, I didn't take it to heart, and you didn't need to come all the way here."

These words were purely polite, but they also reflected Ran Qiuye's attitude.

Let's consider this matter closed.

She may need a few more days to adjust her mood.

However, the two families were still able to interact afterward.

When the two meet, they don't have to feel awkward all the time.

The main concern is Ran Qiuye; there's no need to think about how to avoid her anymore.

"That's good. Actually, I didn't intend to come here specifically to see you. I was just worried you might misunderstand."

Qin Huairu chuckled softly, exchanged a few polite words, and then left.

That's enough. Any further explanation would only make me seem guilty.

As for whether Ran Qiuye will seek confirmation from anyone, Qin Huairu guessed that she would most likely talk to her master's wife.

In this courtyard, the two of them are the closest to each other.

Ran Qiuye wouldn't tell or ask anyone else.

A young married woman asking around about her husband's past with a widow—how awkward that sounds!

Ask Master Li Ying, and Qin Huai will be completely at ease.

That master's wife has the same personality as her master, Yang Jianguo.

Be realistic and objective, speak frankly and impartially about issues, and never gossip or spread rumors.

Therefore, Ran Qiuye would only confirm with her that what she said was true.