Siheyuan: A Family with Three Little Ones

This book realistically depicts the 1950s and 60s. There's a book next door by the author of "Time Travel: The Silly Pillar," where the author spends money like water and eats lavishly every day, yet claims he can't get used to the food and bread of that era. I wonder if the author himself eats that kind of food every day? The part about giving a watch and a jade bracelet as gifts on the first blind date is unrealistic and a bit exaggerated.

The initial setup was absurd. The parents of two steel mill workers died in the line of duty, and the compensation went to the grandfather's medical expenses—what serious illness? What kind of grandfather was receiving compensation for four children? What about the savings of a dual-income family?

You've been dating for three years and haven't gotten engaged or married? It's 1966 already, two younger brothers are in high school and a younger sister is in middle school. At least two of them were sent to the countryside, otherwise none of them would have escaped. Are you serious that Miss Lou only entered a courtyard house in 1966?

I've read over 30 chapters so far. The author's writing is good, and the atmosphere is well-described, but I can't really think about it too much. With a total family savings of only 10 yuan, everything depends on the eldest brother. He even rushes home after work to cook, while his two younger brothers, both in middle school, do absolutely nothing.

The author's writing is alright, but there are many parts that are just awful! The protagonist works to support the whole family, and his younger siblings are already in middle school but they don't know how to do anything at home. The older brother has to come home to cook and do housework for them. Raising children like this will only raise ungrateful wretches! Let alone the 1960s, how many kids born in the 1980s haven't done housework at home!

A middle school student who gets out of school early and whose older brother, who has to work, comes home to cook—how lazy must this person be? Or is it because the main character spoils them?

Is the male protagonist a selfless type? After reading about ten chapters, almost every chapter mentions the eldest brother's sacrifice, his dedication, and how his very existence is defined by being the eldest brother. The other siblings aren't infants; they're all over ten years old, teenagers, and while they can't handle big tasks, they can manage a lot of small ones.

Why are all the period dramas these days about courtyard houses? Can't you authors create period dramas without courtyard houses? I'm sick of seeing courtyard house fanfiction.

Having read up to chapter 35, something felt off. The author's writing is actually quite good, but the story development is insufficient; many settings feel like forced patches added later. Take the protagonist's grades, for example. If he were first in the entire school, many people would be interested in him.

If both parents are deceased, there must be two jobs available. You filled one, but what about the other one? It doesn't make sense that two jobs could become one. I didn't even see you sign up for the survivor's benefits, and you just went to work without any explanation.