Courtyard House: Drunk and barging into the Xu family's house, I woke up numb.

"I don't ask for much, just some wine and meat is fine."

Qin Huairu feigned surprise.

"Wine and meat, sir, your demands are quite high."

After saying that, Qin Huairu put on a show of being willing to go all out.

"However, I will agree to this, since you have done my family such a great favor."

"Besides, you are Dongxu's master, and I was trained by you, so it is only right that I show you respect."

"Let me know when the old lady isn't home, and I'll make it and bring it to your house."

Qin Huairu's words were well-chosen, and Yi Zhonghai understood them clearly. However, the true meaning behind her words was something only the two of them truly grasped.

After Qin Yi and the other man left, Cao Xu, who was leaning against the corner of the outer wall of the workshop, stepped out.

He delivers flour in the dead of night, and now he has to ask Qin Huairu to cook for him when his aunt goes back to her parents' home.

Yi Zhonghai, you've really gone all out with this act of kindness. You truly live up to your reputation as a hypocrite in the courtyard.

He had seen Yi Zhonghai's little tricks clearly; the old man was really after Qin Huairu.

Chapter 10 Sibling Bond, Xu Damao's Request

The following afternoon, Cao Xu, as requested by Wang Youyu, went to the security department of the steel rolling mill to report to the department head, Sun Guofu.

After some communication, Cao Xu received a red booklet from Section Chief Sun, with the words "Work Permit" written in gold lettering on it.

At the same time, he also obtained an item that ordinary people in the future would never be able to obtain—a pistol.

That's right, the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was armed with firearms.

The security department of that era was quite different from the security department of later generations. The steel rolling security department not only carried guns, but also had law enforcement powers within a certain scope.

Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill is a large state-owned enterprise with more than 6,000 workers.

Besides the production workshops, there are also schools for children of employees, canteens, stadiums, meeting halls, barbershops, bathhouses, and so on. It's practically a miniature society.

Therefore, it is natural that a security department responsible for maintaining order within the factory is needed, so it is not unusual for the security department to be armed.

After leaving the security office, Cao Xu ran into his good neighbor Xu Damao, who always spoke up for justice.

"Cao Xu, I heard you got into the security department. Congratulations!"

Cao Xu said politely.

"Thank you!"

"Brother Xu is indeed from the propaganda department; his information network is excellent."

Xu Damao said with a grin.

"Director Wang from the personnel department just asked me for some information, which I heard from him."

"Cao Xu, what is your relationship with Director Wang?"

"A relative, or..."

Cao Xu knew that Xu Damao was testing the waters; this guy was the kind of person who wouldn't do anything without a profit.

"He's a leader, how could I dare to presume to associate with him?"

"By the way, Brother Xu, what did Director Wang want to see you about?"

Xu Damao looked around and whispered.

"Director Wang, you asked me about the relationship between He Yuzhu and Qin Huairu."

Cao Xu thought to himself, "So it really is this matter."

"Oh, so what did you say?"

Xu Damao raised his head and said.

"Of course I'm telling the truth. These two have been flirting for quite some time now."

"Have you forgotten how He Yuzhu treated you yesterday?"

"I would never believe it if you told me that the two of them weren't having an affair."

"Didn't He Yuzhu try to use his connections to get Qin Huairu promoted ahead of schedule?"

"I'll just do whatever he wants!"

After making his remarks, Xu Damao, who considered himself to share Cao Xu's hatred of the enemy, asked a question.

"Cao Xu, what's the matter?"

Cao Xu said calmly.

"Nothing's wrong, I'm just getting ready to go home."

Xu Damao smiled mysteriously.

"Then don't rush off, come with me to the cafeteria."

"I can't wait to go and humiliate He Yuzhu right now, to get revenge for that kick yesterday."

After a moment's thought, Cao Xu stepped forward and put his arm around Xu Damao's shoulder.

"Forget it, Brother Xu, today is my first day at work, let's not go looking for that and not have a good time."

Xu Damao suddenly remembered Cao Xu's identity. Going there so openly was indeed inappropriate and would have a bad influence on Cao Xu.

"You're right, there's plenty of time."

"You've joined the security department today, and you're already a team leader."

"Come on, brother, let me treat you to a drink."

"My old hen laid two eggs this morning, and I also have some Cantonese sausages and peanuts that I just bought."

"When we get home, I'll have your sister Xiao'e cook you a couple of nice dishes so we can celebrate!"

A hint of nostalgia appeared on Cao Xu's face.

"It's been a long time since I've had Sister Xiao'e's cooking, and I really miss it."

Xu Damao shook his head.

"Don't even mention it, I've almost forgotten what her cooking tasted like last time."

“She used to cook for me every ten days or so, but now, I haven’t had her cooking for almost two months.”

"Today, I'll take advantage of your kindness and let her prepare some of her signature dishes so we can have a good meal!"

After speaking, Xu Damao pulled Cao Xu and walked outside.

On the way, Xu Damao pondered for a long time before stopping and looking at Cao Xu.

“Cao Xu, our two families have been visiting each other quite a lot in this courtyard.”

"Brother, I want to ask you for a favor today."

It is said that the Cao and Xu families had contact, but it is more accurate to say that the Cao and Lou families had contact again.

Cao Xu's mother was a gynecologist. Back then, when Lou Wanshan was transporting supplies to another place, Tan, who was pregnant, went out to inspect the store and accidentally fell, and bled on the spot.

At the time, Cao Xu's parents were preparing for their wedding and buying things at the shop next door when they heard the cries for help and rushed to the scene. After examining Cao Xu, her mother made an on-the-spot decision to deliver the baby on the spot.

It's fair to say that if Cao Xu's mother hadn't intervened, Lou Xiao'e might not have been born safely.

However, Cao Xu's parents did not leave their names at the time. It wasn't until four years ago, when Lou Xiao'e married into the Xu family, that Lou Wanshan and his wife met Cao's parents.

Tan recognized Cao's mother at a glance as the doctor who had helped her give birth and saved her and her daughter from danger years ago, and immediately became sworn sisters with Cao Xu's mother.

Therefore, Cao Xu ended up with an older sister named Lou Xiao'e.

From then on, Lou Xiao'e became the closest person to the Cao family in this courtyard.

When Cao Xu's mother was busy at work, Lou Xiao'e would occasionally come over to cook for Cao Xu, who was still in school.

It can be said that Cao Xu received a lot of care from Lou Xiao'e over the past four years.

In particular, the successive deaths of Cao's parents caused Cao Xu, who was preparing for the college entrance examination, to fall ill due to the blow and run a high fever for three days.

Lou Xiao'e took care of her in the hospital for three whole days without taking off her clothes, which made Xu Damao very jealous, and the couple quarreled in the hospital.

"Don't be so formal. Just tell me what's on your mind."

Xu Damao leaned close to Cao Xu and whispered.

"Could you please persuade your sister Xiao'e to cook me some food?"

"It's almost the twelfth lunar month, and the weather is getting colder every day."

"I don't care how delicious her cooking is, I just want something hot."

Cao Xu couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, realizing that Xu Damao was indeed henpecked.

"Brother Xu, you can just say it directly. It's not an unreasonable request."

Xu Damao shook his head.