Courtyard House: Inheriting the Restaurant, the Jia Family Wants to Get It for Free

After the Sino-Soviet canned food cooperation project was officially launched, the atmosphere of the entire No. 95 courtyard in Nanluoguxiang changed.

In the past, people respected Cheng Shuhai because he was rich, capable, and had connections; he could help them catch thieves and solve their retirement problems. It was a kind of admiration and reliance on the strong.

But now, there's something else in that reverence.

The project was state-owned, a collaboration with the Soviet Union, and the factory was directly under the Ministry of Industry. Cheng Shuhai was the chief technical advisor for the project.

These words, when put together, carried such a heavy weight that the ordinary people in the courtyard felt breathless. They could no longer quite comprehend what kind of "official" Cheng Shuhai was; they only knew that it was a sky they could never reach in their entire lives.

The person who made the changes most noticeable to everyone in the courtyard was Qin Huairu.

Ever since Cheng Shuhai handed over the management of the food processing plant to her and the team sent by Lou Bancheng, Qin Huairu has become a different person.

She was no longer the Qin Huairu who revolved around the children and the stove, spoke softly, and greeted everyone with a smile.

Every day before dawn, she would get up, feed her two children, quickly eat a bite of breakfast, and then ride the women's bicycle that Cheng Shuhai had specially bought for her to the processing plant on the outskirts of the city.

At night, she would often come home exhausted after it was completely dark.

At first, the older women in the courtyard would gossip, saying that Qin Huairu, a woman, had such a young child, what was the point of doing such a puzzle? But gradually, they stopped saying such things.

That afternoon, a brand-new green Jeep drove up to the entrance of the courtyard. The people in the courtyard recognized the car; it was the vehicle of the steel rolling mill leader.

A young man in blue overalls got off the car, carrying a thick brown paper bag. He walked straight into the courtyard and happened to run into Qin Huairu holding Jia Xingzhou, who was sunbathing in the yard.

"Qin, you're in charge!" The young man immediately stood up straight and greeted Qin Huairu politely as soon as he saw her.

Yang Xiulian, Sun Dali, and a few others who were chatting and relaxing in the courtyard immediately perked up their ears.

Is Qin in charge?

This name is novel.

Qin Huairu herself was also stunned for a moment, then realized that this was the factory's new accountant, surnamed Wang.

"Xiao Wang, what brings you here? Is something wrong at the factory?" Qin Huairu asked, standing up as she held the child.

"Mr. Qin, this is last week's production report and raw material receipt. Accountant Zhang from General Manager Lou's side asked me to bring it to you so you can check it." Xiao Wang handed over the brown paper bag with both hands, his attitude respectful.

"In addition, Accountant Zhang said that there will be a production meeting at the factory at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, mainly about the packaging and labeling of the first batch of canned goods exported to the Soviet Union. Comrade Andrei, a Soviet expert, will also attend. Accountant Zhang said that you are most familiar with this batch of goods and would like to ask you to chair the meeting tomorrow."

With a "boom," the minds of several middle-aged women in the courtyard exploded.

What did they hear?

Chairing the meeting? Or attending a meeting with Soviet experts?

Is this... is this still the same Qin Huairu who used to live in the hospital, with a disabled husband, a shrewish mother-in-law, all alone, and only able to survive thanks to Cheng Shuhai's help?

Yang Xiulian stared, her mouth agape, forgetting to even touch the shoe sole she was sewing. Sun Dali was equally shocked. Although she also helped out at Cheng Shuhai's restaurant, she was just a waitress, completely different from what Qin Huairu was doing.

Qin Huairu herself remained calm; she dealt with these things every day and was already used to it.

She took the file bag, nodded, and said, "I understand. Tell Accountant Zhang that I'll be at the factory at 8:30 tomorrow and have him prepare the packaging samples and design drawings in advance."

"Okay, Qin will take care of it. I'll head back now." Xiao Wang said goodbye politely and turned to leave.

As the jeep drove away, belching smoke, an eerie silence fell over the yard.

After a long pause, Yang Xiulian was the first to react. She moved closer to Qin Huairu, her face beaming, "Oh my, Huairu, you're really something now! You've even become 'in charge'!"

"Aunt Yang, please don't make fun of me." Qin Huairu smiled a little embarrassedly. "I'm just learning and helping out. It's nothing like I'm being responsible."

"You call this assisting?" Sun Dali chimed in, her eyes full of envy. "You're even chairing a meeting! And with the Soviets! My goodness, Huai Ru, you've really made our institute proud!"

"Exactly!" another middle-aged woman chimed in. "I only knew Director Cheng was capable, but I never imagined you could be so competent! Following Director Cheng was definitely the right decision!"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Isn't this the right path we've chosen?

Back then, when Qin Huairu married into the Jia family, it was like falling into a fire pit. Her husband, Jia Dongxu, was a mama's boy who later went insane. Her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, was an even bigger troublemaker. If it weren't for Cheng Shuhai's intervention—first helping her deal with the Jia family, then recognizing her as his god-sister, and now entrusting her with such an important factory—she wouldn't be where she is today.

And then there's Chen Xueru, needless to say. Her silk shop is booming, and she's also managing the accounts of three restaurants. She and Director Cheng are a perfect match, living a very glamorous life.

The people in the courtyard looked at Qin Huairu, and then thought about their own family situations; their hearts were filled with mixed feelings.

Envy, jealousy, and a touch of sourness.

Why do they always get to have all the good things?

Of course, this thought was only allowed in his mind. Who would dare offend the Cheng family now? Not to mention Qin Huairu, even the child surnamed Jia she was holding acted like a little emperor in the courtyard.

"Huai Ru," Yang Xiulian's eyes darted around as she grabbed Qin Huai Ru's arm and lowered her voice, "Does your factory still hire? My Jie Cheng is doing very well at his job, but he doesn't have much of a future. Do you think... we could get him a job at your factory, even just as a warehouse worker or an apprentice?"

As soon as the question was asked, the eyes of several middle-aged women around them lit up instantly.

Yes! That's the key point!

Qin Huairu is now in charge, so her words definitely carry weight!

Yang Xiulian's words were like a pebble thrown into the seemingly calm waters of the courtyard, instantly creating ripples.

Sun Dali quickly chimed in, "Yes, Huai Ru, look at our Guang Tian. Although he's learning to cook from Director Cheng now, his younger brother Guang Fu is still at home. That kid is honest and strong; he'd definitely be fine doing some manual labor at your factory!"