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

Yan Bugui looked at the densely packed forms, then at Cheng Shuhai, and cursed Cheng Shuhai a thousand times in his heart.

What kind of situation is this?

Want to work in a factory and enjoy a life of luxury? No way. Instead, I got a thankless job that paid nothing.

But the words have already been spoken; can he take them back?

"Fine...fine, I'll copy it." Yan Bugui gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words.

He picked up the forms, too embarrassed to even take the bag of peanuts on the table, and slunk away.

Watching Yan Bugui's retreating figure, Cheng Shuhai knew in his heart that this was just the beginning.

The people in the courtyard have already been aroused.

Yan Bugui was rebuffed by Cheng Shuhai and was given the arduous task of copying forms. The news spread throughout the courtyard in less than half a day.

Everyone realized that even Yan Bugui, the "cultured man" from the front yard, couldn't get through, and it seemed that trying to get in through Cheng Shuhai's back door was out of the question.

So, everyone immediately changed their strategy.

Director Cheng is strict and doesn't show favoritism. But Qin Huairu is different! She came from the same institute and is Director Cheng's sworn sister; surely he should consider some past relationship?

As a result, Qin Huairu's doorstep suddenly became lively.

"Huai Ru, look how busy you are now! There's so much work to do around the house, your mother can't manage it all by herself. Look at my husband, he's quick and efficient. How about we send him to the packaging workshop at the factory? It's just packing canned goods, she'll definitely be able to do it well!"

"Hey Qin, my buddy's a truck driver, really skilled! Does your factory's transport team need anyone? Even a temporary worker would be fine!"

"Sister Huairu, I... I don't want to go to school anymore. I want to work in a factory. I can do anything!" This was Liu Guangfu, who was being pushed forward by his mother, Sun Dali, with a red face.

For a time, Qin Huairu was surrounded by people who wanted their sons to join the transportation team, their wives to work in the packaging workshop, and even some who wanted to work as temporary workers themselves.

Everyone spoke with heartfelt sincerity, describing their own situations as pitiful as possible and expressing their eagerness to get into the factory as urgent as possible.

Qin Huairu was facing so many favors alone for the first time, and her palms were sweaty.

Looking at these neighbors she used to see every day, their faces filled with eagerness yet also calculation, her mind was in turmoil.

She didn't have the authority to agree, and she was also afraid of causing trouble for Cheng Shuhai.

If she didn't agree, she was afraid of offending everyone in the courtyard, and that people would gossip about her behind her back, saying that Qin Huairu had forgotten her roots and was heartless after gaining power.

She instinctively wanted to find Cheng Shuhai and ask him to make a decision. But then she thought, her brother and sister-in-law entrusted her with such an important factory precisely because they hoped she could handle things independently. If she couldn't even handle this small matter, how would she manage such a large factory in the future?

Thinking of this, Qin Huai took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

She remembered what Cheng Shuhai had said to Yan Bugui that day, and she also remembered the principles that Chen Xueru had taught her.

She cleared her throat; her voice wasn't loud, but it was very clear.

"Dear elders, brothers and sisters-in-law, younger brothers and sisters, I completely understand how you feel."

"Everyone wants to find a good job so their family can have a better life. If I can help, I definitely will."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up, thinking there was hope.

"However," Qin Huairu changed the subject, "just like Director Cheng said, this factory belongs to the state and is an international project. The rules inside are even stricter than those of a steel rolling mill. It's not up to me or Director Cheng to decide who gets in."

"Then... how exactly do we get in?" someone asked anxiously.

"It's simple, just wait." Qin Huairu looked at everyone and said, word by word, "When the factory needs people, the neighborhood committee and the factory gate will post recruitment notices. They will clearly state what kind of people they need, what the requirements are, how to apply, and how to take the exam."

"At that time, anyone who meets the requirements can apply. Whether they can pass the exam will depend on their own abilities."

"What if the factory doesn't hire anyone?" a neighbor, who was trying to take advantage of the situation by pestering her, asked reluctantly.

Qin Huai glanced at him, her tone becoming firm.

"If I'm not hiring, then it's no use whoever contacts me."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"I appreciate everyone's kindness. If the factory ever hires workers in the future, I will have the neighborhood committee post a notice immediately so that everyone in the compound knows. As for who wants to go and what position they want, everyone can just register according to the requirements in the notice. That's all I can say now that you're all gathered around me."

After saying that, she held the child, nodded to everyone, turned around and went back into the house, gently closing the door behind her.

The courtyard fell silent instantly.

Several people who had originally hoped to take advantage of Qin Huairu by being close to her and using their influence to their advantage were now feeling somewhat embarrassed.

They didn't expect Qin Huairu to be so definitive, leaving no room for negotiation.

For the first time, the people in the courtyard noticed that Qin Huairu seemed different from before.

She was no longer the submissive wife who would secretly wipe away tears when her husband went mad and her mother-in-law caused trouble, needing protection at every turn. She spoke logically and acted methodically. Although her tone was still gentle, the firmness in her bones made it impossible for anyone to treat her as a pushover.

She learned to protect herself with systems and rules, instead of relying on vague personal relationships.

That evening, Qin Huairu told Cheng Shuhai and Chen Xueru everything that had happened during the day.

She was still a little uneasy and asked softly, "Brother, sister-in-law, did I say something too harsh? Will the neighbors think I... have forgotten my roots?"

"You did the right thing." Before Cheng Shuhai could speak, Chen Xueru spoke first.

She held Qin Huairu's hand, her eyes full of approval.

"Huai Ru, remember this: you're now in charge of a factory, not just an ordinary housewife in the courtyard. What's the worst thing about managing a factory? It's opening a door for this person today and doing that for that person tomorrow. Once the door is opened, it can never be closed again."

"At that point, the factory won't be a factory anymore; it'll become a marketplace of favors. How will you manage it then?"

Cheng Shuhai nodded, affirming her approach.

"If you agree to one today, the whole hospital will be coming to you tomorrow. Will you help or not? If you help this one, what about that one? In the end, you'll only be disliked by everyone."