The Beginning of a Courtyard House: Sixty Years of Internal Strength

Let Yi Zhonghai jump around a bit; after all, the higher he jumps, the harder he falls, and the more mentally broken he'll be then.

As they exchanged drinks, Li Jianguo said, "Da Mao, I'm all grown up now, I'm too embarrassed to bully a child."

But the guys in the compound need to get together often and have a few drinks. After all, they're all oppressed by Sha Zhu, so they have to stick together.

"Yeah, Brother Jianguo, you're right. I'll get in touch with them later and treat you guys to a meal. We'll give Sha Zhu a good beating then."

Unexpectedly, Xu Damao had drunk too much again. While helping him home, he did something small to him.

After all, he's the only close friend in this courtyard. It would be really inexcusable not to help him solve some of his troubles.

He left a trace of internal energy near his lower body, which would gradually damage his meridians over two years, until he would be unable to stand up.

I guess I'll never have the chance to be the first to kill. I'll just have to inherit that title myself, hehe.

Thinking about this made me feel much better. I could even blame He Yuzhu for kicking my groin.

That's really great. Xu Damao is also childless, so that thing is useless. I just wonder if Xu Damao will ever use his orchid finger again.

Li Jianguo warmly handed Xu Damao over to Xu's mother and happily whistled home.

The next day, the lively grading exam began, and Li Jianguo, having nothing else to do, went to watch the excitement.

Seeing Lou Bancheng bowing and scraping to greet the leaders, one has to admit he's quite adept at formalism. There's a huge banner hanging at the factory gate, and many workers are even made to go to the gate to welcome the leaders.

Li Jianguo secretly observed the crowd, watching the workers take the grading exam one after another. He found it all rather boring, since the exam had nothing to do with him. After watching for a while, he left.

Li Jianguo found a corner in the alley and went back into his spatial dimension to continue cultivating.

I returned to courtyard number 95 in the evening. From afar, I saw Yan Bugui looking beaming; it seems this guy's status has also improved.

Li Jianguo walked up to her. "Teacher Yan, you seem so happy. You're from the primary school affiliated with the steel mill, and you took the exam too? Looks like you got a raise too."

"Jianguo, I'm still getting the same salary, barely making ends meet, really barely making ends meet," Yan Bugui shook his head repeatedly, quickly denying it.

If he reveals his salary, how can he take advantage of him?

"Teacher Yan, I went out to buy supplies today. I wonder what the situation is like at the steel rolling mill? How are the people in the yard? Did they do well on their exams?"

"Li Jianguo, you have no idea, the Yi family has really risen to prominence this time. Yi Zhonghai passed the Level 7 fitter exam directly. His salary is over 80 yuan. How can he possibly spend all that money?" Yan Bugui's voice trembled slightly as he spoke of Yi Zhonghai's salary.

"Hey, Teacher Yan, he can't spend all his money, so why don't you help him spend some?"

What's Yi Zhonghai from our institute worried about most right now? It's definitely the issue of elder care.

Now Jia Dongxu is his apprentice, and it is only right that an apprentice should take care of his master in his old age and in his final days.

But no son is as considerate as you. I think your second son is quite good. Maybe you can find him a godfather or something.

If all else fails, you should steel yourself and have your second son's child change his surname to Yi.

"Won't all of Yi Zhonghai's money end up in your family's hands then?" Li Jianguo quickly offered Yan Fugui a terrible idea.

"Jianguo, your idea is indeed brilliant. But Jiefang is, after all, my child. It's not really appropriate for him to recognize Yi Zhonghai as his godfather." Yan Bugui's eyes darted around at this moment.

He was already incredibly excited, but he was still a little embarrassed.

"What's the big deal? Look at your son Jiefang, he's only three or four years old now."

They're still young, it's the perfect time for them to find a godfather. Look at you now, you have three sons, raising them is both difficult and expensive.

"Think about it," Li Jianguo continued, trying to persuade Yan Bugui, "if you recognize Yi Zhonghai as your godfather, do you think he won't help raise your child? You'll be spending Yi Zhonghai's money while raising your own son. Don't you think that's a good deal?"

"Jianguo, do you think Yi Zhonghai will agree to this?" At this moment, Yan Bugui made a decision, but began to consider Yi Zhonghai's attitude.

"Teacher Yan, think about how old Yi Zhonghai is now. When he works until he retires, he will have this much money every month."

After working for over 20 years, how much money must you have accumulated? Are you really willing to let that money end up being swindled away by the Jia family?

"If you're not tempted, you can't catch a wolf without risking your child. As long as you can steel yourself and give up your son, this incredible fortune will be yours." Li Jianguo continued to intensify his efforts.

"What you say makes sense, but the Jia family is not to be trifled with. Old Yi has basically decided on Jia Dongxu and Sha Zhu. How can I possibly get involved?"

"Teacher Yan, it all depends on your determination. If you really harden your heart..."

Yi Zhonghai would absolutely agree to simply rename his second son Yi Jiefang.

They live in the same courtyard, how could the child not know who his biological father is? When the time comes, Liberation will use Yi Zhonghai's money to pay tribute to you.

Think about what kind of day this is; this is what you call scheming.

Teacher Yan, what's the point of you always trying to make a pittance at the door? It's only a few dollars!

"If you could win over Yi Zhonghai, that would be real scheming. Think about it carefully." After saying that, Li Jianguo slipped home.

Looking at Yan Bugui's flushed face and trembling hands, you could tell that his deception had succeeded.

Given Yan Bugui's personality, if you really gave her that much money, she could kowtow to Yi Zhonghai and even change her surname to Yi without any problem.

When Li Jianguo got home, he burst out laughing. It seemed there was going to be some good show to watch in the next few days.

I made two steamed buns and a bowl of cornmeal porridge, locked the door, and went back to my room to happily eat the freshly stewed chicken.

I also opened a bottle of white wine and had a few drinks.

Unexpectedly, there was a knock on the door at that moment. Li Jianguo quickly changed his clothes in the space.

He then placed the cornbread, pickled vegetables, and cornmeal porridge on the table before opening the door.

Fortunately, he had been using his mental energy to observe the situation inside the house, otherwise he wouldn't have known someone was knocking on the door.

"Oh, it's Da Mao. What's up?" Li Jianguo asked, noticing Yan Jiecheng behind Xu Da Mao.

Unexpectedly, Xu Damao arrived with Yan Bugui's eldest son right after he had sown discord with Yan Bugui.

"Brother Jianguo, I've invited Jiecheng over too. Let's have a good drink together." Xu Damao was holding an oil paper package and carrying two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).

"Alright, come in. Da Mao, you didn't steal the wine from your dad this time, did you? Be careful you don't get beaten up again."

"Brother Jianguo, I secretly saved up money to buy this, it wasn't stolen. Two bottles aren't enough, do you have any more wine? Take out another bottle." Xu Damao said proudly.

Li Jianguo took out the half-empty bottle of wine he had just finished drinking from the cabinet, and then took out three small wine glasses.

The oil paper package on the table had already been opened. Xu Damao had brought quite a lot of things this time, including a shredded roast chicken.