The Courtyard House: The story begins with He Yuzhu beating up the White Widow.

Na Jiu said, "Your sister-in-law's hometown is in Mentougou. She has a cousin whose husband was killed by the Japanese devils the day after their wedding. Her husband's family thought she was unlucky, so they sent her back home. Now she's almost forty and still lives with her parents."

Qian Bin joked, "Brother, everyone says wild boars can't stomach fine food. My third brother may have grown up a bit older than his age, but he's eaten fine food. If your sister-in-law's cousin isn't pretty, I think we should just forget about it."

Na Jiu laughed and said, "If she weren't pretty, would I introduce her to the third brother?!"

He Daqing was somewhat tempted. After hesitating for a moment, He Daqing said, "My agreement is useless. My son and daughter have to agree first."

Sitting silently to the side, the second son, Zhang Xun, chuckled and teased, "Third son, you've learned your lesson now! You know to ask your son and daughter for their opinions?!"

He Daqing said, "There's nothing I can do. Circumstances are beyond my control. This time, I've broken my son and daughter's hearts. My daughter is alright, but my son, though he doesn't say it, practically considers me his enemy. You wouldn't believe it. The two siblings went to Baocheng. When they didn't see me, they beat up that woman's entire family. If it weren't for some father-son bond, it's hard to say whether I'd be here unscathed."

Qian Bin asked, "Third Brother, I heard your son recently completed his apprenticeship. Where is he working as a chef now?"

He Daqing said, "Take charge of cooking?! You're overthinking it. Ever since I was tricked into leaving Beijing, my silly son has felt that the cooking profession ruined me and this family. So after he finished his apprenticeship, he didn't become a chef. Instead, he got a job as a purchasing agent for the canteen at the Military Control Commission."

Na Jiu said, "Third brother, I told you before that your courtyard was inhabited by a pack of wolves. But you wouldn't listen."

Zhang Xun chimed in, "Since we've come this far, I'll say a few words too. Third brother, do you know why I dislike you?!"

He Daqing was stunned for a moment, his mind racing as he tried to recall when Zhang Xun had started to dislike him. After a while, He Daqing shook his head. Zhang Xun continued, "If it weren't for the scheming people in your courtyard, your wife wouldn't have been injured while giving birth to rainwater. You can't even protect your own wife, why should I like you?!"

Na Jiu frowned involuntarily and asked, "Second brother, how come I didn't know about this?!"

Zhang Xun said, "My third brother's wife, according to seniority, should call me cousin. As her older brother, I can't even protect my own sister, what's there to say? After my third brother's wife left, I went to Tianjin. If it weren't for my fifth brother's son's wedding and the phone call he gave me, I wouldn't have come back."

He Daqing sighed softly, and was about to speak when He Yuzhu walked over with a wine glass and said, "Uncles and elders, let me toast you! I'll drink mine, you can drink as you please!"

Those present drank a glass with He Yuzhu. After putting down their glasses, Na Jiu asked, "Zhuzi, I'd like to introduce someone to your father. He said he'd like to hear your and your sister's opinions. Now I'm asking you, what do you think?!"

He Yuzhu glanced at He Daqing and said, "My mother has been gone for more than three years. I'm content that my father has been able to keep vigil for her for three years. I don't object to him wanting to find someone who cares for him. But there are a few things I need to make clear first. First, no widows with children; second, no women of questionable character; third, no women who don't treat my sister well."

Qian Bin asked with a smile, "Zhu Zi, how come none of these three relate to you?!"

He Yuzhu said, "I'm already sixteen, and I'll be seventeen after the New Year. By this time, I would already be married and have children. That would be considered being able to support my family. Besides, I have a job and can take care of myself. If my dad really finds someone, I'll transfer the house to Yushui's name so that Yushui can live with my dad and his family. I'll feel at ease then."

He Daqing asked, "Zhuzi, if you give up your house, where will you live?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "While I can still buy a house now, I plan to ask around and find out where there are suitable houses available. I want to buy my own house so that even if my dad and stepmother have more children in the future, there will still be enough room for everyone."

Qiao Feng said with some envy, "Third Brother, how come you're so lucky?! To have such a good son like Zhu Zi."

He Daqing chuckled foolishly and said, "I'm just lucky like a fool."

Fei Jun, the eighth brother, said, "Zhu Zi, your eighth uncle used to be a house seller. If you really want a house, I'll help you figure something out."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Ba!" He Yuzhu said, toasting Fei Jun again. Then He Yuzhu looked at He Daqing and asked, "Dad, are you satisfied with the dishes I made today?!"

He Daqing smiled and pointed to the empty plates on the table, saying, "Does this even need an explanation?!"

Na Jiu chuckled and teased, "Zhu Zi, don't let your dad's deadpan appearance fool you, he's secretly overjoyed. He didn't have these skills when he was your age! If you ever decide you don't want to work for the Military Control Commission anymore, come find me. I'll help you find a restaurant."

He Yuzhu said, "Uncle, please don't mention the restaurant cooking job anymore. My current job is fine. If I didn't want to do it anymore, I wouldn't become a chef. You two can continue chatting; I'm going to check on Yushui." With that, He Yuzhu turned and left.

Watching He Yuzhu's retreating figure, everyone present, except for He Daqing, sighed in unison. Zhang Xun said, "Third brother, I really regret going to Tianjin. If I had known you would be tricked and taken away, I should have brought Zhuzi and Yushui to my place in the first place."

A little after 2 PM, the banquet ended. Shan Zhiqi gave He Yuzhu a red envelope and some of the leftover meat and vegetables. After thanking him, He Yuzhu, along with He Yushui, left Shan Zhiqi's house with He Daqing and Qian Bin. On the way back, Qian Bin asked, "Zhuzi, how do you plan to repair the house?!"

He Yuzhu reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Qian Bin, saying, "Sixth Uncle, this is a design I drew. Do you think it's feasible?"

Qian Bin took the design drawings from He Yuzhu and began to look at them. His eyes lit up as he looked, and he asked, "Yuzhu, how did you come up with this design?!"

He Yuzhu said, "That's what I think." Then he asked, "Isn't that inappropriate?!"

"It's suitable, how could it not be suitable?!" Qian Bin echoed, then added, "However, this kind of repair will cost quite a bit of money."

He Yuzhu said, "Sixth Uncle, go ahead and do it. Money is not a problem."

Soon, He Daqing and his group returned to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. Yan Bugui saw the things in He Yuzhu's hands and was about to step forward to ingratiate himself, hoping to get some of the benefits. However, seeing the murderous look in He Daqing's eyes, Yan Bugui shrank back. The group arrived at the middle courtyard, where He Yuzhu took out his key, opened the door, and led everyone inside.