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

Xu Wude thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I really didn't expect He Daqing to come back?!" He then asked, "Old Yan, any news about Yi Zhonghai and that deaf old woman in the backyard?!"

Yan Bugui replied, "I haven't heard of that. If you want to know, go ask He Yuzhu. He works at the Military Control Commission, so he's well-informed."

Xu Wude then asked, "Old Yan, He Daqing is back. Has he found a job yet?!"

"Found him! He's back at Lou's Steel Rolling Mill." With that, Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together in front of Xu Wude. Xu Wude, understanding the unspoken message, offered Yan Bugui another cigarette, and the two chatted casually for a few more minutes. Xu Wude then said goodbye and went home.

"Hey! Old He's back?!" Xu Wude had just stepped into the courtyard when he saw He Daqing coming out of the side room.

He Daqing replied with a smile, "I'm back!" Then he asked, "Haven't seen you in a while. Where have you been making your fortune?!"

Xu Wude laughed and replied, "I'm already this old, what's the point of making money now! As long as I'm healthy and my children are well-behaved, that's enough! Are you leaving again this time?!"

"I'm not leaving! No matter how good it is outside, nothing beats home!" After saying that, He Daqing hesitated for a few seconds, then said, "It's been a long time since we brothers have had a drink together. Why not seize the day? I'll cook a couple of dishes for lunch today, and we can have a good drink together!"

"Sure!" Xu Wude agreed, saying, "I haven't had your cooking in ages. I'll definitely come over at noon." With that, Xu Wude strode towards the backyard.

Just after 10:30 a.m., Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu arrived in Fangshan by car. They went to the quarry where Jia Zhangshi was serving her sentence. Jia Dongxu showed his visitor's pass and registered at the entrance. Then, Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu were led into a room. About ten minutes later, Jia Zhangshi was brought in.

"Mom!" Jia Dongxu immediately stood up with Qin Huairu when he saw Jia Zhangshi.

"Dongxu!" Madam Jia Zhang cried as she walked to sit down opposite Jia Dongxu, saying, "You've finally come to see me!"

Jia Dongxu asked, "Mom, are you alright?!"

Jia Zhangshi replied, "What's so good about being here!" As she spoke, Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu standing next to Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu hurriedly said, "Mom, she is your daughter-in-law, Qin Huairu."

"Mom!" Qin Huairu called out respectfully.

Madam Jia glanced at Qin Huairu, her heart skipping a beat. She thought to herself, "This girl is quite pretty. But why does her gaze seem so wandering?!" Then, Madam Jia looked at her son with some concern, sighed inwardly, and asked, "Dongxu, how much did your wedding cost?! How much did that old, penniless Yi Zhonghai help you out?!"

Jia Dongxu said, "Mom, don't even mention it! Yi Zhonghai has been arrested."

Madam Jia was taken aback and asked, "Yi Zhonghai has been arrested, and no one in the backyard stepped forward to rescue him?!"

Jia Dongxu continued, "Yi Zhonghai was implicated by the backyard. That old deaf man in the backyard is an enemy agent."

Upon hearing that the deaf old woman was an enemy spy, Jia Zhangshi's expression changed drastically. Jia Dongxu glanced at his mother's reaction and continued, "Yi Zhonghai and Zhao Shufen divorced. Zhao Shufen sold the house to He Daqing and went to live with her parents."

"What?!" Madam Jia exclaimed in surprise, "He Daqing is really back?!"

Jia Dongxu nodded and said, "He's back! And he's back working at the steel rolling mill. That little brat He Yuzhu is working at the Military Control Commission now."

"Why is God so blind?!" Jia Zhangshi shouted softly, secretly glancing at the guard beside her. Seeing that the guard did not react, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Huairu deftly took a lunchbox from the cloth bag, opening the lid as she said, "Mom, Dongxu and I brought this for you. Eat up!"

When Jia Zhangshi saw the braised beef, braised pork hock, and tightly packed white steamed buns in the lunchbox, her eyes instantly reddened. Without saying a word, Jia Zhangshi grabbed a steamed bun in one hand and a braised pork hock in the other, and began to wolf it down.

Jia Dongxu was shocked by his mother's eating habits. Qin Huairu, standing beside him, advised, "Mom, eat slowly! We won't take it from you. It's all yours."

"Hmm! Hmm!" Jia Zhangshi nodded, completely ignoring Qin Huairu's words, and continued to wolf down her food.

After finishing her meal, Jia Zhangshi slumped into her chair, letting out a satisfied burp, and said, "That was satisfying! Finally, I had a full meal!" Then she asked, "Dongxu, when are you coming to see me again?!"

Jia Dongxu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Mom, it's hard to say right now. It depends on the work situation! Now that Yi Zhonghai isn't backing me up at the factory, I can only keep a low profile."

Madam Jia was speechless. After a few seconds, she continued, "You still haven't told me how much dowry you paid?!"

Jia Dongxu replied, "It didn't cost much. It was at market price."

Madam Jia pressed, "What's the market price?! There must be some figure, right?!"

Just as Jia Dongxu was about to speak, the guard beside him said, "Alright! Time's up. Zhang Dalian should go back!" With that, the guard dragged Jia Zhangshi away without further ado.

After Jia Zhangshi left, Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu tidied up the things on the table together, and Jia Dongxu said, "Huairu, let's go!"

"Yes!" Qin Huairu responded, put the lunchbox into the cloth bag, and then left with Jia Dongxu.

While Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu were waiting for the long-distance bus by the roadside, Wu Jiangyong and Wang Xia returned to the Military Control Commission after their meeting. Wang Xia put her things back in her office, took her lunchbox, and went to the canteen. After looking around the canteen, she couldn't see He Yuzhu and asked, "Chef Xu, where's He Yuzhu?!"

Xu Dali replied, "Zhu Zi is busy in his private plot next door right now!"

"Private plot?!" Wang Xia was stunned, looking at Xu Dali with a puzzled expression.

Xu Dali said, "The courtyard next door used to be a garden. It was abandoned later. We didn't have enough manpower when we came here, so we didn't do anything. But after Zhu Zi came, he had nothing to do, so he cleared the land. That kid even built a shed. Director Wang, if you want to find him, go over there!"

"Hey! I'll go check it out now!" With that, Wang Xia left the cafeteria. A short while later, Wang Xia entered the courtyard and saw a shed erected in a sunny spot. He Yuzhu was busy working inside. Curious, Wang Xia walked over to the shed and called out, "Yuzhu, what are you doing?!"

Hearing the noise, He Yuzhu looked up and saw Wang Xia outside the greenhouse. He Yuzhu immediately put down what he was holding and ran to the outside, asking, "Aunt Wang, what brings you here?!"

Wang Xia asked, "Zhu Zi, is there anything special about this thing?!"