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

Yang Ruihua hadn't expected He Yuzhu to talk back to her, and her expression changed slightly as she was about to retort. Then, remembering that He Daqing had brought a young woman home that morning, she smiled and said, "He Yuzhu, you'd better go back and see! Your father has found you and your brother a stepmother!"

He Yuzhu said, "Aunt Yang, you don't need to worry about this. My dad is old enough to find a young and beautiful wife, which shows he's capable. I wonder if your teacher Yan could do the same?!" With that, He Yuzhu pushed his bicycle and walked past Yang Ruihua with He Yushui in tow.

Yang Ruihua was furious watching He Yuzhu and his sister's retreating figures! Then she saw several neighbors covering their mouths and snickering. Yang Ruihua instantly lost face, picked up her things from the ground, and went straight home.

Hearing the noise, He Daqing, who was resting inside, came out with Liang Wanping. Liang Wanping greeted them, "Zhuzi, you're back from get off work?!"

"Hmm!" He Yuzhu responded and handed the cloth bag in his hand to He Daqing.

As He Daqing took the cloth bag, he asked, "Zhu Zi, what's inside?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "The vegetables I planted at the Military Control Commission are all ready to eat now. These are the surplus; everyone at the Military Control Commission received a little. I also built a shed in the open space behind the neighboring courtyard; the vegetables there will be ready to eat in a while. If you want to eat anything, just go and pick it yourselves."

He Daqing opened the cloth bag and saw cucumbers, eggplants, and tomatoes inside. His eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed, "These are all good stuff!" Then he asked, "Zhuzi, what vegetables do you grow next door?!"

He Yuzhu said, "Don't you have the key?! Why don't you go and see for yourself?!"

"Alright! I'll go check it out later." With that, He Daqing took the cloth bag and went to the kitchen.

After a while, He Daqing put his things down, came out of the kitchen, and went to He Yuzhu's room, saying, "Zhuzi, I want to discuss something with you."

He Yuzhu asked, "What's wrong?!"

He Daqing said, "Zhuzi, do you want to find a job for your Aunt Liang?"

"This is a matter between you two, you don't need to tell me." After saying that, He Yuzhu took out a cigarette case from his pocket, took out two cigarettes, and handed one to He Daqing.

He Daqing took the cigarette, looked at it, and said, "Wow?! Zhonghua?! This is pretty good!" Then he asked, "Where did you get this cigarette, kid?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "It was given to me by my uncle's boss."

He Daqing tucked the cigarette behind his ear and said, "Since you have no objections, I'll ask around later."

He Yuzhu said, "Dad, are you trying to steal my neighbor's vegetable garden?!"

He Daqing smiled awkwardly and said, "It's the lean season for vegetables right now. The ones you're growing in your greenhouse are the same ones you brought back. They're quite rare now. They'd be perfect to give away as gifts."

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said, "Giving them away is fine. But I can't let them all go to waste."

"Don't worry! Your father knows what he's doing!" With that, He Daqing, seeing the matter settled, prepared to leave. He Yuzhu stopped him and asked, "What are we having for dinner tonight?!"

He Daqing said, "On the way back after getting our marriage certificate, I passed by the market. I bought an old hen and a piece of pork. I'll cook for dinner myself tonight. Our family will have a good meal."

"Okay!" He Yuzhu replied, watching He Daqing leave his room. He couldn't help but sigh and mutter, "Everyone else's father worries about his son. How come it's the son worrying about his father in my case?! What a life of toil!"

"Brother!" Just then, He Yushui ran in. He Yuzhu hugged He Yushui and asked, "What's wrong?!"

He Yushui nestled in He Yuzhu's arms and said, "Brother, I just heard Yan Jiecheng say that my father has married a new wife and will abandon us after they have children. Is that true?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "Don't listen to Yan Jiecheng's nonsense. Even if our father has another child, even if he doesn't want me, he won't abandon you. After all, you're his little darling! Besides, at least our family are normal people. The Yan family are all reincarnated shrewd schemers. We humans can't stay with beasts. If we stay too long, we'll catch their bad habits."

"Okay!" He Yushui nodded heavily and said, "Brother, I'll listen to you! I'll never play with their family again. Not only will I not play with them, but I'll also make sure all my friends stay far away from them."

He Yuzhu took some snacks out of his pocket and put them into the other pocket of He Yushui's clothes, saying, "Share them with your friends."

"Hey!" He Yushui understood what He Yuzhu meant, smiled and replied, "Brother, I'm going to play! I'll go to work with you again tomorrow." After saying that, He Yushui ran out of He Yuzhu's house in a flash.

A little after 4:30 PM, a strong and overpowering aroma wafted from He Yuzhu's kitchen. Yan Bugui, who had just returned from fishing, was drawn in by the smell before he even put down his bucket. He set down his bucket and followed the scent to the courtyard. Just then, He Daqing came out of the kitchen. Yan Bugui's eyes lit up, and he quickly walked up to He Daqing, saying, "Old He, I heard you brought a woman home today?!"

He Daqing nodded and said, "That's true! If I don't bring my wife back, am I supposed to stay outside?!"

"Oh my?! Congratulations!" Yan Bugui said, bowing slightly to He Daqing, then asked, "Daqing, marriage is a joyous occasion. Shouldn't we at least have a few tables to celebrate?"

He Daqing said, "Now that we're advocating frugality, there's no need for extravagance!" Then he countered, "Old Yan, you're a teacher. Your wife is the liaison officer for our department. You wouldn't be leading the way in violating the rules, would you?!"

Who is Yan Bugui?! How could he possibly watch He Daqing dismiss the banquet that was practically on his lips with just a few words?! Yan Bugui said, "Old He, a wedding is a joyous occasion. A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative; why don't you share in the happiness with everyone?"

He Daqing laughed and said, "Old Yan, since you've put it this way, it wouldn't be right for me not to treat you." He then asked, "Old Yan, how much are you planning to contribute?"

Yan Bugui said, "We're all neighbors, and my family lives on my own. I can't afford much, so I'll just give you a penny as a token."

He Daqing laughed! His laugh was somewhat chilling. After laughing, He Daqing said, "Yan Bugui, your money is worth too much. I can't afford it. I don't want your one-cent gift. Just take that one cent and take your family out for a good meal; it's on me."