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

"Hey?! Old He, you're back?!" Yan Bugui greeted He Daqing with a smile as he carried his bicycle across the threshold.

He Daqing asked, "Old Yan, you didn't go out today?!"

Yan Bugui chuckled awkwardly and said, "Where can we go in this weather?!" Then, his eyes involuntarily drifted to the cloth bag hanging on the handlebars, and he said, "Old He, you cooks have it so easy. You never have to worry about food or clothing."

He Daqing said, "Old Yan, what's so great about being a chef?! That's a job of serving people. How can you compare to you intellectuals?! You all say that there are houses of gold and beauties in books. Since everything is in books, why do you care about food?!" After saying that, He Daqing was about to return to the central courtyard, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly stopped and said, "Teacher Yan, I was just thinking about the saying 'there are beauties in books.' Since you intellectuals have wives in books, why do you still need to get married?! Isn't that a waste of money and resources?!" After saying that, He Daqing was afraid that if he ran too slowly, Yan Bugui would not be able to catch his breath and would lose his life and then extort money from him, so he ran away as fast as he could.

Yan Bugui waited until He Daqing's figure disappeared before he came to his senses. His face turned ashen with rage as he roared, "He Daqing! You just wait! I'm not finished with you!"

Having already stepped into the Intermediate People's Court, He Daqing heard Yan Bugui's voice and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up. He muttered, "Little brat?! You think you can mess with me?! You're still too green!"

He Daqing pushed his bicycle into the house, parked it, and then took a cloth bag to the kitchen. He saw He Yuzhu and his sister, along with Liang Wanping, sitting together eating. Curious, He Daqing asked, "Why are you only eating now?!"

Liang Wanping said, "We've already had lunch. Now we're having some snacks. And you know what? Zhu Zi's cooking is just as good as yours." Then she added, "Sit down, have some!"

He Daqing walked to the table and sat down, asking, "Zhu Zi, what did you do?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "On my way back, I saw someone making thin wrappers to wrap things for the kids. I thought these wrappers were similar to spring roll wrappers, so I bought some and made some spring rolls. Also, I bought two packs of dried meat wonton wrappers a couple of days ago. I just remembered them today, so I made them together. Dad, sit down for a while, I'll make you a bowl of wontons with meat wonton wrappers." After saying that, He Yuzhu put down his chopsticks and ran to the stove to get busy.

About ten minutes later, He Yuzhu brought a bowl of wontons to He Daqing's side, put the bowl on the table, and then returned to his seat, looking at He Daqing with anticipation.

He Daqing picked up a spoon, scooped up a mouthful of soup, tasted it, and then scooped up a wonton and put it in his mouth. After chewing it a couple of times, He Daqing swallowed the wonton and said, "Zhuzi, your skills are on par with the master chefs at the Fujian Guild Hall."

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Compared to those veteran chefs, I'm far from good. But it's enough for home cooking." Then he asked, "Dad, did the cooking go well today?"

He Daqing replied, "That's great!" Then he looked at He Yushui with a doting gaze and said, "Yushui, Miss Lou wants you to visit her when you have time."

"Oh!" He Yushui responded, looking at He Yuzhu with a strange expression.

He Yuzhu said, "Why are you looking at me like that?! Just say what you have to say!"

He Yushui said cautiously, "Brother, it seems like Sister Xiao'e has taken a liking to you."

"What?!" He Yuzhu exclaimed in surprise. He Daqing was equally surprised.

He Yuzhu quickly recovered and said, "Xiao'e is still young. She doesn't know what liking or loving is yet. In a few years, she will understand."

He Daqing said, "Zhuzi, if you really like Boss Lou's daughter, then go for it boldly. If you don't like her, then make things clear to her as soon as possible. Between men and women, love is the most hurtful thing, and also the most unpredictable."

Liang Wanping interjected, "Zhuzi, your father is right. You still have to make the decision yourself."

"I understand!" He Yuzhu scooped up a spoonful of soup and put it in his mouth, his mind racing with whether or not he should keep Lou Xiao'e. Soon, the whole bowl of soup was gone. He Yuzhu snapped out of his reverie and said, "Dad, Aunt Wang told me today. After the New Year, I'll report to the police station."

He Daqing was stunned for a moment, then looked at He Yuzhu with a puzzled expression and said, "Why are you suddenly going to the police station?!"

He Yuzhu said, "The Military Control Commission will be abolished after the New Year and replaced by a Subdistrict Office. The Subdistrict Office will have several neighborhood committees under its jurisdiction. Aunt Wang is the first director of the Subdistrict Office. The Subdistrict Office is different from the Military Control Commission. In addition, the Public Security Bureau also wanted me. So I was transferred there. As for what I will do at the Public Security Bureau, I will find out after I report for duty."

Liang Wanping said, "Being a police officer is quite dangerous. Zhu Zi, how about we find another job? If it really doesn't work out, I'll give you my job."

He Yuzhu said, "Aunt Liang, I think it's fine. You don't need to change jobs. Keep your job for your children! Besides, although my uncle sacrificed his life, his comrades and former leaders are still around. If I really want to change jobs, I just need to tell them."

A little after 3:30 in the afternoon, He Yushui and Liang Wanping finished their snacks and went back to their room. Only He Yuzhu and his son He Daqing remained in the kitchen. He Yuzhu took out his cigarette case, pulled out two cigarettes, and handed one to He Daqing.

He Daqing took the cigarette, looked at He Yuzhu, and asked, "When did you learn that?!"

He Yuzhu lit a cigarette, took a puff, and replied, "I learned to smoke after I came back from Baocheng. Sometimes when I'm feeling down, I smoke one to cheer myself up."

He Daqing said, "Zhuzi, you've seemed preoccupied. What are you worried about?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "Nothing?!"

He Daqing continued, "Today I overheard Boss Lou chatting with his relatives. Boss Lou kept subtly, almost imperceptibly, advising them to leave. Isn't everything fine now?! I really don't understand why Boss Lou would do that?!"

He Yuzhu said, "Dad, this is called being prepared for danger in times of peace! That's why Boss Lou can get rich, but you can't." He then reminded him, "Think carefully, what has happened since Liberation?!"

He Daqing said nonchalantly, "We're just ordinary people. No matter what the higher-ups do, we just need to live our lives well."

He Yuzhu said, "Dad, you're thinking too simply. No wonder you were schemed against!"

He Daqing smiled and said, "You're a smart kid, otherwise you wouldn't have gotten tricked into giving away steamed buns with counterfeit money."