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

Song Ran hesitated for a moment, then walked to the bicycle and sat on the back seat. After Song Ran was settled, He Yuzhu gently pushed off with his foot and rode away with Song Ran on the back.

Sitting on the back of the bicycle, Song Ran was initially a little uncomfortable, her body stiff for a while. After a while, she relaxed and took the initiative to start a conversation: "I heard you're in charge of the production team at the subdistrict office?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "Starting today, the production team is no longer my responsibility. I've returned to the police station and am now in charge of the station's procurement."

"The police station?!" Song Ran exclaimed curiously, "How did you get involved with the police station again?!"

He Yuzhu said, "Before the Military Control Commission was abolished, I was in charge of purchasing for the Military Control Commission's canteen. After the Military Control Commission was abolished, I was transferred to the Public Security Bureau. When the Subdistrict Office was established, it was short-staffed, so they temporarily transferred me to the Subdistrict Office. Later, the Subdistrict Office set up a production team, and I was in charge of managing the production team's affairs. Now that my temporary transfer is over, of course I'm going back to the Public Security Bureau."

"Oh, I see?!" Song Ran muttered to herself, then suddenly realized something and her face turned red involuntarily.

Soon, He Yuzhu drove Song Ran to the entrance of Hongxing Elementary School. He Yuzhu stopped the car, and Song Ran got out, saying, "Comrade He Yuzhu, thank you! See you on Sunday!"

"See you on Sunday!" He Yuzhu watched Song Ran enter the school gate and was about to leave when He Yushui and Xu Xiaoling suddenly appeared in front of him.

He Yuzhu asked, "Why aren't you in class? What are you doing here?!"

He Yushui said, "We're having PE class right now. It's free time." Then, He Yushui asked slyly, "Bro, I just saw Teacher Song get off your bicycle. Are you two dating?!"

He Yuzhu said, "What nonsense are you talking about?! I just happened to run into her on the way, so I brought her here. I'm leaving now! You guys focus on your studies!" With that, He Yuzhu rode away on his bicycle.

Watching He Yuzhu's retreating figure, Xu Xiaoling said, "Yushui, I have a feeling there's something going on between Brother Zhu and Teacher Song! Could they actually be dating?!"

He Yushui pinched her chin, adopting a thoughtful expression, and said, "It's actually possible! Don't forget, my brother saved Teacher Song."

"Holy crap! A hero saves a damsel in distress. A beauty falls for a hero. This is something you only see in novels?!" Xu Xiaoling exclaimed, her face beaming with excitement. He Yushui turned to look at Xu Xiaoling and said, "My brother found a girlfriend, what are you so excited about?!"

"He's your brother, and he's my brother too! Why are we making such a big deal out of it?!" With that, Xu Xiaoling pulled He Yushui back to school before He Yushui could react.

After leaving Hongxing Elementary School, He Yuzhu lost interest in going to the movies. He rode his bicycle around the streets for a while before returning home.

Li Huaide had been busy procuring supplies lately, so he was hosting many guests. He Daqing also came home quite late at night. A little after 7:30 PM, He Daqing returned home. Hearing the door open, Liang Wanping put down the half-finished sweater she was knitting and asked, "Brother Daqing, you're back?!"

"Hmm!" He Daqing responded, walked into the house, and asked, "It's so late, why aren't you resting yet?!"

Liang Wanping said, "How can I sleep when you're not back yet?!" After saying that, Liang Wanping poured a glass of water and placed it next to He Daqing.

He Daqing picked up his teacup, took a sip of water, and then pulled two watch receipts from his pocket, saying, "These are from Director Li. Keep them for now. In a couple of days, when I have some time off, I'll take you to buy one."

Liang Wanping took the watch ticket and said, "I have a watch, you don't need to buy one for me."

He Daqing said, "Your watch has been repaired many times. The movement is old too. Take my advice, get a new one."

Liang Wanping said, "Let's save it for Zhuzi! I heard from Yushui that he seems to be dating someone."

"What?!" He Daqing exclaimed in surprise, muttering, "Has this kid finally figured it out?!" He then asked, "Did Yushui say who Zhuzi's boyfriend is?!"

Liang Wanping said, "I overheard Yushui mention it; it seems to be Yushui's homeroom teacher, whose name is Song Ran."

He Daqing had attended a parent-teacher meeting at He Yushui's school and met Song Ran. Upon hearing that his son's girlfriend was Song Ran, He Daqing's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "This kid has excellent taste!"

Liang Wanping said, "Zhuzi is of marriageable age. He needs to get married, shouldn't we, as his elders, prepare something for him?"

He Daqing said, "I'll ask Zhuzi when I have time. As for his wedding expenses, I've already prepared them!"

Liang Wanping cautioned, "Don't let the children feel that we're biased!"

He Daqing said, "Don't worry! Although I, He Daqing, can't treat them all equally, I won't favor one over the other. I won't bully any of the three children. For their weddings, each of them will receive a thousand yuan, plus tickets for a radio, a sewing machine, and a watch. As for other things, let them earn them themselves!"

Hearing He Daqing's words, Liang Wanping breathed a sigh of relief. Although Liang Wanping had been a good stepmother, unlike others who suddenly had a stepfather after becoming a stepmother, there were still degrees of closeness among people. Liang Wanping said, "Zhuzi is married, and in a few years Yushui will also get married. Watching the children grow up day by day and become part of someone else's family in the blink of an eye, I always feel a little uneasy."

He Daqing sighed and said, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. We're just doing our best to take care of ourselves. We can't worry about anything else." Then he asked, "How did Zhu Zi's report to the police station today go?!"

Liang Wanping said, "Zhu Zi didn't mention it during the meal. I didn't ask either."

"Okay! I'll ask him tomorrow morning. If it really doesn't work out, I'll have him come work at the factory canteen with me." Then He Daqing asked, "Is there anything left to eat at home?!"

"Yes! I'll go get it for you!" With that, Liang Wanping ran out of the house.

Nothing happened that night. A little after 6:30 the next morning, He Yuzhu finished washing up and went into the kitchen. He Daqing, who was eating breakfast, saw He Yuzhu and asked with a smile, "Yuzhu, you're up early today?!"

He Yuzhu sat down opposite He Daqing and said, "I'm used to it! I wake up at the appointed time. And I can't fall back asleep."

He Daqing then asked, "You went back to the police station?!"

"Okay!" He Yuzhu responded, "The institute has given me three days off. I'll go back to work in three days, still in charge of purchasing."

He Daqing said, "Since you have a holiday, why don't you go and take a look at Zhangjiawan in Tongxian County?"

He Yuzhu tilted his head and looked He Daqing up and down, asking, "Dad, what are we doing over there?!"