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

He Yuzhu was worried that the chocolate in his spatial dimension might be different from the chocolate available on the market, so when he had some free time, he melted the chocolate, reshaped it, and rewrapped it in parchment paper. He Yuzhu replied, "I made it myself!"

Song Ran was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise, "You can make this yourself?!"

"I can make it! With cocoa beans. But it's quite troublesome. And the raw materials are also difficult to process. I have some left at home. If you like it, I'll bring it over for you tomorrow." As he spoke, He Yuzhu had already arrived at the gate of the compound. He Yuzhu stopped his bicycle and waited for Song Ran to get off before saying, "I won't see you inside."

"Okay!" Song Ran responded, then added, "Be careful on your way back!"

"I understand!" He Yuzhu watched Song Ran enter the gate of the compound, then immediately turned his bicycle around and rode home.

"Xiao Ran is back?!" Song Ran took out her keys and opened the door to her home, when she heard her mother's voice.

Song Ran walked into the living room, glanced around, and asked, "My third brother hasn't come back yet?!"

Xu Wenya replied, "Didn't you go out together?! Why didn't you come back together?!"

Song Ran sat down next to Xu Wenya and said, "We separated as soon as we went out the door. But when we came back just now, Third Brother and Kong Lianqing were clearly walking ahead of us. I'm already back, how come he didn't come back?!" As she spoke, Song Ran's eyes lit up instantly, and she said, "Mom, it seems that my Third Brother and Kong Lianqing's relationship is going to work out."

Xu Wenya sighed and said, "If your third brother succeeds, your father and I will be relieved!"

Song Ran said, "Third brother's problem is solved, now it's just my fourth brother. So many years have passed, and we haven't heard from him. I wonder how he's doing?!"

Xu Wenya said, "Your dad said that the best news is that we haven't heard from your fourth brother."

"Mom!" Just then, Song Zhaohong walked in from outside.

"You're back?!" Xu Wenya replied, eagerly asking, "What's your impression of Lianqing?!"

Song Zhaohong replied, "It's fine!" Then he looked at Song Ran and asked, "Where did you and your partner go?! I haven't seen you two anywhere!"

Song Ran said, "Zhu Zi took me to his master's house." Then Song Ran told Xu Wenya about the banquet.

After listening to Song Ran's story, Xu Wenya looked at Song Zhaohong with some interest and asked, "Third brother, what do you think about your sister mentioning that you two should hold a banquet together?!"

Song Zhaohong said, "Even if I agree, Kong Lianqing might not. Let my younger sister get married first! I'll get to know Kong Lianqing better."

Xu Wenya looked at Song Zhaohong with displeasure and said, "Why go through all this trouble?! If it's okay, it's okay; if it's not okay, it's not okay. Why bother getting to know each other?! If you want to get to know each other, you can do it after you get married! I'll go call your Aunt Liu right now and sound her out." With that, Xu Wenya immediately stood up and rushed towards Song Shinian's study.

After his mother left, Song Zhaohong said with some complaint, "Are you satisfied now?!"

Song Ran said, "You! You're like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not recognizing a kind heart! Mom and I have been so worried about your marriage. And you, instead of helping, are blaming me!"

"Fine! Fine! Fine! I'm sorry, okay?! I apologize!" With that, Song Zhaohong stormed upstairs.

Song Ran chuckled as she watched Song Zhaohong's retreating figure, muttering, "You little punk! That's all you've got!"

About twenty minutes later, Xu Wenya emerged from Song Shinian's study looking refreshed. Seeing her mother's expression, Song Ran knew the matter was practically settled. However, Song Ran still asked with some unease, "Mom, is it done?!"

Xu Wenya replied with a smile, "It's done! Your Aunt Liu said she wants her daughter to spend more time with your third brother. Then she'll get things done with you and Zhuzi." Xu Wenya then sighed and said, "The higher-ups are now prohibiting extravagant weddings. Your two couples getting married together will shut people up."

Song Ran asked, "Mom, I haven't seen Dad since I got back! Where is he?!"

Xu Wenya said, "Your dad is drunk, just like your Uncle Kong. He's still lying in his room!"

Song Ran then thought of the Deputy Director Hu that Liu Xiangmei had mentioned and said, "When Zhu Zi and I went to his mentor's house, we ran into Wang Xia, the director of the Nanluoguxiang Subdistrict Office. She said she was about to be transferred to the district. The person taking her place is Deputy Director Hu, whom Aunt Liu knows. Zhu Zi isn't familiar with this Deputy Director Hu, so I guess he won't be helping the subdistrict office with advice anymore."

Xu Wenya chuckled and joked, "You're definitely one of us. I'll talk to your Aunt Liu about this later!" Then, Xu Wenya pulled Song Ran to the sofa and asked, "Ran, how much do you know about Zhu Zi's family situation?"

Song Ran thought for a moment, organized her thoughts, and told him everything she knew. After listening to Song Ran's account, Xu Wenya said, "That kid was quite honest with you! He told you everything. Actually, your dad and Zhu Zi's uncle have some connection. Back when they were fighting the Japanese, your dad's unit was surrounded by the Japanese, and Zhu Zi's uncle happened to be passing by with his troops and rescued your dad and the others."

Song Ran said with a smile, "I really didn't realize that our family and Zhu Zi's family have such a connection! No wonder my dad suddenly changed his mind and agreed to let me date Zhu Zi."

Xu Wenya said, "Originally, your dad agreed to your relationship because of Uncle Zhu. But after he met Zhu, he changed his mind. He thinks Zhu is better than those other kids in the compound!" Then Xu Wenya glanced at the clock on the cabinet and said, "I'm not talking to you anymore! It's getting late, I'm going to prepare dinner." With that, Xu Wenya stood up and went to the kitchen.

A little after five o'clock in the afternoon, He Yuzhu rode his bicycle back to the courtyard house. As soon as he stepped through the gate of the central courtyard, he saw Xu Damao standing before him with a cheeky grin. He Yuzhu chuckled and teased, "Brother Mao, haven't seen you for almost half a month. Where have you been traveling and sightseeing?!"

Xu Damao chimed in, "Sightseeing, huh?! I almost lost my life. This time, I went to Sichuan with my master. It was fine at first, but then we encountered a landslide. Luckily, my master is a superb driver. Otherwise, you'd be eating at my feast by now." With that, Xu Damao pulled out his cigarette case, took out two cigarettes, and handed one to He Yuzhu. Then, with a mysterious air, he asked, "Do you know who I met in Sichuan?!"