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

Ma Huaimin said, "When I went to the branch office for a logistics meeting last time, I heard that the higher-ups were going to send us another deputy director. With so much silence, I thought they'd forgotten about it!"

Zou Shijun, sitting at the desk behind Ma Huaimin, said, "Old Ma, the higher-ups haven't forgotten about this. I guess they haven't found a suitable person yet."

Ma Huaimin nodded in agreement and said, "Although there are quite a few people transferring from the military now, those who are truly suitable to be the deputy director here are extremely rare."

At the same time, Secretary Dong knocked on Ye Guoliang's office door.

Hearing the knock, Ye Guoliang called out, "Come in!"

Secretary Dong pushed open the office door and walked in, saying, "Old Ye, I've brought someone to deliver to you today!"

Ye Guoliang smiled and asked Secretary Dong, "Old Dong, who sent you on this trip?!"

Secretary Dong introduced, "This Comrade Song Zhaohong next to me has just been transferred from the military and assigned to your institute as deputy director."

"Welcome! Welcome!" Ye Guoliang excitedly shook hands with Song Zhaohong and said, "Comrade Song Zhaohong, from now on we're comrades working in the same boat! I hope we can learn from each other and make progress together!"

Song Zhaohong said, "When I reported to the branch office, I had already heard of Director Ye's reputation! Everyone says you are a veteran with strong work capabilities! I'm new here and there are still many things I'm not familiar with. I hope Director Ye will be kind enough to guide me!"

Secretary Dong said, "Old Ye, now that the person has been brought, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now!"

Ye Guoliang said, "Old Dong, I won't see you off! Take care on your journey!"

After Secretary Dong left, Ye Guoliang was about to speak when Yao Qi walked in from outside and asked, "Old Ye, I just saw Secretary Dong come in?!"

Ye Guoliang said, "Old Yao, you've come at the right time. Let me introduce you. This is Comrade Song Zhaohong, who has just been assigned to our institute as deputy director." Then Ye Guoliang said to Song Zhaohong, "This is Deputy Director Yao Qi."

Yao Qi said, "Comrade Song Zhaohong, hello! Your arrival makes things a bit easier for Lao Ye and me."

After gesturing for Yao Qi to sit down, Ye Guoliang continued, "Comrade Song Zhaohong, our situation is a bit unusual. Our former director was transferred to a branch office, and another deputy director was transferred to another location. Currently, I'm the instructor and director, and Lao Yao is the deputy director. Now that you're here, let's assign tasks. Lao Yao, you've been here longer than Song Zhaohong, so you're more familiar with the area. You'll be in charge of maintaining order for a while. Xiao Song, since you're new, start by familiarizing yourself with the station's logistics and household registration. After you've settled in, we'll reassign tasks." He then asked, "Xiao Song, do you have a place to stay?"

Song Zhaohong replied, "I live with my parents now."

Ye Guoliang looked at Yao Qi and asked, "Old Yao, do we have any suitable housing for Xiao Song in our office?"

Yao Qi took out his work manual from his pocket, looked at it, and said, "There are two houses suitable for Xiao Song. One is in Shajing Hutong, a three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), with two main rooms in the back courtyard plus a northeast corner courtyard. The other is No. 99 Nanluoguxiang, a courtyard with three east wing rooms in the central courtyard plus a side room and an east side room. The two places are about the same size."

Song Zhaohong remembered that his sister had mentioned He Yuzhu lived in courtyard number 95 of Nanluoguxiang. Since there was a house in courtyard number 99 of Nanluoguxiang, he thought it would be better to live closer to his sister so they could look after each other. With that in mind, Song Zhaohong said, "I want the house in courtyard number 99 of Nanluoguxiang."

"Alright! I'll go with you to the neighborhood office to get the paperwork done! We'll talk about the rest when we get back!" Yao Qi said, standing up. Ye Guoliang said, "Old Yao, you can also get a slip of paper and have Zhu Zi go with Xiao Song. That kid knows the neighborhood office better than you do."

Yao Qi thought for a moment, then nodded and agreed, "Okay! I'll write the note right away." With that, Yao Qi sat down again, asked Ye Guoliang for a piece of paper, and took out a pen to write. While she was writing, Ye Guoliang said, "Xiao Song, we have a real gem in our department, He Yuzhu. This kid is our purchasing agent. As for his abilities, you'll find out in time."

Yao Qi handed the note to Song Zhaohong and said, "Let's go! I'll take you to find that kid."

Song Zhaohong said, "Deputy Director Yao, you don't need to come with me to find him. Just tell me which office he's in. I know him."

Yao Qi and Ye Guoliang exchanged a glance, both showing surprise. Ye Guoliang asked, "How do you know him?!"

Song Zhaohong said, "Don't laugh at me. He's my sister's boyfriend."

Ye Guoliang's face showed a look of realization, and he said with a smile, "So you two have this kind of relationship?! That's great. Turn right at the end of the road, he's in the logistics department's office. Go find him there!"

"Alright! I'll go find him now!" With that, Song Zhaohong left Ye Guoliang's office.

"Third brother-in-law, why didn't you tell me you were coming?!" Song Zhaohong had just closed the door to Ye Guoliang's office when He Yuzhu's voice rang in his ears.

Song Zhaohong said, "It's perfect that you're here! Saves me the trouble of looking for you!" He then handed the slip of paper to He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu took the slip, glanced at it, and said, "Hey?! You really know how to pick a place. This house is nice. Come on! I'll go with you to complete the formalities!"

Since the police station and the subdistrict office started having separate meals, the road that used to lead directly to the subdistrict office has been blocked again. So He Yuzhu could only take Song Zhaohong through the main gate.

"Zhu Zi, what brings you here today?!" He Yuzhu and Song Zhaohong had just arrived at the entrance of the street office when Grandpa Han, the gatekeeper, blocked their way with a smile.

He Yuzhu took out his cigarette case, pulled one out, and handed it to Grandpa Han, asking, "Grandpa Han, is my Aunt Wang here?!"

Grandpa Han chuckled and replied, "You've come at the perfect time. She happens to be here today. If you come tomorrow, you won't find her."

"Alright! I'll go in and find her!" With that, He Yuzhu led Song Zhaohong into the street office gate.

Song Zhaohong asked, "Zhu Zi, you seem to be quite familiar with the people at the neighborhood committee?!"

He Yuzhu nodded and said, "I used to work at the Military Control Commission. After the Military Control Commission ended, I was transferred to the Public Security Bureau. Later, I was seconded to the Street Office for a year. How could we not know each other?!" As he spoke, He Yuzhu led Song Zhaohong to the door of Wang Xia's office. He Yuzhu directly reached out and knocked on the office door.

Hearing the knock, Wang Xia replied, "Come in!"

He Yuzhu pushed open the door and called out with a smile, "Aunt Wang!"