Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

Although 60-year-old He Ping'an still has more than half of his life left, he can't really keep working like this forever.

With the regulations finalized, a wave of retired comrades who still wanted to contribute their remaining energy were taken away, and the upward and downward mobility of the administrative system finally got back on track. This was also He Ping'an's last act of contributing his remaining energy.

Green tiles and red walls, just like the sunset of yesteryear. He Ping'an took one last look at the five large, gilded characters, then left decisively without a trace of lingering affection.

Villa No. 96, Dongjiaomin Lane… it doesn't seem to fit He Ping'an's status. But if he likes it, then it does! As for why the whole lane is lined with villas numbered 96, he can't be bothered!

The eldest son, He Ruxi, entered a system where everything was rigid and inflexible, allowing neither mistakes nor merit. For someone in his position, avoiding mistakes was itself a merit! Steady progress would surely secure him a future!

As for his children not entering the system, He Ping'an didn't set any requirements. Human nature dictates that a virtuous person makes friends but doesn't form cliques; ultimately, various interest groups will inevitably emerge. He wasn't so noble as to work hard only to benefit others!

The second son, He Xiao, with his domineering personality, will likely go into the military. His restless and unpredictable nature will always create a future for him!

He Qichang, one of the three sons, also entered the system, but inherited the mantle shared by He Ping'an and Bai Ling. Public Security! The administrative landscape is turbulent, but competition within the Public Security Bureau is not fierce. The future is foreseeable!

The eldest daughter, He Qizhi, is in charge of education. "It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to cultivate a person," she says, emphasizing the crucial importance of education!

Let's not even mention He Ruchao in the end. It's not bad to have someone at home who lives a leisurely life, so it won't be lonely!

He Yushui remains in charge of the He Group. This 45-year-old young woman is increasingly resembling He Ping'an in temperament, possessing an inner and outer domineering nature!

He Yuzhu remained the same as always, carefree and silly. How can you know a fish's joy if you are not a fish yourself? It's hard to say whether it's good or bad!

As for Hou Kui, he was unhappy that the Ho family members could still go to school and work in Hong Kong and Kowloon. He could only squat in the factory as a worker, drinking too much and complaining to his coworkers about the Ho family's luxury in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

If it weren't for Li Huaide being in charge of the steel rolling mill at the time, things might have gotten out of hand. He Ping'an granted his wish; since he was dissatisfied with He Yuzhu as his stepfather, he simply sent someone to escort him back to his biological father.

Nobody knows how they're doing!

Cai Quanwu and Xu Huizhen, from another family near Zhengyangmen, were sent to the countryside by educated youth and came to He Ping'an's door, but He Ping'an refused them very decisively! Since he was so aloof, he would remain aloof to the end.

As for the beasts in the courtyard houses, there aren't that many beasts; they're all spoiled. Living separately, they've dealt with the upstairs and downstairs neighbors several times—they know how to behave!

Time is the most ruthless thing; a lifetime passes in the blink of an eye.

He Daqing passed away in his sleep not long after watching the Olympics live in 08.

Aside from a few years of hardship in their youth, most people live a life without suffering or worry, surrounded by children and grandchildren – the kind of happiness that ordinary people pursue their whole lives!

In early 20, He Yuzhu succumbed to the pandemic. He passed away too soon. At 91, He Ping'an went into the sea, where a missile exploded in the uninhabited waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Those damned men died a quick and painless death!

In the following years, Liu Rusi, Lou Xiaohui, and Bai Ling passed away one after another.

Forty-four years, 115-year-old He Ping'an looked at He Yushui lying on the bed, like an ordinary old man, holding the little girl's hand and nagging her over and over again.

Having just celebrated her 100th birthday, He Yushui lay listlessly on the bed, a smile playing on her lips as she looked at her uncle. Memories began to flood back...

"Girl, what's so good about that little bastard? He's stupid and can't talk properly!"

That day, she brought her boyfriend home. Her brother-in-law's face darkened! But he was the best person to her, so she wasn't afraid at all!

"Rain, if that little bastard dares to talk back to you, tell your uncle. Your uncle will beat him to death!"

That's right, she wore a red flower on her wedding day. My uncle's eyes were red and swollen. Afterwards, my aunt said that he hid away and secretly wiped away his tears!

"My uncle's world can exist without the He family, but it cannot exist without your cheerful little girl. Girl, you don't need to make things difficult for yourself!"

That was the night before she decided to take over the He family business, and it was her uncle's advice to her.

My uncle is the smartest man in the world, so of course he knows she doesn't like business. But he's also the best uncle in the world, so of course she'll protect his business. She won't give it to anyone!

"Little Su..."

"It's not Xiao Su, it's Uncle. Uncle... Uncle!"

"Little... Su! Hehehe!"

She was three years old that year. She didn't know who her uncle was, but she knew that he treated her very well, even better than her father.

"Little...Little Su, Rainwater loves Uncle the most!"

"Little Su, you love rain the most too! Rain... little girl! Your uncle is getting old and can't take a scare. Let's not play the pretend-to-sleep game anymore, okay? Little girl... little girl!"

He Ping'an, who was as calm as a machine all his life, refused to believe the little girl's death and kept calling out to her to numb himself.

In 45, the He Group bought three buildings, demolished them cleanly, and built a courtyard house on the site. No. 95 Nanluoguxiang... He Ping'an's final resting place.

There was a garden, a swing, laughter, and a little girl's home. He had to stay there!

Reborn into a life where he lost his father at a young age, he was a spirited and dashing youth. A sudden storm arose, the world became his chessboard, and all living beings his pieces, as he stirred up a world of turmoil!

In the end, he is... all alone!

End of the full text.

To be honest, I started writing purely out of passion, really! Back then, there were hardly any requests for updates. I wrote casually, just writing whatever came to mind. Later, when the book reached 50 words, more people started asking for updates.

And then... those who know, know!

Especially as the deadline approached, several chapters of 5-600 words were cut. There were too many problematic elements, and the climax couldn't be achieved; I simply couldn't continue writing. I could only submit the outline!

A few perfunctory words might suffice, but it just doesn't feel right. It leaves me feeling uneasy!

Sensitive, obsessive-compulsive, or other adjectives, good or bad. Anyway... sigh!

It was hastily completed.

We have let everyone down!

I'm sorry again!