Courtyard House: My Hidden Wheat Seeds Caused a National Sensation

He turned his head and saw that the person who spoke was none other than Liu Lili, whom he had been thinking about day and night.

"Lili, come in and sit down."

He hurriedly welcomed the person into the house.

He Yuzhu took out the tea brick he was reluctant to open from deep inside the cabinet and carefully broke off a corner.

Boiling water is poured into the enamel mug, and the curled leaves slowly unfurl, shimmering with an amber light.

He pushed the teacup in front of Liu Lili, then took out half a paper packet of roasted peanuts and sunflower seeds, arranging them in a small cluster on the peeling wooden table.

"Have something to eat first."

He rubbed his hands together, his eyes and brows brimming with barely suppressed laughter. "I'll start a fire right away."

As he turned to walk toward the stove, a wave of fear washed over him—thankfully, he had been careful not to give all of his last bit of money to Qin Huairu.

Otherwise, given the current situation, we would have lost face by drowning in the moat.

"Brother Zhu, let me help you pick the vegetables."

The tone was soft and gentle, with a hint of the misty waters of southern China in the final notes.

He Yuzhu's back stiffened, and the rice-rinsing basin in his hand almost slipped into the sink.

How many years has it been? Ever since his mother passed away, and his father followed the widow Bai to Baoding without looking back, everyone in the courtyard, young and old, has been calling him "Silly Zhu" at the top of their lungs.

Even his own sister, He Yushui, would only reluctantly call him "brother" when she needed money.

.

This "Brother Pillar"

Like a bowl of chilled plum juice drunk on a sweltering summer day, the sweetness travels from your throat all the way to your stomach, making you feel light and airy.

"Don't get your hands dirty!"

He hurriedly stopped him, saying, "The water is cold; be careful not to hurt your skin."

Just sit there and wait to be served.

Liu Lili obediently sat back down on the bench and cracked open a peanut with her fingertips.

She was twenty-six, and beneath her makeup lay the marks of time.

At the age of thirteen, amidst the chaos of war, she learned how to survive among men.

Having seen so many faces, I could see right through the unassuming cook in front of me and discern the yearning hidden deep within his bones.

After a few casual words, He Yuzhu was all smiles.

He felt as if the stagnant pool in his heart had suddenly come alive, bubbling and gurgling.

Little did he know that in the course of his conversation, he had already laid bare all of his family's assets—his mother who had died young, his father who had run off with someone else, the ten-yuan remittance slips sent from Baoding every month, and the "goods" he had in the steel mill's kitchen.

The money he earned from returning home, the extra cash he made from organizing weddings and funerals, and the 723.21 yuan in the tin box under the bed.

"It's a piece of fatty meat, though."

Liu Lili took a sip of tea, her mind racing with calculations.

The widow from the Jia family hasn't drained him dry yet; she still has plenty of her own money to offer.

Her eyebrows curved even more gently, and her voice was so sweet it could be drawn out like silk.

***

Deep in the alley, Ran Qiuye stood at the crossroads, holding her bicycle.

Two cans of oranges clattered softly in the net bag hanging on the handlebars.

She frowned as she looked at the mottled courtyard walls on both sides, with withered grass sprouting from the cracks in the blue bricks.

"What a lousy place."

She muttered to herself.

She wasn't even born when her grandfather took her father on the ocean liner.

Later, the family returned to China, and the father's suitcase was filled with foreign exchange certificates.

The country treated them well; her parents went to teach in middle schools, and she also went to school.

But what you learn abroad doesn't really match what you learn in textbooks.

After graduating from junior high school, I entered the Beijing Normal College—a prestigious-sounding institution, but in reality, it was just a vocational school.

Those classmates who went on to high school are now at least teaching in middle schools.

She could only teach addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division at Hongxing Primary School.

The tires made a soft, crushing sound as they rolled over the gravel.

She took a deep breath and walked deeper into the alley.

Under the blazing sun, the dust in the alley churned in the slanting rays of light.

Ran Qiuye's fingers tightened around the handlebars, and her gaze swept over the low gray-tiled roofs in front of her, her brows furrowing involuntarily.

This messy and crowded courtyard was a far cry from her family's small Western-style house, which, though dilapidated, still retained its style.

That innate sense of superiority in my heart is like moss stubbornly growing in the corner of a wall, impossible to wipe away.

She raised her hand to wipe the fine sweat from her forehead, a pang of regret rising in her heart.

If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have agreed to Teacher Yan's enthusiastic matchmaking out of politeness.

"Excuse me, may I ask—"

She stopped her bicycle again and stopped a man who was about to turn into the alley.

The man was Jia Dongxu.

He stopped and listened to Ran Qiuye's description, then a knowing smile immediately spread across his face.

"What a coincidence, that's the place you're looking for, that's where I live."

His tone was warm, but his eyes quickly scanned the other person.

He secretly scoffed to himself: Old Yan's taste is really terrible. This girl's looks and figure are far inferior to his own wife.

He didn't show it on his face, but instead smiled even more ingratiatingly: "You must be Teacher Yan's colleague, right? I often hear him mention that he wants to introduce a teacher to Li Jianye in our department."

"Do you know Teacher Yan?"

Ran Qiuye was somewhat surprised.

"I wouldn't say I know them personally, but I've heard people in the compound mention this matter."

Jia Dongxu waved his hand and naturally led the way, "Come on, we're going the same way, I'll take you there."

Speaking of Li Jianye, he's one of the most important people in our department, incredibly capable!

As he walked, he casually remarked, "I originally came from the countryside, I didn't have any connections, and I didn't get a proper education."

Hey, guess what? Just the other day, somehow I caught the eye of a powerful person and managed to get my household registration in Beijing! Who wouldn't admire that kind of luck?

"From the countryside...didn't you go to school?"

Ran Qiuye paused, and the smile on her face faded.

"you do not say!"

Jia Dongxu seemed oblivious to the change in her expression, his tone still full of exaggerated praise.

Ran Qiuye's heart sank.

Coming from a scholarly family, even though her own academic performance wasn't outstanding, she absolutely couldn't accept a country bumpkin without any education.

How will I live from now on? What will my neighbors say? Just thinking about it makes me feel hot and angry.

She abruptly stopped and forced a smile at Jia Dongxu: "Comrade, I'm really sorry, I suddenly remembered that I have some urgent matters to attend to at school, and I'm afraid I won't have time today."

Please convey my apology to Teacher Yan. I was truly rude today, and I will personally apologize to him another day.

Before she finished speaking, she had already turned the car around, the wheels rolling over the potholes, and hurriedly drove away.

As Jia Dongxu watched the figure disappear quickly into the alleyway, a smug smile slowly spread across his face.

He casually brushed off non-existent dust from the corner of his clothes, hummed a tuneless little tune, and strolled towards the courtyard house.

As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I saw Uncle Yi Zhonghai and Uncle Yan Bugui sitting opposite each other playing chess under the grape trellis.

Jia Dongxu rushed over and raised his voice: "Teacher Yan! I just happened to run into the woman you were going to introduce to Li Jianye at the entrance of the alley."

"Oh, that comrade seems to be in a hurry. I was just about to lead her in when she suddenly said she had something urgent to attend to, turned around, got on her bike, and left! She also asked me to pass on a message to you, saying that it wasn't convenient for her to come over today, and she would apologize to you in person another day."

"What?!"

Yan Bugui's hand, holding the chess piece, hovered in mid-air. He froze, his face filled with utter disbelief. "This...this can't be..."

Even if Jia Dongxu interfered, Teacher Ran should at least come in and say hello. How could she turn around and leave just because she heard the address? Wouldn't that be blatantly embarrassing for him?

In a flash, Li Jianye's slightly sarcastic remark from not long ago suddenly struck him: "You might not be able to get this teacher to see me in person."

Yan Bugui couldn't help but gasp, his fingers trembling slightly as he held the chess piece.

How could Li Jianye be so accurate? Just how well does he know Teacher Ran, or is he able to predict the future?

He froze, the situation on the chessboard seemingly blurring in an instant, leaving only a jumble of bewilderment and confusion in his mind.

My mind is in turmoil. How should I bring it up with Li Jianye?

Yi Zhonghai and his apprentice exchanged a glance, and a subtle smile appeared on their lips.

The long-planned scheme has finally come to a successful conclusion.

"Old Yan, let's continue playing chess."

Yi Zhonghai moved the chess piece in his hand, his tone relaxed, "So what if the blind date you arranged didn't work out? Doesn't he still have a girl that Matchmaker Wang introduced him to? Maybe he's already settled things with her. Let's not worry about it."

The chess piece is placed, "Checkmate."

Yan Bugui raised his eyes, his gaze lingering on Yi Zhonghai's face for a moment.

He has always been good at scheming, so how could he not see that this was Yi Zhonghai's doing from beginning to end?

"That person introduced by Matchmaker Wang... there's probably something fishy about him too, isn't there?"

Yan Bugui suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and lowered his voice, "Could it be... that he's unclean?"

He gasped and stared intently at Yi Zhonghai.

"Why the long face?"

Yi Zhonghai knew that he had seen through him, but he didn't point it out. He just smiled meaningfully and tapped the chessboard with his fingertips. "He's checking the king."

Do you want to take a few more steps, or just give up?

Upon seeing that smile, Yan Bugui instantly understood everything.

It has to be that kind of person—Yi Zhonghai is going to completely ruin Li Jianye!

Such deep thoughts... Li Jianye is probably doomed this time.

This isn't playing chess; it's clearly forcing him to make a statement.

If his reaction fails to satisfy Yi Zhonghai, he himself will likely be the next to suffer.

If even someone like Li Jianye couldn't be defeated, how could I possibly withstand him with my meager abilities?

Oh no, I've been getting close to Li Jianye these days. Could I already be being targeted?

Sigh, how come this small courtyard is turned into a place of intrigue and power struggles like the inner palace?

I'm just a teacher, why should I get involved in all this trouble?

This is really difficult!

Yan Bugui broke out in a cold sweat, which quickly soaked through his inner shirt.

"Is it hot?"

Yi Zhonghai glanced at him with a half-smile, then turned to his apprentice and instructed, "Dongxu, go to my room and get three bottles of soda. It's hot outside, we need to quench our thirst."

"Yes, Master!"

Jia Dongxu readily agreed, jogging over to fetch three bottles of Beibingyang soda, which he then eagerly opened and placed in front of the two of them.

"Your turn, Lao Yan."

Yi Zhonghai took a sip of soda, looking calm and composed.

"...I surrender."

Yan Bugui sighed and gave up struggling.

He knew he had to stand with Yi Zhonghai again.

He picked up the soda, took a sip, and smacked his lips—it was a free drink, and it really did taste good.

"Let's have a try."

Yi Zhonghai smiled and raised the bottle, indicating, "Come over for dinner tonight, and bring Dongxu with you."

"It's been a while since we two old brothers had a couple of drinks."

"become."

Once Yan Bugui had made up his mind, he no longer hesitated.

Hearing that there was a meal to be had, his expression immediately relaxed.

The three continued chatting around the chessboard, waiting for the food to be served in the Yi family's house.

"Huh, what's that smell so good?"

An enticing aroma wafted on the breeze, making their throats water.

"Hmph, it must be Li Jianye messing around with food again!"

Jia Dongxu pursed his lips.

"yes."

Yi Zhonghai responded indifferently, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

The backyard door was ajar, letting in a dim, yellowish light.

Yi Zhonghai walked at the front, his steps so light they were almost inaudible.

Yan Bugui followed closely behind, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness behind his glasses.

Jia Dongxu lagged behind, glancing back every now and then, as if afraid of being seen.

The faint sounds of bowls and chopsticks clattering and low voices could be heard from inside the room, but they were not clearly audible.

The three of them stopped outside the door and exchanged a glance.

Yi Zhonghai raised his hand and tapped the door panel twice with his knuckles, neither too lightly nor too heavily.

The noise inside stopped abruptly.

A moment later, the door opened from the inside.

He Yuzhu stood at the door, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his face still flushed from the smoke of the stove.

Behind him, the dining table had been cleaned up, and Liu Lili was standing by the table with her hands at her sides, her gaze drifting out the window.

"Hey, Uncle One, Uncle Two, Brother Dongxu."

He Yuzhu stepped aside to make way. "Have you eaten? Come in and sit down?"

Yi Zhonghai didn't move, his gaze passing over He Yuzhu's shoulder and landing on Liu Lili.

"Zhu Zi, who is this woman?"

"Oh, Aunt Wang introduced her, her name is Liu Lili."