Courtyard House: My Hidden Wheat Seeds Caused a National Sensation

"Yes, yes, it's 'Full House of Love'!"

Director Wang didn't hear his earlier whisper clearly, taking it as agreement, and spoke even more enthusiastically, "What you said is so apt."

The neighbors in that courtyard lived in great harmony, and there was a strong atmosphere of unity, mutual assistance, respect for the elderly, and care for the young.

People rarely even lock their doors. Look at this, what a rare and harmonious scene!

"……really."

Li Jianye agreed verbally, but the ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger and stronger.

He couldn't help but think of the courtyard where Qin Huairu had married into—that was hardly a place of "abundant affection."

It is clearly "Qin Man".

.

The moral exemplar Yi Zhonghai, the bureaucratic Liu Haizhong, the cunning Yan Bugui, and that string of names: Jia Zhangshi, Qin Huairu, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao… they’re practically all sorts of “talents.”

It was a lively and bustling gathering.

"Director Wang, is this really the only place in the neighborhood that can be accommodated?"

"yes."

Wang Shipei nodded, "Housing is in short supply now, and there were no vacant rooms in that courtyard to begin with."

However, a few days ago, Old Zhao and his family of three went hunting in the mountains and were attacked by wild boars, and unfortunately, they all perished.

Only then were two rooms made available.

If it weren't for this unexpected incident, you really wouldn't have had the chance to move in.

He paused, then added, "The funeral arrangements for Old Zhao's family were handled by the neighbors in the courtyard."

Look at what a warm-hearted group of people they are.

Li Jianye nodded silently.

"We've arrived."

Wang Shipei stopped in his tracks. In front of him was a courtyard gatehouse that looked quite old.

"Let's go inside."

As soon as the two stepped into the courtyard, they saw a middle-aged man wearing glasses bending over and tending to several potted plants under the windowsill.

"Yan Bugui!"

Director Wang greeted them.

The man turned around, and upon seeing it was Director Wang, he immediately straightened up, a smile plastered on his face: "Oh, Director Wang! What brings you here? And this is…"

His gaze shifted to Li Jianye, and he blinked behind his glasses, scrutinizing him.

Wang Shipei ignored Yan Bugui's words and instead introduced him to Li Jianye: "This is the third uncle in the courtyard, Yan Bugui, who teaches at the primary school."

Then he said to Yan Bugui, "This is Comrade Li Jianye, a first-level researcher at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and also a level 13 technician at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

Starting today, he will be living in our hospital.

Let's look out for each other from now on.

"Level 1 Researcher... Level 13 Technician?"

Yan Bugui was stunned, his mind racing: At this level, the monthly salary must be at least four hundred yuan, right? That's equivalent to a whole year's salary for me... How am I supposed to spend so much money? He clicked his tongue in amazement, then suddenly realized—a new resident? Could those two empty rooms in the backyard be for him?

Yan Bugui gasped, but his smile widened even more.

Yan Bugui took a deep breath, his fingertips feeling slightly cold.

"Something's going to go wrong."

The thought made him almost laugh.

After the Zhao family suffered a misfortune, everyone in the courtyard stared at the two empty rooms.

After a fierce struggle, the smaller room went to Liu Haizhong's family, while the larger room fell into the hands of the Jia family.

The remaining belongings of the Zhao family were gradually moved out of the courtyard by the people there.

The house has now been cleaned up and is ready to go.

The newly purchased furniture from the Jia and Liu families has already been placed inside; all that's left is to sew the bedding before they can move in.

Just at this critical juncture, the neighborhood committee issued an allocation notice—the house was given to Li Jianye.

Now, how could the Jia and Liu families let this go?

"There's going to be some excitement to watch from now on."

Anyway, it's none of my business.

Thinking of this, Yan Bugui smiled amiably and nodded to Li Jianye.

"Welcome, new neighbor."

"Hello, Uncle San."

Li Jianye agreed verbally, but his mind was in turmoil.

I was actually assigned here.

The Zhao family is gone, and those two rooms... have probably been taken over by the Jia family long ago, right? He knew the story of this courtyard like the back of his hand from his previous life, and based on his understanding of these people, it would be a rare thing if the Zhao family's house were still empty.

"Researcher Li, let's go inside."

The room you're allocated is in the backyard.

As Director Wang spoke, he led him forward, greeting the residents they encountered along the way.

There aren't many people in the courtyard during the day on weekdays.

Yan Bugui went home first because elementary school let out early.

"This is the Intermediate People's Court, where an old man named Yi Zhonghai lives. He's an eighth-grade fitter from the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and he hasn't finished get off work yet."

Director Wang introduced the area as he walked.

Passing through the moon gate, she pointed and said, "We've arrived at the backyard."

My second uncle, Liu Haizhong, lives here. He is a level seven fitter in the factory.

Your house is over there...wait, what's up?

She paused, stunned.

The doors to the two rooms allocated to Li Jianye were wide open.

What's even more surprising is that there are people busy inside—in the main room, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu are dusting and wiping the table; in the small room, Erda Ma is sweeping and cleaning with her two sons.

"See? I told you this neighborhood has a great atmosphere. You haven't even moved in yet, and the neighbors are already helping to tidy up your house."

Director Wang was only stunned for a moment before realizing that this must be a way for neighbors to express their welcome.

"With such a kind neighbor, you're sure to feel comfortable living here."

"yes."

A meaningful smile spread across Li Jianye's face.

Enthusiastic? Comfortable? I'm afraid Director Wang has misunderstood the nature of these people.

As he was pondering this, Director Wang had already reached the doors of the two rooms and called out, "Excuse me, could you please come out for a moment?"

"Director Wang?"

Jia Zhangshi and others came out upon hearing the noise.

"You're looking for us?"

"First of all, on behalf of the neighborhood committee, I would like to thank you for cleaning the public housing on your behalf and for making things convenient for the new neighbors."

Next, let me introduce the new resident of these two rooms, Comrade Li Jianye.

"etc!"

No sooner had Director Wang finished speaking than Jia Zhangshi's shrill voice cleaved through the air.

"A new resident?!"

Jia Zhangshi stood there, her mouth open, but she couldn't utter a single word.

The female cadre's gaze felt like needles piercing her face.

"The houses in this compound all belong to the government."

The other person spoke in a flat tone, but every word was clear: "Whoever the street assigns to live in is the resident."

Don't you understand this principle?

Jia Zhangshi understood, of course.

But Yi Zhonghai had clearly promised that the house would be left to their family! A thought suddenly surged up and chilled her to the bone: Was Yi Zhonghai lying to me? Were all those newly made furniture pieces—the tables, chairs, and cabinets she had just bought—going to be given away for nothing to that stranger who suddenly appeared?

Thinking of this, Jia Zhangshi felt her whole body stiffen, and her hands and feet went numb.

On the other side, Qin Huairu's gaze was fixed on Li Jianye, her mind completely blank.

Others might not recognize her, but she recognized this face.

That was Li Jianye, who grew up with her in the countryside and almost became her husband.

How did he end up here? And even got a house in the city? How did a farmer get such connections?

Qin Huairu felt as if a spice jar had been overturned, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She knows all too well how difficult it is to get a Beijing hukou (household registration).

When I married into this family in 1951, I had the opportunity to smoothly transfer my household registration here. However, the land in the countryside had just been allocated, and my mother-in-law persuaded me, saying that if I changed my household registration, I would lose the land I was allocated.

She hesitated and didn't do it.

When life became more difficult after 1958, she was filled with regret—not only did she lose her food ration coupons, but her subsequent children also lost theirs.

Trying to change your household registration again is harder than climbing to heaven.

What exactly did he do? Qin Huairu looked at Li Jianye's tall figure, that face that was once so familiar to her, now exuded an aura of complete unfamiliarity.

Jia Zhangshi was not one to suffer in silence.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, she suddenly shouted, "Director Wang! This needs to be made clear! Yi Zhonghai personally promised us this house!"

"Is it Yi Zhonghai?"

Director Wang's face suddenly darkened.

She had just been praising the courtyard's good atmosphere and the residents' enthusiasm in front of Li Jianye, and now she'd stumbled upon this. "Who does Yi Zhonghai think he is? This house belongs to the state; who does he have the right to allocate it to?"

Speechless with anger and frustration, Jia Zhangshi collapsed to the ground, slapping her thigh and wailing, "Old Jia! Why did you leave me so soon! Now everyone's kicking me while I'm down, how am I supposed to live like this! Old Jia, open your eyes and take these bullies with you!"

Director Wang's face turned ashen, and his lips pressed into a straight line.

"mom!"

Qin Huairu snapped out of her daze and, no longer caring about Li Jianye, hurriedly went to help her mother-in-law up.

"Good, very good."

Director Wang's voice trembled with anger. "This is the place that's been vying for the 'Most Beautiful Courtyard' award every year? It's 1959 already, and they're still pulling these feudal superstition tricks? They want Old Jia to take me away? Fine, I'll wait here and see how he does it!"

"Director Wang, please don't get angry!"

Yan Bugui hurriedly caught up from behind.

Ever since Director Wang entered the hospital, he had been following him anxiously, fearing something might go wrong. He never imagined that Jia Zhangshi would be so stupid.

If this matter ruins the "Advanced Personnel" plaque in the courtyard, he will never forgive that woman.

"She's an uneducated, uncultured woman; you don't need to bother with her!"

Qin Huairu turned to the street official, her voice deliberately weak: "Director Wang, I haven't been feeling well lately."

My husband is busy at the factory, and my mother-in-law has to take care of me and the two babies all by herself.

The child was making a fuss, and she was so tired that she said some inappropriate things.

Please don't take it to heart. Blame me if you must. It's all my fault for being so weak and burdening you.

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face.

This gesture made Director Wang swallow back the words he was about to say, and he simply waved his hand and said, "Alright, you can go back now."

He then turned to Li Jianye beside him and gestured, "Researcher Li, let's take a look at the house first."

The two ignored the door and went inside one after the other.

Jia Zhangshi wanted to shout something more, but her second aunt suddenly covered her mouth.

"That's a local leader! You think you can cause trouble?"

The second aunt, speaking in a low voice, urged urgently, "We can talk about it when Lao Yi comes back and the hospital meeting starts!"

Jia Zhangshi struggled for a moment, but eventually shut up in a huff.

She knew in her heart that throwing a tantrum in front of Director Wang would not work, so she should wait for her husband and Yi Zhonghai, who was in charge of the hospital, to return before making any plans.

But the thought of all the brand-new belongings in the house made her heart ache – a bed, a wardrobe, four chairs, a square table, a cupboard, plus ten bowls and ten pairs of chopsticks, which cost a total of fifty-three yuan.

That was her son Dongxu's monthly wages! Jia Zhangshi had never felt so aggrieved in her life.

She stared intently at Li Jianye's figure inside the room, forcing out the words through gritted teeth: "Just you wait... once the manager leaves, you'll be in for it."

Seeing that her mother-in-law had calmed down for the time being, Qin Huairu's mind started to wander.

How did Li Jianye suddenly appear in Beijing? How did he register his household registration? And why was he allocated two rooms right away—the Jia family and all those people were crammed into one room.

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She secretly decided that she had to hurry back to her parents' home to find out what had happened.

Li Jianye's move into this courtyard house naturally sparked whispers among the residents.

He ignored the probing gazes, glanced around the room briefly, chatted with Director Wang for a few words, and then left together.

Before leaving, he calmly took out two new locks from his bag and locked the doors of the two rooms securely.

"Researcher Li, I'm really sorry about what happened today."

Director Wang said with a hint of apology, "In that case, please go and get some everyday necessities first."

After you get off work this afternoon, come to the subdistrict office, and then we can come together.

I need to get a good look at Yi Zhonghai and find out exactly how this courtyard is managed!

Li Jianye nodded in agreement, said goodbye to Director Wang, and then went to find Yan Bugui in the front yard.

He handed her a cigarette and casually asked about the location and opening hours of the nearby pigeon market.