Courtyard House: My Hidden Wheat Seeds Caused a National Sensation

Li Jianye waved his hand casually, saying, "It's nothing, just a small thing between neighbors."

"It's easy for you, but it's a lifesaver for me."

Nan Yi said sincerely, "I originally thought that without any evidence, I couldn't do anything to He Yuzhu, but who knew that you would have someone find the evidence."

I must remember this kindness.

As he spoke, he handed the earthenware jar forward, "This is homemade beef sauce, just a little something from me. It tastes best with steamed buns, you must accept it."

Unable to refuse, Li Jianye had no choice but to accept it.

After seeing Nan Yi off, he turned back into the house and handed the jar to Dilisilin, who was setting out the dishes.

"Try Master Nan's cooking."

"Oh?"

Dilisilin's eyes lit up. She lifted the lid of the jar, and a rich aroma of soy sauce wafted out.

There were steamed buns for dinner, so she broke off a piece, dipped it in some sauce, and put it in her mouth. Her eyes immediately crinkled into crescents.

"It smells so good! You should try it!"

She naturally offered the half-eaten steamed bun in her hand to her husband's mouth.

Li Jianye tasted it from her hand and nodded: "The taste is authentic."

If there's a chance in the future, it would be great to have him cook and open a restaurant.

"Open a restaurant?"

Delilah blinked. "Aren't we not allowed to do business now?"

"Maybe it will be fine in a few years."

Li Jianye didn't say much, he just patted her cheek gently, "Eat up, listen to the radio after you finish, I have to go to the bar."

Dilireba understood and lowered her voice: "Is it about Master Pian'er's house?"

"Um,"

Li Jianye smiled and said, "I reckon he's about to give up."

After dinner, Li Jianye went out alone.

After the food supply eased, the tavern business boomed again, and you could hear the noisy voices inside even before you got close.

Pushing aside the heavy cotton curtain to enter, I found the room steaming hot, with every table full of people; there wasn't a single empty seat.

As he was pondering where to settle down, a voice carrying a distinctly mocking tone cut in from the side.

"Hey, isn't this Comrade Li Jianye, who shares the same name as our great hero?"

Fan Jinyou suddenly appeared out of nowhere, arms crossed, glancing at him sideways. "What a coincidence, the place is packed today."

If you're only getting alcohol... how about we stick to the old rules and make do with what's in the corner?

The tavern was filled with smoke, and people were sitting at the tables and along the walls.

Logically speaking, there is no hierarchy here, and anyone can take a sip from the bowl.

But deep down, there's always another measure in people's hearts—the way you slowly sip something while sitting on a bench is different from the way you gulp it down while huddled against a wall.

Everyone thinks that only those who can sit at the table are considered respectable.

This is the current situation: those squatting in the corners are mostly day laborers pulling carts and carrying goods, while those sitting at the tables all have legitimate businesses.

No one needs to say it; the difference between high and low is self-evident.

Fan Jinyou's words just now seemed harmless on the surface, but they contained hidden barbs.

He was trying to assassinate Li Jianye, and he did it cleverly, leaving no room for anyone to find fault with him.

If Li Jianye were to take it seriously, he could easily accuse him of "undermining unity."

The hat.

Li Jianye, however, did not respond to that.

He raised his eyelids and casually asked, "Fan Jinyou, are you allowed to share tables here?"

That's a trap.

If you agree, you'll be contradicting yourself and admitting that every word you said was sarcastic; if you say no, you'll immediately offend the customers who wanted to join your table and annoy the person behind the counter.

"Of course not!"

Fan Jinyou's lips twitched, but before he could finish speaking, a clear, crisp voice from the counter interrupted him:

"Fan Jinyou! What nonsense are you spouting? We've always had the option to share tables at our tavern!"

"I'm the company manager, and I'm in charge here!"

Fan Jinyou felt a surge of shame.

He values ​​his reputation highly, and now, in front of everyone, he was publicly rebuked by a female shopkeeper, which felt like a slap in the face.

"What's wrong? Are you getting disobedient?"

Xu Huizhen pointed at him, her anger turning into a mocking laugh. "Fine, I'll go find the headmistress to settle this tomorrow!"

"Fine, let them evaluate! Business matters are my responsibility!"

Fan Jinyou stiffened his neck, spoke in a high-pitched voice, but lacked confidence.

Xu Huizhen gave a cold smile and said nothing more.

A creaking sound came from the corner.

With a thud, Uncle Niu slowly stood up and drank the remaining wine in his cup in one gulp.

"What a disappointment, what a disappointment."

Huizhen, see you another day.

Having said that, he strolled out the door unsteadily.

"Let's all disperse, everyone."

Pian'erye also got up.

He was fully aware of Li Jianye's background.

At this critical juncture, he had to choose a side, and he did so without hesitation.

Chen Xueru also stood up, twirling a handkerchief between her fingers. Her gaze swept over Fan Jinyou, leaving only a faint sense of disappointment.

Those initial hopes have now completely vanished.

This person is no good.

She would rather live alone for the rest of her life than be associated with such a character.

"Fan Jinyou,"

She gently shook her head. "You're so disheartening."

As soon as the three left, the tavern was filled with the rustling sounds of chairs being moved and bowls being set down, as if the tide had receded.

These days, people come to taverns for the lively atmosphere; once that atmosphere dissipates, the wine loses its flavor.

The banquet ended abruptly, and the previous warmth vanished in the blink of an eye.

Everyone put down their glasses and stood up. Even the hunched-over guy who had been drinking silently in the corner and the man driving the tricycle tilted his head back, finished his last gulp, wiped his mouth, and left.

Xu Huizhen stood with her arms crossed, coldly observing the scene without uttering a sound.

Fan Jinyou felt a little embarrassed. He knew he had said the wrong thing, but he couldn't bring himself to smooth things over. He just stood there watching people leave one by one.

Li Jianye turned to leave, but after taking only two steps, he heard someone call out to him from behind: "Jianye! Wait a moment—"

Pian'er Ye caught up with a smile, "There's a nice little tavern near Dongzhimen, shall we go there and have another drink?"

"become."

Li Jianye nodded in agreement.

"I'll join in the fun too!"

Chen Xueru followed with a smile, "I'm also familiar with that place in Dongzhimen, it's really lively."

Hearing this from the side, Old Niu also said loudly, "What a coincidence! I haven't had my fill of drinking yet. Shall we go together?"

The four of them talked as they walked towards Dongzhimen.

Before long, they arrived at the small tavern.

The shopkeeper was nicknamed "The Wine Immortal".

The old man, seeing them enter, waved and called out, "Drinking immortals! Four ounces of Niulanshan liquor, with two side dishes—it's my treat today!"

"Master Pian is so generous!"

Everyone smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Pian'erye looked smug and waved his hand, saying, "Of course! Jianye is a big shot; I've been wanting to invite him for a drink for a while now."

He's never been one to keep a secret, and when he's happy, he can't control his tongue at all.

I hadn't originally intended to mention Li Jianye's background, but after being praised, the words slipped out.

"What?"

Old Niu was stunned, and the people drinking at the next few tables also stopped drinking.

"Uncle Pian, you just mentioned 'person'... Could Jianye be the Li Jianye mentioned in the newspaper?"

"That's him."

Chen Xueru smiled and said from the side.

"Incredible!"

Old Niu was both surprised and delighted, exclaiming, "I never expected to encounter a true Buddha today!"

"You flatter me."

Li Jianye quickly waved his hand.

"Where does it weigh the most?"

Old Master Niu said solemnly, "You have made sure everyone has a full meal, which is a great deed! There are not many people I admire in my life, but you are one of them."

This meal is on me!

"How can that be? It was agreed that I was treating!"

"Both of you, stop arguing. This gentleman is a role model in Beijing; it's only right that I invite him!"

The tavern suddenly erupted into chaos, with everyone arguing over who should be invited and who should be toasted, their faces flushed with rage.

Li Jianye felt a headache coming on, but Chen Xueru covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sweeping over him as she sighed softly, "This is a real man..."

There was a hint of regret in his voice.

Seeing the crowd still arguing, Li Jianye finally raised his voice: "Everyone, please quiet down!"

Li Jianye raised his voice and shouted.

The surrounding noise immediately subsided.

"Fellow villagers, please don't flatter me like that."

He waved his hand and said calmly, "I'm just an ordinary person, I just happened to be born in a good era."

"Everyone's just starting to get through this, how can we let them spend more money? I think it's best if we each drink our own drinks, otherwise I won't dare to come in next time."

"Comrade Jianye is right!"

The private manager, Jiu Xian'er, walked forward with a smile.

"There's still a long road ahead, no need to rush."

"Let me treat you all to dinner today. I hope you'll do me the honor."

"Wine Immortal, you really know how to pick your timing!"

"Alright, you can treat me this time."

"Next time it'll be my turn!"

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted around them.

Thank you all for your kind consideration!

The wine fairy cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the surroundings, then turned to greet Li Jianye and his group.

As soon as the four sat down, an elderly man with gray hair walked over carrying a wine pot.

"Would it be convenient to get everyone at one table?"

"Hey, isn't this our Nine Gates Admiral?"

When Pian'erye looked up, he immediately burst out laughing.

"What's the occasion that brought you here today?"

"What, you're not welcome?"

Grandpa Guan had a somber face, droopy eyelids, and heavy eye bags; his voice was muffled.

Pian'er didn't reply, but turned to look at Li Jianye with a questioning look in his eyes.

Li Jianye understood and nodded slightly.

"Mr. Guan, this is Li Jianye."

Then, with a smile, he introduced, "You definitely know the one who was featured in the newspaper."

"nonsense."

Old Master Guan's eyes widened. "Who in Beijing hasn't heard of Li Jianye?"

"Jianye, this is Grandpa Guan."

Pian'erye then turned to Li Jianye, his tone becoming more lively, "Our ancestors did indeed serve in the Nine Gates Commander's Office, and they often talked about these things, so everyone gave him this nickname."

However, he always had a wine jug in his hand, wandering around all day, so some people jokingly called him "the wine-carrying supervisor!"

Laughter immediately filled the air.

Grandpa Guan didn't mind, and pulled up a stool and sat down next to Li Jianye.

"The titles are all empty words."

He picked up his wine glass and filled it to the brim. "Whether it's the Nine Gates Admiral or the Admiral bringing wine, nothing beats the substance of grain."

Li Jianye, I'd like to raise a glass to you on my behalf, to thank you for your efforts in ensuring our country's food supply.

"You're too kind, Mr. Guan."

Li Jianye quickly raised his glass in response.

After finishing his drink, Grandpa Guan started talking non-stop.

"I truly admire you."

He wiped his mouth and said, "A farmer's heart is not only concerned with his own field, but also with the food supply of people all over the country."

Such magnanimity is rare.

Unlike my hometown, where people are always thinking about going to the other side of the ocean, such unambitious people... Sometimes I even wonder if he's been receiving bribes from abroad!

"Oh, you're exaggerating, you're exaggerating."

Grandpa Pian smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Every family has its own troubles; who doesn't have their worries?"

After a few cups of warm wine, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively.

The group chatted about all sorts of things, and before they knew it, night had fallen.

As night deepened, the banquet ended, and the guests left in twos and threes.

First, they saw off Guan Shan, who lived the closest, then took a detour to settle Chen Xueru in, and finally accompanied Niu Ye back to his residence.

After some twists and turns, only Li Jianye and Pian'erye remained on the road.

The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, making people's shadows appear very long.

Pian'erye's previously unsteady steps suddenly steadied, and the layer of drunkenness in his eyes seemed to be blown away by the wind, revealing the clear light beneath.

He moved closer and lowered his voice, saying, "Jianye, there's something... I need to tell you privately."

"Please speak."

A slight unease stirred within Li Jianye, a premonition quietly rising within him—perhaps it was related to the house.

"I'm short on cash and urgently need money."

Grandpa Pian rubbed his hands together, speaking slowly and deliberately, "I want to sell that small three-courtyard house in my house."

Although it's called a three-courtyard house, it's actually a bit narrower than a proper three-courtyard house, but it's still a house with blue bricks and gray tiles, and it's spacious enough for people to live in.

But now the policies are very strict, and houses cannot be bought and sold openly.

"You have many connections, could you help me inquire... if there's any reliable method?"

Li Jianye stopped and turned to look at him: "If you need money, you can borrow it. Why touch your ancestral property?"