Courtyard House: I, the eldest son of the Jia family, have returned from the battlefield.

The old lady initially thought he was worried about his retirement plans being disrupted, so she followed up by asking, "Are you afraid this section chief will get in our way?"

Yi Zhonghai shook his head, his tone complex: "Grandma, besides Dongxu, did the Jia family have another son in their younger years?"

The old lady squinted, her memories slowly resurfacing in the dim light.

After a long pause, she slowly spoke: "If I remember correctly, when the Jia family first moved here, Zhang's wife and Jia Youcai had a big argument. Zhang scolded him for losing his eldest son over two bags of grain."

She paused abruptly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Zhonghai, the new person who moved in... could it be the child the Zhang family lost all those years ago?"

Yi Zhonghai hadn't expected that the old lady also knew about this old story.

He nodded, his voice low: "It is indeed Jia Zhangshi's eldest son, who has been separated from her for many years, named Jia Dongming."

I went to his place tonight, and he immediately said that he would return all the money that the courtyard had donated to the Jia family over the years to each family.

Lady Jia sat beside her, not daring to utter a single word.

After hearing this, the old lady finally understood why Yi Zhonghai had come to visit so late at night.

She sighed softly: "Zhonghai, when you chose Dongxu, I said that he was a filial son, but his mother was no pushover."

"As long as Zhang's daughter-in-law is still alive, it's unlikely you'll be able to rely on Dongxu for your old age."

Yi Zhonghai chose Jia Dongxu because of his obedience to his mother.

As for Jia Zhangshi, he never paid her any attention, always believing he had a way to deal with her.

Unexpectedly, an accident at the steel rolling mill cost Jia Dongxu his life and thwarted his years of hard work.

Hearing the old lady bring up the past again, Yi Zhonghai felt as if a stone was lodged in his heart: "How much effort have I put into the Jia family over the years? How can I be willing to give up now?"

Having lived to this age, the old lady has weathered many storms in life and has a keen understanding of human nature and the ways of the world.

She knew exactly what kind of person Yi Zhonghai was.

If she didn't also need someone to take care of her daily life, she might not be willing to get involved in these things.

Sensing the obsession in Yi Zhonghai's words, she slowly advised, "The eldest son of the Jia family wants to return the money as soon as he comes back. It's clear that he doesn't want to have too much involvement with the people in the courtyard."

If you continue to cling to the Jia family, you'll likely end up with nothing.

She paused, then changed the subject: "Take another look at that boy, Zhu Zi."

Although his father, He Daqing, was still alive, he dared not return to the city because of his family background.

If you just pay more attention to him and help him get married, with his honest and kind nature, wouldn't he remember your kindness in the future?

The room fell silent, with only the flickering flame of the oil lamp casting two long shadows on the wall.

Yi Zhonghai knew very well that among all the younger generation in the compound, the deaf old lady favored Sha Zhu the most.

It was precisely because of this favoritism that the old lady would scheme for him, even managing to find ways to get He Daqing away.

Listening to the deaf old woman's slow and deliberate words of advice, Yi Zhonghai's mind flashed back to Sha Zhu's reckless spirit of not being afraid of anything, and he felt a surge of unease.

He frowned and said to the old lady, "Please allow me to think about it some more."

The deaf old woman could tell from his expression what he was thinking.

She didn't point it out, but slowly and deliberately reminded him: "Zhonghai, in the past, the Jia family was supported by only two women, Zhang's wife and Qin Huairu. If you wanted to control them, it wouldn't take much effort."

"But now the eldest son of the Jia family has returned, and he is still working as the head of the security department at the steel rolling mill."

If you continue to use the old methods to scheme, you'll only end up suffering the consequences.

How can ordinary people confront those who wear official hats head-on?

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's mind was once again filled with the unfathomable face of Jia Dongming, and his heart became even more confused.

He stood up and said hurriedly, "I'll head back now. You should get some rest."

As he stepped out of the deaf old woman's room, feeling agitated, Jia Zhangshi was staring at a stack of money her son had taken out of his bag, her face full of reluctance.

Clutching the hem of her clothes, she asked reluctantly, "Dongming, do we really have to return all of these?"

When Jia Dongming heard his mother ask this question and saw her pained and distressed expression, he understood the situation very well.

He wanted to change his mother's habit of clutching money at the drop of a hat, so he lowered his voice and said firmly, "Mom, I am now the head of the security department in the factory. In terms of real power, I am not much different from Director Yang and Deputy Director Li."

"You saw how enthusiastic my second and third uncles were at dinner tonight, didn't you? Based on my first impression of them, they'll definitely come knocking on my door in the future, probably to help my kids find jobs."

"If we return the money donated by the people in the hospital as soon as possible, then even if someone comes to me for a favor in the future, I will be able to weigh the options and decide whether to help or not."

If I don't back down, and they actually ask for my help, I might make a mistake; if I don't help, I'll immediately be labeled as ungrateful.

Do you think this money should be refunded?

Although Jia Zhangshi valued money more than life, she was not a fool and had a shrewd mind hidden within her.

When the topic of buying a job came up, she immediately perked up, her voice tinged with anger: "Dongming, I've heard that these days, you'd need at least this much to buy an apprentice position."

She held up three fingers and shook them. "For a permanent position, you can't get anywhere below six or eight hundred!"

"Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui think they can get job quotas from you with that meager donation? Dream on! So this money has to be returned, and returned immediately!"

Hearing his mother's indignant words and seeing her sullen expression, Jia Dongming's lips curled into a half-smile: "Mom, how much are you planning to take out of your own pocket to give back to those families in the courtyard?"

Upon hearing that her money was to be touched, Jia Zhangshi's previous indignation vanished instantly, replaced by a gloomy resentment on her face: "Dongming, that's my savings for my old age, you can't even think about taking it..."

Seeing his mother so afraid of spending money, Jia Dongming almost couldn't help but laugh.

He softened his tone: "Mom, you don't need to pay for this. I have the money here."

Don't look at me like that.

"Mingtian, I'll buy some winter vegetables. When Yi Zhonghai organizes a school-wide meeting tonight, we'll pay back the money in front of everyone."

As long as Jia Zhangshi doesn't touch her secret stash of money that only goes in and never out, everything is fine.

She immediately nodded repeatedly: "Okay, Dongming, Mom will listen to you."

Remembering Qin Huairu who was still busy in the inner room, Jia Dongming said, "Mom, let's go see how Huairu has tidied up Bang Geng's room."

If everything is settled, you should all get some rest.

Inside the other room, Bang Geng was looking at his bright and spacious little world, which belonged to him, and he was so happy that he was practically bubbling with joy.

As soon as he saw Jia Dongming and his grandmother enter, he immediately shouted excitedly, "Grandma! Uncle! Come and see my room!"

Looking at the neatly tidied little room, Madam Jia's face was full of loving smiles: "Oh, my dear grandson, from today onwards you have your own room, and you no longer have to squeeze in with your grandma, your mother, and your sisters."

Looking at Bang Geng, whose little face was glowing with excitement, Jia Dongming recalled the boy's later personality in the original story and felt that he should set some rules for him as soon as possible.

He put away his smile and said seriously, "Bang Geng, your uncle has let you live in a room by yourself. From now on, you'll have to focus on your studies."

If I find out you're not working hard—"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Then move back and live with them."

Upon hearing this, Bang Geng, who was in high spirits, immediately stopped laughing and nodded respectfully: "Uncle, I remember, I will definitely study hard."

At this moment, Qin Huairu came out after tidying up Bang Geng's room, looking somewhat tired.

She said softly, "Uncle, I've tidied up your room too."

"Ming'er, I'll make breakfast. What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."

Jia Dongming glanced at the weariness in Qin Huairu's eyes and said gently, "Don't bother preparing breakfast. You've had a long morning, go back and rest."

Qin Huairu nodded and turned to the boy beside her: "Bang Geng, Mingtian has to go to school, don't stay out too late tonight."

Bang Geng puffed out his chest and said in a clear voice, "Mom, I promise I'll get up at daybreak!"

After Qin Huairu's figure disappeared outside the door, Jia Dongming closed the door and took out a syringe that shimmered with a faint green light from thin air.

He asked the invisible entity with his mind, "What changes will occur if this thing enters my body?"

In an instant, information flowed into his consciousness like a stream: "The gene repair agent will mend the host's hidden injuries, cleanse accumulated impurities, and within thirty days, restore his physique to twice the limit of ordinary people."

Without further hesitation, Jia Dongming lightly touched the skin with the needle tip, and the cool liquid was slowly pushed into the bloodstream.

In the next instant, a scorching torrent burst forth from the injection site, surging through the limbs and bones, as if an invisible flame ignited deep within the bone marrow, awakening the sluggish body inch by inch.

The heat lasted for about half an incense stick's time before gradually fading away.

A sour, rotten smell had somehow filled the small room.

Jia Dongming frowned, quickly rummaged through his bag for clean clothes, opened the door, and strode towards the washroom in the corner of the courtyard.

When he came out again, his hair was still wet with water droplets, but he looked brand new.

He hung the washed clothes on a hemp rope in the yard, then went back inside and lay down fully clothed.

As night deepened, he lay awake, carefully processing the events of the day in his mind, pondering how to establish himself in these unfamiliar times.

As morning light streamed through the window paper, an inorganic voice rang in his mind precisely on time: "Daily check-in is complete, confirm?"

"confirm."

"Check-in successful."

Acquisition: Bajiquan master's lineage; 10 catties of eggs; 5 catties each of pork, mutton, and beef; one whole chicken; 10 yuan in cash.

Do you accept the transmission of martial arts techniques?

"take over."

A vast array of images and tips flooded into my consciousness, and muscle memory took root in my body like ivy spreading.

Before he could fully savor the new life force flowing through his bones, a boy's clear voice called from outside: "Uncle! Breakfast is ready!"

"They're here!"

He answered loudly and quickly put on his outer garment.

He splashed water on his face by the water trough in the courtyard and then lifted the curtain of the main room.

Qin Huairu was setting out the bowls and chopsticks when she saw him come in and said with a smile, "I didn't know what Uncle liked, so I heated up the leftovers from last night, cooked porridge, and steamed some cornbread."

Jia Dongming looked at the golden-yellow cornbread on the table: "Mom's still not up?"

"Mom always sleeps until the sun is high in the sky."

Qin Huairu pointed to the stove, "I left some in the pot for her."

Jia Dongming picked up a cornbread and remembered something: "Huairu, how many households are there in the courtyard? I was thinking that since everyone contributed money for our family before, we should buy some eggs to show our appreciation."

Qin Huairu silently calculated for a moment: "Thirteen households, about a hundred people."

"Then prepare five eggs for each household."

He took a bite of the cornbread. "I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some later and distribute them to everyone during the meeting tonight."

He paused, then asked, "By the way, after Dongxu left, you went to the factory to take his place. Were you working as a fitter in the workshop?"

"Um,"

Qin Huairu set out the bowls of porridge. "An old man told me to learn from him. Dongxu also learned his skills from him before."

Qin Huairu lowered her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes: "I... only went to elementary school, and even after all these years in the factory, I'm still an apprentice."

Jia Dongming paused for a moment before slowly speaking, "Huai Ru, if I had connections to get you a different place, would you be willing?"

These words struck a chord with Qin Huairu.

She was thin and weak, so it was really too strenuous for her to handle those iron lumps on the machine tool.

Upon hearing this, his eyes lit up instantly, and his voice was filled with disbelief and urgency: "Uncle, can...can it really be changed?"

Seeing the sudden radiance on her face, Jia Dongming nodded solemnly: "It might be difficult for others, but it's not too hard for me."

But don't utter a single word before it's all done.

He turned his gaze to Bang Geng, who was teasing his younger sister with his finger at the table, and said in a normal tone, "Bang Geng, stop messing with Xiao Dang and eat quickly."

I'll give you a ride to school on my bicycle later.