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

The Li family's child from the Intermediate People's Court also came over, his head almost touching the apple: "Bang Geng, I've never seen such a red and big apple in my life... Can I have a bite too?"

Even Yan Jiedi stood not far away, her eyes fixed on the apple, secretly swallowing her saliva, wanting to speak but too embarrassed to do so.

The envious looks from the children made Bang Geng feel very happy.

He raised his chin, a hint of pride in his voice, and said, "These apples were a gift from my uncle's comrade-in-arms. We have several more at home."

If you want some, I'll share some with you later.

As they were talking, Qin Huairu walked into the courtyard carrying a cloth bag. She immediately noticed the large, conspicuous apple in Bang Geng's hand and stopped in surprise, asking, "Bang Geng, where did this apple come from?"

Bang Geng was holding an apple when footsteps came from the courtyard gate.

He turned his head and saw that his mother had returned carrying a cloth bag. His face immediately lit up with a proud look: "Mom! Look at these apples. Uncle's comrade-in-arms gave them to me and my sister. There are still quite a few left in the house."

Since Jia Dongming returned home, the Jia family's situation has changed dramatically in the past two days, becoming even more prosperous than when Jia Dongxu was alive.

Qin Huairu looked at the plump, red apple in her son's hand and deliberately frowned: "It's almost dinnertime. If you eat such a big apple, will you still have room for rice later?"

Bang Geng's eyes darted around, and he suddenly remembered the cloth bag his uncle had brought back—it contained fresh meat and sausages wrapped in oil paper.

With meat expected for dinner, he quickly replied, "Mom, I won't eat this apple all by myself."

I just promised Li Ergou and Zhang Daidi that after I finish eating, I'll share the rest with them.

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu glared at her son lightly, her tone carrying a hint of admonition: "Since you promised to share it with others, you should have cut the apple into equal portions in the first place."

Waiting until you've eaten the last bits before giving them away—isn't that impolite? Do you understand?

Bang Geng gave an "Oh," seemingly understanding but not quite.

He said something and handed the apple forward, saying, "I understand."

"Mom, could you take this back and cut it up for me? I'll share it with them after I've cut it up."

"That's more like it."

Qin Huairu's expression softened slightly. She reached out and took the heavy apple, and was about to turn around and go back into the house when a figure slipped in through the gate of the central courtyard.

Sha Zhu, carrying an aluminum lunchbox, looked up and greeted her, "Sister Qin! The factory canteen made braised pork today, and I specially saved a few extra pieces to bring back for you."

In the past, Qin Huairu would time her every day to linger by the sink, waiting for this lunchbox.

The family of five was already struggling to make ends meet, and the mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, had a huge appetite. If it weren't for Sha Zhu's frequent assistance, they probably wouldn't have been able to survive long ago.

But things are different now—Jia Dongming has not only returned, but he is also a influential figure in the steel rolling mill.

With him supporting the family, there was no need to worry about food anymore. Qin Huairu was even less willing to give others cause for criticism or cause trouble for her brother-in-law.

She looked at the lunchbox handed to her, its contents faintly glistening with a dark brown sheen.

With meat on the table for two consecutive days, the lunchbox suddenly seemed ordinary.

Qin Huairu did not reach out to take it, but said gently, "Zhuzi, we are so grateful for your help over the years. After Dongxu left, if it weren't for your constant support, we don't know how our family would have survived."

I will remember this kindness.

She paused, her voice becoming even softer: "But yesterday, Uncle Banggeng instructed that we can no longer accept any Dongxi from the courtyard."

I appreciate your kind gesture, but you should take this lunchbox back with you.

Sha Zhu was stunned, his hand holding the lunchbox hanging in mid-air. It took him a while to come to his senses—that's right, the Jia family now has a pillar of support, so they don't need his occasional help anymore.

He watched Qin Huairu turn and walk into the courtyard, a hint of loneliness flashing across his face, but he muttered stiffly, "Fine, don't take it. I can keep it for myself to drink with."

Inside the main room, Jia Dongming was resting against the back of his chair when Qin Huairu came in with an apple. He couldn't help but ask, "Weren't these apples for Bang Gengxian to eat? Why did you bring them back?"

Qin Huairu smiled and briefly recounted what had happened in the courtyard. She added, "The child is ignorant, and I'm afraid that if the people in the courtyard see this, they'll say behind our backs that our family doesn't know how to raise children."

"I might as well take it back, cut it up, and let Bang Geng distribute it evenly among the dolls; that would seem more generous."

Jia Dongming nodded after hearing this, and glanced at the pile of apples on the corner of the table: "There are plenty on the table. You can cut a few more slices and distribute them to the children in the yard."

He suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh right, the security department's canteen will have a lunch break on Mingri, serving braised pork."

"Bring two extra lunchboxes to work, and when you come to get food at lunchtime, each of you can take two portions home."

Qin Huairu had heard people in the workshop talk about how the security department had brought back a fat pig from Changping Commune.

When Jia Dongming gave her his instructions, she was straightening the hem of her clothes. Upon hearing this, she replied, "Uncle, I've got it."

Mingtian, I'll go to your cafeteria for lunch and bring the meat back with me.

Jia Dongming then remembered the cloth bag he had brought back and quickly explained, "Huairu, this bag of Dongxi was brought by an old comrade-in-arms of mine."

Inside was a piece of pork fat, about five pounds of pork belly, several sausages, and some dried mountain produce and vegetables.

"You can render the pork fat into oil later."

Cut a pound of pork belly and stew it tonight. Save me a sausage; I'll take it with me when I go to Xu Damao's house for dinner later.

Put the rest in the cabinet and use them later.

Qin Huairu lifted the curtain and entered the main room, immediately spotting the bulging blue cloth bag on the table.

She hadn't expected there to be so much meat inside.

Since Jia Dongxu left, the burden of this family has weighed heavily on her shoulders, making it difficult for her to breathe.

If her three children weren't still young, she might have really abandoned Jia Zhangshi and left.

Just when things were getting unbearable, Jia Dongming arrived.

In the past two days, Qin Huairu felt as if she were walking on clouds, and for the first time, she felt a vague hope for the days to come.

After listening to Jia Dongming's explanation, Qin Huairu, who was always frugal, suggested softly, "Uncle, the cracklings left over from rendering lard can be used to stir-fry a dish."

Didn't you say the security department's Mingtian canteen has braised pork? These five pounds of pork belly would be better cured into bacon; it would last a long time.

Jia Dongming knew she was meticulous about managing her finances, so he simply nodded in agreement.

"You can handle things at home."

He smiled and said.

Seeing that he agreed, Qin Huairu's eyes curved into a smile, and she picked up the cloth bag and turned to go into the kitchen.

She first cut the apple into small pieces in the kitchen, put them on a plate, and handed it to Bang Geng next to her: "Take this to the yard and distribute it to everyone, one piece for each person, understand?"

Thinking of his friends waiting outside, Bang Geng happily replied, "Mom, I know!"

"Section Chief Jia, the food and drinks are all ready. I've come especially to invite you over for a couple of drinks."

Just as Bang Geng was carrying the apples outside, Xu Damao's voice rang out from the doorway of the main room.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door frame, a smile plastered on his face.

Jia Dongming looked towards the door and saw Xu Damao. He stood up and said with a smile, "Brother Damao, you go back first. I'll bring some winter vegetables right away."

"Alright! I'll wait for you at home then."

Xu Damao nodded repeatedly, then turned and left.

Qin Huairu, who was in the kitchen, heard the noise and remembered what Jia Dongming had just said.

She deftly picked out a sausage, hurried to the main room, and whispered a reminder: "Uncle, Xu Damao... you have to be careful when you go drinking."

Jia Dongming was naturally aware of Xu Damao's background.

Seeing her give such instructions, and thinking of all sorts of people in this courtyard, he said meaningfully, "Huairu, Xu Damao's badness is plain to see."

However, some people appear upright, but are more cunning than anyone else.

Although Qin Huairu came from the countryside, she was very perceptive and immediately understood his meaning.

Jia Dongming took the sausage, then picked up two apples from the table and walked out.

Just as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she bumped into Jia Zhangshi, who was returning from outside.

Madam Jia's eyes lit up as she spotted the sausages and large, red apples in his hand: "Dongming, where are you going? And why are you bringing all this winter stuff?"

"Mom, Xu Damao said yesterday that he would treat me to dinner. Bringing some winter melon over is a courtesy."

Jia Dongming replied.

Madam Jia curled her lip: "Why not just bring a bottle of wine when we go to his house for a meal? Why would you take such good winter food out?"

Jia Dongming sensed the probing in his mother's words and continued, "They were brought by an old comrade-in-arms from Changping. There are still some stored in the cellar."

If you're craving this, just have Huairu cut a piece and steam it.

When Madam Jia heard that there were leftover sausages, the slight reluctance on her face disappeared, but she still added before leaving: "When you go to the Xu family's house for dinner, take more food and drink less soup."

Jia Dongming shook his head and smiled: "I've got it."

Last night, Liu Haizhong saw Xu Damao inviting Jia Dongming for drinks, and he was filled with regret—he hadn't seized this opportunity to build a relationship sooner.

When he saw smoke rising from the Xu family's kitchen as he was leaving get off work, a thought suddenly struck him: once Jia Dongming was seated, he could bring some food and drinks and go over to chat with him in the lively atmosphere, which might open up more opportunities for him in the steel mill in the future.

"Didn't you promise Xu Damao? Why haven't you shown up yet?"

As Liu Haizhong was muttering to himself, he saw Xu Damao turn back alone from outside the courtyard gate, with no one behind him.

Just as they were wondering, a figure peeked through the crack in the window—Jia Dongming was carrying a shiny sausage and walking towards the Xu family's house.

Liu Haizhong perked up and turned around to urge, "Honey, quickly fry some eggs, I'll take them over for a couple of drinks."

Inside the Xu family's house, Xu Damao, his face beaming with smiles, greeted them at the door: "Please come in and have a seat, no need to bring anything!"

Jia Dongming picked up the oil paper package in his hand: "My comrade-in-arms from Changping became the deputy director of the commune. He asked someone to bring some smoked meats from the village. Let's share them and have a taste."

The sausage was quite heavy, weighing about half a pound, which was considered a generous gift in those days.

However, Xu Damao, having married Lou Xiao'e, always lived a life of comfort thanks to his wife's family's support. It was the two apples Jia Dongming pulled out that made Lou Xiao'e's eyes light up: "Where did Section Chief Jia find such big apples?"

"It was sent by a comrade-in-arms; I didn't ask about its specific origin."

Jia Dongming handed the apple over.

Lou Xiao'e took it and brought it closer to smell it. The sweet fragrance filled her nose, and she couldn't help but sigh, "Just smelling this is a hundred times better than what's on the market."

Jia Dongming waved his hand: "It's just that it's juicier and less astringent, nothing that mysterious."

Xu Damao brought the hot dishes into the house. Seeing his wife still holding an apple and examining it, he quickly changed the subject: "E'zi, go to the inner room and get a bottle of the good wine that I brought from Dad last time. I have to keep Section Chief Jia entertained today."

Lou Xiao'e responded crisply and turned to go into the inner room.

Xu Damao seized the opportunity to invite Jia Dongming to sit down, still referring to him as "Section Chief Jia."

Three characters.

Jia Dongming laughed and said, "Just call me Brother Dongming in the courtyard. Using official titles would make us feel too distant."

Xu Damao seized the opportunity: "Alright, Brother Dongming!"

Just then, Lou Xiao'e came out smiling, carrying a bottle of Moutai: "Section Chief Jia, I got this wine from my father."

Damao is always craving food, but I can never bear to part with it.

Your presence today is perfect for adding to the festivities.

Xu Damao glanced at the dark brown porcelain bottle, his eyes twitching slightly. He thought to himself, "That shrewd fellow... Mingming was referring to the Xifeng liquor on the counter..."

Upon hearing Lou Xiao'e's form of address, Jia Dongming's eyes crinkled into a smile, and he said in a gentle tone, "Xiao'e, I was just telling Da Mao that this isn't a factory, and we're neighbors, so don't use titles. Just call me Brother Jia or Brother Dongming."

His casual attitude put Lou Xiao'e at ease, and a smile spread across her face: "Brother Dongming! From now on, I'll call you that, just like Damao!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to the Xu family's house was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

Liu Haizhong walked in carrying a plate piled high with golden scrambled eggs and a bottle of Xifeng liquor in his other hand.

His voice was loud and clear: "Section Chief Jia! Da Mao! You're drinking already? What a coincidence! I was just about to invite Section Chief Jia for a couple of drinks. My wife fried some eggs, so let's all sit at the same table and have a good time!"