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

Jia Dongming pushed the cart into his courtyard. As soon as Jia Zhangshi, who was sitting at the entrance of the main room, saw him, she jumped up from her small stool and began to berate him at the top of her lungs: "You good-for-nothing Dongxi, how dare you run into the mountains all by yourself? I heard you were hunting wild boar, I was scared out of my wits!"

Jia Dongming sensed the worry in his mother's voice and chuckled, "Mom, the wild boar that can hurt me hasn't been born yet."

"If they hadn't run away so fast today, I could have brought back a whole truckload."

Madam Jia's eyes were already fixed on the bulging sack, and her tone softened immediately: "Dongming, is there really wild boar meat inside?"

Jia Dongming nodded: "Half a carcass, a head, and two offal."

That's enough for us to eat for several days.

Jia Dongming beckoned He Yuzhu over to help, then turned to his mother and instructed, "Mom, once the meat is cut, take Bang Geng and deliver some to each household in the yard. Give each household a pound, and we'll marinate the rest."

When Jia Zhangshi heard that her son wanted to share the wild boar meat with the neighbors, her heart felt like it was being torn apart, and she swallowed the words that were about to come out.

She knew that once her son made up his mind, no one could change it, so she had no choice but to suppress her reluctance.

Seeing that his mother didn't say anything, Jia Dongming's expression softened a bit.

He parked his bicycle under the eaves, untied the burlap sack, and instructed Jia Zhangshi: "Once the pillars are distributed, you should lead Bang Geng to deliver them to each household, making sure they reach every family."

Madam Jia was initially distressed about having to part with so much meat, but when she heard that the matter was entrusted to her, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she quickly replied, "Don't worry, Dongming, Mom will definitely handle this matter properly."

**

He Yuzhu deftly cut the meat at the stone table in the courtyard, while Jia Zhangshi stood by watching. She turned to her grandson, who was watching the commotion, and beckoned, "Bang Geng, go and get Grandma's bamboo basket. We're going to deliver the meat."

Bang Geng readily agreed and dashed out of the yard in a flash.

She returned shortly after, carrying a basket, her little face flushed: "Grandma, I brought the basket!"

Madam Jia took the basket, placed the cut pieces of wild boar meat inside, and smiled broadly: "Come on, let's share the meat with Grandma."

She carried a heavy basket, but her steps were light and quick, like a hen holding her head high. Leading Bang Gengxian, she arrived at Yan Bugui's house in the front yard and called out, "Is Old Yan home? I've brought you some wild game!"

Hearing the noise, Yan Bugui, who was eating inside, quickly got up, lifted the curtain, and came out. He immediately saw the meat in the basket and didn't even care about the "Old Yan" he had been called.

He addressed her casually, then immediately beamed, "Oh, dear sister, I can't accept this... Could you please pick out a piece with thicker fat?"

Seeing his attitude, Jia Zhangshi felt a surge of pride and raised her chin slightly: "These wild animals are mostly lean meat with little fat."

"But since you've asked, and you're the third uncle in the courtyard, why don't you pick one yourself?"

Yan Bugui was overjoyed. He reached into the basket and rummaged through the meat, his fingertips rubbing against the pieces, secretly thinking that he could rinse off some oil when he washed the meat at home.

He quickly selected one and repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you so much, sister! Please be sure to thank Section Chief Jia for me!"

Jia Zhangshi waved her hand and turned to walk towards the central courtyard.

When she arrived at Yi Zhonghai's house, she stopped and called out, "Uncle, are you home?"

Yi Zhonghai had been preoccupied with his retirement these days, and couldn't eat properly. Hearing Jia Zhangshi's voice, he put down his chopsticks, lifted the curtain, and came out. He was slightly taken aback when he saw her carrying a basket of meat: "Sister-in-law, what's this...?"

Jia Zhangshi's voice became a little louder: "Our Dongming hunted a few wild boars in the mountains today and brought back some meat for the neighbors in the yard to have a taste."

He took a piece from the basket and handed it to Yi Zhonghai, saying, "Here, this is for you. I have to go to other places now, so I'll be going now."

Yi Zhonghai took the piece of meat, still carrying the scent of the mountains, in a daze. Before he could even utter a word, Jia Zhangshi had already turned and walked towards the Zhou family next door.

He stood at the doorway, looking down at the meat in his hand, when a thought suddenly popped into his head.

As soon as the thought crossed Yi Zhonghai's mind, he hurriedly returned to the house.

He slammed the piece of wild boar meat that Jia Zhangshi had brought onto the table, then turned to his wife, Yi Tanshi, and asked, "Do you think Jia Dongming would be willing to support us in our old age?"

Yi Tan was taken aback by this sudden question.

Jia Dongming has only been living in this courtyard for three days.

Although she hadn't interacted with this young man much, just by observing how considerate he was towards Jia Zhangshi and Bang Geng, she knew he was a man of deep affection and filial piety.

If I could truly have him take care of me in my old age, it would be an invaluable blessing.

But she also knew in her heart that Jia Dongming was not Jia Dongxu.

She knew her husband's temperament all too well—he wanted to make decisions on everything and control everything.

Getting someone as opinionated and influential as Jia Dongming to obey is probably not that easy.

Thinking of this, Yi Tan replied slowly, "Dongming is now the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, earning more than a hundred yuan a month."

If he agrees, that would be a blessing for us.

However…shouldn’t you ask the old lady’s opinion first? She’s experienced and has a good eye for people.”

Yi Zhonghai nodded in agreement: "That's true."

"I'll go for a walk in the backyard after I finish eating."

The sounds of thanks from the front yard gradually faded away. Jia Zhangshi, leading Bang Geng with beaming faces, returned to her own courtyard. Before even entering, she called out loudly, "Dongming, I've delivered to every household in the yard, except for Shazhu's!"

Jia Dongming was talking to Sha Zhu when he heard the voice and turned around. He casually asked, "Zhu Zi, have you had dinner yet? If not, just eat here. Don't rush to clean up the leftovers."

Sha Zhu didn't agree immediately, but just smiled and said, "Rain is still waiting for me at home."

"I'll go back and settle her in first, then I can come back and help you with the drains."

"What are you going to say back to?"

Jia Dongming waved his hand, "Cut a piece of meat and go to my kitchen to cook two dishes."

Ask Huairu to run over to Yushui and invite her over to eat together.

"Let me tell you, I have Moutai here today."

"Moutai"

Upon hearing those two words, Sha Zhu's eyes lit up, and he gave an embarrassed smile: "Brother Dongming, since you've said so, then I'll take advantage of your good wine today."

Seeing that Sha Zhu stayed behind, Jia Dongming instructed Qin Huairu, who was washing pig offal by the well, "Huairu, don't be busy for now. Go to Zhu's house and call Yushui over for dinner."

Qin Huairu stood up in response, wiped her hands on her apron, and said with a smile, "I'll go right away."

Jia Dongming took out another dollar and handed it to Bang Geng, who was staring at him expectantly: "Go and buy five bottles of soda to drink with dinner."

Bang Geng's face immediately lit up, and he took the money with a crisp voice, "Okay, I'll run there!"

Before long, Qin Huairu led He Yushui into the courtyard.

He Yushui saw Jia Dongming sitting at the stone table and called out softly, "Brother Dongming."

Jia Dongming looked at her thin figure and frowned. "Yushui, your brother is a cook, how did he raise you like this? I'll have to talk to him after he finishes cooking."

He Yushui was six years old when her biological father ran away with someone else. Later, thanks to Yi Zhonghai's secret schemes, she and her brother Shazhu could only make a living by collecting scraps.

After Sha Zhu entered the steel rolling mill, things finally started to get a little better.

He wasn't bad to his sister; he even bought her a bicycle. But ever since Jia Dongxu passed away, Sha Zhu was swayed by Yi Zhonghai's words and his mind was completely focused on the Jia family. He even frequently subsidized his sister's food rations.

Seeing the Jia family members being fed until they were plump and round while she herself was thin and bony, He Yushui felt a surge of resentment. She hated Yi Zhonghai and the Jia family, and also resented her brother for being foolish.

Hearing Jia Dongming speak up for her, He Yushui felt a warmth in her heart and quickly whispered, "It's not my fault, Brother Sha... it's just that I can't gain weight."

Jia Dongming saw her like a mirror in his mind and sighed inwardly.

Hearing He Yushui's somewhat stiff reply, a gentle smile appeared on his lips, and he said softly to her, "Yushui, for more than a year, your brother has been focused on taking care of our Jia family, which has inevitably neglected you and caused you a lot of grievances."

On behalf of the Jia family, I apologize to you.

If your brother is too busy to take care of you in the future, please come over for dinner. Don't be shy.

Looking at Jia Dongming's sincere expression, He Yushui was suddenly overwhelmed by the loneliness and forbearance she had endured over the past year. Her eyes welled up with tears, which streamed down her face.

Her voice trembled as she hurriedly shook her head: "Brother Dongming, please don't say that... This isn't your fault."

Jia Dongming sensed the distance in her words and knew that although she was being forgiving, she probably still harbored resentment.

He didn't point it out, but just smiled and changed the subject: "Your brother cooked a lot of wild boar meat today. You must eat a few pieces tonight and try his cooking."

Just then, Sha Zhu poked his head out of the kitchen carrying the last dish and called out into the yard, "Brother Dongming, the food's ready, let's eat!"

Jia Dongming responded and went back to the house pretending to fetch Dongxi, but actually took out a bottle of Moutai from the system space before leisurely walking back to the main room.

Three or four dishes were already laid out on the table: stir-fried green peppers with sliced ​​pork glistened with oil, vinegared pork liver smelled sour and fragrant, and braised pork belly was rich and dark in sauce, making one's mouth water.

Jia Dongming unscrewed the bottle, first filling Sha Zhu's glass, then turning to Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu: "Mom, Huairu, shall I pour you some too?"

Madam Jia sniffed, the rich aroma of Moutai making her squint. "I've long heard that this wine is precious, and only high-ranking leaders can afford to drink it."

I'll try it today and see what kind of heavenly taste it is.

She handed the cup over with a smile.

Jia Dongming smiled and poured her some water, then asked Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu had already brought the empty glass over, her eyes curving like the moon: "Uncle, I'll have a glass too."

"Uncle! Grandma says I'm practically an adult now, can I drink it?"

Bang Geng, who was holding a soda bottle, looked up and asked when he saw this.

Jia Dongming deliberately put on a stern face and lightly tapped his forehead with his finger: "You little brat, you're not even as tall as the table, and you're already eyeing the alcohol? Just drink your soda."

Bang Geng shrank his neck and said "Oh" somewhat dejectedly.

She let out a sound, but still obediently picked up her bottle.

Jia Dongming then poured himself a full glass, raised it towards Sha Zhu, and said, "Zhu Zi, this first glass is for you."

Thank you so much for taking care of the family over the past year.

Sha Zhu's face lit up with pride at such a solemn thank you, and he unconsciously puffed out his chest: "Brother Dongming, you're too kind! Our courtyard is evaluated for advanced status every year, which is all about mutual help."

"You're being too polite with me; that would be too distant!"

The two wine glasses clinked lightly, and each drank them down.

Sha Zhu smacked his lips, savoring the taste: "No wonder this Moutai is so expensive; it tastes so much better than that loose liquor."

Seeing that the two had finished their drinks, Qin Huairu quickly got up and refilled their glasses, then called out, "Uncle, Zhuzi, Yushui, hurry up and start eating, the food won't taste good if it gets cold."

Just as Jia Dongming picked up his chopsticks, he suddenly remembered something and lightly slapped his forehead: "Look at my memory, I almost forgot something important."

He turned to Qin Huairu and said in a casual tone, "Huairu, this morning I saw you doing fitter work among a group of male workers in the workshop. I just felt that it wasn't a place for you."

I didn't discuss it with you beforehand; I just took the initiative to change your position.

Qin Huairu was stunned.

Ever since she took over from Jia Dongxu in the fitter's workshop, she has secretly worried a lot about the work done in this male-dominated environment.

In the first few days, when blisters appeared on her hands and she secretly wiped away tears at night, she considered changing jobs.

But lacking both connections and confidence, and with Yi Zhonghai secretly suppressing him, he could only keep this thought firmly in his heart.

Since Jia Dongming came back, she had thought about asking him for help, but she always felt that he had just started working at the factory and hadn't settled in yet, so she didn't want to trouble him.

Before she could even speak, he had already quietly taken care of the matter.

A tremendous surprise surged through Qin Huairu's chest. Her eyes lit up instantly, and her voice trembled slightly with disbelief: "Uncle... is what you said true?"