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

As Jia Zhangshi was busy stuffing meat into her mouth, she heard Jia Dongming's words to Qin Huairu. Her eyes lit up, and she even forgot to put the meat on her chopsticks into her mouth. She hurriedly turned her head and asked, "Dongming! Tell me quickly, where are you going to arrange for Huairu? How much will she get paid per month?"

Seeing his mother's expression, Jia Dongming knew what she was worried about, so he softened his tone and explained, "Mom, I specifically asked Deputy Factory Director Li, who is in charge of logistics, about this matter."

When he heard that she was our own brother and sister-in-law, he arranged for her to work as a warehouse manager.

That adds up to thirty-five and a half yuan a month.

"Wow, this is a rare opportunity!"

Sha Zhu, who was picking up food nearby, chimed in, "Warehouse managers have such a leisurely and respectable job; you really can't get in without connections."

Deputy Factory Director Li has done you a tremendous favor this time.

Jia Zhangshi didn't care about decorum; all she could hear was that string of numbers.

A smile immediately spread across her face, and her eager gaze turned to Qin Huairu: "Huairu, Dongming has found you such a good job, easy and pays eight extra dollars."

From now on...should we increase the monthly allowance we give Mom for her retirement?

Qin Huairu's heart was pounding like a fluttering sparrow—the warehouse manager position! Sha Zhu was right, it was a position that many people coveted.

She almost wanted to go to the factory with Jia Dongming immediately to complete the formalities.

But her mother-in-law's words were like a bucket of cold water, making the smile on her lips freeze.

She lowered her eyes and said softly, "Mom, then... I'll give you five yuan every month from now on."

"Five yuan?"

Jia Zhangshi's face immediately darkened. "Qin Huairu, you used to earn 28.5 yuan. After deducting the 3 yuan you gave me, you used the rest to supplement the family income."

Now that Dongming is back, he's taking care of the household expenses, and you can save all your wages yourself.

"Dongming has found you such a good job, but you only get two extra dollars. Is that fair?"

"Mom, let Huairu keep her salary herself."

Looking at his mother's calculating manner, Jia Dongming felt a little annoyed. "I'll take care of you in your old age. Why do you need to ask her for more money?"

Madam Jia, however, stuck out her neck and launched into a long explanation: "Dongming, it's not that I'm after your few coins."

"Mom wants to have some peace of mind, so that Bang Geng can get married in the future. Doesn't she need to save some money in advance?"

If it were someone else, they might actually be moved by these words.

But Jia Dongming knew very well that his mother was the type of person who only took money in and never gave it out.

Seeing her so stubborn, he was too lazy to waste any more words and simply waved his hand: "Alright, Mom, don't make things difficult for Huairu."

From now on, I'll give you ten yuan a month; please don't ask her for any more.

Madam Jia had already calculated her son's salary, and when she heard him voluntarily agree to pay ten yuan, her eyes lit up with an astonishing light.

She quickly moved closer: "Dongming, are you serious? You really give Mom ten yuan every month?"

Looking at his mother's overjoyed expression, Jia Dongming felt both annoyed and amused: "Is ten yuan a lot? Don't you think about how much I earn in a month?"

Besides, do you know how much money I made selling the wild game I hunted in the countryside today? As for Bang Geng's future marriage—with me, his uncle, around, how could he possibly worry about the bride price?

Madam Jia automatically skipped over the earlier words and only focused on the most important one: "The money from selling the wild game? Dongming, tell me in detail, how much did you get for those animals today?"

Jia Dongming felt a tightness in his chest and sighed helplessly, "The details haven't been calculated yet."

It sells for 50 cents a pound to Corey, and 80 cents to the steel mill.

In total... probably one or two thousand.

"One or two thousand?!"

Jia Zhangshi suddenly stood up from the stool, her voice trembling, "Just... just one day? Dongming, if you went to the countryside every day, wouldn't you make tens of thousands a month?!"

Seeing his mother suddenly stand up, Jia Dongming could only shake his head, his tone revealing a hint of weariness: "If the wild animals in the mountains were really that easy to hunt, everyone would be running up the mountain—don't forget, my real identity is the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill."

These words made Jia Zhangshi pause, her face immediately showing some embarrassment. She sat back down awkwardly, saying, "Dongming, that's not what I meant... I just feel that this money came too easily."

Jia Dongming didn't respond to her words, but instead raised his glass to Sha Zhu beside him: "Zhu Zi, I'm sorry you had to laugh at these gossips at home."

Sha Zhu was still reeling from the shock he had just experienced—earning one or two thousand yuan a day in the mountains seemed like a dream to him.

He secretly planned to go to the countryside during his vacation, hoping to hunt something to sell to the factory for some money.

It wasn't until Jia Dongming raised his glass in invitation that he suddenly snapped out of his daze, quickly picked up his wine cup, and grinned, "Brother Dongming, let alone Aunt Zhang, even I'm itching to try it out. I wish Ming'er could just take a gun and go up the mountain to try it out."

Seeing the undisguised envy in his eyes, Jia Dongming smiled gently: "I was able to hit the target because I've been handling guns for so many years and my hand is steady."

If just anyone could do it, the mountains and forests would have been trampled flat long ago.

Sha Zhu nodded repeatedly: "What you said makes sense. I was thinking wrong."

After saying that, he clinked his cup with Jia Dongming's and drank it all in one gulp.

Although Jia Dongming had promised to give his mother ten yuan a month for her old age, Jia Zhangshi was still thinking about the wages Qin Huairu would receive in the future.

She turned to her daughter-in-law and lowered her voice: "Huai Ru, Dong Ming is giving you his filial piety as a son, you can't stop giving him because of that."

"As originally agreed, it's five yuan a month. Don't forget."

In the past, Qin Huairu would give three yuan to her mother-in-law every month, and the rest was barely enough to cover household expenses, with little left at the end of the month.

Now, Jia Dongming is responsible for all the household expenses. Her salary has increased, and she no longer has to worry about daily necessities. Even if she only spends five yuan a month, she is much more financially comfortable than before.

Therefore, she readily agreed: "Mom, don't worry, I will definitely give you five yuan every month from now on."

After finishing his dinner in the front yard, Yi Zhonghai slowly strolled to the front of the deaf old woman's house in the back yard, raised his hand and gently knocked on the door: "Grandma, are you resting?"

"Oh, it's Zhonghai. Come in."

An old man's slow, deliberate reply came from inside the house.

Yi Zhonghai pushed open the door and went in, where he saw the deaf old woman sitting against the bed.

He smiled and asked gently, "Did Sister-in-law Jia bring you wild boar meat this evening?"

The old lady had a clear understanding of why he had come as soon as she heard Yi Zhonghai's voice.

She recalled the triumphant look on Jia Zhangshi's face when she delivered the meat that afternoon, and couldn't help but sigh, "That girl from the Zhang family used to always cry poverty and try to get something for nothing in the courtyard."

Ever since the eldest son came back, he seems like a different person; he's even been willing to share meat with everyone.

Following her lead, Yi Zhonghai tentatively leaned forward and asked, "Grandma, what do you think... if we let Jia Dongming take care of us in our old age, would he agree?"

The deaf old woman looked up at him, and in the dim light, the expectation on Yi Zhonghai's face was particularly clear.

She slowly said, "Judging from the fact that he sent meat, this child is grateful and knows how to reciprocate."

Otherwise, who would be willing to give away so much meat for nothing?

She paused, then lowered her voice: "But if you're hoping he'll support you in your old age, I advise you to give up that idea as soon as possible."

Jia Dongming values ​​relationships, but he's not like Dongxu—his personality is not something anyone can control.

If you ask me, Zhu Zi is the more suitable person.

After hearing this, Yi Zhonghai understood that it was not easy to get Jia Dongming to agree, but he still felt that the deaf old lady was only saying this because she favored Sha Zhu.

He couldn't help but remind her, "Grandma, I'm not saying the pillar is bad."

But don't forget, his father, He Daqing, is still alive.

Although he's run off with the widow now, who can guarantee he won't come back later?

"Look at Jia Dongming, who left home at a young age and took on the responsibility of the whole family as soon as he was reunited with his biological mother."

Besides, he was also the head of the security department, earning a monthly salary of just over one hundred yuan.

If he's willing, he won't have to worry about money for his retirement.

After listening to Yi Zhonghai's words, the deaf old woman reviewed Jia Zhangshi's usual behavior in her mind, and slowly asked, "Zhonghai, in your opinion... would Jia Zhangshi be happy to let Dongming take care of you in your old age?"

Without hesitation, Yi Zhonghai blurted out, "Grandma, if she wasn't willing, why would she have let Dongxu acknowledge me as her master in the first place? Besides, even if she doesn't agree now, I naturally have ways to get her to agree."

The deaf old woman listened and couldn't help but laugh, a knowing smile in her eyes. She gently shook her head and said, "Zhonghai, if you really think that Jia Zhangshi is a pushover you can easily manipulate, then you've misunderstood."

"If she weren't afraid that the people in the courtyard would covet the Jia family's wealth and be eager to find someone to rely on there, do you really think she would willingly hand over her son to you for old age?"

"In the past, the Jia family mother and son relied on your help, and that's why she let you make arrangements for them."

Now that the eldest son of the Jia family has returned and is working in the security department of the steel rolling mill, the Jia family has finally established itself in this compound—do you still think that Jia Zhangshi will be as obedient to you as before?

As Yi Zhonghai listened to these words, and then thought about Jia Zhangshi's usual behavior, he remained silent for a long time, lost in thought.

After a long while, he seemed to wake up, his tone still carrying some reluctance: "Grandma, let me think about it some more."

It's getting late, you should rest now, I'm heading back.

The deaf old woman watched Yi Zhonghai's retreating figure as he pushed open the door and left, sighed softly, and muttered to herself, "Everyone in this courtyard thinks that girl from the Zhang family is an ignorant country woman, but who can see that although she seems confused, she is more clear-headed than anyone else?"

As soon as Yi Zhonghai stepped into the central courtyard, he bumped into Sha Zhu, who was carrying a piece of meat and leading He Yushui out of the winter courtyard.

Seeing the brother and sister, Yi Zhonghai casually asked, "Zhu Zi, why did you two come out of Dong Ming's house?"

When Sha Zhu saw Yi Zhonghai coming from the backyard, he immediately grinned and said, "Uncle! Brother Dongming brought back half a wild boar yesterday and asked me to help him clean it up. He even invited me and Yushui to stay for dinner."

I was just thinking of braising the pig's head and offal for him, but he's out of spices, so I'm going back inside to get some.

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai suddenly recalled his conversation with the deaf old woman. His eyes lit up, and he smiled as he instructed, "Zhuzi, the old lady's teeth aren't good. After you've braised the meat, see if you can ask Dongming for some pig's head meat to send to the old lady to try."

Sha Zhu readily agreed: "Sure! Brother Dongming said he'd share some with me once it's braised. I'll pick out the softer pieces to take to the old lady."

At exactly seven o'clock the next morning, "ding—"

A crisp system notification sounded on time, waking Jia Dongming from his sleep.

"Daily check-in is ready. Would you like to check in?"

Jia Dongming opened his eyes groggily and silently said, "Sign in."

"Ding! Check-in successful."

Rewards: Advanced cooking skills, ten towels, ten bars of soap, ten bottles of face cream, ten sets of bedding, and ten yuan in cash.

The item has been stored in the system space.

Should I learn advanced culinary skills immediately?

Jia Dongming regained some of his composure and thought to himself, "Study."

The moment the thought crossed my mind, a vast amount of culinary knowledge flooded into my head like a tidal wave.

In a short time, he went from a complete novice unfamiliar with the stove to an expert who knew all about the cuisines of the North and South.

After processing these memories, Jia Dongming got up briskly, dressed, and went out to wash up.

"Good morning, Uncle!"

Bang Geng, who was brushing his teeth in the yard, saw him and called out with bright eyes.

"Uncle... Little Dang can brush her teeth by herself now!"

Standing next to Bang Geng, Xiao Dang also looked up and said in a childish voice, still holding a small toothbrush in her hand.

Jia Dongming walked over, rubbed Bang Geng's head, and then bent down to say gently to Xiao Dang, "Our Xiao Dang is really capable; she can even brush her teeth by herself now."

"That's amazing! Your uncle will bring you some milk candy tonight as a reward."

Bang Geng, who had just finished rinsing his mouth, heard "Milk Candy".

He swallowed hard, unable to resist, and quickly interjected, "Uncle, I taught Xiaodang how to brush her teeth!"

After finishing speaking, Bang Geng looked up at Jia Dongming with his bright, hopeful eyes. His meaning was crystal clear—he was just waiting for an adult to praise him and give him some candy to sweeten his mouth.

Jia Dongming couldn't help but laugh at his appearance and reached out to rub the boy's head: "Teaching your sister these things is what you, as her older brother, should do."