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

Regardless of whether Yang Weimin was aware of the situation or had been implicated, the mere fact that he "married an enemy agent" is undeniable.

This one thing alone is enough to condemn him to eternal damnation.

Even if he doesn't get shot, he's destined to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

What pained Jia Dongming even more was the death of his younger brother, Jia Dongxu.

It was originally a sabotage plot by enemy agents, but Yang Weimin and others suppressed Engineer Xue's investigation results and insisted on turning a conspiracy into an ordinary accident.

He used to be unable to understand why Yang Weimin would treat Dongxu so cruelly, but now it all makes sense.

Thinking of his brother's tragic death, Jia Dongming wished he could rush up and arrest Zhang Huizi immediately.

But he knew he couldn't—there must be an even bigger network behind this group.

He clenched his fists, suppressing his surging anger, and secretly vowed to uproot these parasites, leaving none alive.

At first, he wanted to go to the Dongcheng branch to find Li Xidong immediately, but then he remembered his identity as the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, and finally held back.

Early in the morning, Mingri had to find a few absolutely reliable subordinates to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of Yang Weimin and Zhang Huizi.

As dusk fell, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle back to the courtyard house.

As soon as he pushed the cart into the front yard, he saw Yan Bugui standing there, so he nodded and greeted him, "Third Uncle, have you eaten?"

Upon seeing him, Yan Bugui immediately put on a smile: "Section Chief Jia, you're back late today."

"That kid, Bang Geng, has been waiting for you at the gate for over half an hour."

As dusk settled, Jia Dongming pushed his bicycle into the courtyard.

The third uncle in the front yard was pacing back and forth in front of his house with his hands behind his back. When he saw Dongming, he called out, "Dongming, you're quite late today. That kid Banggeng has been loitering around your yard several times."

Jia Dongming smiled upon hearing this, without stopping his steps: "Something came up at the factory and I'm stuck here. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

After saying that, he pushed the cart towards the Intermediate People's Court.

Just as I entered the moon gate, a small figure rushed over like a cannonball, nearly crashing into the wheels.

Bang Geng steadied himself, looked up, his eyes sparkling: "Uncle! You're finally back! Xiao Dang and I are starving!"

Little Dang, who had been squatting on the ground watching the ants, wobbled to her feet and chimed in in a childish voice, "I'm starving!"

Jia Dongming parked the car, bent down to pick up Xiaodang, and casually ruffled Bang Geng's hair: "Why don't you eat first if you're hungry? What are you waiting for?"

"Mom said that Uncle works hard to earn money, so we have to wait for Uncle to eat together."

Xiao Dang wrapped her arms around his neck and relayed the story in a serious tone.

Jia Dongming felt a warmth in his heart and was about to carry the child into the house when Bang Geng suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "Oh right, Uncle! Uncle Da Mao came to see you this afternoon and said he'd like to invite you to his house for drinks tonight."

"Oh?"

Jia Dongming paused slightly. "Didn't I say why I invited you?"

Bang Geng tried hard to recall: "Uncle Da Mao told Grandma that Aunt Xiao E brought back a bottle of very good wine from her parents' home and wanted to invite you there."

Lou Xiao'e is back? Jia Dongming's eyebrows twitched slightly.

The argument last night was quite loud, and Lou Xiao'e slammed the door and went back to her parents' home. Unexpectedly, less than a day later, Xu Damao persuaded her to come back.

Recalling the rumors circulating in the factory about Xu Damao's skill in dealing with women, Jia Dongming couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

Upon entering the main room, they saw Jia Zhangshi sitting alone at the table, slowly picking at her food.

The food on the table was simple, but it had clearly been touched.

"Mom, where's Huairu? Why didn't you call the children to eat first?"

Jia Dongming put down the small dish and asked.

Jia Zhangshi didn't even lift her eyelids, her tone revealing dissatisfaction: "Her father is hospitalized, isn't it enough that we've contributed money and effort? At this point, do you even care about this family?"

As soon as the meal was ready, I grabbed the food container and rushed to the hospital, not even bothering with the child.

Knowing that his mother's resentment wouldn't subside anytime soon, Jia Dongming stopped talking and simply called to Bang Geng, "Come sit down and eat."

"Dongming, are you home?"

Just as the group picked up their chopsticks, Xu Damao's voice came from the courtyard, carrying a warm and joyful atmosphere.

Immediately afterwards, the curtain was lifted, and Xu Damao's ever-smiling face peeked in: "Oh dear, we're eating right now! I've been looking for you for ages, I've come two or three times already."

Jia Dongming stood up, a perfectly appropriate hint of embarrassment on his face: "Da Mao, I just bothered you the day before yesterday, why are you bothering me again today... I feel so bad."

"Look at what you're saying!"

Xu Damao waved his hand repeatedly, "That's how it is. Xiao'e got a bottle of her father's treasured wine and insisted that I invite you over to try it."

"Look, all the dishes are ready, just waiting for you."

The words came out of Xu Damao's mouth, but a thought flashed through Jia Dongming's mind: this meal was probably Lou Xiao'e's idea.

Last night, when I took her home, my own subtle reminder about Xu Damao's health suddenly came to mind.

Her quick return and eagerness to host a banquet, could it be related to this?

As his thoughts raced, his smile remained unchanged: "Alright, you guys go back first, I'll wash my face and come over."

"Alright! Hurry up, the food won't taste as good if it gets cold."

Xu Damao chuckled in agreement and turned to leave.

Jia Dongming quickly washed up, returned to his room, and took out a small net bag from deep inside the cabinet, which contained five or six large, red apples.

He picked up the apples and then slowly walked towards Xu Damao's house in the backyard.

Xu Damao was standing at the door looking around when he saw him arrive. He hurriedly went to greet him, and his eyes widened as his gaze fell on the bag of apples. "Brother Dongming, you've come all this way, why did you bring Dongxi! These apples... good heavens, where did you buy them? They're such a lovely size!"

"These were brought by my comrades. We couldn't finish them all ourselves, so we brought some for you and your siblings to try."

Jia Dongming handed it over with a smile.

Xu Damao accepted the food with both hands, repeatedly expressing his gratitude. He then turned and raised his voice towards the house, "E'zi! Brother Dongming has arrived, the dishes can be served now!"

The kitchen curtain was lifted, and Lou Xiao'e came out carrying a steaming plate of scrambled eggs.

She changed into a clean floral blouse, and her hair was neatly combed. When she saw Jia Dongming, she smiled brightly and said, "Section Chief Jia, you've arrived. Please come in and have a seat."

Hearing Lou Xiao'e's crisp and cheerful address, Jia Dongming couldn't help but smile helplessly. He waved his hand and said, "Xiao'e, this is a courtyard house, not a steel mill where rules are strictly enforced. Just call me Brother Dongming like Da Mao does."

Lou Xiao'e didn't hesitate and readily agreed, "Okay, from now on I'll call you Brother Dongming, just like Da Mao!"

After Jia Dongming sat down, Xu Damao brought out a porcelain bottle from the inner room and presented it to him like a treasure: "Brother Dongming, look at this—deer blood wine that Ezi brought back from her mother's home."

I tried it at my father-in-law's house last time, and it tasted so good—it warmed me up completely and was incredibly invigorating.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming's eyes lit up, and he asked with great interest, "Is it really that amazing? Then I'll have to enjoy a few drinks tonight."

Xu Damao patted his chest and said, "You'll know once you try it. I'm not exaggerating at all."

Lou Xiao'e placed a few small dishes on the table and gently reminded Xu Damao, "Damao, Dongming is the most knowledgeable person in the courtyard. If you really want to make progress, you should ask Dongming for advice more often."

These words jolted Xu Damao awake, and he hurriedly turned to Jia Dongming: "Brother Dongming, to be honest, I've always been wondering—my relationship with the section chief isn't bad, but whenever the section promotes cadres, why am I never the one who gets a chance?"

Looking at his eager expression, Jia Dongming smiled slightly and asked in return, "Da Mao, let me ask you first, how many projectionists do you have in our steel rolling mill?"

A hint of pride flashed across Xu Damao's face: "I'm not bragging, but showing movies is a technical job, and I'm the only one in the whole factory who can do it."

Jia Dongming nodded, but then changed the subject: "That's right! If we promote you, who will be assigned the task of showing movies in the countryside? If you were the section chief, would you easily move the only candidate?"

Xu Damao was stunned, and stood frozen on the stool.

Yes, if I left my job as a projectionist, who would show the films at the factory? The older generation often says, "Teach your apprentice, and you'll starve."

His skills were passed down from his father, Xu Fugui. Over the years, the factory has tried to send him an apprentice several times, but he always said that he "has not mastered the skills yet."

He used that as an excuse to decline.

Only when Jia Dongming pointed at him did Xu Damao suddenly realize that he had blocked the way up.

He rubbed his hands together in frustration and asked urgently, "Brother Dongming, if I start training apprentices now, is there still a chance I can become the deputy head of the publicity department?"

Jia Dongming's expression turned serious, and he slowly shook his head: "Da Mao, opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared, that's true."

But if you want to jump straight to deputy section chief, that's unrealistic.

Xu Damao's face darkened: "Why not?"

Jia Dongming laughed: "Do you know what level the deputy head of the publicity department is? You have to take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time."

You haven't even swallowed the first bite, and you're already thinking you're full? How can you expect that?

Xu Damao was completely confused and hurriedly said, "Brother Dongming, please stop beating around the bush and just tell me Mingbai."

Lou Xiao'e, who was standing to the side, suddenly smiled and took over the conversation: "Da Mao, what Dong Ming means is that the deputy section chief is jumping too high."

If you really want to climb the ranks, you have to start from a position like team leader and climb steadily step by step.

Jia Dongming gave Lou Xiao'e an approving look and a thumbs up: "Xiao'e is still the best."

The position of deputy head of the publicity department is, in essence, at the deputy section chief level.

According to organizational rules, for an ordinary worker to reach this level, they must first occupy a "doing-instead-of-work" position.

"We have to climb the ranks step by step to gain recognition."

After listening to Lou Xiao'e and Jia Dongming's words, the fog on Xu Damao's face gradually dissipated, and a look of realization lit up his eyes. "Brother Dongming,"

His voice was tinged with shame. "I used to think that if I got along well with the leaders, getting promoted would just be a matter of a word from them."

After listening to your explanation today, I realize I've been thinking too simplistically.

Jia Dongming still had one sentence stuck in his mind—Xu Damao had married Lou Xiao'e and become the son-in-law of Lou Bancheng's family. Based on this capitalist marriage relationship alone, he was destined to have no future in officialdom.

Of course, he wouldn't say that out loud.

Thinking of this, Jia Dongming smiled and gave Xu Damao a frank suggestion: "Damao, if you really want to move up the ranks, why don't you take on two apprentices first?"

Once you're free from the projectionist job, you can try to lobby the higher-ups and secure a position as the head of the projection team.

Only then can we carefully plan what to do next.

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's face was full of gratitude, and he quickly raised his wine glass: "Brother Dongming, I understand."

This toast is to you; thank you for showing me this path.

Jia Dongming also raised his glass and lightly clinked it with his: "I was just casually reminding you, but you still have to make the important decisions yourself."

Xu Damao tilted his head back and drank it down, his face flushed: "To tell you the truth, I gave the section chief a gift a while ago, and he hinted at the matter of me taking on an apprentice."

Back then, I was still confused and thought to myself that he only accepted gifts and didn't do anything... Now, after hearing what you said, I finally understand the section chief's good intentions.

Ming'er went to the department to find him early this morning and asked him to arrange two people for me.

Lou Xiao'e, who was listening nearby, glanced at him with a hint of annoyance, but smiled and whispered, "Da Mao, Dongming has already gone this far, shouldn't you thank him properly?"

Xu Damao slapped his forehead and quickly grabbed the wine bottle to fill Jia Dongming's glass: "E'zi is right! Brother Dongming, I really have to thank you today."

He filled his glass again, his voice rising: "Same as always, one big, three small, two fives, ten—just watch me!"

As a result, without Jia Dongming needing to persuade him further, Xu Damao, whose alcohol tolerance was already mediocre, drank several cups in succession under Lou Xiao'e's encouragement. Finally, his head slumped down and he collapsed onto the dining table, snoring loudly.

Lou Xiao'e glanced at Xu Damao, who was lying asleep like a log, and a look of disdain appeared between her brows.