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

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu beamed with joy and stepped into the main room with his net bag.

Upon spotting Jia Dongming sitting at the table, he quickly smiled at Jia Zhangshi beside him and said, "Aunt Zhang! I heard my brother Jia is back, so I specially brought some dishes to have a get-together with him and have a couple of drinks!"

Sha Zhu's assistance was common in the Jia family, but Jia Zhangshi's expression never improved in the slightest because of it.

If her son, Jia Dongming, hadn't been sitting there, she probably would have snatched the aluminum lunchbox and kicked him and the lunchbox out the door long ago.

Hearing Sha Zhu's commotion, Jia Zhangshi raised her eyelids, glanced at him sideways, and said in a harsh voice, "Since you're here, find a place to sit."

After swallowing the last dumpling Qin Huairu brought him at home, Yi Zhonghai strolled to the window, his gaze fixed on the yard as if glued to it.

Not long after Sha Zhu turned into the courtyard carrying a net bag, Qin Huairu hurriedly came out again. She went back inside to get a bottle of baijiu and was about to return when he immediately pushed open the door to greet her. "Huairu," he said.

He called out, "I think I saw Sha Zhu loitering around your door just now. Was he here to deliver groceries again? Where is he?"

Although Qin Huairu was a country girl who married into the city and suffered a lot of grievances in the Jia family over the years, her shrewdness remained undiminished.

When she saw Yi Zhonghai come out of the house, she immediately realized that this old man had probably been watching from behind the window for quite some time.

A smile immediately appeared on her face, and she replied quickly and easily, "Uncle, Zhu Zi is with Uncle Dong Ming."

My uncle has just settled in, and there's no wine in the house yet, so I'm going back to get a bottle so that the two of them can have a drink.

If you have some free time, would you like to come and sit with us?

Yi Zhonghai had already heard rumors of Jia's eldest son's return and was just wondering if he had a reason to investigate.

Qin Huairu's words came at just the right time, and a smile immediately appeared on his face: "Huairu, today is a joyous occasion for your Jia family reunion, how can we drink baijiu? Coincidentally, I have two bottles of Xifeng liquor in my room, take them here, we'll have something good to drink tonight."

He turned around, went back into the house to get the wine, and followed Qin Huairu into the courtyard.

Stepping into the courtyard, five houses stood neatly in the twilight. Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but sigh: "Huai Ru, your mother-in-law used to say that the house was too crowded and there was no room to move around when the children grew up."

Now that we have this courtyard, we won't have to worry about not having enough space to live in anymore.

These words sound like they're expressing happiness for the Jia family, but they hide a different meaning.

Qin Huairu did not stop walking, and a smile still lingered on her lips, but her voice was a little fainter: "Uncle, it is true that Uncle Dongming is the eldest son, but this courtyard was allocated to him by the factory. We, the mother and children, are just benefiting from it."

My uncle, however, felt sorry for Bang Geng, saying that he was already a grown man and it was inappropriate for him to be crammed in with the women. He asked me to prepare a room for him to stay in after dinner.

As she spoke, she walked to the front of the house, reached out and lifted the curtain, calling inside, "Mom, Uncle, Uncle is here."

The room was warmly lit, and shadows moved about.

Yi Zhonghai followed in carrying the wine, his gaze first sweeping over Yan Bugui and Sha Zhu, and finally landing on Jia Dongming's face—his eyebrows and eyes did indeed resemble Jia Dongming's by seven or eight points.

He nodded to the acquaintance with feigned surprise before turning to the person in question, beaming with a smile: "Section Chief Jia, hello."

I am Yi Zhonghai, an eighth-grade fitter at the steel rolling mill, and also an old man in charge of things at the yard.

I heard from home that you moved in today. And since it's your sister-in-law's eldest son whom she hasn't seen in years, she came to visit. We'll be neighbors from now on, so please take care of her."

Yi Zhonghai always had a kind and honest appearance, and he was fair in his actions and words. Everyone in the courtyard regarded him as a steady and reliable elder.

But deep down, he was the most calculating person in the courtyard.

In his early years, in order to prepare for retirement, he took Jia Dongxu as his apprentice, but then found Jia Zhangshi to be a hindrance and turned to Shazhu as a way out.

He not only secretly ruined He Daqing's reputation, but also secretly withheld the living expenses that He Daqing sent to Sha Zhu and his sister.

After Jia Dongxu left, he coveted Qin Huairu's looks and tried to match her with Shazhu, while also thinking about using her pregnancy to have an heir.

At the factory, he used many methods to force Qin Huairu to submit, and even once sneaked to her door in the middle of the night under the pretense of delivering grain.

Looking at the man in front of him, who was carrying a wine bottle and had an upright appearance, Jia Dongming thought that if he hadn't known what was hidden beneath his skin, he probably would have been fooled by his appearance as well.

His expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded slightly.

After reading Yi Zhong's name on the poster, Jia Dongming immediately put on a smile: "Uncle, it's an honor to meet you."

I just overheard my mother and wife mentioning how much you've taken care of the Jia family over the years; I will always remember this kindness.

As he spoke, he turned to Qin Huairu and instructed her, "Go and get another set of chopsticks and bowls, and make another plate of eggs."

"It's rare to have several elders here today, so we'll have a couple of drinks."

The wine cups had just been placed on the table when footsteps sounded outside the door.

Liu Haizhong stood at the doorway of the main room carrying two bottles of wine. He was taken aback at first when he saw the scene inside, but then he put on a smile and said, "Oh, Lao Yi and Lao Yan are both here?"

His gaze quickly fell on the man in the main seat, and he unconsciously bent his waist slightly: "Section Chief Jia, I apologize for disturbing you."

I am Liu Haizhong, the second oldest man in the compound, a level seven forging worker at the steel rolling mill.

I heard you moved here, so I came to check it out.

This second uncle believed most in the saying, "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

The emperor favored his eldest son, while constantly beating and scolding his two younger sons.

He dreamed of getting a government position, but he was too uneducated and slow-witted. He was eventually used as a pawn and ended up with nothing.

Jia Dongming stood up, took the wine bottle, and politely offered his seat: "Second Uncle, you've come at the perfect time; the wine is still warm."

Liu Haizhong rubbed his hands together, flattered and surprised: "Then I'm really in for a treat."

The four wine cups clinked together.

Jia Dongming raised his glass first and said, "This first glass is to the three stewards, to thank them for their care of the Jia family over the years."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank it all.

Liu Haizhong hurriedly joined in, muttering, "Our courtyard is an advanced unit recognized by the neighborhood committee, so helping each other is our duty."

Yi Zhonghai caught a glimpse of his fawning expression and sneered inwardly, but said seriously on the surface, "We're neighbors, it's only right to lend a hand."

Jia Dongming put down his wine cup and suddenly changed the subject: "Actually, the reason I invited Third Uncle here today is to ask how much money the courtyard has donated to the Jia family over the years."

The main room fell silent for a moment. "In the early years, the family had no one to support them, and we survived entirely thanks to the help of everyone."

Now that I'm back, I have to pay that money back no matter what.

Yi Zhonghai's heart tightened.

He initially encouraged everyone to donate because he couldn't bear to part with his own money, so he borrowed from "mutual aid."

The reputation.

If the Jia family were to pay off their debts, how would he control them in the future? He immediately advised, "That won't do."

"It was all donated voluntarily by the neighbors, how can we take it back?"

I will always remember the kindness of this old man.

Jia Dongming smiled gently, but his tone left no room for negotiation. "Ming'er, I've prepared some small gifts. I'd appreciate it if Third Uncle could lead you to visit each household."

"I earn a decent salary at the factory; I can't keep owing people favors."

Liu Haizhong's eyes darted around, and he suddenly clapped his hands and said, "How about this, Mingwan, hold a hospital-wide meeting? Section Chief Jia can get to know people better, and the repayment will be handled in a grand manner."

"Of course, we, the Liu family, will be exempt from this."

When he said this, he deliberately used the word "section chief".

The two words were pronounced with exceptional clarity.

When Sha Zhu heard that Jia Dongming was going to return all the money that everyone had contributed to the Jia family, he quickly said, "Brother Jia! My father ran away with a widow back then, and Brother Dongxu took good care of me. Let's just forget about my family's contribution; there's no need to return it."

After listening to Liu Haizhong and Shazhu's words, Jia Dongming immediately shook his head: "Second Uncle! Zhuzi! I remember all the good things you've done for the Jia family over the years."

But this money must be refunded.

For Yan Bugui, a dozen or so yuan is no small amount.

Seeing that Jia Dongming was determined to return the money and was passing it around between Liu Haizhong and Shazhu, Yan Bugui quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Old Liu! Shazhu! Since Section Chief Jia has made up his mind, let's not argue anymore."

After saying that, he picked up the wine glass in front of him and smiled at Jia Dongming, saying, "Section Chief Jia, this glass is for you."

If you need any help in the backyard, please let me know.

Jia Dongming raised his glass and smiled, "Uncle, you're too kind. Come on, let's have a toast!"

Around 8 p.m., Jia Dongming escorted Yi Zhonghai and the others to the entrance of the courtyard and said politely, "Uncle, Uncle, Uncle, and Zhuzi, the hospitality today was simple. Next time, when you have time, I'll treat you to a proper meal."

Liu Haizhong, slightly drunk, didn't realize it was just polite talk and quickly chimed in, "How could we let Section Chief Jia spend so much? I'll have my wife prepare a few dishes and invite you over another day."

After seeing the four people off, Jia Dongming turned and went back to the courtyard.

Madam Jia had already eaten and was sitting in the courtyard watching Qin Huairu clear the dishes. When she saw her son return, she couldn't help but mutter, "Dongming, you're supposed to be the head of the security department, why are you being so polite to Yi Zhonghai and the others?"

When Yi Zhonghai returned home, he sat down in a chair with a sullen face, repeatedly considering the situation he had witnessed while drinking at the Jia family's house that evening.

He had been Jia Zhangshi's neighbor for over a decade and knew her all too well.

But tonight, when so many people came to dinner, Jia Zhangshi not only didn't cause any trouble, but was quiet and docile as if she were a completely different person.

It seems that Jia Zhangshi has been completely subdued by Jia Dongming.

Yi Zhonghai's original plan to use her to restrain Jia Dongming is probably not going to work out.

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the cigarette between his fingers was almost burned to the end.

Suddenly, a burning pain shot through him, and Yi Zhonghai cried out in pain, hurriedly shaking his hand and slamming the cigarette butt to the ground.

An older woman who was sitting on the edge of the bed sewing shoe soles heard the noise, looked up, and saw Yi Zhonghai's somber expression. She couldn't help but ask, "Husband, you've been in a daze since you came back from the Jia family. What's wrong?"

When Yi Zhonghai heard her ask, he thought of Jia Zhangshi's completely different appearance and his heart sank: "Daughter-in-law, I'm afraid we can't rely on Qin Huairu to take care of us in our old age."

From now on... we'll probably have to rely on the pillar.

The old woman looked at his furrowed brows, her eyes slowly reddening: "Zhonghai, it's all my fault for not having a son to carry on the Yi family's line."

"How about... we get a divorce, and you find someone else?"

Yi Zhonghai frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about! If you hadn't risked your life to pull me back then, I wouldn't have injured my lower body."

"We've made it this far, so please don't mention the word 'divorce' again."

Before he could finish speaking, tears streamed down the middle-aged woman's face. She choked back sobs and suggested, "Then...how about we go to the orphanage and adopt a child?"

Upon hearing the word "adoption," Yi Zhonghai...

Without a second thought, he interrupted, "Who can guarantee that an adopted child won't turn out to be an ungrateful wretch and exploit us when we're old? Let's not talk about this."

At this point, he suddenly remembered the deaf old woman who lived in the backyard, and immediately stood up: "You go to sleep first, I'll go to the old woman's place."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and walked out.

A short while later, Yi Zhonghai arrived at the front of the deaf old woman's house in the backyard.

Seeing the dim light coming from the window, he gently knocked on the door and asked in a low voice, "Grandma, are you resting?"

This deaf old lady is a very important person in the courtyard.

No one knows her origins. It is only rumored that she was a concubine of a big shot in the late Qing Dynasty, and that the whole courtyard was originally her family's property.

After the liberation of Beijing, the deaf old woman donated her courtyard, and the neighborhood committee granted her the status of a "Five Guarantees" household (a government-provided social welfare program for the elderly, disabled, and orphans).

In order to maintain his position in the hospital, Yi Zhonghai privately spread rumors that her family was a martyr's family and had even given straw sandals to the Red Army.

A new order dawned peacefully in Beijing, but few in this compound considered the past: before the flames of war truly reached this place, there was that woman with bound feet who always said, "What did you say? I can't hear you!"

How exactly did the old lady, whom everyone kept talking about, manage to get the straw sandals into the hands of the team? She was very sharp-witted and quick-witted, but she simply used this as an excuse to avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.

She was lying on the bed in the inner room when she heard Yi Zhonghai calling from outside. She called out, "Zhonghai, I just got some rest. What's the matter? Come in and tell me."

Yi Zhonghai pushed open the door and entered, only to see the old lady leaning against the headboard, her eyes filled with inquiry: "Why are you here so late? Did something happen in the yard?"

His expression darkened, and he sat down on the stool beside the bed: "Someone moved into that empty house on the side of our compound today. The new resident is the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill."