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

As Sha Zhu's mockery drifted into his ears, Yan Bugui had no mind to argue with this scoundrel.

He stood there, stunned, his mind in turmoil: all these years, he had been so careful with his money and calculating every move to support his family, but what had he been after?

Over the years, Yi Zhonghai has been constantly reminding people in the nursing home to "respect the elderly and care for the young" so that he can have someone to rely on in his old age.

The truth.

Those words swept by like the wind, but couldn't penetrate the chaotic courtyard.

Yan Jiecheng's actions that day truly made Yi Zhonghai's heart skip a beat.

Seeing Yan Bugui's face turn pale and then red, and noticing Sha Zhu making sarcastic remarks beside him, Yi Zhonghai quickly stopped him: "Zhu Zi! How dare you speak to Third Master like that? Hurry up and apologize!"

Yan Bugui was in a daze when Yi Zhonghai's words brought him back to his senses.

He looked up at his son standing in front of him, his throat felt like it was blocked by a stone, and he turned to Yu Li with a heavy expression: "Yu Li, it's Dad who's sorry."

"I've been too calculating my whole life, and now I've raised a spoiled brat who only cares about money... Dad apologizes to you on behalf of the Yan family."

Yu Li was stunned for a moment when her father-in-law bowed his head and admitted his mistake.

But yesterday's events flooded her mind, and the grievances she felt were stuck in her throat. She turned her face away and didn't move.

Seeing that Yu Li remained silent, Yan Bugui was not angry. He turned back to Yan Jiecheng and said in a hoarse voice, "Jiecheng, all these years I have been frugal so that you four siblings would not go hungry and could go to school."

Since you think paying for food and lodging is a way of taking advantage of you, then Ming'er should move out. From now on, you don't need to contribute a single penny to the household.

"Old man, what nonsense are you talking about!"

The three aunties panicked upon hearing this, quickly tugging at Yan Bugui's sleeve and shouting at Yan Jiecheng, "Jiecheng, what are you standing there for? Quickly apologize to your father!"

Yan Bugui waved his hand and said, "Honey, don't try to persuade me."

"I may be stingy, but I treat everyone in the family equally. Look at him, he's unwilling to take care of his own wife, how can we expect him to support us in our old age?"

As he spoke, he turned and looked at the neighbors gathered in the courtyard.

A barrage of gazes pierced through them like needles. Yan Bugui suddenly bowed deeply to the crowd: "Dear old neighbors, the Yan family has embarrassed itself today... I, Yan Bugui, am here to apologize to everyone."

Before he could finish speaking, his body swayed, his vision went black, and he fell straight backward.

"Old Yan! Old Yan!"

The three women turned pale instantly, rushed over and called out to her repeatedly, their hands trembling.

Seeing that he had fainted from a sudden surge of anger, Yi Zhonghai quickly shouted to Sha Zhu and Xu Damao, "What are you waiting for? Go outside and find a cart to take him to the hospital!"

Seeing this, Liu Haizhong waved to his two sons, "Guangtian, Guangfu, hurry up and lend a hand!"

Before long, the cart arrived.

The crowd quickly lifted Yan Bugui upstairs and rushed him to the hospital.

As the person in charge of the courtyard, Jia Dongming naturally went along as well.

In the hospital, Yan Bugui soon regained consciousness.

Seeing that he was staring blankly at the ceiling, Jia Dongming gently advised, "Third Uncle, there is no mountain that cannot be climbed. Try to think positively, and things will get better eventually."

Upon hearing Jia Dongming's voice, Yan Bugui felt as if he had found someone to talk to—perhaps because the other party was a leader, the anger he had been holding in suddenly eased.

He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Dongming, I admit I'm stingy, always calculating... but if I didn't, how would I have raised these children? Did I really do something wrong?"

Hearing a hint of life in his voice, Jia Dongming said gently, "I understand your good intentions, but you've forgotten one thing—parents are the first people a child sees."

You've calculated everything, but you've overlooked family ties.

If you calculate too harshly, the bond between you will weaken.

However, you still have Jiefang, Jiekuang, and Jiedi. As long as you keep things on the right track, there's still hope for the future.

"Old Yan, Director Jia is right."

"You have three children, why worry about retirement?"

Liu Haizhong quickly joined in the persuasion.

Yi Zhonghai also leaned down and said, "Old Yan, there are only ignorant children in the world, not bad parents."

It's already quite an achievement for you to raise four people on your own and send them to school.

"If Yan Jiecheng dares to be unfilial in the future, we'll all go to the neighborhood committee and tell them."

Jia Dongming listened from the side, shaking his head inwardly.

Seeing that everything was alright, he said to the third aunt, "Auntie, now that the third uncle is stable, let's go back to the courtyard first."

If there's anything I can help with, just let them know when they come back.

The three women thanked Jia Dongming repeatedly: "Dongming, and also the other uncles, Zhuzi, and Damao, it's all thanks to you for bringing Lao Yan to the hospital."

"Leave this to me, you all go back to the courtyard and rest."

Jia Dongming returned to the courtyard house with the others. As soon as he stepped through the gate, Madam Jia Zhang greeted him, her smugness barely concealed in her eyes and brows: "Dongming, how is Old Yan? Did the doctor say why he fainted?"

Seeing her expression, Jia Dongming shook his head helplessly: "Mom, you look too happy."

"The Third Uncle was simply overcome with anger and couldn't bear it any longer, that's why you're so overjoyed."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia immediately raised her voice: "How could I not be happy? When Dongxu passed away last year, his wife was gossiping in the yard, saying that it was because I kept talking about your father that Dongxu died."

Now that the Yan family has gotten into this mess, I'm not only secretly pleased, I even want to set off some firecrackers!

Only then did Jia Dongming understand the reason for his mother's inner conflict, and gently advised, "Mom, let's put the past behind us."

Look at our family's current situation, and then look at the Yan family. Why bother dwelling on those old grudges?

When Jia Zhangshi heard him say that, she thought of her eldest son, who had been separated from her for many years, now returning home and becoming a cadre. The family had no worries about food and clothing, and she even owned several houses. Her resentment dissipated by a lot, and the corners of her mouth turned up: "Dongming, you are right."

Now our family is the most well-off in the courtyard; we own three houses, much better off than the Yan family.

"In the Yan family, Old Yan is always scheming and calculating, and he has even neglected the affection between his children and his family."

"Given Yan Jiecheng's money-grubbing nature, which is even more pronounced than mine, it's likely that Yan Laoxi and Yang Ruihua will have a hard time securing their retirement."

Jia Dongming hadn't expected his mother to see things so clearly; perhaps it's true that outsiders have a clearer perspective.

He smiled and then reminded her, "Mom, don't forget, Uncle San has more than one son, Yan Jiecheng."

Madam Jia waved her hand, a cold smile playing on her lips: "Apart from the youngest, Yan Jiedi, which of the Yan family's children hasn't gone astray? Even if Yan Bugui wakes up now and stops scheming against the remaining three, they won't genuinely care for him in his old age."

Jia Dongming secretly admired his mother's sharp insight.

In that past event, Yan Bugui was indeed shrewd and calculating, not only towards outsiders but also towards his own son, meticulously calculating every penny—a veritable "money box."

Reincarnation.

With such a father as a role model, the children will naturally surpass him.

His mother was given the cold shoulder when she went to her family's restaurant to get some leftovers. When she was sick and lying in bed, no one was willing to spend money or help her. In the end, it was that honest and simple-minded boy who took care of her until her death.

Thinking about the entanglements of other people's families, Jia Dongming still had a gentle smile on his face and patted Jia Zhangshi's arm lightly: "Mom, let's just live our own lives and not worry about other people's affairs."

Madam Jia nodded, then suddenly remembered what happened that morning and hurriedly asked, "By the way, didn't you go out with Lin Qiuyue this morning? How did it go? I'm planning to find Matchmaker Wang in a couple of days and go to the Lin family together to finalize your marriage."

Knowing his mother was impatient, Jia Dongming readily replied, "I have no problem with this, Mom, you can arrange it."

Madam Jia immediately beamed with joy: "Alright! Mingtian, I'll go find Matchmaker Wang."

Remember to get the letter of introduction first, so you can get the marriage certificate as soon as possible for peace of mind.

As Jia Dongming pushed the cart into the house, he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go to the factory to get the letter after I finish what I'm doing, and get the paperwork done with Qiuyue as soon as possible."

The next morning at 7:00 AM sharp, Jia Dongming signed in and ate breakfast as usual, and then pushed his bicycle to the steel rolling mill.

Good morning, Director Jia!

"The section chief is here really early today!"

The security guards on duty at the factory gate saw him riding his bicycle over and almost simultaneously stood at attention and saluted.

Jia Dongming nodded to them, and without stopping, rode straight toward the office building.

As soon as he arrived at the building, Zhang Guoping came out and stopped respectfully upon seeing him: "Good morning, Director!"

As soon as Jia Dongming saw Zhang Guoping, he remembered the matter he had been asked to do on Saturday and immediately asked, "Guoping, I asked you to represent the security department to visit the three wounded comrades on Saturday. Did you take care of it?"

Zhang Guoping quickly stepped forward and reported to his superior: "Director, I went to the People's Hospital with Captain Li early Saturday morning and met all three comrades."

As you instructed, each person received a subsidy of one hundred yuan, plus five jin of meat coupons, one jin of sugar coupons, and ten jin of refined grain coupons.

Jia Dongming nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. He then instructed, "Last time, when we joined forces with the branch office, didn't we take down another enemy spy hideout? The branch office has already coordinated the distribution of the seized supplies."

"Take some time to arrange a car and bring back what's rightfully ours."

Upon hearing that there were supplies available, Zhang Guoping's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "Chief, are there many supplies at the branch office in Dongxi? Shouldn't we send a truck over?"

Seeing his expression, Jia Dongming couldn't help but laugh: "Guoping, I've noticed that you're becoming more and more like that old man in the courtyard. Your eyes light up whenever you see Dongxi."

Zhang Guoping rubbed his hands awkwardly and said with a smile, "Director, as you know, we used to live frugally in the past."

"Since your arrival, we've finally seen a glimmer of hope. I'm just happy for my comrades and wanted to ask a few more questions."

Jia Dongming stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "There are about 1,500 catties of rice, 1,500 catties of flour, ten boxes of canned beef, and more than 3,000 yuan."

Zhang Guoping was overjoyed and immediately assured him, "Don't worry, Director, I'll finish what I'm doing and arrange a car to go to the branch office right away. I'll make sure the supplies are safely and smoothly transported back."

Jia Dongming nodded, then suddenly remembered the operation the night before and instructed, "After you get the money back, draft a subsidy form."

Everyone who participated in the operation the previous night will receive ten yuan in overtime pay, plus a can of beef; those who did not participate will also each receive a can of beef.

When Zhang Guoping heard that subsidies would be issued again, a sense of unease arose in his heart.

Director Jia had only been in office for half a month, and this was already the third time the subsidies had been distributed. He cautiously reminded her, "Director, the subsidies have been distributed so frequently these past two weeks. What if someone from above sends someone to audit the accounts? Won't that cause trouble?"

Jia Dongming looked calm and spoke with certainty: "According to regulations, you should be entitled to overtime pay."

The comrades put in the effort and even took risks, so it is only fair and reasonable for them to receive this money.

We follow the rules, and the accounts are crystal clear. What's there to be afraid of?

Upon careful consideration, Zhang Guoping realized that the security department's financial regulations did indeed allow for the issuance of overtime subsidies, and there was no specific limit on the amount. The director's arrangement was indeed within the regulations.

Thinking it over, he felt relieved and said with a smile, "Director, if the comrades knew that they could get paid again today, they would be overjoyed."

Jia Dongming's smile faded, and his tone became more serious: "Guoping, although this money belongs to the public, it was also obtained by our comrades through risk."

We can't just send everyone into battle without providing them with a decent meal, can we?

"Ring ring—ring ring—"

Just after 10 a.m., a rapid phone call suddenly rang.

Jia Dongming reached for the microphone and asked calmly, "Hello, this is the security department of the steel rolling mill. I am Jia Dongming."

May I ask who you are?

"Comrade Dongming, I am Zhang Huanchun."

A cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone, "Are you free at noon today?"

Jia Dongming was slightly surprised, then replied, "Team Leader Zhang, there are no plans for lunch."

What brings you here?