Courtyard Houses: Longevity Since the War of Resistance

The Liu brothers were enjoying their meal, unaware that a man with triangular eyes was watching them from outside.

They're about to be targeted.

Today, Jia Zhangshi was so full that she was practically stuffed. Qin Huairu's salary had increased and the family's meals had improved, so the old woman ate three white steamed buns in one sitting. She was so full that she kept burping, so she strolled around the alley with her hands behind her back to digest her food.

She strolled along until she reached the alley entrance. Squinting her triangular eyes, she scanned the street, originally intending to see if any unsuspecting vendors would offend her and she could steal something. But instead, she spotted Li Feng leading the Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu brothers into the He Family Restaurant.

Jia Zhangshi stopped immediately, her eyes lighting up like a cat that had spotted a mouse.

"Oh ho?" She spat, her face crinkling into a wide grin. "Those two silly boys from the Liu family, hanging out with Li Shan? Going to restaurants, no less?"

The mischievous thoughts in my mind started to bubble up.

Ever since Li Shan moved into this courtyard, Jia Zhangshi has never had a comfortable day. She's been cleaning the toilets so much her back is almost broken, and she doesn't have much influence at home. Even Bang Geng has learned to talk back to her!

All of this is the fault of that damned Li Shan!

Now look what's happened, she's got her chance.

Jia Zhangshi didn't leave immediately. She hid behind a utility pole across the street, craning her neck to peer into the restaurant. Although she couldn't see exactly what they were eating, she could see several shiny, oily plates on the table through the glass.

She swallowed hard, her anger rising: "That Li Shan, he has the money to take the Liu family brat out to a restaurant, but he doesn't even bother to invite me!"

"Fine, Li Shan, if you won't let me have an easy time, I'll make things difficult for you too!" Jia Zhangshi gritted her teeth, her old face wrinkled like a dried orange peel.

With those little feet, she skipped and wobbled towards the steel rolling mill.

He walked along, calculating in his mind. That old bastard Liu Haizhong was the most concerned with his image and the most pretentious official. If he knew that his two sons were hanging out with Li Shan and even going to restaurants, and what's worse, that they didn't take him along, wouldn't he be furious?

When she arrived at the steel rolling mill gate, the gatekeeper, seeing her appearance, stopped her: "Hey, what are you doing here?"

With her hands on her hips and a fierce expression, Jia Zhangshi declared, "I'm looking for Liu Haizhong! Master Liu from the forging workshop! I'm his neighbor, and it's urgent!"

The gatekeeper, seeing her advanced age and hearing her detailed explanation, let her in. Once inside the factory area, Jia Zhangshi asked around and finally managed to find her way to the outside of the forging workshop.

She didn't dare go inside, so she just shouted at the top of her lungs from the doorway, "Liu Haizhong! Come out for a second!"

Liu Haizhong was fiddling with a wrench next to the machine when he heard someone shout. He frowned and came out to see what was happening. When he saw it was Jia Zhangshi, his expression darkened even more: "Jia's wife, what are you doing in the factory?"

Jia Zhangshi pulled him aside and lowered her voice, but it was still loud enough for several workers nearby to hear: "Old Liu, let me tell you, your family has been living a life of luxury for a long time, and now you're really something!"

Liu Haizhong was taken aback: "What's wrong?"

"I saw it with my own eyes!" Madam Jia slapped her thigh, vividly describing the scene. "That afternoon, Li Shan led your two boys into that restaurant owned by Sha Zhu! The three of them ordered a whole table full of dishes! Good heavens, I could smell the braised pork and the stir-fried mutton with scallions even through the glass!"

She deliberately exaggerated her words while observing Liu Haizhong's expression.

Sure enough, the face in the bangs gradually darkened, turning as black as the bottom of a pot.

"Li Shan even treated them to dinner?" Liu Haizhong's voice was squeezed out through clenched teeth.

"Absolutely!" Madam Jia added fuel to the fire. "Those two boys were beaming like mad. They went in looking dejected, but came out all greasy. Old Liu, let me tell you, Li Shan is clearly trying to win over your son! What's he up to? Is he trying to cultivate his own people in the courtyard?"

These words hit Liu Haizhong's lungs right where it hurt.

Who is Liu Haizhong?

The old man in the courtyard is a level seven blacksmith in the factory, and he's going to be a leader someday!

How dare Li Shan, an outsider, bypass him and directly try to win over his son?

This is outrageous!

"Alright, I understand." Liu Haizhong squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, turned around and walked into the workshop, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground.

Watching his retreating figure, Jia Zhangshi smiled smugly, her triangular eyes gleaming with schadenfreude: "Li Shan, Li Shan, let's see how you handle this!"

She walked away contentedly with her hands behind her back, her small feet shuffling along. She felt the trip was worthwhile, and she could even eat an extra half-steamed bun for dinner.

It was evening at the Liu family's house.

Brothers Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, burdened with worries and anxieties, lingered until dark before heading home, mainly spending half a day squatting at the alley entrance to mentally prepare themselves.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Liu Haizhong with a gloomy face, clutching a shiny leather belt in his hand, which reflected a chilling light under the dim bulb.

"Kneel down!" With a loud shout, the two brothers' knees buckled, and they knelt down with two thuds, their movements so neat and precise that it was clear they had practiced.

"You've gotten more capable? Ah!!!" Liu Haizhong stood up, his belt whistling through the air. It's a good thing there's no belt-whipping competition in the Olympics, otherwise Liu Haizhong would have easily gotten a top-three finish.

"Going to restaurants with outsiders? Eating and drinking the splurge? I provide you with food and clothing, teach you how to be decent human beings, and what do you do? You go and hang out with that Li Shan! What kind of bewitching potion has he given you?!"

The belt lashed across Liu Guangtian's back with a crisp snap.

Liu Guangtian gritted his teeth and didn't say a word, mainly because the braised pork he had eaten during the day was too substantial and was still stuck in his stomach.

"say!"

"Dad, it was Section Chief Li who invited us, saying he wanted to try some new dishes," Liu Guangfu explained, trembling.

"Section Chief Li? You're calling him that so familiarly!" Liu Haizhong's face twisted with anger. "Who does he think he is? Huh? I'm your father! You all listen to an outsider instead of me?!"

Another belt lashed Liu Guangfu's shoulder.

The second aunt watched from the side, her lips moving as if she wanted to advise him but dared not. In the end, she could only manage to stammer, "Dad, be gentle. If you hurt him, it'll cost money to treat him."

"What's the point of treating him! This traitor should be beaten to death!" Liu Haizhong roared, hitting him even harder.

After a dozen or so lashes, the brothers' backs and arms were covered in red, swollen welts. Liu Haizhong, exhausted, threw down the belt, panting, and pointed at them: "Neither of you are sleeping tonight! Stand there! Reflect on your actions! You can come back inside when you've figured things out!"