Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

Chapter 207 Are you fucking asking for a beating?!

"Sister Qin! Comrade Li! It's me, Sha Zhu. This is freshly cooked sweet and sour carp; I'll serve it to you while it's hot to nourish your body!"

A loud shout came from outside the door, and Sha Zhu carried a blue and white porcelain plate, the aroma of fish mixed with the steam rising straight into the crack of the door.

"Sister Qin! Comrade Li! I, Xu Damao, specially caught a three-year-old hen today; it's the most nourishing soup!"

Before he finished speaking, Xu Damao, clutching the large, kicking hen, also came to the doorway, his voice booming.

The two men were so attentive not to Qin Huairu, but to Li Jingtong, who was holding a baby in one arm and taking care of her postpartum period with the other.

At the entrance of the courtyard, a gleaming Ford sedan was parked quietly.

The car door opened, and a young man in a gray suit jumped out. He was tall and handsome, with striking features. He was carrying large and small bags: malted milk powder, imported milk powder, whole cans of bird's nest... piled up so high they almost covered half his face.

His aunt had a new brother, so how could he not be there?

From a young age, Li Wenguo repeatedly reminded them: "Filial piety is the most important thing, filial piety is the most important thing, and you must be filial even more."

So he came.

At this moment, Yan Bugui was riding an old bicycle with peeling paint that revealed rust. A thin bamboo pole dangled from the handlebars, and a half-full enamel bucket hung from the back seat—inside, a huddle of lively carp and crucian carp. But these fish weren't caught by him at all; they were given to him this morning by a handsome young angler with steady hands and sharp eyes who had casually cast his line and caught three in a row, then, finding them too small, handed them to him.

As soon as I arrived at the gate, I looked up and saw the young man standing under the shadow of the locust tree: tall and straight, with clear eyes and a shiny Shanghai brand watch on his wrist, and a Volga parked at his feet, so clean that you could see your reflection in it.

Oh my!

This is no ordinary person! He's probably the son of some high-ranking official on an inspection tour of the countryside!

Yan Bugui froze on the spot, subconsciously glancing down at the creaking "antique" beneath him—a secondhand vehicle he'd painstakingly saved up for six months' worth of cigarettes to acquire. Comparison is the thief of joy!

Then he glanced at the several brown paper packages the man was carrying: bird's nest, royal jelly, baby formula... the packaging was brand new, with gold lettering. A thought flashed through his mind: Could they be heading to Factory Director Li's house?

Qin Huairu just gave birth to a chubby baby boy yesterday, and the whole alley is filled with the aroma of brown sugar and eggs. Who doesn't know that?

They're probably here to offer their congratulations. Li Wenguo is the real head of the steel rolling mill, so we can't be rude.

Yan Bugui immediately stepped forward, his face beaming with a mixture of respect and enthusiasm: "Hello, comrade! I'm a resident of this compound. Who are you looking for? I'll show you the way!"

Seeing his sincere attitude, Li Guotai smiled and nodded, "Hello, uncle, I'm looking for Comrade Qin Huairu."

Sure enough, they really came for Director Li's house!

Before the words were even finished, Uncle Liu Haizhong, holding his eldest son Liu Guangqi's hand, was about to leave when he caught sight of the crisp navy blue uniform beside the Volga. His legs tightened, and he immediately grinned, his face contorting into a wide, wrinkled smile: "Oh my! Director Li has arrived!"

"I'm Liu Haizhong, a fitter in the second workshop!"

As he spoke, he leaned forward, his shoulder almost brushing against Li Guotai's elbow—the head of the personnel department! He controlled everything in the factory: hiring, job transfers, promotions—everything was in his hands. If you got in touch, would Guangqi even need connections to get into the factory?

"Oh, hello!"

Li Guotai nodded in agreement.

We often bumped into each other at the factory, and we would always nod to each other through the window when getting food at the canteen.

"Quickly, call for help! This is my second son, Guangqi!"

Liu Haizhong pushed his son forward.

"Hello, Director Li!"

"Um."

Li Guotai nodded again.

"Director Li's visit to our courtyard house is truly a great honor! Who are you looking for? I'll show you!"

He rushed to speak, having already heard the words "Comrade Qin" at the door, and was unwilling to let go of this opportunity to curry favor.

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui felt a surge of anger rise in his heart.

I stopped them first! Why are you interfering?

Although he felt that the young man had an extraordinary demeanor, he never expected that he was actually the factory's most important personnel director—his eldest son had been working in a street factory repairing screws for three years. If he could get in touch with him…

He darted in, shoving Liu Haizhong half a step aside, and grinned at Li Guotai: "Director Li, come with me! Comrade Qin lives in the east wing!"

After saying that, he turned around and took a step, his trouser legs still glistening with fish scales.

Liu Haizhong glared fiercely at the back of Yan Bugui's head, then took off after him, cursing under his breath:

Bah! You peasant, you don't even work in a factory, what are you doing here? What are you pretending to be so helpful for!

"Director Li!!!"

As he walked through the halls and courtyards, several familiar faces in work clothes stopped to greet him, and Li Guotai smiled and nodded to each of them.

"Director Li, look! These were freshly caught this morning! I'll pick out the two strongest ones and take them to Comrade Qin to help him recover!"

As Yan Bugui led the way, he reached out and patted the rim of the bucket, splashing water onto his trouser legs.

He glanced sideways at Liu Haizhong and almost rolled his eyes—

This miser is actually willing to pluck feathers today?

"No, no, no! You worked so hard to catch it, I really can't accept it."

Li Guotai waved his hand repeatedly, a faint light flashing from his sleeve.

In the blink of an eye, we arrived at the East Courtyard.

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao were squatting in front of the Qin family's house shelling soybeans when they looked up and saw Li Guotai. They immediately jumped up and patted their pants.

"Eh?"

"Director Li? What brings you here?"

"Are you here to see Sister Qin too?"

The two were all smiles, but their eyes were as taut as a fully drawn bowstring.

They were afraid that this time it was targeting Li Jingtong again.

Ever since Li Jingtong moved into the courtyard house, the bachelors there have been like cats smelling fish, loitering around her window every day, hoping to be chosen and marry her.

There are also some kind-hearted aunties who come to my door every now and then with a bowl of fried meatballs, always saying things like, "My son is hardworking and reliable."

But these people only talk the talk; how can they compare to Sha Zhu carrying a braised pork knuckle or Xu Damao carrying a whole slab of pork belly? As long as the two of them are around, others are too embarrassed to even step over the threshold.

"It's Yuzhu and Damao. Yes, I've come to see Aunt Qin."

Li Guotai answered with a smile.

Aunt Qin?

hiss--

They're already calling her Aunt Qin, could it be that Director Li has already won Jingtong over?

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao felt a chill run down their spines, instinctively sensing that things were going badly.

The door creaked open.

Li Jingtong stepped out gracefully, holding a small baby wrapped in soft cotton in her arms. The baby had bright eyes and a tall, straight posture, like a magnolia in its first bloom.

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.

Her face—the signature look of a national goddess—was incredibly captivating. Not only were the three young men, Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and Liu Guangqi, unable to look away, but even the older uncles, Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, who were long past their prime, couldn't help but steal a few more glances, their eyes revealing a long-lost sense of amazement.

Only Li Guotai remained calm, a serene smile on his face. They were siblings, after all; no matter how beautiful she was, she was still his own sister. Why would he have any other thoughts?

"Huh? Jingtong? What are you doing here?"

He looked up and was slightly surprised.

Oops!

The three of them felt a jolt in their hearts, as if they had been hit in the chest with a hammer.

So we really did know each other!

Now it all makes sense—Li Guotai probably came here specifically to curry favor!

If he were to make a move, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to catch his shadow.

Not only is he strikingly handsome, but he's also a prominent mid-level manager at the steel mill, with a wealthy family background—a perfect "tall, rich, and handsome" catch. And me? My monthly salary barely covers my living expenses; my pockets are emptier than my face. What am I supposed to compete with?

There's no comparison at all.

If Li Jingtong isn't out of her mind, the answer is obvious.

Just when Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and Liu Guangqi were feeling utterly hopeless and their minds were filled with despair, Li Jingtong's words made their hearts stop beating and their eyes light up—as if a crack had appeared in the dark clouds, and sunlight was pouring down.

"Third Brother, you're here!"

She called out with a smile, her lips slightly upturned, her eyes sparkling, her whole face instantly coming to life, like spring water breaking through ice and flowers blooming in full glory.

A group of people were once again captivated by that smile.

"Aunt Qin just gave birth, so I came to visit."

Li Guotai responded gently.

"Come on, brother, take a look at our little brother!"

She gently pushed the swaddled baby forward.

Ok……

Those eyebrows and eyes are a perfect replica of Aunt Qin!

Li Guotai sighed inwardly. He could never hope his child would look like him—the old man was too picky about choosing a wife; anyone with an average appearance wouldn't even be allowed into the family.

At this moment, Xu Damao put on a smile and stepped forward to ask, "Director Li, are you and Comrade Li... siblings?"

"Yes, Jingtong is my younger sister."

Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and Liu Guangqi breathed a sigh of relief, their shoulders relaxing.

Before they could recover, Xu Damao and Shazhu suddenly froze, as did Second Uncle Liu Haizhong.

Since they are siblings, then Li Guotai... isn't he also Li Wenguo's son?!

hiss--

The three of them gasped, as if struck by lightning.

This is an absolutely shocking piece of news! The most explosive revelation in the history of the steel rolling mill!

"It's fine to tell you, but my dad doesn't want to make a fuss. Just keep it to yourself and don't spread it around, so as not to cause trouble for the factory or upset my dad."

Li Guotai's tone was calm, yet carried weight.

"Oh, Director Li, don't worry! We're very tight-lipped, as airtight as an iron barrel!"

Liu Haizhong eagerly patted his chest in agreement.

"Yes, yes, I'm very reliable; I never make a mistake!"

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao quickly pledged their loyalty.

"Third Sister, let's go inside."

Li Guotai nodded to his sister and then followed her across the threshold.

The others stopped on their own.

The postpartum period is a major event, and it is against the rules for outsiders to barge in, especially if they are not close relatives; they must be mindful of boundaries.

Li Guotai didn't refuse and took the sweet and sour carp and fat hen that Sha Zhu and Xu Damao brought, and carried them into the house together.

"Xu Damao, I'm warning you—when it comes to pursuing Comrade Li, it's all about your own abilities. No underhanded tricks or sabotage allowed, or I'll never forgive you!"

Sha Zhu glared at Xu Damao, his eyes wide and hissing through gritted teeth.

"Ha, you dim-witted idiot, you think you can catch up with Comrade Li?"

"I could leave you in the dust with just one hand!"

Xu Damao scoffed, his face full of disdain.

"Are you fucking asking for a beating?!"

Sha Zhu's temper flared up instantly, he clenched his fists, and his eyes turned red.

"Tsk, with your temper, Comrade Li would cross you out at first glance."

Xu Damao gave a leisurely hum.

Sha Zhu froze, his fist hovering in mid-air, unable to bring himself to swing it.

Ha ha!

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui exchanged a glance and shook their heads inwardly.

They shared the same thought as Yi Zhonghai: they saw things clearly.