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

After the meal, Li Guotai and Hu Ke'er took their leave.

But new worries arise—

Hu Ke'er readily agreed, but her heart was in turmoil. Li Guotai's family was like a deep sea, with a bunch of brothers and sisters. Today, she had just witnessed Li Guoxian throwing a tantrum in public. She was afraid that if she married into the family, she would be treated like a pushover. Before leaving, she finally couldn't help but confide her worries.

"Don't be afraid, we'll move out after we get married."

"The old man had already prepared wedding rooms for us brothers..."

As soon as she said that, the heavy weight on Hu Ke'er's chest lifted with a thud, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up, her eyes filled with light.

the other side.

Xu Wanqing led her daughter into the courtyard and immediately spotted her third son, Li Guoxian, kneeling in the small courtyard, his knees trembling and his shoulders shaking like withered branches in the wind. Her heart tightened, and she quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"Mother... I dare not get up... Father said I can't move..."

"Don't be afraid, Mom's here. Even if the sky falls, Mom will hold it up!"

Xu Wanqing's eyes were red-rimmed, but her hands remained steady.

Over the years, the most she's ever been punished with is being locked in a room to reflect on her actions; she's never been forced to kneel—she's always held onto that confidence tightly.

After helping Li Guoxian into the house, her face darkened, and she lowered her voice to a whisper: "Tell me! How exactly did you get into this mess?"

This day was October 25th.

It is auspicious for moving, getting married, traveling, and grooming.

That's right, it was the wedding day of Li Guohua, the eldest son of Li Wenguo and He Shuting, marrying Jiang Yue, the daughter of the Jiang family.

Both of them worked at the municipal government compound and valued a low-key and pragmatic approach, so Li Wenguo chose to hold the wedding banquet at his own family's courtyard house at No. 96 Nanluoguxiang.

Yes, it's right next to number 95.

The spacious mansion has five courtyards and five entrances, and the garden in the middle courtyard is about half an acre in size, more than enough to accommodate dozens of tables for a banquet.

The chefs and ingredients were all brought in from Zhengyanglou, the top restaurant in Beijing, to preserve the original flavors. Only the stove was changed, not the cooking techniques.

Years ago, this restaurant was called Fuyuanlou. It was destroyed by Japanese pirates and then taken over by a local businessman who renamed it Zhengyang, meaning "righteousness and the awakening of life".

Because He Shuting was the mayor and Li Wenguo had extensive connections, guests came in an endless stream—there were leaders in uniforms and businessmen carrying boxes of expensive tea. The entire alley was bustling with activity, as lively as a festival.

With such a display, how could the people at number 95 next door not know about it?

"Judging from the noise, is there a wedding next door? Who's having such a big celebration?"

"Several cars have driven over and are blocking our gate."

Uncle Yan Bugui frowned, his tone revealing his displeasure.

"Absolutely! They lined up in one go, not even leaving a gap. It's so disorganized!"

Sha Zhu stared at the gleaming cars outside the courtyard gate, his voice low but full of anger.

It's not that I can't stand seeing other people have money, it's just that my own way in and out is completely blocked, which really bothers me.

"Shazhu, you can't just spout off like that! Didn't you see? The car parked at the main entrance belongs to Boss Lou, another owner of our steel rolling mill; and that blue one by the wall, I saw it in the Capital Daily a couple of days ago—Director Zhang from the Municipal Sub-bureau personally rode in it!"

These people are beyond our reach, we can't afford to offend them or associate with them. Watch your tongue!

Second Uncle Liu Haizhong almost reached out to cover Sha Zhu's mouth.

If outsiders were to hear this and it got back to them, wouldn't they be in deep trouble?

"Hasn't the neighbor's yard been empty for years? How come someone started moving furniture in the day before yesterday, and today they're even having a big banquet? Who on earth is this person?"

Xu Damao looked suspicious.

He had just returned from showing a movie in the countryside. When he went out a couple of days ago, he only caught a glimpse of a few pieces of furniture being carried in, and didn't have time to ask any questions.

"I chatted with the new guy who moved in. His surname is Li. He works at the Municipal Sub-district Office. He's having a wedding today."

An elderly man named Yi Zhonghai spoke slowly, his voice calm, but the tone rose slightly at the end, revealing a hint of envy.

"Wow! A couple living together, occupying this entire five-courtyard siheyuan all to themselves?"

"This is too extravagant! Can they even fit everyone in?"

Xu Damao's eyes widened in shock, and he almost bit his tongue.

This is a huge mansion with five courtyards, more than a dozen side courtyards, and seventy or eighty rooms! It would take half a day just to sweep the floor!

In their courtyard, a dozen or twenty households were crammed together, with pots and pans clattering against each other, and even clotheslines had to be used to secure a spot.

"Of course there aren't enough rooms—but they manage to stay comfortably. Didn't you see? Those who came to congratulate them were either big bosses from the factory or prominent officials from the city. That kind of confidence doesn't come easily."

Uncle Erda pouted, the sour taste almost overflowing from between his teeth.

His biggest dream in life was to get on the good side of his superiors so he could get rid of the fitter's hat and get a more respectable job.

"Sigh... If I could be allocated a courtyard like this, I'd gladly give up twenty years of my life!"

Jia Dongxu stood next to Yi Zhonghai, gazing longingly at the red silk-draped gatehouse next door.

Others clicked their tongues and nodded in agreement; who wouldn't be envious?

Yi Zhonghai glanced sideways at Jia Dongxu, thinking to himself: "Live twenty years less? You make it sound so easy! If I really fall ill, who will bring me soup and medicine?"

"What's the use of just being envious? They may be lucky, but we have the strength and the passion, and we can still make a name for ourselves! One day, I'll earn my own place too!"

Sha Zhu suddenly straightened his back and raised his voice loud and clear.

"whispering sound--!"

Everyone in the room rolled their eyes.

With a salary of ten or twenty yuan, or at most a little over thirty yuan? You have to count every penny for rice, flour, oil, and salt, let alone buy a house?

Even if I work hard for another ten years, will my salary only increase by five or six yuan? That's barely enough to buy a brick!

In this lifetime, I'm afraid I'll never even get close to the courtyard wall.

"Silly Zhu, save your breath! Even if you work your way up for another ten or twenty years, you'll still just be a cook. No matter how good a chef's skills are, how many coins can he pull out of his pocket? And you're thinking of buying property?"

"Ha, anything can happen in dreams!"

Xu Damao sneered, his words barbed and piercing, making Sha Zhu's face burn.

The words may be crude, but the principle is sound—in this day and age, for someone who grew up by the stove, the ceiling is already nailed to the spot.

"you--!"

Sha Zhu's jaw tightened, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, but he ultimately didn't throw a punch.

He's not stupid; he knows today is someone's big day, and if he makes a move, he'll be ruining the celebration, and he'll be in the wrong.

"What do you mean, 'you'? Did I mispronounce a single word?"

Xu Damao raised his chin, refusing to back down.

The courtyard was full of familiar faces, and no matter how harsh the words were, they were the truth; besides, the neighbors were playing music and drums, so who would dare to be violent at this critical moment?

"You just wait and see!"

Sha Zhu gritted his teeth, uttered a sentence, and turned to leave.

"Fine, I'll remember it! Who's afraid of you?"

Xu Damao chuckled and shrugged, completely unconcerned.

They've been fighting since they were little, and whoever backs down first loses.

"Everyone's here!"

At this moment, Li Jingtong walked gracefully out of the courtyard and stood at the gate.

Upon hearing that clear and pleasant voice, everyone knew without a doubt who had arrived.

They all turned their heads in unison, and saw Li Jingtong walking gracefully towards them, her face lightly rouged, her features exquisite.

She wore a sky-blue long dress with a perfectly cinched waist, which accentuated her slender and graceful figure. Her already beautiful and ethereal face was further enhanced by a touch of vermilion lip color and light eyeshadow, making her eyes bright and teeth white, and her spirit lively and charming. She looked just like a fairy who had stepped out of a traditional Chinese painting.

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned, and even their breathing became unconsciously softer—some people had their mouths open and forgot to close them, some were holding enamel mugs frozen in mid-air, and some didn't even notice that the shells of sunflower seeds in their hands had been crushed. It was as if time in the entire alley had been quietly wound up.

Suddenly, a muffled hissing sound was heard, and Sha Zhu quickly raised his hand to wipe his nose, his fingertips immediately touching two warm streaks.

Oops!

My nose started bleeding!

"Pfft—"

"Oh my god, Brother Zhu, your nose is so disappointing!"

Li Jingtong couldn't help but chuckle as she deftly pulled a stack of snow-white tissues from her canvas bag and handed them over.

Lately, Sha Zhu has been bringing over braised pork and braised pork knuckle every few days, the aroma of which makes one's mouth water; Li Jingtong, who is always sensible and values ​​relationships, could not pretend not to see it.

"Oh... thank you, thank you, Comrade Li!" Sha Zhu's hand trembled slightly as he took the tissue.

She handed me a tissue!

She handed it to me herself!

Sha Zhu felt like he had a lively little sparrow inside him, fluttering and jumping around incessantly.

The young men and Xu Damao nearby stared wide-eyed at the sight—why was the tissue stuffed into his hand instead of being handed to me?

"Comrade Li, you look really striking today. Are you going out?"

Xu Damao put on a big smile and eagerly started a conversation.

"Okay, go to the neighbor's yard."

Li Jingtong pointed to the courtyard house over there, which was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and where suonas were being played loudly.

ha? ? ?

The eldest uncle Yi Zhonghai, the second uncle Liu Haizhong, the third uncle Yan Bugui, along with Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, Jia Dongxu, and others, all stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.

"Comrade Li, they're having a wedding next door, did they invite you too?"

Uncle Er asked tentatively.

"No, we didn't invite you."

Li Jingtong shook her head slightly, her tone frank.

Huh?

Why did you go even though you weren't invited?

Isn't this just stirring things up?

Comrade Li is always well-educated and reasonable; surely he wouldn't be so reckless?

Everyone was wondering to themselves, but no one dared to show the slightest doubt on their faces.

"Since they didn't send an invitation, why...why did you..."

The old man, Yi Zhonghai, carefully chose his words, afraid of offending anyone by speaking too harshly.

"Oh, because the groom next door is my own brother. It's not impolite for a sister to go to her brother's wedding, is it?"

Li Jingtong blinked and spoke casually.

What? ? ?

The man next door who got married turned out to be Comrade Li's own brother?

This...this is too much of a coincidence!

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and a group of young men were all dumbfounded, their mouths slightly agape, unable to close for a long time.

and many more! !

If the groom were Comrade Li's older brother—

So he must be Director Li's eldest son!

Then I thought of the spacious and bright courtyard next door, with its high lintel, bright screen wall, and neatly paved blue bricks...

It turns out it was also under Director Li's name!

hiss--

The crowd belatedly gasped, their backs tingling slightly.

They then suddenly realized that the shocks brought about by Factory Director Li were becoming more profound and substantial with each passing moment:

First, he went back to the courtyard house to take possession of the house, and then took Jia Zhangshi to the police station.

Then they arranged for Qin Huairu and her son to move in, and also sent their elegant and intelligent daughter to take care of them;

Now that the eldest son is holding a lavish wedding banquet next door, the two families will truly become neighbors who see each other all the time...

It seems that the peaceful and stable days of the past have been turned into a new chapter by Director Li without him even noticing.