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

"Let's get on the bus! Let's get on the bus!!!"

The two children jumped and clapped their hands, their little faces turning bright red.

Li Guoyu then escorted them all the way back to the government office building.

The building was constructed in 1953 under the leadership of Li Wenguo and Lou Zhenhua. There were five buildings in total, all of which were located in areas he personally selected: along Houhai Lake, inside Chongwenmen, south of Wangfujing, and next to Liulichang. The original plan was to give each of his daughters one when they got married; when his son asked for one, he gave it to him without hesitation.

The building was built specifically for cadres' families. Each building has eight floors, and each household is 150 square meters. Upon entering, there is an entrance hall, two living rooms, two bathrooms, four bedrooms, and a walk-in closet. It is spacious, neat, and provides a comfortable living environment.

As soon as Kong Liuting stepped into the house, she saw her father sitting on the sofa flipping through the newspaper. He looked up and said, "Liuting, I've found a marriage partner for you today. You'll meet him on the eighth of next month. If you like each other, we'll get married by the end of the year."

"You're twenty-three this year, that's not early."

The mother chimed in with a laugh, "That's right! I heard that young man takes after his mother—strikingly handsome, tall and straight, with a dashing air about him. He's sure to be your type!"

Kong Liuting's brows furrowed even more. She had intended to bring up her relationship with Li Guoyu tonight, but her family had already arranged a blind date for her—could she even bring it up now? She was afraid her parents would frown at the mere mention of it.

She pondered to herself: "They say 'if it's right, I'll marry you,' but what if we don't get along after meeting? Should I just give up on that idea?"

After much deliberation, she ultimately didn't mention Li Guoyu at all. The marriage had already been arranged publicly, and if she were to back out at the last minute, her parents would lose face, and people would gossip behind their backs. Those who came to propose marriage were generally of similar social standing; offending them would make future interactions awkward.

"Okay, I agree. But—" she smiled and looked up, "you two have to pick someone truly outstanding, the kind of handsome that makes people unable to look away, otherwise I might just quit on the spot."

He readily agreed verbally, but the father had other plans in mind: as long as the young man had decent features and a strong physique, he would make the final decision. The Kong family's foundation was in the military, but they also needed connections outside. He Shuting was the most reliable backer.

Although free love is popular nowadays, in this government compound, the marriage of children is still decided by the elders in most cases.

"Sis, didn't you already have someone in your life? Why did you agree to the date on the eighth?"

As soon as Kong Liuting entered the room, her younger brother, who was two years younger than her, immediately followed her in and asked in a low voice.

The siblings always talked about everything, and he knew long ago that his sister had someone she loved.

She then explained her concerns in detail.

"I see... But sister, what if Dad takes a liking to that person at first sight?"

Kong Liuting was speechless. She hadn't considered this at all—she was so overwhelmed by this sudden marriage that she had overlooked the most crucial detail.

Before we knew it, the eve of the eighth day of the lunar new year had arrived.

Because Li Wenguo is going to visit the Kong family tomorrow with Sai Honglian and Li Guoli, they came over early this morning.

He made Sai Honglian breathless before straightening his collar and strolling to the opposite doorway.

"Knock knock knock!"

As soon as the door opened, Yang Yuerong saw it was him and immediately pouted and turned away: "Why don't you just live across the street? What are you doing here causing trouble!"

Both she and Sai Honglian were in the military, and fearing gossip if they lived with He Shuting from the municipal system, Li Wenguo arranged for them to stay here separately. Of course, they only came back to live here on their days off, and stayed in the barracks most of the time.

"Hehe, you're one of my people. I can come and go as I please, not even the King of Heaven can stop me!"

Li Wenguo shamelessly pulled her close, whispering in her ear with a chuckle, "Don't you know why I'm here?"

"Are you crazy? Jingya is still in the living room!" Yang Yuerong's ears turned red, and she hurriedly pushed him out.

"Dad, Mom, should I sneak over to Aunt Sai's place across the street and hide there?"

Li Jingya got up from the sofa, looking at the lively couple with a smile, her eyes full of teasing.

"Jingya, you've really grown up, daring to joke around with your own parents. Believe me or not, I'll book you a plane ticket to Australia tomorrow, so you can never come back to our house again!"

Li Wenguo shoved Yang Yuerong away, turned around, put on a stern face, raised his voice, and stomped his feet in anger.

Li Jingya was born in 1940 and has just turned twenty. She has a slender figure and bright eyes. She is Yang Yuerong's second daughter.

"Dad—are you really willing to leave me so far away?"

Li Jingya's face immediately fell, her eyes reddened, and her voice was as soft as a freshly steamed glutinous rice ball.

"Ha, you can't bear to part with her? Your dad has a whole line of daughters, and I'd have to catch my breath by the third one. If you're gone, we won't even need to set out fewer dishes or chopsticks!"

"Alright, alright, I admit my mistake, okay? I shouldn't have chuckled at you two. Please forgive me this time, I'm a magnanimous woman!"

She rushed over, took her father's arm and gently swayed it, deliberately tickling the inside of his wrist with her fingertips.

She has always been quick-witted and unconventional, stubborn yet never defiant, and she admits her mistakes faster than turning the pages of a book.

"Hmph! Why don't you hurry up and hide at Aunt Sai's place?"

"Your father and mother have important matters to discuss."

"Oh, and don't come back tonight, understand?"

Li Wenguo frowned, his tone revealing his frustration at having his interest dampened.

As soon as his daughter ran off into the distance, he immediately scooped Yang Yuerong up in his arms—her eyes clearly showed impatience and disgust. The two stumbled into the house and began to linger and cuddle like long-lost friends, going through two rounds of this before finally stopping.

The next morning, Da Yan drove Li Wenguo, Sai Honglian, and Li Guoli in the passenger seat straight to the Kong family's house.

Before long, the car came to a steady stop in front of the Kong residence.

Mr. and Mrs. Kong were already sitting upright on the living room sofa, their backs straight and their eyes calm.

Upon seeing Li Guoli's dignified appearance and composed demeanor, the two men's eyes lit up, and they immediately nodded in approval—this child was flawless.

But when they looked up and saw Li Wenguo and Sai Honglian, they were both stunned: the sixty-year-olds had faces as fair as jade and hair as black as ink, and their energy and spirit were more than that of a young man in his early thirties!

The two elders clicked their tongues in amazement: This health regimen must be like eating ginseng like a radish!

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mr. Kong called over his youngest son, Kong Liuhui: "Go and call your sister down."

As always, this step cannot be omitted.

"Sis, I think it's going to be tough this time." Kong Liuhui lowered her voice. "That guy is really handsome, cold and sharp. The way he stands there, he looks more like a movie star than a VIP. Mom and Dad are beaming. If you want to back out, you probably won't even be able to find an excuse."

Upon hearing this, Kong Liuting frowned, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her skirt.

As soon as she stepped into the living room, her heart sank—the man was indeed imposing, with distinct features and a calm demeanor, not at all inferior to Li Guoyu; what made her heart tighten even more was the way her parents looked at him, their gazes so intense they could almost leave a burn mark.

This is terrible!

Her throat tightened, and her fingertips felt icy cold.

"This is your daughter? She truly has bright eyes and white teeth, and is incredibly beautiful!"

Li Wenguo spoke loudly, his laughter hearty.

Li Guoli glanced at it without showing any emotion, and nodded in his heart: His appearance was indeed outstanding.

A hint of undisguised pride also appeared on the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Kong—their daughter was impeccable.

But before his smugness could even warm up, it was doused with a bucket of cold water.

"In that case, let's settle on this marriage."

Li Wenguo turned to the two elders of the Kong family and smiled, his tone firm and leaving no room for argument.

Kong Liuting's heart skipped a beat, and her blood rushed to her ears.

She hurriedly looked at her father, only to see him nod slightly, a smile just beginning to appear on his lips, before she cried out, "Uncle Li, wait!"

The laughter that filled the room suddenly stopped.

The smile on Li Wenguo's face froze for a moment, then slowly faded, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Having witnessed sixty years of trials and tribulations, the chaos of the Republic of China, the maneuvering of spies, and the underground wars... he had long since figured out the true nature of human nature—once these words were uttered, something unexpected was bound to happen.

Sure enough, Kong Liuting suddenly stood up, her back ramrod straight: "I'm sorry, Uncle Li, Aunt Sai... I already have someone in my heart, and I really don't dare to delay this gentleman."

Before she finished speaking, she bowed deeply, her forehead almost touching her knees, her posture impeccably sincere.

She knew, of course, how much dignity this kneeling would shatter, but if she didn't take a desperate gamble, she feared there would truly be no future for her and Li Guoyu.

At this moment, she only regretted that if she had known this would happen, she should not have agreed to go to this event with her father—even lying or pretending to be sick would have been better than this, where both families have lost face.

"Kong Liuting! Are you crazy?!"

A sharp shout rang out, and without turning around, she knew it was her father.

Mr. Kong's face was ashen, the veins on his forehead throbbed, and his whole face was flushed red, like a leopard whose tail had been stepped on. He stared at her intently, his gaze so intense it made one's skin burn.

"No! This marriage is settled today—both our families have agreed, and there's no turning back. Cut all ties with that person you've fallen for immediately!"

Confucius's father spoke with unwavering conviction, his voice like a hammer striking the table.

If his daughter had refused before they had even met, he might have hesitated for a moment and weighed the matter carefully.

But now that the people have met and the formalities have been exchanged, to turn back and break the agreement would not only be a disgrace to his own family, but would also bring extreme embarrassment to the Li family. To preserve the dignity of both families, he would rather crush his daughter's feelings than let the marriage fall through.

"But...but I really..."

"shut up!!!"

Kong Liuting had just opened her mouth when her father's stern shout silenced her. His hawk-like eyes pierced her, forcing her to choke and freeze.

She lowered her head, her eyes quickly reddening, tears welling up in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall.

The younger brother, Kong Liuhui, clenched his fists, his heart burning with anxiety. But the imposing presence of his father was too heavy, and although his lips moved, he ultimately did not dare to say a word for his sister.

"Mr. Li, Comrade Sai, I am truly sorry to have made you both witness such a farce. I am ashamed of my poor upbringing! But please rest assured, this marriage is a done deal and I will not cause you any trouble."

Father Kong's face was full of apology, his tone was sincere, but his back was ramrod straight.

"Brother Kong, calm down! Your daughter is so beautiful, naturally she has countless admirers—she's probably just been charmed by some smooth talker and confused for a moment. Once she calms down and thinks things through, she'll naturally become sensible."

Li Wenguo quickly responded with a warm smile, his words praising and supporting the other party, providing a smooth way out for them.

If you save face, the relationship can continue; a head-on confrontation will only result in losses for both sides.

"Dad, Uncle Kong, since Miss Kong is in her heart... uh—"

Li Guoli wanted to speak frankly and say that they should break off the engagement. But before he could finish speaking, his mother's fingers had already quietly grabbed the hem of his clothes. The force wasn't strong, but it was like a silent prohibition. His father also glared at him, sending chills down his spine. He could only bite his tongue and swallow the rest of his words.