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

Immediately afterwards, an irrepressible excitement surged in my chest.

With such a powerful backer in the Education Bureau, what worries could one possibly have about their future?

The Li family's influence has become increasingly unfathomable.

As soon as she stepped into the office lobby, several female clerks immediately came up to her with warm smiles, offering their business cards and chatting casually, their words full of friendliness.

Everyone saw that she came out of the deputy director's office, and they already had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on: the relationship was probably even stronger than it appeared.

Privately, some people had already begun to inquire about her background, just waiting to confirm it so they could take the opportunity to build a relationship with her.

Workplace small talk has always been this genuine.

"This... is chrysanthemum and goji berry tea that I just brewed. It's good for the liver and eyes, and it's especially helpful for staring at the computer for long periods of time."

The speaker was Lu Fangfang, the office director's daughter. She held a brand-new white porcelain cup and gently placed it on the corner of Cui Jingjing's desk, her tone slightly ingratiating.

She knew perfectly well that Cui Jingjing had married Li Guojiang—Li Guotao's younger brother; and Li Guotai was the strongest pillar of the Li family. Now that their background far surpassed hers, how could she dare to put on airs again? She just hoped that this matter would be over and that no one would hold a grudge.

Cui Jingjing is not a soft-hearted person.

She didn't intend to truly forgive Lu Fangfang, but she knew even more clearly that if she wanted to climb the ranks in the bureau, she had to hold onto every bit of leverage she could.

She picked up the cup, took a sip, frowned slightly, and said in a low voice, "It's too hot. Next time, let it cool down to a palatable temperature before bringing it over."

"Okay, okay!"

When Lu Fangfang heard that she was willing to accept and drink, she breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the past grievances had been resolved, and hurriedly agreed.

Those who witnessed this scene were secretly astonished—even Director Lu's daughter, who was usually arrogant, took the initiative to bow her head and serve tea, and even after being criticized, she still smiled apologetically.

It seems this newcomer has a very special relationship with Deputy Director Wen!

The smiles on everyone's faces became even more solicitous.

Cui Jingjing lowered her eyes and smiled, feeling comforted.

It allowed him to vent his anger, gain gratitude from the other party, and enhance his own standing in the eyes of his colleagues—a triple win, achieved effortlessly.

Ultimately, she was born knowing how to gain a foothold in the system and rise to prominence by leveraging its advantages.

When I went to the cafeteria for lunch, the cook deliberately scooped out an extra large spoonful, piling it up to the brim, a portion comparable to what was served to the boss.

This was something Wen Keyi had told her in advance—she knew she was pregnant and needed to nourish her body.

This scene was witnessed by several sharp-eyed colleagues.

The doubts in my mind completely dissipated: how could someone be an ordinary person who could be personally taken care of by the deputy director even for something as trivial as a meal?

"Deputy Director Wen!!!"

When Cui Jingjing passed by Wen Keyi's table, she stopped at a distance, called out crisply, and then turned to walk towards the second table.

They were both respectful and mindful of their boundaries, never overstepping any limits.

Wen Keyi nodded calmly.

Knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding boundaries, and not being ostentatious—he is indeed a good prospect.

If it truly deserves a helping hand, she won't hesitate to use resources. Ultimately, it's all the Li family. The Li family's prosperity and growth are due to the fact that each of its members has established themselves.

As the get off work bell rang, everyone went downstairs one after another and rushed towards the main entrance.

While others rode off on their bicycles, Cui Jingjing stood quietly under the porch, waiting for Li Guojiang.

The dowry included two bicycles, but she was very shrewd—she didn't ride them herself, but insisted that he come to pick her up after get off work.

This wasn't for convenience; it was an act for the relatives in the compound: the two were loving and affectionate, and their life seemed stable and secure.

She was older than Li Guojiang and a widow who had remarried, so her reputation was easily subject to gossip.

Only by truly demonstrating their "affection" can we silence the gossip.

In those days, model couples were admired by everyone, and no one dared to criticize them easily.

"Beep beep—!"

A black sedan slowly drove out of the gate.

Only deputy-department-level officials are entitled to official cars, and Wen Keyi, as a department-level official, naturally enjoys this privilege.

"Jingjing, are you waiting for someone?"

The car window slowly rolled down, and Wen Keyi peeked out, her tone familiar.

Since they are family members, you should say something when you run into them.

"Yes, Aunt Wen, I'm waiting for Guojiang. He said he'd pick me up on his way."

Cui Jingjing responded with a smile, her eyebrows relaxed and her tone natural.

Just then, several colleagues passed by and heard it clearly—the three words "Aunt Wen" hit them like a small pebble.

relative?

Or are they family friends living in the same courtyard?

The group paused, exchanged glances, and remained silent, though their hearts were already in turmoil.

Even if they are just neighbors, they are by no means ordinary people.

With Wen Keyi's status, she must live in a government compound.

Cui Jingjing naturally grew up in the compound.

I need to work harder to get closer to her from now on!

The group of people had all secretly made up their minds.

"Okay, I'll be going now."

The car drove away.

"Binzi, go to the tenement building in the south of the city."

Wen Keyi paused for a moment before giving her instructions.

That's where her son, Li Guoxiong, is currently renting.

"Yes, Aunt Wen."

When no outsiders were around, the people who followed Li Wenguo still referred to them as "concubines" according to the old custom of the Republic of China.

In today's modern society, this form of address sounds awkward and abrupt, but it is a deeply ingrained rule between master and servant.

Li Guoxiong appeared diligent and conscientious in recent months, but Section Chief Shi had intentionally assigned him extra work—mountains of documents, non-stop reports, and even during his lunch break he had to revise drafts while hunched over his desk. Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, Director Li in the office saw his "willingness to take on responsibilities and endure hardship" and immediately decided to promote him to intermediate clerk.

Zhao Ziping stepped into Section Chief Shi's office and said in a low voice, "Section Chief Shi, how about... we stop dumping all the work in the office on Li Guoxiong? If we keep doing this, I'm afraid we'll have to ask for a raise again next quarter!"

"Alright, starting tomorrow, everyone do their own work, and no one should try to pin it on Li Guoxiong."

Both of them believed that Li Guoxiong's promotion was entirely due to their treating him like a mule, working tirelessly from dawn till dusk, which the leaders noticed and thus promoted him despite the odds.

They were so frightened that they immediately stopped, fearing that this young man would rise through the ranks and surpass them.

Little did they know, this was a scheme devised by Office Director Li Jingya—using Section Chief Shi to exert pressure, forcing Li Guoxiong to demonstrate his "outstanding performance," and then seizing the opportunity when they were feeling guilty and ready to back down, thus securing her own promotion and getting rid of the difficulties.

Before Li Guoxiong returned, Wen Keyi drove straight to the small house and went upstairs with her bag.

The moment he pushed the door open, his brows furrowed deeply.

The room was no more than ten square meters, so narrow that it was hard to breathe.

A single bed, an old desk, two wooden stools, and a small, peeling wardrobe were crammed together, leaving only a narrow gap for one person to squeeze through sideways.

Meanwhile, the daughter-in-law, whom he had never met before, was sitting by the window, head down, sewing shoe soles—the needle and thread were coarse, the cloth was rough, and her knuckles were calloused.

Is this really the life her son should be living?

Wen Keyi's face instantly turned ashen, her gaze fixed coldly on Zhao Ziying's back.

It was because of this woman that Li Guoxiong turned against his own father;

Because of her, her son ended up in this dilapidated house that even rats would find cramped.

In her eyes, this was hardly a matter of renting a place to live.

It was clearly a beggar's shack.

Even the servants' quarters in my own villa are brighter than this; the toilet seat gleams with gold when you lift it up.

If it's not a beggar's life, then what is it?

"Knock knock!!!"

She raised her hand and knocked on the door frame.

Zhao Ziying shuddered in shock, the needle piercing her thumb. Just as a bead of blood appeared, she looked up and met a pair of sharp eyes.

Subconsciously, I thought it was my husband returning, but the woman in front of me—with her striking features, crisp clothes, and an air of unapproachable nobility, was like a painting of a lady hanging in a museum, yet her gaze chilled me to the bone.

"Who are you...?"

Her voice was strained, and she asked very softly.

Wen Keyi didn't answer, but simply tilted her chin inward and said, "Li Guoxiong is my son."

"ah?!"

"You...you are Guoxiong's mother?"

Zhao Ziying froze.

She had imagined a thousand different kinds of mother-in-law—an old country lady in a blue cotton shirt, or a teacher's wife with glasses and her hair in a bun—but she never expected her to be such a dazzlingly beautiful and serenely captivating middle-aged woman.

She can believe when called "sister," but when called "Mom," it's like hearing a thunderbolt strike her ear.

She jumped to her feet, fidgeting with the hem of her apron. "Please come in... I'll... I'll make you some tea!"

But I got stuck after taking only half a step.

The room was low, the walls were cracked, the stool legs were crooked, and there wasn't even a stable place to put a cup of hot water.

Why would a noblewoman dressed in fine silk and adorned with jade bend down and sit in such a small space?

It was so absurd that even I felt ashamed.

"No need." Wen Keyi's voice was completely flat. "Guoxiong has been pampered since he was a child, with more servants than his classmates. Now, for your sake, he has severed ties with his father, been kicked out of the house, and is now living a miserable life in this tiny hole. You don't feel sorry for him, but I, as his mother, do."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Zhao Ziying's dusty fingernails and faded blue blouse: "I know what you're after—nothing more than hiding in a factory. Fine, I'll arrange a permanent position for you, and give you some extra money."

Before she finished speaking, she glanced behind her.

Binzi immediately understood and pulled out a stack of brand-new banknotes from his inner pocket—a full thousand dollars, neatly tied with red paper strips.

Wen Keyi took it, flicked her wrist, and the whole bundle of money was thrown to the ground at Zhao Ziying's feet with a "thud," the banknotes scattered in several pages, like a pool of cold sweat.

"Then, I divorced Guoxiong."

These words, spoken without lifting a finger, were like a dull knife, slowly scraping at the bone.

Wen Keyi grew up during the Republican era, and family is what she values ​​most. Regardless of who is right or wrong, her first instinct is always to protect her husband and son.

After the divorce, the husband's anger naturally subsided; once his anger died down, his son was forgiven.

Zhao Ziying felt bitter and depressed after being scolded by her mother-in-law. She even began to wonder if she had really made a mistake in advising Li Guoxiong not to bow down to his family. Otherwise, why would her mother-in-law personally come to put pressure on him?

But she bit her tongue to calm herself, straightened her back, and neither flattered nor confronted him.

"Auntie, I admit that it was a bit impulsive of me to ask Guoxiong to marry me, and it caused him to argue with Uncle. The responsibility lies with me."

"But Guoxiong and I both love each other sincerely."

"Yes, I agreed to marry him to escape the **, but it was definitely not for his job or money—I really wanted to spend my life with him."

"So you don't need to arrange a job for me, nor do you need to give me money. Unless Guoxiong personally proposes a divorce, I will never let go," she said decisively.

Even if she wasn't pregnant, let alone if she was already carrying a child, she wouldn't back down an inch.

The two had spent months together, their hearts already warmed. How could they be so easily frightened into signing anything just because their in-laws gave them a cold shoulder?

To completely dispel her mother-in-law's idea, she raised her hand and pressed her lower abdomen: "Besides, I'm already pregnant."

pregnant?

Wen Keyi glanced at her flat stomach subconsciously.

Looking at her clear eyes and steady posture, she didn't even lift her eyelids at the brand-new bundle of "big unity" on the ground—this girl is probably really stubborn.