Courtyard House: My max-level medical skills specialize in treating beasts.

The argument between the Jia family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was so loud that many people in the courtyard heard it, but they were used to it and thought the two were just oddballs.

After finishing her meal, He Yushui went back to her room to whisper to Yu Haitang. Just as He Yudong was about to close the door and start reading, his second uncle, Liu Haizhong, came to the door.

"Second Uncle, is something the matter?"

"Yudong, your second uncle watched you grow up. He always thought you were capable, clever, and quick-witted, and also..."

"Stop!" He Yudong quickly interrupted, "Just say what you have to say. I still need to read, I'm busy."

He knew perfectly well that Liu Haizhong wouldn't come to him without a reason; he must have something to ask of him. As long as it wasn't too outrageous, he'd help him.

"Then I'll be frank," Liu Haizhong said, rubbing his hands together. "The other day, the deputy workshop foreman retired, and his position became vacant. I'd like to take that seat, Uncle. You know Xu Shuji and Factory Director Yang, could you put in a good word for me with them?"

He Yudong sneered inwardly. This guy didn't even finish elementary school, and he's already obsessed with becoming an official? What's even more ridiculous is that he came empty-handed to ask for help, and he doesn't even understand the basic rules of officialdom. If he were to become an official, he'd be a complete bum. Of course, he couldn't actually go and spout nonsense to Xu Shuji; that would just be asking for trouble.

"Second Uncle, I'm sorry, I can't help you." He refused bluntly. "I'm just a doctor, I only care about treating patients and saving lives, I don't care about or want to care about anything else. Besides, you're a level seven fitter, what would an experienced craftsman like you want if not to hone your skills and instead be eyeing the deputy team leader position? You've come to the wrong person."

Liu Haizhong's face darkened: "Yudong, you can't just hide your success now! We're all from the same compound, what's the big deal if we help each other out? You can't just think of yourself!"

These words sounded familiar to He Yudong; they were exactly the same as what the old man said when he morally blackmailed He Yuzhu in the original story.

"Second Uncle, I really can't help you." He didn't bother beating around the bush. "You want me to help you get an official position? On what grounds? Just because you only have an elementary school education? If I were to tell Xu Shuji, wouldn't that just cause trouble? Being a leader isn't about showing off your power, it's about taking responsibility, don't you understand?"

Explaining to this idiot was a waste of breath, so He Yudong simply shut up.

"You, you ingrate!" Liu Haizhong jumped up and down in anger. "I watched you grow up, and you won't even help me! Fine, just wait until you beg me!" He turned and left as if He Yudong owed him millions.

He Yudong scoffed, calling him an ingrate? When had Liu Haizhong ever helped the three He siblings? He just blurted out that word. If it weren't for his age, he would have slapped him long ago.

As for Liu Haizhong, He Yudong knows him perfectly well. He's cut from the same cloth as Xu Damao, rotten to the core. You can tell what kind of person he is just from how he and Xu Damao swindled Lou Xiao'e.

"That ingrate He Yuzhu! Asking him to put in a good word for me with the boss is such a simple thing. We're neighbors in the same building, shouldn't we help each other out? He actually gave me the cold shoulder! I'm furious! If he ever falls into my hands again, I'll teach him a lesson!"

As soon as he entered the house, Second Uncle Liu Haizhong slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"This is outrageous!" the second aunt muttered. "We watched him grow up, how could he be so heartless?"

"Exactly! Now that he's made it big, he only cares about himself and is incredibly selfish!" Liu Guangtian, the son, chimed in.

He Yuzhu didn't need to guess to know what his second uncle's family was up to. These people in the courtyard used to leech off Sha Zhu, but now that he's back, they've turned their attention to him. If he doesn't comply, who knows what they'll do to him behind his back.

He Yuzhu read a book in the room for a while, then stepped into the miniature world.

He was stunned as soon as he entered: the medicinal herbs in the Herb Garden and the fruit trees in the Fruit Garden had all grown up! Many of the medicinal herbs could be picked directly, and the fruit trees had blossomed and were about to bear fruit. Two wine-making monkeys jumped excitedly when they saw him come in; these were the prizes he had won in the lottery. Although they looked like monkeys, they could communicate with him without any problems.

The Herb Garden functions similarly to a chicken coop, automatically collecting and processing herbs to maximize their efficacy. Almost all the medicinal materials recorded in the *Compendium of Materia Medica* can be found there, except for legendary elixirs like the Vermilion Fruit and the Ganoderma lucidum. Precious herbs like ginseng and Ganoderma lucidum are also present, although their growth cycles differ. Even though time flows 100 times faster in this small world than outside, it takes a year for a hundred-year-old ginseng to grow, and ten years for a thousand-year-old one. However, for everyday medicinal use, such old herbs aren't necessary. The Herb Garden has thirty ginseng plants, a sufficient quantity, and with the addition of spiritual spring water, their quality is even better than wild ginseng.

He Yuzhu gathered some usable medicinal herbs, processed them using the Hundred Herbs Garden's functions, and stored them for future use. After staying in the small world for a while, he had just come out when there was a knock on the door. Luckily, he came out in time; otherwise, if he had disappeared into thin air and been discovered, it would have definitely caused trouble.

"Brother Yudong, are you there?" It was Yu Haitang's voice at the door.

He Yuzhu opened the door and saw her standing there. He asked, "Haitang, is something the matter?"

"Brother Yudong, it's getting dark. Can you take me home? I'm afraid to walk alone..." Yu Haitang looked at him expectantly.

"Okay, wait a minute." He Yuzhu went inside to put on a coat, then came out and said, "Let's go."

"Okay." Yu Haitang was delighted, and the two left the courtyard. He Yuzhu rode his electric bicycle and took her to her family's courtyard.

"Okay." Yu Haitang was delighted, and the two left the courtyard. He Yuzhu rode his electric bicycle and took her to her family's courtyard.

Just as they arrived at the compound gate, Yang Weimin came out. Seeing Yu Haitang sitting in the back seat of He Yuzhu's car, hugging his waist, Yang Weimin's eyes instantly reddened. He pointed at He Yuzhu and yelled, "Kid, how many times have I told you to stay away from Haitang! Did you ignore me?"

"Yang Weimin, what do you want to do?" Yu Haitang quickly stepped in front of He Yuzhu. Although Yang Weimin lived in the same compound as her, came from a well-off family, and relentlessly pursued her, she didn't even look at him.

"Alright, kid, you just wait!" Yang Weimin said threateningly.

"Want another beating?" He Yuzhu glanced at him disdainfully. He and Yu Haitang were completely innocent; even if something happened between them, it was none of anyone else's business. He despised this kind of guy who only talked tough: "A dog that bites never barks."

Yang Weimin was so choked that he took two steps back, turned around and walked into the yard, not forgetting to say, "You just wait, see how I deal with you later!"

He Yuzhu smiled and shook his head, then said to Yu Haitang, "I've dropped you off here. I'm going back now."

"Yeah, thank you, Brother Yudong. But you have to be careful of Yang Weimin. He holds grudges a lot and always hangs out with thugs. I'm worried about him..."

"Don't worry, I don't take that kind of person seriously at all." He Yuzhu interrupted her, "I'm going back first, you should go home early too."

"How about... coming to my place for a while? Having some tea before you leave?" Yu Haitang asked tentatively.

"No need, I have to get up early tomorrow, and drinking tea will keep me awake."

"Well... okay then."

As He Yudong stepped into the courtyard, he saw a car parked by the yard. Sha Zhu was climbing out of the car, pulling a large box out of the trunk, and the car sped away. Sha Zhu still had a smile on his face when he bumped into He Yudong, who was returning.

"Brother, where have you been? Why are you so late?"

"It's for Yu Haitang, the classmate who was taking Yushui home." He Yudong glanced at the box. "Is that a gramophone you're carrying?"

"Hehe, it's a gift from the big boss!" Sha Zhu pulled the box closer to his chest. "It even came with a record. Let's go inside and talk."

As soon as he entered the room, Sha Zhu eagerly fiddled with the gramophone. He'd barely put on a record when he muttered, "That bastard Xu Damao talked badly about me to the big boss today, and he got kicked out!"

"Wasn't he supposed to be cleaning the toilets? Why is he still hanging around in front of the big boss?" He Yudong wondered.

"I guess nobody in the factory knows how to operate a projector, so they just grabbed him on short notice," Sha Zhu said, scoffing. "That kid's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve; he's definitely stirring things up on purpose." He pointed to the phonograph. "Do you know this piece?"

"Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, also known as the 'Symphony of Fate'," He Yudong answered casually.

"Hey, you know this too?" Sha Zhu had wanted to show off the story behind the song the big boss had told him to his younger brother, but he didn't expect to be rebuffed.

"Not only do I know how to play, I can also play them." He Yudong laughed, "It's a pity we don't have a piano at home." Last time, he got the "music, chess, calligraphy and painting" skills in a ten-pull draw. Except for calligraphy, which can be used, the music, chess and painting skills have been gathering dust for the time being.

"Really? When did you learn to play the piano?" Sha Zhu's eyes widened.

"I have a photographic memory, and I learn everything quickly." He Yudong leaned against the edge of the table. "I learned a lot in the army. This piece would be considered high-class now. You have a date with Teacher Ran the day after tomorrow. Show off your skills in front of her, and you're guaranteed to score points."

"Really?!" Sha Zhu's eyes lit up. The day after tomorrow was the day he was supposed to meet Teacher Ran.

"Of course." He Yudong tapped the table. "But I need to explain the ins and outs of this piece to you first, so you don't embarrass yourself later."

"Alright!" Silly Zhu rubbed his hands together and grinned. "My marriage prospects are all up to you!"

Just then, footsteps came from the door. "Shazhu, open the door."

It was Qin Huairu. Sha Zhu glanced into the room, He Yudong shrugged, and then slowly went to open the door. Qin Huairu was holding half a bottle of baijiu and a stack of peanuts. She was about to go into the room when Sha Zhu blocked her at the door.

"Sister Qin, what are you doing?"

"Since you're back, have a couple of drinks with me." Qin Huairu smiled, completely unaware that there was someone else in the room. "It's been so long since I've had a drink with you."

"Sister Qin, you can't do that." Sha Zhu said sternly, "What would it look like if a widow went into a bachelor's house at night?"

"Silly Zhu, you're disgusted with me?" Qin Huairu's eyes reddened. "What exactly did I do wrong?"

"Sister Qin, it's not about whether you mind or not. Can't we all be more understanding of each other? Let's just say what we have to say," Sha Zhu said.

"Hey, isn't this Sister Qin? What are you doing in my brother's room in the middle of the night?" He Yudong's voice came from the inner room. Qin Huairu then noticed that he was there too, and felt annoyed. Why is he always here?

If there's one person Qin Huairu hates the most, it's undoubtedly He Yudong. If he hadn't returned, Sha Zhu would have been completely under her control, and she could have seized He Yudong's house. After He Yushui got married, she could even find an excuse to say that Xiao Dang and Huaihua were too big for her, and then take over He Yushui's house too. But with He Yudong's return, all those plans fell through. These past few days, Sha Zhu hasn't even bothered bringing her family lunchboxes. If this continues, will her family starve?

What infuriated her even more was that He Yudong was secretly arranging blind dates for Sha Zhu. Although he was trying to be discreet, she overheard Uncle San mentioning it. No way, she had to sabotage it! So as soon as Sha Zhu entered the house, she brought out peanuts that Bang Geng had stolen from Sha Zhu's room, along with half a bottle of baijiu that had been sitting for who knows how long, intending to flirt with him and keep him hooked. Of course, she had a backup plan: her cousin.

"Oh, Yu Dong is here too. Nothing else, I just wanted to talk to Sha Zhu about my cousin. Last time, Xu Damao said some bad things about her, and she went back to the countryside without saying a word. I explained it to her, and she's coming over tomorrow. I'm planning to let her stay at home for a couple of days so she can meet Sha Zhu and we can settle things if it goes well."

He Yudong sneered inwardly. This widow's face changed faster than flipping through a book. He hadn't seen her feign pitifulness to gain sympathy, but as soon as she saw him come out, she immediately started pulling at her cousin.

"No need, Sister Qin, I already have a blind date. You can keep your cousin for yourself; I'm not good enough for her." Sha Zhu was now perfectly aware of what was going on. Just as He Yudong had guessed, he brought his cousin here to visit Xu Damao first. This widow was very cunning; if it weren't for her brother keeping an eye on things, she would have already played him.

"Silly Zhu, this isn't right. We already agreed on this, how can you go on a date with someone else?" Qin Huairu was displeased.

"What do you mean by 'agreed'? Your cousin has been doing sales for over a year, have I seen a single hair on her head?" Sha Zhu retorted.

"Isn't she coming now?"

"Alright, Qin Huairu, your cousin has a rural household registration, while my brother is a factory chef with a monthly salary of seventy-something yuan. What kind of girl can't he find? Why does he have to marry a village girl? Stop ruining my brother's marriage!" He Yudong said bluntly.

"Yudong, how could you say that about your sister? I'm doing this for your brother's sake." Qin Huairu's eyes reddened, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Alright, Sister Qin, go back now. We can talk during the day. Don't keep coming into my bachelor apartment so late at night. I need to sleep; I have to go to work tomorrow." Sha Zhu gave her the hint to leave.

"Brother, go to sleep early." He Yudong also came out, and Sha Zhu slammed the door shut.

He Yudong ignored Qin Huairu and went straight into his room, closing the door behind him. Qin Huairu stared at his retreating figure, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes: "Hmph, Sha Zhu still wants to go on blind dates? I'll make sure you never get married in your life!" Whatever, she'd just have her cousin stay for a couple of days tomorrow. She didn't believe her beautiful cousin couldn't win over this old bachelor, Sha Zhu. Even if she couldn't, she could sabotage any blind dates Sha Zhu went on with other women—that was her specialty; she'd broken up at least eight or ten blind dates before. As for her cousin, Qin Jingru, she saw her as just a tool; she would never let Sha Zhu actually marry her.

The next morning, He Yudong cooked fish porridge. Fish raised in the spiritual spring water had a much fresher texture than river fish; the fish that used to weigh ten pounds in the pond had grown to twenty pounds. After cooking a large pot of porridge, he brought a big bowl to the old lady. She drank it, her face beaming, "Grandson, your cooking is much better than Sha Zhu's! Grandma has never tasted such fragrant porridge before!"

"Grandma likes it, so we'll make it often from now on."

"That won't do. Fish and meat are expensive; you'll go broke if you eat them every day." The old lady declined verbally, but she was overjoyed inside. Ever since He Yudong treated her, she felt like she was more than ten years younger, and many of her gray hairs had turned black.

"I won't go broke from eating this. I caught the fish myself, it's free. I still have more than a dozen at home, all big fish weighing over ten kilograms each."

"Really? My grandson is really capable!"

After leaving the old lady's room, He Yudong drank some porridge and served Xiaodang and Huaihua each a large bowl, which the two girls ate with gusto. Banggeng, watching his room from a distance, gritted his teeth in anger. Why did only his sister get to eat well, and not him? He was certain there were good things in He Yudong's room, and he planned to break in and steal them when He Yudong went to work!

After Xiao Dang and Huaihua finished eating and left, He Yudong left some porridge for Sha Zhu and He Yushui, and also packed a lunchbox to take to Ding Qiunan in the infirmary.

Seeing He Yudong and Shazhu ride their bikes out, Banggeng sneakily approached He Yudong's house. He pulled out a wire and felt around—no keyhole! Even with the wire, he couldn't pry it open. He wasn't strong enough; forcing it would make noise and alert He Yushui next door. He Yushui was still home. Banggeng's mind raced. He decided to wait until He Yushui left, then use the wire as a stepping stone to climb in through the window and steal some food. After all, it was winter break, no school, plenty of time. Let's see if he dares not give him any treats!

When He Yudong arrived at the infirmary, Ding Qiunan was already waiting. He handed her the lunchbox, and as soon as she opened it, the aroma wafted into her nose. After tasting a mouthful of fish porridge, Ding Qiunan almost burst into tears: "Brother He, this porridge is so delicious! How do you make it? Could you teach me sometime?"

"Okay, I'll teach you when I have time," He Yudong said with a smile.

Before long, workers began to come to see He Yudong for treatment. Everyone knew that He Yudong was a highly skilled doctor, and the clinic also provided medical benefits at the factory. People would come to see him for any discomfort. He Yudong welcomed everyone, as these were all merit points. As long as the patient wasn't an utterly wicked person, curing them would earn him some merit.

Around 10 a.m., Old Li's family carried him over.

Old Li suffered a comminuted fracture of his leg three days ago. He Yudong corrected the fracture and used a splint to set it. He felt that he was recovering well these past few days and came for a follow-up examination today.

He Yudong removed the splint, scraped off the bandage, examined the wound, and nodded in satisfaction: "The recovery is good, faster than expected. The dressing won't need changing again today. Come back in seven days; you should be able to get out of bed by then."

"Really, Dr. He? So fast?" Old Li was both surprised and delighted.