Courtyard House: A Leisurely and Contented Life

This isn't a joke, it's a recommendation for the treasure book "Siheyuan: A Leisurely and Contented Life":

No sooner had Director Wang left than an old man stared at Xu Damao with a sullen face, not uttering a word. In his mind, Xu Damao must have been the one who had badmouthed Xu to Director Wang.

Xu Damao wasn't intimidated and retorted, "Why are you looking at me? It wasn't me who said it."

"If it wasn't you, who else could it be?" the old man said in a low voice, barely able to breathe.

"How would I know who it is?" Xu Damao retorted. "You're always making things difficult for me, it was only a matter of time before something bad happened to you!" After saying that, he turned and left. He was furious today, and he didn't care who his uncle was or how many uncles he knew, or no one would get away with it!

He went back inside and looked in the mirror. His face was wrapped tightly in gauze. He touched it and felt that it wasn't serious. Only then did Xu Damao go to work at the steel mill with an umbrella. As for the injury, that would be a topic of discussion that night.

Upon arriving at the factory, Yang Jianye parked his car, but a question lingered in his mind: "[Signing in for three consecutive days this week, I'll receive a phonograph, two hams and chickens, and 20 jin of refined wheat flour]." Was this a factory reward, or something else entirely? He wasn't sure. If it was a reward, this amount paled in comparison to his achievements; he had taken the platform to new heights this time, and this was hardly significant. If it came from somewhere else… who would be so generous?

He was walking towards the workshop wearing a raincoat when he ran into Yu Haitang.

"Master Yang, why are you still wearing a raincoat? Didn't you buy a black raincoat?"

"I bought it, but I haven't worn it."

"Since you bought it, why don't you wear it?" Yu Haitang felt that he was showing off and thought to herself, "Men are all the same, they're too proud to admit it."

Yang Jianye stopped and said earnestly, "Comrade Yu Haitang, most of the people in our factory are still struggling to make ends meet. Instead of asking me what I'm wearing, you should do what you can for the people and the factory."

Yu Haitang opened her mouth, speechless for a long time, her face flushed with excitement. Yang Jianye strode into the workshop.

There were no special tasks in the workshop these past two days, and not much work to do. Yang Jianye was basically idle except for occasionally lifting a finger. Around noon, he went directly to the factory manager's office.

"Factory Manager." He knocked on the door, went in, and closed it behind him.

Factory Director Yang glanced up at him, then continued scribbling away, saying, "You really aren't being polite!"

"Why are you being so polite?" Yang Jianye sat down in the chair and reached for the cigarettes on the table.

Factory Director Yang raised his hand and slapped back: "Slap yourself."

"Factory manager, isn't your spirit of thrift a little too profound?"

Factory Director Yang put down his pen, picked up a cigarette, and laughed, "This is my only pack a week!"

"Really?" Yang Jianye took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to him. "Here, have mine."

Factory Director Yang tossed a cigarette in front of him: "Don't pretend, have a smoke!"

Yang Jianye touched it, then handed one to the factory manager: "I'm quitting, I've given it up."

Yang Jianye was stunned, and shoved the cigarette back into his hand: "Why did you quit?"

Director Yang knew that he wasn't a heavy smoker and usually just smoked to get by, pretending to smoke. After all, what smoker doesn't have yellow marks on their fingers?

"The big boss said that every time I went to his house, it was filled with smoke, and it was difficult to talk to him," Factory Director Yang sighed. "So I gritted my teeth and quit."

"Really?" Yang Jianye smiled, but he already knew what was going on. The big boss really didn't smoke. And thinking about today's sign-in reward, he realized that he would have to put his homemade water heater business on hold for now.

"Tonight, you're coming with me to meet the big boss at his house." Factory Director Yang finally got down to business. Actually, he had wanted to take him for a while, but the big boss wasn't there before, and then another task came up. He finally had some free time, so he had to squeeze in the time. The big boss wouldn't wait for anyone, and with both of them being so busy on the weekend, it was hard to say which one of them would be available.

Factory Director Yang was eager to take him along because his own connection to the high-ranking leader was largely thanks to Yang Jianye. His own connections were distant; to get close, one needed to perform well—who would bother with a mediocre person? Yang Jianye was that "performance," immediately drawing the high-ranking leader's attention to the steel rolling mill. Now, the high-ranking leader had just been transferred to a key position in the Ministry of Metallurgy and urgently needed to establish a foothold, so he was short-handed. Yang Jianye caught his eye at this time, and was destined for important responsibilities. Whether this was immediately apparent or not, they would see in the future.

Ah, opportunity knocks but once. Since getting rid of Deputy Factory Director Li, the chain of events has been unleashed, and the top leader's position is now firmly secured. How could the top leader not want to meet this "lucky charm"?

"By the way, do you live in the same courtyard as Chef He from the canteen?" Factory Director Yang suddenly asked Sha Zhu, seemingly considering introducing him to a higher-up. His years of work experience had instilled in him a fondness for Sichuan cuisine, and since some of his former subordinates were visiting from out of town, he needed to find a good chef to show off his skills.

"Yes, we'll stay in the same courtyard." Yang Jianye nodded.

Factory Director Yang pondered for a moment: "What do you think of this person?" This was to assess the relationship between Yang Jianye and He Yuzhu. If it was just average, he would have to find another cook.

"Straightforward, no bad intentions, not bad," Yang Jianye answered honestly, without a trace of bias. He was a good comrade who sought truth from facts.

Sure enough, Director Yang smiled with satisfaction: "Alright, don't leave after work, come with me." He didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was clear: he wanted to see Yang Jianye's attitude, fearing a conflict between the two. Now it seemed he had worried unnecessarily; with Jianye's level of understanding, even if he had a problem, he wouldn't stab him in the back. The big boss hadn't misjudged him.

In the afternoon, Sha Zhu informed the old man in advance that the blind date would be postponed because he had to meet a high-ranking leader, Director Yang, and would definitely be late coming back from cooking. Yi Zhonghai didn't waste any words and readily agreed, thinking to himself: Perfect, I haven't figured out how to comfort this Sha Zhu yet.

To say that the old man had ulterior motives is true, but the girl he introduced wasn't bad herself. Except for looks, which was what Sha Zhu valued most... she wasn't ugly, just an ordinary girl, the kind you see everywhere on the street, a far cry from Sha Zhu's standards. But she was honest, down-to-earth, unpretentious, efficient at work, and outspoken—a typical northern girl, straightforward and generous, a good wife and mother.

But some things can't be calculated that way. If someone wants a pear, and you force-feed them two apples while simultaneously preaching that "apples are better than pears," that's not fair, right? Yi Zhonghai was pondering this, and so was Sha Zhu. The old man seemed relieved after hearing he had something to do. Sha Zhu scratched his head, unable to understand. Surely they can't be lying to me about this? All that talk about "good looks, a generous and dignified appearance, and good fertility," three generations of farmers or employees—it's all quite good, isn't it?

Just then, Yang Jianye came into view at the workshop entrance. He was checking the delivered materials with the workshop foreman.

"Jianye!" Shazhu ran over. "Busy?"

"It's not busy, just going through the formalities," Yang Jianye said with a smile.

"Can I ask you something?" Sha Zhu pulled him aside and explained the matter. "What do you think meant by his relieved expression?"

Yang Jianye immediately understood; Yi Zhonghai's intentions couldn't be hidden. Then look at Sha Zhu. Saying something like, "You're quite upright," felt like an insult, yet he was afraid Sha Zhu wouldn't understand. If he took it as a compliment, he'd have to explain later. Sha Zhu, being so stubborn, always interpreted things positively. Even sarcastic remarks were happily accepted as compliments!

Yang Jianye's expression was a little strange. He pointed outside and said, "Master He, look at that woman."

"I told you her name is Zhu Zi." Sha Zhu shouted first, then turned to look at her. "What do you think of her? Give me your opinion."

This stumped Sha Zhu. To be honest, she was ugly, but they were all factory workers, and Sha Zhu, having finally figured things out, felt he couldn't be too blunt. Then, a thought struck him: "This girl is quite nice, with regular features, and look at her smile, so generous... generous!"

Sha Zhu jumped up and said "Hey!" as he walked out: "Jianye, I'm leaving now. I'll treat you to drinks tonight! But it'll be a little late. I'll come back to the courtyard to find you."

Yang Jianye didn't say a word, just nodded and watched him run towards the fitter's workshop. Sha Zhu's brain gets sharper the more he uses it; he figured it out on the way: "well-proportioned features, generous and dignified" was a trap, and the last part, "good for childbearing," probably meant "quite robust," right? Yi Zhonghai, oh Yi Zhonghai, I'm being completely honest with you, and you're playing tricks on me again?

When they arrived at the workshop, Sha Zhu's anger subsided by half.

He knew perfectly well that the old man's mental illness had flared up again, and his old ailment had resurfaced.

Even though he made a promise, he couldn't hide his true intentions if his actions changed.

He didn't argue, but pulled the old man aside and laid his cards on the table: "I won't see the young lady, sir. I'm being frank with you! My blind date, while not quite like Widow Qin or Jianye's wife, should at least be decent. Stop with your 'proper' and 'generous' talk..."

Sha Zhu grinned and waved his hand, saying, "Just pretend I didn't say anything about what we talked about before. I won't trouble you with blind dates; we can live our own lives."

Before he could finish speaking, he turned and scurried away, not even waiting for Yi Zhonghai to open his mouth. His mind was already racing: he needed to find someone to help him find a wife. Or perhaps a matchmaker? Wasn't Jianye's wife arranged by a matchmaker? The more he thought about it, the more sense it made; he would have to trouble Jianye with this matter.

When I get back tonight, if I have the chance, I'll bring the leftovers home. The big boss's family will definitely have a lavish meal. I'll bring out the wine and have a couple of drinks with Jianye. I need him to introduce me to Aunt Liu. Why not go myself? Shazhu wanted to go, but ever since he introduced Yang Jianye to Yingzi, Aunt Liu's schedule has skyrocketed. Now there's probably a hundred or so people on the waiting list; it'll be ages before it's his turn. But if Jianye introduces her, there's an extra layer of connection, and Aunt Liu will definitely take it seriously. Shazhu knows perfectly well that he can't compare to Jianye. He won't ask for a wife like Jianye's; finding someone decent will do. The more he thinks about it, the more plausible it seems, and Shazhu starts grinning like an idiot again.

In the afternoon, Sha Zhu carried an empty lunchbox toward the factory gate, where he had arranged to meet Director Yang after work.

"Beep beep," the car arrived, and Zhu Zi happily moved aside. As soon as the car stopped, his smile froze, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Jianye, what are you doing in the car?!"

Yang Jianye joked, "If you're going to cook, someone has to eat, right?"

Sha Zhu got into the car, greeted Director Yang first, and then laughed, "Oh, so I'm cooking for you? You should have said so earlier. If you wanted to eat, I would have made it for you in the yard."

"Then I'm afraid you can't bring out your full potential," Director Yang interjected. "I'll try it today first, and then we'll follow this standard from now on."

Sha Zhu chuckled: "You've got to be watching! But you'll have to provide the materials; I can't afford to host a banquet for such a high-ranking official."

Yang Jianye laughed loudly: "Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't suffer any losses."

Upon arriving at the villa, the secretary was already waiting at the door. After exchanging greetings, Director Yang led the two inside, adding before leaving, "The big boss likes genuine personalities, so don't try to show off in front of him." The two nodded in agreement.

Walking down the hallway to the living room, halfway there, Sha Zhu asked someone to take him to the kitchen. Watching the two of them continue walking away, Sha Zhu felt a surge of envy: When will I be a guest of honor for a high-ranking official? Hey!

Passing through the small screen door, Yang Jianye finally met the big boss in person. He was gentle and refined, with a kind face and a gentle demeanor. His speech varied in pace, but always carried an air of approachable calm. This was a charismatic and approachable leader; being with him made one feel secure and at ease, and one unconsciously wanted to be close to him and believe every word he said. Indeed, those who hold this position are no ordinary people!

"Jianye, I hope it's not abrupt of me to call you that?" The senior leader offered tea, and the pleasantries were over.

Yang Jianye smiled modestly: "How could that be? I felt close to you the moment I saw you."

"Haha, that's great! It means we're destined to meet." The big boss laughed. "Yes, I think so too."

The senior leader nodded and looked at Factory Director Yang: "I remember you mentioned last time that Jianye smokes. You two don't need to be so polite." He then turned to his secretary and instructed, "Bring an ashtray."

Factory Director Yang laughed and said, "Sir, I've given it all up."

Yang Jianye then said, "No need to trouble yourself, I'm not addicted to smoking, it doesn't matter to me whether I smoke or not."

"Oh?" The senior leader looked at him curiously. "If it's optional, why bother smoking?"

Yang Jianye straightened his back: "It's necessary for the occasion. If everyone smokes and I don't, it will make the other comrades uncomfortable, and they won't be able to talk in the most comfortable state, which will make it difficult to work efficiently and unitedly. Besides, I'd rather inhale firsthand smoke than secondhand smoke."

The top leader seemed to understand, then nodded and said, "That's true."

After the small talk, it was time to get down to business: "Jianye, what are your thoughts on the future of the steel rolling mill?"

When the senior leader asked, Factory Director Yang's heart pounded. Could it be that the senior leader had taken a liking to Jianye and wanted him to replace him? The senior leader sensed his unease but said nothing, waiting for Jianye to speak. If Factory Director Yang lacked even this much patience and shrewdness, giving him a higher position would only harm him; he should just stick to being a factory director!

"I have some personal opinions..." Yang Jianye began, his brows furrowed with passion and determination. "The impact of the three-year 'Great Leap Forward' is enormous, and the steel industry, as one of the main players, has been significantly affected. Don't be fooled by the current prosperity of steel rolling mills; too many people are limited by immediate gains, have lost their enterprising spirit, and only want to rest on their laurels. The previous enthusiasm has been shattered by a misinterpretation, which is a blow to the steel industry and even the entire metallurgical industry. If mistakes are made and people become timid and hesitant, afraid to think or act, how can there be progress?"

"We've always been feeling our way across the river, so how can we expect to be right every step of the way? We can't let a few mistakes dampen our enthusiasm. Also, shouldn't we accelerate the development of continuous rolling mills and automated control systems? With these, industrial progress will be revolutionary..."

As the senior leader listened to his boastful speech, he seemed to see his younger self reflected in him. He suddenly stood up, his face flushed, and clapped his hands: "Excellent! Well said! 'Crossing the river by feeling the stones,' Jianye, that's a very apt summary!"

Factory Director Yang, recovering from his shock, clapped along with a complex expression. He hadn't underestimated Jianye; the man's abilities were truly remarkable… He poured out his thoughts in one breath, and seeing the appreciation in the leader's eyes, Yang Jianye felt embarrassed. These weren't things he'd thought of in a day or two; they were the culmination of his past life's advanced vision and experience, combined with the realities of the past few months, repeatedly deliberated and refined! If he were to give a report on the spot, his level would drop by at least a tenth.

"You flatter me, sir. These are just some small experiences and insights I've gained from my work."

"Your experience and insights are quite impressive!" The senior leader waved his hand. "Humility is good, but excessive humility is not. If you have the ability, don't be afraid to stand in the spotlight! You should have the courage to take responsibility and boldly showcase your abilities!"

After a few words of instruction, Yang Jianye nodded repeatedly, swallowing his words.

The senior leader was both pleased and amused by his completely accepting attitude. It was rare to see a young man of his age with such a calm and unassuming nature!

"Jianye, I knew before I even met you that someone who could write a technical improvement summary was definitely not just an ordinary worker who only knew how to work silently." The senior leader gestured vaguely at him, then turned to Factory Director Yang with a smile, "See? I wasn't wrong about you, was I?"

Factory Director Yang quickly agreed, "Yes, leader, you have a discerning eye; your judgment is truly exceptional."

"You," the senior leader nudged him again, "focus more on your work. Once your abilities improve, the rewards will naturally follow."

After giving Director Yang his advice, the senior leader sat down again and discussed with Yang Jianye the challenges and direction of the industrial process. Director Yang, enlightened, put aside his other thoughts and sat down to listen attentively. The more he listened, the more he felt he had benefited greatly. The signals conveyed in the senior leader's words surprised and delighted him, like a guiding light.

The top leader was actually discussing these things with Yang Jianye right in front of him, and seeing Yang Jianye's occasional enlightened expressions... Was he having Yang Jianye lecture him? Factory Director Yang was filled with doubt: Just what kind of prodigy is this Yang Jianye? He only dared to think this to himself, not daring to say it aloud. This rising star, Jianye, couldn't be allowed to "become a spirit." If he knew that Yang Jianye possessed a visionary perspective spanning more than half a century, had caught the wave of the information explosion of the internet age, and had worked in this field in his previous life, Factory Director Yang's astonishment might lessen.

Just as they were having a pleasant conversation, someone knocked on the door: "Sir, the guest has arrived."

Although the senior leader was still eager to continue, he knew the timing was not right: "Please invite them in and have the kitchen prepare the dishes."

Meanwhile, Sha Zhu went into the kitchen. Having nothing to do by himself, he took out a cigarette to kill time. Just as he lit it, a woman came in and yelled, "Don't smoke! We don't allow smoking in our house!"

Sha Zhu, clutching his cigarette, reluctantly stuffed it back into his pocket. In the past, with his fiery temper, he would have broken the cigarette and thrown it into the stove, adding insult to injury with a few sarcastic remarks like, "You don't know what you're talking about, you're just meddling in other people's business." But now, though he was unhappy, he remained silent, sitting there quietly waiting for the stove to be turned on.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, the high-ranking leader's wife asked curiously, "Don't you need to prepare anything?"

"We need to get started." Sha Zhu clapped his hands and stood up. "You're short on sesame paste, aren't you? Do you have any?"

The older woman was taken aback: "I asked you to cook Sichuan cuisine, why do you need sesame paste?"

Sha Zhu almost blurted out, "What do you know?", but he held back and chuckled, "You take care of eating, I'll take care of cooking. I get to decide what you want, okay?"

Seeing his cheerful, simple-minded appearance, the older sister felt embarrassed. She wasn't unreasonable; it was just that having been in a position of power for so long, used to having the cook at home ordered around, she carried a sense of entitlement and thought Sha Zhu was clueless: he didn't bother with the dishes, just sat there with his legs crossed, even lighting a cigarette while brewing tea, acting like he owned the place—in short, too pretentious, more affected than the higher-ups! But as soon as Sha Zhu softened his attitude, she immediately realized he was an honest man, and wondered if she had misunderstood him.

"Yes, I'll get it for you." The older sister turned around to get the sesame paste.

When he returned to the kitchen, his older sister, having changed her previous impression, stopped nagging him about sitting and drinking tea. Instead, she curiously asked, "Young chef, tell me, why do Sichuan dishes use sesame paste?"

Sha Zhu, seeing her friendly face and having nothing better to do, went along with the conversation. The two chatted more and more warmly, and even when the secretary came in to tell them to prepare the dishes, the older woman didn't leave: "Little chef, I'd like to lend a hand and learn some cooking techniques, you don't mind, do you?"

Sha Zhu chuckled: "How could I possibly mind? Just keep watching, and feel free to ask if you don't understand anything." He paused, then added, "But cooking is exhausting! Don't be fooled by how few skills you have; many people study their whole lives and still don't get the hang of it."

"Really?" The older sister's eyes lit up.