Courtyard House: A Leisurely and Contented Life

Was he unwilling to express his opinion? He simply didn't have a chance; the lecture he received from Liu Haizhong forced him to swallow his words.

Look at Liu Haizhong right now, standing next to Director Wang, not standing or sitting properly, scratching his head like a bear. You could believe he was the one who got called out today! He's fallen so low, do you think your father won't learn his lesson? Does he have to go and invite trouble and get scolded before he feels better? Is he just being a jerk?

Yan Bugui knew perfectly well that Yang Jianye was the only one in the courtyard whose words carried weight; everyone trusted and respected him. This kind of prestige couldn't be faked; the genuine was immediately apparent. It seemed the position of the eldest son would most likely fall to him. Fortunately, his relationship with Yang Jianye was decent enough, so he would continue to cultivate a relationship with him and ask Jiefang to help him get closer to the family.

However, he needed to set some rules for that kid later. Remembering the last time he carried an iron stove for someone and got a handful of melon seeds, only to share three with himself at home, Yan Bugui was furious: "You little brat, trying to scheme against your father? I, Yan the Stingy, have been scheming my whole life; do you think you, a fledgling, can outsmart me? These rules have to be set, not just for him, but for the rest of the family too. They all rely on me to support them; do you think their food, clothing, and other necessities don't cost money? Trying to settle accounts with me? First, let's calculate how much money I've spent raising and sending you to school all these years!"

Old Man Yan was feeling quite pleased with himself when the vote in the courtyard came out: it passed unanimously. Yi Zhonghai was dismissed on the spot, and the old man's position naturally became vacant.

Liu Haizhong, who had been standing next to Director Wang for a long time, was now extremely anxious. He was both hoping for good news and afraid that Director Wang would have a problem with him. If Yan Laosan were to take the position of the senior official, where would he put his old face?

Director Wang had no time to deal with his little schemes. She looked at Yi Zhonghai and said indifferently, "Yi Zhonghai, you're not a big shot anymore. Find a place to sit down and participate in the vote."

What vote? Naturally, it was for the old man's choice. Having just been dismissed, he now had to vote for a new person; Yi Zhonghai was incredibly frustrated. He wanted to leave, but he had set the rules himself, and to walk away now would be like slapping himself in the face in public. Even though he was unwilling, Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to silently move to the steps in front of Shazhu's house and sit down.

"Alright, let's elect a new Grandpa." Director Wang took over, not giving anyone a chance to interfere. Did she not know Grandpa Er's incompetence and scheming? If she let him off the hook now, he could easily promote himself to Grandpa Er. With such a lowly ambition, he dared to dream of becoming an official or leader?

"I choose Jianye! I think Jianye would do a better job as the boss than anyone else!"

Aunt Liu was the first to raise her hand and speak again. This immediately offended several people. Uncle Er and Xu Damao stared at her with wide, unwavering eyes.

"I object!" Xu Damao was the first to jump out. What a joke! Let Yang Jianye act like a grandpa? Wouldn't he have to avoid him from now on? To actually go up to him and call him "Grandpa"? That would be beneath him!

"I object too!" Liu Haizhong echoed. He treated the position of the eldest son as his own private domain. If Yan Bugui stood up and Director Wang supported him, he would accept it. But Yang Jianye, a mere young upstart, had only been married a short time and didn't even have a child yet, and he wanted to be on equal footing with him? And even ride roughshod over him? No way!

Some people objected, but Director Wang wasn't surprised. Even ten fingers are different lengths; how can everyone like one?

"Liu Haizhong, you're the second uncle, so tell me your reasons for objecting first." Director Wang glanced at him.

Liu Haizhong was dumbfounded. Why do I need a reason? My reason is that I want to be a big shot and I can't stand some brat riding on my head. Can I even give that reason? Wouldn't giving it just invite a scolding? Liu Haizhong was now in a bind. He stammered for a long time, unable to utter a single word.

Seeing his timid and hesitant manner, Director Wang felt exhausted. Even if you don't like someone, you should at least come up with a legitimate reason for making it up, right? You can't even come up with a plausible excuse, yet you want to be an official?

Director Wang, too lazy to look at him anymore, turned his gaze to Xu Damao: "And you?"

Xu Damao pointed at Yang Jianye and said confidently, "He's too young. Can he handle the mess in this compound?"

Director Wang gave him a deep look, then glanced at Liu Haizhong, sighed inwardly, and then looked at the crowd: "Does anyone else object?"

"I object."

Yang Jianye raised his hand himself. When did he ever say he wanted to be this old man? So he has nothing better to do than deal with the gossip and petty squabbles in the courtyard? Forget it! He doesn't have the time or inclination for that. Let whoever wants to be this old man be it, just leave him alone.

"Jianye, you..." Director Wang was at a loss for words. The person involved wasn't interested, so there was no way she could offer support.

"Director Wang, I really don't have time." Yang Jianye spread his hands and smiled bitterly. "You have no idea how busy the factory is. When it gets busy, I can't even sit down at home. Let alone deal with these trivial matters in the compound. I can't expect everyone to wait for me every time, can I? Besides, I really lack life experience."

These words were reasonable and well-founded, neither exaggerated nor evasive, and there was not a single fault to be found. Director Wang could also see that the other person's mind was not on this matter in the courtyard at all, but on something much more important.

"In that case, let's choose someone else. Who else is there?" Director Wang didn't put anyone in a difficult position and let everyone nominate someone else.

The crowd looked at each other, completely at a loss. There were only a few families in charge in the courtyard; everyone else was acting alone. Ordinary people were simply thinking about having enough to eat and wear, and nobody wanted to offend anyone. Electing anyone could offend another group, and only Yang Jianye was truly respected by everyone. Perhaps we should wait a little longer?

This left Director Wang waiting. Xu Damao wanted to speak up, but having just opposed Yang Jianye, it wouldn't make sense for him to argue now. Recommend someone else? Forget it; his relationships with Liu Haizhong and Yan Laokou weren't great. He might as well wait and see.

Seeing that things had reached a stalemate, Yang Jianye had no choice but to speak up: "Director Wang, I recommend the Third Uncle, Yan Bugui."

Ok? !

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui stared at Yang Jianye at the same time—one's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and the other's mouth was stretched almost to his ears with a smile.

Liu Hai was seething with anger: Yang Jianye, that brat, actually bypassed me and chose Yan the stingy? That old bastard even schemed against his own son and daughter, and now he wants to be the boss? He's probably going to throw all the abacus beads in the face of everyone in the yard!

Yan Bugui was overjoyed and rubbed his hands together. He never expected that such a good thing would fall into his lap. At his age, this was the first time he felt that being "stingy" was a virtue.

Yang Jianye knew perfectly well: choosing Yan Bugui was a sure thing. Although the old man liked to calculate small things, they were all trivial matters like haggling at the market, not worth making a fuss about; he was as soft-hearted as overcooked noodles, only moving when there was profit, and would never call the whole hospital to complain every few days; recently, he had been keeping a low profile in front of him, clearly trying to curry favor. If something really happened in the future, he would at most offer a cigarette and say a few words in private, but would never bring trouble to the public eye.

Besides, if I'm not around and Yingzi runs into trouble, Yan Bugui can lend a hand. Plus Aunt Liu and Shazhu, the three of them together are better than Liu Haizhong—that guy acts like a big shot? He holds meetings for five days straight over trivial matters. The whole courtyard will be tired of hearing about it. Who can stand it?

Seeing that someone had responded, Director Wang closed the notebook that had been lying to the side: "I'm all for Teacher Yan as the head of the household! Anyone object?"

The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Yi Zhonghai hunched over, playing the victim—his "criminal" status wasn't completely cleared yet, and speaking now would only invite trouble, so he might as well keep quiet and listen; whatever he said would be wrong anyway. Earlier, when he heard Yang Jianye was going to take over, he swallowed the "inappropriate" thought that was on the tip of his tongue, cursing inwardly: "Yan Bugui got a bargain, but sooner or later he'll have to ask me to clean up his mess! Does this place even function without me?"

Liu Haizhong clutched the hem of his clothes, wanting to shout, but when he met Director Wang's piercing gaze, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue—good heavens, that look clearly said "try moving," which scared him so much that he quickly looked down at the tips of his shoes.

"Let's go with Teacher Yan!" someone shouted first.

"I think that's fine too... Third Master, if you become the eldest master, can you give us the Spring Festival couplets for free?" someone suggested.

Yan Bugui glared at him: "Dream on! You think your grandpa's gotta be free of charge?"

Everyone burst into laughter—they knew this old man's stingy nature better than they did their own kang (heated brick bed).

The first position was filled, but the third position remained vacant. Xu Damao jumped up, patting his chest and shouting, "Director Wang, I'm volunteering! Xu Damao, the projectionist at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, has seen countless films, biographies, and propaganda films. My ideological awareness is top-notch—I even have to do ideological work and explain things to everyone before each film screening. You can't do this without some skills! I dare not compete for the first position, but the third position should be mine!"

Director Wang nodded, then turned to Yang Jianye and asked, "Jianye, what do you think?"

Why ask him? Director Wang knew the answer—the whole compound now only respected Yang Jianye. If she chose someone who couldn't control the situation, and trouble ensued, the higher-ups would hold her in charge, and she, as the person in charge of the area, would be in deep trouble. Yi Zhonghai was able to hold his position back then precisely because everyone trusted him. —Your private mobile library, accessible anytime. Now that nobody trusts him anymore, his position is naturally in jeopardy.

Yang Jianye glanced at Xu Damao, whose heart was pounding: the two of them didn't get along, and Yang Jianye definitely wouldn't choose him... but besides himself, who else in the courtyard could keep things in check?

"I think Aunt Liu is more suitable than Xu Damao."

These words caused an uproar – letting a woman be the boss in the courtyard? Are you kidding me!

Yang Jianye said calmly, "Director Wang, women's work has been involved in all departments, so why is there no movement in the compound? Look at all the troubles in this compound, isn't it because it lacks women's participation? Women are meticulous and patient, and they can sort things out clearly, unlike now, where even the smallest things are brought to your attention."

He paused, then changed the subject: "If word gets out that this happened, people will think the street you're in charge of is a complete mess and lacks unity!"

If Director Wang takes the lead and carries out the work of the Women's Federation in a down-to-earth manner in every household—so that the women in the compound can stand tall and have a place to stand, and then take a few to lead a large group, raising the weight of the sisters' daily lives and the volume of their voices—then she will have made a great contribution and will definitely be praised!

Director Wang's heart immediately burned with anger: If this matter were accomplished, it would be an immense honor! He might even be able to get into the Construction Industry Union and sit down for a chat and shake hands with the vice president!

"I'm rooting for it!" Director Wang slapped his thigh. "Jianye's idea is absolutely brilliant! He's thought it through thoroughly and dares to take the plunge—that's impressive!" He added at the end, "Who says women can't be in charge of things in the compound? Absolutely not!"

He stared wide-eyed at everyone, scanning their faces one by one, but no one spoke for a long time. Those who had grievances could only grit their teeth and swallow them down—did they want to be accused of discriminating against women?

Director Wang nodded in satisfaction: "Then let's vote by raising hands!" He then turned around and cleverly said: "Those who disagree, raise your hands." — If he said "agree," what if no one responded? He couldn't just force people to raise their hands, could he? But if he said "disagree," he was sure no one would be willing to be the first to speak up.

Sure enough, not a single person raised their hand. No matter what you were thinking inside, you had to stick to the principle of "not contradicting others" on the surface.

And so it was settled: Yan Bugui remained the first "Grandpa," Liu Haizhong was still the second "Grandpa," and Aunt Liu became the new third "Grandpa"—what's so special about a woman being a "Grandpa"? The waiters in restaurants, regardless of gender, all had to call him "Grandpa," what's the big deal? Director Wang felt that a "female Grandpa" had appeared on his turf, and his mouth was practically stretched to his ears with delight. Just as he was about to leave, Aunt Liu nudged his arm: "Director Wang, you haven't said how to deal with Yi Zhonghai yet!"

One sentence dampened Director Wang's enthusiasm. He frowned and glared at Yi Zhonghai, his eyes blazing with anger: "Yi Zhonghai, starting tomorrow, you'll be sweeping the streets with Aunt Zhang, and you'll also have to go to the neighborhood office for training!" With that, he flicked his sleeves and left.

Yi Zhonghai was stunned on the spot—he was an eighth-level fitter at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and just a few days ago he was the eldest grandpa in the compound, and now he had to sweep the streets with Granny Jia? What kind of situation was this!

Hiding in the house, Granny Jia was secretly pleased: Finally, someone to keep me company! Emptying the chamber pot tomorrow will be a lot of work—but the thought of the sticky stuff in the toilet made her nauseous: "That despicable Xu Damao, he poops that stinky, sticky stuff in the toilet every day, I don't know what he eats all day, that heartless dog!" After cleaning the toilet for so many days, she was used to the smell, but she couldn't vomit and felt disgusted, so her face darkened instantly.

Banggeng, who was doing his homework at the round table, noticed that his grandmother's face was not right. He lifted the curtain and ran into the yard, shouting, "Mom! Mom! Grandma is having an attack!" Qin Huairu rushed into the house—Xiao Huaihua was still lying on the kang (a heated brick bed)!

A neighbor standing nearby chimed in, "What's gotten into Granny Jia this time?" "She's been much quieter lately, the yard's much calmer." "Seriously, I haven't heard her swearing for days, my ears are itching!" "Want me to imitate a couple of lines?" "Get lost!"

The two-hour meeting finally ended, and people were moving back inside when a commotion came from the outer courtyard: "Hey, Yushui's back?" "Hey, Jiefang, is my brother home?" "Yes, he's inside!" Yan Jiefang's expression was a little strange, but He Yushui didn't think much of it and happily ran towards the doorway.

Sha Zhu, who was squatting by the door peeking into his own house, heard it too. When he saw Yu Shui enter the yard, he immediately put on a smile and said, "Yu Shui, why are you back today?" Yu Shui rolled her eyes and said, "Brother, look at what day it is today! I'm on holiday!" Sha Zhu slapped his forehead and realized that it was almost Chinese New Year.

Yu Shui walked forward, caught sight of Yang Jianye at the door, and waved with a smile, "Brother Jianye!" Yang Jianye nodded—good, everyone's here. Sha Zhu also stood up: "Jianye, don't cook later, come to my room for a couple of drinks!" He felt a lump in his throat and needed to talk to someone. Although Yu Shui was back, what could he talk about with a child? "Okay, I'll bring some wine," Yang Jianye agreed—Yingzi must be tired after taking a bath, a free meal would give her a chance to rest.

Yu Shui watched Yang Jianye enter the house, then sidled up to Sha Zhu and asked, "Brother, when did you and Jianye become so close?" Sha Zhu retorted, "When haven't we been close?" He patted her on the shoulder and said, "Go wash up quickly, I'll make you something delicious!" Yu Shui's eyes lit up: "What delicious food?" Could it be that she was in for a treat today? Had her brother bought some meat?

"Chicken, fish, and I'll also make you a bowl of braised noodles with minced meat sauce, is that alright?" These were originally meant for Aunt Liu, but she declined, saying that once the two of them got married, she would invite her to her wedding banquet—the thought was enough, and the gifts could wait. Sha Zhu understood that she was afraid of giving people something to gossip about, since she had brought quite a few gifts when she visited before to ask for favors.

Upon hearing there was chicken, fish, and white noodle soup, Yushui jumped up excitedly, took off her schoolbag, and hugged Shazhu: "Brother, you're so good to me! Thank you, brother!" Shazhu laughed and scolded, "Go away, was your brother not good to you before?" He urged her, "Hurry up and wash up, I'll make the fire bigger!"

Yu Shui ran to the neighboring room to put down his schoolbag, picked up his washbasin, and headed towards the sink. Just then, he bumped into Yang Jianye's neighboring room door, which opened—a puff of hot air rushed out. Li Ying's face was rosy, her head wrapped in a towel; she looked very well-maintained. Yu Shui wondered: How come her skin is so good? And why is the room like a bathhouse?

Upon hearing there was chicken, fish, and white noodle soup, Yushui jumped up excitedly, took off her schoolbag, and hugged Shazhu: "Brother, you're so good to me! Thank you, brother!" Shazhu laughed and scolded, "Go away, was your brother not good to you before?" He urged her, "Hurry up and wash up, I'll make the fire bigger!"

Yu Shui ran to the neighboring room to put down his schoolbag, picked up his washbasin, and headed towards the sink. Just then, he bumped into Yang Jianye's neighboring room door, which opened—a puff of hot air rushed out. Li Ying's face was rosy, her head wrapped in a towel; she looked very well-maintained. Yu Shui wondered: How come her skin is so good? And why is the room like a bathhouse?

She smiled and struck up a conversation, "Sister, are you related to Jianye?" Yang Jianye had already gotten married when Yushui was in school, and she didn't even know who his wife was. Li Ying looked at her and suddenly realized, "Oh, you're Master He's sister, Yushui, right?" "Yes!" Yushui nodded. Li Ying tightened her towel and stepped forward, smiling, "I'm Jianye's wife, just call me Sister Yingzi. I've heard Yushui is pretty, but seeing her today, I don't know at all—she's truly like a flower made of water, so beautiful!"

Li Ying spoke in a loud, cheerful voice, while He Yushui, though still smiling, gradually lost focus.

What is that?

Brother Jianye—got married?!

She answered Li Ying absentmindedly for a few moments, and as soon as Li Ying left, she tucked the washbasin under her arm and headed straight for room 910.

As soon as the door was pushed open, a clear and bright shout of "Brother!" rang out, forgetting to put down the washbasin.

Beside the stove, Sha Zhu was picking up a chicken when he heard the noise and glanced at her.

He Yushui strode over, her eyes wide with surprise: "Silly brother, Yang Jianye really got married?"

"That's right, it's settled." Sha Zhu's hands didn't stop, deftly plucking the chicken's feathers. "My wife's name is Li Ying, she's a few years older than you, call her Sister Yingzi, understand?"

"Jianye will bring her over later, and you'll be able to see his wife..."

Before he could finish speaking, the door slammed shut behind him with a loud bang.

Sha Zhu looked back and saw that the door, which Yi Zhonghai had kicked before but failed to break, was now leaning outwards, looking like someone who had drunk too much and was shaking their head, creaking and trembling.

"Hey, this spendthrift." Sha Zhu laughed and cursed, put down the kitchen knife, walked over, grabbed a rope and haphazardly hooked it around the door frame, muttering, "That old bastard Yi Zhonghai is no pushover."

After securing the door, he went back to preparing dinner.

A moment later, footsteps were heard in the courtyard. Yang Jianye led Li Ying into the house, carrying a jar of wine—the same grain wine as last time. It looked unremarkable, but everyone who had tasted it said it was delicious.

"Zhu Zi, shall I lend a hand?" Li Ying, who was shy, refused to sit idly by and rolled up her sleeves to help.

Sha Zhu grinned: "No need, just wait and you'll be all set, haha..."

One sentence amused her, and without arguing, she sat down at the table with Jianye, looking around: "I just saw your sister Yushui come back, where is she?"

"She's hiding in her room, that girl, I'll call her." Sha Zhu shouted inside, "Yu Shui, Jianye and his wife are here, hurry up and come out!"

A slow, deliberate "...Oh" drifted out from inside the room.

He Yushui was lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), tearing the paper into strips, muttering repeatedly, "Ugh, ugh, ugh... why did it have to end like this?"