Courtyard House: A Leisurely and Contented Life

Alright, wife!

I give up, I surrender, we'll do as you say.

The food was served, and I saw bowls of pure white porridge, steamed buns, shredded potatoes, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, and a small dish of pickled vegetables. Good things come in pairs, and the food was served in pairs; the table was neatly set out.

"Don't you care about these things?" Yingzi asked, biting into her steamed bun, feeling both proud and distressed.

She was pleased that he hadn't been able to compete with her and hadn't treated her like a child; she felt sorry for the white flour paste and plain white steamed buns in front of her. If she had made them, she could have eaten them several more times!

But as soon as that feeling subsided, it was as if a sugar jar had been opened in my heart, with sweetness constantly gushing out.

"Hehe~" Yang Jianye scratched his head, chuckled twice, and didn't reply.

We're not the kind of people who like to argue. It didn't matter before, but now... can it be the same?

He used to be unenthusiastic about everything, and his gaze towards the world was indifferent. It wasn't until he went on a blind date with Yingzi and got married that he slowly started to come back to life.

From that time on, he began to change. He returned the favor to Sha Zhu with the table, allowing Yan Bugui's family to gain a small advantage, and gradually integrated into the courtyard.

Especially when he thought about the moment when she was pregnant and he was going to be a father, that cold, black-and-white world suddenly became vivid and bright, and even the air seemed to be filled with colorful, dreamlike light.

I, Yang Jianye, am going to have a baby...

Riding his bike behind Yingzi, watching her back, Yang Jianye's smile never stopped.

After dropping her off at the factory gate, Yang Jianye didn't get out of the car. He just circled around the gate until Yingzi angrily stomped her foot and said, "Why are you like this?"

Yang Jianye smiled smugly and rang the bicycle bell: "Let's go."

His legs, like pistons, pedaled the bike into the factory.

As soon as I parked my car in the shed, I ran into Li Yaoye, who was riding in on his bicycle.

"Hey~ It's so late tonight, isn't that rare?" Li Yaoye propped up the car and looked at him with amusement.

"I'll be working this late every day from now on. I need to get some rest. I'm too tired," Yang Jianye replied with a smile.

Li Yaoye's expression changed, and he nodded strangely: "Hmm~ that's right, that's right. After all, it's normal to be tired after just getting married. But Jianye, you should be more restrained when you're young, you can't..."

"roll!"

Yang Jianye laughed and scolded in an annoyed tone, "Fine, you said you were an honest man, and you're doing this to me? Next time there's work, you'll see how I deal with you."

Li Yaoye grinned and ran outside, smugly saying, "You think that kind of work happens every day? We'll talk about it when the time comes!"

"Buzz~ Hello everyone, this is announcer Yu Haitang. It's 7:51 AM Beijing time..."

"The following is an announcement: All personnel in the Special Workshop, please assemble at the Special Workshop before 7:55 AM for a meeting."

"I'm notifying everyone in the special operations workshop again..."

Li Yaoye, who was running out, suddenly looked dejected.

Holy crap, does this guy have to be this unlucky?

Looking back at Yang Jianye, he was walking forward with his hands behind his back and a mocking expression on his face.

"Hehe, Jianye..."

"Too late, you're not getting away this time."

Following behind him dejectedly, Li Yaoye secretly lamented: This trip is going to be exhausting for him.

"A mission has arrived!"

Yang Jianye looked at the notice in his hand and raised an eyebrow slightly.

And this time, it was even related to a "boiler." He was puzzled; was he somehow destined to get hung up on boilers?

"As you may have heard, this mission is essentially a follow-up to the last one."

Facing his fellow workers, Yang Jianye gave a wry smile and shrugged. Actually, if you think about it carefully, he was to blame.

When I was reporting to the senior leader earlier, he casually mentioned it, revealing all the key technical points and improvement ideas. My plan was to prepare a report first, and only after the report was submitted and approved would I receive any further tasks, and even then, it was only a possibility…

Unexpectedly, the top leader couldn't even wait that long and immediately submitted the report, even personally taking charge of the explanation.

They're all tech people. Even though they're not on-site, as long as the data is detailed, they can still explain things clearly, even if they're just things on paper.

Just then, the "Peony" tram system was having a major headache due to stability issues. Upon hearing that the technician who had helped them debug the boiler last time had a plan for further stability improvements, how could they possibly sit still?

They immediately had someone send the machine over.

Adjust it now!

They even suggested, "Why don't you just send him over to us? I think he's a real talent in the motorcycle industry. This is a top-tier project; getting involved would benefit him personally!"

But the top leader immediately rejected his offer.

Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill is entirely dependent on Yang Jianye! Whether it will remain solely focused on steel rolling or expand and grow more comprehensively depends on the performance of the "Special Workshop." And who is the key? Yang Jianye!

Send him over there, or my steel mill will starve.

Despite the fact that the top leaders oversee the entire system, the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, rooted right in the heart of the city, remains the "prince" of the entire production line, holding a position of equal importance. Being right under the noses of the top leaders, any changes it undergoes are immediately apparent. Isn't this a clear demonstration of its actual "work capacity"?

Whether it's feasible or not, just look at the situation at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and you'll have a clear idea. For the top leader, this is a real endorsement, backed by facts. This will be very helpful for his future work and promotion.

The reasons why Yang Jianye is valued are all here!

It's understandable that they can't wait.

Now, the winds of the atmosphere are blowing, and the most uncomfortable ones are the high-ranking leaders who are close to the troposphere. They're not exactly out of reach, but they're not quite there either. They know the winds are blowing right above them, visible and tangible, yet they simply can't speak out.

Tell me, isn't it painful?

Therefore, the top leader wants to promote him as soon as possible. Even if he enters the stratospheric layer and gets blown around by the wind, at least he'll have a say in the choices, instead of just passively watching and waiting like he does now!

Yang Jianye didn't think that far ahead, nor did he need to. He just needed to do his job well. This steel rolling mill was his foundation. The more the higher-ups valued the mill, the better it would develop, which was good for him.

Today, his standing among the workers, while not unshakeable, is at least one that everyone respects as a "capable person." As for the union, Sister Fu has had a great start; with this connection, there will be plenty of opportunities to develop further.

As for the propaganda and security departments, Yang Jianye was also figuring out where to start. With his current prestige in the factory, if he took the initiative to contact them, they would definitely give him face.

But there has to be a reason, someone suddenly showing up out of nowhere. Publicity is fine, but the security department will definitely be suspicious: Why would anyone go to the security department for no reason? Unsolicited favors are either for ulterior motives or thieves.

As the old saying goes, apart from parents, no one in this world will be kind to someone for no reason.

"Jianye, the car is here," Li Yaoye called out, and then walked towards the gate.

The workers followed along, eager to see what kind of behemoth had been brought in. They also wanted to see the caravan. In those days when bicycles were a rarity, who wouldn't want to take a closer look at a car, whether it was a small car or a caravan?

"Slow down, slow down, be careful..."

"When you bring the tools over, you have to be careful not to bump or knock the machines, and the same goes for people; everyone needs to be safe!"

Yang Jianye was giving instructions when his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Standing at the back of the caravan, a middle-aged man with a square face, a crew cut, and a stern expression was directing the unloading.

Yang Jianye's eyes lit up, then returned to normal.

Why did He Shun, the head of the security department, come in person?

Yang Jianye reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and headed upstairs. The pillow was right in front of him; how could he let it slip by?

"Section Chief He, have a cigarette."

Yang Jianye stood next to him, flicked his finger, and handed him the freshly opened cigarette box, but his eyes were glancing into the truck bed.

"What kind of huge vehicle requires Section Chief He to personally escort it?"

He Shun glanced at him and saw that Yang Jianye's attention was entirely on the machine covered by the canvas. His professional instincts kicked in, and he instinctively shrank back. He casually pulled out a cigarette, lit it, took a big drag, and then laughed, "Wasn't that what the factory manager personally ordered? He said it's the latest model, and everything has to be kept secret."

After saying that, he leaned close to Yang Jianye's ear and whispered, "I heard it's a special supply for the top leaders. We're only responsible for this part. There will be someone to take over when we get to the train station."

Hearing this, He Shuncai smacked his cigarette and asked with a sigh, "Master Yang, your special workshop really made our factory manager proud this time."

Yang Jianye turned to look at him and smiled modestly: "Oh, you're joking. This isn't my achievement at all; it's all thanks to everyone working day and night. Besides, when it comes to escorting and transporting goods, safety comes first. Wasn't this all done by the security team? If it weren't for your protection, I wouldn't be able to deliver on my promise."

He Shun felt incredibly pleased with Yang Jianye's compliment, and his impression of him improved considerably. No one in this world dislikes hearing kind words. It all depends on how you speak, and how you say it to touch people's hearts.

Everyone in the factory said Yang Jianye was capable, humble, and without a trace of arrogance. Initially, He Shun didn't believe it. He'd seen plenty of capable people, and which one wasn't a little arrogant? They were practically looking down on everyone. But this Yang Jianye really knew how to get along with people.

Look at people saying that, who wouldn't feel uncomfortable hearing that?

"Master Yang, I heard the factory manager mention that this is a project supervised by a high-ranking leader. You should be careful and make sure nothing goes wrong." He Shun's tone was more sincere in his reminder.

Yang Jianye glanced at him and said frankly, "I know that. I personally went to the bureau to report the draft to the top leader."

The last trace of wariness that had been lurking in He Shun's eyes finally vanished completely. It seemed that this Yang Jianye wasn't trying to trick him into revealing information or befriend him; he genuinely had the confidence.

That's good. He actually quite likes this young man. Just like how people love to hear nice things, who wouldn't want to make more capable friends?

Yang Jianye is a capable man, that's widely acknowledged. He not only wields real power in the special workshop, but he's also a favorite of the factory director and other top leaders. A word spoken in front of these two carries weight. He's also humble, treating even a rough-around-the-edges man like himself with courtesy, without the arrogance often associated with intellectuals.

Those intellectuals, none of them particularly capable, but with grand visions and even bigger boasts. They're always talking about direction and international affairs… They haven't even figured out their own lives, yet they're spouting off about international matters? Aren't they afraid of biting off more than they can chew?

Just as He Shun was thinking about whether he should get closer to him, Yang Jianye took the initiative to speak.

"Section Chief He, invite all these brothers over tonight. It's my treat, I'll treat everyone to a drink."

Without him even having to ask why, Yang Jianye gave him the answer.

"I'll be troubling you all a lot in the future, so we can't let your help go unrewarded, right? Even if we haven't done anything special, shouldn't we at least get a drink in return for our hard work?"

Yang Jianye's words were heartfelt and sincere.

No matter how busy the security department is, the credit goes to the special workshop. Protecting the steel rolling mill is their job. Escorting the machinery is only for the section from the factory to the train station; once it's on the train, someone takes over. With population restrictions in the city, there won't be any major trouble. The occasional petty thief wouldn't dare touch such a large machine, even if they had a hundred lives.

So, there really wasn't anything they could do to earn merit. But they did all the heavy lifting, driving, and guarding—all the hard work—how could they not feel a little resentful?

Yang Jianye's words hit the nail on the head. It's perfectly normal to have a drink after a hard day's work!

After a few polite words, He Shun readily agreed, but still specifically instructed, "Okay, but let's make it clear, just find a place to eat anywhere, don't spend too much money."

Yang Jianye smiled and said, "We can't go outside. Come to my place, and my older brother will cook us some dishes. His cooking is superb, and he'll also make some homemade grain liquor. There'll be plenty!"

"That's great! Jianye... Is it alright if I call you Jianye?"

Yang Jianye chuckled and said, "No problem at all, it's nothing."

He Shun must be at least in his forties. Calling him Jianye is an honor. What's wrong with that?

"Good, a straightforward guy!" He Shun found him more and more pleasing to the eye. This cultured man wasn't pretentious or arrogant. He was genuinely easy to talk to and get along with; he knew how to handle things.

After everyone had finished their work, He Shun said a few polite words to him and then left with his men.

On the way back, He Shun brought up the matter of treating everyone to a meal. It wouldn't be good to make a scene with so many people earlier. Besides, it wouldn't reflect well on the security department.

"Drinking is allowed, but not too much, and definitely not getting drunk. We're the security department; we have to be disciplined."

"And another thing, don't make a fuss. If you cause trouble for Jianye, I'll deal with you."

"Section Chief, what trouble could this possibly cause? At most, some people will say a few jealous things!"

"I treated you to a drink, and now people are gossiping about you. What, is this a good thing?" He Shun glared at his talkative subordinate.

The big, honest-looking man scratched his head, grinned foolishly, and remained silent.

"Alright, everyone go back! Meet at the entrance after work. If anyone asks, just say where you're going. If no one asks, don't make a fuss. Go!"

As soon as the machines arrived, the special workshop was bustling with activity.

Yang Jianye kept his word and handed over the most difficult and precise cutting part to Li Yaoye.

"Jianye, really? So heartless?" Li Yaoye said with a bitter smile.

Yang Jianye looked at him, his lips curling into a smile: "Hurry up, everyone's waiting!"

He's the one who started it, so others can follow suit. Didn't you see everyone surrounding him, just waiting for him to make his move?

Seeing the teasing smiles on his mentors' faces, Li Yaoye nodded: "Alright, I'll do my part today, let's go..."

Seeing Li Yaoye get started, everyone became serious.

Everyone knew perfectly well that this wasn't making things difficult for him; it was clearly Jianye's way of showing their trust in his skills. This was an opportunity for him to demonstrate his abilities and accumulate experience in precision operations.

Some were envious; Li Yaoye wasn't the only welder in the workshop. But as for jealousy, it was hard to feel any real envy. Li Yaoye's skills were clearly above the level eight welder, and now, like the team leader, he was just waiting for the assessment.

Moreover, everyone in the special workshop has made progress. Jianye doesn't practice nepotism; if someone has the skills, they'll be assigned a task. If someone's skills are just a little lacking, Yang Jianye will arrange for someone to mentor them and give them pointers.

When he first arrived, Yang Jianye had already said, "The special workshop is a collective; everyone's well-being is what matters. Those who only care about themselves should leave as soon as possible. You can't stay here with me. Rather than being kicked out, you'd better save face."

I wonder if those who left back then regret it now?

However, that's not necessarily true. Everyone has their own ambitions. Special workshops offer long hours, frequent overtime, and subsidies, with high wages and opportunities to learn new skills, but the pressure is also immense, placing a significant burden on both the body and mind. Those who slack off and want to rest on their laurels would certainly be unhappy to come here.

Just like Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai before. The factory director initially wanted to bring Yi Zhonghai in to help Yang Jianye stabilize the situation and get the new workshop up and running. But he refused, saying he was too old to handle the workload, and his wife's health wasn't good; what if he collapsed from exhaustion?

Having said all that, Director Yang had no choice but to let him go. Later, he brought in Li Yaoye and Master Hao to help maintain order, which gave Yang Jianye enough time to earn everyone's respect through his skills and personal charm.

Whether others remembered it or not, Yang Jianye knew it in his heart. So even if someone said he favored Li Yaoye, he dared to admit it to his face—he was biased, so what? If you had come to help me back then, I would be on your side now. But you didn't come, so shut up! Save yourself from making a fool of yourself.

"Clang—"

The machines were separated.

The apprentices immediately went to help sort and arrange the parts. Qin Huairu did the same, her hair tied up in a bun at the back of her head with a rubber band. She was neat and tidy, and she was really dedicated to her work.

That piece of iron that was taken apart must have weighed at least forty or fifty pounds. He just slung the leather pad over his shoulder, hoisted it up, and walked away.

Yang Jianye showed no outward reaction, but he saw everything. For the first time, he felt that Qin Huai could stay.

Carrying the fifty-plus-pound half-shell on her shoulder, even with leather padding, Qin Huairu's mouth still twitched in pain. The protrusion on the front of that iron lump was digging into her so painfully. Fortunately, it was only a few dozen steps away, and when she arrived, someone helped her unload the load.

Qin Huai nodded to the other party as a way of thanking him.

They are both colleagues and competitors; maintaining a tacit understanding at work is sufficient. Qin Huairu doesn't think she needs to get too close to them, especially since she's a widow. There's always gossip around her, and few people want to associate with her. It's fine if it's necessary for work, but even if they're chatting and laughing after work, people will still gossip even if there's nothing going on.

This is still in the present day, with labor unions and women's federations becoming increasingly powerful. If we had moved back two or three years, it wouldn't have been uncommon for them to point fingers and curse at us to our faces.

They worked straight until noon, when the bell rang and music played, finally bringing them to a halt in the workshop. Yang Jianye shouted, "Everyone eat! Eat, then continue working!"

Only then did everyone dare to go outside.

Qin Huairu rubbed her shoulders. Although she was still exhausted, she felt much better than on the first day.

"Qin Huai Ru."

Hearing someone call her name, Qin Huai turned around curiously and saw Yang Jianye standing in front of the worktable looking at her.

"Team Leader Yang, what's the matter?" Qin Huairu hurriedly stepped forward after putting down her arm.

Yang Jianye pulled over the welding torch next to him and put it on the table: "Show me what you've learned recently."

Qin Huairu tensed up instantly, as if facing a formidable enemy!

Is this... considered an assessment?

She didn't know, dared not ask, and dared not be careless. Regardless of whether it was an assessment or not, she had to be extremely serious and strive to satisfy Yang Jianye—because she really couldn't afford to lose.

Sunk costs.

Qin Huairu paid a heavy price to stay and become Yang Jianye's apprentice. To outsiders, it was just a matter of saving face and kowtowing a couple of times. If it meant a better life, they'd give him anything, let alone face…

But for Qin Huairu, that was all she had.

People often say, don't look at how much a man is willing to spend on you, look at how much he has. If he only has ten dollars in his pocket and is willing to spend nine on you, he must love you deeply, but the ending will be truly tragic!

Because he's staked everything on it, he can't afford to lose. So he'll do everything he can to avoid losing. As for winning, that word has nothing to do with him from the moment he pulls out those nine dollars and puts them in.

Even if the so-called "not losing" means transforming yourself into another person, it's worth it as long as you can retain all the investment.

Qin Huairu was in this state. Realizing that she might be facing an assessment regarding her future, countless thoughts raced through her mind, and her gaze towards Yang Jianye was full of inquiry.

She wanted to find even the slightest hint of wavering or greed in the other person's eyes, and she would try.

But no.

His eyes were filled with integrity, passion, and peace.

Yes, passion and tranquility.

Qin Huairu was disappointed; the shortcut she was good at had been blocked. Even though this was precisely her initial purpose in approaching Yang Jianye, she still felt a sense of loss at this "life-or-death moment."

But it also made her realize that there was only one way left—to use her skills and abilities to satisfy Yang Jianye.

So Qin Huai picked up the welding torch and took a deep breath.

"Sizzle—sizzle—"