Courtyard House: A Leisurely and Contented Life

Recalling the fun things that happened when she was a child, Yingzi smiled brightly.

Yang Jianye remarked, "No wonder my wife is so good at managing money; she inherited her mother's ways."

Then, just stay there quietly and be a listener.

Just as she finished speaking in one breath, feeling quite pleased with herself, she suddenly exclaimed "Oh!" and put down the ticket, heading straight for the stove: "I haven't cooked yet!"

Normally, she would have already prepared and was waiting for dinner by this time. But today, she had gone to her parents' house, and when she got back, she was too busy making money! It was only when she saw her husband that she remembered to cook.

Yang Jianye laughed and said, "Don't bother cooking, we'll eat at Zhuzi's house tonight."

Yingzi was taken aback, then said apologetically, "Why are we eating at Master He's house again? We can't keep troubling him, can we?"

Yang Jianye went up to her, took her hand, and said, "Do you think I'm just someone who causes trouble for others?"

"Today, some colleagues from the factory's security department are coming over, and I'm treating them to dinner."

"When I bought meat, I gave Zhuzi 15 yuan, and the return ticket was extra. I also gave him 2 yuan as a tip for his trouble."

"This shouldn't be too much of a hassle, right?" Yingzi finally felt relieved after Yang Jianye said that.

She was someone who didn't want to cause even the slightest trouble for outsiders. As long as she could do it herself, she would never bother others in the slightest.

"As a person, you have to rely on yourself."

"If you can't even rely on yourself, how can you expect to rely on others?"

From a young age, Yingzi was raised to be strong-willed, independent, and unwilling to trouble others.

"So, does Chef He only cook?"

Yang Jianye replied, "He eats too. We're all from the same factory, and besides, we need to use their rooms!"

Now Yingzi felt a pang of heartache again: "Won't we lose those 2 yuan?"

"Hahaha……"

He licked her cheek and cupped her rosy face, saying, "My wife really knows how to manage a household."

"Jianye, Jianye, are you back?"

Hearing Sha Zhu's shout, Yang Jianye pulled Yingzi out of the house: "Coming, coming! I brought some wine!"

"Hey, everyone's here, but you, the host, aren't showing up. Let me, the cook, take care of them."

Sha Zhu jokingly laughed and said, "I'm telling you, if you do this again next time, I'll give you more money."

"Dream on." Yang Jianye lifted the wine jar. "Do you still want some?"

Sha Zhu swallowed hard and grinned foolishly, "Hey~ look at me, I must have had too much to drink."

"Pfft~" Yingzi lowered her head and chuckled to herself.

These two are really interesting.

Upon entering the room, he saw He Shun and the security guards from noon standing up to greet him.

"Sit down, sit down, don't be shy, make yourself at home."

"Here, light your own cigarette. I won't stand on ceremony with you all."

Yang Jianye placed a freshly opened package of Qianmen rice wine on the table, picked up the jar, and said with a smile, "This is rice wine brewed by a fellow villager. Let's have a good drink later."

"Great!" Everyone cheered and clapped happily.

Good wine, good cigarettes, the aroma of meat wafting from the stove.

Master Yang really put his heart into today's meal.

They treated us with such sincerity and kindness; we will remember it all.

He Shun, who usually had a stern face, laughed heartily and looked at Yingzi, asking, "Brother, this must be your wife, right?"

Well, they're not even calling Jianye anymore, they're just calling him "little brother" now.

"Yingzi, this is Brother He Shun, the head of the security department at the steel rolling mill, a real pillar of the factory."

Yang Jianye's compliment made He Shun laugh even harder: "What backbone? He's just a roughneck. Just call him Old He."

Yingzi wouldn't actually follow along; just like Yang Jianye, she called out, "Brother He."

"Eh~"

He Shun chuckled, glaring at the brats he'd brought with him: "What are you staring at? Call her sister-in-law!"

"Hello, sister-in-law."

"sister in law."

Yingzi responded to each of them, and when it was Da Ge's turn...

The guy scratched his head, looking puzzled, and asked the section chief, "Boss, she's not as old as me, is she?"

He Shun was so angry he laughed. This brat! When will he ever be able to think straight? He really wanted to slap him into the ground and teach him a lesson.

"She's not as old as you, but she's more capable. Call her 'little sister-in-law'."

"Hey, little sister-in-law, everyone calls me Big Guy," Big Guy said with a simple smile.

Seeing his honest and simple appearance, Yingzi laughed and said, "Then I'll call you Big Guy too. If you don't want to call me Sister-in-law, you can just call me Yingzi."

The big guy glanced furtively at the section chief, then quickly lowered his head again: "Just call her 'little sister-in-law,' it sounds nice."

The section chief was glaring at him with those piercing eyes!

He wanted to call her "Yingzi," but would that work?

Seeing that he understood, He Shun then looked away.

This kid, at least he didn't embarrass himself.

The reason they asked you to call them "little sister-in-law" was to help you connect with Master Yang.

The person with the greatest abilities will surely be more successful than me in the future.

If you call someone "little sister-in-law," you'll run into a big problem in the future.

You never know, someone might take advantage of you.

This big, clumsy guy isn't happy about it!

What a fool.

The house opposite is the Jia family's.

After washing the pot, Granny Jia came out carrying a bowl of dirty water, her eyes filled with gloom.

She was in a good mood today.

Being able to get 4 yuan a month from Yi Zhonghai gives me the energy to work.

Unexpectedly, the director of the women's federation office of the steel rolling mill ran into them.

Originally, it had nothing to do with her.

She, Granny Jia, isn't a steel mill worker, so what right does she have to tell me what to do?

Unfortunately, she was receiving education at the neighborhood office.

Sister Fu took the two of them directly to the neighborhood office and explained the matter to Director Wang.

Good heavens, Director Wang is in an uproar.

I just made you do labor reform yesterday, and you pull this stunt on me today.

Yi Zhonghai, oh Yi Zhonghai, I think you're regressing as you get older.

Then, even Granny Jia was scolded.

Labor reform is just something you're using to seek personal gain, isn't it?

It seems the modifications I made to you had absolutely no effect.

Okay, I'm happy to clean the alley by myself.

Starting tomorrow, this alley is still yours. After that, Yi Zhonghai will come to the street office to clean it.

All four alleys—front, back, left, and right—are yours.

Yi Zhonghai was caught in a dilemma, wanting to argue but having nothing to say.

He was caught by Director Fu while doing business with Granny Jia.

Even if you don't want to admit it, someone has to believe you!

Moreover, judging from Director Wang's eyes, his good reputation is probably completely ruined in people's minds.

Yi Zhonghai regrets it!

It was all good; even the "grandson" had something to look forward to.

What, it suddenly turned out like this?

Yi Zhonghai was criticized, and Jia Pozi, as an "accomplice," couldn't escape either.

Not only did they have to do their old job, but they also lost the 4 yuan they were supposed to earn.

They were even taken back to the compound and subjected to another round of criticism and struggle sessions.

Right now, her heart is filled with gloom!

I could hear loud shouts and laughter coming from the house across the street, a lively scene of people eating and drinking.

Granny Jia wished she could rush in and splash a whole basin of dirty water on the table.

Eat! I'll make you eat this filthy water! Bah!

"You damned thing, keep eating, keep eating, you'll eat yourself to death sooner or later."

"You heartless beast, you'll definitely get what's coming to you. Just you wait and see..."

Granny Jia muttered and cursed under her breath.

But he didn't notice that Xiao Dang, who was standing behind him, was furious.

I was also a little embarrassed and annoyed!

This child already knows what shame is.

Grandma had been criticized in the yard before, and she admitted her mistake in public, saying that she would learn, correct her mistakes, and make progress.

Right now, he's cursing him behind Uncle Yang's back.

Xiao Dang was ashamed to have such a grandmother, and angrily lifted the curtain and ran back into the house.

Reaching the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), she climbed onto it and snuggled into her mother's arms, asking, "Mom, why doesn't Grandma behave well?"

"..." Qin Huairu was stunned for a moment, not understanding what she meant.

After Xiao Dang learned a few more phrases, she finally understood what the girl was saying.

Feeling somewhat helpless, Qin Huairu gently rubbed her head, unsure how to explain to her daughter.

"It's time to send this child to school." Holding the girl in her arms, Qin Huairu pondered.

Previously, she was reluctant to spend money.

I don't have any money...

But now, compared to continuing to leave her at home, influenced by her mother-in-law...

Qin Huairu would rather send her to school, even if it's just junior high...

Even finishing primary school is better than being illiterate.

Isn't Yu Shui in high school?

Just standing there, the latest chapter of "[Title of Chapter]" is packed with exciting plot twists! Come quick! He looks like a cultured person, quite different from ordinary people.

And what about Ran Qiuye, who went on a blind date with Sha Zhu that day? Wasn't she the same...?

Qin Huairu couldn't explain it either.

In short, looking at other people makes me feel insecure and ashamed.

It was as if I had done something wrong in front of her and couldn't hold my head up.

I felt even more envious, of the way people spoke and their actions.

That kind of confidence that says, "What I say is right!"

No matter how well you hide it from outsiders, can you deceive your own heart?

Qin Huairu herself was uneducated.

In the future, do I want my daughter to be an illiterate person like me, unable to read or write a single character?

I've figured it out, but where will the money come from?

Qin Huairu was worried.

Also, I wonder if I can actually stay in the special workshop.

To this day, it remains an unknown.

"Sigh~" He sighed and hugged his daughter in his arms.

Qin Huairu decided to wait and see if it really wouldn't work.

The only option left is to use my mother-in-law's savings for her funeral.

Anyway, we've done it once before, so we'll probably do it again!

Besides, it was her own man's compensation money.

Why should I leave you all of it as your coffin savings?

What, the child isn't his?

"Mom, I want some candy." After finishing his homework, Banggeng jumped off the stool and ran over to ask for candy.

Qin Huairu glanced at him and said calmly, "If there's any extra money after we buy the grain next month, Mom will buy you candy."

Banggeng's eyes darted around, peering towards the other side of the cabinet.

Seeing his expression, Qin Huairu knew what he was planning.

With a stern face, he said, "If you dare to steal again, I'll have Sha Zhu chop off your hand."

"..."

With a sudden thought, Banggeng withdrew his little scheme.

He hurriedly shook his head and said, "Mom, I won't take it, I won't take anything."

Qin Huairu sighed wearily, "Sigh, when will this ever end?"

"Come on, Section Chief He, let me toast you again." At the dinner table, Sha Zhu was definitely the one with the most strength.

He picked up his cup and clinked it against someone's, and Yang Jianye didn't stop him.

Just drink, there's plenty of alcohol tonight.

This jar isn't enough; he has three more jars!

Drink~

Seeing Sha Zhu drinking with them, Yingzi was also happy.

Why?

She's not happy because her husband doesn't have to drink.

As for the alcohol, it doesn't matter who drinks it, and Yingzi, who is hosting a business dinner, doesn't mind spending the money.

It's not anything good, the less my man drinks, the better.

Yingzi was increasingly pleased with Yang Jianye's good habit of not overindulging in alcohol.

Yang Jianye picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and handed it to Yingzi, then pointed at the dishes on the table and laughed, "Hey, hey, eat up, don't just keep drinking!"

"Such a big table of delicious food, my son, we can't let it go to waste."

Upon hearing him say this, the men who were drinking heavily with red faces and thick necks all put their feet down from the stools.

He said with a forced smile, "Brother Jianye is right, we can't waste these good dishes."

"I'm really going all out today, have a taste and see how it tastes."

Sha Zhu put down the jar and invited everyone to try his cooking.

They all nodded in satisfaction after eating: "Zhu Zi, your cooking skills are truly superb. No wonder the leaders value you so much!"

"That's right, the authentic successor of Tan Family Cuisine." Sha Zhu raised his thumb and pointed behind his shoulder.

That boastful tone suited He Shun's taste perfectly: "You little brat, you're getting cocky just because I said you're fat."

Sha Zhu's simple-minded temperament is actually quite endearing.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to attract so many people's affections throughout the original series.

"I'm not bragging, but let me tell you, my cooking skills are a family tradition."

"After all, I studied under my master for many years and became a master on my own merits."

"Section Chief He, this chef's apprenticeship is no easy feat..."

Sha Zhu was from all over the country, and he was blowing his own horn with great enthusiasm.

Once the atmosphere was really lively and everyone else had eaten and drunk their fill, that was about it.

Yang Jianye then started, "Come on, brother, let's have a drink."

"Come on, bro, bottoms up." He Shun tilted his head back and downed half a vat in one gulp.

"Ah~" she smacked her lips and picked up a peanut with her chopsticks.

He Shun looked at him and laughed, "Let me tell you, in this factory, you, Yang Jianye, are the only one who matters."

"I don't take any of the other people seriously."

"Not very capable, but full of ambition. What a bunch of idiots!"

"Brother, let's not talk about this. Let's just have a nice drink. Why bring this up?"

Hearing Yang Jianye say that, He Shun smiled sheepishly: "Yes, look at me, I'm being cheeky again."

He bumped into another guy, Yang Jianye, and asked, "Brother, your job in the security department must be tough, right?"

"How can I relax? My heart is in my throat all day long."

"If you do a good job, it's your duty. If you don't do a good job, you'll get criticized. If something serious goes wrong, I, the section chief, will be the first to suffer."

Outsiders only see the security department's glamorous side; little do they know we're walking a tightrope here!

"Who says otherwise? Everyone sees how highly regarded I am, but when tasks come up from above, everyone tries to push them onto me."

"I can't even say a word, sigh, it's tough!" Yang Jianye shook his head.

Feeling a sense of shared suffering, He Shun came to agree with him even more.

He felt that the younger brother in front of him was just like his own younger brother.

Others only see our success and glory, unaware of the immense responsibility we bear and the immense pressure we carry.

If it were someone timid, they would scare themselves to death.

Looking at him with sympathy, He Shun asked, "Are you confident about this mission? The factory manager seems quite nervous."

Yang Jianye shook his head and smiled wryly: "Can I say I'm not confident?"

He Shun was taken aback, then gave a wry smile, "Yeah, even if you're not confident, you have to go. It's not easy for you either!"

After drinking a few more, Yang Jianye leaned forward and asked curiously, "Brother, your security team must have quite a few guns, right?"

He Shun was startled and asked, "Brother, why are you asking this?"

"You can't ask these questions carelessly, or you'll get into trouble." He Shun really didn't think much of it at the moment, assuming that he was just curious and was afraid that his question would cause him trouble.

"I'm curious. I've never even touched a gun before. I'm wondering if I'll ever have the chance to do some target practice or something."

"Which man doesn't love a gun? Don't you think so?" Yang Jianye said with a face full of envy, which made He Shun laugh.

He laughed, but his face darkened: "Brother, take my advice, this gun isn't anything good."

"Everyone envies those who go to the battlefield, but if you actually go, you'll know what it means for guns to have no eyes and for human life to be worth less than a dog."

"Those who went with me, came back alive..."

He Shun raised his hand and said, "There are only five of them, and I'm the only one who's alive."

"After their recovery, two of them simply disappeared, saying they didn't want to cause trouble for the country, and we don't know where they went."

"Of the remaining three, the simple-minded man with the missing hand went back to his hometown to farm, and the man with the missing leg works as a gatekeeper in the countryside."

"Both legs are crippled, and he's missing an arm..."

He Shun's eyes were filled with tears, and he choked out, "My family was poor and we couldn't afford to eat. I didn't want to be a burden on my children, so I climbed down into the ditch by myself at night and that's how I died."

"The next day, they found the person by following the drag marks left on the ground."

Wiping away his tears, He Shun picked up the jar and took a big gulp, which calmed him down a little.

Yang Jianye sat silently in his seat, and everyone else quieted down as well.

Only the big guy was wiping away tears, which was heartbreaking to see.

"Alright, stop crying. Your brother left willingly," He Shun scolded, his heart softening.

"When you become successful in the future, please help your sister-in-law out. She has had a tough time too."

Sha Zhu, barely able to speak, scratched his head and asked, "Section Chief He, isn't anyone in charge of this?"

He Shun calmed down and said with a faint smile, "Of course I'll manage it, but nobody wants to be managed."

"There are far worse situations than this. Everything is being controlled; how can we expect to develop and progress?"

"My brothers are injured or crippled, but they don't want to be a burden."

"We went there to protect our country, not to hold it back."

bang.

Yang Jianye slammed the jar down on the table, then raised it with a smug look, saying, "Come on, let's have a drink so we don't hold each other back!"

"Damn it." Everyone stood up, including Yingzi.

"Sooner or later, we'll be able to stand tall and earn the respect of foreigners who will call us 'men'."

The crowd looked at each other and shouted, "Yes, we have to make him kneel down and call us 'man'!"

"Hahaha..." He was full of heroic spirit.

With lofty aspirations and sacrifices, they dared to change the world.