Courtyard House: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick

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The two set up the chessboard, with the red and black pieces in their respective positions.

Old Xu habitually took the red ball first, setting up the first shot with great momentum.

"A direct shot!"

Yang Wei didn't hesitate and responded with a vaulting horse.

"Malay Jump!"

Back and forth they went, and the battle began to rage on the chessboard.

Old Xu's chess style is like his personality: bold and unrestrained, he likes to launch strong attacks from the middle, with cannons and chariots working together, creating powerful and heavy attacks.

Yang Wei, on the other hand, took a different approach.

His chess moves are extremely flexible. He doesn't fight for the gains or losses of a single city or town. He is good at flanking and encircling, seemingly on the defensive, but actually harboring deadly intentions.

After more than ten rounds...

Old Xu frowned slightly, realizing that although he had the advantage in the middle, the defenses on both flanks had been completely breached by Yang Wei's horses and cannons.

"Your chess moves..." Old Xu glanced at Yang Wei, "look unhurried, but actually, every move is deadly."

"You flatter me, sir. I was just fooling around." Yang Wei smiled modestly, but without hesitation, he ate one of Lao Xu's photos.

"Good heavens!" Old Xu slapped his thigh. "I've been with you for so many years, and you've taken it all away!"

"Of course, I'm an expert at table manners." Yang Wei chuckled.

Old Xu was amused by his double entendre and pointed at Yang Wei, laughing and scolding, "You little rascal, you don't even forget your cooking roots while playing chess."

The two men looked at each other and smiled, and the game continued.

They took a few more steps.

Old Xu suddenly spoke, his tone becoming more casual: "Yang Wei, I heard your courtyard house has been quite lively lately?"

Yang Wei paused slightly in his hand, then casually placed the chess piece down.

"When is a courtyard house not lively? A group of people get together, and even the most trivial matters can cause a huge commotion."

"I'm not talking about trivial matters." Old Xu's gaze fell on the chessboard, but his words carried a deeper meaning. "I heard that Xu Damao has gotten into trouble again recently?"

Yang Wei's heart tightened.

Old Xu's sources of information are not the gossip of his neighbors.

"You don't know Xu Damao? He's like a toad, jumps at the slightest touch. But he's been quieter lately, I heard he's accumulated some debts and is hiding."

"Debts owed?" Old Xu casually arranged the chess pieces, saying, "What I've heard isn't just debts. Someone reported that he's reselling some things, things of dubious origin."

Yang Wei was silent for a moment.

He had known about Xu Damao's business of reselling goods for a long time.

But he wouldn't expose anyone in front of Lao Xu.

It wasn't because he had a good relationship with Xu Damao—the two were practically at odds—but rather because of Yang Wei's principle: he would never be used as a tool by others unless absolutely necessary.

"I'm not too clear on this," Yang Wei chose a safe answer. "Xu Damao and I don't usually have much contact."

Old Xu gave him a deep look, then nodded.

"You're a good person in every way, except you're too cautious."

"It's better to be cautious; it'll help you live longer," Yang Wei said with a smile.

Old Xu snorted, not pursuing the topic further, and instead said, "But you've reminded me, there are indeed some restless people in the city lately. With the year-end approaching, there are significantly more speculators and profiteers than usual."

"This happens every year," Yang Wei said. "The end of the year is tough, and some people are short on money, so they think of taking shortcuts."

"Yes, that's why the higher-ups are going to launch a special rectification campaign soon." Old Xu placed a piece on the board, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Those who should be arrested will be arrested, and those who should be punished will be punished. Keep an eye on your factory too, don't let any people take advantage of the situation."

Yang Wei felt a chill run down his spine.

Old Xu's words, though seemingly casual, were actually a warning to him.

As a key enterprise in the city, the steel rolling mill inevitably attracts people who want to profit from it. As the head chef and logistics manager of the mill, Yang Wei handles a lot of supplies, and with a little crooked thinking, he can make a fortune.

But he was always clean and tidy.

It wasn't because I was afraid of getting caught, but rather—

"Don't worry, sir. Director Wang is keeping a close eye on things at our factory. Besides, don't you know me? I'm content with just having food to eat; I don't ask for anything else."

"Hmm." Old Xu nodded slightly, a hint of approval in his eyes. "You're a sensible person; I trust you with that."

After saying that, Old Xu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he swiftly placed a piece on the board—

"Will!"

Yang Wei looked down and realized that, without his notice, Lao Xu's car had already reached his nine-square grid, forming a deadly trap.

"Good heavens!" Yang Wei was taken aback, then shook his head with a wry smile. "Big boss, is this feint or a trap?"

"Playing chess is like life; it's a combination of strategy and strategy." Old Xu proudly picked up his teacup, took a satisfied sip, and said, "So, are you convinced?"

"I'm not satisfied!" Yang Wei pushed the chess piece aside. "Let's play another game!"

"Come on then!"

The two players set up the chessboard again.

Outside the window, the winter sun streamed through the glass, illuminating the chessboard, where the red and black pieces gleamed with a warm light.

The atmosphere in the study was relaxed and harmonious, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside.

……

noon.

Yang Wei spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen, and several of his signature dishes were served.

Braised pork knuckle, rich in soy sauce flavor, tender and flavorful.

Steamed sea bass, tender and smooth, cooked to perfection.

There was also a stir-fried vegetable dish, which was vibrant green and refreshingly light.

Looking at the table laden with dishes, Old Xu, before even touching his chopsticks, exclaimed, "With your cooking skills, I'll have to work extra hard on Wednesdays, otherwise this meal wouldn't be worth it!"

"You go about your business, I'll make sure you have enough food." Yang Wei smiled and put a piece of braised pork knuckle on Lao Xu's plate.

Old Xu took a bite, nodded in satisfaction, and suddenly said—

"By the way, Yang Wei, why don't you bring your wife over for a meal during the Chinese New Year?"

Yang Wei was taken aback: "Huh? Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Old Xu waved his hand. "You two are usually so busy, it's the New Year, take a break. Besides, your wife is pregnant, come here and let the doctor in the health department check her out, it'll save you from going to the hospital."

Yang Wei felt a warmth in his heart.

Old Xu is taking care of him.

"Well... thank you, boss."

"No need to thank me. You've been cooking for me for so long, it's only right that I treat you to a meal." Old Xu laughed heartily. "It's settled then!"

Yang Wei smiled helplessly, but in his heart he was thinking about how to tell Lou Xiao'e when he got back.

Spending Chinese New Year at a high-ranking leader's house is something everyone has to think twice about.

However, he couldn't very well refuse Lao Xu's kind offer.

Besides—

The opportunity to allow Lou Xiao'e and her unborn child to receive a medical check-up at the rank of a high-ranking official is something many people would kill for.

Thinking of this, Yang Wei picked up his teacup and toasted Old Xu.

"Big boss, I lost the game of chess today, but I guarantee you'll be satisfied with this meal!"

"Hahaha! Then I'll be waiting!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, creating a harmonious atmosphere at the dinner table.

Hong Kong, the city.

Li Wei looked at the 20,000 Hong Kong dollars in his hand and grinned from ear to ear.

He had never seen so much money in his entire life.

At the current exchange rate, this is nearly 24,000 Mao Zedong bills.

"Brother Hao, thank you so much!"

Li Wei was overjoyed to receive the money and felt even more grateful to the man standing in front of him.

Without this man, he would never have embarked on this path.

He handed all those classmates over to Brother Hao.

As for what will happen to these people once they fall into Brother Hao's hands.

Li Wei didn't know.

He also didn't want to know.

"Alright, that's all settled here. You can leave now."

"Remember, don't talk about this anymore. But if you have any resources, feel free to contact me."

"Fair prices, honest and fair dealing!"

Hao Ge is a man in his thirties.

His sharp eyes seemed to see right through you.

He was tall and strong, and didn't look like someone to be trifled with.

"Don't worry, I understand the rules. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll cooperate with Brother Hao again."

"I'll take my leave now!"

After Li Wei finished speaking, he turned and left.

His identity document has already been processed by the other party.

Here, as long as you have money, you can buy any service.

Watching Li Wei leave, Brother Hao waved to the person next to him.

Four men rushed out and followed Li Wei.

……

Inside a room at Yuanxing Farm.

A woman lay unconscious on the bed, still calling out a name.

"Yang Wei!"

"Yang Wei, where are you? Come save me!!"

"Yang Wei, I'm so scared, help me!!"

"Yang Wei!!!!"

A loud shout jolted me awake from my bed.

Then, I noticed that the surrounding environment seemed to have changed.

He was about to get up, but his body was too weak to move.

The one who woke up was none other than Ran Qiuye, who had been rescued by Lin Yuanxing, the owner of Yuanxing Farm.

The scream that rang out upon waking was already audible.

A short while later, a woman in her forties walked in.

"Girl, you're awake?"

The woman was overjoyed when she saw Ran Qiuye open her eyes.

"Where is this? Who are you?"

Upon seeing the woman, Ran Qiuye hurriedly inquired.

"This is Hong Kong, Yuanxing Farm. My man rescued you."

"You've been unconscious for two days now. If you don't wake up soon, I'm afraid you'll never wake up again."

"Are you hungry? Wait here, I'll go get you something to eat."

The woman explained, and then spoke warmly.

It's clear that she's a kind-hearted and hospitable woman.

After the woman left, Ran Qiuye, who was lying there, slowly revealed a smile.

But then, tears streamed down her face again.

"Waaaaah... I survived!!"

"Yang Wei, I survived!!"

At this moment, Ran Qiuye seemed to have a thousand grievances, all of which burst out in an instant.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, like a river bursting its banks.

After she had cried her heart out, she was able to control her emotions.

Then, I started to think about it.

Now that we've arrived in Hong Kong, we need to have a formal identity.

With that in mind, she glanced at the room's layout and got a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Then, I couldn't help but think about Li Wei and the others. I wonder how those classmates are doing now?

As for returning to Beijing, Ran Qiuye already knew that this was not something that could be achieved in a short time.

Only by living can you do what you want to do.

……

We had lunch at Lao Xu's house.

The two sat there drinking tea to aid digestion.

They drank and chatted idly.

"Xiao Yang, do you think we're being too bold or taking too big a step given the current situation?" "I've been feeling uneasy lately, like something bad is about to happen," Old Xu asked softly, sitting there drinking tea and looking at Yang Wei.

Secretary Chen, who was tidying up the table, slowed down his work when he heard Lao Xu's question, eager to hear Yang Wei's opinion.

Yang Wei still adheres to the principle of saying as little as possible when he can, and resolutely refraining from saying anything he cannot say.

However, we can elaborate a little more on Lao Xu's current issue.

"From 59 until now, we have come to deeply understand the various drawbacks caused by the shortage of food and other resources."

"So, I think we can be a little bolder. But we must definitely keep our steps measured."

"Otherwise, being too bold and taking too big a step can easily lead to disaster. However, if you're a little bolder but take things a little slower, you might discover a whole new world."

Yang Wei said with a smile.

"Well, the words may be rough, but the principle is sound. What you said does make some sense."

"But where should we take our steps? How big should we take them? And how can we take them slowly?"

Old Xu continued to ask.

"That's our strength; sticking to our principles is the right thing to do."

"As long as we adhere to the principle of 'seeking truth from facts,' all problems can be easily solved. However, seeking truth from facts requires immersing oneself in the fields and villages, and cannot be merely lip service."

Yang Wei continued to emphasize this point.

As the two chatted, things slowly began to change.

However, this slight change is like the butterfly effect.

Perhaps one day in the future, given enough time to accumulate strength, a moment will come when earth-shattering changes occur.

However, by then, Old Xu was no longer able to see it.

On the contrary, Secretary Chen remembered today's conversation very clearly.

When he later met Yang Wei again, he was quite moved and admitted that he was not as good as him.

Of course, that's a story for another time.

After chatting for a while, seeing that it was almost time, Yang Wei got up to say goodbye.

I want to go home and see my wife.

After all, Lao Xu knew that Lou Xiao'e was pregnant.

Before leaving, he even asked Aunt Liu to bring out an old hen, pleading with her to let him take it back with him.

They said it was a token of their goodwill.

Unable to refuse, Yang Wei could only express his gratitude a few times before accepting the gift and taking it home.

Back home, he naturally spent time with Lou Xiao'e, taking a few walks in the yard.

When it's time to eat, start stewing the old hen in advance and make a soup for Lou Xiao'e.

My life is incredibly fulfilling.

This made Yang Wei very happy. Now the whole family is looking forward to the moment when Lou Xiao'e's baby will arrive.

Lou's parents are now talking about what kind of name they should choose every day.

And just two days ago I said something to Yang Wei—

What Yang Guoqing, Yang Jiefang?

After hearing this, Yang Wei's face immediately darkened.

What kind of names are these!

Finally, he had no choice but to say that he already knew what was going on.

We'll tell them after the baby is born.

In fact, Yang Wei was waiting.

Because a group of men are reading a book, and only they can decide what the child's name should be.