Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

Upon hearing the word "leader," He Daqing's expression instantly became extremely solemn.

He grabbed He Yuzhu's good hand, his tone extremely solemn: "Zhuzi, I know perfectly well how you got this deputy section chief position. Without the commander taking you to the Korean battlefield back then, without the commander's cultivation over the years, you'd still be cutting potato shreds in the steel mill's canteen!"

He Daqing took a deep breath, turned around and walked into the house.

"A person should know how to be grateful. A drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude in return. The leader has been a benefactor to our family, a true blessing! You wait, today I'll pull out my best-kept secret, and the two of us will go to Yuquan Mountain to cook a proper meal for the leader and kowtow to him!"

He Yuzhu nodded heavily, his eyes filled with fervent loyalty: "Dad, you're right. My life, my body, are all thanks to the leaders. If anyone dares to lay a finger on a leader, I, He Yuzhu, will risk my life to skin them alive!"

After half an hour.

He Daqing carefully dragged a dusty mahogany box out from under the bed in the room.

During the most chaotic years, He Daqing would rather go hungry himself than let He Yuzhu touch this box.

Upon opening the box, one finds a thick layer of oil paper inside.

Unwrapping the oil paper, a mellow, aged fragrance wafts out.

Inside are the finest dried goods that He Daqing secretly kept when he was the head chef at Tan Family Cuisine.

Two fist-sized pieces of premium dried abalone, with a thin layer of white frost on their surface; several rows of distinct, golden and translucent shark fins; and a piece of authentic Jinhua ham, sealed tightly with wax and aged for a full five years.

In an era of extreme scarcity, when even cornmeal was rationed, the value of these items was simply immeasurable. They were truly priceless treasures.

"Dad, you've been hiding these good things!" He Yuzhu gasped as he looked at the ingredients.

"This is all part of the He family's heritage. I usually wouldn't touch it, but today, cooking this Tan family cuisine for the leader is worth it!" He Daqing carefully packed the ingredients into a clean cloth bag and took out a bottle of his treasured special-supply Moutai from the cabinet.

The father and son, carrying large and small bags, got into the jeep.

With a roar of the engine, the Jeep sped away, leaving behind a yard full of neighbors who were insanely jealous but helpless.

Five o'clock in the afternoon, Military Control Area No. A.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the pine forest covering the mountains, casting a golden halo over this heavily guarded former royal garden.

The jeep underwent rigorous inspection at three heavily armed checkpoints before finally stopping in front of Building No. 6, Class A.

This two-story villa is Lin Yang's permanent residence in Beijing. It is not luxurious on the outside, but the density of sentries and patrols around it is astonishing.

Lin Yang was sitting on the sofa in the living room, looking through the personnel list of the Northeast Heavy Industry Base that Zhao Lichun had just sent.

Tian Yu placed a cup of hot tea on the coffee table and said softly, "Yangzi, the guard platoon just reported that He Daqing and Zhuzi have arrived, bringing quite a lot of things."

Lin Yang put down the list in his hand, a gentle smile appearing on his usually cold face: "Let them in. Zhu Zi survived this near-death experience; it's time for a proper get-together."

The doorbell rang, and Tian Yu went to open the door.

He Yuzhu, dressed in military uniform, stood ramrod straight like a javelin. He Daqing, carrying a cloth bag, looked somewhat reserved and excited.

"Hello, sister-in-law!" He Yuzhu greeted her respectfully.

"Come in quickly, Zhu Zi, your injury hasn't fully healed yet, don't stand there. Uncle He, please come in too." Tian Yu smiled and ushered the two into the living room.

Upon seeing Lin Yang sitting on the sofa, He Yuzhu suddenly took a step forward.

brush!

Ignoring the injury to his left arm, he raised his right hand and gave a perfectly executed military salute that even made a whooshing sound.

"Reporting to the leader! He Yuzhu, Deputy Director of the Special Security Division of the Guard Bureau, reporting for duty!"

He Yuzhu's voice was loud and clear, and his eyes, which had once killed people on the battlefield and fought against spies in the dark, were now filled with unreserved fanaticism and loyalty.

Lin Yang stood up and strode over to He Yuzhu.

Instead of returning the greeting, he stretched out his large hands, forged in the Gobi Desert like steel, and grabbed He Yuzhu's injured left arm, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Does the wound still hurt?" Lin Yang's voice was deep and resonant.

"Reporting to the leader! It's just a minor injury, nothing serious! I didn't embarrass the leader!" He Yuzhu answered loudly, but his eyes were slightly hot.

Lin Yang looked at He Yuzhu's scarred face and nodded in satisfaction.

"Well done. You didn't fire, saving the factory equipment. In hand-to-hand combat, you protected national secrets. This scar on your arm shines brighter than any medal. Sit down."

Lin Yang pointed to the sofa opposite him and turned to look at He Daqing, who seemed a little flustered.

"Uncle He, you've come all this way, thank you for your hard work," Lin Yang said with a smile.

He Daqing quickly wiped his hands on his trouser leg and respectfully bowed halfway.

"Sir, you flatter me. Zhu Zi's success today is entirely due to your promotion and guidance. Our He family has been cooks for generations, we have no other skills. Today I've brought my most treasured ingredients, hoping to borrow your kitchen to cook you a proper Tan family meal. Just a small token of my appreciation!"

Looking into He Daqing's sincere eyes, Lin Yang knew that refusing would only make the father and son feel uneasy.

"Alright, then I'm in for a treat today. Tian Yu, take Uncle He to the kitchen and see what seasonings he needs." Lin Yang nodded.

He Daqing felt as if he had been granted a pardon. Carrying his cloth bag, he happily followed Tian Yu to the spacious, modern kitchen. For him, being able to personally cook for this important Minister of Heavy Industry was the greatest honor of his life.

Only Lin Yang and He Yuzhu remained in the living room.

Lin Yang took out a box of Daqianmen cigarettes, pulled out one and tossed it to He Yuzhu, then lit one for himself.

A wisp of bluish-gray smoke rose in the living room, making the atmosphere slightly more relaxed.

"Zhu Zi, the deputy director's epaulettes are on. How does it feel?" Lin Yang leaned back on the sofa, his deep gaze looking at He Yuzhu through the smoke.

He Yuzhu clumsily lit a cigarette with one hand, took a big drag, and his expression became extremely serious.

"I used to think that security work was just standing at the gate checking IDs, or like on the battlefield, shooting anyone who dared to rush over."

He Yuzhu looked at the gauze on his left arm, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

"But this incident made me understand completely. The enemy has changed. They are no longer soldiers in uniform, but vipers in suits, hiding in the shadows, carrying miniature cameras and potassium cyanide. What they want to steal is the industrial lifeline that our country has earned with countless foreign exchange reserves and the blood and sweat of its workers."