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

Walking on the right is Lin Weidong.

Unlike Lin Jianguo's scholarly air, Lin Weidong exuded an aura that made people wary and unapproachable.

He was wearing a training uniform without any rank insignia, but his straight back and measured stride clearly demonstrated his pure field army lineage.

Having graduated from the Advanced Command Department of the National Defense University, his features were as sharp and angular as if carved by a knife and axe. In the crowded streets, he was like a rock in the water, and passersby were always unconsciously driven back by his aura.

"Wei Dong! Jianguo! This way!"

He Yuzhu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and raised his right hand high, waving it.

Upon hearing the sound, the two brothers quickened their pace and squeezed through the crowd.

"Uncle Zhu!" Lin Jianguo smiled憨厚ly and quickly stepped forward.

Lin Weidong stopped, put his feet together, and instinctively saluted.

He Yuzhu grabbed his wrist, laughing and scolding, "You brat, what are you doing pulling this stunt in the street? Are you trying to get the plainclothes officers watching us?"

He Yuzhu looked the two men up and down, then stretched out his large, calloused hand and patted them heavily on the shoulders twice.

"Good heavens, your shoulders are almost as broad as your dad's! We haven't seen each other much in four years, but the rigors of Tsinghua University and the National Defense University have certainly made you guys even more robust!"

Lin Weidong's lips curled up slightly, revealing a resolute smile: "Uncle Zhu, there's no time to gain weight at school. Every day is spent either in front of the sand table for simulations or in the field troops getting muddy. All this muscle on my body is from training."

He Yuzhu took the canvas bag from Lin Jianguo and felt a sudden weight in his hand.

"Hey! What's that thing in your bag? A block of iron?"

"I brought back a few original books on heavy-duty hydraulic transmission imported from abroad, as well as a few discarded servo motor parts, for research," Lin Jianguo replied earnestly, adjusting his glasses.

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly: "You Lin family members are all cut from the same cloth. Alright, stop standing here in the wind, get in the car! The commander and his wife are waiting for you at home!"

The three got into the car. He Yuzhu skillfully started the engine, and the vehicle smoothly merged into the traffic, speeding towards the western suburbs.

Inside the carriage, the air conditioning was blowing.

"Uncle Zhu, how is my dad's health lately?" Lin Weidong asked, looking at the street scene rushing past the window.

"The leader is in very good health, but he's overworked." He Yuzhu said, glancing at the rearview mirror while holding the steering wheel. "The Modern Reform and Development Association is just too big a business. All the infrastructure approvals and foreign investment access across the country fall on the leader's shoulders. The light in his study stays on until the wee hours every night."

He Yuzhu sighed, his tone filled with deep admiration.

"But the country has changed tremendously in the last few years. You haven't seen it, but those fishing villages in the south that were once dirt poor have now been replaced by multi-story Western-style buildings. The large machinery factories led by our Ministry of Heavy Industry can't even keep up with demand. Foreign companies are lining up to form joint ventures with us. All of this was paved by the leaders themselves."

Lin Jianguo and Lin Weidong exchanged a glance, their eyes both shining with determination.

They studied desperately for four years so that one day they could stand behind that man and share the weight of this national machine with him.

More than an hour later, the car drove into the military-controlled area.

When the car stopped in front of Building No. 6, a rich and overpowering aroma of meat and the unique freshness of seafood had already penetrated the thick walls and wafted into the courtyard.

That's the unique flavor of authentic Tan family cuisine.

Inside the kitchen, the stove was burning brightly.

He Daqing was shirtless, wearing only a clean white apron. Although he was over sixty years old, his muscles were still firm. He held a heavy cast iron spatula in his hand, staring intently at the large iron pot in front of him, which was bubbling with golden soup.

He used three old hens, two Jinhua hams, dried scallops, and pork ribs to simmer this soup over a low flame for a full twenty-four hours, until the broth thickened to a consistency like liquid gold.

"Control the heat! Watch the heat!" He Daqing shouted to the guards assisting him as he skimmed off the faint foam from the surface with a spoon.

On the stove, rows of cleaned and chopped top-quality ingredients are neatly arranged.

The top-quality abalone, soaked to the size of a small bowl, the cleaned and distinct shark fin, and the top-grade sea cucumber with its glossy red color.

These ingredients remain priceless treasures even in this era. Today, He Daqing has brought out all his best culinary skills, determined to give these two young masters, who have returned from the highest institution of learning, a grand welcome-back feast.

Tian Yu walked into the kitchen and, seeing He Daqing covered in sweat, quickly handed him a clean towel.

"Uncle He, please take a rest. This room is so hot, don't make yourself sick. I'll chop the rest of the side dishes," Tian Yu said with concern.

"No! No!" He Daqing quickly wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, waving his hands repeatedly, his face full of flattery and surprise. "Sister-in-law, these hands of yours are used to wield scalpels to save lives, how can you touch these kitchen knives stained with the smell of fish? This meal today is my way of repaying the kindness of our superior, and no one is allowed to interfere!"

He Daqing straightened his chest, his oily face radiating a heartfelt pride.

"Back in the day, we lived in that dilapidated courtyard house, barely scraping by with a few pounds of cornmeal. It was the commander who pulled us out of the mire. Now that Zhuzi's made something of himself, I'm here in Yuquan Mountain preparing special supplies for the commander every day. I, He Daqing, have never been to school, but I know the rules. Now that the Lin family's young master has returned after his studies, even if it means burning out my old bones in this kitchen, I'll make sure this welcoming banquet is a grand affair!"

Listening to the old chef's simple yet persistent words, Tian Yu felt a warmth in her heart. She didn't insist any further, but simply smiled and left the kitchen.

In the living room.

Lin Weidong and Lin Jianguo had changed out of their outdoor clothes, washed their faces, and sat properly on the mahogany sofa.

Lin Yang sat in the armchair opposite him, holding a cup of tea in his hand.

There were no small talk, no formalities.

The moment the door closed, the atmosphere in the living room instantly transformed from a warm family setting into an extremely rigorous testing environment.

Lin Yang put down his teacup, his deep and cold gaze sweeping over the two of them.

"Four years. The country has provided you with the best resources and the most outstanding mentors." Lin Yang's voice was deep and authoritative, "Today, I want to hear your report card. In these four years, how much usable knowledge have you actually absorbed?"