Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

Just as Yan Bugui had predicted.

Yan Jiecheng, who was in high spirits in the morning, returned to the courtyard in the afternoon with his head drooping, looking like a wilted eggplant. He sat there for a long time without saying a word.

The three women who were picking vegetables inside glanced at him and asked, "What's wrong? Didn't it work?"

You could tell from his expression that things must have gone very badly.

"It didn't work!"

Yan Jiecheng replied in a muffled voice.

Why didn't it work?

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses.

Although Yan Jiecheng's conditions are average, his family background is not bad, and his age is just right. How could he not even be selected as a candidate and be directly persuaded to leave?

Yan Jiecheng remained silent, as if he hadn't heard the question.

"Jiecheng, tell me! Is it because they've filled all their positions? Or is our family's situation not good enough?"

The three older women standing nearby looked up and asked anxiously.

Yan Jiecheng is still staying at home, doing odd jobs and relying entirely on his parents for food and drink.

If I could go out to work, no matter how much or how little I earn, it would still be a source of income.

Under the scrutiny of his parents, Yan Jiecheng finally managed to stammer out a sentence after a long pause: "The neighborhood committee said I... said I had a bad record when I received the chickens before."

The room fell silent instantly. The three women who were picking vegetables and Yan Bugui who was fiddling with his glasses both paused for a moment.

Everyone still remembers the time when they distributed chickens all over the city.

At that time, every household in Beiping (Beijing) received meat with coupons. Who wouldn't want free meat?

Only about 20 people had the crooked idea of ​​trying to get an extra one.

Whether it was impersonation or forging certificates, they were all found out.

Although no particularly severe punishment was given, these people's names were all registered with the local street office.

Yan Jiecheng is one of them!

Yan Bugui was extremely worried about getting him back safely.

Even after he returned, they continued to scold him for several days.

Despite the criticism, everyone felt that since the person had been released, the matter was over. Who would have thought it would be brought up again now?

"You! Our family may be calculating, but we don't do anything illegal or against the rules. You..."

Yan Bugui was speechless, panting heavily as he pointed at Yan Jiecheng: "I told you back then, don't do such shameful things! Look at you now, aren't you? Forget the previous punishments, you can't even get a good job when they come knocking!"

Yan Jiecheng, who had been scolded, was also flushed and somewhat anxious. He stood up abruptly: "Dad! You can't say that! I was just thinking that with so many people in our family, one more chicken would mean several more meals. Besides, so much time has passed, and they still remember it, that's just too..."

"Too much?"

Yan Bugui sneered, "Blame the neighborhood committee for holding grudges? Why wouldn't they remember? You got caught cheating, not innocent! Why would they give you a chance to do something like this?"

A few rhetorical questions left Yan speechless, his face turning red with embarrassment.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Yan Bugui sighed again, his tone softening: "Alright, alright, stop standing there. Tomorrow I'll go to the subdistrict office with you and talk to them properly, see if we can make an exception. If that doesn't work... if that really doesn't work, then we'll talk about it again."

After all, he's my son. If he can work at that new factory, he can earn more money.

He was angry, but he still had to get things done.

Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up: "Dad, you're really coming with me?"

"Nonsense, do you think you can manage on your own without me going?" Yan Bugui put on his glasses, stood up, and said, "But let me tell you, even if I go, it might not work. Don't get your hopes up too high."

"Okay, okay! I'll go! I'll go!" Yan Jiecheng nodded repeatedly, finally managing to smile a little.

Although his father was just a self-proclaimed third uncle in the courtyard, he had lived in Beiping for so many years and knew a few people.

While Yan Jiecheng was getting anxious and frustrated, things weren't quiet at Liu Haizhong's house in the backyard either.

Liu Haizhong sat in the chair in the middle of the room, while Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu stood opposite him.

The two stood ramrod straight, heads bowed, listening to their father's lecture.

"You've all heard, haven't you?" Liu Haizhong took a sip of water from his enamel mug. "A new factory has opened outside the city and they're hiring. You two, go and sign up."

Liu Guangtian raised his head and said cautiously, "Dad, we...we can go, but registering doesn't guarantee admission. They have to assess us and see how we perform..."

"Performance?" Liu Haizhong's eyes widened. "What performance could you two possibly have? You're always idling around, never even thinking of finding a proper job! Now that your chance has come, aren't you going to seize it?"

Liu Guangtian muttered under his breath, "Well, we can't find it..."

"Can't find it?" Liu Haizhong slammed his enamel mug on the table. "If you guys were like Zhou Feng, with some real skill, wouldn't you be able to find it? It's just laziness!"

???

Both sons looked up at Liu Haizhong at the same time.

Are you serious about saying that?

Even if they work incredibly hard, they couldn't possibly produce a million chickens!

Feeling the gazes of his two sons, Liu Haizhong's lips twitched. He knew that what he had just said was somewhat unreasonable, so he could only cough lightly.

"Zhou Feng's case is an isolated incident. There are other people your age who have also found jobs and are already sending their wages to their families!"

They exchanged a glance and then chose to lower their heads and remain silent.

After lecturing them for a full fifteen minutes, Liu Haizhong finally waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, go back and prepare. Go register at the street office tomorrow. I'm telling you, if you fail this time, don't come back to see me!"

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu then slunk away.

Once outside, Liu Guangtian couldn't help but mutter, "They just told us to go, but they didn't even say they'd help us think of a solution."

Liu Guangfu sighed, "What can he do? He doesn't know anyone in the neighborhood committee."

"We can't just talk the talk!" Liu Guangtian glanced back into the room and lowered his voice, "I saw Yan Jiecheng go today, and he came back looking dejected. He probably got humiliated. Why don't we go ask him?"

"Alright, why ask? They've already been humiliated, and you're still asking? That's just making things worse for them! Besides, they have three uncles at home, and their dad might have to go to the neighborhood committee tomorrow. Unlike our dad, whether it works out or not depends on us."

They both sighed and walked outside.

Inside the room, Liu Haizhong picked up his enamel mug again and slowly took a sip of water.

He knew it would be difficult for his two sons to get into the factory. It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but he simply couldn't!

These days, how can you get things done without connections?

Liu Haizhong is considered the second oldest in this courtyard and a senior worker in the factory, but apart from these two places, who knows who he is?

In this respect, he and Lao Yi combined can't compare to Lao Yan. After all, Lao Yan is a school teacher who has taught for so many years and can talk to many students' parents.

As for the other people in the courtyard, none of them have any eligible young men in their families.

The only possible idiot, Zhu, was at home preparing a four-dish feast, with He Yushui sitting opposite him.

For so many years, He Yushui has been raised by Sha Zhu and has no say in his life.

But this time, their positions were clearly reversed. Sha Zhu kept smiling obsequiously at his sister, who didn't look too happy either.

"Brother, because of you, my girlfriend almost lost her job. She was even criticized twice by her boss in front of her colleagues. Do you know how serious that is? I'm almost too ashamed to face her!"

Listening to He Yushui's mutterings, Sha Zhu chuckled and put another big piece of meat on her plate.

"I know, I know. My sister and brother-in-law are the best to me. I'll get some nice things and go to their house to thank them!"

"Don't be angry. I have a big boss who thinks highly of me. Once I've made it big, he'll definitely help my brother-in-law!"

He Yushui looked at Sha Zhu, who was patting his chest and making a promise, with some suspicion.

Although her brother isn't usually very reliable, he probably wouldn't brag about something like this to her...

But... how could someone like him get the attention of the leaders?

"Hey! Let me tell you, don't underestimate me! This big boss might even be in charge of those newly opened factories, and he might just transfer me in as head chef!"

Sha Zhu took a sip of wine with a satisfied smile and ate a few peanuts.

They say every cloud has a silver lining. He lost his position as head chef at the steel mill, but now he knows that big boss. Who says he can't rise to the top in the future?

"You're dreaming!"

He Yushui rolled her eyes at him.

Their family has no special skills other than cooking.

She still found it hard to imagine that her silly brother could get involved with any high-ranking leader.

"What a pipe dream! Isn't Director Yang of that steel mill powerful? He's so timid and submissive in front of that leader's secretary!"

Sha Zhu looked disdainful of arguing with the rain, but still squinted and presented his arguments.

"Alright then, you should focus on developing your career and make a good impression on the leaders. We'll both be counting on you then!"

With a soft sigh, He Yushui complimented him.

Although her partner was warned for investigating her mentally challenged brother, blood is thicker than water, so she could just say a few words about it.

If something like this happens again, she…

bah bah bah!

This must never happen again!

"So! Eat in peace, don't rush. With your brother's skills, you won't go hungry in Beiping."

Sha Zhu tilted his head back and downed the last bit of wine in his glass.

"Yan Jiecheng was busy all day, and he came back looking dejected, didn't he? I reckon those two boys from Second Uncle's family will have to go to the neighborhood committee to ask around, but it's unlikely they'll succeed!"

After having a few drinks, Sha Zhu started giving his opinions on everything.

"It's only been a few days since Yan Jie was turned into a broiler chicken? He still wants to work in a factory? Dream on! That's called having a criminal record! Want to turn things around? Not a chance!"

Listening to Sha Zhu muttering to himself, He Yushui looked at him thoughtfully.

If Yan Jiecheng's previous actions can be considered a prior offense, then wouldn't her silly brother's previous arrest also be considered a prior offense?

With this connection, even if that high-ranking leader wanted to arrange a job for her mentally challenged brother, wouldn't it be affected by this incident?

After hesitating for a few seconds, looking at Sha Zhu who was still grinning foolishly, He Yushui still didn't ask the question.

Regardless of whether he's affected or not, let him have a few days of fun first!

The next morning, Yan Bugui specially changed into his treasured dark blue Zhongshan suit, buttoning the collar tightly and wiping his glasses repeatedly.

"Alright, alright, if you keep taking pictures, they'll become a mess!" the third aunt muttered from the side. "Hurry up and take the kids, get in line early, don't let someone else get there first."

Yan Jiecheng paced anxiously beside him, saying, "Dad, let's hurry up! I bet there will be a lot of people registering today!"

Yan Bugui casually straightened the corner of his clothes: "What's the rush? We need to stay calm about this. Let me tell you, when we get to the subdistrict office, don't say a word. I'll talk to them. I've been teaching for so many years, and the deputy director of the subdistrict office's son is one of my students. He has to give us some face."

Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up: "Really? Dad, you have this connection?"

"Of course not." Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses, his face serious. "This relationship will only be used once at most, and it'll be used on you. Once you start working, you'll have to give 60% of your salary home every month!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiecheng's smile froze, but he still nodded.

The father and son left the courtyard one after the other.

Yan Jie was stunned as soon as he reached the entrance of the subdistrict office.

There was a long, dark line of people, stretching from the entrance all the way to the corner of the alley; there must have been fifty or sixty of them.

"So many people?" His heart skipped a beat.

Yan Bugui was also a bit dumbfounded, but he didn't show it on his face and walked forward with an air of superiority: "What's there to be afraid of if there are many people? It's not like it's first come, first served. It depends on the conditions."

The two walked to the end of the line and had just stood still when a commotion arose in front of them.

"Make way! Make way! The neighborhood committee officials are coming out!"

The crowd automatically parted to make way, and several comrades in gray-blue work uniforms came out. The one in the lead was holding a stack of papers; he was none other than Director Wang from the street office.

She cleared her throat: "Comrades, please be quiet! I have a few words to say first!"

The crowd quieted down.

"Everyone knows about the new factory hiring. The higher-ups have given our neighborhood a quota—we need to hire at least twenty people! But…" Director Wang paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, his voice rising a few decibels, "These fifty people must be rigorously vetted! Anyone with a tarnished record is not allowed to participate! This is a strict order from above!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur arose from the crowd.

"A stain? What's a stain?"

"So, he's someone who's committed a crime!"

"Does that count the time you received the chickens before?"

"Of course! Weren't they all publicly criticized and reprimanded back then?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiecheng's face turned pale, and he instinctively shrank behind Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to remain calm and whispered, "Don't panic, there are so many people, how can anyone remember everyone..."

Before he could finish speaking, Director Wang's gaze swept over.

The gaze lingered on Yan Bugui's face for a second, then moved down to Yan Jiecheng, who was cowering in the shadows.

"Yan Jiecheng?" Director Wang frowned, pointed at him, and said, "Come here for a moment."