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

This incident caused quite a stir, with members of the Revolutionary Committee running all over the city, investigating this and that.

The entire city of Beiping was in a state of panic, and many units' work tasks were even affected.

Sha Zhu was different from everyone else. He was already unemployed, and now, because of this incident, the big boss was staying at home for a long time, which gave him more opportunities to have contact with him.

So Zhou Feng and Bai Ling stayed at home every day, but he could go out on his bicycle early in the morning, turning left and right, and enter the big leader's courtyard.

After knocking a few times, the door opened a crack, and a head peeked out. When the person saw it was Sha Zhu, a smile immediately appeared on their face.

"Oh, Comrade He Yuzhu is here? Come in, come in!"

"Uncle Liu, you look great today," Sha Zhu said with a smile as he stepped inside.

Uncle Liu is a veteran driver for the big boss's family. He's become familiar with Sha Zhu and speaks to him without any formality.

"What do you mean by looking good? I've been feeling so bored at home these past few days, and my boss is just wondering who to talk to. You're here just in time. Come on in, there's some freshly harvested melon in the kitchen, I'll go cut you a plate."

"Alright! You rest, I'll go get it! Do you think I, a cook, would let someone else serve me in the kitchen?"

Sha Zhu entered the kitchen with practiced ease, cut up the melon, and carried it to the living room.

Inside the room, the top leader was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper.

Hearing the noise, he looked up, took off his glasses, and smiled: "Zhu Zi is here? Come, come, sit down."

"Boss, are you reading the newspaper here?" Sha Zhu didn't stand on ceremony and plopped down on the chair next to him.

"Of course, I'm just killing time anyway." The big boss folded the newspaper and put it aside, sighed, "I'm not really able to go out right now, how about you play a couple of games of chess with me to relieve some boredom?"

I have to say, Sha Zhu is really something. What chef doesn't study recipes? He's even studying chess manuals!

Moreover, he was truly different from all the other people who played chess with the big boss. With this simple-mindedness, he refused to let the big boss win the game, which made the other party feel a sense of novelty.

But after being imprisoned once, Sha Zhu was no longer a fool. When he gained the upper hand in the game, he would deliberately flatter others: "The big leaders are thinking about national affairs, unlike us!"

While playing chess, Sha Zhu kept talking: "Boss, I have something to tell you. You know our factory director, Director Yang? He's been brought down."

"Yes, I've heard about it." The senior leader made a move, speaking slowly and deliberately, "This incident has caused quite a stir, and many people have been implicated. Wasn't it said that Comrade Li Huaide has now become the factory director?"

"That's exactly what I'm worried about. I was planning to go back to work in the cafeteria, but now with the situation, I don't know if there are any openings there, or if I can go back."

The senior leader pondered for a moment, then looked up at Sha Zhu: "Zhu Zi, let me tell you the truth. Given your current situation, it's best not to rush back to work."

"Why?" Sha Zhu was taken aback.

"You forgot? You were arrested and interrogated before. Although it was a misunderstanding at the time, that they arrested the wrong person, can you really explain this kind of thing away?"

The high-ranking leader put down his chess piece, looked at him seriously, and said, "Things are getting tense outside right now. Someone with a 'criminal record' like you're walking into the line of fire—aren't you just asking for death?"

Sha Zhu's expression changed, and the chess piece in his hand remained suspended in mid-air, not falling for a long time.

"Then... what should I do? I can't just stay at home doing nothing, can I?"

"I didn't say you should stay idle forever." The big boss waved his hand. "I meant we should wait until this storm passes. If you go out now and get targeted again, that would be troublesome. Stay home for now, you won't have to worry about food or drink. Once the situation stabilizes, I'll help you figure something out."

Sha Zhu was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

"That's right." The big boss smiled. "Come on, let's play chess. It's your turn to go."

The two played a few more rounds, and Sha Zhu won more often than he lost. The big boss wasn't annoyed; he just gave a few wry smiles.

Who would have thought that someone could lose a game of Go to a cook?

Before the big boss could speak again, he saw Sha Zhu examining their family's gramophone with a simple, honest smile.

"If you like it, take it home and listen to it."

"No, are you serious?"

"I have a condition. Come cook two meals for me every week!"

Sha Zhu slapped his thigh: "Alright! It's settled then!"

The courtyard house was bustling with activity at this moment.

Under the big locust tree in the front yard, a small square table was set up, and three old men sat in a circle, having a meeting. Xu Damao stood behind them, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.

It was called a meeting, but it was actually organized by Liu Haizhong.

Zhou Feng and Bai Ling looked out of their window.

"What are they up to?"

Bai Ling looked at the courtyard with some curiosity.

Given the cultural practices of these three old men, let alone in Beijing, even in the hutongs of Nanluoguxiang, there are very few courtyards that still retain such a system.

Only a few people take themselves seriously, and they hold meetings every day to discuss things in a very formal way!

"Don't pay them any attention. They're just tiny officials, yet they're still scheming and fighting for power. This is just the second uncle trying to climb up to the first uncle."

Zhou Feng, standing next to her, curled his lip in disdain.

Isn't this the famous scene of the second uncle seizing power?

Immediately following this, Xu Damao transforms into Egg-Smashing Superman.

The people in the courtyard were unaware that the two of them were chirping crickets inside the house. Liu Haizhong cleared his throat and was about to speak when Yi Zhonghai suddenly slammed the enamel mug onto the table with a crisp sound.

"Old Yi, what's wrong with you?" Liu Haizhong asked, startled.

Before he could even voice what he was thinking, Yi Zhonghai's sudden outburst completely bewildered him.

Yi Zhonghai's gaze swept over Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and Xu Damao in front of him, and he suddenly sneered: "Old Liu, don't speak yet, I have something to say first."

"Go on, go on."

Seeing the growing impatience of the group, Yi Zhonghai took a deep breath: "From today onwards, I'm resigning from this position. I'm stepping down."

These words left the onlookers dumbfounded.

The three of them exchanged glances, none of them expecting Yi Zhonghai to say that.

Although this was their goal today, before they could even open their mouths, Yi Zhonghai had already spoken, which made them very uncomfortable.

It feels like all those conversations we discussed before were for nothing, like we were just playing mind games with thin air.

"No, Lao Yi, are you being emotional?"

His expression was a bit strange.

Logically, after Yi Zhonghai said such a thing, he should have tried to persuade him to stay.

But what if he tries to persuade them to stay, and they agree, and then they kick them out?

Isn't that just plain crazy?

"Old Liu, I wasn't emotional."

Yi Zhonghai looked at them expressionlessly: "As a veteran comrade, I feel that my political awareness is too low and I can't keep up with the development of our times."

???

Zhou Feng, standing behind the window, stared wide-eyed.

What's wrong?

Yi Zhonghai also time-traveled?

Do you want to hear what you're saying? Is that your script?

"I think Comrade Yi Zhonghai is right. We need a senior comrade with both education and political acumen to lead our entire institute and help us make progress together!"

Seeing that Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui were bewildered by Yi Zhonghai's sudden abdication, Xu Damao quickly chimed in, confirming the matter.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at him sideways, said nothing, and picked up the enamel mug and walked towards the backyard.

He had clearly seen what kind of mess Xu Damao had made of in the Special Operations Department, but he didn't expect him to recover so quickly and be jumping around like this.

We've been neighbors for decades, who doesn't know what the other is thinking?

Yi Zhonghai was naturally aware of Liu Haizhong and the others' thoughts today, which was exactly what he wanted to do.

There's such a mess outside right now, with people being investigated and arrested everywhere.

He must have kept a record of the time he was detained for so long because of Zhou Feng.

If he continues to act like an old man and deal with the neighborhood, he might get recognized one day and be taken away again.

He's so old, his bones can't handle the strain anymore. Let whoever wants to do it take it.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai leave, Xu Damao's eyes lit up. He ran straight to Liu Haizhong's side and made room for him in the middle, saying, "Please sit here!"

Liu Haizhong's eyes suddenly widened for a moment, and he could hardly contain his joy. This was a dream he had had for so many years, and it was finally about to come true!

But he quickly straightened his face and looked at Yan Bugui: "Third Uncle, what do you think?"

Although he was ostensibly asking for Yan Bugui's opinion, his desire to achieve a middle ground was evident in his words.

Although Yan Bugui also had some interest in the position of the eldest uncle, it was obvious that he could not compete with Liu Haizhong, so he simply gave him a push.

"From now on, you are the eldest uncle in this courtyard, I am the second eldest uncle, and Da Mao is a young cadre who has recently joined the family."

Xu Damao was so happy that the wrinkles on his face all bunched up. He put his bangs in the seat of honor and sat opposite Yan Bugui.

"No, is it really necessary for them? What special privileges do these old men in the courtyard have? Do they get paid by the neighborhood committee?"

Bai Ling was genuinely puzzled.

These three old men don't seem to have much influence with the street office; at most, they're within the jurisdiction of the neighborhood committee, yet they're acting like they're vying for the throne.

"Don't pay them any attention. They're just bored; just watch the show. Look around, besides their three family members, how many other people in this courtyard are even giving them a second glance?"

Zhou Feng chuckled and ruffled her hair from behind.

Regardless of others, once they get married, their family will definitely ignore these three people.

Although the Special Operations Department is still investigating him and is not paying as much attention to him as before, Zhou Feng is well aware that this is only the initial stage of this turmoil.

His value has always been recognized by those leaders, and he will be valued sooner or later.

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard Xu Damao's hoarse voice shout again: "Hey, Shazhu, what are you holding?"

"What's it to you?"

Sha Zhu ignored him completely and walked past him.

"Stop right there!"

Xu Damao chased after him in a flash, glaring at him and pointing a finger at Sha Zhu: "Let me tell you, Yi Zhonghai is out of office. I've been brought in by a combination of old, middle-aged, and young people; I'm practically a leader in this compound now!"

"You, you damn boss!"

"Stop talking nonsense! What are you holding?! Open it up!"

"Open it? I'm afraid you can't afford to pay for it!"

Seeing Xu Damao reach out to grab the gramophone he was holding, Sha Zhu's face darkened, and without saying a word, he kicked it.

The kick was swift and accurate, striking Xu Damao right between the legs.

"Aww—"

Xu Damao screamed in pain, clutched his crotch and squatted down, his face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead, and he was in so much pain that he couldn't speak for a long time.

All the men present involuntarily swallowed.

Sha Zhu, carrying the gramophone, walked towards the Central Court.

Xu Damao squatted on the ground, gasping for breath in pain, tears welling up in his eyes.

He wanted to curse, but he opened and closed his mouth, too much pain to speak.

Just then, two people came out from the Intermediate Court.

Sisters Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru had just come out of the Intermediate People's Court.

"Sis, why have Zhou Feng and Bai Ling been staying cooped up in the house these past few days?"

Qin Jingru asked in a low voice, but Qin Huairu glared at her.

"Didn't you hear what my mom told you? Comrade Zhou Feng is in trouble, so don't go asking around. If he needs you to take care of him, then take good care of him. If he doesn't need you, then stay with my family and don't worry about anything else."

Qin Huairu has become more obedient now. These past few days, since Qin Jingru stayed at their house, they've been eating meat non-stop.

Although Qin Jingru had to eat all the good food first, how much could she eat with such a small appetite?

The rest ended up in their own mouths!

The Jia family now has no shortage of rice, flour, oil, meat, or eggs, and they are living a fairly good life.

However, although Zhou Feng always gave her generous portions, the quantities were always small, making it difficult for her to accumulate many, which she found a bit of a pity.

"Sister, of course I know, I am..."

Qin Jingru was speaking when she suddenly saw Sha Zhu carrying something coming from the other side, and she instinctively stopped talking.

Of course, Sha Zhu saw them too.

To be precise, he saw Qin Huairu first, his eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth turned up. Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of Qin Jingru, who was holding Qin Huairu's arm.

The smile froze on Sha Zhu's face, then instantly turned pale.

Putting everything else aside, he wouldn't be interested in a woman who went on a blind date with him and then got so close to that Zhou Feng.

Once the big boss has found him a factory job, he'll find a city girl. Who would want this country girl?

In a bad mood, Sha Zhu didn't even want to talk to Qin Huairu. Holding his gramophone, he walked past the two sisters with a stern face, without even saying hello.

"Hey, Sha Zhu, what are you holding?"

Qin Huairu was somewhat curious about what was in the box he was carrying.

When he asked, the person didn't even stop walking or turn their head; they just let out a cold snort from their nose.

Then he walked straight away.

Qin Huairu stood there stunned, a little embarrassed: "Hey! Why is this person like this?"

Qin Jingru pouted, "Sis, don't pay him any attention. What good stuff could he possibly have? Even if it's good, it can't compare to the stuff at my brother Zhou Feng's house!"

Listening to them talking in the courtyard and watching the progress of his double-passage door flashing continuously, Zhou Feng's eyes suddenly lit up.

Holy crap... I don't know when, but the double-door project is already 95% complete!