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

Liu Haizhong was completely dumbfounded.

He was a man in his fifties, and Li Huaide's words made his face turn red and white, and his lips trembled incessantly.

Before, whether it was Sha Zhu or Zhou Feng, if you spoke to him rudely, you would at most exchange a few words with him.

Unlike Li Huaide.

He launched into a tirade, showing no mercy to Section Chief Liu, and completely broke his spirit.

But then he remembered that all the power he had now was given to him by Li Huaide, so Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth and forced a smile: "Leader, I..."

"What do you mean, 'you'? Shut up!"

Li Huaide grew increasingly agitated, pointing a finger directly at Liu Haizhong: "You still want to use me to intimidate him? Do you know what my relationship with Zhou Feng is? He's my brother, closer than any blood brother! Even if he points his finger at me and curses, I'll accept it. That's between us brothers. Who gives you the right to come here and sow discord?"

"Boss, I really didn't mean that."

Liu Haizhong was completely panicked. He originally wanted to use someone else to do the dirty work, but the knife belonged to someone else. How could he do it?

Not only can't they do anything about Zhou Feng, but they've also offended their superiors.

"You're talking nonsense! Weren't you just trying to get me to stand up for you? Let me tell you, save your breath! Zhou Feng said he was the factory manager, didn't he? He is the factory manager, but his position was transferred a long time ago. You're not happy about that?"

What the hell!

Liu Haizhong stared wide-eyed, his mouth half-open, not knowing what to say.

He worked diligently for half his life, resorting to underhanded tactics to build connections and exploit loopholes, and only at the age of 53 did he finally become a section chief.

Why did someone become a factory director in their early twenties?

"But...but our factory manager..."

Li Huaide looked at him and sneered, "What? There's only one steel rolling mill in the whole of Beiping. Can't you be the leader of another factory? Come with me tonight to apologize to Zhou Feng, or I'll take off your hat as the leader of the workers' disciplinary team right now."

Liu Hai's heart skipped a beat, and his legs went weak: "Boss, I was wrong, I was really wrong, please don't..."

If he hadn't become an official, it probably wouldn't have mattered.

Now that he has experienced the sense of accomplishment that power brings, to have him removed from this position would be worse than death for him.

"Alright, alright, get lost." Li Huaide waved his hand impatiently. "Don't get in my way."

Liu Haizhong opened his mouth, wanting to say a few more conciliatory words, but seeing Li Huaide's expression, he didn't dare to utter a sound and slunk away.

The moment the door closed, he heard Li Huaide curse from inside the room: "What the hell!"

Damn it!

Old Liu is, after all, a section chief, and he has a lot of people under his command!

Before he became the section chief, everyone called him Master Liu.

Now that he's become a section chief, he's become a complete jerk, and everyone he meets criticizes him.

I still need to communicate more with Xu Damao. Putting everything else aside, Damao's attitude is commendable.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Feng is still someone he can't afford to offend, but he can still handle Sha Zhu, who is so reckless!

Liu Haizhong, whose face had been somewhat ashen and who was leaning against the wall as he walked out, suddenly revealed a ferocious look.

Zhou Feng and Li Huaide have such a good relationship, and Zhou Feng is a leader at the factory director level, so he definitely can't touch him. So let's go and deal with Sha Zhu, and get some revenge!

In the office, Li Huaide sat back down in his chair, picked up his enamel mug, took two sips, and then put it down again.

Hesitantly, he bent down and took out an iron box from the drawer. Inside were a lot of industrial tickets and two watches. Li Huaide glanced at it, sighed, and put it back.

These things are rare in this era, but they are definitely worthless to Zhou Feng, and he wouldn't even look at them.

The piece of beef he ate at Zhou Feng's house before cost several hundred yuan. Bringing any gifts when visiting feels a bit inadequate.

After pondering for a long time, Li Huaide scratched his head vigorously. He couldn't very well send a girl to Zhou Feng, could he?

That Bai Ling next to him might actually shoot him dead!

Li Huaide pondered for a long time, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He took out all the industrial vouchers, got up, put on his coat, and straightened his collar in front of the broken half-mirror behind the door.

He had to go and see his brother, who had finally come back for a visit!

Even if my own brother can't use the gifts, I can give them to someone else!

Judging from the conversations Zhou Feng and he had over drinks, the two were basically the same.

If a son-in-law like him dares to have affairs outside, how could Zhou Feng, with his powerful background, not have mistresses?

Holding the receipts, Li Huaide headed straight for the supply and marketing cooperative.

The gift for this visit is quite clear: buy a women's bicycle and push it to the courtyard house.

Whoever Brother Zhou Feng takes a fancy to, he can give it to.

What kind of woman can't even handle a bicycle?

This is called a flanking maneuver!

Li Huaide happily rode his jeep to the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative, then sent the driver and secretary back home.

Those are his own connections; no one else can even think about touching them.

Zhou Feng and his two companions left the Special Operations Unit in a jeep and went straight back to the courtyard house.

Tie Jianguo and Bai Lang, carrying their own equipment, went to the transaction location described by Zhou Feng.

Zhou Feng was walking through the hanging flower gate, heading home, when a crisp voice called out, "Brother Zhou Feng!"

The next second, a figure lunged straight at him from the front.

Zhou Feng was startled and instinctively took half a step back. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Qin Jingru!

The girl hadn't seen Zhou Feng for several days, and now that she suddenly saw him in the yard, her eyes lit up like stars.

Seeing her rushing towards him, Zhou Feng looked around and, not seeing any other neighbors, simply opened his arms and caught her in his embrace.

Qin Jingru wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and said in a muffled voice, "You're finally back. I missed you so much."

Both the girl and Bai Ling longed for Zhou Feng, but they expressed it in completely different ways.

"Let's go home and talk."

After hesitating for a fraction of a second, Zhou Feng reached out and supported Qin Jingru's buttocks, carrying her towards his house door.

Although there are no other neighbors in the courtyard now, it would still be troublesome if someone saw them.

Qin Jingru nodded vigorously, then buried her face in his shoulder, her dimples showing as she smiled.

The two pushed the door open and entered, and Zhou Feng closed it behind them.

But none of them noticed that just as Qin Jingru threw herself into Zhou Feng's arms, a pair of eyes stared wide-eyed intently through the crack in the window of the house across from theirs.

Yan Jie was dumbfounded; his eyes almost popped out of their sockets!

Was that woman who lunged at you Qin Huairu's sister?

Isn't Zhou Feng dating that Comrade Bai Ling?

Why is he holding the Qin family's girl in his arms again?

When did these two get together?

Yan Jiecheng opened his mouth for a long time, but he didn't know what to say. He turned his head to look at the third aunt who was still in the room, and decided to keep the matter to himself.

As Zhou Feng closed the door, Bai Ling was tidying up the room. Hearing the noise, she casually asked, "You're back?"

During the few days Zhou Feng was away, she didn't have the leisure to tidy up the room.

Now that Zhou Fenghui has arrived, she also needs to show her diligent side.

When he turned around, Zhou Feng was back, but he still had a little braid in his arms!

Bai Ling's bright smile vanished instantly, and the air suddenly became quiet.

Qin Huairu, who had been smiling and resting her face on Zhou Feng's shoulder, lifted her head and looked back following Zhou Feng's gaze, her body suddenly stiffening.

"Oh! Sister Bai... Sister Bai Ling, you're home!"

Even though she was still captivated by Zhou Feng's embrace, Qin Jingru felt too embarrassed to stay nestled in his arms any longer. She struggled free and jumped back to the ground.

The blush spread from her face to the roots of her ears, and she stood there somewhat at a loss.

"Come in and sit down. What are you still standing at the door for?"

Bai Ling placed the rag in her hand on the table next to her, her eyes calmly sweeping over the two of them, her tone unchanging.

Zhou Feng glanced down at Qin Jingru's still tangled fingers, grabbed them, and then led her to sit down next to Bai Ling.

Qin Jingru bit her lip, lowered her head, and followed in small steps.

"Hehehe, Bai Ling, I have some good news for you. I've renegotiated with Director Sun and the others. We'll stick to the old method, but we'll change it to once a week."

Although Zhou Feng couldn't be too explicit with Qin Jingru present, Bai Ling instantly understood what he meant, nodded seriously, and then continued to look at Qin Jingru.

She knew of this girl's existence, but the two of them hugging in front of her was a bit too much.

Especially since they came in from outside, they must have hugged each other in the yard.

If the neighbors see this and it gets out, will Bai Ling ever be able to save face again?

Seeing that his attempt to change the subject had failed, Zhou Feng chuckled awkwardly and cleared his throat: "Actually..."

"Don't speak!"

Bai Ling interrupted him directly, her voice not loud, but her tone was very strong.

"I know about what's going on between you two, but aren't you going a bit too far and being a little too oblivious to others? At least you should keep a proper distance in the yard, shouldn't you?"

Qin Jingru looked up, her eyes immediately reddening, tears welling up in them: "Sister Bai Ling, I'm sorry... I... I was just so happy to see Brother Zhou Feng come back, I didn't mean to..."

She looked at Bai Ling, then at Zhou Feng, and tears streamed down her face. She stood up and was about to kneel before Bai Ling: "Sister Bai Ling, I really didn't mean to, I just..."

This startled Bai Ling, who quickly helped her up, then glared fiercely at Zhou Feng: "I'm not blaming you, it's all this guy's fault for being so inhuman!"

When something like this happens, it's Zhou Feng's fault. You can't blame the girl, can you?

"Sister Bai Ling, don't worry, I'll do whatever you ask me to do from now on!"

"You," Bai Ling reached out and tapped Qin Jingru's forehead, "Silly girl."

Qin Jingru was stunned by the question, tears still on her face, staring blankly at her.

Bai Ling took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her face: "Don't cry, you look like a cat crying."

Qin Jingru immediately understood that the matter was over, and she burst into laughter through her tears, hugging Bai Ling's arm tightly: "Sister Bai Ling, you're so kind!"

Bai Ling, feeling a sharp pain from being shaken, quickly tugged at her, saying, "Alright, alright, stop shaking me."

Watching this scene unfold, Zhou Feng swallowed hard, but his anxiety finally subsided.

He had assumed Bai Ling was out working, which was why he carried Qin Jingru directly into the house.

If he had known Bai Ling was inside, he wouldn't have been so blatant.

But it's all for the best now. With what happened today, Bai Ling's acceptable threshold for the relationship between Zhou Feng and Qin Jingru will be raised even higher in the future.

The window paper was even more torn, but it felt even easier.

After they had talked things out, Zhou Feng stood up, walked over to Bai Ling, sat down next to her, and put his arm around her shoulder: "Wife, thank you."

Bai Ling glanced at him and said softly, "Stop acting innocent after getting a good deal. Just don't cause me any more trouble in the future."

"No, no," Zhou Feng assured with a smile, then reached out and pulled Qin Jingru close as well. "If you two take good care of yourselves, I'll definitely treat you well."

Qin Jingru snuggled closer, her little face still flushed, but her eyes were full of joy.

The three of them sat there chatting, and the atmosphere became more and more relaxed.

Qin Jingru had a sweet tongue, calling Bai Ling "Sister Bai Ling" affectionately, which made Bai Ling smile.

Bai Ling is a magnanimous person. Since she has already agreed, she will not hold a grudge.

Seeing that the time was right, Zhou Feng put his left arm around Bai Ling and his right arm around Qin Jingru. Both women leaned against him; one was gentle and serene, the other lively and charming. They were quite happy together.

He lowered his head and whispered something in Bai Ling's ear. Bai Ling blushed and gently punched him.

He turned to Qin Jingru and said something, and Qin Jingru exclaimed "Aiya!" and buried her face in his chest.

Zhou Feng's lips curled slightly upward, just as he was about to take it a step further...

"Comrade Zhou Feng! Director Li and I have come to see you!"

A loud shout came from the courtyard and clearly reached the ears of the three people inside the house.

His voice was loud and clear, as if he wanted the whole courtyard to know that he had come to visit.

Bai Ling suddenly opened her eyes.

Qin Jingru also jumped up from Zhou Feng's arms.

The two women pushed Zhou Feng away at the same time; one quickly straightened her collar, and the other hurriedly smoothed her hair.

Qin Jingru's face turned bright red; she was panicking terribly, stamping her feet and muttering, "Oh no, oh no, oh no! What if someone sees us? I... I'll go out the back door, okay?"

"Where is the back door to this house?" Bai Ling said irritably.

In a panic, Qin Jingru gritted her teeth, opened the door, and rushed out with her head down.

In the courtyard, Li Huaide and Liu Haizhong were standing there.

Li Huaide was pushing a brand-new women's bicycle, with a red ribbon tied to the handlebars, clearly indicating that it had just been bought from the supply and marketing cooperative.

Liu Haizhong stood next to him, his neck hunched, an unnatural smirk on his face.

As soon as the two arrived at the gate of the courtyard, before Li Huaide could even speak, Liu Haizhong shouted at the top of his lungs.

"What the hell are you yelling for?!" Li Huaide's smile vanished instantly. He turned and glared at Liu Haizhong, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.

Liu Haizhong shuddered at his glare: "I...I just wanted to tell the boss..."

"Say 'speak your mother'!" Li Huaide wanted nothing more than to slap him. "Do you think this is your home? Shouting like you're afraid people won't know you're here?"

Liu Haizhong opened his mouth, but before he could explain, the door in front of him opened.

Qin Jingru rushed out from inside, head down, face covered, and darted past Li Huaide and Liu Haizhong. She ran into the central courtyard in a few steps and disappeared behind the moon gate.

Li Huaide was stunned.

Liu Haizhong was also stunned.