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

But now…

What can the couple do?

Lou's mother picked up the paper cup and used the act of drinking water to wipe away her tears. Although she felt bitter, she was helpless.

Lou Zhenhua was much more open-minded than her. He glanced at Zhou Feng and Lou Xiao'e twice, but only nodded slightly.

He had seen the mark on his daughter's neck, of course, but just as he had said to Lou's mother at home before, if Lou Xiao'e could really have some kind of relationship with Zhou Feng, then the Lou family would be the ones who benefited.

Now it seems that things are developing in the direction he hoped for.

If that's the case, why is he angry?

"Comrade Zhou Feng, I am deeply grateful. If you ever need anything from the Lou family in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. Although I, Lou Zhenhua, am down on my luck now, I still have some connections and influence that I can rely on."

Lou Zhenhua picked up a paper cup, offered tea instead of wine, and toasted Zhou Feng.

Zhou Feng also picked up his cup and clinked it with his, but instead of getting down to business, he gestured for the other man to eat first.

The Lou couple's eyes lit up as they took a bite of the dish.

They had eaten good food before, so they knew exactly what level of food Zhou Feng had brought out.

However… looking at Qin Huairu, she really doesn’t seem like a chef capable of making this kind of dish.

After a few dishes, the atmosphere at the table relaxed considerably. Zhou Feng then put down his chopsticks and spoke slowly, "Mr. Lou, since you've come to see me today and just made your stance clear, I won't beat around the bush. I do have something I'd like to ask for your help with."

Lou Zhenhua immediately put down his chopsticks, straightened his back, and said seriously, "Please speak."

"My situation is a bit complicated right now. I'm currently the deputy director of three newly built factories in the suburbs. It's not a high-ranking position, but there's a lot to do. I don't have much free time."

Lou Zhenhua listened to Zhou Feng's words and nodded seriously.

Even before the incident, he knew that Zhou Feng must be someone of importance.

Although he didn't investigate Zhou Feng's background to avoid trouble, these mere deputy factory directors from three factories didn't meet the standards of Zhou Feng's imagined identity.

The only noteworthy point is that these three factories were recently established by the organization, which has recruited a lot of talent from all over the country, suggesting that it is highly valued.

Zhou Feng was able to serve as the deputy director of three factories simultaneously. Although his official rank was not high, his status was considerable.

This also shows that someone in higher positions must value him highly.

"I don't have time to manage these three factories. I asked Li Huaide from the steel rolling mill to help me transfer a comrade named Ma Yingjie to help keep an eye on them, but his abilities are really limited. In particular, he is afraid to offend people. When someone in the factory tries to cause trouble for me, he just shrinks back, which makes me very dissatisfied."

Zhou Feng frowned slightly, then looked at Lou Zhenhua: "I need someone capable of managing and keeping things under control to help me connect with these three factories."

Lou Zhenhua didn't speak, but his heart suddenly started beating faster.

"There are only three main things."

Zhou Feng held up three fingers: "First, carefully check the inbound and outbound records to prevent anyone from manipulating them. Second, promptly summarize and report any problems that arise in the factory to me, whether big or small. I need to know. Third…"

Zhou Feng paused, his gaze towards Lou Zhenhua becoming more profound: "I need to utilize the Lou family's existing network of connections and subordinates."

This caused Lou Zhenhua to catch his breath and remain silent for a long time.

"I need them to help me establish a presence in Hong Kong and overseas. I can provide whatever it takes, whether it's money, weapons, materials, or supplies. My people will devise strategies; all they need to do is follow orders."

The main room was quiet for a few seconds.

Lou Xiao'e looked at her father with some nervousness.

Lou's mother was also somewhat dazed, and even stopped picking up food with her chopsticks.

The mother and daughter hadn't been involved in the Lou family's affairs, but they knew that Lou Zhenhua's attitude at this moment represented Zhou Feng's attitude towards them next.

Lou Zhenhua remained silent for a long time, picking up his teacup and putting it down repeatedly before finally letting out a sigh.

"Comrade Zhou Feng, I understand you want to use the Lou family's connections and men, but do you mean I should stay in the country while they go abroad?"

Lou Zhenhua's voice was a little tense, and you could tell he was nervous, but Zhou Feng nodded seriously.

"Yes, at your age, it's no longer suitable for you to go out and make a living. The country needs someone to stay and oversee things. You should stay here, hand over your family connections and network, and work peacefully as an assistant in three factories in Beiping."

Zhou Feng looked intently at Lou Zhenhua: "Don't worry, as long as you stay in Beiping, I can guarantee your safety. All three factories will pay you a salary with very good benefits, and the Lou family's life will not be worse than it is now."

Silence fell over the room once more.

These conditions couldn't be better for Lou's mother and Lou Xiao'e.

Although they were released from the detention center, it proves that someone was already watching them, so Lou Zhenhua had a plan to escape from Beiping.

But it's hard to leave one's homeland. Having grown up here, it's not so easy for them to leave Beiping.

They're going to a strange place to start over. They're almost a hundred years old combined, and their limited energy won't last long. Are they going to have to rely on E'zi?

Lou Xiao'e opened her mouth as if to say something, but her mother tugged at her clothes under the table, so she didn't dare to speak.

This is a conversation between men, and also between the heads of the two families. The women still need to be observant and know how to keep quiet.

"Comrade Zhou Feng, I promise you."

Lou Zhenhua finally raised his head, let out a long sigh, and his eyes were a little red: "I'll go back and organize the connections and networks today; you can just send someone to pick them up from me. As for the three factories, once you've arranged everything, I can take over at any time. As for the external arrangements..."

"Our Lou family still has a few old acquaintances in Hong Kong Island. I can write to them and contact them. If you trust me, give me a month, and I guarantee I can get the connections established in Hong Kong Island, making it easier for your people to take over."

Zhou Feng looked at Lou Zhenhua, whose face showed some disappointment, and slowly smiled.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Uncle Lou. From today onwards, we're in the same boat."

Seeing Zhou Feng pick up his water glass, Lou Zhenhua did the same and gently touched it with his.

At that moment, Lou Zhenhua keenly noticed the change in how Zhou Feng addressed him, which represented Zhou Feng's acceptance of him.

Lou Xiao'e, who was standing to the side, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yesterday she thought the sky was falling, but today she met her parents. She became Zhou Feng's mistress without even realizing it, and now her father has become Zhou Feng's assistant.

In just one night, it seemed that the whole family had become involved with Zhou Feng and depended on him for survival.

Lou's mother didn't think too much about it. She reached out and took Lou Xiao'e's hand, her eyes reddening again.

This time, there was no feeling of grievance, but rather tears of joy.

Having gained Zhou Feng's approval, at least the Lou family had found a place to shelter from the storm.

Qin Jingru looked left and right, but she still couldn't figure out what Zhou Feng and Lou Zhenhua meant by what they were saying. However, she could sense that they had reached some kind of agreement.

Since that's the case, and seeing that the atmosphere at the table was a bit stiff, Qin Jingru smiled and said, "Is this enough? Or should I go get two more?"

Her clear voice broke the atmosphere at the table, causing Zhou Feng and the Lou family members to involuntarily smile.

"That's enough, that's enough! What are you still fussing about? Make sure you eat your fill first!"

As he spoke, Zhou Feng reached out and pulled her to sit down next to him, putting his arm around her waist.

Qin Jingru's pupils flickered slightly. She pursed her lips to suppress the corners of her mouth that wanted to turn up, but a blush had already crept onto her cheeks.

She wasn't stupid; she naturally understood that Zhou Feng's intimate gesture with her in front of the Lou family at this time was clearly an indication of her identity.

So she didn't struggle, but naturally reached out and put a piece of food in Zhou Feng's bowl. The two smiled at each other.

Seeing this from the side, Lou's mother's last bit of unease dissipated.

This girl is not the Bai Ling they met yesterday. She has no official status and is just following Zhou Feng around. She seems to be doing quite well.

In that case, at least Xiao'e in their family still has…

Forget it, if it were before, the Lou family's background could be considered a good thing, but now they're directly labeled as descendants of capitalists and bad elements. It's best not to mention it if possible.

However, it seems that Comrade Zhou Feng doesn't care much about Xiao'e's background. Otherwise, would he have gone out of his way to bring his two old men out for her sake?

At this moment, Lou's mother was very clear about what she was thinking.

This week, Feng stepped in to help, not for Xiao'e's sake, but perhaps to get Lao Lou to do his work?

There are plenty of clever, intelligent, and educated young people out there, what use is this old man!

As she came to terms with it, Lou's mother's gaze towards Zhou Feng changed slightly.

As the saying goes, a mother-in-law finds her son-in-law more and more pleasing to the eye the more she looks at him; this is exactly the point.

With everything laid out openly and Qin Jingru mediating, the atmosphere at the dinner table relaxed once again.

Zhou Feng walked to the bedside table, took out a few banknotes, and handed them to Lou Zhenhua: "Uncle Lou, your family has just been through a lot, so you must be short of money. Take this to tide you over."

Lou Zhenhua looked at the 50 yuan Zhou Feng handed him with a complicated expression, then sighed and shook his head: "No need, I have..."

"You have nothing left!"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Feng interrupted him.

"You don't have a single penny left in your household; you've been living off my help this month!"

Zhou Feng spoke very formally, and Lou Zhenhua understood his meaning after thinking about it in his mind, and quickly nodded repeatedly.

He did indeed have some gold bars, jewelry, and cash saved up for a rainy day, but it was not the right time to take those things out.

Otherwise, if I get arrested again for my capitalist behavior, that would be troublesome.

Taking the money from Zhou Feng would avoid many problems. Even if someone discovered their spending habits, they could simply transfer the source of the money to Zhou Feng.

Rather than saying Zhou Feng gave the couple money, it would be more accurate to say he gave them the confidence to spend it.

After the meal, Zhou Feng personally saw the Lou family to the door before returning home.

Lou Xiao'e had just confirmed her relationship with Zhou Feng and wanted to stay here, but her mother held her hand tightly and insisted on taking her home.

Even if she's working as a concubine, she can't be completely without manners. She's waiting to go home and give Lou Xiao'e a good talking-to.

We can't let Lou Xiao'e embarrass the Lou family in front of the Zhou family.

The father and his two daughters had just stepped out of the courtyard gate and hadn't even reached the alley entrance when they bumped into an unexpected person.

Xu Damao tilted his head and pursed his lips, looking at the three familiar faces in front of him: "Oh, how strange, what brings the three of you to our courtyard?"

Compared to his attitude when the Lou family unilaterally severed ties with him, Xu Damao now even seems to have a bit of a smug, petty person's sense of triumph.

Even when facing Lou Zhenhua, whom he had previously been somewhat intimidated by, Xu Damao showed no sign of backing down.

In his mind, the Lou family had already been targeted by his second uncle and his men, and would be arrested sooner or later, so why should he be polite?

It's a pity that Xu Damao didn't know that the Lou family had been arrested and then released; otherwise, his attitude might have changed somewhat.

"What does our family's presence here have to do with you?"

Lou Xiao'e rolled her eyes in annoyance, grabbed her mother, and tried to walk past Xu Damao, but he stopped her, saying, "Don't blame me for not warning you, the situation is different now. Your capitalist family will get into trouble sooner or later!"

After Xu Damao finished speaking, his gaze remained fixed on Lou Zhenhua's face.

He certainly didn't mean to point out the other party's good intentions; instead, he wanted to see Lou Zhenhua show a panicked expression because of what he said.

Unfortunately, Lou Zhenhua only glanced at him indifferently before continuing to walk out of the alley with his wife and daughter.

His expression was as if he hadn't heard Xu Damao's reminder at all. What frustrated him even more was that Lou Zhenhua's attitude was no different from when he had seen him before.

Instantly, Xu Damao recalled the time during his marriage to Lou Xiao'e when he took the initiative to visit her but was looked down upon by Lou Zhenhua, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.

"Hey! You'll regret your attitude today, I swear!"

Xu Damao stared wide-eyed, gritting his teeth as he watched the Lou family members leave.

Lou Xiao'e, however, turned and glanced at him, saying, "Give me a break. Looking at you, nobody wants to talk to you!"

With that, the three of them turned the corner and disappeared into the alley.

"Damn it! What bad luck!"

Xu Damao cursed viciously.

He was in a good mood, but unexpectedly he ran into the Lou family early in the morning, and they still treated him with the same arrogant and disdainful attitude as before.

"Damn it, Liu Haizhong is a useless piece of trash. He's dragged this simple thing out until now..."

As Xu Damao was muttering to himself, he heard a suppressed voice of anger behind him: "Xu Damao, who the hell are you calling trash?!"