I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

In the front yard of the courtyard house, Yan Bugui was watering the flowers at the door when he suddenly noticed Liu Haizhong walking in step by step with his head held high, his hands behind his back, humming an unknown tune.

"Hey, second brother! What's got you so happy today?" Yan Bugui, carrying a watering can for watering flowers, grinned and approached Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong seemed startled, stopped in his tracks, glanced coldly at Yan Bugui who was approaching, snorted through his nose, ignored him completely, and continued walking inside with his hands behind his back.

This Yan Bugui is getting more and more disrespectful! Calling you "Second Brother" like that, how dare you? You're lucky today, the official appointment hasn't been posted yet. Wait until the official document comes out tomorrow, and you'll be in deep trouble! You'll learn how to talk to your superiors properly from now on!

Yan Bugui was completely baffled by Liu Haizhong. Looking at his smug back, he muttered to himself, "What's wrong with Old Liu? What's wrong with him? He won't even talk to me." *Tch!* Yan Bugui gave Liu Haizhong's retreating figure a disdainful look, then turned back to continue watering the flowers.

After passing through the front yard, Liu Haizhong arrived at the middle yard. Sha Zhu was leaning against the pool, chatting idly with Qin Huairu, who was washing clothes. The two were laughing and joking, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Sha Zhu looked up and suddenly saw Liu Haizhong walking in from the front yard.

"Second Uncle, it's time to get off work."

Liu Haizhong stopped, put his hands behind his back, and said seriously, "Shazhu, did you sneak back early again last night? Let me tell you, you can't do this again! You know the situation right now, the whole country is watching. In our factory, we workers are the ones in charge. How can you still be thinking of slacking off? Especially at this crucial time, you should be contributing more!"

Sha Zhu stared wide-eyed at Liu Haizhong in disbelief. "Hey, Second Uncle, are you sick? You come back and immediately start lecturing me? Hey, even our cafeteria manager has never spoken to me like that. Did you take the wrong medicine today?"

Sha Zhu sized up Liu Haizhong's appearance today, his mind momentarily blank. He grinned and teased, "So, instead of becoming a leader at the factory, you're just trying to have your fill of being an official in the yard? Huh? Is that right, Second Uncle?"

"Shazhu, be serious! I'm talking to you about serious matters, what kind of attitude is this?" Liu Haizhong immediately put on a stern face, adopting the demeanor of a leader.

Seeing this, Qin Huairu, who was washing clothes, quietly nudged Shazhu under the table with her elbow and scolded, "What are you saying? Second Uncle is the leader in the courtyard. What's wrong with talking to you? I think you need to be disciplined. You're always offending this person and that person."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong's expression softened instantly, and he nodded with a smile, saying, "Yes, Qin Huairu is indeed sensible and polite! Alright, alright, I'm too lazy to say anything more to him. Qin Huairu, I'll head back now."

Liu Haizhong greeted Qin Huairu with a smile, after all, Qin Huairu was close to Director Li Jing'an. Although Li Jing'an hadn't officially reinstated Qin Huairu as class monitor, the two had already reconnected, and Qin Huairu often went to tidy up Li Jing'an's house. Liu Haizhong was now someone Director Li had promoted, so he certainly couldn't neglect Qin Huairu.

The backyard, Liu Haizhong's house.

With a "bang," Liu Haizhong pushed open the door and swaggered in. Seeing this, his second aunt immediately greeted him with a smile: "Dad, are you tired? Come, come, let me get you some water."

Liu Haizhong simply grunted an "Mmm" through his nose, without even lifting his eyelids, and plopped down in the chair, crossing his legs and waiting contentedly for his second aunt to serve him.

The second aunt deftly grabbed the chipped enamel mug, tossed in a handful of tea leaves, poured in hot water, and presented it to Liu Haizhong with both hands. Liu Haizhong slowly raised his eyelids, took the mug, and took a sip. His brows instantly furrowed into a deep frown, and he spat out the tea leaves onto the floor with two "pui pui" sounds. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he slammed the enamel mug heavily onto the table, splashing tea everywhere with a loud "bang."

"What kind of lousy tea is this? It's just dregs! It's got all over my mouth!" Liu Haizhong pointed at his second aunt and started to complain.

The second aunt looked aggrieved and confused: "Dad, haven't we always drunk this high-foam drink? We've always drunk it like this before, why can't we drink it today?"

"You don't know anything!" Liu Haizhong glared, looking at him with exasperation. "Look outside! Look at the streets, look at the factories! What's going on? It changes every day! Can our family stand still? Can't we adapt and change too? Tomorrow! Tomorrow you go to the grocery store and buy me a few ounces of decent tea! Tell me, is that stuff even fit for human consumption?"

As he spoke, he spat twice more onto the floor, as if to completely expel the sullen smell from before.

"By the way, don't make those radishes and cabbages again tonight. They make me feel so weak, and even my farts smell like radishes!" Liu Haizhong waved his hand with a look of disgust.

"Honey, I'll fry you an egg, won't I?" Auntie Er whispered in defense.

"Why fry an egg? I'm sick of eggs! Who can stand eating eggs every day?" Liu Haizhong interrupted her impatiently, then, as if remembering something, waved his hand and arrogantly ordered, "Honey! Go kill the egg's mother and stew it tonight!"

Upon hearing this, the second aunt stamped her feet in frustration: "Honey, are we giving up? You're counting on it to lay eggs in the future!"

"What are you yelling about? I'm telling you, from now on we're not eating eggs anymore, we're eating chicken! Don't think I'm joking, what I say is an order, so just do as I say!"

Before the second aunt could even open her mouth to argue, Liu Haizhong slammed his hand on the table, glaring at her and roaring, "What's wrong? You're a member of the steel mill's Revolutionary Committee and captain of the disciplinary team, are you going back on your word? Huh?!"

"What committee member? What captain? What are you talking about?" The second aunt was stunned by the shout and looked completely bewildered.

"Hmph, look at you, so naive!" Liu Haizhong raised his chin smugly. "Let me tell you, from now on, I'm a member of our factory's Revolutionary Committee, and also the captain of the workers' picket line!"

"Oh my goodness! Honey, you've become a cadre?!" The second aunt's eyes lit up with excitement. "I can't believe you're this old, and suddenly... Is this for real? Who promoted you?"

"Who else could it be? Of course, it's Director Li Jing'an!" Liu Haizhong proudly raised his chin. "After being quiet for the past few years, Director Li said it was a test for me, to let me take my time and hone my skills. And now, as soon as the opportunity arises, he immediately puts such a heavy responsibility on me! Of course, he also knows my capabilities..."

The second aunt wanted to ask something more, but Liu Haizhong frowned and impatiently slammed his hand on the table: "What are you nagging about? Hurry up and cook! Do you want me to starve to death?"

"Yes, yes, I'm going right now, I'm going right now!" Auntie Er responded repeatedly, her face beaming with joy. She quickly took off her apron from behind the door, tied it on, and walked briskly outside.