I, Yan Jiefang, will live to 2025 in this courtyard house.

Before long, the two arrived at the entrance of the state-run canteen in Mao'er Hutong. (The author mentions having old photos.)

Yan Jiefang looked up.

The restaurant's facade was quite large for that era, and it even had a rare glass door.

Above the main gate are four large red characters: State-run Restaurant.

On each side of the gate are four large red characters: Self-reliance and hard work.

The two opened the door and walked into the state-run canteen in Mao'er Hutong. The room was filled with the light aroma of food, and the long wooden tables and benches were wiped clean.

During difficult times, even state-run restaurants didn't have many ingredients available in their kitchens.

Aside from the long queues in the morning, there aren't many diners at lunch and dinner.

Many seats were empty.

He Yushui clutched her grain coupons and change, ignoring Yan Jiefang's objections.

I insisted on ordering two bowls of braised cabbage noodles, a plate of stir-fried bok choy, and two extra steamed buns made with a mixture of wheat and water. (Wheat flour is scarce and usually sells out by morning.)

The two chose a corner seat and waited for a while before their food was prepared.

She pushed the bowl and chopsticks in front of Yan Jiefang, her expression serious.

"I really owe you a lot this time, otherwise I'd probably be starving to death by now. This meal is on you, don't be shy."

Yan Jiefang picked up his chopsticks, casually took a bite of noodles, waved his hand, and smiled frankly:

"It's no big deal, just a small favor. I already said it's just a reward for your good deed that day, there's no need to treat me to a meal."

"That won't do."

He Yushui shook her head.

"This is no small matter for me. You helped me out of this predicament, so I have to feel at ease."

Yan Jiefang took a bite of the steamed bun, not wanting to say anything more, and quickly began to eat the mediocre and unnutritious food in front of him.

Seeing this, He Yushui felt somewhat disappointed and ate her meal in silence.

Not long after they finished eating, the two parted ways at the restaurant entrance.

Yan Jiefang went directly to the 49th City Library, where he exchanged a new music book for a new one, and then took a bus to school.

He Yushui then returned to the courtyard house alone.

As she passed the courtyard gate, Yan Bugui called out to her, his face full of mystery:

"Rain, did you know your dad is getting married in a few days?"

He Yushui stopped and stared at the abacus-wielding figure, her face full of astonishment:

"Third Uncle, what did you say?"

"Your dad, He Daqing, is getting married!"

Yan Bugui raised the volume.

"Third Uncle, don't talk nonsense! My dad's already fifty, why would he get married? You can't joke like that!"

He Yushui looked incredulous, thinking that the Third Uncle was just joking.

These days, it's not uncommon for people to get married at 50, but they are extremely rare.

She didn't think something like this would happen in her own home.

Seeing that she didn't believe him, Yan Bugui said no more and simply waved his hand:

"I saw it all. Believe it or not, go back and see for yourself."

If it weren't for the fact that He Yushui would have a good job right after graduating from high school.

Whether she marries the eldest son Yan Jiecheng or the second son Yan Jiefang, they would both be good daughter-in-law candidates, and he wouldn't waste his breath on it.

Do you think boiling water is free?

Hearing this, He Yushui also became anxious.

She stopped arguing with Yan Bugui and went straight through the main hall into the central courtyard.

At this moment, the central courtyard appeared calm, but undercurrents were surging, and the main house of the He family had already erupted into chaos.

Ever since returning to the hospital after completing his divorce in Baoding and receiving a large sum of money, He Daqing felt secure with money in his hands.

As a seasoned pervert, though he's old in years, he's still young at heart and has no desire to live alone anymore.

After gathering some information, he simply went to the street office to register today and brought back a young widow who had fled the famine.

The woman was twenty-eight years old, very young.

He had suffered greatly while fleeing famine, his clothes were tattered, his body was withered and thin, and he looked extremely haggard.

However, with well-proportioned eyebrows and a well-proportioned frame, it's clear to anyone with eyes that he has an excellent foundation.

She's just been starving for so long and it's ruined her health. With proper rest and recuperation, she'll definitely regain some of her former beauty.

He Daqing was very satisfied with this woman. He never expected that she would blossom again at the very end!

He Yushui and Yan Jiefang got their marriage certificate while having lunch together.

They could rightfully bring the person back to the courtyard house, intending to settle down and live a peaceful life.

There's a saying that goes like this?

The four great joys of life: rain after a long drought, the wedding night, ...

He had long forgotten the other two, but he fit the first two criteria!

Two of the four great joyous occasions have occurred!

He was overjoyed when he brought his young wife back to the courtyard house!

But as soon as he settled his new wife in, his son, Sha Zhu, immediately went ballistic.

The atmosphere inside the room instantly became extremely tense.

Sha Zhu stared at He Daqing with a defiant expression, his tone forceful:

"Dad, what nonsense are you talking about! How old are you, marrying a woman who fled famine?"

The family is already struggling financially, how are we going to make ends meet?

I disagree! I absolutely refuse to acknowledge this marriage!

He Daqing was already harboring a lot of anger.

During this time, he watched as Sha Zhu mindlessly threw himself at the Jia family and was completely infatuated with Qin Huairu, and he was already on the verge of exploding with frustration.

Now that her son dared to oppose her marriage, she was instantly filled with rage.

He Daqing was known for his reckless and unruly nature; he acted as he pleased and showed no leniency towards anyone. He immediately glared back and retorted:

"You disagree? Who do you think you are to agree to this family? I work hard to earn money to support the family, what business is it of yours if I get married!"

"Our peaceful life at home was ruined by this outsider suddenly barging in! Everything's been turned upside down!"

Sha Zhu refused to budge, his face full of resentment, and simply began to rebuke him in public.

"You're fifty years old, and you're still acting like an old man, not at all like a father!"

Instead of enjoying a peaceful and stable life, she insisted on going through the trouble of remarrying.

If word gets out that this happened, our whole family will be laughed at by the neighbors whenever we go out, and people will gossip about us behind our backs!

Sha Zhu's mind was filled with Qin Huairu's daily instructions, and he became increasingly convinced that having another person in the family would create more obstacles for him to subsidize the Jia family in the future.

It would have been better if this matter hadn't been brought up, but once the topic of household expenses came up, He Daqing completely exploded.

"Am I disrupting things?"

He Daqing was so angry that he trembled all over, pointing at Sha Zhu and cursing loudly.

How dare you say that! I'm asking you!

How much money have you given to the Jia family over the years?

Qin Huairu, that white lotus flower, just said a few sweet words and you were completely fooled!

You're giving away your wages, food, and money in huge quantities; don't you find it chaotic?

"The Jia family is a poor family with only orphans and a widow; what's wrong with me helping them out?"

Sha Zhu's brain had been completely brainwashed by Qin Huairu, and he retorted with righteous indignation.

This inability to distinguish right from wrong, this foolish and confused behavior, completely crossed He Daqing's bottom line.