Courtyard House: Drunk and barging into the Xu family's house, I woke up numb.

"Cao Xu, how about coming to my house tonight?"

"My parents went to the countryside early this morning and won't be back until the day after tomorrow."

Cao Xu was supposed to work the night shift today, which was supposed to be the last day of his holiday.

However, given Lou Xiao'e's current condition, Cao Xu felt that he couldn't go to this class.

Lou Xiao'e's invitation to him was so blatant, the meaning of which was crystal clear; how could he refuse?

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. I gave her hope, but it turned into disappointment. If I don't make amends, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain it to her.

"Okay, I'll call Sun Guofu and ask him to arrange for someone else to be on duty."

Cao Xu went to a phone booth and, after several transfers, finally got through to Sun Guofu's office.

After answering the phone, Cao Xu made up an excuse to ask for leave. Sun Guofu was currently trying to win Cao Xu over, so he naturally wouldn't make things difficult for him with such a small matter.

Since he had nothing to do that day, Sun Guofu took over Cao Xu's shift and asked to cover for him.

Cao Xu knew that Sun Guofu's actions were somewhat of a publicity stunt, but he still appreciated it, since the man was covering for him.

Cao Xu's guess was correct; Sun Guofu took over the shift today willingly.

A joint investigation team dispatched by the bureau and district authorities arrived at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill today to investigate the case of the supply and marketing cooperative selling problematic pork.

They didn't get to eat the delicious food, and the two went straight back to the Lou family home. Just as Lou Xiao'e had said, Lou Wanshan and his wife were not at home.

After changing his coat inside, Cao Xu noticed that Sister Zhang wasn't home either, so he asked her about it.

"Isn't Sister Zhang here?"

Lou Xiao'e shook her head.

"She's not here. Sister Zhang's son is getting engaged, so she took the day off to go home. She's going to visit her future in-laws tomorrow."

Cao Xu raised his hand to check the time; it was almost two o'clock. He walked into the kitchen, looked at the cold pots and pans, and asked...

"Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."

Lou Xiao'e came to the kitchen and put her hands on Cao Xu's shoulders.

"I want to eat you first."

Cao Xu narrowed his eyes as he looked at Lou Xiao'e, who had come to him of her own accord.

"you sure?"

Lou Xiao'e nodded.

"I am sure."

Cao Xu, of course, didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up Lou Xiao'e and carried her directly to the guest room on the second floor.

That evening, Cao Xu, who had just woken up, came out of the kitchen and looked at Lou Xiao'e, who was walking downstairs.

"Are you hungry? I just cooked some porridge, come and have some."

Lou Xiao'e rolled her eyes at Cao Xu.

"It's all your fault! How could I not be hungry?"

Cao Xu smiled and didn't argue with her about it. These kinds of things can't be decided by a winner or loser; if a winner or loser is decided, then it's over.

"Oh right, I forgot to ask, why did your parents go to the countryside?"

Lou Xiao'e lowered her head and drank the hot lean meat porridge.

“My dad has considered what you said to him on the day before the Lunar New Year. He thinks you are right and we still need to take precautions.”

“My brother went abroad to study and never came back. He’s stayed in Gangcheng now.”

"My dad's idea is to get some important things over there first, and if things really change, then we'll go directly to Hong Kong."

Cao Xu said.

"It's right to take precautions early. The current situation is very bad, far worse than the previous Three-Anti and Four-Clean-up campaigns."

"In my opinion, it's best to withdraw as soon as possible."

Lou Xiao'e looked up at Cao Xu and said.

"My parents are gone, what am I going to do?"

Cao Xu said.

"I will marry you and protect you."

"Two generations of my Cao family have served the country loyally. My grandmother sacrificed her life to protect the medicines in the rear."

“My grandfather and my second uncle were also left on the northern battlefield forever because they were comforting the rear, and my father even gave his life to protect public property.”

"I can't protect the Lou family 4.6 with these four lives, but I can protect you alone."

Lou Xiao'e's eyes reddened, and crystal tears streamed down her face and fell into the bowl.

"Cao Xu, why don't you come with us later?"

Cao Xu knew that after ten years of turmoil, things would be peaceful on both sides in a few more years, especially after the opening up of the country, there would be much more exchange.

Therefore, he wasn't too concerned about whether to stay in the mainland or go to Hong Kong. Cao Xu thought for a moment and nodded.

"Okay, let's go together then."

....................................................................................

At the Sixth Hospital, Yi Zhonghai leaned against the bed as an older woman set out dinner.

"Old Yi, I've thought about it, and I think you should apply for medical retirement."

"Your health condition doesn't allow you to go back to work right now. Even if you recover well, you can't go back to the cleaning crew and clean toilets."

"Now is the perfect time. Take advantage of your illness and apply to the factory for early retirement."

"I'll go talk to Director Yang again and try to get a better retirement package."

To be honest, Yi Zhonghai didn't want to retire. As long as he was in the factory, he would have the opportunity to return to the workshop. He was an eighth-grade fitter in the factory, and there were some things that the factory needed him to do.

However, this is on the premise that he is in good health and his professional skills do not decline.

Given his current condition, things are probably not going well for him. Even if he manages to recover, he won't be able to return to the workshop.

Just like my wife said, let's use the illness as an excuse to withdraw; we have no choice but to withdraw.

"Fine, I'll quit then. I have nothing to regret!"

"I can't write much right now. Have someone draft an early retirement application for me, and I'll sign and put my fingerprint on it after I've reviewed it."

Chapter 117 A Glorious Funeral Procession; Qin Jingru Arrives in the Capital! [Please Subscribe]

Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye, it's already the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.

The fourth day of the first lunar month was the third day after the deaf old lady died, and it was also the day of her funeral.

The funeral hall now displays the deaf old woman's urn and an enlarged black-and-white photograph.

On the afternoon of the third day of the Lunar New Year, at the urging of the neighborhood committee, the deaf old lady was sent to the crematorium and then put into a box and brought back.

The neighborhood committee was unaware of the deaf old woman's resurrection, so in their minds, the third day of the Lunar New Year was the day of her funeral, and they were there to inspect the house.

But to their surprise, the deaf old lady was not only placed in the old house to be mourned, but also put on a dramatic show of dying and coming back to life.

The body had already been placed inside the house, and they didn't want to ask anyone to move it or rearrange it, because they respected the deceased.

So they urged He Yuzhu and the others to take the deaf old lady to the crematorium, complete the cremation procedures, and agree to come and inspect the house on the afternoon of the fourth day of the new year.

At noon, the moment that everyone in the courtyard had been eagerly anticipating arrived.

As soon as the banquet began, dishes were served one after another.

The old lady's status as a recipient of the "Five Guarantees" was revoked before her death, so the funeral arrangements fell to Yi Zhonghai and He Yuzhu.

However, He Yuzhu didn't have much money left, so Yi Zhonghai paid the bulk of the funeral expenses, while the smaller portion consisted of symbolic condolence money from the villagers.

Yi Zhonghai was in the hospital, and the money was paid by an older woman. The hospital stay was not extravagant; it could be described as simple.

A total of six tables were set up: three for men, two for women, and one for children.

At the six dining tables, apart from the group of Sha Zhu and Yi Zhonghai who had a somewhat sorrowful expression on their faces, everyone else was chatting and laughing.

Everyone shared their opinions on the dishes on the table, praising He Daqing's excellent cooking skills, without showing the slightest bit of sadness.

If it weren't for the white banner still hanging in the backyard, people might mistake this place for a wedding banquet.

"Huai Ru, isn't someone missing?"

Upon hearing Yi Zhonghai's question, Qin Huairu glanced at everyone present and replied.

"There shouldn't be a shortage of people, right? Most of those who aren't working have arrived."

Xu Damao, who had rushed over to the banquet upon hearing the news, put down his wine glass and said.

"Who else could be missing? Your mother-in-law, of course! You can tell just by her voice!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu slapped her thigh.