Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house): 52 years of farming, producing hundreds of millions of tons

"Haha, Brother Ping An, you're so funny. How could I not be a picky eater?" Li Mei covered her mouth and laughed.

"Hehe, that's good. By the way, do you want spicy food later?"

"I'm not picky. I've loved spicy food since I was a child, especially beef slices."

"Okay, then let's have five catties of beef and five catties of mutton offal, a plate of edamame, and a pot of tea."

"Okay, I'll write it down. Wait a minute."

After making the note, Li Mei said to the proprietress, "Proprietress, give me five catties of beef, five catties of mutton offal, and three bottles of Shaoxing wine."

After the proprietress agreed, Li Mei said to Wan Ping'an, "Brother Ping'an, do you want a drink? I'll pour you a glass."

"Hehe, I'll just have water."

Soon after, the dishes were served.

"Brother Ping An, let me toast you. Thank you for helping me out," Li Mei said, raising her glass to Wan Ping An.

"Hehe, you're welcome, it was nothing..." Wan Ping'an said with a smile, clinking glasses with Li Mei.

After having a drink, the two started eating hot pot skewers.

"Brother Ping An, try this slice of beef." Li Mei picked up a piece of beef and put it into Wan Ping An's bowl.

"Uh!" Wan Ping'an suddenly felt a dryness in his mouth, but he didn't want to show it.

So he forcefully suppressed the desire in his heart.

He picked up the beef that Li Mei had put in his bowl, took a small bite, and then nodded, saying, "Hmm, it tastes good, quite delicious."

When Li Mei heard Wan Ping'an praise the beef she had picked up, her eyes immediately curved into crescent shapes.

He grinned and said, "Of course! I love hot pot beef the most, but my mom was reluctant to buy it for me before, so I only got to eat it once. Now I finally have the chance to eat hot pot beef."

Wan Ping'an was slightly taken aback, but immediately understood what Li Mei meant, so he quickly changed the subject and said, "Yes, this hot pot beef is delicious. Come on, have more."

"Mmm!" Li Mei nodded and continued eating.

After they finished eating, Wan Ping'an asked the proprietress to pack some leftovers, and the two walked together toward the bus station.

Sitting in the car, Wan Ping'an asked, "Li Mei, where are we going?"

Chapter 304 Li Mei's Grandfather

"Oh, let's go to the hospital to see Grandma first, and also visit Grandpa. Grandpa's condition is quite serious, and I want to take him home to recuperate for a while. My mom mentioned it to me today, saying that it would be perfect if I went with you and took Grandpa back with me."

Wan Ping'an frowned upon hearing this, but still said, "Okay, I'll listen to you. Let's go visit the old man."

As they spoke, the two headed to the clinic in the courtyard.

Halfway there, Li Mei suddenly said, "Brother Ping An, when we get to the health center, could you please pay me a deposit for 27? I forgot to mention it earlier."

Wan Ping'an replied, "No problem."

Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the town's health center. They got out of the car and headed straight for Grandma Li's residence.

Once outside the door, Li Mei knocked and called out, "Grandpa, we're here!"

"Come in, the door's unlocked, please come in," came Grandpa Li's weak voice from inside the house.

"Grandpa, I've come to see you." Li Mei pushed open the door and went in, and Wan Ping'an followed her in.

There was an elderly man with snow-white hair, wearing a blue cloth shirt, leaning against the headboard.

At this moment, the old man looked at Li Mei who had walked in, and smiled kindly. He reached out and touched his granddaughter's head, saying with a smile, "Girl, you still remember your grandpa?"

"Of course I was worried, Grandpa. I came here to take you to stay at my house for a few days."

"Silly child, I can't move right now, why would you want me to stay at your place?"

“Grandpa, I know what you’re worried about. I’ve already had someone examine you, and they said that you’ll need at least a week before you can walk again. My parents are too busy, and I can’t take care of you, so I have no choice but to take you to my house.” Li Mei said, shaking Grandpa Li’s arm affectionately.

"Sigh, forget it. Grandpa is more comfortable staying in the village. I've lived in the village my whole life, and I'm used to it."

“Grandpa, please don’t say that. If you don’t mind, you can move in with me. My parents are busy with work, and I don’t have much to do at home,” Li Mei said, pulling on Grandpa Li’s arm to comfort him.

When Li Mei mentioned her grandson, a hint of sadness flashed across Grandpa Li's eyes, but he quickly became excited again and said, "Girl, you're right. It's good for you to keep me company and help me relieve my boredom. Okay, I'll come and stay at your house."

"Okay, Grandpa, you rest first. I'll go with Brother Ping An to help you with the discharge procedures."

After saying that, Li Mei let go of Grandpa Li's arm, turned around, and ran towards the door.

Wan Ping'an followed closely behind and went out.

"Grandpa, let me take you home first." After leaving the house, Wan Ping'an helped Grandpa Li into his wheelchair.

Grandpa Li said, "Yes, thank you, Ping An. You've worked hard these past few days."

"You're welcome, it's my pleasure, Grandpa," Wan Ping'an replied with a slight smile.

"Sigh!" Grandpa Li sighed and patted his thigh, saying, "I've been living all alone in this little mountain valley all these years, and it must have been hard for you."

"It's okay, I'm used to it anyway," Wan Ping'an replied with a smile.

After a moment of silence, Grandpa Li continued, "Ping An, I've lived a long and fulfilling life. To have my granddaughter Li Mei before I die, I'm content... cough cough... cough cough..."

As they were talking, Grandpa Li started coughing violently. Wan Ping'an quickly helped Grandpa Li by patting his back and chest, asking, "Grandpa Li, how are you? How are you feeling?"

Chapter 305 Jia Dongxu Asks for Money

After coughing for a long time, Grandpa Li finally calmed down and said, panting, "Much better, thank you, Ping An, cough cough..."

Wan Ping'an waved his hand and smiled, "Grandpa Li, don't be so polite. You are an elder. By the way, let me pour you a glass of water."

As Wan Ping'an spoke, he picked up the teapot from the table next to him, poured Grandpa Li a cup of hot tea, and handed it to him.

After drinking the water, Grandpa Li regained some of his energy and looked at Wan Ping'an, saying, "Ping'an, you seem so young, why have you been staying here for so long?"

"Grandpa Li, the reason I've always lived here is because I love this environment."

"You like it?" Grandpa Li asked doubtfully. "Ping An, you seem so refined and gentle. How could you possibly like living in a place like this?"

Wan Ping'an smiled but didn't say anything. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, "Grandpa Li, are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"

Grandpa Li waved his hand and said, "I can't eat."

A short while later, after Li Mei finished her discharge procedures, Wan Ping'an helped Li Mei send her grandfather back home, and then went back to the courtyard house himself.

As soon as I arrived at my door, I saw Jia Dongxu standing there as if he was waiting for me.

"Jia Dongxu, what are you doing in front of my house?"

"Wan Ping'an, you're finally back! Do you know that my mother has been in so much pain at home all day because of your stomachache? You have to make up for it quickly, I need to take my mother to the hospital."

After Jia Dongxu finished speaking, he couldn't help feeling a little guilty. In fact, there was nothing wrong with Jia Zhangshi. It was all an act. The main reason was that Jia Dongxu wanted to go out for a smoke, but when he went to buy one, he found that he didn't have any money. So he thought of swindling Wan Ping'an out of money.

After all, Wan Ping'an did have a conflict with his mother, Jia Zhangshi, right at his own doorstep today.

Wan Ping'an snorted coldly and said, "What happens to your mother is none of my business. She brought her own stomachache on herself."

"Heh, you really have no shame. My mom's stomach hurts because of you. If anything happens to her, believe me, I'll beat you to death!"

Jia Dongxu, with a fierce expression, threatened menacingly.

Wan Ping'an curled his lip and said, "Jia Dongxu, if you want to fight, just say so. Why use these despicable tricks to scare people? Let me tell you, I've already mastered Iron Palm. You think you can fight me with your pathetic skills?"

"Haha, Wan Ping'an, since you've asked for trouble, I'll grant your wish. Come on, let me see what kind of Iron Palm you've been practicing." With that, Jia Dongxu swung his fist and charged at Wan Ping'an.

Wan Ping'an sneered and went to meet him without showing any weakness.

The two of them instantly fought together.

Both were young and strong boys, and they were fighting quite fiercely.

A few minutes later, both men were kicked in the chest and fell to the ground.

Jia Dongxu struggled to his feet, rubbed his chest, and glared at Wan Ping'an.

Wan Ping'an casually dusted himself off and said, seemingly nonchalantly, "Jia Dongxu, if you want to fight, then keep going. But I advise you to save your energy. If you keep going like this, you'll only get more and more tired."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth and said, "(Wang Zhao) Wan Ping'an, we'll see." After uttering this harsh remark, he left Wan Ping'an's doorstep.

"Hmph, kid, I can't be bothered with you. My most important thing right now is to make money." Wan Ping'an shook his head, muttered a few words, and went inside.

Over the next two days, Wan Ping'an wandered around the nearby courtyard houses and alleyways, pondering the situation.

Now he's an old man living in a courtyard house, and he can't stay there forever like the other people in the courtyard, relying solely on the steel mill for a living.

Chapter 306 Wang Fugui's Invitation

I need to earn some extra income myself.

Unfortunately, after visiting five or six households, all of whom said they didn't have much work to do lately, I finally gave up.

One day, Wan Ping'an was sitting in the courtyard basking in the sun when he suddenly heard someone knocking on the door.

"Who is it?" Wan Ping'an asked.

"Brother Ping An? This is Wang Pang. My dad sent me to call you over."

After hearing this, Wan Ping'an hurriedly got up, walked to the courtyard gate, and opened it. It turned out to be Wang Pang. Wang Pang's father was named Wang Fugui, a well-known contractor in the surrounding area.

Although Wan Ping'an had never been to Wang Pang's house, he knew Wang Pang and immediately greeted him before heading to Wang Pang's house.

Wang Fugui is a construction foreman. His family is relatively well-off; besides owning a house and a car, they also have several acres of fertile land.

In addition, Wang Fugui also had some influence in Beijing; it was said that he had become well-acquainted with people in the local police station.