Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

December 31, 1960, was a Saturday.

Suitable for: Many...

Avoid: traveling, opening a business, burial, and repairing a grave.

So Zhang Dabiao didn't open for business. He had his employees get everything ready: the counter, hot water, raw materials, light boards, flyers...

We'll open for business after the lion dance troupe comes and puts on a show tomorrow morning.

Today, I'm preparing for the New Year with the three women.

There wasn't much of a custom of celebrating New Year's Day in Beijing, but Zhang Dabiao insisted on doing it, and the three women let him have his way.

Recently, Zhang Dabiao has been leaving early and returning late, and occasionally he would ride his tricycle back to transport some grain as a show. However, these days it is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase grain, and everyone knows this.

So Zhang Dabiao was rarely seen in the courtyard, and everyone got used to it.

The matter with Lou Bancheng has been resolved; it's essentially a loan repayment plan with interest.

Although he has paid a heavy price, the matter was caused by his eldest son, and there was nothing he could do about it.

And in order to satisfy his superiors and prevent further investigation, he handed over the profit-sharing rights of the steel rolling mill this time, which was a huge loss for him.

Previously, he wanted to submit it, but the higher-ups wouldn't accept it for fear of negative consequences. This time, however, he submitted it smoothly, which relieved Lou Bancheng of a worry.

He was also told by his superiors that he still had to figure out how to repay the $72 in foreign exchange; he couldn't just ignore the money he owed Zhang Dabiao.

As for the installment repayment agreement signed between the Lou family and Zhang Dabiao, the higher-ups were quite satisfied. In this way, Zhang Dabiao's money and interest remained the same, and the higher-ups' foreign exchange reserves were guaranteed, although it would take a bit longer.

In the end, only the world where the Lou family was injured achieved its goal—

Lou Bancheng could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger; as for dealing with Zhang Dabiao, he truly dared not.

In addition, Zhang Dabiao also wrote a power of attorney, and the two product patents have been transferred to Zhang Yaoyang's name, which is essentially a transfer from one hand to the other. However, it is estimated that these things will not be able to be monetized for a long time to come.

In addition, the house transfer has not been completed. The land deed is in Zhang Dabiao's hands. The Lou family also wrote a mortgage certificate and found a guarantor to witness it. In case they can't repay the debt in a few years, this three-courtyard house will belong to Zhang Dabiao. Otherwise, if the transfer is done now, it will be rented out. For the time being, the Lou family's servants live there and help manage it.

A few days ago, Zhang Dabiao went to Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e's engagement banquet to join in the fun. There were no major incidents. The two are planning to get married on May Day in 61.

As for the grade skipping exam, with an average score of 82, he can simply skip to the third grade class next semester and attend classes there.

As for the grain problem in Qinjiatun and Zhangjia, it is no longer a problem. There are 5000 jin stored in the village houses and another 5000 jin in the teahouse in Lishuiqiao Village, which is enough to last for several months.

So when you have some free time, treat yourself to a nice meal for the New Year.

Today, Zhang Dabiao bought a sheep, ten catties of beef, and ten catties of pork (in Shau Kei Wan) to prepare a hot pot dinner for tonight to celebrate the New Year with his three daughters.

As a result, when he entered the courtyard, Yan Bugui stopped him again. He wanted to make a move, but Zhang Dabiao scared him away with just one look.

Yan Bugui, having gained no advantage, made a few noises, which inadvertently drew out Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and others.

Upon seeing so much meat, Xu Damao's mouth watered immediately, and he clamored for some wine so everyone could have a feast. Sha Zhu was also craving it, but dared not say so, because he still hadn't repaid the meat and seasonings he'd borrowed from Zhang Dabiao earlier that year for Yi Zhonghai's adoption of his godson and for He Yushui's birthday—he simply couldn't repay them. His monthly meat ration coupons had all been borrowed by the Jia family; how could he possibly pay them back?

There's absolutely no pork left to sell in Pigeon City now, and even if there were, Sha Zhu wouldn't be able to afford it.

So it was only natural for Zhang Dabiao to occasionally drag him over to cook for him, using his culinary skills to pay off his debts.

When Zhang Dabiao saw that Xu Damao had come out with wine, he decided to join in the fun and invited Liu Guangqi, Yan Jiecheng, Qin Mancang, and others to have a year-end dinner together.

Seeing this, Liu Guangqi knew that Zhang Dabiao was getting cocky again, so he quickly told him to stop.

Goodness, other people can't even afford 3 ounces of meat a month, and you've got 40 or 50 pounds of it!

I guarantee that the neighborhood committee will come by the time you've eaten half of it.

Zhang Dabiao was also frustrated. "I have hundreds of thousands in assets, and I still have more than 30,000 in remittance certificates. What's wrong with me eating better?"

Why am I so frustrated? I just want to eat well and have a good time, what's wrong with that?

I'm offering to pay for the meat so that everyone can have some fun at the end of the year, but that's not allowed?

Suffocated!

In his subconscious, there should always be a dinner party at the end of the year, right?

Eating should be a lively and fun affair; there's no atmosphere to having a big meal in your own little corner.

Liu Guangqi came up with an idea: we need to have a reason for our get-together, such as calling it the "1960 Year-End Work Summary Meeting of the Youth Mutual Aid Association of No. 95 Courtyard." Everyone should contribute something; those without food should contribute some money or ration coupons. We should also bring along the superior unit—the street office—so they can come and guide our work.

With the neighborhood committee involved, what can they say?

What are you reporting?

This is work!

You can eat and drink to your heart's content, no problem!

It's lively, no problem!

Moreover, everyone contributed money and effort; this was a collective activity! This doesn't mean it's some kind of capitalist or corrupt ideology; it's a collective activity!

Year-end work report!

Upright and honorable!

Zhang Dabiao was stunned for a long time, his mouth agape but unable to speak—it has to be you, Liu Guangqi, that you have so many rules about eating a meal.

You deserve to be a cadre!

Soon after, Director Wang arrived with two staff members who frequently visited the area to participate in the 1960 year-end work report of the "No. 95 Courtyard Youth Mutual Aid Association".

Overall, this year has been difficult, but also happy, hopeful, and glorious!

Zhang Dabiao's personal achievements are unparalleled. Tian Liugen got into university, Xu Damao got engaged, Liu Guangqi got married and had a daughter, Yan Jiecheng also got married, and most of the others had jobs.

Silly Pillar—still has nothing.

The young people in courtyard number 95 were synonymous with excellence in the entire alley (except for the Jia family, who were known for their foolishness). Wherever they went, people looked up to them because, in those days, only they could get some food from this small community to take back and help their families or relatives.

And almost all of them have regular jobs!

Those who are unemployed can borrow money or workstations in this small community!

The young people in other courtyards were incredibly envious, but the neighborhood committee had also tried to organize similar initiatives in other courtyards and streets. However, when it came to fundraising, someone had to contribute the lion's share, and most people would give up.

They all only want to take advantage instead of contributing themselves.

Director Wang had no choice but to let them do as they pleased, as this model couldn't be promoted or popularized. It was the only one in Courtyard No. 95.

Then, Zhang Dabiao finally got his wish and enjoyed a lively meal. Originally, there were 13 members, but Zhang Dabiao allowed them to bring their younger siblings. Zhang Dabiao brought Mu Wanqing, Liu Guangqi and You Hongjuan brought their children, Qin Jingru brought Xiaodang, Qin Mancang also came, Yu Li brought Yu Haitang, Yan Jiecheng brought his three younger siblings, Xu Damao brought Xu Xiaoling and Lou Xiao'e... In total, there were more than 30 people. Sha Zhu's house had two tables set up, and the small courtyard stable had two more tables set up. Sha Zhu, Qin Jingru, and He Yushui cooked together, which solved the problem perfectly.

The Jia family—they can only watch helplessly.