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

Looking at these "dogs" with different tempers, personalities, and backgrounds, Zhang Dabiao felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Although none of them are good people, for example, Yan Jiecheng always tries to take advantage of others and steal things whenever he gets the chance, Xu Damao and Shazhu will fight if they are put together, and Liu Guangqi is no better...

But at least they are honest with themselves.

That's enough.

After the food was distributed, the atmosphere at the banquet reached its climax.

The group of people clinked glasses and chatted about various amusing incidents that had occurred over the past few years, sometimes bursting into laughter and sometimes falling silent.

The sorrow of parting mingled with the aroma of wine and meat, permeating every corner of the courtyard.

These days, obeying assignments and being sent to work in other areas is a matter of course. Take projectionist Xu Damao, for example; he spends at least half the year away from home. Some are in the outskirts of Beijing, others are in the heart of Hebei province. And he doesn't complain about it.

Even young cadres like Liu Guangqi were frequently transferred to factories in other places for guidance or intensive training; they could leave at any time.

In the TV series, he also went out to support the Third Front construction. From beginning to end, neither he nor Xu Damao complained once—because it was their duty and what they should do.

So, in their eyes, Zhang Dabiao going out to collect material was no big deal, it just took a little longer than expected.

------------

The next morning, Zhang Dabiao began his operation.

Before anyone in the courtyard had even gotten up, he had already tidied up the east wing almost completely.

Two large canvas bags, bulging with laundry, dry food, and other miscellaneous items needed for the journey.

Then come the living creatures.

Erhei had long sensed its master's intentions and excitedly circled around Zhang Dabiao's legs in the yard, its tail wagging like a runaway propeller.

The two hardworking hens and the large white goose that guarded the house didn't get such good treatment. Zhang Dabiao grabbed them by the wings and stuffed them into a net bag without any politeness. Then, amidst their terrified cawing, they, along with all the bags and packages, were all crammed into the sidecar of the motorcycle.

From the outside, the military green sidecar was piled high with miscellaneous items and poultry, and the supplies were tied tightly with ropes.

Erhei sat upright in the sidecar, watching the goose and the two old hens.

Zhang Dabiao himself was carrying only an ordinary-looking military green backpack, wearing goggles, and had a cigarette in his mouth, looking like he was traveling light.

His commotion quickly alerted everyone in the courtyard.

After breakfast, Zhang Dabiao pushed his motorcycle out of the courtyard gate, ready to set off.

Wow, good heavens! Everyone in the entire No. 95 compound, except for those who were going to work, came out and stood there in a dense, dark mass.

At the very front were, naturally, the three old men from the courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai's smile conveyed just the right amount of concern: "Da Biao, it's a good thing to go out and gather material. Young people should travel more and see more. Do a good job there and make our Director No. 95 proud."

Liu Haizhong, his belly protruding, put his hands behind his back and chided in official jargon: "Yes, yes, yes! This old man is right! We should create more good works that the people love! What do you call that? You call it going deep into life and taking root among the people!"

Yan Bugui stood to the side, muttering to himself as if doing some calculations: "If we create more good works, the royalties will be plentiful, but we won't benefit from it..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was glared at by a sharp look from Liu Haizhong next to him, and he immediately shrank back and shut his mouth.

[He's leaving soon, and this courtyard house will be ours again. Third brother, if you keep nagging, what will we do if Zhang Dabiao doesn't leave?!]

In the middle of the crowd, Qin Jingru and He Yushui stood side by side.

Qin Jingru's eyes had been red since she woke up in the morning, and she had been trying hard to hold them back. But now that she saw Zhang Dabiao was really leaving, her tears finally fell like a broken string of pearls.

She wiped away her tears and sobbed, "Brother Da Biao, you must write back as soon as you get there! Let us know you're safe! If you don't have time to write, a call to the neighborhood committee will do!"

He Yushui didn't cry out loud, but her big, bright eyes were filled with tears, turning as red as a rabbit's.

She stood behind Qin Jingru, her hands gripping the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Looking at the two girls, Zhang Dabiao felt a strange pang of sadness.

He waved his hand, his voice a bit gruffer than usual: "Alright, alright, stop crying. What kind of behavior is this? It's not like I'm not coming back. What's all the fuss about? I'll be back for the New Year! It's just a few months of business trip."

Amidst the somber atmosphere of parting, a discordant gaze caused Zhang Dabiao to frown.

Jia Zhangshi!

The old woman hid behind the crowd, her triangular eyes darting around, her gaze like hooks, constantly glancing at Zhang Dabiao's empty courtyard.

Her little scheme was practically written all over her face—Da Biao was gone, and his yard was going to be empty! The fresh vegetables in the garden, the fat fish in the pond, and the chickens and ducks he hadn't taken with him... Now nobody would take care of them.

Who was Zhang Dabiao? He saw right through the old woman's thoughts.

He turned his head, deliberately facing Qin Jingru, and raised his voice to make sure everyone in the courtyard could hear him clearly:

"Jingru! You just wait and see!"

That shout drew everyone's attention.

"Whatever rules I have at home, they'll still apply even after I leave!" Zhang Dabiao's tone was chilling. "If anyone dares to be so blind as to step into our yard to steal anything, or even try to take advantage of our chickens, ducks, or fish—"

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over Jia Zhangshi's face, which froze instantly.

"Beat them to death! If they get seriously injured, I'll take responsibility when I get back! Whether I'm here or not, it's all the same!"

Spurred on by his imposing manner, Qin Jingru forgot to shed tears, vigorously wiped her face, puffed out her small chest, and loudly replied, "Understood! Brother Da Biao!"

Jia Zhangshi's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot, her wrinkles froze, and she awkwardly shrank back into the crowd.

"Da Biao, go in peace!"

"That's right! We brothers are here!"

Xu Damao and Liu Guangqi reacted the fastest, leaping to Qin Jingru's side like her protectors, each thumping their chests loudly.

Looking at these lively fellows, Zhang Dabiao felt his sorrow at parting lessen considerably and smiled.

"Okay, I'm leaving then."

Without another word, he casually hopped on his motorcycle, stepped on the pedal, and the engine roared to life.

"Rat-a-tat-tat..."

Under the complex gazes of everyone in the hospital, Zhang Dabiao twisted the throttle, and the sidecar motorcycle, loaded with a load of "belongings," kicked up a cloud of dust and disappeared around the corner of the alley.