Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

The person who hit them was none other than Ji Boxiao.

Standing beside him was a young man in a Zhongshan suit, with a calm demeanor, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, sharp eyes, and an air of arrogance that kept strangers at bay.

The moment Ji Boxiao saw Lin Weidong, his face turned ugly, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness, and he clenched his fists tightly.

Seeing this, the young man next to him immediately reached out and pulled him back a step without making a sound.

This man was the son of Liu Jie, Ji Boxiao's maternal uncle, and Liu Yuanchao was also the eldest grandson of the Liu family.

He looked Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing up and down, then glanced at Ji Boxiao's gritted teeth.

He instantly guessed the other party's identity; this must be Lin Weidong, the one who had caused his cousin such a great loss.

Liu Yuanchao has always looked down on his cousin Ji Boxiao, thinking that he is spoiled, arrogant but incompetent, and more likely to cause trouble than to accomplish anything.

She also didn't have a good impression of her aunt Liu Shuya, who only knew how to spoil her son and use her petty tricks.

Even after being transferred to the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China by his grandfather for more than ten years, he only managed to become the deputy director of the office, and that was with the help of his family.

If it weren't for the need to maintain a facade of harmony within the family, he wouldn't bother spending time with this good-for-nothing cousin.

Liu Yuanchao looked at Lin Weidong and said, "This must be Engineer Lin Weidong, right?"

He then introduced himself, "I am Liu Yuanchao, Ji Boxiao's cousin."

Lin Weidong nodded without saying anything, wanting to see what tricks the other party had up their sleeve.

Liu Yuanchao glanced at Ji Boxiao, who was still glaring angrily, and said with a smile, "Sorry, it was an accident just now."

"We have something to do, so we'll be going now. We can get to know each other again when we have time."

After saying that, he didn't even look at Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing, and turned to leave. Seeing this, Ji Boxiao could only follow his cousin.

Ji Boxiao, unwilling to accept defeat, glared back at Lin Weidong, muttering, "Cousin, why are we leaving? That's Lin Weidong! He's the one who made me suffer so much!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuanchao rebuked in a low voice, "Shut up! You're utterly useless and only cause trouble. Aren't you ashamed enough already?"

The two voices gradually faded into the distance. Lin Weidong looked at Liu Yuanchao's back, lost in thought.

This Liu Yuanchao is completely different from Ji Boxiao. He is calm and capable, and clearly knows his own identity, yet he doesn't take me seriously at all. That contempt is not feigned, but comes from his heart.

"Wei Dong, that Ji Boxiao seems to be going to get back at us. He's really asking for it. If it weren't for his cousin being reasonable, I would have definitely taught him a lesson today."

Lin Weidong smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, he definitely won't dare to act recklessly again. But his cousin is not simple."

As the crowd gradually dispersed, He Daqing saw Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing.

He Daqing greeted them with a smile, "Weidong, Su girl, you're fishing too? Come and see the big fish I caught!"

Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing walked over and looked at the plump grass carp in the bucket, exclaiming, "Uncle He, you're amazing! You caught such a big fish!"

Widow Li, standing nearby, added with a smile, "We both worked together to catch this; we'll have plenty to eat tonight!"

As she spoke, she gave He Daqing a meaningful look.

He Daqing quickly replied, "Yes, yes, we'll make fish soup and braised fish for dinner tonight, to improve everyone's meals!"

Meanwhile, Ji Boxiao, who had been dragged away by Liu Yuanchao, complained the whole way: "Cousin, why didn't you teach him a lesson? He made me lose face so badly yesterday, I have to get revenge!"

Liu Yuanchao stopped and looked at him coldly: "Revenge? How will you take it? With your abilities? Wasn't yesterday's lesson enough?"

Ji Boxiao was speechless after being rebuked, his face turning red and white in turns.

Liu Yuanchao said bluntly, "Let me tell you..."

"Don't cause any more trouble for Lin Weidong. Stay quietly in the Ministry of Industry, or no one can protect you. If my dad hadn't intervened this time, do you think you would have gotten away with it so easily?"

Ji Boxiao was unconvinced, but dared not refute it.

He secretly vowed to himself, "Lin Weidong, I'll settle this score with you sooner or later!"

At this moment, Liu Yuanchao said to Ji Boxiao, "Since the other party has offended our family, it is impossible for them to just let this go peacefully."

"Now all those kids from the high-ranking families are watching how our family handles this matter."

"If we just swallow our anger, then our descendants won't be able to survive in Beijing."

Upon hearing this, Ji Boxiao knew that his cousin was preparing to take action against Lin Weidong. He knew his cousin all too well.

There's practically no one your peers can't handle.

To deeply portray Widow Li's scheming and the power struggles within the courtyard, I will focus on the detailed interactions at the dinner party. Through Widow Li's deliberate flattery, the deaf old woman's secret matchmaking, and the different reactions of the others, I will gradually reveal the true purpose behind this "good guy drama," making the plot full of undercurrents of tension.

On the way back to the courtyard house from Shichahai, He Daqing carried a tin bucket filled with seven or eight catties of grass carp, his face beaming with joy.

Seeing this, Widow Li seized the opportunity and said, "Brother He, this fish is so big, why don't we invite the old lady and Lin Weidong's family for a lively gathering?"

He Daqing immediately nodded upon hearing this: "Great idea! Food tastes better with more people!"

Widow Li said with a smile, "Then this afternoon I'll come and help you with your work, and show you my skills."

She had a plan in mind: this dinner party was not only a chance to put on a show of being "virtuous and gentle" for everyone in the hospital, but also a good opportunity for her to hook up with He Daqing.

Back at the courtyard house, He Daqing went to Lin Weidong's house in person.

Lin Weidong didn't want to join in the fun, but he couldn't resist He Daqing's enthusiasm, so he agreed.

He Daqing then invited Su Wanqing, who readily agreed when she heard that Lin Weidong would also be going.

As evening fell, the aroma of fish wafted from He Daqing's courtyard.

Widow Li, wearing an apron, busied herself around the stove, assisting He Daqing by handing him scallions and garlic. The two worked together seamlessly.

Widow Li would deliberately move closer to He Daqing from time to time, either "accidentally" touching his hand or tiptoeing to hand him something, letting her hair gently brush against his cheek.

Soon, the food was served one after another.

A large bowl of milky white fish soup, a plate of braised fish chunks, and braised beef—a table full of dishes, a very sumptuous feast.

He Yuzhu and Qin Huairu were quite puzzled that Widow Li had come to their house today to help their father cook for Lin Weidong's family, but seeing that He Daqing was willing, they didn't say anything more.

During the meal, Widow Li busied herself with great care, especially towards He Daqing's family, whom she took meticulous care of.

He picked out the tenderest part of the fish belly for He Daqing, served vegetables to the two little ones, and poured wine for He Daqing from time to time.

In a warm tone: "Brother He, have some more wine to relax. You must be tired from fishing today."

He Daqing felt uncomfortable being taken care of by her, but he couldn't refuse, so he could only thank her repeatedly.

The deaf old woman, standing to the side, seemed to be trying to play matchmaker: "Daqing, look how good that widow girl is. She's capable and considerate. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could have someone like her as a companion in the future?"

Widow Li feigned shyness and said, "Grandma, you're joking. I just think Brother He is a good person and would like to get to know him better."

Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing exchanged a glance, both realizing the underlying meaning.

Lin Weidong observed discreetly and noticed that Widow Li was unusually warm towards He Daqing today.

The deaf old woman was unusually well-behaved today, not only not causing any trouble, but also speaking up for Widow Li, clearly indicating that they had conspired together beforehand.