I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

These words pierced Zhou Weiguo's heart like a thorn. The smile on his face vanished instantly, and his eyes turned as cold as ice: "Wu Yuejin, you fucking bastard, don't you dare court death! Don't think that just because you've latched onto some distant 'grandfather,' you can act like you own the place! I was too lazy to bother with you and your brother before, I just wanted to tease you. If you dare lay a finger on my nephew and niece, don't blame me for making sure you two brothers disappear from Beijing forever! You don't believe me? Just try!"

Zhou Weiguo's tone was cold and ruthless, and the ferocity in his eyes made Wu Yuejin shrink back in fear.

Zhou Weiguo stopped looking at him, grabbed Wu Yousheng and walked into the street office, leaving Wu Yuejin and the other young men standing there, their faces pale and ashen.

Wu Yousheng said with a grim expression, "I'm sorry, Weiguo, all of this is because of me. If it really comes to this, I'll grab a knife tonight and fight that kid to the death, damn it."

Zhou Weiguo smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Brother Wu, this isn't just your problem. His brother, Wu Jinbu, has a grudge against me. I'll handle it, you don't need to worry about it."

Wu Yousheng nodded with a grim expression and pulled Zhou Weiguo into Director Li's office at the subdistrict office.

Director Li of the neighborhood office was sitting at his desk organizing documents when he saw the two men enter. He immediately stood up with a smile: "Comrades Weiguo and Yousheng, you've finally arrived!"

Zhou Weiguo finally couldn't help but speak up: "Director Li, hello; Brother Wu, what's the matter? You've been so secretive the whole way, I've been wondering what's going on!"

Wu Yousheng then handed over the manila envelope, scratched his head, and explained, "Brother Weiguo, yesterday I went back to my old house to get the rest of my things and ran into Director Li. We chatted and I learned that starting next year, private houses won't be allowed to be transferred to other owners. I was thinking that since this house is just sitting empty, I might as well transfer it to your name—you arranged workstations for my apprentice and me in the workshop before, and you wouldn't accept a single penny of the benefits. Consider this house a small token of my appreciation. I was afraid you wouldn't accept it, so I didn't tell you beforehand."

Director Li nodded with a smile, "That's right, Comrade Weiguo, this policy is set in stone, and today is the last day to process the transfer."

Zhou Weiguo quickly waved his hand: "Brother Wu, this won't do! The house is something you cherish; you can rent it out or sell it to a reliable person. How can you just give it to me for nothing? It's too inappropriate!"

Wu Yousheng's face immediately darkened, his tone tinged with agitation: "Brother Weiguo, are you not treating me like family? You helped my apprentice and me solve our livelihood problems. Don't think I don't know the value of those jobs; we're grateful to you beyond measure! It's just an old house. If you don't agree, I'll take my apprentices to the factory to resign tomorrow—if you don't take us, we'll have no face to stay in the steel rolling mill!"

These words left Zhou Weiguo speechless. He looked at Wu Yousheng's earnest eyes and then glanced at Director Li, who was nodding with a smile. He felt both touched and conflicted.

Seeing this, Director Li quickly smoothed things over: "For the sake of the country, please don't refuse. Comrade Wu Yousheng's current situation is indeed not suitable for him to own this house, while you have a clean background and impeccable family history, so it's most appropriate for it to be transferred to your name. This is not only Yousheng's kind intention, but also in accordance with the policy."

Having said that, Zhou Weiguo could no longer refuse and could only nod: "Then... then I'll accept your offer without hesitation, thank you, Brother Wu!"

Afterwards, the three of them got to work, filling out forms, signing, and verifying information. The entire complicated transfer process took more than an hour. Even after receiving the brand-new property ownership certificate, Zhou Weiguo still felt a little unreal—he never expected that simply helping Wu Yousheng with a small favor would result in such a significant gift.

Once the property transfer procedures were completed, Zhou Weiguo immediately borrowed the phone in Director Li's office to call the workshop.

After the call connected, he didn't wait for Natasha to ask any more questions before saying in a deep voice, "Natasha, Wu Yuejin just threatened to cause trouble for Yuzhu and Yushui. Go to the school immediately to pick up Yushui from school and make sure they are safe. Call me anytime if there are any problems."

After giving him several more instructions, he hung up the phone, thanked Director Li repeatedly, and then left.

As he exited the subdistrict office, Wu Yousheng was leaning against his bicycle smoking. Upon seeing him come out, Wu immediately stubbed out his cigarette and greeted him: "Brother, all done with your business? Where are you going? I'll give you a ride on my bike."

Zhou Weiguo waved his hand with a smile and joked, "Forget it, Brother Wu, I wouldn't dare to challenge your cycling skills. I can just ride around on my own."

Wu Yousheng didn't press the matter, and laughed, "Alright then! I have to rush back to the factory to oversee the private kitchen, I'll be going now!"

As Wu Yousheng's bicycle disappeared around the street corner, Zhou Weiguo's smile vanished instantly, and his gaze swept towards the shadows in the corner of the wall not far away—there was a figure crouching there, and judging from the posture, it was most likely sent by Wu Yuejin to keep watch.

He discreetly stored the transfer documents and keys into his spatial storage, deliberately slowing his pace as he walked along the street toward the Western-style building that Wu Yousheng had given him.

Along the way, he deliberately stopped to buy a pack of cigarettes and lingered in the public restroom for a few minutes, but the figure always followed him at a distance, neither getting close nor leaving, obviously just trying to find out his whereabouts.

Just as Zhou Weiguo reached the gate of the Western-style building and was about to turn around and expose the other person, a clear and surprised voice suddenly came from behind him: "Brother Weiguo? What are you doing here?"

Turning around, Zhou Weiguo saw Lou Zhenhua helping his wife, Lou Tanshi, slowly walk towards them. Beside them, Lou Xiao'e's eyes shone like stars; she broke free from her mother's hand and ran over. Zhou Weiguo could only greet them with a smile: "Chairman Lou, Aunt Lou, Xiao'e. My friend gave me a house; I came to check on it."

Lou Zhenhua followed his gaze to the Western-style building behind them, raising an eyebrow in surprise: "You're not talking about this one, are you?"

Seeing Zhou Weiguo nod helplessly, Lou Xiao'e immediately grabbed his arm and shook it, her tone excited: "What a coincidence! This building is right next to my house! Brother Weiguo, come home with me!"

Zhou Weiguo hesitated for a moment, but Lou Zhenhua stepped forward and warmly urged, "Weiguo, it's on your way anyway, come in and have a cup of tea before you leave. This house used to belong to Chef Wu of the Emei Restaurant, right? His Sichuan cuisine was absolutely superb, it's a pity that later..."

"Master Wu is now the head chef at the second canteen of the steel rolling mill."

Zhou Weiguo chimed in, "If Chairman Lou wants to try it, he can come anytime."

A flicker of joy flashed in Lou Zhenhua's eyes, but it quickly faded. He sighed, "Forget it, my identity would be too conspicuous in the factory. Come on, let's not talk here at the door, let's go inside and chat."

Having said all that, Zhou Weiguo could no longer refuse and had no choice but to follow them into the Lou family mansion.