Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The news that Jia Dongxu was about to take a paid leave to study at an industrial school in the suburbs of Beijing was like another boulder thrown into the deep waters of No. 95 Courtyard, creating ripples that lingered for a long time. Every household, openly or secretly, was abuzz with discussion, each with their own mindset.

The happiest family was undoubtedly the Jia family. Although Jia Zhangshi initially had many complaints about her son "interfering with earning money" by going to school, her dissatisfaction was quickly replaced by the vanity of "my son is going to be a cadre" in the face of the real "paid leave" (albeit at 70%) and the extra subsidies from the factory. These past few days, she has been walking with a straighter back, and she "casually" mentions to everyone she meets: "Oh, our Dongxu, he's just too ambitious. Even with his hand like that, he still insists on taking the exam. The factory leaders all say he's a talent and insist on recommending him to a vocational school! They can't stop him!" It's as if she has forgotten how she used to complain that "reading for fun doesn't put food on the table."

Qin Huairu was genuinely happy, yet her joy was mixed with endless heartache and anticipation. She worked through the night to make two decent blue school uniforms for her husband, washing and ironing their few worn-out shirts until they were faded. That night, she touched Jia Dongxu's face, which had become increasingly thin due to his injuries and recent arduous studies, and tears silently streamed down her face: "When you go to school, don't skimp on food. Focus on learning your skills. I'll take care of things at home, and there's also the factory subsidy, so don't worry."

Jia Dongxu gripped his wife's hand tightly and nodded emphatically, "Huai Ru, don't worry. This opportunity was given to us by Engineer Wang and Factory Director Li; it's our chance to turn our lives around. I'll definitely work my ass off and make something of myself! Once I graduate and get a job, I'll have cadre status and a higher salary, and our lives will be better. You won't have to suffer like this anymore." He looked around at his simple home, which bore the weight of so much hardship, his gaze falling on his sleeping children, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of responsibility and strength.

Banggeng seemed to sense the different atmosphere at home, and looked up at him with his little face, asking, "Dad, if you go to school, will you become a teacher like Teacher Ran?"

Jia Dongxu smiled and patted his son's head: "Dad is going to learn how to build machines and manage technology. He'll be a technician and an engineer in the future. Banggeng, you must study hard too, and be even more successful than Dad in the future."

Xiao Dang and Huaihua are still too young to understand, so they just cling to their father's legs and beg him not to leave.

At Yi Zhonghai's home in the Intermediate People's Court, the atmosphere was somewhat delicate. An older woman was genuinely happy for Jia Dongxu and specially steamed a pot of white flour buns to send over: "Dongxu, going to school is a good thing. Go there and study with peace of mind. If there are any difficulties at home, your auntie is here." She also genuinely felt sorry for this apprentice she had watched grow up and who had suffered such a misfortune.

Yi Zhonghai's feelings were far more complex. Jia Dongxu had, after all, been his most valued and nurtured apprentice, someone he had hoped would take care of him in his old age. But then Jia Zhangshi caused trouble, and Jia Dongxu suffered a work injury, and those hopes faded. Now, this apprentice, whom he had almost abandoned, was about to embark on a completely different path, perhaps even brighter than his own as an eighth-grade master craftsman, all thanks to Wang Huanbo's casual help. Was he gratified? A little. Was he disappointed? More so. Especially considering his current awkward situation (his reputation was ruined, his authority in the institute greatly diminished; although adopting his brother's orphan had brought him honor, his prestige in the institute was no longer what it used to be!), while the apprentice who once needed his care was about to spread his wings and fly high, the feeling was indescribable.

"It's good that you're going. You can learn some real skills, which is better than just wasting your days in the factory." Yi Zhonghai said this to Jia Dongxu, who had come to say goodbye. He patted Jia's shoulder and handed him a fountain pen. "Take this. You'll need it for your studies." This fountain pen was a reward he had received years ago, and he had never been willing to use it.

Jia Dongxu took the pen, his eyes welling up with tears: "Master..."

"Don't call me Master anymore, we'll be classmates from now on." Yi Zhonghai rarely joked, but his tone was somewhat desolate. "Study hard, and don't let down... Engineer Wang and Factory Director Li's expectations."

"Yes! I've got it!" Jia Dongxu said solemnly.

In the front yard of Yan Bugui's house, the beads on the abacus clicked loudly.

"Paid to attend school, 70% of his salary, factory subsidies, and school grants..." Yan Bugui analyzed to the three aunties, "This Jia Dongxu is basically being supported by both the factory and the school! When he graduates in three years, at the very least he'll be a technician, earning at least forty or fifty yuan a month! Much better than his current level two worker status! And he'll even have cadre status! Incredible! Incredible!"

He turned to Yan Jiecheng, who was eating silently, and said, "Jiecheng, do you see that? This is how knowledge changes destiny! Even with one hand crippled, Jia Dongxu's subordinates were able to turn things around! You have all four limbs, so study hard at the factory, learn the skills, and read books in your spare time! Don't just wander around aimlessly all day! If you can become a worker-peasant-soldier student or be recommended to study in the future, our family will be set for life!"

Yan Jiecheng gave a perfunctory "hmm," but in his heart he thought that Jia Dongxu was just incredibly lucky to have caught the eye of Engineer Wang. He himself was far from having that kind of luck.

In the backyard of Liu Haizhong's house, the scene was quite different. The more Liu Haizhong thought about it, the angrier he became, especially when he saw that Jia Dongxu had actually won Wang Huanbo's favor and was personally arranged by Li Huaide to go to a vocational school and become a cadre in the future, while none of his three sons were good enough! His eldest son, Liu Guangqi, was single-mindedly thinking about flying away, and his second and third sons were not good at studying and were just wasting their time in the workshop.

"You're all useless! Good-for-nothings!" Liu Haizhong slammed down his chopsticks and roared at Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who were shoveling rice into their mouths. "Look at Jia Dongxu! Even crippled, he can still fly! You two are perfectly capable, yet you can't even pass the first-level worker exam! What use are you to me!"

Liu Guangtian muttered to himself, "Well, you still need a benefactor to help you..."

"You dare talk back!" Liu Haizhong was furious and grabbed a feather duster to hit him. Aunt Er quickly stopped him, and the house erupted into chaos again. Liu Guangqi hid in the inner room, listening to the noise outside, his desire to "leave this house" reaching its peak.

Xu Damao, on the other hand, was filled with a different kind of sour jealousy. Leaning against his doorway, watching the people coming and going from the Jia family to offer their congratulations, he clicked his tongue and said, "Wow, Brother Jia's about to make it big! He'll be a cadre soon! Sister Qin, you're a cadre's wife now!" His envy and jealousy were impossible to hide. His eyes darted around, wondering if he should also try to get closer to Engineer Wang or Factory Director Li. Showing movies was easy, but it didn't offer much of a future.

Sha Zhu, ever the honest fellow, specially cooked two of his signature dishes, brought half a bottle of cheap liquor, and delivered them to the Jia family: "Brother Dongxu, congratulations! Going to school is a good thing! When you graduate and become a great engineer, don't forget your brothers! Take this food with you on your journey; the school cafeteria can't compare to our cooking!"

Jia Dongxu accepted the gift with gratitude: "Zhuzi, thank you! Don't worry, I won't forget it!"

Sha Zhu scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, "No need to thank me, we're just neighbors. By the way, if anyone bullies you at school, just mention my name! I, He Yuzhu, have a few senior and junior brothers at a restaurant in Beijing!" This made Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu laugh.

The west wing remained calm. Wang Huanbo was fully aware of the turmoil within the wing, but remained unconcerned. He was using Pangu to research the relevant materials and curriculum of the First Ministry of Machine Building's Beijing Industrial School, selecting subjects suitable for Jia Dongxu to preview or focus on, preparing to compile them into notes for Jia Dongxu to take with him. Since an investment had been made, it might as well be done more thoroughly.

The day before his departure, Wang Huanbo had Lou Xiao'e deliver a thick notebook wrapped in kraft paper to the Jia family, saying it contained "some old materials that might be useful." Jia Dongxu opened it and found neatly handwritten (actually an antiqued copy from Pangu Printing House) explanations of key points and difficult concepts in mathematics, physics, mechanical drawing, and metalworking, along with typical examples and even some Russian glossary entries. Incredibly valuable!

Jia Dongxu held the notebook, his hands trembling. This sentiment was too heavy.

In the stillness of the night, Jia Dongxu, by the light of a kerosene lamp, checked his simple belongings for the last time: two sets of clothes, a few books, that precious notebook, the fountain pen given to him by Master Yi, and the insoles Qin Huairu had secretly slipped in—insoles she had sewn all night. He looked around the home he had lived in for over twenty years—dilapidated and cramped, yet it held all his joys and sorrows. Now, he was leaving temporarily, for an uncertain but hopeful future.

"Huai Ru, Mom, I'm leaving the family... in your hands." Jia Dongxu's voice was choked with emotion.

"Go ahead without worry, I'll take care of things at home," Qin Huairu said firmly.

For once, Mrs. Jia didn't nag, only saying, "When you get to school, be smart, don't be naive."

"Yes!" Jia Dongxu replied heavily.

That night, many people in courtyard number 95 suffered from insomnia. Some were envious, some jealous, some expectant, and some uneasy. But regardless, the gears of Jia Dongxu's fate had been completely altered by this series of "coincidences" and "help from benefactors." When he shouldered his bag, walked out of the courtyard gate in the morning light, and boarded the bus to the outskirts of Beijing, his life, and the fate of many others in the courtyard, quietly embarked on a different path. What the future held, no one knew, but the spark of hope had already ignited fiercely in the heart of this weathered worker.

Behind the window of the west courtyard, Wang Huanbo watched the shuttle bus drive away, gently closing the foreign language materials in his hand. The experimental samples had been released; the observation period had officially begun. He was very curious about what kind of storm this butterfly, which had unexpectedly gained wings, would ultimately unleash. At least, this courtyard would be quiet for a while. He turned around and continued to immerse himself in his technological blueprint. In the distance, the morning glow was magnificent.