Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

In 1957, autumn was deepening.

Xu Damao was still feeling the novelty of being promoted to head of the film projection team, but the weight of the burden from Qinjiacun Village weighed heavier and heavier on his heart. The "proof" with Qin Laoshuan's fingerprint on it was like a sword hanging over his head, and he didn't know when it would fall. He knew he couldn't delay any longer and had to "resolve" this matter as soon as possible.

He first went to the head of the propaganda department's office, submitted his application, and gave a high-sounding reason: a new batch of rural film screening sites needed to be established, and at the same time, the reliability of the newly equipped "Red Star Guardian" sidecar motorcycles in more complex long-distance road conditions needed to be tested, and he also wanted to train the new recruits (although he secretly thought it would be more convenient for him to act alone). The head of the department looked at the application, and then at the faint but still visible bruises on Xu Damao's face (Xu Damao insisted that he had fallen during the last test ride), and without asking any questions, nodded and approved it. Now that Xu Damao was the squad leader, he still had this much autonomy.

Next, as the class leader, he arranged for his newly recruited apprentices to continue practicing projection techniques in the factory auditorium, familiarizing themselves with various types of projectors and films. Then he went to the logistics warehouse and collected a brand-new Changjiang brand film projector, a small generator, a large coil of cable, a snow-white screen, and several rolls of the latest film—mainly films promoting worker and peasant production and the revolutionary war, such as "Heroes and Daughters," "Shangganling" (excerpt), and "Steel Warrior," as well as one or two opera films, such as "The Fairy Couple," which were the most popular among the rural people.

Finally, he went to the motorcade to sign the papers and received a brand-new, gleaming "Red Star Guardian" sidecar motorcycle, fully fueled. The projection equipment was securely fixed in the sidecar. On the back seat was a bulging canvas bag, containing not only his personal toiletries but, more importantly, the "marriage proposal" gifts prepared by his father, Xu Fugui: two packs of "Peony" brand cigarettes with filters (considered high-end), two bottles of clear Shanxi "Fenjiu" liquor, two jin of marbled pork belly wrapped in oil paper, two plucked chickens, and a box of pastries bearing the "Daoxiangcun" logo, containing Beijing's eight traditional delicacies. This gift, in the rural areas at the time, was considered generous and respectable, demonstrating the Xu family's "sincerity" and "strength."

Xu Damao rode his motorcycle, chugging along, to his parents' house. Xu Fugui was already waiting there; he had also taken leave from the movie theater. Seeing his son ride back on his imposing "iron donkey," Xu Fugui's eyes lit up. He circled the motorcycle a couple of times, touching the cool fuel tank and the sturdy sidecar, and clicked his tongue: "Is this the new motorcycle from the factory? It looks awesome!"

"Dad, get in, the back seat is sturdy," Xu Damao called out.

Xu Fugui carefully climbed onto the back seat, gripping the handlebars with both hands. Xu Damao twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle roared off smoothly. At first, Xu Fugui was a little nervous, his body stiff. But he soon discovered that riding this motorcycle was much smoother and more comfortable than he had imagined. Even on the bumpy dirt roads outside the city, the jolting was far gentler than riding in a horse-drawn carriage or truck. The coordination between the sidecar and the main body was excellent; when going over ditches and bumps, the motorcycle undulated as a whole, without any harsh impact.

"Hey, this thing is actually pretty good! More stable than a bicycle, more stable than a car... cough, even when I was driving for Chairman Lou on those rough roads, it wasn't as stable as this motorcycle." Xu Fugui exclaimed in amazement, and couldn't help but ask his son, "Da Mao, did our factory really make this? Who came up with the idea? They're really something!"

While driving carefully, Xu Damao replied, "Of course! Dad, let me tell you, this car, and all the cars and trucks in our factory now, were all developed under the leadership of Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo! He's really capable; I heard he studied at a top university in the US and is a top technical expert! The higher-ups value him highly!"

Upon hearing the name "Wang Huanbo," Xu Fugui's initial curiosity and admiration quickly transformed into a complex emotion, a mixture of awe, regret, and relief. He couldn't help but recall the "marriage" he had previously discussed with his son.

When Xu Damao and his son learned that Lou Zhenhua's daughter, Lou Xiao'e, had reached marriageable age, and that she was simple-minded (in their eyes, a bit naive) and came from a very wealthy family (the Lou family were national capitalists, and although they had undergone public-private partnerships, their wealth remained), they became interested. Xu Damao, who considered himself handsome and had a respectable job (projectionists were among the "eight high-ranking officials" at the time, and were highly sought after), began pursuing Lou Xiao'e. Xu Fugui, even more cunning, thought that if he could marry into the Lou family, his son would be set for life, and his own family would benefit, perhaps even getting some money from them. He even secretly planned to create some "public opinion" if the Lou family refused, such as spreading rumors that Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e were "dating," using the importance placed on women's reputation in that era to force the Lou family to comply.

However, their plan backfired. Although Lou Xiao'e was naive, she had no liking for the glib and scheming Xu Damao and clearly rejected him. Lou Zhenhua, on the other hand, was shrewd and experienced, seeing through the little schemes of the Xu father and son. He played a game of cat and mouse, neither explicitly rejecting them nor giving them any hints, leaving the Xu father and son with no way to make a move.

What caught them even more off guard was that Lou Xiao'e later, by chance, became the secretary of Wang Huanbo, the chief engineer of the Red Star Factory. During an assassination attempt on Wang Huanbo by spies, Lou Xiao'e bravely stepped forward and was shot while protecting him. This heroic act of "saving the damsel in distress" (or "the damsel in distress saving the hero"), coupled with their subsequent interactions, sparked a romance between Wang Huanbo and Lou Xiao'e, two people who seemed to have no connection whatsoever. They quickly and quietly obtained their marriage certificate and became husband and wife.

This news was a devastating blow to the Xu family father and son. Not only were their dreams of currying favor with the Lou family shattered, but they also felt a chill of fear. Who was Wang Huanbo? He was a highly respected and protected technical giant at the Red Star Factory and even higher levels of government, someone who could speak with ministers and even higher-ranking leaders! His power, status, and level of importance were completely incomparable to Lou Zhenhua's. They had actually tried to scheme against his current wife? If Wang Huanbo found out and held a grudge, wouldn't it be a matter of a single word for him to deal with them? Xu Damao, a mere projectionist, and even Xu Fugui's connections at the movie theater, were utterly insignificant compared to Wang Huanbo.

Fortunately, Wang Huanbo seemed unaware of their previous underhanded schemes, or perhaps he knew but didn't care. While Xu Damao's smooth appointment as projection team leader was primarily due to his own "good teaching" and Li Huaide's encouragement, the final appointment undoubtedly required the tacit approval of factory leaders, especially Wang Huanbo, who was in charge of technology (although Wang Huanbo didn't directly manage personnel, as the chief engineer, he had a say in the appointment and dismissal of middle and lower-level cadres). This indicates that Wang Huanbo at least didn't openly make things difficult for Xu Damao because of Lou Xiao'e's affair. Xu Damao's application to use the latest "Red Star Guardian" motorcycle for rural trips—such a "luxurious" configuration—was approved without question, likely also with Wang Huanbo's tacit approval or at least lack of opposition.

This caused Xu Fugui to have some other thoughts alongside his fear. Wang Huanbo didn't seem narrow-minded at all, or rather, he simply didn't take the Xu family's petty schemes seriously. Moreover, from what Xu Damao had heard bits and pieces of information, Chief Engineer Wang seemed to have a...not bad impression of Xu Damao? At least no ill will. This puzzled Xu Fugui. He, as his father, knew his son Xu Damao's character best: petty, calculating, lecherous, vain... How could a big shot like Wang Huanbo have a good impression of him?

Xu Damao was actually a little uneasy. He had vaguely heard that Chief Engineer Wang had mentioned him in an informal setting, and his evaluation was quite objective, saying that he was "quick-witted, adaptable, and had good business skills, but sometimes his mind wasn't on the right track, and he needed someone to guide him properly." When these words reached Xu Damao's ears, he felt both a little proud (Chief Engineer Wang actually knew me? And praised my quick wit and good business skills?), and a little alarmed ("not on the right track," that's quite a direct criticism). He couldn't figure out Wang Huanbo's attitude, but one thing was certain: Chief Engineer Wang hadn't made things difficult for him because of Lou Xiao'e's matter. On the contrary, he had given him the green light in terms of promotion and car use, which made him feel much more at ease, and even gave him a sense of gratitude and... awe towards Wang Huanbo. Of course, he didn't know that Wang Huanbo's "good impression" of him actually stemmed from a deeper, more secretive reason—a reason that only Wang Huanbo himself knew about the memories of the "original work."

In Wang Huanbo's memories as a transmigrator from the future, the people and events in this courtyard were not entirely blank. He remembered He Yuzhu, known as "Silly Pillar," a skilled but naive man who was ultimately betrayed and tragically killed by the so-called "retirement group." He also remembered Yan Fugui, the cunning "Third Uncle," who ultimately harmed both his son and himself. He further remembered Xu Damao, a character who wasn't purely a villain. In those fragmented memories, Xu Damao certainly had many flaws, a penchant for gossip, and a sworn enemy of Silly Pillar. However, it was precisely Xu Damao who first saw through the long-term scheming and emotional manipulation of Silly Pillar by Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu, and others. Xu Damao had repeatedly, explicitly or implicitly, warned Silly Pillar to be careful and not be taken advantage of. Unfortunately, Silly Pillar harbored deep resentment towards Xu Damao, viewing everything he said with hostility. Instead of listening, he believed Xu Damao was sowing discord and repeatedly physically assaulted him. Xu Damao's "good intentions" (perhaps mixed with the selfish desire to see Yi Zhonghai and others make a fool of themselves) were taken for granted, and he was even beaten. His heart turned cold, and he watched coldly as Sha Zhu was dragged into the quagmire by so-called "family ties," "responsibility," and moral blackmail, and was squeezed dry of his last bit of value.

In the distant future, those memories reveal that as times changed, Xu Damao went into business, but due to his eagerness for quick success and being tricked, he lost all his savings, even mortgaging his house. He ultimately lost everything, causing his father Xu Fugui to die of grief, and he himself became homeless, nearly freezing to death on a cold winter night. Ironically, it was Sha Zhu, the man Xu Damao had warned but never appreciated, who had been his lifelong adversary, who, upon learning of his plight, didn't kick him while he was down. Instead, he secretly used his meager savings to redeem Xu Damao's mortgaged house, returning it to him and encouraging him to get back on his feet. This act of repaying evil with kindness deeply moved Xu Damao. Later, when Sha Zhu grew old and frail, he was disliked by his "son," Bang Geng, whom he had raised with great care, and his wife. He was also indirectly abandoned by Qin Huairu and her biological son and sister (there seems to be a trace of He Yushui in his memory, but their relationship was strained). Finally, on a cold winter night, he froze to death under a bridge, forgotten and forgotten. It was Xu Damao, Sha Zhu's lifelong "enemy," who collected his body and arranged a simple funeral. Even more poignant is that Xu Damao, through force, compelled the ungrateful Bang Geng to wear mourning clothes for Sha Zhu, seeing his pitiful and tragic "adoptive father" off on his final journey. Xu Damao did all this partly to repay Sha Zhu for redeeming his house and encouraging him years ago, and perhaps also to bring a final conclusion to that tangled, twisted yet real "brotherly" relationship that had lasted since childhood.

These memories from the "original work" gave Wang Huanbo a complex understanding of Xu Damao that went beyond his current appearance. He saw Xu Damao's shrewdness, calculation, and even despicableness, but he also saw a sliver of humanity within him that hadn't been completely extinguished—a sliver of judgment about right and wrong—and the almost tragic "loyalty" he displayed at the end (even though this loyalty was directed at Sha Zhu). Compared to Yi Zhonghai's shrewd calculations cloaked in morality, and Qin Huairu's bottomless demands and emotional blackmail, Xu Damao's "badness" was, in some ways, more straightforward, even carrying a ridiculous "true villain" quality. Therefore, in Wang Huanbo's subconscious, there wasn't a strong aversion to Xu Damao that he desperately wanted to eliminate; instead, there was a judgment that "this person can be used, but needs guidance and restraint." As long as Xu Damao doesn't cross his bottom line (such as harming Lou Xiao'e or jeopardizing the interests of the Hongxing Factory), Wang Huanbo doesn't mind giving this "interesting" little guy some space within reasonable limits. He might even give him some recognition (tacitly approving his promotion and car use) when Xu shows "repentance" or "ambition" (such as diligently mentoring apprentices). This might be a subtle intervention by Wang Huanbo deep down regarding the original tragic story, or it could simply be a personnel strategy based on his own understanding.

Xu Fugui, of course, was unaware of his son's "complex" relationship with Wang Huanbo. He simply felt instinctively that he had to cling to Wang Huanbo's coattails, or at least not offend him. Sitting on his smoothly moving motorcycle, he pondered: the Qin Family Village matter must be resolved properly; no further complications should arise. Once Da Mao marries Qin Jingru, settles down, and works hard at the factory, perhaps he can even benefit from Chief Engineer Wang's connections…

"Put-put-put..." The roar of the motorcycle interrupted Xu Fugui's thoughts. The vehicle had already entered the territory of Qin Family Village. Unlike the lively welcome when Xu Damao came alone to show movies last time, the village was quiet this time. Occasionally, villagers would see the sidecar motorcycle and the Xu family father and son on it from the fields or their doorways, casting complicated glances. Some pointed and whispered, while others turned and went back into their houses. Clearly, Xu Damao and Qin Jingru's "affair" was no secret in the closed-off village. The villagers had mixed feelings about Xu Damao, this city projectionist who "took advantage and then tried to slip away." Some envied him for marrying Qin Jingru, one of the most beautiful girls in the village, while others were dissatisfied with his improper behavior and the fact that he had taken so long to "give an explanation."

Xu Damao was somewhat embarrassed, but he was more eager to get rid of the trouble. Following his memory, he drove his motorcycle directly to the gate of Qin Laoshuan's house.

Old Qin was squatting at the gate of the courtyard, puffing on his pipe. Hearing the sound of a motorcycle, he looked up and saw Xu Damao. His face darkened at first, but when he saw a man of similar age sitting on the back of the motorcycle, dressed like a cadre, he guessed what was going on and his expression softened slightly. After Xu Damao parked the motorcycle and Xu Fugui came over carrying bags of gifts, Old Qin slowly stood up and said indifferently, "You've arrived?"

"Brother Qin, sorry to bother you!" Xu Fugui stepped forward, a smile plastered on his face, and offered a "Peony" cigarette. "I'm Da Mao's father, Xu Fugui. I should have come to visit long ago, but I've been so busy that it's been delayed until today. I'm truly sorry!"

Qin Laoshuan took the cigarette, smelled it under his nose, and found it to be a good cigarette. His expression improved slightly, and he stepped aside, saying, "Come in and let's talk."

Upon entering the main room, Qin's mother somewhat hesitantly poured two bowls of plain water. Qin Jingru's eldest brother, Qin Dashan, and second brother, Qin Erhe, also came out from the inner room upon hearing the commotion, standing behind their father with their arms crossed, glaring menacingly at Xu Damao. Qin Jingru, however, hid behind the kitchen curtain, only revealing half her face, peeking out furtively with anticipation, shyness, and a hint of unease in her eyes.

Xu Fugui, a seasoned veteran, spotted Qin Jingru behind the curtain at a glance. Even though he prided himself on being worldly-wise, his heart skipped a beat, and he cursed his son inwardly: This brat, he certainly has good taste! Qin Jingru, though dressed plainly, was undeniably beautiful and had a good figure, possessing a rustic charm and vitality that surpassed many of the pretentious city girls. No wonder that rascal Xu Damao couldn't resist. He quickly averted his gaze, his smile unchanged.

Xu Damao felt uncomfortable under the Qin brothers' gaze, especially when he remembered the beating he had received last time, his cheeks throbbed with pain again, so he quickly lowered his head.

"Brother Qin," Xu Fugui sat down and got straight to the point, "We're both straightforward people, so I won't beat around the bush. My son is a bit of a brat and has done something to offend Miss Jingru. He deserves the punishment, and we accept it. We've come today specifically to apologize and also to discuss the marriage of our two children." As he spoke, he took out the cigarettes, wine, meat, and pastries he had brought and placed them on the table. "It's just a small token of our appreciation. Let's discuss this marriage properly and make sure it's a grand and respectable affair, so that Miss Jingru won't be wronged."

Looking at the generous gifts on the table, especially the two cartons of Peony cigarettes and two bottles of Fenjiu liquor—items that carried significant prestige in the countryside—Qin Laoshuan's dissatisfaction lessened somewhat. He was actually worried that the Xu family might renege on their promise. Although he had a written agreement, if things escalated, his daughter's reputation would be completely ruined. Xu Damao would be unlucky, but Jingru would also find it difficult to face others in the village. Now that the Xu family had taken the initiative to come with such generous gifts and their attitude seemed sincere, it appeared they genuinely wanted to arrange the marriage.

"Brother Xu is a sensible man." Qin Laoshuan took a puff of his cigarette and said slowly, "What's done is done, it's too late to say anything now. My Jingru is an innocent and good girl, and now... sigh. If your Xu family is sincere, this matter is easy to discuss. If not..." He paused and didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

"Sincere! Absolutely sincere!" Xu Fugui quickly declared. "Da Mao, what are you waiting for? Say something!"

Xu Damao then raised his head, looked at Qin Laoshuan, glanced again towards the kitchen, and said with a forced smile, "Uncle Qin, I... I really like Jingru. I was wrong last time, I was a bastard. I promise, I will treat Jingru well from now on! Please rest assured, Uncle Qin and Aunt Qin, let me marry Jingru!"

Old Qin's expression softened, and Qin's mother breathed a sigh of relief in the kitchen. Qin Jingru, hiding behind the curtain, blushed even more, her heart pounding like a rabbit's.

"Since we've come this far," Qin Laoshuan tapped his pipe, "we country folk don't crave the riches and power of you city folk. We just want someone honest, kind, and good to my daughter. As for the bride price..." He thought for a moment, then held out a hand, "Just five yuan, a token amount will suffice. We're not selling our daughter."

Five yuan! These days, in rural areas, a bride price is expected for a daughter's marriage; thirty or fifty yuan is common, and sometimes even over a hundred. Qin Laoshuan only asked for five yuan, which was indeed just symbolic, practically a free gift. This humble attitude showed that he valued his daughter's ability to marry smoothly into the city and have someone to rely on.

Xu Fugui was secretly delighted, but his face showed a troubled and apologetic expression: "This... Brother Qin, this is too little! No, no, this won't do! We can't let Miss Jingru suffer!"

"It's settled then." Old Qin waved his hand firmly. "We don't need anything more. As long as you treat my daughter well, that's more important than anything else."

At this moment, Qin Dashan, who had been silent until now, spoke up in a gruff voice. He glared at Xu Damao, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Xu Damao, my sister married you. If you dare to bully her or make her suffer even the slightest grievance, I, Qin Dashan, will be the first to object! Don't think that just because you're in the city, I can't find you! Let me tell you, my brother, several other young men from the village, and I've all been hired by the Hongxing Factory. We'll be working at the Hongxing Motorcycle Factory soon! We'll all be working at the Hongxing Factory from now on, so I'll have plenty of time to 'take care' of you!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Xu Damao's head, which had just begun to heat up. The Red Star Motorcycle Factory? Wasn't that the place that produced the "Red Star Guardians"? If the Qin brothers got into the factory and became workers, they'd be in the same system! His job as a projectionist sounded glamorous, but he didn't actually have much real power. If these two brutes really set their sights on him, he wouldn't have a good time at the factory! He still vividly remembered the beating he received last time; Qin Dashan's strength was probably no less than that of the simple-minded Sha Zhu in the courtyard!

Xu Damao trembled with fright and quickly assured them, "No, no! Big brother, second brother, don't worry! I, Xu Damao, swear to heaven that I will treat Jingru well! If anything goes wrong, you can do whatever you want with me!"

Qin Dashan snorted and stopped talking, but his eyes were full of warning.

The negotiations went surprisingly smoothly. Qin Laoshuan was agreeable, and the Xu family's attitude was also appropriate. The marriage was basically settled. Qin Laoshuan had his mother slaughter the family's most productive hen, cut up all two jin of pork brought by the Xu family, and added some vegetables from the garden in the yard, preparing a table full of food. Although not particularly elaborate, it was the highest level of hospitality in the rural area at that time. The two whole chickens were hung up by Qin's mother, to be dried and eaten during the New Year.

At the dinner table, Xu Fugui took out the Fenjiu liquor he had brought and filled the glasses for Qin Laoshuan, Qin Dashan, and Qin Erhe, then poured himself a glass as well. Xu Damao drove, and they drank tea instead of alcohol. After a few drinks, the atmosphere became even more lively. Qin Laoshuan smiled and began to inquire about things in the city. Xu Fugui patted his chest and promised that after the wedding, he would find a way to get Qin Jingru a temporary job in the city as soon as possible, and gradually resolve the household registration issue. Qin Dashan and Qin Erhe were also very excited to hear that they could go to the city to work as laborers, and their hostility towards Xu Damao lessened considerably; they even began to address each other as brothers.

Qin Jingru was finally called out by her mother and sat at the lower end of the table, head down, eating her food in small bites, occasionally glancing quickly at Xu Damao, her face still flushed. Xu Damao looked at her charming appearance, then thought of Qin Dashan's fists the size of sand bowls, and felt a mix of itchiness and fear, a complex mix of emotions. The marriage was settled. Although the beginning was dishonorable and the process frustrating, the result seemed… not too bad? At least Qin Jingru was pretty, and it wouldn't be embarrassing to take her out. As for the future… they'd see how it went.

The meal was a success, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves. A heavy weight was lifted from the hearts of the Xu family father and sons. The Qin family had gained a son-in-law from the city, and their sons now had hope of becoming workers in the city—a happy ending for everyone. However, beneath this joy, only the individuals involved truly knew their own hidden thoughts.

As the sun set, the Xu family father and son bid farewell and left. Qin Jingru stood at the courtyard gate, watching the motorcycle disappear into the distance until it vanished at the end of the village road. The evening breeze ruffled the hem of her clothes, and her eyes held a complex mix of emotions: anticipation for the future, melancholy at leaving home, and a hint of uncertainty about the slick and somewhat hateful city man who was about to become her husband.

Xu Damao drove his slightly tipsy father back to the city. Xu Fugui leaned back in the back seat, his eyes half-closed, seemingly asleep. Xu Damao, however, was filled with mixed emotions. The marriage was settled, the troubles were temporarily resolved, and he'd even "gained" a beautiful wife for free. Although his brother-in-law was fierce, becoming coworkers might not be a bad thing; perhaps they could even look after each other? Besides, seeing his father and Qin Laoshuan chatting so happily, he could now be considered proper relatives with the Qin family.

He suddenly thought of Wang Huanbo again. His smooth transition to team leader, his new car, and his present marriage proposal with generous gifts all seemed subtly related to Chief Engineer Wang's attitude. Whatever the reason Chief Engineer Wang had a "good impression" of him, it was still a good thing. From now on, he would have to be more careful and work harder at the factory; at the very least, he couldn't give Chief Engineer Wang a reason to "misjudge" him.

The motorcycle sped across a field, the autumn harvest nearing its end, the earth bare, its brown skin awaiting winter's rest. In the distance, the sunset blazed like fire, illuminating this rapidly changing era, and reflecting Xu Damao's complex emotions—calm, anxious, and tinged with a vague anticipation of a new life. Unbeknownst to him, in the "original" timeline of Wang Huanbo's memory, his current marriage, and his future entanglements with the Qin family and the people of the courtyard, were merely a small interlude in a long and winding destiny. And at the end of that timeline, there would be a redemption and resolution between him and Sha Zhu, transcending past grievances. But at this moment, in the autumn wind of 1957, none of this had happened. He was simply a young film projectionist who had just "resolved" a troublesome marriage, riding a new motorcycle produced by his factory, returning to the city with mixed feelings. The road ahead was long, and calculations and choices continued every day.