Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The tranquility of the west courtyard was once again broken by a rapid yet cheerful knock on the door. Wang Huanbo looked up from his complex draft of network protocols, a knowing smile already playing on his lips before he even realized it. Standing outside the door was none other than Sha Zhu, the boy about to marry his bride, currently brimming with happiness and anticipation.

"Huanbo! It's done! All the dimensions are measured!" Shazhu squeezed in before the door was fully open, holding a carefully drawn, pencil-drawn floor plan with eraser shavings still clinging to it like a precious treasure. His forehead was sweaty, but his eyes shone like two small suns. "Length, width, height, where the beams are, where the columns are, the locations of the doors and windows—I've marked them all! Take a look, is it okay?"

Wang Huanbo took the slightly rough but detailed sketch, which even roughly marked the cracks in the wall bricks, and couldn't help but smile. This simpleton, once he set his mind on something, his stubbornness and seriousness were unmatched. He looked at it carefully, combined with his understanding of the structure of courtyard houses, and nodded: "Okay, Brother Zhu, that's detailed enough. With this, I feel more confident."

Sha Zhu rubbed his hands together, like a schoolchild waiting for their homework to be graded, and asked expectantly, "So... what's next? Find a construction team? Report it to the neighborhood committee? Huanbo, I don't know anything about this, I'll do whatever you say! Whatever you say, I'll do!"

Seeing Sha Zhu's complete trust and eagerness to start construction immediately, Wang Huanbo felt a warmth in his heart. He gestured for Sha Zhu to sit down, poured him a glass of water, and then said slowly, "Brother Zhu, don't rush. Building a house is a long-term project, especially since this is a renovation and expansion of an old house. We need to proceed step by step, with safety as the top priority. I'll take care of the construction team and the permits. However, I need to hear your specific ideas first. Besides the toilet, the second floor, and the balcony, what else do you want? You need a general idea of ​​the layout so I can design it for you."

"Thoughts?" Sha Zhu scratched his head and chuckled憨厚ly. "Hehe, I don't have any ideas, I just think your west wing is pretty good! Upstairs and downstairs, bright, with a toilet, convenient! Oh right, the kitchen! My kitchen is too small, I can't even turn around properly. In the future, if Yu Li... wants to cook or something, it needs to be spacious! Also, when it rains heavily, she needs her own room and a place to study, she can't always be crammed in with me. Ideally... ideally there should also be a place to store cabbage, potatoes, radishes, and the like in winter, instead of putting them in the communal cellar in the yard..."

He spoke quickly, jumping from one thought to another, his words filled with simple imaginings and thoughtful considerations for Li's daily life after she married into the family. There were no fancy words, only the most practical needs: a spacious kitchen for his wife, a separate space and study area for his sister, and convenient winter storage for the family.

As Wang Huanbo listened, a preliminary outline was already forming in his mind. He picked up a pencil and quickly sketched on a blank drawing: "Brother Zhu, look. These two main rooms of yours face south, the foundation is good. My idea is, since we're going to make changes, let's make them thorough, one step at a time, so that they won't be outdated for at least twenty or thirty years."

As he drew, he explained, "First, the overall height of the house needs to be increased. The current ceiling is too low, making it feel cramped. We'll increase it to a standard two-story height. The first floor will retain its original living function, but the space will be more open and bright. We'll build half of the second floor to create a layout with a large terrace. This way, it won't affect the lighting in the backyard (which complies with regulations), and you'll have an extra great place to sunbathe, relax in the shade, and even grow some flowers and plants in the future."

Sha Zhu's eyes widened as he listened, nodding repeatedly, "The terrace is great! The terrace is great! Yu Li will definitely like it!"

"Interior layout," Wang Huanbo's pen moved across the paper, "On the first floor, we've planned a living room, dining room, master bedroom, and a separate bedroom for rain protection. The kitchen will be a separate extension connected to the main house, but it will have its own doors and windows, and proper ventilation. We'll build two toilets, one on the first floor, close to the bedroom for easy access at night. The other will be on the second floor, integrated with the future master bedroom. Each toilet will not only have a flush toilet and sink, but also space for a bathtub and shower. In winter, we can take hot showers at home without having to go to a crowded public bathhouse."

Sha Zhu's mouth was agape in disbelief. Taking a hot bath at home? And a bathtub? This was something he never even dared to dream of! He could almost see Yu Li sighing comfortably in the steamy bathroom, and his heart was bubbling with joy.

"Furthermore," Wang Huanbo continued, pointing his pen downwards at the drawing, "we'll dig down. We'll build a semi-underground storage room, a basement. It doesn't need to be too big, but it must be well-proofed and waterproof. It'll be convenient for storing vegetables in winter, and miscellaneous items in summer, or for pickling vegetables and cured meats. It can also serve as a simple wine cellar; then all your good wines will have a place to go, won't they?"

Sha Zhu could only grin foolishly, repeatedly saying, "Good! Good! Huanbo, how could you be so thoughtful! This...this must have cost a fortune, right?"

"Regarding the money, didn't you say you had about three thousand yuan? If you're careful with your budget and find a reliable construction team, that should be enough. But the exact budget will only be known after the design drawings are finished and we get quotes from the construction team." Wang Huanbo put down his pen and said seriously, "But Brother Zhu, let me be clear from the start, this is no small project; it's practically a complete overhaul. The construction period might be quite long, and it will be very noisy. You and Yushui will have to stay somewhere else temporarily. Also, there are many gossipy people in the compound; with such a large-scale construction project, there will inevitably be some envious people who will talk behind your back. You need to be prepared."

"Location is no problem!" Sha Zhu patted his chest. "Yu Shui and I can move in with you, or I can make do in the factory dormitory! As for gossip?" He snorted, a nonchalant glint in his eyes. "I'm spending my own money to get married and build a house for myself, what's it to them! Let whoever's jealous earn their own money! I was foolish before, always getting taken advantage of, but now I understand, living my own life well is more important than anything else! As long as Yu Li is with me and can enjoy life, let others say what they want!"

Seeing Sha Zhu's resolute appearance, as if he had suddenly "realized his mistakes" and "become a Buddha on the spot," Wang Huanbo smiled with satisfaction. That's right. In this life, especially for men, the first thing is to stand up, protect your home, and be able to shoulder the responsibilities of your family.

"Alright, it's good that you're aware of this." Wang Huanbo put away the sketches. "Leave this to me. I'll go find Deputy Factory Director Li first; he has connections with the construction team and materials. I'll also talk to the street office and the housing management office. In the next few days, pack out the essentials from the house, and get rid of any worthless old furniture and items to avoid them getting damaged during construction."

"Okay! I'll go back and pack right away!" Having received confirmation, Sha Zhu was full of energy and rushed off. But at the door, he turned back, his eyes a little red, his voice choked. "Huanbo, brother... brother, thank you! Really! If it weren't for you, I... I might still be tossing the ladle in the cafeteria, called Sha Zhu by everyone, unable to find a wife, let alone build a house like this... I'm not good with words, I don't know what to say, but I'll remember your kindness!"

Wang Huanbo patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, Brother Zhu, let's not talk about this. Hurry back and get ready, we're going to move into our new house and marry our new bride!"

Sha Zhu nodded emphatically, wiped his eyes, grinned, and walked away with light steps. His back view was full of boundless anticipation and drive for the future.

In the following days, Wang Huanbo acted swiftly and decisively.

He first went to Li Huaide. Li Huaide, now the powerful deputy director of the Hongxing United Industrial Corporation, upon hearing that it was about Wang Huanbo renovating the house for Sha Zhu's wedding, immediately waved his hand and said, "Engineer Wang, your business is my business! That kid Sha Zhu is now a middle-level manager in our factory; his wedding is a big deal, the factory should support him! I'll immediately arrange the best construction team from the infrastructure department, with experienced foremen and key personnel, and the materials will be supplied with factory approval slips at cost price! I guarantee it will be done quickly and well!"

Li Huaide held Wang Huanbo in utmost trust and gratitude. Leaving aside the political achievements brought by Wang Huanbo's numerous inventions and creations that benefited the country and its people, the fact that Wang Huanbo distributed most of the scarce resources (high-end ingredients, daily necessities, and even some mechanical parts unavailable domestically) that his family had brought from overseas to the factory's technical backbone and struggling workers had already significantly boosted Li Huaide's prestige and support within the factory. Li Huaide couldn't wait to do this again and again.

"However," Li Huaide lowered his voice, a knowing smile appearing on his face, "that kid Shazhu, he's something else! Quietly found a good girlfriend, and now he's building a new house. He's aiming for the top in one step! Xiao Wang, you design it for him, make sure it's top-notch, don't let the bride suffer!"

Wang Huanbo smiled and agreed. With Li Huaide's support, the two major problems of the construction team and materials were easily solved.

Next, Wang Huanbo went to the Nanluoguxiang Subdistrict Office. Secretary Wang of the Subdistrict Office held this young chief engineer, who lived in their jurisdiction but was frequently mentioned and cared for by higher-ups, and even occasionally picked up by a mysterious car, in both respect and a touch of awe. Upon hearing Wang Huanbo's purpose—to address the housing difficulties of the factory's cadres (Sha Zhu's position as canteen director was very useful here) and to carry out reasonable renovations of old houses—Secretary Wang immediately said, "Support! Absolutely support! Improving the living conditions of employees is also a key focus of our subdistrict work! We'll expedite the procedures and approve them as soon as possible! I'll personally coordinate with the water company and municipal departments for the water supply and sewer connection! Engineer Wang, rest assured, construction won't be delayed!"

Wang Huanbo politely thanked him, left two packets of specially supplied "Huazi" cigarettes, and the matter was settled. In this era, some rules, when used flexibly, could actually be more efficient.

When the skilled construction team from the Hongxing Factory's infrastructure department drove their trucks, carrying mixers, scaffolding, and various building materials, into the courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, the entire courtyard was shaken.

The workers, dressed in uniform and well-trained, immediately set up a cordon upon disembarking and began measuring and laying out the lines according to the astonishingly detailed design and construction drawings provided by Wang Huanbo. These drawings, completed by Wang Huanbo after two sleepless nights, incorporated many excellent old house renovation concepts from later generations. They preserved the rustic charm of the courtyard house to the greatest extent possible while demonstrating exceptional foresight in the utilization of internal space, functional zoning, lighting and ventilation, and the pre-installation of water and electricity lines. The drawings even indicated the locations of potential future electrical outlets.

Yan Bugui peered out from his doorway, his eyes wide behind his glasses, watching the workers unload bags of cement, bundles of steel bars, brand-new red bricks, and precast floor slabs. His mind raced, calculating the total value of these items. Finally, he gasped, muttering, "That idiot Zhu… he's really struck it rich? How much money did this cost? Even building a house isn't this extravagant!"

Madam Jia's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. Through the window, watching the bustling activity in the central courtyard, especially seeing the workers carefully dismantling the old roof, her greedy and jealous heart ached as if being scratched by a cat. "That damned idiot Zhu! What a waste of his money! Keep building, even if you build a palace, you still won't be able to have a son!" she cursed viciously, completely forgetting that her son Jia Dongxu's future was still thanks to Wang Huanbo.

Inside her house, Qin Huairu listened to her mother-in-law's curses and the noise of construction outside, her heart filled with complex emotions. She walked to the window, watching the busy workers and the old furniture belonging to Sha Zhu being moved out. The last vestiges of "goodness" she once felt for Sha Zhu vanished completely, replaced by a clear realization: He Yuzhu, the Sha Zhu who had once always been so accommodating, was gone, heading towards a future with Yu Li that she could never reach. She looked down at her rough hands, thinking of her husband, Jia Dongxu, who was studying hard at vocational school, and a glimmer of hope rose in her heart. Dongxu had said that once he graduated and became a technician, things would get better. She took a deep breath and turned back to washing her clothes.

Liu Haizhong paced back and forth outside the cordon, putting on airs like an old man, trying to strike up a conversation with the foreman to inquire about the specific costs of the project and Sha Zhu's "background." The foreman gave him a perfunctory reply, and Liu Haizhong returned to his house dejectedly.

The most excited of all was Sha Zhu himself. He and Yu Shui temporarily moved into the guest room in Wang Huanbo's west courtyard. Every day before dawn, he would rush to the construction site, acting like the most responsible supervisor, handing cigarettes and water to the workers, watching the progress of the project with a gleam in his eyes, as if every brick and every shovel of cement was contributing to his future happiness. He watched the old roof being torn off, the foundation being dug deeper, the new, thicker, and stronger beams being erected, and the walls being raised little by little... The feeling of watching his dream home gradually transform from blueprints into reality made him feel like he had drunk two ounces of good liquor every day, dizzy and blissfully lost.

Construction proceeded smoothly. The old roof and parts of the walls were carefully demolished, and useful timber and bricks were sorted and stacked for recycling. The work of digging the foundation and basement began, and a mound of earth was built in one corner of the yard.

Shortly after the foundation excavation began, Sha Zhu did something that caused another uproar in the entire courtyard. He took all the old furniture, bedding, broken pots and pans, and even some of his and Yu Shui's patched-up old clothes that he couldn't move or didn't want, and moved them all to the open space in the middle courtyard. With a wave of his hand, he told the onlookers, "I don't need any of this! Anyone who doesn't mind and wants it can take it! Just one thing: don't fight or scramble!"

Upon hearing this, several families who had been eyeing these "junk" items immediately gathered around. In those days, no one was well-off. Although Sha Zhu considered these old things "junk," many people believed that with some repairs, they could last a long time! Especially that old wooden bed; although it was a bit shaky and the paint on the headboard was peeling off, the frame was sturdy, and it was perfectly fine for a person to sleep on.

Yan Bugui, quick-witted and agile, was the first to rush forward, firmly pressing down on the old wooden bed: "I want this bed! My family is just about to need one!"

"Bullshit!" Jia Zhangshi screamed like a mother hen protecting her chicks, lunging forward and shoving Yan Bugui away. "Old Yan! Let go! I saw this bed first! My Dongxu is graduating and coming back soon, we have to prepare it for him! You, a teacher, are trying to take a lousy bed from us, have you no shame!"

"Jia Zhangshi! Are you being unreasonable? I clearly got it first!" Yan Bugui was thin, but at this moment, for the sake of "family property," he unleashed astonishing strength, gripping the bed frame tightly with both hands. "Your grandson Banggeng is still small, does he need such a big bed? My Jiecheng is a grown man!"

"Pah! What do I care if your son grows up to be a big boy! Is this bed in your name? Sha Zhu said whoever wants it can take it! I've got my eye on it! So what?" Jia Zhangshi spat as she reached out with her long fingernails to grab Yan Bugui's face.

"Ouch! You're scratching me!" Yan Bugui winced in pain, his grip loosened, and Jia Zhangshi seized the opportunity to drag the bed away.

"How dare you!" Yan Bugui was furious and, disregarding all decorum, bent down to grab Jia Zhangshi's leg.

The two immediately wrestled together, one gripping the bed frame, the other clinging to a leg, hurling insults and attracting the attention of everyone in the courtyard. Liu Haizhong, heavily pregnant, stood by anxiously, shouting, "Hey, Old Yan, Aunt Jia, talk this out! Is it worth it for a broken bed? Let go! What kind of behavior is this!"

Yi Zhonghai happened to be in the courtyard that day. Seeing the situation, he rushed over and, together with Liu Haizhong, struggled to separate the two men who were tearing at each other. Yan Bugui's glasses were askew, and there were several bloody marks on his face; Jia Zhangshi's hair was disheveled, and one of her buttons was popped off. She sat on the ground, slapping her thigh and wailing, "This is outrageous! They're bullying an orphan and a widow! Old Jia, Dongxu's father, open your eyes and see! Everyone in the courtyard is bullying our Jia family..."

Sha Zhu watched the farce unfold with a cold eye, feeling both amused and saddened. All this over his worthless, broken bed—and they'd fought like this? How could he have never understood some of the people in this courtyard, so impoverished by greed, reduced to nothing but scheming and taking advantage?

Ultimately, Yi Zhonghai mediated the dispute over the ownership of the old wooden bed. Considering the Jia family's large size and cramped living conditions, and Yan Jiecheng's genuine need for a bed, but given Yan Bugui's status as a teacher and his bruised face, the bed went to the Jia family. However, a smaller old table and two chairs belonging to Sha Zhu went to Yan Bugui as compensation. The conflict was temporarily resolved. But this incident cemented a deep-seated grudge between Yan Bugui and Jia Zhangshi; they were now utterly hostile towards each other.

As Sha Zhu watched the old furniture being carried away, he felt no reluctance, only a sense of relief, like "shedding a burden and welcoming a new beginning." Out with the old, in with the new. His and Yu Shui's better days were yet to come!

As construction progresses, the framework of the new house is taking shape day by day. The raised walls have been built, the precast concrete floor slabs have been installed, and the outlines of the second floor and terrace are clearly visible. The independently expanded kitchen has been topped out, and the pre-drilled holes for the water pipes in the two bathrooms have also been made.

That day, Wang Huanbo came again, followed by several people carrying several large wooden boxes.

"Brother Zhu, come over here and have a look. I'll bring you some good luck." Wang Huanbo greeted Sha Zhu, who was squatting by the construction site, watching the workers build a wall with fascination.

Sha Zhu ran over, looked at the several large, well-packed wooden crates, and asked疑惑地问道, "Huanbo, what's this?"

"Open it and take a look," Wang Huanbo gestured to the workers to open the box.

The wooden crate was opened, revealing objects carefully wrapped in foam and straw. When the first item was carefully removed, revealing its sleek white metal casing and unique shape, the workers nearby stopped what they were doing and peered in with curiosity. Even some neighbors in the yard couldn't resist peeking in.

"This...this is..." Sha Zhu's eyes widened like saucers. Although he had never seen the real thing, he had seen something similar in Wang Huanbo's west courtyard—a refrigerator! But this one was bigger and more beautiful, with a milky white body that gleamed with a soft luster.

"A double-door refrigerator from General Electric in the United States." Wang Huanbo patted the cold cabinet. "After getting married, meat and vegetables can be kept fresh in it, and in the summer we can even make popsicles for the rain."

The second box opened to reveal a similarly milky-white machine with a round, transparent window and a complex array of buttons. "This is a front-loading washing machine, also made in America. From now on, Yu Li and Yu Shui won't need to hand-wash clothes anymore. Just put them in, add detergent, plug it in, and it'll wash and spin-dry them all by itself."

The third box was smaller, containing a silver-white device with a showerhead and faucet. "An electric water heater, installed in the toilet, so you always have hot water. Along with this," Wang Huanbo pointed to the fourth box, which contained a pristine white ceramic toilet and a similarly white bathtub with a skirt, "a flush toilet and a bathtub. Both are Kohler from the US; I had them specially shipped from Hong Kong. With these, your long-cherished dream of comfortably using the toilet and taking a bath at home is complete."

Sha Zhu was completely dumbfounded. He circled around the items, wanting to touch them but not daring to, his lips trembling, unable to utter a word for a long time. He had only seen these things in legends and at Wang Huanbo's house, knowing they were extremely precious and convenient items, completely unavailable in China, and impossible to buy even with money! He had originally just hoped to have a flush toilet, but he never expected Wang Huanbo to have even provided him with a refrigerator, washing machine, water heater, and bathtub!

"Huanbo...this...this is too precious! I...I can't accept it!" Shazhu finally found his voice, his eyes red-rimmed, waving his hand in refusal. "You've helped me so much, designing the house, handling the paperwork, finding the construction team...I...I don't know how to thank you enough! These things, I...I..."

"Brother Zhu," Wang Huanbo said, pressing his shoulder sincerely, "we grew up together. You and Yushui are like my own brother and sister. I'm happy for you getting married. These things are nothing special abroad, just daily necessities. But here, they're rare. I'm giving them to you so that you, Yuli, and Yushui can live a more comfortable life. You've taken care of me a lot before, cooking for me, and now that Xiao'e is pregnant, you've gone out of your way to make her nutritious meals. I remember all these kindnesses. Consider these things a wedding gift from Lou Xiao'e and me to you. If you don't accept them, it means you look down on me and don't consider me your brother anymore."

"And another thing," Wang Huanbo lowered his voice and chuckled, "Have you forgotten? You used your Tan family cuisine skills to prepare all those top-quality ingredients I brought from America and Hong Kong in various ways, allowing Yushui, Xiao'e, and me to feast to our hearts' content. Your cooking is so good that Yushui has even gained weight, and Xiao'e is thriving too. My parents-in-law are overjoyed. We're just exchanging what we have and taking care of each other. You should accept it without hesitation. Once the house is finished, we'll cook a few nice meals and invite Xiao'e, the elders in the courtyard, and everyone to have a lively and joyful feast. That's better than anything else!"

Wang Huanbo's words struck a chord with Sha Zhu, silencing all his excuses. Yes, they were brothers, childhood friends, family who had supported each other through thick and thin. Wang Huanbo's help was never charity, but a matter of kindness. And all Sha Zhu could offer in return was his culinary skills and a sincere heart.

"Huanbo..." Shazhu finally couldn't hold back his tears, which rolled down his cheeks. He wiped them away forcefully, nodded heavily, his voice choked but firm, "Alright! I accept it! I accept it! Don't worry, once the house is ready, I'll throw a three-day, three-night feast! I'll bring out all the best skills of the Tan family cuisine! So that you, Xiao'e, and everyone who has helped me can eat and drink well!"

"That's right!" Wang Huanbo smiled and called to the workers, "Come on, masters, give me a hand and carry these to my place in the west courtyard first. Once the water and electricity for the house are done, I'll ask you to come and install them."

The workers were also moved by this brotherhood, and with Wang Huanbo, the "chief engineer," giving the order, there was no reason for them to disobey. They carefully carried away these "rare treasures."

This scene was witnessed by many in the courtyard. Refrigerator! Washing machine! Water heater! Bathtub! Flush toilet! These words exploded like bombs in courtyard number 95. Envy, jealousy, shock, disbelief… a mix of emotions swirled in people's eyes.

Yan Bugui, adjusting his newly repaired glasses, stared at the boxes being carried away, his heart bleeding. How much money were they worth! What incredible luck did Sha Zhu have to run into such a benefactor as Wang Huanbo! Why hadn't he been nicer to Wang Huanbo back then?

Behind the window, Jia Zhangshi watched the gleaming machines being carried away, her eyes reddening. She cursed under her breath, "Pah! Capitalist ways! Corrupt and decadent! Let's see how long that idiot Zhu can be so smug! And that Wang Huanbo, using public property to curry favor! He deserves to die a horrible death!" But she knew in her heart that it was a private matter, and the gifts were personal. Besides venting her anger, there was nothing she could do. She could only vent her resentment on Qin Huairu, who hadn't yet returned home, and the immature Banggeng and Xiaodang.

With his hands behind his back, Liu Haizhong pondered to himself, "Sha Zhu's new house, with all these imported appliances, is so luxurious and high-class that even the factory director's house can't compare! Wang Huanbo has really gone all out for Sha Zhu! It seems I'll have to be more polite to Sha Zhu in the future, after all, he has Wang Huanbo, this big shot, standing behind him."

When Xu Damao heard about it, he felt so sour he could pickle cucumbers. He got married during the National Day holiday and finally managed to get all the "three turns and one sound" (a traditional Chinese wedding favor), feeling incredibly proud. But compared to that scoundrel Sha Zhu... his little things were practically junk! Sha Zhu's new house and appliances were things he'd never even heard of! He gritted his teeth and secretly vowed that on his own wedding day, he would make a grand spectacle and regain his pride! But when he thought of Qin Jingru, that country girl, and Yu Li, that poised and elegant demeanor, he felt a little discouraged.

Regardless of the envy and resentment from the neighbors, Sha Zhu's new house continued to rise steadily, day by day, amidst everyone's attention and discussion. With its blue bricks and red tiles, it exuded grandeur and magnificence, especially the already taking shape second-floor terrace, which drew everyone's covetous eyes. Sha Zhu stayed at the construction site until late every day, watching the house gradually take shape, imagining the moments he and Yu Li would soon live there: in the spacious kitchen, Yu Li might clumsily learn to cook, and he could wrap his arms around her from behind, teaching her step by step; in the bright living room, they could listen to the radio together, chatting about interesting things at the factory; in the comfortable bathroom, Yu Li could soak in hot water, washing away the day's fatigue; on the sun-drenched terrace, they could plant flowers and grass, enjoying the cool shade in summer and basking in the winter sun…

As he thought about it, he couldn't help but grin foolishly. This house wasn't just a shelter from the wind and rain; it was the starting point of his new life, the most tangible promise and guarantee he could give Yu Li. For this impending happiness, all the hardship and all the waiting were worthwhile.

Standing at the entrance of the west courtyard, Wang Huanbo gazed at the gradually taking shape "modern small building" in the central courtyard, a stark contrast to the surrounding old houses, and a smile of satisfaction appeared on his face. Helping Sha Zhu wasn't just about changing that tragic ending; it was because this simple, down-to-earth happiness itself deserved to be protected and blessed. And he had the ability and the willingness to contribute to this happiness.

The autumn sun shone warmly on the gray bricks and tiles of courtyard number 95, and also on the new house that was rising. In the air, besides the smell of dust, there seemed to be a sweet scent called "hope".