Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

"Hehe, I've been so busy being happy and tidying up the house that I haven't eaten yet."

"You child! How old are you? You still don't know how to eat on time! No matter how important work is, can it be more important than your health?"

Xiuqin stood up, feeling both distressed and resentful.

"Wait a minute, Mom will make you a bowl of noodles, it'll be ready soon."

Watching his mother turn and head towards the kitchen, Li Zhenhua felt a warm glow in his heart.

Xiuqin worked quickly and efficiently, and in no time, a steaming bowl of scallion and egg noodles was served.

The noodles are chewy, the broth is clear, and a golden-brown fried egg is placed on top, giving it a wonderful aroma.

Li Zhenhua was indeed hungry, so he picked up his chopsticks and ate heartily, enjoying the food immensely.

Xiuqin sat opposite him, watching her son wolf down his food, a kind smile appearing on her face.

After Li Zhenhua had finished eating, she seemed to suddenly remember something, got up and went into the inner room. A moment later, she came out with a small envelope and handed it to Li Zhenhua.

Here, take this.

Li Zhenhua put down his bowl, took the envelope with a puzzled look, opened it, and found a brand new bicycle ticket and a thick roll of banknotes inside. He glanced at it and saw that it was a full two hundred yuan.

"Mom, this..."

Li Zhenhua was stunned.

Xiuqin explained.

"Now that you're working, walking to and from get off work every day is too tiring. This bicycle voucher is a benefit the department gave out a while ago; I have no use for it. Take this money and buy a bicycle. It will make commuting easier, and you'll be able to get home faster on your days off. As a cadre, having a bicycle will make you look more presentable."

Li Zhenhua's eyes instantly reddened as he looked at the bicycle ticket and the thick wad of cash in his hand.

In his past life, he was an orphan, and he had never experienced this.

Moreover, he knew perfectly well how valuable a bicycle ticket was these days; his mother had given him all her best treasures.

All the pressures and anxieties about the future that had been building since the time travel seemed to find an outlet at this moment.

He suddenly stood up, walked around the table, and gave Xiuqin a big, tight hug, his voice choked with emotion.

"Mom! Thank you! Don't worry, your son will definitely live up to your expectations and take good care of you!"

Xiuqin was taken aback by her son's sudden enthusiasm.

Although she was very touched, she still deliberately put on a stern face, raised her fist, and lightly punched Li Zhenhua on the back, laughing and scolding him.

"You brat, how old are you? Still acting like a child! Let go of me, the noodle soup is all over me!"

That's what she said, but she couldn't hide the doting smile on her face.

Li Zhenhua chuckled, released his grip, and carefully put the bicycle ticket and money into his inner pocket, feeling incredibly at ease.

With this car, his mobility will be much easier in the future.

Seeing that it was getting late, and that he still had to go back and tidy up the three rooms, he said to Xiuqin.

"Mom, I'll go back to Nanluoguxiang first. I need to get the house ready before dark."

Xiuqin nodded, straightened her son's slightly wrinkled collar, and gave him some instructions.

"Go ahead, be careful on the road. If you need anything, come back and get it, or ask someone to pass on a message. Living in the courtyard, be mindful of your neighbors. We won't cause trouble, but we shouldn't be afraid of trouble either."

At this point, Xiuqin seemed to suddenly remember something and added.

"By the way, Zhenhua, the head of the Women's Federation in your neighborhood office seems to be surnamed Qin, named Qin Guiying. She used to work under me when we were at the Jizhong Women's Salvation Association. She's a capable and assertive comrade. If you encounter any unreasonable trouble in the neighborhood, especially disputes involving women that are difficult to resolve, you can go to her. Just say she's my son, and she'll help."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhenhua's eyes lit up immediately, and he was overjoyed!

The All-China Women's Federation of this era is truly a representative organization of "women holding up half the sky," and its power and influence should not be underestimated.

Many of the cadres in the street women's federation are veterans like my mother who came from the revolutionary era. They have a strong work style, dare to speak and act, and have their own way of handling neighborhood disputes and family conflicts.

A group of experienced, steadfast, and incredibly "fighting" women—they are a special group that even factory leaders and the police station have to treat with deference.

Almost no department is willing to provoke them easily. After all, these women are ruthless and sharp-tongued. If things really get out of hand, no one can withstand them.

"Mom! You're truly my mother! Our relationship is so strong!"

Li Zhenhua said excitedly.

Xiuqin couldn't help but smile as she looked at her son's cleverness.

"Alright, stop joking. Remember, relationships are relationships, but the most important thing is to be upright and honest yourself. Hurry up, or it'll get dark."

"Okay, Mom, I'm leaving now! Take care of yourself!"

Without further delay, Li Zhenhua picked up his packed luggage and left home again.

Soon, it was afternoon.

Li Zhenhua carried his simple luggage and walked slowly toward No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

It was time to leave work, and workers could be seen leaving in droves, heading home in groups.

At a secluded corner a few dozen meters from the gate, Li Zhenhua stopped, looked around to make sure no one was there, and with a thought, the ten-pound piece of premium pork belly wrapped in plastic wrap appeared in his hand.

The heavy, oily pork belly, with distinct layers of fat and lean meat, gleamed with an enticing sheen.

Li Zhenhua took out a piece of hemp rope from his luggage, skillfully threaded it through his skin, tied a knot, and carried it in his hand.

He did this for two deeper reasons.

Firstly, in those days, resources were scarce and enemy agents were still active. If meat were suddenly stewed in that almost destitute courtyard house where the aroma of meat had been absent for so long, the aroma would inevitably arouse suspicion and even lead to reports of "unknown origin." It would be better to take it back openly and honestly to silence the gossip.

Secondly, it was to openly display his strength and let those beasts in the compound with their own agendas see that Li Zhenhua not only had connections, but also the ability to acquire such scarce resources in these difficult times, so they would have to think twice about the consequences of provoking him.

He was carrying the meat when he ran into Uncle Yan Bugui, who was standing guard at the gate of No. 95 courtyard.

Uncle San had obviously been home from get off work for a while; he had heard about the “earth-shattering” conflict in the backyard at noon from Aunt San and was now wondering who this new young section chief was.

Upon seeing Li Zhenhua, especially when his gaze fell upon the large, ten-pound, high-quality piece of pork belly he was carrying, he was immediately struck by its appearance.

The old man's eyes widened instantly, as if drawn by a magnet, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

"Oh my! This... this must be the new Section Chief Li, right?"

The third uncle quickly stepped forward, his face beaming with a warm and somewhat ingratiating smile.

"I'm Yan Bugui from the courtyard. I teach at the elementary school, and the neighbors call me 'Third Uncle' out of respect. I just heard you moved here, and I was just thinking of visiting you once you've settled in!"