Courtyard House: The Long-Lost Eldest Son Returns with Military Merit

Around 5 p.m., Jia Dongming packed his things, got on his bicycle and left the steel rolling mill, heading towards Tongluoguxiang.

"Uncle, are you watering the vegetables again?"

Jia Dongming pushed the cart into the front yard and saw Yan Bugui carrying a water jug, so he smiled and greeted him.

Upon seeing Jia Dongming, Yan Bugui immediately recalled the news his wife had told him after get off work and quickly stepped forward to ask, "Dongming, I heard your steel rolling mill is hiring temporary workers recently, is that true?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming roughly understood the situation, but pretended to be unaware and asked, "Third Uncle, who told you this? I haven't heard of it."

Seeing his blank expression, Yan Bugui quickly explained, "Dongming, you know the old lady Zhang in the backyard, right? Today, the neighborhood committee arranged a temporary job for her at your steel rolling mill."

Jia Dongming then showed a look of realization, smiled and said, "Uncle, I'm from the security department, I don't handle logistics recruitment."

I don't really know if the factory is hiring.

However, the neighborhood committee probably gave this temporary worker position to the Zhang family because they were indeed in difficult circumstances, and wanted to help them out.

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui thought of how the old lady of the Zhang family would be able to earn eighteen yuan a month from now on. He felt both envious and sour, and sighed, "Dongming, what you said makes sense. The Zhang family has it tough."

But our family is struggling too! Neither Jiecheng nor Jiefang has a proper job yet. Why doesn't the neighborhood committee look out for us?

If the Yan family is indeed in dire straits, given Yan Bugui's temperament, he would certainly go to the neighborhood office to apply for hardship subsidies.

However, Yan Bugui did not apply for the salary, which is enough to show that his monthly salary was not as he claimed, which was 28.5 yuan per month.

Upon hearing Yan Bugui's complaints, Jia Dongming conceived the idea of ​​teasing him.

He feigned indignation and said, "Uncle! Are you serious? If your family is considered a poor household, then I'll go to the neighborhood office tomorrow to argue with Director Wang and ask why your family wasn't included in the assistance program."

When Yan Bugui heard Jia Dongming say he wanted to go to the neighborhood office to seek justice for the Yan family, he was really startled and quickly advised, "Dongming! I appreciate your good intentions."

Although my family is not well-off, at least I have a teaching job, unlike the old lady Zhang in the backyard who has to rely on scavenging to support her two grandchildren.

It's perfectly reasonable for the neighborhood committee to help the Zhang family.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming looked at Yan Bugui's anxious expression and suddenly realized what was happening. He replied, "Oh! I see."

At this point, Jia Dongming deliberately changed the subject and asked Yan Bugui, "Third Uncle! I heard that your Jie Cheng and Yu Li divorced, is that true?"

Yesterday, Yan Bugui stopped Jia Dongming at the gate, hoping that Jia Dongming could find a job for his child.

Today, when Jia Dongming mentioned that the neighborhood committee had arranged a job for the old lady Zhang, he was thinking the same thing.

Yan Bugui, who was pondering how to say something nice to get Jia Dongming's help, froze on the spot when Jia Dongming mentioned Yan Jiecheng's divorce.

Thinking of the gossip among his neighbors and the looks he received from his colleagues at school, Yan Bugui looked embarrassed and sighed, "Alas! Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news spreads like wildfire! What a misfortune for our family!"

Jia Dongming did not respond to Yan Bugui's words, but simply pushed his bicycle toward the Moon Gate.

Yan Bugui watched Jia Dongming's figure disappear behind the moon gate as he pushed the cart. His previously embarrassed face turned into a helpless expression, and he muttered to himself, "That Jia Dongming is too shrewd."

Before I could even speak, he guessed my intentions and shut me down with his words.

When Jia Zhangshi, who was sitting outside the Jia family's gate, saw Jia Dongming return, she immediately stood up from her chair and called out to him with slight displeasure, "Dongming! Come in here for a moment, I have something to ask you."

Hearing Jia Zhangshi's shout and seeing her displeased expression, Jia Dongming vaguely guessed that Jia Zhangshi's invitation to come inside was probably related to the work of the old lady of the Zhang family.

Thinking of this, Jia Dongming parked his bicycle under the eaves and then went inside.

"Dongming! Tell your mother the truth, did you arrange the chores for Old Lady Zhang in the backyard through the neighborhood committee?"

As soon as Jia Dongming entered the room, Jia Zhangshi closed the door and asked with a serious expression.

When asked, Jia Dongming didn't bother to hide anything and simply nodded, replying, "Mom! You guessed right, I did ask the neighborhood committee to arrange the job for Old Mrs. Zhang."

"Dongming! Why won't you listen to your mother's advice? There aren't many easy-going people in our neighborhood."

If they find out that you arranged the job for Old Mrs. Zhang, they'll all come to you demanding more work.

If you refuse then, you'll offend everyone in the entire hospital.

Although Madam Jia had anticipated this, upon hearing Jia Dongming admit it himself, she still scolded him for his rash actions with disappointment.

Hearing his mother's complaints, Jia Dongming appeared unconcerned and said to Jia Zhangshi, "Mom! Don't worry, I've already spoken to Director Wang of the neighborhood office. No one in the compound will know that I arranged the job for Old Madam Zhang."

Seeing Jia Dongming's reply and his nonchalant expression, Jia Zhangshi couldn't help but complain, "Dongming! Don't forget, many people in our compound work at the steel rolling mill."

"I don't think we can keep this a secret forever—how did Old Mrs. Zhang get into the steel rolling mill?"

Jia Dongming smiled and comforted her, "Mom! Don't worry."

Although our security department is under the jurisdiction of the steel rolling mill, personnel matters are not managed by the mill.

Besides, this is just a temporary job. Even if many people in the institute work at the steel rolling mill, they would never know that I arranged it.

When Jia Zhangshi heard her son say this and saw that he still looked relaxed, she didn't know what else to say and could only sit down at the dining table helplessly.

That night, using the method of ants moving house, Master Lei secretly transported the gold bricks and old wood needed for repairing Jia Dongming's house to the other courtyard in batches.

Although Jia Dongming was not an expert in the field, he possessed the skill of eagle eyes.

He scanned the items with his eagle eyes, and after confirming that everything was correct, he readily handed the remaining small yellow croakers to Master Lei.

The next morning around 7 a.m., Grandma Zhang cooked breakfast for her grandchildren and said expectantly, "Douzi! Douding! You two stay home and behave yourselves today. I'll cook for you when Grandma gets home from get off work."

Douzi is six years old this year.

It is said that children from poor families mature early. After listening to her grandmother's instructions, Douzi obediently replied, "Grandma! We understand. I will take good care of my little sister at home."

After settling the two children in, the old lady of the Zhang family changed into the clothes she usually only wore during the New Year, tucked the letter of introduction into her pocket, and headed towards the steel rolling mill.

"Ma'am! This is a key area of ​​the factory. May I ask what brings you here?"

About twenty minutes later, the elderly Mrs. Zhang arrived at the gate of the steel rolling mill. The security personnel on duty saw her and immediately stopped her to ask her questions.

Upon seeing the armed guards, Old Mrs. Zhang took out a letter of introduction from Jia Dongming from her pocket and politely said to them, "Comrade! I'm here to report to the steel rolling mill. This is my letter of introduction."

When the security guard heard the purpose of the old lady Zhang's visit and learned that she was a new worker at the factory, he looked somewhat puzzled. He reached out and took the letter of introduction from the old lady Zhang and carefully read the contents of the letter.

Upon seeing the letter of introduction handwritten by Jia Dongming, the security guard's originally serious expression immediately turned into a warm smile. He politely greeted the elderly Mrs. Zhang, saying, "Aunt Chen! So you're our new cleaning lady from the security department. On behalf of the security department, I welcome you."

Hearing the security guard's words, Old Mrs. Zhang sensed the change in his attitude and felt a little apprehensive. She asked him somewhat nervously, "Comrade! This is my first time at the steel rolling mill. I don't know where the security office is. Could you give me directions?"

After hearing Mrs. Zhang's request, the security guard pointed to a two-story building not far away and explained with a smile, "Aunt Chen! Do you see that two-story building? That's our security department's office building. Just take your letter of introduction to the logistics section on the first floor and find Section Chief Zhang Guoping to complete your onboarding process."

Following the direction the man pointed, the elderly Mrs. Zhang quickly spotted the two-story building and hurriedly thanked the security guard, saying, "Comrade! Thank you so much!"

Upon hearing Old Mrs. Zhang's thanks, the security guard smiled sincerely and replied, "Aunt Chen! We in the security department are all rough men, and we don't usually have anyone to clean up. Chief Zhang always urges us to clean up ourselves. Now that you're here, Chief Zhang doesn't have to keep an eye on us every day."

Following the security guard's directions, the elderly Mrs. Zhang soon arrived at the door of the logistics section office on the first floor of the security department. She gently knocked on the door and asked Zhang Guoping, who was sitting inside, "Comrade! Hello! I'm here to complete my onboarding process. May I ask if Section Chief Zhang works here?"

Zhang Guoping, who was reviewing the account books, heard a knock on the door. He subconsciously looked up and saw the old lady standing at the door. He immediately remembered what Jia Dongming had told him yesterday and quickly stood up to greet her: "Comrade! I am Zhang Guoping. Did you bring your letter of introduction? If you did, please give it to me and I will help you with the formalities."

After hearing this, the old lady of the Zhang family took out the letter of introduction from her pocket again and politely handed it over: "Comrade! This is my letter of introduction."

Zhang Guoping took the letter of introduction from the old lady of the Zhang family, carefully checked the contents, and after confirming that everything was correct, he completed the onboarding procedures for her.

After the formalities were completed, Zhang Guoping took out two sets of work clothes for the steel rolling mill cleaners, an aluminum lunchbox, and a large tea mug from the cabinet next to him. He then introduced them to the old lady of the Zhang family: "Aunt Chen! These are your work clothes and lunchbox. Because of your connection, they are registered at the canteen, so you can eat for free at the canteen every day at noon and in the evening, just like the canteen staff. You can also buy an extra meal for a fee."

Eighteen yuan was a considerable sum for Mrs. Zhang. Now, the security department not only provided her with work clothes and lunch boxes, but also allowed her to eat two meals for free in the canteen. She was very surprised and quickly expressed her gratitude to Zhang Guoping: "Section Chief Zhang! Thank you for your care, leader! I will definitely work hard."

After learning about the benefits offered by the security department, Mrs. Zhang asked Zhang Guoping with some concern, "Director Zhang! I'm just a temporary worker. If I eat for free in the cafeteria, won't that cause trouble for Director Jia?"

Seeing that the old lady of the Zhang family was unwilling to take advantage of public resources and was always thinking of Jia Dongming, Zhang Guoping finally understood why Jia Dongming was willing to help this old lady. He smiled and explained to her, "Aunt Chen! In our security department, we treat all employees equally, whether they are permanent or temporary. You don't need to worry at all that anyone will use this as an excuse."

After listening to Zhang Guoping's words, Old Mrs. Zhang asked, "Leader Zhang! So what exactly do I do on a regular basis?"

When Zhang Guoping heard her ask about her job duties, he immediately took out a key from his drawer and explained with a smile, "Aunt Chen! Your job is to be responsible for cleaning this office building and the canteen. Now I'll take you to the cleaning room first."

After saying that, Zhang Guoping led the old lady of the Zhang family out of the office.

Before long, Zhang Guoping led the old lady of the Zhang family to a small room next to the canteen. He unlocked the door with a key, handed the key to the old lady, and said to her, "Aunt Chen! This will be where you store your tools from now on. On the table are your work clothes, two sets of winter clothes and two sets of summer clothes, as well as three pairs of gloves, a towel, a lunchbox, and a tea mug."

"When you come to work at the factory in the future, remember to wear your work clothes, otherwise you won't be able to enter the factory."

I'll wait for you outside while you change into your work clothes, and then I'll take you to see the cafeteria.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Zhang changed into her work clothes and came out of the cleaning room, then followed Zhang Guoping to the canteen.

Hong, who was sitting in the canteen watching the kitchen helpers chop vegetables, saw Zhang Guoping leading an elderly woman into the canteen. He quickly put down his teacup and respectfully greeted Zhang Guoping, "Section Chief! Good morning! Why are you in the canteen so early today?"