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

The phone was answered after only two rings, and a loud male voice came through the receiver.

Zhang Huanchun laughed when he heard the voice and said into the microphone, "Old Zhao, it's me, Zhang Huanchun."

What have you been up to lately? Why haven't you even called me?

Upon hearing this on the other end of the phone, Zhao Huanxi immediately retorted angrily, "Zhang Huanchun, how dare you say that? You've been avoiding me for over a year, so why are you blaming me? I'm not taking the blame for this."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Huanchun straightened his back on the other end of the phone, his tone carrying a hint of triumph: "I'm calling you today because I have some good news to tell you."

Zhao Huanxi's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly remembered the old case of the factory accountant's disappearance three years ago. His voice immediately brightened: "Old Zhang! Could it be... news about Yang Nan?"

You guessed right.

Zhang Huanchun replied with a smile, "Your factory's female accountant has been found, and part of the lost wages has been recovered, totaling 16,321.50 yuan."

Zhao Huan was overjoyed and quickly asked, "That's wonderful! How did you find it?"

Zhang Huanchun paused, then his tone turned serious: "Old Zhao, Yang Nan was murdered three years ago and buried in the yard next to her house."

The murderer was none other than her neighbor.

After carefully listening to the brief summary of the case, Zhao Huanxi was both amazed and impressed, especially upon hearing that Jia Dongming had solved the case and recovered the stolen money in just half a day: "Old Zhang! Is your Deputy Chief Jia at the bureau now? I absolutely have to thank him in person!"

Zhang Huanchun explained: "Comrade Jia Dongming is the head of the security section of the steel rolling mill, a deputy division-level cadre, and also serves as the deputy head of the criminal investigation detachment of our branch bureau."

Once the case was closed, he went back to the factory.

Zhao Huanxi immediately chimed in, "Then, Lao Zhang, tomorrow you can contact Deputy Captain Jia for me and make sure to invite him to have a meal at our thermos factory's canteen."

I must properly thank you for this!

Jia Dongming rode his bicycle away from the crime scene, heading towards the steel rolling mill.

As he passed Qianmen Street, he caught a glimpse of a small tavern by the roadside and suddenly remembered what Guo Jianguo had reported earlier. So he turned the car around and headed towards Xue Ru Silk Shop.

Before long, he stopped at the entrance to the backyard of the silk shop.

Thinking of "little woman"

Without hesitation, Jia Dongming rode directly into the backyard to confront the lurking enemy agent in the story.

The courtyard was quiet, and the gate was tightly closed.

With a slight thought, he used his Eagle Eye skill to probe inside, only to find the courtyard empty.

"strangeness……"

Jia Dongming muttered to himself, "Has the plot changed? Why is no one living in this courtyard?"

Undeterred, he focused his mind once more and scanned the area carefully with his eagle eyes.

This time, he finally discovered the clue—there was a secret room hidden underground in the courtyard, with a radio and weapons inside.

Upon seeing this, Jia Dongming immediately understood: the plot had not deviated from the expected course. The reason why a large team had been staking out the location for days without any results was either that the enemy agents had not yet returned or that the stronghold had not yet been activated.

Since there was no one in the yard, he didn't linger any longer and got back on his bike to continue his journey to the steel rolling mill.

Yu Li worked at the textile factory for two days and gradually adapted to the pace.

This job not only made her days fulfilling, but also gave her hope for the future.

Around 5 p.m., after having dinner at the factory canteen, Yu Li pushed her bicycle and said goodbye to her coworkers before riding towards the hospital.

When she walked into the ward with her cloth bag on her back, Yu Haitang was sitting on the edge of the bed eating.

Seeing Yu Li enter, Yu Haitang immediately put down her chopsticks and exclaimed in surprise, "Sister! Weren't you at work? Why are you here at this hour?"

Yu Li took the cloth bag off her shoulder and smiled, "I haven't seen Mom for a few days, so I came to visit while I had some free time."

As she spoke, she pulled two cans of food from her bag. "Mom, how have you been feeling these past few days?"

Looking at her daughter in her work clothes, Yu's mother smiled with relief, though her voice was still a little weak: "I'm much better, but lying in bed all day makes me feel unwell."

"Sis! Is this canned beef?"

Yu Haitang, with her sharp eyes, immediately went to the bedside table, picked up a can of food, and examined it closely, her eyes shining. "I heard this is especially delicious! Where did you get it?"

When Yu Li heard her sister ask about the origin of the canned food, the image of Jia Dongming involuntarily appeared in her mind. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she said softly, "A friend gave it to me."

I thought Mom needed nutrition, so I brought it over.

Yu Li's changing expression did not escape the eyes of her mother, who was lying in the hospital bed.

She frowned slightly, looking at her daughter with a hint of inquiry, and asked softly, "Xiao Li, which friend sent such rare canned beef? You must remember that you have a family and must act with discretion. You can't let Yan Jiecheng down."

Yu Li was brought back to her senses by her mother's words, realizing that her mother had noticed her earlier lapse in composure.

Recalling Yan Jiecheng's various actions, a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes, and her tone was filled with dissatisfaction: "Mom, why bring him up for no reason? Since the day you were hospitalized, I have had nothing to do with him anymore."

Yu's mother was unaware that her daughter was divorced. Upon hearing this, a look of guilt immediately appeared on her face, and she said in a low voice, "It's all my fault for this illness. It's dragged you down and caused your reconciliation to turn into a conflict..."

Yu Li quickly comforted her mother: "Mom, don't think like that."

If you hadn't been sick this time, I wouldn't have been able to see Yan Jiecheng's true character.

My affair with him is none of your business, so you don't need to blame yourself.

Recalling the scene of the blind date, Yu's mother sighed and said regretfully, "At that time, your father and I thought the Yan family looked decent and their family education should be good. It would be respectable for you to marry into that family."

Who would have thought that family was so calculating and stingy?

Yu Li shook her head and continued, "This isn't your or Dad's fault; it's just that I didn't see things clearly."

Yan Jie is willing to do anything for money; I can only blame myself for misjudging him back then.

Yu's mother assumed it was just a quarrel between the couple, but listening to her daughter's words, she felt even more distressed and murmured, "It's all fate..."

Yu Li smiled and said firmly, "Mom, I have a job now and I have an income every month. Things will get better, so don't worry about me."

Yu's mother nodded, still advising, "Xiao Li, husband and wife shouldn't hold grudges overnight."

Although Yan Jiecheng was a bit stingy, he still had to make ends meet.

If you just bear with it and take a step back, it will pass.

Yu Li pursed her lips, ultimately not mentioning the divorce, fearing it would affect her mother's recovery. She simply replied softly, "Mom, I understand."

She turned to Yu Haitang beside her and instructed, "Haitang, come out here for a moment."

The two sisters walked out of the ward one after the other.

Yu Haitang asked curiously, "Sister, what's wrong?"

Yu Li took out the prepared money and tickets from her pocket and handed them over: "Keep these ten yuan and tickets safe."

Mom needs more nutrition, so please buy her some good food to help her recover.

Yu Haitang took the money and tickets, somewhat surprised: "Sister, where did this money and tickets come from?"

Yu Li glanced at her and said, "Don't ask any more questions. Just accept it as you're told."

I currently live on Gulou East Street, in the courtyard facing the street at the entrance of Xiaojing Hutong.

If you need anything, just come find me there.

Yu Haitang carefully wrote it down and nodded, saying, "Sister, I've got it."

"Mom, I'll take care of things here, so you can go to work without worry."

Yu Li nodded and then added, "Well, it's getting late, I have to go back now."

If anything urgent happens to Mom, please let me know immediately.

She returned to her ward to say goodbye to her mother, then left the hospital and rode her bicycle towards Gulou Street.

Around 6 p.m., Jia Dongming had finished dinner and, having nothing to do, moved a stool to sit in the middle courtyard.

Just then, I saw Sha Zhu come out of Yi Zhonghai's house with a big smile.

Seeing how happy he was, Jia Dongming chuckled and teased, "Zhu Zi, what good thing happened? You're so happy."

Upon hearing the question, Sha Zhu remembered Yi Zhonghai's promise to introduce him to someone, and happily replied, "Brother Dongming! Uncle Yi said he'll arrange a blind date for me this weekend!"

When Jia Dongming learned that Sha Zhu was going on a blind date, although he didn't think it would work out, he said, "Zhu Zi, you're old enough to have settled down and start a family."

Having someone who cares about you and understands you by your side makes life feel truly secure.

He paused, then suggested, "But before the blind date, you should take good care of yourself and keep your room tidy so you can make a good impression."

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu thought it made sense and quickly nodded, "Brother Dongming, you're right! I'll do a thorough cleaning after get off work tomorrow, and then go to the bathhouse for a soak to feel refreshed."

"Dongming, what are you and Shazhu talking about? It's so lively!"

Hearing the noise from inside the room, Jia Zhangshi lifted the curtain and came out, asking curiously.

When faced with Jia Zhangshi's question, Jia Dongming smiled and explained, "Mom, Uncle arranged a meeting for Zhuzi. The woman will come to the courtyard to meet him this weekend."

In the past, in Jia Zhangshi's mind, Sha Zhu was like a helper hired by the Jia family without pay, working hard without complaint and without needing to be paid.

If it were before, she would have tried every means to sabotage Sha Zhu's blind date.

Now that Jia Dongming has returned, the Jia family is well-off, and Jia Zhangshi no longer cares about the meager benefits that Sha Zhu had.

Upon hearing the news, she smiled and said to Sha Zhu, "Sha Zhu, Dong Ming is right."

If you want the meeting to go smoothly, you should first make sure you look presentable so that the girl will notice you.

Sha Zhu nodded happily after hearing what Jia Zhangshi said: "Aunt Zhang, I've got it."

Tomorrow after get off work I'll clean the house, then go to the public bathhouse for a good soak and tidy up.

Around nine o'clock at night, Jia Dongming leaned against Qin Huairu contentedly, rested for a moment, and then turned over to lie flat, quietly savoring the tenderness they had just shared.

After Qin Huairu finished getting ready, she nestled contentedly beside Jia Dongming and softly asked, "Brother Dongming, do you think Shazhu's meeting this time will work out?"

Jia Dongming was slightly surprised when she suddenly asked about Sha Zhu's blind date, and asked with a hint of teasing, "Huai Ru, why are you concerned about this today? Don't you want to see him get married either?"

Qin Huairu realized that Jia Dongming had misunderstood and hurriedly explained, "Brother Dongming, you've misunderstood."

I didn't want Shazhu to get married before because I was afraid that once he had a wife, he wouldn't want to help our family anymore.

"Now that you're supporting the family, I naturally no longer care about his little things."

I asked him if it was possible, but actually I wanted to introduce my cousin to him, partly to thank him for taking care of us over the years, and partly to find a good match for my cousin.

When Jia Dongming heard her say this and saw that she looked nervous, he remembered that Yi Zhonghai had played matchmaker for Sha Zhu in the plot, so he smiled and comforted her: "Huai Ru, don't worry."

Based on my understanding of Yi Zhonghai, Sha Zhu's meeting this time definitely won't work out.

Because Yi Zhonghai didn't want Sha Zhu to get married at all.

Qin Huairu was very surprised and asked, "Brother Dongming, isn't Yi Zhonghai hoping that Sha Zhu will support him in his old age? Since he was the one who introduced him, why wouldn't he want Sha Zhu to succeed?"

Jia Dongming did not answer directly, but asked meaningfully, "Huai Ru, I heard that when Sha Zhu went on blind dates, you always used the excuse of helping him wash clothes to scare the girls away."

Think back carefully, besides Sha Zhu mentioning it himself, who else proactively told you that he was going on a blind date?

Qin Huairu thought about it seriously for a moment, then her expression suddenly changed, and she blurted out, "Besides Sha Zhu himself, only Uncle Yi Zhonghai has told me about it."

She was a quick-witted person, and after being pointed out, she suddenly realized and said, "Brother Dongming, I always thought I was clever, but now I understand that I have unknowingly become a pawn in Yi Zhonghai's scheme to ruin Sha Zhu's blind date."

At this point, she suddenly remembered that it was Yi Zhonghai who had taken the initiative to introduce them, and quickly asked, "Brother Dongming, since Yi Zhonghai doesn't want Shazhu to get married, why did he still introduce him to someone?"