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

At that moment, Zhang Guoping quickly made a choice and immediately assured Jia Dongming, "Section Chief! Don't worry, our logistics section will definitely complete the task and ensure that all the comrades in the section and their families can eat meat the day after tomorrow."

Jia Dongming understood Zhang Guozhong's implied meaning and nodded with a smile, saying, "Comrade Guoping! I'm relieved to hear you say that!"

After returning to his office, Zhang Guoping immediately instructed a middle-aged colleague, "Old Liu! Quickly contact the vehicle fleet and ask them to send a vehicle for us tomorrow morning. We need to go to Changping Commune."

Seeing Zhang Guoping's cheerful expression, Old Liu couldn't help but ask curiously, "Section Chief! What business is the Section Chief sending us to Changping Commune for?"

With a smile on his face, Zhang Guoping explained, "The section chief coordinated the arrival of a fat pig. We'll go to Changping tomorrow to bring it back. The day after tomorrow, the canteen will add meat dishes for lunch, and everyone can take an extra portion home."

Upon hearing this, Old Liu's face lit up with joy, and he quickly asked, "Section Chief! Is this true? Did the Section Chief really bring in a fat pig?"

Zhang Guoping laughed and retorted, "Old Liu! The section chief just took office today. Do you think he would joke about something like this?"

Old Liu nodded repeatedly and said excitedly, "Section Chief! I'll go to the motorcade and find Captain Jiang to arrange a vehicle right away."

The news that Jia Dongming had acquired a pig quickly spread throughout the security department of the steel rolling mill.

When Corey's colleagues found out, they were all filled with anticipation, hoping that the pig would be transported back as soon as possible.

"What? The security department got a pig and they're going to haul it away tomorrow? Is that true?"

In Li Huaide's office in the steel rolling mill's office building, Li Huaide looked surprised upon hearing his subordinate's report and immediately pressed for confirmation.

The young man nodded firmly and replied, "Director Li! I heard this news from Captain Jiang of the motorcade."

"Security Officer Liu just went to the motorcade to ask Captain Jiang to send a vehicle. He said the newly arrived Section Chief Jia used his connections to get a fat pig from Changping Commune, and it will be transported back tomorrow."

Given Jia Dongming's position as the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, Li Huaide specially hosted a banquet for Jia Dongming at the factory's small canteen yesterday noon, intending to enhance their relationship.

To Li Huaide's surprise, Jia Dongming had already secured a whole pig for the security department as soon as he took office.

Upon hearing this news, Li Huaide muttered to himself, "It seems that this newly appointed Section Chief Jia is indeed quite capable. I understand the matter; you can go and attend to your work now."

"Good morning, Section Chief!"

Upon seeing Jia Dongming, security guard A immediately greeted him warmly.

"Section Chief, your lunch is served!"

Security guard B spotted Jia Dongming holding a lunchbox and quickly went up to greet him.

"Section Chief Jia! I heard you got a pig from Changping Commune, is that true?"

Security personnel C, recalling what Logistics Officer Liu had mentioned, also leaned closer to inquire.

Around 11 a.m., Jia Dongming walked into the security department's affiliated canteen with his lunchbox.

When the team members who were having their meal saw him, they all greeted him politely and warmly.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Jia Dongming knew that his arrangements had begun to work. He smiled and said to everyone in the canteen, "Tomorrow, Section Chief Zhang will go to Changping Commune to bring back the fat pigs. The day after tomorrow, remember to bring an extra lunchbox so you can take an extra portion of meat and vegetables home and let the elderly and children taste some meat."

The people in the canteen were all delighted when they heard the news.

Chen Jianfei, who was standing outside the door, saw this scene and his face immediately darkened. He cursed inwardly, "Damn it! This Jia Dongming is only on his first day of work, and he's already using pork to win people over."

At 5:30 p.m., Jia Dongming, who had been reviewing documents in his office all day, saw that it was time to leave work, so he picked up his cloth bag and walked out.

After leaving the steel rolling mill, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle along the main road toward the market.

He wandered around the market for a while, and when he came out, there was a cloth bag on his handlebars.

"Section Chief Jia! You're back from get off work!"

As Jia Dongming pushed his cart into the courtyard, Yan Bugui, who was guarding the entrance, saw him and immediately greeted him warmly.

Seeing Yan Bugui staring intently at the cloth bag hanging in front of the bicycle, Jia Dongming remembered that this third uncle always liked to take advantage of others, so he smiled and explained, "Third uncle, tonight our family will return all the previous donations to everyone in the courtyard."

To express my gratitude to my neighbors for their continued support, I specially asked someone to buy some eggs. Each household will receive three eggs during the courtyard-wide meeting tonight.

Upon hearing that he could not only get all the money he donated back, but also get three eggs for free, Yan Bugui was overjoyed and replied happily, "Section Chief Jia! Our courtyard house has been recognized as an advanced courtyard by the neighborhood committee. Neighbors should help each other out, after all."

Yi Zhonghai was able to have absolute authority in the courtyard not only because the deaf old lady supported him, but more importantly because the three old men were "advanced residents of the courtyard".

The title of "community leader" intimidates all residents, advocating that "community matters should be handled by the community" and preventing residents from reporting problems to the neighborhood committee.

After hearing Yan Bugui's words, Jia Dongming pushed the cart towards the central courtyard and said, "Third Uncle, you go ahead with your work, I'll head back now."

"Dongming! You're back! What's in this bag?"

As soon as Jia Dongming arrived at the Intermediate People's Court, Jia Zhangshi, who was sitting at the entrance of the Jia family's house sewing shoe soles, saw him and quickly put down her work to greet him.

Jia Dongming replied, "Mom, these are eggs I bought to thank the neighbors."

During the hospital-wide meeting tonight, we'll give three to each household as a thank you for your support over the years.

When Jia Zhangshi heard that the eggs were to be given to all the neighbors in the courtyard, she was heartbroken, but remembering what Jia Dongming had said the night before, she had no choice but to accept it. She said, "Dongming, give me the bag, and I'll help you carry it inside."

Jia Dongming smiled and politely declined, "Mom, the bag is quite heavy, I can carry it myself."

For Bang Geng, today was probably the happiest day since he started school.

When Jia Dongming took him to school in the morning, his classmates saw him and learned that his uncle was the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill. Their attitude towards him immediately changed.

The classmates who used to bully him now avoid him, making Bang Geng truly understand what it feels like to have someone backing him up.

Bang Geng used to play outside until dinnertime after school before going home, but now, in order to make Jia Dongming like him more, he went straight to his room to do his homework after school today.

Banggeng, who was doing his homework, heard a noise outside, immediately put down his pencil and ran to the door. Seeing Jia Dongming pushing a cart into the yard, he hurriedly called out, "Uncle! You're off work?"

When Jia Dongming saw Banggeng, he reached out and patted his head, asking with a smile, "Banggeng, did you pay attention in class today?"

Banggeng nodded vigorously and answered proudly, "Uncle! I paid extra attention in class today, and the teacher even gave me a little red flower after school!"

Seeing Banggeng's smug look, Jia Dongming couldn't help but laugh and said, "The fact that the teacher can give you a little red flower proves that you performed well in class."

As encouragement, I'll ask your mom to make braised pork tonight.

Upon hearing that there was braised pork, Banggeng's eyes lit up immediately, and he eagerly asked, "Uncle, you're not kidding me, are you? There's really meat tonight?"

Jia Dongming stopped his bicycle, carefully took down the cloth bag hanging on the handlebars, and replied, "The meat is in the bag. We'll cook it when your mother gets back."

Banggeng stared at the bulging cloth bag and nodded happily, "Thank you, Uncle! I'm going back to my room to do my homework now."

Jia Dongming put the things into the main room and returned to the courtyard, just in time to see Xiao Dang taking small steps in from outside.

He bent down, scooped Xiaodang up in his arms, kissed her cheek, and asked gently, "Was Xiaodang well-behaved at home today?"

Xiao Dang nodded vigorously and answered softly, "Uncle, I'm a very good boy/girl. I even helped Grandma take care of the locust flowers."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming pretended to reach into his pocket, but actually took out a piece of milk candy from his system space.

He unwrapped the candy, stuffed it into Xiao Dang's mouth, and said with a smile, "Our Xiao Dang is really capable; she can even take care of her little sister."

This candy is a reward for you.

The moment the milk candy touched her tongue, the sweet, milky flavor made Xiao Dang squint her eyes happily. She mumbled, "Uncle... the candy is so sweet!"

Jia Dongming patted her head: "As long as you behave well, Uncle will give you candy every day."

"Dongming, these milk candies are so precious, how can we give them to the child every day? It's too expensive."

As Jia Zhangshi entered from outside, carrying locust blossoms, she overheard these words and couldn't help but murmur them with heartache.

Jia Dongming took out another piece of candy and handed it to Jia Zhangshi: "Mom, you have one too."

My salary isn't low, so a few candies are nothing to me.

Besides, daughters should be raised in comfort so they won't be easily deceived in the future.

Just then, Qin Huairu entered the courtyard, greeting with a smile, "Mom, Uncle, I'm back."

When Madam Jia saw her return, she instructed, "Huai Ru, now that you're back, hurry up and cook. Dong Ming has been busy all day and must be hungry."

Qin Huairu responded and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

Jia Dongming called out to her, "Huai Ru, I bought eggs and pork belly. Tonight, I'll steam some white rice, fry some eggs, and make a braised pork dish."

Upon hearing that meat had been bought again, Jia Zhangshi subconsciously swallowed, but said, "Dongming, it's true that you have a high salary, but you're already twenty-eight and still haven't found a spouse."

"We need to save money in this province so we can afford to get married."

Jia Dongming waved his hand, looking unconcerned: "Mom, don't worry."

With my salary, I can save up enough to get married in a few months.

Just as Qin Huairu was about to enter the kitchen, she heard this and suddenly remembered that she had a cousin named Qin Jingru in the countryside. An idea immediately popped into her mind.

In the evening, the Jia family was having dinner in the main room when Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e pushed their bicycles into the courtyard.

Yan Bugui, who was guarding the gate, saw the mountain goods on the cart and his eyes lit up. He quickly went up to greet them: "Da Mao, Xiao E, you're back! You didn't know, did you? Our courtyard has been separated."

Xu Damao understood immediately from Yan Bugui's expression, and casually took out a string of dried mushrooms from the bag and handed it over: "Uncle, these are dried mushrooms given to me by a fellow villager. Please have some."

Yan Bugui took the dried mushrooms, his face beaming with joy: "How could I possibly accept this?"

Xu Damao smiled outwardly, but inwardly he was somewhat disdainful. He then asked, "Third Uncle, the villa has five rooms. The new residents who can be allocated there must be quite important, right?"

Yan Bugui immediately lowered his voice and said, "Da Mao, the new person who moved in is the newly appointed head of security at your steel rolling mill! And there's something you'd never guess—he's Jia Dongxu's older brother, named Jia Dongming!"

"What? Uncle, are you serious? Our factory's security chief is Jia Dongxu's older brother?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's face was filled with disbelief.

Yan Bugui had long anticipated Xu Damao's reaction—he himself was equally shocked when he first heard about it.

Xu Damao's face was filled with disbelief, but Yan Bugui nodded with a smile to confirm: "Damao, this can't be fake."

Jia Dongxu's older brother, Jia Dongming, went to the market to buy grain with his father when they were young, and they ran into Japanese soldiers on the street.

Old Jia was so focused on protecting the grain that he lost sight of Jia Dongming.

"That kid joined the Youth Corps at a young age, then fought in various battles with the troops, and eventually transferred to civilian work as a battalion commander, where he was assigned to your steel rolling mill as the head of the security department."

"When the factory saw that Section Chief Jia had nowhere to live, they gave him the villa that Engineer Xue used to live in."

When Section Chief Jia came to see the house, he happened to recognize Jia Zhangshi.

The Xu and Jia families were among the earliest residents in the compound. Xu Damao had always thought that Jia Zhangshi had only given birth to Jia Dongxu, but he never expected that she had an older brother who had become the new head of security at the steel rolling mill.

Thinking of Yi Zhonghai's various schemes over the years, Xu Damao couldn't help but show a look of watching the show, and said meaningfully to Yan Bugui, "Third Uncle, Jia Dongxu actually has an older brother. Now someone in the courtyard is going to have a hard time sleeping."

Yan Bugui could easily tell who Xu Damao was referring to; some things are better left unsaid.