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

The two were about the same age and quickly became friends, growing up together.

As the days went by, feelings grew without them even realizing it.

When Jia Dongming was fifteen, the two secretly made a pact that they would get married once they had overcome their marital difficulties.

But beautiful wishes cannot overcome cruel reality.

In the year that the village was about to surrender, Jia Dongming followed his unit out of the village to ambush the Japanese transport team.

On that very day, a group of Japanese soldiers from a nearby pillbox, led by puppet troops, stormed into Xiaowangzhuang and looted grain.

Jia Dongming's company successfully intercepted the Japanese transport convoy and captured a considerable amount of weapons and food.

But when they returned to Xiaowangzhuang in high spirits, they were met with devastation.

The village was full of villagers, and many women had fallen victim to the Japanese invaders, including Jia Dongming's fiancée, Wang Xiuer.

Despite their grief and indignation, Jia Dongming and his comrades buried their fellow villagers.

That night, Jia Dongming quietly left the group and went alone to the vicinity of the Japanese stronghold.

He spent a day scouting and discovered that the puppet troops in the pillbox would fetch water from a water source not far from the stronghold every day.

After figuring out the timing for fetching water, Jia Dongming obtained a large quantity of medicine and, while the puppet troops were fetching water, poured all the medicine into the water upstream.

That night, all the puppet troops and Japanese soldiers in the pillbox were drugged and rendered unconscious.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jia Dongming sneaked in and eliminated all the enemies inside.

He also cut off the heads of Japanese soldiers and piled them into a small mountain in front of the pillbox, using this method to comfort the spirits of Xiuer and the villagers in heaven.

After this incident, Jia Dongming seemed like a different person.

He was extremely ruthless when dealing with enemies, and almost never left any survivors.

Because of this experience, his marriage has been delayed.

Thinking of all this, a trace of pain flashed across Jia Dongming's face, and he said to Wang Dapao insincerely, "Dapao! Xiuer's matter is so long ago, I don't want to think about it anymore, don't worry."

Wang Dapao sensed the reluctance in his words, and looking at the other person's expression, he knew in his heart that this was not something that could be let go of so easily.

If we want Jia Dongming to get through this, we'll probably need to find him a companion.

With that thought in mind, Wang Dapao decided to go home and ask his wife to help him find a suitable girl.

So he then said to Jia Dongming, "Dongming! Come to my house this week, I'll have your sister-in-law cook a few dishes, and we two brothers can have a good drink!"

Today, Jia Dongming originally wanted to accept Wang Dapao's invitation, but when he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered that Jia Zhangshi had arranged a blind date for him on Sunday. So he said apologetically, "Dapao! This Sunday is not possible. My mother thinks I'm not young anymore and I'm still not married. She's arranging for me to go on a blind date."

Wang Dapao invited him to dinner, intending to casually mention blind dates as well.

Hearing that Jia Dongming's mother was already making arrangements, she smiled and said, "Dongming! I was thinking of asking your sister-in-law to keep an eye out for things, but since your aunt has already made the arrangements, I won't join in."

At this point, Wang Dapao remembered that he had important business to attend to and quickly said to Jia Dongming, "Dongming! I need to go and report the interrogation situation to Director Li, so I'll have to talk to you later."

Jia Dongming nodded, adding a final reminder: "Dapao! If you have any news, remember to call me immediately."

As Wang Dapao walked, he replied, "Don't worry, I'll let you know as soon as there are any results."

When Jia Dongming left the Dongcheng branch, it was already past lunchtime.

He got on his bicycle and rode towards Tongluoguxiang.

"Section Chief Jia! What brings you back in the middle of the day?"

As Jia Dongming pushed his bicycle through the gate of the courtyard house, he encountered the door god Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui looked surprised and greeted him with a smile.

As Jia Dongming walked inside, he replied, "Third Uncle! I was out running errands today and missed the canteen's mealtime, so I'm just grabbing something to eat at home."

Upon hearing Jia Dongming's words, Yan Bugui immediately replied, "Section Chief Jia! Your wife Qin Huairu just came in with her lunchbox. If you go back now, you can eat right away."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming nodded with a smile: "Third Uncle! I'll take my leave now!"

At this moment, in the main room of the courtyard, Madam Jia Zhang was eating a white steamed bun with a hint of pride in her voice. She said to Qin Huairu, "Huairu, since Dongming came back, our lives have been getting better day by day. You must remember Dongming's kindness in the future."

Indeed, as Jia Zhangshi said, since Jia Dongming returned, Qin Huairu's burden seemed to have become much lighter.

Not only did Jia Dongming provide financial support for the family, but he also helped her find a job with a higher salary and less work. More importantly, she no longer had to worry about household expenses. Therefore, Qin Huairu was genuinely grateful to Jia Dongming.

Qin Huairu, who was eating, nodded gently when she heard her mother-in-law's words and replied, "Mom, I understand. I will always remember my uncle's kindness."

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of bicycle wheels turning came from the yard.

Upon hearing this, Bang Geng, who was eating, immediately exclaimed, "It must be Uncle coming back!"

Hearing the commotion, Madam Jia looked puzzled and muttered under her breath, "Why is Dongming back at this hour?"

Upon hearing the sound, Qin Huairu immediately stood up from the dining table. Seeing Jia Dongming enter the main room from outside, she hurriedly asked, "Uncle, what brings you back today? Have you eaten yet?"

Seeing that the family was having a meal, Jia Dongming smiled and replied, "I went out to run errands this morning and didn't come back to the factory to eat."

Is there any food left at home?

"Uncle! Grandma steamed a lot of white flour buns today. Please sit down, I'll go get the bowls and chopsticks."

Upon hearing that Jia Dongming hadn't eaten yet, Banggeng immediately put down the steamed bun in his hand and ran to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks.

After sitting down at the table, Jia Dongming remembered what he had done at the street office that morning. He quickly opened his briefcase, took out a file folder, and said to Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu, "Mom, Huairu, I helped the factory crack down on an enemy spy gang this time. The factory originally wanted to reward me with five hundred yuan, but I didn't accept it. I—"

"Dongming! Are you out of your mind? It's five hundred yuan, why won't you take it?"

When Jia Zhangshi heard that Jia Dongming had turned down the 500 yuan reward, she immediately became anxious and pressed him for details before he could finish speaking.

Seeing Jia Zhangshi's money-grubbing appearance, Jia Dongming felt somewhat helpless and complained, "Mom, can you let me finish what I have to say?"

Madam Jia gave an awkward smile and assured, "Dongming, you speak, and I promise I won't interrupt."

Jia Dongming then opened the file bag, took out a house deed, and placed it in front of Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu. He then explained, "Mom, Huairu, the reason I didn't accept the factory's bonus is mainly for the house we live in now."

"This building belongs to the government. If there are any changes in the future, the factory may take it back."

To avoid this situation, I didn't take the bonus and asked the factory to sell me the house we live in now.

This is the property deed for the house in Dongxu.

Jia Zhangshi was illiterate, but upon hearing that the paper in front of her was the deed to her own house, she excitedly picked it up and asked Jia Dongming for confirmation, "Dongming, is what you're saying true? Is this really the deed to our house?"

Looking at the excited expressions on Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu's faces, Jia Dongming nodded firmly: "Mom, it's absolutely true."

Because Huairu works at the factory, I registered the property deed in Huairu's name.

Moreover, with this, you can also transfer your household registration from the countryside to the city, and then you'll be able to receive subsidized grain rations.

When Qin Huairu learned that the house was registered in her name, an expression of disbelief appeared on her face. She asked, both excited and grateful, "Uncle, you mean... this house is now in my name?"

Jia Dongming nodded and replied, "Huai Ru, you are Dongxu's wife. Now that Dongxu is gone, his property should rightfully be inherited by you."

Despite what Jia Dongming said, Qin Huairu knew in her heart that the house originally belonged to the steel rolling mill.

Jia Dongming gave up the factory's reward and bought her a house instead.

At that moment, Qin Huairu felt as if a warm current had gently struck her heart, and a silent emotion quietly spread from the bottom of her heart.

With trembling hands, Madam Jia put down the property deed and asked Jia Dongming, "Dongming, tell me the truth, how much did it cost in total to buy this courtyard and that house in Dongxu?"

What was supposed to be a heartwarming moment turned sour when Jia Zhangshi asked about money. Jia Dongming retorted somewhat unhappily, "Mom, is money really that important to you?"

Knowing she had said the wrong thing again, Madam Jia replied somewhat guiltily, "Dongming, it's not that I'm greedy for money. It's just that I feel... it's not worth spending so much money to buy the house we're already living in."

Hearing her say this, Jia Dongming could only sigh inwardly at Jia Zhangshi's short-sightedness.

So, seizing on Jia Zhangshi's concerns, he said with a hint of helplessness, "Mom, have you ever heard the saying, 'Penny wise, pound foolish'?"

"Mom, do you remember back in 1960? There was a food shortage in the city then. Did the neighborhood committee ask people with rural household registration to stay in the countryside or go back? I don't know if you went back then. If a similar situation happened again, would you rather go back to the countryside or stay in the city and enjoy your life?"

When Jia Dongming recounted the events of 1960, Jia Zhangshi thought that she had been spared being sent back to the countryside because of Yi Zhonghai's protection. However, Jia Zhangshi knew perfectly well what the countryside was like.

Recalling these things, Madam Jia Zhang trembled slightly and said to Jia Dongming with a look of fear, "Dongming! You are a cadre. Since you have made this decision, you must have your reasons. I will follow your lead."

Seeing Jia Zhangshi's answer and noticing her frightened expression, Jia Dongming nodded in satisfaction and turned to Qin Huairu, instructing, "Huairu! Take some time these next few days to transfer Mom's household registration to the city."

Around 5 p.m., as the song "We Workers Have Strength" echoed over the steel rolling mill, Xu Damao said goodbye to his colleagues and headed toward the factory's parking shed.

"Da Mao! Wait a moment, your second uncle has something to ask you."

Xu Damao had just pushed his bicycle to the factory gate when Liu Haizhong's voice suddenly came from behind him.

Hearing the sound, Xu Damao stopped and turned around to see Liu Haizhong walking towards him. Slightly puzzled, he asked, "Second Uncle! Did you need something?"

This morning, Liu Haizhong passed by the front yard on his way to work and heard from Yan Bugui that Xu Damao had actually had dinner with the factory leaders last night with Jia Dongming and even rode back in the factory's car.

This news surprised and envied Liu Haizhong, who was eager to become an official. He kept wondering: Why would Jia Dongming take Xu Damao to dinner with the factory leaders?

Because of this, Liu Haizhong was distracted at work all day, his mind constantly churning over this problem.

After thinking about it for a long time, he concluded that Jia Dongming brought Xu Damao along probably because Xu Damao had treated Jia Dongming to dinner before.

With this thought in mind, Liu Haizhong wanted to find Xu Damao to get to the bottom of things, so he rushed over to find him as soon as he got off work.

When Xu Damao asked, Liu Haizhong smiled and said, "Damao! I heard you had dinner with Section Chief Jia and the factory leaders last night. Is that true?"

Xu Damao always loved to show off. When Liu Haizhong asked about last night's dinner, he was extremely pleased with himself, but he pretended to be surprised and said, "Second Uncle! You're really well-informed! You even know that I had dinner with the factory leaders."

Liu Haizhong confirmed the news and quickly asked, "Da Mao! Tell your second uncle quickly, how did you end up having dinner with the factory leaders?"

When asked why, Xu Damao replied without hesitation, "Second Uncle! It's all thanks to my brother Jia, otherwise I wouldn't have had the chance to sit at the same table with the factory leaders."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong assumed that Jia Dongming had indeed brought Xu Damao there on purpose.

Thinking that Xu Damao was able to sit at the same table with the factory leaders because of Jia Dongming's connection, Liu Haizhong immediately felt regretful. If he had known this would happen, he should have invited Jia Dongming to his home for a meal, just like Xu Damao had done. Maybe then he could have gotten close to the factory leaders.