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

Seeing that the courtyard gate was closed, Jia Dongming stepped forward, knocked on the door, and called out into the courtyard, "Third Uncle, please open the door."

When Yan Bugui saw Jia Dongming and his group leave in the evening, he knew they would be back late, so he didn't even take off his clothes and just rested by the bed.

Hearing Jia Dongming's shout, he immediately woke up, grabbed a flashlight and went outside, replying, "Section Chief Jia, please wait a moment, I'll come and open the door right away."

Yan Bugui strode to the front door, unlocked it with his key, pushed it open, and asked with a smile, "Section Chief Jia, how did Huai Ru's father's surgery go?"

When Jia Dongming saw Yan Bugui, he took out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket and stuffed it into his hand, thanking him with a smile: "Third Uncle, thanks to you, the surgery went very smoothly."

Yan Bugui took the cigarettes, his face immediately breaking into a smile, and he repeatedly said, "I hope it goes smoothly! I hope it goes smoothly!"

Seeing his happy expression, Jia Dongming instructed Qin Huairu: "Huairu, help me push the bicycle inside, then go to the kitchen to boil some water, make a few bowls of noodles for Second Uncle and the others, and heat up a can of beef so they can have something to eat."

I went to help lift the oxcart.

Qin Huairu understood Jia Dongming's meaning and knew that he was trying to save face for her in front of her relatives.

She was quick-witted and knew there was no need to refuse, so she quickly pushed her bicycle into the yard.

Yan Bugui overheard Jia Dongming's words to Qin Huairu, and his eyes lit up immediately when he heard about canned beef and noodles.

He stuffed the cigarette into his pocket and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Section Chief Jia! Many hands make light work. Let me lend a hand and help lift the oxcart."

Seeing that Yan Bugui was offering to help, Jia Dongming understood his intentions but didn't point it out. He simply went along with the conversation and said, "Third Uncle! Thank you so much."

After the group carried the oxcart into the courtyard, Jia Dongming greeted Yan Bugui with a smile, "Third Uncle! Huai Ru has already gone back to cook noodles. If you don't mind the lateness, why don't you come and have some with us?"

Although he went to bed late tonight, getting a pack of cigarettes and a bowl of noodles from Jia Dongming was a bargain for Yan Bugui.

He feigned embarrassment and replied with a smile, "Section Chief Jia! Since you've said so, then I won't stand on ceremony!"

After Qin's second son tied up the ox, Jia Dongming led everyone into the main room.

At this moment, Qin Huairu was already busy cooking noodles in the kitchen.

Seeing her busy preparing, Jia Dongming instructed, "Huai Ru! Besides the canned beef, heat up another can of pork, fry some eggs, and make a dish of peanuts. I'll have a couple of drinks with your second uncle, third uncle, and your brother."

Seeing Jia Dongming's warm hospitality towards her family, Qin Huairu was overjoyed and replied, "Uncle! I understand."

I'll cook some noodles first so everyone can have a little something to eat before we drink.

Jia Dongming nodded and then instructed, "Huai Ru! Why not just use the meat from the canned food as a topping and mix it directly into the noodles?"

Oh, and Uncle San is here too, remember to order an extra portion.

Hearing that Yan Bugui was also coming to freeload, Qin Huairu's face showed some displeasure, and she muttered under her breath, "That old Yan is always trying to take advantage of others."

Hearing her complaint, Jia Dongming understood her thoughts and gently advised, "Huai Ru! It's just a little food."

Besides, they watched over the house for us all night, so let's not make a fuss about it.

After saying that, he turned around and went back to the main room, smiling as he said to Yan Bugui and the Qin family, "Third Uncle! Second Uncle and Third Uncle of the Qin family! Huai Ru's brother, please have a seat. I'll go get two bottles of wine. Let's have a few drinks so we can sleep better tonight."

Yan Bugui was delighted to have gotten a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes and some food and drinks while he was guarding the Jia family's gate tonight. He felt that this was a worthwhile deal.

Upon hearing the word "wine," the three members of the Qin family unconsciously swallowed hard, their faces breaking into wide smiles.

The second son of the Qin family said politely, "Bang Geng's uncle! Don't let Huai Ru prepare too many dishes, we'll just eat whatever we like."

After returning to his room, Jia Dongming immediately took out two bottles of Xifeng liquor from his system space.

When they returned to the main room, Qin Huairu had already served the noodles.

Yan Bugui and the Qin family members couldn't help but swallow hard as they looked at the fragrant pork lard noodles and the beef topping on top.

Yan Bugui took a closer look and discovered that the noodles were made of fine flour. He was overjoyed and thought to himself, "You won't go poor from eating or dressing, but you will go poor from not planning! I haven't tasted this fine white noodle dish in a long time. I'm really making a killing by guarding the Jia family's door tonight."

Seeing everyone's expressions, Jia Dongming put the food on the table and said with a smile, "Third Uncle! Second Uncle and Third Uncle Qin! Huai Ru has already gone to cook the dishes. Let's have some noodles to tide us over before we drink."

Qin Huairu moved swiftly, and soon came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of peanuts and a plate of scrambled eggs. She greeted her family with a smile, "Second Uncle! Third Uncle! Eldest Brother! It's so late, and we don't have anything else at home, so let's just have this simple meal."

This bowl of lard noodles with beef topping, plus fried peanuts and scrambled eggs, is a feast that you might not even get to eat during the Lunar New Year in the countryside.

Looking at the dishes on the table and smelling the aroma of the wine in his glass, the second son of the Qin family couldn't help but exclaim, "Huai Ru! It's been many years since your second uncle has eaten anything this good. Thanks to you today, I'm finally getting to enjoy some good food."

The third son of the Qin family chimed in, "Huai Ru! Your second uncle is right."

"Let alone these finely made noodles, this Xifeng liquor... I've never tasted such good wine in all my years."

Hearing their sentiments, Jia Dongming raised his glass and addressed the Qin family, saying, "Second Uncle Huairu! Third Uncle! You heard what the nurses said at the hospital earlier."

If you hadn't sent Huairu's father to the city for treatment in time, it might have been dangerous if it had been delayed any longer.

This first toast is to both of you.

Qin Huairu's second uncle was flattered and quickly replied, "Great job, Uncle! Huairu's father is our eldest brother. It's only right that we, as his younger brothers, take him to see a doctor when he's sick."

It's just that we farmers don't earn much money in a year, and you're the one who paid for the medicine.

"I'd like to take this opportunity, on behalf of my elder brother and sister-in-law, to thank you with this drink."

Jia Dongming smiled, raised his glass and clinked it with everyone, saying, "Second Uncle Qin! Huai Ru is my sister-in-law. We're all family, so let's not be formal."

Come on, bottoms up!

When Qin Huairu first married into the city, she thought she would live a comfortable life from then on. However, after entering the Jia family, she found that life in the city was far from as smooth as she had hoped.

Those three years, in particular, became the most difficult time for the Jia family.

My mother-in-law is lazy and unreasonable. She keeps a tight grip on the family's money and makes trouble unreasonably all the time.

Qin Huairu wanted to help her family, but she was powerless to do so.

In 1961, Qin's father had no choice but to go to the city to borrow grain from his daughter because his family had run out of food.

At that time, the Jia family relied entirely on Jia Dongming's ration to make a living, and they also needed occasional assistance from their neighbors in the courtyard.

Not only did Qin's father fail to borrow a single grain of rice on this trip, but he was also ridiculed by Jia Zhangshi. He was so angry that he turned around and returned to Qin Family Village without even drinking water.

Given that Qin's father was seriously ill, Qin Huairu would never have come to his parents' door for help late at night unless she was desperate.

If Jia Dongming had not returned, she probably wouldn't have been able to raise the money to treat her father's illness.

Recalling the events of the past few days, Qin Huairu was still in a dream. Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Jia Dongming, who was drinking, and a strange, indescribable ripple quietly stirred in her heart.

When the banquet ended, it was nearly 11 p.m.

The food on the table had long been devoured by Yan Bugui and the three members of the Qin family.

After eating and drinking his fill, Yan Bugui said goodbye to Jia Dongming and hummed a little tune as he stepped into his house.

The third auntie, who had been fast asleep, was awakened by the aroma of meat mixed with the smell of alcohol. Still half-asleep, she asked, "Husband, where have you been drinking in the middle of the night?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui recalled the advantage he had gained at the Jia family's house that evening, and couldn't help but show a smug look on his face: "Wife, Xu Damao used to be the most generous person in this courtyard, but now it has to be Jia Dongming! Guess what he'll do to thank me for opening the door for him tonight?"

The three women, smelling the strong odor of alcohol on him, said without hesitation, "Is there any need to guess? I could smell it all. He must have invited you for drinks."

"More than that!"

Yan Bugui became even more enthusiastic, "When Jia Dongming came back, he first stuffed a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes into my hand."

Later, I heard that he was going to entertain Qin Huairu's family, so I pretended to help him move things, and he invited me to sit down and drink with him.

"You wouldn't believe it, their noodles are made with refined flour, topped with a thick layer of lard, and topped with slices of beef. The taste... is absolutely amazing!"

The third aunt swallowed hard, her stomach rumbling, and hurriedly asked, "Did you bring back any leftovers?"

Yan Bugui recalled the way the Qin family members wolfed down their food and shook his head in annoyance: "Those guys' eyes lit up when they saw the food, and they licked the bowls clean. How could there be anything left?"

The three women immediately deflated, rubbing their empty stomachs and complaining, "Now that you mention it, I'm even hungrier."

Go get me a cornbread bun, I'll have one to eat."

"It's already past midnight, just bear with it."

Yan Bugui disagreed, "If we sleep a few more hours, it'll be time to make breakfast. Wouldn't it be better to save a cornbread?"

As the saying goes, "If it is dyed blue, it will be blue; if it is dyed yellow, it will be yellow."

The three women were not angry at all; on the contrary, they thought it made sense and nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right, then I'll wait until dawn to talk about it."

"Ding!"

"The daily check-in system is now activated. Would you like to check in now?"

The next morning at seven o'clock, the system notification sounded in Jia Dongming's mind on time, waking him from his sleep.

As Jia Dongming regained consciousness, he silently recited in his mind, "Sign in."

"Ding!"

"Check-in successful."

Congratulations, host, you have obtained: the ability to hear the wind, ten boxes of instant noodles, ten boxes of liqueur-filled chocolates, ten boxes of Haidilao hot pot base, and ten yuan in cash.

All items have been stored in the system space.

Should we learn the skill of having super hearing now?

The ability to hear everything within a 50-meter radius means that Jia Dongming can immediately detect any enemy agents lurking nearby.

"Uncle! Breakfast is ready, get up and eat!"

Just as Jia Dongming was lying in bed digesting this new ability, Banggeng called from outside the door.

Jia Dongming replied, "Understood, I'll get up now."

As he was getting dressed and heading out, he saw Banggeng holding Qin Huairen's hand, standing in front of the yellow ox. The ox was staring at the cow, which was munching on vegetable leaves, with great curiosity. Banggeng looked up and asked, "Uncle, whose ox is this? Can I ride it to school?"

After Banggeng asked Qin Huairen a question, Qin Huairen replied with a smile, "Banggeng, this cow is from your maternal grandfather's village, but it's covered in mud. If you sit on it, your clothes will definitely get dirty."

After hearing this, Banggeng looked disappointed and said like an adult, "I don't want to get my clothes dirty, so I'll just ride my uncle's bicycle to school!"

"Uncle Banggeng, you're awake?"

When Qin's second son saw Jia Dongming come out of the house, he immediately greeted him warmly.

Jia Dongming replied, "Did Huai Ru's second uncle sleep well last night?"

Qin's second son, recalling the noodles and wine from last night, exclaimed happily, "Great job, Uncle! I've never drunk wine so late in all my years!"

After drinking the wine, I slept exceptionally well.

"Uncle! Second Uncle! Third Uncle! Dinner's ready!"

Just as Jia Dongming was talking to the second son of the Qin family, Qin Huairu came out of the main room and called out.

Upon hearing the shout, Jia Dongming said to Qin's second son, "Huai Ru's second uncle, you guys go eat first, I'll wash my face and come right away."

Because Qin's father couldn't eat greasy food, Qin Huairu cooked a large pot of rice porridge in the morning, steamed forty or fifty cornbread buns with cornmeal, and served them with two dishes of pickled vegetables.

After washing his face, Jia Dongming entered the main room and saw everyone sitting at the dining table waiting for him. He quickly asked Qin Huairu, "Huairu, didn't I tell you to eat first? Why are you all waiting?"

"Uncle, Second Uncle said you are the host and they are guests, so they have to wait for you."

Before Qin Huairu could answer, Banggeng told Jia Dongming first.