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

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming patted Banggeng's head and said to everyone, "Alright, it's getting late, everyone hurry up and start eating!"

The Qin family members drank rice porridge and ate cornbread without corn cobs, feeling envious of life in the city.

Jia Dongming sipped his porridge, looked at the people present, and instructed Qin Huairu, "Huairu, you still need to deliver food to the hospital later. In the meantime, ride my bicycle to and from get off work; it'll be more convenient that way."

Qin Huairu quickly declined, "Uncle, you have too much to do, you should ride the bicycle yourself."

The hospital isn't far from here; I can walk there.

Jia Dongming said in an uncompromising tone, "If you wait until you get to the hospital and deliver the food before going to the steel mill, you'll probably be late."

Besides, I need to deliver lunch, and without a bicycle, I simply won't make it in time.

Qin Huairu thought about it and felt that it made sense, so she nodded in agreement: "Uncle, then I will listen to you."

I'll borrow the bicycle for a few days, and return it to you after my dad is discharged from the hospital and recovers at home.

After overhearing their conversation, Banggeng immediately asked Jia Dongming, "Uncle, if you give the bicycle to my mom, how am I supposed to get to school?"

Jia Dongming glared at Banggeng and sternly reprimanded him, "Banggeng, how did you go to school before your uncle came back? I've only been taking you for a few days, and you don't even want to walk anymore?"

After being scolded, Bang Geng saw Jia Dongming's serious expression, lowered his head and whispered in defense, "Uncle, that's not what I meant."

I just wanted to ask, should I go to school with you or with my mom?

Jia Dongming gently patted Banggeng's head and said with dissatisfaction, "Your mom isn't a good rider, how can she take you to school? You should eat now, and then we'll walk to school together."

After breakfast, Jia Dongming took out three packs of Daqianmen cigarettes from his room and handed them to the three members of the Qin family, saying with a smile, "This time, thanks to you all for getting Huairu's father into the city in time."

You can take this pack of cigarettes; smoke them on the way!

"No! Absolutely not! Uncle Banggeng, we can't take these cigarettes!"

Although the second son of the Qin family really wanted it, he still firmly declined.

Hearing this insincere refusal, Jia Dongming stuffed cigarettes into the arms of the three men and said, "I am the head of the security department in the factory. According to the steel rolling mill's ration, I get two packs of cigarettes every month."

I don't smoke much, so please do me a favor and finish these cigarettes!

The second son of the Qin family was too embarrassed to accept, but the third son of the Qin family was different.

He happily accepted the cigarettes and said cheerfully, "Uncle Banggeng, since you've said so, we'll help you finish these cigarettes."

When the second son of the Qin family saw his third son's greedy appearance, he looked disappointed and said gratefully, "Thank you, Uncle. Our third son is just like this. Don't mind him."

"Uncle, I've cleaned up the kitchen. I'm going to the hospital now to bring breakfast to my parents."

Qin Huairu walked out of the restaurant carrying a net bag and said to Jia Dongming.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming took out his bicycle key from his pocket and said with a smile, "Huai Ru, here is the bicycle key."

"Take the food to the hospital quickly, then go to work at the factory."

Qin Huairu took the keys and turned to the Qin brothers, saying, "Second Uncle! Third Uncle! I'm going to the hospital to deliver food to my parents, so I won't see you off."

The two Qin brothers received a warm welcome at Qin Huairu's home during their trip to the city. Not only was the food plentiful, but before they left, Jia Dongming also specially gave each of them a pack of cigarettes. Such hospitality was indeed a first for the Qin brothers.

Upon hearing Qin Huairu's words, the second son of the Qin family immediately smiled and waved his hand, "Huairu, your third uncle and I are family, there's no need to specially see us off."

After Qin Huairu left, Jia Dongming helped the Qin brothers carry the oxcart out of the yard. After the second brother had hitched up the cart, he said, "Huairu's second uncle, third uncle, and eldest brother, I have to rush to work, so I won't see you off any further."

Take care on your journey, and come visit us often when you have time.

Upon hearing Jia Dongming's words, Qin's second uncle, recalling his thoughtful hospitality over the past few days, responded sincerely and honestly: "Uncle, thank you so much for helping us with our medical expenses and treating us to fine food and wine. We really don't know how to thank you enough."

"If you have time in the future, please come to the village with Huai Ru, and let us give you a proper welcome."

Jia Dongming could tell that the other party wasn't just being polite, so he said half-jokingly, "Huai Ru's second uncle, I'll definitely visit Qin Family Village when I have the chance. Don't deliberately avoid me then!"

The third son of the Qin family, standing to the side, didn't realize it was a joke and immediately assured him earnestly, "Uncle Banggeng, don't worry, we Qin family members keep our word."

If you come, I'll send my son into the mountains to get some game, and we'll have a few drinks like we did last night!

The second son of the Qin family was both angry and amused to see that his younger brother had taken the joke seriously, but he didn't say anything because Jia Dongming was present.

Jia Dongming smiled and turned to Qin Huairen, saying, "Uncle Banggeng, your parents will be taken care of by Huairu in the city. We'll find a way to let you know if anything happens, so don't worry too much."

Qin Huairen remembered what the nurse had told him yesterday and nodded gratefully: "Uncle, then I'll trouble you to take good care of me."

After saying goodbye to Jia Dongming, the three members of the Qin family drove the oxcart slowly toward the entrance of Luogu Lane.

Jia Dongming watched them leave before smiling and saying to Banggeng beside him, "Banggeng, it's getting late, we should get going."

Around 10 a.m., the three members of the Qin family, uncle and nephew, returned to Qin Family Village.

Just as they led the oxcart into the cowshed next to the village office, the village chief rushed over upon hearing the news and asked with concern, "Second brother, what illness has Dashan had? Is it serious? Why didn't he come back with you?"

Qin Huairen quickly replied, "Fifth Uncle, my father has appendicitis. The doctor in the city said it was fortunate that he was brought in in time; otherwise, it might have been dangerous."

The village chief was puzzled: "Your father was perfectly fine while working yesterday, how come he suddenly became so sick?"

Regarding the cause of the illness, Qin Huairu asked the doctor yesterday, and Qin Huairen explained: "Fifth Uncle, the doctor said it was an emergency, and surgery was arranged immediately after the examination."

My mother was so scared her legs went weak and she sat down on the ground.

"Fifth Uncle, the hospital in the city is really expensive. It costs fifty-seven yuan to have surgery."

We couldn't even scrape together ten yuan from all of us. If my second brother hadn't gone to Huairu that very night to borrow money, my eldest brother probably would have been in trouble.

The third son of the Qin family added from the side.

The village chief frowned, recalling the rumors circulating in the village about Qin Huairu's in-laws: "I've heard the women say that Huairu's mother-in-law has always looked down on us country folk, and that she controls all the money. How did you manage to borrow money from Huairu?"

Qin Huairen recalled the time he went to his sister's house to borrow grain and quickly explained, "Fifth Uncle, now my sister's family is not ruled by her mother-in-law, but by Banggeng's eldest uncle."

"My dad's medical expenses this time, and all the subsequent costs, were covered by Banggeng's uncle, who gave him over a hundred yuan in total."

The village chief was even more puzzled: "Huai Ren, when Huai Ru got married, I heard that her husband's family only had one child, so how come she suddenly has an older brother?"

Upon hearing this, the third son of the Qin family immediately remembered that Jia Dongming was the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill and earned more than 100 yuan a month. He eagerly said, "Fifth Uncle, Huai Ru's eldest uncle got separated from his family when he was a child. Later, he joined the army and fought against the Japanese in northwestern Shanxi. He was demobilized and returned home recently."

Now I'm the head of security at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and my monthly salary is just over one hundred yuan!

As he spoke, he proudly pulled out the Daqianmen cigarettes that Jia Dongming had given him from his pocket and waved them in front of the village chief: "Fifth Uncle, these cigarettes were forced upon us by Banggeng's uncle."

We initially refused, but he insisted, so we had no choice but to accept.

After showing off for a while, the third son of the Qin family suddenly remembered something, reluctantly opened the cigarette box, took out a cigarette, and handed it to the village chief in front of him.

The village chief accepted the cigarette offered by the third son of the Qin family. Knowing the third son's temperament, he quickly turned to the second son and asked, "Dalin! Is what Dashu said true? Is Huairu's uncle really the head of security at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill?"

When asked by the village chief, Qin Dalin immediately nodded to confirm: "Fifth Uncle! Third Brother didn't make this up. The Jia family is now in charge of Huai Ru's household."

Last night I went to Huai Ru's house to borrow money, but her mother-in-law didn't come out at all. Later, when we returned to her husband's house from the hospital, Huai Ru's uncle even treated us to drinks.

Upon hearing his second brother recount his experience at Qin Huairu's in-laws' house, Qin Dashu immediately boasted to the village chief, "Fifth Uncle! Do you know what Uncle Huairu served us yesterday?"

"The scallion oil noodles were made with refined flour and topped with several pieces of beef. Each person got a big bowl."

In addition, Huairu was asked to fry a large plate of eggs and a large plate of peanuts.

The wine they served us was Xifeng liquor, which cost seven yuan a bottle, and they opened two bottles.

The wine smelled wonderful, and it didn't burn my throat at all.

Listening to the Qin brothers' account, the village chief couldn't help but swallow hard. He said to Qin Huai Ren with great satisfaction, "Huai Ren! According to your second and third uncles, your Huai Ru has finally made it through."

Thinking of his sister's current situation, Qin Huairen said to the village chief with envy, "Fifth Uncle! Banggeng's eldest uncle knew that Huairu was doing heavy and tiring work in the workshop, so he directly transferred her to the logistics department of the steel rolling mill to work in the office."

Now her monthly salary is thirty-five yuan and fifty cents, and Uncle Banggeng told Huairu to keep it for herself and not give it to the family.

When the village chief learned of Qin Huairu's recent situation, he was genuinely happy for her and said to Qin Huairen with a smile, "Huairen! From what you've said, Banggeng's uncle is indeed a reasonable person."

With Huai Ru's help, your family's life will definitely get better and better.

In addition to the guaranteed four chapters for today, I would like to express my special thanks to all the readers for their support. I have added an extra chapter for you. Around 5 p.m., when the song "We Workers Have Strength" rang out over the steel rolling mill, Jia Dongming packed his things, picked up his briefcase, and walked toward the factory gate.

"Section Chief Jia! Section Chief Jia! Please wait a moment."

Just as Jia Dongming stepped out of the security office building, he heard Liu Haizhong shouting behind him.

Jia Dongming stopped and turned around to see Liu Haizhong, asking with a puzzled look, "Second Uncle! Is there something you need?"

In order to invite Jia Dongming to his home for dinner, Liu Haizhong made an excuse to go to the restroom before leaving get off work and waited near the security department.

Finally seeing Jia Dongming emerge, he hurried forward and asked solicitously, "Section Chief Jia! Are you free tonight?"

Jia Dongming replied, "Second Uncle! There should be nothing to do tonight. Is something the matter?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong immediately smiled and said, "Section Chief Jia! Today, your second aunt went to the market and happened to run into the slaughterhouse delivering fresh pork, so she used her family's meat coupons to buy two jin."

So I'd like to invite you over for a couple of drinks tonight.

Jia Dongming knew in his heart that Liu Haizhong was a careerist, and it wasn't hard to guess the purpose of this dinner party.

He didn't refuse, and replied with a smile, "Second Uncle! We live in the same courtyard, you're too kind."

Liu Haizhong quickly chimed in, "Section Chief Jia! When you first moved into the compound, didn't you treat us old folks to a meal? It's only fair to return the favor, so I thought I'd treat you this time."

Jia Dongming nodded: "Second Uncle! Since you say so, then I will respectfully comply."

"But don't bother preparing any drinks for tonight. I have some Xifeng liquor at home; I'll bring two bottles over, and we can have a few drinks together."

When Liu Haizhong saw that Jia Dongming had agreed, he was overjoyed, as if the position of workshop team leader was already within his grasp. He said happily, "Section Chief Jia! Then I'll go back to the workshop to pack up first, and I'll come to invite you again tonight."

As Jia Dongming watched Liu Haizhong leave happily, he shook his head slightly, remembering the purpose of Liu's invitation, and continued walking towards the factory gate.

"Uncle! I'll go back with you."

Before Jia Dongming even reached the gate, Qin Huairu's voice called out from behind him.

Jia Dongming turned around and saw Qin Huairu riding over on her bicycle. He asked, "Huairu! Is your father feeling any better?"