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

Qin Huairu replied, "Uncle! My dad woke up in the middle of the night yesterday, and when I went to the hospital to deliver lunch today, he was already able to get out of bed and walk."

Jia Dongming was somewhat surprised to hear this and quickly asked, "Huai Ru! Your father just had surgery, and his wound hasn't healed yet. Won't it affect his recovery if he starts walking around now?"

Faced with Jia Dongming's question, Qin Huairu remembered the doctor's instructions and immediately explained, "Uncle! My father was able to get out of bed and move around because he followed the doctor's advice. The doctor said it would help with his recovery."

After hearing Qin Huairu's explanation, Jia Dongming's expression brightened, and he replied with a smile, "Huairu! I was worried that activity would affect the healing of the wound, but I didn't expect there to be such a reason."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu immediately suggested to Jia Dongming, "Uncle! Please use the bicycle; I'll take your ride back."

Without refusing, Jia Dongming took the bicycle from Qin Huairu and rode with her toward the gate of the steel rolling mill.

"Look! Isn't that Qin Huairu from Workshop Two? The man riding her bike, could he be someone she found at the factory? These two are really bold, getting so close in front of all the factory workers."

A female worker saw Jia Dongming riding his bicycle with Qin Huairu towards the factory gate, and looked surprised. She quickly said to her companion.

Hearing her companion's words, another female worker looked at the two people on the bicycle, but instead of being surprised, she explained with envy, "Xiao Fang! The one riding the bicycle is not Qin Huairu's husband, but her brother."

"This man is Jia Dongming, the newly appointed head of the security department at our factory."

Qin Huairu is no longer in Workshop 2; she has been transferred to the logistics warehouse as an administrator, and her salary has increased by a few yuan compared to when she was in the workshop.

"What! Juanzi! Are you serious? Qin Huairu was transferred to the warehouse? When did this happen?"

When the female worker Xiaofang heard what her sister said, she was shocked and asked incredulously.

Seeing Xiaofang's reaction, Juanzi replied with envy, "It was just adjusted the day before yesterday."

Now, Qin Huairu only needs to check the warehouse every day, and in her spare time she can knit sweaters in the office, earning a monthly salary of thirty-five yuan and fifty cents.

Upon learning the exact amount, Xiaofang's initial surprise turned into deep envy, and she said with a hint of bitterness, "Why aren't we so lucky?"

Jia Dongming rode his bicycle with Qin Huairu, and soon returned to the courtyard house.

The old man guarding the gate greeted the two of them warmly as they returned from get off work, "Section Chief Jia! Huai Ru! You're off work now."

As Jia Dongming pushed the cart, he saw the water jug ​​in Yan Bugui's hand and replied with a smile, "Third Uncle! You really listened to me and planted the vegetables so quickly."

When Yan Bugui heard Jia Dongming mention it, he thought that once the vegetables in these flowerpots grew, his family could not only save money on vegetables, but could even exchange them for some grain at the market.

Thinking that he might be able to achieve vegetable self-sufficiency with these flowerpots in the future, Yan Bugui's face couldn't help but show longing. He said gratefully, "Section Chief Jia! It's all thanks to your suggestion. Otherwise, I would never have thought of growing vegetables in flowerpots."

Everyone loves to hear kind words.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming laughed and said, "Third Uncle! You're just blinded by your own involvement."

Even if I didn't say anything, with your shrewdness, you would have come up with this idea sooner or later.

Yan Bugui was very pleased with these words, and he said proudly, "Section Chief Jia! Once these vegetables are grown, I will definitely send you some to thank you properly."

"Teacher Yan! So you live here too!"

As Jia Dongming was chatting with Yan Bugui, a young woman pushed her bicycle into the yard and greeted him in surprise when she saw Yan Bugui carrying a water bottle.

Yan Bugui turned around upon hearing the voice, recognized the person, and asked curiously, "Teacher Ran! What brings you to our courtyard today?"

Upon hearing the question, Ran Qiuyue smiled and replied, "Teacher Yan! Does Jia Geng live in this compound? I've come here today specifically to make a home visit to Jia Geng."

Just as Jia Dongming was about to push his cart home, he heard Ran Qiuyue mention Bang Geng. Thinking that Bang Geng had gotten into trouble at school, he stopped and asked, "Teacher Ran! Hello! I am Jia Geng's parent. Is there anything wrong with Jia Geng at school?"

Ran Qiuyue was surprised when she heard Jia Dongming call himself a parent. As far as she knew, Jia Geng's father had died in the line of duty at the steel rolling mill last year. The fact that this young man claimed to be a parent made her suspicious.

Yan Bugui noticed Ran Qiuyue's confusion and quickly introduced, "Teacher Ran! This is Jia Geng's uncle, Comrade Jia Dongming, who is the head of the security department at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

Ran Qiuyue then realized what was happening and greeted Jia Dongming: "Comrade Jia Dongming! Hello! This home visit is not because Jia Geng has made a mistake at school, but because he has changed significantly recently. He is not only attentive in class, but his grades have also improved rapidly."

"Considering Jia Geng's past performance and current improvement, I would like to ask the parents if there are any effective learning methods that could have helped Jia Geng improve his grades so much in such a short time?"

After Ran Qiuyue explained her purpose, Jia Dongming realized that he had misunderstood Bang Geng.

Listening to her recount Bang Geng's recent performance at school, Jia Dongming smiled and said to Ran Qiuyue, "Teacher Ran, we just made a promise to Jia Geng, telling him that if his grades can get into the top ten in the class, he will be rewarded. There's no special method."

Standing nearby, Yan Bugui saw Jia Dongming and Ran Qiuyue talking and a thought suddenly occurred to him. He quickly reminded Jia Dongming, "Section Chief Jia! Teacher Ran has come for a home visit, why don't you invite her in and have a seat?"

Only after Yan Bugui reminded him did Jia Dongming realize that they were still at the entrance of a courtyard house. He said to Ran Qiuyue with a slight apology, "Teacher Ran! Look at my memory! How can I let a guest stand outside and talk? Please come in."

Jia Dongming pushed his bicycle and led Ran Qiuyue into the courtyard, calling out, "Huai Ru! Huai Ru! Bang Geng's teacher is here."

Banggeng, who was doing his homework in the house, heard Jia Dongming's shout and learned that Teacher Ran had come to the door, so he hurriedly ran out of the house.

Upon seeing Ran Qiuyue enter the courtyard following Jia Dongming, Bang Geng, perhaps out of the innate respect a student has for their teacher, asked nervously, "Teacher Ran! What brings you here?"

Qin Huairu, who was cooking in the kitchen, heard the shout and quickly put down the spatula and ran out. She said to Jia Zhangshi, who was cracking melon seeds in the main room, "Mom! The teacher from Banggeng is here. Could you please watch the food in the pot? I'm going out for a bit."

When Jia Zhangshi heard that Banggeng's teacher was coming to visit her home, she instinctively wanted to complain, but then she remembered Jia Dongming's earlier warning and had to swallow her words back. She reluctantly walked towards the kitchen.

Qin Huairu walked out of the main room and saw Ran Qiuyue parking her car. She greeted her warmly, "Teacher Ran! You've arrived! Please come in."

After parking his bicycle, Jia Dongming saw Bang Geng's nervous look and found it somewhat amusing. He then praised him, "Bang Geng! Your teacher, Ms. Ran, told me that you've been doing quite well at school lately, so she came to our house to check on you."

Bang Geng, who had been feeling uneasy, breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Jia Dongming's words and muttered to himself, "I thought Teacher Ran was here to complain, but she wasn't. She almost scared me."

Jia Dongming, carrying his briefcase, walked to his door, pushed it open, and called out to Banggeng, "Banggeng! Go to the main room and get the fruit plate with peanuts and melon seeds. Your uncle will pack some food for you to take to Teacher Ran."

Upon learning that the teacher hadn't come to complain, Banggeng felt relieved and happily ran towards the main room after responding.

Qin Huairu invited Ran Qiuyue into the main room, picked up the thermos on the table, poured her a glass of water, and then asked, "Teacher Ran! Please have a seat. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Ran Qiuyue sat down at the table and smiled as she said to Qin Huairu, "Banggeng's mother, it's like this: Jiageng's grades have never been very good, and he doesn't pay much attention in class."

She paused briefly before continuing, "But these past few days, Jia Geng seems to have become a different person. Not only does he listen attentively in class, but his score on this unit test has also improved from the bottom of the class to the middle to upper ranks."

So I came to your house to see if you have any good study methods to help Jia Geng start working hard and improving himself.

Upon learning that Banggeng hadn't caused any trouble at school, Qin Huairu breathed a sigh of relief and replied with a smile, "Teacher Ran! Neither Banggeng's grandmother nor I are very educated, so we don't have any good methods to change Banggeng."

The main reason for these changes is that his uncle came back, and Banggeng is willing to listen to him.

"Teacher Ran! Have some candy!"

Banggeng ran into the main room carrying a fruit platter filled with White Rabbit milk candy, peanuts, and melon seeds, and greeted Ran Qiuyue warmly.

Seeing this, Ran Qiuyue gently declined, saying, "Jia Geng, thank you, but I don't eat candy. You can keep it for yourself."

After saying that, she stood up from her chair and smiled at Qin Huairu, "Bang Geng's mother, it's getting late, I'll take my leave now."

Qin Huairu quickly urged her to stay, "Teacher Ran! Why don't you have some food before you leave!"

Ran Qiuyue smiled and shook her head: "Thank you, Aunt Banggeng. I still have to go to other students' homes, so I won't eat."

As Jia Zhangshi watched Ran Qiuyue being wheeled out of the hospital, she suddenly remembered something and quickly asked Banggeng, "Banggeng! Is your teacher married?"

Banggeng was taken aback by this sudden question and asked in confusion, "Grandma! Why are you asking this? I don't know if Teacher Ran is married or not."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi smiled and said to Banggeng, "My dear grandson, go to school tomorrow and ask Teacher Ran if she's married yet."

Banggeng was even more confused and asked, "Grandma! Why did you make me ask this?"

Jia Zhangshi inquired about Ran Qiuyue's marital status because she wanted to introduce her to her son, since being a teacher is a respectable job.

In response to Bang Geng's question, Jia Zhangshi chuckled and replied, "Bang Geng, if your Teacher Ran weren't married yet, how about letting her be your aunt?"

"Mom! Banggeng is only a few years old, why are you telling him these things?"

When Jia Dongming heard that Ran Qiuyue had left, he came out of the house. Upon hearing Jia Zhangshi's words, he couldn't help but frown.

Not only did Jia Zhangshi not find anything wrong with it, but she said with great interest, "Dongming, that teacher Banggeng is good-looking and a teacher. If we marry him, the family will have an extra source of income, and the teacher's status is also respectable."

Ran Qiuyue's parents are both university teachers. In the future, who wouldn't be happy to arrange a marriage between such families? But in this day and age, Jia Dongming felt that such a background was not quite suitable.

That's why he didn't show up when Ran Qiuyue arrived.

Seeing his mother's happy expression, Jia Dongming couldn't help but say, "Mom, regardless of whether Teacher Ran is married or not, is it appropriate for you to let Bang Geng inquire about it?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi also felt it was inappropriate. In an instant, she thought of someone and blurted out, "Bang Geng is not suitable, but there is someone suitable! I'll go find Yan Bugui right now and ask Teacher Ran if he has a girlfriend."

After saying that, she hurriedly left without waiting for Jia Dongming to stop her.

Seeing his grandmother leave in a hurry, Banggeng turned to Jia Dongming and asked like a little adult, "Uncle, do you like our Teacher Ran? If you do, I'll tell her tomorrow and ask her to be my aunt."

Jia Dongming, already annoyed, glared at Bang Geng and said, "You little brat, what are you doing meddling in adult matters?"

Banggeng was not afraid at all, and even pretended to say, "Uncle, I'm thinking of you! Grandma said I'm a grown-up in the Jia family, not a little kid."

"Brother Dongming, my dad asked me to invite you over for dinner."

Qin Huairu had just seen Teacher Ran off and returned to the courtyard when Liu Guangtian followed her in and politely greeted Jia Dongming.

Jia Dongming smiled and replied, "Guangtian, you go back first, I'll be right there."

After saying that, he went back into the house, grabbed two bottles of Xifeng liquor, and walked outside.

"Dongming, where are you going with all that wine?"

As soon as they reached the courtyard gate, they encountered Jia Zhangshi, whose face was beaming with joy. She looked at the wine bottle with curiosity and asked...

Jia Dongming explained, "Mom, Second Uncle is treating us to dinner, so I'm bringing two bottles of wine."

Upon hearing that Liu Haizhong was treating, Jia Zhangshi immediately reminded him, "That fat Liu is always thinking about becoming an official. He's inviting you to dinner because he wants you to help him find a job."