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

Upon hearing this, the third aunt became anxious and immediately interrupted Yan Bugui, shouting at Yan Jiecheng, "Jiecheng! What are you standing there for? Quickly apologize to your father!"

Yan Bugui waved his hand and said to the third aunt, "Honey, don't try to persuade me anymore."

Although I am stingy, I treat everyone in my family equally.

But what about him? He's unwilling to support even his own wife; how can we expect him to take care of us in our old age?

At this point, Yan Bugui turned to face his neighbors in the courtyard.

Feeling the contemptuous looks from everyone, he bent down, bowed deeply to everyone, and said sincerely, "Gentlemen of the courtyard, the Yan family has made a fool of itself today."

On behalf of my entire family, I, Yan Bugui, would like to apologize to all our neighbors!

Before he could finish speaking, Yan Bugui suddenly felt a blackout and fell straight backward.

When the three women saw Yan Bugui lying on the ground, they turned pale with fright and rushed to his side, calling out repeatedly, "Old Yan! Old Yan! What happened to you? Don't scare me!"

Seeing that Yan Bugui had fainted, Yi Zhonghai hurriedly shouted to Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and the others, "Zhu Zi! Xu Damao! What are you standing there for? Quickly go outside and find a cart to take Old Yan to the hospital!"

Liu Haizhong hurriedly called to his two sons, "Guangtian! Guangfu! Come and lend a hand!"

Before long, Sha Zhu borrowed a cart.

With the help of others, Yan Bugui was sent to the hospital.

As the head of the Jia family, Jia Dongming naturally went along as well.

Yan Bugui regained consciousness shortly after being taken to the hospital.

Seeing him lying on the hospital bed with a vacant look in his eyes, Jia Dongming comforted him, "Third Uncle! There's no hurdle you can't overcome. Try to think positively, things will get better."

Perhaps it was Jia Dongming's status as a cadre that made Yan Bugui feel credible. He finally found someone to confide in, and immediately said to Jia Dongming, "Dongming! I admit that I am stingy and calculating, but I did it all to raise these children."

Was I really wrong to do this?

Seeing that Yan Bugui's eyes had regained some of their sparkle, Jia Dongming said, "Third Uncle! Your intentions are good, but you've overlooked one point—parents are the best role models for their children."

"In the process of your calculations, you have unknowingly weakened even your family ties."

Of course, you still have Liberation, Relief from Exile, and Relief from Inner Mongolia. As long as you can make timely adjustments, there is still hope for the future.

"Old Yan! Director Jia is right. You still have the task of resolving their issues, so you don't need to worry too much about their retirement."

After hearing Jia Dongming's words, Liu Haizhong quickly comforted Yan Bugui.

Looking at the dejected Yan Bugui on the hospital bed, Yi Zhonghai continued, "Old Yan! In this world, there are only unfilial children, not unfilial parents."

It's already incredibly difficult for you to earn money on your own, raise several children, and send them to school.

"If Yan Jiecheng dares to be unfilial in the future, we'll report him to the neighborhood committee!"

Hearing Yi Zhonghai's words, Jia Dongming felt quite helpless.

Seeing that everything was alright here, he said, "Third Aunt! Third Uncle should be fine here, so let's go back first."

If you need any help, just have Jiefang or Jiekuang send a message back.

The three women quickly thanked everyone: "Dongming! Uncle! Uncle! Zhuzi! Damao! Thanks to you all for helping us get Old Yan to the hospital today."

"I'll guard this place, you all go back and rest."

Jia Dongming returned to the courtyard house with the others. As soon as Jia Zhangshi saw him enter, she asked with a hint of schadenfreude, "Dongming! How's Old Yan? What did the doctor say about why he fainted?"

Jia Dongming sensed the smugness in his mother's words and helplessly reminded her, "Mom! Can you please not be so obvious? Uncle San just fainted because he had a sudden rush of blood to his head. Do you really need to be so happy?"

Madam Jia immediately retorted, "How could I not be happy? When Dongxu left last year, that Yan family man was gossiping in the yard, saying that it was because I kept talking about your father that Dongxu was killed."

Now that something like this has happened to the Yan family, I'm not only happy, I even want to set off some firecrackers to celebrate!

When Jia Dongming learned that the Third Aunt had said such things, he comforted Jia Zhangshi: "Mom! Let bygones be bygones."

What kind of life are we living now, and what kind of life are the Yan family living? Why do you still dwell on those unpleasant things from the past?

Upon hearing Jia Dongming's words, Madam Jia Zhang felt much more at ease, thinking about how her eldest son, who had been separated from her for many years, had now returned and become a leading cadre. Not only did the family have no worries about food and drink, but they had also acquired several properties. She happily replied, "Dongming! You're right. Right now, our family is the most well-off in the courtyard. We have three houses, which is much better than the Yan family."

"Look at the Yan family, Old Man Yan is always scheming and calculating, and he has even lost his affection for his children."

"Given Yan Jiecheng's penchant for money even more than mine, I doubt we can count on Yan Laoxi and Yang Ruihua for their retirement."

Jia Dongming hadn't expected Jia Zhangshi to see things so clearly; perhaps this is what people often mean by "the bystander sees most of the game."

Right.

Seeing Jia Zhangshi's amused expression, Jia Dongming smiled and reminded her, "Mom, don't forget, Uncle San has more than one son, Yan Jiecheng."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia Zhang thought of the Yan family's children and said to Jia Dongming, "Dongming! Apart from the youngest daughter, Yan Jiedi, the other children in the Yan family have all gone astray."

Even if Yan Bugui now realizes his mistake and stops scheming against the remaining three, his children still won't support him in his old age.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming couldn't help but secretly admire Jia Zhangshi's insight.

In the story, Yan Bugui was a shrewd schemer who not only schemed against outsiders but also his own son. He demanded a return on every penny he spent, making him a shrewd "Grandet".

With such a father as a role model, the children become even more unruly.

The mother was given the cold shoulder when she went to her family's restaurant to pick up something. When she was sick and hospitalized, no one was willing to contribute money or effort. In the end, it was her mentally challenged son who took her to her final resting place.

Thinking about other people's trivial matters, Jia Dongming smiled and advised Jia Zhangshi, "Mom! We should just live our own lives well and not meddle in other people's business."

Madam Jia nodded, then suddenly remembered Jia Dongming's departure that morning and quickly asked, "Dongming! Didn't you go out with Lin Qiuyue today? How did it go? I'm thinking of finding Matchmaker Wang in a couple of days to go to the Lin family together and finalize your marriage."

Upon learning of his mother's plan, Jia Dongming immediately nodded and replied, "Mom! I have no problem with that. You can arrange it as you see fit."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi happily said, "Alright! Then I'll go find Matchmaker Wang tomorrow."

Remember to get the letter of introduction ready beforehand, so you can pick up your certificate earlier.

Jia Dongming replied, "Okay! Mom! I understand."

Once I finish my work, I'll go to the factory to get a letter of introduction, and then Qiuyue and I will get our marriage certificate.

The next morning at seven o'clock, Jia Dongming signed in as usual, ate breakfast, and then pushed his bicycle to the steel rolling mill.

"Good morning, Director Jia!"

"Director! Good morning! Why are you at the factory so early today?"

When Jia Dongming rode his bicycle to the gate, the security guards on duty saw him and saluted and greeted him almost simultaneously.

Jia Dongming greeted the two politely, then rode his bicycle toward the office building.

"Good morning, Director!"

Just as Jia Dongming arrived in front of the building, he happened to run into Zhang Guoping, who was coming out of it.

Zhang Guoping quickly stepped forward to greet him.

When Jia Dongming saw him, he remembered the task he had given him before leaving get off work on Saturday, and asked, "Comrade Guoping! I asked you to represent the security department to visit the three injured comrades on Saturday. Did you complete that?"

Zhang Guoping immediately reported: "Director! On Saturday morning, Captain Li and I went to the People's Hospital to see the three comrades. As you requested, we gave each of them a subsidy of one hundred yuan, as well as five jin of meat coupons, one jin of sugar coupons, and ten jin of fine grain coupons."

Jia Dongming nodded and instructed, "Guoping! Last week, we conducted a joint operation with the branch office and raided another enemy spy hideout, seizing a lot of supplies."

I've already discussed the allocation plan with the branch office. If you're free, arrange a car to bring back our share.

Upon hearing that there were supplies to collect, Zhang Guoping's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Chief! How much stuff does the branch office have? Do we need to use trucks to transport it?"

Seeing his greedy look, Jia Dongming couldn't help but laugh and said, "Guoping! You're just like the Third Uncle in our courtyard now, all eyes are on money."

Zhang Guoping chuckled: "Director! I'm just used to living a hard life."

Since you arrived, everyone has finally found hope, which is why I asked the extra question.

Jia Dongming stopped keeping him in suspense and said, "There are about 1,500 catties of rice, 1,500 catties of flour, ten boxes of canned beef, plus more than 3,000 yuan."

Zhang Guoping was overjoyed and immediately assured him, "Director! I'll arrange a car to pick it up from the branch office as soon as I finish what I'm doing."

Jia Dongming nodded and then instructed, "Guoping! After you get the money back, make a subsidy form."

Those who participated in the operation the day before yesterday will each receive a ten-yuan overtime allowance and a can of beef; those who did not participate will each receive a can of beef.

When Zhang Guoping heard that Jia Dongming was preparing to distribute overtime pay to his colleagues again, he couldn't help but have some concerns, considering that Jia Dongming had already arranged overtime pay twice in just half a month since taking office. So he reminded him, "Director, we've already distributed overtime pay twice in the past two weeks. If we distribute it again, what if the higher-ups come to audit the accounts? Won't that cause trouble?"

Jia Dongming sensed Zhang Guoping's concern but responded with a relaxed expression: "Guoping, according to the security department's financial regulations, overtime work is entitled to subsidies."

Since we worked overtime, issuing subsidies is in accordance with regulations.

As long as we do the right thing and act uprightly, we have nothing to fear from inspections.

Zhang Guoping thought about it and realized that the security department's financial regulations were indeed as Jia Dongming had said, with no clear limit on the amount of overtime pay. Jia Dongming's actions were in accordance with the regulations.

Thinking about receiving money again, Zhang Guoping smiled and said, "Director, everyone would be especially happy if they knew we could receive subsidies today."

Jia Dongming nodded, his tone becoming serious: "Guoping, although this money belongs to the public, it was also obtained by our comrades at great risk."

We can't just make people do the work without letting them get any benefits, can we?

"Ring ring! Ring ring! Ring ring!"

Around 10 a.m., the phone on my desk suddenly rang.

Jia Dongming picked up the receiver and politely asked, "Hello, this is the security department of the steel rolling mill. This is Jia Dongming. May I ask who this is?"

"Hello, Comrade Dongming, I am Zhang Huanchun."

Are you free at noon today?

Zhang Huanchun's voice came from the other end of the phone.

Jia Dongming was slightly surprised, and then asked, "Captain Zhang, I don't have any plans for lunch."

Is there something you need from me?

Zhang Huanchun explained his purpose with a smile: "Comrade Dongming, it's like this—didn't we solve the case of the textile factory's stolen wages and help them recover the money? To express our gratitude, Director Liu of the textile factory treated us to lunch at the factory canteen."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming immediately understood the purpose of Zhang Huanchun's call, and then smiled and declined, "Team Leader Zhang, the case was solved by the First Brigade. If the textile factory is to invite someone, it should be the First Brigade. There's no need for me to do it."

Zhang Huanchun insisted, "Comrade Dongming, although the thief was caught by the First Brigade, their negligence led to the suspect being silenced."

If you hadn't discovered the crucial clues and suggested a direction for the investigation, the real culprit would never have been caught, and the textile factory's losses would never have been recovered.

In terms of merit, you should be ranked first.

Having said that, Jia Dongming stopped refusing and smiled as he agreed, "Captain Zhang, since you put it that way, then I shall respectfully comply."

Zhang Huanchun was delighted to hear Jia Dongming agree and quickly said, "Alright, let's meet at the textile factory gate at 11:00 a.m. sharp."