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

Taking the keys from Jia Dongming, Yu Li couldn't contain her emotions as she recalled the grievances she had suffered over the past few days. She gently leaned into Jia Dongming's arms, her voice choked with sobs, and said, "Brother Dongming, if I hadn't met you, I really don't know what I would have done... Brother Dongming, thank you."

Listening to Yu Li's story, Jia Dongming felt a pang of pity and gently comforted her, "Yu Li, as the old saying goes, a tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives."

Let bygones be bygones. No matter what, we must let go of past pain, forget those unpleasant things, and move on to a better life.

With Jia Dongming's help over the past two days, Yu Li has unknowingly developed a dependence on and a sense of security towards him.

With his comforting words, Yu Li gradually stopped crying, looked up at him, and sincerely said, "Brother Dongming, thank you."

At this moment, Jia Dongming felt Yu Li's soft body nestled against him, and the warm touch between them stirred a ripple in his heart.

But Jia Dongming is not the kind of person who takes advantage of others' misfortunes.

In response to Yu Li's thanks, he gently released his grip and asked, "Yu Li, now that you've broken up with Yan Jiecheng, what are your plans for the future?"

Yu Li did not loosen her grip on Jia Dongming's waist, but still leaned on his shoulder, and replied in a daze, "I haven't thought about it yet. I'll just take it one day at a time. I have to find a way to support myself."

Upon hearing her say this, Jia Dongming suddenly remembered the job introduction letter that Director Liu had given him during lunch at the textile factory, and quickly said, "Yu Li, wait a moment, I'll get something for you."

Upon hearing Jia Dongming's words and noticing his actions, Yu Li realized that she had previously thrown herself into his arms. She felt a sense of foreboding and her cheeks flushed red. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to hide, so she could only lower her head and fidget with the hem of her clothes helplessly.

Jia Dongming strode to the bicycle, took down the briefcase hanging from the handlebars, pulled out the envelope given to him by Liu Xiangqian, opened it and unfolded the letter. To his surprise, it was not an introduction letter for an apprentice, but a formal employment letter.

He walked back to Yu Li with the letter in his hand. Seeing her flustered and helpless expression, he smiled and said, "Yu Li! Director Liu of the textile factory invited me to a banquet this afternoon. He is here to deliver this letter of introduction for my position within the factory."

"My wife Huairu already has a job, and I have no relatives or friends here who need to be settled. I am giving this letter to you in the hope that you will start a new life from here."

Yu Li, still feeling ashamed of her previous actions, found this hard to believe. She looked at Jia Dongming with surprise and urgently asked, "Brother Dongming! What did you just say? Could you repeat it?"

Seeing Yu Li's expression, Jia Dongming's smile deepened, and he said gently, "Yu Li! This is your employment certificate for the textile factory. Tomorrow morning, you can take this letter directly to the factory to complete the formalities."

Upon receiving this confirmation, Yu Li still couldn't help but remind him, "Dongming! A job these days can fetch five or six hundred yuan. Are you really going to give me this letter?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming remained calm and replied, "Yu Li! Five or six hundred yuan may seem like a lot, but for me it's just two or three months' salary."

Since there are no relatives in your family who urgently need accommodation, this letter is appropriate for you.

Yan Jiecheng, a close relative, was meticulous about saving every penny; while Jia Dongming, a mere neighbor, had repeatedly lent her a helping hand when she was in trouble, and now he was even giving her a job opportunity for free.

At this moment, Yu Li was radiant, her eyes brimming with emotion. She gazed deeply at Jia Dongming, gently encircling his neck, and whispered, "Brother Dongming! Let me go with you!"

Jia Dongming met that gentle gaze, and a warm current seemed to flow through his heart, but he never liked taking advantage of others' misfortunes.

He suppressed the emotions surging in his chest at Yu Li's expression and said solemnly, "Yu Li! I helped you because I despise Yan Jiecheng's actions, not because I covet your body."

You should think carefully, lest you regret it for the rest of your life because of a momentary feeling of gratitude.

Yu Li looked up at Jia Dongming, who was so close to her, and met his clear, deep eyes. She whispered, "Brother Dongming! I didn't do this on a whim. Please allow me to stay by your side and be by your side."

Jia Dongming, who did not consider himself a saint, did not hesitate when he heard the plea. He stretched out his arms, picked Yu Li up, and went straight to the bedroom in the main house.

About an hour later, Yu Li, whose face was still flushed from the recent passion, murmured softly, savoring the sensations that felt like being bitten by ants and being electrocuted, "So this is what it's like to be a woman."

Jia Dongming gently embraced her slender body and asked with a smile, "Yu Li! Compared to Yan Jiecheng, what do you think of me?"

Upon hearing Yan Jiecheng's name, Yu Li recalled his brief, hasty writing and a look of disgust flashed across her eyes. She replied in a coquettish voice, "Brother Dongming! How can that mediocre Yan Jiecheng be compared to you?"

These words pleased Jia Dongming greatly. He turned slightly and pulled her down to his body, smiling as he said, "It seems you haven't had your fill these past two years. Today, I'll let you fully enjoy the pleasures of being a woman."

Soon after, a series of sounds that made one blush and their heart race filled the bedroom, mixed with the soft creaking of the bed as it swayed.

By the time Jia Dongming left the courtyard, dusk had fallen.

Yu Li lay sprawled on the bed like a limp rag, her face still flushed with the sweet intoxication of spring. She sighed softly, "Brother Dongming is truly valiant. If he hadn't shown me some consideration, I'm afraid I would have been completely annihilated."

Yu Li rested quietly for about half an hour before gradually regaining some strength.

He straightened his clothes and went out of the room. He noticed the tickets and money scattered on the table. Upon closer inspection, he saw that in addition to grain coupons and meat coupons, there was also a bicycle purchase coupon.

Seeing the object evoked emotions, and tears suddenly streamed down my face. An unprecedented sense of peace and warmth slowly spread through my heart.

These days, divorces are rare, and even those in difficult circumstances often manage to stay together.

After severing her ties with Yan Jiecheng in the morning, Yu Li felt lost about her future—knowing that divorced women often face many hardships in life, and unless she was forced to marry a disabled or old man, the happiness she once longed for might be in vain.

However, when the ship of fate was tossed about and swayed, she unexpectedly met Jia Dongming.

Jia Dongming's arrival was like a ray of fire igniting in the endless night, a light that not only warmed her heart but also dispelled all her anxieties, fears, and confusion about the years to come.

The next morning around seven o'clock, Yu Li woke up and looked at the unfamiliar roof beams above her head, only then did she suddenly remember everything that had happened the day before.

Reflecting on yesterday's events, a sense of relief she had never felt before washed over her, and she felt a surge of anticipation for the days to come. She couldn't help but whisper to herself, "Yu Li! From now on, you're no longer that timid wife who had to be careful about what others thought, even if she ate just one more bite of pickled vegetables."

"From this moment on, you are a working person with a formal job, a worker who no longer has to act according to anyone's wishes, a woman with a solid support behind her."

After tidying up and washing up, Yu Li took her keys and money, locked the gate, and headed towards the bus stop.

Because of the reassurance Jia Dongming gave her, Yu Li went into a breakfast stall for the first time when she passed by. She ordered two meat buns and a bowl of soy milk. After eating her fill, she also bought some for her mother and sister before taking the bus to the People's Hospital.

"Sis! Why are you so late this morning?"

When Yu Haitang saw Yu Li carrying a cloth bag, she looked puzzled. Just as she finished asking, she suddenly smelled a meaty aroma and immediately asked curiously, "Huh? Sister, why do you smell like meat?"

When people encounter happy events, their spirits naturally lift.

Just a few days ago, Yu Li was full of worry, but now she was in the mood to joke with Yu Haitang, asking in return, "Haitang, were you dreaming about eating meat? Where did I smell of meat?"

Hearing her say that, Yu Haitang felt as if her sister was a completely different person today. She sniffed, her gaze finally landing on the cloth bag in Yu Li's hand, and exclaimed with delight, "That's right! It smells like meat buns! Sister, did you buy big meat buns for me and Mom?"

"Haitang, you have such a keen nose, just like a puppy. You can even smell the aroma of a meat bun."

Yu Li smiled as she walked to the bedside, glanced at her mother lying there, placed the cloth bag on the bedside table, teased Yu Haitang a couple of times, and then softly asked her mother, "Mom, are you feeling better today? I bought some meat buns and your favorite soy milk; I'll feed you some."

Yu's mother turned her head from the bed and immediately noticed that Yu Li looked much brighter and more cheerful today. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief and replied in a weak voice, "Li, you've had a hard time these past two days. I feel much better now."

As Yu Li opened the cloth bag, she said softly, "Mom, I'm your daughter. It's only right that I take care of you. There's nothing hard about it."

"Sis! You've struck it rich! You bought so many big meat buns! How much did that cost? With my brother-in-law's personality, would he really spend money to buy meat buns for Mom?"

When Yu Haitang saw the meat buns and soy milk in the bag, she remembered Yan Jiecheng's usual stingy manner and couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing "Yan Jiecheng"

Upon hearing those three words, Yu Li's face immediately darkened, and she said sternly to Haitang, "Haitang, don't mention this person in front of me again."

Seeing Yu Li's displeasure, Yu Haitang shrank back and obediently agreed, "Sister, I understand."

Hearing this from Yu Li's hospital bed, and sensing the annoyance in Yu Li's tone, Yu's mother felt guilty and whispered, "Xiao Li, it's all my fault... If I hadn't gotten this illness, you wouldn't have argued with Jie Cheng. I'm the one who's dragging you down."

Yu Li quickly reassured her, "Mom, this has nothing to do with you."

It was my poor judgment that led me to fall for someone like Yan Jiecheng.

It's my good fortune that your illness allowed me to see his true colors.

If a few more years pass, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to turn back.

Upon hearing this, Yu's mother could only sigh, not knowing what else to say. She could only lie there silently, blaming herself for dragging her daughter down with her.

After feeding her mother breakfast, Yu Li remembered that she still had to report to the textile factory, so she called Yu Haitang to the corridor, took out two yuan, some grain coupons and a meat coupon from her pocket and handed them to her, saying, "Haitang, take these money and coupons."

Yu Haitang was surprised to see the money and notes handed to her: "Sister, why are you giving me so much money and notes?"

Yu Li lowered her voice and told Haitang, "Haitang, I divorced Yan Jiecheng yesterday, and I have nothing to do with him anymore..."

"Sis! What did you say? You and your husband—"

Upon hearing the news of the divorce, Yu Haitang's eyes widened, and she almost cried out.

Yu Li quickly covered her mouth and reminded her, "If you're not afraid Mom will hear, then go ahead and shout."

Remembering that her mother was still in the hospital room, Yu Haitang immediately lowered her voice and asked, "Sister, why did you divorce Yan Jiecheng? What are you going to do now?"

When she left yesterday, Yu Li was also at a loss and filled with anxiety about the future.

But ever since she met Jia Dongming, her life seems to have taken a sudden turn, and now all she has left in her heart is longing for the future.

Seeing Haitang's worries, Yu Li smiled and comforted her, "Haitang! You don't need to worry about my affairs."

I also found a job at a textile factory, and I have to report for duty this morning. From now on, I probably won't have time to visit Mom as often, except on my days off.

If you need anything, just come find me at the textile factory.

"What? Sis, you found a job at the textile factory? Is it true? Is it a temporary job or an apprenticeship?"

Upon hearing this news, Yu Haitang's face once again showed an expression of disbelief, and she hurriedly pressed Yu Li for answers.

When Yu Li heard her sister's question, she really wanted to tell her that it was actually Wu Aiguo who helped arrange the formal job.

However, considering her relationship with Wu Aiguo and the fact that she had just divorced, Yu Li simply explained, "It's a temporary job, but if I do well, I have a chance to become a permanent employee."

Yu Haitang was genuinely happy for her sister and immediately said, "Sister! It seems your luck has suddenly turned around after you divorced Yan Jiecheng."

If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have left him sooner.

Yu Li heard "her luck is turning around".

I wholeheartedly agree with these words.

It was because she was separated from Yan Jie that she met Jia Dongming again on her way to find Fangfang.

Jia Dongming sympathized with her situation, which is why he gave her the job at the textile factory.

It was only because she was with Jia Dongming that she truly experienced the happiness of being cared for and loved.