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

Thinking of Jia Dongming, who was always considerate of her, Yu Li couldn't help but smile warmly and replied, "Haitang! You're right. Only after leaving Yan Jiecheng did I understand why I should live."

I have to rush to the textile factory to report for duty now, so please take care of Mom in my care.

Yu Haitang saw Yu Li's expression clearly.

She was a little puzzled, thinking to herself, "What's wrong with my sister? Shouldn't she be crying her eyes out and waiting for me to comfort her? Why is she acting like nothing's wrong, even looking quite happy and content?"

If you can't figure it out, then stop thinking about it.

Upon hearing her sister's words, Yu Haitang immediately replied, "Sister! Then you should hurry up and report for duty! I'll take care of things here with Mom."

If anything happens, I'll come find you at the textile factory.

Yu Li nodded, turned and walked into the ward, and whispered to her mother lying on the bed, "Mom! I have to go to work. Let Haitang take care of you here."

"Just tell her what you want to eat, and she'll go buy it."

After hearing this, Yu's mother...

Jia Dongming had only been transferred to the security department of the steel rolling mill for two weeks when he led the department to win a collective second-class merit award and gave the team members overtime pay that was almost equivalent to two months' salary.

Therefore, his colleagues in the security department had great faith in him and even admired him to some extent.

After having breakfast, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle to the steel rolling mill.

When the security team members saw him, they all greeted him warmly.

Jia Dongming responded to each of them, then went into his office to begin his day's work.

Around 10 a.m., Jia Dongming finished his work, told his office, and then rode his bicycle away from the steel rolling mill.

Twenty minutes later, he rode his bicycle to his residence on Gulou East Street.

Seeing the lock on the gate, I knew that Yu Li probably hadn't returned from the textile factory yet.

So he took out his keys, opened the door, and pushed his bicycle into the yard.

After parking the car, Jia Dongming went into the kitchen and took out rice, noodles, meat, and vegetables from his personal storage space, placing them out one by one.

He then lit the coal stove, boiled a kettle of water, and carried the thermos into the main room.

After completing her onboarding procedures at the textile factory with her letter of introduction, Yu Li, accompanied by office staff, went to the logistics department to collect her work clothes and labor protection supplies.

She happily carried her bags and left the textile factory.

Yu Li carried her things and took the bus back to Gulou East Street.

Upon reaching the entrance of the courtyard house, I saw that the door lock was already open, and a joyful smile immediately appeared on my face.

She quickly pushed open the door and went inside.

"Brother Dongming! Brother Dongming! What brings you here today?"

Yu Li carried her things into the main room and saw Jia Dongming drinking tea. She asked him happily.

When Jia Dongming saw that she was carrying two large bags of items, he immediately got up to take them and asked with a smile, "Yu Li! I saw that you didn't have much to eat here, so I brought you some."

Did the morning check-in go smoothly?

Yu Li nodded and replied cheerfully, "Yes! Everything went smoothly."

The factory assigned me to work as an inspector in the workshop. The first three months were my probationary period, and my monthly salary was 18.5 yuan. After that, it would be 28.5 yuan.

I'll officially start work tomorrow morning.

Hearing this, Jia Dongming nodded in satisfaction and said gently, "Yu Li! It's a bit far from the textile factory. Remember to buy a bicycle this afternoon; it will make commuting easier."

Remembering the money and tickets Jia Dongming had left her yesterday, Yu Li asked hesitantly, "Brother Dongming! I just started working, isn't it too conspicuous to buy a bicycle?"

Jia Dongming reached out and gently pulled her to his side, letting her sit on his lap. He smiled and said, "We don't steal or rob; we earn money through our own abilities. What's so conspicuous about that?"

Yu Li leaned against him and nodded obediently, "Okay! Brother Dongming! I'll do whatever you say. I'll go buy the bicycle this afternoon."

Seeing Yu Li's obedience, Jia Dongming wrapped one arm around her waist and naturally reached out with the other hand towards her body.

Yu Li let out a soft moan as he skillfully caressed her. She quickly pressed down on his wandering hand, her eyes glistening with tears, and said in a soft voice, "Brother Dongming! You must be hungry. I'll go prepare some food right away."

Jia Dongming noticed that she wanted to hide, so he picked her up in his arms and said as he walked, "Yu Li, I don't want to eat right now, I just want to taste you first."

"I'll think about other things after I've fed you."

Around 1 p.m., Jia Dongming, under Yu Li's reluctant gaze, rode his bicycle with renewed vigor to the steel rolling mill.

After he left, Yu Li went back to her room to make the bed before taking her money and tickets and taking the bus to the department store.

Around 5 p.m., Jia Dongming returned to the courtyard house after get off work. As he pushed his cart into the yard, he saw Yan Bugui standing there and greeted him with a smile, "Third Uncle, you're discharged from the hospital?"

When Yan Bugui saw that it was Jia Dongming, he looked somewhat embarrassed when he thought about his family. He replied, "It costs several cents a day to stay in the hospital. It's better to go home and rest."

"Dongming, just got off work?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming smiled and reminded him, "Third Uncle, health is the foundation. Don't sacrifice your health just to save a little money."

Yan Bugui nodded gratefully: "Dongming, thank you for your concern. I know my own body well, I'm definitely fine."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jia Dongming pushed his bicycle toward the central courtyard.

"Dongming, you're back?"

When Jia Zhangshi saw her son return, she immediately got up from the small stool and asked happily.

Jia Dongming parked his bicycle and said to his mother, "Mom, is dinner ready? I'm a little hungry."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia hurriedly called into the house, "Huai Ru! Is the food ready? Dong Ming is hungry, so hurry up and finish!"

Qin Huairu, who was busy in the kitchen, replied, "Mom, dinner is ready, we can eat now."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi picked up the winnowing basket from the ground and went into the house with Jia Dongming.

"Uncle, you're off work!"

Bang Geng, who was doing his homework at the table, saw Jia Dongming and greeted him happily.

Little Dang, who had been watching his mother cook from the kitchen doorway, ran over with his tiny steps, stretched out his little hands, and called out in his childish voice, "Uncle, hug me!"

Jia Dongming ruffled Bang Geng's hair, bent down to pick up Xiao Dang, and asked gently, "Xiao Dang, were you good at home today?"

Xiao Dang nodded vigorously: "Xiao Dang is such a good girl, she even helps Grandma look after her little sister."

Jia Dongming smiled, pretended to reach into his pocket, but actually took out a few White Rabbit milk candies from his system space, and said to Xiao Dang, "You're such a good boy, Uncle will reward you with a candy. You can eat it after you finish eating."

When Xiao Dang saw the candy, he clapped his hands happily: "There's candy! Xiao Dang has candy!"

Jia Dongming put the candy into Xiaodang's pocket, and handed the rest to Banggeng, saying, "Banggeng, this is for you. Keep it safe and eat it slowly."

Banggeng took the candy and happily thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle!"

"Dongming, have you heard? Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li have divorced."

After putting down the winnowing basket, Jia Zhangshi returned to the main room and shared the news with her son in a low voice.

Jia Dongming already knew about this, and Yu Li was now his woman, but he still feigned surprise: "Mom, really? Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng are divorced?"

Jia Zhangshi nodded firmly: "Although it won't be easy for Yu Li to find someone else after the divorce, it's still better than struggling to live with a selfish person like Yan Jiecheng."

Jia Dongming agreed: "As the old saying goes, 'Marry a man for food and clothing.'"

Yan Jiecheng couldn't even provide for their basic needs, so it's understandable that Yu Li left him.

"Bang Geng, hurry up and finish your homework. Eat first, then you can do your homework."

Qin Huairu came out of the kitchen carrying two plates of food and called out to her son.

After their passionate encounter, Qin Huairu nestled contentedly in Jia Dongming's arms, her eyes filled with tenderness and sweetness. She whispered, "Brother Dongming, my dad had his surgery a while ago, and I'd like to go back to Qin Family Village to see him this weekend."

Jia Dongming gently patted her back and replied, "Okay, just let me know before you go, and I'll prepare some things for you to take back."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu nestled even closer to him and said softly, "Brother Dongming, it's so good to have you."

Jia Dongming patted her and said softly, "Huai Ru, it's getting late. You have to go to work tomorrow. Go to sleep."

"Ring ring! Ring ring! Ring ring!"

The next morning at around nine o'clock, the phone in Jia Dongming's office suddenly rang.

Jia Dongming picked up the phone and asked in a calm tone, "Hello, this is Jia Dongming."

May I ask who you are?

"Director Jia, this is Li Huaide."

The special workshop has just finished processing a batch of parts, and your security department needs to arrange a team of armed personnel to escort them to Harbin.

Li Huaide's gentle voice came from the other end of the phone.

After a moment's thought, Jia Dongming asked, "Director Li, when is this batch of goods scheduled to be shipped?"

Li Huaide replied, "It's scheduled for next Monday, three trucks in total."

We need you to deploy a company to provide escort along the route.

Jia Dongming readily agreed: "Okay, I will make the arrangements and cooperate with the factory to complete the task."

Li Huaide smiled and thanked him, "Director Jia, then on behalf of the factory, I thank you in advance."

Jia Dongming responded modestly: "Director Li is too kind."

Ensuring the transportation of materials within the factory is, by definition, the responsibility of the security department.

Li Huaide seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, Director Jia, I heard that our factory's new director will be taking office in a few days."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming asked with a hint of curiosity, "What's the new factory director's background? Where did he come from?"

Li Huaide revealed: "The new factory director is named Chen Weizhong, who previously worked at Anshan Iron and Steel Plant."

They're supposed to be here this Thursday.

Although the security department was subordinate to Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, it was not actually under the direct jurisdiction of the mill.

Therefore, the change of factory director had little impact on Jia Dongming.

Jia Dongming smiled and then asked, "Director Li, what about you? Has the Ministry of Industry reassigned you to a different position?"

Li Huaide said happily, "Thanks to you, I am now the third-ranked deputy factory director."

Jia Dongming waved his hands repeatedly: "This has nothing to do with me, please don't say that."

Li Huaide smiled and said, "Director Jia, there's no need to be so modest."

"Once I'm done with these next few days, I'll definitely treat you to a meal."

Just then, Xie Jian, the office director, knocked on the door and came in, respectfully reporting, "Director, the branch office has something important to discuss with you."

Because your office phone was busy, the call was transferred to your office.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming immediately said to the person on the other end of the phone, "Director Li, something's come up at the branch office. I'll go there to handle it first, and we'll talk later."

After hanging up the phone, Jia Dongming quickly walked back to his office, picked up the receiver, and said, "Hello, this is Jia Dongming."

Who is this?

A middle-aged male voice came from the other end: "Deputy Captain Jia, this is Zhou Jin from the Second Brigade."

A case occurred late last night at a machine repair shop where a female worker was dragged into an abandoned yard on her way home from get off work, where she was tortured and strangled to death.

Jia Dongming's expression turned serious, and he asked, "Any leads on the suspect?"

Zhou Jin reported: "Deputy Captain Jia, we have visited the deceased's workplace and the area around his residence, but so far we have not found any useful clues."

Jia Dongming said in a deep voice, "I'll be at the branch office right away."

He put down the phone and instructed Xie Jian, "Director Xie, I'm going to the branch office."

If Corey has any urgent matters, call me at the precinct.

Xie Jian nodded and replied, "Understood, Director."

About twenty minutes later, Jia Dongming arrived at the branch office by bicycle.

As soon as he entered the Second Brigade office, Zhou Jin came forward to greet him: "Deputy Captain Jia, the deceased was named Wang Qiuyan, and she was the logistics warehouse manager of the machine repair factory."

I got off work late yesterday because of warehouse inventory.

Jia Dongming asked directly, "Where are we now? Take me there first."

Zhou Jin led the way: "Stop at the forensic department, I'll take you there right away."

The two quickly arrived at the morgue.