Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Lu, the head of the housing management department, a shrewd and perceptive man, immediately put on a beaming smile and smoothed things over, subtly flattering both sides:

"Director Li, you see, Section Chief Liu is a true combat hero. His habits are definitely different from ours, who sit in offices. It's only right and proper for the organization to take care of heroes and solve their practical difficulties."

Since Director Liu is so magnanimous and took the initiative to choose the more troublesome single-story courtyard house instead of the readily available building quota, which reflects his character, our factory would also like to express our appreciation.

"I think it's appropriate for the factory to cover the costs of repairing and painting the east courtyard, as well as purchasing basic furniture. It's a gesture of organizational care. What do you think?"

After he finished speaking, he carefully observed Li Huaide's expression.

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide finally smiled knowingly and pointed at Section Chief Lu with his finger:

"You sly old Lu, you really know how to play the good guy. You've got me figured out perfectly! Fine!"

He turned to Liu Jianguo, his tone becoming much warmer, "Comrade Jianguo, settling down is a big deal, and the factory supports you. Just do as Lao Lu said, settle down steadily, and get back to work with a lighter burden as soon as possible."

"Thank you for the organization's care! Thank you, Director Li! Thank you, Section Chief Lu!"

Liu Jianguo immediately stood up and spoke in a voice almost like he was shouting a report in the army, while giving a standard military salute despite being retired, his face revealing just the right amount of excitement. This slightly "outdated" and undisguised gratitude perfectly matched the image of a naive demobilized officer who had just come from the disciplined forces.

Liu Jianguo felt a little relieved, knowing that he had passed this hurdle, and the result was even better than expected. The factory would pay for the renovations, saving him a large sum of start-up capital.

He suppressed the turmoil within him and said in a calm tone:

"Thank you, Section Chief Lu. I think this single-story courtyard house suits my taste perfectly. Could you please help me with the necessary paperwork? Money is not an issue. I'll choose this east wing."

Li Huaide smiled and smoothed things over: "Great, Comrade Jianguo has good taste. It's a detached house, quiet and peaceful. Old Lu, hurry up and get the paperwork done for Director Liu. If there's anything that needs coordination, just tell me."

"Okay, Director Li, Section Chief Liu, I'll take care of it right away," Section Chief Lu quickly agreed.

As Liu Jianguo walked out of Li Huaide's office, he knew that his life in this era was about to truly begin.

The first stage was the famous No. 95 Nanluoguxiang Courtyard.

The subsequent procedures went exceptionally smoothly. Accompanied by Section Chief Lu, Liu Jianguo arrived at the subdistrict office.

The subdistrict office is located in a neat courtyard house, except that the back building facing the street has been converted into office space.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, a middle-aged woman in her forties, with a sharp look and wearing a faded gray Lenin suit, her short hair neatly combed, greeted me with a warm yet authoritative smile.

"Old Lu! What brings you here today? And who is this comrade?"

"Director Wang, I've been needing your help with something important."

Section Chief Lu quickly introduced them with a smile, "This is Liu Jianguo, the new deputy director of the security department at our factory, a combat hero. Director Liu, this is Director Wang from the street office, the local official in charge of this area."

Director Wang's gaze immediately fell on Liu Jianguo, his eyes lit up, and he reached out and firmly grasped Liu Jianguo's hands.

"Oh! You must be Comrade Liu Jianguo. We received calls from the Armed Forces Department and the district government a while ago, saying that a combat hero who received a first-class merit award is going to settle in our Nanluoguxiang. Welcome! Welcome so much! You're bringing honor to our neighborhood!"

Her enthusiasm came from the heart, carrying the respect of a grassroots cadre meeting a true hero.

Liu Jianguo also shook hands firmly in return, his attitude humble:

"Director Wang, hello! I'm sorry to trouble you. From now on, I'll be part of the neighborhood committee, and I look forward to your guidance."

Liu Jianguo thought to himself: Sure enough, time travelers come and go, but Director Wang remains constant. This street-level leader has an imposing presence and acts decisively; he is a true figure of power. In the future, whether in life or at work, he will inevitably have to deal with him. He must maintain a good relationship with him, but he must also be neither arrogant nor servile.

Upon entering the office, Director Wang personally oversaw the process, with clerk Xiao Zhang running around doing everything. Procedures such as household registration and property transfer proceeded smoothly without any obstacles.

Liu Jianguo took out eight neatly bundled ten-yuan bills from his old military satchel, which he was actually carrying, and handed them over. The bundle contained exactly eight hundred yuan.

Looking at Liu Jianguo's young yet composed face and the thick wad of cash, Director Wang's admiration deepened.

"Director Liu is a very straightforward person. Don't worry, all the procedures will be completed today."

Once everything was settled, Director Wang took the keys and said to Section Chief Lu and Liu Jianguo:

"Come on, I'll take you to No. 95 Courtyard to get acquainted with the place and to say hello to the long-time residents. We'll all be neighbors from now on."

As the three of them walked out of the neighborhood office, the cold winter wind immediately hit them.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire Nanluoguxiang in a warm orange hue, enveloping the gray brick walls, mottled wooden doors, and withered grass on the rooftops in a nostalgic glow.

The alleyway was filled with the faint smell of coal smoke and the subtle aroma of food, with the occasional sound of bicycle bells and a mother calling her child home for dinner.

As I approached the familiar red-lacquered wooden door of courtyard number 95, I saw a middle-aged man with thick glasses, a slender build, and an old cotton-padded coat squatting on the ground in front of the west wing of the front yard. He was meticulously pressing down the soil around the roots of several pots of jasmine plants, which were half-wilted in the winter, with extremely careful movements, as if he were completing a delicate work of art. It was Yan Bugui.

Hearing footsteps, Yan Bugui looked up sharply, his eyes behind his glasses instantly catching sight of Director Wang. A warm, even exaggerated, smile immediately spread across his face. He quickly put down his small shovel, wiped his hands on his clothes, and jogged over, his body unconsciously bowing slightly.

"Oh my! Director Wang! You're a rare guest! What brings you here... to guide our hospital's sanitation work, or do you have some new instructions?"

His words were courteous, but his gaze swept quickly across Section Chief Lu beside him like a searchlight, finally settling firmly on the composed and upright Liu Jianguo, his eyes filled with curiosity and calculation.

Director Wang, with a formulaic smile on his face and a calm tone, said:

"Teacher Yan, it's good that you're here. Let me introduce you to a new neighbor. This is Comrade Liu Jianguo, the deputy director of the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, a combat hero who has been awarded a first-class merit."

From now on, the east wing of our compound will be Director Liu's home. Please also give a heads-up to everyone in the compound, young and old, about it.

"Oh! Director Liu! Welcome! You're so kind as to welcome us! It's an honor to have you here!"