Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

In the evening, in a traditional courtyard house near Hongmiao...

Sun Decai helped his grandfather into the main room. As soon as he settled the old man into the armchair, he eagerly asked, "Grandpa, are you really alright?"

Old Sun closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling slightly. He glanced behind him, shook his head, and said nothing.

He went to the hospital for a checkup today, and everything was fine; that thing hadn't even gone into his stomach.

As for fainting, that was just a little trick he used to get away; staying in the hospital until now was all an act!

Following behind the two were three other people: Zhang Weimin, the president of the Food Association; Zhao Zhiguo, the vice president; and Sun Jianguo, the son of Sun Lao, the father of Sun Decai, and another vice president of the association.

Sun Jianguo was in his late fifties, wore glasses, and had a refined appearance.

He first poured his father a cup of hot tea, then turned to the two presidents and said politely, "President Zhang, Vice President Zhao, please have a seat."

"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused the association today."

Zhang Weimin sighed and said, "Jianguo, we're all on the same side, so I won't beat around the bush!"

He paused, then looked at Elder Sun, who was resting with his eyes closed: "Elder Sun, you are a senior, and I shouldn't say this, but today you gave Decai a perfect score and He Yuzhu a low score... It was too obvious. With so many judges watching, this matter couldn't be kept secret at all."

Old Sun opened his eyes, a cold glint in them: "Do I need to consider other people's opinions when giving scores?"

"Dad~" Sun Jianguo gently pressed his father's hand, turned to Zhang Weimin and said, "Chairman Zhang, my father only gave me a high score because he loves his grandson so much."

"As for He Yuzhu... his skills are good, but he's so young and already resorts to petty tricks to attract attention. My father gave him a low score to dampen his arrogance; it was for his own good!"

Zhao Zhiguo said with a wry smile, "Jianguo, it's no use telling us this! The problem now is that the Commerce Bureau has determined that the competition was unfair and has asked the association to submit a rectification report within a week."

"Deputy Director Zheng personally stated that if we cannot rectify the situation, this association has no reason to exist!"

"Bang!"

Old Sun slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Reform? Reform who? Who does he think he is? I used to cook for the soldiers on the front lines."

"Dad, calm down." Sun Jianguo pressed down on his father, his face also darkening. "Chairman Zhang, Vice Chairman Zhao, my father has worked tirelessly for our association this year. Even if he hasn't made any great contributions, he has certainly put in a lot of hard work."

"It's not right to discard someone now that they've served their purpose, all because of something involving a junior!"

Zhang Weimin shook his head and said, "Jianguo, it's not that we want to do anything... You know that the Oriental Hotel is a directly affiliated unit, and He Yuzhu is currently one of their key talents. We are in the wrong in this matter, and the association must give an explanation."

Silence fell in the room...

Zhang Weimin and his colleague were also in a dilemma, as no one paid any attention to them in the early days of the association's establishment.

It was Old Sun who took the initiative to approach them and led them around to break through the impasse.

After a long pause, Sun Jianguo adjusted his glasses and slowly said, "I understand what the two chairmen mean!"

"Well then, my father is getting old and it's really not suitable for him to work hard anymore. From today onwards, he will no longer participate in any association activities."

"Build the nation!" Old Sun exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Sun Jianguo waved his hand and continued, "As for me... as the vice president of the association, I bear leadership responsibility for the problems that occurred in today's competition. I request to be suspended from my duties for three months to reflect on my actions."

"And virtue and talent too!"

He looked at his son and said sternly, "You've caused such a mess as soon as you joined Fengzeyuan. Go and resign tomorrow, don't wait for others to tell you."

"Father!" Sun Decai jumped to his feet. "Why? I finally..."

"Shut up!" Sun Jianguo yelled. "Aren't you embarrassed enough already?"

Sun Decai clenched his fists so tightly they cracked, but seeing his father's cold eyes, he finally slumped down.

Zhang Weimin and Zhao Zhiguo exchanged a glance and both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Jianguo, it's good that you think that way." Zhang Weimin stood up. "Then we'll head back now. Take good care of yourself during this time!"

After the two left, the atmosphere in the room changed immediately.

Sun Decai suddenly stood up and kicked over a chair: "Damn it, He Yuzhu, I'm not finished with you!"

"Sit down!" Sun Jianguo snapped. "Have you forgotten how pathetic you looked on the field today, getting kicked like that? I'm ashamed for you!"

"I..." Sun Decai wanted to refute, but couldn't say a word.

Old Master Sun slowly spoke, "Jianguo, are you really going to be suspended from your post for three months?"

"Father, there's nothing we can do about it!"

Sun Jianguo sat down again and analyzed, "We're in the thick of things right now, and stubbornly sticking to our guns will only make things worse! Once this is over, I can try to pull some strings and maybe I can get back in."

He paused, a sinister glint in his eyes, and said, "But that He Yuzhu... so ruthless at such a young age, he absolutely cannot be allowed to live."

Sun Decai's eyes lit up: "Dad, do you have a plan?"

Instead of answering directly, Sun Jianguo asked, "De Cai, you had contact with him at the Emei Restaurant. Do you know anything about his background?"

Sun Decai thought for a moment: "He used to be an apprentice at the Emei Restaurant. I heard that his father ran away with someone, and then, I don't know what kind of luck he had, he got a job at the Dongfang Hotel..."

Sun Jianguo suddenly asked, "Where does he live?"

"I need to ask someone about this, Dad. You're asking this because you want to..." Sun Decai became excited.

"I didn't mean anything by it!" Sun Jianguo said calmly. "This matter needs careful consideration. Go to Fengzeyuan tomorrow to complete your resignation. Keep a low profile for now, and wait until things calm down..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the fierce look in his eyes said it all.

Old Sun nodded in satisfaction: "Jianguo, I'll leave this matter to you."

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Time flies, and it's already the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, which is also the Little New Year in the north.

During this period, He Yuzhu was extremely busy, leaving home early every morning and returning late at night.

Even the older women in the compound who wanted to introduce him to potential partners could only postpone it until after the New Year.

"Zhu Zi, my niece is incredibly beautiful. When would you have time to meet her?"

"I'll bring you here after the New Year!"

"Zhu Zi, my niece just graduated from teachers' college. She's beautiful and has a good personality..."

"Bring it to me after the New Year!"

He Yuzhu now greets people like a broken record, repeating the same phrases every day.

But the aunties remained enthusiastic, introducing him to potential partners one after another, making him experience being in high demand.

Master Lu came to help him install the wooden dummy a few days ago, and He Yuzhu even had someone build a shed at the window for this purpose.