Courtyard House: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick

Yang Wei looked distressed and spread his hands, saying, "Grandma, we're only in the early stages of a planned economy now. A complete transition to a market economy won't happen until the 1990s. It's not that I can't write this report, it's just the wrong time! Even if I did write it, there wouldn't be any room for maneuver, and I might even make mistakes."

"I don't care! I accepted that you couldn't do it before." Yang Yourong's eyebrows furrowed, she stomped her foot, and gritted her teeth, "But you took advantage of me just now, this isn't over! If you don't give me something substantial today, I'll open the door and yell 'pervert!'"

After saying that, she rushed to the door, put her hand on the doorknob, and looked like she was ready to open the door and shout outside if Yang Wei dared to say "no".

This is a state guesthouse!

If this were to be shouted out, Yang Wei had no doubt that he would be dragged into jail the next second. At that point, no matter what his status or background was, it would all be useless in front of Miss Yang Yourong.

"You...you're being unreasonable!" Yang Wei said helplessly, resorting to his previous excuse, "We have a gentleman's agreement, and you promised me that!"

"Hmph, I'm a woman, not a gentleman!" Yang Yourong raised her chin, speaking with righteous indignation. "The ancients were right; women and petty men are indeed difficult to deal with. Today, I'll show you!"

Yang Wei was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth, staring at her for a long time without being able to say a word.

"Stop talking nonsense, just tell me if you're going to write it or not, give me a straight answer!" Yang Yourong pressed on relentlessly, her hands never stopping, as if she was about to twist the door lock.

Seeing the other party's aggressive attitude, Yang Wei knew that if he didn't leave something behind today, this brat would definitely not let it go. He plopped down in a chair, his brows furrowed.

It's certain he can't write. If those advanced theories were to be put forward, regardless of whether they would change the course of history, the resulting public outcry would be enough to cause him serious trouble. At best, he'd lose his freedom; at worst, he'd cause a major upheaval.

Silence fell in the room. Yang Yourong stopped urging him and stood to the side with her arms crossed, clearly determined to wait it out.

Ten minutes later, Yang Wei let out a long breath.

Yang Yourong's expression hardened; she knew the final moment had arrived.

"Teacher Yang, I really can't write this report. It's not that I don't know how, it's just inappropriate. Writing it would only harm you and me." Yang Wei said seriously, staring at her. "Even if I explained it to you, you might not understand. Here's what I'll do: call the person behind you, and I'll speak to him directly. This is my biggest concession. If that still doesn't work, then you can open the door and call for help."

Seeing how serious Yang Wei was, Yang Yourong realized that this matter might be beyond her control. She paused for a moment, then turned around, locked the door, and quickly walked to the bedside to pick up the phone.

"Is this the switchboard? Connect me to my father's office, immediately! It's extremely urgent!"

This phone was specially installed by Yang Yourong; it was a dedicated line with signal coverage covering most of Beijing.

Before it had rang a few times, a deep, steady male voice came through the receiver.

"Xiao Rong, what's wrong? Did you finish what you were told?"

Hearing her father's voice, Yang Yourong turned to look at Yang Wei, who was sitting in a chair drinking tea. She took a deep breath and lowered her voice, saying, "Dad, Yang Wei wants to speak to you personally... He's right next to me now, is that convenient?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if they were weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing that her father did not object, Yang Yourong immediately handed him the receiver.

Seeing this, Yang Wei didn't stand on ceremony. He stepped forward, took the phone, and immediately launched into a tirade: "Hey, big leaders, how to transition from a planned economy to a market economy is your business. I'm just an ordinary citizen, I don't understand why you all have to keep harping on me!"

Yang Yourong, standing to the side, turned pale and her heart leaped into her throat. How could someone speak to an elder with such a lack of manners? But since the words had already been spoken, she couldn't just snatch the phone away and could only grit her teeth and wait and see.

To her surprise, instead of the expected scolding, she heard a calm voice on the other end of the phone, even one with a hint of appreciation.

"The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. Is this reason sufficient?"

Upon hearing these words, Yang Wei was speechless, and his hand holding the phone froze for a moment.

With such a heavy accusation, who dares to say it's not enough?

If anyone else were to talk to him about matters of national importance, he would definitely roll his eyes and think they were a fool. But when these words come from the mouth of a person of such stature, they carry a different weight. In this era, there truly are predecessors who have the world in their hearts and shoulder responsibilities.

Yang Wei truly admired this integrity.

"...Enough! You win."

Yang Wei sighed and rubbed his temples. "Fine, I'll get straight to the point. But I have one condition: this is a secret between heaven, earth, you, and me, and I don't want a third person to hear it, including your daughter. Is that alright?"

The man on the other end of the phone hesitated for a moment, but finally readily agreed: "Okay, I promise you."

Yang Wei glanced at Yang Yourong and saw that she was trying to eavesdrop, so he moved two steps to the side, lowered his voice, and started "teaching mode".

"A planned economy is the optimal solution for the current national conditions; it is the foundation and cannot be touched. A market economy may seem promising, but that is someone else's path. Forcing it onto us is like cutting off our feet to fit the shoes. What is most suitable is the best."

"The contradiction between productivity and supply and demand cannot be resolved in a day or two; it takes time. There are some things that the authorities can't say, but I have to tell you the truth—there's a rough saying among the people: 'If you take too big a step, you'll easily tear your balls.' It's a rough saying, but the principle is sound; think about it carefully."

Regardless of whether the other party could digest it, Yang Wei poured out a bunch of valuable information, and finally concluded: "So, stay calm and don't rush."

Although Yang Yourong, who was standing to the side, couldn't hear the specific content, her eyes grew brighter and brighter as she looked at Yang Wei's commanding posture. Her eyes seemed to want to devour Yang Wei alive, as if she were looking at a walking treasure.

After hanging up the phone, Yang Wei let out a long sigh of relief, turned to look at Yang Yourong, and said in a much more relaxed tone, "Your dad promised that no one will bother me anymore. I hope you can keep your word."

After saying that, he didn't give Yang Yourong a chance to speak again. He turned around, opened the locked door, and strode away.

As soon as the others left, Yang Yourong eagerly grabbed the phone and dialed back.

"Dad, are we just going to let it go like this? Aren't we going to try?"

"I had to try, he sees right through me. I was definitely too hasty; taking too big a step can easily lead to problems." The man on the other end of the phone sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness and relief. "Since he's in Beijing, he's like a bird in a cage; he can't escape. We'll see what happens next."

After a pause, the man suddenly changed the subject: "But you, I have a few private words to say to you."

"You said it, Dad," Yang Yourong replied obediently.

"You're not getting any younger, you'll be twenty-nine after the New Year. Xiao Hui has been gone for eight years, you can't keep dragging this on alone. I think Yang Wei is a good guy, you can consider him."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yourong's face flushed red, and she stomped her feet angrily, "Oh, Dad! What are you saying! Yang Wei has a wife, what kind of crooked idea are you having!"

"Dad isn't just randomly matchmaking. Yang Wei is a real talent, a real asset. If we can bring him into the Yang family, we'll have another pillar of support. Your grandfather's health isn't good, and there aren't many capable young people in the family. Dad is just worried about this family."

Listening to her father's earnest words, Yang Yourong couldn't help but picture her grandfather's frail and old appearance. Then, Yang Wei's handsome yet somewhat roguish face also came to mind.

"Feed? Xiao Rong? Are you still listening?"

"Yes, Dad, I understand. Please give me some time to think about it."

"Okay, that's settled then. Try to go home and visit your grandfather when you have time; he's been talking about you a lot."

"Okay, I understand."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Yourong sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes somewhat glazed over.

In my mind, one moment there was a dashing, blurry figure, and the next there was Yang Wei's face. The two figures kept intersecting and overlapping until finally, the image froze.

The intense killing intent emanating from those eyes was exactly how Yang Wei looked when they locked eyes at the entrance of the state guesthouse.

……

At the same time, Yang Wei, who had escaped the room, rushed out of the state guesthouse at almost race walking speed without stopping.

He grabbed his bicycle, hopped on, and pedaled furiously, practically making the wheels smoke, heading straight for the courtyard house.

As he rode, he couldn't help but look back, afraid that Yang Yourong, that "female devil," might change her mind and chase after him.

Only after riding quite a distance and being certain that no one was following him did Yang Wei breathe a sigh of relief, pat his chest, and curse:

"Holy crap, this is the first time in my life I've been scared out of my wits by a woman. If word gets out, where will I put my face?"

Once he was sure that Yang Yourong, who was like a tail behind him, was no longer following, Yang Wei's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he slowed down his pace.

It wasn't that Yang Wei was afraid of the woman, he was just annoyed by her. These people had huge appetites, constantly spouting grand plans that would surpass the current situation—it was pure nonsense! Yang Wei knew this perfectly well, but these days, some things are better left unsaid. He could only play it safe, letting slip a few hints. But they were clearly not satisfied with just a few scraps; they were trying every trick in the book to drain him dry!

Who can stand this?

If he were to reveal all his cards now, his plans to go to Hong Kong later would definitely be ruined. Right now, he's just being watched, but these people say they won't bother him. If anything happens, they'll definitely be the first to push him out to take the fall. Then, it'll still be a mess.

With this in mind, Yang Wei's mind raced.

"How about... we take advantage of 62 and run away with him..."

As for the phone call with Yang Yourong's father, Yang Wei didn't ask about the other party's identity at all. Not asking meant he knew; asking would only make him seem distant. It's safest to play dumb with this kind of big shot. Anyway, when the time comes, the truth will come out.

When you have something on your mind, the road ahead seems shorter. Before you know it, you're inside the courtyard house.

It was a little past one in the afternoon, and the courtyard was quiet with few people around. Yang Wei pushed his bike back to the backyard, and just as he set it up, he heard noises coming from inside the house.

As soon as the door opened, Lou Xiao'e's pretty face peeked out. Her eyes lit up instantly when she saw him: "Oh, you're finally back!!"

Seeing his wife's delighted expression, Yang Wei's pent-up frustration vanished instantly, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face. His handsome face paired with that gentle smile made him feel warm and fuzzy inside.

"This is what home feels like!"

With a sigh to himself, Yang Wei opened his arms to Lou Xiao'e and said with a mischievous grin, "Wife, did you miss me? Come here and let your husband give you a hug!"

With that, he strode over and pulled her into his arms. The familiar scent of soapberry lingered in her hair, and Yang Wei took a deep breath. The humiliation he had suffered at Yang Yourong's hands now melted away into tenderness.

Lou Xiao'e let him hold her for a while, but when she saw that he didn't want to let go, she blushed and said coquettishly, "Alright, alright, it's so embarrassing if someone sees us! Come inside quickly, Grandma has been talking about you several times this morning, asking when you're coming back."

Yang Wei reluctantly let go, turned around and picked up the cloth bag on the handlebars—it contained the certificate for being a chef at state banquets, a valuable asset. He pulled his wife along with one hand and pushed open the door to the house with the other.

"Grandma, I'm home!"

The old lady was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), and upon hearing this voice, her wrinkled face instantly broke into a wide smile. She grabbed Yang Wei's hand and wouldn't let go, saying, "Good, good, it's good that you're back! Grandma thought you didn't want this old body of yours anymore!"

"Of course not! I wouldn't do without you!" Yang Wei sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). "Today, your grandson will show off his skills and cook something delicious. Are you craving my cooking?"

"Hmm! Xiao'e's doesn't taste as good as yours!" The old lady didn't stand on ceremony and laughed like a child. She even grinned at Lou Xiao'e, revealing her missing teeth.

Lou Xiao'e stamped her feet, saying, "Grandma, you've already got a grandson and forgotten about your wife! So I'm not human anymore?"

"Ha ha……"

Watching the old man and the young boy playfully bickering, Yang Wei felt incredibly at ease. For the sake of these loved ones, he had to live a fulfilling and enjoyable life, and he absolutely couldn't let them down.

That evening, Yang Wei put on a feast, preparing eight dishes and a soup. Lou Xiao'e and the old lady ate to their hearts' content, their mouths greasy with grease.

After dinner, Sha Zhu heard that Yang Wei had returned, so he strolled over for a visit and chatted about the factory gossip.

"Brother Yang, you haven't seen it, the rumors going around the factory are really weird right now." Sha Zhu cracked some sunflower seeds, looking all gossipy. "Everyone's guessing you've quit, some even say you've gotten into trouble. We haven't seen you show up, and no one's denying the rumors. Everyone's really worried."

"Don't worry, these rumors will be debunked as soon as I get to work tomorrow," Yang Wei said with a calm smile.

"Brother Yang, what have you been up to these past few days?" Sha Zhu finally couldn't hold back and leaned closer to lower his voice. "I asked the factory manager, but he's as tight-lipped as a clam. He just told me not to worry and to wait for you to come back. If it weren't for that, I would have almost believed those rumors."

"In this world, there are few who truly understand, and many who pretend to." Yang Wei patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Tomorrow you can go back to being the head of your security department."

The two chatted for a few more minutes. Seeing that it was getting late, Sha Zhu said goodbye to the old lady and Lou Xiao'e, and then strolled back to the central courtyard.

Night falls, and all is quiet.

The pale moonlight streamed through the window into the room, casting a silvery glow on the dim space.

In the darkness, the two lay on the bed, whispering to each other.

"Honey, I've been away from home these past few days, and you've been taking care of everything. You must be exhausted," Yang Wei said softly, turning to the side.

"What are you saying? Now that I've married you, this is my responsibility." Lou Xiao'e's voice was gentle and soft. "Besides, you're so capable, I don't suffer with you. I have no worries about food or clothing, a place to live, and someone to love me. I'm very content."

Hearing this, Yang Wei felt a surge of warmth in his heart. With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for!

"Wife..." Yang Wei looked at Lou Xiao'e's blurry silhouette in the darkness, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, "You..."

Three hours later, Lou Xiao'e's breathing became even and deep; she was fast asleep.

Yang Wei didn't smoke, so he could only stare blankly at the dark ceiling, his mind churning like a boiling pot.

Yang Yourong came to her door, and her father also got involved. The root of this series of events was actually a few words she had said about "openness" when she was chatting with the big leader.

It was just a few casual remarks, but he never expected it to cause such a big storm. This was something he had not anticipated.

But if he could do it all over again, he would still have to attend the state banquet.

This is an honor, but more importantly, it's an asset. Going to Hong Kong to further his career, the title of "State Banquet Chef" will be his strongest foundation. In any industry, qualifications are essential, and the title of "State Banquet Chef" is Yang Wei's stepping stone to advancement.

In this era, there wasn't much high technology. Most companies were labor-intensive with low technological content, and they were full of profit margins and gaps.

Yang Wei set his sights on "food." The catering industry in later generations was booming and full of variety, but it was quite monotonous at present. If he were to be even slightly ahead of its time, it would become a blockbuster.

It's a pity that independent operation is not allowed in mainland China yet. Otherwise, with his abilities, he could weather any storms and even shorten the time considerably.

But he knew in his heart that the planned economy was a tough nut to crack, and it wouldn't be completely loosened until the 1980s and 90s. That was when the market would truly take over.

Therefore, going to Hong Kong is imperative.

Yang Wei revised his plans again and again, adding details over and over, and eventually drifted off to sleep.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Yang Wei got up to start a fire and cook. After taking care of the old lady, the whole process was completed, and life returned to normal.

I hadn't seen him for a few days, and stubble had sprouted on his once shiny shaved head. It felt prickly to the touch and didn't look as smooth as a bald head anymore. Having gotten used to being completely bald, the sudden appearance of stubble made me feel uncomfortable.

But he couldn't really be a monk for life, otherwise outsiders would think he had suffered some kind of misfortune. Yang Wei put on a hat, pushed the cart out of the courtyard.

"Hey, Yang Wei's back!"

"Haven't seen you for days, what have you been up to these past few days?"

"Going to work? Didn't you say you weren't going to work at the steel rolling mill anymore?"

Everyone he encountered along the way looked on with surprise, their eyes practically glued to him. Curious, gossipy—all sorts of looks filled his gaze.

Yang Wei didn't bother to explain, just nodded and smiled all the way, pedaling away without stopping.

When he got to the factory, it was the same, so he didn't bother explaining. There was no need to explain to these people what he was doing; once he got back to his post and worked for a few days, this bad trend would naturally die down, and then new gossip would take its place.

Upon entering the cafeteria, everyone was busy at work. Suddenly, they looked up and saw Yang Wei, and they were all stunned.

From preparing for the state banquet exam until now, he has only taken eight days off. With eight days gone by, rumors flying everywhere, and Sha Zhu not liking to explain, everyone genuinely believed Yang Wei wasn't coming.

These past few days, so many people have changed their tune and turned to curry favor with Sha Zhu. Sha Zhu already told him everything last night.

Yang Wei didn't take it to heart. A new emperor brings a new court; it's human nature, and he could understand.

But there are some people and some things that you just can't tolerate.

For example, Qin Huairu.

Being in a good position, she assumed Yang Wei was completely finished. She hadn't seen him in the courtyard for several days and even went to the backyard to inquire a few times.

Rumors circulated in the factory that Yang Wei had quit, but the rumors in the compound were even more outlandish—that Yang Wei had offended someone and been arrested.

The rumors were so detailed and convincing that Qin Huairu's mind started to wander. Recently, she's been pestering Sha Zhu every day to learn the craft, hoping to take charge of cooking and earn more food and wages.

Yang Wei entered the room, glanced at the astonished faces of everyone, and without saying a word, went straight to his seat and sat down.

He tapped his fingers on the table twice.

"I'm back."

"There's been a lot of gossip lately, all sorts of things being said, and they sound like the truth."

Some people listen and then forget about it, while others take it seriously.

"I won't bring up the past. From today onwards, everything in the kitchen will remain the same. Did everyone understand?"

Yang Wei's voice was not loud, but his eyes were cold as he swept his gaze over them one by one before finally speaking in a deep voice.

"Yes, Master Yang!"

Everyone snapped out of their daze and quickly responded.

"Alright, get back to work. Han Rui, make me a cup of tea."

"Why!"

Han Rui readily agreed, picked up her teacup, and went to get busy.

Qin Huairu, who was in the crowd, glanced at Yang Wei, then quickly lowered her eyes, shrank to the side, and kept working, not daring to make a sound.

She knew Yang Wei was back last night, but she was convinced he had been fired for committing a crime, so she didn't dare approach him.

Seeing Yang Wei sitting there unharmed, she was immediately filled with anxiety and panic.

"How could this happen..."