Courtyard House: A Prosperous and Joyful Life

Qin Huairu's family.

After everyone in the courtyard had left, Jia Zhangshi also slipped out and headed straight for a small alley two kilometers away to find Zhou Banxian.

Last time, she drank Zhou Banxian's water and suffered terribly from diarrhea, ending up in the hospital. After being discharged, Jia Zhangshi angrily went to find Zhou Banxian to settle accounts and demand compensation. However, Zhou Banxian insisted that diarrhea was a form of detoxification, a great thing, which convinced Jia Zhangshi to nod repeatedly and become even more convinced.

At this moment, Jia Zhangshi sat down in front of Zhou Bansian and lowered her voice, saying, "Bansian, I've come to ask you for a medicine—a medicine that prevents women from conceiving."

Zhou Banxian shuddered. A drug that prevents women from conceiving? Those are dangerous drugs, potentially fatal! He barely scrapes by swindling a few coins at the alley entrance; this old woman is trying to kill him, her heart is cruel.

Even if she had that kind of medicine, she wouldn't dare give it to anyone. If something went wrong, whether Jia Zhangshi could escape or not was another matter, but this fortune teller, Zhou, definitely couldn't escape.

But then again—when business comes knocking, why not do it? I'll just give her some wood ash and call it a day. It won't kill her, and if anything happens, it won't be my fault.

Zhou Banxian's eyelids drooped slightly, and he said unhurriedly, "Contraceptive pills? Yes, ten yuan."

Ten yuan, an exorbitant price. But Jia Zhangshi didn't even blink, and paid the money without hesitation. As long as Qin Huairu couldn't give birth, it was worth it no matter how much it cost.

After receiving the money, Zhou Banxian grabbed a handful of grayish-brown stuff from a jar in the corner, wrapped it in straw paper, and stuffed it into Jia Zhangshi's hand. It was just a packet of wood ash, utterly useless, but this stuff had already earned her quite a bit.

Jia Zhangshi had no idea what was inside. She carefully put it away and left happily.

"Hehe, you two, Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu, want to have a baby? Not so easy."

……

Meanwhile, Wang Jun was at home taking stock of his accounts.

With the help of the two Liu brothers, they acquired 43 courtyard houses in one go these past few days, bringing their total to 61 when they added to the original 18.

Of all these courtyards, Wang Jun's favorites were those in the Ten Great Hutongs. These ten hutongs of Beijing have a long history, having housed many prominent figures and enjoying a renowned reputation. Decades later, they will all be legitimate tourist attractions. The courtyard houses in the Ten Great Hutongs are incredibly valuable; whether you buy one to live in or simply leave it there, its value will steadily increase.

"Sixty-one courtyard houses, acquired for very little money initially, but decades later they're worth billions. A brilliant deal."

Wang Jun flipped through a stack of property deeds in his hand, feeling quite pleased with himself. The two Liu brothers were indeed capable; they had acquired so many courtyards in just a few days, making them worthy of being his underlings.

However, 61 is still a bit too few.

Wang Jun had a plan in mind—he needed to collect at least three or four hundred, the larger the better, preferably large courtyards with three or four courtyards. These courtyards were originally inhabited by high-ranking officials and nobles; not only were they spacious, but they also had historical value, and their original owners were all prominent figures.

In addition, he also set his sights on the old villas in Tianjin and Shanghai.

Those old villas were all built before the liberation, at least several decades old, some even over a hundred. They are generally open on three or four sides, with a complete living room and dining room, several bathrooms, and exquisite decorations. They are detached duplex villas, both beautiful and sophisticated. Whether for collection or personal residence, they are all valuable items.

"Old Western-style houses are even rarer than traditional courtyard houses, and most of them are considered cultural relics, so they're practically impossible to sell," Wang Jun pondered. "However, there are always some privately owned ones. I'll have the Liu brothers, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, run some errands another day, and if they find a suitable one, I'll acquire a few."

Wang Jun carefully put away the property certificate and was about to leave when he heard the postman, Old Huang's, signature loud voice calling from outside: "Wang Jun! Wang Jun! There's mail for you!"

He quickly stepped out and took the three letters from Old Huang.

The aunties and grandmas in the courtyard had sharp eyes and immediately spotted him returning with the letter. They swarmed around him and started chattering away.

"Soldier, what kind of message is this?"

"Was it sent from abroad?"

"Jun, you're doing business with foreigners again?"

That's how it is living in a courtyard house; no matter how trivial the matter, people will come up to ask questions. If you don't answer, they'll say you're not honest and have something to hide.

Wang Jun glanced at the mailing address on the envelope and a smirk appeared on his lips.

He recently spotted a few promising talents and sent them invitations. These three letters are their replies. In a few days, these individuals will arrive in the capital for face-to-face discussions.

He didn't mince words, laughing, "These are all replies from overseas returnees. I plan to pick two factory managers from among them."

The women were stunned when they heard this.

These days, college students are considered the cream of the crop, and those who have studied abroad are the cream of the crop. Wang Jun actually wants to hire someone like that as a subordinate?

"My God, Jun, are you trying to reach for the heavens?!"

"International students are willing to work for you?"

"Why wouldn't I want to! Last time the military recruited a factory manager, they offered a monthly salary of two thousand yuan! Two thousand yuan! Don't even mention college students, even PhDs would be tempted!"

"That's right. College graduates only make a few dozen yuan a month when they start working. Jun is asking for two thousand right off the bat. I bet even a university professor would be envious."

"That's right. College graduates only make a few dozen yuan a month when they start working. Jun is asking for two thousand right off the bat. I bet even a university professor would be envious."

"Now that we've opened up and reformed, making money is the real priority. What's the point of studying abroad? Isn't it to get a good job? If the salary is good enough, what kind of talent can't we attract?"

"You're right, the idea that being poor is glorious is outdated. A good job is one that pays well."

A group of people were discussing it animatedly. A few quick-witted ones had already sensed something was up and started trying to curry favor with Wang Jun.

"Jun, besides the overseas students, your factory must need other people, right? I have a niece who graduated from high school, could she get a job there?"

"I have a relative who used to be the factory accountant. She just retired. I hope she can do her old job at your new factory without any problems?"

"My younger brother just got discharged from the army, would it be okay for him to work as a gatekeeper at your factory?"

Wang Jun accepted all offers: "Anyone you know with talent can be recommended. If I'm satisfied, they can go straight to the factory."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up, and they all turned around to find someone to contact.

Wang Jun took the letters back into the house and opened them one by one to read them carefully.

Zhou Rong, Li Xiaoyu, and Huang Wenfei, three overseas students, all held master's degrees. In the 1980s, when illiteracy was widespread, these qualifications were a game-changer. Even decades later, a master's degree remains highly regarded and not outdated at all.

These three people are undoubtedly talented.

In the 1980s, the value of studying abroad was extremely high. There was a strict requirement to go abroad—you had to get a scholarship. And those who could get scholarships were all extraordinary individuals. Moreover, once abroad, no one would cover your living expenses. If you wanted to complete your studies with empty pockets, there was only one way: work part-time while studying.

People who can work part-time while studying for their degree are truly remarkable. They'd be more than capable of managing a factory.

More importantly, those who have studied abroad have a significant advantage—they speak English. This means Wang Jun won't have to personally handle interactions with foreigners in the future.

He plans to meet with the three in a few days. If there are no problems, the factory managers of the cannery and cosmetics factory will come out from there.

Besides the factory manager, we also need a deputy factory manager, a finance manager, and various management personnel. However, the requirements for these positions can be lowered; with a little time, we can eventually find the right people.

……

Inside the hot pot restaurant, Yu Li and Yu Haitang found a corner to sit down and chat.

The two sisters grew up together and have a very close relationship. When they get together, they dare to say anything.

Yu Haitang glanced at Yu Li a few more times, feeling that something was off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt that her sister seemed to have become more beautiful, and her every move was different from before, exuding an indescribable charm.

Yu Haitang's eyes darted around, and she asked directly, "Sister, did you hire someone? I think you definitely did, otherwise things wouldn't have turned out like this."

Yu Li's heart skipped a beat.

This girl has such a sharp eye.

But she would never admit it, no matter what. Yu Haitang hangs out with that unreliable Xu Damao all day long, and she can't keep her mouth shut. If this gets out, it'll be a disaster.

She glared at her sister: "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm just in a better mood after the divorce, so my complexion is naturally different."

Yu Haitang wasn't so easily fooled. She sized her up, becoming more and more certain of her judgment. Just as she was about to press for answers, Yu Li quickly changed the subject: "Alright, alright, are you hungry? If you are, I'll get you a hot pot feast."

Sure enough, the mention of food instantly drew Yu Haitang's attention: "Great! Hurry up and get it ready!"

Yu Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief and got up to prepare the hot pot.

After Yu Haitang left, Wang Jun came to the hot pot restaurant, chatted with Yu Li for a few minutes, and then got straight to the point: "Yu Li, your restaurant is too small. How about I invest some money and we open a few more?"

Now that Yu Li is considered one of his own, Wang Jun naturally wants to give her a hand.

Yu Li was immediately interested. She was a very ambitious person and dreamed of making her business bigger.

Wang Jun continued, "We'll turn this hot pot restaurant into a chain. This one is the first, then the second, the third, and so on. Beijing is so big, we can easily handle seven or eight stores. The daily profit will be at least two thousand yuan."

"Brother Jun!" Yu Li's eyes lit up. "Your brain works so well! This idea is brilliant! Thank you so much!"

She genuinely admired him; how did this man's brain work?

Wang Jun smiled. His main focus was currently on running the factory, but the catering industry was actually a very profitable business. Since Yu Li enjoyed it, investing a little wouldn't hurt; it wasn't a large sum, and he could recoup his investment quickly.

He stayed at the hot pot restaurant until after 10 p.m. before returning to his courtyard house.

……

Intermediate People's Court.

Clutching the ashes given to her by Zhou Banxian, Jia Zhangshi waited quietly until the two men fell asleep.

In the next room, Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu were having a great time. Jia Zhangshi listened, and her anger flared up.

"Damn that idiot Zhu, damn that Qin Huairu! It's almost eleven o'clock and they're still not asleep! They're really going all out to have a baby!"

"Hmph, no matter how hard you try, it's all in vain."

In the darkness, Jia Zhangshi chuckled, a sinister laugh that sounded like the hooting of a night owl.

Xiao Dang next door felt a chill run down his spine and pulled the blanket tightly over his head.

She was extremely envious of Huaihua; after moving out, she would never have to suffer like this again.

Around 11 o'clock, Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu finally quieted down.

Madam Jia quietly got up and took out the packet of wood ash. She had already seen it during the day; the medicine was dark and would be easily noticeable if placed in food, but it wouldn't work in a water glass either, as it would be too obvious. There was only one way to get those two to drink it without them noticing—to slip it into their water glass in the dark of night.

She tiptoed into Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu's room, found their water glasses, and gently poured a little wood ash into them.

Doing this kind of thing in the middle of the night is honestly quite a ordeal. But Jia Zhangshi didn't feel any suffering at all; on the contrary, she was very excited—the feeling of sneaking around and doing bad things was just so exhilarating.

After pouring the medicine, she picked up the glass, gently shook it to dissolve it, and then turned and slipped away.

The whole set of movements was smooth and effortless, and Jia Zhangshi was quite proud of herself: although she was old, she was still nimble and agile, a skill that not everyone had.

But as people get older, their eyesight deteriorates, and as they back out, their hips bumped against the door frame, causing the wooden door to slam against the wall with a dull thud.

Sha Zhu was the war god of the courtyard, with extremely quick reflexes. This noise woke him up immediately. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a dark figure flash past the doorway.

"Thief!"

"You dare steal from me? You've got some nerve! Stay here!"

Sha Zhu grabbed his big-toed shoe from under the kang (a heated brick bed) and hurled it. It hit the dark figure squarely in the back, nearly crippling Jia Zhangshi's old back.

With a guilty conscience, Jia Zhangshi dared not utter a sound. If Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu found out that she had drugged her, they would be furious and refuse to support her in her old age, and she would be finished.

She gritted her teeth, dashed back to her room, and lay down under the covers.

Sha Zhu jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed), searching the yard while shouting at the top of his lungs, "Thief! A thief has broken into the yard! Everyone get up, let's catch the thief!"

The shout was so loud that the entire courtyard heard it, and the neighbors all threw on their coats and came out.

Who shouted that?

"Shazhu, someone said there's a thief! Everyone, look for him. If he's still there, find him and hand him over to the police!"

"That's outrageous! Daring to steal from our compound! Close the gate and search the place!"

"Yes, let's search together. He can't escape if he's in the yard!"

Three elderly men, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui, also rushed over.

Yi Zhonghai asked, "Shazhu, what happened?"

Sha Zhu said, "I just saw a dark figure lurking around the door. It must be a thief. I hit him with my shoe, but he still got away. But I reckon he's still in the yard. Everyone, help me look for him, and if we catch him, we'll give him a good beating!"

Everyone nodded and searched the yard thoroughly, but they couldn't find anyone.

Finally, Yi Zhonghai made the final decision: "It seems the thief has escaped. From now on, everyone should buy a lock and keep the doors secure. Store valuables properly so thieves don't set their sights on them."

It was freezing cold, and nobody wanted to stay in the yard any longer, so they all left quickly.

Inside the house, Madam Jia breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that everyone had left.

But just then—

She suddenly felt something was wrong.

Below... I have no feeling.

She was completely unaware that she was defecating and urinating.