I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

Airport entrance.

"Da Mao, remember, don't just focus on that approval slip from the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry. Get the things I asked you to do done quickly: find out the prices of GG (gold) from radio stations, TV stations, and newspapers, and compile a list. Get it from all over the country, provincial and municipal levels, don't miss a single radio station. Don't just focus on the approval slips you have; don't lose sight of the bigger picture."

"Don't worry, Brother Li, I'll definitely remember what you asked me to do. I'll repeat it to myself even in my sleep. I'll book the tickets right away, make a trip to each province, and figure out the connections. I promise it won't delay your business." Xu Damao immediately patted his chest, indicating that he would take care of it.

"Okay, I trust you to handle things."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Jing'an turned to call out to Ivy, who was standing to the side looking bored, and prepared to go into the airport to board the plane.

Ivy clung tightly to Li Jing'an's arm, her body slightly pressed against him, her waist swaying gently as she walked. Xu Damao stood there, his gaze fixed on the two of them, a tickle running through his heart. He watched their figures disappear into the airport entrance before reluctantly turning his gaze away, muttering softly, "That was nice."

Xu Damao clicked his tongue and muttered to himself, "Sigh, I wish I could have a secretary too. With my current status and salary of two thousand yuan a month, I could easily afford two secretaries."

But as soon as the thought popped into his head, his brows furrowed sharply, his face fell instantly, and most of his enthusiasm vanished.

It's a pity, a real pity. Li Jing'an took into account Xu Damao's family situation—his eldest daughter was studying at a vocational school, and his son was about to enter junior high school, and they needed money for everything. Fearing that he would squander his large sum of cash, Li Jing'an specifically instructed that Xu Damao's entire salary be collected by Qin Jingru on his behalf.

He ended up with a generous allowance that others envied, but he couldn't get much cash in his pocket. Thinking of this, Xu Damao couldn't help but sigh inwardly, feeling incredibly frustrated. The money was nominally his, but since it didn't pass through his hands, it was essentially useless. Even if he appeared successful in front of others, if he wanted more pocket money, he still had to beg Qin Jingru for it.

Qin Jingru has now gone to work for Li Jing'an, shattering his last hope. He's under Qin Jingru's surveillance from the moment he goes to work and the moment he leaves work, so he can only think about it in his heart.

Xu Damao even had the urge to get a divorce—with his conditions, wouldn't an eighteen-year-old girl be eager for him to choose?

But he was overthinking it. Li Jing'an had already warned him, valuing his honesty, reliability, and dedication to his family over the years. Besides, it was Li Jing'an who introduced him to Qin Jingru. If he dared to divorce Qin Jingru, he should be prepared to be kicked to the curb by Li Jing'an.

Well, the only consolation is that Li Jing'an is quite generous and kind. Out of respect for Xu Damao, he directly set Qin Jingru's salary at five hundred yuan. This means their family will have an income of two thousand five hundred yuan a month. In mid-1980s China, that was incredibly rare; they were already considered among the elite.

His family has already put refrigerators and washing machines on the agenda, and plans to gradually equip them with everything.

The only drawback is housing. The family still lives crammed into a traditional courtyard house. Although there are now a few pilot commercial housing projects popping up across the country, he only sighs about it a couple of times and has never even considered moving out.

All the old neighbors live in this courtyard. Now that I've made it big, if I move out, who will I show off to?

If he left the courtyard house and lost his nemesis Sha Zhu, life would be much less fun. Showing off in front of strangers is nothing compared to the sense of accomplishment he gets from swaggering around in front of his old neighbors. He loved watching the envious and secretly jealous looks on the faces of his neighbors in the courtyard.

With these plans in mind, Xu Damao couldn't help but show a smug look on his face.

He turned and opened the door of the Crown sedan, got into the driver's seat, started the car, and deliberately honked the horn a few times. The piercing horn immediately attracted the attention of pedestrians on the roadside, who all turned to look at him. Feeling the gazes directed at him, Xu Damao felt even more comfortable. Then he stepped on the gas and the car sped away.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Inside a high-rise luxury apartment in Mid-Levels West, Hong Kong.

Victoria Harbour is right outside the window, a stunning cityscape illuminated by dazzling lights.

"Mr. William, your tea is ready." A Filipino maid brought a cup of tea to Li Jing'an's side, greeted him, placed the tea on the table next to him, and then turned and went back.

"Jialing, where's our daughter? I've been inside for so long, why haven't I seen her?" Li Jing'an asked Wei Jialing, who was nestled on the sofa watching TV with great interest. He then added, "You're still watching this stuff? Do you even understand it? It's all gibberish."

The television was entirely in Cantonese, mixed with English. Although Li Jing'an had been here for several years, he still couldn't understand Cantonese if it was spoken too quickly.

Wei Jialing rolled her eyes at Li Jing'an first.

Wei Jialing is quite talented. She transitioned seamlessly from a socialist society to a capitalist one in a short time, without any apparent difficulty. It's as if she was born to live here; she can now understand all of Cantonese and speak it fluently. She's also been actively learning English lately. She's thoroughly enjoying her life in Hong Kong.

"She went to a concert," Wei Jialing replied without turning her head.

Why are you going to a concert?

"They say his name is Zhang something-or-other Rong. She's completely obsessed with him now, and she goes out with him whenever she has free time."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing'an's face darkened: "What year is it already? People are already idolizing celebrities. They don't learn anything good, only all sorts of nonsense. They don't even study properly, spending all their time on this."

After Wei Jialing finished speaking, her eyes remained fixed on the television as she reached for the coffee next to her.

"puff--"

Wei Jialing was watching the commotion when she picked up her coffee, took a sip, then frowned and spat it out, her expression immediately changing.

"What's going on? Are you blind? The coffee's gone cold, don't you know to change it? You're taking our money, and you expect me to serve you?" Wei Jialing immediately scolded the Filipino maid who came out after hearing the commotion.

"I'm so sorry, madam, I'm so sorry, I'll go change it right away." The Filipino maid was flustered and apologized repeatedly.

Wei Jialing glared at him and cursed, "Damn black devil, you're clueless and clumsy. If this happens again, you're fired!"

She now seems to have completely awakened to something. Back in mainland China, she was somewhat secretive about her enjoyment of life, but here she's completely let loose, immediately adopting the lifestyle of a wealthy housewife. They initially hired two local maids, but they only worked for Wei Jialing for two or three months before quitting. So, Li Jing'an had to hire a Filipino maid. Wei Jialing immediately adopted the attitude of an old-fashioned capitalist wife, treating her maids terribly. If it weren't for the laws of modern society, she would dare to verbally abuse and physically assault them!

"Cough cough cough—"

A few coughs suddenly rang out.

Li Jing'an turned his head, his face immediately darkening: "What are you coughing about? Are you trying to die?"