Courtyard Houses: Starting with Li Yunlong's Comrades-in-Arms

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the main table gradually warmed up. Liu Haizhong raised his glass and toasted everyone again, his face flushed even more than before, the redness at the corners of his eyes now masked by the alcohol, leaving only a sense of satisfaction and pride in being in charge.

Xu Fugui took a sip of his wine, and as he put it down, his gaze swept over the faces of the people at the main table before finally settling on Liu Haizhong. With a thoughtful smile, he said, "Old Liu, Guangqi is getting married today. You can finally put your mind at ease. I think Guangqi's wife is a decent girl, and she's pretty too. Your family's life will be good from now on."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong's smile deepened, and he waved his hands repeatedly, saying "Not at all," but his smugness was practically overflowing from the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Xu Fugui continued, speaking slowly and deliberately, as if he had planned it in advance: "Guangqi and Damao are the same age, both twenty-three this year. Guangqi is already married, and Damao is about to be too. I was thinking that next weekend, I'd like to invite a few old neighbors to my house for a meal, and also ask them to help with Damao's wedding arrangements."

There was a moment of silence at the main table, then everyone reacted at the same time and raised their glasses to congratulate Xu Fugui.

Liu Haizhong was the first to pick up his glass, his expression shifting from smugness to enthusiastic congratulations: "Old Xu, that's really great news! I've watched Da Mao grow up; he's incredibly clever. Okay, I'll definitely be there next weekend. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know."

Yi Zhonghai also raised his glass to Xu Fugui, his tone carrying the warmth of old neighbors and a hint of inquiry: "Good news, good news. Old Xu, whose daughter is Da Mao's girlfriend? You've kept it a secret very well; no one in the neighborhood knows."

Yan Bugui also put down his chopsticks, leaned over and chimed in, his eyes sparkling: "Right, right, which company is it? What do they do? Give us a heads-up so we'll know what's going on."

Upon hearing this, Xu Fugui waved his hand, his smile fading slightly: "Today is, after all, Guangqi's special day. We'll talk about Da Mao's matter when I host the dinner. We can't let the guest overshadow the host."

That was a brilliant remark; it both secured the conversation and gave Liu Haizhong face.

Liu Haizhong's smile indeed became even brighter. He raised his wine glass to Xu Fugui, saying, "Old Xu, you're so thoughtful," and then tilted his head back to take another swig.

Xu Fugui put down his cup, turned to Yi Zhonghai, and said in a polite, consultative tone, "Old Yi, there's something else I need your help with. I'd like you to put in a good word for Zhu Zi. When Da Mao is handling his business, invite him over to cook a meal, and let him handle the wedding banquet too. Everyone in our compound knows how good his cooking is; it's much better than any restaurant. Just pay him whatever he asks for; I won't shortchange him a penny."

Yi Zhonghai immediately nodded in agreement, his tone decisive: "Okay, no problem. I'll talk to Zhuzi after things clear up here. Don't worry, Lao Xu, Zhuzi may be a sharp-tongued guy, but he's a real worker. Once he takes on a job, he'll definitely do it well."

Xu Fugui thanked him and then turned his gaze to Liu Shuanzhu: "Old Liu, there's something else. I wonder if Yuheng could come to the wedding? It would be a great honor if Yuheng could come and have a look around."

Liu Shuanzhu was about to bring the cup to his lips when he heard this and paused.

He shook his head and continued, "He probably can't come. Yu Heng has been quite busy lately, with one departmental matter after another, and he hasn't even had time to go home. He probably won't be able to find the time for Da Mao's wedding."

Xu Fugui's smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned, as if he had expected this answer, only clinging to a last glimmer of hope. He leaned forward, his tone a few decibels lower than before: "Then... what about Yuheng's wife and child? It would be nice if Comrade Yao could bring the child back to join in the fun. Everyone in the compound is coming to Da Mao's wedding; if Comrade Yao could bring the child, our family would be happy too."

Upon hearing this, the people at the main table were stunned for a moment.

The group of people quickly realized what was happening.

Xu Fugui's words today, starting with Liu Guangqi's marriage, then circling to Xu Damao, then to He Yuzhu, and finally back to Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan, are probably his real purpose.

Who is Liu Yuheng? He's the Minister of the Second Ministry of Machine Building. Let alone a wedding for Xu Damao, a mere neighbor in the same compound, even a bigger event at the steel rolling mill wouldn't be something he could spare the time for. Xu Fugui knew perfectly well that he hadn't expected Liu Yuheng to come at all. His real concern was for Yao Qingwan.

Although Yao Qingwan doesn't hold the same high position and power as Liu Yuheng, she is Liu Yuheng's wife, the wife of a minister. If she could attend Xu Damao's wedding, the Xu family's prestige would be completely enhanced.

Everyone in the courtyard knows Liu Yuheng's current status. Yao Qingwan's presence is a great honor for the Xu family. From now on, whenever someone in the back courtyard mentions Xu Damao's marriage, they will have to say, "Minister Liu's wife has been here." This carries more weight than anything else.

Liu Haizhong sat beside him, his expression shifting from frozen to a belated look of regret. He slapped his thigh, wondering why he hadn't thought of that before. If Liu Yuheng didn't have time, he could have invited Yao Qingwan and the child. He'd been so busy arranging the banquet and running around with Liu Guangqi's wedding that he'd completely forgotten about this.

Careless.

He glanced at Xu Fugui, his feelings a mix of admiration and bitterness.

Liu Shuanzhu put down his cup, glanced at Xu Fugui's expectant face, and remained silent for two seconds before speaking: "Well... I can't be sure either. Qingwan has her own arrangements, and the child is still young; going out isn't easy. I'll ask her when I get back, and then we'll see."

Xu Fugui immediately chimed in, thanking him repeatedly: "Alright, alright, Lao Liu, just ask for me, whether it works out or not is another matter. If Comrade Yao can come, I'll definitely treat him well."

Yi Zhonghai listened from the side, picked up his glass, took a sip of wine, and remained silent. He knew perfectly well that Xu Fugui was playing a shrewd game. Unable to persuade Liu Yuheng, he had opted for Yao Qingwan as a second choice.

Liu Shuanzhu nodded, didn't continue, picked up his cup and clinked it against Liu Haizhong's, changing the subject.

Just as the group was chatting and laughing, a commotion suddenly came from the other side.

Liu Shuanzhu was picking up food with his head down when he heard the noise. He looked up, glanced over there, and his lips twitched slightly.