Courtyard Houses: The Great Masters of a Nation Hidden Within

Gao Jianguo knew in his heart that the real issue was about to be addressed.

He didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Uncle, let me be frank with you first. I genuinely want to have a long-term relationship with Xiao'e, so please don't worry about that. As for your family's social standing, I really don't care much about it. I can handle some of the ups and downs on my own."

People at this time have no idea what changes will occur in the next few years.

For people like Lou's father, the relationship was good during the period of public-private partnership, but so far, there hasn't really been any major upheaval. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to stay peacefully until the TV series starts.

The current situation isn't too turbulent, so the trouble caused by this matter of class composition isn't that serious in Lou's father's eyes.

Gao Jianguo's words resonated with him, and he thought to himself that it was normal for young people to be willing to give up something for the sake of dating.

In Lou's father's eyes, with Gao Jianguo's talent, he could really withstand some storms at this critical juncture, and the Lou family's class background was not a big problem for him.

Lou's father wasn't stupid, but he didn't have foresight. He only had these existing resources, so he could only figure things out based on the current situation.

Gao Jianguo didn't care about the Lou family's social class, and the biggest reason was neither what Lou's father was thinking about, nor did it have anything to do with the little money in the Lou family's pocket. But he couldn't say it out loud, so he could only let Lou's father figure it out himself.

Lou's father slowly uttered, "You're really generous, aren't you?"

Gao Jianguo chuckled: "You have to give to receive; do you think I can't understand that? Besides, I have some ideas in my head, trying to figure out if I can improve your situation."

"Arguing?" Lou's father shook his head. "If only this were so easy to handle."

Seeing Lou's father's expression, Gao Jianguo said something that surprised the old man: "Uncle, I've heard that you secretly helped the 18th Group Army back then."

This matter is a certainty in the TV series; the deaf old lady mentioned it to Lou Xiao'e herself in the seventh episode.

Gao Jianguo didn't seem to care much about what Sha Zhu said about the deaf old woman at the beginning of the TV series. This was also a reason for him to know that the deaf old woman who knew about this must not have been a lonely old woman without children in her early years.

Lou's father was genuinely surprised, as very few people knew about this, not even Lou Xiao'e.

He didn't bother to find out where Gao Jianguo got the information; someone as successful as him must have some connections.

He nodded: "Yes, that's true. It's a pity that these days it's not so easy to contribute money to construction."

He really wanted to continue doing this and make his position more secure, but that path was already almost completely blocked.

Gao Jianguo laughed: "Back then, conditions were so tough; we lacked everything. Things have changed now. To be honest, given your situation, it's really not easy for you to ask for help anymore."

Lou's father pondered this sentence over and over again.

What's lacking now? Money is still tight. Where isn't it tight? In later generations, didn't the government also sell national bonds all the time?

But this kind of tightness is not the same as the tightness of back then, which is why he can't replicate the old methods now.

He knew it all too well. There was a whole group of people in the same situation as him, and he stood out the most among them. There were probably countless people in that group watching his every move.

He genuinely wanted to contribute money to the construction in the old way, but in the eyes of those people, he was definitely doing it against his will. No one cared what he was thinking, and some people might even use this as a pretext to cause trouble.

To avoid suspicion and to bring everyone together, the higher-ups weren't really happy to see him making such a fuss, which was the biggest obstacle preventing him from simply copying the old methods.

What's the most needed thing right now?

After pondering for a long time, Lou's father looked at the young man in front of him and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind.

"technology!!"

Lou's father blurted out two words, his mind racing as he looked at the young engineer.

Gao Jianguo was delighted, thinking to himself that he was indeed someone who had weathered many storms in his early years.

He smiled and said to Lou's father, "Uncle, I've heard that when you're dealing with something difficult, you always like to find a middleman."

The technology, the middleman, and the young man in front of him—Lou's father suddenly understood everything.

He got excited and stared at Gao Jianguo: "Jianguo, tell me in more detail."

Gao Jianguo recounted everything in detail, and Lou's father's face grew more and more pleased as he listened.

After Gao Jianguo finished speaking, Lou's father pondered for a while, then nodded and laughed: "Your method is really good. You've gotten several batches of dates with one stroke, like a snake hidden in the ashes, unassuming and subtle, without any deliberate effort. You've gotten things done naturally, and no one can say a word against it. It'll easily become a good story in the streets. As for me, I'm afraid I'll become the laughingstock of everyone, hahaha."

Gao Jianguo laughed too: "Uncle, becoming a laughingstock, isn't that exactly what you wanted?"

Mr. Lou smiled, finally admitting that he was impressed by his daughter's good taste.

This young man is upright but not rigid. He knows how to protect those around him, has many ideas, and tries to use methods that are righteous and reliable. Most importantly, he has a keen eye for things. He may be cunning, but he's always right.

Thinking of this, he said to Gao Jianguo, "Jianguo, you just mentioned that matter, I'll put it aside and get on it right away, I won't delay your work."

Gao Jianguo smiled and thanked him, "Then I must thank you, Uncle."

Lou's father felt a weight lifted from his heart. He had gotten everything he wanted to know and had even received a pleasant surprise. He stood up and said to Gao Jianguo, "Sit here for a while. Feel free to look through the books if you want. I'll go and have someone bring you some snacks."

Gao Jianguo understood that he was going to discuss this with Lou's mother, and he smiled and agreed.

After leaving the study, Lou's father turned into the living room. Lou Xiao'e was not there; she had probably gone back to her room.

Lou's mother came forward: "How was it?"

Lou's father said a few words, grinning, "Good! This lad is really something, quite something. Xiao'e, that silly girl, she's got a really good life."

Lou's mother said, "Then come in with me and find out what his next plan is?"

"Next step?" Mr. Lou was a little confused: "Aren't you being a bit too hasty? Who would give away so much money?"

Lou's mother rolled her eyes at him: "It's good to listen to his tone first. If you've got a good idea, hurry up and act quickly. These days, it's not easy."

Having run out of ideas, Mr. Lou had no choice but to go back into the study with Mrs. Lou.

Seeing the two of them come in together, Gao Jianguo stood up and greeted them.

After looking Gao Jianguo up and down, Lou's mother smiled and asked, "Jianguo, what are your plans for the future?"

What about the future? Gao Jianguo was also stunned. Even if his mother-in-law found her son-in-law more and more pleasing to the eye, this was a bit too hasty.

But since his mother had already said it, he couldn't spoil the mood. He counted on one finger: "Uncle, Aunt, this is what I'm thinking. I've just started at the factory, so I need to settle down for a while first. I still have a lot of things to do. This is one thing."

He then spread his fingers apart: "Well, Xiao'e and I have only known each other for a month or so. I want her to experience the process of dating. The feeling before and after marriage is definitely different, and I don't want her to have any regrets."

"So my initial plan is to give her some time, roughly six months to a year. What do you two think? Is that alright?"

Upon hearing this, both Mr. and Mrs. Lou's expressions changed.