Courtyard Houses: The Great Masters of a Nation Hidden Within

Dinner was almost ready.

Wang Tiezhu and his family also arrived, carrying a traditional Chinese painting that they had commissioned a famous artist to paint. The painting depicted an eagle spreading its wings against a backdrop of steep cliffs, and the eagle looked fierce.

Gao Jianguo didn't understand this thing, but he could tell at a glance that it was pretty good.

As soon as Xiao Fang stepped through the door, her eyes were glued to Gao Jianguo. Gao Jianguo chuckled and took out a White Rabbit candy from his pocket and handed it to her.

Lou Xiao'e was also prepared, and she took out the candied fruit. Xiao Fang's face was so happy that it wrinkled up like a bun.

Sha Zhu was still arranging the last few dishes on the stove when he came out, nodded to everyone, and then went back inside.

He Yushui and Lou Xiao'e were carrying plates in and out. Xiao Fang saw this and, with her pockets bulging and snacks in hand, she also joined in the busy work, walking with a bouncy gait.

Wan Yueying also washed her hands and went over to lend a hand.

The room was incredibly lively. Looking at the scene, Wang Tiezhu sighed to Gao Jianguo, "Old platoon leader, you've really settled down in Beijing. Once you and your girlfriend get married, everything will be settled."

"That's right," Gao Jianguo laughed, "It'll probably take about six months."

Wang Tiezhu raised an eyebrow: "A date has been set?"

Gao Jianguo nodded: "She's in a hurry, so I think it's a good thing."

"With your terms, anyone would be anxious," Wang Tiezhu paused, then repeated, "Just think it through, and let me know if anything comes up."

Gao Jianguo patted him on the shoulder: "Don't worry."

As they were talking, the remaining guests arrived.

Yi Zhonghai brought Jia Dongxu with him. These two really put in a lot of effort on the thermocouple issue. Although Gao Jianguo found the opportunity, they put in a lot of effort, so we can't just say that. We have to be careful in our actions and not let people down.

Gao Jianguo never expected what the master and apprentice brought: a straight-bladed steel knife in the style of a Tang dynasty sword, with the blade and scabbard looking as if they had been pulled from an old book. The workmanship was exquisite, and the words "Break through thorns and brambles, forge ahead bravely" were engraved on it.

Gao Jianguo was extremely excited about it.

The recipe for the knife was found by Jia Dongxu by searching through old books, and the material was bought by Yi Zhonghai himself. He handled things meticulously, leaving no room for anyone to criticize him.

The deaf old lady didn't come, but asked Yi Zhonghai to bring Gao Jianguo a pair of shoes. The old lady was good at this, and her needlework was quite good. The soles of the shoes were sewn tightly, and she also included a message: "May your feet feel like the wind, and may you rise higher with every step."

Liu Weiguo, Fang Xiufang, and Liang Jianguo also came over. All three of them had received a lot of care from Gao Jianguo and knew that he disliked those superficial things. The three of them put their heads together and jointly presented him with a Shanghai brand gold pen from Huafu Factory.

This pen is considered the ancestor of the later Hero fountain pen. It had only been prototyped not long ago, and I don't know where someone got it from.

The penholder is engraved with the words: "A good teacher and helpful friend. A gift from Liu Weiguo, Fang Xiufang, and Liang Jianguo."

Following Gao Jianguo on his journey working on 3Z-591 and thermocouples, we feel we've truly been fortunate to have him as a mentor and friend.

The living room was packed with more than ten people, all sitting in one place. The smell of tea and cigarette smoke mingled together, and the lively atmosphere was almost enough to lift the roof off.

Gao Jianguo wasn't afraid of gossip. For someone who had been promoted two ranks, a small gathering was nothing unusual. Besides, nearly half the people at the table were from the project team, so it was perfectly reasonable to treat it as a victory celebration.

Sha Zhu brought out the last dish, poured out the wine, and served the rice.

Gao Jianguo gave Xiaofang a look, and Xiaofang called out in a clear, bell-like voice, "Uncle Gao said, everyone, let's eat!"

The room erupted in laughter, and everyone raised their glasses.

With the front yard so lively, it's no surprise that the other people in the yard are gossiping.

Someone asked why Gao Jianguo's house in the front yard was so noisy.

Another person chimed in, saying that he had been promoted to the eighth level of engineer.

The man nearly choked. Level 8? Don't be ridiculous.

It's true, the factory even broadcast it over the loudspeaker.

Everyone knew that someone surnamed Gao was powerful, but who would have thought he was this powerful?

Some people muttered, "Why didn't they invite us?"

You wish! Most of the people here today are from the department. I guess it's an internal celebration, otherwise they wouldn't have been promoted so quickly.

Please ask Fatty Liu from the backyard to report him for violating discipline?

You know what, that fatso is actually capable of doing it.

Uncle Gao treated us.

If a kid interrupts, the adults laugh and say, "You're not even as tall as a table leg, you're dreaming!"

Yes, they really invited everyone. All the children in the hospital will get candy today.

Something's definitely wrong with Gao Jianguo.

That's a huge waste of money.

Gossip buzzes on and on like flies.

As darkness fell and the meal ended, everyone got up to say goodbye. Gao Jianguo thanked each guest and saw them off, but Wang Tiezhu's family stayed, and the two of them sat there and continued chatting.

As they were chatting, a commotion broke out in the backyard.

At first, no one took it seriously, but the commotion just kept going on and on, growing more and more intense like a snowball rolling downhill.

Gao Jianguo and Wang Tiezhu exchanged a glance and decided to go take a look.

Especially considering Wang Tiezhu's status, it wouldn't be right not to take a look.

Wan Yueying and Lou Xiao'e wrapped their heads and faces in scarves, picked up Xiao Fang, and went out. Watching the excitement wasn't shameful, but it was a bit cold.

The backyard was already crowded with people, three layers deep. Sha Zhu couldn't squeeze in, so he stood on top of the laundry tub, craning his neck to look inside. His face was grinning like a rat that had stolen oil.

Seeing how happy he was, Gao Jianguo knew in his heart that Xu Damao had probably made a fool of himself again. Other unlucky people wouldn't laugh like that.

"Zhendong, Zhendong, hurry up!" Shazhu waved vigorously when he saw Gao Jianguo. "Xu Damao is going to have a good show today, hey."

Gao Jianguo didn't think Xu Damao could cause much trouble. This guy had lived a peaceful life on TV for six or five years and hadn't been known to get into any big trouble.

But then again, now that I'm here, I can't make any promises. Last time I gave a heads-up, it was like a butterfly flapping its wings, and now the wind might have already blown onto my backside.

Yi Zhonghai led Jia Dongxu into the crowd. Second Uncle and Third Uncle were already inside. Yi Zhonghai was not there; the two of them had been taking care of things in the courtyard beforehand.

Gao Jianguo didn't try to get involved; he just wanted to observe and didn't want to get involved for the time being.

He led Wang Tiezhu and a few others to Shazhu's side, climbed over the laundry tub, and craned his neck to look inside.

"What's wrong?" Gao Jianguo asked.

"Xu Damao went to the countryside to show movies and flirted with a young woman, but he accidentally discovered she was a widow. Now he's been slapped with a plaster."

Gao Jianguo didn't quite understand: "Young wives are more likely to get into trouble, while widows are easier to deal with. Xu Damao isn't married, and in this new society, it's perfectly acceptable for him to date openly."

Sha Zhu immediately felt that he was smarter than Gao Jianguo: "You don't understand. A young wife doesn't make a fuss after seducing someone. A widow is different. She's single-mindedly trying to make a fortune. Xu Damao at least has a stable job, and his salary is only two yuan less than mine. Now he's stuck with her and can't get rid of her."

Even at this critical juncture, Sha Zhu is still preoccupied with comparing his two yuan with Xu Damao's superiority; he hasn't changed his habit of being a smart aleck at all.

Gao Jianguo finally realized that his own thoughts about the future were not as insightful as Sha Zhu's when it came to this matter.

This is probably the first character in the play, besides Lou Xiao'e, whose fate was ruined by her own little butterfly.

Although Xu Damao doesn't really have any destiny at all.

That concludes the three chapters.