Courtyard House: I'm an engineer, and a fairy godmother transferred me to a different position.

The words had barely left his mouth when the clattering of the abacus in Yan Bugui's hands abruptly ceased. His back to Yu Li, his brow furrowed subtly—given the Yan family's consistently frugal nature, they would carefully consider the amount of rice in the rice bin even for a small meal, let alone a stay of several days. The extra coal burned, the extra rice cooked—weren't those real expenses?

"How many days will you stay?" His tone was indifferent, revealing no emotion.

Seeing this, Yan Jiecheng's heart tightened, and he quickly took over the conversation:

"Dad, Haitang is just coming to the yard to play for a few days and keep her sister company. She won't cause any trouble for the family. She brought her own dry food."

This was meant to give her father a way out, but Yan Bugui didn't respond. Instead, he looked out the window with interest and asked Yu Li with a smile:

"Is Haitang... going for a stroll in the backyard?"

Yu Li followed his gaze and saw Yu Haitang slowly strolling towards the backyard, her purpose all too obvious. Her face flushed slightly, and she gave an awkward smile, too embarrassed to reply. Her younger sister's thoughts were practically written all over her face.

However, it was this very scene that caused the gloomy, calculating look in Yan Bugui's eyes to vanish abruptly, replaced by a glimmer of light. The wrinkles on his face instantly smoothed out, and he smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum.

"Oh, we're all family! If your sister wants to stay in the yard for a few days, let her stay! What's with all this talk about food... We'll never let her go hungry!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Li was stunned. Before coming, Yan Jiecheng had instructed her that her father, Yan Bugui, was calculating in everything, so she, as his brother-in-law, had even prepared food coupons and dry rations, intending to use them to shut her father-in-law up.

In those days, every household was short of money, so it was common practice to bring food coupons and food when visiting other people's homes.

But given the current situation...

How come this is completely different from what Yan Jiecheng said before?

Could it be that I, a newlywed wife, have such a big face?

Not only was Yu Li surprised, but Yan Jiecheng himself was also stunned.

Okay—

Is this still the same dad who would lie down and smell the soy sauce bottle even if it fell over, trying to figure out how much he had lost?

Could the sun really have risen in the west?

Yan Bugui had no time to pay attention to his son and daughter-in-law's surprise. He stroked his smooth chin, his mind already racing with calculations.

That girl is really shrewd!

Knowing that her older sister had married into our front courtyard, she set her sights on the Liu family in the back courtyard—judging from the direction she was heading, wasn't she going to Guangqi's house?

Yan Bugui rubbed his chin with his fingertips, the beads of his mind clicking rapidly:

"If Haitang and Guangtian become a couple, then my Jiecheng will become brothers-in-law with Guangqi's younger brother, won't he?"

"If anything happens at home in the future, we might be able to get some help!"

The more he thought about it, the more wonderful it seemed, as if he could already see countless benefits beckoning to the Yan family.

He then turned to Yan Jiecheng, who was still unconscious, and said earnestly:

"You little rascal!"

"Spend more time with Guangqi and the others! Look at Shazhu and Xu Damao in the courtyard, aren't they more quick-witted than you?"

"...Okay, Dad."

Yan Jiecheng's lips twitched slightly, and he responded in a low voice.

He wasn't stupid; how could he not see through his father's subtle and indirect thoughts?

However, every time he saw Liu Guangqi, he couldn't help but think of Liu's identity as the chief engineer of the Red Star Factory.

That difference in status always made him somewhat hesitant to act freely.

But then again, even he couldn't help but be secretly surprised by his father's change.

Time slipped away unnoticed, and night had fallen in the blink of an eye.

Two sets of footsteps sounded almost simultaneously outside the Liu family's gate in the backyard—Xu Damao and Shazhu stepped into the yard one after the other, their footsteps perfectly synchronized.

Actually, this is a long-standing tradition for the young people in the compound during the Spring Festival.

After a busy year, it's a rare treat to get together during the Spring Festival holiday, have a few drinks, and chat – a chance to relax and unwind.

"Brother Guangqi! Let's go for a drink!"

Before the person even showed up, Xu Damao's drawn-out voice had already drifted in.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a gruff voice immediately retorted:

"Hey, Xu Damao, what are you doing everywhere?"

"That's what I'm asking you! I'm looking for Guangqi to have a drink, what are you, a cook who only knows how to toss a wok, doing getting involved?"

Xu Damao grinned, "Go find somewhere cool and stay there!"

"Grandson, itching for a beating again, huh? Want me to loosen your muscles?" Sha Zhu glared at him and rolled up his sleeves.

Liu Guangqi looked at the two of them and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

These two have been bickering since they were little, and they're still the same at this age.

"Alright, alright, say less, just to save me face."

As soon as Liu Guangqi spoke, it was as if the two of them had been put on pause at the same time. Although they were still glaring at each other, they temporarily ceased their fighting.

At this moment, Liu Guangqi caught sight of Liu Guangtian peeking out of the house and waved to him.

"Second brother, come here."

Liu Guangtian was taken aback, then walked over, somewhat flattered.

"Let's have a drink together," Liu Guangqi said with a smile, patting his shoulder.

Back when Liu Guangtian was still in school, not yet graduated from vocational school, Liu Guangqi never allowed him to touch alcohol.

Things are different now—this kid is already working, and he might be getting married next year. He should be treated like an adult.

Sure enough, Liu Guangtian's face immediately lit up with a smile upon hearing this, and he responded loudly before turning around to get wine for his elder brother.

Liu Guangfu, the third son, stood at the door, gazing longingly, feeling envious, but remained silent.

He knew his older brother's temperament well: since he had invited his second brother this year, he would definitely bring him along when he graduated.

So he turned around with a smile and went to join the group of children, including Ruixue and Fengnian.

Under the old locust tree in the courtyard, red lanterns hung from the branches, casting a soft, warm glow on the snow.

The dishes were already laid out on the stone table. The large enamel basin that Sha Zhu brought was filled with pork stew—pickled cabbage, blood sausage, and thickly sliced ​​pork belly piled high. The steam and aroma wafted over, making it a hearty dish to accompany drinks.

Xu Damao had already made all the preparations.

On the table sat glistening, oily braised pork and several small dishes to accompany the drinks. Beside them stood a bottle of foreign liquor he had painstakingly acquired. Then, as if by magic, he produced several slender glasses. Liu Guangqi watched the two men displaying their treasures with obvious understanding.

Then Liu Guangtian smiled and placed the bottle of liquor he had brought in front of everyone—it was Moutai, which they were all very familiar with.

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao's gazes froze instantly. The tense atmosphere from before quietly dissipated, and both of them swallowed hard. They had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

"I could smell the fragrance from afar, and sure enough, it's all here."

Outside the moon gate of the Intermediate People's Court, Yan Jiecheng approached carrying an iron pot, which was sizzling inside.

"Come on, make room!" He placed the piping hot stewed fish on the table. "Try it! My dad caught it yesterday from the ice cave in Houhai, it's incredibly fresh!"

"Hey! The fish that Uncle San caught in the ice cave?"

"This is really rare!" Upon hearing that Yan Bugui had caught the fish, Sha Zhu leaned closer to the pot and took a deep breath.

He clicked his tongue, glanced sideways at Yan Jiecheng, and teased him with a sarcastic tone:

"Jiecheng, you're quite something, managing to get the fish out of your father's hands. Didn't he charge you?"

Everyone in the courtyard understood what he meant—he was clearly mocking the stingy and calculating nature of the Third Uncle's family. Everyone knew that Yan Bugui treasured fish, intending to sell them for money; even his own son had to pay the market price if he wanted to eat them.

"Alright, why ask so many questions?" Yan Jiecheng was already used to Sha Zhu's mouth. He glared at him irritably. "If there's food, hurry up and start eating. Can't you shut your mouth?"

Before he finished speaking, Xu Damao had already discerningly picked up a piece of the fattest and most tender fish belly and put it into Liu Guangqi's bowl.

At the same time, they echoed Yan Jiecheng's words:

"Exactly! Some people are just born to keep their mouths running; even the finest delicacies can't shut them up."

"Hey, you son of a bitch!" Sha Zhu glared, slammed his chopsticks on the table, and looked like he was about to get up and grab him again.

Xu Damao shrank back in fright, but refused to back down.

Just as the stalemate was at hand, a clear and lively female voice came from the moon gate, like a gentle breeze that instantly dispelled the stench in the courtyard.

"Brother-in-law, it's really lively here."

Several men in the courtyard turned their heads to look at the scene.

A pretty young woman stood gracefully beneath the moon gate leading to the front courtyard. She wore a simple, light purple floral cotton-padded jacket, which accentuated her fair skin. Two glossy black braids hung over her shoulders, each adorned with a bright red hair clip. It was clear she had dressed up carefully.

Just moments ago, Sha Zhu was furious and about to attack, but his eyes suddenly widened. He quickly pulled down his sleeve, which was only half-rolled up, and the fierce look on his face instantly turned into a憨厚 (honest and simple) smile.

Although Liu Guangqi thought the girl's appearance was nothing special, to Sha Zhu, who had been single for many years, Yu Haitang's looks were like a fairy descended from heaven. In particular, the youthful vitality she exuded suddenly brought light to his long-barren heart.

He no longer cared about arguing with Xu Damao, and grinned as he shouted at Yan Jiecheng, "Jiecheng, is this your sister-in-law? Why didn't you introduce her to everyone?!"

Before Yan Jiecheng could respond, Yu Haitang had already walked over with light steps, her bright eyes darting around cleverly before she finally smiled gracefully and said:

"Hello everyone, my name is Yu Haitang, and Yan Jiecheng is my brother-in-law!"

Her voice was crisp and sweet, like a freshly picked melon.

Upon hearing the term "brother-in-law," Xu Damao's mind immediately began to work, and he quickly pushed past Sha Zhu to fawn over him:

"Hey, Haitang! Have you eaten yet? If not, sit down and have something to eat with us!"

Despite her young age, Yu Haitang was not intimidated by the scene; on the contrary, she was quite composed.

"Not yet!" she replied with a smile, but her gaze involuntarily drifted first to Liu Guangqi, who had been silent by the stone table.

The man simply sat quietly without saying a word.

The moonlight subtly outlined his serene profile, the silhouette appearing exceptionally clear in the dim light, possessing an indescribable allure. Yu Haitang's gaze lingered involuntarily for a moment, then she restrained herself and looked away.

She had only caught a glimpse of him from afar before, but now, up closer, she realized that Liu Guangqi was far more handsome than she had imagined. A silent pang of regret swept through her heart—such an outstanding person, yet he was already someone else's. If only she had met him sooner… This thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly suppressed it. Her gaze shifted to Liu Guangtian beside him.

Liu Guangtian was sitting upright, mimicking his elder brother's posture, his back slightly hunched, yet unable to conceal the grounded air of a technician. This was completely different from Xu Damao, who was talking and laughing loudly beside him, and Shazhu, who remained silent. A glimmer of light quietly appeared in Yu Haitang's eyes.

"Haitang, don't stand, find a seat that looks nice to you." Xu Damao said as he quietly moved his chair to the side.

Sha Zhu opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat. Faced with such a clever girl, he felt his words were clumsy and awkward, far less eloquent than Xu Damao's. In that moment of hesitation, Xu Damao had already taken over the conversation. Sha Zhu held his breath, secretly annoyed.

At this moment, Yu Haitang slightly raised the corners of her lips and looked directly at Liu Guangtian: "You must be Comrade Guangtian? My brother-in-law mentioned that you graduated from a vocational school and worked as a technician at the Hongxing Factory?" Her tone was cheerful, and she naturally sat down in the empty seat next to Liu Guangtian. "Is it alright for me to sit here?"

This series of actions flowed so smoothly, as if planned in advance, leaving Xu Damao and Shazhu standing aside. Xu Damao's smile paused for a moment, then returned, his eyes showing a hint of amusement. Even Liu Guangqi clicked his tongue inwardly—in this day and age, such a generous and direct girl is indeed rare.

He remembered that in the original story, Yu Haitang had high aspirations and never took Liu Guangtian, who was still an ordinary worker, seriously. Now, however, Liu Guangtian had become a technical cadre, and she had taken the initiative to come to him. How interesting how things change.