All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

Afterwards, Lei Dongbao still went to Jinzhou No. 2 Machinery Factory to complete his resignation and handover procedures. He did not make a big fuss about his resignation, and even kept a low profile. After chatting with some familiar employees for a while, he completed the procedures directly in the afternoon.

Jinzhou No. 2 Machinery Factory completed Lei Dongbao's resignation procedures almost on the same day, as if they were urging him to leave.

Even the most key leaders didn't show up. However, as a contributor to this Canton Fair, Jinzhou did express some gratitude to Lei Dongbao, but the expression was somewhat awkward.

That is the house where Lei Dongbao is currently living. The leader said that Lei Dongbao and his wife can continue to live there, but the duration of their stay is yet to be determined.

When Lei Dongbao heard the staff relay the news from the leader, he laughed heartily and then turned and left.

Despite Jinzhou's efforts to downplay Lei Dongbao's resignation, the fact that Jinzhou Second Machinery Factory went from being tens of millions in debt to having ample cash flow and finally securing foreign trade orders worth hundreds of millions of US dollars within a year could hardly escape the scrutiny of some people!

Lei Dongbao's resignation quickly spread from Jinzhou. Many enterprises and governments had been watching closely for this big fish. The problems facing state-owned enterprises are much more serious than imagined!

Roughly one-third of the companies are profitable, one-third break even, and one-third are losing money. Under these circumstances, countless leaders and local governments are trying to find a solution, and many governments would love to have a powerful figure like Lei Dongbao in their laps.

This time, however, Lei Dongbao didn't rush to contact those people again. These people were actually similar to those in Jinzhou back then; they were just grasping at straws when they were desperate. Once they were truly cured, no one would remember their promises. As the saying goes, self-interest moves people's hearts!

Any situation of complete trust is based on the premise that nothing exceeds Lei Dongbao's value. Lei Dongbao believes he is priceless, and some leaders have their own value standards for Lei Dongbao.

However, this time it was destined to disappoint many people. When they arrived in Jinzhou, they all came up empty-handed. Lei Dongbao returned the house that Jinzhou had allocated to him!

Lei Dongbao originally wanted to take Song Yunping to other cities, such as Guangzhou or other southern cities, but looking at the little one in her arms, Lei Dongbao ultimately decided to let Song Yunping go back to her parents' home.

After settling Song Yunping and her son in, Lei Dongbao told Song Yunping that if anyone came looking for them, they should say that he had gone to the south. Song Yunping nodded in agreement.

The rural environment in those days was indeed quite harsh, but Song Yunping had long been used to it. Instead, she comforted Lei Dongbao. Although Lei Dongbao had never discussed his decisions with her, Song Yunping had seen everything he had done over the years!

From an ordinary rural brigade secretary to a factory director with thousands of employees, and finally securing a $100 million foreign trade order, this man's achievements go far beyond that. That's why Song Yunping has always silently supported Lei Dongbao from behind!

That night, after their lovemaking, Lei Dongbao held Song Yunping and comforted her.

"Wife, this is the last time. From now on, I promise I will never let you and our child be homeless! Trust me!"

Song Yunping turned around and, like a silky hot air balloon, squeezed into Lei Dongbao's arms, showing her trust in him through her actions!

After one night, Lei Dongbao left with a suitcase on his back. He planned to go south to relax and clear his head, and then come back for the New Year!

Before leaving, he planned to visit his brother-in-law at the Jinzhou Chemical Plant and deliver the gifts he had brought back from the Canton Fair.

Jinzhou Chemical Plant, as the largest enterprise in Jinzhou, is almost like a small city.

When Lei Dongbao arrived at Jinzhou Chemical Plant with his bag, it was already six o'clock in the afternoon. Standing at the factory gate, he watched the endless stream of people leaving get off work. Everyone was wearing work clothes and riding bicycles. Their morale was much better than that of most factories in Jinzhou.

Jinzhou Chemical Plant operates on a three-shift system. Apart from a few single men living in dormitories, most married workers live in family compounds around the factory, which has formed a small urban social structure.

Lei Dongbao's reputation might be known to the leaders of Jinzhou Chemical Plant, but these ordinary workers obviously didn't recognize him. Lei Dongbao registered at the gate, and the gatekeeper questioned him for a long time before letting him in after registering his identity information.

Lei Dongbao was indeed just visiting his brother-in-law this time, so he didn't want to cause any trouble. If those leaders found out, someone would definitely invite him to drinks and dinner.

Jinzhou Chemical has been eyeing him for quite some time now. Of course, Lei Dongbao is unwilling to get involved in this mess, given that Jinzhou Chemical is a large state-owned enterprise.

If he were obsessed with a career in politics, Jinzhou Chemical might be a good stepping stone, but Lei Dongbao knew his own limitations.

Lei Dongbao had been to Jinzhou Chemical Plant several times before, so he went straight to Song Yunhui's dormitory.

In fact, the architectural style of these state-owned factories was pretty much the same in this era. The buildings in Jinzhou No. 2 Machinery Factory were no exception. Lei Dongbao, being very familiar with Song Yunhui, went up to the second floor of Song Yunhui's dormitory. When he got to the innermost room, he saw that the door was unlocked and casually pushed it open and went in.

As soon as he opened the door, Lei Dongbao was stunned. He saw a young man wearing sunglasses and with long, frivolous hair standing in front of the bed, fiddling with his hair in the mirror!

The other person was taken aback when they saw Lei Dongbao carrying a bag, and then asked in an unfriendly tone.

"Who are you looking for?"

Lei Dongbao glanced at the young man, then realized that this must be his brother-in-law's roommate, Xun Jianxiang. Lei Dongbao didn't answer him, but smiled and went into the room, closed the door, threw his bag on Song Yunhui's bed, and sat down as if they were old friends.

Xun Jianxiang got angry when he saw Lei Dongbao's overly familiar manner. This dormitory does not allow anyone more awesome than him to exist!

He immediately ignored his hairstyle, turned around, looked down at Lei Dongbao with a provocative gaze, and shouted disdainfully.

"You little brat, I'm telling you today, whoever arranged for you to be in this dorm, you'd better go back to him right now and tell him to arrange another room for you. No one else, except Song Yunhui, is allowed in my room. Now get out of here, or I'll beat you to death! Get out!"

This thing is acting like it's one of the workers who were assigned here; it's quite interesting!

Lei Dongbao looked up at the hot-tempered Xun Jianxiang and suddenly recalled the introduction of this supporting character. It seems that next year, because of fighting, being tricked by Yu Shanqing, and being caught during the special period of 1983, the young man's life was almost ruined.

However, Lei Dongbao remembered that Xun Jianxiang, the supporting character, was a decent person, loyal and kind. Thinking about the young man's future experiences, he felt it was a pity. Since they had met, he decided to give him a chance. However, he said with a smile that Xun Jianxiang's temper needed to be tamed.

"Young man, don't be so impulsive. I think you haven't experienced the harsh realities of life. You're always talking about beating up this person or that person. Well then, let me tell you, how many people can you actually beat?"

Lei Dongbao's words made Xun Jianxiang, the troublemaker, encounter such a tough opponent for the first time. He immediately got excited, rolled up his sleeves, pointed at Lei Dongbao, and shouted.

"You little brat, you've got some nerve! Nobody in the factory has ever dared to talk back to Xun Jianxiang like this, you're the first. Don't say I'm bullying you today, you choose the spot, let's have a one-on-one fight. If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'll change my surname to yours!"

Lei Dongbao laughed heartily. "He's got quite a personality. This kid grew up in the Jinzhou Chemical Plant, like a big, caged crab. He's used to swaggering around there, and with his brute strength, he's gradually become a little tyrant. This kind of little tyrant will suffer a great loss sooner or later!"

"Alright, today I'll show this little tyrant what a real tyrant is," Lei Dongbao said with a smile, extending his middle finger at Xun Jianxiang.

"You've got quite a personality, I like that. Okay, I'll repeat what you just said. Don't blame me for bullying you. I'll sit right here with one hand. If you can mess with me, I'll admit defeat, okay?"

Xun Jianxiang was amused by Lei Dongbao's words. He then clasped his hands together, cracked his knuckles, and said with a teasing expression.

"You said it yourself, and you have a good personality. This is the first time I've met someone more arrogant than me. I've really seen something new today. Well then, I'll test your mettle!"

As he spoke, Xun Jianxiang clenched his fist and punched Lei Dongbao in the face. Judging by the speed of his punch, he must have been in many fights before!

Lei Dongbao smiled and reached out, grabbing Xun Jianxiang's wrist in an instant. Like a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner taking a pulse, he placed his hand on Xun Jianxiang's wrist and then forcefully flipped him over. Xun Jianxiang, like a deflated inflatable doll, cried out and knelt limply in front of him.

Lei Dongbao then released Xun Jianxiang's hand, still smiling as he looked at him.

Xun Jianxiang's face turned pale instantly. Looking at his kneeling legs, he looked up at Lei Dongbao in disbelief, his shock visible even through his sunglasses.

Lei Dongbao chuckled and then asked.

"How long do you intend to kneel down?"

Xun Jianxiang stood up abruptly, retreated to another bed, and stopped. Looking at Lei Dongbao, who was still sitting casually opposite him, Xun Jianxiang was extremely shocked and incredulous at the moment, but his indomitable spirit surged up again, and he said to Lei Dongbao.

"I wasn't paying attention just now. Let's do it again. This time I need to warm up for a bit!"

As he spoke, Xun Jianxiang rubbed his slightly sore wrist. He really couldn't understand why the other party's light pinch on his wrist caused him to feel pain all over his body instantly, followed by his body going limp. With a light press, he knelt down. This was truly a ghost!

Lei Dongbao didn't speak, but gestured for the other party to continue!

Xun Jianxiang rubbed for a while, and after regaining some strength, he tentatively stepped forward. But just one look from Lei Dongbao frightened him so much that he quickly retreated. He was now traumatized.

But having worked at the Jinzhou Chemical Plant for so many years, I could easily take on three or five people my age. So why do I feel trembling when I face this bearded man?

Despite his uncertainty, Xun Jianxiang's pride finally gave him the courage to step forward and, almost disregarding the rules, kick Lei Dongbao in the head.

If this kick had been delivered with full force, an ordinary person would probably have been knocked unconscious. So Xun Jianxiang held back a little at the end. But he was wrong. Just when his foot was a centimeter away from Lei Dongbao's head, Lei Dongbao was as fast as lightning and punched him in the calf.

Xun Jianxiang felt a piercing pain suddenly strike him, followed by a scream. He stumbled and sat down against the opposite bed. He felt a pain surging from his calf, like a sudden cramp, but this time, it felt like being punched hard while having a cramp!

Xun Jianxiang held his thighs, his whole body like a human sculpture, motionless. His face instantly changed from white to red, then to green, and then large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead!

Lei Dongbao laughed loudly, stood up, walked in front of him, squatted down, and pressed hard on the spot where his fist was, and Xun Jianxiang's screams rose and fell!

Just then, the door was pushed open. Song Yunhui, carrying two lunch boxes, was about to enter the room when he suddenly saw this scene. His blank face showed some surprise, and he quickly called out.

"Big brother, what brings you here? Da Xun, are you alright?"

Lei Dongbao turned around and glanced at Song Yunhui, then replied with a smile.

"It's okay, your roommate just got a leg cramp, I'll massage it for him!"

Chapter 80: Drinking

Chapter 80 of "Love in the Courtyard": After Lei Dongbao pressed for a while, Xun Jianxiang's painful wails stopped, and his face returned to normal. However, at this moment, his whole body was as if he had been drenched in sweat, and even his flowing long hair was wet and matted with sweat.

Song Yunhui returned to his dormitory, put the food on the table, and asked with some curiosity.

"Big brother, what brings you here?"

Lei Dongbao stood up with a smile, picked up his backpack from the bed, and took out a suit and a tape recorder from it as he spoke.

"Didn't I go to Guangzhou a while ago? I bought you a suit, a tape recorder, and a few cassette tapes, and brought them all over for you!"

The tape recorder was originally intended for Gao Shengnan, but since Gao Shengnan had already left and Lei Dongbao wasn't interested in it, he simply gave it to Song Yunhui instead.

When Song Yunhui saw the tape recorder, a fleeting look of joy crossed his face. He had wanted a tape recorder for a long time, as it would greatly help his studies. He glanced at it, said "Oh," and then asked.

"Big brother, have you eaten yet? I only got enough food for two people. Why don't you eat mine first, and I'll go to the cafeteria to get another one!"

Lei Dongbao didn't mind and nodded. Just as he was about to pick up Song Yunhui's aluminum box, Xun Jianxiang, who was sitting opposite him, suddenly stood up and scolded Song Yunhui.

"Song Yunhui, you're so stingy! Your brother-in-law is here, and this is all you treat him to? Come on, come on, it's my treat today. Let's go to a street food stall and have a good meal. I have to toast my brother with this drink!"

Lei Dongbao looked at Xun Jianxiang, who had come to his senses, with amusement, and then nodded and said.

"Sure, it's Friday anyway, you don't have to work tomorrow, right?"

Upon hearing Lei Dongbao's agreement, Xun Jianxiang immediately stepped forward eagerly and approached Lei Dongbao, saying...

"Brother, I've heard so much about you! It's an honor to meet you today. Xiao Hui is my brother, and my name is Xun Jianxiang. You can just call me Da Xun. Come on, I'll take you to the best food stall in Jinzhou Factory. If we go any later, there won't be any seats left!"

Song Yunhui was somewhat surprised by Xun Jianxiang's enthusiasm today. Little did he know that Xun Jianxiang had just suffered his first real beating in the streets and was now genuinely convinced of Lei Dongbao's abilities. This meal was a sincere invitation from him. However, if Lei Dongbao couldn't hold his liquor, then he couldn't be blamed!

After sitting on the edge of the bed for a while, Xun Jianxiang finally realized who this amazing person in front of him was. This person was indeed as good as his reputation, even more powerful than he had imagined!

Anyway, Xun Jianxiang is now extremely curious about Lei Dongbao. Because of Song Yunhui, he has paid a lot of attention to Lei Dongbao's affairs. Now he has truly witnessed what it means to be outmatched. Lei Dongbao can indeed subdue him with just one hand!

The three of them went out and, led by Xun Jianxiang, stopped in front of a food stall. The small restaurant was next to the family building, and there were several other food stalls around it. It was clear that the small restaurants on this street were all run by the children and families of Jinzhou Chemical Company. The small restaurant did look like it was doing very well, with all the tables inside and out full. But who was Xun Jianxiang?

He looked around a few times, then his gaze settled on a table. He walked over to the table in a nonchalant manner and knocked on it to get the attention of the four people at the table. When they saw that it was Xun Jianxiang, their faces clearly showed fear, and someone quickly stood up and called out.

"Brother Da Xun, you're here for dinner too!"

Xun Jianxiang hummed in agreement, glanced at the table, and said.

"Hurry up and eat. You're dawdling even though you've finished eating. I need to use the table later. You have five minutes. Eat quickly and get out of here!"

Everyone nodded quickly and sped up their eating, not even touching the wine on the table!

Xun Jianxiang returned to Lei Dongbao's side with satisfaction and said with a smile.

"Brother Lei, let's order first, and the table will be empty once the food arrives! Come on, this stir-fried snail is the most flavorful; it's the perfect accompaniment to drinks!"

Lei Dongbao shook his head helplessly and pointed to the four people eating at the table in front of him.

"Da Xun, have you thought about it? People are definitely not happy with your domineering attitude. If you fall on hard times in the future, do you think they will take advantage of your misfortune?"

Xun Jianxiang's face immediately turned awkward. He lowered his head and remained silent. Lei Dongbao then smiled and said...

"Let me tell you, when you're dealing with people and things, you have to be sincere. Never bully others by taking advantage of your power. Actually, if you ask them to leave in a different way, they'll definitely feel better. Look at me!"

Lei Dongbao smiled and said to a waiter who was serving dishes next to him.