Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

The June wind, carrying the heat, blows through the alleys and lanes of Beijing. The locust tree leaves are curled up by the sun, and the cicadas chirp one after another, noisy yet with a touch of peaceful, everyday life.

After enduring a harsh winter and war, this ancient city has finally ushered in a long-awaited peace. The faces of pedestrians on the streets and alleys show less of the fear of the past and more of the anticipation for a new life. Even the blue bricks and gray tiles of the courtyard houses are warmed by the sun, less desolate and more vibrant.

On the day her postpartum confinement period ended, Wang Cuiping got up before dawn, gently fed her infant daughter He Siyu, carefully tucked her in, touched the baby's soft little face, and then got up to change into a clean gray Lenin suit, combed her hair neatly, and tied it into a short braid.

Although she hadn't fully recovered from her postpartum confinement, she was no longer weak. Her eyes were bright and clear, radiating a capable and spirited energy—the kind of spirit she had cultivated through years of hard work and training in the military. She was nothing like an ordinary woman who had just given birth.

She quickly tidied herself up, glanced at her sleeping daughter one last time, and although she felt reluctant to leave, she knew she couldn't delay any longer. She had already missed a long time of work due to childbirth and postpartum confinement, and now that she was free, it was a time when her daughter needed her help, and she couldn't stay at home and hold her back.

Moreover, she is not the kind of woman who is content to spend her whole life tending the kitchen and raising children. Back when she was a guerrilla leader in the army, she was good at everything from carrying a gun and fighting to scouting enemy positions. Now that she has changed positions, she will still do her job well.

After eating the breakfast that He Yuzhu had prepared early in the morning, Wang Cuiping pushed her bicycle, greeted the people in the courtyard, and headed straight to her workplace.

As soon as she arrived at the entrance of the investigation department, she noticed the change in atmosphere. Her familiar colleagues looked at her with more respect and even subconsciously avoided her when walking, no longer as casual as before.

A slight thought crossed her mind, but she didn't stop walking straight into the section chief's office. Only then did she realize that the person sitting behind the desk was no longer Meng Yutang, but a serious-looking, experienced senior section chief.

"Comrade Wang Cuiping, you've finally arrived! Have you recovered well from your postpartum confinement?"

The new section chief looked up and saw her. He put down the documents in his hand, a gentle smile on his face, and stood up to shake her hand, his tone full of approval.

"Thank you for your hard work these past few days. Your children are still young at home. If you encounter any difficulties, please let the organization know. The department will definitely help you in any way it can."

"Thank you for your concern, Section Chief. I've had a good postpartum recovery, and I'm healthy enough to go back to work!" Wang Cuiping stood at attention, gave a standard salute, and spoke crisply and clearly, displaying the competence of a soldier.

"That's good. Our department is in dire need of someone as capable as you." The new department head smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit down, before starting to talk about the personnel changes in the department.

"By the way, let me tell you about the recent arrangements in the department. Comrade Meng Yutang has been severely punished by the organization for his previous work mistakes and violations of discipline. He has been directly demoted to the level of section chief. From now on, he will work under you. You are his direct supervisor, so you can manage him as needed without any reservations."

Wang Cuiping was not surprised at all upon hearing this.

Meng Yutang acted impulsively, targeting He Yuzhu without distinguishing right from wrong, which almost caused a major misunderstanding. After the organization investigated the situation, it was only a matter of time before he was punished.

Now that he's her subordinate, she'll need to be more careful when dealing with him at work. However, she doesn't intend to make things difficult for him; she'll just handle things professionally. But she knows that after this incident, Meng Yutang is probably holding a grudge, and there will inevitably be some bumps in the road in the future.

"I understand, Section Chief. Rest assured, I will do my job well, cooperate with the section's arrangements, and lead my colleagues well."

Wang Cuiping nodded in agreement, her tone calm and composed, without a trace of pride or disdain.

As I walked out of the section chief's office and into the office area, I bumped into Meng Yutang.

He was wearing a faded old military uniform, his face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water, his hair was messy, and his eyes were full of resentment, unwillingness, and a bit of grudge against Wang Cuiping. He was no longer the arrogant person he was when he was the section chief.

Upon seeing Wang Cuiping, he stopped in his tracks, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't speak. He just glared at her fiercely, lowered his head, and walked away quickly, his shoulders slumped, completely lacking his usual energy.

Wang Cuiping glanced at him, but didn't pay him any mind. She went straight to her desk, sat down, and started organizing her documents.

She knew in her heart that ups and downs in the workplace were common, and Meng Yutang's current predicament was his own fault, and he had no one else to blame but himself.

All she wants now is to work diligently, take good care of her child, and live a good life with He Yuzhu. She can't be bothered with any other busybodies.

Wang Shunzi, who had caused a great uproar in the courtyard and almost made a big mistake, underwent several rounds of strict investigation by the organization, which repeatedly verified his identity, past experiences, and the cause and effect of raising and loading the gun at that time.

It was eventually confirmed that he was not a traitor, nor did he have any acts of collusion with the enemy or betrayal of the country. He was just confused at the time, instigated by others, and because he was stubborn, he made a rash move.

Although the injustice was cleared, he had raised a gun in public, disturbing the crowd and violating military discipline, causing a very bad impact. The organization still gave him a severe punishment—discharged him from the military and sent him back to his hometown to undergo labor reform.

When the news reached the courtyard, Wang Shunzi lowered his head, packed a few simple belongings, looked full of remorse, and said goodbye to the people he knew in the courtyard with red eyes, repeatedly muttering, "I was wrong, I was really wrong." But there is no medicine for regret in this world. If you do something wrong, you have to bear the corresponding consequences.

People in the courtyard watched his lonely figure. Some sighed, some lamented, and some felt the punishment was too harsh. But in the end, no one could change anything. They could only watch as he carried his bag, walked out of the alley step by step, and disappeared from sight.

After dealing with these trivial matters, He Yuzhu suddenly thought of Old Zhao from Tianjin. When he was on a mission in Tianjin, Old Zhao helped him a lot and even risked his life to protect him on several occasions. They were like friends who had risked their lives for each other.

Later, due to the war, they were separated. Old Zhao gave him several ways to contact people, saying that if he encountered difficulties in Beijing, he could ask them for help.

Now that he has settled down in Beijing, he is thinking of asking Wang Cuiping to help him find out the whereabouts of these contacts when she goes to work, so as to see if he can get in touch with Lao Zhao and let him know that he is safe. After all, he will always remember this life-saving kindness.

That evening, after Wang Cuiping got home from get off work and put the child to sleep, He Yuzhu handed her a glass of warm water and said with a smile:

"Cuiping, I have something to tell you. Back in Tianjin, Lao Zhao gave me a few contacts in Beijing, but I haven't had a chance to ask them about it. You're at work tomorrow, could you help me find out if we can get in touch with them?"

Wang Cuiping took the water glass, took a sip, and nodded: "Okay, no problem. I'll go to the civil affairs department of the military control commission tomorrow when I go to work and inquire. Comrade Lao Zhao is a revolutionary hero. His family and friends must be registered by the organization, so it shouldn't be hard to find them."

"Then I'll have to trouble you. Old Zhao is my savior. If it weren't for him, I would be dead long ago. Being able to contact him will give me peace of mind."

He Yuzhu spoke sincerely, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Why are you being so polite with me? Your business is my business."

Wang Cuiping rolled her eyes at him, but a smile played on her lips. "I've got it. I'll ask first thing tomorrow morning and let you know as soon as I have any news."

The next morning, Wang Cuiping arrived at her workplace and, after finishing her urgent tasks, took some time to go to the Civil Affairs Section of the Military Control Commission. With the names and information left by Lao Zhao, she inquired about each person.

She asked several departments but received no news. Just when she thought she couldn't find it, she finally found a familiar name in the Civil Affairs Department's register—Wang Hongxia. The registration information stated that she was Lao Zhao's wife, and was now the head of the Civil Affairs Department of the Military Control Commission of Sijiu City. She held a high position and was in charge of housing, civil relief and other related work, wielding considerable power.

Upon hearing this news, Wang Cuiping was overjoyed and immediately went to Wang Hongxia's office.

After knocking and entering, we saw Wang Hongxia dressed in a smart dark Lenin suit, her short hair neatly combed, wearing black-rimmed glasses, with a calm expression and proper demeanor. She looked like someone who had worked in a government agency for a long time, exuding a capable and dignified air.

"Hello, are you Section Chief Wang Hongxia?" Wang Cuiping asked respectfully.

Wang Hongxia looked up, put down her pen, and stood up with a smile: "Yes, I am. And you are?"

"My name is Wang Cuiping. I work in the investigation department. I've been asked by Comrade He Yuzhu to come and inquire about the whereabouts of Comrade Lao Zhao," Wang Cuiping explained her purpose.

"He Yuzhu and Comrade Zhao are sworn brothers. Comrade Zhao gave him his contact information before and told him to contact you when he got to Beijing. He has been thinking about it, so he asked me to come and ask."

Upon hearing He Yuzhu's name, Wang Hongxia's eyes lit up instantly, and her face lit up with excitement. She quickly walked up to Wang Cuiping and took her hand:

"You mean Zhu Zi? He Yuzhu? Is that the He Yuzhu who saved Lao Zhao on the train and helped us eliminate traitors and complete missions multiple times?"

"It is him. I didn't expect Section Chief Wang to know him." Wang Cuiping nodded with a smile.

"Yes, of course I know him! Old Zhao often talks about him to me, saying that Zhuzi is a kind, loyal, brave and resourceful boy. Our whole family remembers the life-saving grace!" Wang Hongxia said excitedly, her eyes full of gratitude.

"Old Zhao is still on a mission out of town and won't be back for a while. I've been wanting to find a chance to thank Zhu Zi, but I didn't know he lived in Beijing. What a coincidence! Where does he live now?"

"You live in a courtyard house in the city, not far from here. Shall I take you there after get off work?" Wang Cuiping suggested.

"Okay, okay! I'll hand over my work and go with you after get off work. I really want to thank Zhu Zi in person!"

Wang Hongxia nodded repeatedly, unable to hide her smile. Finding Lao Zhao's savior was a big deal for her.

As soon as the get off work bell rang, Wang Hongxia packed her things and hurried to the courtyard house with Wang Cuiping.

Along the way, the two chatted. Wang Hongxia kept asking about He Yuzhu's situation, her words full of concern. Wang Cuiping responded to each question, and she felt more favorably disposed toward this Section Chief Wang. He seemed to be a reasonable and loyal person.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, it was quiet. He Yuzhu was squatting in the courtyard, helping the old lady chop firewood. He held the axe in his hand and chopped the firewood neatly in the corner.

The old lady sat on a small stool to the side, sewing shoe soles with her hands. Every now and then she would look up and remind her, "Slow down, don't tire yourself out." The scene was warm and peaceful.

Hearing footsteps, He Yuzhu looked up and saw Wang Cuiping leading a strange woman in. He was taken aback at first, then stood up and patted the sawdust off his hands.

When he saw Wang Hongxia's face clearly, his eyes lit up and he instantly recognized her—back in Tianjin, when Lao Zhao led his men to eliminate the traitor, this woman was standing guard at the door, dressed in plain clothes, with a vigilant look in her eyes. She was clearly an underground worker. He never expected that she would be Lao Zhao's lover. What a coincidence!

"Zhu Zi, come here quickly, this is Section Chief Wang Hongxia, Lao Zhao's wife, she came to see you specially!" Wang Cuiping greeted him with a smile.

He Yuzhu strode forward and greeted him with a smile: "Section Chief Wang, hello! I didn't expect it to be you. We met back in Tianjin."

Wang Hongxia looked He Yuzhu up and down, and seeing the tall, well-proportioned, and clever young man in front of her, she became more and more satisfied. She smiled and shook his hand.

"Zhu Zi, we've finally found you! Old Zhao talks about you every day, saying you're his savior. Our family will never forget this kindness! I came here today specifically to thank you in person."

"Section Chief Wang, you're too kind. It's all what I should do. Old Zhao and I are like brothers. Helping each other is just our duty. It's not like I've saved your life."

He Yuzhu scratched his head, speaking modestly, but he knew in his heart that he deserved this favor.

He risked his life to save Lao Zhao on the train, and later helped them escape danger and eliminate traitors on many occasions. It wasn't just one or two times he helped them. However, some things involved secrets, so he didn't plan to tell them openly. He would just keep them to himself, thinking they might be useful in the future.

"You child, you are too modest. A life-saving grace is a life-saving grace, without any falsehood."

Wang Hongxia smiled and waved her hand, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard. Looking at the spacious and well-organized courtyard house, a hint of approval appeared in her eyes. "This courtyard is nice, spacious and bright, comfortable to live in."

Seeing this, the old lady stopped what she was doing, stood up, and greeted them with a smile:

"Comrade, please come in and sit down. It's hot outside, but cool inside! Cuiping, quickly pour me a glass of water!"

As the group entered the house, Chen Lanxiang, hearing the commotion, came out from the inner room and warmly invited Wang Hongxia to sit down. He Yuzhu quickly brought over tea and offered fruit, and the courtyard immediately became lively.

Wang Hongxia took a sip of tea and chatted with everyone for a few minutes, expressing her gratitude to He Yuzhu. She then asked about He Yuzhu's life in Beijing while Lao Zhao was away. He Yuzhu answered her questions one by one, speaking appropriately and with perfect tact. He only mentioned the incident of rescuing Lao Zhao on the train, without mentioning any other secret missions.

Wang Hongxia was a smart woman. Seeing that he didn't say anything or ask any more questions, she knew that some things were confidential and couldn't be spread.

After chatting for a while, Wang Hongxia's gaze swept across the courtyard again. Remembering her current worries, she couldn't help but ask, "Zhuzi, Grandma, I see your courtyard is quite large, with many rooms. Are there not many people living here now? Perfect timing, I'd like to ask you about something. The Military Control Commission is currently busy handling real estate-related matters. I'd like to ask if the residents in this courtyard are aware of the current housing policies? And what are the homeowners' thoughts on this?"

Upon hearing the words "housing" and "policy," the old lady's kind expression instantly changed. Her needlework stopped abruptly, her eyes filled with anxiety, her hands unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes. She leaned forward slightly, looking cautiously at Wang Hongxia, her voice trembling slightly.

"Section Chief Wang, is the government... is the government going to take away houses? I heard that many people's houses have been taken away. This old woman only has this one house. If it's taken away, my family will have nowhere to live..."

The old lady's reaction was not surprising at all. After liberation, the new government took over the properties of a large number of traitors and Kuomintang remnants. Rumors spread like wildfire, and many property owners were filled with anxiety, fearing that their houses would be confiscated. This was especially true for ordinary people like the old lady, who had never been to school and did not understand the new policies. She had only heard rumors and was even more terrified. This was her life's savings, which her husband had worked himself to the bone to buy. If it were gone, she really didn't know what to do.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu quickly handed the old lady a glass of water, gently patted her back, and comforted her, "Madam, don't panic. Section Chief Wang is a good person and won't just take our house away. Please tell me slowly."

Wang Hongxia noticed the old lady's worry and quickly put down her teacup. Leaning slightly forward, she explained patiently and sincerely, "Grandma, please don't be afraid. Rest assured, we will never arbitrarily take over people's houses! The things you've heard about are isolated cases, targeting traitors, Kuomintang reactionaries, and those who illegally seize property. The government absolutely protects the legal properties of ordinary people. It's true that some staff members were too aggressive and used inappropriate methods before, causing widespread panic. The organization has already identified the problem, adjusted its methods, and severely punished a number of staff members who violated regulations, all to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people. Please don't worry."

After listening to Wang Hongxia's explanation, the old lady finally felt relieved, let out a long sigh of relief, and the anxiety on her face gradually disappeared. She nodded repeatedly.

"Oh, that's good, that's good! I can finally relax. This old woman of mine has been worried about this every day for the past few days, and I haven't been able to sleep well. I was just afraid we'd lose the house."

"Don't worry, this won't happen again. With me here, I'll definitely handle everyone's property matters properly," Wang Hongxia reassured with a smile.

He Yuzhu looked at Wang Hongxia, a thought suddenly striking him. Remembering something he had been planning, he quickly asked, "Section Chief Wang, I'd like to ask you, can the Military Control Commission now handle property transfers and sales? Also, are old property deeds from the Kuomintang era recognized by the new government? Can they be exchanged for new deeds?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hongxia paused for a moment, then smiled and playfully scolded, "Zhuzi, you child, you're still so polite with me, calling me 'Section Chief' all the time, it's too formal. If Old Zhao comes back and knows you call me that, he'll nag me for not knowing how to behave. From now on, just call me Aunt Wang, it sounds more intimate, otherwise I'll get angry."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu didn't hesitate and smiled, changing his tone: "Okay, Aunt Wang, then I won't stand on ceremony. You haven't told me yet, can the property sale and transfer be processed now? Can the old property deed be replaced with a new one?"

"You're quite the informant, kid!" Wang Hongxia smiled and tapped him, her tone full of approval.

"To be honest, the Military Control Commission only opened up the real estate sales and transfer business a few days ago, and the procedures haven't been fully publicized yet. Basically, very few people know about it. You're the first one to ask me about it. Of course, old property deeds are recognized. As long as the purchase is legal and the procedures are complete, you can exchange them for new property deeds uniformly issued by the government. Many progressive businessmen and people have already gone to handle this. Once you have a new property deed, the house is completely protected, and no one can take it away."

Upon hearing this, the old lady and Chen Lanxiang's eyes lit up instantly. They looked at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes.

What they held in their hands were old property deeds from the Kuomintang era. They had been worried these past few days, fearing that the new government would not recognize them and the houses would become ownerless. Now they could finally relax completely. With the new property deeds, the houses truly belonged to them, and they no longer had to live in fear.

The old lady's hands trembled with excitement as she hurriedly asked, "Section Chief Wang, oh no, Aunt Wang, are you telling the truth? Can our old house deed really be replaced with a new one? You're not lying to us old folks, are you?"

"Grandma, I'm a cadre from the Military Control Commission. How could I lie to you in front of so many people? It really can be changed, and the procedures are very simple. Just bring your old property deed and ID, and go to the Civil Affairs Department to find me. I'll handle it for you personally," Wang Hongxia said with certainty and a smile.

He Yuzhu breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, "Aunt Wang, who were the people who went to process these? Was the process complicated?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hongxia looked slightly embarrassed, adjusted her glasses, and said, "Well... currently, most of those who go to apply are progressive businessmen and socially progressive individuals who have contributed to the revolution. Ordinary people know little about it, so not many people apply. The process is not complicated at all. I'm in charge of this area, so if you go to apply, I'll give you a fast track, and it will be done very quickly."

He Yuzhu laughed and said half-jokingly, "Aunt Wang, we're progressive citizens too. We actively respond to government policies and live our lives lawfully. We must be considered progressive people, right?"

"Yes, yes, you're the most progressive kid, your whole family are progressive citizens!"

Wang Hongxia burst into laughter at his joke, instantly easing the tension in the room. The old lady's face lit up with a long-lost smile, and she was completely relieved.

After laughing, Wang Hongxia brought up the serious matter again, looking at the old lady and asking earnestly, "Grandma, I see that you have quite a few empty rooms in your yard, and you can't possibly live in them all yourself. I still want to ask, what do you plan to do with these empty rooms? Will you rent them out or sell them? To be honest, I'm currently so worried about the housing situation that I can't sleep at night."

When the topic of housing came up, Wang Hongxia's face showed some worry, and she couldn't help but pour out her troubles to everyone:

"You don't know, after liberation, workers, teachers and cadres from all over the country flocked to Beijing. The population increased several times over, and housing was in short supply. Many people were crammed into a small room and didn't even have a place to stand. Schools and factories came to the Military Control Commission every day, asking for housing for their employees and teachers. I was bothered by this every day, and it gave me a huge headache."

"In addition, many homeowners are unaware of the new policy. They've heard that the government has confiscated the houses of traitors and Kuomintang members, and they're too scared to rent them out. They're afraid that if they rent them out, they won't be able to get them back, and they're also afraid that their houses will be confiscated. This has led to a situation where those who want to rent have nowhere to live, and those who own houses are afraid to rent them out, and the contradiction is getting bigger and bigger. I'm here today, partly to thank Mr. Zhu, and partly to inquire whether you can rent or sell your house if it's vacant, to alleviate the housing shortage and share the burden for the government."

After listening, the old lady didn't speak immediately. Instead, she turned to look at He Yuzhu, her eyes full of trust, as if waiting for him to make a decision. Wang Hongxia noticed this and couldn't help but feel surprised. She glanced at He Yuzhu again, secretly astonished.

This kid looks young, but he carries so much weight in the courtyard. Even the old lady has to listen to his opinion on such important matters. We really underestimated him. At such a young age, he has become the backbone of the courtyard. He's not simple.

He Yuzhu felt a warmth in his heart as he felt the old lady's gaze. Knowing that she trusted him, he stopped refusing and looked at Wang Hongxia, saying, "Aunt Wang, I understand what the old lady means. We plan to sell the front yard house to the existing tenants first. If the tenants don't buy it, we will consider renting it out or selling it to someone else. We will definitely not ask for exorbitant prices; they will all be fair prices."

Wang Hongxia nodded and then asked, "What about the middle courtyard and the back courtyard? I think the middle courtyard is almost full, but the back courtyard is still mostly empty. It's such a waste to have so many empty houses."

"Don't even think about the Intermediate Court. The houses have already been reserved. They're all for our relatives and trusted people. We won't rent or sell them."

He Yuzhu spoke with a firm tone.

"There's only one west wing room and two side rooms left in the backyard. We don't plan to sell them for now. During the war, many of our relatives got separated. If they ever find us again, we need a place to live. We'll keep them for future use."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hongxia understood. In times of war, it was common for families to be separated. Leaving a room for loved ones was a way to remember them, so she didn't insist. She said, "Okay, I understand. Let's talk about the front yard. There are a few empty rooms left there. Tell Aunt Wang in detail."

He Yuzhu counted on his fingers, "There are two back rooms in the front yard, one room each in the east and west wings, two side rooms, and one west passage room, a total of seven rooms. They are all clean and tidy, the walls have been repainted, and the doors and windows have been repaired. You can move in right away."

"Only for sale, not for rent? What if someone wants to rent?" Wang Hongxia asked again. She had even more people waiting to rent her house. Most of the buyers were well-off, while ordinary people mostly rented.

"Of course, it's not just about selling; renting is also an option. What I just said is that we'll prioritize selling to existing tenants. If a tenant can't afford to buy, we'll rent it out, and the rent will be fair. We'll never arbitrarily raise prices," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"That's wonderful, Zhu Zi, you've really helped me a lot!" Wang Hongxia said excitedly.

"When I get back, I'll tell those who need a house to come and take a look. If you need to process the sale or transfer of ownership, you can come to the Military Control Commission anytime. I'll handle the whole process for you and guarantee it will go smoothly."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Aunt Wang," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

When the conversation turned to mealtime, the old lady and Chen Lanxiang insisted that Wang Hongxia stay for dinner, and Wang Hongxia, unable to refuse, agreed.

Without saying a word, He Yuzhu rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen. He was already a skilled cook, and with plenty of ingredients at home, a table full of delicious and colorful dishes was soon served. The braised pork was tender and flavorful, the shredded pork with garlic sauce was sweet and sour, and there were also cucumber salad and stir-fried vegetables. The aroma was irresistible and made one's mouth water.

Wang Hongxia looked at the table full of dishes, initially surprised, then picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and her eyes lit up instantly. She couldn't help but praise them repeatedly:

"Zhu Zi, your cooking is absolutely amazing! It tastes even better than what chefs at big restaurants make. Old Zhao told me before that you were a good cook, but I didn't believe him. After tasting it today, I can confirm that it lives up to his reputation!"

"Aunt Wang, eat as much as you like. It's just home cooking, nothing special," He Yuzhu said with a smile, picking up a piece of braised pork for her.

After finishing her meal, Wang Hongxia was very satisfied. Patting her stomach, she joked, "Zhuzi, this meal really whetted my appetite! If I ever crave something fancy but don't have money to go to a fancy restaurant, I'll just come to your house for a free meal. Don't find me annoying!"

He Yuzhu laughed heartily and quickly said, "Aunt Wang, you're being too polite. Don't even mention freeloading; you can come every day! My family welcomes you anytime, and I guarantee I'll cook the best food for you!"

He knew very well that Wang Hongxia was now the section chief of the Military Control Commission, wielding real power. In the future, when he lived in Beijing, he would inevitably need to use her. Others would have no way to befriend her, so how could he possibly turn her away? Being able to get along with her would only benefit his family, not harm them.

Wang Hongxia could tell that He Yuzhu was sincere, and she liked the young man even more. After chatting for a few more minutes, she got up to say goodbye as it was getting late.

The family saw her off at the gate of the courtyard. Wang Hongxia repeatedly told them to contact her anytime if they needed to handle the house deed or the sale of the property, before turning to leave.

After Wang Hongxia left, the old lady called He Daqing, Chen Lanxiang, and He Yuzhu into the house, closed the door, and started a family meeting.

The room was softly lit, with tea set on the table. The family sat together in a warm yet solemn atmosphere.

The old lady sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), stroking the wood grain of the edge with her hands. After a moment of silence, she looked up at everyone and said firmly, "Daqing, Lanxiang, Aunt Wang is here today too. We've talked about the house. I have an idea that I'd like to share with you."

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang quickly sat up straight and listened attentively: "Mom, please speak, we're listening."

The old lady's gaze fell on He Yuzhu, her eyes full of affection, and she slowly said, "I plan to give the east wing to Zhuzi as his wedding room. He can live here after he gets married and starts his own family."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang froze instantly, waving her hands hastily, "Grandma, this is absolutely unacceptable! The east wing is one of the best houses in the courtyard, it could fetch a good price, how can you just give it away like that? Zhuzi is still young, how can he accept such a valuable thing!"

He Daqing chimed in, "Yes, Mom, the east wing is worth a lot of money. Giving it to him would be too expensive. Why don't we let him buy it himself, or let him live there for now and we can talk about it later?"

Upon hearing this, the old lady's face instantly darkened, showing some dissatisfaction. She waved her hand, her tone leaving no room for argument: "What's wrong with that? I'm not discussing this with you, I'm informing you! I can give my house to whomever I want, and nobody can stop me!"

"Grandma, that house can fetch a lot of money. Keep the money, and you'll have a more comfortable life in your later years."

He Yuzhu quickly spoke up, feeling touched but not wanting the old lady to spend money.

The old lady glared at him, her tone softening slightly, but still firm:

"How much money can there be? I'm such an old woman, what do I need so much money for? I have food and drink, and you all take care of me, that's better than anything. When I'm gone, I'll be content if you can help me with the funeral rites. Money and houses are just material possessions. I only love Zhuzi, he's smart, sensible, and loyal. He'll definitely amount to something in the future. I'd be happy to give him a house!"

"But..." Chen Lanxiang wanted to persuade her further.

"No buts, it's settled then, and nobody should say anything more!"

The old lady made her decision decisively, her tone resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

Seeing this, Chen Lanxiang knew that the old lady was stubborn and once she made up her mind, nothing could change it. So she stopped trying to persuade her, gently pushed He Yuzhu, and said with a smile, "Zhuzi, hurry up and thank your wife! The old lady loves you so much, you can't let her down."

He Yuzhu felt a warmth in his heart, and his eyes welled up slightly. He walked up to the old lady, bowed respectfully, and said in a slightly exaggerated yet sincere tone, "Thank you, Madam! Don't worry, Madam, from now on, whatever you want to eat, I'll make it for you. Whether it flies in the sky, runs on the ground, goes up mountains or down to the sea, I'll get it for you. I guarantee you'll eat and drink the finest food every day!"

The old lady laughed heartily, her wrinkles smoothing out. She patted his head affectionately and said, "You silly child, you always know how to make me happy. There are wild beasts on the mountain, how can we go up there so casually? You can't even swim, why would you go into the sea? I'm already satisfied with your thoughtfulness, there's no need for all that trouble."

"Madam, don't underestimate me. I've been swimming for a long time, I'm not a landlubber!" He Yuzhu said with a defiant laugh, patting his chest to assure her.

"You can swim? You? At most you can splash around in small puddlees. Going to the sea? Our city is hundreds of miles from the sea. How are you going to get there?" The old lady teased him, her eyes full of affection.

"Then I'll go practice swimming in the moat tomorrow. Once I'm good at it, I'll take you to the beach!" He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Go away, you rascal! Do you think you can just go down into the moat like that? It's deep and dangerous. Stay home and don't wander off!" The old lady glared at him, but her tone was full of concern.

Watching the old man and the young man bickering happily, He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang sat to the side with smiles on their faces, feeling warm inside. Such a family atmosphere was something they wouldn't have dared to dream of during the war. Now that things were peaceful, the family was reunited, which was better than anything else.

Just then, He Yushui skipped and hopped in from outside, her little face flushed, her hair in two little braids, and she was wearing a clean floral jacket. It was clear that she had been having a great time playing with her friends.

Hearing her brother and wife arguing, she quickly came over, tugged at He Yuzhu's clothes, tilted her little face up, and said in a childish voice, "Brother, I want to swim too! Take me, take me!"

Ever since He Yuzhu moved into the east wing, He Yushui has been arranged to sleep in the side room. The little girl has been unhappy about this and clings to her brother every day, wishing she could stay by his side all the time. Now that she has a chance, she immediately comes over and acts coquettishly.

He Yuzhu looked down at his little sister's round face, couldn't help but pinch it, and said with a smile, "Okay, I'll get you a big wooden tub tomorrow, and you can splash around at home, okay?"

He Yushui tilted her head, thought about her small wooden bathtub, pouted, and said with a look of disgust, "Huh? How big is that tub? My bathtub is so small, I can't even move when I sit in it, I can't splash around at all!"

"Silly girl, your brother is just teasing you. It's dangerous in the river outside, how can I take you there? Just stay home and play, be good." The old lady reached out and patted He Yushui's head gently.

He Yushui then realized that her brother was teasing her. She immediately pouted, lightly punched He Yuzhu, and said angrily, "Bad brother, bad brother, I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Seeing the little girl's angry expression, the whole family burst into laughter, and the atmosphere in the house became even warmer and more lively.

He Yushui was embarrassed by the laughter, her face turning bright red. She huffed, slid off the kang (a heated brick bed), put on her little cloth shoes, and ran outside, saying, "Hmph, I'm ignoring you all! I'm going to go play with Sister Xiaoman and Xiaohui!"

"This child, slow down, don't fall!" He Daqing hurriedly instructed, saying that the child was unruly, but his eyes were full of doting affection.

"Alright, you have the nerve to say that? It's all your fault for spoiling her and letting her do whatever she wants every day."

Chen Lanxiang gave He Daqing a reproachful look. In disciplining the children at home, He Daqing always played the good cop, reluctant to say a harsh word, while Chen Lanxiang played the bad cop, occasionally saying a few stern words. However, He Yushui was well-behaved and sensible, so she never had to worry too much.

"The rain is still light, and they don't understand yet. We'll teach them slowly." He Daqing chuckled and said no more.

Seeing this, the old lady remembered the house and her smile faded. She said to He Daqing, "By the way, Daqing, go to the Xu family later and ask Xu Fugui if he's willing to buy the west wing of the front yard. We should sell it to the tenant first, according to the price we agreed on before."

"Okay, Grandma, I'll go in a bit." He Daqing nodded, then asked.

"Mom, are you really going to sell it at the price Zhu Zi suggested? Isn't that too cheap?"

"What's with the cheap price? We're all neighbors, we see each other all the time. A fair price is fine, there's no need to make that kind of dirty money." The old lady waved her hand.

"Besides, the price Zhuzi quoted is reasonable. It won't make us lose money or cause trouble for the neighbors. Just do as he says. Why do you have so many ideas?"

"Okay, I'll do as you say, I'll do it the way Zhu Zi says." He Daqing quickly agreed. He didn't have much of an opinion anyway. His father bought this courtyard back then, and for so many years, the old lady had always made the decisions on important family matters.

Chen Lanxiang then asked, "What about Cuiping? She also lives in the front yard. Should we ask her?"

"Of course you should ask. Go to Cuiping's house later and ask her what she thinks. If she wants to buy it, it doesn't matter if she doesn't have enough money. She can pay it back slowly. I'm not in a hurry to use the money." The old lady spoke kindly. She was more and more satisfied with Wang Cuiping, her future daughter-in-law. She was capable, sensible, reasonable, and loved children. She was a perfect match for Zhuzi.

"Okay, I understand." Chen Lanxiang nodded, then asked, "How much do you plan to sell the west wing and the side room for?"

"The west wing room is 150 silver dollars. If you buy the side room along with it, add another 60 silver dollars. These are all reasonable prices. We will never overcharge."

The old lady thought for a moment and said, "This price was very fair in Beijing at that time, and even considered cheap, considering the good location of the courtyard and the spacious house."

"Okay, Xu Fugui can definitely afford this price. His family is well-off. Xu Fugui works in a factory and earns a decent salary. He has some savings," He Daqing said.

Chen Lanxiang was a little worried: "I think it will be difficult for Cuiping. She just started working, her salary is not high, and she has to support her child. One hundred and fifty silver dollars is not a small amount for her. I'm afraid she won't be able to come up with it."

"It's alright, go ask first, the money is negotiable," the old lady said with a smile, not caring at all.

"I really like Xiaoman. She gets along well with Yushui, and Cuiping is a very honest person. Even if she doesn't have enough money, I can buy her first. Whether she pays me back later is up to me. At worst, I can just consider it a gift to them. I'm happy to do so."

"Alright, alright, you're so generous, but you can't be too stingy with yourself." Chen Lanxiang said with a helpless smile, knowing that the old lady was soft-hearted, valued relationships, and didn't care about money.

"I know what I'm doing, and I'll treat different people differently."

When the old lady mentioned Yi Zhonghai, her face instantly darkened, filled with disgust.

"If that little bastard Yi Zhonghai dares to come back and buy the east wing, I'll demand at least three hundred silver dollars from him, not a penny less! That heartless bastard ran off with the money, leaving Li Guihua all alone in the yard. He's a real scoundrel!"

Upon hearing Yi Zhonghai's name, Chen Lanxiang's face showed disgust, and she quickly said, "Don't mention that unlucky guy, it's annoying to even hear about him. By the way, Grandma, what about Li Guihua? Yi Zhonghai ran away, and she's a woman all alone, with no one to rely on and no income. It's not good for her to stay at home all day."

The old lady sighed, her tone now tinged with sympathy:

"Go ask her too, see if Yi Zhonghai left her any money when he left. The west wing room is bigger than the side room, I won't ask for much, just eighty silver dollars. If she has the money, she can buy it; if not, she can continue renting it. But it's not a long-term solution for a woman to just stay at home and live off her savings. She needs to find a job, otherwise how will she live when the money runs out?"

"Sigh, that's true, he's a pitiful person." Chen Lanxiang nodded, feeling a little sorry for him.

"Okay, I'll go ask her about it later and try to persuade her to find a job. She can't rely on others for support forever."

The family chatted for a few more minutes. The old lady was getting on in years and was a little tired after talking for so long, so He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang quickly helped her back to the backyard to rest. After settling the old lady in, He Daqing got up and went to the Xu family's house, while Chen Lanxiang went to Wang Cuiping's house first, and then to Li Guihua's house.

In the front yard of the Xu family home, Xu Fugui and his wife were having dinner when they saw He Daqing come in. They quickly got up to greet him and warmly offered him a seat and poured him tea.

He Daqing explained his purpose and mentioned selling the house. Xu Fugui's eyes lit up instantly. He had long wanted to buy the west wing where he lived. Having his own house would give him peace of mind, and he would no longer have to rent and live in fear. He immediately agreed to buy it.

However, when it came to the side room, Xu Fugui hesitated, stroked his chin, and said, "Brother He, I won't buy the side room for now. My child is still young, and there will be many expenses in the future. I need to have some savings on hand in case of emergency. The west wing is enough for our family to live in, and we don't need the side room for the time being."

He Daqing nodded, indicating his understanding:

"Okay, I understand. Everyone has their difficulties. The west wing isn't small either. If it's really not enough, we can partition it later. It's alright. Whenever it's convenient for you to send the money over, we'll go and complete the formalities."

"Okay, thank you, Brother He, and thank you for your understanding, Madam. I'll raise the money in the next few days and send it over to you as soon as possible!" Xu Fugui thanked him hurriedly, his face full of joy. Being able to buy this house fulfilled one of his wishes.

After leaving the Xu family's house, He Daqing went to Wang Cuiping's house in the front yard. Wang Cuiping had just returned home from get off work and was putting her child to sleep. When she saw Chen Lanxiang come in, she quickly got up to greet her, saying with a smile, "Sister-in-law, you're here. Please have a seat."

Chen Lanxiang sat down, looked at the sleeping He Siyu, and said with a smile, "The child is asleep? This girl is so cute, just as pretty as you."

"My sister-in-law always praises me." Wang Cuiping smiled and poured her a glass of water.

"Sister-in-law, you came here because of the house, right?"

"Cuiping is so clever, she guessed it right away." Chen Lanxiang nodded with a smile.

"The old lady asked me to ask you if you would like to buy the west wing of the front yard. The price is very reasonable, one hundred and fifty silver dollars, and the side room together is only two hundred and one. The old lady said that if you don't have enough money, you can pay it off slowly."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping did not hesitate at all. She smiled and got up, took out a small cloth bag from the box, opened it, and saw five small yellow croakers neatly arranged inside. She handed it to Chen Lanxiang and said in a cheerful tone, "Sister-in-law, I've bought the west wing. I have enough money, no need to owe me."

Chen Lanxiang stared at the small yellow croaker for a moment, surprised that Wang Cuiping had so much money. Then she laughed and teased, "You little rascal, you've been keeping this well hidden. You've prepared the money so quickly."

Wang Cuiping smiled, leaned closer to Chen Lanxiang, lowered her voice, and her eyes held a hint of cunning:

"Sister-in-law, I won't buy the side room, but your He family needs to prepare a wedding house for Zhuzi in advance. We can't let my Xiaoman be homeless after he gets married, can we?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang immediately understood her meaning. She lowered her voice and said with a smile, "Of course, Zhu Zi's wedding room has already been prepared. Isn't the east wing room ready? The old lady has already spoken, and it will be given directly to Zhu Zi as his wedding room. I guarantee your Xiao Man won't be shortchanged."

"Your family is preparing very early, but Xiaoman is still young, so there's no rush," Wang Cuiping said with a smile.

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and we have to prepare for them sooner or later. Besides, our Zhuzi is so outstanding, he's hard to find even with a lantern. He's more than a match for your Xiaoman."

Chen Lanxiang looked proud and couldn't help but praise her son.

Wang Cuiping was amused by her and said, "You're just praising yourself a bit, but Zhu Zi is indeed quite good."

The two exchanged a knowing smile, their relationship growing ever closer. Now, the two families get along like one big family, and they speak without any reservations.

Chen Lanxiang looked at Xiao Huangyu with some concern and asked, "Aren't you afraid we won't process your property deed if you just give me all the money?"

"What are you afraid of? With the relationship between our two families, do you think I don't trust you? If you don't give me the deed, I'll just move in with my kids and refuse to leave!" Wang Cuiping joked, her tone relaxed and full of trust.

"Haha, you silly girl, I'm just teasing you. I'll definitely get the property deed sorted out perfectly for you."

Chen Lanxiang laughed heartily, put the small yellow croaker away, and then remembered something else.

"Oh, right, I still need to go ask Li Guihua, so I won't chat with you any longer."

"Does she have any money? Yi Zhonghai ran away, I guess he didn't leave her much money," Wang Cuiping asked with some concern.

"Who knows? We'll find out if we ask. We should help if we can, since we're neighbors after all," Chen Lanxiang sighed and said.

"Shouldn't we ask about the Jia family?" Wang Cuiping asked again. The Jia family lived in the front yard, and Zhang Ruhua was a mean-spirited person who didn't get along well with the people in the yard.

Chen Lanxiang's face darkened, and she waved her hand with a look of disgust: "I'm too lazy to go. I don't want to see Zhang Ruhua's sharp and mean face. It's annoying just looking at her. When it's time to go to work, just have your older brother tell Lao Jia. With his family's conditions, they definitely can't afford it. Asking is pointless."

"That's true, let them be then." Wang Cuiping nodded and said no more.

Chen Lanxiang got up to leave, but after taking two steps, she suddenly sat down again, as if she had remembered something important. Looking at Wang Cuiping, she asked with concern, "Oh right, I almost forgot something. Siyu is still so young. You're going back to work right after your confinement period. How will you breastfeed at noon? You're running back and forth every day. It must be too tiring for you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping's face showed a hint of worry, and she sighed.

"I'm also worried about this. I've already missed so much work, and I feel bad about taking more leave. I can only run back and forth at noon. If it weren't for Zhuzi picking me up and dropping me off on his bicycle every day, my legs would be exhausted."

"Bicycles are a rare commodity these days. There are only a handful in the entire Military Control Commission. Don't even think about buying one. It's best to keep a low profile right now," Chen Lanxiang advised.

"I know, I didn't plan to buy any, I'm just worried about breastfeeding," Wang Cuiping nodded and said.

Chen Lanxiang said with a smile, "That's easy. I have a few glass baby bottles that I asked someone to bring back from out of town. They're clean and easy to use. I'll bring them to you. Before you leave in the morning, express your milk and put it in the bottles. I'll heat it up at home at noon and feed it to Siyu. That way, you won't have to run back and forth. You can just go to work without worry."

"Baby bottle? What's that? Is it useful?" Wang Cuiping asked curiously, having never seen such an object before.

"You'll see when I bring it over. It's clean, hygienic, and very convenient. I feel safe giving it to my child," Chen Lanxiang said with a smile.

Wang Cuiping was filled with gratitude, her eyes slightly moist. She took Chen Lanxiang's hand and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. You've really gone to so much trouble. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Don't be so polite with me, we're all family." Chen Lanxiang waved her hand and said with a smile, "You can focus on your work, leave the children to me, don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of them."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Chen Lanxiang got up to say goodbye. Wang Cuiping wanted to see her off, but she stopped her and walked out of Wang Cuiping's house in a few steps, heading straight for the west-facing room where Li Guihua lived.

Li Guihua's room was dimly lit and clean, but it was cold and deserted, without a trace of life.

Li Guihua was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) in a daze, her face pale and her expression dejected. Yi Zhonghai had run away, and she, a woman, had no relatives or friends. Her heart was filled with fear and helplessness. She stayed in the house every day, not going out or speaking, and her whole body had become quite haggard.

Seeing Chen Lanxiang enter, Li Guihua quickly stood up, her face showing a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness, and said in a soft voice, "Sister-in-law He, you've arrived, please sit down."

Chen Lanxiang sat down, and seeing her haggard appearance, she felt a little sorry for her. She got straight to the point and brought up the matter of the house:

"Guihua, I came here today to ask you if Yi Zhonghai left you any money when he left. The old lady is planning to sell the west-facing room where you live. The price isn't high, only eighty silver dollars. If you have the money, you can buy it and have your own home in the future. If you don't have the money, you can continue to rent."

Upon hearing this, Li Guihua remained silent for a moment, her eyes slightly reddening, and said in a low voice, "When he left, he left behind some money, not much, just enough to buy a house, but... I'm a little hesitant. If I buy a house, I won't have any money left, and I don't have a job. How will I survive?"

Seeing her hesitation, Chen Lanxiang felt both angry and heartbroken. She couldn't help but say, "You're too weak. A woman can't stay at home forever, just sitting around and eating away your savings. Money will eventually run out. You have to find a job, no matter how much or how little you earn, at least you can support yourself. If you're too embarrassed to look, I'll ask Daqing to help you inquire whether factories or textile mills need anyone. Find an easy job, and you'll be able to survive."

Upon hearing this, Li Guihua burst into tears, choking back sobs as she said, "Sister-in-law He, thank you. I know you mean well, but I've never worked before, I've never been to school, I don't know anything, who would want me..."

She was truly desperate. During the war, her family was gone. She married Yi Zhonghai, hoping to live a peaceful life, but he ran away with the money, leaving her all alone. If it weren't for the help from the people in the compound, she would have died long ago. But she also knew that she couldn't rely on others forever, and she felt both inferior and helpless.

Seeing her tear-streaked face, Chen Lanxiang's anger subsided. She sighed and said, "Alright, stop crying. I know you're having a hard time. I'll go back and talk to Daqing and ask him to help you find a job. I'll also talk to the old lady about the house. Let you wait a bit before buying it. Just live here for now and don't think too much about it."

After saying that, Chen Lanxiang didn't linger. Seeing Li Guihua's sad expression, she felt bad too and turned to leave.

Li Guihua watched her retreating figure, tears streaming down her face, her heart filled with gratitude.

She knew she had no right to stay in this courtyard, but she had no relatives or friends there, and if she left, she wouldn't know where to go. So she had no choice but to stay, even if it meant swallowing her pride. She secretly resolved that once she found a job, she would work hard and never continue living such a muddled life.

When Chen Lanxiang returned home, she didn't go to the backyard to disturb the old lady's rest. Instead, she sat inside, thinking about what had happened that day, feeling a mix of emotions.

A moment later, He Yushui came skipping back from outside, her little face covered in sweat. As soon as she entered, she grabbed He Yuzhu's leg, looked up at him, and said in a spoiled tone, "Brother, I don't want to sleep in the side room. I want to sleep in yours. Will you tell me a story tonight?"

Ever since He Yuzhu moved into the east wing, He Yushui has been clinging to him, wanting to sleep with him every day. He Yuzhu's heart softened when he saw his sister's pitiful appearance. He smiled and ruffled her hair, saying, "Alright, come on, chubby girl, sleep with me tonight, and I'll tell you stories about war."

"Hehe, that's great, brother is the best!"

He Yushui's face instantly lit up with a smile, and she hugged He Yuzhu's leg, overjoyed.

In those days, being chubby was a symbol of a well-off family. He Yushui looked at the other children in the yard who were thin and pale, but she didn't mind being called a chubby girl at all. On the contrary, she felt very proud.