I am Jia Dongjin in the Siheyuan (Courtyard House)

Chapter 73 Seeking refuge

In the 1960s, the canteen was the liveliest place in the steel rolling mill, besides the workshops.

The chefs at the front of the kitchen were all burly men, and the spatulas they held were no lighter than the tools used by the workers in the factory.

The spatula was as big as an entrenching tool. When He Yuzhu was stirring up dozens of kilograms of food in the pan, the muscles on his arms rippled with the movement, just like a hydraulic press operating in a workshop.

"Hey!"

With a shout, the cabbage stalks and potato chunks in the pot drew an arc in the air and landed precisely back in the pot. The force and accuracy were in no way inferior to those of the old workers operating the rolling mill in the workshop.

Director Yang still preferred to enjoy good food. He Yuzhu only cleaned the toilets for a month, but because of his good performance, he was allowed to return to work in the canteen.

"Silly Zhu, your sister Qin is getting married today, did you give any money as a wedding gift?"

Liu Lan walked over carrying a large tea mug, her eyes full of mockery.

"I gave her the money yesterday and promised to cook her wedding banquet for free, but unfortunately she didn't."

He Yuzhu hadn't taken He Yushui's suggestion seriously at first, but yesterday was different. Seeing that Qin Huairu was about to marry Jia Dongjin, He Yuzhu suddenly realized that he had made a mistake by not listening to his sister's arrangements in time. If he had asked for her hand in marriage first, Qin Huairu might have actually married him.

When Qin Huairu married into the courtyard house, He Yuzhu was only 17 years old. As he grew older, he developed feelings for her, but she was already married.

After Jia Dongxu's incident, He Yuzhu did consider it, but he couldn't overcome her status as a widow and the fact that he had two children to support.

It wasn't until He Yushui made it clear that He Yuzhu realized what was happening, but seeing that the die was cast, he could only offer his blessings.

"Hmph! You're kind-hearted!"

No matter how hard she struck the broken drum, it wouldn't make a sound. Liu Lan snorted coldly and began to inquire about today's special meal arrangements.

"There's no more special tutoring. Director Li told me this morning that special tutoring is suspended indefinitely."

With the quota being reduced, it was only a matter of time before the special meals were suspended. He Yuzhu looked depressed. Without the extra income from the special meals, not to mention Liu Lan, his future days would not be easy either.

"Special tutoring is suspended indefinitely!"

Liu Lan had considered pausing the pregnancy, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly, which saddened her. She wondered where the money for her child would come from in the future.

"Sister Liu, there's nothing we can do about it. We ordinary people can only endure it. Things will get better soon."

Even when it comes to making money, He Yuzhu is helpless; a clever cook can't make a meal without rice.

"You only have yourself to eat and your whole family isn't hungry, but I have children to raise."

Seeing that He Yuzhu was also helpless, Liu Lan finally felt lost.

"Director Li is here. Liu Lan, you'd better put on an act so you don't get criticized by the boss."

He Yuzhu had good eyesight. He saw Li Huaide walking with his head held high, accompanied by Director Li of the canteen, to inspect the work of the canteen. He quickly reminded Liu Lan not to be used as a negative example.

"Li Huaide?!"

Liu Lan's eyes suddenly lit up.

As the spring breeze swept across the streets, the remaining snow on the glazed tiles quietly melted into water droplets, which dripped down the eaves onto the bluestone slabs, spreading out tiny damp marks.

Grass sprouts emerged from the base of the wall, timidly peeking out, and soon they merged into a patch of light green, adding a soft edge to the gray courtyard wall.

The forsythia is in full bloom, its branches covered in golden yellow. Peach blossoms and crabapple blossoms crowd the bamboo basket, their pink and white petals glistening with morning dew, as if offering blessings to the newlyweds.

For so many years, Qin Huairu had always been seen as a quiet and reserved person. This was the first time Jia Dongjin had discovered that Qin Huairu was actually so talkative, talking non-stop the whole way. He couldn't help but slow down the car.

As the woman behind him continued to pour out her heart, Jia Dongjin's gaze gradually softened. He felt an overwhelming tenderness in his heart. Feelings could indeed be cultivated, and familial affection was no less than romantic love.

Jia Dongjin's decision to marry Qin Huairu wasn't entirely for the sake of the Jia family; he also had his own secrets.

That day, when he returned home from fishing, he saw Qin Huairu, who was as cheerful as a little bird, coming to greet him. Jia Dongjin then developed feelings for the woman.

Later, every time he returned from catching fish, he would slow down his pace as he entered the hanging flower gate, just so that a woman would come forward to greet him.

It was only because of societal pressure and the influence of the original drama that Jia Dongjin himself dared not admit it, which is why he deliberately kept his distance.

On the day the Yan family seized the house, Qin Huairu's composure, intelligence, and forbearance captivated him. If it weren't for his social status, she would be the wife he wanted to spend his life with.

In comparison, Zhang Qin is too naive; she is merely a flower in a greenhouse.

When the Jia family was pushed to the brink, Jia Dongjin suddenly realized that the plot could not truly control fate, and anything was possible.

Qin Huairu is not "like Qin Huai" as the screenwriter said; that is clearly a discriminatory name.

Jia Dongjin always believed that no woman could have done better than Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu had raised three children and supported her mother-in-law with great resilience. She was undoubtedly a good woman and could not be called a courtesan from Qinhuai.

Jia Dongjin thought a lot. Now that he had decided to marry Qin Huairu, he was prepared to accept whatever fate might throw his way.

Today, he took the initiative to align himself with Li Huaide in order to improve his own status and prevent any Tom, Dick, or Harry from daring to covet Qin Huairu in the future.

The security officer Liu Hong's scheme seriously alerted Jia Dongjin. Unlike the original drama, Qin Huairu was eating better than before, was younger and more beautiful, and only had two children, which led to Liu Hong's conspiracy.

In the midst of turbulent waves, ordinary people who want to live a peaceful and stable life, barely surviving, may not be able to do so, especially if they have a beautiful wife.

Jia Dongjin was very worried, fearing that Qin Huairu would attract even more powerful people in the future, so he decided to change his ways and strive to climb up the social ladder.

Director Yang is the top leader. With the deaf old lady as a link, he has connections with Yi Zhonghai, and naturally stands on the opposite side of Jia Dongjin.

Li Huaide was a generous man who truly rewarded his subordinates. In the original drama, Li Huaide failed to win over Qin Huairu and was instead tricked by Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu.

After careful consideration, Jia Dongjin chose to join Li Huaide's side.

If you want to advance, it's better to have a powerful backer than to rely on your performance. Jia Dongjin, this old corporate slave, finally decided to change himself. If he bows and scrapes now, he can bow and scrape less in the future.

For young people who have come to understand the rules of the world, the hardest thing to overcome is the test of integrity.

Youthful exuberance and ambition are characteristics of all young people, but not everyone can be humble and subservient. As they grow older, they are battered and bruised by society. When they finally come to their senses, they lack the time or opportunity and can only regret it for the rest of their lives.

Today was the first time Jia Dongjin bent down, but he found it wasn't too difficult, and the other person was actually very polite.

Indeed, whatever the soil, that's what the crops will grow; human beings are truly remarkable in their ability to adapt.

Integrity is precious, but sometimes it is worthless, and may even be a death sentence.

Jia Dongjin smiled slightly. Surrounded by birds and beasts in the courtyard, he thought of the march again.

"Whether under the scorching sun or in the biting cold, I will never back down, I will never be afraid!"

Even the slowest car will eventually reach its destination. Before the two newlyweds could finish expressing their feelings, they arrived at the neighborhood office.

Because of his radio repair business, Jia Dongjin is now a local celebrity. And because of the legendary story of his brother-in-law proposing to his sister-in-law, almost everyone comes over to ask for wedding candy when they learn that the two are here to get their marriage certificate.

Congratulations!

Thank you!

Jia Dongjin took out the Cuban candy he had prepared beforehand, and after exchanging pleasantries and congratulations, he finally obtained his marriage certificate for the first time in both his lives.

"Why is it like an award certificate, without even a cover?"

Jia Dongjin grinned, casually handed a few pieces of wedding candy to the gatekeeper, Uncle Mao, and then took his wife to the photo studio.

"Why take a picture? It's a waste of money."

With the marriage certificate in hand, Qin Huairu was finally completely at ease and quickly switched into "good wife mode."

"Oh my, I'm so happy I'm dizzy."

Jia Dongjin slapped his forehead and hurriedly rode his bicycle straight to the department store.

With the "waist-hugging permit" in hand, Qin Huairu held Jia Dongjin's waist securely, her upper body leaning against his back, almost greedily savoring her husband's scent, until she was interrupted.

"Hey, I'm talking to you! You're not allowed to hug and kiss in the street, what kind of behavior is that!"

After a thin middle-aged woman finished her stern reprimand, she was about to rush forward to stop the inappropriate behavior, and several other middle-aged women nearby were also eager to do the same.

"Auntie, would you like to know about your newly obtained marriage certificate?"

Seeing that things were not going well, Jia Dongjin quickly freed his left hand, took the marriage certificate from Qin Huairu's hand, and excitedly held up the certificate and shouted.

The thin woman continued to rush forward, but her companion grabbed her arm, saying, "It's alright, she's just gotten married and things are still going strong, let's be understanding."

Ignoring the fact that the older woman misheard "understand" as "comprehend," Jia Dongjin broke through the encirclement and arrived at the department store.

"No, no, we can't waste money. A set of clothes costs 30 yuan, that's too expensive." Qin Huairu grabbed Jia Dongjin, determined to stop her husband's extravagant spending.

"I'm the boss, what I say goes."

At this moment, Jia Dongjin finally understood the benefits of being in charge. He patted his pocket and announced with a magnanimous expression that he had plenty of money and told the woman to go buy a set of women's clothing.

According to Jia Dongjin's true feelings, he actually wanted to buy a dress more; those who understand will understand.

However, buying dresses was out of the question. To be on the safe side, Jia Dongjin decided not to buy any dresses for the next ten years or so, not even dresses, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"You're the boss, you make the decisions."

Women love pretty clothes. Qin Huairu knew that the man was rich, and she was secretly pleased, but she pouted on the surface.

This is a newlywed marriage, and a brand new life is about to begin. Qin Huairu has already decided that no matter how reluctant she is, she will obey the man's arrangements. Besides, she wants to show the best version of herself to the man.

Qin Huairu strode forward and arrived at the sales counter, her pace even faster than Jia Dongjin's.

The woman chose a dress, a trendy Suzhou-style women's garment. After trying it on and seeing that no one was paying attention, she gently straightened the dress, slightly puffed out her chest, and asked with a hint of shyness, "Dongjin, does the dress fit?"

Looking at the radiant Qin Huairu, Jia Dongjin smiled and nodded. He could only sigh inwardly, "Models look fashionable even in rags, and beautiful women look good in anything."

"Salesperson, could you please bring her another pair of leather shoes, the reddish-brown ones?"

Jia Dongjin decided to buy everything at once to avoid the trouble of making another trip.

He gradually assembled some more bicycles, and with what he had accumulated over time, his savings had reached 160 yuan. Today, Jia Dongjin brought a total of 100 yuan, and with the money Li Huaide gave him, he had 120 yuan, all for this moment.

"Dongjin, no, new clothes are enough, why buy leather shoes? Actually, I prefer cloth shoes. Leather shoes are too uncomfortable, cloth shoes are much more comfortable."

Although Qin Huairu was happy, she couldn't accept the high cost. Jia Dongjin also had high standards. The two of them were pulling and tugging at each other, which made the sales clerk cough three times.

The sales clerk was also cunning; he intentionally or unintentionally directed Jia Dongjin to look at the sign behind him.