Chapter 153: Housewarming Turmoil

Early Sunday morning, the West Cross Courtyard already echoed with the sounds of martial practice. Li Ping'an was practicing Bajiquan, the wind of his fists whooshing. Li Pingle was beside him doing Tai Chi, movements gentle and fluid, the two siblings not disturbing each other.

Brother, your punches are really powerful. Li Pingle finished his stance and wiped sweat.

On the Korean battlefield, this style was a great help. My Bajiquan has become superb, transcendent, now I am a master of the transformation realm. Li Ping'an lowered his posture, saying that today we will invite a few guests for a meal, as thanks for the care you've given over the years, and to celebrate the housewarming.

Who are we inviting?

Political Commissar Zhou, the Sha Zhu siblings, and you Su Shifu. Li Ping'an said, "Political Commissar Zhou has taken good care of you over the years, Su Shifu taught you embroidery, you must not forget your roots, Sha Zhu's father helped me back then, that debt must be remembered."

The siblings split up. Li Ping'an went to the market, picked a piece of pork belly, selected two live fish, also bought a block of soft tofu, some greens, and a bottle of wine. Li Pingle went to invite Su Shifu and Zhou Zhengwei.

When Li Ping'an returned to the courtyard carrying the groceries, Yan Bu Gui was at the doorway arranging his roses. Seeing the meat and fish, his eyes widened.

Ping'an, is this for a guest invitation? Yan Bu Gui pushed his glasses, "I have a good bottle of wine stored at home, shall we two elders have a sip?"

Third Elder, today we only invite a few acquaintances, we'll accompany you another day. Li Ping'an politely declined.

Li Ping'an also invited the Sha Zhu siblings over for a meal.

He Yushui: Brother Ping'an, for your housewarming celebration I haven't prepared anything!

Li Ping'an: Your cooking skills are enough, just don't forget to bring Yushui along.

Yan Bu Gui looked at him enter the courtyard with a sour expression, muttering: Even with good dishes, you don't invite the elders…

Around noon, Sha Zhu got busy in the kitchen. Soon, the aroma of Red Braised Pork filled the courtyard. The scents of Spicy Tofu and Boiled Fish followed, making the neighbors stick their heads out, craving.

While Sha Zhu was cooking, Li Pingle led Su Shifu and Zhou Zhengwei into the West Cross Courtyard, each bearing a gift.

Li Ping'an came out to greet them: Su Shifu, Zhou Zhengwei, it's fine that you're here, why bring gifts?

Political Commissar Zhou: If I didn't bring gifts, other colleagues would find out and say I'm bullying you; I can't endure that.

Su Shifu: Isn't it normal when many people give gifts!

Li Ping'an: Pingle, pour water for Zhou Zhengwei and Su Shifu; they'll be able to eat soon.

Li Pingle led them into the living room and poured water for them.

In the back courtyard, Deaf Old Lady sniffed and asked a big aunt: Which household makes such fragrant dishes? They don't even invite the old lady to taste.

West Cross Courtyard Li Ping'an is hosting a housewarming feast, said the big aunt.

When Deaf Old Lady heard it was Li Ping'an, she fell silent at once. She remembered the shrewdness of that ten‑year‑old Henan kid when he came to rent a room years ago.

In the Central Courtyard, Jia Zhangshi complained sourly: Just because you're a leader you can feast and drink? You don't even help the neighbors.

Yi Zhonghai paced around the courtyard twice, gave a glance to Liu Haizhong and Yan Bu Gui. The three of them headed together to the West Cross Courtyard.

Ping'an, Yi Zhonghai stood at the doorway, having heard you're hosting, you didn't invite the three Elders, and you also didn't invite Deaf Old Lady? She's the courtyard's venerable ancestor, also a martyr's family. You've served in the army, you should support the troops, set an example.

Liu Haizhong puffed his belly and added: Exactly, not inviting the three Elders is a great disrespect to the leadership.

Yan Bu Gui rubbed his hands: Ping'an, having guests without elders is rude. Shall I stay and keep you company?

Li Ping'an set down his chopsticks and walked to the doorway: Yi Shifu, you just called Deaf Old Lady an ancestor? This is the new society now; people still want to wield power over the people? That's discontent with the new society!

Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale, cold sweat streaming: I—I meant that Deaf Old Lady is elderly, we must respect the old and love the young. Her son is a martyr; we should take good care of the martyr's family!

Martyr's family? Li Ping'an raised an eyebrow: Then why isn't there a martyr's plaque at her doorstep? Could her son be from over there?

Those words were like a bomb. The Deaf Old Lady, hiding behind Chuihua Gate, trembled all over, and quickly let a big aunt help her back to the back courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai wiped his sweat: Li Ping'an, stop talking nonsense; since you're unwilling to respect the elders, we won't force you. But respecting the old and loving the young is a traditional virtue, the courtyard still needs to promote it.

The onlooking neighbors whispered, all discussing Deaf Old Lady's identity. No one dared to question loudly, after all Yi Zhonghai is a Level Seven Pliers Worker and also a First Elder with high prestige in the courtyard.

In the West Cross Courtyard, Zhou Zhengwei set down his wine cup and shook his head: People in this courtyard are truly something; even without being invited to eat, they can spin so many arguments.

Su Shifu passed a dish to Li Pingle: Pingle, living in this courtyard you must be careful; these people are not simple.

Li Ping'an poured wine for Zhou Zhengwei: They just want to control this courtyard. Yi Zhonghai is scheming to find someone for retirement, Liu Haizhong craves official power, Yan Bu Gui spends the whole day looking for petty gains.

Sha Zhu, while gnawing on a fish head, said: Ping'an brother, if I were to say, you're being overly polite. If it were me, I'd just blast you out!

He Yushui tugged her brother's sleeve: Brother, say a few words less.

Yushui was right. Li Ping'an laughed, saying we just need to live our own lives well.

Li Ping'an turned to his sister: Pingle, remember brother's words. Keep little contact with courtyard people, except Yushui. If someone asks to borrow things, don't give, especially the Jia family.

Li Pingle nodded obediently: Got it, brother.

After three rounds of wine, Political Commissar Zhou spoke seriously: Ping'an, how's the factory lately?

It's okay, just there's always someone looking for trouble.

Remember, evil cannot overcome righteousness. Zhou Zhengwei patted his shoulder, saying you're now the Security Section Chief; when you need to be firm, you must be firm.

At that moment, Jia Zhangshi's shouting echoed in the courtyard: Eat selfish rotten intestines!

Li Ping'an walked to the doorway, seeing Jia Zhangshi pointing at a mulberry while cursing a locust tree.

Jia Zhangshi, Li Ping'an's voice was low but authoritative: You want meat, go buy it at the market tomorrow. Cursing in the street here, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?

Jia Zhangshi was choked speechless, stormed back into the house.

After the meal, after seeing the guests off, the siblings cleared the dishes. Li Pingle whispered: Brother, did we offend everyone in the courtyard today?

Afraid of what? Li Ping'an wiped the table, saying we act righteously and sit upright. It's only some people, with ghosts in their hearts, who feel fear.

Night fell, Yi Zhonghai slipped into the back courtyard into Deaf Old Lady's house.

Old lady, today Li Ping'an's words, you can't really know anything, can you?

Deaf Old Lady squinted: So what if he knows? No evidence. As for you, be more careful with your words in the future.

I'm not doing this to protect your standing in the courtyard...

No need. Deaf Old Lady waved her hand, saying don't bother Li Ping'an anymore. This person isn't simple.

In the West Cross Courtyard, Li Ping'an wrote a letter under the lamp:

Xueqing: Today's housewarming banquet let me witness the myriad faces of the courtyard people. The scheming and rivalry among neighbors are harder to handle than the overt and covert weapons on the battlefield...

Outside, the moonlight is just right, the Siheyuan is quiet. Yet everyone knows that beneath this tranquility, undercurrents are still flowing.