Chapter 293

Since Li Ping'an gave Sha Zhu a tip, Sha Zhu's insight opened like a splash of pure cream on his head.

The neighbors of Xi Kua Yuan found that although Sha Zhu was still clumsy, when faced with Ma Dongmei and her two wailing sons, the irritation in his brows seemed reduced, replaced by a clumsy, trying‑to‑be‑more‑patient effort.

That evening, a different aroma drifted through the Siheyuan. It was not the usual stir‑fried scallion‑ginger scent of Sha Zhu's house, nor the salty pickled bun smell of ordinary homes, but the long‑missed, mouth‑watering meat fragrance and the oily scent of fried eggs. The source was, astonishingly, the backyard Second Elder Liu Haizhong's home.

"Er Da Ma, what special day is it today? Improving the meals?" Front Courtyard Third Elder Yan Bu Gui, with sleeves tucked, nostrils flaring, strolled and wandered into the backyard, his eyes behind lenses precisely locking onto the steam rising from the Liu family's kitchen window.

Er Da Ma's face could not hide her pride, and the spatula she wielded in the stir‑fry swung more forcefully: "Ha! It's our Guangqi, of course! The child is making us proud! He graduated from the technical secondary school, was assigned to the Steel Factory's technical department! A full‑fledged technician! I heard the salary figure!" She lowered her voice, held up a few fingers to indicate, and her face smiled like a Chrysanthemum Stamp.

Yan Bu Gui quickly calculated that number in his mind, and couldn't help silently licking his lips. Good fellow! Having just started work, he's already above many old workers in the courtyard! The administrative rank sounds respectable too. He immediately piled an envious smile on his face: "Oh! This is a huge happy event! Guangqi, I've seen his promise since he was a child! Sharp mind! Unlike those few wooden blocks in our family! Old Liu, we must celebrate properly!"

Just as he spoke, Liu Haizhong, with his trademark pot belly, hands behind his back, marched out of the house with a square step. The red glow on his face was brighter than the fire in the stove.

He cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound plain, yet it still carried a rising, proud tone: "Old Yan is here? No big deal, the child is making us proud, the organization trusts him and gave him a chance to train. We parents also have to support his work, right? We'll make a couple of simple dishes tonight to encourage him."

The words made it sound as if Liu Guangqi were not just becoming a technician but taking some remarkable post. Yan Bu Gui's mind was as clear as a mirror, knowing Old Liu was deliberately showing off in front of him, yet he went along with the flattery: "Of course, of course! Guangqi is bringing honor to our Siheyuan! In the Steel Factory, we'll have to rely on his extra care in the future."

Liu Haizhong was clearly very pleased, waved his big hand and pretended to be generous: "When Old Yi arrives in a bit, you shouldn't leave, let's have a drink together! The three Elders of our courtyard can use this chance to exchange thoughts!" He deliberately emphasized "three Elders", with the subtext: seeing my son so successful, my status as Second Elder also rises like the water level.

Yan Bu Gui naturally answered affirmatively, saying he wouldn't pass up a bargain, let alone one that includes meat and vegetables.

Soon, First Elder Yi Zhonghai was also invited over. The three Elders sat around Liu's greasy Eight Immortals Table, on which lay a bowl of glossy Red Braised Pork, a plate of golden, tempting fried eggs, and several side dishes.

Liu Haizhong sat in the main seat, full of vigor, and for three sentences his topic never left his son Guangqi, ranging from graduation grades to assigned unit, then from salary to future prospects, spitting words like stars, as if Liu Guangqi could become the Steel Factory director tomorrow.

Yi Zhonghai listened with a smile, occasionally echoing a couple of sentences, but felt a certain unease inside. He had no children; watching other families' kids succeed made him happy for the neighbors, yet also a bit lonely for his own lack of heirs.

Yan Bu Gui, meanwhile, ate while calculating: how much meat and how many eggs they had consumed from Old Liu's family this meal; if they ate a bit more, they could skip breakfast tomorrow!

The meat aroma and bustle from the backyard drifted over the Hanging Flower Gate and faintly reached the Central Courtyard.

Sha Zhu, just having changed diapers for his two little ancestors and feeling sore in his waist and back, smelled the scent and grumbled irritably: "Huh! Liu Pangzi's place is this? A fried egg makes the whole courtyard think his son got a government post!"

Ma Dongmei leaned on the kang, sighed: "Their child is successful, why are you sour? If you have the ability, let our son also get into a technical secondary school in the future."

Just then, the door curtain lifted, and He Yushui brought in a young fellow. The youngster wore a washed‑out blue police uniform, stood straight, his brows and eyes were proper, exuding the distinctive vigor of a civil servant of this era.

"Brother, sister‑in‑law!" He Yushui's face bore a faint shy blush, but her voice was brighter than usual, "This is... this is Zhang Weiguo, who works at our Police Substation." She quietly nudged the young police officer beside her.

Zhang Weiguo clearly seemed a bit nervous, but still straightened his back and gave a not‑quite‑standard salute: "Brother Sha, sister‑in‑law, hello! I'm Zhang Weiguo, it's Yushui... it's Comrade He Yushui's friend."

Sha Zhu froze for a moment, scanning Zhang Weiguo up and down. A local police? This Yushui girl, silently, actually found someone in a uniform? His heart first gave a thump, then a complex feeling rose.

On one hand, his sister finding a respectable job partner is good; on the other hand, this brother‑in‑law is a police officer, and as the big brother‑in‑law, he feels a bit... uncomfortable in front of him?

Ma Dongmei's eyes lit up, quickly beckoned: "Oh, it's Comrade Zhang, please come in, have a seat inside! Yushui, you really should have told us earlier!" She struggled to sit up straighter, trying to look more presentable.

Zhang Weiguo quickly gestured: "Sister‑in‑law, stay seated, don't be formal." He still held a packet of oil‑paper‑wrapped pastries, carefully placed it on the table, "A small token, to help sister‑in‑law replenish her health."

Sha Zhu at this moment caught on—it was the "brother‑in‑law" coming for inspection! He coughed, tried to assume the big brother‑in‑law stance, and pointed to the nearby stool: "Sit down. At the Police Substation... what exactly do they do? What are the duties of a local police?"

His tone carried a hint of appraisal, as if weighing the fat and lean of a piece of pork.

Zhang Weiguo sat down neatly, hands on his knees: "Mainly we're responsible for the security of our area, mediating neighborhood disputes, familiarizing ourselves with the resident population..." His speech was clear and his attitude neither servile nor arrogant.

He Yushui watched her brother nervously, fearing that this reckless one might say something out of line.

Sha Zhu listened, and his mind slowly worked it out. Hmm, the job is respectable, a secure iron‑rice‑bowl. The man is a bit shady, but looks vigorous and sturdy, not just a pretty face. Yushui and him... He glanced at his sister's shy, timid expression, sighed, "A grown daughter shouldn't be kept!"

"Done! Take good care of the precinct! If Xu Damao's grandson in the backyard dares to cause trouble again, go straight to you!" Sha Zhu slapped his thigh hard and blurted out this sentence.

That sentence made Zhang Weiguo laugh, left He Yushui both laughing and crying, and made Ma Dongmei stare straight at Sha Zhu.

However, this slightly comical opening did lighten the room's atmosphere considerably. Zhang Weiguo gradually relaxed, chatted with Sha Zhu about some matters of the station, and even managed to follow a few of Sha Zhu's cooking tips.

Watching his sister and the young local police's faint budding affection, and looking at the two hungry sons in his arms, Sha Zhu felt the sourness caused by Liu Guangqi's success being somewhat diluted.

Everyone has their own way of living; if they can manage this mess before them, take good care of wife and children, and see their sister married off splendidly, then He Yuzhu's life hasn't been in vain!

In the backyard, the Liu family's celebration banquet continued, cups clinking, the atmosphere lively; in the Central Courtyard, Sha Zhu's family's "meeting the parents" was gradually reaching its best, lacking grand dishes but gaining a few touches of simple, warm, human hearth.