Chapter 444: Days in the Grand Mixed Courtyard

Since being reborn, I first dumped the green‑tea bitch, then entered the Railway department, went from becoming a regular employee to successive promotions, and gave Mom plenty of face.

Who made Lu Cheng so chaotic before? Whenever they hear news about this "San'er" of the family, it's certain he's fighting someone again—either a senior official's offspring, or smashing a leader's house glass with a brick.

Anyway, from childhood to now the number of mishaps he's caused is countless, and the family has paid a lot of money because of it.

Whether neighbors or people in the same courtyard, everyone says Lu San'er is beyond help, like mud that can't stick to a wall.

Every time Lu Beitang gets angry, he regrets not having nailed this wayward child to the wall back then.

After a hard two years, the son has undergone a big change; Chen Xianglan is thrilled, and even the slightest improvement makes her want to brag about it in Hu Tong Li.

This also lets everyone revise their impression of the son.

That's how a mother thinks.

But this time, when he was promoted to Section Chief, Mom didn't want to go, leaving Lu Cheng understandably puzzled.

Chen Xianglan, while rubbing clothes, muttered: "Think about it, Uncle Lao Sun, who's the director of the public bathhouse in our Hu Tong, has been doing that half his life, and he's only a Deputy Section, and he's already at his limit.

You're so young and about to be promoted to Section Chief; the rise is too fast—none of the nearby Hu Tong can match that."

Turns out he thinks the promotion is too fast, Lu Cheng laughed: "Isn't that a good thing? I'd even find it slow."

"Oh, it's not slow at all; a good thing is a good thing. I feel your superiors value you especially."

Mom's words were spot on; without Lei Zhan Ge's appreciation, he'd probably still be a Junior Police Officer at Xizhimen Station.

"They definitely value me; if it weren't for fearing a too‑fast promotion that breaks procedure, I'd have been at deputy division level right after graduation."

Chen Xianglan tossed the damp clothes: "So, Mom, you really shouldn't brag. When you say you'll become a high‑ranking official, people's hearts are thin‑skinned; who knows if jealousy will arise and someone will set traps behind your back."

After all, the son used to be reckless, causing countless troubles and offending many senior officials' offspring; if those get exposed later with exaggerated rumors, wouldn't that harm his reputation?

Like before, the son has changed, knows how to work hard; bragging to the neighbors isn't a big deal—it's simply a mother's pride in her son.

But now the son's official career path is clearly smooth, and Chen Xianglan thinks it's better to stay low‑key.

Lu Cheng understood Mom's meaning and immediately gave a thumbs‑up.

"Sure, Mom. Dad always says you lack insight; look, you're the most enlightened in our family."

Chen Xianglan snorted: "You think Mom's old 'Iron Girl' title was just handed to her! In big matters, I'm clearer than your dad; unlike him, who only ever hangs 'enlightenment' on his lips—that's not true insight, just a stinky show‑off…"

Lu Cheng hurried to check the Main Hall; luckily Dad wasn't home, or they'd have started fighting again upon hearing that.

"Got it, Mom. We're the same; our unit's leaders often praise my insight, and today I finally know where it comes from—must be inherited from Mom."

"That's for sure. If you hadn't followed my thinking, could you have been promoted to Section Chief?"

Lu Cheng slapped his head: "I told you, I finally found the reason for my brilliance. So let's do this—so we can both sharpen our minds: you go to the grocery store and buy some pork ribs."

These past few days staying in Haozi Li, eating steamed buns every day, Lu Cheng has been craving.

Chen Xianglan, in high spirits: "No problem, today we really should celebrate. Mom's saved half a month's worth of Meat Tickets, so let's use them all."

Lu Cheng clapped his hands excitedly; tonight he'll feast.

Chen Xianglan grabbed the grocery list, changed into a coat, and walked out: "Then you wash the clothes."

Lu Cheng solemnly pounded his chest: "No problem, I'm different from my sister; reducing Mom's housework is my honor."

Chen Xianglan laughed: "You little brat… wait till Mom sees the pork trotters, she'll buy you a pair."

"Thanks, Mom." Lu Cheng saluted and watched Mom leave.

He looked down at the huge basin of clothes—so many, when will he finish washing them? He still wants to take a bath.

He simply took out a cigarette and lit it.

After finishing the cigarette and about to roll up his sleeves, Gui Yun from the opposite door suddenly ran out.

"Gui Yun‑jie…"

"Ah, Lu Cheng's back…"

Just as he was about to speak, Gui Yun darted out in a hurry, probably to the bathroom again.

Soon, she came rushing back.

"Gui Yun‑jie, Gui Yun‑jie…" Lu Cheng hurriedly reached out to call her.

"Ah, what's up, Lu Cheng?"

"Why are you panicking, like a dog chasing you?"

Gui Yun sighed: "I have to study; I can't waste time."

Lu Cheng shook his head helplessly; Teacher Wu has become a pervert—originally Gui Yun's bathroom break was her only rest of the day, but Wu Guiwen now limits the time because he thinks his daughter spends too long.

"Gui Yun‑jie, come here, this won't help; you'll go crazy learning like this. Come rest a bit, let's chat."

Gui Yun hesitantly glanced at Xi Er Fang.

"I… I'll go back to my room…"

Knowing Gui Yun feared her father, Lu Cheng pulled her over.

"What room are you going back to? Learning isn't done like this; cramming to death won't work. Do you know how you should learn?"

Seeing Lu Cheng's serious look, Gui Yun couldn't help but laugh: "How to learn? You're a slacker at studying, how could you know how to learn!"

Lu Cheng looked embarrassed: "When you speak like that it's pointless. Yes, my grades used to be poor, but you can't always look at me through tinted glasses. I'm now at Tsinghua and Peking University, about to graduate, so I think I have the right to speak."

Gui Yun nodded, acknowledging that Lu Cheng truly is different now.

"Alright, then tell me how to study."

Lu Cheng flicked the water off his hand: "You're already in a bottleneck, so relying on cramming every day makes it hard to improve your scores any further."

Gui Yun nodded again: "Hmm, you're right. I've memorized the knowledge points, but whenever I do a test my scores never rise."

"That's exactly why—your lack of work‑life balance…" Lu Cheng said, gesturing to the washing basin in the sink.

"Today, follow my method: wash this pile of clothes, relax, then later do practice problems; you'll be in a different state."

Gui Yun rolled her eyes: "You're waiting here for me to wash your clothes? Our house has no clothes."

Lu Cheng smiled: "You don't get it. Washing your own family's clothes is a mission; carrying that mission's mental load makes the work feel lighter."

But you wash my clothes for me, that's called helping; what's the phrase again? Oh, "helping others brings joy," you help me, my mood naturally becomes happy, and my brain also gets a rest—do you think it's the same or not?

"Seems like that's the case…" Gui Yun still hesitates: "But even if I want to wash the clothes for you, my dad won't allow it."

Lu Cheng extended his hand: "It's fine, just wash here openly; if Teacher Wu dares to scold you, I'll deal with him…"

"Deal with whom?" Teacher Wu stepped out of the room, frowning, and said.

"I tell you, Lu San'er, how exactly is that mouth of yours? You've been fooling people, even fooling my daughter, haven't you?"