Chapter 126: The Base Camp

The car circled around the eastern part of the city, eventually stopping in an area densely packed with traditional courtyard houses. This neighborhood was once home exclusively to high-ranking officials of the imperial court, but now it was in utter disarray, with many families crammed into a single courtyard.

The small car parked in an open space while Wu Chao stayed behind to guard the two vehicles. Leaving the cars unattended outside was unsettling, especially since they were government-owned and borrowed; any mishap would mean they had to compensate for the damages.

Entering the alley, the cold winter sun was nowhere to be seen, making the air feel even chillier. Some courtyards had their gates wide open, revealing the inside at a glance. On the courtyard walls hung a chaotic assortment of items—clothes, socks, shoes, rags—everything freshly washed was strung along the wall’s clothesline. Once exquisite residences had been reduced to unsightly piles of clutter.

“What a pity,” someone murmured.

Yan Rushan lowered his gaze upon hearing the voice and saw her quietly lamenting before one of the courtyards, her eyes full of regret.

“There’s no need to pity it. Recently, quite a few people have reclaimed these courtyards. I’m sure they’ll be properly restored; everything will only get better,” came the reassuring reply.

“Is that so?” Zhong Yuxiu nodded thoughtfully, recalling that after rehabilitations in later times, families’ properties were returned. “You’ve been around here for years. Do you know if anyone is willing to sell a courtyard?”

Cao Zheng, who had been walking ahead with the others, turned back and asked, “Sister-in-law, you want to buy a courtyard?”

“Yes. If these courtyards are restored properly, they’ll be elegant,” she said, her tone reminiscent of her days as a refined lady—dressing beautifully every day, painting, playing chess and the zither, living a leisurely life. Such a peaceful existence would be perfect for her retirement. “Even if I can’t live here now, I can renovate it properly, then come to relax and unwind when I retire. This kind of courtyard is just right.”

Most of the courtyards here were large, with three or four sections. Restoring them to their original splendor—admiring the scenery, tending flowers, feeding fish—just imagining it was delightful.

The four of them began inspecting the surrounding courtyards, suddenly realizing Zhong Yuxiu was right. They were all well-off, engaged in black-market trading and business; a sum of ten or twenty thousand wouldn’t be a problem. Buying one for future vacations would be worthwhile.

The key was having a place of their own so that later they wouldn’t have to put up with their parents’ moods in the big courtyard and could live freely.

“Sister-in-law, you’re right. How come I didn’t think of that?” Cao Zheng was the most excited, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “What kind of courtyard do you want to buy? I’ll go and ask around for you.”

“No need.” Yan Rushan shot him a cold glance, then said to Yuxiu, “We’ll have news in a few days. I’ll tell you then.”

“Alright. I have plenty of money on hand. Show me two or three more. If they’re all good, I’ll buy them all.” The end of the month was near, and dividends were coming in soon. He planned to use some for charity and some to buy courtyards, securing them first and then slowly renovating.

Yan Rushan nodded, his eyes softening slightly. “Good.”

---

Cao Zheng pouted. “Boss, you can’t act like this! If Sister-in-law wants it, why don’t you just buy it and give it to her?”

“Foolish,” Yan Rushan retorted sharply.

Cao Zheng felt utterly defeated. No matter what he said, he was met with sharp rebukes.

“Boss, you’re heartless when it comes to women.”

Yan Rushan ignored him. Zhong Yuxiu clasped her hands over her stomach, laughing brightly; one lively character had fallen behind, the other was Cao Zheng.

“Enough. No matter how good something is, it has to be liked by its owner. When buying a courtyard, I have to choose one I truly like. Why buy a random house only to sell it later when I don’t like it? That’s unnecessary.” She wasn’t short of money; if she was going to buy, it had to be something she loved to avoid future troubles.

“Let’s go.” Yan Rushan took her hand and strode ahead, passing by Cao Zheng and the others.

Cheng Minglang followed behind, with Lin Kai stepping up beside him. Luo San intercepted Cao Zheng, slinging an arm around his shoulder as they walked forward.

Cao Zheng muttered unhappily behind them. “Hey, what do you think Boss means? I was just trying to help with some advice, and he’s being so stubborn.”

“He called you stupid, and you still don’t believe it?” Luo Lijun sneered. “Why should we meddle in what Boss and Sister-in-law do? It’s their private matter; they’ll figure it out themselves. No need for you to butt in.”

“I... I’m just trying to help Boss.”

Luo Lijun froze, then asked sternly, “Are you serious?”

“Of course I am,” Cao Zheng nodded.

“Seriously? Boss is just trying to spend more time with Sister-in-law, and you come up with such dumb ideas? Think a little harder.” Luo Lijun released him with disdain, not wanting him to drag everyone down.

Cao Zheng was baffled. “What do you mean? Are you insulting me?”

“Drop the rest.” Lin Kai patted his shoulder and then turned to walk on.

Cheng Minglang looked back at him, shook his head, and said coldly, “Smart people are always misled by their own cleverness.”

---

Cao Zheng scratched his head, feeling miserable. How did he suddenly become the outcast among his brothers?

“Hey, you mean I shouldn’t butt in? Fine, I won’t say anything next time. But when will Boss ever win the heart of the beauty? Look at Sister-in-law; she’s not nearly as warm to Boss as he is to her.”

“That’s their business as a couple,” Cheng Minglang snapped.

Lin Kai chuckled softly. “Enough! Stop overthinking. You’re smart, but all that cleverness goes into business. When it comes to social graces, you’re lacking. Even though you’ve dated quite a few girls, they just can’t handle that you’re a blockhead.”

“You’re the blockhead.”

Cao Zheng wanted to curse but stopped himself. “All my exes, if I gave them gifts, they’d be happy as can be—practically begging to marry me.”

“Sister-in-law isn’t like those women,” Luo Lijun clicked his tongue. “Boss has great taste. How could you compare?”

Feeling insulted again, Cao Zheng had no comeback.

Surrounded by his brothers’ criticism, he doubted his own life choices. “What’s wrong with my exes that you hate them so much? Maybe they’re just a bit shallow, a little scheming, a bit too clever…”

Just saying it felt off.

“I get it now. Those women are nothing like Sister-in-law. She’s always been a self-made woman at the top of her game. Those girls who rely on men can’t compare.”

“Well, at least you have some sense.”

Luo Lijun’s ambiguous comment infuriated Cao Zheng enough to stop talking altogether. He was treated like dirt just for treating Sister-in-law the same as any other woman!

---

They twisted and turned through the alleys. Zhong Yuxiu carefully memorized the path. Finally, they stopped at a courtyard right in the middle of the fifth alley.

This courtyard was modest—small compared to the larger ones around, barely more than a single-section yard, unremarkable among the many.

The gate was old and peeling, the walls rough and pitted, giving the whole place a dilapidated appearance.