Siheyuan works as a nanny for Shazhu

Since the last general meeting of the courtyard, ordinary neighbors in the courtyard began to treat Jiang Feng and He Yushui better. They would talk and nod to each other when they met. The prestige of several old men in the courtyard plummeted. Yi Zhonghai kept his head down when he went in and out every day. Without Yi Zhonghai's support, the Jia family actually became much quieter. Liu Haizhong beat the two younger ones even harder. Yan Fugui now turned his head away when he saw people from the He family. Several old men were waiting for their opportunity.

He Yuzhu still goes back and forth between work and home. Since the last apprenticeship banquet, the requirements for He Yuzhu have become more strict. He Daqing also came to the apprenticeship banquet and secretly glanced at He Yushui, but hid it from the people in the courtyard.

It was already April. Jiang Feng saw that the weather was fine today and the grass outside had sprouted green leaves. He packed up his fishing rod and bucket, ready to take He Yushui fishing. Since the system rewarded him with this set of things after the last meeting, Jiang Feng had never used it once.

I usually play at home. It gets colder at the beginning of the year. Now when I go out to buy groceries every day, I will bring back some meat from the space. Without the pressure of life, I don’t want to go out to dig an ice hole in winter. The He family’s life is still in the forefront in the courtyard. Everyone knows that He Yuzhu has become the second chef of Fengzeju. His monthly salary is not enough for several people to eat. There is no use in envy, jealousy and hatred. It’s all because I don’t have a good master.

Jiang Feng brought He Yushui to Shichahai, where the third uncle went fishing in the play. The two chose a clean place with shade from trees above their heads, picked up a small stool, and Jiang Feng put on the bait, put a cloth pad on the ground for He Yushui to play with. Jiang Feng picked up the fishing rod, positioned it, and threw it out, all in one go.

Jiang Feng sat down, took out a small apple from his pocket, and stuffed it into He Yushui's pocket: "Eat it quickly, and throw it into the water after eating."

He Yushui took the apple and looked around. This was a secret between her and her cousin. Even her brother didn't know. Her cousin said that he bought it secretly on the black market at night, and he couldn't eat it if he was seen by others.

In the past, He Yushui always ate in the house or on the bed. This was the first time he ate outside, so Jiang Feng told him, "Eat. It's okay to eat outside. Just don't be seen by acquaintances." Yushui leaned against the tree, ate an apple and watched Jiang Feng fishing.

Time passed in the blink of an eye. My basic skills were a bit lacking, and I only caught seven or eight fish of different sizes in the whole afternoon. The big one weighed more than two kilograms, and the small one was only thirty or four ounces. Anyway, it was just to kill time.

Seeing that the weather was about right, Jiang Feng thought as he walked that if it was still sunny tomorrow, he would take out the bedding to dry in the sun. The two of them staggered back to the courtyard. At this time, the people working in the courtyard had also gotten off work. Some aunties saw the fish in Jiang Feng's bucket and said, "Xiao Feng, are you going fishing? I've never seen you go fishing before."

"Aunt Wang, I don't want to go in the winter. I used to do it in the village. I can get some meat to eat."

"Yes, rural children can do anything. As long as it is edible, they can catch small fish, crabs, shrimps, and find something to eat."

"Look, Aunt Wang is also from the countryside, so she knows everything about these kids' games. You're in a good mood today, so you can give these small fish to Shitou to satisfy his cravings." After Jiang Feng said this, he took out a few crucian carps weighing three or four taels from the bucket and handed them to Aunt Wang.

Aunt Wang said in a panic, "No, no, kid, save it for the pillars and rainwater to eat together."

Although he refused, his eyes were fixed on the fish. The family relied on Lao Wang alone to work hard, and he hasn't tasted meat since the beginning of the new year.

Jiang Feng sighed in his heart, this is how the times are, the people at the bottom of society who have no skills suffer the most. In peacetime, they could still farm, but now they have moved to the city and can't find work without any skills. Thanks to Aunt Wang, they can still do some manual work outside to supplement the family income, so they can forget about eating meat.

Jiang Feng thought about it, stuffed the fish to Aunt Wang, picked up the bucket, turned around and left, and He Yushui hurriedly followed.

After Jiang Feng returned to the house, he took out the fish, cut it open, rubbed salt on it, and hung it in front of the window to dry. He kept a herring weighing more than two kilograms and made sauerkraut fish for dinner in the evening.

Although Jiang Feng's cooking skills were not that great, he had learned a few dishes from He Daqing, and discussed with He Yuzhu from time to time, so he still had some skills. At least he was not like the people of this era who were reluctant to use oil and seasonings. Adding a little more would make the dish more flavorful.

He told Yu Shui to play in the yard while Jiang Feng was in the kitchen, heating up the oil in a pan. When the fish was out of the pan, the fragrance from the house immediately drifted into the yard. The Jia family next door began their prayers before dinner.

Jiang Feng has been listening to this for several months and is too lazy to care. As long as you don't bother us, I won't see you. Just live your own life, wash your face with rain water and eat.

Life was comfortable during this period. He was still young, and he didn't have to work or go to school. He had money and supplies, and he didn't have to rush around for a living. Jiang Feng just thought that it would be great if his life could be like this.

At this time, Yu Shui went to the side room to sleep. No one dared to plot against him. He Yuzhu slept on the big bed and Jiang Feng slept on the lower bunk of the bunk bed. It was another uneventful night.

The next morning, Jiang Feng and He Yushui made breakfast. Seeing that the weather was good, they took out all the bedding in the house to dry in the sun. They also took off the sheets and quilt covers and soaked them in a basin. Then they heard someone shouting in front of them, "Jiang Feng, someone is looking for you."

Because of Yan Fugui, the three aunts in the front yard also disliked Jiang Feng and stopped bringing anyone in. Jiang Feng looked up and said, "Uncle Huang, Uncle Liu, why are you here?"

"Good, good. If this thing is not done, I will not have the face to see you." Huang Ming said.

"That's right. Your uncle Huang and I almost ran our legs off over this matter." Liu Jingjun also spoke up.

Jiang Feng took a look and quickly took the two of them into the house. He poured two cups of tea and handed them over. Huang Ming and Liu Jingjun took a sip and said, "Not bad. Much better than my Gao Sha."

"Uncle Huang, if you think it's okay, I'll take a pack back later. This is a reward from the director when Brother Zhuzi cooked in the store. But it's just one pack. You have to go back and share it with Uncle Liu."

"You little brat, I'm still interested in your tea leaves."

"I came here today to inform you that your father, Jiang Dahai, was an underground worker of our army. He died while performing a mission. Due to confidentiality, I was unable to contact your family in time. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, you moved away, and I have been unable to find you. Your father's belongings have been stored in our army. Now that I have contacted you, I will hand over your father's belongings to you."

After saying that, he took out a piece of red paper and opened it. On it was written the words "Certificate of Honor for the Families of Martyrs". Jiang Feng took the certificate with tears in his eyes.

Huang Ming went on to say: "In addition, according to our policy, we will also reimburse you for the martyrs' families aged 1 to 14, with a total amount of 1412 million yuan. Subsequent pensions will be claimed on an annual basis until you reach adulthood or find a job."

"I am just here today to give you the certificate. Also, considering that you are still young, I want to ask you what your plans are."

"What are your plans? I studied in a private school in the village. I wonder if I can still study now."

"Studying, I want to ask, what level can you reach now?"

"I don't know, but I know most of the words and can do some calculations."

"Well, let's go back and ask first, and then we can find someone to test you."

"Okay, Uncle Huang, Uncle Liu, there is one more thing. You see, I am already 14 years old this year, so I don't need to ask for the pension in the beginning. I can just collect it annually later."

"You can't just say you don't want it. As long as it's verified to be true, it must be issued."

"Then can you help me donate it all? I have food and drink now, and I don't have any burden. I will collect the annual pension in the future, which can also guarantee my basic living. Please help me donate this money to places that are more in need."

"You really have to donate it. It's a lot of money at this time."

"Yes, I believe there are people who need him more than me. Uncle Huang, you don't need to persuade me anymore."

"Okay, you are worthy of being my old squad leader's son. I will take care of the pension, but there are still some relics that you need to receive. Someone will contact you when the time comes."

"Okay, Uncle Huang, Uncle Liu, don't leave at noon today. I caught some fish yesterday and I'll cook them for you to try at noon."

"I'm not free today. My visit here is all for official business. I still have to go to work. Let's wait until next time. We'll come again when you bring your father back." The two of them held back the tears in their eyes and walked out.

Jiang Feng caught up with them and when they reached the door, they saw the tea leaves in Jiang Feng's hand and they laughed again: "Okay, we'll take this and go back."

"Uncle Huang, Uncle Liu, goodbye." Jiang Feng waved to the figure on the bicycle, turned around and walked into the courtyard.

Three days later, one morning, one could hear the sound of gongs and drums outside. Then they arrived at the gate of the courtyard. Jiang Feng, He Yuzhu and He Yushui stood at the gate and took a square wooden box from Director Wang of the Military Control Office. After they completed the handover, Director Wang followed Jiang Feng into the house to take a look. Then some staff members moved in the contents of several boxes, including flour, meat, cloth, candy and other daily household items.

Jiang Feng asked Director Wang to sit down and introduced He Yuzhu and He Yushui to him. Director Wang learned that they were the nephews of the martyr and praised them a few words.

Director Wang said to Jiang Feng, "We have arranged for your donation of the pension this time. More than 100 families, including those in need and martyrs' families, will benefit from it. Thank you very much for your contribution to the country. The Military Control Office has decided that the two back rooms in the front of your courtyard house will be vacant and you can settle down in these two rooms."

"Director Wang, I am not donating for the sake of gaining benefits. I just think that the country is in trouble right now. It is useless for a child like me to take so much money. It is better to let the country arrange it for people who need it more."

"Comrade Jiang Feng, you have a high level of ideological awareness, but you are currently still living in your uncle's house. Now that the conditions are met and the country will not treat meritorious officials unfairly, you must accept the house." Jiang Feng also knew that he would have to move out sooner or later, so he agreed.

"Also, regarding your schooling, I have contacted the elementary school. You can take a test first to see what grade you can enter based on your current level. I have already informed the principal."

"Director Wang, I have one more thing to ask. My sister is about to start school soon. Can you help me with the process in the second half of the year?"

"Okay, she'll be there as usual, it'll only take a word. It's still early, just wait for notification then."

Jiang Feng and He Yuzhu thanked Director Wang repeatedly and wanted to keep him here for dinner, but Director Wang firmly declined. Jiang Feng could only take another bag of tea, saying it was a gift from a friend, and then sent Director Wang out. After he left, he still reminded him to go to the military control office to handle the formalities tomorrow.