Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 105 Pillar, you better not lose money!

He Yuzhu carried the cart through the gate, and as soon as he turned past the screen wall, he was seen by Jia Zhangshi. Jia Zhangshi opened her mouth wide, and then she saw He Daqing holding a clock behind him.

"Old Jia, Dongxu, come out and see! He Daqing's family bought a rickshaw and a clock!" Jia Zhangshi's shout was heard even in the middle courtyard.

Just as Jia Laonian and Jia Dongxu entered the house, they heard Jia Zhangshi call out and rushed out in their slippers, just in time to see He Yuzhu and He Daqing entering the hanging flower gate.

The father and son chased after him, wanting to get a closer look. As Jia Laonian ran, he shouted, "Da Qing, Da Qing, where did you buy this rickshaw and clock? How much did they cost?"

"What does this have to do with your family? You don't need to ask, your family can't afford it anyway!" He Daqing said without turning his head. He really disliked the Jia family and didn't want to explain anything.

These words were very hurtful and even more insulting, effectively shutting down any further words Jia Laonian might say.

With a flushed face, Jia Laonian grabbed Jia Dongxu and turned to walk back.

"Dad, Dad, don't pull me! I haven't seen it yet! That's a rickshaw! I've never even touched one before!"

"What are you looking at? If you're so capable, earn your own money and buy it yourself. Haven't you heard what other people are saying? Aren't you ashamed enough already!"

"What's so great about it? It's just a little money, and we don't even know where it came from," Jia Zhangshi said sourly.

"Stop talking nonsense. He Daqing earns at least several silver dollars for each banquet he prepares. Get back home and stop causing trouble for the family." With his other hand, Jia Laonian grabbed Jia Zhangshi by the back of her neck and started walking her home.

"Old Jia, you're incompetent and you're blaming me? I still have to rely on my son. Once Dongxu finishes his apprenticeship, our family can buy one too!"

These words silenced the father and son again, and Jia Laonian even kicked Jia Dongxu.

"Go home and stop embarrassing yourself."

Jia Dongxu is a complete idiot; his father is the only one who takes care of him at the factory when he has some free time.

He was hired by the factory because Yi Zhonghai sabotaged him behind the scenes, but now it's entirely his own fault that no one wants to hire him anymore.

He was number one at being lazy and cunning, but when he actually got to work on the fitter's bench, even his father couldn't stand the sight of him making those things.

Did Jia Laonian not care? Of course he did. He beat him and scolded him, but this coward was just not cut out for it. If it weren't for the fact that jobs are so hard to find these days, Jia Laonian would have sent him to learn something else long ago. Jia Dongxu has no hope of becoming a fitter in this lifetime.

This scene was witnessed by Yi Zhonghai, who had just returned from outside. He quickly disappeared behind the screen wall and waited until the Jia family members went inside before coming out. He took a deep look in the direction of the Jia family and then walked towards the central courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, he immediately spotted He Yuzhu pushing a rickshaw with Xu Xiaohui and He Yushui sitting on the crossbeam in front, and Xiaoman sitting behind them, making circles around the courtyard. Xu Damao was trotting along behind them.

A hint of disdain and jealousy flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes. He disdained that Yi Zhonghai also had money, but he couldn't bear to buy it.

What I'm jealous of is that He Daqing has a successor; he only needs to take care of the present and rely on He Yuzhu in the future. He's different.

At the same time, another thought popped into his mind: wasn't the new government different from the old government? Shouldn't they be responsible for He Daqing's affairs?

The children, who had been laughing, stopped laughing when they saw him, except for Xiaoman, who kept calling out, "Brother Zhu, hurry up, hurry up, giggle giggle."

"Hello, Uncle Yi!" He Yuzhu greeted him with a smile. The rest of the children could only murmur, which made Yi Zhonghai feel even more aggrieved. Yes, aggrieved. The children in the yard treated him like a plague god.

"Okay, slow down, don't fall!" Yi Zhonghai forced a smile and then turned to walk back home.

He Yuzhu watched his retreating figure and smiled in a cryptic way.

"Brother Zhu, what are you laughing at? That laugh is kind of creepy."

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm going to speed up now, hold on tight."

"what"

"Hahaha"

"cluck"

"Brother Zhu, slow down, I can't keep up! Can I sit here for a bit longer? *sigh*"

"Brother Zhu, why don't I get down and let Damao sit for a while?" Xiaoman said considerately.

"Alright!" He Yuzhu slowly stopped the car, then Xiaoman got out, and Xu Damao excitedly got into the back seat and shouted.

"Drive, drive."

Yi Zhonghai returned to his east wing with a gloomy expression. Li Guihua, oblivious to his face, asked, "Honey, did you see that the He family bought a rickshaw and a clock?"

"They bought it, so what? What's it to you? Don't get involved," Yi Zhonghai said, somewhat annoyed.

"I understand!" Li Guihua replied softly, sensing Yi Zhonghai's displeasure.

"Is dinner ready? I'm starving!"

"Alright, alright, wash your hands, dinner will be served soon."

He Yuzhu was playing with the children for a while when he heard Chen Lanxiang call out, "Zhuzi, stop playing and go invite the old lady over. It's time to eat."

"Alright!" He Yuzhu parked the car, Xu Damao jumped out first, and then He Yuzhu carried the two little ones out of the front.

The two little crickets were reluctant to get down, meaning they hadn't had enough of sitting yet.

“If you two don’t get off, then tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after that, this car will have nothing to do with you two.”

He Yuzhu used his trump card, and the two little ones reluctantly got out of the car, but they still circled around it.

"Da Mao, keep an eye on them, make sure they don't knock the car over and get hurt."

"Got it, Brother Zhu!" Xu Damao had just tested the weight of the bike; he could lift it, but he couldn't ride it because he wasn't tall enough.

He Yuzhu helped the old lady over, and she walked around the car to take a look. She had seen this kind of thing before, but that was a long time ago. She guessed there weren't many of them in the whole of Beijing back then.

She stopped going out much after that, so I'm quite happy to be able to see her up close now.

"Zhu Zi, did your dad buy this?"

"Yes, madam, I'll take you out for a stroll another day."

"I dare not sit on this, you might drop my old lady again."

"No way, my cycling skills are top-notch."

"Just blow it."

“Madam, Brother Zhu wasn’t bragging, he really rides very well,” Xiaoman said from the side, even though she had only ridden on it once.

"Really, Xiaoman, you rode on the bicycle that Zhuzi rode?"

"Mmm!" Xiaoman nodded, and then wanted to continue, but was glared at by He Yuzhu, and then remembered that some things couldn't be said, that was a secret between the two of them.

"Alright, I can't compare to you guys. My old bones and legs can't take any more strain. Come on, kids, let's go inside and eat."

"Yes, Madam!" the children replied in unison.

Needless to say, Xu Damao and his sister were freeloading again. The old lady saw the grandfather clock in the main room as soon as she entered the house.

"Was this also bought at the same time?"

"Yes, old lady!"

"Great Qing Dynasty, is this expensive? Can we still buy it?"

He Daqing had no idea and could only look at He Yuzhu. Seeing He Yuzhu nod and shake his head, he thought for a moment and then understood. He replied, "It's not expensive. It's much cheaper than a rickshaw. Why do you like this thing, Grandma?"

"Yes, it's good to have some noise. My house is too quiet all day long."

"Then I'll deliver this to you after you've eaten."

"Are you sure you can buy it back?" "Yes, yes, don't worry about it. This one is yours. I'll deliver it to you in a bit."

"Great! I never thought I, an old lady, would be able to use Western gadgets." The old lady was delighted.

Chen Lanxiang was also happy about this. She could never repay the old lady's kindness, and she was more than happy to bring something to make the old lady happy. Even if she couldn't buy it, it didn't matter, since she had never had it before.

After they finished eating, He Daqing helped the old lady up, and He Yuzhu took the clock to the back room. After putting the clock away, He Yuzhu taught the old lady how to use it. The thing was not complicated at all; you just had to open the cover and wind it up. As long as you didn't forget, you would have to check the time if it stopped.

However, He Yuzhu thought that the old lady would definitely not sleep well at night. This clock not only keeps time and makes noise, but it also rings on the hour. Before, when there were many people and it was lively, it didn't seem like a problem, but it would be a different story when it was late at night and quiet.

"Madam, please don't be frightened tonight."

"What? This thing is scary?"

He Yuzhu saw that it was almost seven o'clock and said, "Wait a moment, you'll find out soon."

When the clock struck the hour, the old lady was startled and jumped in surprise.

"Madam, are you alright?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing, I was just caught off guard."

"Hehe, this thing goes off every half hour, so be careful tonight!"

"Alright, so what if it's a bit noisy? You're not going to be scared twice after being scared once," the old lady retorted stubbornly. She was the one who got the things back, and now she was telling him to take them away? Where would she put her face?

"Alright, then we'll be off." He Yuzhu pulled He Daqing along happily and they left.

"You brat, how dare you make fun of your grandma!" the old lady said with a laugh from behind.

"No, no, see you tomorrow!" He Yuzhu said, turning around to close the door for the old lady.

"That good-for-nothing grandson, hehe!" The old lady laughed as she spoke.

The father and son returned to the central courtyard. Wang Cuiping had already taken Xiaoman back, but Chen Lanxiang said that Wang Cuiping also wanted a clock, new or old didn't matter, as long as it was cheap.

He Yuzhu readily agreed. He had quite a few of these things in his space, even two that sat on the ground. Japanese soldiers and traitors basically all had these in their homes.

We do have new ones, from Japanese trading companies, but since we're looking to buy something cheap, we definitely can't get a new one.

Before they could exchange more than a few words, Xu Fugui arrived. He asked about the price of the rickshaw and was immediately discouraged. Then he asked about the price of the clock, which was only 20 silver dollars, and promptly placed an order.

After Xu Fugui left, He Daqing said, "Zhuzi, don't give us a low price just because we have a good relationship. If you accept this price, you might lose money."

"No, I know what I'm doing!"

"As long as you know, Xu Fugui isn't short of money," He Daqing said.

"Look at what you're saying, isn't Da Mao your apprentice?" He Yuzhu teased.

“One thing at a time. Besides, he’s just a registered student, not a formal culinary apprentice,” He Daqing said irritably.

"Okay, okay, I won't compensate you."

"That's fine then, but don't try to get too involved with the other two families' children. It's unnecessary and will only make others jealous!"

"Am I that stupid?" Chen Lanxiang pinched He Daqing.

"Ouch, ouch, be gentle, my son is still here, can't you give me any face?"

"You still have face in front of your son, and today he's earned both face and face for you, haven't he? Still not satisfied!"

"Satisfied, satisfied!"

"Oh, right, Dad, I'll ride the bicycle first, and I'll bring back all the clocks."

"I paid for it but haven't even ridden it yet!" He Daqing said resentfully.

"Hehe, let's talk about that after you've learned it. For now, you're under my command," He Yuzhu laughed.

"Brother, brother, take me with you when you go out!" He Yushui said from under the covers.

“What’s it to you? Your brother can’t take you with him when he goes out, what if he gets lost? Get some sleep!” Chen Lanxiang said to He Yushui.

"Okay, I got it!" He Yushui pouted and squirmed in bed.

"Son, is this car easy to learn?"

"It's not difficult for those who know how; it all depends on your comprehension!"

"Can't you speak properly? You're even beating your own father!" Chen Lanxiang glared at He Yuzhu.

"No, no, I'll go push the car in and then go back to rest!"

“Alright, this precious thing can’t be left outside, or it will freeze!” He Daqing said.

He Yuzhu just smiled and didn't say anything. This thing is very tough and can adapt to any weather and road conditions. It would be strange if it got frozen.

As soon as the car was pushed in, He Daqing started wiping it down, which made Chen Lanxiang feel a chill. He had never been so careful with his kitchen knife.

While wiping the car, He Daqing rolled up his sleeves to deliberately show off his clothes. When Chen Lanxiang ignored him, he raised his wrist and shook it.

"Alright, alright, I see. It's just a watch. If you're so capable, make more money and buy me one too."

These words made He Daqing pause, thinking, "That's 50 silver dollars!"

"What, you can't bear to part with it?" Chen Lanxiang teased.

"No, no, let me take on a few more banquets. No, I can't let Zhu Zi be idle. That kid has to do his part too. Consider it a gift from him to you."

"How do you know that none of these things were gifts from him?" Chen Lanxiang said irritably.

"Really? We didn't buy this."

"I'll give you that money, you buy me one!"

"That's true. Who told our son to be so capable? By the way, find some time to talk to him about getting some other stuff. We don't have much of what we had before left!"

"I was just saying, your son has quite a bit of money in here."

"Yes, yes, your son is amazing, even more amazing than his father, alright?"

As the couple talked, He Yushui's eyes darted around on the kang (a heated brick bed).

She didn't understand the rest, but she did understand that her brother was capable and rich.

She was thinking about asking her brother to buy her something.

The next day, Wang Cuiping and Zhao Cuifeng brought the money first; it was unreasonable to make them pay for things themselves.

As for the old lady in the backyard, Chen Lanxiang had no intention of taking any money. She took out another 20 silver dollars and gave them to He Yuzhu.

After having breakfast, He Yuzhu rode his bicycle out to Dongdan, Wangfujing, Longfusi, and other shopping areas in Dongcheng District, experiencing the post-liberation Beijing.

Sure enough, there were a lot of people, but there were also many on duty and on guard duty along the way.

His riding a bicycle was rather unusual, which naturally attracted a lot of attention. However, there were quite a few wealthy people around, and he wasn't the only one.

He wandered around until almost noon, then, carrying the two roast ducks he had bought, two fresh fish he had taken out of his spatial storage, and a cleaned chicken, he rode towards Nanluoguxiang.

(End of this chapter)