Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

95

As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw a group of children surrounding his bicycle, looking at it curiously. For fear of damaging the bicycle, no one dared to go up and touch it.

He glanced at it, then turned and went back to the kitchen to continue cooking.

After finishing his meal, he planned to ride his bicycle to find Carpenter Song to order a set of kitchen tables and chairs.

Since I've decided to live in the courtyard house long-term, I need to buy some furniture to make myself more comfortable. Anyway, I have money now and don't have to worry about making a living in the future.

Next year, he also wants to find the descendants of the Yangshi Lei family to help renovate the house and see if they can build a toilet inside—after all, the small yard in front of the kitchen is big enough to dig a septic tank.

Before dinner was even ready, He Yushui finished her homework, ran into the kitchen, and asked He Yuzhu, who was cooking, "Brother, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

"Rice porridge, stir-fried shredded potatoes, steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and water, and salted duck eggs, would you like some?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Yes! I want to eat a salted duck egg!" He Yushui replied immediately.

After finishing their meal, the brother and sister washed the dishes together and then pushed their bicycles to get ready to go out.

Just as I pushed my bicycle out of the door, I saw three old men coming out of Yi Zhonghai's house.

He Yuzhu greeted them warmly:

"Hey, gentlemen, are you all done with your work? Why are you coming out of Grandpa's house? Have you had dinner yet?"

"Zhu Zi, it's nothing serious," Yi Zhonghai said first. "When I got off work, I heard you rode a new bike back. We three old men in charge were worried that you might go astray at such a young age, so we came over to ask you where you got the bike."

Just as you're about to head out—it's almost dark, where are you going?

"Thank you for your concern, gentlemen. I appreciate your kindness."

This bicycle was bought with money given to me by my master.

A few years ago, I became an apprentice of a chef at Fengzeyuan Restaurant. Later, my father left with the White Widow, so I went to live with my master and his wife.

Because I had to come back to take care of my younger sister Yushui, I couldn't continue working at Fengzeyuan. My master and mistress felt sorry for me, so they gave me all the wages I had earned as an apprentice over the years.

This morning, I went with an old man to the steel rolling mill to find Boss Lou, hoping to get a job in the canteen.

Unexpectedly, Boss Lou appreciated my skills. He not only agreed to let me stay, but also gave me the same salary as my father used to have..." He Yuzhu briefly explained the whole story to the three old men.

"Being able to stay and take over my father's job managing the canteen at the steel mill is truly a blessing!" He Yuzhu was filled with gratitude, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

After preparing the lunch in the canteen and cleaning up the kitchen and dining area, He Yuzhu realized he had plenty of time, so he decided to go to the department store to buy a bicycle.

"After I start working at the steel mill, having a bicycle will make it much easier to pick up and drop off my sister at school," he thought to himself. But when he got to the department store and saw the prices, he was taken aback. "I never expected bicycles to be so expensive. The two million my master gave me is almost gone."

Just as He Yuzhu finished buying the bicycle and was about to leave, three old men from the courtyard returned from outside. He had originally planned to go directly to Labaying Hutong to find carpenter Song to order a set of tables and chairs, and this happened to be the perfect opportunity.