Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

As soon as He Yuzhu sat down, Wang Jianguo leaned over and whispered, "Master He, you're really amazing! Even Secretary Liu knows about you!"

Li Weidong looked at the bicycle with envy: "Master He, this bicycle is really beautiful. It will be much more convenient for you to go to and from get off work in the future."

He Yuzhu smiled, but in his heart he was thinking: With this car, going on blind dates will be much more convenient in the future...

Just then, Zhao Dezhu stood up again: "Everyone, quiet down. Before the food gets cold, let's evaluate this year's outstanding workers!"

Every year at the end of the year, the kitchen staff selects outstanding employees, who receive not only honors but also tangible material rewards.

The group leaders began by announcing the list of candidates, and then everyone voted.

He Yuzhu didn't pay much attention at first, thinking that he had only been there a short time and it wasn't his turn yet.

When it came time to report the candidates for the Sichuan cuisine group, Chef Chen was the first to name his.

"Although Comrade He Yuzhu hasn't been here long, he is conscientious and responsible, has excellent skills, and even takes the initiative to help younger colleagues. I recommend him!" Master Chen said loudly.

The other groups also submitted their candidates one after another, and then the voting began.

When the vote counter read out "He Yuzhu", the number of votes climbed steadily.

In the end, He Yuzhu narrowly defeated Chef Chen by six votes and won the title of Advanced Worker in the Sichuan Cuisine Group.

Congratulations, Master He!

"Good job, Pillar!"

Everyone applauded and congratulated them.

He Yuzhu went up on stage again and received a certificate and a ceramic cup and basin with "Advanced Worker" printed on them from Zhao Dezhu.

The certificate was written in black ink on red paper. Although it was simple, it represented the highest honor in those days.

Holding these items, He Yuzhu was filled with emotion.

Having transmigrated to this world only a few months ago, he's gone from being a simpleton tricked by everyone in the courtyard to a model employee at the Oriental Hotel, and now he even owns a bicycle...

"Comrade He Yuzhu, would you like to say a few more words?" Zhao Dezhu asked with a smile.

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said sincerely, "Thank you for your trust, leaders, and thank you for your support. I wouldn't be where I am today without everyone's help. I will definitely continue to work hard and live up to everyone's expectations!"

"Well said!"

Applause rang out again...

The meal lasted until after 10 p.m., and everyone enjoyed the food and drinks.

However, everyone knew that the tasks for the next few days would be heavy, so no one indulged in drinking.

Having learned his lesson from last time, He Yuzhu didn't dare to drink too much, only having a little to show for it.

As the event was ending, Secretary Liu specifically walked up to He Yuzhu, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Little He, keep up the good work, I have high hopes for you!"

"Thank you, Secretary Liu, I will definitely work hard!" He Yuzhu said solemnly.

After seeing the leaders off, He Yuzhu pushed his bicycle and walked out of the restaurant with Master Chen and the others.

"Zhu Zi, your car is really great!" Master Chen said enviously. "Much better than mine."

He Yuzhu laughed and said, "Master Chen, if you like it, we can take turns riding it from now on."

"Haha, that's great!" Master Chen laughed heartily.

The group chatted and laughed as they walked to the fork in the road and went their separate ways home.

As He Yuzhu rode, he thought to himself: "When I get back to the compound, it'll probably cause quite a stir again."

After all, these days, bicycles are a symbol of status.

If a family owns a bicycle, they are considered a wealthy family in the eyes of their neighbors.

When he rode to the gate of No. 95 courtyard, he happened to run into Yan Bugui, who was closing the gate.

Yan Bugui's eyes widened when he saw He Yuzhu riding a brand-new bicycle.

"Pillar... Pillar?" Yan Bugui's voice trembled. "Your car...?"

He Yuzhu got out of the car and patted the seat: "I was named an outstanding employee today, it's an award from my company!"

Yan Bugui swallowed hard, circled the bicycle once, his eyes filled with envy.

"A Flying Pigeon brand 28-inch motorcycle... how much does this motorcycle cost?" he muttered.

"I don't know, it was given to me by my boss, and I didn't ask the price." He Yuzhu said casually, but he was secretly pleased.

Yan Bugui was dumbfounded; he had been a primary school teacher for so many years and still couldn't afford a bicycle.

He Yuzhu was only sixteen years old, and he was already riding a bicycle after working for less than two or three months...

Comparing yourself to others is just asking for trouble!

"Zhu Zi, you've really made something of yourself!" Yan Bugui finally managed to utter this after a long pause.

"Just lucky," He Yuzhu said modestly, pushing his cart into the courtyard.

"Wait!" Yan Bugui suddenly called out to him, "Zhuzi, um... I have a colleague's daughter after the New Year, she's really well-off, you know..."

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Teacher Yan, let's talk about it after the New Year. The shop is too busy right now, I simply don't have time for blind dates!"

After saying that, he pushed his bicycle into the courtyard.

Yan Bugui stood at the door, watching He Yuzhu's back, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

If I had known this kid was so promising, I shouldn't have offended him for such a small gain...

Several families in the front yard heard the commotion and opened their windows to peek out.

"Hey, Zhu bought a bicycle?"

"You didn't buy it, did you? He just said it was a reward from his company..."

"A bicycle as a reward? Is the Oriental Hotel really that generous?"

"Their story was even featured in the newspaper, what's the point of giving them a bicycle as a reward?"

The families in the front yard started talking about it, and besides feeling envious, they were all fantasizing about when they would be rewarded with one.

Inside the Jia family's house, Qin Huairu was tidying up the dishes in the kitchen when she heard a noise. She went to the window and looked out, and was immediately stunned.

Under the moonlight, He Yuzhu was pushing a brand-new bicycle toward his own door.

"Mom, Dongxu, come quick!" Qin Huairu called out softly.

"What are you looking at? What's all the fuss about!" Jia Zhangshi said impatiently, putting down her shoe and walking to the window.

She was stunned when she saw it.

"A bicycle? Where did Sha Zhu get a bicycle?" Jia Zhangshi exclaimed in surprise.

Jia Dongxu had already lain down, but upon hearing the noise, he got up and went to the window.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu pushing the bicycle, Jia Dongxu's expression immediately turned ugly.

On what grounds?

Jia Dongxu has been working at the steel rolling mill for a year, but he hasn't been promoted yet.

He Yuzhu got a bicycle after only two months of working?

"It's definitely stolen!" Jia Zhangshi blurted out. "With his character, how could he afford a bicycle? It's definitely stolen!"

Qin Huairu whispered, "Mom, keep your voice down... what if he bought it?"

Jia Zhangshi shrieked, "I think it was stolen! I'm going to the police station to report him tomorrow!"

Jia Dongxu added sourly, "Mom's right, it must have come from illegitimate sources!"

Seeing the mother and son's expressions, Qin Huairu shut her mouth. She now truly regretted trusting Yi Zhonghai.

Since she got married, the food she eats has been no different from what she ate in the countryside.

The slightly oily dishes that Dongxu saved at noon were mostly eaten by Jia Zhangshi when they got back.

She planned to find an opportunity to talk to Yi Zhonghai, because things were different now than they had been said before.