Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

Carrying the wooden box, He Yuzhu braved the cold wind and returned to the tailor shop from that morning.

Inside the shop, the proprietress is taking measurements for a customer.

Seeing He Yuzhu enter, she immediately smiled and said, "Young comrade, you came so quickly! I just finished sewing your banner!"

He Yuzhu had thought she would have to wait, but she was surprised that it was so quick. She smiled and said, "Big sister, you are really efficient. I just came to check on things when I had nothing to do, but I didn't expect you to finish it so quickly."

"Wait here, I'll get it for you right away." After greeting the customer, the proprietress turned around and took out a neatly folded brocade banner from the inner room, unfolding it in front of He Yuzhu.

The fabric has a bright red satin base with bright yellow tassels, and two lines of strong, powerful characters are embroidered in golden thread:

The People's Police serve the people, solving their problems and warming their hearts.

To: All police officers of Nanluoguxiang Police Station

Citizen: Respectfully presented by He Yuzhu

He Yuzhu examined it carefully; the stitches were fine and the handwriting was clear, and he was very satisfied.

"Okay, ma'am, that's great! How much?"

"Ten thousand will do, this silk is of good quality," the proprietress quoted.

He Yuzhu paid the money readily, folded the banner again, tucked it under his arm, and turned to walk towards the Nanluoguxiang Police Station.

When he arrived at the police station, he took out the banner, straightened it, and then stepped inside.

The young policeman on duty was the same one from that day. He looked up and saw He Yuzhu, and was taken aback for a moment: "Comrade He Yuzhu? What brings you here again? Is there something else in Baocheng?"

He Yuzhu laughed and said, "Comrade, it's nothing, it's nothing. We owe Baocheng a lot to our police station, especially Chief Wang, who helped us siblings a lot."

"I made this banner so I could thank Director Wang and my colleagues in person."

"A banner?" The young policeman was surprised, his eyes falling on the banner in He Yuzhu's hand.

These days, it's not common for ordinary people to present banners to police stations; each one represents an honor.

He quickly came out from behind the counter: "Director Wang is in his office, I'll take you there!"

"Thank you!" He Yuzhu said, and followed the young policeman inside.

As the young police officer walked away, he secretly regretted his actions: "If I had known this kid was so good at handling things, I should have taken it more seriously when he first came to report the case and dealt with it personally!"

This banner... sigh, it's a bargain for Wang Suo!

The young police officer knocked on the door as he approached the deputy director's office.

"Please come in," came the voice of Deputy Director Wang from inside.

The young police officer pushed open the door, stepped aside to let He Yuzhu in, but did not follow. He just stood at the door, looking at him with a complicated expression.

Deputy Director Wang was writing something at his desk when he looked up and saw He Yuzhu. He was somewhat surprised: "Comrade He Yuzhu? What brings you here...?"

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuzhu swiftly unfurled the bright red banner, held it with both hands, and respectfully presented it to him.

"Chief Wang, thank you and your colleagues at the police station for upholding justice for my brother and me. This banner is a small token of my appreciation; please accept it!"

Deputy Director Wang was stunned, his gaze fixed on the bright red and dazzling gold lettering.

He had served in the military for many years, received commendations, and received verbal thanks from the public, but this was the first time he had ever received a banner so formally!

In an instant, an indescribable sense of pride surged to the top of my head, and I couldn't suppress the grin that stretched all the way to the back of my ears.

He stood up, strode over to He Yuzhu, and repeatedly said, "Oh dear, this...this is what we police officers should do. I'm unworthy of it, so unworthy!"

That's what he said, but he quickly took the banner with both hands, as if afraid someone would snatch it away.

The commotion at the door had already alerted the police officers in the large office outside, and many curious people gathered around.

When everyone saw the banner in Deputy Director Wang's hand, they gasped in surprise.

"Wow, a banner!"

"The king is capable!"

"Who sent this? It's so thoughtful!"

"Look, isn't he right there? He's the young man who reported the case a few days ago, He Yuzhu!"

"It's him! He's grateful and a good comrade!"

Someone started clapping, and soon, enthusiastic applause filled the police station.

Deputy Director Wang, beaming with pride, held the banner in both hands and showed it to his colleagues.

He humbly said, "Comrades, this is all thanks to everyone; it's an honor for all the officers at the Nanluoguxiang Police Station!"

Many police officers looked at He Yuzhu with particularly eager eyes.

These good citizens, who don't offer cigarettes or alcohol but instead present banners to commend their work, are practically their ideal service recipients!

From now on, if this young comrade needs anything, we must handle it for him wholeheartedly, quickly, and well!

He Yuzhu said a few more words of thanks, then tactfully took his leave.

Deputy Director Wang personally escorted him to the door, shook his hand vigorously, and said, "Zhu Zi, if you ever have any difficulties, just come to the station and find me!"

"Oh, thank you, Director Wang!" He Yuzhu replied with a smile, thinking to himself that the banner had been sent to the right place.

After leaving the police station, seeing that it was still early, He Yu headed towards the nearby vegetable market.

The family's food supplies are running low, and with the end of the year fast approaching, they should buy more to stock up.

The market was bustling with people, filled with shouts and the sounds of bargaining.

Now that He Yuzhu has money in his pocket, he feels less anxious and more confident as he goes shopping.

He first went to the grain store and bought fifty catties of cornmeal and twenty catties of rice.

I went to the grocery store again and bought two pounds of pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat. Seeing that they were selling eggs, I also bought thirty eggs.

Meat and vegetables alone weren't enough, so he also bought several pounds of potatoes, cabbage, and radishes, along with some scallions, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings.

Before leaving, he saw a fishmonger and picked out a grass carp weighing over two pounds.

After a shopping spree, my hands were full of bags and I had spent more than 220,000 yuan.

He Yuzhu struggled to carry his things back to the No. 95 compound.

Just as he stepped into the front yard, he bumped into Yan Bugui, who was about to leave.

Yan Bugui's small eyes snapped shut on the pile of things in He Yuzhu's hands.

White flour, rice, pork belly, grass carp... especially that piece of pork belly, which made his mouth water.

"Oh my, Zhu Zi, what are you doing...? Why did you buy so many nice things!" Yan Bugui's Adam's apple bobbed, a smile spread across his face, and he unconsciously moved over, reaching out to help He Yuzhu with some of the load.

He Yuzhu had anticipated this move and quickly dodged, saying, "Teacher Yan, look at what you're saying. I've only just separated from the family, so I need to build up some resources before starting a business, right?"

Just as Yan Bugui was about to open his mouth again, He Yuzhu quickly pulled out two scallions from the net bag containing the vegetables and stuffed them into Yan Bugui's hand.

"Teacher Yan, you're busy, I still need to go back and tidy up. Here, take these two scallions!" (Just setting the stage, please don't criticize!)

After saying that, before Yan Bugui could react, He Yuzhu picked up his things, turned sideways, and slipped past him in a flash, quickly walking towards the central courtyard.

Yan Bugui stood there, clutching two large scallions in his hand, watching He Yuzhu's rapidly disappearing figure. All the words he was about to say were stuck in his throat.

He looked down at the scallion in his hand, then looked up in the direction of He Yuzhu's house, smacked his lips, and finally shook his head and said, "Hmm...not bad, knows how to respect elders...a promising young man!"

The tone made it seem as if He Yuzhu was obligated to be filial to him.