Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

On the other side, at the Jia family's residence in the Intermediate People's Court.

Jia Dongxu lay on the kang (a heated brick bed) and cried for a long time, his face covered in tears and snot. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt, and the more hopeless he felt about life.

"Waaaah... How did it turn out like this..." he sobbed, attributing everything to his mother's stinginess.

As for He Yuzhu, he wisely ignored it.

After scolding him outside, Madam Jia was too tired to care anymore. She went to clean up the broken bowls and muttered under her breath, "You good-for-nothing, throwing a tantrum at your mother for a country girl..."

As Jia Dongxu listened to his mother's cursing, the anger in his heart surged up again.

But he dared not argue with his mother anymore. Frustrated, he suddenly jumped up from the kang (a heated brick bed), and without even putting on his shoes properly, he rushed out of the house.

With a loud bang, he slammed his own door shut, startling Jia Zhangshi, who then chased after him, cursing all the while.

Ignoring everything, Jia Dongxu pushed open the door to Yi Zhonghai's house across the street and rushed inside.

"Master... Waaah..." Upon seeing Yi Zhonghai, Jia Dongxu felt as if all his grievances had found an outlet, and tears streamed down his face again.

Yi Zhonghai leaned back in his chair, listening quietly to Jia Dongxu's sobbing, his face expressionless, until Jia Dongxu had finished speaking before he slowly opened his mouth.

"Dongxu, what can I say about you?"

Jia Dongxu raised his tearful eyes and looked blankly at his master.

"You argued with your mother about this today? And you even threw things?" Yi Zhonghai's gaze sharpened.

Jia Dongxu lowered his head guiltily and whispered in defense, "I...I was just angry for a moment..."

"Nonsense!" Yi Zhonghai suddenly raised his voice, startling Jia Dongxu. "Parents are never wrong. Did you know how hard it was for your mother to raise you?"

"Even if she has a thousand faults and ten thousand wrongdoings, she's still your mother! Who is she stingy for? Isn't it all for your family, to save up more money for you? How can you treat your mother badly and throw things for a woman you're not even married into the family yet? That's unfilial!"

With this serious accusation of "unfilial piety" pinned on him, Jia Dongxu panicked and hurriedly said, "Master, I...I didn't...I just did..."

"What is it?"

Yi Zhonghai interrupted him, saying with great distress, "I think you've been bewitched by that Qin Huairu, and have even forgotten the most basic filial piety! What you've done has broken your mother's heart, and it has also disappointed me, your teacher!"

Jia Dongxu was scolded until his face turned red, and he dared not say a word.

He had come seeking comfort and help, but instead he was met with a scolding, which made him feel even more aggrieved.

Yi Zhonghai took in his expression and knew that the time was right. He changed the subject and softened his tone: "Sigh, don't blame your master for speaking harshly. Your master treats you like his own son, that's why he's telling you these things."

"If you weren't my apprentice, would I be meddling in your affairs?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and the tears he had just stopped welled up again: "Master, I know you've always been good to me..."

"Good to know." Yi Zhonghai sighed. "Seeing you so upset, your master can't just ignore you. As for Qin Family Village... I've already asked Matchmaker Liu in the back alley to go talk to Qin Huairu's parents first thing tomorrow morning."

"What?!" Jia Dongxu suddenly looked up, staring at Yi Zhonghai in disbelief. The frustration on his face was instantly replaced by immense joy. "Master...Master! You...you're telling the truth?!"

"Would I lie to you?"

Seeing his ecstatic expression, Yi Zhonghai was secretly pleased, but his face remained serious as he said, "However, whether this matter will succeed or not is still uncertain, since they have already declined once."

"I sent Liu, the matchmaker, as a last resort, to try my best to make our sincerity clear to the parents and see if there's any room for negotiation."

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" Jia Dongxu was so excited he almost knelt down before Yi Zhonghai, stammering, "Master, you've been so good to me, even better than my own father! I... I will definitely take good care of you and support you and your wife in your old age!"

That was exactly what Yi Zhonghai wanted to hear, and a smile finally appeared on his face.

He patted Jia Dongxu's hand and said, "Alright, as long as you know your master is doing this for your own good, hurry back and apologize to your mother."

"If there's really hope for this marriage, your mother will have to make a lot of arrangements later on."

"Hey, hey, I'll go back right now and apologize to my mother!" Jia Dongxu was completely obedient to Yi Zhonghai at this moment. He wiped his face haphazardly, stood up, and was about to leave.

"Remember your master's words, be filial to your mother, and don't lose your temper with her all the time," Yi Zhonghai added from behind him.

"I've got it, Master, don't worry!" Jia Dongxu nodded heavily and left the Yi family with light steps.

Watching Jia Dongxu's figure disappear outside the door, Yi Zhonghai's smile slowly faded. He stood up, preparing to bolt the door and get some rest.

Just as he reached the door, he glanced out and saw Xu Dahai from the neighboring courtyard coming out of He Yuzhu's house. He Yuzhu was even smiling as he saw him off.

Yi Zhonghai's heart tightened suddenly. Xu Dahai? How did he get out of Sha Zhu's house?

Xu Dahai was a senior worker in the steel rolling mill's transportation team. He had a good relationship with He Daqing and they used to drink together often.

Because he was always away driving and didn't live in this courtyard, He Daqing didn't entrust the Silly Brother and Sister to him before he left, but entrusted them to himself instead.

But now… He Daqing has only been gone a short while, and Xu Dahai is already looking for Sha Zhu late at night?

A terrifying thought instantly flooded Yi Zhonghai's mind: Could it be... that He Daqing saw through his plans and had Xu Dahai look after Sha Zhu?

Because Xu Dahai travels around a lot, he often manages to bring back cheap goods, making him very popular in the Nanluoguxiang area.

If he really helps He Yuzhu in the future, then he really doesn't have any good solutions.

-----------------

The next day, as dawn broke.

He Yuzhu, however, was already standing spiritedly in the open space in front of his house, slowly assuming the stance of Bajiquan.

This time, his movements were smoother and more natural than yesterday, his punches were powerful and his steps were steady.

People who got up early came out of the Intermediate Court one after another. They were not surprised to see He Yuzhu practicing boxing. Some even chatted with He Yuzhu while fetching water.

He Yu continued until his whole body was steaming with heat and sweat was dripping from his forehead before slowly stopping his movements.

I went back to my room and washed myself thoroughly with hot water. After changing into clean and neat clothes, I felt refreshed.

After locking the door, he pocketed the money and strode out of the courtyard.

At the long-established "Xinglong" breakfast shop at the street corner, He Yuzhu once again demonstrated his amazing appetite.

Six large meat buns, three bowls of millet porridge, and a dish of pickled vegetables were devoured in a whirlwind, and only then did I let out a satisfied burp.

"Shopkeeper, check please!" He Yuzhu called out.

"Alright, Zhuzi, that'll be two thousand five in total." The shopkeeper announced the amount with a smile. Nowadays, no one on this street would dare to call him "Silly Zhuzi" anymore.

He Yuzhu paid the money readily and got up to walk towards the largest flea market in the vicinity, which he remembered.

This flea market is located in an open area, with simple sheds set up inside, and it's bustling with people.

Old furniture, bottles and jars, rusted tools, and even some rare items such as Western clocks and phonographs are on display.