Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

Seven or eight middle-aged women started making reservations for the banquet all at once, and the scene briefly got out of control.

He Yuzhu was at his wit's end and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Aunties, I'm so sorry, I'm still in the learning stage. The restaurant has rules that I can't just take on outside jobs..."

"Oh dear, why are you so stubborn!" Aunt Qian scolded playfully. "Who would know if you took on some work on the side?"

"Exactly, it's great to earn some extra money!"

Unable to escape his persistent pestering, He Yuzhu said, "Gentlemen, I've only just started this job, and I've recently offended quite a few people. I can't afford to take any risks. You should find someone else..."

Seeing that he had said that, the women all glanced at the Central Court and reluctantly made way for him.

"Alright then, Zhu Zi, you go back and rest first..."

"Let's talk about it another day, another day!"

He Yuzhu felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and quickly crossed the front yard, fleeing as if he were escaping.

The whispers of middle-aged women could still be heard behind me:

"Look at you, you've become successful and you don't even recognize me anymore!"

"Exactly, they won't even tell me their salary, and they call themselves neighbors!"

"Maybe they really took a lot, just in case we need to borrow money..."

He Yuzhu shook his head, too lazy to pay attention.

He went back into his house, took a towel and soap and put them in a cloth bag, then stuffed in a change of clothes.

After locking the door, He Yuzhu strode out.

As soon as I reached the front yard, instead of encountering the older women, I bumped into Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu.

Jia Dongxu was carrying a net bag containing two packets of pastries.

Qin Huairu then took his arm, looking like a submissive wife.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu, Qin Huairu's face turned pale instantly.

Her beautiful eyes were fixed on He Yuzhu, filled with panic, fear, and a hint of pleading.

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat; this reaction...something's not right!

Is it...

He Yuzhu's mind raced, and a bold guess came to mind.

At this moment, Jia Dongxu also saw He Yuzhu and said with a smug smile, "Oh, Zhuzi, you're off work?"

He Yuzhu snapped out of his reverie and laughed, "Oh dear, I got back late yesterday and forgot to wish you a happy marriage!"

As he said this, his eyes unconsciously glanced at Qin Huairu.

Sure enough, Qin Huairu visibly trembled upon hearing the words "yesterday," her eyes filled with pleading.

Jia Dongxu didn't notice his wife's unusual behavior. When he saw He Yuzhu staring at Qin Huairu, he felt even more smug.

Look how beautiful my wife is! Even Sha Zhu is staring at her!

He reached out and pulled Qin Huairu into his arms, then said to He Yuzhu as if asserting his ownership, "It's alright, it's alright, I know you're busy. Are you going out?"

Looking at Jia Dongxu's smug expression, He Yuzhu suddenly felt a mischievous urge.

He said meaningfully, "I was busy all night and I feel really tired. I'm planning to take a bath to relax."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Huairu's pretty face turned bright red, from her ears all the way down to her neck, and she lowered her head.

She bit her lip hard, her fingers gripping Jia Dongxu's clothes tightly, her whole body tense.

He Yuzhu was overjoyed: It's confirmed, it's definitely Qin Huairu!

Jia Dongxu chuckled and chimed in, "Taking a bath is so relaxing! It makes me want to go take one myself!"

He Yuzhu turned his gaze to Qin Huairu and said, "Sister Qin, come visit me sometime. As the old saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Our two families live next door, so we should visit each other more often."

These words sounded like some kind of hint to Qin Huairu.

She looked up at He Yuzhu in horror, her lips moved but she couldn't utter a single word.

Jia Dongxu's expression changed instantly. He stepped forward, glaring at He Yuzhu, and said, "Idiot Yuzhu, what do you mean?!"

He Yuzhu didn't even mind Jia Dongxu calling him "Silly Zhu," and said innocently, "I didn't mean anything by it. Isn't it normal for neighbors to visit each other?"

"You..." Jia Dongxu was speechless.

He wanted to retaliate, but remembering how fiercely He Yuzhu had beaten people before, he chickened out.

He Yuzhu felt incredibly satisfied seeing his angry but speechless expression.

He waved his hand and said, "Alright, you guys are busy. I'm going to take a bath first. I need to relax tonight."

After saying that, he gave Qin Huairu a meaningful look, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Qin Huairu was flustered by his last glance, and only breathed a sigh of relief when He Yuzhu's figure disappeared at the courtyard gate.

"You're not allowed to have any contact with him from now on!" Jia Dongxu turned around and said fiercely to Qin Huairu, "Did you hear me?"

Qin Huairu snapped out of her daze and rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. "Why would I go to a grown man's house for no reason? What are you thinking!"

Jia Dongxu thought about it and agreed. Besides, his mother was at home watching over him every day, so nothing could possibly happen.

He felt relieved and put his arm around Qin Huairu, saying, "Let's go, let's go back inside quickly, it's cold outside."

Qin Huairu nodded obediently, but her mind was in complete turmoil.

He Yuzhu's words just now were clearly loaded with hidden meaning...

What does he mean...?

Qin Huairu dared not think any further and could only secretly pray that He Yuzhu would keep his mouth shut and not make any excessive demands in the future.

He Yuzhu left the compound and walked briskly toward the nearby bathhouse.

There are several bathhouses in the Nanluoguxiang area, and he often goes to "Xinglong Bathhouse" because it is affordable and the water is clean.

As I approached the bathhouse entrance and lifted the thick cotton curtain, a wave of hot steam rushed towards me.

The bathhouse was quite crowded, with the changing rooms filled with men who had just finished get off work and were taking a bath.

He Yuzhu paid the money, received the key and towel, and found an empty locker to start taking off his clothes.

He had just taken off his cotton-padded coat when an old man next to him, who was wiping himself, noticed him.

"Oh, isn't this Zhu Zi?" The old man squinted at him, "It's been a while since I've seen you."

He Yuzhu looked and saw that it was Grandpa Liu who lived at the entrance of the alley. He Daqing had come to his house for drinks before.

"Uncle Liu, it's you!" He Yuzhu greeted him with a smile. "I've been busy with work lately, so I haven't been here much."

"I heard! You've really made it big now, kid. You're even in the newspapers. You're something else!"

As soon as he said that, everyone in the locker room turned their attention to him.

"In the newspaper? Really?"

"Young man, what are you doing?"

He Yuzhu, feeling a little embarrassed by the stares, said, "It's nothing, I was just lucky to be interviewed by a reporter..."

"What do you mean 'it's nothing'!"

Grandpa Liu perked up and began to educate everyone: "Zhu Zi is now the head chef of the Oriental Hotel. You know the Oriental Hotel? It's where they cook for the leaders!"

"Wow!" everyone exclaimed in surprise.

A middle-aged man who was getting dressed approached him: "Young man, what kind of food do you cook at the Oriental Hotel? Is the salary high?"

While taking off his clothes, He Yuzhu replied, "I'm still an apprentice. My salary... it's alright, enough to eat."

"The head chef at the Oriental Hotel must earn over a million a month, right?" another person asked.

He Yuzhu cursed inwardly at these people for always asking about wages, but feigned ignorance and said, "I'd like to too, but unfortunately I'm just an apprentice, still learning!"

He took off his last piece of clothing, revealing his muscular body.

"Zhu Zi, you're in great shape!" Grandpa Liu patted him on the shoulder. "Have you been in training?"

All eyes immediately turned to He Yuzhu, and when they saw a certain spot, they all dispersed, feeling ashamed.

"Just practicing for fun," He Yuzhu mumbled, picking up a towel and heading towards the bathtub.