Courtyard House: New Life, New Silly Zhu

After pushing his bicycle for a few steps, He Yuzhu turned around and said to Yang Lifang, who was following beside him.

"Comrade Yang, it's still a bit of a walk to the movie theater. Why don't you hop on and ride the bicycle with me?"

"No, no, thank you. I haven't had a proper chance to explore Beijing since I came here. This is a good opportunity to walk around and see the scenery." Yang Lifang looked at the back of the bicycle and shook her head in refusal.

She was already going too far by going to the movies with a man she'd only met a few times, and she absolutely refused to ride a bicycle with him on top of that.

Seeing Yang Lifang's refusal, He Yuzhu sighed inwardly. This was completely different from what he had read in the novel. Wasn't the bicycle supposed to be in the Ferrari's class? It seemed the bicycle wouldn't be very effective.

Although somewhat disappointed, He Yuzhu still followed Yang Lifang's lead and started chatting.

"Judging from what Comrade Yang said, you're not from Beijing?" He Yuzhu wanted to subtly inquire.

Yang Lifang nodded. She felt there was nothing to hide, so she began to explain her situation.

"My family is from Shuangyang Village, Zhangjia Town, outside Beijing. My parents suffered a tragedy and passed away early. My younger brother and I were raised by our uncle and aunt from a young age. After liberation, land reform was carried out in our area, and our family's life suddenly improved." Yang Lifang's eyes seemed to brighten as she spoke.

Perhaps it was the post-liberation era that sparked Yang Lifang's interest in talking, as she took the initiative to say, "You might not know this from the city, but life was tough in our village back then. We only had two meals a day, and both were thin gruel. After the land reform, everyone was able to eat a few steamed buns, and at that time, the higher authorities sent teachers down to teach us literacy."

"Literacy education?" He Yuzhu asked curiously, and Yang Lifang nodded.

"At that time, everyone was very enthusiastic about learning, but after two days they couldn't keep up," Yang Lifang said. He Yuzhu nodded in agreement with what she said. At that time, literacy classes were also held in their courtyard.

However, it was just for show. Everyone was very enthusiastic at the beginning, but as the learning became more and more tedious, people gradually became indifferent and even somewhat resistant.

Just like Jia Zhangshi of the Jia family, as soon as she sits down, her legs and neck hurt, or as soon as she sits down, she says a few words and starts chatting with others about family matters.

Not only are they not studying themselves, but they've also distracted other middle-aged women who originally wanted to learn.

Later, it was only through the efforts of several elderly men in the courtyard that they were able to learn the skills. However, this was merely a formality to pass an inspection, and once the task was completed, they forgot everything they had learned.

Now, after hearing Yang Lifang say this, He Yuzhu also recounted what had happened in his compound.

Hearing this, Yang Lifang chuckled softly, "I didn't expect that you city folks and rural aunties aren't so different."

"So, from what you're saying, you're a very good student?"

Unexpectedly, when He Yuzhu asked this question, Yang Lifang nodded and even raised her head with some pride.

"In our area, I was the best student. I even got into high school through my teacher's help and became the only high school student in our area."

He Yuzhu was truly astonished. He looked the lovely and beautiful woman up and down, never expecting that she would be able to get into high school after several years of study.

Thinking of this, He Yuzhu also remembered. In the TV series, Qin Huairu's household registration book also listed her education level as junior high school.

"After getting into high school, did you not continue your studies?" In He Yuzhu's mind, since she was able to get into high school, she must be quite smart, and there was no reason why she wouldn't go on to take the college entrance exam.

Yang Lifang sighed upon hearing about taking the college entrance exam.

"In the end, it was too late to start school. Getting into high school was already incredibly difficult, let alone university. Even with the support of my uncle and aunt, it was no use," Yang Lifang said with regret.

"By the way, Comrade He, what about you?" Yang Lifang looked at He Yuzhu curiously, after all, as a city dweller, her learning conditions were definitely better than theirs in the countryside.

Speaking of this, He Yuzhu began to ponder it in his mind.

We can't judge He Yuzhu based on his original experience. Although the original He Yuzhu was completely clueless about studying and only attended school for a few years, this guy is different; he actually studied for many years.

"Speaking of this, it's a long story," He Yuzhu said, feigning a sigh.

This piqued Yang Lifang's curiosity. Seeing her staring at him, He Yuzhu smiled slightly and began his performance.

"Everyone says I grew up without a mother, it's a long story. But this is the most truthful description of me." He Yuzhu didn't look at Yang Lifang, but looked straight ahead to avoid arousing her suspicion with his expression.

"After my mother gave birth to my younger sister, her health deteriorated, and she passed away not long after, leaving behind my brother, sister, father, and me." Once she got to the point, He Yuzhu began to narrate more smoothly.

"At that time, my father was out working hard to make a living, and I would stay in the yard with my younger sister. My favorite thing to do was to think about cooking. In my heart, being a chef was the most satisfying thing."

"So, Comrade He is now working as a cook at the steel rolling mill. Doesn't that fulfill his wish perfectly?"

That's exactly what I was waiting for. You have to be able to play the victim to make others feel the same way. Otherwise, if you're just talking about how miserable you are, no one will be able to empathize with you.

"To be honest, I've only worked at the steel rolling mill for a few months. Before that, I was doing odd jobs outside." He Yuzhu looked bitter and shook his head.

Yang Lifang was a little curious. He Yuzhu had just said that after his mother passed away, his father took care of the two of them.

"I know what you're trying to say. How old was my father when my mother passed away? He was a strong and healthy young man. At first, he was fine, but after a while, he ran off with another widow."

Yang Lifang stared at He Yuzhu in shock, never expecting that someone would abandon their own children and run off with another widow.

Looking at Yang Lifang's shocked eyes, He Yuzhu continued, "Don't doubt it, I'm telling the truth. When I was sixteen, she abandoned my sister and me and ran away with a widow to Baocheng to raise someone else's son."

"Isn't that just being a workhorse for someone else?" Yang Lifang blurted out unconsciously, and immediately glanced at He Yuzhu with some regret.

"It's nothing. I've been through a lot these past few years, and I'm used to it," He Yuzhu said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Didn't you go look for him?"

He Yuzhu nodded: "My sister and I did go to look for him, but the problem is, he's determined to be with someone else and refuses to come back. He's only willing to send 50,000 yuan back each month."

"At first, I was very sad and couldn't understand why he did it. But seeing him like that in the end, I knew that my father had become someone else's blood bag, and my sister and I could only accept it."

"But things changed later. I was an apprentice under my master, and I didn't have much money, but I was given a lunchbox every day, which was considered a good benefit. But after my father passed away, my master's nephew had no one to teach him, so I, as his apprentice, was not well received by them."

"It wasn't just that there were no lunch boxes; I was doing the most tiring and heaviest work every day. By the time I got back, it was already dark. My sister would cook for herself at home, but one time she almost spilled hot porridge on herself. From that moment on, I knew I couldn't go on like this. In the end, I quit that job."

Yang Lifang asked with some concern, "And what happened in the end?"

"From that time on, I often took on odd jobs while taking care of my younger sister. You know how rampant enemy agents were during that period. Not only would enemy agents parachute down from the sky, but in 53, there were even people who sabotaged the celebrations. I was simply not comfortable taking my younger sister with me."

Yang Lifang knew about what He Yuzhu was talking about; it was a very sensational event at the time. Back then, they not only had to participate in labor but also had to prevent enemy agents from sneaking into the city from the mountains. Therefore, she approved of He Yuzhu taking his sister with him.

"But Comrade He, don't you have neighbors in your courtyard house? You could just leave your sister with them, wouldn't that be fine?"

He shook his head upon hearing Yang Lifang's words.

"I originally wanted to do the same, but my family's situation was what it was. If I left my sister with someone else's family, I would have to provide her with food, and even more. I couldn't just let someone else take care of my sister for no reason. But I was 16 years old that year, the age when I could eat a lot. The money I earned from the odd jobs I did was only enough to feed myself."

"A half-grown boy can eat his father alive," Yang Lifang knew this principle, and she nodded knowingly.

In fact, she still had some doubts: why didn't she go to the military control commission? And why didn't she ask her father for more money?

But since they were not close friends, it wasn't appropriate to ask too many questions, especially since the movie theater was already in front of them.