Courtyard House: New Life, New Silly Zhu

The next morning, when He Yuzhu was on his way to work, he saw Yan Bugui squatting there again, wiping his bicycle with a cloth as he passed the front gate.

"Silly Zhu, silly Zhu, don't go yet."

Just as He Yuzhu was about to leave, Yan Bugui called out to him from behind. He Yuzhu turned around and looked at Yan Bugui with some confusion.

"What's wrong, Third Uncle?"

"Hey, Sha Zhu, I've seen you riding Xu Damao's bicycle from the backyard the past couple of days. Let me ask you, how does Xu Damao's bicycle compare to mine?"

Seeing Yan Bugui's smug look, He Yuzhu knew that he was definitely using him to show off.

But there was nothing that could be done. After all, bicycles were really a great thing back then. Even in the 70s, when the three turns and the sound of a car were common, bicycles were the one that turned.

However, He Yuzhu certainly wouldn't let Yan Bugui feel at ease.

"Uncle, I don't know about that. After all, I've ridden Da Mao's bicycle, but I've never ridden yours. How about this? You lend me your bicycle to go to work today, ride it round trip, and then I'll tell you how this bicycle compares to Da Mao's. What do you say?"

"Not so good," Yan Bugui immediately refused when he heard that he wanted to ride his bicycle, but after saying that, he realized that what he said was inappropriate, so he quickly changed his mind.

"What I mean is, this bike is new, and this one is old, you can't compare them, right? Even without riding them, you can tell which bike is better and which is worse just by looking at them." As he finished speaking, Yan Bugui touched the handlebars of the bicycle and laughed like a fool.

He Yuzhu shook his head, ignored Yan Bugui, and turned to leave.

Now Yan Bugui is buying a bicycle, and soon he'll buy a tube radio.

It can be said that among all the members of the compound, Yan Bugui was the wealthiest.

Back at the factory, it was another ordinary day, except today's dish was green beans.

In the afternoon, as soon as He Yuzhu entered the courtyard, he saw an old woman pacing back and forth.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu return, they immediately went to greet him.

"Zhu Zi, you're finally back. Yu Shui hasn't come home yet today."

He Yuzhu immediately knew what was going on and quickly explained, "Auntie, don't worry. Yushui told me this morning that she went to a classmate's house after school and won't be back until later."

Of course, this was just an excuse He Yuzhu gave to the old lady. In reality, Yushui went to the supply and marketing cooperative under the pretext of looking at clothes to say a good word for He Yuzhu.

However, He Yuzhu and Yang Lifang are not yet officially engaged, so He Yuzhu has not revealed anything about it.

Upon hearing this, the older woman relaxed. "That's good, that's good."

He Yuzhu expressed his gratitude for the woman's concern and then went inside.

Meanwhile, He Yushui, who had finished school long ago, had arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative and was doing her homework while lying on a small stool there.

Yang Lifang was there organizing the items on the shelves.

He Yushui saw Yang Lifang busy there and felt a little helpless. She had come here hoping to say something good about her brother, but the people coming and going to buy things kept interrupting her.

So now she can only do her homework here, but there are some advantages. Just now, Sister Yang asked her to go home with her tonight, so she can ask Sister Yang what she thinks of her brother.

Just then, the door to an office in the inner room opened, and Sister Liu came out, holding a ticket in her hand. She smiled and waved to Yang Lifang, who was organizing the items on the shelves.

Yang Lifang walked forward with some curiosity, and Sister Liu handed her the ticket.

"Sister Liu, what kind of ticket is this?" Yang Lifang asked Sister Liu with some confusion, looking at the ticket in her hand that had the words "social gathering" written on it.

"Lifang, go to the steel mill this Saturday afternoon after get off work for a social event," Sister Liu said, a mysterious smile on her face.

Upon hearing that it was a social event at the steel rolling mill, Yang Lifang immediately lost interest.

"Sister Liu, here's the ticket back. I'm not going. I'd rather stay home and sew some clothes than go." He said, reaching for the ticket to return to Sister Liu.

He Yushui, who was idly doing her homework, immediately perked up when she heard about the steel rolling mill.

Upon hearing that Sister Yang was going to return the ticket to Sister Liu, she immediately stepped forward and grabbed Yang Lifang's hand.

"Sister Yang, please don't! I've heard that social gatherings are very popular now. There's dancing, Peking Opera, and plays—it's all very diverse and interesting," He Yushui said, her eyes filled with longing.

But Yang Lifang shook her head. "No, I'd better go home. Besides, your dress isn't ready yet, don't you want to put it on sooner?"

Hearing Yang Lifang's words, He Yushui was a little conflicted, but after a moment's thought, she gave up on the matter. Now, in her heart, the most important thing was to give Yang Lifang and her brother a chance to be together.

"I'm not in a hurry, Sister Yang. Bulaji won't run away. It doesn't matter if it's a day earlier or later," He Yushui said with a smile, trying to persuade Yang Lifang.

But Yang Lifang bent down and smiled gently at He Yushui.

"Rain, thank you for your kindness, but I actually wanted to help you alter your clothes."

"Alter clothes? Sister, didn't you already take my measurements?" He Yushui asked, puzzled.

Yang Lifang shook her head and pointed to He Yushui's pants that revealed her ankles: "I'm talking about the clothes you're wearing now. There's still some fabric left over from making your dress. I'll take your measurements today, and then you can bring your washed clothes over, and I'll alter them for you so they'll fit you perfectly."

He Yushui looked at the beautiful woman in front of her, her eyes welling up with tears, biting her lip, her heart filled with emotion.

"Thank you, sister. But it's okay if it takes a day or two. I still think it's best for you to go to the steel mill."

Liu Jie, who was standing next to Yang Lifang, also began to persuade her, since she was also in charge of the union's tasks and organizing workers' clubs was their responsibility.

Yang Lifang was about to shake her head and refuse when He Yushui remembered something.

"Sister Yang, you should go. My brother might go too. If you're not used to it, you can ask him to go with you."

Although I don't know if my brother will participate, he will have a chance as long as he goes to the steel mill.

Upon hearing He Yushui's words, Yang Lifang, who had initially intended to refuse, suddenly hesitated.

She thought of the man she had watched a movie with last night, and then of her unconscious actions from yesterday, and suddenly blushed.

He Yushui, who was standing to the side, heard that Sister Yang blushed when she mentioned her brother. Her eyes lit up and she thought to herself that there was a chance.