The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

As for how Yang Ping knew—don't ask, the answer is he learned his lesson the hard way.

"Okay!"

Gao Yue readily agreed.

She immediately got up to help pack the fishing gear, then found some wild grass, twisted it into ropes, and strung the fish she caught together one by one, her hands and feet moving as nimbly as a diligent and capable young wife.

After getting ready, Yang Ping got on his bicycle and rode towards Fengzeyuan.

It's a wonderful thing to be able to sit in a private room at Fengzeyuan Restaurant without having to pay.

Of course, it wasn't that Yang Ping didn't want to pay—he tried to settle the bill several times, but Yao Fengze refused to accept it, saying that if he really paid, he would never be allowed to step into Fengzeyuan again.

Yang Ping couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he had to give up.

A meal was nothing to Yao Fengze, and Yang Ping didn't take it too seriously either.

If Fengzeyuan ever encounters any difficulties in the future, I will do my best to help them out.

"Fengzeyuan Restaurant!"

Gao Yue looked up and saw those large, golden characters, and her expression changed slightly.

"Yang Ping, this place is too expensive."

"You don't need to spend so much money treating me to a meal; we can just eat at a state-run restaurant."

She had heard Zhou Xiaobai mention this place before; a meal there costs tens or even hundreds of yuan, which is simply not something ordinary people can afford.

"It's fine if I come here occasionally."

"It's not like I come every day, don't worry."

Yang Ping gripped the brakes, and the bicycle came to a steady stop in front of the door.

Yang Ping held both fish in his hands, lest someone steal them later.

Gao Yue packed up her fishing rod and folding stool, and the two of them, carrying a bunch of things, headed towards a private room further inside.

Yang Ping remained calm and composed, as if this were his own living room.

Gao Yue was a little flustered as it was her first time here—after all, even Zhou Xiaobai had praised this place to the skies.

Yao Fengze greeted him with a smile.

"Comrade Yang, what would you like to eat today?"

"Cook this fish and serve it with a few side dishes."

Yang Ping handed over a fish and said.

"Okay!"

Yao Fengze took the fish and turned to go to the kitchen.

"This restaurant is so thoughtful; they can even prepare the ingredients for customers, which saves a lot of money."

Gao Yue found it somewhat intriguing.

"We usually don't do it."

Yang Ping smiled and said, "I'm familiar with the owner here, which makes things convenient for me."

"Did you sell all the fish you caught to Fengzeyuan?"

Gao Yue guessed.

This was the most reasonable explanation she could think of.

I guess so.

Yang Ping responded.

He naturally couldn't reveal that he was actually the real owner of the restaurant.

"Comrade Yang, the dishes have been ordered. Please try this cuttlefish egg soup first."

Yao Fengze brought in a bowl of hot soup.

"it is good."

Yang Ping nodded, first serving Gao Yue a bowl, then adding one for himself, and lowered his head to drink.

"Mmm, this soup is delicious!"

Gao Yue took a bite, and her eyes lit up slightly.

"Come anytime if you want a drink."

Yang Ping put down the bowl, her tone gentle.

Gao Yue shook her head: "No need, it's too expensive."

Yang Ping didn't try to persuade her anymore, and quietly finished the last few mouthfuls of soup.

He already had a plan in mind: he would take Gao Yue home in a little while, and then go find Lou Xiao'e.

I promised to go and visit a few days ago, but I haven't had the time until this afternoon.

I won't go anywhere that night; I'll just go home and rest.

Ultimately, it's something no one else can see.

Otherwise, if you meet one in the morning, another in the afternoon, and yet another at night, and even have a late-night rendezvous—filling your days to the brim, that would truly be calculating time to the extreme.

*

After the meal, Yang Ping picked up the fish net and walked out of the small room. "I'll take you home first."

He said to Gao Yue.

Gao Yue nodded.

The two left the store, Yang Ping got on his bicycle, and Gao Yue sat sideways on the back seat.

The cart wheels rolled over the gravel in the alley, and soon they arrived near the courtyard where Gao Yue lived.

"Here, take these two."

Yang Ping picked out the two fattest fish from the net, handed them over, and took back his own fishing rod.

"Are you sure you can carry all that stuff?"

Gao Yue was a little worried when she saw him holding the handlebars with one hand and trying to lift the fishing rod, stool, and the remaining four fish with the other.

"Didn't you just ride here like this?"

Yang Ping smiled, pushed off with his foot, and the wheel started spinning again. "Let's go."

Gao Yue stood there, watching his back as he turned out of the alley, before looking down at the fish in her hand that was still throbbing its gills, and then turned and went into the courtyard.

Before long, Yang Ping returned to the gate of his family compound.

He didn't go in, he just shouted inside:

"Uncle, your fish is here!"

"Here it comes!"

A response came immediately from inside the courtyard.

Yan Fugui had just finished his afternoon nap when he heard Yang Ping bringing fish. He didn't even have time to put on his coat before rushing to the door in his slippers, as if the fish would sprout wings and fly away if he was a step too late.

"Here are four fish, and the fishing rod is right here too. Please check them."

Yang Ping handed over all the items in his hand.

"It can't be wrong, it can't be wrong!"

Yan Fugui's face broke into a wide smile, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes formed a fan shape.

How wonderful it would be if we could experience such a wonderful thing every day.

"I'll leave these two small stools here for now. I'm going out to run some errands, and I'll come back for them before dark."

Yang Ping then took the pair of low stools off the back rack of the car.

"Don't worry, the stool will be returned to you exactly as it was, and not a single splinter will be missing."

Yan Fugui patted his chest and guaranteed it.

Yang Ping didn't say anything more, got on his bicycle and headed towards Fengzeyuan.

He was thinking of finding Yao Fengze and saying a few words to him.

Before long, the plaque of Fengzeyuan came into view again.

"Comrade Yang? You mean... you've returned?"

Yao Fengze saw him turn back and went to greet him with some surprise.

"Would it be convenient to talk somewhere quiet?"

"Look at you, this way please, the private room is quiet."

Yao Fengze quickly led the way.

The two entered the private room, closed the door, and were alone.

"Comrade Yao, it would be best to put away all the valuable items in your shop—such as the old plaque at the entrance, the recipes for the signature dishes, or the precious porcelain and silverware—and find a safe place to store them."

Yang Ping lowered his voice and spoke.

On his way here, he suddenly realized that trouble was brewing and that established brands like Fengzeyuan would inevitably suffer, with many of their treasures being destroyed.

In the eyes of later generations, these things are all treasures, and it is no exaggeration to say that they are priceless.

After thinking it over, he still felt he should come and give a reminder.

"Comrade Yang, what do you mean by that...? What rumors have you heard?"

Yao Fengze's expression tightened, and he asked in a low voice.

Fengzeyuan will face an irreversible catastrophe, at which point everything here will be reduced to nothing.

You need to replace these items one by one as soon as possible, and replace them with similar-looking imitations.

Yang** spoke briefly and did not elaborate.

If it were a waterborne disaster, it would indeed be dangerous. Thank you for your advice, Comrade Yang.

Yao Fengze thanked him.

In his opinion, apart from the fire, nothing could shake the foundation of Fengzeyuan.

That's roughly the idea. Just do as I say.

If you don't have anywhere to store it, you can put it in my system space first, and it won't be a hassle to return it to me in its original state later.

Yang Ping said.

He didn't care how Yao Fengze interpreted it, as long as he could keep these things.

Even if it's resold in the future, it will still be a considerable fortune.

"Okay!" Yao Fengze agreed.

Yang Ping didn't linger any longer; he got on his bicycle and went to find Lou Xiao'e.

Telling Yao Fengze about this is a way of repaying the favor of his treat.

Naturally, since Yao Fengze was his confidant, Yao Fengze lived a comfortable life and earned a lot of money, and Yao Fengze also benefited from this.

Lou Xiao'e lives not far from here, just a few minutes' bike ride away.

Xiao'e!

Yang Ping arrived at the courtyard gate and rang the doorbell.

Coming!

Lou Xiao'e opened the door directly, no longer as apprehensive or wary as she had been at the beginning.

Yang Ping, you said you'd come whenever you had time, why did it take so long? Have you been too busy these past few days? She scolded him as soon as they met.

I have to go to work, so I'm on holiday today.

Yang Ping answered with a smile.

It seems that my time management was not thorough enough; otherwise, I should have been able to find time to visit Lou Xiao'e after finishing my work each day, sit here for an hour or two, and then go home.

We need to include this in our agenda and make proper arrangements for it in the future.

"Alright, lend me some money first, plus a few cloth coupons, and I'll pay you back later."

Lou Xiao'e spoke up.

"Okay, how much do you want?"

Yang Shun responded naturally.

"One hundred yuan is enough, and twelve feet of cloth are needed as ration coupons."

Lou Xiao'e made a quick decision in her mind.

"become!"

Yang Shun reached into his bag and took out a stack of banknotes and twelve feet of cloth coupons—in fact, the items had already been prepared in his own mental space.

"Okay, I'll write you an IOU."

After Lou Xiao'e finished counting, she turned around and walked into the house.

"No need for a promissory note!"

Yang Shun quickly spoke up.

Although the Lou family is not as wealthy as it used to be, they still have some assets, so he is not worried that the mere hundred yuan will be renege on.

"No, an IOU must be written."

"If I want to deny it in the future, or if there's a dispute about the amount, you have this piece of paper, and I can't go back on my word."

Lou Xiao'e, however, persisted.

Yang Shun stopped trying to persuade him.

She is indeed Lou Bancheng's daughter.

Lou Bancheng was able to become a wealthy merchant in his time because he always valued contracts and documents.

No matter how eloquently you speak, nothing is more reliable than a written agreement.

Lou Xiao'e was influenced by her surroundings from a young age, and even when borrowing money, she would always draw up a written agreement.

Here, the IOU is for you.

Lou Xiao'e handed over the note she had written.

Yang Shun glanced at it, and seeing that the contents were correct, he put it into his pocket.

"Let's go for a stroll on Qianmen Street."

Lou Xiao'e made the suggestion.

"Alright."

Yang Shun responded and followed.

He left his bicycle in the yard and followed Lou Xiao'e's footsteps all the way to Qianmen Street.

Lou Xiao'e's residence is right next to the back of the Qianmen commercial district, just a few steps away from the narrow alley.

These past few days, having nothing to do, she has been wandering around this area. By chance, she discovered a silk shop, and the cheongsams inside were quite pleasing to her eye.

"There's a silk shop up ahead that has some really nice clothes. Want to come with me and take a look?"

She turned her head and said, her eyes showing that she had already made up her mind.

Yang Ping didn't say much, but quickly took two steps to follow.

Before long, the two stopped at a shop with a sign that read "Xue Ru Silk Shop".

In front of the plaque shop.

Lou Xiao'e seemed to know this place well; she lifted the curtain and went straight in.

"Oh, Xiao'e's here! Please come in!"

Upon hearing the sound, the shop owner, Chen Xueru, came out from inside to greet them; her voice was crisp and clear.

When Yang Ping saw the signboard, he already had some guesses in his mind. When he saw the slender proprietress in the dark red cheongsam, he was certain that this was Chen Xueru, who would later become famous for her straightforwardness under the Zhengyang Gate.

She was about 1.65 meters tall, and her appearance was no less than Lou Xiao'e's. She had a natural air of confidence in her eyes and brows, but it was unknown where her marriage would fall at this moment.

As he pondered this to himself, he followed Lou Xiao'e into the shop.

"Xiao'e, who is this comrade?"

Chen Xueru's eyes swept over him, and she smiled, "He's really handsome; you have good taste!"

"Sister Xue Ru, please don't talk nonsense."

Lou Xiao'e's fingertips brushed over the fabric stacked on the counter without looking up. "She's just a familiar friend."

Yang Ping simply smiled faintly and did not respond.

Who can predict what will happen in the future? If we are destined to be together, that would be best; if not, there's no need to force it.

"I can tell they really care about you."

Chen Xueru, arranging a bolt of satin in her hands, asked with a familiar, teasing tone, "Shouldn't you agree by now?"