The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

He gritted his teeth and growled, a surge of anger rising to his head.

Without thinking twice, Yan Fugui rushed to the backyard, determined to get that cartwheel back.

Yang Ping followed slowly behind, pushing her bicycle, a faint smile playing on her lips.

With such a lively scene, one naturally wants to get closer and take a look.

"Liu Guangqi, you come out here!"

Yan Fugui stood outside the Liu family's gate, his voice sharp and loud.

The curtain was lifted, and Liu Haizhong walked out with a stern face: "Old Yan, what are you yelling about here?"

"Your Guangqi secretly removed my car wheels this morning, give them back right now!"

Yan Fugui refused to budge an inch.

The commotion attracted the attention of the neighbors, who gathered in twos and threes, craning their necks to look in this direction.

"Nonsense!"

Liu Haizhong's voice suddenly rose, "My Guangqi is a proper high school student, would he do such petty theft? You're slandering him!"

"that is,"

The second aunt chimed in, "Third Uncle, you're a scholar too, how can you just spout nonsense and accuse someone of this?"

The couple took turns speaking, their faces full of resentment at being offended.

"Whether it's him or not, call him out and say it to my face! Your shouting here doesn't count."

Yan Fugui retorted firmly.

"Guangqi! Come out!"

Liu Haizhong turned his head and called out into the house.

The curtain swayed again, and Liu Guangqi strolled out unhurriedly, his face showing no emotion.

"Guangqi, explain this to your third uncle."

Liu Haizhong's voice deepened, with a hint of instruction, "We educated and reasonable people would never stoop to doing such a thing."

Those are things only uncultured, rude people do.

Before Liu Haizhong could finish speaking, Yan Fugui spoke up before Liu Guangqi could.

"Liu Guangqi, stop pretending to be confused."

"Just because I interfered with your trip to Shimen, you've only just gotten off the harness and you're already trying to take apart my cart wheels!"

"Old man, isn't it all your fault?"

Liu Guangqi practically spat out his words, "If you hadn't gossiped to my father, would I have been tied up all these days? Would Xu Banxia have been able to leave? You just wait, not only the wheels, but I'll take your bicycle too!"

He got angrier and angrier as he talked.

In the afternoon, he went to the old spot to look around, but Xu Banxia was nowhere to be seen; he also searched several alleyways where they used to meet, but they were still empty.

He knew in his heart that their connection was over, and he was feeling frustrated when Yan Fugui just happened to come knocking on his door.

"Listen to him, my Guangqi..."

Liu Haizhong was about to reply, but the second half of his son's sentence reached his ears, and he stood there with his mouth open for a long time.

Liu Guangqi, whom he always boasted about, actually stole Yan Fugui's car wheel.

That's not all; now they're openly saying they'll take the whole vehicle away.

A few words, and it's a done deal.

Liu Haizhong's face fell.

The second aunt standing nearby was also stunned—how could their well-behaved child have done such a dirty thing?

All eyes gradually focused on the Liu family, like needles pricking them, and an inexplicable strangeness rose in the air.

"Old Liu! Did you hear that? He's trying to steal my bicycle!"

Yan Fugui's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"Guangqi!"

Liu Haizhong suddenly shouted, "Shut your mouth! Go back inside!"

Ultimately, it's out of a protective instinct.

He didn't question his son at all; instead, he shooed him into the house, intending to deal with this embarrassing situation on his own.

Liu Guangqi cast a fierce glare at Yan Fugui, then turned and went inside.

Liu Haizhong was quite straightforward; without saying a word, he took out twenty yuan and handed it over: "Old Yan, this is to compensate you."

Yan Fugui took the money without saying much.

This amount is enough to buy a new car wheel; if you look for a used one, you can even save some money.

He carefully pocketed the money, then put on a stern face and reminded him, "Old Liu, you'd better keep an eye on Guangqi."

If they really steal my bicycle, I won't do it in the compound—I'll go straight to the neighborhood committee office.

These words carried a blatant warning.

He was indeed afraid, fearing that Liu Guangqi might actually take action.

"He's just putting on a brave face, don't worry."

Liu Haizhong waved his hand dismissively.

The incident has now come to an end.

Seeing that there was no more drama to watch, the crowd dispersed in twos and threes.

Yang Ping stood there for a moment, then pushed her bicycle back into the house.

It's always a comforting thing to be able to get Liu Haizhong to take out twenty yuan.

Not long after, a wail came from inside the Liu family's house.

"Ouch! Dad, stop hitting me!"

"Help! Someone's going to die!"

Those were the screams of Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu.

Hearing the commotion in front of his own door, Yang Ping smiled slightly—it seemed Liu Haizhong was heartbroken, otherwise he wouldn't have taken his anger out on his two youngest sons.

……

The days passed by.

Before you know it, it's time for a day off.

These days, Yang Ping has been focusing his energy on repairing the battery manufacturing machinery.

All the drawings have been completed. Once the parts are polished and installed on the machine, we can begin trial production of lithium batteries.

It should be completed in about another week, and the progress is going smoothly.

As dawn broke, Yang Ping pushed her bicycle and quietly left the compound.

With nothing to do during the holiday, Yang Ping planned to stroll around Qianmen Street and, while he was there, have two new outfits tailored by Chen Xueru.

Now that I've become the deputy director, I have to dress more presentably.

He originally wanted to ask Gao Yue to go out together, but Gao Yue had to go back to her parents' home and couldn't find the time.

As I was pushing my bicycle through the front yard, I bumped into Yan Fugui, who was also pushing his bicycle out of the house.

Yang Ping saw this and simply smiled faintly.

Now Yan Fugui dares not leave his bicycle outside anymore—for fear that Liu Guangqi might take it away.

"Yang Ping, wanna go fishing?"

Yan Fugui saw him and hurriedly asked him.

"I'm not going."

Yang Ping didn't stop walking; she pushed the cart out herself.

"Ugh!"

Yan Fugui watched his retreating figure and let out a long sigh.

These days I haven't been fishing with Yang Ping, and my catch has drastically decreased; I often come back empty-handed, which really leaves me feeling bad.

But Yang Ping was unwilling to travel with him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Yang Ping left the compound and rode her bicycle alone towards Qianmen Street.

They arrived at their destination shortly afterward.

The streets were quite lively on the day off, with people coming and going and noise filling the air.

But as he wandered around alone, he gradually grew bored and decided to stop strolling and head straight for Xue Ru Silk Shop.

"Yang Ping, please have a seat!"

Chen Xueru was greeting guests when she saw him come in, and she looked up and greeted him.

Yang Ping wasn't in a hurry. Anyway, it was a holiday today, and he was just killing time.

He sat down at the square table by the window, picked up a piece of pastry from the table and ate it slowly, waiting for Chen Xueru to finish her work.

After seeing off three groups of guests, Chen Xueru finally had a chance to come over, her face bearing her usual bright smile, her words tinged with teasing: "Oh, little man, why aren't you with your little sister Xiao'e today? Why have you come here to visit me instead?"

"Xiao'e went to Hong Kong."

Yang Ping didn't try to hide anything and answered casually.

There's nothing wrong with talking about this.

A hint of surprise flashed across Chen Xueru's face.

"really?"

Yang Ping nodded in confirmation.

"I knew it!"

Chen Xueru's tone once again carried that familiar teasing tone, "Why did you come alone today, young master? It turns out you're feeling lonely and have come looking for someone to keep you company."

"I would like to trouble Sister Xue Ru to tailor some clothes for me."

Yang Ping stated his purpose directly.

"Is there anything special about the material?"

Chen Xueru dropped her joking expression and asked seriously.

"Sister, you can decide for yourself. As long as the material is comfortable against the skin and the price is reasonable, that's fine."

"become."

Chen Xueru took out a measuring tape, turned around and walked into the inner room, saying, "Please come in."

Yang Ping followed her into the inner room.

As the measuring tape wrapped around her shoulders, back, and waist, Chen Xueru's fingertips occasionally brushed against the taut muscles beneath her clothes, causing her to pause almost imperceptibly.

She lowered her eyelashes and, unusually, fell silent, swallowing back all her previous witty remarks.

"All sizes are available."

She quickly put away the ruler, turned around and walked out.

Yang Ping followed her out and noticed a stray strand of hair behind her ear that wasn't properly combed. He couldn't help but smile slightly—this sudden silence was more intriguing than any words.

He stopped in front of the counter and suddenly asked, "Last time, my sister said, what qualifications does one need to be your man?"

"Heh,"

Chen Xueru suddenly looked up, her eyes flashing for a moment as if struck by a flint, before curving into a teasing smile. "Young master, you've got a quick mind, and you're so indiscriminate? You dare to approach a twenty-six-year-old maid like me? Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you if word gets out?"

Yang Ping sensed the seriousness beneath the teasing—she was laying her cards on the table, and also testing the waters.

He met her gaze and calmly continued the conversation: "As the old saying goes, 'A woman six years older than a man is a golden opportunity.'"

My sister's shop is overflowing with goods; it's enough for me to comfortably learn a skill for many years.

Chen Xueru smiled slightly, a hint of amusement in her eyes, and said leisurely, "Well done, little guy, you're quite determined."

The courtyard behind my shop is currently empty. If you really have the ability to get it for me, then... I might consider it.

She sized up the man in front of her, thinking: Since he's come to me of his own accord, I might as well test his limits.

Chen Xueru doesn't want a man who has absolutely no ability.

"become!"

Yang Ping answered crisply and decisively.

Whether it can be done or not is another matter, it's never wrong to agree to it first.

If it works out, great! If it doesn't... we'll just have to find another way.

In short, he was determined not to let this woman go.

……

"It's no big deal!"

After hearing Chen Xueru's offer—which was just a small courtyard behind her shop—Yang Ping agreed without hesitation.

Whether you can actually get her is another matter, but you have to show the right attitude first—just that straightforwardness is enough to make the girl feel good.

Besides, Chen Xueru is impeccable in appearance and figure, and comes from a wealthy family; she could be considered a "small-time tycoon."

The important thing is that he hasn't promised anyone yet, and he's completely clean.

As for her age of twenty-six, in Yang Ping's eyes, who had transmigrated from the future, it was nothing at all.

"Then the older sister will be waiting for good news from the younger brother."

Chen Xueru smiled, her eyes filled with anticipation.

She'd been thinking about that backyard for a while now.

There are two rooms there, which can be combined to serve as a warehouse. Sometimes when I'm too lazy to go home, it's convenient to spend the night behind the shop.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a way.

A few days ago, she overheard people talking about how the original owner of the courtyard had run into trouble and it was now vacant, which sparked her interest.

I went to the streets several times, almost wore myself out, but they still wouldn't budge.

Just when she was at her wit's end, Yang Ping happened to come up to her.

She remembered Lou Xiao'e mentioning that Yang Ping had some connections with the owner of Fengzeyuan.

Perhaps... we could really let him give it a try? If he could actually take over the yard, and we could explore it together, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Having been single for so many years, it's time for her to find someone to rely on.

Although Yang Ping was a bit young, he was quite pleasing to her eye, so she decided to open a door for him.

"Okay, I'll go and find out right away."

Yang Ping got up and was about to make arrangements for this matter.

"Go then, young man."

Chen Xueru watched him leave, her eyes sparkling, and a bright smile unconsciously spreading across her lips.

"Oh dear, young man, you haven't even paid for your clothes yet, but you're already acting like this is your own shop."

She suddenly remembered this.

When he chased after her outside, she was no longer visible on the long street, only the wind swirling the dust.

"You got off easy, you little devil."

She gave a soft, reproachful remark.

The thought in her heart couldn't be hidden—she longed to walk alongside Yang Ping for a while.

***

In front of Fengzeyuan.

Yang Ping braked on his bicycle, locked it, and walked straight inside.

There was a reason for seeking out Yao Fengze: this garden is frequented by respectable people, which shows that Yao Fengze has many connections. If he can help, the matter of the garden might be settled.

"Comrade Yang!"

Yao Fengze was looking at a stack of purchase orders when he looked up and saw him coming, so he quickly greeted him.