The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

As the sun set, Yang Ping's shadow stretched long and thin.

As he passed the peeling wooden door of the supply and marketing cooperative, he paused involuntarily—there probably wasn't even a single vegetable leaf left in the kitchen.

Pushing open the door, a musty smell of old shelves mixed with dust hit me.

On the counter, there was only one old hen, its feathers dull, huddled in a corner; next to it, in a bamboo basket, were several large, bare bones, not a trace of meat in sight.

Without saying a word, he took them all.

As I turned around, my gaze swept over the mountain of milk candies piled up in the glass jar, the paper wrappers printed with that familiar rabbit.

He picked up a packet, imagining Xu Yueling's reaction upon seeing it, and felt a strange itch to taste it himself—how many years had it been since he'd experienced such a sweet and sticky flavor?

Once outside, Yang Ping tore open the candy wrapper and put the milky white round candy into her mouth.

The sweetness mixed with the rich milky aroma melts on the tip of the tongue, and a fleeting memory of the past suddenly flashes through the mind before quickly fading away.

He chewed on his candy and walked slowly toward the courtyard.

As soon as I arrived at the courtyard gate, I saw Yan Fugui carrying a tin watering can, bending over to water the few drooping rose bushes by the wall.

Upon seeing the chicken and bones Yang Ping was carrying, Yan Fugui's face immediately broke into a smile, and he raised his voice high: "Hey, Yang Ping! You've gone on a big shopping spree today, haven't you?"

"improvise."

Yang Ping responded and continued walking straight to the central courtyard without stopping.

"Wait, wait!"

Yan Fugui hurriedly put down the kettle, pulled out a bottle wrapped in old newspapers from his pocket, and shoved it at him, saying, "Take this! Everyone remembers you for your idea about that penny last time."

This bottle of Xifeng liquor is just a small token of my appreciation.

Yang Ping felt a sudden weight in his hand. Looking down, he saw the dark brown neck of the newspaper bottle peeking out from between the seams.

He looked up, a hint of surprise flashing across his face—this stingy old man Yan was so frugal that he could squeeze every penny out of him; getting anything from him was harder than prying open a miser's mouth.

As for this Xifeng liquor... he remembered it clearly, the supply and marketing cooperative priced it at two yuan and fifty cents, which was seven mao more expensive than Moutai, making it very rare.

"Third Uncle,"

Yang Ping raised an eyebrow. "Did the sun set in the west today?"

Yan Fugui chuckled dryly, rubbing his hands together, and said, "Look at what you're saying... It's just a small token, not worth mentioning."

Yang Ping hefted the wine bottle, the cold glass pressed against his palm.

He suddenly grinned and said, "Okay, let's reciprocate."

Come to my place for dinner tonight, and we'll open this bottle then.

"That would be great!"

Yan Fugui immediately beamed with joy, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

He finally felt relieved—he knew that the bait he had thrown out for Yang Ping would never be wasted.

The twilight light slanted through the courtyard, casting long, thin shadows from the eaves.

Yang Ping carried the old hen back home, its weight still lingering on her fingertips.

This trip was worthwhile.

"I'll go back and tidy up first."

After saying that, he strode away.

The courtyard was bustling with activity.

People who had finished work gathered in front of their homes, children chased and played around the adults' legs, and the air was filled with the rising smoke from the stoves of each household.

Seeing Yang Ping pass by, many people looked up to greet him, their voices scattered in the evening breeze.

Yang Ping responded to each of them, but when her gaze swept over, she saw Yi Zhonghai sitting alone at a small table in the room, his head down, seemingly focused on the wood grain of the tabletop, completely oblivious to the scene outside.

Inside the Jia family's house, figures moved about. Qin Huairu was busy at the stove, Jia Zhangshi's bloated body blocked the door, and the two children were playing by the corner of the table. Only Jia Dongxu was nowhere to be seen.

The door to Sha Zhu's room was wide open, and the room was empty. It was unclear whether he hadn't returned yet or had gone somewhere else.

Yang Ping didn't linger and went straight to the backyard.

The backyard was quieter than the front, with only a few familiar faces nodding at him.

Xu Yueling was peeking out of the house when she saw him, and her eyes lit up.

"Brother Yang Ping!"

She jogged over, her braid bouncing on her shoulder.

Here, take it.

Yang Ping pulled a handful of candy from his pocket; the wrappers of the White Rabbit candy gleamed softly in the twilight.

Xu Yueling took it, the candy wrapper rustling.

"Thank you, brother!"

She carefully tucked the candy into her pocket, then looked up as if remembering something. "I heard from my brother that you got your Level 6 fitter certification! That's amazing!"

Yang Ping smiled, but didn't stop walking towards her own house.

Xu Yueling followed beside him, unwrapped a candy and put it in her mouth. As the sweetness spread, she continued talking:

"My brother even said that the factory wants to make you a role model and will issue a commendation notice tomorrow—a level six worker at twenty years old, who wouldn't admire that!"

"yes."

Yang Ping responded and placed his hand on the door panel.

The lights were not yet on in the room, and the familiar smell of old wood lingered in the dim light.

He stepped over the threshold and gently placed the old hen on the low stool by the door.

The commotion at the factory really surprised Yang Ping.

He never expected that he would become the focus of everyone's attention.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Staying in the position of a fitter is not what he wants; he wants to go to a higher place.

"Yang Ping, you're really something!"

Xu Yueling's voice was crisp and clear, and her eyes shone brightly, as if the person standing in front of her was an extraordinary figure.

It was just a coincidence.

Yang Ping just smiled and didn't say anything more.

He lowered his head and began to clean the chickens he had bought, chatting casually with Xu Yueling without noticing the overly bright look on the girl's face.

Even if he notices it, he'll probably pretend he doesn't.

In his heart, Xu Yueling was always the girl next door.

As for other things... in terms of appearance and figure, he seems to be lacking something.

Inside the Xu family's house, the atmosphere was completely different.

Xu Fugui glanced at the scene in the courtyard outside the window, his eyes flickered, and he turned to his wife and said, "My dear wife, look at Yueling, she's so happy with Yang Ping."

"I think we should just go along with the children's wishes?"

"How old is Yue Ling? She's not even eighteen yet."

Xu's mother immediately retorted, "Besides, there's still no definite news about Da Mao, and you're already getting anxious about your daughter?"

"I think Yang Ping is a pretty good kid."

Xu Fugui insisted, "He's so young, and he's already passed the Level 6 fitter exam. His future looks bright."

"With Yue Ling by his side, how could she not have a good life?"

After a moment of silence, Xu's mother softened her tone: "Let's wait until Da Mao's marriage is settled before we talk about it."

By then, Yueling will be about the right age, and we can discuss it again later.

"become."

Xu Fugui nodded.

Xu Damao, who was standing to the side, remained silent.

He felt that it might not be a bad thing if his sister could marry Yang Ping.

Perhaps I can benefit from it in the future.

A level 6 fitter at the age of 20 is not something anyone can do.

This kid has a bright future ahead of him.

***

Yang Ping accepted the still slightly warm steamed buns and thanked him.

Little did he know that on this ordinary evening, Sha Zhu's already messy room had been quietly burgled.

When Yan Fugui carried the plate into the house, he still had a smile on his face. The plate had several steamed buns mixed with various grains on it.

"You've come at the perfect time."

Yang Ping was ladling the stir-fried vegetables out of the wok when she looked up and called out, "The food is just ready."

"Oh, Yue Ling is here too?"

Yan Fugui glanced at Xu Yueling sitting to the side, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He then thought that Yang Ping was old enough to be getting married, so it wasn't surprising that he had a girl by his side.

It's a pity that his daughter is still too young, otherwise marrying her to Yang Ping would be a wonderful thing—he just heard that Yang Ping has been promoted to a level six fitter, earning more than sixty yuan a month, almost twice his salary.

If you're with a man like that, your life is bound to be good.

"Third Uncle".

Xu Yueling got up and called out.

Seeing that the food was ready at Yang Ping's place, she said goodbye, "Brother Yang Ping, I'm going back now. It's time to eat at home."

After saying that, she turned around and ran out the door.

"Yueling, won't you stay for a bite to eat?"

Yang Ping asked a question as she walked away.

"No!"

Xu Yueling didn't turn her head; her voice drifted back to her house.

Yang Ping didn't keep her any longer. After setting out the bowls and chopsticks, he said to Yan Fugui, "Third Uncle, let's start eating."

"Okay!"

Yan Fugui put down his steamed bun, sat down with a smile, and casually brought up the topic, "I think that girl from the Xu family is quite nice. If you two set a date, don't forget to invite your third uncle to your wedding banquet."

"You can't just say that carelessly."

Yang Ping shook her head. "I only see her as a younger sister, I have no other thoughts."

Since he didn't have that intention, he naturally had to make things clear to avoid gossip.

"Too,"

Yan Fugui took a bite of his steamed bun and mumbled, "That girl is definitely not good enough for you."

I'll go to the school later and keep an eye out for a few decent-looking female teachers for you.

Yan Fugui immediately understood.

"It's settled then!"

Yang Ping did not refuse.

Having someone to accompany you is not necessarily a bad thing.

"good!"

Yan Fugui beamed with joy, as if the matchmaker's red envelope was already in his pocket.

He raised his glass: "Come on, Yang Ping, let me toast you! You've become a level six fitter at such a young age, you have a bright future ahead of you."

His words were tinged with emotion.

The younger generation surpasses the older; this kid will at least be a factory leader someday.

Looking at myself, I'm afraid it'll be difficult to climb any higher at this age.

"Thank you for your kind words."

Yang Ping raised his glass with a smile.

The two began to chat and exchange drinks.

It must be said that Yan Fugui is indeed quite knowledgeable; he can talk about everything from folk anecdotes to current political news in a very eloquent manner.

Yang Ping was naturally no less knowledgeable—coming from the information age and having experienced the trials of life, he knew just as much history and anecdotes as his opponent.

Yan Fugui was increasingly astonished as they talked, secretly marveling at the young man's vast knowledge and how he had achieved so much at such a young age.

On the other side of the Intermediate Court, Sha Zhu had just stepped into the courtyard.

He went to the countryside today to host a wedding banquet and earned five yuan, plus some meat dishes, so he made quite a good profit.

At this moment, he had not yet been captivated by Qin Huairu. He carried the lunchbox straight home without even glancing in the direction of the Jia family.

"Rain Water, time to eat! We have some good food today."

He called out into the house.

"They're here!"

He Yushui responded and came out.

As soon as Sha Zhu stepped across the threshold, he sensed something was wrong in the room—the furniture had obviously been moved around, and the drawer for storing money was wide open.

His face darkened, and he turned to look at his sister who was walking towards him.

"Brother, have I been inside your room?"

"No, I went straight to my room to do my homework after school. What happened?"

He Yushui looked up and asked.

Sha Zhu's heart skipped a beat. He put the lunchbox he was carrying on the table and quickly walked to the cabinet—sure enough, the eleven yuan inside was gone.

His face immediately darkened. He rummaged through the drawers and boxes, finally pulling out a neat stack of "big black ten" bills.

He finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he didn't lose the two hundred yuan; it was money he had saved to get married.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

He Yushui asked another question.

"A thief broke into the house, and eleven dollars are missing."

Luckily, I still had the money I saved for my wedding hidden away.

Sha Zhu wiped his forehead, his tone filled with relief.

"Eleven yuan is no small amount; we should tell the old man."

He Yushui said softly.

She only has five yuan a month for living expenses, so eleven yuan would be enough for her to live on for two months.

"Yes, I'll go right now!"

Sha Zhu responded and started walking out, shouting before he even reached the middle courtyard:

"Grandpa, something terrible has happened! A thief broke into my house and stole eleven yuan!"

"Tell me in detail, what happened?"

Yi Zhonghai's expression turned solemn.

Hearing the commotion, everyone else in the courtyard stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Sha Zhu.

"I just came back from helping out in the kitchen in the countryside, and as soon as I entered the house, I realized something was wrong."

As you know, I got home late today.

Sha Zhu recounted what had happened.

Yi Zhonghai frowned.