Sha Zhu's Rebirth in the Courtyard: Starting with Hitting Someone in the Head

Chapter 46 Establishment of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives

In July 1954, the cooperative changed its name.

The sign at the entrance of the Dongcheng District cooperative was taken down and replaced with a new one that reads "Beijing Dongdan District Supply and Marketing Cooperative". A red ribbon tied with flowers hung on the sign and remained there for several days.

People came and went to work, all dressed in clean uniforms and with smiles on their faces. Since the cooperative was transformed into a supply and marketing cooperative, they had all become employees of the national supply and marketing system, their job security even more secure.

When the news reached the courtyard, the people there reacted in various ways.

Yan Bugui was the first to know. He worked in the accounting office, right next to the cooperative's storefront. When the signboard was changed, he stood at the door watching for a long time. After returning home, he wouldn't water the plants; he'd just sit there smoking.

Yang Ruihua asked him what was wrong, and he stubbed out his cigarette. "The cooperative has been changed to a supply and marketing cooperative. Old Li, who works in the kitchen, now has a secure job. Sha Zhu, the purchasing agent, is even more sought after."

Yang Ruihua sighed and went into the inner room.

Jia Zhangshi sat among the women in the middle courtyard, spitting as she spoke. "The cooperative becoming a supply and marketing cooperative is just a change of signboard, what does it have to do with us?"

Qin Huairu sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) holding a stick, head down and silent.

When Liu Haizhong returned from the factory, he sat at the door of his house and listened to Wang Caifeng say that Old Li's wife from the countryside was going to enjoy a good life.

Yi Zhonghai sat at home, his face tilted to the side. He was now a repairman for a self-rescue team, often covered in grease. He came home alone every day and still had to do laundry and cook.

For the past two years, he's been trying to find a widow from the countryside, but nothing has worked out; women turn their heads as soon as they see him. A few women, seeing that his income is decent, have come to meet him. But when they learn that marrying him would mean taking care of an old woman with no relatives, they all refuse.

Of course, Jia Zhangshi also deserves credit for this. She waited at the station for the widow who was going on a blind date to return home, and specifically said that Yi Zhonghai and the old deaf man were having an affair.

The old deaf woman's door was closed. Since Tan Xiulan left, she rarely left the house except for essential needs like eating, drinking, and using the toilet. She now only listens to what's happening in the courtyard, never speaking.

The main house of the middle courtyard was bustling with activity in Old Li's home.

Old Li's wife is named Tian Xinghua. She is thirty-seven years old, not very tall, with a round face and dark skin. She looks like someone who works in the fields all year round.

When the two met, they were both down-to-earth people who didn't stand on ceremony. Old Li took a day off and hosted a simple banquet in the village.

After returning, he moved into the main house of the courtyard and lived with Lao Li.

Old Li invited He Yuzhu over for drinks today. His wife cooked a few dishes: stir-fried eggs with chives, shredded potatoes, and stewed chicken pieces, which filled a small table.

Old Li poured wine for He Yuzhu, while Tian Xinghua sat beside him, serving him food with a smile, but saying nothing. Old Li took a sip of wine and looked at He Yuzhu. "Yuzhu, your Aunt Li is pregnant."

He Yuzhu had just picked up his wine glass when he paused, stunned. "So fast?"

Old Li chuckled, his face turning red. Tian Xinghua lowered her head, rubbing her hands on her apron.

He Yuzhu put down his wine glass. "Uncle Li, congratulations." He raised his wine cup and clinked it with Old Li's, then downed it in one gulp.

Old Li finished his drink, put down his cup, and touched his knee. A father in his fifties, he smiled, his eyes glistening with tears. "Zhu Zi," he said, "if you hadn't pulled me out of it, I would have lived my life in a daze."

He Yuzhu waved his hand, "Why are you talking about this? Let's drink."

Tian Xinghua poured He Yuzhu a full glass of wine and whispered, "Zhuzi, thank you. Old Li always says you're closer to him than his own nephew."

He Yuzhu downed his drink. "Aunt Li, if you ever need any help in the future, just let me know. Uncle Li is shy and has never asked me for help."

Tian Xinghua nodded and smiled.

Just as they were drinking, Xu Damao rushed in from outside. "Brother Zhu! My parents are here! They just went to the next courtyard to look for you! They were carrying big bags and small packages!"

He Yuzhu stood up and glanced outside. Xu Fugui and Zhao Shufen were standing at the door; Xu Fugui was carrying two bags of pastries, and Zhao Shufen was carrying two bottles of wine.

Everyone in the courtyard saw it.

Madam Jia stared at the two packets of pastries, muttering something under her breath.

When Xu Fugui and Zhao Shufen saw He Yuzhu come out, Zhao Shufen spoke first: "Yuzhu, your aunt has come to thank you. If it weren't for your suggestion to Mr. Lou, how could your aunt have joined the cooperative? Now I'm a sales clerk at the supply and marketing cooperative, a secure job, and I won't have to worry for the rest of my life."

Just as He Yuzhu was about to speak, Xu Fugui shoved the pastries into his hand. "Zhuzi, it's nothing special, these are some new flaky pastries from the supply and marketing cooperative, have a taste."

Zhao Shufen placed the wine on the table. "Thanks to your care these past two years, Da Mao has grown taller and gained weight, and his grades have improved too."

Madam Jia Zhang stood at the door of the west wing, her face long and drawn. Yi Zhonghai was in the east wing, his face turned askew towards them.

Xu Fugui and his wife sat in Old Li's house for a while and drank a cup of tea. Tian Xinghua and Zhao Shufen sat to one side chatting. Both of them were straightforward people and got to know each other very quickly.

Zhao Shufen held Tian's hand and said, "Old Li is a good man. If you follow him, your life will definitely get better and better."

Madam Jia was in the west wing, the door tightly shut. Qin Huairu sat on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) holding Banggeng, who was asleep.

Jia Zhangshi paced around the room twice, cursing in a low voice, "That idiot Zhu. He helped Old Li get a wife and arranged a job for Zhao Shufen, but my Jia family lives diagonally across from the He family, we've been neighbors for so many years, and he won't help us at all."

She looked at Qin Huairu, "Why hasn't Dongxu gotten off work yet? Is he working overtime tonight?"

Qin Huairu nodded, gently patted the stick, and whispered, "Mom, could we ask him to help me find a job? The supply and marketing cooperative needs people; I'd be willing to do temporary work."

Madam Jia stopped. She didn't say anything, but was calculating in her mind. She felt that she was, after all, He Yuzhu's elder, so she would try to lower herself and say a few kind words. At most, she would get a scolding like last time, but it wouldn't hurt her.

After finishing his meal, He Yuzhu left Old Li's house, gave Old Li the snacks and wine, and walked empty-handed towards the courtyard.

Madam Jia came from the west wing, her face beaming with smiles.

"Zhu Zi, your auntie has something to tell you."

He Yuzhu ignored her completely and didn't stop walking.

Jia Zhangshi followed behind him, talking non-stop, "Your sister-in-law Huairu is just sitting around at home doing nothing. Does the supply and marketing cooperative need anyone? Let's find Huairu some work. Even a temporary job is fine, let her sell some things."

He Yuzhu stopped in his tracks. "The supply and marketing cooperative needs people. Let her take the exam herself."

Jia Zhangshi's smile froze for a moment. "It's because you know a lot of people. If you put in a good word for me, I'll remember your kindness."

He Yuzhu laughed. "Am I your father? What business is it of mine with your Jia family's affairs? Don't bother me anymore, or your big face will end up like Yi Zhonghai's. Do you understand?"

Madam Jia turned pale, stood in the courtyard for a long while in a daze, then turned and went back into the house.

Qin Huairu raised her head and asked softly, "Mother, how is it?"

Without saying a word, Jia Zhangshi raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

In the courtyard, rainwater was washing clothes. Hearing the noise, she looked up and said, "Brother, I washed your clothes too."

He Yuzhu patted her head. "Good, I'll give you a raise next month."

"Really? How much will it go up?"

He held up one finger, and the rainwater happily washed the clothes, humming a song.

He Yuzhu is very satisfied with his younger sister now. It seems that he didn't teach her well in his past life and didn't care enough about her.