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

Chapter 82 He Yuzhu's Wedding

In December, Jia Zhangshi returned carrying a tattered bundle and leading a wicker stick. After eating in the countryside canteen for several months, from all-you-can-eat to rationing, her once chubby, oily face had become thin again.

Her eyes appeared even more prominent, and she looked at people with a shrewd and calculating air.

The brigade cadres said there were directives from above that unemployed people from the city shouldn't be allowed to eat and drink for free in the countryside. She knew, in reality, that the canteen's food supplies were running low.

Her brother gave her a bag of mixed grain cakes and put her on a mule cart heading to town. She didn't hesitate; before leaving, she took two pieces of cured meat from the canteen and stuffed them into her bundle.

She had barely stepped into the yard when she saw Jia Dongxu sitting alone on the threshold, eating a cornbread bun with a bowl of plain water.

A few days later, Qin Huairu returned. She was carrying Xiao Dang, her face covered in dust. Qin Family Village was even more strictly managed, and she still had to work. She brought back half a bag of mixed flour and a small bag of millet that Qin Gang had secretly slipped to her.

When Banggeng saw Qin Huairu, he ran over and clung to her clothes, repeatedly crying, "Mom, I'm hungry!" Qin Huairu hugged Banggeng tightly, touching his thinner face, her eyes a little red. She poured the mixed flour she had brought back into the jar, scooped out two bowls of millet, and began to cook porridge.

Jia Zhangshi looked at the millet and asked her daughter-in-law about the situation in Qinjiacun. The more she listened, the more something seemed amiss.

These past few days, she's been reflecting on how the villages in the countryside are all busy making steel, resulting in a bumper harvest but not a profitable one.

I've been thinking about this, and I feel that if the rural canteens can't keep going, the supply in the city will definitely be tight too. If food is scarce, prices will rise, and then whoever has the grain will be the boss.

The more Jia Zhangshi thought about it, the more she felt this was an opportunity. When Jia Dongxu came home from get off work, she closed the door, sat down next to her son, and whispered, "Dongxu, I think the price of grain is definitely going to rise. Don't be idle tonight; go to the black market and buy some grain. Buy as much as you can, don't worry about spending the money. In a few months, when there's a lean season, we can sell it and make several times the price!"

Jia Dongxu listened silently for a long time, then said that it was speculation and profiteering, and those caught would go to jail.

Madam Jia slapped him on the back of the head and said, "You're as timid as a mouse! If your father hadn't been so bold, would he have been able to buy these two rooms before the founding of the People's Republic? Go now!"

Her mind raced with calculations, as if she could see piles of money floating before her eyes.

He Yuzhu sat in the courtyard chatting with Old Li, her spatial awareness encompassing the Jia family's residence. This old woman was indeed shrewd, able to sniff out opportunities for buying and selling at the first sign of trouble. But this time, her scheme was likely to backfire. If, a year later, she couldn't buy grain even with money, she would be heartbroken to the point of being unable to breathe.

He smiled as he returned to the courtyard and began planning his wedding for next month.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, before dawn, the lights in the east wing of the courtyard were already on. The windows were decorated with large red "double happiness" characters and red paper-cuts of mandarin ducks playing in the water, and the couplets on both sides of the door frame were written by He Yuzhu, with neat and powerful characters.

Red ribbons were hung from the bare branches of the pomegranate tree in the courtyard, fluttering in the wind, creating a festive atmosphere. The master chef, wearing an apron, stood in front of the stove, holding a large ladle, directing Liu Chun and Zhang Degui as they busied themselves preparing the dishes.

Yesterday, He Yuzhu had already prepared some of the dishes in advance. Two earthenware jars were simmering on the coal stove, and the aroma of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall wafted through the neighborhood. These were all He Yuzhu's ways of "lightening the load" for his master, allowing him to focus his energy on the Sichuan, Hunan, and Huaiyang cuisines that he was most skilled at and most wanted to express.

Flames licked the bottom of the pot as Master Luo scooped out sweet and sour sauce and poured it over the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish. With a sizzle, the aroma filled the air. On the stove, dishes like twice-cooked pork, chopped chili fish head, and Wensi tofu soup were being prepared one by one.

Liu Chun and Zhang Degui stared intently without blinking. "Master, when did you start learning Hunan and Huaiyang cuisine?"

Master Luo snorted and said that this was a gift from Zhu Zi back then. He had been working on it for several years, combining his Sichuan cuisine foundation with Hunan cuisine.

Zhang Degui grinned foolishly, saying that his master was now a Grandmaster of the Three Paths. Master Luo picked up a spoon and tapped him on the head, scolding, "Don't just stand there, take these three sets of ducks over to keep them warm. You two brothers don't even offer half the filial piety of Zhu Zi."

He secretly hoped that Zhu Zi would organize the Guangdong and Fujian branches in a couple of years, so that he, Lao Luo, could once again enjoy his moment of glory in the post office canteen.

Around noon, guests began to arrive. The first to arrive were the high-ranking leader and his wife. The leader, wearing black-rimmed glasses, appeared refined and capable. As soon as he entered, he saw the red ribbon on the pomegranate tree and smiled at He Yuzhu, saying, "Yuzhu, you've put a lot of thought into this arrangement. Revolutionary optimism must be put into practice in our daily lives!"

His wife handed him a pair of Shanghai brand watches as a wedding gift. The older woman then stuffed a large box of butter candies into Yushui's hands, saying, "Yushui, this is for you, you little glutton, eat less."

Shortly after, Lou Bancheng and his wife arrived. Looking at the couplet at the entrance of the courtyard, they nodded and said that Zhu Zi's calligraphy had improved again.

Xu Fugui and his family also arrived. Xu Damao, dressed in a brand-new Zhongshan suit, looked much more energetic. He had been working in the steel rolling mill's propaganda department for a while, and had become quite fair-skinned. He was also carrying an unopened Huasheng brand electric fan.

The Xu family had two rooms in the steel rolling mill. Xu Fugui and his wife moved there with Xu Ling, while their son lived in the courtyard house, clinging tightly to the pillar's leg.

Old Li and Tian Xinghua also came with their child. Tian Xinghua handed a basket of eggs to Yushui, who was in charge of collecting gifts, while the child ran around the pomegranate tree.

Two tables were set up in the courtyard. The main table was occupied by the high-ranking leader and his wife, Chen Xiangqian and his wife, Lou Bancheng and his wife, Li Huaide, Master Luo and his wife, and He Yuzhu and his wife.

At the other table was Yushui, with fellow students Liu Chun and Zhang Degui, Lao Li and his family of three, and Xu Damao and his family of four.

Once everyone was seated, the high-ranking leader picked up his wine glass, stood up, and adjusted his glasses. Everyone fell silent and looked at him.

He didn't launch into a long speech; his voice was steady and powerful: "Today's protagonists are Zhuzi and Xiao'e. I've known Zhuzi for several years; he's a man of noble character, and his skills are exceptional. I'm happy to see him grow into a promising young person in this new society. Xiao'e is also wonderful, a progressive young woman from Beijing. Everyone in our workplace knows her song. Your union is a wonderful thing for this new society! Come, everyone, raise your glasses and wish the newlyweds a long and happy marriage, and may our country become better and better!"

The crowd cheered loudly, and He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e quickly stood up and drank the wine in their glasses in one gulp.

One main course after another was served; Chef Luo had pulled out all the stops today. Li Huaide's eyes nearly popped out of his head at the sight of the feast. Looking at the abundance of delicacies, his admiration for He Yuzhu grew even stronger. This was the Vice Minister of Industry, the same rank as his father-in-law. He felt that Yuzhu wasn't just well-connected, but practically unfathomable.

"Zhu Zi," he said to He Yuzhu in a low voice, holding his wine glass, "your master is truly amazing! The Hunan cuisine is superb, the Huaiyang cuisine is authentic, and the Sichuan cuisine is simply impeccable!"

"That's right, otherwise how could I have taught such an excellent disciple?"

Liu Chun and Zhang Degui were completely captivated by the performance. They greatly admired their master, whose culinary skills had improved so dramatically at his age.

Zhang Degui shamelessly asked his master when he would teach him as well. Master Luo laughed and scolded him to master Sichuan cuisine first, but promised to pass on what he knew to them in the future.

Looking at the lively scene and the happiness on his son-in-law and daughter's faces, Lou Bancheng's usually serious face showed a rare smile of satisfaction.

Tan Yali held Xiao'e's hand and whispered something. Lou Xiao'e nodded shyly, called out "Mom" softly, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards He Yuzhu, who was toasting the big leader.

The high-ranking leader clinked glasses with Lou Bancheng, and the two talked about steel and industry. Although one was an official and the other a businessman, they both seemed like ordinary fathers at this moment.

"Old Lou, you've found a good son-in-law. This banquet is so grand, it's like a state banquet."

Lou Bancheng smiled and said a few modest words, but he was much more at ease about his daughter's future. He could tell that his son-in-law was very thoughtful in everything he did, and his daughter wouldn't be able to endure any hardship with him.

Night had fallen, and the guests had all departed. The lanterns in the courtyard were still lit, their red glow filtering through paper shades onto the blue brick floor. Red ribbons on the pomegranate tree fluttered gently in the night breeze. In the main room, the bridal chamber was filled with the sound of a coal stove and iron pipes; the bedding was made of new cotton, and the pillows were embroidered with mandarin ducks.

He Yuzhu bolted the door and sat down on the bed. Lou Xiao'e sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing her red cotton-padded jacket, her hands neatly placed on her knees, a few strands of hair sticking behind her ears, her cheeks flushed from the heat of the room.

He sat down beside her, gently placing his hand on the back of hers, his fingertips slowly rubbing her slightly cool fingertips. "Xiao'e, from today onwards, you are the mistress of this courtyard. No one can give you a hard time anymore, including me."

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Brother He, I'm really marrying you." He smiled and leaned close to her ear, his breath tickling her earlobe: "Xiao'e, you're mine now."

She moved her lips slightly and uttered two words, her voice as soft as a feather touching the ground.

Looking at her shy expression, He Yuzhu felt a surge of tenderness and a desire to conquer. Without further hesitation, he leaned down, his lips landing on her forehead, gliding over the tip of her nose, and finally, gently yet firmly, kissing her lips.

Her body stiffened for a moment, then softened under his gentle advances, and her hands somehow found their way to his neck.

"Xiao'e," his voice was slightly breathless, "I'll teach you how to write 'lover'."

Outside the window, red ribbons danced silently in the night wind. Inside, only heavy breathing and occasional suppressed, tearful murmurs could be heard.

The enchanting scenery made the red lanterns outside the window sway shyly.

It was a night that felt both long and short. For He Yuzhu, it was not only the fulfillment of his long-cherished wish, but also the beginning of a new chapter in his life.