Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

If this girl in front of me were really a good match for Sha Zhu, wouldn't that be like trading a gold bracelet for a piece of junk?

She sneered and said earnestly, "Girl, listen to my advice—stay away from Sha Zhu."

"Huh?" Wang Xiulan's eyes widened. "Why?"

"Why?" The third aunt slapped her thigh. "Don't you know what kind of person he is? Besides cooking two dishes, there's not a single good point about him! His temper is as foul as a rock in a latrine; he's always swearing, even at the elders!"

She got more and more excited as she spoke, her face turning red: "The man in my house is the third oldest in the neighborhood, and he's a primary school teacher! The other night he came home late one night, and after the door was locked, he stood at the door and yelled a string of profanities at the window, making my husband so embarrassed he couldn't sleep all night! Tell me, can you even be with someone like that?"

Wang Xiulan was taken aback: "This... Comrade He Yuzhu really went that far?"

"Why would I lie to you!" the third auntie scoffed. "If you don't believe me, just ask anyone in the neighborhood. Everyone's talking badly about him. He's not bad-looking, fine, but he's got a twisted heart! It's such a waste for a good girl like you to get involved with him!"

As she spoke, a calculating glint flashed in her eyes, and she took the opportunity to push her son forward: "How about I introduce you to someone reliable? My son Jiecheng, a high school graduate, works as a technician in a factory, has a decent appearance, a gentle temperament, and is more than ten times better than Shazhu..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wang Xiulan quickly waved her hand, "No, no, no, Auntie, please rest for a while. I really came to see He Yuzhu today. We can talk about other things later."

Seeing that she was unmoved by reason, the third aunt's face darkened, and she snorted coldly, "Fine, fine, then you've made a wasted trip—Shazhu has gone to work, and it's uncertain whether he'll be back at noon."

If you want to find him, go to Zhongyuan; he lives there.

She pointed to the cobblestone path at the alley entrance, her tone languid, as if shooing away flies.

He secretly rejoiced: Send her to Zhongyuan? Excellent! Madam Jia's sharp tongue is not to be trifled with. Once she comes back with a thud, she'll know what it means to "not judge a book by its cover."

Wang Xiulan stood there stunned for a long time—no one was here, and she was being asked to go to Zhongyuan? But she had been entrusted by her aunt, and this time she came to see more people and find out more, so she took a deep breath and turned to walk towards Zhongyuan.

As evening fell, she returned to Director Wang's house, slumped onto the sofa, and said with a face full of annoyance, "Auntie, you've finished your business, but please don't come to me again next time! Today I walked around the courtyard, and everyone was giving me weird looks, like I was some kind of runaway couple! I don't even have a boyfriend yet. If word gets out, who will dare to marry me?"

Director Wang was making tea when he heard this. He looked up and glanced at her sideways: "Asking you for a favor is like asking you to die? Besides, I think we can take this opportunity to match you up with He Yuzhu."

"Oh my goodness!" Wang Xiulan almost jumped up. "Isn't that just a simpleton like Sha Zhu? I've been asking around all afternoon, even going to the neighbor's yard—that guy is a complete devil! He's got a terrible temper, a sharp tongue, and he doesn't care about anyone, even his own family. The neighbors all shake their heads when they talk about him!"

Director Wang slammed his teacup on the table, glaring at him angrily: "What do you know, you little brat? He Yuzhu became the head of the steel mill's canteen in his early twenties, earning an astonishing salary—you might not earn that much in thirty years! His cooking skills are unparalleled; people from all over the area are vying to have him cook for banquets! He even has three main rooms in the courtyard house, he's self-sufficient, doesn't have to serve his in-laws, and doesn't have to support a bunch of younger brothers and sisters-in-law—he's already living the life you want!"

She grew angrier as she spoke: "I was wondering what would happen if Zhu Zi didn't like you? But you, after listening to a few idle gossips, have made him seem worthless!"

Wang Xiulan's heart skipped a beat at what was said, her face slowly turning red. She stammered, "But...but everyone says he's stupid, that he's inhuman..."

"Bullshit!" Director Wang slammed his hand on the table. "Those people are living miserable lives themselves and can't stand seeing others do well! Zhu Zi never paid them any attention and just lived his life quietly. Who would have thought that these people would spread rumors and cause trouble behind my back, and now they're turning around and making a scene here!"

She turned to Wang Xiulan and said, "Tell me, who spoke ill of him today? Don't miss a single one!"

Wang Xiulan immediately straightened her back—she had a mission on this trip, and she had already secretly remembered whoever spoke ill of He Yuzhu.

At this moment, every single word came out.

The front yard of No. 95 compound, the homes of Yan Bugui and Sun Lanfang, the Jia family in Zhongyuan, and the people from the two neighboring courtyards were all on Director Wang's investigation list.

As for the other two families, she was too lazy to handle them personally and simply sent Xiao Li from the neighborhood office to investigate.

Seeing Director Wang turn to leave, Wang Xiulan suddenly bit her lip and called out to him, "Aunt, how about... you help me make a match? If he's really stupid, I won't lose anything by dating him for a couple of days."

As soon as she said those words, she was stunned for a moment—something about what her aunt had just said seemed off.

What kind of place is the Third Steel Rolling Mill? It's a state-owned enterprise with tens of thousands of employees. Is the position of canteen manager something that just anyone can hold? Besides, He Yuzhu is about the same age as her. She's still waiting for her job assignment at home, while He Yuzhu has already taken charge of cooking and become a cadre.

What kind of fool could get to this point?

Physical assault? foul language? Just listen to these rumors; you'll only know the truth once you get to know someone.

Either way, it's a win-win situation, and what if... you even find a hidden gem?

Director Wang stopped and glanced back at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Only now you've figured it out? What were you doing all this time! Fine, I'll ask around for you."

But don't get your hopes up too high. With his qualifications, that guy Zhuzi probably already has suitors lining up to propose.

After saying that, the person left.

Upon returning to the subdistrict office, Director Wang immediately summoned clerk Xiao Li, his voice low but sharp: "Go check those two courtyards next to No. 95 compound. Ask quietly, don't alert them."

"By the way—" Her eyes turned cold, "invite the one who spread the rumors over here. I want to see what heinous things He Yuzhu has done that makes the whole street gossip about him behind his back."

"If he really has a problem, I'll criticize and educate him just the same way; but if someone is making things up and spreading rumors?" She sneered, "then don't blame me for being ruthless."

Xiao Li is efficient; he handles these kinds of things like peeling an onion, layer by layer.

After a few questions and a stern look, those people immediately went weak in the knees and confessed everything.

Not long after, the three were taken to the neighborhood office.

Back then, the neighborhood committee offices were no mere figureheads; a single word from them could keep you up at night, and a single stamp could deprive you of your food rations for six months.

These people were already terrified when they heard they had been summoned, and they didn't dare to raise their heads when they came in.

The ones who came were the same ones who had struck up a conversation with Wang Xiulan and gossiped about her before.

Director Wang sat down behind the desk, raised his eyelids, and said in a cold voice:

"I don't need to explain why I called you here."

Tell me, what grudge do you have against He Yuzhu? If he has really offended you, I can call him here to apologize right now.

"But—" Her tone suddenly became more serious, "spreading rumors behind people's backs and ruining their reputations—who gave you the audacity to do such despicable things?"

"Director Wang, we really didn't have any conflict with He Yuzhu!" one person quickly waved his hand. "We just heard it from people in the compound, and we just passed it on..."

"Yes, yes, yes!" another quickly chimed in, "It was Jia Zhangshi who said it first, how would we know if it's true or not!"

"We've barely even spoken a few words to him, how could we possibly make up stories about him..."

The three of them took turns saying things, trying to clear themselves of any wrongdoing, as if they were just innocent bystanders who had overheard the rumors.

Director Wang was furious when he heard this, and slammed his hand on the table with a "bang," making the teacup jump!

"You haven't even exchanged a few words? Then why are you so talkative? You're the most talkative one behind my back!" She stood up, her gaze sharp as a knife as she swept over them. "Let me tell you the truth, that girl who was asking for information today was someone I sent! If she really was He Yuzhu's girlfriend, you almost broke up their relationship with just a few words—have you no conscience? Huh!?"

"Do you understand the seriousness of spreading rumors about a factory cadre? Believe me, I'll send you all to the police station right now. You'll spend a month in jail, and then we'll see if you dare to spout nonsense again!"

Just as the commotion was starting, the old man in charge of compound number 94 also arrived.

The old man, in his early sixties, with gray hair, usually spoke with considerable authority in the courtyard.

As soon as he entered, he asked, "Director Wang, what happened? Erni's family is extremely worried and asked me to come and take a look."

Director Wang pointed at the three men with a cold face: "Let them talk! They're always itching for something to do, just gossiping about others!"

Upon hearing what had happened, the old man's face immediately darkened. He turned and roared at Erni, "I knew it was your foul mouth that caused this trouble! Can't you shut up for a day? Hurry up and apologize to Director Wang!"

Erni was so frightened that tears welled up in her eyes, and she almost knelt down with a thud: "Director Wang, I was wrong! I'll never say it again! I really won't dare to do it again!"

Director Wang waved his hand and softened his tone: "Considering this is your first offense, we won't report it to the security team this time."

But the punishment must be severe. She turned to Xiao Li and said, "Arrange for the three of them to do community service, each responsible for one road, sweeping it once in the morning and once in the evening, for half a month in a row."

You check every day, and if anyone's slacking off, bring them straight to me!

"I wouldn't dare slack off! Absolutely not!" the old man in charge of compound number 94 quickly declared. "I'll personally keep an eye on Erni; she won't get away!"

After another round of apologies and confessions, the three were finally released.

The mastermind hasn't been caught yet; they were just pawns passing on messages. A little punishment is enough.

Are we really going to use the police force? They're tough guys for dealing with habitual thugs, thieves, and brawlers.

Right now, they're just a few gossipy women. A little scare and a few words of warning will do the trick.

Director Wang leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the table.

This turmoil has only just begun.

In the afternoon, as the sky began to slant, the matter at the steel rolling mill was almost settled.

Director Wang beckoned to his clerk, Xiao Li, and said casually, "Go to the steel rolling mill and tell He Yuzhu that everything is fine and to come back soon."