Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Consumed by rage, he abruptly stood up: "No! I'm going back right now and set them all accounted for!"

He was about to rush out when He Yuzhu stopped him.

"Calm down, Dad." He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "I've arranged everything, so you don't need to worry about it."

Besides—did I suffer a loss?

"Yi Zhonghai's tooth will eventually become a 'tooth that's easy to lose'."

Li Huaide has already agreed that the first thing he will do at the beginning of the year is to send Yi Zhonghai to the Northwest to "support construction".

By the time he wants to get his teeth fixed, he'll probably be eating cornbread in the Gobi Desert—where the wind and sand will blow so fiercely that all he'll be able to do is drink the northwest wind.

"I'll take you to a silk shop to make you a new dress later. The shop nearby stays open until the 29th of the twelfth lunar month."

I need to go to the Lou family's house for a meal before the New Year, and maybe even become in-laws.

Upon hearing this, He Daqing glanced at the widow out of the corner of his eye, and the image of her kneeling by the bedside serving him last night suddenly flashed into his mind—that tender and obedient demeanor was like a hot copper furnace warming his heart, making him momentarily intoxicated.

Once this woman tames her wild nature, she truly captivates the soul.

He swallowed hard and then said, "Huiyun should come along too. Get some fabric for her and make her a new dress."

He Yuzhu glanced at him indifferently and remained silent.

I'm too lazy to argue about something as trivial as making clothes.

But if you want to take Widow Bai to the Lou family? No way.

If they dared to take that step, he would immediately overturn the table and kick them out.

"Wait, which family did you say? The Lou family?" He Daqing suddenly realized, his eyebrows twitching, and his voice rose several decibels. "Which Lou family? The Lou family from the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill?"

"Could there be a second one?" He Yuzhu scoffed. "His wife is a descendant of the Tan family cuisine lineage, and her skills are far superior to what you had when you were the head chef in the cafeteria."

Besides, although the Lou family's daughter is not yet of marriageable age, the marriage must be settled first—they will get engaged this year, and then be married off in a grand ceremony at the end of next year.

He Daqing did some quick calculations and grinned, "Oh ho, there's still a year left? Alright, kid, don't be too impatient, or you'll run into trouble if you break the rules."

"Don't give me that crap. Didn't you do plenty of messes when you were young?" He Yuzhu rolled her eyes. "Hurry up and pack your bags and get out of here."

Rainwater, would you like to make a new one too?

He Yushui poked her head out of the house and shook her head: "No, brother, I have enough clothes."

That's true.

She had four sets of winter and summer clothes to rotate; He Yuzhu usually cooked outside and earned a fixed salary of ten yuan a month, but he had more food coupons and cloth coupons than he could use.

Although she didn't make clothes, she still went out with them.

Zhengyang Gate wasn't far away, and the group walked there. If they walked quickly, they arrived in half an hour.

In Xue Ru's silk shop, Chen Xue Ru was sitting behind the counter checking accounts and inventory.

Unlike state-owned factories, small shops are not rigid; they can have two flexible days off, and no one is watching attendance records.

Hearing the doorbell ring softly, she looked up and her eyes immediately curved into a smile: "Oh, isn't this our Director He? What brings you here today?"

As she spoke, she put down the ledger, turned around, and stood up.

Wrapped in a cheongsam, her waist swayed gracefully, and her red lips, like cinnabar falling on snow, exuded a bright and alluring charm.

In this day and age, there aren't many women who dare to dress and style themselves like this.

He Yuzhu smiled and cupped his hands in thanks: "Manager Chen, thank you for your trouble."

This is my father, He Daqing. Could you please make him some new clothes today?

Chen Xueru glared at him, feigning anger, and said, "Director He, are you deliberately choosing to come when I'm about to close? I'm closing tomorrow, and you're only showing up today... Are you deliberately trying to make me work until the very last day?"

"What a coincidence!" He Yuzhu said innocently. "If I had known you were about to close, I would have come to support you a few days earlier."

Chen Xueru snorted, about to scold him, when suddenly her eyes lit up. She reached out and tugged at his sleeve, lowering her voice: "That jar of wine we drank at your place last time... do you still have it?"

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's a specially made medicinal wine, made for women to nourish their blood and regulate their yin and yang. One small cup a day will make their complexion as smooth as a peeled egg."

"If you like it, I'll bring you a bottle tomorrow."

"Pah!" Chen Xueru's cheeks flushed slightly as she spat, "What 'balancing yin and yang'? Are you implying I have no one to care for me?"

Despite saying that, a hint of attraction flashed in her eyes.

The wine was indeed incredibly effective—she tried it herself and even slept soundly, and the fine lines on her face faded.

"Okay, it's settled." She bit her lip, her voice softening slightly. "Deliver it tomorrow morning, the usual place?"

"Yes, it's still that same courtyard."

He Yuzhu nodded and then instructed her: He Daqing's clothes are urgent and should be arranged first; the widow's can be delayed for two days.

As the two were talking, He Daqing and Widow Bai followed the shop assistant behind the screen to have their clothes taken and made.

Chen Xueru watched them walk away, then quietly leaned closer to He Yuzhu, her voice even lower: "I said... you really don't plan to sell that medicinal wine?"

He Yuzhu shook his head: "With my status as a state cadre, large-scale sales would be speculation and profiteering. I won't do anything that violates this taboo."

"Tsk, so young, but your brain is more rigid than an old man's." Chen Xueru pouted, then tentatively asked, "Then... what if I just want to buy two bottles? To drink them privately by myself."

He Yuzhu paused deliberately, whetting her appetite, before slowly saying, "You want to buy it? Of course you can."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up instantly.

"As long as you're willing to buy, I can supply you with one bottle every ten days," he said confidently. "Long-term cooperation, I guarantee your satisfaction."

Chen Xueru's lips curled up, her smile as gentle as spring water.

She had a fondness for alcohol and often went to taverns, not necessarily to spite Xu Huizhen—sometimes, she genuinely craved the intense, fragrant taste.

Now that she had such fine wine, if she took it to a tavern and strolled around... she could almost see Xu Huizhen's ashen face.

Just thinking about it makes me want to laugh.

"Xueru, it's almost the holidays, and you're still taking orders for clothes? Do you think you can keep up?"

The company's manager, Liao Yucheng, strolled over with a smile on his face, but his tone was so cold it could freeze.

That gaze wasn't directed at Chen Xueru at all, but was fixed on He Yuzhu, who was standing next to her.

Liao Yucheng has been eyeing Chen Xueru for quite some time.

Ever since he took the position of general manager, he has been eyeing her—she is beautiful and has a good family background, and even if she is a bit stubborn and has a bad temper, it is all a plus in his eyes.

In his mind, Chen Xueru had long been his prey, someone he couldn't touch or even look at; anyone who got involved with her would be doomed.

But now, this woman is chatting and laughing with another man, personally taking measurements, choosing fabrics, even opening doors for him, and rushing to make two new outfits.

This scene made his lungs feel like they were going to explode.

"Even if we close tomorrow, we're still open for business today, aren't we?" Chen Xueru glanced at him, her tone nonchalant. "When customers come in, why shouldn't I do business? Don't worry, there's still time."

After she finished speaking, she turned around and continued talking to He Yuzhu. Her movements were swift and decisive, and she didn't take him seriously at all.

Liao Yucheng's face darkened, and he suddenly raised his voice: "Two sets of clothes, how can they possibly be finished tonight? Isn't this forcing the tailor to work overtime! I don't agree! National policy emphasizes a balance between work and rest; we can't engage in exploitation!"

"Heh." Chen Xueru sneered, raising an eyebrow. "Liao Yucheng, I'm in charge of the clothing department. You, a mere general manager, are meddling way too much! I'll say it again: if I say there's enough time, there's definitely enough time. I won't delay anyone from leaving get off work!"

"Xueru!" Liao Yucheng gritted his teeth. "This is a matter of principle! As the general manager, I can't stand by and watch you make a mistake! If you want to make clothes, come back after the New Year! Not now!"

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuzhu slowly stepped forward, a hint of sarcasm on his lips: "Manager Liao, right? We're not closed yet. It's only right that I pay for a garment."

"If you're really afraid of worker exploitation, why don't you personally supervise tomorrow? If the foreman doesn't leave on time, just report it to the neighborhood committee; you might even get featured in the newspaper as a model worker."

The moment the words left his mouth, the air seemed to freeze.

Immediately afterward, Chen Xueru chuckled, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Liao Yucheng: "That's right, if you don't believe me, come and keep an eye on things yourself tomorrow! The holiday hasn't even started yet, what's the rush?"

She never intended for the tailor to work all night at the factory—the fabric would be taken home to be finished, and afterwards a red envelope would be secretly slipped to her; everyone would understand and be happy.

It won't affect the construction schedule, and it will also make an extra profit—a win-win situation.

Liao Yucheng, however, jumped out to disrupt things, even using "policy" as a shield, clearly aiming to sabotage the operation.

"Xue Ru, you..." Liao Yucheng's face turned pale with anger.

"Call me Manager Chen." She interrupted coldly, her voice like a blade cutting through ice. "We're just colleagues, not close enough for you to call me by my first name."

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere completely changed.

She used to not care if he called her "Xue Ru"; that was just to give him face.

But now she sees him clearly—this person is ridiculously naive and shallow-minded, utterly incomparable to He Yuzhu, who is calm and outspoken.

"Fine, fine... Manager Chen." Liao Yucheng gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at He Yuzhu. "I'll see how you hand over the clothes before you go on holiday tomorrow!"

After saying that, he turned around and flung his sleeves, his back looking as pathetic as a dog whose tail had been stepped on.

"You're crazy." Chen Xueru rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.

He Yuzhu laughed out loud: "Isn't it because you're too attractive that this 'Lord Liao' is so jealous?"

She glanced at him sideways, but couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile: "You're such a smooth talker."

"From now on, call me Xue Ru, and I'll call you Yu Zhu, okay?"

"Sure," he shrugged and smiled, "A pillar will do, it sounds more down-to-earth."

The two smiled at each other, and the distance between them instantly closed.

Several meetings, a meal, and a joint confrontation were enough to qualify him to address her by her first name.

After chatting for a few more minutes, the tailor took the measurements for He Daqing and the widow.