Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

"Don't worry!" He Yuzhu patted his chest confidently. "I'll talk to Director Li right away, and with that person in the ministry giving his approval, this is practically a done deal!"

These days, what's lacking are people who can handle things. While it's rare to find a deputy factory director in their twenties, they do exist. Bai Danyu has nearly ten years of service; his qualifications and abilities are both solid. If someone pushes him, he's a shoo-in.

"By the way, is Uncle feeling better? If he still needs ginseng, just let him know."

Bai Danyu nodded with a smile: "Much better. He only used a small portion of what you gave him last time, and the old man's spirits have returned."

They chatted for a few more minutes before Bai Danyu got up to leave. Before leaving, she promised to come back for her lunchbox that evening—the factory had distributed wild boar meat over the weekend, and she knew he wouldn't mistreat her.

In the afternoon, He Yuzhu closed the office door and started practicing his skills.

As he practiced, he suddenly realized that he was just one step away from reaching the maximum level in Baguazhang. He immediately calmed down and repeatedly refined a set of boxing techniques.

Each move flows smoothly like clouds and water, blood and qi surge with each breath, and internal strength is constantly refined.

Two or three hours later, as the final movement concluded, a system notification popped up—

【Baguazhang - Level 5 Perfection】

In an instant, a surge of heat coursed through his entire body. His blood and qi surged, his senses doubled, his muscles and bones felt like iron, and his strength felt as heavy as if he were wrapped in steel plates.

If someone were to shoot him right now, the bullet probably wouldn't even pierce his skin.

"This punch should be more than enough to shatter a 30-centimeter-thick concrete wall..."

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but smile. He sensed the changes in the Life Acceleration Space—since the Bagua Palm skill was upgraded, the space area had doubled, and even the growth rate of medicinal herbs was ridiculously fast.

Although he could only spend limited time inside the steel rolling mill, he had already figured out the ropes. Based on that alone, his future position as a leader in the traditional Chinese medicine industry was secure.

"Yuzhu, here's the 300 jin of Erguotou you wanted. See if it's okay. If not, I'll just sell it to a small tavern."

Chen Xueru carried the wine jars into He Yuzhu's two-courtyard house and called him over to inspect the goods. The six large jars, each weighing fifty jin, were lined up heavily.

He Yuzhu opened each bottle and took a sip, his eyebrows twitching slightly—that's right, it's genuine Erguotou, not the inferior kind made from cheap blends.

Nowadays, distilleries occasionally leak slightly inferior batches of liquor out of the public, bypassing the supply and marketing cooperatives and supplying them exclusively to small pubs and other semi-public, semi-private establishments. Individuals like Chen Xueru who purchase liquor in bulk privately are also involved, but this time she wasn't scammed; the liquor was of acceptable quality.

He took out six portions of the prepared medicinal herbs and said calmly, "They're all usable. Soaking them for ten days is enough. The longer they're aged, the better they'll become."

"Ten days?" Chen Xueru was taken aback. "That short? The spiciness of the new wine hasn't even worn off yet, is there really enough time?"

He Yuzhu waved his hand and smiled: "Don't worry, ten days is enough. Come and taste it for yourself then, and you'll find it tastes exactly the same as aged wine."

He spoke with great confidence because he was certain of his abilities—one day in the space was equivalent to more than ten days outside, and ten days was equivalent to more than a hundred days of immersion, so he had already fully absorbed the medicinal properties.

I'll find a free moment tomorrow to throw it in, withdraw it when it matures, and that'll be settled.

In fact, he had tried it twice before, buying two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and repeatedly adjusting it with different medicinal herbs, finally settling on the recipe for ginseng and cordyceps wine. Drinking it not only refreshes the mind and body but also nourishes the body, making it a true health-preserving tool.

"You can just take it away then, or Elena can come and pick it up."

Chen Xueru's eyes sparkled, and her red lips parted slightly: "So, these wines... are mine now?"

"Didn't we already agree on this? Why are we still distinguishing between you and me? All the money from the sales is yours; I'm just responsible for making the liquor, okay?"

Before he finished speaking, he had already reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist and full hips, holding her tightly. He knew that Chen Xueru wouldn't skimp on his share of the money she earned, but right now, he really didn't care about such a small profit.

There are at least tens of thousands of ginseng roots hidden in the space alone. As long as we are willing to work hard, it is not impossible to realize the grand ambition of "every Chinese person having a ginseng root to chew on" in a dozen years.

Arguing with her over such a small amount of money? Not worth it. But once those words were spoken, the rewards tonight would be far more than just money.

Sure enough, a smile appeared on Chen Xueru's face. She gently pinched him with her fingertips, but did not push away the mischievous hand.

"By the way, something strange happened today. A matchmaker suddenly came to my silk shop without giving me any prior notice. It's really inexplicable."

Speaking of this, her tone was a bit angry: "Fan Jinyou was even making sarcastic remarks from the side, saying things like not separating public and private matters, and that we shouldn't talk about personal things at work. But I didn't hire that matchmaker! He's just here to cause trouble today."

He Yuzhu exploded upon hearing this: "That bastard needs to be taught a lesson! Let me find out if I know anyone who can influence the neighborhood committee; we'll definitely get rid of him as the public sector manager!"

A government manager is just a clerk; the neighborhood committee director can replace someone with a single word. Fan Jinyou dares to act so arrogantly only because Chen Xueru seems to have no connections.

Chen Xueru patted him and lowered her voice, "Stop fooling around. It's not worth causing you trouble. He'll just grumble a bit at most; if I really don't cooperate, he'll be even more upset."

Now, everyone at Xue Ru Silk Shop is united, even the government-appointed employees are on her side. Since listening to He Yuzhu's advice, she has become more generous—a few boxes of pastries and a few bottles of wine easily win people over.

Fan Jinyou wants to stir up trouble here? No way. Employees can be perfunctory and cooperative with work matters, but if he dares to touch Chen Xueru, the news will reach her ears tomorrow, even though we just had a meeting today.

"Fine, if he gets any more unreasonable, then you say something." He Yuzhu snorted coldly, then suddenly remembered something and pressed, "That matchmaker... who exactly hired her?"

"Hmm?" Chen Xueru's eyes flashed, and her smile deepened. "What's wrong, are you jealous?"

Chen Xueru chuckled lightly, her tone tinged with disdain: "I don't know that person at all. She mentioned her once, and it seems she's a projectionist at your steel mill. I couldn't be bothered with that gossip, so I just kicked her out. Remarriage isn't uncommon these days, but I have no interest in it… Sigh, what can I do with someone as clingy as you?"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately hugged her even tighter, but his heart was in turmoil—that fool who dared to propose marriage was simply asking for trouble.

The only projectionist at the steel rolling mill? Who else could it be but Xu Damao!

He Yuzhu originally intended to let him off the hook this time because of the kindness he had shown him when he died in their previous life; but since he brought this upon himself, he shouldn't blame him for being ruthless.

This kid is cursed with the word "extinction," born with the appearance of being childless and without descendants. I wonder if it's because he was kicked in the groin so many times back then that he developed this condition. In this life, I haven't laid a hand on him yet, so I might as well go with the flow, spread some word, and let him get a medical checkup himself.

If that doesn't work, just have Li Wangcai keep a close eye on him. That guy loves to harass young widows; he even tries to drag them along for walks in the alleys, hoping someone will expose his dirty deeds and see if he still has the nerve to show his face.

Once the scandal breaks, his reputation will be ruined. Let's see how he still has the nerve to flirt around. Of course, He Yuzhu can't personally come forward to warn him. Xu Damao is very shrewd and can sense any trouble from the slightest hint of something. If he turns around and bites back, it will only cause more trouble.

"I know that guy. He's the one you met at the courtyard last time. He's a terrible person, and his thieving eyes are always darting around at women."

Chen Xueru gave a soft snort, her breath slightly ragged as she slapped away his large hand that was trying to grope her again. She glanced at him sideways and said coquettishly, "You still have the nerve to talk about others? Humph~ I'm doomed for you. If any more people keep coming to propose marriage in the future, you'd better handle it for me, or else..."

"Don't worry, I've got it covered," He Yuzhu said confidently.

But in his heart he was thinking: at worst, he could take her to Hong Kong Island in the future, but he would wait until he had a stable foundation.

"By the way, Xue Ru, you stayed out last night. Hope there won't be any problems at home?"

"I told my mom that if it got late, I'd just stay in the warehouse for the night... Actually, she probably had some suspicions, but she didn't say anything."

"Then you rest for a while, I'll go make you dinner."

He stopped what he was doing—if he continued, he would really get aroused, and he hadn't even eaten yet. He and Chen Xueru hadn't seen each other for several days, and tonight was destined to be a tough battle.

This meal had to be both nourishing and elaborate, otherwise she would always give up after just a few rounds. As the saying goes, "There are only oxen that die from exhaustion, not fields that are ruined by plowing," but with He Yuzhu, it was the other way around—he was that towering ox.

He had already told He Yushui that he wouldn't be going back, and he even bought her some candied dates, rock sugar hawthorn, and almond crisps. He also asked Old Wang's family to help look after her so she wouldn't be bullied in the courtyard. Only after making all the arrangements did he feel at ease to come and find Chen Xueru.

Before long, a delicious and nourishing dinner was served. Chen Xueru ate with a beaming smile, wishing it could be like this every day.

After dinner, the two strolled leisurely in the courtyard under the perfect moonlight. Taking advantage of her inattention, He Yuzhu quietly took out a jade necklace he had acquired and gently placed it around her neck.

The footsteps drew closer, the breaths grew more and more tender, and finally, they lost all sense of direction—the bed became their final resting place.

The reinforced yellow willow bed still creaked, the battle raging fiercely. Before long, they changed positions; Chen Xueru gripped the carved mahogany wardrobe tightly with both hands, her knuckles white, the force so great it almost embedded itself into the cool wood.

Perhaps it was because of the nourishing dinner that she was able to withstand six rounds of intense attacks that night before finally falling into a deep sleep from exhaustion.

The next morning, after having breakfast, Chen Xueru got up and went to work.

Although last night's battle was long and arduous, her complexion was rosy and her steps were light, clearly indicating that she had been well-nourished.

After she left, He Yuzhu lazily got up and strolled off to work at the factory.

The washing machine issue has been reported, and now it's time for the leaders to have a headache. As long as nothing goes wrong with the canteen and the greenhouse, his main task today is basically just one thing—attending meetings.