Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

He Yushui's eyes lit up: "Really for me? Then I'll go find that old lady right now and ask her to take it apart and sew it back on!"

Nowadays, there are quite a few people in the alleys who make cotton-padded jackets from burlap sacks. They wash them white, scrape them clean, and then line them with an old muslin, and they are still warm to wear.

He Yuzhu smiled and shook his head, taking out a blue cloth bag from his pocket and unfolding it layer by layer: "Just kidding! I've already prepared it—six feet of cotton cloth coupons, ten yuan, enough to buy a thick piece of twill fabric, and a pound of freshly fluffed cotton, to make you a soft cotton-padded jacket. With the remaining scraps, you can also make me a pair of thick-soled cotton shoes."

He Yushui clutched the cloth ration coupons tightly, her eyes welling up with tears: "Brother, why do you always think of me... Thanks!"

Before she could finish speaking, Qin Huairu, who was squatting by the pool washing clothes, straightened up upon hearing the noise and her soft voice drifted over: "Silly Zhu, could your sister-in-law spare two sacks? Xiao Dang's jacket is all peeking out..."

He Yuzhu waved his hand apologetically at her: "Sister-in-law, unfortunately, we only have enough. I'll save some for you next time when we have more."

Qin Huairu's lips drooped, knowing there was no hope—they had already said so much, and continuing to pester them would only make things worse.

Jia Zhangshi, who had been listening for a while under the window next door, nearly popped her eyes out of their sockets and dug her nails into her palms: "Pah! Sha Zhu is such an ungrateful wretch! He won't give good cloth coupons to his own nephew, but instead gives him a worthless piece of trash? Bang Geng doesn't even have a decent cotton-padded coat!" She muttered to herself, spitting almost onto the window frame.

He Yuzhu didn't say a word, but carried the ladder up to the roof. A few cornbreads were missing. He glanced at them and knew perfectly well that no one else in the yard could steal grain so quietly except for Jia Zhangshi.

He quietly went downstairs, set up an iron pot, poured in oil and heated it, frying the remaining pancakes until they were golden brown and crispy, the aroma filling people's noses.

He Yushui took a bite, and her eyes immediately curved into crescent moons: "Brother! This is so delicious! It's even better than the crispy cakes sold at the supply and marketing cooperative!"

"I'll take two to the old lady to try!" she said, turning to run towards the backyard.

He Yuzhu quickly stopped her: "Don't go! Her teeth are too loose to chew crunchy food—take two raw ones, soak them in boiling water until they're soft before feeding them to her."

"Take it easy, the old lady only has a few teeth left. If you keep messing with her like this, she might not even be able to drink her porridge properly!"

He Yushui grabbed the pancake and ran away.

He Yuzhu stood in the courtyard, his gaze sweeping heavily over the half-closed door of Qin Huairu's house—since you still want to take advantage, then don't blame me for leaving no room for negotiation. Tomorrow, I'll let you eat your fill.

Tonight we must gather the grain, pack it into sacks and tie them tightly; tomorrow morning, before dawn, we must quietly transport it to the grove behind the black market and bury it in the dry grass.

These past few days of check-ins have been a total rip-off; the best I ever won was a greasy roast duck. Ugh! This lousy system is probably just a scam.

As dawn broke, He Yuzhu was already dressed and out the door.

He circled the black market twice before finally stopping at the edge of the woods: the low-lying branches and knee-high weeds made it the perfect hiding place. Six sacks of grain, five weighing two hundred jin each and one weighing one hundred jin, were all tightly covered with dry straw, not even a speck of dust showing.

He clapped his hands and walked straight to the entrance of the black market.

For several days in a row, he kept running into Pineapple—either early in the morning or as dusk fell, he would squat by the wall, as if he had grown there by nature.

If it was just a coincidence, it was too much of a coincidence; he was probably being watched, keeping watch for at least fourteen hours a day.

He Yuzhu leaned closer and lowered his voice: "The goods are all ready, and we can pick them up anytime."

Pineapple didn't even lift her eyelids, slowly got up, and turned into the depths of the alley.

Less than half a minute later, two figures appeared behind him, one tall and one short, standing side by side in front of He Yuzhu.

"You lead the way, and they'll follow you. As for mine, you pass it on—they'll come looking for me themselves." With that, Pineapple squatted back down and started fiddling with the stack of colorful bills in her hand.

He Yuzhu led the way, with the two following behind at a distance.

Once inside the woods, the two men circled around to scout the area, kicking at dead branches and pushing through the grass, repeatedly confirming that no one was around before finally stepping inside.

The older man squatted down, untied the bags one by one, grabbed a handful of corn kernels, twisted them open to examine them closely, and then smelled them. He nodded to the younger man and said, "The quality is excellent; it's top-grade corn."

The young man counted out ninety-nine yuan and handed it over.

He Yuzhu took it and pulled out nine more pieces: "I need to get the bag back for the pineapple—I'll have to ask him for it later."

The two remained silent, only nodding slightly.

He Yuzhu turned and left first, as he still had to rush to the supply and marketing cooperative to bring back some presentable gifts.

Ninety in ten days, two hundred and seventy in a month—a steady and solid sum, even higher than Director Yang's salary.

He bought some pickles, sugar, and two packets of pastries at the counter, but dared not buy anything else—he didn't have a ration coupon, and he didn't want to show off.

When he arrived at the factory gate, he leaned against the wall and waited quietly for Director Ye.

An old man passed by, saw him, and asked with a smile, "Silly Zhu, not at work? Sunbathing here? Waiting for someone?"

"Uncle, wait for Director Ye, I have something urgent to discuss with him."

"Wait a minute, I'll go in first!"

After everyone in the factory had entered the workshop, Director Ye finally arrived, leisurely riding a bicycle.

"Xiao He! Something came up at home and I tripped over it. Sorry to keep you waiting!" He said, scratching his head as he pushed the cart, looking a little embarrassed.

"It's alright, I just arrived too," He Yuzhu replied with a smile.

"Shall we set off now?"

Director Ye turned back into the factory and soon drove out in a gleaming government car. He Yuzhu jumped into the passenger seat, and the car swayed and bumped as it headed straight for the Lou family's house.

……

At this moment, in the Lou family home, Lou Xiao'e was carefully drawing her eyebrows in front of the dressing mirror.

Lou's mother sat to the side, looking at her daughter's profile, her voice as soft as a sigh: "Time flies so fast... It seems like just yesterday you were wearing pigtails and chasing butterflies all over the yard, and in the blink of an eye, you're about to wear your wedding dress."

Lou Xiao'e smiled, her ears turning red: "Mom, even after I get married, I'll come back every day to serve you both tea and water."

"Good! Mom believes you are filial." Lou's mother smiled, fine lines appearing at the corners of her eyes.

"But once you're in someone else's home, you can't just do whatever you want anymore. You have to be more considerate and understanding in everything you do. Get pregnant soon, Mom is healthy and can help you take care of the baby for a few years." She kept nagging, her words filled with pain and hope.

Lou Xiao'e lowered her eyes, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, and remained silent.

"You think Mom's nagging? You're Dad's only son. A few more grandchildren will make this house truly lively!"

"Mom—" she whispered.

"Alright, alright, that's enough!" Lou's mother laughed and poked her forehead. "When Xiao He comes later, seeing your face so red, like a monkey's bottom, they'll think our girl has mastered the art of face-changing!"

"He dares to laugh at me?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she covered her face in embarrassment.

Mr. Lou was directing the servants to set the table in the living room. He had just warmed the soy milk on the stove when the doorbell rang.

He quickly stepped forward and opened the door.

He Yuzhu stood on the steps, back straight, with a clean smile: "Hello, Uncle!"

"Xiao He and Xiao Ye are here? Please come in, please come in!"

Upon entering the living room, Mr. Lou greeted them, "Please sit down and have some hot tea. I'll go upstairs and call them down."

He Yuzhu: "Uncle, you're too kind!" He quickly waved his hand, his tone revealing a sincere sincerity.

Director Ye gently placed the carefully wrapped gift in blue cloth into Lou's father's palm and said with a smile, "From today onwards, we're family! Director Lou, don't be shy, just treat me and Xiao He like your own children."

Mr. Lou nodded slightly, then turned and went upstairs.

"Everyone's here, let's go downstairs and greet the guests!" Mr. Lou called out loudly from the top of the stairs.

After the three of them went downstairs together,

Lou Xiao'e sat silently in the rattan chair on the side, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, her head hanging low, like a little sparrow whose wings had just been softened by the spring breeze.

Seeing that both host and guest had arrived, Director Ye cleared his throat and said with a smile, "Director Lou, this is a new society now! We won't stick to old rules and customs. Today, Xiao He asked me to come here because of the word 'recognition'—recognizing the family, recognizing relatives, recognizing the bond of one family."

Mr. Lou laughed heartily, "Forget all that formalities! My wife and I have long admired Xiao He; he's reliable, honest, and quick-witted. We've decided on him!"

Director Ye then chimed in, "Xiao He's family is quite respectable. He really has no experience with things like bride price, and neither do we. You two, please feel free to speak your minds."

Lou's father waved his hand, his tone light: "Eight yuan and eighty cents, for good luck. Let's not talk about the betrothal gifts—a good person is more important than anything."

Director Ye smiled and nodded: "Then let's choose an auspicious day? I'll also prepare a small drink to share in the joy."

"The 28th of the twelfth lunar month!" Lou's father said firmly, "The festive atmosphere is strong, and joy fills the house."

Director Ye cupped his hands in greeting: "Congratulations to Director Lou on the birth of your wonderful son-in-law! And best wishes to Xiao He for marrying his beautiful bride, and for a long and happy life together!"

Lou's father laughed heartily, "Congratulations! Congratulations!"

After a few warm words,

The way Lou's father looked at He Yuzhu was already like that of a father to him.

"I'm so happy today! Xiao Ye, have a couple more drinks at noon so I can express my gratitude!" Mr. Lou beamed, even the wrinkles around his eyes smoothed out.

Director Ye stood up and declined, saying, "Director Lou, I have to rush back to the factory for a meeting at noon. I'll definitely come to ask for a drink another day!"

After the meal,

After Director Ye took his leave, only He Yuzhu remained in the Lou family courtyard, standing in the center of the main room, his palms slightly damp and his legs feeling weak.

This was the first time in two lifetimes that he had ventured alone into his future in-laws' home. How could he possibly maintain his composure? He had heard the old folks in the neighborhood gossip that finding a wife wasn't difficult these days; all you had to do was shamelessly ask. But now that it was his turn, with Director Ye acting as matchmaker, standing in this bright and spacious main room, facing his two elders, he was even afraid of breathing too heavily.

Lou's mother noticed his unease at a glance and said gently, "Xiao He, don't be so tense. From now on, we'll all be family. Just relax."

He Yuzhu quickly replied, "Okay, Mom."

Lou's parents looked at each other and laughed, their laughter hearty and warm.

He Yuzhu's forehead was beaded with sweat—isn't that how it's portrayed on TV?

Mr. Lou waved his hand: "Child, call me whatever you like, whatever you prefer."