Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

The staff member deftly pulled out two booklets: one with a blue cover that read "Capital Steel Rolling Mill Grain Supply Certificate," stamped and dated; the other, a bright red booklet that read "Capital Steel Rolling Mill Third Branch Employee Work Permit," with a photo of MCA affixed, stamped with a bright red official seal, and handed it over.

"Thank you, comrade!" Ma Hua said, clutching the notebook, his voice trembling.

"Serve the people!" The staff member nodded with a smile.

Ma Hua took off running towards the canteen, shouting as she ran, like a lark just released from its cage: "Did you just hear? The new college graduate is getting 51.50 a.m. right off the bat!"

The entire cafeteria suddenly became so quiet that you could clearly hear the sound of soup spoons hitting bowls.

He Yuzhu had heard Factory Director Yang mention it briefly, but he hadn't paid much attention at the time—"They're legitimate college graduates, what are you all so jealous about? You're not convinced? Go take the college entrance exam yourself!"

……

The lunch bell had just rung.

The MCA members were still there, chewing on the newly arrived "fifty-one-fifty" note, spitting everywhere.

He Yuzhu shook his head, turned around and pushed his cart out the door—he had made an appointment with Lou Xiao'e to see a movie at noon, and he couldn't be late.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

Lou Xiao'e stood in the wind, wrapped in a thin cotton-padded coat. Her nose was slightly red from the cold, and tiny frosty particles clung to her eyelashes.

She waved her hand: "It won't be long."

He shook his head slightly again: "Actually, I just arrived too."

He Yuzhu knew perfectly well what was going on, but he didn't say it out loud—his face was frozen like an apple, and he still said he had just arrived?

The more he looked at it, the more pleasing it seemed to him; his heart fluttered like a little sparrow.

"Let's go, the movie's about to start..."

He knew she was shy—it was her first time seriously dating, her first date, and she was so reserved that she even wrinkled the scarf strap.

Lou Xiao'e smiled, nodded, and gracefully sat down in the back seat.

He Yuzhu pushed the bicycle toward He Yushui—he didn't have a bicycle of his own, so he had to borrow one to be her chauffeur.

With the person he cherishes on his back, he deliberately slowed down his pedaling pace, the wheels creaking as they rolled over the blue brick road.

Lou Xiao'e gently hooked her fingertips around the back of his shirt. A gust of wind blew, and strands of her hair brushed against his neck, tickling him.

The setting sun cast its golden rays upon the two of them, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that seemed to slow the pace of the air.

Lou Xiao'e realized for the first time how reassuring it was to be carried steadily by someone; her heart felt like a small piece of honey had melted, sweet and burning.

A gentle breeze swept by, lifting her long, black hair, the afterglow softly gilding the ends.

He Yuzhu suddenly felt that this life was really comfortable—for the first time since he transmigrated, he had no worries at all, and even the sunset was exceptionally beautiful.

If only this road had no end.

Even the slowest wheels will eventually stop.

We've arrived at the Red Star Cinema.

Lou Xiao'e quietly raised her eyes and noticed how slowly he was riding, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

I never had a relationship in my past life, and this is my first time in this one.

He made up his mind: since we're playing lovers, we have to play the part well—be proactive, even more proactive, isn't that how it's always done in TV dramas?

"Where's the ticket? What are you standing there for?" Lou Xiao'e poked his arm.

The atmosphere suddenly tensed up.

He Yuzhu snapped to attention and dashed toward the ticket window, with Lou Xiao'e following closely behind.

After getting his ticket checked and entering the room, he quickly chose a well-ventilated spot on the side.

The lights dimmed, the screen lit up, and the voices faded away.

He wasn't interested in the films of this era, but he sat quietly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Lou Xiao'e's focused profile, and then he too would settle down to watch.

Entertainment is scarce these days, and the park is so cold you have to huddle up to watch a movie together. It's a rare treat to be able to do that.

As he pondered, his mind became clearer.

As the movie ended, the two strolled out of the theater side by side.

Lou Xiao'e suddenly tilted her head and smiled: "We haven't explained what happened at noon yet—how exactly did you get 'gloriously injured' with that pig-faced look on your face?"

He Yuzhu scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed: "I got kicked a couple of times by some thugs on the street."

Lou Xiao'e chuckled, "Why did you provoke her? Doesn't it still hurt?"

"After taking the medicine and applying the medicated wine, it's no longer a problem."

"Okay, let's go eat now!"

He nodded with a smile.

We walked into the state-run restaurant.

Lou Xiao'e pulled out a chair, her eyes crinkling into crescents: "You treated me to a movie, so this meal is on me!"

It was already dark, and the stove was completely empty; not even a single scallion could be found.

He casually ordered two servings of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, which were very plain and light.

The two ate and chatted, laughing constantly, and their conversation flowed freely amidst the steaming food.

The food was very bland, but as He Yuzhu chewed, he tasted a sweet aftertaste—like well-brewed aged tea, subtle yet flavorful.

Upon hearing his explanation, Lou Xiao'e immediately realized that the beating was suspicious, and that someone was probably deliberately provoking her and using the incident as an excuse to cause trouble.

But He Yuzhu didn't mention his name or reveal a single word. Sometimes, keeping things tightly under wraps is the safest approach.

After leaving the state-run hotel, He Yuzhu pushed a cart and took her home.

The evening breeze swept over him, carrying the scent of locust blossoms and a slightly cool dampness, yet he felt hot all over and his heart was burning.

The car came to a smooth stop downstairs at Lou Xiao'e's house.

She tilted her head back, her eyes smiling. "Won't you come up for a bit? To meet my parents?"

He scratched his head, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face: "I'm afraid my appearance today might frighten you two... I'll visit again once I'm all cleaned up."

She nodded and gently reminded him, "Drive slowly and don't run red lights."

"I'll come to the bookstore to find you tomorrow at noon."

"Okay!" she replied readily, raising her hand and waving it at him like a light, nimble bird.

He rode away, his figure disappearing into the dim light of the street corner.

She watched the outline grow smaller and smaller, then turned and pushed open the door, her steps light and quick.

Back in the courtyard, the Third Uncle was squatting by the well smoking when he glanced up and saw He Yuzhu pushing a gleaming bicycle in. He thought to himself, "Even his son gets scolded if he tries to touch this bike, but today silly Zhu rode it back? He's probably not an ordinary person."

"Silly Zhu! Where did you wander back from?" the Third Uncle asked, squinting.

"I went to the hospital to get some medicine, and I borrowed a colleague's car on the way to get some medicated wine to apply. You go ahead with your work, I'll go apply the medicine first!"

As soon as they reached the door, He Yushui rushed over, her eyes glued to the car: "Brother! Whose car is this? It's ten times newer than mine! The paint is practically reflecting light!"

"It belongs to a colleague at the factory. I borrowed it on my way to pick up my medicine today."

—Of course, this shouldn't be taken seriously. If the truth were to leak out of her mouth, Qin Huairu would probably be blocking the door with a broom before dawn. It's better to be cautious than to suffer the consequences.

She didn't listen to him at all, tiptoed around the car, her fingertips carefully brushing against the handlebars as if she were touching a precious treasure.

He Yuzhu looked on with a smile: This car will be yours sooner or later. I'm saving the new car for my future sister-in-law to ride.

—But you absolutely cannot say that now. Director Zhang personally promised him a bicycle ticket before the New Year; his word is law, and it cannot be touched.

He Yushui suddenly looked up and sighed, "Brother, at your salary, when will you ever be able to afford one... Tsk, so handsome!"

—Can I tell you I saved 130 yuan? I'm afraid you'll shout it out in the whole courtyard, you spendthrift girl.

"Oh? Then you're not allowed to be jealous when I buy a car in the future."

"Okay, okay! Can I borrow this one for a bit?"

"It's too late, you can use it for school tomorrow morning."

"No class tomorrow! We agreed to ride all morning!" Before she finished speaking, she had already pushed the bike into her house and slammed the door shut.

He Yuzhu stood there, grinning helplessly.

As Jia Zhangshi scrubbed clothes by the pool, her fingernails digging into the soap, she gritted her teeth: "Good-for-nothing! Three generations of my family haven't even managed to save up for a tin wheel, yet her brother rides around town in a brand new bike!"

He Yuzhu went back to his room, locked the door, slipped into his spatial dimension, and deftly spread out the cornmeal batter, making golden and soft pancakes.

The freshly baked pancakes are fluffy and soft, still steaming when broken open. Paired with a bowl of millet porridge in the morning, they make you feel so comfortable that you'll hum a little tune.

—But even He Yushui can't have a taste of this stuff. Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, where would she get fresh corn? What if she accidentally let it slip, and the whole yard would know he's hiding something rare.

Sigh, the list of award recipients was just posted, and his name wasn't on it. It's a pity, but who doesn't want to receive an award, hug an enamel mug, and hold a thermos? Even salted fish love to turn over and bask in the sun.

The factory was bustling with activity during the Mid-Autumn Festival party, but he had to go to the Lou family home for a reunion. He Yushui and the old lady were left behind... they'd probably have to think about it for a long time.

I can tell the old lady about Lou Xiao'e's matter, but as for He Yushui... well, let's keep it a secret for now.

With that thought in mind, he carried the warm cornbread and walked toward the old lady's backyard.

The freshly baked pancakes are as soft as clouds, perfect for elderly people with weak teeth.

"Grandma, I'm here!"

"Oh dear, why is my grandson's face covered in bruises?"

"Try this—it's a gift from the restaurant chef, one of a kind!" He said with a smile, handing it over.

The old lady saw that he avoided talking about his injury and knew perfectly well: if the child doesn't want to talk about it, then don't ask.

He took the pancake, took a bite, and his eyes lit up immediately: "Delicious! Soft! What's it made of?"

"I don't know, but this area alone hasn't been spared any rainwater."

"Yes, that's thoughtful." The old lady patted the back of his hand. "You know how to care for people."

"Grandma, I probably won't be coming back for Mid-Autumn Festival this year." He paused, then his voice brightened. "I'm dating someone from the Lou family, you know? Please keep this a secret for me. After we get our marriage certificate, I'll bring her to kowtow to me!"

Upon hearing this, the old lady's wrinkles smoothed out—a 24-year-old boy should have been married long ago; Aunt Wang next door's grandson was already old enough to run errands! Hearing about "getting a marriage certificate" and "kowtowing," she felt even more relieved: this boy had finally come to his senses and understood the ways of the world.

"Good! Good! Quickly give birth to a chubby little boy, so Grandma can hold her great-grandson and smile even with her eyes closed!"

"Pah! You'd better live to be 120 and give me my great-grandchildren!"

"Alright, alright, Grandma will put in all her effort!"

After rambling on for a few more minutes, he got up to take his leave.

……

As the morning light began to spill over the eaves, He Yuzhu had already finished washing up, fastened the buttons of his work clothes, and was ready to go.

I ran into the old man at the gate of the courtyard. He nodded to me, then slowly pushed out his bicycle and rode out of the alley.

Before long, the factory gate was in sight.

He straightened his back and strode into the workshop.

That's right, I'm wearing the new work clothes. Even though I've washed them once, I still need to keep up my spirits!