Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

He Yuzhu followed him into the woods, going deeper and deeper until they finally stopped in the heart of the forest.

Yang Chengyi lowered his voice: "Uncle, tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, I want eighty catties of wine tonight. Here's the money, please count it."

He Yuzhu glanced at it, but didn't reach out to take it or ask any further questions.

"Okay, pick it up at the usual place after nine o'clock. Keep a close eye on it yourself, don't let anyone slip by."

After they finished speaking, they went their separate ways. As He Yuzhu walked, he pondered: This kid is really something.

This batch of wine was an urgent order from his middlemen. These people had long since figured out the neighborhood's tastes. With every household preparing for the Lantern Festival, orders doubled, so they simply piled them all onto Yang Chengyi, exchanging money and goods in the woods that very night.

Back at the courtyard house, Yi Zhonghai was already waiting for them, planning to celebrate the festival together the next day.

Yi Zhonghai patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder: "Silly Zhu, I ran into Jiye's godfather while getting food at the old canteen today! He's been transferred to our steel plant too. You have connections at the canteen, so keep an eye on him when you have time—he's a genuine and grateful man."

He Yuzhu nodded: "I'll keep an eye on him and won't make things difficult for him."

He knew perfectly well that Yi Zhonghai's child was betrothed to Liu Erdan's family, and Liu Lan had never mentioned who the man was.

Today, Yi Zhonghai invited Liu Erdan to his home for a family reunion, but Liu Erdan politely declined, saying he would only come to see the children during the Dragon Boat Festival—they had only been separated for a short time, and he was afraid the children would still remember what he looked like. So Yi Zhonghai took him to a state-run restaurant, and the two ate and chatted for quite half a day.

Listening to Yi Zhonghai's rambling, and glancing at Liu Erdan's honest and reliable demeanor, He Yuzhu suddenly understood: this kid wasn't the type to turn his back on people; he knew his place and was grateful. Yi Zhonghai earned so much a month, yet he never tried to freeload off him. That self-awareness alone was enough to earn him a helping hand—once life became more comfortable, what he lacked were reliable helpers. Working with a conscientious person was far better than being wary of ungrateful wretches.

There are currently two experienced chefs in the canteen specializing in large-batch dishes. Since the two Liu boys are really eager to learn, let them teach them. Once they've learned, they won't be caught off guard if someone has to take a break in the future.

early morning

After a quick wash, He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e strolled out of the courtyard. They only got half a day off for the Lunar New Year, so how could they possibly get a day off for the Lantern Festival? The factory always only gave one day off for the Mid-Autumn Festival; the rest of the time they worked as usual.

Just as He Yuzhu was about to arrange for Liu Erdan and Liu Hu to learn how to flip woks from the chef, Director Zhang rushed in.

Director Zhang: "Xiao He, the logistics department wants you to go get some meat! Today, everyone will get a big, juicy piece of fatty pork, no money, no ration coupons, it's a holiday bonus! The money will be transferred to the workers this afternoon!"

He Yuzhu's lips twitched. Ever since he picked up the items last time, Director Zhang had been treating him like a "go-to errand boy." He'd just have to put up with it; after all, he had the title of model worker.

He Yuzhu said decisively, "Get five strong men and come with me!"

With thousands of people, each taking a slice, the meat piled up could form half a wall. After one trip, the workers would be exhausted, like donkeys pulling a millstone.

After bringing the meat back to the cafeteria, He Yuzhu grabbed two half-pound fresh fish and headed straight for Director Zhang's office.

He pushed open the door and handed over the fish with a smile: "Director, I was too busy today, so I brought my sister's share along. I'll go to the Women's Federation to see her tomorrow."

Director Zhang felt a warmth in his heart when he saw that He Yuzhu cared about him and his wife. He never forgot to send them gifts during holidays and never used connections to recruit workers. Such a person was truly rare—no wonder he favored He Yuzhu so much.

Director Zhang waved his hand: "You go ahead and do your work. I'll talk to your sister when I get home tonight."

Back in the cafeteria, He Yuzhu called Liu Erdan and Liu Hu to the cutting board: "Learn to cut meat first! Once you've mastered the knife skills, I'll teach you how to cook."

The temporary worker who was originally chopping vegetables at the cutting board was reassigned to help with the steamer.

Director Zhang has his own judgment on whether someone is doing a good job or not. After six months or a year, he will decide whether to keep or dismiss them based on their daily performance. Although He Yuzhu's opinion is important, Director Zhang will also privately investigate and listen to what the senior employees have to say, to prevent anyone from using the opportunity to suppress dissent or spread rumors.

He Yuzhu has always loved watching a good show but disliked causing trouble. Unless someone starts a commotion in the kitchen, picking fights and making a mess—fortunately, the people around him are all hardworking and down-to-earth, so it saves them trouble and effort.

At lunchtime, the propaganda department's loudspeaker blared: "Today's perk! Everyone gets two ounces of fatty meat for dinner!"

It's called big fatty meat, and it's truly big fatty meat. If anyone secretly replaced it with lean meat, someone would immediately report them—if you take the fatty meat home and render some lard, the whole family can get some of it.

Last year they didn't get this treatment, and the workers cheered and jumped for joy on the spot, the sound making the window frames buzz.

After get off work that evening, He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e each carried a piece of fatty meat home. The old lady and He Yushui were waiting for them. Lou Xiao'e found it too greasy, and He Yuzhu couldn't stomach the oily meat either.

He carried Lou Xiao'e on his back and ran back to the courtyard with the speed of the wind. He still had to make a few glutinous rice balls today, for good luck.

The meat was handed to He Yushui. Lou Xiao'e's face was covered in saliva from the old lady's kisses. She quickly wiped it off and turned around to deliver it to the old lady.

He Yuzhu grabbed the flour bag and headed straight for Uncle Yi's house. Aunt Yi had already prepared the fillings, and they were just waiting for them to arrive so they could cook together.

In less than two minutes, Lou Xiao'e led the old lady inside, while He Yushui led the two little ones back from outside, panting.

After the glutinous rice balls were wrapped, He Yushui and Lou Xiao'e each took ten and served them on the table.

The old lady smiled and said, "We're all family, no need for formalities. Tangyuan (sweet rice balls) are all about family reunion—come on, let's eat!"

After only a few bites, Jiye and Fangfang started bickering: first feeding the old lady one, then grabbing He Yushui and taking turns "feeding" her, and occasionally even tiptoeing to stuff one into Yi Zhonghai's mouth. When the glutinous rice balls were almost gone, they pulled out two hard cornbreads from somewhere and insisted on stuffing them into He Yuzhu's mouth.

He Yuzhu laughed and dodged, saying, "Give it to your sister-in-law! She'll buy you candy from now on!" After saying that, he pulled Yi Zhonghai to his house for a drink.

Aunt Yi wasn't annoyed at all—she knew that He Yuzhu was afraid that these two lively kids would be too enthusiastic.

Lou Xiao'e took out the three ounces of white sugar she had just bought from the supply and marketing cooperative and accompanied He Yushui to play at Aunt Yi's house.

Less than ten minutes later, the two returned with pained expressions, still chewing on cornbread, their faces scrunched up, looking like they were about to vomit. Glutinous rice balls are already filling enough; forcing half a whole cornbread on top of that—who could stand it? And not just half—their family had plenty of whole grains, more than enough!

The children in the courtyard all loved to fawn over them, but these two little girls were very clever. If you didn't share your food with them first, they wouldn't even let you touch the leftover crumbs. They would turn around and hide them tightly in their pockets, waiting for He Yushui to come "treasure hunting" after school.

……

The next day at noon

He Yuzhu strolled into the Women's Federation office, knocked on the door, and pushed it open.

Peng Mei looked up and smiled: "Zhu Zi? You need something from me?"

He Yuzhu scratched his head: "Sister, I'd like to trouble you to help Ma Hua find a partner at the factory."

Peng Mei nodded: "Okay, I'll go to the workshop in the next couple of days and see which girl is suitable."

He Yuzhu quickly said, "Then I'll trouble you to make the trip, sister."

Peng Mei smiled and said, "This is also part of our job."

He turned and walked towards the factory gate, where Lou Xiao'e was still waiting for him.

I promised MCA I'd introduce someone to someone, but I only remembered it today. I feel so ashamed.

Just a short distance from the factory area, carrying Lou Xiao'e, she suddenly spoke up: "Zhu Zi, Yu Wenyan is inviting everyone in the workshop to his wedding banquet at the end of the month."

He Yuzhu raised an eyebrow: "You were invited?"

Lou Xiao'e: "The entire workshop has arrived."

He Yuzhu asked, "Where did you marry this girl from?"

Lou Xiao'e: "I heard she's the daughter of the director at the main factory, and Director Yang was the matchmaker."

He Yuzhu snorted: "I'm not going, it's just a waste of money."

Lou Xiao'e chuckled: "Where are there any leeks left to harvest now?"

He Yuzhu narrowed his eyes: "He'll be transferred to the main factory immediately after getting married. Will we be able to get him to come back later?"

Lou Xiao'e tilted her head and thought for a moment: "It wouldn't be right not to go. Let's go together, give each other a dollar, and get our money's worth!"

He Yuzhu nodded—this was a good idea. If he couldn't be transferred anytime soon, it would be awkward if they bumped into each other in the workshop.

Back at the courtyard house, He Yuzhu immediately spotted Qin Huairu squatting by the sink, vigorously scrubbing clothes on the washboard. Her knuckles were white, and she didn't even bother to wipe the foam off her cold, hard face. This was quite unusual, since she had been in charge of the household, she had long since delegated the laundry and cooking to Jia Zhangshi. She had never done it herself before.

Her jaw was clenched, her brows were furrowed, and her eyes were like shards of frosted glass, making anyone who glanced at her feel a chill run down their spine.

Ever since He Yushui slapped Jia Zhangshi so hard that her eyes were black and blue and the whole courtyard was in an uproar, He Yuzhu never looked at her door again. Lou Xiao'e was even more ruthless; when she bumped into someone, she didn't even lift her eyelids and went straight around them.

Jia Zhangshi lay limp on the bed, cradling her seven-month-old baby, Xiao Huaihua. The child's voice was hoarse from crying, and Jia herself looked utterly dejected. Today, Qin Huairu had entered the door and, without a word, slapped her twice across the face, the burning pain still lingering on her cheeks, without even a reason. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt: lately, she had even suppressed her coughs, doting on Qin Huairu, and not daring to listen to a word of gossip from the other households in the courtyard. Now, she didn't dare show her face when she went out—afraid that the neighbors would stare at her swollen cheeks and interrogate her, and if she answered even half a wrong question, she would be beaten again.

As soon as He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e entered the house, they sprawled out on the kang (a heated brick bed), feeling so comfortable that their bones felt loosened. There was no need to bring lunchboxes for He Yushui anymore; Aunt Yi would bring the old lady hot soup and rice on time at noon. In the evening, he only needed to go over and lend a hand, cooking a couple of dishes, and everything would be taken care of.

When Qin Huairu heard the news of Yu Wenyan's marriage today, she froze on the spot, as if her feet were nailed to the ground. She and Yu Wenyan had been together for years, their affection having quietly grown into a vine, but she was also clear-headed: she was just a level-two fitter, and maintaining this respectable position was already difficult enough. But she simply couldn't swallow this insult—Jia Zhangshi had become the whetstone in her hand, scraping away the dull pain in her heart. Right now, she was determined to keep a close eye on Yi Zhonghai, work hard at the end of the year, and get promoted again; her paycheck was getting thicker and thicker, her back was standing straighter, and she no longer had to depend on anyone for her livelihood.