Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

After the first round of drinks, he personally escorted him to the gate, shaking Director Qiao's hand: "Thank you for coming, Director Qiao! And thank you to my brother-in-law for your support! I'll treat you another day, and we'll have a proper drink together. I won't see you off today."

Everyone said no need, waved their hands with smiles, and turned to leave.

In the second round, it was the neighbors who had missed the main banquet and the canteen colleagues who came to help. He Yuzhu picked up the wine pot again and went from table to table to offer toasts, each word of thanks sincere.

Xu Damao's family occupied the entire table, but the six of them only gave two yuan as a gift. Jia Zhangshi's face was so thick it could block out the wind, but on such a joyous occasion, He Yuzhu couldn't be bothered to argue.

It was the first time Liu Erdan and his wife had eaten at the same table with Jiye and Fangfang, but the two children didn't recognize them at all.

Yi Zhonghai patted the children's shoulders with a smile: "Jiye, Fangfang, quickly call them godfather and godmother! Every year during the holidays, the snacks and new cloth shoes we give you are all sent by your godfather and godmother through your dad, remember?"

The child tilted his head and thought for a moment, then remembered that every time his father brought home a paper bag, there was always a sentence in it: "This is a gift from my godparents."

Jiye and Fangfang shouted in unison, "Hello, godfather! Hello, godmother!"

Liu Erdan and his wife repeatedly responded, "Okay, okay, okay..." As they spoke, their eyes reddened.

The two families sat together, chatting about things from the past.

He Yuzhu raised his glass again: "Thanks to everyone for your help today, and thank you all for coming! I'll drink to that first—please eat and drink to your heart's content!"

Xu Damao slapped his thigh: "Director He, that's really something!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand with a smile: "You all eat first. My fourth son is still throwing a tantrum on the kang (heated brick bed). I'll come back and drink with you all as soon as I finish feeding him!"

Liu Haizhong quickly chimed in, "Director He, please don't worry about anything else. I'll keep an eye on things here!"

He spoke fluently, but as soon as he saw the factory leaders sitting there, his tongue immediately got tied, and he couldn't speak fluently anymore.

Zhou Xue was sitting on the heated kang with her two children, talking to Lou Xiao'e. He Yuzhu was breaking a steamed bun in his left hand and holding a bowl of hot soup in his right, coaxing the fourth child to eat spoonful by spoonful. Lou Xiao'e was busy greeting guests and couldn't hold him—the child was clingy and wouldn't eat without an adult watching over him.

Now, Lou Yue's face has completely relaxed. Her eyes are deep-set, her eyelashes are long, and her almond-shaped eyes are as bright as if they have been soaked in mountain spring water. Her skin is fair with a pinkish tinge, and it's so tender that you could squeeze water out of it. Recently, he has stopped threatening to "kick" his sister out of the house.

He Yuzhu caught a glimpse of the two children on the bed tearing apart the kite that had just been pasted together. His anger flared up, but he swallowed it back down. The kite had just been sized and its bamboo frame stretched, but in the blink of an eye, it was torn into several pieces of paper, and the frame was completely broken.

From now on, these two little devils' toys will only be iron eggs: they can't be smashed, broken, chewed, or melted.

He quickly fed the fourth child, wiped his mouth clean, and turned to go out to drink with the others. He also helped return most of the borrowed equipment, leaving the rest for the next morning.

Liu Haizhong was unusually excited tonight. He was drinking with the factory leaders, and after a few cups of wine, he felt lightheaded. He stood in the middle of the courtyard, pointing east and west, directing a group of young men to move boxes and benches. His face was flushed and his eyes were shining.

Slightly tipsy, He Yuzhu escorted the canteen staff to the alley entrance. When he returned, the food was mostly packed up. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed them to the young men who had been running around, saying with a smile, "You've worked hard, have one to perk you up."

……

Xu Damao returned home reeking of alcohol, sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and began to complain to Qin Huairu:

"That guy with the bangs, always so arrogant and bossy, does he really think he's the factory manager? I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget!"

Qin Huairu didn't even lift her eyelids: "Da Mao, don't act rashly. It's easy to deal with him, but I'm afraid you'll get yourself into trouble."

"Honey, what's your idea?"

"This matter must be kept strictly confidential; not even a single word can be leaked."

"Don't worry, my mouth is tighter than a lock."

"Let's steer the conversation towards Liu Guangtian—do you remember Yu Haitang?"

"That 'flower' from the propaganda department? She's already married!"

"I passed by Liu Haizhong's house a couple of days ago and heard the two of them arguing about this, banging on the table. Coincidentally, Xiao Chen from the factory asked me to play matchmaker, saying he'd give me ten yuan immediately if the girl was pretty. I'm thinking, I'll have Jingru come over, and that'll settle things..."

Xu Damao grinned, pulled Qin Huairu into his arms, and gave her a loud kiss on the forehead.

The next day, Qin Huairu hitched a ride back to the village. Now she was a big shot in the village: earning thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents a month, and married to Xu Damao—a key technical worker in the factory whose salary was significantly higher than hers. Everyone gave her a thumbs up.

As soon as she entered the village, the villagers surrounded her, offering words of comfort and welcoming her into their homes. She brought a lot of snacks and fabric, first returning to her own home, and then heading straight to Qin Jingru's house—the two were cousins.

As soon as Qin Huairu entered the door, she greeted him with a smile: "Uncle, Aunt, I've come back to see you two and to discuss some happy news."

Uncle Qin hurriedly came out to greet her: "Huai Ru, it's enough that you're here, don't bring anything! Come on in, the kang (heated brick bed) is already warm!"

Qin Jingru leaned closer and shook her arm: "Sis, what delicious food did you bring me?"

Qin Huairu smiled and handed over the oil paper package: "Here, have a taste. After you marry into the city, you'll have good things every day."

Uncle Qin sighed, "Alas, marrying into the city is not an easy thing. You're just lucky and blessed."

Qin Huairu sat down, then changed the subject: "Uncle, there's a guy named Chen in my workshop who earns the same as me, and he's looking for a pretty and clever young woman. The first person I thought of was Jingru—everyone in our village knows she's like a gardenia in full bloom!"

Uncle Qin rubbed his hands together and laughed, "When you were little, you were even more outstanding than her!"

"Uncle, what do you think of this...? Is it feasible?"

"Okay! It's just that our family is poor and we can't save much food. I'm afraid she'll go hungry when she goes there."

"You're overthinking it! Does her brother-in-law's family lack a single meal for her? When she comes to our place, she'll have meat every meal; she won't go hungry!"

Uncle Qin nodded repeatedly: "Then it's all up to you to make the arrangements!"

Qin Huairu took Qin Jingru back to the courtyard house that very day. The girl's eyes were wide open the whole way, everything was new and exciting. Before dawn, Jia Zhangshi had already started stewing the rooster that Xu Damao had received as a gift when he went to the countryside to show movies—ever since Qin Huairu married into the family, she hadn't dared to breathe too loudly: if Qin Huairu caught her slacking off, she would immediately drag her into the house and slap her twice across the face; although she didn't dare to do it in front of Xu Damao, behind his back, Qin Huairu's wrist was harder than a rolling pin. Now Qin Huairu was the only one who had any say in the family, and she even had to suppress her coughs.

Now, Xu Xiaodang and Xu Huaihua live with Jia Zhangshi, while Banggeng lives with Qin Huairu and Xu Damao. The whole family eats together.

Qin Huairu led Qin Jingru inside. As soon as she lifted the pot lid, the aroma of chicken soup wafted out. Qin Jingru sniffed, and her mouth almost watered into the bowl.

Qin Huairu lowered her voice: "When your brother-in-law comes back later, there will be distinguished guests. You should speak less and listen and observe more. The person I picked for you is a reliable and promising person."

Qin Jingru nodded obediently.

Qin Huairu waited at the gate of the courtyard. When she saw Liu Guangtian coming home from work, she immediately greeted him with a smile: "Guangtian, come over for a hot meal? I have something important to tell you."

Liu Guangtian was taken aback—he had beaten up Xu Damao for his father, and although the old score had been settled for many years, there was still a veil separating him from the Xu family. The two families would nod and greet each other on ordinary days, but never get close. Now that Qin Huairu was all smiles, he wanted to see what she was really up to.

"This...isn't that inappropriate?"

"Oh, we're neighbors, no need to be so polite!" Without waiting for a reply, she took his arm and led him into the yard.

Inside the house, Jia Zhangshi was asking Qin Jingru all sorts of questions, while the children were still at school.

As Qin Huairu set out the bowls and chopsticks, she said, "I'll wait for Da Mao at the door. We'll start eating as soon as he gets back."

Liu Guangtian glanced at the bubbling chicken soup on the stove, then secretly looked at Qin Jingru—her features were delicate, her fingers slender, and she had two dimples when she smiled. His heart softened instantly, and he couldn't move his feet.

At this moment, He Yuzhu's family entered the central courtyard, and Qin Huairu raised her hand to greet them.

He Yuzhu carried He Aijun in one hand and Xiao Wu Louyue on his back. He gave a casual reply and hurried home. The boy was unusually easy to carry today. He let him carry him for a while. Despite being under six years old, his body was stronger and more upright than that of a seven-year-old.

Only after He Yuzhu's figure disappeared inside the courtyard gate did Xu Damao leisurely stroll into the courtyard.

Qin Huairu went to greet them, her voice both soft and sharp: "They're here, don't give them a hard time. Where's the wine? Have you bought it?"

Xu Damao patted his pocket: "Don't worry, when haven't I listened to you these past few years? Don't you trust me?"

"Okay, let's go home for dinner!"

She turned and went back into the house, first scooping out a few spoonfuls of chicken for the children, then calling out loudly, "Dinner's ready!"

Xu Damao filled Liu Guangtian's glass with wine, and after a few bites, he downed two more glasses.

He raised his glass, his tone hearty: "We're all neighbors, all those past squabbles are long gone! To be honest, I've watched you grow up, and now you have a proper job, all you're missing is a loving wife. Yu Haitang was talking to me about you last time, saying you're a reliable person, but... sigh, what a pity!"

Liu Guangtian sighed, his voice heavy as if a stone was pressing down on it: "Brother Da Mao, in this courtyard, hardly anyone looks at me properly—except for Sister Huai Ru and Director He. Although I have a job, my salary is taken away by my dad as soon as I get it. I want to live independently and establish myself, but I can't fight city hall."

Xu Damao waved his hand and pushed his glass forward: "Don't mention those things! I think you have a tenacious spirit, you're bound to amount to something someday—come on, bottoms up!"

Qin Huairu chuckled and replied, "I was talking about you with my sister the other day. I said Guangtian is a reliable young man, destined to be a loving husband and a good family man. It's just that my sister... well, the bride price will probably be about the same as Yu Haitang's. I don't know if you're willing to agree, or if you'll even give your nod?"