Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

After dinner, he took Lou Yue's little hand and walked home. The child had long regarded this place as her own home. In the evening, before Lou Xiao'e came to pick her up, her eyelids would droop. If it weren't for missing her mother, she probably wouldn't even want to leave the bed.

The next day, just as dawn broke, a red silk plaque was hung up at Tan's Private Kitchen. Lou Xiao'e, dressed in a simple cheongsam, stood outside the vermilion gate, greeting each familiar face.

The firecrackers exploded deafeningly, and before the smoke had even cleared, guests were already arriving in droves. Each congratulatory message was louder than the last: "Auspicious beginnings! May wealth flow in!" Gift money was stuffed into red envelopes, and people were led through the hanging flower gate—a glance revealed gray bricks and tiles, carved window frames, and gently swaying copper bells on the eaves, as if transported back to a bygone era. The private rooms were elegant yet imposing; the further one went, the warmer one felt: this was the true essence and warmth of an old Beijing courtyard house. The guests whispered among themselves, "This is what you call authentic!"

Mr. and Mrs. Yi Zhonghai also came with their children, Jiye and Fangfang, and they specially asked the two children to get closer to He Yuzhu so that they could take care of each other in the future and feel at ease.

A girl with a ponytail was following Ji Ye, and they were chatting enthusiastically with Aunt Yi.

Lou Xiao'e stepped forward with a warm smile: "Uncle Yi, Auntie, Jiye, Fangfang, thank you for coming! And this is...?"

Ji Ye scratched the back of his head: "Sister-in-law, this is my girlfriend, Yu Qian. I wish your business booming!"

Lou Xiao'e smiled and handed over the wedding candy: "Thank you for your kind words! I also hope that everything goes smoothly for you after graduation and that your future is bright."

Fangfang stood on tiptoe and looked around: "Sister-in-law, where's Brother Zhu? Oh my—what's Sister Huaihua doing here as a waitress?" She caught a glimpse of Xu Huaihua skillfully leading customers into the room.

Lou Xiao'e pointed towards the kitchen: "She's cooking in there. She came all the way here herself, saying it's good to lend a hand as neighbors look out for each other."

She gently nudged Fangfang's shoulder: "You two take your seats first, I'll bring tea over and we can chat in detail later."

Before he finished speaking, the factory's former leaders entered in twos and threes. Over the years, they had gone their separate ways and rarely gathered together. Today, they had all squeezed into the same private room, chatting about the days when they swung sledgehammers and raced against time. Director Yang suddenly sighed, "Alas, this world, people turn on you faster than turning the pages of a book."

Qiao Weimin, holding a wine glass, joked, "Xiao'e, where did Zhuzi hide? He was a flag bearer in the factory, why is he playing hide-and-seek with us?"

Now he holds the highest official rank, and his words carry weight.

Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "Knowing you were all coming, I quickly went behind the stove to get busy, and I'm feeling really happy!"

The whole room erupted in laughter.

You Zhengya raised his glass: "Hey, Director He's back to his old ways, becoming the 'God of Cookery' again!"

Factory Director Yang shook his head with a smile: "Well, now it's just a clerk position." — His tone implied a reminder: Who would still call someone their old position? Isn't that implying that their career is declining?

You Zhengya quickly raised his glass: "Slip of the tongue! Slip of the tongue! I'll punish myself with three drinks!"

Lou Xiao'e waved her hand: "Deputy Factory Director You, don't take it so seriously. Zhu Zi listens to everyone the same way. Calling him 'Silly Zhu' actually sounds more affectionate, like when we used to laugh and scold each other while carrying sacks together in the workshop."

Peng Mei chimed in, "That's right! Back then, our group was the only ones in the factory who really worked together as one. To meet production targets, we worked overtime non-stop, sweating buckets that could have made dents on the ground!"

Zhang Huaqiang laughed heartily: "What difference does it make what I call him? I'm his brother-in-law. When he makes me angry, he calls me 'Silly Zhu'! Let's not be distant over a form of address; that would be too formal."

Everyone burst into laughter again—the sound of Director Zhang yelling "Silly Pillar" in the workshop back then still echoes on the toolbox.

As they were talking, He Yuzhu led several waiters wearing blue aprons, carrying steaming trays, into the private room.

He asked loudly, "What are you laughing at? Are you making fun of me?"

Zhai Junhui deliberately dragged out his words: "What else is there to laugh about? Laughing at how you got your transfer order and ran away faster than a rabbit, hiding from your old brothers!"

Everyone present knew that all those at the table held higher official ranks than He Yuzhu; the gap between the capital and the provinces would only widen in the future. This was said in jest, but it carried a hint of heartfelt warmth.

He Yuzhu: "How could I dare to avoid you seniors? I'd be doing everything I can to curry favor! If Dongli County ever needs manpower, resources, or connections in the future, we'll have to rely on your help!"

The room erupted in laughter, filled with lively chatter.

Zhang Huaqiang slapped his thigh: "You little rascal, you haven't even settled into your position yet and you're already asking for benefits—you haven't even warmed your official hat yet, and you're already eyeing the advantages!"

Factory Director Yang picked up his glass, swirled it, and smiled, "Want some good luck? Fine, but you'd better finish it first! Just opening your mouth without raising your glass doesn't count!"

Before he could finish speaking, seven or eight senior leaders rushed in through the door, specifically requesting that He Yuzhu come over to offer a toast.

He Yuzhu was stunned on the spot, his palms were sweaty and his back felt tight.

The leader in the lead shook his head with a smile: "Today we are the guests, and you've become the host's 'little coward'? Quickly prepare a table of authentic Sichuan cuisine—numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant—not a single element can be missing!"

He quickly agreed and led the person to a private room. Who wouldn't be startled at the sight? The policy had just been relaxed, and although the city and district had given their approval, the elderly person's situation was the real "hard hurdle."

The old man slowly sipped his tea, his tone calm yet weighty: "Cook the food well; do things diligently. I've heard about that stall in Guyun Town. The people have sharp eyes; don't fool them, do more practical things."

"Okay, sure!" He Yuzhu turned and strode towards the kitchen—if this guy even frowned, he'd be dragged back even if he hid in Hainan Island.

The security detail had been quietly deployed the moment the old man stepped into the courtyard. Guards were stationed everywhere – on the blue bricks, at the hanging flower gate, and along the eaves of the connecting corridors. Outsiders couldn't even stand under the old locust tree in the courtyard, let alone approach the private room. Only after the car lights disappeared into the distance did He Yuzhu finally let out a long sigh of relief: "Uncle Liu, Uncle Liu, you were using me as a target to test your courage! Is someone like him someone you can just casually take out for a stroll?"

……

The guests had all left, and the sky had darkened. In the front hall, Yi Zhonghai and his family were still having tea and chatting with Lou Xiao'e; in the kitchen, He Yuzhu was discussing the intricacies of cooking time and knife skills with Ma Hua.

He lifted the curtain and entered the front hall—

Jiye immediately stood up: "Brother! I've missed you so much!"

He Yuzhu chuckled and ruffled his hair: "You went to Dongli County and were so busy you barely had time to breathe. How are your studies going with Fangfang? Is university life easy?"

Yi Fangfang rested her chin on her hand, her tone light yet slightly wistful: "The learning atmosphere is quite strong, but some students bring their families to register, holding their children in their arms while listening to lectures, and there's a row of diapers hanging in the dormitory... It's really a bit overwhelming."

He Yuzhu nodded: "In the countryside, some women get married, get into university, and still refuse to abandon their children. I admire that spirit from the bottom of my heart."

Yi Fangfang's eyes lit up: "Brother, you've hit the nail on the head! In our department alone, there have been more than thirty cases—husbands carrying food coupons and wives holding babies traveled thousands of miles to the school gate to look for someone, only to not even see them. They squatted outside the iron railings wiping away tears, their cries were heartbreaking."

He Yuzhu sighed softly: "That's why people who don't abandon their families when things get better are the ones who are truly loyal and righteous."

These kinds of things are common in universities nowadays: students who confidently passed the exam promised to bring their families to the city to enjoy a better life, but the admission letter turned out to be a death sentence; some people mustered up the courage to bring their children, but the other party avoided them, and the school couldn't do anything about it—without a marriage certificate, they couldn't even get a paternity test; and when the other party said "we'll never see each other again," you could only stand in the wind with your train ticket in your hand, dumbfounded.

Over the course of ten years, many heartbreaking stories have been accumulated: a young educated youth fell in love with a village girl while in the countryside, but after returning to the city, he disappeared without a trace, and they remained unmarried for the rest of their lives, cherishing their memories; before his death, he dragged his ailing body to search for her, only to find her with white hair and faltering steps when he finally met her...

Lou Xiao'e shook her head as she listened, casually adding, "Yu Bing mentioned it to me the other day too. And those students in the cafeteria, they don't eat the leftovers because they're stingy, they're saving their food coupons and money to send back home. Those who can still eat their fill every day are probably from the local area; no matter how lively the cafeteria is, it can't compare to the warmth of a meal by the stove."

Jiye leaned closer: "Brother, I want Dad to retire next year, but he can't stay idle and wants to try his hand at small businesses. Qin Huairu has set up a breakfast stall on the back street of the steel factory, and my dad is clamoring to join her."

—How could he possibly stay idle! In the original story, he was still helping Yan Bugui rummage through garbage dumps to exchange for money when he was seventy years old. Now that he has two sons, he probably can't even sleep soundly.

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment: "The breakfast stall is small but exquisite, more than enough for Aunt Yi and Uncle Yi. But Aunt, your complexion looks a bit dark, it doesn't seem quite right to me, you should go to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow morning."

He knew in his heart that Aunt Yi had passed away from a heart attack in 1982. He hoped that early screening and treatment, while symptoms were still appearing, might be able to buy him some time.

Aunt Yi waved her hand, but didn't refuse: "My chest has been feeling tight these past two days. I'll listen to Zhu and go tomorrow morning!"

The young people returned home one after another after get off work, sat around a table and ate a hot dinner. Afterwards, He Yuzhu's family headed towards the villa.

As He Yubing walked, he tallied up the accounts: "Today's gifts totaled a little over a thousand yuan. After deducting the cost of drinks, food, and red envelopes, I'm actually losing over three hundred yuan."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and poked her forehead: "Silly girl, today is a happy occasion for our family. Friends and relatives are here to show their support. Even if you come empty-handed, it's still a courtesy! You've been running around so happily. Don't complain about being tired next time."

He Yubing stuck out her tongue: "The courses aren't too stressful. I've never lived in a dormitory before, and after staying here for a few days this time, I realized that home is still the warmest place."

Lou Xiao'e patted her on the shoulder: "It's always good to stay at home, but it's always difficult to get away. You'll feel more at ease after a few trips."

He Yubing suddenly leaned closer: "Dad, I want to learn tailoring, and after graduation I want to open a clothing factory. Can you help me think of a way?"

He Yuzhu almost choked on his saliva—"I'm penniless, I can't even afford a sewing machine, let alone open a factory?"

He paused, then said slowly, "Once you graduate, Dad will definitely find a way to help you."

—By the time you graduate, your grandfather will have already returned to Beijing. Forget garment factories, he could even fund your yacht construction project. I overheard Lou's father chatting the other day; they've got their hands on shipping, docks, restaurants, film, horse racing, and stocks all over Hong Kong Island, their net worth is already over a hundred million pounds. Your little idea is like buying a bag of sunflower seeds to them.