Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

He moved a chair over and sat down next to He Yuzhu, watching him with a smile as he started eating. A couple of minutes later, Lou Xiao'e also lifted the curtain and came in.

He Daqing looked up and smiled: "I heard from Zhu Zi that you hadn't eaten, so I quickly had the stove add two of your favorite dishes—fill your stomachs first. No matter how important the matter, we can discuss it after we've eaten!"

Lou Xiao'e replied crisply, "Okay, Dad!" Then she picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

He Daqing stood up and said as he walked out, "You guys eat first. I'm going to call Yushui and then call the kids. The whole family will come here for a reunion tonight!"

Lou Xiao'e: "Dad, you can rest now. I've already spoken to Zhou Xue, and I also personally went to see Yu Shui. Everything's fine."

He Daqing: "Okay, you guys eat first, I'll go to the kitchen to keep an eye on the heat—we'll have a good chat tonight, you and I." Before he finished speaking, he had already turned and left.

He Yuzhu had just put down his chopsticks when he started chatting with Lou Xiao'e.

He Yuzhu: "I just saw Xiao Dang. Why didn't he leave his job at the factory? Why is he working here?"

Lou Xiao'e: "I've only been here a few days, and I know absolutely nothing about what's going on here. I'm even more clueless than you."

After the meal, the waiter came in to clear the dishes, and the two of them got up and walked towards Zhou Xue's office.

Upon entering, Lou Xiao'e went straight to chat with Zhou Xue; He Yuzhu slumped onto the sofa, his eyelids drooped, and he fell asleep.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Lou Xiao'e gently shook him awake.

Lou Xiao'e: "Wake up! Rainy Day is over, and she's already waiting for you in the private room. She says she has something important to talk about."

While talking, she urged him to wash his face to refresh himself.

As he followed Lou Xiao'e into the private room, Yu Shui's family, along with Xiao Wu, were already seated. Xiao Wu, with sharp eyes, rushed over as soon as he saw He Yuzhu, leaped up and hung around his neck, refusing to let go; within two minutes, all the children had gathered, noisily crowding together.

……

Lou Yue: "Daddy, what delicious treats did you bring me? I've missed you so much!" She blinked, her little face full of mischief.

Lou Xiao'e: "Your suitcase is full of snacks, get down! Your dad's been on the train for three or four days, he's exhausted."

Upon hearing this, Lou Yue obediently let go and quickly moved to sit down next to Liu Qin.

As soon as He Yuzhu sat down, his gaze swept over He Aijun and he noticed that there was a pretty girl next to him.

He Aijun immediately stood up and said in a clear voice, "Dad, Mom, this is my girlfriend, Qian Liuyue; Liuyue, this is my dad, and this is my mom."

With a slightly flushed face, Qian Liuyue greeted softly, "Hello, Uncle and Aunt, my name is Qian Liuyue."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Hello."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "Oh my, this girl is so pretty, she's a real gem! Come sit next to Auntie." She then gently pushed He Yuzhu toward He Aijun.

At this moment, Ma Lian followed He Aidang into the house, looking a little reserved. Lou Xiao'e beckoned, and Ma Lian sat down shyly next to Lou Xiao'e.

He Yuzhu lowered his voice and asked his eldest son, "What are your plans after graduation? If you join the army, you'll be stuck there for at least a few years, rarely seeing anyone. Can you really let go of that?"

He Aijun straightened his back: "Dad, Liu Yue and I have discussed it—after graduation, we'll go to work at the grassroots level together, just like you and Mom did back then. This isn't just my idea; it's something we decided together."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Once you've decided on something, you have to go all out to see it through. You can't be half-hearted or change your mind all the time. In the game of life, once you've made a move, there's no going back."

Hearing his elder brother's words, He Aidang leaned closer, his tone relaxed yet earnest: "Dad, I want to pursue a career in scientific research, and later work in a factory to tackle technical challenges and contribute to the country's industry. Ma Lian is also very supportive of me... Do you think this is a good idea?"

He Yuzhu didn't answer immediately, but patted him on the shoulder: "You chose this path yourself. As long as you don't cross the line or take any crooked paths, your mother and I will support you. You heard what I just said—once it's decided, just keep moving forward steadily."

He Yushui interjected with a smile, "Brother, I'll let them serve the food first, we can eat and chat!"

He Yuzhu: "Okay, hurry up and call Dad over. Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu are still thinking about having a few drinks with him."

As soon as the dishes were placed on the table, He Daqing strolled into the private room, sat down next to Liu's father as if he knew the place well, and the two chatted warmly about the old techniques of sauce ratio and noodle cooking.

He Yushui raised her glass: "Brother, it's been a long time. Let me toast you! May our brother-sister relationship withstand the test of time and grow even more precious with age."

Now that she's in charge of the shop, she speaks with tact and discretion at the dinner table, her words steady and warm.

He Yuzhu also raised his glass: "Wishing you booming business and a constant stream of customers!" He tilted his head back and downed the glass in one gulp.

He Yushui put down her cup, her eyes brightening slightly. "Brother, I heard from Sister Peng Mei that our district is going to develop several new plots of land. I've been thinking—how about investing my own money to build a shopping mall? It'd be similar in style to a department store, but more spacious and grand. We could rent out any extra shops, a sure-fire way to make a profit. Could you give me your opinion?"

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment: "This matter needs to get through the Construction Bureau first; just making a decision on a whim won't work. I'll ask my brother-in-law Huaqiang to find out the policy details—he knows the ropes. I've already made plans to have dinner with some old friends tomorrow, so I'll casually ask for you."

In fact, he knew in his heart that there was no precedent for privately built shopping malls in those days, and there was not even a trace of them back in 1983.

He Yushui nodded: "If it works out, Yubing and I will submit our applications together. The photos of those foreign shopping malls that her grandfather sent are so enviable, just looking at the blueprints makes us envious! They're ten times brighter than our department store. If it's built, there will definitely be people willing to come and shop there."

Wealthy people tend to flock to respectable places; this has long been a habit for city dwellers.

He Yuzhu looked up: "You already have a plan in mind?"

He Yushui smiled and said, "Uncle Lou has explained the business model, investment strategy, and staffing in detail several times. He owns several shopping malls over there, so he knows the business very well."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Okay, I'll ask for you. As long as you're on the right track and your hands and feet are clean, our whole family will lend you a hand."

Lou Mancang suddenly interjected, "Dad, could you also ask around for me—I'd like to take over a high-end restaurant, is that feasible?"

He Yuzhu was taken aback, glancing sideways at his son: "How much does your little restaurant make a day? You spend millions every time you open a shop, do you have a money-printing machine in your pocket?"

Lou Mancang scratched his head: "Last time, my grandfather asked me about my ambitions, and I said I wanted to open a restaurant. Later, I actually opened one, but the place was a bit small. When my grandmother heard about it, she offered to fund the expansion into a high-end restaurant, but I didn't dare to agree at the time... It was only when my aunt mentioned it today that I remembered this."

He Yuzhu sighed: "Okay, I'll ask for you. But what we lack most right now isn't money, it's someone knowledgeable and capable of handling things."

Lou Mancang grinned: "Third Sister agreed to manage the shop! Right, Third Sister?"

He Yubing raised an eyebrow: "I only said—I'll take over once you've actually built the building. Right now? It's not even close to happening."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and replied, "Son, managing a large-scale restaurant isn't as simple as setting plates and wiping tables. Focus on your studies first, and you can think about it after graduation. It's not too late."

Lou Mancang: "Mom, don't worry, I'm definitely going to get into university! As the leader said, practice is the only criterion for testing truth. You can't just study books; you have to learn by doing and do by learning to truly understand and internalize the knowledge."

Lou Xiao'e looked at her son, a slight smile playing on her lips, and nodded gently. She suddenly recalled the first time she met Su Qiao. The little girl huddled behind the door, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, too afraid to even look up and speak properly. She had been taught by her for almost half a year before she dared to stand up straight and make eye contact with people. Later, she was allowed to stand on her own, and now she answers the phone with confidence and signs documents with crispness and efficiency, even her eyes shine with a weighty light.

They ate and chatted, and time flew by. Before they knew it, the sky outside the window was darkening, and He Yushui put down her chopsticks and stood up.

He Yushui: "Brother, it's getting late! Xiao Wu and the others have to go to their early classes tomorrow. Let's get together again tomorrow—I'll stew some braised pork at home and stir-fry some light side dishes. Ai Jun, love the Party, remember to bring your partners and come visit your aunt. I'm taking the kids home now."

Lou Xiao'e: "Okay, take your time, don't rush."

He Yushui: "It's okay, Yuan Hao drove here."

Lou Xiao'e: "Oh? When did this happen? You're even driving a car now?"

He Yushui: "When the factory was just starting out, Sister Peng Mei helped us with the car purchase procedures."

Lou Xiao'e escorted them all the way to the gate of the courtyard, and the two children quickly got up and each took their partner's hand as they walked out.

He Aijun: "Dad, Ai Dang and I are going the same way, so I'll take them home. It's dark at night, and they're easily scared."

He Yuzhu: "Okay, watch your step on the road."

In the blink of an eye, only He Yubing and He Yuzhu remained sitting in the room.

He Yubing: "Dad, Uncle Ma Hua asked me to pass on a message—he and the old guys in the kitchen have been waiting for you. They said they'd call you over for a couple of drinks as soon as you showed up." This was what Ma Hua quietly whispered in her ear as she entered the room. The old guys had been talking about He Yuzhu for months. As soon as he finished speaking, she turned and headed towards the office.

He Yuzhu smiled and got up, walking towards the kitchen.

Ma Hua was already waiting at the kitchen door. Upon spotting He Yuzhu in the distance, she immediately rushed over, grabbed his arm, and affectionately pulled him inside: "Master! I've missed you so much!"

……

As soon as He Yuzhu stepped into the lounge, everyone in the room stood up abruptly.

Liu Hu eagerly spoke up, "Master! It's been almost half a year since we last met. How are you settling in over there?"

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Sit down, sit down—old colleagues, old neighbors, no need to be so formal." As he spoke, he reached out and patted Liu Hu's shoulder, gesturing for him to sit down and chat.

After everyone was seated, He Yuzhu picked up his glass and stood up: "These past few months, Xiao'e and I have been out working on projects, and the shop has benefited greatly from everyone's support. I'd like to propose a toast to everyone!"

Liu Lan was the first to speak up: "Master He, you flatter us! Everyone knows you've been wholeheartedly leading everyone forward. Besides, the treatment and the way we live are so much better than before—if you hadn't given me your job opening, I'd still be digging in the dirt back in my hometown. How could I be living in an apartment building, riding a bicycle, and watching a color TV?"