Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Lou Xiao'e raised her hand to signal for quiet: "Work continues, and studies don't slacken. Academic classes will continue as scheduled. That's all for today, everyone back to your positions!"

The crowd dispersed with a whoosh, their movements swift and efficient, returning to their posts in the blink of an eye. Huaihua clenched her fists to calm her racing heart, a smile involuntarily spreading across her face—the sweetness that comes from hard work is the most reassuring. Xiao Dang leaned against the doorframe, gazing longingly at his sister, clicking his tongue in admiration: "The foreman! An extra hundred yuan a month, and no standing around carrying plates all day—it's so appealing!"

Liu Lan pushed open the door carrying a brand-new suit and shoved it directly into Huaihua's hands: "For the next two weeks, you'll follow me and learn; once the branch opens, you'll know exactly what to do and how to manage people."

Huaihua took a liking to it at first sight—the cut was neat, the fabric had a soft sheen, and the cuffs were adorned with fine, subtle patterns. This dress was custom-made by He Yubing for the Prince's Mansion; it was something you couldn't find on the market at all, and it was practically the standard uniform for white-collar workers in office buildings in the future.

She changed her clothes: a blazer accentuated her sharp shoulders, her hair was styled in a playful and energetic bun, and she wore matte leather shoes. She looked like a freshly polished copper kettle, gleaming and captivating. Everyone in the room was mesmerized, wishing they could reach out and touch her.

When I got home that evening, the whole family froze as soon as we walked in the door—

Banggeng's wife stared, mouth agape: "Huaihua! Where did you find this dress? I've never seen it before!"

Xiao Dang immediately stepped forward, her fingers lightly hooking the cuff: "I want to borrow it for a day! Just one day! I promise it won't wrinkle or get oily!" Her eyes were shining brightly.

Huaihua laughed and dodged, "Just this one set. Once I get paid, I'll order two sets and save one for you!"

Looking at her daughter's radiant face, Qin Huairu vaguely saw herself when she first came to the city: she was just as upright, with a bright look in her eyes, and walked with a confident stride.

She reached out, her fingertips gently tracing the stitching on the front of her suit jacket, her voice soft: "You're a supervisor now?"

Huaihua nodded: "It's temporary. You still have to take the exams for three months. Only after you pass the exams will it be considered official."

Qin Huairu smiled: "Work hard, save more money, and prepare a decent dowry for yourself. This dress really suits you."

Banggeng's wife, envious, said, "Huaihua, since I'm paying, can you order a set for me too?"

Banggeng immediately waved his hand: "I wouldn't dare! If the shop has a clear order not to spread this, you'll just be making things worse! Right now, who in the whole alley isn't envious of being able to enter the Prince's Mansion? You should have Huaihua go and ask first. If it's okay, great; if not, we won't force it. Don't ruin your livelihood over a piece of clothing."

Xu Damao nodded: "That makes sense! Have your mother sew it for you according to the pattern; her needlework is the best in the alley."

Qin Huairu shook her head: "The fabric is special; you can't buy it on the market. Other fabrics would have the wrong color and drape; they'd be stiff and unnatural. They don't have this kind of refreshing feel."

Xu Damao slapped his thigh: "Then let's ask Huaihua tomorrow! If it's possible to order, we'll buy two sets, no matter the price—one for you and one for Xiaohong!"

Huaihua readily agreed, "Okay, I'll ask tomorrow morning!"

Laughter filled the room, and eyes frequently fell on the locust blossoms. Some people speculated that this material was probably new from He Yushui's factory—currently, only their factory could weave such luster and toughness.

Xu Damao suddenly sighed, "He Yuzhu is really lucky. He's never had a major setback in his life, and he's surrounded by his children. His life is stable and peaceful."

Qin Huairu glanced at him with a smile: "What, are you jealous?"

Xu Damao shook his head, his gaze gentle: "I've thought it through long ago. Being able to marry you and raise Big Stick Terrier, this life has been worthwhile. Everyone's fate has its own path, you can't force it. Having you and your daughter is the greatest fortune I've ever encountered."

Banggeng patted his chest and said, "Dad, don't worry! I promise I'll cherish you and Mom and take good care of you!"

Xu Damao's eyes welled up with tears; all these years of pampering this child hadn't been in vain.

He paused, then lowered his voice: "I heard He Yuzhu has amassed quite a few courtyard houses. Since we're financially comfortable, we should acquire a couple as soon as possible. He never loses out on anything he handles. Banggeng, tomorrow you should keep an eye on any properties that are up for sale!"

Qin Huairu nodded: "Listen to your dad. Go and find out tomorrow. A lot of businesses are short of capital right now, and the bold ones are selling their houses to raise funds. We're thinking long-term; not a single brick or tile of our place of residence can be moved."

Xu Damao chimed in, "That's right. Your mother and I are getting old and don't want to make a fuss; we're content to just run this little restaurant and live a peaceful life. You young people want to take risks, but you must firmly hold onto the foundation of housing."

Bang Geng replied loudly, "Don't worry, you two! The property deed is in both your names. Everything, big or small, requires your approval!"

Qin Huairu nodded in satisfaction: "That's more like it! Filial piety should be the top priority in life. Your father raised you all; it wasn't easy for him."

Xiao Dang and Huaihua said in unison, "Mom, you and Dad can just relax and enjoy your retirement! We and our brother will definitely show our filial piety!"

Xu Damao often thinks that if he hadn't married Qin Huairu back then, he probably wouldn't even be able to get a hot bowl of soup now—let alone have a couple of drinks. He has personally witnessed the life of someone living alone: ​​the old man in the front yard who was on welfare would go out to collect scraps along the street before dawn, clutching a sack, and would drag his hunched back in the evening, the stove cold and the pots cold, too lazy to even light a decent lamp. Just thinking about that scene makes his heart tighten.

……

Time flies, and more than a year has passed in the blink of an eye. Dongli County has been completely transformed: skyscrapers have sprung up, the main road has been widened into a four-lane asphalt road, the riverside docks are piled with silver-gray containers, and the whistles of cargo ships unloading cargo rise and fall day and night.

This land has now become a "gold rush" for migrant workers from several surrounding provinces. People with children and bedding are flocking here in droves to find work.

Standing atop the highest green mountain in the county town, He Yuzhu looked down at the new city he had personally nurtured, his heart burning with emotion and overwhelmed with feelings.

Lou Xiao'e muttered softly, "Zhu Zi, wearing this... feels so embarrassing." Today she was wearing a pure white wedding dress, which He Yuzhu had hand-drawn the design for, and had his sister He Yushui rush to sew it and send it to her—two sets, one Western and one Chinese, both exquisite.

"What's there to be embarrassed about?" He Yuzhu laughed and took her hand. "In movies, so many elderly couples with white hair still vie to wear wedding dresses and take photos together!" He led her through the wildflowers covering the hillside and stopped at the most beautiful spot. Lou Xiao'e followed his gesture, turned slightly to the side, smiled gently, and raised her eyes. The photographer pressed the shutter, capturing this vibrant moment.

To capture this warm and story-filled photo, He Yuzhu spent over half a month personally teaching the master photographer, repeatedly adjusting the lighting, composition, and capturing expressions, striving to create the "true documentary style" that people would later talk about.

After finishing work at noon, He Yuzhu patted the corner of his clothes and said, "Let's go back to the courtyard house to shoot the traditional Chinese style! Only the red bricks, green tiles, and carved gate towers can truly capture this festive atmosphere."

After taking the photos, the two returned to the guesthouse to rest. He Yuzhu had already completed his resignation procedures, and it would be against the rules to stay in the county government compound any longer; in the days before leaving, he planned to accompany Lou Xiao'e to leisurely stroll through the streets and fields of Dongli County.

Liu Qiang was assigned to the furniture factory as deputy director; Su Qiao only took one year to expand the food factory's sales channels across the country, and its revenue crushed that of the furniture factory. Now she is a powerful backbone of the large factory with tens of thousands of employees, and also holds the position of deputy county magistrate of Dongli County.

The Guyun Town braised duck factory was merged into the food factory immediately. With the help of the mature distribution network, both production and profits broke records. A small town was able to support 8,000 employees. The county held three on-site meetings to set an example.

The brick factory underwent a complete transformation, specializing in the production of new cement bricks; Gu Ting was promoted to head of the furniture factory, whose products were sold far and wide, including to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and even appeared on the shelves of department stores in Hong Kong.

Today, Dongli County is thriving and changing rapidly. Its prosperity has quietly surpassed that of the provincial capital, and it is still expanding day and night. Two major auto parts factories have just started production, and their annual tax revenue has already far surpassed that of many old industrial cities.

He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e strolled around for a few days, retrieved the photos, bought their train tickets, and went straight into the state-run restaurant.

Su Qiao, Liu Qiang, Qin Xiaoyue, Gu Yun, Gu Ting, and Wang Xiulan were already sitting around the round table by the window. When they saw the two of them push the door open and come in, they all stood up to greet them.

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Sit down, everyone! I'm not some high-ranking official, don't make it seem like a reception."

Wang Xiulan's eyes reddened, and her voice trembled slightly: "Secretary, you will always be our good secretary in Dongli County! Everyone remembers the sweat you shed and the legs you wore out."

Over the past two years, from the groundbreaking of the first factory building in Guyun Town to the booming production of the food factory, the meshing of machines in the parts factory, and the high-reaching cranes at the dock... every single one of these achievements was accomplished by He Yuzhu, who tirelessly waded through mud, climbed mountain roads, and tirelessly persuaded his way through difficulties. Every page of the Women's Federation's recruitment roster bears his signature.

He Yuzhu smiled and changed the subject: "Today is a gathering of old friends. We won't talk about business, just our friendship."

Gu Ting, Qin Xiaoyue, and Su Qiao surrounded Lou Xiao'e, their noses stinging and their eyes red. None of them spoke, but they held her hands tightly.

Lou Xiao'e gently patted each of them on the back and said softly, "Come to Beijing to see me often in the future. I've already prepared my home address and phone number for you. If you miss me, just call me anytime—I will definitely come back to see you."

A simple home-cooked meal was quickly finished, as the train wouldn't wait for anyone. Everyone scrambled to carry their luggage and stuff gifts into their hands, escorting them all the way to the soft sleeper carriage door, still reluctant to let go. Only when the train slowly started moving did they jump off, turning back every few steps, waving their arms vigorously on the platform, their figures growing smaller and smaller, but their hands never lowering.

When Su Qiao returned to Sujia Village, her father, Su Dahe, immediately noticed her swollen eyes and dejected appearance. Coincidentally, he was on his day off at the parts factory, so he pulled his daughter aside and asked, "Deputy County Head, what's wrong today? Who made you cry? Tell your second uncle."

Su Qiao sniffed: "Aunt Lou is gone, she went back to Beijing... I'm so sad to see her go."

"Director Lou?" Su Dahe was taken aback.

Su Qiao nodded, tears welling up again. Those three words were like a key, instantly unlocking the floodgates of memory—the first time they met, she timidly handed over a report, which Lou Xiao'e accepted with a smile, her fingertips still dusted with flour; the second time they met, she was squatting in the workshop wiping machines, and Lou Xiao'e knelt down to speak to her at eye level…

Suddenly, Su Dahe plopped down on the ground and burst into tears. The man, in his forties, trembled violently, his face streaked with snot and tears, startling the entire village. Villagers gathered around at the sound, and upon hearing that Lou Xiao'e had left Dongli County, in an instant, the elderly wiped away tears, the wives sobbed, the men pounded their legs, and even the chickens in the threshing ground were startled and flew up to the wall. Seeing their parents, grandparents, and other relatives squatting on the ground crying, the children, bewildered, also joined in the weeping—the entire Su family village was filled with a chorus of cries, no one caring whether the ground was dirty or their trousers were dusty.