Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Liu Hongchang sat on the edge of the bed, scooped up a spoonful of water and blew on it to cool it: "It's precisely because I've never held him since he was born that I'm willing to let go. If he were a month old, I'm afraid I would hold him and never let go. My elder brother and sister-in-law are getting on in years, without a child to rely on, who will bring them water, bathe them, and keep watch over them at night? If the child grows up with them, it's their duty to support them in their old age, there's no burden on them; if I were to fulfill my filial duty as their nephew, it would always feel like there's a veil in my heart—it wouldn't be comfortable. Let's not talk about this anymore, anyway, he's right under our noses, we see him every day, we're close every day."

Yang Maixiang nodded slowly, pondered for a moment, and said softly, "You're right. It's only natural for a son to be filial to his father; it may sound nice, but it still feels unsettling for a nephew to take care of his uncle."

Liu Hongchang reached out and tucked the blanket around her: "Then it's settled."

Liu Yunchang and his wife were pondering what name to give their child. They walked with a brisk pace, holding the baby tightly, their eyes glued to the child's face.

Wu Xiaoying said with a smile, "The eldest is called Liu Wenhao, and the second is called Liu Wenpeng—vast as the sea, with a bright future ahead, how about that?"

Liu Yunchang gave a thumbs up: "Haohao's mom, you're amazing!"

Wu Xiaoying smiled and said, "I've been thinking about this name for three months. Ever since Maixiang found out she was pregnant, I've been flipping through dictionaries and asking doctors, just waiting for this moment—who would have thought it would be a perfect match!"

Liu Yunchang smiled and corrected him: "I heard you talking about it when you first got pregnant."

Wu Xiaoying slapped her forehead: "Right, right, right! Look at my brain, it turns into mush as soon as I got pregnant..."

This thought was already ingrained in their bones: their two children were their very lifeblood, their own flesh and blood. Anyone who dared to utter a single word would be like stabbing them in the heart.

Liu Yunchang was busy mixing formula, and after just filling the bottle, he went to change the diaper. Only then did Wang Cuilan have a moment to herself. She hugged her eldest grandson tightly, her eyes moist, and gently stroked the child's tender face with her fingers. She had been waiting for this "Grandpa" for so long that her temples were now completely gray. She never expected that when she opened her eyes, she would be holding two of them!

Wang Cuilan: "Have you decided on the two names for the eldest brother yet?"

Liu Yunchang: "Wenhao and Wenpeng are derived from the phrase 'ambitions soaring to the clouds, wings spreading across the sky.'"

Wang Cuilan nodded and lowered her voice: "Your brother made a brilliant move. He'll have a better life in the future. Give him a hand."

Wu Xiaoying quickly replied, "Mom, please take good care of yourself. We've got you covered."

Wang Cuilan didn't say anything more, but held her grandson close to her chest, counting his little fingers over and over again, never getting enough of looking at him.

Liu Yunchang rode his old bicycle straight to the department store. After buying the milk powder, he also picked up a glistening old hen to nourish Yang Maixiang. He walked with his back ramrod straight, his steps brisk, and even his back looked twenty years younger.

The next morning, he carried red eggs into the workshop and handed them to everyone he met: "Double happiness last night! My wife gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl!" He also invited everyone to his home for a celebratory feast to celebrate the baby's one-month birthday.

The coworkers slapped their thighs and laughed, "This isn't just a new baby, it's like hitting the jackpot!"

Each auspicious word warmly touched people's hearts.

……

Summer of 1983

Liu Zijiang Tiezhu squatted by the park wall, watching the crowd dancing the Yangko in the shade of the trees. He nudged Liu Hongchang with his elbow and said, "Brother, those dancers often come here. How about we do some work?"

Liu Hongchang, wiping his sweat, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "You want to sell roujiamo (Chinese hamburger)?"

Liu Zi grinned: "I'm thinking, with your brother's skills, he'd be a top-notch brand anywhere."

Liu Hongchang waved his hand: "I'm in the process of resigning—the restaurant license was just approved yesterday."

Liu Zi was taken aback: "You're really not going to work in the cafeteria anymore?"

"I'm quitting." He pulled out a crumpled notice and waved it around. "It's stamped with the red seal of the Industry and Commerce Bureau; it's burning hot."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Li poked his head out and shouted, "Hong Chang, Director Yao is looking for you!"

He waved to Liu Zi and strode towards the office.

Director Yao was already waiting at the door. When he came in, she handed him a piece of paper and said, "Pack your things. You're leaving this afternoon."

Liu Hongchang shook his head with a smile: "You're very well-informed, but I'm afraid you'll be disappointed this time—I'm here today to hand in my resignation."

Director Yao was taken aback: "There are only ten places available in the entire province for a top-level chef from Kyoto to lead the training program."

"I'm so sorry." Liu Hongchang took out a brown paper package from his pocket and gently placed it on the table. "I've taken over that shop, and it'll open tomorrow. Please help me stamp this."

Director Yao stared at the bottles of wine without saying a word. After a long while, he sighed, picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and stamped the seal cleanly with a snap.

Liu Hongchang turned around and went to the logistics department, returned the blue work clothes and enamel mug, and walked out of the second canteen gate with his canvas bag. The sunlight was shining on the steps.

Liu Zi caught up, panting, "Just say the word if you need more men, I'll be there in a minute!"

"Alright!" Liu Hongchang patted him on the shoulder. "Once the fire is burning brightly, you'll be the first one to cook."

The small restaurant is already taking shape: white walls and blue bricks, wooden-framed glass windows that are polished to a shine, and tables and chairs made according to his drawings, sturdy but not bulky.

The special permit from the Industry and Commerce Bureau was placed under the glass counter; with it, grain, oil, and meat coupons were all free. As soon as the elm wood tables and stools delivered by the furniture factory were unloaded from the truck, Wang Cuilan arrived with her sleeves rolled up and a rag in her hand.

"Mom, please sit down and have some tea." Liu Hongchang directed the workers to move the table while handing each of them a Daqianmen cigarette.

Wu Xiaoying and Wang Cuilan cleaned inside and out, making sure the windows and tables were spotless, just waiting for the first wisp of smoke to rise in the morning.

Yang Maixiang had long since quit her job at the motorcade and stayed home to take care of her four children. No matter how capable Wang Cuilan was, she couldn't keep up with her two three-year-old mischievous kids running wild all over the yard—the well was nailed shut with thick wooden planks and weighed down with bluestone; the two little ones had just learned to crawl, and with a straw mat laid out, they could play by themselves for half a day, but as soon as no one was watching them, they would immediately start howling at the top of their lungs.

They closed down the watch-selling business last year. Over 700 Shanghai-brand watches went to zero in two years; the money the three of them split was enough to build half a house. The couple from Houdunzi have now set up a breakfast stall and got their business license at the beginning of the year.

Liu Zi was still wielding a ladle in the cafeteria, unsure where to jump.

As soon as the ingredients arrived, Liu Hongchang went straight to the kitchen to render lard. The cracklings were golden and crispy, and the aroma wafted all the way across the street. Tomorrow morning, a string of firecrackers will mark the official opening.

Not long after, Yang Maixiang carried the twins into the room. She put the children down and immediately grabbed a rag to wipe the edge of the table, her movements as swift as if she were at her own stove.

"Can you handle this all by yourself?" she asked.

"There are fewer customers in the first few days, so my mom will help out for two months; once business stabilizes, I'll immediately hire a kitchen helper." He wiped his hands, his voice soft but resolute.

She didn't say much, just nodded, and turned to change the diapers for the two children.

Liu Yunchang arrived pushing a modified bicycle, with two metal boxes welded onto the back seat and polished to a shine.

"Hongchang, how about this?"

"Okay!" Liu Hongchang opened the box to check. "Tomorrow, you can try it out at the Cultural Square first, and then decide after selling for a day."

Liu Yunchang grinned: "You think you can scam me? I believe you!"

Instead of waiting for the factory to lay off workers, it's better to strike while the iron is hot—save up enough capital, and opportunities will abound in the future. This is what Liu Hongchang advised his elder brother.

He was timid by nature, but when it came to protecting his younger brother, he was incredibly tough.

As dawn broke, the two brothers lit a string of firecrackers with a thousand bangs at the shop entrance. Before the smoke had even cleared, Liu Hongchang had already piled the fragrant, crispy baked buns and glistening braised meat into an iron box.

Liu Yunchang rode his bicycle to the Cultural Square, selling thirty-five yuan worth of goods in the morning, netting seventeen yuan and fifty cents after deducting costs; in the afternoon, he moved to the Youth Dance Hall, selling more than twenty more, earning at least another five yuan—the money he made in two days was equivalent to a month's salary at the factory. He knew in his heart: he would go back and hand in his resignation.

Wang Cuilan deftly moved the tables and chairs in the hall. There were only a few diners today. Dinner had just been served, and there were only about twenty people in total. But as they left, everyone gave a thumbs up and smiled broadly.

Wang Cuilan wiped her hands and casually asked, "Hongchang, how much did we make today?"

Liu Hongchang was counting his change when he smirked, "Eighteen yuan exactly! Much better than that meager salary from the cafeteria. We've just opened, so we'll build up our customer base slowly. With my skills right here, why worry about not finding customers?"

Wang Cuilan nodded: "The words may be rough, but the meaning is sound. As long as you can earn money steadily, you'll feel at ease."

Before he could finish speaking, the eldest brother, Liu Yunchang, burst in, his eyes gleaming.

Wang Cuilan's eyes lit up: "All cleared out?"

Liu Yunchang slapped his thigh: "Perfect! After they finished eating, they kept saying 'I'll come again tomorrow.' Today we made a net profit of twenty-eight. Here—Hongchang, I gave you an extra five yuan for your portion, as a little something from your older brother."

He shoved a few crumpled bills into Liu Hongchang's hand, and Liu Hongchang didn't refuse, but just gently clenched them.

Wang Cuilan glanced at her sideways: "Are you really not going to be a welder this time?"

Liu Yunchang shook his hand, as if shedding an old shell: "I left the welding torch aside a long time ago! It's comfortable, and the money comes quickly. Besides—I still owe Hongchang a little over a thousand."

It turns out that Liu Hongchang had recently gritted his teeth and bought a courtyard house, spending over four thousand yuan to get it all. Liu Yunchang followed suit and bought a slightly smaller courtyard house. After selling the old house, he was still a thousand yuan short, so he borrowed the money from his younger brother on the spot without delay.

Wang Cuilan simply said, "Just make sure you know it yourself."

Liu Yunchang grinned: "I've figured it out—if I work hard, I can pay back Hongchang's money in two months and still have a few hundred left. The factory's wages? Even if I don't eat or drink for a year, it won't be enough to fill this hole."

He casually tossed the old wooden crate into a corner of the restaurant, and the three of them finished packing, got on their bicycles, and rode home with the bells ringing crisply all the way.

Wu Xiaoying could see her husband walking briskly and with bright eyes from across the courtyard wall, and she knew something good was going to happen.

She went up to him and asked, "Are you popular today?"

Liu Yunchang smiled and pulled a few candies from his pocket, the paper wrapper crumpled: "Isn't that right? What I earn in a day is equivalent to half a month's salary! This business is like picking up money—they're for the kids, they're sweet."

Wu Xiaoying took the candy, her fingertips warmed by its taste: "When the wheat is ripe tomorrow, share it with the children to try."

The two courtyard houses are very close to each other, separated only by a low blue brick wall, which is wide enough to stretch out a clothesline.

……

As dawn broke, Liu Yunchang had already rushed into the factory gate on his bicycle, handed in his resignation letter, and completed the formalities. His actions were swift and efficient, and he vacated his position in less than an hour—nowadays, there is still a long line of people waiting to fill the vacancy at the factory gate.