Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

He hopped on his bike and pedaled furiously toward Liu's restaurant. Liu Hongchang had already neatly arranged the vegetable baskets. Lifting the cover, he saw tender leeks, slices of fatty meat, and freshly ground flour—everything was neatly arranged. Liu Yunchang hoisted the baskets, turned the wheels, and headed straight for the Cultural Square.

Liu Hongchang stayed in the shop to clean. It was early morning and there were few people. He had just finished wiping the third square table when the curtain was lifted and a girl peeked in.

He looked up in surprise—how could it be her?

He Wenyuan stood at the door, his braid neatly tied, his blue cloth shirt faded from washing but still clean.

Liu Hongchang was stunned: "You...you're Wenhui's sister? You dropped out of school and came here to find a job?"

He Wenyuan blinked: "You recognize me?"

Liu Hongchang then realized—they had never met before!

He quickly tried to salvage the situation: "Oh... I remember seeing you walking with your sister when I passed by your alley before. By the way, why aren't you in school anymore?"

"I failed the college entrance exam." Her voice was not loud, but quite steady. "My older sister just graduated, and there are two younger brothers at home waiting for tuition fees, so I didn't retake the exam. I came out to help my mom out."

Liu Hongchang nodded: "How much wages do you plan to ask for?"

"The apprentice price will do. If you do a good job, you can give me a little extra."

"Okay, let's try it for one day. If you can stay, great; if not—no pay."

"Thank you, boss!" She bowed deeply, her back ramrod straight.

If Liu Hongchang had married He Wenhui back then, the family's path would probably be completely different. Yu Qiuhua is still working odd jobs in a garment factory, earning a pitifully low monthly wage, and has to save some money to supplement her daughter's tuition fees; the family of five squeezes into one room, and life is getting tighter and tighter, only managing to stay afloat thanks to Gao Junling occasionally slipping them a few yuan.

Poverty is the most demanding time of all – even the most stubborn person has to tuck their stubbornness into their sleeves when they're starving. Without Liu Hongchang as their "backbone," the whole family relied on Yu Qiuhua's meager income, and they had to live on the edge.

Liu Hongchang remembered Nana once telling He Wenhui: "If a person loses love, living is like a drifting duckweed." But when even food can't be served, love truly becomes the only straw to grasp—a person always needs something to hold onto, otherwise, if they don't even dare to dream before starving to death, wouldn't they have lived in vain?

He Wenyuan silently swept the remaining corners clean, then went into the kitchen to pick green beans and peel garlic cloves, his movements swift and confident. If it weren't for being spoiled by her older sister, this girl would actually be quite likable—after all, her delicate features are her natural asset.

When Wang Cuilan arrived with her two grandsons, the restaurant was already packed. Those who had eaten there yesterday were boasting: the food was better than in state-run restaurants, the service was more enthusiastic than in waiters, and most importantly—no food coupons were required!

Every face was radiant with a relaxed smile. Young women served dishes and water, their smiles as warm and comforting as freshly dried quilts. The fragrant aroma of the food was the most irresistible draw.

Wang Cuilan stood behind the counter collecting money. When He Wenyuan saw the customer get up, he immediately went over to pack the food, clear the bowls, wipe the table, and mop the floor, all in one smooth motion, as if he had practiced these tasks a thousand times. Wang Cuilan nodded quietly—this girl is useful.

As soon as the last group of customers left at noon, she grabbed a rag and got busy again.

Liu Hongchang called out, "Come eat when you're done cleaning."

He Wenyuan stared at the bowl of glistening fried noodles with soybean paste and the two plates of fresh green side dishes on the table, his chopsticks hovering in mid-air, hesitant to put them down—such a meal was something his family might not even see during the Chinese New Year.

While coaxing her grandson to eat, Wang Cuilan laughed and said, "Silly child, make yourself at home here, don't be so formal! Take whatever you want to eat!"

"Hey, ma'am!" she replied crisply.

Wang Cuilan, preoccupied with the two children, simply waved her hand and said, "Do as you please, pick whatever you like."

At this moment, Wu Xiaoying carried Wenpeng into the room, took the small bowl from the child's hand, and fed him bite by bite. The little rascal looked around while eating, and Liu Hongchang opened his mouth but didn't say anything in the end—he had been adopted by his older brother, and the matter of raising him was ultimately his brother's responsibility.

Wenhao, like a little hungry wolf, finished his meal in a few bites, grabbed the wooden toy car, and ran around wildly with a clatter.

When it was lunchtime, Yang Maixiang noticed that her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were not home, so she took her child and strolled over. She was stunned as soon as she lifted the curtain—it was so crowded that it was difficult to even turn around! As soon as someone left their seat, the table was immediately cleared away, and He Wenyuan carried a tray and moved like the wind, not even bothering to wipe his sweat.

Wu Xiaoying also rolled up her sleeves to help serve dishes and clear plates. The group of people were like wind-up tops, never stopping for a moment.

Fearing her two children would get separated, Wang Cuilan simply locked the iron door of the counter, refusing to let them run around outside no matter who called. When Yang Maixiang pushed the door open, she didn't even lift her eyelids—the crowd was so dense it was like a steamer, and if she relaxed her guard even slightly, the children would disappear without a trace; she absolutely dared not take that risk.

After working until 8:30 p.m., Liu Yunchang sold the last batch of roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) and then rolled up his sleeves to help out for another hour. Now he could finally catch his breath. Liu Yunchang thought to himself: if business can stay this stable for another seven days, I'll immediately call Liu Zi to join me. We'll split the profits 50/50.

He Wenyuan was constantly on the go, yet she never complained. While Liu Hongchang was busy cooking, he casually saved her a hot plate of stir-fried pork to take home after get off work—this wasn't a tip; it was clearly a thoughtful gesture from a hardworking person.

After dinner, the whole family pitched in to clean up, leaving He Wenyuan alone in the kitchen to wash the pots and pans. Just as she came out wiping her hands, Liu Hongchang shoved a lunchbox into her hands.

He Wenyuan: "What... is this for?"

Liu Hongchang: "This is a reward for you. If you work this hard every day, I'll pack you a meal every day."

He Wenyuan: "Thank you, boss! I'll definitely work my hardest!"

When she stepped into the house carrying a lunchbox, Yang Maixiang was hunched over under the lamp, scrutinizing the account book.

Yang Maixiang: "Today's turnover was 320. After deducting the cost and miscellaneous expenses, the net profit was exactly 200."

Liu Yunchang counted out the money he had spent on materials that day and handed it to Liu Hongchang. He kept the twenty-odd yuan for himself as pocket money, without the slightest bit of envy—they were brothers, so he was generous with whatever they earned.

Wang Cuilan wiped her sweat and said, "Your sister-in-law is just sitting around doing nothing anyway, so let her lend a hand. Starting tomorrow, I won't be taking care of the two kids anymore; I'll look after them at home. It's too conspicuous here with so many people coming and going. Everyone wants to pinch the kids' cheeks, and I'm worried about that."

Indeed, every time Wang Cuilan takes her two children out, the neighbors always gather around to praise them: "Look at these two rosy little dumplings, so round and plump, their dimples are so deep when they smile that you could scoop up sugar water."

Liu Yunchang turned to Wu Xiaoying and said, "Xiaoying, come and help out for a month first. If business continues to be good, you can stay long-term; if it slows down, you can stay home and take care of the children."

Wu Xiaoying smiled and nodded. They were family, so they didn't stand on ceremony. They would lend a hand when needed, without thinking about anything else.

He Wenyuan pushed open the courtyard gate, where her dinner was still warm on the stove.

Yu Qiuhua looked up and asked, "Found work?"

He Wenyuan: "Yeah! Today is my first day on the job. The boss saw that I was quick and efficient, so he insisted on giving me a box of vegetables. Mom, you should try it."

She lifted the lid, revealing a plate of glistening, fragrant stir-fried pork lying in a white porcelain box. Yu Qiuhua stared at the plate of meat, not touching it, remaining silent for a few seconds.

Yu Qiuhua: "Where's the three yuan I scraped together for your travel expenses?"

Those three pieces of paper were my only hope for taking the bus, having lunch, and running around looking for a job.

He Wenyuan pulled a crumpled banknote from his pocket: "Here it is. I just stepped out of the alley this morning and saw a new shop. The owner was the only one tending the stove. I gritted my teeth and went in. I didn't expect to order it on the spot."

Yu Qiuhua sighed, "You're braver than your sister. It's a pity our family can't afford to send you back to school for another year."

He Wenyuan: "I've reached an agreement with the principal. I'll work and save up as I go, and I'm sure I can go back to school for remedial classes next year."

Yu Qiuhua's nose tingled with emotion: "Okay, okay... I'm just afraid you won't be able to stand on your own two feet. I've never had much schooling in my life, I'm the most incompetent mother in the village."

He Wenyuan gently held his mother's hand: "Mom, this isn't falling behind, it's like training my wings early. Next year I will definitely fly high, pass the exam, and be able to support you."

……

He Family Courtyard

He Wenyuan: "Mom, did my sister mention the job assignment to you when she came back?"

Yu Qiuhua: "They said they were coming back to work, but they didn't specify where or what they would be doing."

The aroma of meat tempted He Wenda so much that he rolled out of bed, slipped on his shoes, and rushed to the dining table. Seeing that his mother and second sister hadn't started eating yet, he quickly asked, "Can I eat?" When they nodded, he immediately buried his head in his food and started eating voraciously, sweating profusely.

He Wenhui has graduated and will soon return to the city to start her job as a formally employed state cadre.

Daqing's mother came to propose marriage three or four times, but Yu Qiuhua politely refused each time without leaving a trace.

As dawn broke, He Wenyuan arrived at Liu's restaurant. Liu Hongchang was baking flatbreads over a charcoal stove. The braised pork had been simmered overnight, and this morning, after being reheated and baked, the aroma wafted all the way across the street—he would give his older brother a few stacks every day, enough to easily earn a pack of cigarettes. The original owner didn't know how? She knew the ropes perfectly well.

She mopped the hall until it shone, then quickly put the bowls, plates, and condiments back in their boxes. As soon as Liu Yunchang arrived, the two of them worked together to load the boxes onto the back rack of the bicycle.

Liu Hongchang wiped his hands and said, "Take a break first. When the delivery guy arrives, I'll teach you how to prepare the ingredients step by step."

After saying that, he leaned back behind the counter and started flipping through the newspaper. He had originally wanted to buy a television, but he shook his head after just one glance at the available options.

Less than two minutes later, Wu Xiaoying stepped through the door, ringing the bell, just as the deliveryman came to a stop on his scooter. The two rolled up their sleeves and went into the kitchen, picking, washing, and chopping vegetables with movements as swift and efficient as if they had rehearsed ten times.

Before noon, three groups of guests had already arrived to reserve tables, specifically requesting hearty dishes such as beef spine, oxtail, and ox hooves. They also specifically instructed, "The taste must be authentic, and the price is negotiable." They immediately handed over a stack of hundred-dollar bills as a deposit, with any difference to be refunded or collected later.

Wu Xiaoying clutched the money and headed straight to the market, buying everything she could find. Upon returning, she immediately started cooking and lighting the fire—so that the food would be ready to be served as soon as the guests arrived.

Liu Hongchang was worried that the dozen or so bottles of homemade corn liquor in his warehouse were not selling. Although the label said "Fenjiu", it was actually the old flavor that he had personally distilled and aged. He simply took them out and put them all on the glass cabinet. As soon as people entered the door, the bottles gleamed with an amber light, and the aroma mixed with the smell of cooking wafted over them.