Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

He Yuzhu went to the second stove to start cooking.

For some reason, there seemed to be a lot more faces today than yesterday—I guess it's because the stir-fried chicken with soy sauce from yesterday became famous, and word of mouth spread, so customers naturally came to our door.

With spatulas flying and flames licking the pan, hot dishes are served one after another amidst rising smoke.

During the midday peak, even Li Yuanguo rolled up his sleeves and personally took charge. The three of them took turns working to barely manage to handle the surge of customers.

When the bell rang to signal the end of the workday, He Yuzhu felt as if his legs were filled with lead, and he almost collapsed in the locker room.

But his [Cooking Skills] proficiency on the system panel increased rapidly, which warmed his heart: It was worth it!

Back home, Uncle Yan Bugui, as usual, wanted to mooch a meal. He had just come over to try and get closer to He Yuzhu when He Yuzhu casually brushed him off with a sentence: "Uncle, I didn't cook much today. You can come back another time to try my cooking."

They're polite on the surface, but extremely guarded.

Actually, what he brought back wasn't anything special—half a box of braised pork belly, glistening and fragrant, rich but not greasy; and half a box of shredded pork with garlic sauce, tangy and spicy, coated in sauce and sticking to rice, each bite bursting with oil.

Normally, apprentices wouldn't even get a chance to eat such hearty dishes; they'd only be given a box of vegetarian dishes to appease their appetites if their master was in a good mood.

But things are different now.

He Yuzhu's culinary skills have improved by leaps and bounds, and as the main cook, he naturally has priority in packing up leftovers.

These past two nights, He Yushui has been eating until her belly is round and full, lying in bed humming, "Brother, has our family struck it rich?"

She remembered her older brother telling her: "Don't make a fuss. If you eat meat, you'll have meat to eat in the future."

While her classmates were all posting pictures of their family lunches, she stubbornly refrained from showing off, just so she could eat such a hearty and juicy meal every day.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

He Yuzhu and He Daqing got up early to cook breakfast. After He Yushui finished eating, the father and son flanked her on either side and prepared to take her to school. They would then go to handle the transfer of the bicycle and the house deed on the way.

As soon as I stepped out of the courtyard gate, I bumped into Yan Bugui squatting at the doorway, eating sunflower seeds.

"Hey! Lao He, Sha Zhu, you three are all out together?" Yan Bugui grinned.

Just as He Daqing was about to nod and exchange pleasantries, He Yuzhu rolled his eyes and said directly, "Third Uncle, it's fine for my dad to call me Sha Zhu, but you are a people's teacher and the third uncle of the courtyard house. From now on, please call me 'Zhu Zi'."

The air froze as soon as the words were spoken.

He Daqing was stunned, and Yan Bugui almost choked on the sunflower seed shells.

An outsider, a complete stranger, has taken up the empty title of "Third Uncle" and even joined in the commotion, calling him "Silly Pillar"? This title carries a hint of contempt and mockery, and now that the person involved is saying it with a smile, it sounds particularly jarring.

Yan Bugui's old face flushed slightly, and he quickly waved his hand: "Hey, hey, you're right, you're right! Silly Zhu... no, Zhuzi! Zhuzi! Uncle has changed his tune, I'll remember this time."

He Yuzhu immediately put on a smiling face: "That's right! I'm almost done with my apprenticeship, I'll treat you to my signature dish another day."

"Alright! I've been waiting for you to say that!" Yan Bugui immediately beamed, and the embarrassment from before vanished.

He Daqing seized the opportunity and said with a smile, "Old Yan, we're in a hurry. We'll have Zhu Zi treat you to drinks another day."

"Take care, have a safe trip!" Yan Bugui waved goodbye, watching the three of them walk away before turning back into the house. He muttered to his wife, Yang Ruihua, "Hey, have you noticed? Sha Zhu... oh no, Zhu Zi, he's been acting a little different these past few days. Isn't that strange?"

The three older women were sewing shoe soles, not even looking up: "Zhu Zi? Isn't he still that silly Zhu Zi? What could have changed? Didn't you praise him yesterday for becoming cleverer?"

Yan Bugui stroked his chin thoughtfully: "...But why do I feel like this kid is a completely different person?"

Yan Bugui snorted and curled his lips: "Stop calling him Sha Zhu. From now on, just call him Zhuzi."

This kid is really something else. Not only is he about to graduate, but he even offered to let me try his cooking just now.

"It's fine if he doesn't call me 'Silly Pillar'... but after calling him that for so many years, it's really hard to change all at once." The other person clicked their tongue. "When is he going to invite you? He's not just making this up, is he?"

"How could it be fake?" Yan Bugui shook his head and laughed. "Even He Daqing nodded in approval, how could it be untrue? It's only been a few days, there's no way it's going to slip away."

-

He Daqing and his son He Yuzhu delivered rainwater to the primary school and headed straight for the supply and marketing cooperative without stopping.

The name was changed this year. Before, nobody knew what a "supply and marketing cooperative" was, but now it has become the main place for people to buy goods.

The shelves inside were packed full, with even "big items" like bicycles on display. The prices were exorbitant, and most people would shrink back at the sight of them.

The father and son walked straight to the chassis area.

There are only two options available: Flying Pigeon and Permanent.

The phoenix hasn't appeared yet.

He Yuzhu glanced around, then pointed: "This one, the permanent brand."

Without saying a word, He Daqing took out his money and issued a receipt.

The salesperson was taken aback by the speed of the movements – even a secure job wouldn't be this efficient, let alone for a large item costing over a hundred yuan.

The sales clerk couldn't help but add, "Comrade, remember to register your vehicle at the police station. Driving without a license plate will get you fined if the traffic police catch you."

"Understood, thanks." He Yuzhu smiled as he took the receipts and pushed the cart out the door.

The sun was shining brightly outside. He straddled the seat, pushed off with one foot, and swung his leg, securing himself firmly on the crossbar.

The bike wobbled for a moment, but after two laps, it was riding as smoothly as a slippery fish.

He Daqing, watching from behind, stared wide-eyed: "When did you learn that? I, your old man, have barely even touched it a few times!"

"Surprised?" He Yuzhu turned around and grinned. "Get in the car, I'll take you for a drive—first to the police station to register the license plate, then to the neighborhood office to handle some business."

-

After completing all the formalities at the police station, I got my driver's license and the license plate was affixed.

At midday, with the sun high in the sky, the father and son each ate a bowl of steaming hot braised pork at a roadside stall. The oil was floating on the surface, and the chili peppers were pungent. They ate until their foreheads were sweating before slowly turning towards the Nanluoguxiang Subdistrict Office.

The materials were prepared in advance, and since the private house was purchased by He Daqing years ago with great effort, the property rights were clear. The clerk flipped through a few pages and stamped the document.

In less than half an hour, the owner of two rooms in Zhongyuan, No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, was officially changed to He Yuzhu.

Taking advantage of the situation, He Daqing pulled out a handful of wedding candies and stuffed them into the hands of the staff one by one: "It's nothing, I bought a bicycle for my son, so I'm sharing in the joy."

As soon as these words were spoken, the room became lively.

These days, who owns a bicycle? In the entire compound, only Xu Damao's father, Xu Fugui, has one, and it was provided by the factory.

The news that He Yuzhu's car was a purely private purchase immediately reached the director's ears.

The director personally lifted the curtain and came out, walked around the car twice, and said with a smile, "Young man, you're quite capable! You'll have to lend me this car when the neighborhood committee holds a wedding in the future."

"Director, please don't hesitate to ask!" He Yuzhu stood ramrod straight. "Just give the word to the residents of Compound 95, and our car will be there anytime. I can also lend a hand at banquets—it's all free!"

"Oh dear, that won't do!" The director waved his hand and laughed. "Exploiting the working people is not good. Labor fees should still be collected."

But since you're borrowing the car... I won't charge you this time.

"We'll definitely cooperate! Your satisfaction is guaranteed!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the father and son said goodbye and left.

Before leaving, He Daqing went to the market again, chopped up a piece of pork bone, cut off a pound of pork belly, and picked up a bottle of Red Star Erguotou liquor—since he had promised to treat Yan Bugui to dinner, he would do it tonight.

By the time they returned with their things, it was already getting dark.

Upon reaching the entrance of the courtyard, He Yuzhu stopped and said, "Dad, you should take your things back first."

I'm going to collect the rainwater. Leave your things inside for now, I'll tidy up when I get back.

He's afraid of trouble.

If he were to bring meat and wine into the house himself, he would be surrounded by a group of gossipy women in the courtyard within three seconds, who would be asking him all sorts of questions.

Especially that gossipy old woman, Jia Zhangshi; she could be so hungry for even a little bit of oil floating in someone else's pot that she couldn't sleep, and she cursed the He family all day long.

But she dared not provoke He Daqing.

In the No. 95 compound, Jia Zhangshi was used to being domineering, but there were three people she was truly afraid of: the neighborhood committee director, the local police officer Lao Zhao, and He Daqing.

Why? Because he's skilled, but even more stubborn.

The more fiercely she cursed, the more He Daqing slammed his butcher knife on the chopping board, and she immediately shut her mouth and shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.

Back when Old Jia was still alive, Jia Zhangshi was no pushover; she was quick-witted and had a very loud voice, but she just happened to run into He Daqing, a tough nut to crack.

If she dared to bare her teeth, He Daqing would grab Old Jia and give her a good beating, scolding and hitting her several times. Jia Zhangshi immediately cowered, and even if she wanted to lash out, she could only shrink into the room and curse in a low voice, afraid that if she raised her voice, He Daqing would hear her—he was the kind of person who would actually come to the door and tear down the roof beams.

Who doesn't know the courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang? He Daqing is a notorious troublemaker; even the King of Heaven would have to give way to him.

Otherwise, do you think he could do something like that—helping a widow support her family while secretly taking the blame for someone else? This kind of person is someone that no one in the entire alley dares to mess with.

"Okay, go ahead."

He Daqing said a few words, took the package of wine and meat from He Yuzhu, turned around and walked into the courtyard, his back view exuding a lazy yet imposing aura.

He Yuzhu nimbly hopped on his bicycle, pushed off with his toes, and the wheels spun rapidly, heading straight for Hongxing Primary School.

Two kilometers may not seem like a short distance to others, but for a young man like him who pedals with great enthusiasm, it's just a matter of ten minutes with a gust of wind and a quick lift of his leg.