Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

This plate of peanuts is already wilted beyond recognition. It's obvious they were pickled yesterday morning and left to dry for over a day without being touched. If left for another half day, they'll probably start to turn sour and smell rancid.

Just as He Yuzhu was about to pour himself a glass of wine to moisten his throat, the curtain was lifted and Manager Huang strolled in from outside.

He looked around, his brows furrowing slightly, and then walked straight to He Yuzhu in the corner.

The tavern was eerily empty, with only two tables occupied. One of the tables was occupied by several waiters playing cards, shouting and making a ruckus amidst the swirling smoke.

Manager Huang plopped down and sighed, "Director He, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

This place...how did it become so deserted? I remember there used to be people coming here for a drink during the day, but today it's practically empty.

"Try these peanuts, and you'll know why we're not getting any customers," He Yuzhu said with a sneer, filling his cup and pushing the plate of limp peanuts towards him.

Luckily, he was quick-witted and didn't suggest anything else, otherwise it would have been like throwing money into the water.

Although he didn't need those few, it still hurt to spend real money on a bunch of worthless food.

"What the hell! How dare they sell this?" Manager Huang took a bite, immediately frowned, and spat it out, his face turning pale. "This shabby little restaurant is getting more and more outrageous!"

He waved his hand, lowered his voice, and got to the point: "Director He, are you interested in what I mentioned at the silk shop earlier?"

"The jewelry business?" He Yuzhu shook his head. "To be honest, that last sum just emptied my savings. Your amount must be huge, and I really can't handle it right now."

It's not that he doesn't want to make a profit, it's that he genuinely doesn't have the money to cover it.

"You... had a falling out with Manager Chen?" he asked, turning the question around.

"Don't mention her!" Manager Huang sneered, anger flashing in his eyes. "I treated her like an old acquaintance, kindly coming to discuss business, and what did I get? She wanted to swallow me whole! Two thousand for this batch of goods—my family's savings, worth at least four or five thousand! She certainly has a good plan!"

At this point, his voice lowered even further, almost touching the table: "You know, if I were to transfer cash, I could still get through some channels."

But to travel with a suitcase full of jewels... that's suicidal.

Can they even leave Beijing? Probably not.

Police in various places are cracking down hard; without a legitimate reason, you'll be detained halfway through your journey.

Even if you manage to get through the pass by luck, you'll encounter at least dozens of bandits, thieves, and all sorts of scoundrels along the way.

This journey was even more perilous than the pilgrimage to the West!

"Director He, you have a wide network of connections. Could you help me find out who would dare to take this shipment? I promise you'll be well rewarded if it goes well."

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment, then looked troubled: "At this critical juncture, there are very few people who would want to take on so many jewels in one go..."

However—" He paused, a glint of light suddenly flashing in his eyes, "there is indeed someone who might be able to do it."

"Who?" Manager Huang's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward.

"The steel rolling mill I work at now was originally the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill in Loubancheng."

He is still a shareholder, although he doesn't appear in public often.

Coincidentally, I had cooked two meals at his house years ago, and we struck up a conversation.

He wasn't bragging.

At that time, he was a second-level cook and was temporarily asked to take charge of cooking, and then we lost contact.

Now that I've joined the Third Steel Rolling Mill, I haven't even seen him a few times.

"Lou Bancheng?!" Manager Huang nodded vigorously. "I know him! You really know Chairman Lou?"

"I wouldn't say we're very familiar, but we can talk to each other without any problem," He Yuzhu said casually.

"Director He!" Manager Huang's tone changed, almost pleading.

He Yuzhu raised his hand to interrupt: "Alright, I understand what you mean."

I'll ask around when I have some free time, and I'll contact you directly if I find out.

"That's great!" Manager Huang exclaimed with relief, bowing repeatedly. "Director He, if this really works out, I'll remember this favor."

He's been so worried lately that he can't sleep. He thought he'd either have to let the goods rot in his hands or sell them off at a loss to cut his losses.

Now, hearing about the Lou Bancheng line, it's like a miraculous escape from a desperate situation.

Without solid capital, trying to rebuild your business outside is just a pipe dream.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, then raised their glasses and clinked them together lightly, preparing to part ways.

The moment the wine entered their mouths, they both frowned and spat it all out.

"Holy crap! This isn't liquor; it's clearly just saccharin-infused Niulanshan liquor!"

Niulanshan liquor isn't exactly fancy, but this cup is probably full of water, with barely any alcohol smell. Anyone who drinks it will suffer.

Manager Huang smiled awkwardly: "I'm sorry, Director He, I really didn't expect this place to have degenerated to this extent."

Things were alright a few years ago... but I chose the wrong place.

He scratched his head sheepishly; after all, he was the one who had chosen this tavern.

He Yuzhu waved his hand without saying much, but his mind was in turmoil.

Even with public-private partnerships reaching this point, how can anyone still blatantly cheat ordinary people? Dishes that are about to expire, watered-down drinks – these kinds of outrageous practices are outrageous.

If you actually write a letter of complaint and submit it, none of the employees at the tavern will be able to escape.

He slammed the money on the table decisively, then turned and left.

Manager Huang and He Yushui followed closely behind.

But even after the three of them pushed open the door and left, the shop assistants behind them stood there like wooden stakes, not even lifting their eyelids, as if the stack of banknotes on the table had nothing to do with them.

After leaving the house, Manager Huang said goodbye and left, but He Yuzhu did not go straight home.

He hopped on his bicycle, turned a corner, and headed straight for the Zhengyangmen Subdistrict Office.

The complaint, filed with the complainant's real name and in black and white, lists each point clearly: terrible service, serving nearly expired cold dishes to fool the public, and selling adulterated alcohol as liquor—they are definitely bullying the people!

As the deputy director of the canteen of a state-owned factory with nearly 10,000 employees, personally making a report, how could it be considered insignificant? Even if the neighborhood committee didn't want to get involved, they would have to pretend to investigate.

After dropping He Yushui off at home, it was already late, but He Yuzhu turned around and rode his bicycle to Lou Bancheng's house.

He had been to this road twice before and knew it very well.

Although Lou Bancheng had long since handed over most of his assets, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse; he was still the man who earned the title "Bancheng" (meaning "half-city").

Even if you bundled a hundred Manager Huangs together, they probably wouldn't even be able to touch the gold dust on the threshold of the Lou family's house.

Even now, the Lou family villa still employs two servants.

It wasn't until Lou Xiao'e married Xu Damao that she finally dismissed all the servants, finally finding some peace and quiet.

Under the cover of night, the Lou family mansion, with its high walls of blue bricks and carved iron gates, exudes an indescribable sense of composure and grandeur.

He Yuzhu rang the doorbell, and soon a middle-aged woman came out. She was dressed simply, but her eyes were shrewd.

"Who are you looking for?" she asked.

"He Yuzhu, deputy director of the canteen at the Third Steel Rolling Mill, should see Chairman Lou if he has any business to discuss."

Upon hearing the name, the woman paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Oh, you're Master He! Last time you came to fix the stove, I even cleaned the range hood for you..."

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "It's me. I'm just letting you know because I have something urgent to attend to."

The woman nodded: "Wait a moment." She turned and went into the courtyard.

A moment later, the door creaked open, and she came out to greet him personally: "Master He, the boss is waiting for you in the study, please come in."

After passing through the moon gate and walking along the stone path, He Yuzhu was led to an antique-style study.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door. A deep voice came from inside and said, "Come in."

Pushing open the door, he saw Lou Bancheng sitting behind a mahogany desk, dressed in a dark blue long robe, holding a purple clay teapot in his hand. Upon seeing him, he immediately beamed, "Zhuzi! What a rare guest! How long has it been since you last visited? Since you're here today, you must have a meal before you leave!"

He Yuzhu grinned: "Okay, Chairman Lou, what do you want to eat? I'll be the one cooking, you'll just be the one eating."

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lou Bancheng put down his teacup, his expression slightly somber: "So, you came all this way today not just to freeload a meal, were you? Even though I'm no longer at the factory, I've heard you've been incredibly busy lately."

He Yuzhu didn't mince words: "It's all about serving people. You know, all I've ever done in my life is use a spatula."

I'm here today to ask on behalf of a friend—do you buy a batch of jewelry?

"Oh?" Lou Bancheng raised an eyebrow. "How much?"

"I estimate it's worth four or five thousand yuan."

Lou Bancheng was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I understand."

Is your friend... planning to head south, or perhaps even further?

He Yuzhu was shocked and couldn't help but say, "Chairman Lou, you're amazing! I met him when I was buying medicinal herbs, and I did mention this plan."

"Hmm." Lou Bancheng sighed softly, "Recently, quite a few people have come to see me, all for the same reason."

He paused, then looked up at He Yuzhu: "Okay, let him come and talk."

But... Pillar, what do you think of the world these days?

His tone suddenly lowered, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes: "Old friends are leaving one by one, some have scattered."

Is it really as good outside as they think? I don't believe it.

He Yuzhu pursed his lips and hesitated, "Well... Chairman Lou, I'm not sure either."

The road is made by walking; the key is how you choose to walk it.

After a pause, he added, "But I think you're too idle right now."

"From now on... I'll probably have even more free time."

These words were like a needle, gently piercing Lou Bancheng's heart.

He was silent.

That's right, he's just bored.

He used to be all-powerful, but now he lives a secluded life, with few people even to talk to.

People like him have long since lost their place on this land.

You can either accept your fate and live a quiet life, or you can't find peace of mind and suffer every day.

Even if he were willing to accept his fate, others wouldn't let him off the hook.

The Lou family had been wealthy for generations, living in a mansion with high walls, and at one time even had servants attending to them.

Even leaders never experienced that kind of life, yet Lou Bancheng lived through it for over a decade.

Even if you later dismissed your servants and kept a low profile, people have good memories—your glorious days are already etched in their minds.

If the winds change in the future, the first one to have their table flipped will definitely be someone like him, a "conspicuous bag".

Wealth and status are too conspicuous; they are a sin in themselves.

"Yeah, I'm really bored out of my mind."

Now, the thing I do most is accompany my wife to the movies—but we've already watched those movies eight hundred times over.

Lou Bancheng sighed, a hint of melancholy in his voice, and turned his gaze to He Yuzhu: "Zhuzi, do you think... is there any possibility for me to... take another step forward?"