Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide immediately seized the opportunity: "Don't worry, Zhuzi, the steel mill will definitely not treat you unfairly! Your contributions will be remembered, and you'll receive generous compensation!"

After speaking, he turned to the professors and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, I urgently need to speak with Zhu Zi. Could you lend him your services for a moment?"

"Go ahead, go ahead," someone said with a laugh and a wave. "They're yours, we can't take them away."

Professor Wang sighed with a hint of regret, put away the items in his hands, carefully compiled today's findings, and prepared to go back and organize them into a book before submitting them to his superiors.

"Director He, thank you so much!"

As soon as they stepped out of Lou's house, Manager Huang grabbed He Yuzhu's hand, his eyes filled with gratitude.

If it weren't for him connecting us, this batch of ancestral jewelry would have lost at least two thousand yuan—that's an entire two-courtyard house! It would have been a complete waste!

He Yuzhu waved his hand and said casually, "Don't be so polite, it was no trouble at all."

Besides, the item itself is of high quality, which is why Chairman Lou was willing to accept it.

"You can't say that!" Manager Huang shook his head, lowering his voice slightly. "Without your introduction, I wouldn't even know which way to open Chairman Lou's door!"

With no one around and the street corner deserted, he quickly pulled a deep red brocade box from his pocket and shoved it into He Yuzhu's hand without saying a word.

"This is a little trinket left to me by my grandfather. It's not very valuable, but it's quite old."

You must accept this; otherwise, I'll feel terrible about it.

He Yuzhu frowned and immediately pushed it back: "Manager Huang, I'm not helping you for that reason."

"I understand." Manager Huang gave a wry smile, but his eyes were exceptionally firm. "But I'm about to leave, and time is running out... If I could stay, I would definitely make you my true friend."

This thing isn't worth much. If you don't take it, then you're looking down on me!

Before he finished speaking, he forcefully stuffed the brocade box into He Yuzhu's pocket, his strength carrying a hint of determination.

He sighed, looked at the gray walls and old alley in the distance, and said in a low voice, "If I hadn't been so unwilling to let the things passed down from my ancestors die out in my hands, I wouldn't have had to leave my hometown... Thanks to you, the things have finally been dealt with."

You can simply change the locks next month.

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat: "Leaving already?"

"Everything that needed to be done has been mostly done, and we can wrap it up in a few days." Manager Huang cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his expression sincere. "Thank you so much for your help this time, Director He."

"For someone else, it would take at least three to five months to get it done."

"Then... take care on your journey," He Yuzhu said softly.

"Goodbye." Manager Huang smiled, turned around, and disappeared around the corner of the alley.

He Yuzhu flipped himself onto the bicycle, pushed off with his feet, and the bicycle glided lightly far away.

As the wind whistled past his ears, he suddenly recalled the scene before he left the Lou family—Lou Bancheng stood under the porch, his expression complex, hesitant to speak, and finally only said in a low voice: "Come over next week and cook a Tan family meal."

Presumably, he was moved by what Manager Huang did.

A young man so much younger than himself was unwilling to sit idly by and squander his fortune, preferring to travel far away to seek a living; but what about him? He donated half of his family's wealth and is now living a life of retirement in this city.

He Yuzhu knew in his heart that this once powerful "Lou Bancheng" was no longer content with such a leisurely life.

A year ago, he could still go to the steel rolling mill and use his position as a private director to run his office; but now? The workers are in charge, and the Ministry of Industry is keeping a tight rein on him. Apart from receiving dividends, he can hardly move an inch in the factory.

The same applies to other industries; they have no say or influence.

Besides fishing and watching movies to pass the time, what else can you do?

Such days may seem peaceful on the surface, but in reality, they feel like being cut with a dull knife.

When Lou Bancheng met Manager Huang today, he was probably reminded of his younger self—once full of passion and once making a name for himself.

That's why I suddenly decided to have him cook Tan Family Cuisine next week.

The food was just a pretense; the real purpose was to have a heart-to-heart talk.

More importantly, he still had his daughter in his heart.

After several encounters, Lou Bancheng understood clearly: He Yuzhu was capable, reliable, and came from a clean background; he was someone who could be entrusted with important tasks.

With a good meal as a foundation, feelings naturally develop.

He Yuzhu returned home, took out the brocade box, and gently lifted the lid—

His pupils contracted instantly.

The icy green jadeite pendant lay quietly on the red velvet cloth, its entire body clear and its green color flowing like a spring. When the sunlight shone on it, it seemed as if water could drip out.

The carving is exquisite, with smooth lines and a profound artistic conception.

From the perspective of a master woodcarver, it scores seven or eight out of ten, making it a rare masterpiece.

This thing isn't exactly priceless, but it's more than enough to buy two houses.

The current market price starts at three or four hundred, and it will only rise in the future.

In addition, it is an heirloom, and its age adds up to double its collectible value.

"Manager Huang...you're going too far."

He Yuzhu muttered to himself, but he knew in his heart: this gift could not be returned.

If we back down, it would be a slap in the face to the people of Beijing, and it would damage our friendship.

Without further hesitation, he put the brocade box into his system space and placed it carefully.

Just as they finished putting things away, there was a creak outside, and He Yushui poked her head in: "Brother, did you get my clothes back?"

"Oops!" He Yuzhu slapped his forehead, almost jumping up. "I forgot, I forgot! You wait, I'll go right now, and I'll definitely get it back for you today!"

I was so focused on studying that jade that I completely forgot about this.

He asked her if she wanted to come along, but she shook her head. So he got back on the carriage, and the wheels rolled over the cobblestone road, heading straight for the silk shop.

Not long after, He Yuzhu rode his old bicycle to the entrance of Xue Ru Silk Shop.

He tilted the handlebars to one side, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and deftly set up the frame. He took out the receipt from his pocket, pushed open the door, and went inside.

"Oh, isn't this Director He, gracing us with his presence?"

Chen Xueru was standing in front of the counter, examining the newly arrived silks. Her fingertips flicked and twitched, making the silk rustle.

Upon seeing that it was He Yuzhu, she raised the corners of her lips slightly, but her tone was sarcastic and her voice trailed off with a low, cold laugh.

In the past, she would never have dared to speak to a customer like that. But these past few days, Manager Huang hadn't replied, and seeing that the deal was almost certainly off, she was seething with anger—she hadn't made any money and had even offended someone; this deal was such a loss! A wave of bitterness washed over her, and her words became barbed.

He Yuzhu raised an eyebrow and said directly, "Manager Chen, I didn't step on your doorstep to offend you. It's not appropriate for you to take your anger out on me, is it?"

"Hey, Director He," she suddenly leaned forward, her voice low, almost touching him, "I have a question for you—has Manager Huang contacted you recently?"

The fragrance is irresistible, a sweet and cloying scent of gardenia perfume that makes your ears tingle.

He Yuzhu turned slightly to the side, subtly creating half a foot of distance, and said calmly, "I know what you want to ask."

But to tell you the truth—it's over.

"You bargained too hard; they'll just sell it to someone else right away."

His gaze swept across her face, and he sighed inwardly: This woman is really good-looking, with alluring eyes and brows, but sometimes she's as shrewd as a fox, and other times she's so stupid that it leaves you speechless.

Manager Huang was in a hurry to get money to go abroad and settle down, but she did the opposite, cutting him in half and forcing him to leave.

This isn't business, it's making enemies!

"Fine, I knew it wouldn't work out." Chen Xueru bit her lip, her voice weakening. "But how can I, a woman running a shop, survive if I don't save every penny?"

He Yuzhu shook his head: "Saving money is one thing, but it depends on the time."

This isn't doing business; it's just blacklisting people.

"If Manager Huang hadn't been so determined to leave and hadn't stayed in Beijing, he would have been the first one to cause you trouble—he'd hold a grudge for life!"

These words were like a needle, piercing her heart.

A thought flashed through her mind: the look in Manager Huang's eyes when he turned to leave that day—cold, angry, and with a hint of barely concealed hatred.

Her hand suddenly tightened, and she instinctively grabbed He Yuzhu's sleeve, her fingertips trembling slightly: "Director He... will Manager Huang still be able to go abroad?"

"Sigh—" He Yuzhu drawled, pausing deliberately to whet the appetite before slowly adding, "I guess... he'll be able to get out."

Chen Xueru almost choked on her breath, her chest heaving, and she nearly passed out.

But seeing the wicked smile on his lips, he immediately realized he had been tricked.

"Fine, you!" She raised her hand and slapped him on the arm, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of flirtatious anger as she glared at him. "Just you wait! I haven't even picked up the clothes I made for you yet!"

He turned and went into the back room, and soon came out with a light blue cloth bag. As he handed it over, he added, "By the way, Manager Xu from the tavern asked me to thank you."

"Thank me?" He Yuzhu was taken aback. "I don't know her."

"You don't recognize her? But you saved her." Chen Xueru smiled, finally winning the argument. "If it weren't for your real-name report, would that black-hearted Gong Fang have been reported by the neighborhood committee? Now Xu Huizhen is back in charge, and the tavern is alive again."

There was a hint of amusement in her words; after all, she had just been startled and was now finally getting some retribution.

"Oh?" He Yuzhu scoffed. "You sell fake liquor to cheat ordinary people, and you still have your eye on me? If you really come looking for trouble, I don't mind rubbing him in the mud again."

How many powerful backers can a company manager who can't even handle complaints have?

His tone was nonchalant, but his eyes revealed a ruthless intent: "Want to mess with me? Come and try at the steel mill—I can get rid of him in less than three days."

"If you dare to play dirty tricks? Unless you come to my door with a gun, you won't even catch a glimpse of me."

Chen Xueru's lips twitched as she listened, her teeth itching with anger, yet she was helpless.

She quickly wrapped the clothes up tightly, shoved them into his arms, and said in a sharp tone, "Fine, fine, you win! Don't come here to buy fabric again!"

"Tsk, not bad, I'll come again next time." He Yuzhu weighed the bundle in his hand, his smile smug.

"If you come again, I'll raise the price!" she shouted, sticking her neck out.

He Yuzhu left without looking back, waving his hand and leaving her alone at the shop entrance, glaring and sulking, muttering "annoying" under her breath, but knowing in her heart that this advantage was somewhat unrealistic.