Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

If he were to be promoted, He Yuzhu would immediately be on equal footing with Bai Danyu.

But as Li Huaide said, He Yuzhu had only been in the factory for a short time and was too young. His rapid rise to prominence would only make people envious.

This merit was genuine, but credit is distributed layer by layer: the technical department took the lead, the factory leaders provided support, and then the logistics and canteen staff came down to the bottom.

As for things like "using food to discipline the big brother," it's best to keep it to yourself; who would dare to openly discuss it and reward those who have done the work?

Before he knew it, it was time to leave work in the afternoon. While others clocked out, packed their bags, and left, He Yuzhu had to keep going until at least 8 p.m.

There were two knocks on the door, the rhythm neither too fast nor too slow.

"Please come in!"

As soon as the door opened, Bai Danyu walked in gracefully.

A simple cheongsam accentuated her mature charm; her waist was slender, and her eyes smiled: "Zhu Zi, did I disturb you?"

She was a little embarrassed when she first called him "Zhu Zi," and her ears turned red with embarrassment.

Now that we call each other that so often, it feels quite natural, carrying an indescribable tenderness within the intimacy.

"Sister Bai is here?" He Yuzhu immediately stood up, smiling as she pulled a lunchbox from the thermos. "I saved this for you a while ago, it's still piping hot."

He lifted the lid, and a wonderful aroma wafted out—golden, crispy egg tarts, and a slice of beef brisket and cheese pizza, with the cheese stretching like lava flowing slowly.

"Foreigners love this. Sister Bai, take it back and let Xiaoying eat it quietly, don't tell anyone."

Bai Danyu took the lunchbox, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against the back of his hand. Her face flushed slightly, and she said softly, "Don't worry, I know my limits." She paused, then asked gently, "Do you stay up this late every day?"

"It's alright, I'll be busy for a while and then it'll pass." He waved his hand dismissively.

"Thank you for your hard work." Her eyes flickered, and she suddenly whispered, "How about coming to my house for dinner this weekend? Bring your sister too, I'll buy some good meat to help you recover..."

Before she finished speaking, a light pink blush rose on her cheeks, like peach blossoms in early spring.

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat.

This Bai Jie... is truly alluring.

No wonder the men in the factory in her past life voted in private on "who is the most charming unmarried widow," and she easily beat Qin Huairu.

"Sister Bai, I can't this week, I have to cook a meal." He smiled. "How about next week? I'll bring some rainwater over, okay?"

"Okay!" Her eyes lit up. "Then I'll have to prepare more meat next week."

By the way, what does rainwater like to eat?

"She can't resist meat, all kinds of meat smell delicious to her." He Yuzhu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "But don't make too much, just enough for the four of us."

"Okay, it's settled then, next Saturday."

The two chatted for a few more minutes about everyday matters. Bai Danyu, thinking of her daughter, got up to take her leave. Before leaving, she turned back and smiled, exuding charm.

As soon as the person left, He Yuzhu also got up and headed straight for the cafeteria.

The highlight of tonight is the fish soup with mutton hot pot prepared for Sharif and his men.

It's not an ordinary pot, but a rich, white broth made by simmering deep-sea fish bones for eight hours. The broth also contains dried tangerine peel, ginger slices, and Shaoxing wine to remove any gamey smell and enhance the flavor.

The mutton is as thin as a cicada's wing, and it curls up as soon as it hits the soup. It is so tender that it almost melts on the tongue.

The dipping sauce is a secret recipe: sesame paste as a base, with fermented bean curd juice, chili oil, chopped cilantro, and a spoonful of the original broth poured over it. The aroma is so enticing that it's sure to make your soul fly away.

What does "fish and mutton delicacy" mean? This is it!

Dinner should be light and refined, but late-night snacks can be enjoyed to one's heart's content.

Tonight's featured dish: charcoal-grilled lamb skewers.

Lamb with alternating layers of fat and lean meat is skewered, sprinkled with cumin, coarse salt, and freshly ground chili powder, and then grilled over fruitwood charcoal.

As the oil dripped, sparks crackled and popped, releasing an aroma that made one's throat tighten.

Sharif ate until he was sweating profusely, wiping his brow as he gave a thumbs-up: "Pillar! This is divine food!"

Even the usually reserved Ivan broke his rule and ate three skewers, muttering as he chewed, "Ten times better than the street food stalls in Moscow."

The most outrageous thing was that after Sharif finished eating, he immediately pulled out a small notebook: "Pillar, give me the recipes for these two dishes! I want to make them when I get back to Polar Bear!"

He Yuzhu laughed and wrote down the recipe for him without saying a word.

Anyway, I'm not afraid of leaks—even if you have the recipe, you can't replicate it if you don't have the skill.

Moreover, the White Bears don't have a soul chef like him who grew up by the stove.

On his way home, Jia Dongxu held it in the whole way, but finally couldn't hold back and exploded:

"Master! Why isn't your name on the list for the machine tool improvement team? You're one of the top seven fitters in our steel rolling mill! You might even get promoted to level eight in the next assessment! Even Uncle Er, a level six forger, made it in, and his skills aren't even half as good as yours!"

Yi Zhonghai walked beside him, his expression also grim.

The other seventh-grade workers each had their own strengths, and he couldn't say anything about it.

Even the sixth-level fitter from the second-level workshop made the list, and Liu Haizhong, that half-baked forging worker, was also on the list... but he, a veteran seventh-level worker who had been doing this for more than ten years, was overlooked?

This isn't a matter of ability; it's a matter of saving face.

This major project, which concerns the factory's future, was left hanging for him—a clear sign of disrespect.

The moment the list was announced, Yi Zhonghai felt like the gazes around him were pricking his back like needles.

No one said it outright, but their eyes clearly showed their doubt—how come you, a dignified level seven fitter, can't even get into a machine tool improvement group? Instead, two level six fitters got in? Is this "level seven" certification too inflated to withstand real testing?

His lips were pursed, but his mind was in turmoil.

Jia Dongxu slammed his hand on the table and lowered his voice, "Master, do you think... it could be Sha Zhu's doing?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment after those words were spoken.

Now, whenever Jia Dongxu encounters something unpleasant, the first person he thinks of is He Yuzhu.

Who told him to move the materials? It must have been Sha Zhu who tripped him up behind the scenes.

Who made him work overtime? It's probably because of that idiot Zhu who complained again.

In his eyes, all the misfortunes in the workshop could be traced back to that damned name.

"Hmm?" Yi Zhonghai raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly somber. "Why are you suddenly saying this?"

Of course, he also wanted He Yuzhu to get out of there, but this matter... how could a deputy director of the canteen interfere with the core projects of the technical department? What a joke.

"I saw it with my own eyes!" Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth. "That day I went to the cafeteria to get food and saw Sha Zhu chatting enthusiastically with a few people from the technical department. He even stuffed a bunch of snacks into their hands, smiling so obsequiously! Who knows how many favors he handed out behind their backs, how many words he whispered in their ear?"

Little did he know, He Yuzhu had simply asked someone to bring Sharif some snacks, just to make a familiar face to him.

But in Jia Dongxu's eyes, it all became evidence of a conspiracy.

"Besides, look how brazen he is now! He swaggeres home every day with his lunchbox; isn't that blatant theft from the factory?"

Yi Zhonghai narrowed his eyes and slowly shook his head: "That's not how it works."

It's reasonable for someone working overtime and not eating in the cafeteria to bring some leftovers home.

But as he was speaking, he paused for a moment.

Lately, the words of the deaf old lady have been echoing in my ears: "To endure, one must be able to endure; to unite, one must be able to win people over."

Only by hiding your henchmen can you deliver a fatal blow.

He stared at Jia Dongxu, his tone suddenly turning cold: "You think it's so easy to touch him? Have you forgotten how Qin Huairu knelt and begged him last time? Do you want Huairu to kowtow too?"

These words were like a blunt knife, stabbing deeply into Jia Dongxu's heart.

He froze, his face turned pale, and he gripped his wine glass tightly.

He never wanted to recall that scene—his own woman, begging He Yuzhu for her son's life.

The shame was like a poisonous vine, binding my internal organs; only drinking alcohol could numb me for a moment.

Yi Zhonghai looked at him and softened his tone: "If we can't bring him down, we shouldn't confront him head-on."

But... it can make him feel bad.

He raised his glass and clinked it lightly: "Let's drink to our hearts' content today."

If you want to drink in the future, come to your master's place. Don't drink cheap liquor alone and harm your health.

Jia Dongxu's eyes were slightly red, and he nodded emphatically: "Master... I understand."

Back at the courtyard house, Yi Zhonghai immediately asked an older woman to buy braised dishes, and then took out a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) that he had treasured.

The wine wasn't the most expensive, but in Jia Dongxu's eyes, it was like heavenly wine—the cheap, bulk liquor he usually drank was harsh and pungent, nothing compared to this mellow and strong liquor.

The peanuts crunch with a bite, and the dried tofu is savory and flavorful.

While they said they were drinking, Jia Dongxu was actually just filling his stomach.

His family was always struggling to make ends meet, and a full meal was a luxury. But his master's place allowed him to temporarily forget his hunger.

After a few rounds of drinks, Yi Zhonghai subtly sent the older woman away, asking her to visit the deaf old lady.

When men drink, they should talk behind closed doors.

He leaned closer, his voice low and sinister: "Dongxu, we can't take his position, but we can ruin his reputation."

"He's not young anymore, he'll be getting married soon."

You tell me... if all the neighbors say he's of bad character, has a bad heart, and takes advantage of public resources, which girl would dare marry him? Which mother-in-law would agree to marry him?

Jia Dongxu's eyes lit up.

"Your mother should go out more often, chat with the neighbors, and keep an eye on the three aunties."

Their family used to be close to Sha Zhu, but they were kicked out of the picture and were furious.

"If your mom provokes you even slightly, she'll jump out and start yelling."

"Besides those bachelors from Old Wang's family, who in the courtyard is truly close to Sha Zhu? I've been slowly building relationships with him lately. Once the rumors start spreading from our courtyard, the neighboring courtyards will naturally follow suit."

"Think about it, back when Qin Huairu's parents came from the countryside to inquire about the Jia family, didn't I praise you so much that we got engaged? Now it's the other way around—once Sha Zhu's reputation is ruined, no one will dare to propose marriage!"

In the time it takes to drink a few cups of wine, the wicked plan has been accomplished.

The night breeze outside was slightly cool, while the air inside was thick with the aroma of alcohol.

The two exchanged a smile, the remaining wine in their glasses reflecting the dim lamplight, like a pool of murky calculation.

"Wonderful, Master! I'll go tell my mom right away!"

Jia Dongxu's eyes lit up, as if he had found a knife that could strangle Sha Zhu.

His proudest achievement was having both a son and a daughter, but if Sha Zhu were to get married, his sense of superiority would immediately vanish.

We must ruin his reputation and destroy his chances of getting married!