Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house): Starting with the Korean War, returning home to take charge

When He Yuzhu entered, He Yushui was squatting in the yard washing clothes.

She was wearing a faded floral blouse, sleeves rolled up to her elbows, her hands soaking in a basin, scrubbing them until they were covered in soap suds. Hearing the door open, she looked up, paused for a moment, then wiped her hands on her apron, stood up, and ran.

"elder brother!"

She ran over and buried her face in He Yuzhu's arms.

He Yuzhu was knocked back a step by her, almost dropping what he was holding. He freed one hand and placed it on the back of her head.

"Alright, alright, how old are you and you're still like this?"

He Yushui buried her face in his chest, and muffled sounds came out.

"You haven't been back for six months."

He Yuzhu didn't say anything, and only handed the package over after she looked up.

"I brought this for you."

He Yushui took it, opened it, and saw a box of pastries from Daoxiangcun, and a new jacket, blue with white flowers, neatly folded.

Her eyes lit up.

"For me?"

He Yuzhu nodded.

He Yushui unfolded the jacket, held it up against herself, and beamed with joy.

"Brother, you're so kind."

Just then, Jia Zhangshi came out of the house, carrying a basin to fetch water. When she saw He Yuzhu, she paused, her expression changed, and then she lowered her head and walked past him.

He Yushui watched her walk away, then lowered her voice.

"Brother, she's much more obedient now. The police came and warned her that if she says anything out of line again, they'll arrest her."

He Yuzhu hummed in agreement.

"Where is Yu Li?"

He Yushui gestured towards the Jia family's direction with her lip.

"He's indoors. He doesn't go out much, and he doesn't talk much either."

He Yuzhu didn't ask any more questions.

That evening, Yan Bugui knocked on the door.

He stood at the door, a smile on his face, carrying two bottles of wine in his hand.

"Zhu Zi, are you home? Uncle San will treat you to a drink."

He Yuzhu looked at the two bottles of wine, then looked at him.

"Third Uncle, is something the matter?"

Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to chat with you. It's rare for you to come back."

He Yuzhu nodded and went with him.

The Yan family's house was quite clean, and there were four dishes on the table: a plate of peanuts, a plate of scrambled eggs, a plate of smashed cucumber, and a plate of braised beef. It looked quite presentable. Yan Bugui opened the wine, poured a glass for He Yuzhu, and poured one for himself as well.

"Come on, Pillar, let's have one first."

He Yuzhu picked up his cup and took a sip.

Yan Bugui put down his wine glass, picked up a peanut and put it in his mouth. As he chewed, he started to speak.

"Zhu Zi, you know a lot of people and have many connections outside. Uncle San has something he'd like to ask you for help with."

He Yuzhu looked at him.

"What is it?"

Yan Bugui moved forward a little.

"Yan Jiecheng, you know my eldest son. He's been working at the subdistrict office for two years, but he hasn't been promoted yet. You know a lot of people, could you put in a good word for him?"

He Yuzhu put down his wine glass.

"Uncle, I can't get involved in the neighborhood committee's affairs."

Yan Bugui's smile froze for a moment.

"You can't get involved? Aren't you familiar with all those high-ranking leaders? It's just a matter of saying a few words."

He Yuzhu shook his head.

"We may be familiar with each other, but business is business. If he's truly capable, he'll be promoted without me saying anything. If he's not capable, it won't make a difference whether I say anything or not."

Yan Bugui's smile vanished.

He was silent for a moment, then picked up his glass and took a sip.

"Zhu Zi, I'm begging you this once, and you still won't listen?"

He Yuzhu looked at him.

"Uncle, when I joined the army, I signed up myself. Did he register with the neighborhood committee himself?"

Yan Bugui was stunned for a moment.

"Reported."

He Yuzhu nodded.

"Then we'll wait. We'll wait for the allocation."

Yan Bugui did not speak again.

The table fell silent for a few seconds.

Yan Jiecheng came out of the inner room, stood at the door, and looked at He Yuzhu.

"Brother Zhu, you're right. I registered myself, so I should just wait. Don't bother me."

He turned around and went back.

Yan Bugui watched his retreating figure, opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.

When He Yuzhu came out of the Yan family's house, it was already completely dark.

The moon hung in the east, casting a white glow over the courtyard. He walked to the deaf old woman's door; it was open, and she sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), still clutching the string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand.

He went inside.

"Grandma, aren't you asleep yet?"

The old lady looked up at him.

"The pillar is back?"

He Yuzhu sat down next to her.

"I'm back."

The old woman reached out and touched his face. Her hand was still so cold, with large, calloused knuckles.

"You've lost weight."

He Yuzhu didn't say anything.

The old lady pulled her hand back, gripped the prayer beads, and started to move them one by one.

"Zhu Zi, there's something Grandma needs to tell you."

He Yuzhu looked at her.

The old lady looked up, her eyes shining slightly in the dim light.

"You should settle down and start a family."

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment.

"Grandma, I..."

The old lady waved her hand.

"Don't tell me you're busy. No matter how busy you are, you still have to settle down and start a family. The rains are getting heavier, and you'll be getting married eventually. What about you? Are you going to spend your whole life alone?"

He Yuzhu didn't say anything.

The old lady looked at him.

"I think that Miss Qin is quite nice. She's been here twice, doesn't talk much, and is very honest. If you have no objections, then you can finalize the deal."

He Yuzhu's face turned a little red.

"Grandma, this matter... isn't urgent."

The old lady glared at him.

"Not in a hurry? How old are you? Twenty-four. How long has that girl been waiting for you?"

He Yuzhu fell silent.

The old lady put down her prayer beads and took his hand.

"Zhuzi, Grandma is getting old and doesn't have many years left. I just want to see you get married and see Yushui marry a good man. Don't keep Grandma waiting too long."

He Yuzhu held her hand.

"Grandma, I understand."

Back in her room, He Yushui was still awake.

She lay face down on the kang (a heated brick bed), her new jacket neatly folded and placed beside her pillow. Seeing He Yuzhu enter, she turned over.

"Brother, what did Grandma say to you?"

He Yuzhu sat down next to her.

"It's nothing."

He Yushui smiled.

"They're definitely pressuring you to get married."

He Yuzhu looked at her.

How did you know?

He Yushui blinked.

"I guessed."

He Yuzhu didn't say anything.

He Yushui sat up and looked at him.

"Brother, Sister Qin is a really nice girl. If you like her, you should marry her as soon as possible."

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment.

"you……"

He Yushui smiled.

"I can tell. She likes you, and you like her too."

He Yuzhu did not refute.

He Yushui pulled a slip of paper from under her pillow and handed it to him.

"Oh, by the way, Sister Qin asked me to pass on a message to you."

He Yuzhu took it and unfolded it.

The note had only one line: Tomorrow at 3 PM, Beihai Park, I'll be waiting for you at the entrance.

He stared at the line of text for several seconds.

He Yushui chuckled to herself.

He Yuzhu folded the note and put it in his pocket.

The moon is very bright outside the window.