Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 47 Chance Encounter
Led by Lou Zhenhua's enthusiasm, the meal was very enjoyable.

period.

Lou Zhenhua asked some questions, and Li Hongbing responded appropriately, without sharing any views from later generations or showing off his knowledge of the present era in an attempt to gain Lou Zhenhua's attention and appreciation.

Even if this were the first time he had met Lou Zhenhua, Li Hongbing would not have planned to do this, no matter how many times they met.

Although Lou Zhenhua is currently quite successful and Li Hongbing has saved Lou Xiao'e's life, he doesn't intend to get too close to them, since they still bear the mark of capitalists.

As for Lou Xiao'e...

Although the two are only three or four years apart in age, she is still just a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl, and Li Hongbing cannot have any romantic feelings for her.

Even if Li Hongbing needs to find a wife in a few years, Lou Xiao'e and the Lou family will not be the best choice.

Given their status, they were destined to move south in the future.

If they don't flee, the future outcome is predictable.

If he really married Lou Xiao'e, when trouble came, he would either have to run away with them or choose to "sacrifice family for the greater good," otherwise he would not have an easy time.

If Li Hongbing were to simply walk away, he himself would be fine, but his older sister, Li Hongmei, would suffer the consequences.

Moreover.

Hong Kong Island in the 1960s and 70s was not actually that safe.

Li Hongbing did not intend to take any risks, nor did he want to implicate those around him.

Moreover, Li Hongbing could sense that Lou Xiao'e might have feelings for him now, but it was mostly gratitude for saving her life, and there was no possibility that she would repay his kindness with her body.

More importantly.

The two sides are currently not equal in status and position.

Lou Xiao'e is not yet of marriageable age, and even in order to align herself with the working class, Lou Zhenhua has no intention of finding a son-in-law, and Li Hongbing is even less likely to be presumptuous.

"Young Master Li, are you planning to go back or something? If you are, we can give you a ride if you don't mind."

After a satisfying meal, Lou Zhenhua suggested that they "see it through to the end."

"Then I'll have to trouble Director Lou."

Li Hongbing did not refuse.

Luan Xuetang just announced that he would be given a day off today, so Li Hongbing naturally wouldn't ask to work overtime.

He was worried about how he would get back later!
After all, Lou Zhenhua had sent quite a few gifts to express his gratitude, and it was a bit of a struggle for him to carry them all out by himself.

Although there is system space, its use still needs to be done discreetly; it's not a system without any restrictions.

soon.

As the group went out, a black car was already parked at the door.

This car did not belong to Lou Zhenhua personally; it was a car specially prepared for him at the steel rolling mill.

As a major capitalist, Lou Zhenhua naturally couldn't possibly be without a car, but not long after liberation, he voluntarily donated it.

Not only that.

While actively cooperating with and responding to the policies from above, Lou Zhenhua, in order to reduce the "exploitative" nature of his capitalist work, also gave his servants and cooks a considerable severance pay and "released" them.

Because of the covert assistance before liberation and the active support for policies after liberation, the higher authorities naturally could not "discard the millstone after it has served its purpose."

Simultaneously.

This was also to send a signal to the outside world, so the Lou family was given enough respect and care.

His position as a director of the steel rolling mill and this dedicated car are part of the aforementioned "reciprocal favor".

Lou Zhenhua now uses this car openly, after all, it was something he paid a considerable price for.

It's not just about dignity and honor.

In some ways, it's also a talisman.

After getting in the car.

Li Hongbing gave the address and then drove towards Nanluoguxiang in Dongcheng District.

He didn't talk much along the way.

After all, even if they are no longer strangers, they have only known each other for a short time.

"arrive."

"Thank you, Director Lou."

"You're welcome."

"Xiao Zheng, could you help me take these things inside?"

"..."

The car drove into the alley, and Lou Zhenhua instructed the driver to take Li Hongbing directly to the entrance of the courtyard house. Lou Zhenhua made no move to get out of the car, and Li Hongbing did not offer to invite him in for a seat or a cup of tea.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, both sides understood the unspoken agreement.

At this point, the Lou family's act of repaying their debt of gratitude was nearing its end.

The gift of gratitude given by the Lou family was quite substantial.

Compared to owing favors, this is the outcome Lou Zhenhua would most like to see.

Li Hongbing had no other intentions, nor did he want to push his luck and want more, nor did he intend to get too involved with the Lou family.

Under normal circumstances.

Given their current identities, it would be difficult for either of them to cross paths if it weren't for the previous accidental drowning.

There are indeed a lot of things; we can't carry them all at once.

Li Hongbing, too lazy to make another trip, did not refuse Lou Zhenhua's final offer.

only.

As soon as Li Hongbing entered the courtyard, the women who were "staying behind" in the courtyard immediately erupted in excitement.

"Hongbing, what's going on with you?"

"My goodness, why did you buy so much stuff again?"

"How much does all this stuff cost?"

"By the way, didn't you just rest yesterday? Don't you have to work today?"

"Hongbing, who is this...?"

"..."

This situation was clearly within Li Hongbing's expectations.

However, when all this happened, Li Hongbing still felt a buzzing in his ears.

These middle-aged women are so loud and boisterous.

The women chattered amongst themselves, and before Li Hongbing could find a chance to explain, many people from the middle and back courtyards heard the commotion in the front courtyard and rushed over.

some of.

This naturally includes Xu Fugui's wife, the current aunt Tao Cuilan.

"Xiao Zheng, what brings you here?"

Amidst the cacophony of voices, Tao Cuilan was quite surprised to recognize Lou Zhenhua's driver.

Tao Cuilan was originally one of the servants of the Lou family. Although she had been dismissed, she had visited the Lou family quite often in the past three years.

Having grown accustomed to a comfortable life, the absence of a cook meant that Lou Zhenhua and his family could still eat out, so it didn't have a significant impact.

But with no one to clean and tidy the house, they have to do many things themselves, which is quite a challenge for them.

Tao Cuilan seized this opportunity, visiting from time to time, using the pretext of catching up with Lou's mother, to take the initiative to help clean and tidy the house, taking on all the chores.

Nominally.

Tao Cuilan was no longer a servant of the Lou family. She did these things entirely "voluntarily," so even if others wanted to find fault with her, it would be difficult for them to do so.

The Lou family tacitly approved of her actions and often let her bring back some nice things.

During these three years, although Tao Cuilan did not have a formal job, her actual income was no less than that of Xu Fugui, the man in charge of the household.

They come and go frequently.

Madam Lou and Tao Cuilan, the former mistress and servant, established an even closer relationship.

Tao Cuilan was very familiar with the Lou family's every move, and naturally she also knew the Lou family's driver.

The other party's appearance was bound to surprise and cause Tao Cuilan to overthink.

"Xiao Zheng, does Madam Lou want to see me?"

Tao Cuilan, who had just come from the backyard, did not know that the other party had come in with Li Hongbing. She thought that Madam Lou had sent someone to find her, so a misunderstanding arose.

"No, I am..."

"Are Mr. Lou, Mrs. Lou, and Miss Lou outside right now?"

"Wait... what did you just say?"

"Was it him who saved the young lady?"

"Hongbing, was that you that day?"

"..."

(End of this chapter)