Courtyard House: Starting as a mediocre engineer

In the blink of an eye, National Day has arrived.

Two years ago, in 1959, on the joyous occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the 10th military parade was held, which was also the last grand military parade in the early days of the PRC. The next one would be the 1984 military parade, the most fierce and imposing military parade in history.

However, even without the grand military parade, there are still many celebratory activities in the square, and the people will form performance teams.

At the head of these formations were railway and steelworkers. Worker representatives were also selected from steel rolling mills.

Interestingly, the steelworkers would wear black clothing, even deliberately painting their faces and arms black. Like crows, they were jokingly referred to by the people of Beijing as the "Black Sea Fleet."

It's just that the people in the courtyard houses are rather disappointing; they don't even get a single chance to be selected. Maybe it's because... their looks aren't good enough?

Fortunately, someone good-looking showed up today. To be more precise, there were actually four people: a young woman and her parents, and a matchmaker. They had come specifically to meet He Yuzhu for a blind date.

In He Yushui's house across the street, a group of women were looking around curiously while gossiping.

"Rain, your brother should be able to make it this time, right?"

"I don't know? With my brother being so picky, I'm so anxious!"

"That's true. If you can't even find this to your liking, do you expect to find a celestial fairy?"

"Maybe Sha Zhu has unusual tastes? He doesn't like Zhu Bajie's second aunt, but prefers the Bull Demon King's third sister?"

Amid the laughter, someone whispered, "Did you know? That girl's family wasn't well-off. Her mother remarried, taking her with her."

"Oh? So that man was her stepfather?"

"Yes! Later, they had several more children. And their reputation wasn't very good. I heard they were asking for an exorbitant dowry, and several of their marriages fell through."

"So that's how it is. No wonder that girl looked so pretty, but ended up being the one with Sha Zhu."

In this era, people generally didn't move around much, and social circles were basically fixed. Therefore, a bad reputation could easily lead to social annihilation. And rumors would spread incredibly fast, especially through women's underground gossip channels.

"Hey, what's that girl's character like?"

"I heard she's alright. She's just never been to school and has been staying home taking care of her younger siblings. She doesn't even have a job yet. And her stepfather has said that anyone who gives him 500 yuan can take her away, and then they'll have nothing to do with their family anymore!"

"Huh? Isn't that selling your daughter? She doesn't even have a family to rely on? Rainwater, tell your brother not to do anything foolish, isn't this a trap?"

"I don't know? You should know how stubborn my brother is; he's very opinionated."

"What will you do with your dowry then?"

"I don't know!"

"..."

Amidst the chattering, the women suddenly saw Zhuang Zhongchen enter the courtyard carrying several large packages. They quickly opened the window: "Chenzi, what are you carrying?"

"I just went to the post office; it's a package someone else sent."

"Who sent it?"

"Those two friends who stayed at my house a few days ago. After they went back, they sent me some local specialties."

"Local specialties? Let's go take a look."

Zhuang Zhongchen: "..."

People these days don't seem to have much of a sense of boundaries, which made Zhuang Zhongchen a little uncomfortable. But then he thought, "They're just some local specialties, might as well take a look!"

However, upon opening the first package, a scream of "Wow!" rang out. Inside was a wind-dried chicken, two salted fish, and a large piece of ham.

Setting the ham aside, Zhuang Zhongchen smiled and said, "Yushui, give this to Zhuzi later and have him help divide it up. One piece for each family in our courtyard."

"Why give it to Sha Zhu?"

"How fresh! Is he the chef? Only he can divide it evenly."

"Then we'll have to wait. Sha Zhu is on a blind date right now."

"Really? Where did this girl come from?"

"Listen to me! That girl is..."

"Hurry! Chenzi, don't stop! Open the next one quickly!"

"Alright, ladies, make way! The moment to witness a miracle has arrived!"

"Wow--!"

You know what, opening blind boxes is actually quite fun; it's all about the thrill. Zhuang Zhongchen and the girls were having a blast, and soon they had opened all the packages.

But seeing these local specialties, Zhuang Zhongchen was somewhat surprised. Those two seemed very generous; these things must cost 1 or 200 yuan, right? Why didn't they just pay directly? Thumbs down!

"Hey, save half of the sunflower seeds and peanuts, and help make some fried peanuts for everyone to enjoy. You can also take a few milk candies to sweeten the kids' mouths."

"Chenzi, what's this?"

"This looks like sago pearls, doesn't it? Louzi has probably eaten them before, right?"

"Yes, I have eaten it, but I don't know how to cook it."

"Well, there's nothing I can do then. I wanted to let you guys try it out. Let's ask Zhu Zi later!"

That's how it was during that time; whatever good things came up, the neighbors would generally share them.

"Chenzi, where are your two friends from? They're quite generous."

"It was so-so! I just helped them a little bit."

But just then, a loud "bang" was heard, and He Yuzhu rushed out of the house excitedly: "Uncle, Aunt, I'll show you a few tricks today, I promise you'll eat and drink well."

"Isn't this too extravagant?"

"Don't mention it. It was no trouble at all. I'm just the cook. From now on, you'll be our elders, and we'll be family."

"Alright then! We can rest assured now that we've entrusted our eldest daughter to you."

"Hahaha."

Zhuang Zhongchen immediately perked up his ears, and they exchanged a puzzled look.

"Hey, can someone go and find out if Sha Zhu really succeeded this time?"

"It should be done, right? Rain, come quick, let's go over there first."

A short while later, several women returned furtively, excitedly reporting the latest intelligence.

"It's definitely done. I heard that Sha Zhu will give a dowry of 650 yuan."

"No, wait a minute, wasn't it 500 yuan just now?"

"Who knows? I'm wondering the same thing, why are the bride price prices getting higher and higher?"

"No wonder he's called 'Silly Pillar,' he's bewitched, isn't he? He can't resist pretty girls."

"No way! Where would Sha Zhu get that much money? He couldn't possibly come up with it even if he sold everything he owned!"

"I already asked Shazhu, and he's planning to borrow money from the people in the yard!"

"what?"

"It seems he also promised the girl that he wouldn't ask for a dowry, and would even buy her a watch and a bicycle."

"what?"

At this moment, Zhuang Zhongchen and Qin Huairu exchanged glances discreetly. Compared to the original plot, it's hard to tell whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.

But in any case, He Yuzhu's problem of finding a wife has finally been resolved. From now on, there will be no more hidden dangers regarding Qin Huairu.