He Yuyang: The tough eldest brother of the courtyard house

In the late summer of 1956, the locust trees in Nanluoguxiang, Beijing, were a deep, vibrant green. The cicadas' desperate chirping filled the courtyard, making the afternoon heat even more oppressive. He Yuzhu came in from outside, clutching his arm. The sleeve of his coarse cloth jacket was torn, and blood seeped through. His face also bore several scratches, making him look disheveled and frustrated.

"Who did he fight with this time?" Liu Yan was sitting in the yard picking vegetables when she saw her son's appearance. The green beans in her hand fell into the basket with a "thud." She quickly got up and went inside to get the first-aid kit. "How many times have I told you not to get angry with those people in the yard? Why don't you listen?"

"Mom, this time it's really not my fault!" He Yuzhu shouted, her voice filled with grievance. "That bastard Jia Dongxu blocked my way at the door, saying that my brother is a high-ranking official in Baoding and has forgotten about the neighbors, and he even insulted my sister-in-law..."

Before she could finish speaking, the door to the east wing creaked open, and Madam Jia poked her head out, fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan. She said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, where did Zhuzi get upset? Coming home to throw a tantrum at your mother? No wonder, some people, once they climb the social ladder, forget who they are. They don't care about the well-being of the neighbors anymore!"

"Shut up!" He Yuzhu was so angry that his face turned red. He raised his hand to rush over, but Liu Yan held him back tightly.

"Say less!" Liu Yan glared at her son, then looked at Jia Zhangshi, "Aunt Zhang, we elders shouldn't interfere in the children's affairs. Let the young people resolve any misunderstandings between Dongxu and Zhuzi."

"A misunderstanding?" Madam Jia tucked her palm-leaf fan into her waistband, strode to the middle of the courtyard, slapped her thigh, and shouted, "My Dongxu was fired from the factory and can't even afford a meal. Meanwhile, He Yuyang is enjoying a life of luxury in Baoding, married to a city woman, living in a small villa. Does he even remember our dilapidated courtyard neighbors? His wife, Xu Xiuli, used to be friendly with everyone when she taught at Hongxing Elementary School, but now that she's a military officer's wife, she probably doesn't even want to step foot in this alley anymore!"

Her voice was shrill and loud, attracting the attention of the neighbors on both sides, who opened their doors. The third auntie stood at the doorway with a washbasin, wanting to intervene but hesitant; Liu Haizhong, pipe in hand, squinted at the commotion; Yi Zhonghai came out of his house, frowning, and said, "Aunt Zhang, Yu Yang is serving the country in the army, not enjoying a life of leisure. Your Dongxu was fired because he got into a fight at the factory; what does that have to do with Yu Yang?"

"How can it not matter?" Jia Zhangshi's eyes widened. "If He Yuyang hadn't said a few bad things about Dongxu at the factory back then, would Dongxu have been targeted by the leaders? Now look at him, he's risen to prominence and doesn't care about the lives of us neighbors anymore!"

Hearing these unreasonable words, He Yuzhu became furious and struggled to reason with her, but Liu Yan held his arm tightly, pulling at his wound and causing him to hiss in pain.

This scene was witnessed by He Yuyang, who had just entered the courtyard. He had come back to Beijing on a business trip, carrying some Baoding pickles for his mother and younger brother. He hadn't expected to witness this farce as soon as he entered. He frowned, handed the things to Liu Yan who came to greet him, and said in a calm but authoritative voice, "Mother, Zhuzi, come inside."

When Jia Zhangshi saw He Yuyang return, she was taken aback for a moment, then straightened her back even more, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Oh, the main character is back? He Yuyang, you finally decided to come back to see your poor mother and your stupid brother? Let me tell you, my Dongxu has lost his job, and you have to give me an explanation!"

He Yuyang ignored her and went straight to He Yuzhu, pulling his arm to examine the wound. The scratches were deep and long, oozing blood, clearly inflicted by someone's fingernails. "Who did this?" he asked, his eyes turning cold.

"Who else could it be?" He Yuzhu gritted his teeth. "That bastard Jia Dongxu struck first, and his mother took his side and grabbed me."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi immediately jumped up: "You're talking nonsense! You were the one who hit my Dongxu first, and you pushed me when I tried to break up the fight!" As she spoke, she moved closer to He Yuyang, trying to act like a spoiled brat.

He Yuyang stepped aside, his gaze falling on her gleaming nails, and said calmly, "Aunt Zhang, Zhu Zi's injury is here. Where is yours? Should we go to the police station to get it checked?"

Jia Zhangshi felt uneasy under his gaze, but she retorted sharply, "Fine, let's do the test! Do you think I'm afraid of you? You think you can bully people just because you're a low-ranking officer in the army? Let me tell you, this is Beijing, not your military camp in Baoding!"

"I never bully anyone, but I won't let anyone bully my family either." He Yuyang's voice wasn't loud, but it instantly quieted down the noisy courtyard. "Dongxu was fired because he got into a fight with someone at the factory over tools and beat them so badly they ended up in the hospital. The steel mill's security department has a record of this, and the neighbors have heard about it. It has nothing to do with me."

He paused, then looked at the neighbors who were watching: "As for whether I've forgotten my neighbors, my mother still lives in this courtyard, my younger brother still works in the factory, I send money home every month, and I bring gifts for my neighbors during holidays. Whether I've forgotten or not, everyone knows the answer."

Yi Zhonghai nodded: "Yu Yang is right. Last month, he even asked someone to bring some hawthorn slices from Baoding to the yard. The children love them. Aunt Zhang, stop making trouble here."

Seeing that everyone was siding with He Yuyang, Jia Zhangshi felt embarrassed and started slapping her thigh and wailing again: "Why is my life so miserable! My son has lost his job, my family is starving to death, and the neighbors are even helping outsiders bully me..."

He Yuyang ignored her and pulled He Yuzhu into the house. Liu Yan quickly took out iodine and gauze, treating her son's wounds while wiping away tears: "What are you two doing this for..."

"Mom, it's alright." He Yuyang held his mother's hand and personally disinfected He Yuzhu's wound. "It's just a minor injury; it'll be fine in a couple of days." He looked at his younger brother, "Why did Jia Dongxu attack you?"

"It's all because he lost his job and drinks every day. When he's drunk, he curses people." He Yuzhu winced in pain. "Today, when I came back from the factory, he blocked me at the alley entrance, saying that my brother wouldn't help him find a job and that he even cursed at my sister-in-law... I couldn't stand it, so I argued with him."

He Yuyang frowned. Jia Dongxu's temper really needed to be controlled, otherwise he would cause big trouble sooner or later. He pondered for a moment and said to He Yuzhu, "Don't be impulsive, I'll handle this."

That afternoon, He Yuyang didn't rest at home. He first went to the security department of the steel rolling mill, found the officer who handled the fight involving Jia Dongxu years ago, and interviewed several workers who were present at the time, obtaining testimonies proving that Jia Dongxu had started the fight. Afterward, he went to the street office and handed the testimonies to the officer in charge of public security.

"This Jia Dongxu has really been out of control lately," the clerk sighed. "He's always drunk and causing trouble, and the neighbors have complained about it several times. His mother is also always stirring up trouble in the yard, which is having a very bad influence."

"I'm not trying to make things difficult for him," He Yuyang said. "I just want him to know that people should be reasonable and not bully others by throwing tantrums. Also, if he could find a decent job, maybe he wouldn't be drinking and causing trouble all the time."

The clerk nodded: "That's right. Coincidentally, the neighborhood committee recently contacted a transport team and they need someone to pull a cart. It's a bit tiring, but the pay is pretty good. I'll ask him if he'd be willing to go."

He Yuyang thanked the officer and then went to the transport team to greet the captain. He said that although Jia Dongxu was impulsive, he was strong and reliable as long as someone was watching him. The captain knew He Yuyang's father, He Daqing, and said with a smile, "I'll give him a chance because of your father. If he doesn't do well, he can be fired anytime."

After dealing with these matters, He Yuyang returned to the courtyard house. As soon as he entered the gate, he saw Jia Zhangshi still sitting on the threshold crying, while Jia Dongxu was squatting in the corner, holding an empty wine bottle in his hand, his eyes vacant.

He Yuyang walked over and handed the notice from the street office to Jia Dongxu: "The transportation team is short of someone to pull the cart. Report for duty tomorrow. Work hard and don't drink and cause trouble again."

Jia Dongxu looked up, his eyes filled with surprise and doubt. He took the notice and looked at it for a long time, then looked at He Yuyang. His lips moved, but he didn't say anything.

Jia Zhangshi stopped crying, leaned over to look at the notice, then looked at He Yuyang with a complicated expression: "You...you really found a job for Dongxu?"

"It was arranged by the neighborhood committee, it has nothing to do with me," He Yuyang said calmly. "But let me make this clear: if he dares to bully my family again, or cause trouble in the courtyard, don't blame me for being impolite. The neighborhood committee has testimonies about his fight, and if it really comes to the police station, it won't do anyone any good."

These words struck Jia Zhangshi like a stone. She knew He Yuyang wasn't bluffing; if she really submitted those testimonies, Jia Dongxu might be sent to a labor camp. She looked at the notice in her son's hand, then at He Yuyang's calm yet unwavering gaze, and finally lowered her head, muttering, "I understand... thank you, Yuyang."

He Yuyang didn't say anything more and turned to go back inside. Liu Yan was cooking in the kitchen. Seeing him return, she quickly asked, "Is it done?"

"Hmm." He Yuyang nodded. "The work in the transport team is tiring, but it pays well. It all depends on whether he cherishes it or not."

"Sigh, I hope he can change for the better." Liu Yan sighed. "We're all neighbors, it wouldn't be good if things really turned sour."

By dinner time, He Yuzhu's anger had subsided considerably. While eating the pickles He Yuyang had brought back, he said, "Brother, you really have a way with things. That Jia Zhangshi probably won't dare to talk nonsense anymore."

"It's not just to shut her up," He Yuyang said. "If Jia Dongxu continues to be so muddle-headed, he'll get into trouble sooner or later. Find him a job so he has something to do, maybe that will make him behave himself." He paused, looked at his younger brother, and said, "In the future, when you encounter problems, don't always think about using your hands; use your brain more."

He Yuzhu scratched his head and chuckled, "I know, bro. You're so thoughtful."

At night, He Yuyang lay in bed, listening to the sounds coming from the courtyard. The sounds of things being smashed ceased from Jia Dongxu's room, and Jia Zhangshi stopped crying and making a fuss. The courtyard was quiet, save for the chirping of cicadas and the occasional bark of a dog. He knew this wasn't over, but at least the storm had been temporarily quelled.

The next morning, He Yuyang went to the alley entrance to buy breakfast and saw Jia Dongxu carrying a canvas bag, following behind the transport team's cart. Although his face still bore the fatigue of a hangover, he hadn't drunk any more, and his steps were still relatively steady. Jia Zhangshi stood at the courtyard gate, watching her son's back, her eyes filled with worry and a hint of relief. Seeing He Yuyang approaching, she unusually didn't avoid him and even nodded.

He Yuyang nodded without saying anything. Some things don't need to be said too much; doing them is enough for the other party to understand.

In the morning, Qin Huairu came to deliver some steamed buns she had made to Liu Yan and happened to run into He Yuyang. "Yuyang, I heard you're back," she said with a smile, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks to you, Grandpa Jia's house is finally a bit quieter."

"We're all neighbors, it's only right," He Yuyang said. "Sister Qin, are you doing alright at the factory?"

"It's good." Qin Huairu nodded. "Zhuzi takes good care of me, and the factory manager said I'm efficient at my work." She paused, hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Actually... Jia Dongxu is quite pitiful too. He's just stubborn and spoiled by his mother. If he could work properly, perhaps..."

He Yuyang understood what she meant and nodded: "Give him a chance, and hopefully he can seize it."

Qin Huairu smiled, said nothing more, and turned back to her small courtyard. Since moving out, she rarely had any contact with the Jia family, and her life was quiet and peaceful. The cactus in the yard was lush and green, and the pot that He Yuyang had given her still sat on the windowsill, exuding a sense of vitality.

Standing in the courtyard, He Yuyang looked at the new paper-cut window decorations his mother had pasted on the wall, and felt much more at ease. He knew that this courtyard was like a small society, full of everyday life and inevitable bumps and bruises, but as long as one stayed true to oneself, helped those who needed to help, and stood up for those who needed to stand up for others, life could always go on.

In the afternoon, He Yuyang went to see his father, He Daqing. He Daqing worked as a cook in the kitchen of the steel rolling mill and was living a comfortable life. When he saw his son come back, he was so happy that he slaughtered a chicken, and the two of them drank a few cups of wine.

"You did the right thing." He Daqing took a sip of wine and said to his son, "That kid Jia Dongxu needs to be taught a lesson. But we can't push him too far. Give him a way out, or he'll give up and ruin everything."

"I know." He Yuyang nodded. "I just want him to know that throwing a tantrum won't work; hard work is the right way."

He Daqing smiled and put a piece of chicken on his son's plate: "You've grown up, and you're more successful than your father. I'll take care of things at home from now on. Just do your best in the army and don't worry about me."

The father and son chatted over drinks, talking about things at the factory and the neighbors in the courtyard. He Yuyang briefly described his life in Baoding, omitting the thrilling story of the spy swapping the child, only saying that Xu Xiuli and Jianguo were doing well and that his father could rest assured.

In the evening, He Yuyang returned to the courtyard. As soon as he entered the gate, he saw Jia Dongxu pulling a cart loaded with coal. Although he was sweating profusely, he didn't complain like before, but silently unloaded the coal in the corner. Jia Zhangshi brought out a bowl of water from the house and handed it to him. She didn't say anything, but her eyes softened considerably.

He Yuzhu came out of the house, saw Jia Dongxu, paused for a moment, then went over and helped him carry the last piece of coal down. Jia Dongxu glanced at him and whispered, "Thanks."

He Yuzhu was also taken aback, then grinned and said, "Don't mention it."

The setting sun filtered through the locust tree leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. He Yuyang stood at the doorway, watching this scene, a slight smile playing on his lips. Perhaps, this is life—there are arguments, there are conflicts, but there is also the possibility of reconciliation. As long as everyone takes a small step forward, the turmoil in this little courtyard will eventually subside.

That night, He Yuyang wrote a letter to Xu Xiuli, telling her that everything was fine at home, Jia Dongxu had found work, and Zhu Zi's injury was almost healed. He didn't mention Jia Zhangshi's tantrum, afraid that she would worry, and only said that the courtyard was peaceful, and that she could take care of the children in peace.

After finishing the letter, He Yuyang stood by the window, gazing at the moonlight in the courtyard. Tomorrow, he would return to Baoding, where his wife and children, his little family, were. Here, however, lay his loved ones, his roots. No matter how far he went, these two homes would always be places he would protect.

The cicadas' chirping outside the window gradually subsided, and the night grew darker. He Yuyang knew that no matter how many storms the future held, as long as he had a home and loved ones in his heart, he would have the courage and strength to keep going.