He Yuyang: The tough eldest brother of the courtyard house

Summer had just begun, and the weather was already unbearably hot. The locust tree leaves in the alley were so dense they resembled green umbrellas, and cicadas chirped "zhi-liao, zhi-liao" in the branches, making the afternoon feel long and languid. When He Daqing returned from the restaurant, he carried an oil paper package containing two jin of freshly braised pig ears—the manager had given him some silver coins as a reward for saving money by improving the kitchen's equipment, and he hadn't wanted to save them, thinking he'd use them to improve the meals for his mother and her two children.

"Dad, you're home early today!" He Yuyang was helping his mother hang out the freshly spun cotton thread in the yard when his eyes lit up as his father entered, his gaze immediately falling on the oil paper package. He Yuzhu also ran out of the house, his short legs moving quickly, shouting, "Dad! Did you buy something delicious?"

"You have such a sharp nose." He Daqing chuckled and patted his youngest son's head, then handed the oil paper package to Liu Yan. "This is a gift from the shopkeeper. Eat it with porridge tonight."

Liu Yan took it, weighed it in her hand, and scolded, "You're wasting money again. It would have been better to save it to buy you a new jacket." Although she said this, she had a smile on her face and turned to go to the kitchen to find a plate to put the braised food in.

He Daqing sat on a small stool in the courtyard, untied the towel from his waist and wiped his face, his tone tinged with pride: "This isn't just wasting money, it's earned. Carpenter Wang brought over the chopping block and spice box, and the shopkeeper was delighted at first sight, saying it was more economical and better than the old ones, so he gave me an extra month's pay on the spot."

Since improving the wooden trays, He Daqing's life at the restaurant has become increasingly smooth. The manager trusts him and has entrusted him with the miscellaneous tasks of purchasing for the kitchen. Although it's hard work, the income is much higher than before. The family's life has become visibly more comfortable. Liu Yan smiles more often, and He Yuzhu no longer has to look longingly at the sugar-coated fruit as he used to.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate, accompanied by a hearty laugh: "Is the Qing Dynasty at home?"

He Yuyang looked up and saw Yi Zhonghai. He was wearing a worn blue cloth jacket and holding a palm-leaf fan. He walked in slowly, his eyes scanning the yard before finally landing on the pot of freshly picked bok choy by the kitchen door. It was harvested from the vegetable patch in the backyard and looked very fresh.

"It's Brother Yi! Come in and sit down." He Daqing quickly got up to greet him, and scooped a ladle of cool water from the vat and handed it to him. "It's terribly hot today, have some water to cool down."

Yi Zhonghai took the ladle, gulped down most of it, wiped his mouth, and sat down. His gaze fell on He Daqing, and he looked him over with a touch of "elderly" scrutiny: "Judging from Daqing's complexion, you've been doing well lately, haven't you? I heard from the alley that you're highly regarded by the manager at the restaurant, and even your wages have increased?"

"Hey, Brother Yi, you're joking." He Daqing scratched his head a little embarrassedly. "I was just lucky to get some work that I could do. I wouldn't say I'm highly regarded."

"This can't be called luck." Yi Zhonghai put down his palm-leaf fan and his tone became serious. "Let me tell you, it's not easy to gain a foothold in a restaurant these days. You can get the manager to look at you differently, that takes skill. Unlike us craftsmen, we won't starve but we won't get rich either, we're just trying to make a living."

Yi Zhonghai worked as a craftsman at a nearby woodworking factory. He was skilled, but his wages were just enough to make ends meet. He was always smooth in his dealings with people and was known as the "good guy" in the neighborhood. Whenever there was a minor conflict between people, he would step in and say a few words, and he could always resolve it. Everyone in the neighborhood respected him, and He Daqing always regarded him as an older brother, finding him to be steady and warm-hearted.

"Brother Yi, you're absolutely right. Your skills are truly exceptional." He Daqing handed over a bag of freshly roasted pumpkin seeds. "Try them. They're from our own garden, and Liu Yan just roasted them."

Yi Zhonghai picked up a few and put them in his mouth, chewing slowly, but his eyes glanced at He Yuyang and his brother, and he said with a smile, "These two lads are getting more and more energetic. Yangyang, I heard you're quick-witted. Was that idea for the wooden plate the other day yours?"

He Yuyang was helping his younger brother remove the cartilage from the braised pig's ear when he heard this. He looked up and gave a shy smile: "Uncle Yi, you flatter me. I was just drawing randomly and trying my luck." He knew in his heart that Yi Zhonghai's visit at this time was probably not just a simple visit.

Sure enough, Yi Zhonghai chatted for a few more minutes about everyday matters before turning the conversation to the restaurant: "Daqing, you're in charge of the kitchen now, you must be quite busy, right? I heard that Fuxinglou is doing very well lately, you must be short-staffed in the kitchen, right?"

He Daqing didn't think much of it and nodded, saying, "It is busy, especially during mealtimes. The staff are constantly on the go. The other day, the manager said he wanted to find another handyman to do things like chopping wood and carrying water, to lend a hand."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer, saying, "That's quite a coincidence. My brother-in-law has a son who's sixteen this year. He's hardworking, but he doesn't have a job. Do you think... we could let him try working at a restaurant? We don't need to pay him much, just provide a meal, and he can learn some skills along the way."

He Yuyang's heart skipped a beat. Yi Zhonghai's brother-in-law? How come he had never heard of him? Besides, a restaurant looking for a handyman shouldn't be in Yi Zhonghai's league; there must be something fishy going on. He subtly nudged his father's arm, giving him a knowing look.

He Daqing was about to agree—he was always reluctant to refuse, especially since the other party was Yi Zhonghai. But his son's prompting made him swallow his words, and he hesitated, saying, "This... I'm afraid it's not up to me to decide, is it? The manager has to personally oversee the hiring process."

"Hey, you have a lot of influence with the shopkeeper, so how could a word from you go unheard?" Yi Zhonghai laughed even more warmly, patting He Daqing on the shoulder. "We're all neighbors, it's only right that we help each other out. I know that kid well, he's honest and reliable, he definitely won't cause you any trouble. Just consider it a favor to your older brother, and if you ever need my help in the future, just let me know."

Having said all that, an ordinary person would find it difficult to refuse. But He Yuyang knew that Yi Zhonghai, though seemingly kind, was actually quite cunning. He acted as a "good guy" in the courtyard to gain prestige, and now he wanted to put his relative in the restaurant, probably hoping to use that connection to get closer to the He family, or even... find out more about the restaurant's background?

"Uncle Yi," He Yuyang suddenly spoke, her voice clear and crisp, with a touch of childlike earnestness, "My dad was saying the other day that the restaurant recently laid off two employees."

Yi Zhonghai was taken aback and looked at He Yuyang: "Layoffs? I haven't heard about that?"

"It's true." He Yuyang nodded, his eyes as clear as a stream. "My dad said that when the manager checked the accounts, he found that a waiter was secretly taking things from the kitchen. He was furious and not only fired the person, but also said that he would investigate thoroughly and not hire anyone for the time being, for fear that some dishonest people would sneak in." As he spoke, he secretly winked at his father.

He Daqing's heart skipped a beat; he instantly understood his son's meaning. Yes, how could he have forgotten? A few days ago, the kitchen staff had indeed fired an apprentice for stealing two pounds of flour. The manager had been furious, saying that hiring should be done prudently, not haphazardly. He quickly followed his son's lead, saying, "That's right, Brother Yi. The manager's in a bad mood right now; bringing up hiring now might get you rejected. Perhaps I'll ask around again after things calm down?"

Yi Zhonghai's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal, though his eyes held a hint of something unreadable. He looked at He Yuyang, an eight-year-old boy who spoke with remarkable clarity and logic. His words, spoken just now, had conveniently shut him up, as if he had been prepared for it.

"Oh? Is that so?" Yi Zhonghai slowly fanned himself with a palm leaf fan, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger. "Then I was being presumptuous. Since the manager has his rules, let's just leave it at that. Don't let this trouble you."

"It's my fault for not being able to help Brother Yi," He Daqing said politely, but he was relieved—if his son hadn't reacted quickly, he would have agreed.

Yi Zhonghai sat for a while longer, not mentioning hiring again, just chatting casually, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the kitchen as if looking for something delicious. Liu Yan, quick-witted, knew he hadn't gotten any benefits, so she quickly sliced ​​up a plate of braised pig ears and brought it out: "Brother Yi, have a taste, just bought it, it's nothing special."

Yi Zhonghai didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up a piece, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and praised, "Liu Yan's cooking is really good. It's more fragrant than the braised food outside." After eating two pieces, he got up to say goodbye, "It's getting late. I have to go back. The family is waiting to start the fire."

He Daqing got up and saw him to the door. Before leaving, Yi Zhonghai patted him on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "Daqing, you're a very honest man, which is a good thing. But these days, having more friends means having more options. Since we live in the same compound, it's only right that we help each other out. If you ever have any difficulties in the future, just come to me. Don't hesitate to ask."

"Hey, thanks, Brother Yi." He Daqing readily agreed. After Yi Zhonghai had walked away, he turned back to the courtyard. As soon as he entered, he gave He Yuyang a thumbs up. "You're pretty good, kid. You reacted quickly."

Liu Yan also came over, her face showing some worry: "Then Uncle Yi... I'm afraid he's unhappy, isn't he?" She had overheard in the kitchen and knew that Yi Zhonghai had tried to use his connections to find work, but his son had stopped him with a few words.

"There's nothing I can do if I'm unhappy." He Yuyang tossed the pumpkin seed shells into the winnowing basket, her tone resolute. "Mom, think about it. If Uncle Yi really wanted to help a relative find work, why didn't he go to the restaurant himself? Why did he come to Dad? He wants to use this connection to get people placed in the restaurant so he'll know everything that happens to our family."

He Daqing frowned: "It can't be that serious, can it? Brother Yi doesn't seem like that kind of person."

"Dad, you shouldn't have a heart to harm others, but you can't be without a heart to guard against them." He Yuyang looked at his father, his eyes much more mature than those of his peers. "You're in charge of purchasing at the restaurant now, so you have some real power. Uncle Yi has a lot of prestige in the neighborhood. If his relatives say something at the restaurant, or leak some information to him, and the manager becomes suspicious, will you still be able to keep your position?"

He paused, then continued, "Besides, if that relative is dishonest or lazy and causes trouble, the shopkeeper will definitely blame you for making the wrong recommendation. In that case, a good thing will turn into a bad thing, and it will be a loss."

He Daqing was speechless after his son's words. He was a straightforward and honest man, and had never thought about things this deeply before. After He Yuyang's analysis, he felt a chill run down his spine—indeed, you can't see into someone's heart; who knows what's hidden behind a smile?

"Then...did we offend him by saying that?" Liu Yan was still worried. Yi Zhonghai was well-liked in the hospital. If they really made enemies, they would run into each other all the time, and it would be difficult to get along.

"We can't afford to offend him." He Yuyang shook his head. "We didn't say we wouldn't help, we just said the shopkeeper wouldn't allow us to hire him, so he can't find fault with us. Besides, he's an elder, he can't hold a grudge against us over something like this." He knew that people like Yi Zhonghai valued "face" the most, and even if they were unhappy, they would pretend not to care.

Sure enough, during dinner, He Yuyang heard Yi Zhonghai chatting with his second aunt from the middle courtyard. He heard Yi Zhonghai say with a smile, "...Old He's son is clever. He knows how to think about his father. Not bad, not bad." There was not a trace of displeasure in his tone, as if the incident in the afternoon had never happened.

He Yuzhu, munching on a braised pig's ear, asked indistinctly, "Brother, why does Uncle Yi want his relative to work at the restaurant? Isn't working at the restaurant tiring?"

"Silly boy, a restaurant is much better than toiling in the fields." He Daqing patted his youngest son's head, but his heart was heavy. After this incident, he finally understood that as life got better, more eyes were watching them. When they were poor, no one bothered with them; now that they were well-off, even "elders" like Yi Zhonghai had to come and "give them a few pointers."

He Yuyang didn't reply, just silently ate his porridge. He knew this was just the beginning. As the family's life improved, the tests and schemes within the courtyard would only increase. Yan Bugui's shrewdness, the Xu family's tyranny, and now the seemingly kind Yi Zhonghai... the waters in this courtyard ran deeper than he had imagined.

"Dad, from now on, try not to talk about restaurant matters in the courtyard." He Yuyang put down his chopsticks and looked at his father seriously. "Especially about the purchase income and the manager's bonuses. If you can avoid talking about them, then don't. Too much talk leads to mistakes."

"I understand," He Daqing nodded emphatically. He then truly realized that his eldest son was not only meticulous but also saw things much more clearly than he did. With his son around, he felt much more at ease.

At night, He Yuyang lay in bed, listening to the cicadas chirping outside the window. Moonlight shone through the window paper, casting dappled shadows on the floor. He recalled Yi Zhonghai's gaze as he left; seemingly ordinary, yet sharp as a needle.

This is someone you can't confide in. He mentally labeled Yi Zhonghai.

The spiritual spring water in the space was still gurgling, and the newly planted cucumbers had already climbed all over the trellis, with small cucumber heads hanging from the vines like strings of emeralds. He Yuyang knew that to maintain this peace, being careful was not enough; he needed to be stronger—both in terms of his resources and his ability to deal with people's hearts.

He turned over and looked at He Yuzhu, who was sleeping soundly beside him, his brows still furrowed, as if he were having an unhappy dream. He Yuyang gently smoothed his brows, silently saying in his heart: Don't worry, brother will protect you, protect our family, and no one will be able to scheme against us.

The cicadas were still chirping outside the window, but He Yuyang no longer felt annoyed. He closed his eyes, circulated his internal energy, and a warm current flowed slowly through his meridians, carrying a calming power. This summer, there were undercurrents hidden within the warmth, but he wasn't afraid. As long as his family was together, and they proceeded cautiously step by step, they could always live a peaceful life.