Courtyard House: A Leisurely and Contented Life

"Jianye, I've brought her to you." Aunt Liu waved towards the door, "Come in, young lady, what are you shy about!"

Yang Jianye stared at the door, puzzled. What kind of girl was Aunt Liu introducing? He only knew her name; he hadn't even seen her in person.

"Come in quickly," Aunt Liu urged, explaining to Yang Jianye, "This girl is going on a blind date for the first time; she's shy."

"This is my first time too, what a coincidence," Yang Jianye chuckled dryly.

Once inside, Yang Jianye finally saw the man's true appearance: an oval face, large eyes, long black hair, and skin with the healthy complexion typical of Asians; he was dressed neatly and cleanly.

Wrapped in a cotton-padded coat in the dead of winter, her figure was obscured, but she was noticeably slimmer than the burly girls in the courtyard.

"This is Li Ying," Aunt Liu said, pointing to Yang Jianye. "Would you two like to chat?"

After saying that, he sat down on the bench in the corner, grabbed a handful of melon seeds and started cracking them. Looking at the fruit candies and apples on the table, he felt a pang of regret. If he had known that Yang Jianye was so well-off, he should have prioritized his own niece first!

Li Ying stared at Yang Jianye, unsure how to speak for a long time.

Yang Jianye quickly invited her to sit down: "Don't be shy, have some candy and fruit first, I'll bring the dishes, let's eat and chat."

"Okay, I'll enjoy the good life too."

"Look at you, you're the main character."

After exchanging a few polite words, the dishes were served. Aunt Liu stopped eating her melon seeds and stared intently at the beef on the table, swallowing hard.

Li Ying wasn't much better off; her mind was buzzing: had she just met a "capitalist"?

The table was laden with chicken, fish, beef, and braised pork. Even the stir-fried vegetables looked so fresh and tempting, their aroma wafting into her nose, making her mouth water.

"Jianye, isn't this a bit too much?" Aunt Liu pointed at the dishes. "Did you empty your savings just for a blind date?"

"No way, Auntie, I'm happy." Yang Jianye opened the "Xinghuacun" bottle in his hand. "Shall we have a drink together? Can Li Ying drink?"

"Not really," Li Ying replied softly.

"Then drink less, Auntie is here!" Yang Jianye poured wine for the three of them. The large tea mug was printed with the red characters "Labor is the most glorious" and "Serve the people". He poured a small amount for Li Ying, an extra ounce for Aunt Liu, and not much for himself.

Li Ying felt a warmth in her heart: This man doesn't drink too much.

After downing a drink, Yang Jianye urged everyone to eat, saying, "Try my cooking, don't be shy!"

The two of them didn't stand on ceremony and started eating the beef. Beef was a rare treat, so how could they not try it first?

Upon tasting it, Li Ying beamed with joy: This is so delicious!

High salary, good family background, excellent cooking skills, tall and handsome, and speaks politely...

She couldn't find a single fault with this marriage.

After a small amount of wine, I felt warm.

Aunt Liu took off her cotton-padded coat, and Li Ying followed suit by taking off her floral long-sleeved shirt. Her graceful figure and full bust drew a look of satisfaction from Yang Jianye.

Inside, they chatted and laughed, enjoying their meal.

The two older women who were waiting outside Sha Zhu's house were dumbfounded: This... he's taken a liking to him?

What kind of vision does Yang Jianye have?

They were even planning to introduce their niece to him; what a shame!

"Second Aunt, Third Aunt, what are you doing here?" Aunt Liu came out carrying an empty bowl and saw the two of them.

"Hey, Auntie, are you going out? Let's talk here for a bit," the second auntie said.

Yang Jianye's laughter came from inside the house, and Aunt Liu immediately understood that the two of them were trying to set someone up for a blind date!

She sighed, "Blind dates are a good thing, but as for Jianye's family affairs, it's best not to get involved."

Aunt Liu is kind-hearted and always stays away from trouble. Her feelings for Yang Jianye are complicated: she initially suggested to Yi Zhonghai that they help the Yang family with their grain, hoping to at least gain some goodwill, but Yi Zhonghai insisted on "providing timely help," and as a result, the neighborhood committee resolved the issue directly, and Yang Jianye was even specially approved by Factory Director Yang to work in the factory.

Now that Yang Jianye's life is better, he doesn't interact much with the people in the courtyard anymore. They still want to keep something from him.

Do you think they're stupid?

Just then, Xu Damao returned, carrying two old hens and some miscellaneous odds and ends. He had just come back from showing a movie at the commune.

As a projectionist in the propaganda department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, Xu Damao certainly took a lot of bribes from the masses.

This guy is full of bad intentions. He won't say a word when he arrives, and will just observe your performance. If he doesn't offer you any benefits, you won't be able to enjoy the movie.

Back then, movies didn't have subtitles, and most people in the countryside were illiterate, so adding subtitles wouldn't have been helpful.

It all depended on the projectionist's vivid explanations that made the audience understand and enjoy the show. When they were in high spirits, they appreciated the commune and worked with energy, never complaining about being tired or thirsty.

The commune invited us to the movies to broaden our horizons. How could we possibly grumble and complain when it came to doing some work?

But if the explanation is vague and confusing, it can leave people bewildered; and if the old equipment is tinkered with, turning an hour-long film into three or four hours, then forget about gratitude, the masses are lucky if they don't curse the commune.

Looking for Xu Damao?

He was helpless; the old machine would malfunction from time to time, and it was already good enough if it could play the film completely. There were no strict requirements for narration, and he wasn't good at it anyway.

So after that, every time he finished showing a movie, he would come back with a handful of local specialties, a heartfelt gift from the commune that was impeccable.

Although this person is dishonest, he is really smart and has a shameless tenacity; otherwise, he wouldn't have caused so much trouble after the reform and opening up.

"Auntie, Auntie, Auntie, are you all here?" Following the gaze of the three women, we arrived at Yang Jianye's house.

The room was filled with laughter and the aroma of meat. Xu Damao couldn't help but take a deep sniff: "How many dishes did they prepare?"

"How many dishes? Quite a few!" the middle-aged woman exclaimed loudly. "Chicken, fish, braised pork... and I even bought shrimp, and I think there's a hint of beef in it!"

"Wow, this kid's got some good skills!"

Xu Damao's eyes darted around, a hint of displeasure rising in his heart. He was earning a salary of thirty-eight yuan and fifty cents, and was still a projectionist at the factory, yet he hadn't found a partner; and you, a single man, had already found one?

"No, I have to hurry too."

After Xu Damao left, Jia Zhangshi lifted the curtain and sat down at the door, her gloomy eyes staring intently at Yang Jianye's house.

He muttered under his breath, "That heartless bastard, he eats so well every day, but he never helps us out. He's a ungrateful wretch, and even if he gets married, he won't be able to have children!"

The old woman opened her mouth, shook her head with a gloomy expression, and left. She and the old man had been together for over thirty years and still had no children.

This is a knot in her heart; just hearing about it makes her feel uncomfortable all over.

When Jia Zhangshi said this to her face, it wasn't just a curse against Yang Jianye, but a slap in the face.

There's no point in arguing with this unreasonable old woman...

Seeing that the eldest aunt had left, the second and third aunts also left.

Nobody in this courtyard liked Jia Zhangshi. Her mouth was like it was poisoned. Last month, there was less fertilizer in the dry toilet, and it probably ended up in her mouth. Otherwise, her mouth would smell so bad all day long.

The door to Yang Jianye's house opened, and a radiant-faced Aunt Liu led Li Ying out.

"Jianye, don't bother seeing her off. I'll make sure she gets home safely. Don't you trust Aunt Liu?"

"Alright then, I won't see you off." Yang Jianye glanced at Li Ying, whose cheeks were flushed, picked up the small bucket by the door and handed it to her. "There's not much to take with you. Take these shrimp back and let your younger siblings try them."

The bucket contained shrimp, and there was also a plastic bag containing things like milk candy and sunflower seeds.

Now that Yang Jianye had accepted Li Ying as his daughter-in-law, he was naturally generous. Li Ying blushed even more and nodded in agreement. In her heart, she already considered him family. In this day and age, she couldn't find anyone better than him.

"Aunt Liu, don't forget what I told you. You'll definitely thank me when this is done."

"Haha, good, good, I won't forget it!" Aunt Liu smiled from ear to ear, wishing she could bring the neighborhood office and the civil affairs bureau over so they could get married on the spot. This matchmaking effort was definitely worthwhile!

Leading Li Ying out of the courtyard, Aunt Liu smiled, her face crinkling with wrinkles: "Yingzi, you'd better hurry. Jianye showed off his wealth today, so there are a lot of people watching. If you delay for a couple of days, we might not even be able to say whether you'll be the one getting the marriage certificate."

Seeing that Li Ying was persuaded, Aunt Liu pressed her advantage: "Tell me the truth, do you agree to this?"

Li Ying is a person with her own mind; once she's made up her mind, she won't change it: "Auntie, I'm willing."

Aunt Liu grabbed her wrist and strode forward, head held high: "Come on, let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative to find your father!"

Aunt Liu grabbed Li Ying's arm and walked towards the supply and marketing cooperative. A corner of her blue cotton shirt was lifted by the wind, revealing a patched undershirt underneath. "Come on," she said, "we need to talk to your father! This marriage can't be decided so hastily!"

On the other side, Yang Jianye was sunbathing alone in the yard, secretly making plans in his mind.

"The bride price..."

He pulled out his pipe, took a couple of puffs, and said, "20 jin of flour, a pair of chickens, a fish, some milk candy and fruit, and a few canned goods too. They're factory welfare items, the tin boxes of Red Hearts, they look decent."

In the courtyard, Xiao Dang squatted in the corner, poking at the sugar crumbs on the ground with his finger, taking a sip after each poke, the sticky finger making a "sizzling" sound as it swirled in his mouth.

Jia Zhangshi sat on a small stool by the door, staring at him with a gloomy face, looking just like a door god.

Yang Jianye pretended not to see and squatted down: "Xiao Dang, go with Uncle Yang to deliver the things."

Xiao Dang glanced back at his grandmother, and seeing that she didn't say anything, he immediately dropped his finger and ran over, his trouser legs covered in mud, looking like a little kitten.

As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, Xiao Dang's eyes lit up when she saw the meat in his bowl: "Uncle Yang, meat!"

Saliva dripped down his chin, soaking the patch on his chest.

Yang Jianye placed the bowl on the steps, picked up a piece of beef glistening with oil, and held it to her mouth: "Open your mouth."

"Ah," Xiao Dang opened her mouth wide, and Yang Jianye stuffed the meat into her mouth. She swallowed it with a "whoosh," her eyes narrowed into crescent moons, and even her eyebrows relaxed.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you." Yang Jianye picked up another piece of fish belly meat. "This is something Uncle Yang specially saved for you. Don't tell anyone, understand?"

"Mmm!" Xiao Dang's cheeks puffed out like a hamster's as she nodded vigorously, oil dripping from the corners of her mouth down her neck, but she didn't bother to wipe it away.

This was the first time in her life she had ever tasted such delicious meat. Usually, when Jia Zhangshi cooked vegetables, she would only serve meat with the stalks of the rice, and she and Huaihua could only eat steamed buns made from two kinds of flour, dipping them in a little meat broth as if it were New Year's.

After feeding Xiao Dang two pieces of beef and a piece of fish, Yang Jianye refused to give him any more: "You can't eat too much at once, or your stomach will hurt." He took out a piece of coarse cloth and wiped Xiao Dang's mouth. "Also, you can take what others give you, but you can't steal what they don't give you. Don't be like your brother and your grandma, understand?"

"Mmm! Uncle Yang, Xiao Dangji..." Xiao Dang licked his lips and nodded obediently, his mind working faster than a stick.

Yang Jianye patted her head, his heart aching: What did the child do wrong?

They had no choice in how they were born. Madam Jia favored sons over daughters, treating her two granddaughters as a burden, which led them astray.

Xiao Dang is still young, so we need to set rules for her early on. She should listen to her teacher more and her grandmother less, so she won't become as selfish as Bang Geng in the future.

"Alright, go back now." He escorted Xiao Dang back to the door. Madam Jia still had a gloomy face, but she didn't scold her.

Yang Jianye, holding an empty bowl, knocked on the door of the side room at the corner of the courtyard.

The door creaked open, and the lame Liu lay sprawled on the wooden bed, pasting cardboard boxes: "Jianye, sit down."

He swished the paste in his hand with a "swish, swish" sound, "My legs aren't very flexible, I can't be idle."

Da Liu, whose real name is Liu Jianping, was Yang Jianye's father's former coworker, working in the same workshop at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Back then, Yang's father died in an accident, and Liu Jianping's leg was also pierced by flying debris.

When Yang Jianye buried his father, Liu Jianping had just undergone surgery and was lying in the hospital, his fate uncertain.

His injuries were extremely severe; he hovered on the brink of death several times before being pulled back to life, but he was left with a disability.

Nowadays, the whole family relies on Liu's wife working in a textile factory to make a living, while Liu Jianping himself stays at home pasting cardboard boxes to supplement the family income.

Paper boxes, folding pages, threading books, embroidery... these scattered handicrafts are not done in a unified workshop, but are assigned by the neighborhood office to families in need like Liu Jianping's based on applications. Liu Jianping, who has a broken leg and two children to support, was qualified to take on these jobs.

This job is also divided into different levels: paper boxes, paper bags, medicine boxes, lock boxes, tool boxes, and even light bulb paper and cake paper, the categories are very diverse.

Prices also vary wildly, ranging from one cent for a single cardboard box to three or five one-cent boxes, and sometimes there are no orders at all.

When there's a lot of work, you can earn eight or nine yuan a month; when there's little work, you might not see a single penny for the entire month...

"Uncle Liu, I had a blind date at noon and cooked some nice dishes. The blind date was over, and I thought I'd bring you some to try."

Seeing that Liu Jianping had pasted the cardboard box in his hand firmly and smoothly, Yang Jianye placed the thing he had been holding up with a bowl on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Upon opening the lid, one finds a small bowl of braised beef, half a fried fish, and several tempting pieces of braised pork next to it.

Da Liu propped himself up and sat up. He glanced into the bowl, and his heart suddenly ached. His eyes instantly reddened.

This isn't leftovers.

It was clearly reserved specifically for him!

These days, who would be willing to throw away meat?

Who has an endless supply of meat?

A warm feeling rushed to his heart. Overwhelmed with emotion, Da Liu disregarded his leg injury and struggled to move toward the bed.

Seeing this, Yang Jianye's heart leaped into his throat, and he quickly stepped forward to support him: "Uncle Liu, don't move, please don't fall!"

Liu Jianping grabbed Yang Jianye's hand. This man in his forties, who could once wield a hundred-pound iron lump with great skill, now choked up like a child: "Jianye, sob sob..."

"Uncle, when my father was alive, you two were like brothers. Now that my father is gone, if you have any difficulties, just let me know."

Yang Jianye's eyes were also a little moist.

When his father was buried, Liu Jianping was still in the hospital, but he insisted that his wife come back to help with the funeral arrangements, to follow the proper etiquette, and to make a good impression.

If it weren't for Aunt Liu, how would he, an "outcast" from later generations, have known about these formalities?

If he had made a fool of himself back then, it would have been a disgrace to the Yang family, and the whole surrounding area would have laughed at him, making him unable to hold his head up high for the rest of his life.

In this day and age, reputation is a sword hanging over everyone's head, capable of killing without leaving a trace.

He suddenly remembered Sha Zhu from the courtyard house.

Why has Sha Zhu failed so many blind dates?

A good reputation is the biggest burden. Having the word "foolish" in your name immediately diminishes your first impression.

Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that he had an inextricable connection with the widow Qin Huairu; upon further inquiry, it was also discovered that he was a reckless and impulsive man who loved to resort to violence at the slightest provocation...

Based on all of this, a young man with a high salary, good conditions, a clean family background, and two houses became an "old bachelor" whom no one dared to touch, allowing Qin Huai and his family to leech off him like leeches, sucking his blood for a lifetime!

Is Sha Zhu really stupid?

Not stupid.

Are you really just messing around?

They don't mix things up.

He's just stubborn and inflexible; he can't think straight.

If you truly explain the reasoning to him, he will immediately admit his mistake.

Tragically, the environment around him was a different story. His most respected elder, an old man, was single-mindedly trying to match him with a widow, brainwashing Sha Zhu with his twisted logic of "benevolence and morality," making him see Qin Huairu's family as his responsibility.

His younger sister, He Yushui, is also indecisive.

Abandoned by his father at a young age, he lacks a sense of security, lives at school all day, and is not close to his older brother, Shazhu.

When she first learned that her brother had been wrongly accused of stealing chickens, she initially wanted to argue with him, but after being persuaded by Sha Zhu, she immediately gave up.

The closeness or distance between people is immediately apparent.

If she truly considered Sha Zhu her brother, how could she stand by and watch him bear the stigma of being a "chicken thief" just for the sake of her so-called "reputation"?

How could someone who is about to get married and has a high school education not understand the importance of reputation?

Ultimately, it wasn't that she was malicious, but rather that her unique family environment had molded her into an extremely selfish person.

She just wanted to get married quickly, escape this family, and live her own life.

Human nature is ultimately a product of its environment.