Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

In the dead of night, the workers' shed was filled with the sounds of snoring, but Yi Zhonghai was the only one with his eyes open, staring blankly at the top of the tent.

Hatred surged in his chest—hatred that the old lady wouldn't listen to advice, hatred that He Yuzhu had kicked him out of the bustling city of Beijing and sent him to this desolate Gobi Desert to carry out aid projects!

But he didn't lose.

Opportunities will always come.

One day, he will go back!

In the tavern, Chen Xueru finally caught up with Pian Ye.

After avoiding her for two days, how could she not notice something was wrong? Fortunately, He Yuzhu reminded her: if you act too ruthlessly, you won't be able to catch the person once they escape; Manager Huang is a cautionary tale.

Carrying a small jug of wine she had just bought, she went straight to Mr. Pian's table and smiled as she asked the other customer next to her to move over. In the blink of an eye, only she and Mr. Pian were left at the table.

"Brother Pian, what's with you disappearing for the past two days? I can't even find anyone to apologize to."

Pian Ye quickly waved his hand, a wry smile on his face: "Don't mention it, Boss Chen, something came up at home, I really couldn't get away..."

Chen Xueru smiled gently and waved her hand to interrupt him: "I understand. I was too harsh on you last time, and my friends all scolded me. I came here today specifically to apologize—look, I've even prepared a gift to make amends."

As she finished speaking, she took a bottle of medicinal wine from her bosom, gently placed it on the table, and smiled warmly.

"Ginseng and Astragalus Wine, a rare delicacy, please have a taste today."

This was the first time Pian Ye had ever seen Chen Xueru bow her head and admit her mistake, and even personally pour wine to apologize. He was stunned on the spot and didn't come back to his senses for a long time.

"Oh, Mr. Chen, no, no, I can do it myself, I can do it myself..."

He reached out to stop her, but Chen Xueru was faster; she had already filled a glass.

The wine was a clear, bright yellow, with an irresistible aroma. Old Master Pian, a seasoned drinker, was already craving it just from the smell. He brought the glass close to his nose and inhaled; the blend of medicinal and wine fragrances instantly stirred his senses.

"Fine wine! Just from the aroma, you can tell it's extraordinary..."

He took a slow sip, the refreshing taste lingering in his throat, followed by a sweet aftertaste. He couldn't help but close his eyes and nod, exclaiming, "Absolutely amazing! I've drunk quite a few medicinal wines, most of which have a strong medicinal flavor, making them taste like a bowl of herbal medicine. But this bottle of yours—the wine is wine, the medicine is medicine, they complement each other perfectly, it's truly a masterpiece!"

As he spoke, he gave a thumbs up, his face full of amazement.

"Oh? What kind of wine is so magical that it could make Master Pian say something like that?"

Mr. Niu at the other table had been watching for a while, and when he heard this, he couldn't sit still any longer and came over with his cup.

Judging from Pianye's expression, it didn't seem like he was just showing support; he looked genuinely impressed. Niuye's eyes were practically green with envy.

"Boss Chen, can I have a taste too?"

Chen Xueru chuckled and pointed at Master Pian: "Master Niu, this wine is now a gift to Master Pian as an apology. It belongs to him—if you want to drink it, ask him."

Upon hearing this, both Pian Ye and Niu Ye were taken aback.

One was shocked that she had made such a definitive statement in public, while the other was completely baffled—what exactly had these two been up to?

"Hey, Boss Chen, you're really slapping me in the face!" Master Pian said, both amused and exasperated. "What happened a few days ago is long gone, why are you still taking it seriously?"

He said that, but since they were so generous, he saw no need to refuse. He simply picked up the bottle and poured a glass for Master Niu.

"Come on, Mr. Niu, have a taste. Of all the wines I've ever drunk in my life, this one ranks in the top three!"

As soon as Mr. Niu picked up his wine glass and took a small sip, his eyelids twitched.

The expression on his face was exactly the same as that of Pian Ye just now—a tremor that only a knowledgeable person would have.

"Good wine!" he said in a low voice, his eyes gleaming. "Boss Chen, did you brew this yourself? Could I have a couple of bottles?"

His tone was urgent, as if he was afraid of missing an opportunity. He had only heard of this level of medicinal wine once in his life, and he never expected to actually come across it today. But this small cup was not enough to satisfy him.

Chen Xueru smiled and said, "Uncle Niu, you're joking. This isn't my handiwork; it's brewed by a friend of mine. He's so reluctant to drink it himself that he doesn't keep much. How about I ask him about it for you another day?"

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you." Boss Niu nodded, glanced reluctantly at the empty glass, stood up, and said, "Boss Chen, Boss Pian, you two chat, I'll take my leave first."

As he turned around, his steps were sluggish, and he muttered, "I've had my fill of this wine today, I can't be greedy anymore..." He looked just like an addict forced to quit drinking.

As soon as Uncle Niu left, Chen Xueru immediately stopped smiling and said seriously, "Uncle Pian, I was wrong last time. I bargained too hard, and I've felt bad about it these past few days. I'm here again today to talk about the courtyard house—I'll add two hundred to the price you mentioned, what do you think?"

"Another two hundred?"

Pian Ye's heart skipped a beat, and his brow furrowed slightly. He was currently short of cash; otherwise, he wouldn't have even considered selling his ancestral home. Last time, Chen Xueru had ruthlessly negotiated the price, and he had hidden away for several days, not daring to see her. But this time, she not only came to apologize but also offered to increase the price, giving him both face and substance.

Logically speaking, there's no reason to postpone this deal.

But coincidentally... Xu Huizhen had just delivered her message and was considering making an offer.

He was momentarily at a loss, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

Chen Xueru saw through her immediately and chuckled, "Brother Pian, it's a business deal, whoever pays more gets to keep it. Why don't you go ask Boss Xu how much he can offer? I'll stick with your offer, plus two hundred more."

"Oh! That won't do!" Old Pian waved his hand abruptly, his face changing color. "No matter how poor I am, I can't do this kind of thing, eating at two different people's expense. I can't do it!"

He paused, let out a long sigh, and finally focused his gaze: "I'm sorry, Mr. Xu... Mr. Chen, when would be a convenient time for us to get this done?"

This decision was not unexpected. From beginning to end, he and Chen Xueru were the original buyer and seller. He avoided her at first because the price was too low and hurt her feelings; now that she has personally apologized and increased the price to show her sincerity, denying it would only make him seem pretentious and evasive.

Given how things have come to this point, the only option left is to sacrifice Xu and save Chen.

Chen Xueru raised an eyebrow and clinked her glass in a toast: "Brother Pian, you're awesome!"

With a soft clink of glasses, a deal was finalized.

A slight smile played on her lips—perfect! She'd taken over the silk shop's warehouse, and now she had the courtyard house inside. The entire alleyway was her territory, so secluded you could hear a fly buzzing inside.

She could continue to be intimate with He Yuzhu without fear of being caught; once the public-private partnership ended and the two places were connected, planting flowers and raising fish in the yard would be no problem.

The kitchen of the steel rolling mill canteen is steaming hot.

He Yuzhu stood by the stove, watching Ma Hua flip the wok, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

A pot of Chinese cabbage has just come out of the pot, and the aroma mixed with the smell of burning fills the air.

"I knew there was a problem before I even tasted it," he said coldly. "Cabbage has stalks and leaves; you just dumped it all in at once. How can it cook evenly? The leaves will be mushy, while the stalks will still be hard! And the salt—did you sprinkle it in or just throw it in? Did you even stir it in?"

"Shih-hu, let MCA taste this dish themselves, and then cook it again."

Ma Hua lowered his head and took a bite, his face instantly turning red. Sure enough, it was half raw and half salty and bitter, the cooking was completely out of control.

"Alright, stop looking so down." He Yuzhu's tone softened a bit. "Who hasn't gone through this? Don't panic when you start cooking. There's enough time. Once you've mastered the steps, that's the first step."

Just then, Li Huaide's secretary rushed over and stood at the door, calling out, "Director He, Deputy Factory Director Li requests your presence."

He Yuzhu responded and turned to Ma Hua, saying, "Keep practicing, your knife skills can't stop! You'll need at least another four or five years to improve!"

After saying that, he turned and left the kitchen, following his secretary straight to the office.

He pushed open the door and went straight to the point: "Factory Manager, what's the matter?"

"Pillar, sit down and talk."

Li Huaide pointed to the sofa and chuckled, "You know that machine repair shop in the suburbs, right? Director Liu has hit the jackpot. He got a fat pig and is planning a feast to revitalize the workers. The meal before the New Year was meager; everyone only got an ounce of meat. This time, he's aiming for something big."

After a moment's thought, He Yuzhu asked, "Factory manager, doesn't their factory have anyone working in the kitchen?"

"Yes, there are some," Li Huaide said, pursing his lips, "but they're all half-baked; they can't even slaughter a pig. Old Liu was afraid of wasting good meat, so he asked me to come to them."

He Yuzhu nodded helplessly: "Alright, I'll bring two kitchen helpers over to lend a hand. One person can't handle it."

"Alright! Besides, I have some connections with Old Liu, so I can't refuse him. Also, he tried your cooking last time and said it was amazing, so he specifically asked you to cook this time."

……

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "It's a small matter. It's a public matter, so I should do my best."

"Hey, Zhu Zi, I really appreciate your down-to-earth attitude!"

The two finalized the time, and upon learning that it was the next day, He Yuzhu turned around to arrange manpower and finish work early so he could go home and inform his sister.

Li Huaide didn't stop him—when he wasn't being given special treatment, he really didn't need to cook for himself. If he were treated differently, rumors would start to circulate.

Back at the canteen, He Yuzhu immediately assigned tasks: Mu Changzheng and Ma Hua would accompany him to the machine repair factory the next day, while Qian Shih-hu would stay behind at the steel rolling mill. After briefly explaining the hygiene requirements, he rolled up his apron and went home with a flourish.

Just as he stepped out of the steel rolling mill, he turned another corner and went to Lou Xiao'e's high school.

I had only been standing at the school gate for less than five minutes when I saw that graceful figure skipping and running out of the teaching building. The sunlight shone on her face, making her look dazzlingly youthful.

Upon reaching her, Lou Xiao'e said in a slightly shy voice, "Why did you... come so early today?"

"I'm going to be busy in the suburbs tomorrow, so I had some free time today and came to see you," He Yuzhu said with a smile. "Do you have classes?"

He's been spending a lot of time with Chen Xueru lately, so he should spend more time with her.

"And...but..." Lou Xiao'e bit her lip, too embarrassed to say she was skipping class.

But she knew in her heart that she didn't expect to succeed in the college entrance examination. She would drop out of high school and get married anyway, so it wouldn't make much difference whether she listened to these classes or not.

He Yuzhu simply made the decision for her: "Then don't go. Let's go boating. I'll take you home after we've had our fun."

.........

"good!"

Lou Xiao'e's eyes lit up, and she readily agreed, turning around and jumping onto the back of his bicycle.