Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

The rest of the time, whether he sleeps in the office or secretly hones his skills, it's all up to him.

He had specifically sought out Li Huaide about Bai Danyu's matter. Although somewhat surprised, Li readily agreed. Whether the deal would succeed depended on the outcome of the factory leadership meeting; reaching a consensus would significantly increase the chances of success.

Li Huaide wasn't keen on the position of deputy factory director; if he really wanted it, he would have gone to his father-in-law long ago. But he didn't have any relatives who could lend him influence, and even if he did, his father-in-law might not be willing to cooperate.

Moreover, He Yuzhu had said that Bai Danyu was his acquaintance's older sister. Li Huaide had to give her that much face, no matter what. After all, he had already arranged for the people he wanted to place, so helping out wouldn't be a loss for him.

At the factory leadership meeting in the morning, Li Huaide was the first to speak, directly proposing that Bai Danyu be appointed as the deputy director of the washing machine factory.

The reason is solid: Section Chief Bai has worked at the steel rolling mill for over a decade, is reliable, has a good reputation, and has never made a mistake. The washing machine factory is just starting out and needs a veteran in charge of logistics and personnel to stabilize the situation.

He Yuzhu immediately raised his hand in support. His voice carried considerable weight—after all, he had personally improved the blueprints left by Sharif and submitted them to the state in one go; the establishment of the washing machine factory was largely thanks to him. Once he signed his name on the application, it would be difficult for the Ministry of Industry not to take it seriously.

Once the two set the stage, the others naturally went along with it, making decisions on the spot, writing them into the meeting minutes, and preparing to report them.

After that, He Yuzhu didn't say anything more. After the meeting, he turned around and went back to his office, closed the door, and started practicing his skills.

He first flipped through an electrical engineering book, then pored over mechanical design, and finally pulled out the book on massage to study it carefully. Of the three skills, he was most interested in massage—level three had already made Lou Xiao'e infatuated; if he reached level five, wouldn't he be able to manipulate people's hearts with his techniques?

This skill will definitely be a powerful weapon in the future, so upgrade it as soon as possible for many benefits.

"Zhang Shufen! There's a letter for you!"

The postman shouted from the entrance of the courtyard house. The neighbors in the front yard looked at each other, wondering, "Who is Zhang Shufen? Is there such a person around here?"

Just as I was wondering what was going on, the third aunt rushed out of the house: "Yes, yes, yes! Wait a minute, I'll go get someone right away!"

He turned and headed straight for Zhongyuan, and soon came out dragging an older woman with him.

Everyone then realized—it turned out that the woman's real name was Zhang Shufen. They usually called her "Auntie Yi" or "Auntie Yi," and no one mentioned her real name anymore.

An older woman signed the letter and took it. A third older woman leaned in curiously and asked, "That older woman, could it be from your husband, Mr. Yi?"

"Hmm, probably just another message to let you know you're safe... They always say the same thing in their letters."

She smiled faintly, turned, and walked back. The front yard behind her immediately erupted in a flurry of chatter: When will Yi Zhonghai come back? Will he even be able to come back?

Back inside, the middle-aged woman eagerly opened the letter. The more she read, the darker her expression became, until finally she blurted out in anger, "Yi Zhonghai, you senile old fool!"

Before she could finish speaking, the deaf old lady pushed the door open and entered. Hearing this, she paused, startled, and asked, "Shufen, what's wrong?"

"It's alright, Grandma, I'll go cook right away. We're having meat today!"

The middle-aged woman suppressed her anger and stuffed the letter into the drawer. It contained only a few words addressed to Jia Dongxu; she would deliver it tomorrow when she had the chance.

As for Yi Zhiliang—she would never send him away.

Recently, Xiao Zhiliang has been very sensible. He follows her around when she does chores and is very clingy. In a while, he'll probably start calling her "Mom." At this point, Yi Zhonghai comes along and talks about "adopted sons not being close to their parents." She just thinks that guy has lost his mind.

The deaf old woman knew perfectly well that it was probably another fuss about the children. But she cared more about Yi Zhonghai—the family depended entirely on his earnings. Although she was a recipient of the Five Guarantees (a government welfare program for the elderly and disabled), everything she ate and used was provided by the Yi family. Otherwise, where would they get the food coupons to exchange for money?

"Shufen, you should have a serious talk with Xiaoyi..."

"Grandma, there's nothing to talk about," the woman said firmly. "He has his ideas, and I have mine. I won't give up on Zhiliang. If you really push me, I can make a living by pasting cardboard boxes!"

It's not that she's incapable of making money.

"Sigh... whatever you want. But don't argue too fiercely, it'll ruin the harmony..."

The deaf old woman sighed. Now she also had to rely on an older woman for help; if she had to do all the laundry and cooking herself, she would shorten her lifespan by at least ten years.

On the other side, the Xu family.

Xu's mother came to see Xu Damao today, but she brought him some terrible news.

"What? You won't even see me? No, why?"

Xu Damao stared at him and pressed for an answer. He believed he was quite qualified—a projectionist at a steel mill, a respectable job; he owned a large brick house, and was good-looking; what did he lack?

In his eyes, he was incredibly desirable, but his blind date rejected him outright?

But the matchmaker bluntly replied that Chen Xueru had no interest whatsoever and kicked her out before she even finished speaking.

"Son, if she's not willing, then so be it! She's divorced and has a child. What good is a little money? Look around in Beijing, what decent young man would actually marry her!"

Mrs. Xu was so angry that she slapped her thigh repeatedly, her face full of disdain. Her son was so outstanding that it was already an honor for him to even take a liking to Chen Xueru, and yet the girl didn't even know how to appreciate it!

"I'd love to!"

Xu Damao felt a tickle in his heart, but dared not utter a sound. He only frowned and muttered, "Mom, do you think... it's possible that Shazhu is talking badly about me behind my back?"

Xu's mother was taken aback: "Shazhu? He knows you want to marry Chen Xueru? Did you tell him?"

"What can I tell him? Nobody knows about this except you and Dad."

Xu Damao realized what he meant after he finished speaking—Shazhu had no idea what he was thinking, so how could he have the time to smear him?

So the question is, why did Chen Xueru absolutely refuse to agree?

The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. In fact, from the first moment he saw Chen Xueru's alluring face and enchanting figure, he was already a little unable to control himself; later, when he heard that she was the owner of a silk shop and the private manager, he was even more excited—whether she took care of the children or not didn't matter anymore, the key was the money she could make in a year!

After a moment of silence, Xu Damao suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "Mom, did you bring any money? Give me some. My clothes are all worn out from working in the countryside, and I need to get a new one made in a few days."

Why waste money like that? Your mother can just sew and mend it for you.

"Patch my ass! You want me to go on a blind date wearing patched clothes? What girl would even want me?"

Xu Damao immediately got angry and, through a combination of coaxing and persuasion, managed to squeeze eight yuan out of his mother's hand—not a single penny was left, and he put it all into his own pocket.

Once he got the money, he immediately put on a smile and happily took his mother home.

On the other side, He Yuzhu and Li Wangcai were secretly exchanging goods.

Another 800 grams of gold, plus an antique of dubious origin. Its authenticity was hard to discern, but he accepted it nonetheless.

After handing over the new batch of medicinal herbs, He Yuzhu suddenly pulled out five "big black ten" bills from his pocket and stuffed them into Li Wangcai's hand: "Senior Brother Li, do me a favor. There's a guy in our courtyard named Xu Damao who has a thing for hitting on young girls. Keep a close eye on him for me lately."

Meanwhile, suburban farms.

"Jia Zhangshi! Jia Zhangshi! Your labor reform term is over! Pack your things and come with us!"

The foreman stood by the pile of cow dung, shouting at the top of his lungs with a look of disgust. "The smell here is too strong; it's like swallowing a mouthful of cow dung as soon as you open your mouth."

As soon as he finished speaking, a hunched and thin old woman shakily climbed up from beside the dung heap, her clothes tattered and her face covered in dirt—it was Jia Zhangshi, who had been exiled here.

Her once plump and healthy body had long been reduced to skin and bones by the cornbread and heavy labor here. Six cornbreads a day, shoveling manure during the day, and writing self-criticisms and studying ideological reform at night. She almost went crazy, but now she's finally made it through.

"Discipline...can I go back?" Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with hope.

"Yes, your sentence is over. I'm now sending you back to your hometown and handing you over to the Nanluoguxiang Street Security Team. What happens next is up to them."

The manager took two steps back, his tone indifferent: "Let's go, follow us."

Jia Zhangshi subconsciously straightened her back, her feet barely touching the ground as she took small, quick steps forward.

The cooperative sent two militiamen to escort her into the city. After handing over the formalities, they turned around and left, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

Upon arriving at the subdistrict office, after completing the registration and certificate issuance process, Director Wang looked up at her and said sternly, "Alright, Jia Zhangshi, go back to your old Jia family. I hope you remember this period of labor reform for the rest of your life. Don't forget why you came here, and don't lose sight of your original intention for reform."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi's face immediately fell.

Her only thought in keeping her afloat on the farm was that one day she could return to live a peaceful life, instead of being kicked back to the countryside again!

She knelt down with a thud, pleading, "Director Wang, I truly repent! Please don't make me go back... My house and fields in the countryside are gone; if I go back, I'll only starve to death..."

"Nonsense!" Director Wang slammed his hand on the table. "We've already checked with your village cooperative! Your house, Zhang Xiaohua's, is still there, a bit old, but it can be repaired and is still habitable; your four and a half mu of land is also clearly registered. Go back and work hard, you'll still have surplus grain at the end of the year, how could you starve to death?!"

Zhang Xiaohua stubbornly claimed that the neighborhood committee's actions were intended to starve her to death, which was a complete fabrication and a malicious attempt to shift the blame.

"What? You can't bear to leave city life and want to go back to the farm to live in a dormitory? I think you wasted this month in labor camp. We should have extended your sentence and locked you up for another six months!"

"There's been a change! A real change!"

Jia Zhangshi quickly changed her tune, sweat beading on her forehead. If you really think about it, going back to the countryside is better than staying in that stinking labor camp—at least she wouldn't have to fall asleep to the smell of cow dung at night.

"Alright, pack up and get going. I'll have someone take you to the train station."

Director Wang waved her hand, dismissing her immediately. Her words were just a scare tactic; there was no rule against further punishment now. Jia Zhangshi's labor reform term was over; to bring her back would be for her to walk right into the line of fire.

"Do we have to leave now?"

Jia Zhangshi hesitated, her face full of reluctance: "Director, could you let me go home first? I want to see my son and grandson, and pick up a few decent clothes while I'm at it..."