Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Just then, Auntie Erda came to the well to wash dishes. Hearing this, she curled her lip and said, "My Guangqi is a vocational school graduate! His girlfriend comes from a cadre family, how could she be bad in the future? Shazhu married a capitalist's daughter, what's so great about that..."

A bystander laughed, "Second Auntie, are you just jealous? Sha Zhu is a cadre now!"

"Hmph, after not showing up at the steel rolling mill for so long, who knows if they still hold onto that title!"

The second aunt snorted coldly, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, turned around and left, not even bothering to leave a trace.

Meanwhile, He Yuzhu, full of energy, rode his bicycle straight to the Lou family's house. He arrived at his destination in no time.

He rang the doorbell, and Lou Xiao'e opened the door. Her eyes lit up instantly when she saw him, and she grabbed his hand: "Yuzhu? When did you get back!"

"I arrived yesterday afternoon, tidied up the house, and collected rainwater, but it was too late to come over. I rushed over early this morning."

He Yuzhu replied with a smile that Lou Xiao'e had lost some weight in the months since he last saw her, but looked even more radiant.

"Aren't you going to class today?"

She shook her head: "We got our holiday early, and we even said that if you didn't come back for Chinese New Year, Mom and I would go and pick up your sister to celebrate the New Year with us!"

"That's perfect, let's celebrate together this year." He Yuzhu nodded. "Let's go inside first, I need to talk to Mom about something."

Upon hearing the word "Mom," Lou Xiao'e blushed slightly and gently pushed him, saying, "We're not even married yet, why are you calling me so affectionately..."

"So what? I've been calling him 'Dad' on Hong Kong Island for half a year now, where else can you run off to?"

He Yuzhu laughed heartily, looking at the youthful face in front of him, his heart warmed, and he couldn't wait to get married right away.

Once inside, he said seriously, "Mom, here's what happened—Dad is making too much progress in Hong Kong, so someone needs to stay behind and keep an eye on things."

He briefly recounted how he and Lou's father had worked hard in Hong Kong. Lou Xiao'e was completely confused, but her eyes widened when she heard "Zhenghe Group's assets are nearly 20 million"—Good heavens, they actually made that much money!

"I'm getting married to Xiao'e next year, and I expect to stay home for a while, so I won't be able to go to Hong Kong Island often. Therefore, Dad's idea is to ask you to come and help take care of the business, otherwise he won't be able to continue expanding..."

"That old Lou, once he gets into business, he can't stop himself..." Lou's mother frowned and sighed, then nodded, "Alright, I understand. Once your marriage is settled, I'll set off."

She knew perfectly well that if the old man was out there charging into battle and no one was there to stabilize the situation from the rear, the company would inevitably fall into chaos sooner or later. If the empire built up in the front couldn't be held, everything in the back would collapse.

At this point, Lou's mother began to talk about Lou's father's glorious past. Back then in Beijing, who didn't know the name "Lou Half-City"? That wasn't just empty boasting—he would get involved in any business with even a little bit of profit, and he had a keen eye for business, making sure everything he invested in turned out well. He carved out his own niche and earned the nickname "half the city is his".

At that time, the family's accounts and business operations were mostly handled by Lou's mother, who managed everything in an orderly manner.

He Yuzhu was deeply moved after listening. He himself had been dragged into the bureau by Lou's father—simply because he knew how to concoct a ginseng and fruit beverage, he was immediately urged to build a factory and start production. As soon as the beverage factory was established, he was put in charge of the factory, and all the production-related matters fell on his shoulders.

If he hadn't rushed back for the Chinese New Year, he probably would have been put in charge of even the sales department.

Lou Xiao'e, listening from the side, had her eyes light up and couldn't help but ask, "Yuzhu, Mom, can I go to Hong Kong Island?"

The two women exchanged a glance, and Lou's mother sighed, "Xiao'e, do you think you can just go anywhere so easily? If you go, Zhuzi will have to come with you, and what will happen to the rain? If our whole family runs away, what will happen to the house if it's empty? We have to leave someone behind to guard the family's possessions."

Although the government may not really care about these things, it is still necessary to maintain appearances and put on the necessary posture.

"When will that be?" Lou Xiao'e pouted, looking unhappy. Her parents had gone, He Yuzhu had gone, and all the excitement had gone around in a circle, but she was stuck here.

"Wait a few more years," He Yuzhu reassured him. "Dad's business is just starting out; he hasn't established himself yet. If you go there now, he won't be able to take care of you. Once he builds a big villa on Hong Kong Island, he'll take you there to stay for a while. You can stay as long as you want."

Upon hearing this, Lou Xiao'e reluctantly gave up: "Alright... but you'll have to take me with you then!"

"Leave it to me!" He Yuzhu grinned. "You can go wherever you want!"

Watching from the side, Lou's mother couldn't help but laugh. She had thought she would have to use her maternal authority to keep the girl in check, but He Yuzhu's words had made her give up.

She felt much more at ease—this son-in-law was reliable, and if he married her daughter in the future, he would definitely not let her suffer any grievances.

"Zhuzi," Lou's mother said, "let's collect the rainwater together for the New Year. I'll look at the auspicious dates and pick one to finalize your marriage with Xiao'e."

Lou Xiao'e is already eighteen according to her household registration, so there's no problem getting the marriage certificate. The sooner it's done, the more at ease she'll feel.

"Dad...didn't he say he was coming back?" He Yuzhu asked.

"I'm afraid he won't be able to come back." He shook his head. "Zhenghe Group has just been established, and there are too many things to do. He can't leave."

Although the company was established less than a year ago, it already has three major businesses: Zhenghe Chinese Medicine Hall, Zhenghe Beverage Company, and Zhenghe Shipping, each of which requires someone to keep an eye on it.

Lou's mother sighed helplessly, "That old Lou, he didn't even show up for his daughter's wedding? And what about you...?"

"I'll let him know when the date is set," He Yuzhu said. "Mom, I don't plan on having a big celebration. We're encouraging thrift these days, and extravagant weddings aren't good. Two tables for a family and friends gathering will be enough."

Lou Xiao'e blushed instantly upon hearing her marriage proposal mentioned, lowered her head, twisted her hands, and felt her ears burning. Did she care about the pomp and circumstance? Not at all. At that moment, her mind was filled with the words "We're getting married," and she felt dizzy as if she had drunk honey.

Mrs. Lou nodded in agreement: "I'll listen to you. Our Lou family doesn't have many close friends left in Beijing. Some have left, some have scattered, and those who remain don't keep in touch often."

"Things will be different once you go to Hong Kong Island!" Lou Xiao'e's eyes lit up. "Dad introduced me to one of his friends, Chen Yizhong, and his wife, Yu Qiaolin. They've been asking about you a lot!"

"Yu Qiaolin?" Lou's mother's eyes widened suddenly, and she exclaimed in surprise, "It must be her! We used to go to the opera together all the time. She's been gone for almost ten years, and I haven't seen her since..."

As they talked, a hint of reminiscence and sighing crept into their voices. The mother and son chatted about the recent situation of the company in Hong Kong, and Mrs. Lou casually asked if Mr. Lou had been "messing around" outside—after all, the atmosphere there was more relaxed, and she had heard that it was even possible to take concubines.

He Yuzhu wasn't making things up; he was telling the truth: The old man is currently so focused on his career that he's barely touching the ground. His second spring in life is just beginning, so how could he possibly have the mind to do anything else? Once the company is stable, then people might be able to focus on other things.

After chatting for a while, Lou's mother got up and said she was going to buy groceries, naturally leaving the young couple some space.

As soon as the door closed, He Yuzhu grinned mischievously at Lou Xiao'e, pulled out a gift he had brought back from Hong Kong, and said mysteriously, "Baby, come up to the bedroom, I'll give it to you separately."

"Oh dear, what is it?" Lou Xiao'e asked shyly and curiously as he led her upstairs by the hand.

"It's a new style from Hong Kong Island. Although it's a cheongsam, it's a bit different from the ones here. E'zi, why don't you try it on?"

"It's just a cheongsam... Oh dear! Why is the side slit so high?"

When Lou Xiao'e saw the dress, her instinct was to throw it aside, but she stopped abruptly as soon as she raised her hand—it was a gift from He Yuzhu. She bit her lip, turned her head away, and her ears turned red.

He Yuzhu's eyes darted around, and he immediately stepped forward: "This is the hottest style in Hong Kong. I had to ask several people to get my hands on it. You look really unwell lately, you must not be sleeping well. Wear this, I'll give you a massage, I guarantee you'll feel comfortable and get a good night's sleep."

Upon hearing the word "massage," Lou Xiao'e immediately thought of that restless hand from last time, her face flushed red, and she muttered with her head down, "No...you're definitely trying to be a pervert again..."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" He Yuzhu said seriously. "I'm a doctor, don't you understand? You have liver qi stagnation and restlessness, you need professional treatment. Besides, don't you know you're staying up late and getting up early?"

His tone was confident, and he even adopted the air of a "medical authority," which made Lou Xiao'e skeptical. She had indeed been suffering from insomnia lately and felt sleepy during the day. After hesitating for a while, she muttered softly, "You can't do anything reckless... Mom will be back in a little while..."

"Have I ever lied to you?" He Yuzhu patted his chest, his eyes so sincere they could be written in a Party membership application.

Lou Xiao'e, seeing his upright and gentlemanly face, finally believed him. She grabbed her cheongsam and ran next door, not forgetting to warn him as she closed the door: "Don't peek!"

The door slammed shut. He Yuzhu smirked and chuckled softly, "Peeking? You'll be watching openly later, that'll be more like it..."

Not long after, the door opened again.

Lou Xiao'e walked out with small, quick steps. The high-slit cheongsam clung tightly to her slender yet shapely figure, revealing glimpses of her legs as she moved, making them appear straight and long. She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper: "Yuzhu… this dress… is too tight…"

"You're too nervous," He Yuzhu said in a deep voice. "Come on, lie down and let me loosen up your muscles. You'll feel better in a bit."

"Or... maybe I should change my clothes before pressing it..."

"Don't change, this one fits perfectly." Without waiting for a reply, he helped her onto the bed. "Relax, don't be afraid."

"Don't...uh...don't touch there...it's so itchy..."

Shh...don't move.

The room gradually quieted down, leaving only intermittent soft moans. At first, it was a coquettish push-off, but soon the sound softened, hanging low in the air like a cat's claws scratching at the heart. A moment later, an uncontrollable whimper suddenly rose in pitch, only to be replaced by a muffled "mmm," mixed with an almost inaudible plea for mercy, sickeningly sweet.