Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Although Lou's mother's cooking skills were not as good as his, they were still quite authentic—she was a descendant of the Tan family cuisine, and she had a perfect grasp of the cooking time and temperature.

After eating and drinking his fill, he put down his chopsticks and went upstairs.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Jia family's courtyard house had sunk to rock bottom.

The moment Uncle Er spoke up, everyone in the courtyard knew that Jia Dongxu had been assigned to clean the toilets. This time, no one else took the blame for him; even Xu Damao wasn't caught. He was the only one who had to take the fall.

For two months, a full sixty days, I scrubbed the toilet every single day.

Just thinking about it made Jia Dongxu feel that the day the project started would be his doomsday.

Qin Huairu found out too, but what could a housewife do? She could only advise him to think more positively, and if all else failed, to ask He Yuzhu for leniency.

The moment those words left his mouth, Jia Dongxu's eyes instantly turned bloodshot, his gaze piercing her like knives, and he growled, "You're not allowed to go see He Yuzhu! Even if I have to clean toilets for a year, you're not allowed to go!"

Last time, Qin Huairu knelt and begged, which was already the limit of the Jia family's willingness to submit. Is she going to go even further this time? Kneeling won't work; does that mean she'll have to strip naked and offer herself to them?

For Jia Dongxu, this was even more humiliating than shoveling manure!

"Alright, alright, I won't look for Sha Zhu anymore..."

Qin Huairu was startled by Jia Dongxu's expression, and she quickly tried to comfort him in a low voice.

Seeing that his mood had calmed down a bit, Qin Huairu cautiously spoke up: "Dongxu, are we going to spend the New Year with that old lady again this year? I tentatively asked her this afternoon, and it seems she's planning to stay with the deaf old lady... So, what about us..."

Jia Dongxu frowned. Back when their master, Yi Zhonghai, was still alive, the three families would gather around the stove every year for the New Year's Eve celebration, creating a lively atmosphere, and they could also share in the joy. Now that their master was gone, the older woman had become much less friendly towards their family, and trying to get close to her would only feel like inviting a cold shoulder.

But what if I have to spend the New Year alone? The little bit of food we have at home won't last more than three days. I can't exactly start eating cornmeal porridge with pickled vegetables on the third day of the Lunar New Year, can I?

He hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I'll ask tomorrow... For Master's sake, the old lady shouldn't refuse."

Qin Huairu nodded: "Yes, it should be fine. I've been helping that older woman with chores these past two days..."

Before she could finish speaking, she sighed softly to herself. If only Sha Zhu could still smile at her like he did when she first entered the hospital, and speak to her as if she had struck gold.

"Hey lady, let me lend a hand."

In the morning, Qin Huairu saw an old woman washing clothes by the pool, so she immediately grabbed a basin and followed her.

In the past, this action would have earned Jia Zhangshi a severe scolding—she hadn't even finished her own work properly, yet she had the leisure to curry favor with outsiders! She should have used that time to sew a few more pairs of shoe soles and at least earn some money!

Now everything's fine. Jia Zhangshi is gone, and Jia Dongxu, feeling ashamed to clean the toilets, hasn't shown up. There's no one in the courtyard who can control her anymore. Not even a word is uttered about the discipline stick. For Qin Huairu, it's like the emperor is far away, and she's extremely carefree.

"No need, no need, Huairu, you already have so many clothes, and it's cold outside, what will you do if your hands get cold..."

The older woman quickly waved her hand.

Before she could finish speaking, Qin Huairu chimed in with a smile, "It's alright, Auntie. I've got hot water boiling in my room, I'll just add some in a bit. You should go back and keep an eye on Zhiliang; he's a little kid, make sure he doesn't get hurt. I'll take care of everything."

One sentence struck a nerve, and the middle-aged woman hesitated. She hadn't let her child out earlier because she was afraid of the cold; what if he ran around inside and fell...?

Actually, it's not that easy for a three- or four-year-old to get into trouble, especially since Yi Zhiliang is well-behaved and sensible. But a mother's heart is always on edge. Plus, she's handling the chores for two families by herself, keeping her incredibly busy. Otherwise, why would it be just her and Qin Huairu doing the laundry at the end of the year?

"Then... Huairu, you..."

"Don't worry, ma'am!" Qin Huairu deftly spread the clothes on the washboard. "It's just two pieces, it'll be a piece of cake, I guarantee I'll wash them spotless for you."

The older woman sighed with gratitude, "Thank you so much, Huairu."

"Look at you, it's just a small matter!"

As she spoke, the older woman turned and went back into the house to look after the child, leaving Qin Huairu alone squatting by the sink, the sound of her scrubbing making a splashing noise.

In the courtyard, everyone was already busy preparing for the New Year: some were steaming buns, some were frying meatballs, and some were dusting and cleaning the house; the aroma of cooking filled the air.

Although Yan Bugui no longer holds the title of "Third Uncle," he continues to do his old job without fail.

Before the New Year, we moved the octagonal table to the front yard, with red paper pressing down on the inkstone. The fruit plate next to it was empty, and the prices were clearly marked—a pair of Spring Festival couplets and a handful of peanuts or melon seeds would do; if not, a penny or two would be waived.

With over twenty households, each household could earn at least two or three yuan during the Lunar New Year. Even the people from the neighboring courtyard would come over to him for help, just to save themselves the trouble.

As for those dirty deeds of the past? Nobody mentions them anymore. When it comes to human relationships, nobody holds onto old grudges. Besides, Yan Bugui has been much more well-behaved this year, keeping a low profile, and his business is actually doing better than in previous years.

In just one morning, seven households came to his door, and he received three cents plus a small handful of melon seeds and peanuts in return, making him so happy that he couldn't stop smiling.

Despite the joy of drinking cola, I still felt a pang of bitterness in my heart—if I hadn't fallen out with He Yuzhu, I would have earned much more today!

He was the most generous person in the courtyard! When others gave him melon seeds and peanuts, he would give them milk candy in return, ten or so at a time. They would cost more than a dollar outside, not even counting the food coupons!

It's a pity, it's completely over. He himself was dismissed from his post as "Third Uncle," and it was He Yuzhu who led the way in overturning the table.

While Qin Huairu was squatting by the river washing clothes, Jia Dongxu took a break and slipped over to an older woman's house, cheerfully asking if she wanted to celebrate the New Year together. This time, his attitude was unusually kind, unlike his usual abruptness. The older woman listened, her mind preoccupied with the letter from Yi Zhonghai, and recalling the hot soup and meals Qin Huairu had brought her these past few days, and her constant concern for her well-being…

She knew the Jia family was probably just looking to freeload. But then she thought, a lively atmosphere would be good—this was the first Lunar New Year's Eve since she brought Zhiliang home. If it was just her and the deaf old lady keeping watch, the child would be too lonely. Besides, Jia Dongxu was, after all, her husband's apprentice; she had to give him face.

The Yi family had no worries about New Year's goods. The money Yi Zhonghai sent back was enough to eat meat every day until the Lantern Festival, not to mention that the old lady herself made paper boxes to supplement the family income. What she wanted wasn't food and drink, but the company and the warmth of family.

So she nodded in agreement, and the three families sat around a table to celebrate the New Year in a lively atmosphere.

But the excitement didn't reach the He family.

This year, the He siblings didn't show up at the courtyard house at all. In previous years, many people would have liked to come and eat at their house, since He Yuzhu always prepared the most lavish New Year's gifts. But this year, they went to the Lou family's house instead.

The Lou family observes all the traditional customs for the New Year. He Yuzhu did not miss a single one: sweeping the dust, pasting Spring Festival couplets, having New Year's Eve dinner, staying up late on New Year's Eve, paying New Year's visits, visiting relatives and friends... In the past, it was just him and He Yushui, so they could save money wherever possible; now that the two families were together, the scale of the celebrations could not be taken lightly.

Lou Xiao'e had rarely seen these folk New Year customs since childhood, but this year, she joined in the festivities and actually had a lot of fun. He Daqing also replied, saying he would definitely come back a few days before the wedding.

When it was time to pay New Year's visits, He Yuzhu carried gift boxes and went from house to house. Since he had not yet formally married Lou Xiao'e, she could not accompany him and stayed at home.

But he wasn't idle these past few days—he took the opportunity to meet with Chen Xueru twice. The location was no longer the dark corner behind the silk shop warehouse, but his two-courtyard house near Zhengyangmen.

Chen Xueru brought her mother to celebrate the Lunar New Year. To avoid being seen, she made an excuse to visit a friend, but actually went out secretly and spent two days with He Yuzhu.

During the Lunar New Year period, everyone is relaxed. Even when children get into trouble, parents are too lazy to get angry—the level of tolerance is at its highest during the New Year.

In the courtyard, the Jia family, along with an older woman and a deaf old lady, ate together for two days before parting ways on the third. The trigger was Banggeng snatching meat from Yi Zhiliang's bowl, then stubbornly insisting, "This is my room, I can eat whatever I want!"

The older woman's face immediately changed. Although Qin Huairu had scolded her son a few times, those words were like a thorn stuck in her heart.

She didn't come to help for nothing. She brought far more food than three people, and even gave Banggeng and Xiaodang red envelopes for the Lunar New Year. And what happened? The children didn't appreciate it; instead, they bullied Zhiliang at the dinner table.

On the third day, she simply stopped visiting the Jia family. When Qin Huairu returned home and heard this, she was so angry that she slapped Bang Geng twice.

Jia Dongxu's face was grim. He knew that without the auntie's arrival, the family's income would immediately be cut in half. But he didn't stop Qin Huairu from hitting the child—this slap was, in a way, satisfying.

Besides the Jia family, the Xu family also had a chaotic New Year.

Xu Damao has been a full-time employee for almost two years now, his job is stable, and his parents have even given him a large room. He can be considered to have "established his career," and all that's left is to "start a family."

He didn't want to lose to He Yuzhu, but after several blind dates, none of the women could compare to Chen Xueru in his eyes. Apart from being young and a virgin, she was completely outshone in every other aspect—looks, temperament, and family background.

Beauty and wealth were also advantages, and Xu Damao became more and more unwilling to accept it. But no matter how unwilling he was, it was useless. Chen Xueru didn't even bother to look at him, as if he were just a nobody on the street.

He gritted his teeth and spent money to order several expensive clothes from Xue Ru Silk Shop, hoping to make himself known. But even though he received the clothes, he was still ignored.

To make matters worse, his harassment of Chen Xueru angered Fan Jinyou. The two clashed several times, deepening their animosity.

After the Spring Festival, factories gradually resumed operations, and He Yuzhu returned to his post.

However, some small shops opened late, such as Xue Ru Silk Shop – which was closed for two days due to the holiday, so its opening was naturally delayed as well.

When the market first opened, business was slow. In the first month after the New Year, almost no one came to buy fabric. Chen Xueru simply made a shift schedule, letting everyone take turns working so they could rest at home more often.

Fan Jinyou was unhappy, but Chen Xueru shut him up with a single sentence: "I've been running this shop for so many years, and every year has been like this."

Their business is a silk shop, specializing in fabrics and clothing, not a supply and marketing cooperative that sells oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. In previous years, before the public-private partnership, they were too lazy to set up their stall for a month after the New Year, and it was deserted with no customers.

Now, almost everyone in the store listens to Chen Xueru. Only Fan Jin stood up to oppose the rotating shift system—but he was outnumbered and his voice was quickly suppressed. If things escalated to the neighborhood committee, he might even lose his title as the "public manager."