Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

The terms He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e discussed—Ministry of Foreign Trade, Hong Kong Island, shipping, demerits—were like looking through frosted glass to her; she could see the shadows but couldn't grasp the essence.

After the meal, she immediately rolled up her sleeves and began clearing the dishes. Living under someone else's roof, she always had to be the first to do chores: washing dishes, boiling water, sweeping the floor, wiping the table—she did it all without fail.

Even so, people around her were still envious when they heard she lived here—this was the best life in the alley.

Just as the last pair of chopsticks were rinsed, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate. Two unfamiliar faces, carrying gifts wrapped in paper and cloth, walked straight into the central garden.

As Yu Li was carrying a basin of water back into the house, a middle-aged man stopped her, his politeness tinged with restraint: "Hello, comrade, may I ask which room Director He Yuzhu of the Third Steel Rolling Mill lives in?"

"Looking for He Yuzhu?"

Yu Li sized the two up and down, unsure of where they came from, but since they had already entered the courtyard, she pointed to the main house: "Look, that's the brightest one. All three rooms belong to him."

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuzhu strode out of the house. His gaze swept over the gift boxes in the two men's hands, and his expression immediately turned cold: "Who is it? Do you need something?"

He knew perfectly well who else could be showing up at this hour with gifts, and who wasn't even a close friend, but Yu Shui's bastard parents?

Could it be that he got the job through connections? But everyone knows that Ho Yu-chu never takes on private jobs, let alone accepts gifts.

"Director He, I am Li Jun's father. I have come here today specifically to apologize..."

Before the middle-aged man could finish speaking, He Yuzhu cut him off decisively: "No need. Take your things and leave. Don't come here again."

Li Jun's father choked on his words, his lips moving a few times, unable to find the words to respond. The woman next to him was about to explode, but just as she opened her mouth, the man forcefully pulled her elbow, forcibly suppressing her anger.

Then Li Jun's father cleared his throat and softened his tone: "Director He, I am Li Yan from the Organization Department of Sijiu City. This was purely a misunderstanding. Please be magnanimous and, for my sake as his father, forgive him for this lesson and give him a chance to learn his lesson—from now on, I, Li Yan, will never refuse any request you may make..."

"Even if you sit on the mayor's seat in Beijing, you still won't be able to put me above you. What? Trying to intimidate me with your official position? Think about whether you're even worthy of it."

He Yuzhu's lips curled into a sneer: "If I really wanted to climb the ladder, I wouldn't be stuck here! I could have been promoted when the washing machine factory was being set up. The scrap metal smelting plant, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture... which one didn't invite me? If I had worked my way up based on my achievements, I might already be a level 11 cadre by now."

"You heartless idiot! How old is he?!"

Li Jun's mother finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted in a trembling voice. If things were done according to the rules, her son's file would immediately be marked with a blemish, and he would be expelled from university; ten years of hard study would be wasted, and at best he would end up working in a factory swinging a wrench.

"Do you believe I'll go find his grandfather and maternal grandfather right now—and then I'll make you, this little logistics director,..."

"Shut up!"

Li Jun's father abruptly interrupted his wife, a vein throbbing on his forehead. That stupid woman! They'd agreed he'd lead the conversation before she left, but she insisted on cutting her off—wasn't she just asking for trouble?

Don't underestimate this man just because he's only the logistics director of a steel rolling mill. At such a young age, he has already received personal visits from the director and chairman of the municipal public security bureau to "clean up his mess." They even looked displeased when they saw him, the organization minister. This alone is enough to show how much he has been reprimanded.

Li Jun's father suppressed his anger, forced a smile, and took another step closer: "Director He, Li Jun really did cause trouble this time. He has admitted his mistake and is scared. Do you think... we could turn a blind eye?"

"No way! I'll say it again: handle it however you see fit! I've already been disciplined, and you, you little devil, think you can get away unscathed? You're still dreaming!"

He Yuzhu's eyes were as cold as knives: "Don't try to scare me with other people. I've even spoken with the Vice Leader to his face. Want to find a backer? Go ahead and try! Let's see who can make me utter a single word of 'submission'!"

"Director He..."

"Get out of here right now, or I'll have to call people to kick you out!"

A sharp shout came down, and the color drained from the faces of Li Jun's parents. Just as they were about to retort, Li Jun's father caught a glimpse of a calligraphy piece on the wall out of the corner of his eye—the seal was upright and the signature was vigorous. His heart sank.

This He Yuzhu... actually has a relationship with the leader?

If it were fake, who would dare to hang it openly on the main wall of their living room? They'd be asking for trouble.

He was quick-witted and had inquired beforehand: He Yuzhu had made numerous merits, had just received the Medal of the Republic, and then displayed a calligraphy piece personally inscribed by the leader—would someone like him be foolish enough to forge something and ruin his future?

"Walk!"

His voice was deep and hoarse as he grabbed his wife's wrist and dragged her outside. The woman wanted to curse, but he covered her mouth and forcefully pulled her out of the courtyard.

Once outside the courtyard, Li Jun's father lowered his voice and scolded, "Shut up! I'll go home and ask my dad about this. We've spoiled him rotten since he was little, and now he's this pathetic! Look at He Yuzhu, he's only a few years older than Li Jun, but he stands tall, stands firm, and speaks his mind. Tell me, what's wrong with him?"

"Now you're blaming me..."

Just as the woman was about to retort, she suddenly saw an elderly man with a cane slowly walk out of the gate and walk towards them.

She immediately fell silent.

Li Jun's father quickly straightened his collar and stepped forward: "Old comrade, is this...something you need us for?"

Yi Zhonghai took a breath and said slowly, "Gentlemen, the person inside just now... was he looking for Sha Zhu? I live across the street from Zhongyuan. I overheard a few arguments and wanted to come over and say something..."

"Silly Pillar?"

"Oh, that's He Yuzhu's nickname. His dad used to call him that when he was little, and the neighbors started calling him that too, for many years. Later, he didn't want to hear it anymore, and everyone gradually changed their way of addressing him, but quite a few people still slip it out..."

Li Jun's father nodded and said politely, "Comrade, we are indeed here to see Director He. May I ask what brings you here?"

Yi Zhonghai quickly chimed in, "I used to be an eighth-grade fitter at the steel rolling mill, but because of some old grudge with He Yuzhu... he demoted me to fifth grade with a single transfer order. That guy's got a fiery temper, a sharp tongue, and a big ego; he acts like he owns the place just because he has some connections—I'm here specifically to give you two a heads-up..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Jun's father raised his hand, indicating, "Old comrade, I understand. However, it's too late today, and I have urgent matters at home. Let's discuss this in detail another day, okay?"

Before he finished speaking, he had already grabbed his wife's arm, turned around, and left without leaving any room for negotiation.

How could someone who was personally awarded a medal by the Vice Leader and whose home displays the Leader's handwritten inscription be an unreasonable hothead? He was negligent; he should go back and find out the details before deciding on a course of action.

The two figures disappeared at the alley entrance. Yi Zhonghai stood there, his cane pausing for a moment, stunned. He didn't know how much the other party understood, but since they had said "we'll talk another day," they had at least left him a way out.

"Great Qing, have you made up your mind? Is the matter I entrusted to you even feasible?"

In a large courtyard near the washing machine factory, Widow Bai nestled in He Daqing's arms, her voice as soft as spring water.

He Daqing frowned and hesitated, saying, "Let's wait a bit... You know Zhuzi's temper; he'll definitely get angry if we bring this up. To be frank, I wronged his mother back then, and now I'm arranging for your two sons to get jobs in the factory. How can he be happy about that?"

Widow Bai longed for her two sons to come to Beijing and find stable jobs. Sending money every month was not a long-term solution; opportunities were scarce and career paths were limited in Baocheng, which was nowhere near as good as Beijing.

These days she has been taking good care of He Daqing. When she took him to Baocheng, she was in her early thirties. Now she is almost forty, still charming and with a gentle and tender look in her eyes.

"Didn't you say that Deputy Factory Director Bai is taking special care of you because of that kid Zhu Zi? Why don't you quietly go and ask her for help, without disturbing Zhu Zi, okay?"

The widow lowered her voice and offered a suggestion. Upon hearing this, He Daqing's mind immediately started working.

He lived a very comfortable life at the washing machine factory—a level-six cook, also serving as the canteen supervisor. His daily tasks included managing the small kitchen and checking in, while he only nominally handled the communal cooking. Following He Yuzhu's example, he took on several apprentices, teaching them how to toss the wok, adjust the heat, and control the oil. Although he didn't reveal his family's secret recipe, he had long since mastered the essential skills of stir-frying, stewing, braising, and simmering. Now, apart from the small kitchen, he had completely washed his hands of everything else, living a leisurely life like he was retiring. His monthly salary and allowances totaled fifty yuan, and he ate all three meals at the canteen, enjoying plenty of oil and fat.

"Deputy Factory Director Bai... if we really go to find her, what about Zhu Zi?"

He Daqing scratched the back of his head and hesitated, then said, "He'll definitely get angry, and he might even send my two sons back to their hometown."

Bai Danyu had indeed taken good care of him, turning a blind eye to his lateness and early departures, never making a fuss. He was able to live so freely in the factory because everyone knew that Deputy Factory Director Bai was protecting him. As for rumors? Not really—Bai Danyu had once publicly called out "Uncle He" at the factory gate, and as soon as that greeting landed, everyone below speculated: Could he be a distant relative? Or an old friend? He Daqing was also puzzled at first, but after hearing Bai Danyu's explanation that he and He Yuzhu were inseparable friends, he understood.

The widow wrung her hands anxiously, "Da Qing, please help your brother! They will definitely not treat you badly in the future—I'll write a contract on the spot, and half of my salary for the first three years will be given to you as a private stipend for our elderly father!"

Ever since she settled in Beijing with her two sons, she has repeatedly given them instructions and admonitions. Now, when the two boys see He Daqing, they call him "Dad" at the drop of a hat, and their obedience warms his heart.

"this……"

He Daqing's eyes lit up, and after a moment's thought, he finally nodded: "Okay, I'll sound them out tomorrow. If it works out, I'll let you know right away."

He pondered: it might not be impossible to bring her back without He Yuzhu's knowledge; besides, Xiaobai has been taking better care of him than the old manager has, so helping her with this little favor would be a way of returning the favor.

While He Yuzhu remained firm and refused to budge, things became much easier for the Municipal Public Security Bureau.