Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

After saying that, he turned and left without giving Liu Lan another glance.

A wise person stops speaking when they've said enough; a fool, however, can't swallow even if you chew something up and feed it to him.

……

As soon as the bell rang to signal the end of the workday, He Yuzhu didn't rush to leave. He waited until the two men had polished the tables, chairs, and stoves for the twenty-odd people until they shone brightly before slowly taking out his key, locking the canteen door with a "click," and turning to the security department to hand over the key.

If something goes wrong, the blame won't fall on your own back.

After the last worker sauntered out of the factory area, the security team, carrying flashlights, patrolled door by door: workshops, canteens, warehouses... checking each one in the dark to make sure no one had sneaked in.

Tomorrow, with all sorts of people mingling, even losing a single screw would be considered dereliction of duty—failure to properly check on patrols? Then the responsibility would fall entirely on the patrol team.

After completing the entire round trip, I returned to the department to report.

……

When He Yuzhu stepped into the courtyard, the whole place was filled with laughter and chatter. The children were chattering around the well, figuring out how many fatty pieces they could get from the braised pork that night.

He came back late—the work of more than twenty people, sweeping, mopping, and wiping tables, how could he be quick? Not to mention that Director Zhang forced the keys into his hand and also stuffed a pack of "Daqianmen" cigarettes into it.

Stepping into the Intermediate Court, one sees He Yushui sitting blankly on the threshold, taking small bites of two cold steamed buns.

She looked up, her eyes instantly lighting up: "Brother, you're back!"

He Yuzhu frowned: "Hungry? There's still cabbage and potatoes at home. You can stir-fry some hot and sour shredded potatoes yourself."

She shook her head, her voice barely audible, "I want to wait for you to eat together."

—If he believed that, He Yuzhu would have needed a brain transplant long ago.

He carried the meat into the house, neatly cut it into long strips, coated it with sauce, and simmered it over low heat to make cherry meat—soft, tender, and flavorful, even the old lady with weak teeth could chew it.

He Yushui squatted down beside her, chattering on and on: Today, an old man helped Qin Huairu's family get some meat. Jia Zhangshi was busy cooking in the kitchen, and didn't even bother to say "try it and see if it's salty or bland" to her. After putting the meat on the table, she turned around and went back into her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

He Yuzhu rolled his eyes as he listened—what are you trying to tell me about your family's dirty business?

She added, "Sister Qin knew perfectly well that I was home alone, but she didn't ask Banggeng to come over and invite me to sit down."

He Yuzhu didn't even lift his eyelids: "People think you don't care about that piece of meat at all."

Too lazy to reply.

After the meat was braised, he divided it into three portions and pushed one to his younger sister: "Take this to Grandma."

He Yushui had just stepped into the house when he chased after her again: "Here's the ticket, take the three yuan. I'll be cooking for someone tomorrow, so I'll be back late. You spend the holiday with Grandma, buy some fruits and snacks, and divide each into three portions—one for Grandma, one for me, and one for you."

With a cherry in her mouth, she mumbled a response, "Mmm."

He Yuzhu thought to himself: If you want to be a bodhisattva, I can't stop you; if you use your own things to give alms, I can't interfere. On ordinary days, if there's a hot meal or half a piece of meat, I'll still break it in half for you. As for other things, let's not waste time talking nonsense.

When He Yushui saw that her brother even clearly distinguished between bowls and chopsticks, her heart sank. The heated argument hadn't even faded yet, and the day before yesterday, he had stuffed a stewed pig's trotter into Qin Huairu's hands. This time, he had truly dried up all their affection, leaving not even ashes.

early morning

He Yushui held a pair of cotton shoes with fine stitches, which she had sewn herself, and gently knocked on the door.

As soon as the door opened, she looked up, her eyes sparkling: "Brother, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! New shoes, just the right size for me. Look at this coat I'm wearing, don't I look smart?"

He Yuzhu took the shoes, his fingertips brushing against the thick blue cloth, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly: "Alright, at least I didn't raise you for nothing. All the cloth coupons we got for the New Year are yours."

"Brother, you're so kind!" Her voice was light and cheerful, like a wind chime just hanging from the eaves.

He put on his new shoes, quickly washed up, picked up his enamel mug, and rushed to the factory.

Jia Zhangshi, dangling along with her cane, came over. He Yuzhu didn't even lift an eyelid—stealing buns from his steamer, getting splattered with excrement and then turning around to accuse him, this kind of person was best avoided. He quickened his pace, taking three steps at a time and leaving.

As soon as I stepped into the factory gate, a crowd of people rushed towards me, and the noise was deafening.

This frenzy is probably only surpassed by the rush to buy train tickets at the train station after the Lunar New Year.

The faces of adults and children alike were radiant, their eyes and brows beaming with smiles.

On the large playground, the Yangko dance team had already started dancing, with red ribbons fluttering and gongs and drums shaking the ground.

He Yuzhu turned straight into the main hall—this morning was the model worker commendation meeting, and all the factory leaders were waiting on the stage.

The hall was already packed to capacity, with only a few empty seats left in the last row. He rushed forward to claim his seat; any later, and he'd be standing against the wall listening to the loudspeakers.

A few minutes later, the leaders filed in and took their seats.

Factory Director Yang raised his hand and pressed down twice, then grabbed the microphone and spoke in a booming voice: "Comrades! We have grain in our hands and money in our pockets, but let's not forget who braved the wind and snow to forge this road? Let's not forget what burdens we carry on our shoulders! We workers must put in our best effort, make the light shine brighter, and ignite the heat to the core!"

Two high-mounted loudspeakers hummed loudly, each word hitting every ear.

The applause erupted like thunder, lasting for a long time.

Factory Director Yang paused briefly, then announced loudly, "Whoever sweats the most, whoever shoulders the strongest, deserves to stand on the stage and be respected by everyone! Today, the factory will award certificates and prizes to these outstanding comrades!"

Another round of applause erupted.

Each workshop, each work group, and the frontline assault team took turns calling roll. One by one, the model workers walked onto the stage with their chests out and heads held high, and cheers surged like a tide.

Each person received a set of items: a large blue-and-white porcelain jar printed with "Serve the People," a snow-white new towel, a warm-glazed enamel basin, plus a few kilograms of meat coupons and half a kilogram of sugar coupons.

As the last model worker walked off the stage clutching his certificate, Factory Director Yang beamed, "Today is a day of harvest, a day of reunion! The factory has prepared folk dances, stilt walking, movies, and a garden party—wishing all our workers a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and good health to your families!"

Before the applause had even subsided, the crowd surged out like a receding tide.

He Yuzhu stood at the door for a while longer, just to soak up some of the festive atmosphere—the people dancing the Yangko, beating drums and gongs, and swaying on stilts, all for the sake of celebration.

He turned and moved to the outer edge. Just as he reached the edge of the crowd, he saw two projectors set up in the distance, far apart, to prevent the crowd from collapsing the screen.

It was past three in the afternoon, and my belly was already so flat it was sticking to my spine.

But the factory's veteran employees were very shrewd. They would bring pancakes, pickled vegetables, and boiled eggs in advance, have a bite at noon, chew a couple more bites in the evening, watch the movie, and then go home without wasting a single moment.

He glanced around and saw that a familiar face from the cafeteria was craning his neck to stare at the screen, his face flickering in and out of focus from the light and shadow. He didn't go over to strike up a conversation.

After wandering around for a while, he spotted He Yushui standing on tiptoe, peering into the crowd.

He pushed his way through the crowd, reaching out to ask, "Give me the keys, I need to hurry to the Lou family's house to help with the cooking. I'll bring you some freshly cooked goodies when I get back tonight!"

"Brother, come back soon!" she replied, looking up at him.

"If the movie goes on until 10 PM, are you really willing to leave?"

"Then you must be back before eleven o'clock—and bring double the portions!" She winked and smiled slyly.

He gripped the key tightly, strode out of the factory gate, and headed straight for the courtyard house.

Arriving at the Lou family's door, I rang the doorbell.

Lou's mother opened the door upon hearing the sound, and her face immediately lit up when she saw him: "Zhuzi is here? Come in, come in! What are you bringing? We're family, no need for formalities!" She tugged at his sleeve with a smile and ushered him inside.

Lou's mother turned and went into the kitchen to serve the dishes, and Lou Xiao'e rolled up her sleeves and followed her in to help.

Just as He Yuzhu lifted his leg to walk towards the kitchen, Lou's father called out to him from the main room: "Zhuzi, sit here! They're busy, you rest."

Mother Lou brought out a steaming pot of stewed chicken and set the table with a smile: "Dinner will be served immediately. Please sit down; this is the main event!"

The family of four sat around a table, the aroma of food mingling with the sound of the radio. The room was warm and cozy, and they chatted softly and comfortably.

Mr. Lou put down his chopsticks and slowly said, "I've found out about your family's affairs. I've already planned Xiao'e's dowry: a bicycle, a sewing machine, a watch, and a radio—everything will be included. You don't need to worry about your side."

He Yuzhu put down his bowl, his tone becoming more serious: "Dad, I have to say this upfront, don't be angry—Xiao'e will only take two new quilts, nothing else. Her 'Forever' bicycle is enough. The more low-key, the better."

Lou's father looked him up and scrutinized him closely, his brows furrowing slightly: "These words... weren't just casually spoken, were they?"

He Yuzhu lowered his voice: "I was cooking for my old boss a while ago and overheard some rumors. It seems the higher-ups are about to change their tune."

Lou's father tensed up: "Are you afraid... of attracting attention?"

"From now on, the older workers will be the backbone. People like us, if the wind blows, the roof might be blown off."

……

After a moment of silence, Mr. Lou suddenly laughed: "Son, based on what you just said, I have to say, you have a sense of right and wrong, and you know what's what. Go ahead and say it, your mother and I will never get angry with you."

He Yuzhu took a deep breath: "I would like to ask you to accompany Xiao'e to the subdistrict office to sever all kinship ties and obtain a formal certificate."

The radio was still playing in the living room, but the background noise seemed to have been removed.

Dead silence.

Three pairs of eyes stared at his face, astonished, bewildered, and incredulous.

Lou Xiao'e was the first to come to her senses, grabbing his arm: "Mom and Dad, don't blame him! Everyone outside calls him 'Silly Zhu,' don't take his nonsense seriously!"

Lou's parents remained silent. What they understood was not the word "stupid," but the heavy chill behind those words.

Lou's mother stood up, her voice soft but steady: "Xiao'e, go to the kitchen, take out the box of pastries your mother packed, and give it to Zhuzi."

He Yuzhu silently got up and walked towards the door.

Lou Xiao'e quickly followed, carrying a heavy paper bag in her hand.

The two stood outside the gate, bathed in the slanting autumn sunlight.

She looked at him, her voice a little hoarse: "Are you really confused, or are you too perceptive? What family would have their in-laws bring up 'severing ties' before their daughter gets married? I'll coax Mom and Dad tomorrow, and you can come back later to apologize properly—they're soft-hearted and really good people."

He Yuzhu scratched the back of his head and grinned, "Oh dear, I was too impulsive and didn't keep my mouth shut. You're so kind and forgiving, you really don't hold it against me. I can finally relax! I'll definitely kowtow to my parents and apologize properly later!"