Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

I specially prepared two steamed buns made from two kinds of flour for my younger sister, He Yushui, so they would be softer and easier for her to eat.

Although there is flour at home, it is rarely used.

Even if you're well-off, you still have to be frugal. Life is about planning, not spending.

This family is able to afford fine food because of their solid skills—both father and son are cooks, and their culinary skills are the best in the whole street.

Even Yi Zhonghai, a level-six fitter, has a high salary and a stable position, but his actual income is still not as good as theirs.

He Daqing can save more than ten yuan a month just by bringing back three lunchboxes of leftover food from work every day.

These days, how much rice, flour, oil, and salt can you buy for a dozen yuan?

Just as the steamed buns were being cooked and the mixed flour buns were steaming hot, footsteps came from outside the door.

He Daqing led He Yushui in through the door. His face immediately lit up with a smile when he saw the steaming food on the table: "Great! You've decided to cook today? Oh, and you even brought groceries back? Master's given in?"

While lifting the lid of the steamer basket, He Yuzhu replied, "Yes, my skills have improved rapidly recently. My master said I can take the exam for cook level and then go directly to the second kitchen after becoming a full-fledged cook."

This lunchbox was specially approved by him.

He Daqing was taken aback, then grinned: "Oh? Li Yuanguo speaks highly of you?"

He originally thought his son was just trying to make a living, but he never expected him to actually make a name for himself in the kitchen.

"Okay! I have three boxes of food here too!" He put the lunchboxes on the table, opened the lids—Mapo tofu with specks of red oil, braised pork with a glistening sheen, and a steamed fish with a fresh, fragrant aroma.

In addition, there was the box of richly flavored twice-cooked pork that He Yuzhu brought...

Three meat dishes and one vegetable dish, steaming hot, with an irresistible aroma.

This meal was the best you could find anywhere else in the entire alley, let alone a courtyard house!

As soon as He Daqing sat down, he noticed several steamed buns made from two kinds of flour on the table, and his eyes lit up.

He Yuzhu picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth without looking up, saying, "It was steamed by the rain. She had a hard time eating cornbread; her teeth almost hurt from the chewing."

"Oh, so you know how to dote on your little sister now?" He Daqing grinned, picked up his bowl, and started eating.

Yu Shui was already starving, his chest was sticking to his back, and he said in a childish voice, "Thank you, brother," before grabbing a steamed bun and starting to eat it, his little cheeks puffed out like a hamster.

He Daqing picked up a piece of glistening, fragrant twice-cooked pork, took a couple of bites, and his brow twitched: "Shazhu, did you cook this pork?"

"Otherwise what? I finally figured it out today, and everything went smoothly as soon as I moved my hand. Even my master praised me for my steady control of the heat." He Yuzhu's tone was light, but he was on edge—he couldn't give himself away, he couldn't let anyone know that he had transmigrated back in time.

He rolled his eyes. "And another thing, can you stop calling me 'Silly Zhu'? Even your daughter calls me 'Silly Brother.' You're proud to have a silly son, aren't you?"

"You little brat, you've gone too far!" He Daqing made a kicking motion, but then remembered how he'd been the star of the day at the factory and was about to be promoted, so he pulled his leg back, picked up a second piece of meat, and snorted, "Fine, fine, I'll call you Pillar from now on, are you satisfied?"

They ate a hot and hearty meal, and the three of them ate until their bellies were round.

There's still a little bit of food left in the bowl. Tomorrow morning, I'll add some water and boil it, and it'll be another delicious bowl of rice soup.

He Yuzhu quickly packed up the lunchbox and put it away neatly.

But as soon as he finished eating, He Daqing couldn't sit still. He seemed to have a nail in his seat, looking around for a while before lowering his voice and saying, "I'm going out for a bit. Keep an eye on Yushui. Just leave the door a crack."

He Yuzhu knew perfectly well that he was heading to Widow Bai's place.

His eyes darkened: In this life, I will never let him run away with the money in the middle of the night again!

As soon as He Daqing left, he immediately pulled Yushui to his side and repeatedly instructed him, "Remember, you're not allowed to utter a single word about what we eat or drink! Do you hear me? There are people in the yard who don't see meat all year round. If we show off our wealth, it'll be a disaster!"

The little girl nodded obediently, and He Yuzhu then let her go to do her homework.

Nine-year-old Yushui knew he had to study! He was determined—the He family couldn't be all peasants anymore; they had to produce a college student!

After finishing his homework, he took out a few candies to coax him to study for another incense stick's time, until it was late at night before blowing out the light and going to sleep.

The courtyard fell completely quiet, with only the rustling of insects and the slanting moonlight streaming through the windows.

Suddenly, there were light footsteps outside. With a creak, the door was quietly pushed open, and a dark figure crouched down and slipped in.

"Father, you're back?"

The sudden shout startled He Daqing so much he almost jumped up, growling, "You fucking scared the hell out of me! Are you pretending to be a ghost?"

He Yuzhu slowly sat up from the bed, his tone calm but not dismissive: "Dad, we need to have a good talk."

"What's wrong with you in the middle of the night? Aren't you going to work tomorrow?" He Daqing rubbed his temples. He had just finished being intimate with Widow Bai and was feeling weak all over. All he wanted to do was lie down and sleep.

But He Yuzhu didn't give him a chance to fool her. His voice suddenly rose: "Stop pretending! You want to leave, you want to take Widow Bai to Baoding, right? You also want to take all the money in the house and leave Yushui here unattended?"

"How...how did you know?"

He Daqing's pupils contracted sharply, and he froze.

He had only just made the decision, and even Widow Bai hadn't explained it clearly, so how did it get exposed?

He originally planned to stay in Beijing and settle down, but Widow Bai insisted on going to Baoding, saying that there was a house and land there, and she could also get a job.

He didn't want to leave, but that woman was too seductive. After a few nights of sweet talk, his bones melted and his heart wandered off.

The plan had just been set when it was shattered by his own son's words, how could he not be shocked?

He Yuzhu sneered: "Never mind how I know."

Anyway, I know exactly what you're up to! You're just going to leave, what about Yushui? I might get a permanent position, but she's only nine years old, with no father or support. Who will back her up?

"You little brat, you dare to lecture me?" He Daqing gritted his teeth and growled, but his voice softened halfway through his curse.

He knew that he had always been harsh on this son, often beating and scolding him, but he truly loved Yushui dearly.

I would pick her up and drop her off at school rain or shine, and I would save my cigarette money to buy her sweets and cakes. All the money I sent back from my past life was said to be for the expenses of rainwater.

At that time, He Yuzhu had not yet completed his apprenticeship and his skills were rudimentary. He failed the examination twice and could only continue as an apprentice. His family depended entirely on him for support.

After a moment of silence, He Daqing sighed, his voice low and hoarse: "Zhuzi... your father has never enjoyed any happiness in his life. He finally met someone who cares about him, and I don't want to suffer any longer."

I believe you can protect the rainwater... Besides, your Aunt Bai has many relatives, so they won't be doing badly..."

He Daqing lowered his voice and rambled on and on, his words sounding like he was trying to persuade He Yuzhu, or perhaps encouraging himself.

His eyes were unfocused yet revealed a stubbornness—he was determined to leave Baoding this time.

He also heard rumors that the public-private partnership was about to be implemented.

Before this trend takes hold, I need to find a place to stay in Baoding as soon as possible. Once the policies tighten, it will be much harder to switch jobs.

After hearing this, He Yuzhu sneered and directly lifted the lid: "I won't stop you from going to Baoding, you know I can't stop you."

But if you just pack up and leave, leaving me and Yushui, two kids, one sixteen and the other nine, juggling work and childcare, and then you take all the money we have? You're trying to kill us!"

"Bullshit!" He Daqing glared, his voice trembling. "Even if I'm no better than your father, I'm still your father! How could I abandon you? I'll send you money back the very first month we get to Baoding!"

Even tigers don't eat their cubs; if this gets out, he'll never be able to hold his head high again.

But He Yuzhu wasn't buying it at all, his voice as cold as a knife: "Then arrange things properly before you leave."

Otherwise, I'd have to commute ten miles to work at Fengzeyuan every day, and then catch rainwater after school. How am I supposed to survive? Am I supposed to risk my life?

These words silenced He Daqing.

He had originally planned it all out: Zhu Zi had a job, and he could ask Yi Zhonghai to look after him, while he would send ten yuan back every month, so he wouldn't have to struggle to make ends meet.

But now it's clear that He Yuzhu had no intention of letting him get away easily—if you don't pave your way out, don't expect to leave with peace of mind.

What's even more ruthless is that there's a hidden threat in those words: if you dare to back down, you'll be labeled a "heartless father" by outsiders for the rest of your life.

If this reputation gets back to Baoding, will he still be able to get along there?

After a long silence, He Daqing sighed and softened his tone: "Zhuzi...you've really grown up."

Tell me, what do you want to do?

He Yuzhu didn't mince words and laid out four conditions in one go: "First, return my wages from my three years of apprenticeship; second, buy me a bicycle so I can take Yushui to and from school; third, transfer these two rooms to my name; fourth, write Yushui a letter every month."

As for child support, it's up to you whether you pay it or not. Anyway, I can support her after I get a permanent position.

The four requirements hit the nail on the head.

His salary was his lifeline, his bicycle was a necessity, he was afraid the widow would covet his house, and the letter wasn't for himself, but to prevent him from crying for his father on rainy nights.

As He Daqing listened, his brows gradually relaxed.

This kid is really different.

Steady, accurate, and ruthless; every step was carefully considered.

The only thing that really angered him was the last sentence—"It doesn't matter whether you pay child support or not."

"What nonsense!" He slapped his thigh. "I'm her biological father! How could I shortchange her on food?"

He had barely finished shouting when he remembered that he was the one leaving, and his momentum immediately diminished.

After a moment of silence, he finally nodded: "Okay, I promise you."

I'll make sure the house and bicycle are taken care of before I leave.

Your salary will be deposited into your bank account tomorrow.

I send ten yuan back home every month for my living expenses.

Take good care of her and don't let her suffer any injustice.

Now the accounts are clear.

The apprenticeship lasted three years, with the salary increasing year by year from seven to ten to fifteen yuan, totaling nearly four hundred yuan.

Add to that a 28-inch motorcycle, which crashed directly into He Yuzhu's arms.

Once he became a full-time employee at Fengzeyuan, his monthly salary was 42.5 yuan. With the 10 yuan his father sent him, he suddenly had more money in his pocket.

He was already calculating in his mind: this money was enough to save up for two sets of "three turns and one sound" (referring to a set of watches, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a radio).