Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

The two little ones had just climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), still muttering and bickering in very low voices, like two kittens whose fur hadn't fully grown in yet fighting over a nest.

The door creaked open, and Yang Chengyi poked his head in, carrying a plump old hen with glossy feathers and muddy claws.

Yang Chengyi: "Uncle, I exchanged this with Old Zhang from the supply and marketing cooperative today. Thank you for helping me get a job at the factory three years ago! I remember it."

Ever since He Yuzhu brought him into the steel rolling mill, this kid would bring something every few days: sometimes half a pound of white sugar, sometimes two packets of noodles, and at his most diligent, he would even bring freshly steamed cornbread, still warm, tucked into his pocket.

He Yuzhu: "Is business at the liquor store going well? Close up shop early at night, don't rush around in the dark."

Yang Chengyi: "Don't worry, Uncle, I know what I'm doing! Here are a few fruit candies for the younger siblings to enjoy."

He Yuzhu casually pulled half a bag of flour from the cupboard and handed it to him: "Take this back and chop some filling, make some dumplings to nourish yourself. I won't see you off, I can't get away right now."

Yang Chengyi: "Okay! I'll head out first."

Before she finished speaking, Aunt Yi stepped in carrying a large blue-and-white porcelain bowl. The soup was clear and bright, with a few golden oil bubbles floating on top, and the aroma wafted straight into people's noses.

Aunt Yi: "Did Xiao'e drink it? I simmered this soup for four hours, and only added a little half a spoonful of salt. This is the most nourishing soup for postpartum women."

He Yuzhu: "We just ate, so put it on the table. You can take this fish home and stew it for Jiye and Fangfang—I bought two today, they're very fresh."

Aunt Yi: "Then I'll head back now. My two little darlings are waiting to be put to sleep."

He Yuzhu quickly boiled another pot of eggs, planning to share them with his familiar coworkers at the factory the next morning. Aunt Yi was truly kind-hearted; every time Lou Xiao'e was in postpartum confinement, she would stay by her side for the full thirty days, waiting for him to come home from get off work before returning home late at night, taking care of everything from the stove and diapers to feeding and putting her to sleep. He thought to himself: when he has more money in the future, he must help their family; this kindness is heavy and cannot be delayed.

I bumped into Xu Damao when I came in today. He had brought back two fat chickens from somewhere after showing a movie, and they were clucking and scratching for food in the yard. His family is doing very well these days—both husband and wife work, Xu Damao gets gifts every few days, and Jia Zhangshi's face is so round you could pinch water out of it; she even waddles when she walks.

Every time the He family had a new baby, Xu Damao would get him completely drunk, lying on the kang (heated brick bed) silently shedding tears. Qin Huairu could only hand him hot towels and strong tea again and again, and then gently persuade him for half the night.

The next day, He Yuzhu took the day off and waited at home for the Liu family to arrive. Steamed buns were being cooked on the stove, braised pork was simmering in the pot, and four cold dishes and four hot dishes were laid out on the eight-immortal table. He Yushui also took the day off; it was customary—before a young woman's marriage, the house had to be bright and presentable. Liu Yuanhao specially invited Sister Hu, a highly respected figure in the factory, to be the matchmaker. The whole family arrived carrying a box of pastries, an enamel basin, and a thermos flask with the character "囍" (double happiness) printed on it. He Yuzhu's house had now been divided into two rooms. In the inner room, Lou Xiao'e was resting against soft pillows, while several children were chasing hoops around the backyard.

Sister Hu smiled and said, "Master He, these days we're all about new customs and simplicity, not those fancy formalities. I'm here today to let our two families shake hands, and from now on we're one family!"

He Yuzhu quickly stood up to offer her a seat: "It's all thanks to Sister Hu's hard work! Xiao Hao is a reliable child, and Yushui has also agreed, so we have no objections."

Mr. Liu laughed heartily: "Then we'll be in-laws from now on!"

He Yuzhu: "Hello, Uncle and Aunt!"

Sister Hu pulled out a small notebook and flipped through it: "The Liu family asked me to pass on a message—a hundred yuan for the engagement gift, a length of cotton cloth, a Shanghai brand watch, and a Forever brand bicycle. You can choose the date, and hurry up and get the wedding done."

He Yuzhu: "Good things should be done sooner rather than later; it should be completed by the end of the month!"

Around the dining table, hot soup and dishes filled the air with warmth, and both families ate until their foreheads were sweating. He Yushui saw the guests off to the courtyard gate, and when she turned back, He Yuzhu was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) peeling garlic.

He looked up at his sister and said, "I've thought it over—you can take all the dowry and gifts from your in-laws; we'll also get you a Bee brand sewing machine and a Red Lantern brand radio, making a complete 'three turns and one sound' (referring to a set of three watches and one radio), so you can have a grand wedding. What do you think?"

He Yushui's eyes welled up with tears, and she softly replied, "I'll listen to you, brother."

She had been working for almost a year, earning a monthly salary of fifty-six yuan, which she handed over to her sister-in-law in full, barely touching even her grain and cloth coupons. Only during holidays like Chinese New Year would He Yuzhu take her to the department store to pick out a pair of leather shoes; otherwise, she wore old cloth shoes patched upon patched.

Now the cloth coupons and industrial vouchers the family had saved were enough to buy a sewing machine and a radio. The other party was being very generous, and the family couldn't be stingy. He Yuzhu stuffed all the coupons into her hand, and then pulled out the six hundred yuan that Lou Xiao'e had secretly saved from under her pillow. It was a thick wad of money, neatly wrapped in blue cloth.

"Tomorrow, go to the department store, pick out what you like, and have it delivered right to your door. Also, buy two silk duvet covers, and get yourself a new outfit and a new pair of leather shoes."

He Yushui choked up, rushed over and hugged her brother, her shoulders trembling slightly.

He Yuzhu patted her on the back: "Why are you crying on such a joyous day? The Liu family is so generous—both parents are level eight technicians, and you two are college graduates assigned to the factory. You earn a combined 220 a month, which is ten times better than we did back then! Even Yubing doesn't cry as easily as you do."

He Yushui sobbed, "It's just... I just feel that you and your sister-in-law have treated me too well, and I can't bear to leave."

He Yuzhu shook her head with a smile: "No matter how far you marry, it's only a ten-minute bike ride home! He Aijun has been eyeing your room for a while now, saying he wants to turn it into his 'headquarters.' Alright, stop crying. If your eyes are swollen, how will you face your in-laws tomorrow?"

Lou Xiaosi lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), twisting her neck and shouting, "Shame on you! Auntie is still crying!" After saying that, she made faces and stuck out and retracted her tongue.

He Yushui stopped crying and smiled, took a few steps over and hugged him tightly.

At this moment, He Yubing stood at the door with her hands on her hips, her little face tense: "Dad! Are you going to do anything about this? He Aijun threw snowballs at me!" She looked like someone owed her three candies.

He Yuzhu roared, "If he dares to come back, I'll flip his ass over!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than the little girl tiptoed up, grabbed the candy wrapper from the Liu family on the table, unwrapped one, popped it into her mouth, and darted out of the courtyard gate in a flash.

He Yuzhu picked up the bowl of plain, unsalted vegetable soup and gently placed it on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) in the inner room, feeding Lou Xiao'e spoonful by spoonful.

Lou Yue's little face was still wrinkled, looking just like a newly hatched chick. Her older siblings would avoid her, finding her ugly. Lou Xiaosi was even worse, constantly yelling, "Mom! Get Lou Yue away! She's taking your place to hold me!"—all because Lou Xiao'e had been lying in bed all day, so even his favorite activity of being lifted up high was ruined.

He Yushui carried Lou Xiaosi into her room and placed him on the kang (a heated brick bed). She picked up her sewing basket and began sewing cotton shoe soles. The child had never worn new cotton shoes before, and she was afraid his feet would get cold, so she insisted on keeping him inside. After heating up the leftovers and setting the table for dinner, He Aijun sneaked back along the wall. Seeing He Yuzhu glaring at him, he immediately jumped behind He Yushui and grabbed her clothes tightly: "Auntie, save me! When I grow up, I'll carry rice, fetch water, and fix the roof for you every day!"

He Yuzhu sneered, "You've gotten bolder? Daring to bully your sister? Now—right now—kneel on the kang! Explain clearly what you did wrong! I won't lay a hand on you, but if you dodge for another second, believe me, I'll kick you out the door!"

He darted out from behind his aunt in a flash, knelt down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and drooped his head faster than a chicken pecking at rice: "I'll never throw snowballs at her again! I'll never pull her braids again! I'll never steal her candy again!"

He Yushui smiled and shook her head, then turned to He Yuzhu: "Brother, how many tables should we have for our wedding?"

He Yuzhu picked up a piece of stir-fried cabbage with his chopsticks: "Invite all the people we know at the factory. Let's set up a table in the yard and make it lively! Your sister-in-law has just finished her postpartum confinement, so let's all get together."

……

As dawn broke, He Yushui took He Yubing's hand and left the house, heading straight for the department store. He Yuzhu went to the factory alone. The weather was getting colder day by day, and Lou Xiao'e forbade the children from running around in the factory's large playground, fearing they would catch a cold.

As He Yuzhu walked, he thought: How can you prevent a cold? The wind blowing in the yard was as biting as it was; unless you really nailed someone to the kang (heated brick bed) and didn't move—but could those two lively kids stay still?

As He Yuzhu approached the factory gate, he saw Factory Director Yang, wrapped in a worn-out cotton-padded coat, bending over shoveling snow. Seeing no one around, he quickly went over and stuffed a warm flatbread into Yang's hand—it was made with fine flour mixed with a good balance of lean and fatty minced meat, filling and long-lasting. Years ago, Factory Director Yang had taken good care of him: Lou Xiao'e was able to bring her child to work at the factory because Factory Director Yang had quietly put in a good word for her and assigned her responsibilities.

Factory Director Yang gripped the pancake tightly, his voice low: "Xiao He, if you stick with me now, you're jumping into a fire pit."

He Yuzhu just smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. The day after tomorrow, when you go to the backyard to shovel snow, I'll prepare winter provisions for you."

The old man nodded, saying nothing more. These days, He Yuzhu had been bringing him food every few days, so his stomach hadn't gone empty, and his heart was at ease. Those who had been "left out" with him were either starving, gnawing on cornbread crumbs, or shivering under the drafty eaves—the tattered cotton-padded coat he was wearing was deliberately left by He Yuzhu next to his workstation. Who dared approach them now? Even their own sons avoided them, but He Yuzhu was different. He brought what he needed, addressed them respectfully, and called them "Old Factory Director" even louder than before.

As the old saying goes, a drop of water in need deserves a spring in return. When people are truly cold and indifferent, it is only when you don't kick them while they're down, but instead extend a helping hand, that is true gratitude.

He Yuzhu didn't linger and turned to enter the factory. Zhou Xue was already waiting at the office door; it was her brother's wedding day, and she needed to rush over to help with the wedding procession.

He readily approved the leave and then went to the canteen to give instructions: from now on, all leave requests should be submitted to Liu Songgui; the reports should be compiled and submitted to him at noon, following Director Zhang's old rules. He had considered promoting Ma Hua to be the class monitor, but Ma Hua was inexperienced and a temporary worker, so he was afraid his subordinates would be dissatisfied. Liu Songgui was different—he had been tending the kitchen for ten years, reliable and steady, and even Ma Hua called him "Master."