Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Seeing that no one was there to cause trouble, the girl breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left—if someone really tried to force their way into an order, she would definitely have to put on a stern face and ask them to leave.

He Yuzhu glanced around the bustling assembly line and asked with a smile, "Business is booming! Why not add a new line?"

Yang Chengyi wiped the sweat from his brow: "We just paid off the money for building the factory, and we're still struggling to make ends meet. But it'll be soon! Aunt Yushui came by last month and said she'd bring me a set of fully automatic sewing thread with her next batch of imported equipment."

He Yuzhu patted him on the shoulder: "Work hard, I think you can do it."

Yang Chengyi rubbed his hands together, a little shyly: "Now the whole family is relying on this factory to keep going—my dad has even gone to guard the gate himself, just to save on one person's wages and to put his mind at ease."

He Yuzhu nodded: "A family together is better than anything. As for money, it's all about hard work, and how much you pocket depends on whether God is on your side. Come to the Prince's Mansion tomorrow night, I'll treat you, and we'll have a good chat. I'm going to the steel mill now to find Uncle Yi and the others."

Yang Chengyi shook his head: "Your presence is enough, why bring anything? It's too formal!"

He Yuzhu shoved the bag into his hand: "I bought this for the child. We can't go to Grandpa empty-handed, can we?"

Yang Chengyi then accepted the gift and, without saying a word, escorted him all the way to the factory gate, watching his back turn as he disappeared around the street corner.

Further along the steel rolling mill, the scenery had completely changed. Qin Huairu took the lead in negotiating with the street office to secure a plot of land and opened a steaming little restaurant; later, more and more people followed suit, selling pancakes, fried dough sticks, roasted sweet potatoes... and a lively food street full of life emerged.

As you approach the factory gate, the sounds of people fill the air—shouting, haggling, and the crisp clanging of spatulas against iron pots, all blending together into a vibrant atmosphere. Local residents are willing to take the extra step to come here for the market, drawn by its convenience, the freshness of the products, and the friendly atmosphere.

He Yuzhu carried the bag and searched from shop to shop. Finally, in front of a clean and bright little shop on the street corner, he saw Yi Zhonghai bending over to wipe the counter, and Aunt Yi standing on tiptoe to hang lanterns.

He had just stepped across the threshold when Aunt Yi looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Zhu Zi? When did you get back!"

Upon hearing the sound, Yi Zhonghai turned his head, his eyes lighting up, and he even forgot to put down the rag in his hand.

He Yuzhu stepped forward and greeted them with a smile, "I got off the train yesterday and came here today specifically to see you two. Let's have a reunion dinner together at the Prince's Mansion tomorrow night."

Yi Zhonghai immediately called out, "Sit down, sit down! Fangfang's mother, quickly make a bowl of hot soup noodles, don't let Zhuzi talk on an empty stomach!"

Aunt Yi immediately rushed into the kitchen, working with remarkable speed and efficiency: "Almost done! Zhu Zi, you keep Old Yi company for a bit, the noodles will be ready in three minutes!"

He Yuzhu sat down and asked softly, "Uncle, is business stable at the shop? Are you facing any difficulties?"

Yi Zhonghai straightened his back: "In this area, our noodles are the most sought-after—it's a secret recipe your dad taught me, simmered in broth for twelve hours, making them chewy and flavorful, something no one else can replicate." He paused, then added cheerfully, "Huai Ru's restaurant is also thriving; the four of them work in shifts, they're busy every day."

He Yuzhu raised an eyebrow: "Why didn't Xiao Dang take a regular job and went to work at the Prince's Mansion?"

Yi Zhonghai chuckled: "The salary has more than doubled, now it's 150 yuan a month! Who wouldn't want to join? I even had to ask an acquaintance to vouch for me; Huaihua helped me submit the insurance policy."

He Yuzhu nodded and then asked, "Jiye, are you graduating soon? Have you decided where you're going?"

Yi Zhonghai's expression darkened slightly: "There are still two years left. He studied mechanical design, and his girlfriend is also in the same major... But the factory is full right now, and they're very strict about hiring. I'm afraid my connections won't be enough to get him into a suitable position."

He Yuzhu said confidently, "Leave this to me. You two can relax and enjoy your retirement; don't worry about anything else."

Yi Zhonghai choked up, his eyes slowly reddening: "The thing I'm most grateful for in this life isn't adopting Jiye and Fangfang, it's that God sent you to our side—every time we were in trouble, you were the one who helped us out... Zhuzi, I can never repay this kindness in my lifetime."

Before she finished speaking, Aunt Yi came out with a steaming bowl of plain noodles. The noodles were lush and green, with golden egg drop soup, and the aroma wafted straight into people's noses.

He Yuzhu: "Uncle, Aunt, I will always remember how you have taken care of me and Yushui over the years. When my father passed away, Yushui was just learning to walk, and it was Aunt Yi who raised her with great care. Later, when I started working in the factory, it was you two who stayed by Xiao'e's bedside to bring her water and medicine. When Uncle Yi came home from get off work, he would always give the steamed buns, sweet cakes, and soy milk to Aijun and the others first. Tell me, how can we distinguish between kinship and affection? Let's not talk about that anymore. We are already a family that is connected by blood."

Aunt Yi: "Oh my, that's right! I've watched you all grow up. Your younger brother and sister have been in my arms since they were little, and they've eaten at my stove. After all these decades, we're as close as family! Hurry up and eat your noodles while they're hot. Once you're full, we can have a long chat."

He Yuzhu picked up the bowl and slurped down the noodles in a few mouthfuls, leaving not a drop of soup behind.

He Yuzhu: "This braised sauce is really flavorful. If you sprinkle some tender spinach or bean sprouts on top, the aroma will reach the roof beams."

Aunt Yi: "Okay! Next time, I'll blanch some leafy greens in the broth before taking it out of the pot; it'll be refreshing and cut through the greasiness."

He Yuzhu: "Uncle, Aunt, I have to leave now. Don't forget to invite your younger siblings to the Prince's Mansion tomorrow night for a lively gathering."

Yi Zhonghai: "Slow down, have a drink of water before you go, don't rush and get stressed."

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuzhu pushed open the door and came out, only to bump into Qin Huairu standing on the side of the street.

Qin Huairu: "Oh, Officer He, you've come to visit Uncle Yi and Aunt Yi? Come in and sit for a while, we just steamed some jujube cakes at the shop."

He Yuzhu: "It's too late today. I'll come back another day to learn from you and try your cooking."

Qin Huairu: "Alright! I'll go to the Prince's Mansion later to learn from your skills and see how you cook those fancy dishes so deliciously."

He Yuzhu smiled and nodded, then turned and walked towards the Prince's Mansion.

As soon as he stepped into the gate of the Prince's Mansion, Lou Xiao'e was already standing at the courtyard gate with her sleeves rolled up, looking around. As soon as she saw him, she quickly came to greet him.

Lou Xiao'e: "Zhu Zi, is Aunt Yi still in good health?"

He Yuzhu: "He looks very energetic. His noodle shop is located at the entrance of the steel rolling mill. He's so busy that he doesn't have time to rest. He even looks better than me."

Lou Xiao'e: "Then I feel relieved. My only worry is that as they get older, their backs and legs won't cooperate, and with the two children still in school, we won't be able to get away to help..."

Her words were full of concern—for the brown sugar ginger soup Aunt Yi made, the diapers she changed, and the blankets she tucked in for Aijun when she was in confinement; for how Uncle Yi never showed favoritism towards Aijun, serving her food, buying her clothes and shoes just like he did for Jiye. She had always kept this kindness in her heart.

He Yuzhu: "I see them working until they're seventy and they're not even out of breath. If that day ever comes, we'll pay to hire a capable housekeeper, but that kid Jiye will probably jump up and down again—he cares more about the two old people than himself. He'll carry a piece of candy in his pocket and give it to Uncle Yi first; when he brings back canned food from business trips, he'll put the first portion on Aunt Yi's bed, even his own sister has to come last."

As they were talking, Deputy Factory Director You Zhengya strolled over carrying his briefcase, and He Yuzhu quickly went to greet him.

He Yuzhu: "Director You, it's been a long time! Your complexion looks even better with age!"

You Zhengya: "Hey, the locals are so hospitable! Three meals and two drinks, they've piled meat up to our necks! Am I the only one who arrived first?"

He Yuzhu: "Everyone is on their way. Please come inside first. It's the usual place—'Songzhu Hall.' The waiters are waiting for you." As soon as he finished speaking, the head waiter stepped forward with a smile to lead the way.

A few minutes later, the old colleagues came in one after another, with Director Yang being the last to arrive. He Yuzhu greeted them at the bottom of the steps, chatting as they walked in. As soon as they entered the private room, laughter erupted—who had covered whose night shift back then, who had been caught stealing half a mooncake, each story as vivid as if it had just happened yesterday.

Lou Xiao'e saw that everyone was present, so she turned around and went out to serve the dishes.

Once the dishes were laid out on the table, He Yuzhu opened the wine bottle, filled it in a circle, raised his glass and said loudly, "The first toast is to our decades-long friendship that has never faded; the second toast is to wish everyone smooth sailing and an increasingly bright future; the third toast is to hope that everyone has a promising future and will rise higher and higher without looking back!" He toasted three times in a row, and the chatterbox was completely opened, with laughter and merriment reaching the rafters.

The conversation lasted until almost ten o'clock, when everyone gradually got up to say goodbye. In the end, only Zhang Huaqiang and his wife and Qiao Weimin remained. The three of them sat around slowly sipping their drinks, smiling as they watched each of their figures disappear into the end of the corridor.

He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e saw everyone off to the door, and when they returned, there were only five people left in the private room.

He Yuzhu turned to Zhang Huaqiang: "Brother-in-law, Yushui and her friends are thinking of jointly building a shopping mall. Is this allowed now?"

Zhang Huaqiang: "The application was submitted in the name of the factory, and the construction was undertaken by the government's construction team. There were no problems with the policy, but the process was a bit complicated, and it took some effort to get the stamps and run around."

He Yuzhu: "What if we were to open a restaurant? We plan to make it quite large."

Zhang Huaqiang: "Okay, I'll ask someone to find out about this tomorrow and get back to you as soon as I have definite news."

As soon as the two finished speaking, Qiao Weimin put down his wine glass and his expression became serious: "Xiao He, you need to prepare in advance—all of these cadres who have graduated from the Party School will be conducting field research in Dongli County."

He Yuzhu: "When was it decided? By our former boss."

Qiao Weimin: "The decision was just made this morning. This whole project in Dongli County affects the vital systems of eight surrounding counties. The higher-ups are keeping a close eye on it, and what they need most right now is solid experience. These trainees were all selected from positions at the county level or above. They've studied macroeconomics, and we'll see real results when they're put into practice. Of the three pilot counties, Dongli has done the most solid work, achieved the fastest results, and had the widest impact."

He Yuzhu: "So what preparations do we need to make?"

Qiao Weimin: "Reception should be conducted as usual, just like before. Let them see the real field ridges, the real factory buildings, and the real account books with their own eyes—no hiding, no embellishment. They will be graduating in half a month. You go back with them, acting as both host and liaison."