Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

"Don't rush to praise me, this isn't over yet," Han Chunming said, then grinned.

"I knew it! Every time you block my way, you're not after something, are you?" Xiao Yao raised an eyebrow, decisively drawing a line. "Okay, how much do you want this time? Two hundred at most, no more."

Han Chunming originally only planned to ask for fifty, but when he heard it was two hundred, his heart suddenly warmed – the more money, the more secure things would be.

"Alright! Two hundred, it's on your tab! You'll pay it back by the end of the month!" He patted his chest, laughing carefree.

The two walked in side by side. Han Chunming pushed the new car into his own yard and then turned back to Xiao Yao's house.

"This is my savings for three years, all tied up in your money!" Xiao Yao said with a deliberately sour face, his tone half-serious and half-joking. "These days, you can count the number of people who can pull out two hundred yuan on your fingers; those who are willing to lend it out are even rarer than sparrows in December."

"Don't worry, I've got the plan in my pocket!" Han Chunming said, and then ran off to Taozi and Cai Xiaoli.

That night, the three of them rushed to a chicken farm in the suburbs in the dark, and before dawn, they transported baskets of eggs into the warehouse of Yili Food Factory.

Early in the morning, Xiao Yao pushed her new car out the gate, and Cheng Jianjun was accompanying Su Meng out. When they looked up, they saw Han Chunming standing under the doorway, his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.

The four men met and their eyes immediately fell on each other's vehicles—Cheng Jianjun's old car, with its peeling paint, rust, and half-broken bell, instantly became the most conspicuous "antique." His ears burned, and he subconsciously hid the handlebars behind him.

"Chunming, we're going the same way, shall we walk together?" Su Meng smiled and waved to him.

Xiao Yao always clocks in right on time, and he would never have gotten up this early this morning if it weren't for the factory's scheduling meeting.

"You're up early too. Jianjun, Chunming, Sumeng, I'm off!" he called out, then got on his bike and drove out of the alley.

This job wasn't arranged for Han Chunming by Cheng Jianjun. Han Chunming never intended to give up the task of taking Su Meng to work.

The three rode out of the alley side by side, but Cheng Jianjun suddenly turned around and headed straight for the repair shop. He gritted his teeth and added twenty yuan to get a solid second-hand "Flying Pigeon" bicycle. Only then did he ride to the factory with satisfaction.

At lunchtime, he saw Su Meng and Han Chunming chatting intently at the entrance of the alley. He hid behind a locust tree and quietly pricked up his ears—Han Chunming was telling her about the bread-stealing incident as a joke.

Cheng Jianjun's heart skipped a beat, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up: So you also have something on me.

He slipped into the factory office during his lunch break and dialed the security department of Yili Food Factory using a public phone. His voice was low but firm: "Hello, I have something to report... someone in the workshop is taking bread without permission, more than once."

As soon as the afternoon bell rang, several security guards in blue overalls were already standing guard at the factory gate, their eyes sharp as hooks.

The three walked and laughed. Han Chunming was talking about the funny things that happened last night when he suddenly looked up and cold sweat broke out on his forehead—the figures at the door were clearly coming for him. He immediately grabbed Taozi and Cai Xiaoli: "Quick, tell me! Did you take your bread after get off work today?" The two nodded, and without saying a word, he pulled them back.

Upon seeing this, the security personnel quickly stepped forward and blocked their path.

"Routine inspection, give a clear answer: Did you take any bread from the factory without permission?" the leader asked sternly.

Han Chunming nodded: "I took them. But I didn't put them in my own bag—I stuffed them all into their backpacks." As soon as he finished speaking, their backpacks were searched on the spot, and several small round breads with the factory logo were found inside. With both witnesses and physical evidence, Han Chunming was taken directly to the security office.

When Xiao Yao returned home from get off work, he caught Cheng Jianjun tiptoeing to hand Su Meng bread. He silently shook his head—Cheng Jianjun was truly blind. She wasn't complaining about the smell of the bread; she was clearly complaining about the person giving it to her. If Han Chunming handed her bread, she'd praise even spoiled bread; but if you gave her the best, she wouldn't even look at it. If a girl has you in her heart, she'll savor even a piece of candy; if she doesn't, mountains of gold and silver are useless.

"Brother Xiao Yao! You're back? Did you run into Chunming?" Su Meng spotted him and immediately came to greet him.

"Didn't see him. Probably off working on a construction site with his friends to earn money for the bride price," Xiao Yao replied casually.

Su Meng pushed the cart, following him deeper into the alley. Cheng Jianjun stood frozen in place. When Xiao Yao entered, she didn't even glance at him, but her gaze was like a knife, suddenly scraping across his face—as if she could see right through him.

Han Chunming was most likely betrayed by Cheng Jianjun. I had initially thought that since we'd worked together, I could persuade him to stop, but he wouldn't listen at all. Oh well, it's better not to get too close to someone like that. A partner with such a wicked heart will eventually turn on you.

……

Cai Xiaoli and Taozi were still standing on tiptoe at the factory gate, looking around, until they saw Han Chunming walk out unharmed, and then they breathed a long sigh of relief.

"You're a true brother! No wonder the girls can't take their eyes off you!" Taozi's eyes were red, and his voice was a little choked up. "Taozi will always count you as my best friend!"

"Alright, alright, what are you crying for? The section chief said you'll stay at the factory for a three-month probationary period." Han Chunming reached out and pulled the two of them into his arms; his shoulders were broad, and his movements were natural.

If Xiao Yao were there, he would probably sigh and shake his head again—what girl wouldn't be moved by such a warm and open embrace?

It was late at night when Han Chunming finally stepped into his home. His mother had been keeping watch by the light, and the food on the table was still warm. Seeing her son return unharmed, her shoulders, which had been tense all day, finally relaxed: "It's good that you're safe and sound. Don't let anything go wrong."

"I went to visit a friend today, so I'm a little late. Don't worry about me," Han Chunming replied casually, picking up his bowl as he did so.

Seven days later, Su Man and Xiao Yao had thoroughly studied and memorized those books. Director Su asked someone to bring over a few junior high school textbooks, the pages of which were all curled up.

When Director Su first heard the news, he wanted to persuade Su Man to quit her job and focus on preparing for the exam. But Su Man shook her head—she couldn't bear to part with the days after get off work when the two of them would meticulously work through the difficult points in their workbooks and walk along the riverbank discussing the texts. Studying alone was too dull; it was only enjoyable when two people were working together to work on the material.

Director Su looked at their profiles as they hunched over their desks discussing, shaking his head like a rattle-drum: "That Xiao Yao, he's living like a god in the logistics department—he can just lounge in a recliner, with a girl next to him explaining problems in a soft voice, and two older women taking care of all the work. He's living a more comfortable life than I, the director!"

After dropping Su Man off at home, Xiao Yao rode his bicycle back home. As soon as he turned into the entrance of his building, he saw Han Chunming squatting on the steps with his head drooping and looking like a drowned rat soaked to the bone.

Xiao Yao took out his key and opened the door, and Han Chunming silently followed him in.

"What's wrong? Your face is as white as if you've brushed it with paste," Xiao Yao asked as she took off her coat.

"The factory kicked me out... My mom was so angry she rolled her eyes. I'm too ashamed to face you—you got me this job through connections, and I ruined it all." Han Chunming clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his voice dry and strained.

"Has the punishment been recorded? If it's just been recorded, we can still find someone to smooth things over; if it's in black and white and nailed down, then you might as well take over my post—Su Man and I are about to go into seclusion to prepare for the college entrance exam, so we'll clear this mess for you to handle." Xiao Yao placed a hand on his shoulder, the force steady.

"What? The college entrance exam? I haven't heard a thing about it!" Han Chunming looked up abruptly, his eyes wide.

"Su Man's mother is a section chief in the Ministry of Education, she's very well-informed! Have you thought it through? If you have, give me a definite answer first thing tomorrow morning." Xiao Yao stared at him, her tone not harsh, but it was suffocating.

"The factory didn't follow the formal procedures, and the file is still held by the personnel department of Yili Food Factory. It hasn't fallen into the black ledger yet... Xiao Yao, I'm really sorry to have to cover for me again." Han Chunming scratched the back of his head, his ears burning.

"Did you guess who reported you?" Xiao Yao suddenly lowered his voice.

Han Chunming shook his head, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Xiao Yao didn't say anything, but raised her eyes and nodded her chin at the window of Cheng Jianjun's house.

Han Chunming was startled, his pupils suddenly contracting.

"The first time the security department gave you trouble was because of him—that day you were talking to Su Meng under the shade of a tree, and he was just five steps away pretending to tie his shoelaces, his ears practically perked up like antennas. I warned you to stay away from him before, and not to run into him again." Xiao Yao spoke calmly and clearly.

Han Chunming stood up abruptly, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, but he stopped abruptly after taking only half a step—if they don't acknowledge it, what are you going to use to fight them?

"If you give me your seat, what if I fail the exam?" He sat down again, his brows furrowed.

"Fail the exam? I'll jump into the moat and feed the fish! The junior college cutoff score should be enough for me to struggle a bit, right? Besides, Su Man makes me do practice questions every day, she watches me even more closely than the proctor." Xiao Yao grinned, with a carefree attitude.

Han Chunming was still worried – he feared he wouldn't be able to handle it and would have to beg and plead to find a job again.

"Dude, enough talk!" He grabbed Xiao Yao's arm, his eyes reddening. "If anything happens in the future, I, Han Chunming, won't even blink an eye, no matter what!"

"Stop, stop!" Xiao Yao quickly pulled her hand away. "Stop with the sentimental stuff—pay me back the two hundred yuan you owe me first."

This time, with a substantial initial investment, the three of them made a net profit of nearly a thousand yuan after several trips. Han Chunming had been waiting there with the money in his pocket for some time.

"Four hundred and fifty, not a penny less! The loan is just a pretext; we're really trying to get you involved." He grinned, his eyebrows relaxing.

"Oh, struck it rich? Perfect timing. Come with me to the garment factory tomorrow and get the transfer paperwork sorted out." Xiao Yao weighed the stack of brand-new banknotes in his hand; the edges of the banknotes still smelled of ink.

Han Chunming hummed a little tune as he pushed open the door, only to find his whole family gathered in the main room, sighing and complaining: "With this stain on your record, who will dare to hire you in the future?" Before he finished speaking, Han Chunming strode in with a smug look on his face. Han Chunsong was so angry that his liver ached. He grabbed a feather duster and gave Han Chunming a sharp slap on the buttocks.

"Big brother, slow down! I've got a new job!" Han Chunming jumped for joy.

"Stop, eldest brother! Let fifth brother finish speaking!" Mother Han slammed her hand on the table, her authority immediately apparent.

"Explain yourself first, why did you lose your job?" The eldest sister, Han Chunxue, said sternly.