Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

She immediately pressed on:

"Jingru, are you really determined to marry into the city?"

"Yes, yes! I dream about it! I look forward to it every day! Dear sister, you have to help me make this connection!"

Qin Jingru smiled broadly, her eyes crinkling, without any attempt to hide it.

She didn't want to stay in the village at all; deep down, she longed for the city life—lively, efficient, and full of potential, just like the life this older sister in front of her was living.

"Okay, then I'll make a connection for you. We have a head chef at our factory named He Yuzhu, who also lives in our compound..."

……

Upon waking up in the morning, He Yuzhu felt his pockets and found that he had saved up more than twelve yuan. He immediately upgraded his physical skills to the maximum.

He casually brought up the control panel:

Name: He Yuzhu

Occupation: Chef

"Skills: God-level Cooking Skills LVX | Physical Skills LVX"

"Ding! Physical skills have reached their peak. New skill unlocked: Divine Medical Skills."

"Hmm, this skill is quite reliable."

He nodded, feeling reassured. The more skills one has, the less likely one is to suffer a loss; they will come in handy sooner or later.

However, I only have two yuan left in my pocket, but there is a brand new bicycle parked in front of the door. The shiny handlebars gleam in the morning light. In these days, it is a very respectable item.

After washing up, he didn't even touch breakfast, and pushed his bike out.

Living alone, I'm too lazy to cook; the cafeteria has hot soup and rice readily available.

Yesterday, when he left his boss's house, it was still light out. He simply rode his bike around Wangfujing. He's been here for so long and hasn't really explored it properly yet. What's the point of staying cooped up at home all the time?

Today I'm thinking that if I get off work early, I'll take my bike to Tiananmen Square. Anywhere is better than being stuck in this crowded courtyard.

As soon as he reached the front yard, he bumped into the Third Uncle, who had been waiting for him for ages.

He had gone to great lengths to invite Teacher Ran the day before, but He Yuzhu was nowhere to be found. In the end, he had to pay for all the meals himself, and he was so distressed that he couldn't sleep all night.

He got up just as dawn was breaking, without even having a sip of hot porridge, and squatted at the gate of the courtyard to keep watch.

As soon as he saw He Yuzhu pushing the new cart out, the third uncle's eyes lit up, and he took off after him, his voice booming:

"Silly Zhu! Silly Zhu! Stop right there, I have something important to discuss with you!"

When He Yuzhu heard the words "Silly Zhu," his scalp tingled. He really didn't like this nickname, so he simply pretended not to hear it and kept pushing the cart forward.

"Hey, you silly Zhu! Don't go!"

The old man shouted and chased after him, but when no one paid any attention, he became so anxious that he stomped his feet and grabbed the back rack of the bicycle, refusing to let go.

The car didn't move an inch, and He Yuzhu then turned around, feigning surprise:

"Oh? Isn't this Uncle San? I thought it was that bastard Xu Damao dragging my car, and I almost blurted out some curses."

The third uncle was so angry that he choked on his breath, his finger trembling as he pointed at He Yuzhu:

"Silly Zhu! Where did you run off to yesterday? I looked for you all day! Do you know how much of a good thing you missed?!"

Could the old man really have such good fortune? Has the sun risen in the west?

Everyone knows he's stingy to the core, so what good things could possibly come his way?

"I was so busy yesterday, I barely had time to breathe."

"By the way, Uncle, please get to the point quickly, I'm in a hurry to get to work."

"you……"

The old man was speechless, wondering to himself: Why am I so disliked? It can't be that bad, can it?!

"Silly Zhu, I'm not going to hold it against you! I invited Teacher Ran over yesterday, and where were you? She waited for me all afternoon, and I even paid for her meal!"

He sighed repeatedly as he spoke, saying that he had talked himself hoarse about this and even had to pay for his own lunch. For someone who was always stingy, it was like having his flesh torn out.

"That's all?"

"Okay, I see. I'm off."

Before he finished speaking, He Yuzhu pushed the cart again.

The third uncle rushed over to pull the bicycle frame, but this time He Yuzhu put in more effort and dragged him several steps, leaving two white marks on the ground with the soles of his shoes.

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly; this old man was really getting carried away.

"Silly Zhu! Wait a minute! Let me finish! Are you free today? I'll invite Teacher Ran over again. No need to thank me, just give me a small red envelope as a token."

"I thought about it all night, and ten yuan is the most appropriate amount—perfect! Of course, it's not about the amount of money, it's about good luck, don't you think?"

The third uncle had figured it out clearly last night, and when he saw He Yuzhu riding his new bike this morning, he was even more convinced: This kid is living a good life!

Therefore, it's perfectly fine to ask the third uncle for a red envelope or something like that.

"Ding! The system has issued a new task. Please make your own decision."

"Option 1: Pay Uncle San 10 yuan to arrange a blind date with Ran Qiuye, and receive a reward of 1 yuan."

Option 2: Refuse to pay the old man 10 yuan, and receive a 10 yuan reward.

"That Teacher Ran... It's not like I can't find anyone. She's from the future, after all. Why would I believe in these matchmaking tricks?"

"Besides, asking for ten yuan right off the bat? That's almost half a month's salary for me."

"More importantly, whether it will work out or not is still uncertain."

He Yuzhu shook his head, speechless. This third uncle really dared to speak so boldly.

He looked up at the third uncle, his tone calm yet distant:

"I'm so sorry, I don't really need it right now. Let's talk about it later."

"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have successfully refused to pay the three old men ten yuan. The task is complete and the reward of ten yuan has been credited to your account."

Upon hearing the system notification, He Yuzhu didn't even lift his eyelids. He turned around, got on his bicycle, and rode away.

"..."

"You idiot Zhu! You'll regret this sooner or later!"

The third uncle was so angry that he stomped his feet and shouted loudly from behind.

When he returned to the house, the third aunt immediately came up to him and asked:

"How did it go? What did Sha Zhu say?"

"He said he was busy and would postpone it."

The old man spilled the beans, not even hiding the red envelope incident. He was his own wife; there were no outsiders involved.

"Oh, you, what am I supposed to say to you? Silly Zhu probably thinks you're asking for too much!"

The three women thought they had figured out the trick.

"Now that you mention it, it seems that's true... So, how much should I quote next time?"

The old man scratched his head, somewhat unsure.

The third aunt rolled her eyes, stretched out a hand, and did it swiftly and decisively:

"Eight pieces!"

"Okay, eight yuan it is."

……

A short while later, He Yuzhu arrived at the cafeteria on his bicycle.

He glanced at the stove and saw everyone already steaming cornbread, requiring no prompting from him, which pleased him. He then casually flipped through today's notice to see what the lunch pot dish would be served with:

Potatoes, cabbage, and radishes—the same old three.

Just then, Ma Hua came running over.

In the past, when watching the drama, Ma Hua was the most devoted to Sha Zhu from beginning to end; now he is the most reliable person by his side. It is hard to find another person as honest and hardworking as him.

"Master, Master Yi is looking for you!"

"what?"

"Master Yi? People call him Master Yi!"

He Yuzhu was stunned and stood there, not reacting for a moment.

"That's Yi Zhonghai, the level eight fitter from Workshop Seven!"

Seeing his blank expression, Ma Hua quickly added another sentence.

"Okay, I understand."

He Yuzhu immediately realized that an old man had arrived.

He casually shoved the account book into the hands of the MCA:

"Alright, later you can help me check the number of steamed cornbreads we made today."

"Alright, Master!"

MCA responded loudly, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

The kitchen had to keep a meticulous record of how many steamed buns and cornbreads were steamed each day. Steel mill workers had to pay for their meals with both money and food coupons. This job was easy and respectable, and I could handle the accounts. I never expected my master to trust me so much.

His heart felt warm.

As soon as He Yuzhu stepped outside, he saw an old man pacing back and forth against the wall, looking somewhat hesitant. He walked over and said:

"Sir, I heard you were looking for me?"

When the old man saw it was him, he immediately put on a smile:

"Silly Zhu, it's like this, Qin Huairu asked me to pass on a message that she wants to introduce you to her cousin Qin Jingru. Although it's in the countryside... but..."

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuzhu interrupted him directly:

"Thank you for your trouble, but I won't consider it."

"Um?"

The old man paused, then stared at him: "Aren't you living alone? Why won't you agree?"

"Don't tell me you look down on girls from the countryside?"

He Yuzhu shook his head, his tone calm:

"That's not the case. I don't touch anyone associated with Qin Huairu. We're family, so there's no need for formalities. You know what kind of person she is; how much better could her cousin be?"

The old man's face immediately darkened, and he sternly reprimanded:

"Silly Zhu! That's so hurtful! How can you be prejudiced against her?"

You know, in this courtyard house, Qin Huairu was very capable, raising three children and taking care of her mother-in-law all by herself. Who in the neighborhood didn't sigh and say that it wasn't easy for her? She was very popular.

But where did this popularity come from? He Yuzhu knew perfectly well that it was all earned by doing favors and good deeds with her own salary.

But He Yuzhu now is no longer the foolish Zhu who could be easily manipulated.

"Ha, why can't I have my opinions? I'm a living, breathing person, not a block of wood. I can see people however I want. Not just her, I also have some thoughts about you."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the kitchen.

If we can't reach an agreement, then let's call it a night. Who's going to put up with you anymore? Do you really think you're still the same naive guy you were back then?

"stop!"

An old man reached out and grabbed his arm.

He never expected He Yuzhu to dare to reply like that, and he felt both annoyed and frustrated.

I'm a veteran in the factory, and people always listen to me. I've never been treated like this before.

"Hmm? Is there anything else?"

He Yuzhu didn't turn around, and his voice turned cold.

"From now on, don't mention Qin Huairu in front of me. I don't want to hear it, and I don't intend to care."

An old man stared at his retreating figure, speechless for a moment, and finally could only wave his hand:

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about it anymore."

He paused, then, as if remembering something, added:

"Oh, by the way, cook a meal for Grandma when you get home tonight. She was talking about you yesterday, complaining that my cooking wasn't to her liking."

"Ding! The system has issued a new task. Please make your own decision."

Option 1: Take on the job of cooking for the deaf old lady, the reward is seven yuan.

Option 2: Turn down the job and only take one dollar.

"Um?"