I, Yan Jiefang, will live to 2025 in this courtyard house.

He Yushui didn't answer Sha Zhu's question, and walked on in silence, lost in thought.

Although Yi Zhonghai has been sent to Qinghe Farm for labor reform and can no longer favor the Jia family, the Jia family, those bloodsuckers, are still guarding the courtyard.

As long as Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi are still alive, it will be almost impossible for them to find a matchmaker nearby to help their brother find a wife.

Even if those two don't say anything, there are definitely other people in the yard who will cause trouble.

After all, when Yi Zhonghai was around, my brother was his henchman and had offended too many people.

Furthermore, a normal marriage involves paying the matchmaker money, a bride price, and various other expenses.

It can't be done without 50 yuan.

Given her brother's current situation, he still needs her to contribute her meager savings. Where would he get the money to get married?

Furthermore, my brother's reputation has long been ruined by the people in the courtyard.

With just a little inquiry, you can find out his nickname, "Silly Pillar."

Even if someone wants to marry off their daughter, shouldn't they at least give it more thought?

He Yushui saw through it all.

The only sure way to ensure my brother settles down and gets married is to follow the example of our father, He Daqing, and marry a girl from out of town who is visiting Beijing but is stranded there for some reason.

She went to the neighborhood committee that morning to inquire, and found that there were two eligible unmarried women under the committee's jurisdiction.

They were all only eighteen or nineteen years old.

These women who are stranded in other places carry their own formal introduction letters and original household registration documents, and with all the necessary procedures, they can legally register and obtain marriage certificates.

Most of them have been starving in the countryside for the past few years, and only when they can no longer endure it do they leave their homes and seek refuge with relatives.

Once you get here, you either don't recognize your relatives or you can't find any relatives at all, so you naturally know how hard it is to get a full meal.

Sha Zhu is a regular worker in the steel rolling mill canteen. He receives a fixed monthly salary and the canteen never has to worry about food.

Compared to the impoverished days back home, they naturally prefer a more down-to-earth life, are less picky, and tend to be more patient.

As for women who had wandered around and were simply fleeing famine, He Yushui basically ruled them out.

Most of these people settle in the suburbs, have no household registration or introduction letter, cannot register for marriage, and are subject to police investigation and repatriation at any time.

He Yushui would never allow such a huge hidden danger to be planted in her brother's marriage.

It hasn't been easy for her brother to raise her all these years.

She naturally wanted to do her best to help her brother with this matter.

Director Li of the neighborhood committee had a very good impression of He Yushui.

These days, studying is not easy, and there are very few girls who can get into high school.

In Director Li's eyes, He Yushui, who is willing to study and is sensible, is an ambitious and good girl.

He Yushui visited in the morning, initially only saying that she wanted to find a woman who had fled famine for her brother to marry.

Director Li immediately explained the policies and regulations, the risks of settling down and getting married, and patiently helped her analyze the pros and cons.

He Yushui did not hide anything and truthfully reported all of her brother's information:

"Director Li, my brother He Yuzhu was born in 1935 and is 26 years old this year."

A full-time cook at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill canteen earns a monthly salary of 35.5 yuan.

Currently, I live alone in the gatehouse at the main entrance of courtyard number 95, which was a residence allocated by the steel rolling mill.

Judging solely from the job salary, household registration, and accommodation, the conditions are considered top-notch among eligible workers, which Director Li found quite convincing.

But He Yushui then recounted old stories from inside the hospital, and Director Li's face immediately darkened.

"My brother was ignorant before. He helped the widow Qin Huairu in the hospital for many years and was taken advantage of by her family."

Now that they have fully realized their mistake, they have voluntarily severed all ties and will no longer provide any financial support to the Jia family.

Director Li hesitated for a moment.

No matter how good He Yuzhu's physical attributes are, his biggest stain is his frequent entanglements with widows.

The so-called sudden awakening was only He Yushui's side of the story; she dared not easily push the two girls in her hands into the fire pit.

But then I thought about the current state of affairs. The whole country is suffering from famine, and the people at the bottom of society are naturally short of food and hunger is the norm.

Marrying a worker with a stable salary and guaranteed meals is already a very good option.

If the two girls fail to reach an agreement this time, they will soon be sent back to their hometowns, where they will continue to suffer from hunger and hardship.

After careful consideration, Director Li decided to arrange the meeting.

She found the two stranded girls and gave them earnest advice:

"The man I'm introducing to you is named He Yuzhu, 26 years old, with a stable job, income, and a place to live."

If any of you successfully marry into the family, then live a good life and manage the household affairs well.

However, there's something I need to clarify beforehand.

There was a Jia family in their courtyard who had some entanglements with He Yuzhu.

If they dare to come and cause trouble, you don't need to tolerate it. Be assertive and do whatever you want.

If the other party goes too far, you can come directly to my neighborhood committee or the street women's federation, and we will stand up for you.

The two girls nodded quickly.

Having been in Beijing for some time, I've gained a considerable understanding of the situation here.

For them, this place is not paradise, but it is much better than their hometown.

If they can marry a local and stay here, that's basically their best option right now.

They looked at each other and could see longing in each other's eyes.

With the explanations completed, the matter was settled.

The 22nd Middle School is not far from the neighborhood committee.

After walking for more than ten minutes, the brother and sister arrived at the entrance of the neighborhood committee.

Sha Zhu looked up at the white wooden sign with black characters for the neighborhood committee at the entrance, full of doubt, and then turned to look at He Yushui.

But He Yushui didn't linger at all. After registering at the door, she walked straight inside.

Sha Zhu didn't hesitate and quickly followed.

He knew perfectly well that his sister would never harm him.

Soon, the brother and sister knocked on the door and, after receiving permission, entered Director Li's office.

Director Li glanced at Sha Zhu and had a vague impression of him.

This guy is straightforward, a bit dim-witted, and doesn't know how to think things through.

Earlier, she and Director Wang went to mediate a dispute in the hospital.

Sha Zhu blindly followed Yi Zhonghai, believing whatever others said without any independent thought.

The only redeeming quality of Sha Zhu is his superb culinary skills, which give him a secure job at the steel mill canteen.

If it weren't for this job as a safety net...

Director Li would rather send the two girls back to their hometowns than arrange for them to go on blind dates with Sha Zhu.

She has her own principles in doing things and won't push people into a fire pit without understanding the situation beforehand.

When Sha Zhu met Director Li's gaze, recalling her decisive demeanor when mediating disputes within the hospital, he suddenly became somewhat reserved and proactively bowed his head in greeting:

"Director Li."

Director Li withdrew his gaze and looked at He Yushui:

"Those two girls are currently settled in a newly reclaimed state-run farm in the eastern district. Let's go and meet them together."

He Yushui immediately nodded in agreement:

"We will follow the director's instructions."

Director Li then called a male staff member to accompany him, and the four of them rode on two bicycles and set off for the East District Farm.