Siheyuan: If you ruin the reputation of the whole courtyard, I will move out

Li Suhua finally recovered and kept asking Zhang Yu to read Rongrong's letter.

The content of the letter was brief and clear, mainly reporting the safety news to his mother Li Suhua. She had arrived in Guizhou and had already held a wedding with Feng Huacheng, hoping to get the blessing of her parents.

Hearing that her daughter had decided to get married without her permission, Li Suhua felt dizzy again. Zhang Yu finally calmed her down after much persuasion.

Zhang Yu no longer had any complaints about the relationship between Zhou Rong and Feng Huacheng. Since Zhou Rong knew Feng Huacheng's experience, she was still willing to marry him. This was obviously not just out of love, it was simply stupid.

Worried about her daughter, Li Suhua cried all day at home. Excessive worry would damage her eyesight, so Zhang Yu simply asked Zheng Juan to accompany and take care of her, and also took this opportunity to improve the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

With Zheng Juan's company, Li Suhua's mood gradually improved.

Later, Zheng's mother also came to visit the family. The two old ladies got along very well when they first met, and they were as close as a pair of sisters. Zheng's mother even taught Li Suhua some knowledge about Buddhism and chanting.

People with faith will see through more things, their mood will be much calmer, and life will pass by imperceptibly. In the blink of an eye, it was already the end of 1972.

"Kun, you need to clean the house quickly. Your father and brother are going home to celebrate the Spring Festival this year."

"Mom, you keep repeating this, my ears are almost callused."

"You are so ignorant, hurry up. If your dad comes home and sees the mess in the house, he will definitely teach you a lesson."

"My dad won't be home until the day after tomorrow, why are you so impatient?"

"There are many things to do during the Chinese New Year, so we must prepare in advance!"

"You can borrow a bicycle tomorrow and I'll go with you to the train station to pick them up."

"I can't read, what do I need a bicycle for?"

"I don't know how to ride a bike, so I can't let Zheng Juan take me there."

Ever since Li Suhua received the letter from Zhou Zhigang and Zhou Bingyi informing her that they would be going home for the New Year this year, her excitement got a little out of control. One moment she was shouting about spring cleaning, the next she was thinking about preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, making Zhang Yu overwhelmed.

Zhang Yu really wanted to tell them that they couldn't go for various reasons, but facing the old lady's smiling face, it was hard to pour cold water on them.

The factory had already started its holiday before the New Year, and Zhang Yu had nothing to do, so he helped take care of all the household matters and also brought some New Year's goods to the Zheng family.

In the first few years, there were only two people in the family, and every New Year always seemed lonely. Therefore, Li Suhua often invited Zheng Juan's family to share the New Year's Eve dinner, which was very lively.

This year, with Zhou Zhigang and Zhou Bingyi coming back to celebrate the festival, it is not very suitable for everyone to gather together.

Zhang Yu and Zheng Juan have been in love for three years and have a deep affection for each other. Their families have already tacitly accepted their marriage and are looking forward to the legal ceremony. During these years, Zhang Yu often went to Taiping Ding Hutong to bring meals to the Zheng family, and he and Zheng Juan gradually became close.

Zheng's mother became more and more satisfied with Zhang Yu, and sometimes secretly created some time for him and Zheng Juan to spend alone together. However, the two of them always kept their boundaries, Zheng Juan did not object, and Zhang Yu chose to save the most important moment for his wedding night.

The marriage procedures should have been completed this year and the consent of his eldest brother Zhou Bingyi should have been sought. However, Li Suhua always felt that it was not right that his younger brother got married before his eldest brother did.

Although he was anxious, Zhang Yu understood that Zhou Bingyi was about to get married, so he was not in a hurry. After finishing his housework in the morning, Zhang Yu picked up two pieces of bacon and planned to send them to Zheng Juan's house.

As soon as he came out of Guangzi Alley, he ran into Qiao Chunyan. Zhang Yu wanted to avoid her, but he couldn't because Qiao Chunyan also spotted him at a glance.

"Cousin, cousin, come quickly!" Qiao Chunyan came over enthusiastically, and Zhang Yu was immediately put in a passive position. "Chunyan..." After an awkward smile, Zhang Yu stopped the car.

"Brother, you came to me just to avoid me!" Qiao Chunyan was as cheerful as ever. She pulled the handlebars of the bicycle to stop Zhang Yu from leaving.

"I wasn't hiding from you! I didn't see you just now." Zhang Yu forced a smile.

"Oh!" Qiao Chunyan said generously: "Are you still embarrassed about what happened in the past? I don't mind it anymore. How is your sister-in-law these days?"

"Zheng Juan is doing well. She has been helping to paste paper boxes recently and has earned some pocket money. She has no problem making a living."

Zhang Yu admired Qiao Chunyan's free and easy style and loyalty. At least at this moment, she remained the same.

"Let's find some time to have dinner together! I've got a date recently." Qiao Chunyan said generously.

Hearing this, Zhang Yu's eyes lit up and he smiled, "Great! When is your date scheduled? Tell me in advance, and I'll prepare a big red envelope to congratulate you."

Qiao Chunyan said proudly: "Of course, you are my family."

Zhang Yu felt relieved and asked Qiao Chunyan, "Which boy makes you so satisfied?"

"His name is Cao Debao. He used to live in our area. Even after he moved away, we still met him often. You should remember him." Qiao Chunyan introduced.

"Cao Debao, I know him. I heard that he works in a soy sauce factory, which is a pretty good place to work." Zhang Yu interjected.

"It's okay. During the Chinese New Year, the factory distributed a lot of soy sauce, and he gave some of it to me. You can give two bottles to your godmother later." Qiao Chunyan looked proud.

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Okay, you can go there in a while. My mother is at home. I want to go to Taiping Hutong."

"We, several classmates, are having a reunion in the third year of junior high school. Cao Debao will also come. You and your sister-in-law should come together." Qiao Chunyan invited.

Zhang Yu nodded: "Good idea, I'll go there when I have time."

After the two of them finished their conversation, Zhang Yu rode his bike to Taiping Hutong, where he unexpectedly met Sun Ganchao and Xiao Guoqing again on the road.

They also mentioned the reunion on the third day of junior high school. Given their previous relationship, Zhang Yu couldn't refuse and had to agree.

Over the years, he, Sun Ganchao and Xiao Guoqing occasionally worked in the same place, and their relationship has never been broken.

During the days in the cafeteria, although we would occasionally ask the brothers to take two more lunch boxes to satisfy their meat cravings, the tacit understanding and friendship among the three families were maintained.

But as time went on, Zhang Yu became more and more adept at working in the cafeteria, and the differences in status among the three of them began to emerge, and some alienation was inevitable.

Tu Zhiqiang was also at the lumber mill, and like Sun Ganchao, he was in the most difficult wood unloading department. When they met, they would greet each other and nod, but that was all.

However, Tu Zhiqiang tried many times to get close to Zhang Yu and introduce some friends to him, but was decisively rejected every time.

There are many rumors about Tu Zhiqiang circulating in the outside world, saying that he always gets involved with young people who can't find jobs, and he even set up a gang called "Nine Tigers and Thirteen Eagles".

The so-called "tigers" refer to men, while "eagles" refer to women. "Nine tigers" are nine men, and "thirteen eagles" naturally include thirteen women. Most of this group are bad elements who escaped from the countryside and wandered around the city. They have no stable jobs and often cause trouble. They make a living by doing illegal business.

Tu Zhiqiang once suggested that Zhang Yu join the group, probably because he saw his fighting ability.

Zhang Yu rejected Tu Zhiqiang's request without even considering it, not because he had any prejudice against gay men.

Instead, he heard that the complicated and chaotic living and emotional conditions between the "Nine Tigers and Thirteen Eagles" made him feel uncomfortable and unable to bear such a relationship.

When he arrived at Zheng Juan's house, Zheng Guangming ran out full of anticipation as soon as he parked his bicycle.

"Brother-in-law, why are you here?" Holding the blind stick in his hand, Zheng Guangming happily walked forward and hugged Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu also laughed and handed two pieces of White Rabbit milk candies to Zheng Guangming.

Although he was blind, Zheng Guangming's other senses were extremely sharp and he could always sense Zhang Yu's arrival in time.

After carrying him into the house, Zhang Yu asked, "Zheng Guang, how are you doing in school? Have you made any progress in your studies?" He walked closer while holding Zheng Guangming and saw Zheng's mother and Zheng Juan busy pasting paper boxes.

Zheng Guangming entered a special school under the coordination of the street to receive basic education. He is also very motivated and cherishes this opportunity. He once shared with Zhang Yu that there is a classmate named Chang Jinbu, who is a deaf-mute student and will be arranged to work in a soy sauce factory after graduation. Zheng Guangming is now full of longing for the future and hopes that after graduation he can work in a factory like his classmates to reduce his burden.

"Auntie, I brought you two kilograms of bacon." Zhang Yu put Zheng Guangming down and took out the meat that had been prepared long ago.

However, when seeing the meat gift, Zheng Juan complained to Zhang Yu instead: "What kind of meat are you sending? We haven't finished it last time. You have more relatives this year, so take these things back and eat them." Then she put the meat on the table.

Zhang Yu comforted her, "Eat peacefully. I have more at home." His words were full of concern.

Although the family had a new source of livelihood, the mother and daughter earned 20 to 30 yuan a month by pasting paper boxes, which was much better than the days when they sold gourds. From time to time, Zhang Yu also brought lunch boxes and even fresh meat.

These days, Zhang Yu and the Zheng family have undergone tremendous changes.

Looking at her son's filial piety, Zheng's mother was deeply moved and kept it all in her heart. Her biggest wish was to see her daughter get married as soon as possible.

"Kun'er, your father will come back home this year, and you and Juan'er's affairs should be taken care of." While pasting paper boxes, Zheng's mother began to bring up this matter.

"My mother and I have discussed that after my father comes back, he will let Juaner see him. We will get the certificate after the holiday and no longer wait for my eldest brother and his wife." Zhang Yu sat cross-legged beside the pit and worked with Zheng Juan.

"I have prepared all the wedding matters and am just waiting for a good day to welcome Juan'er into the family." Zhang Yu's careful plan made Zheng Juan feel at ease.

Mother Zheng was extremely relieved: "Okay, as long as you two get married, I can rest assured even if I leave early."

Zheng Juan held her mother's hand and comforted her, "Mom, don't mention these things during the New Year. I hope you will be healthy and live a long life."

"That's right, Juan'er and I will need you to take care of our children in the future."

Although the illness in her youth affected her mother's health, her complexion gradually improved under Zhang Yu's careful care and the comfortable days she is enjoying now. She did not die young like in the TV drama.

"Let me tell you something." Zhang Yu turned his head and looked at Zheng Juan, saying:

"I'm thinking about buying the house next to ours. After we get married, Auntie and Zheng Guangming can move in. That way, we can live close to each other and take care of each other."

"Buy a house? Where do you get so much money?" Zheng Juan was confused when she heard this.

She knew Zhang Yu's financial situation: he earned more than 30 yuan a month at the lumber mill, and occasionally he could bring some boxed lunches from the canteen to improve his life. But buying a good house that cost at least several hundred yuan a room was not a small amount at the time, and the policy did not allow the sale of houses.

"I have saved some money over the years, enough to pay for the house." Zhang Yu answered: "Our old neighbor, Mr. Zhang, is willing to sell part of his house because of his grandson's illness. We can sign a contract and ask the notary office to certify it. After all, we have been neighbors for many years and there won't be any big problems."

Facing Zheng Juan's puzzled look, Zhang Yu continued to explain: "The rooms in our house originally belonged to my father, but he has many children and it is not easy to divide them. So buying a house early can add a solid foundation for future life."

Knowing Zhang Yu's careful consideration, Zheng's mother trusted her daughter's lifelong happiness even more: "Juan'er, you should follow Kun'er's suggestions. He really thought it through. After the house is bought, you two can live by yourselves. Zheng Guangming and I will stay in Taihe Lane."

Zheng Guangming nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's good for my mother and I to live here."

But Zhang Yu disagreed with this arrangement and insisted, "Auntie, you are already old, and Guangming is still growing. How can I not worry about your safety living far away? It would be best if you move in together so that you can take care of each other. Mom also wants to chant sutras and chat with you at home more often."

Zhang Yu is full of thoughts and plans for his family's future life, which shows his positive expectations for the future and his meticulous care for his elders.

Influenced by Li Suhua, Zheng's mother also became a firm believer in Buddhism. Zhang Yu readily accepted this, and the two older women had similar interests and hobbies, so they could naturally talk more easily.

Zhang Yu noticed that Zheng Juan gratefully put her arm around him and leaned against him, and he was relieved that he had arranged for his mother and brother. When Zheng's mother saw how intimate they were, she found a reason to take Zheng Guangming away.

Zhang Yu was moved by the alluring fragrance of her body and couldn't help but bend down to kiss her. Zheng Juan was also moved and responded passionately. After kissing for a while, Zhang Yu reluctantly pulled away and said, "I hope that on our wedding day..."

Zheng Juan agreed softly and gave her all to him. After a few moments of affection, Zhang Yu told her about the junior high school reunion and left her the freedom to choose.

Zheng Juan immediately agreed to go back, eager to see his friends: "I want to join, I want to know about your life friends." He agreed without hesitation.

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Okay, I'll pick you up on the third day of junior high school." Then he asked, "When will Dad come?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, he will arrive tomorrow." Zhang Yu wondered in his heart whether Zhigang's father would run to Guizhou to find Rongrong instead of returning home, just like the plot on TV.

Although Zhigang had been informed, he did not give a clear response, which made Zhang Yu guess that he was angry, but after so many years, his anger should have subsided. For men, the doting love for their children will not last long.

"I'll go to the train station with you to pick him up tomorrow." Zheng Juan showed that she couldn't wait to see her father.

"Mom has already thought about it. We will borrow a bicycle tomorrow. You can take her there." Zhang Yu said jokingly.

Zheng Juan couldn't help but worry, "Will my dad dislike me?"

"He will definitely like it. Every time I mention you, Mom always praises you, and Dad is also looking forward to it." Zhang Yu comforted her. Zheng Juan leaned on his shoulder and said expectantly: "I am looking forward to meeting him."

"You want to get married soon!" Zhang Yu said jokingly.

Zheng Juan gently patted Zhang Yu's shoulder and playfully retorted: "Don't you want to marry me?"

"Yes, I miss you so much." Zhang Yu answered while hugging her.

At night, Zhang Yucai returned home from Zheng Juan's place and ran into the guest room as soon as he entered the door. "Editor Shao, you come at an untimely time." He greeted warmly.

"Zhikun, where have you been taking so long? Editor Shao has been waiting for you for two hours." Li Suhua said with a hint of blame.

This guest was none other than Shao Jingwen, the editor-in-chief of the Golden Land Magazine from Jiangliao Publishing House. The relationship between Zhang Yu and Shao Jingwen was either an accidental encounter or destiny.

Three years ago, in order to solve financial problems, Zhang Yu tried writing and submitted articles to magazines. It was at that time that Shao Jingwen noticed his manuscripts.

As the New Year was approaching, Shao Jingwen, as the representative of the publishing house, brought New Year's gifts, as well as the royalties for this issue's articles. He handed Zhang Yu a stack of checks: "This is your year-end bonus, and the notice of the increase in the royalties for your latest article."

Seeing the extra amount on the check, Henry Zhang asked curiously, "Why is this number more than before?"

Shao Jingwen explained: "The response to your novel has been very good. After discussion, we decided to increase your compensation. It was five yuan per thousand words before, but this time it has been raised to eight yuan."

Zhang Yu was very happy to get the positive feedback. He smiled and corrected: "It's actually the writing fee, not the remuneration. Don't hurt me." Shao Jingwen suddenly realized: "That's right, it's the writing fee."

In the chaotic era, the original system of remuneration for manuscripts was abolished, and manuscripts for newspapers and magazines were considered unpaid. But people could not be ignored, so the term "Renbi" appeared in the magazine industry, which was still similar to remuneration in essence.

"The publishing house also plans to open an exclusive column for the magazine and officially hire you as a columnist to publish your stories." Li Suhua didn't quite understand what he heard. When he heard the word "columnist", he asked, "Editor Shao, do you mean to let our Zhikun become an editor in the company?"

I understand Li Suhua's excitement, because at that time, being a cultural worker still had a certain status, and it was undoubtedly an honor to be a member of "Golden Land Magazine".