Chapter 102 He Yuzhu's Counterattack

"What's there to say? This is great news for Cuiping, but it won't affect our family at all!"

He Yuzhu sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), casually picked up a peanut and threw it into his mouth, chewing it with a crunchy sound, looking completely nonchalant.

He Daqing slammed his hand on the table, making the porcelain bowl on it bounce. His brows furrowed and his voice rose several decibels.

"That's not what I'm asking! I'm asking you, kid, if you could work in the government office someday!"

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment, then pointed to his own nose, his eyes wide with surprise, his tone full of astonishment: "Me? What would I do there? A cook like me, working in a government office? Isn't that completely irrelevant?"

"What? With official rank, who in the entire city would dare to mess with the He family? Who would dare to gossip behind our backs, saying that your father is just a cook who serves others and will never be able to stand on the table!"

He Daqing clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. All the pent-up resentment from being gossiped about behind his back over the years surged up at this moment, and his face turned bright red.

He Yuzhu raised an eyebrow, a playful smile playing on his lips, and leaned forward to offer He Daqing some advice.

"Then go by yourself! Tomorrow, I'll have Aunt Wang put in a good word for you. You can cook in the kitchen of the Military Control Commission, dealing with officials every day. Let's see who dares to call you a lowly cook then!"

"Bullshit!" He Daqing spat in annoyance and slapped He Yuzhu on the head.

"If I go and cook, I'll still just be a cook in the end. Besides, would I even dare to go? If the new government digs up that dirty secret of cooking for the Japanese back then, not only will I be in deep trouble, but you and your children will suffer along with me!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang, who was sewing shoe soles nearby, quickly put down her needlework, came over and tugged at He Daqing's arm, echoing him with a worried expression.

"His father is right, we're not going to walk into the line of fire! The new government has just taken hold and is investigating old cases, so it's better for us to behave ourselves."

He Yuzhu rubbed his head, which had been slapped, pouted, and put on an innocent look.

"I'm still young, only a teenager. The new government doesn't allow child labor, so they wouldn't dare hire me!"

He Daqing's eyes darted around, and he leaned closer to He Yuzhu, lowering his voice with a hint of cunning in his eyes.

"How about... Dad secretly changes your household registration? Add two years to your age, and we can get away with it?"

"Father! Please spare me!" He Yuzhu shrank back, waving his hands repeatedly, his face full of resistance.

"Are you upset that I eat too much and that I squander all the money I earn, preventing us from building a family fortune, so you're trying to find ways to get me out of work?"

"Nonsense!" He Daqing's face hardened, his tone instantly becoming serious, and he reached out to poke He Yuzhu's forehead.

"Your father hopes you'll be successful and bring honor to the family, not that he's worried about food!"

In recent years, He Daqing has indeed saved a lot of money. The rare ingredients and scarce items that He Yuzhu brings home every now and then, apart from what he uses for his own consumption, are all secretly sold for money. His family's wealth is already more than twice that of other families in the courtyard.

Since returning, He Yuzhu hasn't asked about the family's supplies, because every day the stove is filled with fresh meat, eggs and vegetables. It's clear that He Daqing has found a stable source of income and doesn't need him to worry about it.

He leaned back on the kang (a heated brick bed), stretched, and slowly began to speak.

"Since our family isn't short of money, then wait two years before bringing this up again. You just can't stand me being idle for even a moment, can you?"

"Diligence is key! What kind of future can you have if you just stay at home all day? How about I help you get some gigs outside and you come out with me to gain some experience?"

Undeterred, He Daqing came up with a new idea.

He Yuzhu pointed to his youthful face and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"I look like this, just a greenhorn. Do you think someone would dare to hire a kid like me to cook for a wedding or funeral? Who's going to be responsible if I mess it up?"

He Daqing stroked his chin, pondered for a while, then his eyes lit up. He leaned closer and whispered, "How about I get you a fake beard to stick on? And you can wear an old jacket, that'll make you look older, and we'll get away with it, right?"

"Go away!" Chen Lanxiang immediately became unhappy upon hearing this, slammed the sewing basket on the table, and looked at He Daqing with her hands on her hips.

"Are you really hoping your son will go out into the world and suffer? Zhu Zi's skills are better than yours, he graduated from middle school smoothly, and he's made such a good living for the family these past few years. In what way has he not been ambitious? You nag him every day, what are you really thinking!"

A barrage of questions rained down on He Daqing, leaving him speechless. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for a long time. He could only listlessly pull out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, take one out, put it in his mouth, strike a match, light it, and smoke in silence.

Amidst the swirling smoke, he sighed, his voice low and weary, filled with sorrow.

"My dear wife, I didn't mean to cause trouble... I'm just afraid that one day I won't be able to stay in Beijing anymore. If Zhu Zi can stand on his own and support you and the rest of us, I can leave without worry."

"What nonsense are you spouting! Why waste your peaceful life on cursing yourself?"

Chen Lanxiang glared at him reproachfully, but a sense of unease also rose in her heart. She reached out and patted his shoulder.

"I'm not talking nonsense, I really have a premonition!" He Daqing stubbed out his cigarette, clenched his fist tightly, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.

"These past few years, I've always felt like I've been wronged by petty people. That little thing about cooking for the Japanese soldiers back then has been repeatedly reported to the authorities. My family spent a lot of money trying to smooth things over! If it weren't for the restaurant owner's old friendship and protection of me, I would have lost my job as a cook long ago, and my family would be starving!"

"Why didn't you ever tell me this?" Chen Lanxiang became anxious instantly, grabbing He Daqing's arm, her brows furrowed tightly, her eyes full of heartache and reproach.

"You've shouldered such a huge burden all by yourself. Do you treat me like an outsider?"

"What's the use of telling you? It'll only make you worry and lose sleep. It'll do nothing." He Daqing gave a bitter smile, his eyes dimming.

Chen Lanxiang pressed further, "Then why did you suddenly say that today?"

He Daqing looked up at He Yuzhu, his tone filled with anticipation: "I just saw that Cuiping got into the Military Control Commission and became a government official, so I thought if Zhuzi could also get in and have an official position, he could keep that scheming person hiding in the shadows from me in check! He'd never dare to plot against our family again!"

"Father, are you sure someone is deliberately sabotaging us behind the scenes? Or is it just a coincidence?"

He Yuzhu sat up straight instantly, his eyes sharpening. The first person who flashed through his mind was Yi Zhonghai next door, and his tone became deliberately guiding.

"Unsure..." He Daqing shook his head, his face full of frustration.

"But this is such a trivial, old story, yet it's been dredged up endlessly for years, with people reporting it every few days. I simply don't believe that no one is deliberately stirring things up!"

"So, over the years, have you offended anyone? Whether openly or behind the scenes?" He Yuzhu continued to press, gradually leading the conversation toward Yi Zhonghai.

"I haven't offended anyone!" He Daqing scratched his head, looking bewildered.

"When I worked at Fengzeyuan back then, I went back and asked my old colleagues, but they couldn't explain it either. Moreover, Fengzeyuan has suffered losses in recent years, losing several key chefs who were just as unlucky as me."

"Didn't you ever think that the person plotting against you wasn't an outsider, but someone close to you?" He Yuzhu said in a low voice, enunciating each word clearly, his eyes fixed on He Daqing's face.

"The person next to you?" He Daqing shuddered, instantly tensing up. He shrank back, glancing warily around, his eyes scanning the doors and windows, afraid someone might be eavesdropping. His voice trembled. "Who? Someone from our compound? Or someone from the restaurant?"

"This is our home! The door is closed!" Chen Lanxiang slapped him in an annoyed tone.

"What are you staring at? Do you think someone's eavesdropping through the walls? Look at you, so pathetic!"

"Yes, yes..."

He Daqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest, and looked embarrassed.

"This matter has been making me very uneasy these past few years. I always feel like someone is watching me, a little... a little..."

"The wind whispers and the cranes cry," He Yuzhu said calmly, uttering the phrase for him.

"Yes, yes, yes! It was just a case of being on edge!" He Daqing nodded repeatedly, his face full of lingering fear.

He Yuzhu sighed and shook his head: "Alas, once bitten, twice shy."

"You're the one who got bitten by a snake, why are you afraid of a well rope!" He Daqing instantly became tough again, stubbornly retorting, refusing to admit that he was a coward.

"Alright, don't think too far ahead about this. Just keep an eye on the people you often associate with, you can't go wrong!" He Yuzhu patted He Daqing on the shoulder, his tone confident.

He Daqing gritted his teeth, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, and slammed his fist hard on the kang table.

"The people around me... Fine, I got it! Just don't let me find out who did it, or I'll tear them to pieces! I'll teach them what happens when they bully the He family!"

Meanwhile, in the east wing next door, Yi Zhonghai was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) smoking when he suddenly shivered for no reason. He quickly tightened his old cotton-padded coat and muttered to himself.

"That's strange. The stove is burning so brightly, why is it suddenly so cold? Could it be that the window is letting in a draft?" He got up and checked the doors and windows, unaware that his secret scheme against the He family had already been spotted by He Yuzhu.

After chatting for a few more minutes, He Yuzhu got up and went back to his side room.

He closed the door, leaned against it, his eyes cold, and thought to himself: simply beating up Yi Zhonghai and breaking his arms and legs is not enough to vent my anger!

This guy is lurking in the shadows, plotting against people. We must expose all the dirty deeds he's done over the years, ruin his reputation, and make sure he can never recover!

The more he thought about it, the more something seemed off. The Yi Zhonghai of today was completely different from the pretentious old man in the TV series from his previous life who only wanted to retire.

The man before me, Yi Zhonghai, had a slicked-back, center-parted hairstyle and a clean-shaven chin. His face always carried a gloomy and menacing air, especially his triangular eyes, which were sinister. No one in the courtyard dared to meet his gaze.

Others may not know, but He Yuzhu lived next door to him. Every night, he could hear Yi Zhonghai beating and scolding his wife Li Guihua from the east wing, as well as Li Guihua's suppressed sobs.

This guy is a hypocrite, he's incredibly ruthless. If it weren't for the fact that he relies on Li Guihua to do his laundry, cook, and serve him, he probably would have already taken drastic measures against her.

Moreover, He Yuzhu discovered that Yi Zhonghai's family had been living an exceptionally comfortable life in recent years, with their food, clothing, and daily necessities far exceeding those of others in the courtyard. They must have secretly met someone and found a way to make money, which is why they dared to scheme against He Daqing so brazenly.

Having figured all this out, He Yuzhu made up his mind to keep a close eye on Yi Zhonghai and find something to use against him.

For the next few days, He Yuzhu would secretly squat at the corner of the factory gate every day at the time the steel rolling mill closed, keeping a close eye on the workers coming out of the factory gate, just waiting for Yi Zhonghai to appear, to see where he would go after get off work and who he would contact.

To his disappointment, Yi Zhonghai would obediently walk home after work every day, without saying a word to anyone along the way, and go straight back to the courtyard without ever going out again.

He Yuzhu was unwilling to give up, so he stayed up late every night, listening intently to the sounds from next door. But apart from the occasional sounds of fighting and cursing, there was no sound of anyone going out from the east wing.

After several days of effort, He Yuzhu temporarily gave up the pursuit. He knew that Beijing had only recently been liberated and the situation was still unstable. Those people who supported Yi Zhonghai were probably all hiding and keeping quiet now, so Yi Zhonghai naturally wouldn't dare to make any rash moves.

He Yuzhu would go out every afternoon, which Chen Lanxiang saw and worried about. Every time he went out, she would pull him aside and question him for a long time.

Fearing that his mother would worry, He Yuzhu secretly told her that he was going to find the old ways he used to deal in things, hoping to reconnect with them and save more money for the family.

Chen Lanxiang knew that her son was stubborn and headstrong, and she couldn't keep an eye on him at all. She could only repeatedly remind him to be careful and emphasized this point over and over again.

"If those people go against the new government, you'd better stay far away and don't get caught in the crossfire. Our family's safety is more important than anything else!"

After giving her son instructions, Chen Lanxiang still had to cover for him.

The old ladies in the courtyard and Wang Cuiping, who had just joined the military control committee, were curious about what He Yuzhu was busy with every afternoon. Chen Lanxiang then used the excuse they had agreed on in advance, saying that He Daqing had found a few small restaurants outside for his son, so that He Yuzhu could go out and practice his skills.

Wang Cuiping is kind-hearted and even offered to come and help out, but Chen Lanxiang quickly declined with a smile.

However, she privately told He Yuzhu, "When you go out to prepare a banquet, you always have to bring something back. Otherwise, if you come in empty-handed, it won't look right to others, and it will easily give you away."

As she spoke, Chen Lanxiang rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out a few silver dollars, intending to give them to He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu didn't refuse and readily accepted it, while he pondered his next plan.

From then on, He Yuzhu never came back empty-handed every time he went out.

Sometimes it's half a plump old hen, sometimes a fresh piece of pork belly, occasionally two lunchboxes full of cooked food, or a few pounds of white rice and a few pounds of fine noodles.

Chen Lanxiang assumed that her son had spent money to buy these items outside, so she didn't ask any further questions.

After all, the market in Beijing is gradually becoming more active, and these kinds of foods can be bought in grain stores and butcher shops. She never expected that these things were secretly prepared by He Yuzhu in order to cover up the lie of preparing the banquet.

After ceasing to follow Yi Zhonghai, He Yuzhu found an opportunity to pull He Daqing aside and asked mysteriously, "Dad, would you like the watch and the rickshaw?"

He Daqing's eyes widened instantly. He grabbed He Yuzhu's arm, his tone full of surprise and astonishment: "What? You managed to get your hands on these two in-demand items? Did you get back in touch with those people you used to deal in?"

Chen Lanxiang had already told He Daqing about He Yuzhu's attempt to find connections, so he immediately thought of this matter.

He Yuzhu nodded and lowered his voice, "Yeah, it's not new. It's leftover stock from those people who ran away before. It's in pretty good condition. Do you want it?"

"Yes! Why wouldn't I want it!"

He Daqing agreed without hesitation, his face full of anticipation, and quickly asked more questions.

"What's the price? We can't afford new watches and foreign cars these days, so a used one will do!"

"A watch costs 50 silver dollars, and a bicycle costs 80 silver dollars," He Yuzhu quoted the prices, which were much cheaper than the secondhand goods on the market, just what He Daqing wanted.

He Daqing did the math in his mind: the cheapest new Plum Blossom watch would cost more than a hundred silver dollars, and foreign cars were even more ridiculously expensive. This price was practically a steal!

He immediately said, "Let me discuss it with your mother. She manages all the money in the house, so I can't make the decision."

"Okay, you can discuss it with my mother. By the way, do we have enough money?" He Yuzhu asked deliberately, already knowing the answer in his mind.

"Don't worry about that, Dad will take care of the money! Have someone keep the stuff for us, and whatever you do, don't sell it to anyone else!" He Daqing patted his chest, looking very generous.

"Okay! I'll talk to them and ask them to save it for us." He Yuzhu agreed with a smile.

"Go back to sleep. I'll give you the final answer tomorrow." He Daqing waved his hand, his heart filled with the joy of soon owning a watch and a rickshaw.

"Alright!" He Yuzhu turned around and went back to his room, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The reason he brought up the watch and the rickshaw was to set a trap for Yi Zhonghai!

As the saying goes, it's better to lure the snake out of its hole than to guard against a thief for a thousand days. Isn't Yi Zhonghai hiding in the shadows and not moving?

Then he would deliberately let the He family prosper more and more, displaying items that everyone in the courtyard coveted, such as watches and rickshaws, to provoke Yi Zhonghai into making him itchy and unable to resist. Naturally, he would jump out and make some underhanded moves, and then he could seize his weakness in one fell swoop!

He Yuzhu knew Yi Zhonghai all too well. This guy was ambitious, extremely jealous, and couldn't stand seeing others do better than him.

The He family's life was getting better and better, and he had long been itching to get rid of them. Now, with the addition of rare items like watches and bicycles, he was sure he wouldn't sit still.

The next morning, just as He Daqing went to work, Chen Lanxiang quietly pulled He Yuzhu into the inner room, took out a cloth bag from the stove hole, and opened it layer by layer. Inside were four small yellow croakers!

She stuffed the small yellow croaker into He Yuzhu's hand, gritted her teeth, her eyes full of reluctance, but still said firmly, "Take it. This money is enough to buy a watch and a rickshaw. Keep the rest for emergencies."

You know, a small yellow croaker can be exchanged for thirty to forty silver dollars, so four croakers would be one hundred and fifty or sixty dollars. After buying the watch and the rickshaw, there would still be a lot left. Chen Lanxiang gave her extra money because she was afraid that her son would have a hard time outside.

He Yuzhu didn't take it. Instead, he took a step back and feigned surprise, saying, "Mom, you really agreed to buy it? This isn't just a dollar or two, it's four small yellow croakers! It's not easy for our family to save this much money!"

"Isn't money meant to be spent? If your father likes it, let him have his wish. He's never enjoyed a day of happiness in his life because of this family, so he deserves something decent."

Chen Lanxiang sighed, her voice full of heartache for He Daqing.

"Don't regret buying it, because these clearance items can't be returned," He Yuzhu deliberately reminded him.

"No regrets! Go!" Chen Lanxiang shoved the small yellow croaker into He Yuzhu's pocket, held it tightly, and repeatedly urged him.

"Zhu Zi, our family didn't save up much money easily. You'd better take good care of this gold. Don't lose it, and don't let anyone rob you!"

"Mother, don't worry, this is gold. I keep it close to my body. How could it possibly get lost?" He Yuzhu patted his pocket and comforted her with a smile.

"When will you be able to get the things back? Do you need your dad to pick you up after get off work?" Chen Lanxiang was still worried and asked again.

"I'll wait for him at the factory gate after work and have him come with me to bring the things back. It's really inappropriate for a young man like me to carry such valuable things," He Yuzhu replied.

"Okay, as long as you know what to do, just be careful." Chen Lanxiang was finally relieved.

He Yuzhu took the gold bars, put them away, and left.

Xiaoman and Xu Damao, who were waiting at the door, were disappointed to find that He Yushui had just woken up and was walking out of the house with her eyes rubbing. Her hair was messy and her face was rosy.

"Little Rain, where's your brother?" Xiaoman stepped forward, took He Yushui's hand, and asked softly.

"I don't know..." He Yushui yawned, answering groggily, her little head nodding.

Xu Damao, standing to the side, curled his lip and said helplessly, "Weren't you always at home? How could you not know?"

"I...I just got up!" He Yushui finally woke up a little, her face flushed, and she lowered her head a little embarrassed.

This little girl is a notorious sleepyhead; she sleeps until late morning every day, and no one in the family can wake her up.

"You little lazybones!" Xiaoman said with a smile, poking He Yushui's forehead, her eyes full of affection.

"I'm not lazy! Sister Xiaoman is mean!" He Yushui pouted, turned her head away, and pretended to be angry.

"Okay, I'm naughty. Then I'll go read the comic book to Xiao Cong and won't let you listen." Xiao Man teased her on purpose.

"No, no! I want to hear it too!" He Yushui immediately turned around, grabbed Xiaoman's arm, and said coquettishly.

"Then you have to promise Sister Xiaoman that you'll tell me wherever your brother goes, okay?" Xiaoman seized the opportunity to make a condition.

"But I really didn't know! When I woke up, my brother was already gone!" He Yushui looked aggrieved and was about to cry.

"I'm talking about the future! From now on, when he goes out, remember to tell me where he went," Xiaoman said patiently.

"Okay, okay! I promise you!" He Yushui didn't care about the future. As long as she could listen to the comic book, she would agree to any condition. She just wanted to get through this first.

Xu Damao shook his head as he watched, thinking to himself: "Hoping that He Yushui can find out where He Yuzhu is is wishful thinking. This little girl is so spoiled that she's heartless and can't remember anything."

He didn't even think about asking Chen Lanxiang. He knew that even if he did, Chen Lanxiang would definitely cover for He Yuzhu, so asking would be pointless.

That noon, He Yuzhu still didn't come back for lunch. The old lady and Wang Cuiping in the courtyard were already used to it, but they always felt their mouths were empty without He Yuzhu's cooking.

Although Chen Lanxiang's home-style dishes are delicious, they are still far inferior to the skills of top chefs He Daqing and He Yuzhu.

He Yushui was the pickiest eater. She looked at the green vegetables and radishes on the table, picked at the rice in her bowl, and refused to touch her chopsticks for a long time, her little face scrunched up.

Chen Lanxiang saw this and was furious. She reached out and slapped the back of her hand.

"You're lucky to have food at all, and you're still being picky! Your brother and dad aren't home, I'm already doing a great job. Don't take your blessings for granted. If you keep being picky, you won't be eating dinner tonight!"

He Yushui was so scolded that tears instantly fell into her eyes, dripping into her rice bowl. She ate while sobbing, thinking to herself: When Dad comes home tonight, I must tell him and make him teach Mom a lesson!

As evening fell and the bell rang signaling the end of the workday at the steel rolling mill, workers surged out of the gates like a tidal wave. He Daqing had just stepped out when he heard his son's voice calling from afar: "Dad! Over here! Over here!"

He looked up and saw He Yuzhu standing under a poplar tree not far away, waving vigorously at him with a big smile on his face.

He Daqing strode over and asked suspiciously, "What are you doing here? Why aren't you at home? What are you doing here?"

"I've bought the items," He Yuzhu said in a low, mysterious voice.

"You bought it, so why did you come all the way here to tell me?" He Daqing was taken aback, his heart filled with anticipation.

"It hasn't been returned yet. We were waiting for you to take it back with us. It would be too conspicuous for a child like me to bring such valuable things home," He Yuzhu explained.

"Where is it? Take me to see it quickly!" He Daqing urged impatiently.

"Come with me!" He Yuzhu turned around and led He Daqing into a small grove of trees nearby.

As soon as He Daqing entered the woods, his eyes lit up instantly! A gleaming old-fashioned bicycle was parked under a tree, its body spotless, the bell and chain intact, looking at least 80% new!

In those days, foreign cars were extremely rare items, even more precious than cars are today!

He was staring at the rickshaw when he noticed a rectangular wooden box strapped to the back seat. He was immediately puzzled. He went over to take a closer look and found that it was actually an exquisite clock!

"Didn't I tell you to buy a watch? Why did you buy a clock instead? These things aren't cheap, are they?" He Daqing was both surprised and delighted, his reproach mixed with immense joy.

"My mom gave me a bit too much money, and I thought we didn't have anything to tell time at home, so I just bought one. It'll be convenient to keep track of time when I'm cooking or going to work," He Yuzhu explained with a smile.

"Where's the watch? Show it to me quickly!" He Daqing rubbed his hands together and asked impatiently.

"It's here!"

He Yuzhu took out a small box from his pocket, opened it, and found a Plum Blossom brand watch lying quietly inside. The leather strap was intact, the silver-white surface was as clean as new, and the markings were clear. It was obviously a good item.

He Daqing took it and examined it carefully in the light of the setting sun, muttering to himself.

"A Plum Blossom brand? It really is a Plum Blossom brand! The condition is practically brand new!"

"How is it? Are you satisfied?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Satisfied! Extremely satisfied! Great stuff, absolutely great stuff!" He Daqing grinned from ear to ear, nodding repeatedly.

"Try it on quickly and see if it fits," He Yuzhu urged.

"Okay! Let's give it a try!"

With trembling hands, He Daqing put the watch on his wrist, constantly raising his arm to look at it, looking at it from left to right, liking it no matter how he looked at it, his mouth almost stretched to his ears in a grin.

"Alright, Dad, let's look at it slowly when we get home. It's getting dark, and if we get back late, Mom will worry." He Yuzhu tugged at his arm.

"Let's go! Let's go! Hurry home so your mother can see!" He Daqing finally came to his senses and was eager to go home to show off.

The two pushed the cart out of the woods. Just as they reached the intersection, He Daqing suddenly froze, his smile vanished instantly, and he stood there awkwardly.

Upon seeing his expression, He Yuzhu immediately understood and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Dad, you can't ride? Then why did you agree so readily in the first place?"

He Daqing blushed, but stubbornly retorted, "Just because I can't ride one doesn't mean I can't buy one! Even if I push it, it's still because I own a bicycle! In all of Beijing, how many families can afford one? I'll look good pushing it!"

"Alright, you're so kind!" He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly. "Then you hold onto the clock, and I'll take you back on my bike. Hurry up, or it'll be completely dark."

"You can ride? Don't fall off your dad!" He Daqing looked doubtful and muttered to himself.

"Don't worry, I learned to ride in Tianjin, I'm quite steady!"

He Yuzhu slammed the rickshaw to a stop, reached down and took the clock from the back seat, shoving it into He Daqing's arms. "Hold on tight, don't drop it."

After saying that, he climbed onto the bicycle, put one foot on the ground, and waved to He Daqing: "Dad, get on, don't just stand there!"

"Oh...oh!" He Daqing finally realized what was happening. Seeing He Yuzhu's skillful movements, he knew that his son could really ride, and his worries lessened a bit.

He was holding a grandfather clock in his arms and could only sit sideways on the back rack of the rickshaw, in an extremely awkward posture.

To avoid being seen in his embarrassing state, he simply lifted the clock up, completely obscuring his face and leaving only his eyes visible.

He Yuzhu pushed off with his foot, and the rickshaw steadily moved forward. Along the way, all the workers on the roadside stopped and pointed, their eyes full of envy and surprise.

You should know that in the entire steel rolling mill, only the factory leaders had a few foreign cars; ordinary workers couldn't even get their hands on one.

Now, seeing a teenager riding a bicycle with someone sitting behind him, everyone is extremely curious and starts discussing it:

"Who's that young man on the bike? I've never seen him at our factory before."

"The one sitting in the back... he looks a bit like He Daqing from the kitchen!"

"My goodness! The He family actually bought a rickshaw? And a clock? They've struck it rich!"

The whispers reached He Daqing's ears, and he felt both smug and embarrassed. He kept urging He Yuzhu, "Ride faster! Faster! Stop dawdling here!"

He Yuzhu pedaled hard, pedaling so fast that the bicycle chain was almost sparking.

The rickshaw bounced and swayed along the bumpy road, and He Daqing clung tightly to the clock, his bottom almost numb from the jolting.

After finally reaching the entrance of the courtyard house, He Yuzhu stopped the bike by pushing off with one foot.

He Daqing quickly jumped down, but as soon as his feet touched the ground, his legs went weak and he almost fell on his bottom. He had to lean against the wall for a long time to recover.

He rubbed his numb buttocks and complained irritably to He Yuzhu, "I told you to hurry up, couldn't you have chosen a better path? This is so bumpy!"

He Yuzhu rolled his eyes and retorted without any politeness, "That lousy road in front of your factory is full of potholes, where's the good road? I've already tried my best to ride on the smooth parts, and you're blaming me?"

"Alright, alright, I'm not going to argue with you!" Knowing he was in the wrong, He Daqing waved his hand, picked up the clock, and walked into the courtyard. "Hurry up and go inside, don't let people laugh at us!"

He Yuzhu pushed the rickshaw behind, and a smile appeared on his lips as he watched He Daqing's impatient look.

He knew that the bait had been cast, and Yi Zhonghai next door would soon be unable to sit still...

The news that the He family had bought a rickshaw, a watch, and a clock spread like wildfire throughout the entire courtyard.

The neighbors in the courtyard all gathered around to watch. The old lady touched the shiny rickshaw and smiled from ear to ear. Wang Cuiping looked at the plum blossom watch on He Daqing's wrist with envy in her eyes. Even the neighbors who usually didn't like to join in the fun came over to see the spectacle and kept praising the He family for their ability and prosperous life.

Surrounded by the crowd, He Daqing wore a smug smile, constantly fiddling with the watch on his wrist, glancing at the time every now and then, enjoying the praise from the crowd.