Chapter 103 The rickshaw shines in the courtyard, and Silly Pillar shows off his power.

In the winter of Beijing, the cold wind, carrying fine ice shards, howls as it sweeps across the gray bricks and tiles of the courtyard houses.

This three-courtyard siheyuan in Nanluoguxiang, though not usually bustling, exudes the unique lively atmosphere of old Beijing hutongs. But today, the appearance of two figures completely shattered this tranquility.

He Yuzhu, affectionately known as "Silly Zhu" by the villagers, was steadily supporting a gleaming black rickshaw with both arms. His broad shoulders were taut, and he stepped firmly and powerfully across the black lacquered gate of the courtyard.

This rickshaw is a genuine Western product. The handlebars are chrome-plated and polished, the rims are gleaming, and even the foot pedals are polished smooth and delicate. In the dim winter light, it gleams with a luster that is hard to look away from.

The moment Sha Zhu turned the cart around the blue brick screen wall, a sharp-tongued woman stood by the threshold of the central courtyard, cracking melon seeds. It was none other than Jia Zhangshi, the notorious troublemaker of the courtyard.

The melon seeds in Jia Zhangshi's hand fell to the ground with a "plop," her round, plump face trembled, her mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg, and her cloudy eyes were fixed on the rickshaw, her eyeballs almost popping out.

Before she could even react, her gaze fell on He Daqing, who was following behind Sha Zhu.

He Daqing held a Western-style clock with brass trim in his arms. The clock face was clean, and the pendulum swayed gently, making a soft but crisp "tick-tock" sound. Its luxurious appearance was the best in this courtyard.

"My goodness!" Jia Zhangshi suddenly came to her senses, put her hands on her hips, tilted her head back, and howled in a hoarse voice towards the middle and back courtyards. Her voice was so loud that the window frames vibrated.

"Old Jia! Dongxu! You two get out here right now! He Daqing's family bought a rickshaw! And a Western-style clock! Top-of-the-line luxury items!"

This shout was like a thunderclap, instantly spreading throughout the entire courtyard. Even the deaf old lady sunbathing in the back room was disturbed by the sharp cry and had to lift her eyelids.

At that moment, Jia Laonian and his son Jia Dongxu had just returned from outside. Before their feet had even settled on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), upon hearing Jia Zhangshi's earth-shattering shout, their curiosity and greed instantly surged up.

The father and son weren't even properly dressed in their cotton shoes; they were wearing tattered cloth shoes with their heels exposed, and their cotton trousers were hanging loosely at the waist. They practically tumbled and crawled out of the house, their cloth shoes making a hurried "clattering" sound on the bluestone slabs.

The two had just rushed out of the courtyard gate when they spotted Sha Zhu carrying a rickshaw and He Daqing holding a clock, walking towards the hanging flower gate. The gleam of the rickshaw and the magnificence of the clock dazzled the father and son.

"Great Qing! He Daqing! Wait a minute!"

Old Jia chased after it, taking three steps at a time, his fat body panting as he ran, his small eyes fixed on the rickshaw, his tone full of barely suppressed envy and curiosity.

"Which dealership did you buy this rickshaw from? How much did it cost? And this clock, is it a genuine Western item?"

As Jia Laonian spoke, he couldn't help but reach out to touch the rickshaw's handlebars, looking as if he wanted to snatch the rickshaw and hug it to his arms.

Jia Dongxu leaned even closer, his head craning like a giraffe's, his nose almost touching the seat, and drool practically dripping from the corner of his mouth.

He Daqing had always despised the Jia family for their stinginess, greed, and tendency to gossip.

At this moment, being pestered by Jia Laonian, his face instantly darkened. Without even turning his head, his tone was as cold as ice, each word piercing his heart: "What does this have to do with your family? Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. Even if I told you, you still couldn't afford it, so it's a waste of your breath!"

This statement is tantamount to killing someone by attacking their spirit.

Old Jia's outstretched hand froze mid-air, the words that were about to come out were swallowed back down his throat, and his old face instantly turned from sallow to liver-colored, then red to purple, with the veins on his neck bulging. He was so embarrassed that he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

He had lived most of his life, and although he wasn't exactly respectable in the courtyard, he had never been so blatantly humiliated.

"Dad! Why are you pulling me! I haven't seen enough yet!" Jia Dongxu hadn't realized that something was wrong when Jia Laonian grabbed his arm and dragged him back. He was so anxious that he stomped his feet.

"That's a rickshaw! There aren't many in the whole of Beijing! I've never even touched one before! Can I just touch it?"

"What are you touching!" Old Jia was so angry that he trembled all over. He raised his hand and slapped Jia Dongxu on the back of the head. The force was so great that Jia Dongxu staggered.

"Didn't you hear what He Daqing said? Our family can't afford it! We can't afford to lose face like this! If you're so capable, earn a lot of money and buy it yourself later, don't embarrass yourself here!"

Jia Dongxu felt wronged after being beaten, but he didn't dare to argue back. He could only glare at the rickshaw resentfully and mutter under his breath.

"What's so great about it? It's just a little bit of dirty money. Who knows if it came from honest means? Maybe it was stolen or robbed!"

These words, laced with sourness and jealousy, happened to reach Jia Zhangshi's ears. She immediately joined in, putting her hands on her hips, pouting, and shouting in a sarcastic tone.

"Exactly! They look glamorous, but who knows how they got their money! We poor people may be poor, but our money comes from honest means!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Laonian was so frightened that his soul almost left his body.

He knew perfectly well that He Daqing was now cooking banquets for wealthy families, earning several silver dollars per banquet. His skills were among the best in Beijing, and he earned his money honestly through his abilities.

If Jia Zhangshi's nonsense angers He Daqing and gets out, the Jia family will have no place in the courtyard or the factory!

"What nonsense are you spouting, you old woman!"

With a shout of anger, Jia Laonian grabbed Jia Zhangshi by the back of her neck and dragged her into the house like a chick.

"Master He earns his living through his skills, through honest and hard-earned money! If you dare to spout any more nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart! Get back here right now and stop causing trouble!"

Jia Zhangshi was being pulled so hard she could hardly breathe, kicking her arms and legs wildly and shouting at the top of her lungs.

"Old Jia! Let me go! You can't make money yourself, and you won't even let me say that? I don't believe it! Once my son Dongxu finishes his apprenticeship and becomes a full-fledged fitter, our family will be able to buy a rickshaw and a clock! We'll be even more successful than the He family!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Laonian and his son Jia Dongxu fell silent instantly, their embarrassment and awkwardness deepening. Jia Laonian was so enraged that he kicked Jia Dongxu in the backside, sending him staggering.

"The Memorial to the Throne on the Eve of the Expedition! What a load of rubbish!" Old Jia roared angrily. "Get your ass back home! Don't embarrass yourself here!"

Jia Dongxu felt wronged, but dared not refute it.

He knew better than anyone that he would never be able to successfully become a fitter. When he first entered the factory, it was Yi Zhonghai who sabotaged him behind his back, deliberately making sure no one would take him on as an apprentice.

Later, even when his father, Jia Laonian, took the time to help him out, he was still the number one slacker and cheater. He was better than anyone else at being clever, but when he actually stood in front of the fitter's bench, his work was so rough that even his father couldn't stand it. All the parts he made were scrap.

Jia Laonian had tried to manage him, he had beaten him and scolded him, but Jia Dongxu was just hopeless and simply not cut out to be a fitter.

If finding a job weren't so difficult these days, Jia Laonian would have sent him to learn another trade long ago. Learning to be a fitter? Jia Dongxu had no hope of ever doing that!

The father and his two sons, scrambling and covered in dust, fled back to the house, leaving a trail of hurried footprints on the bluestone slabs and an awkward silence over the courtyard.

This farcical scene was witnessed by Yi Zhonghai, who had just returned from running errands.

Yi Zhonghai, dressed in a smart Zhongshan suit, with his hair slicked back and carrying a faux leather briefcase, had just reached the screen wall when he stumbled upon the scene of the Jia family making a scene and causing embarrassment to the He family father and son.

His eyes sharpened, his steps abruptly halted, and with a swift movement, he retreated back behind the screen wall, holding his breath and revealing only his eyes to secretly observe the movements outside.

As the oldest resident in the compound, Yi Zhonghai always considers himself an elder and manager, valuing his voice and reputation within the compound.

Seeing the Jia family suffer a setback, he felt no sympathy whatsoever. Instead, he stared at He Daqing, the rickshaw, and the clock with a sinister look in his eyes and churning thoughts.

Once the Jia family had completely closed their doors and the courtyard had returned to calm, Yi Zhonghai slowly emerged from behind the screen wall. He glanced deeply at the Jia family's tightly closed doors, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. Then he turned around and walked steadily toward the central courtyard, his mind racing with calculations.

The moment Yi Zhonghai stepped into the Central Court, his gaze was instantly locked onto the object.

Sha Zhu was pushing his gleaming rickshaw, slowly circling around in the open space of the central courtyard.

On the crossbeam in front of the rickshaw sat two little girls, Xu Xiaocong and He Yushui. The two children wore floral cotton-padded jackets, had pigtails, and held tightly to the handlebars with their little hands, their eyes crinkling with laughter. On the back seat, Xiaoman hugged Shazhu's waist, her short legs swinging happily, her giggles echoing throughout the yard.

Xu Damao followed behind the rickshaw, trotting along and panting, calling out, "Brother Zhu! Slow down! I can't keep up!"

Occasionally, the rickshaw's brass bell would ring, its crisp "ding-a-ling" sound particularly pleasant in the winter courtyard. That vibrant, lively energy stung Yi Zhonghai's eyes.

Yi Zhonghai stood still, a strong sense of disdain flashing across his eyes, which was then quickly covered by intense jealousy.

He was disdainful because he also had a lot of silver dollars saved up, and it wasn't that he couldn't afford a rickshaw and a clock. But he had lived a frugal life, being stingy and unwilling to spend a single penny on pleasure.

He was jealous because He Daqing was lucky to have such a capable and filial son as Shazhu, who was skilled and could earn money. He Daqing only needed to take care of the present and enjoy his old age.

But what about Yi Zhonghai? He has no children, no close relatives, and no one to rely on when he gets old. This sense of loss makes him feel suffocated.

At the same time, a sinister thought instantly flashed into Yi Zhonghai's mind: Now it is a new society, and the new government hates the crooked ways of the old society the most, and emphasizes being an honest and upright person.

He Daqing suddenly took out so much money to buy a rickshaw and a clock. Was his money really obtained legitimately? If the new government finds out, it will definitely intervene!

As long as he reports this to higher authorities, He Daqing will definitely be in trouble, and then the power in the courtyard will return to his hands!

Yi Zhonghai was lost in thought, his expression shifting between light and dark.

The children, who were originally laughing and playing, fell silent the moment they saw Yi Zhonghai, like mice seeing a cat. They lowered their heads, shrank their necks, and dared not speak or even laugh.

In the entire courtyard, only Xiaoman remained, still carefree, shouting, "Brother Zhu! Hurry up! One more turn! Hehehe!"

"Hello, Uncle Yi!"

Sha Zhu, on the other hand, was very generous and greeted Yi Zhonghai with a hearty smile.

Apart from Sha Zhu, the remaining children didn't dare to lift their heads or even breathe loudly.

This instantly filled Yi Zhonghai with resentment—he was the oldest man in the courtyard, yet the children treated him like a plague, showing no affection whatsoever, while they poured their hearts out to Sha Zhu. This disparity made him seethe with hatred.

"Okay... be careful when you play, don't fall."

Yi Zhonghai forced a stiff smile onto his face, his voice terribly dry. After speaking, he dared not linger any longer and turned to walk quickly toward his east wing, his back view exuding an indescribable gloom and dishevelment.

Sha Zhu watched Yi Zhonghai's hurried departure, his smile slowly fading, a meaningful glint flashing in his eyes, and a barely perceptible cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He knew Yi Zhonghai's thoughts all too well; that old bastard was plotting something again.

"Brother Zhu, what are you laughing at? Your laugh is kind of creepy." Xu Xiaocong tilted her little face up and curiously tugged at the hem of Sha Zhu's clothes.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Sha Zhu instantly snapped out of his reverie, his face beaming with a smile again, and deliberately raised his voice.

"I'm going to speed up! Hold on tight! I'm not responsible if you fall!"

"Ah! No!" He Yushui was so frightened that she quickly grabbed the handlebars, her face turning pale.

But the rickshaw was still given a gentle push by Sha Zhu and started spinning rapidly. The children's screams and laughter instantly filled the courtyard, creating a lively scene.

"Brother Zhu, slow down! I can't run anymore! Can I sit down for a while?" Xu Damao shouted as he ran, panting heavily with his face flushed red.

"Brother Zhu, why don't I get down and let Brother Damao sit down?" Xiaoman, being kind-hearted, saw that Xu Damao was exhausted and offered her help.

"Alright!" Sha Zhu slowly brought the rickshaw to a stop, and Xiao Man obediently jumped off. Xu Damao immediately pounced on the back seat like a hungry wolf, excitedly shouting, "Drive! Brother Zhu, drive!"

Sha Zhu shook his head helplessly and started pushing the rickshaw around again, and the laughter and cheers in the courtyard grew even louder.

Yi Zhonghai, seething with anger, returned to his east wing with a gloomy face. He pushed the door open so hard that it slammed against the wall with a loud bang.

His wife, Li Guihua, was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) sewing shoe soles. Her needle and thread moved swiftly through the fabric. Hearing the noise, she looked up and saw that Yi Zhonghai's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't think much of it and smiled as she said, "Okay."

"Honey, you're back! It's freezing outside, warm yourself up. By the way, the He family bought a rickshaw and a Western clock, did you see them outside? Those things are really impressive, the first of their kind in our neighborhood!"

Li Guihua's words struck a nerve with Yi Zhonghai, instantly igniting his anger, and he spoke with annoyance and harshness.

"It's their business what they buy, what's it to you? Stop meddling, stop asking questions, you're just annoying!"

Li Guihua was taken aback by the sudden rebuke, her smile instantly freezing, and her needlework stopping. Knowing Yi Zhonghai was in a bad mood, she dared not say another word, quickly lowering her head and whispering, "I know, I was just asking casually..."

"Is dinner ready? I'm starving!" Yi Zhonghai waved his hand impatiently, sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), unbuttoned his Zhongshan suit, and his face was still unpleasant.

"Alright, alright, almost done!"

Li Guihua quickly got up and walked to the stove. "Wash your hands, I'll bring you the food right away!"

As Yi Zhonghai watched Li Guihua's busy figure, his frustration not only didn't subside, but intensified.

He sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), his mind replaying the image of Sha Zhu pushing the rickshaw with boundless pride, and He Daqing confidently confronting the Jia family. Jealousy and resentment gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes.

Meanwhile, Sha Zhu was having a great time playing with the children until the sun set and the sky gradually darkened. Then, Chen Lanxiang's gentle yet loud voice came from the middle courtyard.

"Zhu Zi! Stop playing around! Hurry up and go to the backyard to invite the old lady over; it's time to eat!"

"Alright! Coming!" Sha Zhu replied loudly, slowly bringing the rickshaw to a stop.

Xu Damao was the first to jump down from the back seat of the car, and Shazhu bent down and carefully carried Xu Xiaocong and He Yushui off the crossbeam.

The two little girls lay on the ground, refusing to leave. Their short legs twitched as they rubbed against the rickshaw, and their little hands kept touching the seat and the rim. Clearly, they hadn't had enough of sitting there and didn't want to get off.

"If you two don't come inside," Sha Zhu deliberately put on a stern face, playing his trump card, "then, the very next one, this rickshaw is completely off with you two. I'm never letting you ride in it again!"

These words worked. Xu Xiaocong and He Yushui immediately wilted and reluctantly stood up, but their eyes were still glued to the rickshaw, circling it and looking back every few steps.

"Da Mao, you stay here and keep an eye on those two. Don't let them mess around and knock the car over. It would be troublesome if they hit someone," Sha Zhu instructed.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhu! I'll definitely keep an eye on it!" Xu Damao patted his chest and assured him.

He had secretly tried the weight of the rickshaw before. He could lift it up by himself, but he was too short to reach the pedals and could not ride it at all. He could only look at it from afar.

After Sha Zhu finished explaining, he turned around and walked quickly towards the back room.

The deaf old woman sat in a wicker chair, basking in the last rays of the setting sun, covered with a thick quilt, her fingers gently turning prayer beads. Seeing Sha Zhu approach, her cloudy eyes brightened: "Zhu Zi's here?"

"Oh, Madam, let me help you to the central courtyard for dinner. My mother has made something delicious." Sha Zhu bent down and steadily supported the old lady's arm, his movements gentle and attentive.

The old lady was helped to her feet by Sha Zhu. The first thing she saw was the rickshaw next to her. She slowly moved her feet and circled the rickshaw again and again. Her withered fingers gently brushed the handlebars, and her eyes were full of novelty and emotion.

"So this is a rickshaw..."

The old woman muttered to herself.

"When I was young, I saw it in the palace. Back then, there were only a handful of them in the entire city of Beijing. They were incredibly precious. I never thought that I would see this spectacle in our courtyard when I'm so old."

"Yes, Madam, my father just bought this." Sha Zhu said with a smile. "I'll take you for a ride on my bike another day and let you see the new sights of Beijing."

"I dare not sit here," the old lady waved her hands repeatedly, laughing and scolding.

"My old arms and legs can't take any more strain. If you drop my old lady, that would be a real problem."

"No way!" Sha Zhu patted his chest confidently. "I'm a super skilled biker, very steady. I guarantee you won't fall!"

"You're just bragging!" The old lady laughed and tapped Sha Zhu's forehead.

"Madam, Brother Zhu wasn't bragging! He really does ride exceptionally well!"

Xiaoman ran over from the side, looked up at her with her little face, and said earnestly that even though she had only sat on it once.

"Really? Xiaoman, you even rode in the rickshaw that Zhuzi rode?" The old lady became interested and asked curiously.

"Yes!" Xiaoman nodded vigorously, and was about to continue telling her secret with Shazhu when she was stopped by a stern look from Shazhu.

Xiaoman instantly realized what was happening, quickly shut her mouth, and lowered her head to pick at her fingers. It was her little secret with Brother Zhu, and she couldn't tell anyone.

The old lady saw this, smiled, and didn't press the matter: "Alright, I can't keep up with you young people; my old bones can't take the jostling. Come on, kids, let's go inside and eat!"

"Yes, Madam!" the children replied in unison, crowding around the old lady as she walked toward the central courtyard.

Without a doubt, Xu Damao and his sister Xu Xiaocong have shamelessly come to freeload again.

In this courtyard, Sha Zhu was generous, and the old lady doted on him. As long as the old lady didn't kick him out, it was common for him to freeload meals.

Upon entering the main room of the He family home, the old lady's eyes were immediately drawn to the Western-style clock on the octagonal table.

The brass clock frame is exquisite and well-made, the clock face is clear and bright, and the pendulum swings gently, making a "tick-tock" sound that is particularly clear in the room.

"Da Qing, was this clock also bought along with the rickshaw?" The old lady walked to the table, gently touching the clock frame with her hand, her tone full of affection.

"Yes, ma'am, we just bought them," He Daqing replied with a smile.

"My Qing Dynasty, is this clock expensive? Is it still available for purchase?"

The old lady asked, "I live alone in the back room. The house is quiet all day long, without a sound. This clock adds a bit of life to the place."

He Daqing had no idea about these prices and connections, and subconsciously looked at Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu shook his head and nodded slightly at him, and He Daqing immediately understood, replying with a smile, "Not expensive at all, much cheaper than a rickshaw. What, old lady, do you like this thing?"

"Yes," the old lady nodded, her tone filled with anticipation, "If there's any noise, the house won't be so quiet, and this old woman like me can have some fun."

"That's easy!" He Daqing waved his hand. "After dinner, I'll have Zhu Zi deliver this clock to your room in the back. From now on, this clock is yours!"

"Are you sure you can buy it again?" The old lady was a little worried, afraid that the item was in short supply and she wouldn't be able to buy it.

"Yes! It definitely can!"

Sha Zhu spoke first, patting his chest to assure him.

"Grandma, you can rest assured, leave this to me. I'll take care of everything perfectly!"

"Good, good, good!" The old lady beamed, her wrinkles smoothing out. "I never thought that an old woman like me, half-buried in the ground, would still be able to use Western gadgets. My life has been worthwhile!"

Chen Lanxiang stood aside, feeling a warm glow in her heart as she watched the old lady's happy expression.

When the He family fell into hardship, they were fortunate to receive help from the old lady. She could never repay this kindness in her lifetime.

Now, if it makes the old lady happy, she'd be willing to give away the clock even if she can't buy it back.

After the family finished their dinner in a lively atmosphere, He Daqing helped the old lady, while Sha Zhu carried the clock, and together they walked towards the back room.

Upon arriving at the back room, Sha Zhu carefully placed the clock on the old lady's kang table and patiently taught her how to use it.

"Madam, this thing is simple. Just open the back cover and wind it up. Just don't forget to wind it. If you forget, it will stop and you'll have to reset the time."

Sha Zhu muttered to himself, "This clock not only chimes when it ticks, but it also chimes on the hour. It's not noticeable during the day when it's lively, but when it's quiet at night, the sound is enough to make the old lady suffer."

"Madam, you must be careful tonight, lest you get frightened," Sha Zhu couldn't help but remind her.

"What? This thing can scare people?" The old lady looked puzzled.

Sha Zhu looked up and saw that the clock on the wall was pointing to seven o'clock. He smiled and said, "You'll find out soon enough."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a clear, loud "ding-ding-dong" chime came from the clock, catching everyone off guard.

Caught off guard, the old lady trembled with fright, nearly dropping her prayer beads.

"Madam, are you alright?" Sha Zhu quickly helped the old lady up.

"It's alright, it's alright," the old lady patted her chest, still shaken. "I was just caught off guard; the commotion was really loud."

"Hehe," Sha Zhu scratched his head and said with a smile, "It not only rings on the hour, but also once every half hour. You'd better be careful tonight."

"Alright, alright, it's just a little noise!" the old lady retorted stubbornly. She had asked for the things herself, and now if someone took them away, where would she put her face?

"You think I can be scared a second time? Don't worry!"

"Alright, then we won't disturb your rest any longer." Sha Zhu pulled He Daqing along, walking out happily.

"You brat, how dare you laugh at an old lady like me!" the old lady said with a laugh from behind.

"No, no, I'll come see you again tomorrow!" Sha Zhu gently closed the door for the old lady, his smile impossible to hide.

"That good-for-nothing..."

The old lady looked at the closed door and couldn't help but laugh. The clock in the room was still ticking away, adding a touch of life she had never experienced before.

The father and son returned to the courtyard, where Wang Cuiping had already taken Xiaoman home. Chen Lanxiang pulled Shazhu aside and whispered.

"Zhu Zi, your Aunt Wang has also taken a liking to a grandfather clock. She doesn't care if it's new or old, as long as it's cheap. Could you keep an eye out for it for her?"

"No problem, leave it to me!" Sha Zhu readily agreed. He had a lot of clocks stored in his space. Back when he raided the homes of Japanese soldiers and traitors, he collected more than a dozen clocks, including large floor clocks, both new and old. Finding a cheap, old model for Wang Cuiping was no problem at all.

He had barely finished speaking when Xu Fugui pushed the door open and came in. He first inquired about the price of the rickshaw, but upon hearing the amount, he was immediately discouraged, his face full of regret.

But when he inquired about the clock, he found it cost only twenty silver dollars. Xu Fugui's eyes lit up, and he immediately placed an order for one.

After Xu Fugui left, He Daqing pulled Sha Zhu aside and solemnly instructed him, "Zhu Zi, doing business is doing business. Don't sell at a low price just because you have a good relationship with someone. Twenty silver dollars is the price. Don't lose money!"

"Father, don't worry, I know what I'm doing, I won't lose out," Sha Zhu replied with a smile.

"As long as you know, Xu Fugui's family is well-off and they won't be short of money." He Daqing nodded.

"Look at what you're saying, isn't Da Mao your apprentice? Why are you being so petty?" Sha Zhu teased deliberately.

"One thing at a time!"

He Daqing glared at him and said irritably.

"He's just a figurehead; he didn't actually learn to cook from me. He should be paid the full amount he's owed!"

"Okay, I understand. I promise I won't lose money."

"That's good." He Daqing breathed a sigh of relief, then added, "But don't rush to get married to the other two families in the courtyard. It's unnecessary and will only make them jealous."

"Am I that stupid?"

Chen Lanxiang walked over from the side and pinched He Daqing's arm hard.

"Ouch! Be gentle!" He Daqing winced in pain. "My son's still here, give me some face!"

"You still have any dignity?" Chen Lanxiang rolled her eyes at him.

"If it weren't for our son, would you be enjoying such a high status in the courtyard today? Your son earned all this respect and prestige for you, and you're still not satisfied?"

"Satisfied! Very satisfied!" He Daqing begged for mercy repeatedly.

"Oh, right, Dad, I'll ride the rickshaw first. It'll be convenient to go get everyone's clocks," Sha Zhu said, seizing the opportunity.

"I paid for this, and I haven't even ridden it yet!" He Daqing said with a resentful look, like a wronged child.

"Hehe, you can ride it after you learn how. For now, you're under my command." Silly Pillar laughed smugly.

"Brother! Brother! Take me with you when you go out! I want to go too!" He Yushui's voice suddenly came from under the covers. The little girl hadn't fallen asleep and was listening intently to the adults talking.

"What do you mean, 'take you with me'!" Chen Lanxiang lifted the curtain of the kang (a heated brick bed) and glared at her daughter.

"What if your brother gets lost while taking you out on errands? Get some sleep and don't interfere!"

"Oh... I know..." He Yushui pouted and twisted around in bed, looking unhappy, but in her little head she was thinking about what nice things her brother should buy for her.

"Son, is this rickshaw easy to learn?" He Daqing looked at the gleaming rickshaw, feeling eager to try it out.

"It's not difficult for those who know how; it all depends on your comprehension," Sha Zhu teased him on purpose.

"You silly child, you even tease your own father!" Chen Lanxiang glared at Sha Zhu. "Hurry up and push the car inside. It's precious stuff; don't let it freeze outside!"

"Okay!"

Sha Zhu smiled as he pushed the rickshaw into the house, but inwardly he thought to himself, "This rickshaw is very sturdy; it can withstand wind and rain, so how could it possibly freeze?"

He Daqing immediately came over and carefully wiped the car with a rag, from the handlebars to the rims, with more care than he would a kitchen knife. The sight of him made Chen Lanxiang feel a chill.

While wiping the car, He Daqing deliberately rolled up his sleeves, revealing the watch on his wrist, and would occasionally raise his wrist and shake it, hoping to get Chen Lanxiang to praise him.

Chen Lanxiang had seen it all along, but deliberately ignored him. Finally, she couldn't help but speak up, "Alright, alright, I saw it. It's just a watch, right? If you're so capable, earn more money and buy me one too."

These words made He Daqing pause abruptly while wiping the car.

That watch cost him fifty silver dollars; he bought it by gritting his teeth. If he were asked to buy another one, he really wouldn't be willing to part with it.

"What? You can't bear to part with it?" Chen Lanxiang looked at him teasingly.

"No, no, no!" He Daqing quickly shook his head. "I'll take on a few more banquets. Oh, and we can't let Zhu Zi be idle. That kid needs to contribute too, consider it a token of his respect for you!"

"How do you know there aren't any sons here who are showing me filial piety?" Chen Lanxiang said irritably.

"Huh? Didn't I buy this with my own money?" He Daqing was taken aback.

"The money I gave you, wasn't it secretly slipped to me by our son?" Chen Lanxiang poked his forehead.

"By the way, tell Zhu Zi to bring back some other goods. The previous stuff is almost sold out, and it's all Zhu Zi's capital."

"Yes, yes, your son is amazing, even more amazing than his father, alright!" He Daqing said with a look of complete admiration.

He Yushui, who was on the kang (a heated brick bed), heard everything clearly, her little eyes darting around.

She didn't understand anything else, but she remembered one thing—her brother was incredibly capable and incredibly rich! The little girl immediately started thinking about getting her brother to buy her pretty clothes, sweet cakes, and hair accessories…

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Wang Cuiping and Zhao Cuifeng arrived at the He family's house early, carrying silver dollars, and handed over the money for the clock.

Living in the courtyard means you'll see each other all the time, so there's no reason to ask someone to pay for things for you; that's the old Beijing custom.

As for the old lady's clock in the backyard, Chen Lanxiang had no intention of charging her. She took out twenty silver dollars from the bottom of her trunk and secretly slipped them to Sha Zhu, telling him not to let the old lady know, so that she wouldn't feel bad.

With everything arranged, Sha Zhu finished his breakfast, pushed the rickshaw out of the courtyard, climbed onto the seat, pushed off with his foot, and the rickshaw shot off with a "whoosh".

The bicycle bell rang, and Sha Zhu rode his bicycle through the streets and alleys of Beijing, visiting Dongdan, Wangfujing, Longfusi and other bustling areas in the eastern part of the city.

After liberation, Beijing was bustling with activity. The streets were filled with pedestrians, and the shouts of vendors, the ringing of bicycle bells, and the laughter of pedestrians mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

The soldiers on duty on the road were dressed in neat uniforms, standing tall and maintaining order on the street, creating a peaceful and harmonious scene.

Sha Zhu rode his rickshaw, attracting considerable attention in the crowd. After all, rickshaws were still a rarity in those days, and along the way, countless pedestrians cast envious glances and stopped to watch.

However, there were still many wealthy families in Beijing at that time, and Sha Zhu was not the only one riding a rickshaw, so it was not too out of the ordinary.

Sha Zhu rode his bike slowly, feeling the atmosphere of the new society, and felt extremely happy.

He strolled around until almost noon, then bought two freshly roasted crispy ducks from a long-established cooked food stall on the street. They were glistening with oil and smelled delicious. He also quietly took out two lively, fresh carp and a clean, white-feathered chicken from his own storage space.

These are all good stuff stored in the space, fresh and plump, not easy to buy in the market.

Sha Zhu hung his things on the handlebars, turned the bike around, and rode towards the courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang.

The rickshaw moved smoothly through the alley, the wind brushing against his cheeks, carrying the crispness of winter, but it couldn't dampen Sha Zhu's joy and pride.

He knew in his heart that the layout of the courtyard had changed from the moment he bought the rickshaw and the clock.

He saw and remembered the Jia family's envy and Yi Zhonghai's scheming.