Chapter 601: Enemies for Life!!!
Qin Huairu smiled and exchanged a few cordial greetings with Yan Bugui and his wife, then turned around briskly and walked towards He Yuzhu’s house in the middle courtyard.

As she walked, she couldn’t help but look around. This courtyard seemed both familiar and unfamiliar to her, as if time had intertwined here.

This three-courtyard courtyard has been completely renovated, and those once familiar corners now have a new look.

The few remaining residents in the courtyard worked together to completely modernize this ancient courtyard.

Today, it not only has an indoor bathroom and toilet, but also is equipped with a modern kitchen with appliances.

Every household also has household appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and rice cookers.

Indoor sewerage, tap water, natural gas, heating and other facilities are all available, bringing unprecedented comfort and convenience to residents.

What is even more gratifying is that during the modern transformation, the original quaint architectural style of the courtyard house has been perfectly preserved.

This design, which combines the ancient and the modern, not only displays the charm of traditional architecture, but also meets the needs of modern life. It is truly ingenious.

Since their son and daughter-in-law are serving in the army, He Yuzhu and his wife have been busy all year and finally got a rare opportunity to rest as the New Year approaches, so they got up a little later than usual this morning.

Just as He Yuzhu and his wife had just gotten up, Qin Huairu stepped into their home.

“Gurgle, gurgle, pah!” He Yuzhu made noises while brushing his teeth in the bathroom.

“Sister Qin, please sit for a moment. I’ll be there soon.” He Yuzhu, wearing a comfortable purple pajamas and holding a toothbrush in his mouth, greeted Qin Huairu who had just arrived warmly.

“Hey, Mr. He, please go ahead and do your thing. I’ll just wait in the living room!” Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu’s family have had a deep friendship for decades. She found a sofa and sat down without any hesitation, looking particularly comfortable.

At this time, Wang Qiuju, who was also wearing pajamas and had not yet washed, walked in briskly with a cup of steaming hot coffee in her hand.

Her face was filled with a warm smile, and her tone was somewhat intimate: “Sister Qin, don’t call me ‘Mr. He’ all the time in your own home. It seems so distant. Come, try this cup of Jamaican coffee and see how it tastes. Is it to your taste?”

Ever since the He family opened a restaurant and made a lot of money, their quality of life has been rising steadily, and they have a bit of the style of the wealthy aristocrats in the movies.

Take drinking coffee for example. In the past, even drinking tea was a luxury for He Yuzhu’s family, let alone coffee. It was not easy for them to store some “high-foam” coffee at home to entertain guests.

Nowadays, we have all kinds of good tea at home, just like coffee, which is all imported from abroad.

“Since you like it, drink more to refresh yourself. This coffee is not bought by me. It was given to you by Lou Xiaoe from the backyard.” Wang Qiuju responded with a smile, with a bit of complacency in her tone.

“By the way, do you still remember the couple’s trip to Hong Kong a few years ago?

Lou Xiao’e, who just came back not long ago, brought us a lot of rare foreign stuff.

There are also high-end cosmetics. When you go home later, take a set with you and try it out!” Wang Qiuju said while chatting with Qin Huairu.

Over the years, their relationship has improved a lot and they have become much closer to each other.

In the past, Wang Qiuju was always wary of Qin Huairu.

Ever since Qin Huairu became He Yuzhu’s right-hand man and got married, he finally let go of his hostility and slowly accepted her.

“Oh, I’m so old now, why do I still need to use high-end cosmetics? You can save them for He Qiu’s wife!” Qin Huairu said embarrassedly.

“Sister Qin, I’m not talking nonsense. Look at you. Although you are over 50 years old, you look like you are in your early 40s at most. You don’t look old at all. We women should take care of ourselves when we should. We can’t be careless…”

“What maintenance?” He Yuzhu pushed the door open and interrupted the conversation.

“Nothing, He…Zhuzi, I came here today specifically to discuss some work matters with you.” Qin Huairu said directly, with a hint of formality in her tone.

Wang Qiuju looked puzzled and interrupted, “What work are you talking about? Aren’t you guys on vacation already?”

He Yuzhu smiled and explained, “That’s right. Didn’t I mention this to you before? Next year our catering company plans to focus on expanding the Tianjin-Hong Kong market.”

After hearing this, Wang Qiuju’s eyes stayed on Qin Huairu for a moment, and suddenly she understood: “Oh, I see, you want Sister Qin to be in charge of the branch over there, right?”

He Yuzhu raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and asked with a smile: “So what do you think of Sister Qin?”

Wang Qiuju nodded without hesitation and said, “Of course I fully support you. Sister Qin is not only one of us, but also a veteran contributor to your career. Apart from her, who else can take on this important task?”

“Hahaha, I knew you would support it.” He Yuzhu laughed heartily, then turned his gaze to Qin Huairu, and said in a gentle and serious tone, “Sister Qin, what do you think about this?”

Qin Huairu looked at the couple opposite her, tears of gratitude flashing in her eyes, and said softly: “Zhu Zi, Qiu Ju, I really appreciate your trust in me.

I am just worried that my ability is limited and I am afraid that I will not be able to take on this important task and fail to live up to your expectations.”

He Yuzhu waved his hand and said firmly: “Sister Qin, please don’t be so modest.

Your performance in our He’s over the years is obvious to all.

Both your management skills and your passion for our company are second to none.

Besides, we have been neighbors for many years. If you have any difficulties, you can always ask the headquarters for help. Together, we can make He’s Catering famous in Jingang City.”

Wang Qiuju also agreed, “Yes, Sister Qin, please don’t refuse.

You and Liu Luan, a few old employees of MCA, have made great contributions to the success of our “Ho’s” today.

Besides, although Tianjin Port is a challenge, it is also an opportunity.

If you go there, you can not only help Zhuzi share the pressure, but also give yourself more room for development.”

Qin Huairu was silent for a moment, with a hint of determination in her eyes: “Since you trust me so much, I will give it a try.

However, I have a request that I hope you can agree to.”

He Yuzhu nodded and said, “You go ahead.”

“I hope to bring a few more of our old employees over to Tianjin Port. After all, they are familiar with our operating model and can help me adapt to the environment there as quickly as possible.” Qin Huairu said.

“That’s no problem!” He Yuzhu agreed readily. “You pick the people, and I fully support you. All the veteran employees in our company are elites, and I’ll be at ease if you take them over.”

Wang Qiuju smiled and patted Qin Huairu’s hand: “Sister Qin, look how much Zhuzi trusts you.

It’s settled, you will go to Tianjin Port after the New Year, and Zhuzi and I will wait for your good news here.”

Qin Huairu nodded, with a long-lost smile on her face: “Okay, I will definitely live up to your trust.”

Just as the three of them were talking excitedly, a burst of brisk and rhythmic footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, breaking the warm atmosphere in the room.

The visitor was not a stranger, but Lou Xiao’e, whom Qin Huairu had not met for many years. Her appearance surprised Qin Huairu a little.

Compared with the remarkable changes of He Yuzhu and Wang Qiuju, Lou Xiao’e’s transformation is even more remarkable.

She was wearing a luxurious mink coat, elegant and graceful. Her black hair was tied naturally behind her head, revealing a white and slender neck.

The most eye-catching thing is the sparkling diamond necklace around her neck. Every diamond seems to be telling of her extraordinary taste and status.

Although Lou Xiao’e’s appearance today cannot compare to Wang Qiuju and Qin Huairu, her noble ladylike temperament is beyond the reach of either of them.

This is not a matter of money, Wang Qiuju is not short of money.

Or as the old saying goes, it takes three generations to produce a nobleman!

“Oh! I come at a really bad time, Qiuju, you have guests at home!” Lou Xiao’e narrowed his eyes slightly. He was not wearing the pair of gold-rimmed glasses because he was visiting the neighbors, and at this moment he did not recognize Qin Huairu.

“Xiao E, long time no see!” Qin Huairu smiled and stood up to greet him.

When Lou Xiao’e heard the familiar voice, she immediately became excited: “Oh, it’s Sister Qin! I’m so sorry, I was so blind just now that I didn’t recognize you!”

“It’s okay, Xiao’e, come and sit down!” Qin Huairu’s face was filled with a friendly smile. She gently pulled Lou Xiao’e’s hand and asked her to sit next to her.

She looked carefully at the radiant Lou Xiao’e in front of her, her eyes full of admiration, and couldn’t help but sigh: “Xiao’e, your temperament is getting more and more outstanding. It seems that the climate and soil of Hong Kong are really nourishing!” “Sister Qin, the climate and soil there can’t nourish people. Take you for example. I haven’t seen you for so many years, and I don’t think you have aged at all!” Lou Xiao’e responded sincerely.

Qin Huairu, Wang Qiuju and Lou Xiao’e looked at each other and smiled. Everything was said without words.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, these old neighbors have entered the middle of their lives. The right and wrong, grudges and entanglements of the past have long been like a passing cloud, drifting away with the wind.

Today, only the neighborly friendship accumulated over the years is still as warm as before, and becomes more precious with the passage of time.

“Xiao E, where did that guy Damao go?” He Yuzhu was sitting aside, listening to the three women chatting, and finally couldn’t help but interrupt and ask.

Lou Xiao’e curled her lips and said helplessly, “I went out to socialize with people last night and got drunk. I’m still lying in bed. I just drink all day long. Sooner or later, I’ll drink myself to death.”

“Pooh, pooh, pooh. It’s New Year’s Day, don’t say such unlucky words! I’ll go check on this old guy. Hey, he’s lying in bed lazing around during New Year’s Day.” He Yuzhu smiled and prepared to go to the backyard to deal with Xu Damao. This was his greatest pleasure.

After walking two steps, he turned back and added, “By the way, Sister Qin, don’t leave at noon. Let’s get together as old neighbors and I’ll show you some of my skills!”

Qin Huairu smiled and said softly, “I didn’t plan to leave. But the third uncle in the front yard also invited me to have dinner.”

He Yuzhu waved his hand and said cheerfully, “That’s perfect! Call the third uncle and his wife over, so we can have some fun together!”

“to make!”

Lou Xiao’e blinked and said to He Yuzhu playfully, “Zhuzi, you’ve been the boss for so long, you haven’t cooked in person for a long time, right? Are your cooking skills still up to par?”

Hearing this, He Yuzhu straightened his back and responded confidently, “Hey! Are you underestimating me? Just wait and see, I will make you all gain two pounds today!”

Wang Qiuju, who was standing by, rolled her eyes at him after hearing this, and couldn’t help but scold him softly, “Why are you talking so thoughtlessly?”

“Hehehe, just wait and see the show!” He Yuzhu raised a smug smile at the corner of his mouth, quickly put on a thick down jacket, and strode out of the door with big strides.

It was a sunny day outside, and the golden light shone on the snow, reflecting a dazzling glow.

In the yard, the thick snow had not yet been cleared. When you stepped on it, it made a crisp “crunching” sound, as if telling of the coldness of winter.

He Yuzhu breathed out white air and walked steadily across the yard, going straight to the bedroom window of Xu Damao in the backyard.

He carefully stuck his head out and looked into the house through the window.

I saw Xu Damao wearing a clean white cotton pajamas, lying on the bed sleeping soundly, his breathing was even and deep.

He Yuzhu knocked gently on the glass window of his house, but Xu Damao still did not respond, as if he was immersed in a sweet dream.

“Hehehe…” A sly smile appeared on He Yuzhu’s lips. He squatted down, quickly picked up a snowball from the thick snow, and then tiptoed towards Xu Damao’s bedroom.

Although He Yuzhu is over 50 years old, he still retains a childlike mischievousness in his bones, and teasing others seems to be his innate nature.

In particular, he never gets tired of teasing Xu Damao, and perhaps He Yuzhu will never be able to change this in his lifetime.

Look, he tiptoed towards the sleeping Xu Damao, holding the freshly-made snowball in his hand, and suddenly stuffed it into Xu Damao’s collar.

“Ah——” a scream pierced the sky above the courtyard, and Xu Damao jumped up from the bed as if he had been electrocuted, all desire for sleep gone.

“Cold! Cold! Cold… Hiss! Why is it so cold!” Xu Damao jumped on the bed in a panic, trying to shake off the snow in his clothes.

As the snowball slid down, his consciousness gradually became clear.

“Hahaha…” He Yuzhu’s gloating laughter came from the side.

Xu Damao turned around and immediately understood the whole story.

He was so angry that he yelled, “Shazhu! You are such a wicked thing! I’ll fuck your ancestors for eight generations! How can you be so wicked?”

He Yuzhu said seriously, “Xu Damao, I’m doing this for your own good. Don’t be ungrateful! Do you know that sleeping in is bad for your health?”

Xu Damao picked up the pillow on the bed and threw it at He Yuzhu, “Fuck you! Bastard, you’ve never been able to hold your fart well! Tomorrow, I’ll also stuff a snowball into your neck, and see if I don’t…”

“Okay, if you’re not afraid of being beaten to death by my wife, just come and try. Hehehe…” He Yuzhu had someone to rely on and was not afraid of Xu Damao’s threats at all.

The two of them have been bickering for a lifetime, and Xu Damao has never gotten the upper hand.

So Xu Damao said angrily: “Get lost, I don’t want to waste my time talking to you!”

He Yuzhu said with a smile, “Okay, okay, you are already so old, don’t be so arrogant!”

“You… are you done yet? If you are really bored, go out and play chess with an old man!
“Beng, you are talking nonsense to me, I don’t want to hear it!” Xu Damao muttered impatiently while putting on his clothes.

He Yuzhu responded slowly: “Okay, okay, I’ll leave now. Since you don’t want to hear it, then you definitely have no interest in attending the party organized by Brother Liu, right?” After saying that, he pretended to turn around and leave.

When Xu Damao heard this, he immediately became anxious: “Wait! Brother Liu wants to have a party with us?”

He Yuzhu nodded pretentiously: “Yes, that’s true. But don’t you dislike listening to me?”

Xu Damao had a bitter look on his face, as if he had swallowed a fly. He had no choice but to admit his mistake humbly: “Brother, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have treated you like this.”

Seeing this, He Yuzhu nodded with satisfaction, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone: “Hey, that’s right! A real man is one who can bend and stretch. No wonder Boss Xu’s business is getting bigger and bigger, he really knows this. I admire you!”

“It’s the same for both of us,” Xu Damao rolled his eyes. Although he was dissatisfied, he could do nothing about it.

He was really taken advantage of by Sha Zhu. He knew clearly that what Sha Zhu said was what really forced him to bow his head was the scheme set up by Liu Zhiye.

Over the years, as Liu Zhiye’s status has become increasingly prominent, it has become difficult for ordinary people to enter his circle.

Nowadays, Liu Zhiye values ​​his status even more and no longer has frequent dealings with businessmen.

Therefore, Liu Zhiye has not met with He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, Yan Jiecheng and others for a long time.

After putting on his clothes, Xu Damao couldn’t wait to say, “Zhu Zi, let’s go!”

He Yuzhu looked puzzled: “Leave? Where to? Hey, are you planning to take me to the bath center to enjoy myself?”

Xu Damao quickly smiled and said, “Didn’t you mention that Brother Liu wanted to get together with us?”

“Ah, I did mention it!” He Yuzhu nodded.

“Then let’s go there earlier and don’t keep Brother Liu waiting for too long!” Xu Damao urged.

“When did I say I would go today?” He Yuzhu asked back with a frown.

“You bastard, are you playing tricks on me again?” Xu Damao was a little annoyed.

“How did I trick you? I mentioned the party, but I didn’t say it would be today, right?” He Yuzhu spread his hands helplessly.

“…”

After hearing this, Xu Damao was suddenly speechless, with helplessness written all over his face.

“However, Brother Liu specifically said that his whole family will be back on the first day of the Lunar New Year. At that time, we can invite Uncle Yi’s family as well, so that we old neighbors can have a good gathering and reminisce about the old friendship.”

“Oh? Uncle Liu and his family suddenly remembered to come back to celebrate the New Year this year?” Xu Damao raised his eyebrows in sudden realization, with a hint of doubt and confusion in his tone.

He Yuzhu sighed softly, with a bit of emotion in his tone: “You just came back, maybe you don’t know, since the old man of the Liu family passed away, Uncle Liu’s health has not been very good.”

He paused and continued, “Uncle Liu is a man who values ​​friendship and loyalty. After retirement, he has always missed the days he spent in our hospital and has always been thinking about everyone.”

“Nowadays, the elderly people in the courtyard are gradually leaving. Brother Liu is worried that Uncle Liu will have regrets in the future, so he proposed to come back this year to celebrate the Spring Festival together, which can be regarded as fulfilling Uncle Liu’s wish.” A trace of warmth flashed in He Yuzhu’s eyes, as if he had already seen the lively reunion scene.

Hearing this, Xu Damao also sighed and said, “So that’s how it is. You should have told me earlier that we should have a good show this year!”

(End of this chapter)