The Siheyuan was filled with noise and commotion, and First Uncle Yi Zhonghai finally could not stand it anymore.
“Everyone, quiet down and listen to me for a moment.”
Yi Zhonghai was widely recognized as a good man in the Siheyuan, so his words still carried weight.
Moreover, he was a Grade 8 fitter at the Steel Rolling Mill. His income was among the very highest, and in the early 1960s, everyone respected skilled veteran workers like him.
Seeing the surroundings quiet down, Yi Zhonghai finally said, “First, I have to criticize Zhuzi. Regardless of who is right or wrong in this matter, hitting someone is wrong.”
“However, Zhuzi’s attitude in admitting his mistake is also worth praising. He said he would give Xu Damao one pound of pork, which I think is quite acceptable. Give him the pork within three days.”
He Yuzhu did not care in the slightest. The negative emotions Xu Damao had contributed just now were enough to buy several dozen pounds of pork.
He readily said, “I’ll listen to First Uncle about this. Isn’t it just one pound of pork? I’ll throw it into his house tomorrow.”
Yi Zhonghai nodded and continued, “The second person I have to criticize is Xu Damao. That girl called... Lou Xiaoe never agreed to date you, yet you went around bragging about it all day.”
“Old Yan said it just now: he was only introducing you two to each other, not setting you up as romantic partners. Everyone heard that clearly. So that kick of yours was something you brought upon yourself!”
After hearing this, Xu Damao was so aggrieved that tears nearly streamed down his face. He had never expected Third Uncle to turn against him, leaving him in an extremely passive position.
“It’s not easy for everyone to come out in this freezing weather, so go back inside and warm yourselves. From now on, Zhuzi, watch your hands, and Xu Damao, keep your mouth under control. Meeting adjourned!”
Everyone had already been unable to endure sitting in the courtyard in the bitter winter cold. Upon hearing the meeting was over, they picked up their little stools and returned to their own homes, each looking for their own mother.
Only Xu Damao remained in the courtyard. Sitting on the stool, he stared blankly into space, still unable to recover from what had happened.
“Damn Yan Bugui! He clearly introduced me to a girl, yet now he refuses to admit it! And that Qin Huairu, lying through her teeth with her eyes wide open—just wait. I won’t let either of you off!”
Xu Damao sat alone in the courtyard, so furious that he gestured toward the heavens and cursed everyone in the Siheyuan one by one. Only after thoroughly contributing his negative emotions did he return to his room.
He Yuzhu hid in his own room and watched through the window as Xu Damao’s nose ran from the cold, laughing so hard he could barely close his mouth.
The System Currency in the system had already reached 2,720, which was more than enough to buy gifts for Lou Xiaoe’s parents this time.
The book 《The Weakness of Human Nature》 had cost over 300 System Currency, while the gift for Lou Xiaoe’s father was a piece of Jiang Jie'an’s “Cherished as Gold” Ancient Ink.
Yet after purchasing this seemingly unremarkable piece of ink, the System Currency in the system had unexpectedly fallen to only two digits!
But He Yuzhu did not feel distressed. Although this piece of Ancient Ink was worth several thousand System Currency, something expensive naturally had its reasons for being expensive.
The more valuable something was, the more likely it was to be appreciated by someone with cultural depth. Perhaps he would even achieve an unexpected success and make his father-in-law view him in a new light.
The next day, He Yuzhu got up early and began grooming himself in front of the mirror.
There were no professional hairstylists in those days, so his hairstyle could only be kept extremely simple. All he could do was wash his face properly and shave his beard.
Then he used a large metal teacup filled with boiling water to press his clothes smooth. That was about as presentable as anyone could look in the 1960s.
When the time seemed right, He Yuzhu put the book and Ancient Ink into a cloth bag to avoid attracting attention, then headed toward Lou Xiaoe’s home.
As soon as he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Lou Xiaoe standing there and gazing into the distance. When she saw him approaching, she smiled and came over to greet him.
He Yuzhu’s heart stirred. He knew the girl had already fallen for him. That smile was so heartfelt, and her eyes were filled with affection.
“You’re here! Come inside quickly. My parents have been waiting for you.”
“Not yet. I brought the books I promised you.” He Yuzhu stopped and handed over the classic literature from his cloth bag.
Lou Xiaoe was completely dumbfounded. She had never dreamed that he could borrow so many classic novels.
In 1961, books like these could not be found on the market at all. She truly had no idea where He Yuzhu had managed to obtain them.
“Take these books and read them. They all belong to a close friend of mine. Just don’t announce it after you finish, and whatever you do, don’t lend them to anyone else.” He Yuzhu reminded her in a low voice.
Lou Xiaoe naturally understood the implications. She hugged the books to her chest and nodded repeatedly as the two of them quickened their pace and entered the house.
Lou Xiaoe’s parents had also risen early today and had long since made all the necessary preparations.
When they saw the two enter, they stood up to greet them, and Lou Xiaoe introduced both sides to each other.
Lou Xiaoe’s mother had sharp eyes and had noticed at once that her daughter was holding a large stack of books. Her heart stirred.
“Xiaoe, these books are...”
“They were all borrowed for me by He Yuzhu,” Lou Xiaoe said happily.
Although they said nothing, Lou Xiaoe’s parents exchanged a glance, and both could not help viewing He Yuzhu in a new light.
In fact, Lou Xiaoe had praised He Yuzhu to the skies the previous day, saying that this young man had read widely, knew something about everything, and was a knowledgeable person.
After hearing this, Lou Xiaoe’s parents had not taken it seriously. Once they heard he was a cook, he did not seem like a cultured person. But after seeing so many books today, their opinions changed.
After everyone took their seats, He Yuzhu handed over the gifts he had prepared, leaving the elderly couple even more astonished.
The moment Lou Xiaoe’s mother saw the book’s title, she was delighted with the gift. In those days, obtaining spiritual nourishment was incredibly precious, and this gift had struck directly at her heart.
As for Lou Xiaoe’s father, there was even less to say. The piece of Ancient Ink was blue-green, hard as jade, with pine-bark-like wrinkles and fine, even grain patterns across its surface.
“This piece of ink is Jiang Jie'an’s ‘Cherished as Gold,’ isn’t it? Where did you manage to obtain it?”
“You certainly have a discerning eye.” He Yuzhu smiled. “This ink was left behind by my father. I really don’t know exactly when he acquired it.”
“My family are all inheritors of Tan Family Cuisine, and we aren’t skilled in literary pursuits. So I’m merely borrowing someone else’s glory to present the most suitable gift to a cultured man like you.”
Upon hearing this, Lou Xiaoe’s father’s heart stirred. From those two sentences alone, he could tell that the other man was quite well-mannered and did not seem like a vulgar person.
After sitting down and chatting for a while, Lou Xiaoe’s parents made indirect inquiries, testing He Yuzhu from every angle.
They had no idea that the person they were questioning was a time traveler with a fifty-year historical gap behind him, possessing an enormously broader range of knowledge and experience.
After the 2020s of the 21st century, you could find anyone who had attended school for a few years and ask them about history or the humanities; they would all be able to say something meaningful.
The reason was nothing complicated: the internet had caused an information explosion, so everyone knew at least a little about literature, music, history, and similar subjects.
On top of that, He Yuzhu had broad interests. Although he did not pursue profound understanding, he could converse fluently about knowledge from every field.
After chatting for an hour, Lou Xiaoe’s parents were so shocked that astonishment was the only word to describe their mood!