“Xu Feng, what are you doing knocking on my door at this hour?”
He Yuzhu thought he had misheard. But after listening carefully, someone really was knocking. When he opened the door, he was surprised to find it was Xu Feng.
He had gotten off late today after hosting a small gathering for the factory leadership. Normally, as a bachelor, he would’ve been asleep long ago.
They had known each other for about half a year now. Last winter, when Xu Feng had nowhere to stay in Sijiu City, He Yuzhu had come across him and given him shelter for a night.
He Yuzhu wasn’t good with words and could be blunt, but he had a kind heart and no bad intentions.
“Brother Zhuzi, I’ve got nowhere to go again, so I came to you. Is it alright for tonight?”
What Xu Feng meant was—if He Yushui was home, he’d leave.
“Of course it’s alright! Yushui’s not home anyway. How about squeezing in with me for the night?”
At this time, He Yuzhu was still young and hadn’t yet been drained dry by Widow Qin.
“Brother Zhuzi, I’ll just sleep in the living room for the night. You have work tomorrow, I won’t disturb your rest.”
It wasn’t just politeness. Xu Feng knew the guy snored, ground his teeth, and even farted in his sleep—there’d be no rest if they shared a bed.
As for the other room, that was his sister’s room—it’d be improper to sleep there.
“Have you eaten yet?”
As he closed the door, He Yuzhu asked with concern, worried Xu Feng hadn’t had dinner.
“I have, Brother Zhuzi. Go on and get some sleep.”
This guy really was kind. Once Xu Feng made it big, he’d definitely help him out.
…
The night passed quickly. Xu Feng was in the middle of a nice dream when noise outside woke him up.
Everyone living in the courtyard worked at Red Star Steel Mill. At this time, they were all getting up, washing up, and getting ready for work.
“You’re up, brother? I don’t have time to make you breakfast—if I don’t hurry, I’ll be late for work.”
He Yuzhu threw on some clothes and, without bothering to fix his messy hair, prepared to head out.
“Brother Zhuzi, I was going to treat you to some fried liver. Just make sure you lock the door. I’ve got something to take care of and will probably head back soon.”
Xu Feng really meant it. He was up early in the city and had to try a bowl of fried liver while he could.
“Save your money. Better keep it in your pocket and live smart.”
“Yo, I thought I heard a woman knocking on Zhuzi’s door last night. Turns out it was a guy.”
It was Jia Dongxu who spoke, teasing with a smirk. Though still an apprentice, he looked much more delicate than the rugged He Yuzhu.
“Jia Dongxu, cut the crap. I get people trying to set me up with someone at the factory every day. It’s just that I haven’t taken a liking to any of them.”
He Yuzhu wasn’t exaggerating. As a single man with a monthly wage of 37.5 yuan, he wasn’t short on offers.
The problem was, he didn’t pay attention to his appearance, had a loud voice, and was terrible at conversation. Good girls really didn’t go for that type.
Add to that the fact that he wanted someone beautiful, and it made his search even harder.
“This your buddy? Where does he work?”
Jia Dongxu had already guessed Xu Feng didn’t have a proper job—why else would he be crashing at He Yuzhu’s place?
He had become an apprentice thanks to Yi Zhonghai pulling strings, so now he had gotten a bit arrogant.
“Focus on your apprentice work. Your peers have already become full-time workers. You still have time to stand around gossiping?”
He Yuzhu didn’t sugarcoat anything. Seeing that Jia Dongxu was deliberately provoking Xu Feng, he responded bluntly.
“Zhuzi, you…”
That hit a nerve. Jia Dongxu’s face turned red with anger.
“Put that finger down! Who are you waving it at?”
As the courtyard’s infamous tough guy, He Yuzhu wasn’t afraid of anyone—especially not Jia Dongxu.
“So what if I point? Anyone actually willing to marry a rough guy like you?”
They were both young men. Tempers flared quickly, and no one was willing to back down.
Just as they were about to fight, a loud door slam came from the moon gate. A young, angry woman stormed out.
“Yan Jiecheng, I’ve had enough! Go live your life with someone else!”
Yu Li shouted without caring who was watching. Clearly, the Yan family had hurt her deeply.
The commotion in the courtyard quieted. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the drama between the newlyweds.
To be fair, Yu Li was a pretty woman. By her standards, she shouldn’t have married someone like Yan Jiecheng.
But she had been foolish, didn’t see him for who he was, and now it was too late for regret.
“Yu Li, Yu Li, slow down! You’ll hurt yourself!”
Yan Jiecheng, the eldest son of the Third Uncle, chased after her. He didn’t have a formal job, so he had plenty of time to beg.
“Alright, that’s enough. Anyone going to work, go to work. Students, go to school.” This story is hosted at g.com.
The First Uncle spoke up. Only then did the spectators disperse.
“Brother Zhuzi, don’t waste your energy on that. I’ve got things to handle. I’ll treat you to a meal another time.”
Xu Feng wasn’t fazed by the jab about being jobless. What he didn’t need now was a stable job.
Next time he came back, he’d be pushing a shiny new Phoenix-brand bicycle and taking He Yuzhu out to eat in style.
Exiting the courtyard, he followed the road past Red Star Steel Mill and the department store.
He Yuzhu happened to give him a lift for part of the way.
Xu Feng asked, “That Jia Dongxu—his job that great?”
“Great, my ass. The First Uncle wants him to take care of him in old age, so he helped him get an apprentice spot.
But the guy’s useless and lazy. It’s been ages, and he’s still just an apprentice. I don’t know what he’s so proud of.”
He Yuzhu’s tone was full of disdain for Jia Dongxu—though who knows if part of that came from jealousy over his looks.
“What was that fight about earlier?”
Xu Feng didn’t care about a clown like Jia Dongxu, but that angry little wife was kind of intriguing.
“What else? No money. That guy’s jobless, and his dad’s notoriously stingy.
Living like that, of course they argue every day.”
He Yuzhu couldn’t quote the saying “a poor couple is sorrowful in everything,” but Xu Feng could tell what he meant.
So much for thinking city people had it better. Turns out they had the same crap as folks in the countryside.
“Brother Zhuzi, let me off here. I’ll come find you again sometime.”
After all, his beautiful wife was still waiting at home. The sooner he finished shopping, the sooner he could return.
“Alright then. My sister’s coming home tonight, so if someone knocks, I’m not opening the door!”
“Don’t worry, Brother Zhuzi. I’ll head home after I’m done.”
…
“Mom, didn’t you say you’d find me a wife?”
He couldn’t beat He Yuzhu in a fight, and his wages weren’t as good either—he had to hit him where it hurt.
“How about a country girl? I heard there’s a pretty one from Qin Village who’s desperate to marry into the city.”
Jia Zhang knew what her son wanted. And it just so happened he was at the right age to get married.
“As long as she looks good, you handle it, Mom. I’m off to work.”
Jia Dongxu knew his own worth. Not being a full-time worker yet, there wasn’t much hope of getting a truly beautiful city girl.