Chapter 555: Swapping bird guns for cannons, Shazhu gets a motorcycle

This courtyard is too big.

It's still a two‑courtyard siheyuan.

Before entering, Liu Jianguo had always thought Shazhu bought a one‑courtyard standalone siheyuan, but Shazhu gave him a big surprise.

This scale.

It rivals the mansions of nobles in the old society.

Perhaps seeing Liu Jianguo's doubtful look, Shazhu deliberately mischievously, taking advantage of Yushui serving food, brought Liu Jianguo to the small garden for a stroll.

Everything around left Liu Jianguo numb.

He suddenly wanted to utter a swear word.

But in the end he didn't spit it out.

Instead he raised his thumb toward Shazhu, and his heart grew more convinced that Shazhu could help him.

The two chatted in the small garden for a while, until Yushui sent Liufeng over to call them for a meal, then they left the garden and came to the front courtyard.

The weather was rather hot.

Consider it cooling off.

Today's meal was eaten in the courtyard.

A square table was placed not far from the screen wall, with several stools around it already piled high with dishes.

Shazhu, Yu Li, He Yushui, and Liu Jianguo each took a seat.

He Weiguo and his seven or eight children ate at another table in the back courtyard.

Shazhu has five children, three boys and two girls.

Yushui has three children, all boys; over the years he has wanted to strive for a little girl, but lacking the fate for a daughter, he extinguished that thought and poured his energy into work.

Worried about the back courtyard situation, He Yushui furtively observed the back courtyard's movements, then returned to the front courtyard, waved at Shazhu and the others, sat on a stool, picked up the baijiu in front of him, and raised a toast to Shazhu and Yu Li.

"Brother, sister‑in‑law, today is your happy day of moving into the new home; I borrow flowers to offer Buddha, toast you a cup, wishing your days be prosperous and thriving."

He raised his neck.

The baijiu in the cup was drained by Yushui in one gulp.

Without waiting for Shazhu and his wife to respond, Yushui grabbed the baijiu bottle, refilled his own cup, still holding it in hand.

"This second cup, I want to toast my dear brother; Jianguo and my sister‑in‑law both know our He family's situation."

Shazhu waved his hand.

He wanted to interrupt Yushui's words.

According to Shazhu's meaning, the past matters are over; let's not mention them.

However, he didn't sway Yushui; she looked at Shazhu earnestly, her words full of gratitude, her eyes full of sincerity.

"Brother, don't interrupt me; let me finish, then you can speak. I understand your meaning, but today's occasion is different—this is our He family's happy day; there are some things I want to say."

"Brother, Yushui is happy." Liu Jianguo, following his wife's lead, added a matching line, "I'm happy too."

He saw that He Yushui was very happy.

It's rare to be this excited.

If we can't fulfill Yushui's wish, who knows how we might torment Liu Jianguo tonight; might as well do it for ourselves.

"Our old He family's affairs, sister‑in‑law and Jianguo both know; back then that person ran away, leaving me and my brother; I remember that year my brother was sixteen, I seemed seven, knew nothing, just knew that person didn't want us siblings; the nature of the folks in the courtyard, my sister‑in‑law, my husband also know, they've seen it; if not for my brother, there would be no He Yushui today; if it were another brother, I'd guess they wouldn't know what to do."

Yushui spoke more.

Her emotions grew more agitated.

She slapped her chest with her hand.

"My brother raised me as both father and mother; in my heart he is no longer just a brother, he is more like my father."

Shazhu's nose soured.

His eyes reddened.

He almost cried out.

Outsiders don't know the inner bitterness; only Shazhu knows, and she knows even better the true meaning of Yushui's words—gratitude from the heart.

However, some things really shouldn't be pursued deeply.

Regarding Yushui's matter, Shazhu has always held an atoning mindset; indeed, as Yushui said, he treats Yushui as his own daughter.

This is considered making up for the regrets of the previous life.

"Yushui, I've taken your meaning to heart; be well, be happy, and then I'll have explained things to our mother."

"Brother, you said that right; talk to Yushui, let her treat me better, don't bully me on a whim."

Liu Jianguo said a sentence.

Instantly it enlivened the atmosphere on site.

Yushui's mood improved a lot.

Shazhu is no longer sorrowful.

Yu Li all smiles busily urged Yushui and them to hurry and eat.

Yushui and Liu Jianguo kept declining, saying they still had to ride motorcycles back at night and couldn't drink much; but upon Yu Li's remark that drinking too much would mean sleeping here, they stopped insisting, raised their cups and drank with Shazhu, continuing until both were drunk and left, then the banquet ended.

……

The next day.

Shazhu woke up from sleep yawning.

His head ached a little.

This liquor seems not to be drunk in excess.

In a moment of bewilderment.

A cup of steaming hot boiled water appeared in front of Shazhu.

Looking at Yu Li who brought the boiled water, Shazhu smiled slightly, picked up the cup, took a few sips, the hot water went down his throat, and the uncomfortable feeling instantly dissipated.

He put on his clothes.

He came out of the house.

He saw Liu Jianguo squatting at the doorway, wiping the niezi.

Shazhu became interested, stepped forward and walked toward Liu Jianguo.

Last night the lighting was poor, so he couldn't see it clearly; now, using the rising sun, he examined it carefully—a somewhat old niezi, its lacquer peeling badly in places, with some rust spots still visible.

Seeing Shazhu's interest in the niezi, Liu Jianguo casually tossed the key to Shazhu.

Shazhu took the key, inserted it into the keyhole, and instinctively pressed the button on the handle; a clear horn sound rang out.

It was a bit piercing.

A cursing voice from across the way flew into Shazhu and his companions' ears.

"Who is it? So lacking in public morality early in the morning, not knowing the neighbors are still asleep, what horn are you blowing? Believe it or not, I'll smash you to pieces with one hammer blow—if the Horse King doesn't get angry, you don't know I have three eyes."

The gate creaked open.

A bald man in his forties, holding a sledgehammer for smashing coal, shirtless, wearing big underpants and flip-flops, swaggered out of the courtyard; his hammer was just about to point at Shazhu when he froze dumbfounded, rubbed his eyes with his free hand to make sure he wasn't mistaken, then quickly turned his head toward his own gate and added a sentence.

"This door really needs fixing—it rattles when opening and closing, keeping the neighbors awake. Oh dear, why did I only take the hammer? I forgot the nails; I have to go back and get them."

He turned and walked toward the Siheyuan, his steps hurried, disappearing in a few moments.

Shazhu turned to look at Liu Jianguo; he really was benefiting from Liu Jianguo's presence—if it weren't for Liu Jianguo's uniform, that bald guy would surely have argued with Shazhu just now.

Seeing Liu Jianguo was like a mouse seeing a cat.

He slipped away.

Shazhu also admired that fellow's cleverness.

"Brother, the engine is under your feet; you need to kick it to start, and this is the throttle control."

Liu Jianguo mistakenly thought Shazhu didn't know much about motorcycles, so he kindly gave him a brief explanation.

Little did he know he had misunderstood Shazhu.

Shazhu instinctively took the niezi beneath him for the motorcycle he had bought in his previous life, inserted the key, pressed the button on the handle, and the motorcycle started.

He forgot that he had been reborn.

To avoid letting Liu Jianguo see through his act, Shazhu, following Liu Jianguo's instructions, kicked the motorcycle to life and rode a lap around the Siheyuan.

When the motorcycle steadily putt-putted to a stop in front of Liu Jianguo, Liu Jianguo finally spoke his mind.

"Brother, want to get one?"

"Got one?"

Shazhu looked at Liu Jianguo.

Just now I rode it around once.

Don't even mention it.

It really is faster than a bicycle; thinking about having to rush back after finishing work at night, having this saves a lot of time.

He was tempted.

"Just say whether you want it; if you do, I'll help you get it."

"Help me get one."

"Do you want to come with me now, or should I bring it back to you?"

Shazhu thought it was fine, greeted Yu Li, took Liu Jianguo's niezi to the office, pulled out two hundred yuan, and exchanged it in the office warehouse for a niezi said to be nearly scrap.

He found a mechanic, cleaned the engine, and replaced the carburetor.

He kicked the engine hard with his foot.

The motorcycle putt-putt-putted to life; no test needed—just seeing the white smoke from the exhaust told him the fuel in the tank was burning fairly completely.

After greeting Liu Jianguo, he excitedly rode the niezi.

To Shazhu, whether the niezi is new or old doesn't matter much; as long as it works and can serve as transportation, that's enough.

The engine was clearly cleaned, though some spots still showed rust, and the tires were nearly worn out.

He got two hundred yuan in hand.

It wasn't taking advantage of Liu Jianguo.

He turned the key to open the throttle, pressed down on the engine's choke lever, and kicked hard a few times; the engine immediately sounded like it was starting up.

"Put-put-put."

Given the technological limits of the era, motorcycles are naturally loud; otherwise that bald fellow wouldn't have come out to cause trouble.

"Jianguo, I'm heading back first."

"Brother, take it easy, and don't forget what you promised me."

Last night.

At the dinner table, Liu Jianguo casually mentioned to Shazhu, asking whether Bai Xu still needed workers.

Shazhu had originally wanted to hire two guards, but that quota had been taken by Director Wang.

Liu Jianguo's comrade, who once saved his life, died in an accident years ago, leaving two younger brothers and a sister who depended on each other; unable to get by in the countryside, they reluctantly wrote to Liu Jianguo, who then sought out Shazhu.

Actually, given Liu Jianguo's current position, finding jobs for the two kids would be easy, but because he cares about his reputation, this task can only fall to Shazhu.

One master does not trouble two.

Shazhu then reluctantly agreed; though saying it's hard or not, it's a bit difficult, he nodded to Liu Jianguo.

"No problem, have them come directly to Bai Xu to find me, or find you—either works."

Shazhu's buttocks, sitting on the motorcycle, due to poor suspension, gave him a feeling like enjoying a massage.

He twisted the throttle.

White smoke came out of the rear exhaust pipe; Shazhu rode the Item: niezi, quickly left the place, and rode toward the Siheyuan with peace of mind.

This kind of motorcycle is a bit tricky to operate, not as easy to control as a two-wheeled motorcycle, and it's prone to tip over, but once you get used to its performance, that exhilarating feeling is still nice.

Even a bicycle can give the feeling of a futuristic sports car, let alone this gasoline-powered motorcycle.

Just one word.

Exhilarating.

Especially nowadays, the road has only buses or big trucks, otherwise just bicycles.

When Shazhu weaved through traffic on the motorcycle, he felt as if possessed by a wind-chasing youth; that sense of freedom and joy truly excited him.

The feeling was different from when he just rode Liu Jianguo's motorcycle.

Shazhu wasn't just doing it for show.

Mainly, he now has use for such a thing.

Yesterday at Bai Xu, it was still a profitable start, still payment in cash.

People's hearts are made of flesh.

Out of spite, who knows what trouble they might cause Shazhu; having a motorcycle makes things a bit more convenient, rather than later having to ride a bicycle, wasting time and effort, it's better to get a niezi, which greatly saves time and energy—this is the main reason Shazhu bought the motorcycle.

Originally, the bicycle ride took over ten minutes; on the motorcycle it was just five or six minutes, so Shazhu rode from the place back to the Siheyuan.

Just stopped.

Yu Li came out of the courtyard, preparing to take the child to school; seeing Shazhu ride the Item: niezi, she said nothing.

Shazhu buying a motorcycle surely has his reasons.

On the contrary, Shazhu's childhood friend Niu Niu ran up to him, kissed him on the cheek, then, while he wasn't looking, she touched the exhaust pipe with her little hand and got burned, bursting into tears.

Yu Li gave Shazhu a glare and threw a harsh remark at Niu Niu.

"Don't think that because you cried from the burn you can skip school; I tell you, even if you cry, you still have to go to school crying."

"The child got burned, why are you scolding her?"

"I'm educating the child; it's none of your business, so don't interfere."

Yu Li held Niu Niu, grabbed her school bag, and walked toward the school; the Niu Niu in her arms looked at Shazhu with a wronged expression.

Shazhu had no idea what to do.

No wonder the six He family members with the same surname still couldn't defeat an outsider.

After Yu Li left.

Shazhu brought a bucket of water out of the house and began washing the motorcycle.

The place had three or four Item: niezi, all set to be sold as scrap; out of respect for Liu Jianguo, the Item: niezi sold to Shazhu was the best one among them.

Although it was the best, it also had some chipped paint and rust spots; its appearance wasn't great, but it worked fine in practice.

After circling the motorcycle once, Shazhu thought it looked worse and worse; he considered going to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy a can of paint, give it a good coat—on one hand to prevent rust and extend the motorcycle's lifespan as much as possible, on the other hand simply to improve its appearance; parked outside Bai Xu's entrance, it would also count as Bai Xu's face value, and without a good look it wouldn't do.