Chapter 13: Library

He Yuzhu, carrying his belongings, drove straight back into the Courtyard House, which made the neighbors there even more envious—being able to go by car must mean something is up.

Being able to return by car shows one's standing in the leaders' eyes.

Especially since He Yuzhu is also carrying a bunch of stuff.

"Zhuzi, which leader did you go to?" San Daye stared at the yellow peach cans, unable to look away, "With all this stuff, when will you finish eating it?"

"How did things go?"

"I'm still inquiring."

He Yuzhu nodded and walked toward the inner courtyard; as expected, the laundress was indeed washing clothes by the pool. Seeing He Yuzhu's things, she opened her mouth to speak but then lowered her head silently.

After returning home and putting his things away, Bang Geng wasn't in the courtyard, so there was no need to worry about anyone coming to steal. However, he had recently acquired quite a lot of stuff, and keeping it all at home really wasn't appropriate.

When the time is right, moving them to the grocery shop would be better.

He lay at home resting, while over there Jia Zhangshi was already about to start causing trouble.

Since she fought with Qin Huairu, she has become much more obedient, but now the money has been given and her grandson hasn't returned, leaving her uneasy.

She can point at her grandson.

She didn't dare to cause trouble for He Yuzhu, so she could only go to Elder Yi.

"Elder Yi, this money has already been given to He Yuzhu; it's my lifetime's coffin savings. I can't just take the money and not get things done—when will my grandson come back?"

"What can I do? This is someone the police station arrested; you can't go inquiring yourself." Elder Yi's face wasn't looking good either, "My words don't carry any weight anymore."

Jia Zhangshi didn't want to go; if she went to the police station she wouldn't know what to say. It would be better to put pressure on Elder Yi and have him ask for her.

"Anyway, you have to handle this; if my grandson isn't released again, you must get the money back from He Yuzhu." Jia Zhangshi began to daydream, "Our family's life is hard—you can't just ignore it."

She grabbed Elder Yi's arm and started shaking it, whispering sweet words, making him lose himself; he felt it was his inescapable duty.

Otherwise, how could he live up to the title of Elder Yi?

In the evening sun, the off‑duty crowd streamed out of the factory with smiles; He Yuzhu saw Elder Yi seemingly heading his way, so he quickened his steps and caught up with the bus about to depart.

Today I'll go to the library to have a look and borrow a few books to bring back.

At that time the library was still rather simple—just rows of bookshelves and a few benches, unlike later libraries that have outlets, seating, and computers for searching books.

The books on the shelves were not as abundant as those in later times.

After completing the relevant paperwork, He Yuzhu began looking for suitable books, one by one.

He picked up a book and flipped a few pages when a slightly apologetic voice sounded: "Hello, comrade, could you let me have a look at the book in your hand?"

A beautiful girl appeared before him.

She wore a red dress, her fair face tinged with a shy blush, her eyes blinking like stars—this girl matched his fantasy of a wife perfectly.

"It's fine." He Yuzhu shoved the book into her hand, "Have you read the previous volume? Could you explain it to me?"

"All right."

The two spoke softly in the library; as the girl was about to leave, she introduced herself—she was an elementary school teacher named Ran Qiuye.

What a coincidence—He Yuzhu hadn't expected to meet Ran Qiuye here. But he already had a wife, so he wouldn't entertain the idea of seeing two women at once.

Let's just treat each other as friends.

He himself had graduated from a junior college in his previous life, so his cultural level wasn't lacking, but the culture of the 1990s and today still differs somewhat, and some details still need careful polishing.

Take eating, for example: in the 1990s grain was no longer so precious, so people basically ate however they wanted, but now there are still methods to increase food yield.

All of this needs to be studied carefully.

He was studying carefully here when a sneaky figure slowly approached and suddenly slapped his shoulder.

It turned out to be the stingy San Daye.

"Zhuzi, do you know who that person you were just talking to was?" San Daye winked and nudged, "That's the teacher I told you about—pretty, right?"

He Yuzhu glanced around, picked up the book, and went to the counter to finish the procedures.

"Don't go—your chat just now was quite enjoyable; let me introduce you to something, I won't ask for much, just a local specialty will do."

"San Daye, you're something—when did you start pimping?" He Yuzhu said with a laugh, "You know what kind of person Character is, right? Do you think she'd know how to twist your head off?"

Character's intimidation power was still strong, so San Daye hastily shut his mouth.

But he still wasn't giving up; in the Courtyard House, few people have ample spare cash—He Yuzhu is one of them. Besides that, it's just the lunchbox he brings back every day that gives him a few bites.

That would be satisfying enough.

He still believed in Elder Yi's status in the Courtyard House superstitiously; since Elder Yi disagrees, He Yuzhu's marriage this time might well be ruined.

"Zhuzi, just say whether Teacher Ran is pretty or not—don't spout nonsense in front of me; I can tell at a glance."

"All right, if you didn't have your glasses you probably couldn't even see the road clearly." He Yuzhu mocked, "If you want something, hurry up and ask about what I told you to check."

Just then a bus came by; San Daye scrambled aboard in a few steps, but didn't pay the fare, instead staring intently at He Yuzhu—meaning he wanted He Yuzhu to cover his fare.

"No money, then just walk back."

He Yuzhu ignored him.

By the time he returned to the Courtyard House it was already seven or eight at night; he didn't go to the grocery shop, went straight home and started cooking.

When San Daye entered the house, San Ma had already cooked the meal, but nobody in the family moved their chopsticks; they all sat there honestly.

"Dad, you didn't go fishing?" Yan Jiecheng complained, still hoping we could have some meat—we haven't eaten meat in days; you wouldn't have embezzled our living expenses, would you?"

"If you want meat, buy it yourself with your own money."

San Daye said that with his mouth, but in fact he was craving it too—those tender slices of white meat, sizzling oil as soon as you bite, just thinking about it makes your mouth water.

But there are still so many people to feed at home—where would the money come from to buy meat?

We still have to get it from He Yuzhu.

"I'm telling you, eating meat isn't urgent; in ten days or half a month you'll have enough to eat your fill."

"We don't need that much; let's make some cured meat and save it for winter—that'd be great." San Ma said urgently, "Once we have a plan, our days will prosper."