Chapter 194: Sha Zhu Wants to Get Married

When people compare themselves, they end up dead; when goods are compared, they end up being tossed. This saying is vividly embodied in the Siheyuan.

Sha Zhu watches Jia Dongxu's droopy, sullen demeanor; his wife is already pregnant, and Jia Zhangshi keeps hanging the phrase "big golden grandchild" on his lips day after day. Though it irritates people, beneath that swagger lies genuine, solid joy of a new addition to the family.

Then look at the back yard's Xu Damao; although he's also a bachelor, he's a projectionist, roaming streets and alleys, well‑informed, and never worries about finding a partner. In this contrast, He Yuzhu, nicknamed "Sha Zhu," in the Central Courtyard, truly feels uneasy.

He sits on his own doorstep, watching Jia Dongxu help the pale, vomiting Qin Huairu into the house, and also spotting Xu Damao, slick‑haired and powdered, pushing his bicycle out, a cigarette roll in his mouth, humming a tune, exuding a "the guys are doing great" air. Sha Zhu subconsciously rubs his rough, chapped face, and for the first time seriously doubts his bachelor state of "one man full, whole family not hungry."

"Hey! Where am I, Sha Zhu?" he sticks his neck out, muttering to himself, "I need looks, I need skills, a chef in the Steel Rolling Mill cafeteria, a respectable Working Class man! 37.5 yuan a month, more than enough to support a wife and children! How can Jia Dongxu marry a wife while I'm just here wasting away?"

The thought sprouts like grass in his mind, itching him into restlessness. But letting himself arrange a match would be like a blind man feeling an elephant—headless and brainless. The people he knows are either senior kitchen ladies or the old neighbors in the courtyard who know each other well and look down on everyone. He also can't just go out on the street and grab a girl, saying "I want to see you," without being reported; a charge of hooliganism would land him in jail.

After pondering, in this courtyard, the only person now who might be a "external resource" seems to be the one in the West Courtyard.

That evening, seeing Li Ping'an push his bicycle into the courtyard, Sha Zhu rubbed his hands, took a deep breath as if heading to battle, and shuffled his way over.

"Hey… hey hey, Brother Ping'an… off work?" he forced a smile he thought enthusiastic but was actually a bit stiff.

Li Ping'an was stopping his bike, turned at the sound, saw Sha Zhu, and nodded, "Zhuzi, what's up?" He was a little puzzled; this kid usually only nods when they meet—has the sun risen in the west today?

Sha Zhu moved closer, lowered his voice, with a rare awkwardness, "Um… Brother Ping'an, it's like this… You see, in our courtyard, the married are married, the pregnant are pregnant, and I… I'm not that young anymore, shouldn't I… also start thinking about personal matters?"

Li Ping'an was stunned for a moment, then understood. He sized up Sha Zhu; the kid was fairly tidy today, his hair no longer a chaotic chicken coop, and his eyes held a rare seriousness and hope.

He recalled the time he fled to Four Nine City, just arriving to settle in the courtyard; He Daqing helped him find a room from the Deaf Old Lady, set up a home, and also helped him get a pulling‑cart job at a car shop, allowing him to stand his ground in Four Nine City. Although later He Daqing ran off with the White Widow, abandoning Sha Zhu and Yushui, Li Ping'an has always remembered that act of help in the snow.

"Thinking of starting a family?" Li Ping'an's tone softened, "That's a good thing. Do you have a goal now?"

"If I need a goal, I'd be asking you!" Sha Zhu spread his hands, a bitter face, "The people I know are… what kind? Kitchen aunties? That won't do! Brother Ping'an, you're now an official, you know many people, have wide connections… Sister Lin is a doctor at a big hospital, so the people she knows are definitely cultured… See, could you… help a brother arrange something?" He stared at Li Ping'an with a pleading gaze, a look completely different from the greedy one he shows when fighting over vegetables.

Li Ping'an looked at his demeanor, almost wanted to laugh, but felt he really should help. He pondered, "Most of the people I know are rough old guys from the factory's Security Section, or ex‑military, which doesn't match your needs. As for your sister‑in‑law… I'll ask her tonight, see if the hospital or anyone she knows has a suitable girl."

Sha Zhu's eyes lit up the moment he heard a possibility, bowing repeatedly, "Oh! Thank you, Brother Ping'an! Thank you so much! You're truly like a brother to me! The requirements aren't high, really! Decent looks, good temper, just able to make a life together! Ideally… ideally she'd appreciate my modest skills, and if she's a bit more cultured, even better!" He even didn't forget to pat himself on the face as if applying a gold leaf.

"Alright, I'll ask around for you," Li Ping'an agreed, "But Zhuzi, this can't be rushed; it depends on fate. You also need to curb your dog‑like temper, don't be like a firecracker that ignites at the slightest spark—what girl could stand that? And you must tidy up your own hygiene, get a haircut, change clothes often, don't be too filthy!"

"Got it! Got it! Don't worry, I'll definitely change! For this lifelong matter, I, Sha Zhu, am putting everything on the line!" Sha Zhu pounded his chest, a thudding sound.

That night, Li Ping'an told Lin Xueqing about it.

Lin Xueqing was reading a medical book by the lamp when she heard the words, looked up and smiled, "Comrade He Yuzhu? He's finally seeing sense. But our hospital has a few unmarried nurses, though they're all intellectuals with high standards. Zhuzi's personality… I'm afraid an introduction would fail and become awkward."

Li Ping'an nodded, "I understand. So first let you think, is there someone with a suitable personality who doesn't place too much emphasis on diplomas? If that truly fails, we'll have to turn to a professional matchmaker. We can't just watch him stay a bachelor. Back then his father He Daqing really helped me at Peace and Happiness."

Lin Xueqing set the book down, thought for a moment, "There's a girl in our hospital's logistics, from the suburbs, plain and capable, works in the cafeteria, has a straightforward personality, I think she could share some common ground with He Yuzhu. How about… I do some informal inquiries first?"

"Alright, you handle it," Li Ping'an trusted his wife's ability, "But don't push too hard."

The next day, Lin Xueqing actually made inquiries. The feedback came back that the girl's family wanted someone with an urban household registration and a more "respectable" job; they heard He Yuzhu is a cook, and although the salary isn't low, after hesitating they politely declined.

Sha Zhu learned the news, feeling a bit disappointed but not too surprised, scratched his head, "Alright, seems my cook identity isn't appealing. No problem, Brother Ping'an, Sister Lin, I'll trouble you both! I'll think of another way!"

Li Ping'an saw he wasn't discouraged, and breathed a sigh of relief, "It's good you think that way. Here's the plan: at the entrance of Nanluoguxiang there's a Wang Meipo, reputedly reliable; I'll find time later to take you to meet her. Professional matters should be handled by professionals."

Sha Zhu perked up at the mention, "Matchmaker? Done! Brother Ping'an, then it's settled! Whenever you're free, I'll be ready to accompany!"

So the matter was tentatively settled. Sha Zhu's matchmaking journey had taken its difficult first step. The other courtyard residents remained completely unaware.

Jia Zhangshi still flaunted her "big golden grandchild" daily, Yi Zhonghai maintained his "high moral standing" façade, Yan Bu Gui tallied his petty ledger, Liu Haizhong pursued his dream of becoming a leader.

Only Li Ping'an in the West Courtyard, amidst his busy work and stable simple life, also has to worry about this kid's lifelong happiness, which adds a different kind of spark to the chaotic Siheyuan life.

The evening breeze, scented with cooking smoke, blew by as Sha Zhu watched the lights of the West Courtyard glow; for the first time his heart felt a concrete, eager longing for the very notion of "home."

He smacked his lips, thinking, "If it really works out, I'll cook her delicious meals every day! I must raise her to be plump and healthy!" The thought brought a foolish grin to his rough face.