Chapter 68: To Take Down a Black Gambling Den

Shen Guizhi placed He Yushui, who she had been holding in her arms, onto the heated kang, then raised her hand to press against her sore and numb arm.

"Lou Laoban has paid everyone back three months of wages in full. Today, when the people in the courtyard returned, everyone was beaming with joy, just like during the New Year. Even Jia Zhangshi's voice was an octave higher than usual, and she kept shouting and yelling, which kept Yushui from sleeping. Look, she just finally fell asleep."

"This Lou Bancheng, he can be considered a decent person after all," He Yuzhu nodded in response, then poured his mother a cup of hot water.

"Indeed," Shen Guizhi took the cup, warming her hands, her gaze drifting toward the gray, hazy sky outside the window and the bare branches of the jujube tree. "Life in the courtyard has been bitter these past few months. Now that they have money, I am quite happy too... You don't know, a while back, those people were constantly finding ways to pester me for loans; it was truly suffocating. The adults were easy enough to handle, but seeing the pitiful looks in the children's eyes, it really didn't sit well with me."

"Mother, Father handled it well this time. To those who were bad to our family, he gave at most a bit of cornmeal to keep them alive; to those who helped us, he gave generous rewards. From now on, let the people in the courtyard understand: if you don't sow seeds of kindness, you won't reap good fruit!"

"Oh my, I didn't expect you to have something to say in favor of your father? I thought you two were born rivals!"

"As long as it's reasonable, of course I will listen. But if he keeps using his authority as a parent to suppress me, I certainly won't accept it!" He Yuzhu said with a firm tone.

"You're still full of big principles!"

"You think my going to Qianmen to listen to storytelling was for nothing? As the saying goes: 'Storytelling and singing plays are meant to persuade people to be good... Good and evil will eventually be rewarded; the righteous path in the human world is full of trials.'" He Yuzhu said in the tone of a storyteller.

"Enough, give you an inch and you take a mile. Didn't you say you were going to school in the second half of the year? Why aren't you going anymore?"

"I feel those things are useless!" He Yuzhu said.

"I can't control you anymore!"

Seeing that Shen Guizhi was starting to worry about him again, He Yuzhu hurriedly changed the subject. "By the way, Mother, my uncle is back. He opened a grocery store over by Dian'anmen. They've gone underground and don't want to be seen in contact with us."

"I understand," Shen Guizhi nodded, her voice dropping lower. "I'll go visit his shop often another day; I'll just act like a regular customer."

"Don't worry, I will secretly protect Uncle's safety," He Yuzhu promised.

"I know your capabilities," Shen Guizhi smiled slightly and reached out her finger to gently tap her son's forehead. "You are indeed much better than your father, that stubborn donkey."

Early the next morning, the city of Beiping was shrouded in the dry, biting cold characteristic of December, with breath turning into frost.

He Yuzhu wrapped his new cotton-padded jacket tightly around himself and walked quickly to He Ji Restaurant.

The coal stove in the shop had just been lit, and warmth was gradually spreading.

He called Li Xiangxiu, who was wiping the tables, to the side.

The young girl was wearing the shop's standard blue floral cotton-padded jacket today. Because her nutrition had been good lately, she had gained a little weight and looked much better. She kept her head down, her fingers nervously twisting the rag, not daring to look into He Yuzhu's eyes.

"Don't be afraid. About that matter with Daya, I don't blame you," He Yuzhu softened his tone. "I just wanted to ask, your father... is there any news?"

Li Xiangxiu shook her head violently, her voice as thin as a mosquito's: "No... someone said my father owed a massive gambling debt and couldn't pay it back, and I'm afraid... I'm afraid he was..." She didn't say the word, but there wasn't much sadness on her face.

"Do you know who runs that gambling den? Or who came to your house to collect the debt? Can you find them?" He Yuzhu pressed.

Ever since he started seeing Liu Rusi, his expenses had been quite high, and he was just thinking about finding an excuse to take down a black gambling den—it would both rid the people of a scourge and pad his own pockets.

"I know one... his name is Ma Qian," Li Xiangxiu hesitated for a moment, her voice dropping even lower. "The last time I saw my father, he almost traded me to him... It seems his family lives in..."

"Fine, I'll go meet this Ma Qian tomorrow," He Yuzhu said in a low voice.

Li Xiangxiu nodded and whispered: "My mother... she cries all the time lately; she still wants to find my father."

"Your father beat her every day like that, and she still wants to find him?" He Yuzhu frowned.

Li Xiangxiu shook her head, her face a mask of blank numbness: "I don't understand either."

Near noon, just as the restaurant opened, the cotton door curtain was lifted, and Doctor Liu Xiaohua walked in with two friends, wrapped in a chill.

One of them was carrying a brown guitar case on their back.

"Little Zhuzi!" Liu Xiaohua was wearing a wool coat and a plaid scarf, his smile bright. "I kept my word, didn't I! Am I the first one to come and support you!"

He Yuzhu hurried out from behind the counter. "Mr. Liu, you are absolutely the first! No need to say more, whatever you all want to eat today, it's on me!"

"That won't do! Wouldn't that be eating for free?" Liu Xiaohua waved his hand.

He Yuzhu smiled and helped him take off his coat, handing it to Li Xiangxiu behind him: "Go on, hang Mr. Liu's coat up properly, be careful not to wrinkle it."

Li Xiangxiu nodded hurriedly and took it.

"Come, let me introduce you," Liu Xiaohua pointed to his two companions. "This is Guo Yan from the Huaqing University Drama Club, and this is Liu Cheng. They heard me sing that English song of yours and refused to believe it was written by a waiter at a restaurant, so they insisted on coming to see for themselves. Look, they even brought a guitar."

"Doctor Liu, please don't flatter me," He Yuzhu smiled and cupped his hands. "I just heard someone else sing it and learned it that way; I didn't write it, and my singing level is quite average."

Guo Yan from the Drama Club interjected: "Brother Zhuzi, don't be modest. We have a gathering next week. Even if you didn't write it, if you sing well, our Drama Club will make an exception and invite you to join, how about that?"

"Invite me to join the Beijing Drama Club?" He Yuzhu pointed at himself. His mind raced, realizing this was an opportunity to connect with the elite students of the time and learn things. "Well, if you all think I'm good enough, I'd be very willing."

Just as they were laughing and talking, the door curtain was lifted again, and Liu Rusi walked in gracefully.

She was wearing a white cheongsam today, covered by a sleek, glossy mink coat, with exquisite leather gloves on her hands, her demeanor elegant and charming.

Following behind her was Zhao Ying, dressed in a light pink Western-style dress and wearing a white fluffy scarf.

He Yuzhu immediately stepped forward, his smile eager: "Sister! I haven't seen you for a day, have you missed me... or missed my Boiled Fish?"

Liu Rusi laughed and spat playfully, lifting her foot as if to kick him: "You little rascal, are you making fun of me?"

Her gaze shifted, and seeing Liu Xiaohua, she walked over with a smile to greet him: "Doctor Liu, what a coincidence. I thought I was the first diner! I didn't expect you to be even more impatient than me."

"The little brother's cooking is indeed excellent," Liu Xiaohua laughed. "When I mentioned it to my two friends, they insisted on coming along to try it."

"Gentlemen, why don't we just sit at one table? Let's agree on this first: this meal today must be on me!" He Yuzhu proposed again.

"No, no!" Liu Xiaohua still refused.

"If you don't agree, I won't cook the Boiled Fish and fried chicken wings," Zhuzi said with a smile, crossing his arms.

"This kid is quite generous, Doctor, don't decline," Liu Rusi chimed in from the side.

Only then did Liu Xiaohua nod helplessly.

He Yuzhu noted down the dishes everyone ordered: Liu Rusi's Boiled Fish, Zhao Ying's fried chicken wings, Guo Yan's "whatever," and Liu Cheng's Pickled Fish.

Just as he was about to turn and head to the kitchen, Liu Rusi followed him out and pulled him into a corner.

"Little Zhuzi, Sister has a favor to ask of you."

"Sister, just give the order. Even if it's a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I will not refuse!"

"It's not that serious," Liu Rusi chuckled, then lowered her voice. "Zhao Ying has feelings for Doctor Liu, but the Doctor is always indifferent. Think of a way to keep them here a while longer after the meal to create some opportunities for Zhao Ying."

He Yuzhu scratched his head: "That's a bit difficult... after they finish eating, I can't force them to stay."

Liu Rusi thought for a moment and said: "Don't you know how to sing? Sing a few fresh songs... or think of some other way."

"Sister, isn't this showing off a bit too much! I'm just a waiter!"

"I don't care, you must hold them off for an hour for me." Her tone carried a hint of spoiled command.

Seeing he couldn't refuse, He Yuzhu had no choice but to agree: "Fine, Sister, I'll do my best. You'll have to give me an out when the time comes, otherwise it'll be too abrupt!"

"Didn't they bring a guitar? In a moment, I'll have you play to liven things up!"

"Alright, let's set the trap just like that!" He Yuzhu said with a cheeky grin.