Chapter 93: Silly Zhu Gets His Certificate

The brawl that broke out because of the courtyard wall caused Yi Zhonghai's prestige to fall again.

Especially after the people in the compound learned that Chen Hong worked at the Jiedao office, they suddenly became humble, and their temper grew much gentler.

It was as if they weren't the ones who fought the group brawl yesterday.

The deaf old lady wasn't too surprised by this change; after interacting with Yang Qing and his wife a few times, she realized that Yang Qing was nothing like the timid, cowardly, fearful people they had previously dealt with—this was all his disguise.

Now he began to show his fangs.

He worried that He Yuzhu and Xu Damao were getting too close to Yang Qing; if he still couldn't discern the situation later and kept making things difficult for those two, he feared his future days would not be easy.

After hearing the whole story, Xu Damao went to the back yard and gulped down two bowls of Yang Qing's corn soup.

The suppressed laughter almost turned into a goose's honk.

Upon hearing it, He Yuzhu's heart also stayed excited for a long time; that night he even woke up laughing from his dreams.

May 1, 1961, Monday, overcast.

Today is Labor Day, so the entire factory rarely got a day off, and Yang Qing didn't have to go wash wild vegetables.

Now the spinach, scallions, garlic, etc., planted between the wheat ridges have hit the market, so Yang Qing's job of washing wild vegetables will only last a few more days.

Having free time, Yang Qing today went to the military compound to accompany the old lady on a walk.

Seeing Yang Qing, the old lady no longer felt the earlier delight.

Perhaps she had already realized that Yang Qing was using her.

But Chen Hong's feelings toward her were sincere, so she couldn't really say anything.

Yang Qing wanted to explain, but he didn't know how to put it into words.

"Grandma, look, it's so lively."

Because it's a holiday, there are many people outside.

Moreover, because the weather is warm, the supply of wild vegetables is ample, and many people with edema have seen their physical condition improve.

The old lady, however, wasn't very interested, or rather, there wasn't much to say between her and Yang Qing.

She replied perfunctorily.

"Yeah, there are quite a lot of people."

Yang Qing pointed at the enthusiastic crowd and the trees full of green, and said.

"Grandma, do you believe it? This year will have a good harvest; from now on it won't be this hard anymore."

The old lady's interest was piqued; she looked at him somewhat excitedly.

"Ah, how did you figure that out?"

Yang Qing laughed.

"Because the heavens have changed."

The old lady didn't know whether he meant the policy had changed or the heavens themselves had changed, or perhaps both.

"Change is good, change is good, change can save many lives."

Yang Qing took the opportunity to say.

"Grandma, for us as a couple, you saved our lives."

"Without you, Chen Hong would still have no fixed rations, and our family of three would have to rely on twenty jin of grain just to survive each month."

He pointed to a thin, emaciated person.

"We would end up like him, not knowing how long we could live."

"You are the lifesaver for us as a couple."

Hearing these words, the old lady felt much better in her heart.

"It's nothing; work quotas—I keep them and they're useless, giving them to anyone is just giving."

"Besides, I like this child Chen Hong."

"She is very devoted to me; frankly, I still need to thank you."

"If you hadn't sent Chen Hong over, I'm not sure whether I could have made it through this year."

Yang Qing supported the old lady.

"Grandma, we two treat you as our own grandmother; in a few days you'll move in with us, and thereafter we will provide for your old age and see you to your end."

The old lady happily laughed.

"Good, good, I'll listen to you."

She wasn't afraid that Yang Qing would deceive her, because she had people behind her.

Having someone to accompany her in her twilight years was already a great fortune; she laughed happily.

Whether they used something or not, at least they meant well.

Other things, you can't bring them into life nor take them out of death, so she didn't really care much.

She also understood what Yang Qing said—that he was telling her they were not ungrateful people.

The displeasure of being used by Yang Qing also dissipated at this moment.

"Yang Qing, have something happened to you recently?"

Chen Hong had already told her about the move earlier, and the Jiedao had agreed to it.

But seeing no action from them for a long time inevitably made the old lady think more.

Yang Qing explained.

"Isn't that just the toilet repair we've been doing at our place? It was just finished yesterday."

"Let it air for two more days, the toilet will be fine, then when you move you won't have to crowd the public toilet."

"The weather's hot, and the public toilet's environment is too bad."

This explanation, the old lady reluctantly agreed.

"If there's something, just tell me; this old face of mine still has some use."

Yang Qing shook their head.

"Really none."

At that moment, Yang Qing, out for a stroll, looked up and saw a familiar figure.

Upon closer look, I didn't know who He Yuzhu was.

Yang Qing never expected that this guy, in order to avoid those people from the Siheyuan, would run all the way to Jade Abyss Pool Park (Fishing Terrace Park) for a date.

(Previously, the military compound was all the way from the Imperial City to the Western Hills, and Jade Abyss Pool Park was relatively close to those compounds.)

He Yuzhu was accompanied by a girl wearing a plain blue cloth outfit, her hair done in a student style; she wasn't as pretty as other girls dressed up, but in terms of height and looks, she was a decent match.

As He Yuzhu strolled forward, they completely failed to notice an unwelcome guest approaching from behind.

They had their hands behind their back, bearing the air of a cadre.

"Shumin, you see, we've been getting along fine these days; you're pretty familiar with my family situation, and I understand yours as well."

"If you have no objections, let's get this done quickly—what do you think?"

Liu Shumin had been frequently fed by He Yuzhu these days; in this era, even if she had thoughts in her heart, her body honestly surrendered.

"Brother Zhuzi, I have no objections; as long as you don't mind us being a burden, that's fine."

He Yuzhu broke into an auntie-like smile upon hearing that, excitedly rubbing their hands.

"Good, good, good………"

"Then we'll get the certificate in a few days."

"Coincidentally, the toilet in our compound has also been repaired, so you'll arrive just in time if you marry into it."

Liu Shumin also felt quite excited upon hearing He Yuzhu talk about the toilet.

Now the news that Compound No. 95 has installed a toilet has spread throughout half of Jingcheng.

This is the first compound to enjoy cadre-level treatment.

Although the reputation had suffered a bit earlier because of the Jia Zhangshi incident, it has now been overshadowed by the toilet matter.

Compared to cadre benefits, the Jia Zhangshi matter is just a trivial thing.

Furthermore, Liu Shumin is no simple person; a shrew, she hasn't yet reached the point of being feared like a tiger.

Yang Qing spoke up at this point.

"Brother Zhuzi, as far as I know, didn't you already have the introduction letter ready the day before yesterday?"

"Today, the Jiedao also has people working."

"Better to pick the day than to wait for an auspicious one; today is May Day, which is perfect for marriage."

He Yuzhu was startled by Yang Qing's sudden remark, turned around, saw it was Yang Qing, and let out a sigh of relief.

"It's Yang Qing—how did you come here?"

Yang Qing introduced the old lady to He Yuzhu.

"This is my grandmother; she'll be moving into our compound in a few days."

"Brother Zhuzi, you'll need to look after things from now on."

He Yuzhu patted their chest and promised.

"No need to say; I respect the elderly the most."

Yang Qing looked toward Liu Shumin.

"This is the sister-in-law, right?"

"Greetings, sister-in-law."

Liu Shumin blushed and generously greeted Yang Qing.

"Hello, I'm Liu Shumin, He Yuzhu's partner."

Yang Qing laughed heartily.

"What partner? Today we get the certificate, tomorrow we're a family."

Liu Shumin was so embarrassed she couldn't speak.

He Yuzhu also felt shy.

"Won't this be too sudden?"

Yang Qing had the air of someone who calls the shots.

"What's sudden? Today there's a day off, perfect for getting the certificate."

"With such a fine May Day, if we don't get the certificate now, when else would we wait—for the Dragon Boat Festival?"

Yang Qing said that, and He Yuzhu thought it made sense, then He Yuzhu turned to look at Liu Shumin.

"Shumin, otherwise should we get the certificate today? In a few days it really wouldn't be suitable."

Liu Shumin thought for a moment and nodded.

Today really is a good day, Labor Day.

In this era, May Day is the best day for marriage, aside from August 1 and October 1.

"All right, let's get it today; then we'll go back to my place, grab the household register, and go to the Jiedao to get the introduction letter."

"Then we'll go to your Jiedao to get the certificate."

He Yuzhu excitedly kept saying 'good'.

"Good, good, good………"

Afterward, He Yuzhu looked toward Yang Qing, full of gratitude.

"Yang Qing………"

He Yuzhu was just about to say thank you when Yang Qing cut them off and reminded them.

When you go back to get the introduction letter and household registration, don't take your sister-in-law with you; let her go to the Jiedao first.

Find Chen Hong; she's at work today.

You understand the reason, right?

He Yuzhu nodded repeatedly.

I understand, I understand.

He understood all too well; this was for fear that someone would cause trouble.

Liu Shumin had also heard He Yuzhu mention some things; otherwise she wouldn't have agreed to marry Sha Zhu without even having visited He Yuzhu's home.

Thank you!