Courtyard House: Railway Police at the Start

Chapter 18: Human Favors

The return journey went smoothly, except for a relatively long stop in Shenyang.

Early Monday morning, Tang Zhenghong finally returned to Beijing.

After returning to the team and handing over the equipment, a debriefing and learning session is also essential.

Tang Zhenghong's embarrassing past of mistaking the gender in the car even made a joke about it to the branch team.

Xiang Bingwen was a very amiable leader with a friendly smile. He always had a pipe in his hand and would light it up and take a few puffs whenever he had a spare moment.

"You all did a good job on this shift. Especially young Tang Zhenghong, who performed exceptionally well on his first shift, and all the commendations were recorded truthfully. I hope you will continue to do well in the future. Lao Lu, he is a promising talent, so take good care of him."

"Alright, everyone, you've all worked hard. Go back and get some rest. You'll be leading the line on Thursday, Lao Lu."

Everyone else had left, but Tang Zhenghong was kept behind by his mentor and began writing work summaries and notes in the office.

According to Lao Lu, if he goes back to sleep for two days, he won't feel anything anymore, so he can write more deeply now.

After two revisions, Lao Lu finally let Tang Zhenghong go home.

Nanluoguxiang.

Tang Zhenghong returned to the courtyard wearing a railway police uniform and carrying a yellow cloth bag.

Five-year-old Xiaobangeng was squatting at the entrance of the alley toilet to pee. After he finished, he didn't get up. He even poked the little ditch he had flushed out with his finger. When he saw Tang Zhenghong, he was so scared that he let out a howl and ran to Qin Huairu's side at the gate with his short legs. He even peeked his head out from under Qin Huairu's crotch to look.

Tang Zhenghong was speechless. What's wrong with you two, mother and son? Last time Qin Huairu saw him, she ran back to her house in a flash.

Did the necromancer Jia Zhangshi say something to her daughter-in-law and grandson at home?

Qin Huairu's eyes lit up when she saw Tang Zhenghong's outfit. People are visual creatures and like to look at things that look good, just like how older people often like to stare at something in a daze. She picked up Banggeng and smiled at Tang Zhenghong, "Zhenghong is back, Banggeng. This is your Uncle Zhenghong. Don't be afraid, he won't arrest you."

The future Thief Saint sucked his fingers, glanced timidly at Tang Zhenghong, and then buried his head in his mother's chest in fear, causing a ripple of waves. If Sha Zhu were here, he would be in for a treat.

Tang Zhenghong stared at the high ground for a moment before turning his gaze away: "Hello, sister-in-law. I was just wondering why Banggeng ran away as soon as he saw me. It turns out it was this outfit that scared the child. Don't be afraid, Banggeng. Uncle won't arrest you if you don't do anything bad."

Qin Huairu felt a chill on her chest, and slapped her son's bottom, thinking he was just being naughty because he was hungry again: "Hey, this child, he doesn't even greet people. Zheng Hong, I heard from the people in the compound that you became a railway policeman, and it's true. Where have you been these days? Pretty far, right?"

"It's alright, not too far. Sister-in-law, I'm going home now, you go ahead with your work."

Watching Tang Zhenghong whiz past her, Qin Huairu pursed her lips absentmindedly and muttered, "He is quite handsome, no wonder my mother-in-law said that if we build a good relationship, she can find a way to introduce him to someone."

"Hey, Zhenghong's back."

Yan Bugui went to work, and his third aunt took over. Hearing the commotion, she ran to the Moon Gate and greeted Tang Zhenghong warmly, her eyes scanning the yellow cloth bag like radar.

"Good morning, Auntie. I just got back. I can't chat with you right now. I haven't even washed my face after getting off the bus. I feel terrible."

"Okay, okay, you go ahead with your work. If you need any help, just tell Auntie. You probably can't do this sewing and mending work."

Back in the small courtyard in the west corner, Tang Zhenghong put down his things and hung the fish and some local specialties from Andong that he had brought back in a basket hanging from the roof beam.

As she picked up her washbasin and walked past the front yard, she saw three older women stopping Qin Huairu and talking about something.

"Zhenghong, you've come at the right time. Huairu was just telling me that she'll keep an eye out for someone to introduce you to when you go back to your hometown next time."

"Is that so? Thank you for your kindness, sister-in-law, but I've just started working, so I'm not in a rush. I'll think about it in a couple of years."

"Zhenghong, I forgot to tell you, Xu Damao bought you a bicycle. Your third uncle really liked it, but when he heard that it was you who had arranged it with Xu Damao, he didn't argue about it."

"Really? The car looks to be in good condition. Otherwise, why would my teacher Yan be interested in it?"

Tang Zhenghong assumed Xu Damao had gone to work, so he planned to wait for him to come home. He filled a basin with water, tidied up the house, and was just thinking about taking a bath when he heard Xu Damao knocking on the door.

"Hey, Sister Qin just said you're back, but I didn't believe it."

Qin Huairu liked to do these kinds of "good deeds" that went smoothly, so she took her son and ran to the backyard to tell Xu Damao that Tang Zhenghong had returned.

"Brother Da Mao, I thought you went to work. Come in quickly."

Xu Damao even pushed his bicycle over, and couldn't wait to boast as he entered the yard: "Zhenghong, isn't this bike I found for you great? I'm not bragging, but the first day I rode it back, my third uncle came over several times, insisting on paying an extra two yuan to take it away. Would I, Xu Damao, do such a thing? What kind of relationship do we have? I certainly wouldn't let an outsider have it."

"I knew it! Even Teacher Yan wanted to snatch it away. How much did this car cost? It's practically brand new."

Xu Damao smugly took the cigarette: "Seventy yuan, tell me if it's worth it or not, buddy, this surprise for you is pretty good, isn't it?"

"That's totally worth it. Brother Da Mao, come in and sit for a while. I have a surprise for you too."

Xu Damao, beaming with delight, followed him into the house.

"Brother Da Mao, count this money."

Xu Damao didn't stand on ceremony; he was helping out, and he couldn't very well pay for it out of his own pocket.

"Two more pieces."

"Would my brother let you work for nothing? Even Teacher Yan is willing to add two yuan, I, Tang Zhenghong, can't be more stingy than him, can I?"

Look how well they handled things. Whether it was just polite talk or not, Xu Damao felt good and pointed at Tang Zhenghong, pretending to be angry.

"That's not very interesting. What kind of relationship do we have? Why would we need this? Alright, it's seventy yuan in total. I'll have someone come out at noon to handle the formalities. What about the surprise you mentioned? I'm really curious."

"This is a Yalu River carp I brought back from Andong. It's been specially marinated. This one weighs about three pounds. Take it back and try it."

"That won't do. How much is it? As your older brother, I can't take advantage of you for nothing."

Tang Zhenghong stuffed the fish into Xu Damao's arms: "It's just a little something from your younger brother, so don't be shy. The surprise hasn't been revealed yet."

"Anything else good?"

"Look what these are, leather shoes, and these are boots. My feet will be sweating if I wear them right now. They're all big sizes, they'll fit perfectly."

Xu Damao's eyes lit up. He was overjoyed. He immediately took off his cloth shoes and tried on each pair. He was so happy that his eyes disappeared.

"Good bro, I'll take both pairs. How much?"

"It comes to fourteen yuan and fifty cents in total. This is the receipt from when I bought it. Brother Da Mao, I didn't earn a single penny from you."

There was a price for leather shoes called 768, which was the lowest price in the 1970s when no ration coupons were needed. Tang Zhenghong bought these two pairs in Andong for 4.3 yuan and 7.2 yuan respectively. He was originally making a profit of 5 yuan, but the two yuan he paid earlier were not accepted by the other party. It was a matter of giving and receiving favors. Besides, he didn't expect to make money from this.

Once you have the tickets, you'll have to stop buying certain things, but it doesn't matter if you're just bringing food or other necessities home.

Xu Damao looked touched: "Thanks, Zheng Hong. By the way, do you still make these shoes? Just in case a friend asks..."

"If you have a trustworthy friend, it's not impossible to ask them to help carry two things, but you can't quote this cost price. After making such a long trip, this is the only hope you have left."

"Also, if people in our compound ask you something, you know what to say, right?"

Although shoe tickets haven't been issued yet, it's always good to be cautious. The main issue is that the definition of this matter is too vague, especially in 62, when it was easily dragged into political aspects.

"I understand. I don't have any change on me. I'll go back inside and get you some."

Tang Zhenghong gave Ma Qi the money for the bicycle in whole bills; he'd give it to him at the factory later.