Chapter 3 Calculation
When Yu Junsheng returned home from get off work that evening, he found a new face in the yard.
A young girl with braided pigtails stood under the porch of the Third Courtyard, glancing into their courtyard repeatedly. When Yu Junsheng opened the door and entered the house, the girl stared at him intently for several moments, then quickly lowered her head and smiled shyly when he looked over.
Yu Junsheng: "..."
Yu Junsheng was baffled. The girl looked unfamiliar, but he figured she might be a relative of someone in the neighborhood, so he didn't pay much attention.
I went back to my room, grabbed a washbasin, washed my face, and prepared to cook myself something delicious to calm my nerves.
Thinking about how long it had been since he'd had white flour, Yu Junsheng swallowed hard. He opened the cupboard and took out a handful of dried noodles he'd bought a few days ago. The white noodles still smelled of fresh wheat; you could tell they were made from this year's new wheat harvest. So fragrant!
Don't be fooled by the fact that working at a recycling station may not sound as respectable as being a factory worker; the real benefits are known to anyone who does it. Over the years, Yu Junsheng has amassed quite a fortune.
He was never one to skimp on food; every few days he would secretly prepare some fine grains for himself, making his diet far more comfortable than that of many families in the courtyard. However, he didn't show it to outsiders; to them, he was still that bachelor who had lost his parents and had no one to help him, just drifting through life.
I had just replaced the coal briquettes in the stove when there was a knock on the door.
Yu Junsheng paused for a moment, quickly put the noodles back in the cupboard, locked the door, put the kettle he had filled that morning on the stove, and seeing that there was nothing wrong in the house, slowly got up to open the door.
It's not that Yu Junsheng was suspicious; some people in the courtyard were simply not to be trifled with. In those days of food shortages, even a single bite of fine grain could make people envious, and they'd developed a keen eye for detail. If those people in the courtyard found out that this good-for-nothing bachelor was eating so well, he probably wouldn't be able to live in peace anymore.
The person outside was very anxious, banging on the door repeatedly, calling out, "Young Master Yu, Young Master Yu, are you home?"
Recognizing the voice, Yu Junsheng rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken," and irritably opened the door—
"Aunt Guan, what are you doing?"
Then I saw Aunt Guan with a big smile on her face, pulling a young girl with braids.
The girl with the braided hair glanced at Yu Junsheng before shyly lowering her head, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, looking quite bashful.
Yu Junsheng: "..." Alarm bells immediately went off in his mind.
Seeing that the two men were trying to barge into the house without saying a word, he swiftly slammed the door shut again with a loud bang.
He shouted from inside the house, "Aunt Guan, please say what you need to say outside. I dare not let you in. It's not appropriate to be in this situation, really not appropriate. My uncle will be angry when he comes home from get off work!"
Aunt Guan: "...?!"
With a "crack," Aunt Guan's dignified smile cracked.
"Pfft!"
Even though the yard was empty, everyone was actually peeking through the cracks in the doors and windows, secretly watching this place. Hearing this, many people burst out laughing.
Having barely suppressed the urge to unleash a torrent of curses, Aunt Guan managed a smile back on her face. "Junsheng, what nonsense are you spouting? I'm so old, I treat you like a junior. I just have something I want to tell you, but it wouldn't be good if others overheard. Please let us in."
Yu Junsheng remained unmoved, even slamming the door shut. He hugged himself tightly, his arms crossed over his chest, and watched the two women, one old and one young, warily through the window.
Speaking in a voice that could be heard throughout the entire courtyard, he said, "Aunt Guan, why don't we just say what we have to say? Why do we have to talk about this behind everyone's back? This can't be right, Auntie, don't try to trick me, I'm afraid Uncle will cause me trouble!"
"What do you mean by carrying someone on your back? It's just a matter of a few words. Open the door now."
Yu Junsheng shouted, "Auntie, I can't open this door! What if you try to take advantage of me? You're old and don't care about your reputation, but I do! I'm still young, and I haven't even gotten married yet! I have to go on blind dates in a few days, and I can't afford to ruin my reputation!"
Just kidding, these two look like they've come with ill intentions. If they actually let them in, we won't be able to explain ourselves!
Aunt Guan: "..." The smile on Aunt Guan's face completely vanished, her face turning ashen. Damn it, what nonsense is this little brat spouting?!
The shy girl with braided hair looked up in shock: "..." She had never seen such a bizarre man before!
Afraid that Yu Junsheng might say something unpleasant again, Aunt Guan didn't dare to press him any further. She forced a smile and tried her best to be gentle, "Alright, Junsheng, you don't have to open the door then. Xiangxiang, this is the Yu family boy that I told you about. He's a handsome young man, a full-time employee at the recycling station, earning 28 yuan a month. He's quite respectable!"
Although Dong Xiangxiang kept her head down, her ears were perked up. Working at the scrap yard might not sound good, but it was still a secure job with guaranteed food rations, much better than toiling in the fields.
Yu Junsheng quickly waved his hand, "No, no, Aunt Guan, you flatter me. I'm just a handyman at the scrap yard, always covered in dust, what dignity could I possibly have!"
He said with envy, "When it comes to being respectable, who in the whole compound can compare to Brother Yongsheng? Not to mention his high monthly salary of 35 yuan, the things he brings back every time are the envy of all of us neighbors. He is the most successful among our generation."
This is not just Yu Junsheng talking nonsense. Being a film projectionist was a really good job back then. It was not only easy and respectable with a high salary, but also had hidden benefits.
When projectionists went to the countryside to show movies, the production teams there would not only treat them to good food and drink, but sometimes the villagers would also give them gifts in return, such as local dried goods or eggs, which were scarce and hard to find in the city.
Aunt Guan was clearly pleased with herself, a look of pride flashing across her face, but she said modestly, "Hehe, Junsheng, you're a good lad too!" Hmph, you've got good taste, her son is naturally the best!
Yu Junsheng quickly waved his hand, "I'm just trying to make a living, how can I compare to Brother Yongsheng!"
Outside, someone started flattering her, "Yes, Aunt Guan, your Yongsheng is the youngest one in our courtyard!" The person gave a thumbs up.
Others also praised Ren Yongsheng, saying he was capable, magnanimous, open-minded, and had a bright future, and that Aunt Guan was very lucky.
"The aroma of meat wafted from your house again yesterday, Aunt Guan. Your family is definitely living the best life in our compound!"
Aunt Guan held her head high and was very proud. Her husband, Ren Wenhua, was a workshop group leader in a machinery factory, and she always considered herself to be the most respectable family in the courtyard.
"By the way, does Yongsheng have a girlfriend? My family has a niece who's quite nice..."
"My older sister's younger sister just graduated from high school..."
Yu Junsheng sighed, "Ah, any girl who marries Yongsheng in the future will be so lucky! A family of four, two workers, and a salary of over a hundred yuan—life would be wonderful!"
Aunt Guan was so flattered and relaxed that she didn't notice Dong Xiangxiang's increasingly bright eyes beside her.
The conversation drifted further and further away, even reaching the point where they discussed how Ren Yongsheng's future children would enjoy a comfortable life.
Fortunately, Aunt Guan remembered her purpose in time and steered the conversation back on track. "Ahem, Junsheng, this is my niece Xiangxiang. She's coming to stay in our compound for a while, and I thought young people would have common topics to talk about, so I brought her over to introduce you!"
Yu Junsheng looked shocked. "What's the topic? Aunt Guan, don't try to fool me. I'm not like Yongsheng, who's highly educated, knowledgeable, has a good job, and often deals with leaders. I'm eloquent and persuasive! I deal with junk at the recycling station all day long. The only thing I can talk about is junk. Could it be that this lady is junk... oh no, likes junk?"
The woman with the braided hair blushed bright red. "How...how can you talk like that?" What do you mean she's trash? This person really doesn't know how to talk!
Yu Junsheng, though not entirely honest, retorted, "What about me? You... oh no, do you like junk?" This girl seemed honest, but her eyes were actually quite lively, and she was a cunning person. Since she was eyeing him, she shouldn't blame him for speaking harshly.
"Of course I don't like it..." Dong Xiangxiang retorted, her eyes welling up with tears of grievance, her impression of Yu Junsheng plummeting. How could this man be like this? A city person, indeed! Pah! So uncouth!
Yu Junsheng spread his hands, "Aunt Guan, you see, I'm really clumsy with words and don't know how to speak. I offended people in just a few words. Fortunately, I know you are a well-known respectable person in our courtyard and won't hold a grudge against me for this, otherwise I would have been in trouble."
He'd said everything, good or bad, so what could Aunt Guan say? She was both ashamed and angry, her chest heaving, her face flushed, staring at Yu Junsheng speechless.
Seeing this, Yu Junsheng smiled slightly and kindly suggested, "Aunt Guan, Yongsheng shouldn't be too busy these days, right? Why don't you let him take this girl out for a stroll? It would be good for the cousins to catch up and strengthen their bond."
Having said all that, and with the other party remaining unmoved, Aunt Guan, who always valued her dignity, had no more face to linger at the Yu family's house and could only leave disappointed with her niece.
The two disappeared into the courtyard in no time, leaving behind a murmur of discussion.
This was the first time Aunt Guan had ever been humiliated like this, and she started cursing without any regard for her image, "You little brat, you look down on my niece, a ragpicker, who thinks she's some kind of precious gem! A girl with no parents, ptooey!"
However, Aunt Guan was not defeated. As soon as she returned to her own home in the backyard, she regained her fighting spirit. "Xiangxiang, if normal methods don't work, you should go to the east wing often and let him take advantage of you from time to time. I don't believe that a young boy can resist!" She must get her hands on those two rooms in the east wing!
Dong Xiangxiang lowered her head and hummed in agreement, but her mind was racing. Her eyes darted around as she thought about other things.
Thinking her niece had taken her words to heart, Aunt Guan continued to impart her experience, "A young man this age who is inexperienced is most susceptible to stimulation. First, seduce him, then seize the opportunity to let everyone in the courtyard see you two being affectionate. Then, Yu Junsheng will have no choice but to marry you!"
"Auntie, don't worry, I understand!" Dong Xiangxiang nodded honestly. It had to be her auntie; she was so shrewd!
Aunt Guan was very satisfied with this honest niece. Honesty meant she was easy to control, and in the future, whatever her aunt said would go.
Of course, Aunt Guan didn't know that soon she would want to slap herself twice, and deeply regret that she had misjudged him!
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