Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 30: Pulling People Into the Water
"Oh? Well... I'll keep half for my family, and use the rest to make myself a new outfit, and then..."

Upon hearing Li Hongbing's plan, Wu Jun, who had already made his own arrangements, couldn't help but show an embarrassed expression. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly revealed his new plan.

He was so focused on how to spend his salary that he didn't think much about his family. As a result, when he compared himself to Li Hongbing, he was too embarrassed to voice his original thoughts.

"You could try dividing the money into three parts: one for your family, one for yourself, and the other to save for when you get married. Or you could set aside an extra part for emergencies."

After hearing Wu Jun's plan, Li Hongbing couldn't help but offer a suggestion.

As apprentices who came in at the same time, they probably had a natural sense of closeness or a tendency to stick together. Whether there was something to talk about or not, Wu Jun always liked to come over and talk to him.

He talked a lot, but he wasn't annoying. On the contrary, Li Hongbing could feel the unique simplicity and innocence of a young man in him.

Wu Jun's situation is clearly different from his.

Limited by his age and experience, he may not have a strong concept of spending and saving money.

Although Wu Jun's family wasn't exactly poor, they were just an ordinary family. He also had younger siblings, so he had to think about himself.

The fact that Wu Jun thought of keeping half of his salary for his family shows that he is kind and filial.

This reminded Li Hongbing of Li Hongmei.

In reality, there are many examples of eldest children in families who sacrifice their own happiness in order to support their younger siblings.

This kind of situation is even more prevalent in many TV dramas in later generations.

Li Hongbing is not against older siblings helping and supporting their younger siblings, but it is completely unnecessary to delay or even sacrifice one's own happiness for this.

"Getting a wife... Brother Hongbing, isn't it too early for you to be telling me this?"

At only fourteen years old, a time when one's heart is just beginning to stir with romantic feelings, Wu Jun felt embarrassed and blushed when Li Hongbing suddenly brought up this topic, though his heart couldn't help but pound.

"We're not asking you to get married right now, so make some preparations in advance and save up some money for yourself."

Li Hongbing couldn't help but laugh.

In this day and age, as long as you have a job, income, and a place to live, you won't have trouble finding a wife unless there are special circumstances.

The key is that there are no mortgages or exorbitant dowries to worry about right now, and even if there are some financial requirements, most of them are not too outrageous.

However, it's always good to be prepared, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"Oh, Hongbing and Jun'er are already thinking about wives so early?"

Just as Li Hongbing and Wu Jun were talking, a voice suddenly broke in from the side, followed by laughter from the surroundings.

When Li Hongbing saw that they were the senior apprentices who had joined the kitchen earlier than them, he didn't show any fear and replied with a smile, "Isn't this normal? I'm already sixteen, and in two more years I'll be of marriageable age. If this were in the old society, I might already have children."

"Tsk tsk, someone who went to high school really does talk differently."

"No matter how eloquently you speak, you're still just a figurehead who talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk."

"Haha, could he really be a virgin?"

"We get paid today. Don't leave after work. Your brothers will take you to Zhu Family Alley to have some fun and broaden your horizons!"

"Jun'er... never mind, he's not even fully grown yet. In another two years, we'll take you to be a real man!"

"..."

Although these senior apprentices in the kitchen weren't much older than Li Hongbing, they had been out in the workforce longer and were all seasoned veterans who spoke without restraint, whether it was vulgar or not.

"Thank you, Brother Yang, but I have to go home right after work. My sister is waiting for me there!"

Faced with their "good intentions," Li Hongbing politely declined.

Some people may not be familiar with the so-called Zhu Family Hutong, but if you mention the Eight Great Hutongs, they'll probably all know what it's all about. This was a famous red-light district in Beijing, known for its brothels.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the authorities quickly cracked down on these activities, and the related establishments in the Eight Great Hutongs were shut down one after another.

However, even now, some residential houses or street-front shops still have "half-closed doors," which are usually only known to some experienced people.

Many of these senior apprentices in the kitchen are regulars here.

Seeing that they were trying to drag him down, Li Hongbing had no intention of going along with them.

This kind of thing is illegal, and the authorities are cracking down on it severely.

If you accidentally get sick, losing face and bad luck are one thing, but if you catch a disease on top of that, you're in even worse shape.

"Oh! Getting shy now?"

"Don't be shy, everyone goes through this, we won't laugh at you."

“That’s right. You’re all grown up now. Don’t use your sister as an excuse. If you’re worried about your sister, we can have someone send her a message saying that you’re staying at the restaurant tonight and won’t be going back.”

“I don’t usually take on just anyone! If it weren’t for the fact that we’re both apprentices…”

"Let me tell you, without our guidance, even if you get there, you won't be able to find the entrance; you'll just be groping in the dark."

"It's settled then. Don't leave after you finish work tonight."

"..."

As "seniors," they clearly thought Li Hongbing's polite refusal was just a matter of pride, and even, in a few words, they directly made the decision for Li Hongbing.

Before Li Hongbing could even speak, they all left, without giving him a chance to refuse.

They seem more enthusiastic and excited than anyone else about dragging others down with them.

"Brother Hongbing, are you really going tonight?"

As they left, Wu Jun couldn't help but look at Li Hongbing with curiosity.

Although Wu Jun is two years younger than Li Hongbing, he actually knows a bit about these things.

The main reason is that he lives in the apprentice dormitory now, and he has heard those old hands talk about these things quite a bit. Under such influence, he has learned a little bit about it.

"Go to hell!"

Li Hongbing was quite helpless, and the first thing he said was a phrase about national essence.

"Brother Yang just said that after you finish work tonight..."

Wu Jun looked somewhat worried.

“I’ll just listen to what they say? I’ll slip away as soon as I finish work and see what they can do to me.”

This concerns the happiness of one's future and physical well-being, so it's not something to be taken lightly.

Li Hongbing made up his mind and looked at Wu Jun again, so he solemnly reminded him: "Wu Jun, you can't mess around with them, and you shouldn't go to the kind of places they mentioned. It won't do you any good."

"From now on, when you have money, besides buying food and other necessities for yourself, save any left over. If you really can't afford it, give it to your family. Don't waste it..."

Although being an apprentice in the kitchen is hard work, you are guaranteed three meals a day and your food and lodging are free. The monthly salary may not seem high, but you can spend it as you please. So, as soon as those people get their monthly salary, they often go out to "seek pleasure" and squander it.

At first, Li Hongbing asked Wu Jun to save money for his future marriage. This was partly due to that consideration, since living with these people all the time would inevitably have an influence on him, or even lead him astray.

Although they weren't particularly close, Li Hongbing didn't want to see Wu Jun, a simple and honest young man, led astray.

(End of this chapter)