The courtyard: the atmosphere of human life

The relationship between Darong and Zhong Yunxing has been developing smoothly. Since gaining the approval of both families, Zhong Yunxing spends most of his off-duty time either at Darong's house or at Darong's factory.

At that time, the textile-related industry was very prosperous in Yutian’s factories, and employees from various factories often exchanged and learned with each other. Machine repair technicians, in particular, were very popular positions. In today’s terms, they were high-level blue-collar workers.

"Brother Daxing, you are awesome. You can even fix that broken machine. Everyone in our factory has been studying it for two days, and no one dared to touch the board." Goubangzi gave Zhong Yunxing a thumbs up with great admiration.

"Hey, it's not that I'm good, it's that when I went to the city for exchange and study, the master happened to tell me a similar case, and I just copied it."

Zhong Yunxing felt a little embarrassed by Goubangzi's flattery. After all, the mechanic team leader of their factory was watching him right next to him.

"Tsk, that's only you who learned it. Dabin even went with you. Why can't he do it?"

Goubangzi never considers other people's feelings when speaking. He just pointed at the squad leader Dabin on the other side and started to mock him.

He enjoyed talking nonsense to his heart's content, but Zhong Yunxing could only stand there with a speechless and awkward smile.

"Indeed, Daxing, you are really amazing. I have heard that you were an excellent student in school, and now you are the best technician in our southern suburbs after entering the factory."

Dabin noticed Zhong Yunxing's embarrassment and quickly spoke to comfort him.

Dabin is a middle-aged master in his forties. Although he has worked in the factory for many years as a maintenance worker, he is old after all, and his learning ability is obviously not as good as that of young people.

When the new factory was being built, the district attached great importance to it and did not use obsolete products from large state-owned factories. Instead, it directly introduced an imported equipment.

The new equipment is good, but when the production is overloaded, various minor problems are bound to occur. The mechanic is a key position to maintain the life of the machine, which also makes young people like Zhong Yunxing who are technically savvy highly valued in the factory.

"Brother Daxing, when are you and Sister E'er going to get married?"

After everyone left, Goubangzi came up to Zhong Yunxing, his cheeky expression full of curiosity.

"She won't be old enough until the second half of next year. We have to wait until she is old enough."

Zhong Yunxing looked at the Goubangzi in front of him. Although the child looked like a monkey, he actually had a good character. He was optimistic and cheerful and never had any worries.

"Tsk tsk tsk, my mom would say that the good cabbages are eaten by pigs. Alas... it's a pity that I am such a good-looking man, but I end up alone..."

I don't know from which TV show this guy learned this line. He flicked his sleeves and started to perform this scene.

"Who are you talking about, cabbage and who are pigs? You are so bold, boy." Zhong Yunxing didn't tolerate it and kicked Gou Bangzi in the butt.

"What are you two doing?" Darong happened to see Zhong Yunxing kicking the dog clapper and knew that these two were making nonsense again.

"He said you are a pig and you took all my good cabbages." Zhong Yunxing turned the tables and complained to Darong with confidence.

"I don't believe it. I would believe it even more if he said you were a pig." Darong rolled her eyes and happily pushed the cart towards the factory gate.

"Hey, are we going to the market tomorrow morning?" Zhong Yunxing shouted at Darong's back.

"Okay." Darong answered with just one word and went home after get off work without looking back.

Zhong Yunxing was on secondment here for a whole day today, so even though Darong had gone off work, he still had to continue to watch over the factory. Looking at Darong's back as she walked away, Zhong Yunxing's dimples deepened a little more.

Early the next morning, Zhong Yunxing came to the dormitory to find Darong. He knew that Darong was working the night shift and couldn't go home too late because she had to go to the market.

"Hey, you haven't put on makeup yet? Hurry up and pack up, go early and come back early, so you can have a good sleep in the afternoon." As soon as Zhong Yunxing entered the room, he felt that Darong seemed to be in a bad mood. He pretended not to notice and quickly told her to pack up and go out.

After Zhong Yunxing finished speaking, Darong's mother sat on the sofa beside her in silence. Although Darong had a calm expression, there seemed to be a hint of pride in the corners of her eyes. She stood up slowly, found a very short eyebrow pencil from the drawer, and put on some simple light makeup.

"Why is there a strange smell in the house? Did something fall into the stove?"

Zhong Yunxing twitched his nose twice and looked up towards the kitchen.

There was no natural gas at that time, so people would light a simple small stove to cook at home. It was early autumn, and there was still a residual fire in the small stove in the corner of the yard.

"Puchi." As soon as Zhong Yunxing finished speaking, Darong finally couldn't help laughing out loud.

Darong's smile made Zhong Yunxing completely confused. He didn't know what the mother and daughter were talking about. He looked at Darong and then at Darong's mother. Seeing that neither of them wanted to talk, he didn't dare to say anything more.

It was not until Darong had packed up and changed her clothes, and the two of them came out of Darong's house, that Zhong Yunxing could not help but ask Darong.

"What were you laughing at home just now? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, you said nothing wrong." Darong walked ahead with brisk steps, looking proud.

"Why don't you say something? You're so boring." Zhong Yunxing grabbed Darong's small hand and spoke in a coquettish tone, which made him stunned.

This was the first time that Darong and Zhong Yunxing held hands after dating for so long. Darong suddenly felt a little shy. Her face turned red and she shook off Zhong Yunxing's big hand and took two quick steps forward.

Zhong Yunxing reacted quickly. He took two steps forward and grabbed Darong's hand in his palm. This time there was no way she could get rid of it.

Darong tried to shake him off but failed, so she just followed him and walked side by side with him.

"My mother said that your family belongs to an agricultural cooperative and she doesn't like people who draw their eyebrows and eyes with makeup, so she didn't allow me to wear makeup. I talked back to her and she put all my makeup in the stove and burned it."

"Hahaha... Auntie, you're really worrying too much. People in the agricultural cooperative also want beautiful daughters-in-law." After Zhong Yunxing finished speaking, he raised his eyebrows at Darong with a sly smile.

Darong had always thought that Zhong Yunxing was a serious old antique. This was the first time she saw him acting so frivolous.

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked around the entire market. Zhong Yunxing wanted to buy some gifts for Darong, but Darong was stubborn and refused to let him spend money.

It’s not that she doesn’t like it, but Darong’s mother has taught her that even if they are in a relationship, they should not spend the boy’s money indiscriminately.

Darong's mother often said that if a boyfriend and girlfriend are together, everyone will be happy, but if they are not together, there should be no sense of guilt. Girls should have dignity and know how to love themselves.