Chapter 45: Aunt Luo’s Surprise

Some protagonists in rebirth novels refuse to take treasures, always worrying about this or that. Zhou Yimin found it hard to understand. If it were a trap set up by others to harm them, then fine, don’t take it. But no one was plotting against the protagonist!

Especially those who had a personal space as their golden finger, yet still hesitated and acted timidly.

Moreover, having traveled back to this era with access to resources but still eating coarse grains and wild vegetables like everyone else—wasn’t that just self-inflicted suffering? If they were really afraid of being reported, couldn’t they just eat in secret?

Zhou Yimin never intended to change the course of history—that was indeed beyond his capabilities. But making some changes to the people and things around him? That was completely reasonable.

What was the point of a transmigrator living such a miserable life?

With that thought, he grabbed three bags of milk powder and headed out.

“Sir, I’m looking for Director Li…” Zhou Yimin handed a cigarette to the security guard.

The old man accepted it with a smile. “You’re Zhou Yimin, right? Go on in!”

Zhou Yimin had no idea that he had already made a name for himself in the neighborhood. Not many had seen him in person, but almost everyone had heard of him. And within the neighborhood committee, even more so.

“Thanks!”

He walked familiarly to Director Li’s office and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Come in!”

“Aunt Li, busy?” Zhou Yimin strolled into the office with a grin.

Director Li looked up, and upon seeing Zhou Yimin, she immediately smiled.

“You! You unknowingly did such a big thing. We called you over because the neighborhood committee also has a reward for you. It’s not much, though, so don’t look down on it.”

The country had given him a reward, and the steel factory had rewarded him too—how could the neighborhood committee not express something?

“How could I look down on it? Thank you for taking care of me,” Zhou Yimin quickly expressed his gratitude.

The neighborhood committee might not have much power, but they were the local authority. Living here meant he couldn’t avoid them, so naturally, he wouldn’t distance himself. Building a good relationship was the best option.

Director Li handed over the neighborhood’s reward to Zhou Yimin: an enamel washbasin, a tea mug, a thermos, and some soap.

“Aunt Li, was the milk powder from before okay to drink?” Zhou Yimin asked.

Director Li was momentarily stunned. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Did you poison it?

“I heard some babies might be allergic to milk powder. If it’s fine, then great. I brought two more bags today. Aunt Li, take them back for my little nephew to drink. When they’re finished, I’ll get more from my friend.”

As he spoke, Zhou Yimin placed the two bags of milk powder on her desk.

Director Li happily accepted them, surprised. “Allergic? I’ve never really heard of that before. Yimin, thank you!”

Then she took out 20 yuan for him. She had just been wondering how to bring it up. The previous two bags weren’t finished yet, but they wouldn’t last long either.

“Oh, right, Aunt Li! About my siheyuan(Courtyard)—there’s an empty room in the front yard. My childhood friend, Luo Dapeng, has a big family and asked me to check if he could move in.” Zhou Yimin took the chance to ask.

“Is your friend also from the Siheyuan?”

Zhou Yimin quickly nodded. “Yes! His family is in the front yard.”

“Then tell him to apply at the neighborhood committee and complete the paperwork.”

“Great! Then I won’t bother you anymore, Aunt Li.” Zhou Yimin was about to slip away.

“Wait, don’t leave yet! A reporter from Beijing Daily will be here soon—they specifically asked to interview you.” This was a big deal for the neighborhood committee.

So Zhou Yimin had no choice but to sit and wait.

Not long after, the reporter from Beijing Daily arrived. A young journalist conducted the interview in a Q&A format.

Zhou Yimin stuck to his usual script.

The hand pump had existed in ancient China—his work was merely an improvement.

“Our Chinese civilization has a history of over five thousand years, producing many practical technologies. We should explore them further to serve the country and the people…”

Zhou Yimin spoke in grand terms, and even the young reporter seemed invigorated.

As long as you were Chinese, it was hard not to feel a sense of cultural pride. Over the years, traditional culture had often been criticized and dismissed.

Director Li kept nodding from the side.

She had initially stayed to support Zhou Yimin in case he got nervous or couldn’t handle the questions. But to her surprise, he responded smoothly and even spoke with depth.

He frequently mentioned the country and the people—who could find fault with that?

If anyone nitpicked, were they against the country and the people?

“Comrade Zhou Yimin, you’re absolutely right! When it comes to our traditional culture, we should preserve its essence and discard its flaws, rather than completely rejecting it.” The reporter was genuinely moved.

Then, Zhou Yimin talked about his motivation for improving the hand pump—so that his grandparents could fetch water more easily, as they were getting old.

This earned him even more admiration from those present.

Filial piety had always been a core virtue in Chinese culture.

People tended to have a natural fondness and leniency toward those who were filial.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Comrade Zhou Yimin. Please check out tomorrow’s newspaper!” Reporter Fang happily put away his notebook and shook hands with Zhou Yimin.

Zhou Yimin exchanged a few more pleasantries and then escorted the reporters out. Before they left, he discreetly handed them three packs of cigarettes.

The interview was done, but who knew if the final report would be altered? One had to be cautious. That’s why he handed them three packs—all high-end Huazi cigarettes.

“Brother Zhou is really something.”

“Yes! So young and already accomplished.” The two accompanying reporters praised him.

Fang Xinhua simply smiled. Earlier, Zhou Yimin had even told him that if he ever needed grain, as long as the quantity wasn’t too large, he could come to him.

Fang Xinhua knew about Zhou Yimin’s procurement job and had no doubt he could source grain.

Once he got back, he’d have to carefully craft the article to make sure it came out well.

Zhou Yimin carried his rewards from the neighborhood committee back to the Siheyuan. As soon as he stepped into the front yard, he ran into Luo Dapeng’s mother.

“Yimin, you’re not waiting until marriage to get new stuff?” Aunt Luo eyed the new washbasin, thermos, and other items he was carrying.

Zhou Yimin explained, “Aunt Luo, these are rewards from the neighborhood committee.”

Hearing that, Aunt Luo immediately praised him, “Yimin, you really are outstanding.”

But inside, she was envious—why were all the good kids someone else’s?

Zhou Yimin ignored the compliment and changed the subject. “Aunt Luo, that empty house over there—Dapeng mentioned last time that his family was feeling cramped, so I brought it up with Director Li today. She said Dapeng should go to the neighborhood committee to apply.”

The moment she heard this, Aunt Luo was overjoyed.

“Great, great, great! Yimin, thank you so much. I’ll go find Dapeng right now.”

She was beyond happy.

That empty house had been eyed by everyone in the front yard—who didn’t have a crowded household? Well, except for Zhou Yimin.

She hadn’t expected Zhou Yimin to be so helpful.

Among all the friends her son had, Yimin was the most reliable. She was glad her son had such a friend. If things ever got tough in the future, maybe Yimin would lend a hand.

She quickly rushed out to find her son and secure the house before anyone else did.

That rascal—who knew where he had run off to again? He had just been in the Siheyuan a moment ago!

—

#Notes:

A Siheyuan (四合院) is a traditional Chinese courtyard-style residence, commonly found in Beijing and other northern Chinese cities. It consists of a rectangular courtyard surrounded by four single-story buildings on each side, creating a closed and private living space. The layout follows traditional Feng Shui principles, emphasizing harmony and balance.

Siheyuans in the 1960s:

1. Many private Siheyuans were seized or redistributed during the 1950s and 1960s under government policies. Instead of a single-family home, multiple families were often forced to share one courtyard. Each family occupied a single room, and communal facilities (such as kitchens and bathrooms) were shared.

2. Due to the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and economic difficulties, urban housing shortages led to overcrowding. Families had to adapt to dormitory-style living, often using curtains or simple partitions for privacy.