Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

The curtain was lifted, and Yi Zhonghai walked in without saying a word.

He glanced across the dining table and said, "Zhu Zi, you're awake? Are you alright? Why were you so impulsive? That Wu Lai Zi is in his mid-twenties; what if he had hurt you?"

He Yuzhu put down his bowl, his face expressionless, and replied, "Uncle Yi, thank you for your concern. I'm fine, I won't die."

"If we don't take action, are we just going to listen to that scoundrel Wu spewing nonsense, saying my father ran off with some wild woman and that my siblings and I are unwanted bastards?"

Yi Zhonghai was taken aback by these words. He hadn't expected He Yuzhu to be so direct, and his tone seemed to lack the usual respect for him.

He frowned. "What I said may be harsh, but there are still elders like us in the community. You can come find me!"

"Looking for you?" He Yuzhu sneered inwardly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Looking for you, and then what? That you go and lecture Wu Laizi? Will he lose a piece of meat, or will I gain more food?"

"Uncle Yi, some things you have to stand on your own two feet. My father is gone, and I, He Yuzhu, am the pillar of the He family. Anyone who tries to kick my siblings and me will have to be prepared to break their teeth!"

The voice was quite loud, intended not only for Yi Zhonghai but also for the other people in the courtyard who were eavesdropping at the door.

Yi Zhonghai's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but considering that He Yuzhu had been a reckless brat since childhood, it wouldn't be easy to control him in a day or two.

He softened his tone: "Zhu Zi, it's good that you have this sense of responsibility, but think things through more in the future, and don't be reckless."

"Now that your father is gone, you and your brother have been struggling... Sigh, if you have any difficulties, you can tell me."

Here comes the classic line~

He Yuzhu's eyes darted around, and he smoothly continued, "Uncle Yi, if you put it that way, I really do have a problem. I'm thinking of taking Yushui to Baocheng to find my father tomorrow, and the round-trip fare, plus the expenses for being away from home for the next few days... could you lend me some money first? I'll pay you back once I find my father."

Yi Zhonghai paused, holding the enamel mug. How did He Yuzhu know that his father had gone to Baocheng? Could it be that He Daqing had left an address?

"This..." Yi Zhonghai hesitated. The money was a small matter. The key was what would happen if He Yuzhu really found He Daqing after lending the money.

Just then, the curtain at the He family's door was lifted again, and Jia Dongxu walked in.

As soon as he entered, he chimed in, "Shazhu, what's the point of you going to see Uncle He? If he were willing to come back, he wouldn't have left yesterday."

"Whether it's useful or not, we have to find out the truth. He's my own father; he can't just abandon us siblings like this without any explanation!"

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he looked at Yi Zhonghai and asked, "Uncle Yi, if it's inconvenient for you, that's fine. I'll think of another way. At worst, I'll go ask my master for help."

Yi Zhonghai hesitated for a moment, then took out 30,000 yuan from his pocket: "Zhuzi, what are you saying?! Take this money first, but don't rush to Baocheng. Uncle Yi will help you find someone to inquire. Otherwise, what if you two kids can't find anyone in this unfamiliar place?"

"Thirty thousand?" He Yuzhu was surprised, then realized that thirty thousand at this time was equivalent to the purchasing power of three yuan. Although it wasn't much, it could still buy quite a lot of things.

He accepted it without hesitation: "Thank you, Uncle Yi, but don't worry about it. I'll have my master contact them for me at the shop tomorrow!"

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened. What's wrong with He Yuzhu today? He used to be so naive, easily fooled with just a few words. But today, he seems to have suddenly become shrewd and won't fall for it.

He said with a slightly reproachful tone, "Hey, you have all these elders in our compound, why bother outsiders?"

"Alright, don't tell your master tomorrow either. Don't wash your dirty linen in public, understand? Besides, you're still young. How will you repay a favor you owe at this age?"

He Yuzhu was speechless; they really thought he was a fool.

"Uncle Yi, compared to my master, you are the outsiders. Don't you know the saying 'A teacher for a day is a father for life'? I properly kowtowed, offered tea, and performed the formal apprenticeship ceremony."

Upon hearing He Yuzhu's words, Yi Zhonghai's face darkened even more, and he pointed at He Yuzhu, saying, "You..."

Upon seeing that He Yuzhu was disrespecting his master, Jia Dongxu immediately shouted, "Idiot Yuzhu, don't push your luck! My master is only helping you out of pity. How dare you talk to him like that!"

He Yuzhu slammed down his chopsticks, stood up, and said to Jia Dongxu, "I've been too kind to you. Who the hell let you into my house?"

"Alright, Zhu Zi, you're young, I won't argue with you. But once you run into trouble outside, you'll know who your elders are." Yi Zhonghai interrupted the two of them, then turned and left angrily.

Jia Dongxu glared at He Yuzhu with an unfriendly expression, snorted coldly, and followed Yi Zhonghai away.

Just as Yi Zhonghai stepped out, another head peeked into the He family's doorway. It was none other than Xu Damao from the backyard.

This kid is a year younger than He Yuzhu and is still in school. He looked at He Yuzhu with a sly grin.

"Hey, you silly Zhu, I heard you're going to find your dad? He doesn't want you anymore, and you're still going after him. How shameless!" Xu Damao said sarcastically.

Knowing Xu Damao's character, He Yuzhu immediately cursed, "Xu Damao, get the hell out of here! Didn't your parents teach you to knock before entering someone's house and wait for the host to answer?"

He spoke so loudly that Yi Zhonghai, who had just stepped outside, stopped in his tracks, his hand holding the ceramic cup bulging with veins.

Xu Damao felt a chill run down his spine when he saw He Yuzhu's cold gaze. He sensed that the silly boy was different today. He muttered something to himself and then shrank back and ran away.

He Yushui whispered, "Brother, Xu Damao is bad."

"Yes, he's bad, so don't pay any attention to him." He Yuzhu patted his sister's head. "Eat quickly, and after you finish, I'll help you wash up. Go to bed early, we still have to travel tomorrow."

"Okay~!" He Yushui replied obediently.

Next door, Jia Dongxu followed Yi Zhonghai back to the Yi family home.

He said to Yi Zhonghai with dissatisfaction, "Master, why are you bothering with that idiot? Even his father doesn't want him anymore..."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai scolded, "Shut up! How have I always taught you to respect the elderly and care for the young? We are all neighbors in the same courtyard. He Daqing just left, leaving only two children. As an elder in this courtyard, I must take care of them."

Jia Dongxu felt a little jealous, fearing that his master would continue to support the He family, which would reduce the amount of money he gave his family.

"Master, you're just too kind-hearted. Look at that fool, he doesn't appreciate your kindness at all. I just couldn't stand it, that's why I got angry."

Yi Zhonghai put down the large porcelain jar, sat down, and said meaningfully, "It's alright. He hasn't hit a wall yet. After he hits it a few more times, he'll know who in this compound is truly good to him."