Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

Four traitors barged in without a word and began searching each room. Tables and chairs were overturned, cabinets were overturned, and bedding was scattered all over the floor. The other residents in the courtyard were also alerted, and Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong came out to see what was going on.

He Damin observed coldly. He was certain these people wouldn't find anything—all traces had been erased. But a taut string remained in his heart; what if…

"What is this?!" A traitor searched Jia Youcai's house and found several old books, demanding an explanation in a stern voice.

Jia Youcai's face turned pale: "That...that's for children to learn to read..."

"Learn to read? You must be reading Communist Party characters!" The traitor grabbed Jia Youcai by the collar.

Yi Zhonghai quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Sir, please calm down. Old Jia is just a worker at Lou's Steel Rolling Mill. He can't read many words, so what does he know about the Communist Party..."

Wang Ergou snorted coldly and waved for his men to release Jia Youcai. They continued their search and soon arrived at the east courtyard.

He Damin stood at the door, expressionless.

"Get out of the way!" Wang Ergou shoved him aside and barged in.

Two traitors ransacked the room, throwing the bedding He Damin had just laid out onto the floor, and pulling out several pieces of clothing from the closet. But their efforts were destined to be in vain—He Damin's important belongings were all in the Taiji Space, and the room was empty except for some daily necessities.

"Captain, nothing." The traitor reported after the search.

Wang Ergou looked He Damin suspiciously: "Kid, did you hear anything last night?"

"No," He Damin shook his head, "He's sleeping soundly."

"real?"

"real."

Wang Ergou stared at him for a long time, but found no flaws. He waved his hand dejectedly, "Let's go! Next one!"

The four traitors left, cursing and swearing. Everyone in the courtyard finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He Daqing walked over and patted his younger brother on the shoulder: "Are you alright?"

"It's nothing." He Damin smiled. "Brother, I'm going to Fengzeyuan."

"Be careful on the road."

On the way to Fengzeyuan, the image of that female student kept flashing through He Damin's mind.

Who is she? Why is she being pursued by the detectives? If she is an anti-Japanese activist, why is she wearing a school uniform? If she is an ordinary student, how could she have been shot?

These questions remained unanswered, and he had no intention of delving into them. He had saved them, he had given them away; from then on, they owed each other nothing. Having saved and killed countless people in his past life, he would never dwell on such matters.

In the kitchen of Fengzeyuan Restaurant, He Daqing had already begun preparing ingredients for lunch. Seeing his younger brother enter, he lowered his voice and said, "Damin, things haven't been peaceful in the city these past few days. Go home early tonight and don't linger outside."

"I know." He Damin nodded and began to help chop the vegetables.

The cleaver clattered rhythmically on the cutting board. His thoughts, however, drifted far away—had the female student woken up? Would her wound get infected? Were there enough supplies in the cave?

"Tsk." He shook his head, dispelling these distracting thoughts.

What does it have to do with him? He has already saved her; he has done everything he could. Whether she lives or dies is entirely up to her.

As lunch service began, several tables of guests arrived at Fengzeyuan Restaurant. Most were traitors and officials of the puppet government, bringing their Japanese masters to sample Tan Family Cuisine. He Damin was busy in the kitchen, creating one exquisite dish after another, each a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

Master Wang looked at him with admiration in his eyes: "Damin, at this rate, in another six months you will be able to stand on your own."

"It's still early, Master," He Damin said modestly.

In his heart, however, he was calculating what the city of Beiping would be like in six months. The Japanese were rampant, traitors were running rampant, and the people were suffering terribly. Although his strength was limited and he could not kill all the evildoers, killing one would reduce the harm.

At the very least, those beasts need to understand that there are eyes watching them from the shadows in this city, and a knife waiting to strike them.

In the evening, He Damin carried a bag of snacks given to him by Master Wang home.

Passing by the alley entrance, I saw that Grandpa Zhang's tofu pudding stall had been set up again. The old man still looked shaken, but he had no choice but to come out and make a living.

"Uncle Zhang, a bowl of tofu pudding, please." He Damin sat down.

"Alright, alright." Old Zhang shakily ladled out a bowl, adding an extra spoonful of braising liquid. "Young He, did you hear about what happened this morning? The detectives were searching house to house, saying they were arresting communists..."

"I heard about it." He Damin took the bowl. "They didn't find anything, did they?"

"Search my ass!" Old Zhang whispered. "I think it's just an excuse to extort money! Old Jia's house was ransacked, and in the end, they still had to pay him two silver dollars to settle things."

He Damin didn't reply, silently eating his tofu pudding. The savory braising sauce and tender tofu should have been delicious, but at this moment, he couldn't taste anything.

In this world, it's too hard for ordinary people to live.

Back at the courtyard house, He Daqing was already back, chopping firewood in the yard. Seeing his younger brother, he put down his axe: "Damin, is the east wing alright? Did those people break anything this morning?"

"It's nothing, the blanket just got dirty, I'll wash it and it'll be fine," He Damin said.

"That's good." He Daqing breathed a sigh of relief. "By the way, Old Madam Long came to see me today and said she wanted to sell us the east wing. I asked the price, and it's one hundred and twenty silver dollars."

"Buy it." He Damin said without hesitation.

A rented house never feels secure; only a purchased one truly belongs to you. 120 yuan isn't cheap, but he can afford it—he can easily afford any of the small yellow croakers in the Taiji Space.

"I'll talk to Grandma Long tomorrow," He Daqing said. "Don't worry about the money, I have it."

"Brother, I'll pay for it," He Damin insisted. "I have money."

He Daqing glanced at him, hesitated, and finally nodded: "Okay, you've made something of yourself. I'm happy for you."

After dinner, He Damin returned to the east wing. He didn't light a lamp, but sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) by the moonlight streaming through the window.

His divine sense subtly spread, covering the entire courtyard. He Daqing and Lü Bingxin were talking in the main room, while Xiao Yuzhu was already fast asleep. Yi Zhonghai's house was lit, as if he was looking at some metalworker's notes. Liu Haizhong was drinking at home. Jia Youcai's house was completely silent, presumably still shaken by the morning's events…

Business as usual.

However, this calm did not last long.

The night was deep and quiet, and all was still.

He Damin's soul clone was currently lingering quietly near the cave in the Western Hills. Still somewhat uneasy, he sent a wisp of his divine sense to his soul body after nightfall to check again.

Inside the cave, the female student had already woken up.

She leaned against the rock wall, her face still pale, but her eyes were much clearer. She was holding the packet of anti-inflammatory medicine, carefully reading the Japanese instructions by the faint moonlight filtering in from the cave entrance.

Hearing the faintest sound coming from the cave entrance, she looked up sharply, her eyes flashing with wariness. Her right hand instinctively reached for her waist—it was empty; clearly, there had been a weapon there, but it was gone.

He Damin's spirit did not approach, but quietly observed from outside the cave. Seeing that she had woken up and could move on her own, he was relieved.

The woman seemed to sense something, her gaze falling on the vines at the cave entrance, her brow furrowing slightly. But ultimately, she found nothing unusual. She lowered her head, continuing to examine the herbs, a look of confusion on her face; she clearly knew Japanese.

He Damin's soul lingered outside the cave for a moment, and after confirming that there was no other danger, it quietly retreated, transforming into a streak of light and flying swiftly towards Nanluoguxiang.

Now that he has woken up and is out of immediate danger, it is truly none of his business anymore.

Back in the courtyard house, his soul merged back into his physical body. He Damin opened his eyes, his gaze now devoid of any emotion.

Outside the window, the moonlight was perfect, as if the raging storms of last night had vanished like smoke. He lay down again, and this time, he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

I slept exceptionally soundly that night.

The next morning, He Damin got up early as usual, helping his elder brother fetch water and playing with his nephew Yuzhu. Lü Bingxin prepared breakfast, and the family sat together happily.

After the meal, He Daqing went out to talk to Old Madam Long about buying a house. He Damin packed his things and prepared to go to Fengzeyuan.