Courtyard House: Starting in 1938, kill enemies and loot equipment.

Following the great victory at the Black Wind Pass ambush, the outposts on the outskirts of the city enjoyed a brief period of reorganization. The Japanese army, having suffered a heavy blow, was unable to organize a large-scale "mopping-up" operation in the short term. Zhou Ye was finally able to find the time to fulfill his long-planned wish—to send Xiaocao to Yan'an to study.

In the past few days, he repeatedly confirmed the route with the liaison officer in the Pingxi base area: starting from the outskirts of Beiping, transiting through the Jin-Cha-Ji base area, and then heading to Yan'an. There were underground couriers to meet them along the way. Although the journey was long, compared to the occupied Beiping and the dangerous enemy-occupied areas, Yan'an, as the core of the anti-Japanese base area, was undoubtedly the most suitable place for his child to grow up and study. Xiaocao, who was over seven years old, had long reached the age of enlightenment. He couldn't keep her hidden in the farm forever. Letting her receive an education and grow up in a relatively safe environment was the best way to protect her.

"Little Grass, let me take you back to the courtyard to see Aunt Lü and the old lady. Then I'll take you to a place where you can study and meet lots of other children, okay?" That morning, Zhou Ye was packing his luggage at the farm when he saw his little sister feeding the chicks and said softly.

Xiao Cao paused, raised her head, and her eyes lit up instantly: "Go back to the courtyard house? To see Aunt Lü and the old locust tree?" She couldn't remember the exact appearance of the courtyard house, but she always remembered Aunt Lü's warm embrace, the candy the old lady gave her, and the lush old locust tree in the courtyard.

"Yes." Zhou Ye walked over and ruffled her hair. "But we can only stay for a while, not a long time. And once we get there, we absolutely cannot mention the farm, the jade pendant, or your brother's secret, understand?"

"I know!" Little Grass nodded vigorously, her little hand clutching the jade pendant under her clothes. "We won't tell anyone; this is our secret."

Zhou Ye nodded in relief, exchanged two sets of clean coarse cloth clothes from the system shop, changed Xiao Cao into them, and carried a small bundle full of farm grains and herbs on his back—this was a small token of his appreciation for the neighbors in the courtyard. In the chaotic world, resources were scarce, and these things might help them get by for a while.

Choosing a time when the sky was just beginning to lighten and the streets were nearly deserted, Zhou Ye, holding Xiao Cao's hand, appeared in Nanluoguxiang. The familiar alley was no longer bustling with activity; the walls were mottled, and notices posted by the Japanese army were visible everywhere. Patrolling Japanese and puppet troops occasionally passed by, their fierce eyes sending chills down one's spine. Zhou Ye pulled Xiao Cao closer to him, trying to avoid the gaze of passersby, and quickly walked towards the courtyard house.

Pushing open the familiar wooden door, the courtyard was quiet. The old locust tree's branches and leaves were still lush, only fallen leaves covered the ground. Aunt Lü was squatting by the well drawing water. Seeing the figure at the door, she paused, then realized who it was, her eyes instantly reddening: "Zhou Ye? Xiao Cao? You...you're back!"

"Aunt Lü," Zhou Ye called out, his voice a little hoarse.

Little Grass timidly called out, "Aunt Lü."

The deaf old woman, leaning on her cane, slowly walked out of the house. Her cloudy eyes lit up instantly when she saw Xiaocao: "It's Xiaocao, little girl? And Xiaoye? You're finally back!" She hurried over, her hand trembling as she reached out and gently stroked Xiaocao's head. "You've grown so tall, you've all grown so tall..."

Hearing the commotion, the neighbors in the courtyard came out one after another. When they saw Zhou Ye and his sister, their faces were filled with surprise and emotion. In these chaotic times, it was a great blessing to be able to meet again.

Aunt Lü quickly pulled them into the house, poured them hot water, and took out the few coarse grain biscuits she had, stuffing them into Xiaocao's hand: "Eat quickly, you must be starving. Where have you been these past two years? We were so worried about you."

"I've been fighting the Japanese with the troops in the suburbs," Zhou Ye answered vaguely, avoiding specific details. "I came back this time to say hello to everyone, and also... to take Xiaocao to a safe place to study."

"Study?" Aunt Lü was taken aback for a moment, then realized what she meant, her eyes filled with relief. "Good! Good! Xiao Cao is so smart, she should go to school. But... where should she study? It's so chaotic outside."

"Go to Yan'an," Zhou Ye said in a low voice. "It's relatively safe there, and there are schools where children can study with peace of mind."

Upon hearing the name "Yan'an," the neighbors in the house all showed expressions of admiration. Although they were in the occupied area, they had heard that Yan'an was a sacred place for resisting the Japanese and a source of hope for the people. The deaf old lady grasped Zhou Ye's hand and said solemnly, "Xiao Ye, you did the right thing! The child can't stay with us in this occupied area living in fear forever. Going to Yan'an is good; he can learn knowledge and develop skills there. Don't worry, we'll take care of things in the yard. We'll be reunited after you defeat the Japanese."

Zhou Ye felt a warmth in his heart and nodded heavily, "Thank you, Grandma, thank you everyone. This is a small token of my appreciation to help you with your household expenses." He handed over the bundle on his back, which contained food and herbs that were undoubtedly precious supplies at this time.

Aunt Lü declined a few times, but finally accepted it, her eyes red-rimmed: "Take good care of yourself while you're out there. Xiaocao is still young, so please take good care of her. We're waiting for your triumphant return, waiting for the day Beiping is liberated!"

Little Grass sat to one side, munching on a cookie, looking at the familiar yet somewhat strange neighbors, her little face full of reluctance. She tugged at Zhou Ye's sleeve: "Brother, will we come back?"

"Yes," Zhou Ye bent down to look at her, his eyes firm. "Once we drive the Japanese out of Beiping completely, your brother will bring you here, and you'll never have to leave again."

The brief reunion always seemed all the more fleeting. To avoid attracting the attention of the Japanese and puppet troops, Zhou Ye dared not linger. He took Xiaocao's hand and bid farewell to the neighbors. The deaf old woman gave Xiaocao a small amulet tied with a red string, choking back tears as she said, "Wear it, it will keep you safe."

As they walked out of the courtyard, Xiaocao looked back at the old locust tree, then at the neighbors waving goodbye, her little face full of reluctance. Zhou Ye held her small hand tightly and whispered, "Let's go. When we come back, this place will definitely be even better."

After leaving Nanluoguxiang, the two returned to the dense forest on the outskirts of the city. Zhou Ye led Xiaocao into the system farm. He knew that the journey to Yan'an was long and arduous, and although there was a courier to meet them, danger was inevitable. He needed to provide Xiaocao with more reliable protection.

Zhou Ye led Xiaocao to the front of the farm's wooden cabin, took out the warm, smooth white jade pendant from his pocket, and then channeled an invisible energy from his system space into the jade pendant. The jade pendant instantly emitted a faint, soft light, becoming even more lustrous.

"Little Grass," Zhou Ye handed her the jade token, his voice unusually solemn, "I'm now granting you access to the farm. From now on, no matter where you are, just hold the jade token tightly and silently say 'go home' to enter the farm directly; when you want to leave, silently say 'leave' to return to where you were before."

The little grass curiously gripped the jade pendant, feeling its warmth, and nodded as if it understood: "I understand, just like my brother, I can come and go as I please."

"Yes," Zhou Ye nodded, his eyes full of seriousness. "Also, I've activated the 'Heart-to-Heart' function for you. Whether you're on the farm or outside, I can see you and hear you anytime. If you're in danger, I'll know immediately and rush to your rescue." He paused, emphasizing his words, "But you must remember, you must never tell anyone about this access or the farm's secrets, not even your teachers or classmates at school. This is a secret between us siblings for life, understand?"

"I remember!" Xiaocao nodded vigorously, clutching the jade pendant tightly in her hand and hiding it close to her body. "I won't tell anyone, only my brother."

Zhou Ye felt relieved. He knew that with access to the farm and the telepathic connection, he could protect Xiao Cao even when he wasn't by her side. He then exchanged some commonly used medicines, clothing, and a small amount of silver coins from the system shop, packed them into a small bag, and handed it to Xiao Cao: "Take these things with you; you'll need them on the road. When you get to the school in Yan'an, study hard, take good care of yourself, practice the skills your brother taught you, and if you encounter any danger, immediately return to the farm, understand?"

"Okay!" Xiaocao took the baggage and nodded vigorously, her little face full of determination. "Brother, you must take good care of yourself and not get hurt. I'll wait for you in Yan'an, wait for you to come back and pick me up, and wait for you to drive the Japanese devils away."

Zhou Ye bent down and hugged her, his heart filled with reluctance and longing. This was his only family since he transmigrated, his Achilles' heel that he swore to protect with his life, and also his armor that propelled him forward. He gently patted her back: "Okay, brother promises you, I will take good care of myself. When you return after completing your studies, we will witness the liberation of Beiping together, and live a life where we don't have to hide anymore."

The following morning, Zhou Ye, with Xiao Cao's help and the assistance of the base area liaison officer, embarked on their journey to Yan'an. The morning light shone through the mountains and forests, illuminating the road ahead. Xiao Cao, carrying a small backpack, held Zhou Ye's hand tightly; her little face showed reluctance, yet was also filled with anticipation for the future.

Zhou Ye glanced back at the direction of Beiping City, then looked down at his younger sister beside him, a resolute glint in his eyes. He knew that going to Yan'an was not only to provide his sister with a safe environment to grow up in, but also to enable her to acquire knowledge and skills so that she could contribute her strength to this war-torn land in the future.

He himself would return to the enemy-occupied battlefield to continue fighting the Japanese army. Although he was thousands of miles away from his sister, he knew that the farm's connection function would keep them "together" at all times. This protection across distance would become his strongest force in the flames of war.

The road ahead is long and the flames of war have not yet died down, but Zhou Ye's heart is full of hope. He believes that as long as he perseveres, victory will eventually come, and he and his sister will finally return to that warm and loving courtyard house under the peaceful sunshine, never to be separated again.