Courtyard House: Ten-year-old Master Zhu reorganizes the entire courtyard

Backstreet of Shatan in Beiping City.

The facade of the "Moxianzhai" secondhand bookstore is just as old as it was last time, as if it had been forgotten by time.

He Yuzhu pushed open the door and entered, the copper bell hanging on the door making a crisp sound.

The old shopkeeper behind the counter looked up, glanced at him, and said nothing, but simply tilted his head towards the inner room.

He Yuzhu understood immediately, walked through the narrow passageway filled with old books, and entered the inner room.

The inner room was dimly lit and filled with the scent of aged paper and ink.

Lin Wanqiu stood by the window, dressed in a simple blue cotton long gown, her hair simply tied back. Her expression was serious, lacking the gentleness she displayed at the clinic.

"You've arrived," she said, getting straight to the point.

"Dr. Lin." He Yuzhu nodded.

"You did what Wang Kui did." Lin Wanqiu used a statement, not a question.

He Yuzhu neither admitted nor denied it.

Silence is the best answer.

Lin Wanqiu gave him a deep look; this ten-year-old child was unbelievably calm.

"You did a very good job, very cleanly," she continued. "The higher-ups have taken notice of you. From the first time you delivered the book to this time dealing with Wang Kui, your courage, character, and methods have exceeded our expectations."

"The people up there?" He Yuzhu asked.

"My organization," Lin Wanqiu answered directly, "an organization dedicated to driving the Japanese out of China and establishing a new China."

She didn't say the resounding name, but He Yuzhu knew who she was referring to.

"I've called you here today on behalf of the organization to formally extend an invitation to you." Lin Wanqiu's gaze sharpened. "The organization is willing to provide you and your family with more stable protection and necessary material support."

He Yuzhu listened quietly. He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.

"What do I need to do?" he asked.

"Take on more specific tasks," Lin Wanqiu said. "Become an external support staff member for the organization. Of course, this is voluntary, and you can refuse. I must tell you, this work is dangerous, and you could be killed at any time. But everything we do is for a better future."

He Yuzhu fell into deep thought.

This is a huge decision.

Once he agrees, it means he will officially embark on a thorny path, binding himself to a vast, rising red force.

This is what he has been seeking all along.

In chaotic times, individual strength is ultimately limited. Whether it's He Daqing's culinary skills or his own prophecy and system, he needs a strong patron to shelter him from the storm.

"I have a few questions," He Yuzhu said, his voice not loud, but unusually clear.

"you say."

"First, what is the nature of the mission? Does it require me to kill or commit arson?"

"At this stage, your main task is to use your identity to pass on intelligence, protect personnel, and procure certain supplies that we cannot obtain on our own. The organization is disciplined, and we will not harm innocent people," Lin Wanqiu replied.

"Secondly, how can the safety of my family be guaranteed?" This is He Yuzhu's biggest concern.

"The organization will do everything in its power to protect the safety of its members and their families. We will provide your family with a safer place to stay. However, I cannot guarantee you 100%. In the struggle, accidents can happen at any time." Lin Wanqiu's answer was frank, without making any empty promises.

He Yuzhu nodded.

He can accept this answer.

"I need to go home and talk to my parents," he said.

Lin Wanqiu was somewhat surprised, but quickly expressed her understanding: "Of course. Three days from now, at the same time and in the same place, I'll be waiting for your reply."

He Yuzhu left the bookstore, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Back in the dilapidated temple, he convened his first real family meeting.

When he revealed Lin Wanqiu's invitation, the dilapidated temple fell into a deathly silence.

He Daqing's face turned pale instantly.

"No! Absolutely not!" He was the first to jump up and object. "Zhu Zi, you're only ten years old! This...this is a matter of life and death! We've finally settled down; we can't take this risk again!"

After what happened with Tan Jingyao and Wang Kui, he had become extremely nervous.

Chen Lanxiang remained silent, looking at her son with a complex expression—worry, heartache, but above all, an indescribable trust.

"Father," He Yuzhu looked at He Daqing, his tone calm, "Do you really think we're safe now?"

He said, word by word, "Tan Jingyao is from the Military Intelligence Bureau. Wang Kui is from the Detective Team. We might get away with it this time, but what about next time? Without any backing, we're just meat on a chopping block, anyone can come and chop us up. Today it's Wang Kui, tomorrow it might be Li Kui or Zhang Kui. How long can we hide?"

He Daqing was speechless when asked the question.

Yes, they seem safe, but in reality, their lives are precarious.

"This organization, though dangerous, is fighting the Japanese. By joining, we're no longer rootless drifters. At least we have a flag, a backer," He Yuzhu continued.

He Daqing slumped down, clutching his head in his hands and groaning in pain. He knew his son was right, but he couldn't get over it.

At this moment, Chen Lanxiang, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"Zhu Zi, your mother is asking you," she looked tenderly at her son, "is this the path you want to take?"

He Yuzhu met his mother's gaze and nodded heavily: "Yes."

Chen Lanxiang smiled, a smile tinged with tears. She reached out and touched her son's head, saying softly, "Then go. My son has grown up and has his own ideas. Whatever decision you make, your mother will support you."

She turned to He Daqing, her tone becoming firm: "Husband, stop acting like a coward. Who's been holding the family together these past few months? It's Zhuzi! We can't be a burden to the children forever. The path he's chosen, even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire ahead, our whole family will be with him through it!"

He Daqing was startled.

He looked up at his wife's resolute face, then at his son's calm eyes.

Yes, when did he, as a father, start to need a ten-year-old child to protect him?

He let out a long sigh, as if all his strength had been drained, yet also as if new courage had been injected into him.

"Okay," he said in a hoarse voice, "I'll listen to you. But you have to promise me that no matter what, you'll stay alive! You're more important than anything else!"

The family meeting reached a consensus.

The decision was made to have He Yuzhu take the lead, joining the organization's periphery, with his family providing support but not directly participating in core dangerous operations.

three days later.

Moxiangzhai.

He Yuzhu stood in front of Lin Wanqiu.

"My family has agreed."

A slight smile finally appeared on Lin Wanqiu's face.

She reached out her hand to He Yuzhu.

"Welcome, comrade."

He Yuzhu took her hand.

Two hands, one belonging to a mature revolutionary, the other to a ten-year-old boy, were clasped tightly together.

From this moment on, He Yuzhu's fate truly intersected with the tide of this era.