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

The news that He Yuzhu had secretly returned to the courtyard to visit the deaf old lady spread like wildfire throughout the entire courtyard.

This gust of wind stirred up waves in the hearts of some people.

Yi Zhonghai was the first person who couldn't sit still.

Ever since the He family moved away, he felt his control over the courtyard had weakened. Although the deaf old lady rarely left her home, as long as she lived, she was the anchor of the courtyard. And the He family, especially He Yuzhu, who was becoming increasingly unfathomable, were the people the old lady trusted most.

Now that He Yuzhu has returned, he and the old lady had a private conversation in the house for half an hour.

Something's definitely going on here!

In the following days, Yi Zhonghai became unusually attentive. Twice a day, without fail, he went to pay his respects to the deaf old lady, bringing her tea and water, showing her concern and care, more filial than a biological son. In reality, every word he spoke was a subtle attempt to extract something from the old lady.

But who was this deaf old lady? She was shrewd and experienced; she could sense his ulterior motives even with her eyes closed. No matter how eloquently Yi Zhonghai spoke, the old lady only responded with "uh-huh" and "ah," revealing not a single useful word.

Yi Zhonghai was rebuffed and became increasingly impatient.

When he couldn't do it openly, he started using covert methods.

He found Xu Zhaoshi of the Xu family.

"Auntie, things haven't been peaceful in the yard lately," Yi Zhonghai said, feigning concern.

"Uncle, what do you mean by that?" Madam Xu was a snob who loved hearing these kinds of rumors.

"Look at the old lady's illness, it's getting worse every day. And that young man from the He family suddenly came back. There's more to this than meets the eye," Yi Zhonghai said in a low voice, speaking mysteriously. "I've heard that the old lady has quite a few good things, treasures passed down from the palace back in the day. She has no children, could she be thinking of letting outsiders have them?"

"Outsiders?" Madam Xu's eyes lit up. "You mean... the He family?"

"I didn't say that." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, turned and left, leaving Xu Zhaoshi alone to ponder.

Xu Zhaoshi was a woman who understood things immediately. She embellished Yi Zhonghai's "hint" and turned it into "facts," spreading it throughout the courtyard.

"Hey, have you heard? The old lady is dying, and she secretly gave all her hidden gold and silver treasures to that young man from the He family!"

"No wonder the He family suddenly had money to move out; they got their hands on the old lady's favor!"

"The He family is really despicable. They got the benefits and are now acting innocent, leaving the old lady alone in the yard to die."

The rumors grew increasingly outrageous, and the atmosphere in the entire courtyard became strange. Some of the previously amicable tenants began to look at the He family with envy and resentment.

Hearing these words, Jia Dongxu was even more furious. Although the Japanese were responsible for his mother Jia Zhangshi's death, he always felt that the He family was involved. Now, hearing that the He family had gained a huge benefit, his anger flared up instantly.

"No! We can't let the He family be so smug!" Jia Dongxu paced back and forth in the room, his eyes filled with malice.

He Yuzhu overheard the undercurrents within the courtyard through his connection with Xu Fugui. He knew that Yi Zhonghai was behind it all, trying to force him to resign through public opinion.

He must come up with a solution as soon as possible.

Back at his home in Rongxian Hutong, He Yuzhu called a family meeting.

"Dad, Mom, the old lady wants to hand over the yard to us." He got straight to the point.

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang were both stunned.

He Yuzhu did not hide anything and told the old lady's worries, the rumors in the courtyard, and his own analysis in detail.

"This...this is absolutely unacceptable!" He Daqing was the first to react, waving his hands in alarm. "If we accept this, our family will become a sitting duck, and everyone in the compound will be talking behind our backs!"

"Zhu Zi is right, we can't just take it directly." Although Chen Lanxiang was also tempted, she trusted her son's judgment more. "But what about the old lady if we don't take it? What about the yard?"

"I have a plan," He Yuzhu said confidently.

He slowly revealed his plan: "We won't buy it, nor do we want it. We'll find someone to 'buy' it."

"Who should I look for?"

"Go to the organization," He Yuzhu explained. "I will report to the organization and ask them to arrange for a comrade with a clean identity, no political background, and preferably a respected person, such as a well-regarded primary school teacher, to openly and legitimately 'purchase' the property rights of the courtyard house in his name."

"This is actually a nominee ownership arrangement. The property deeds are kept by the organization. At the same time, our family, in the name of this teacher, signed a long-term support and lease agreement with the old lady. We are responsible for the old lady's life in her later years and obtain permanent residency rights in the main house. In this way, there are three benefits."

He held up his fingers and explained one by one: "First, the property rights were officially transferred to an outsider, cutting off any hopes of anyone in the institute, especially Yi Zhonghai. He's a respected teacher, and they wouldn't dare to mess with him easily."

"Secondly, our family only signed a support contract, which is a matter of good neighborly relations, and it's perfectly legitimate. No one can gossip about it. This way, we not only saved our house but also avoided being exposed at this time."

"Third, and most importantly, the houses are actually in the hands of the organization, which is the safest option. When the time is right and the world is at peace, the organization will return the houses to us."

This plan is comprehensive and forward-looking, taking into account all aspects.

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang were dumbfounded. They looked at their ten-year-old son as if he were a strategist who had mastered all the plans.

"Let's do as Zhu Zi says!" Chen Lanxiang made the final decision.

The next day, He Yuzhu submitted the plan to the "shopkeeper" through the dead mail system.

The shopkeeper's reply arrived quickly, containing only two words: "Approved."

With the organization's approval in hand, He Yuzhu returned to the courtyard house.

He explained the complete plan to the deaf old lady in detail.

After listening, the old woman remained silent for a long time. In her cloudy eyes, there was shock, admiration, and finally, all of it turned into clarity.

"Great, great!" she said twice. "Teachers are good, they're respected and noble, no one dares to touch them easily. Your method is a hundred times more thorough than mine! Let's do it your way."

And that's how it was settled.

"Madam, there's one more thing." He Yuzhu's eyes turned cold. "It's time to teach those gossipy people in the courtyard a lesson."

The deaf old woman smirked coldly: "They should know that even though I'm getting old and nearing my grave, I'm not blind or deaf!"