Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Although only Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu are currently complaining, He Yuzhu knows very well that most people in the courtyard are thinking the same thing.

If he backs down today, tomorrow someone will dare to come to his door to freeload meals, clothes, and bicycles, and the day after tomorrow they will be sleeping on his kang (heated brick bed)!

During that quick scan, only Uncle Yan Bugui seemed hesitant to speak, as if he wanted to offer some advice but was too distracted to get a word in edgewise.

As for others? Who isn't envious of their family?

The family has two cooks, and they eat meat every day. Today, the aroma of mutton hotpot wafted through half the courtyard when they came back. They have the first bicycle in the whole compound. Most importantly, there's no man in charge of the family to support them.

These people are just waiting to use their seniority to intimidate others. With a simple "I'm older than you, this is for your own good," they can take advantage of others and act as elders without any qualms.

"What? Jia Dongxu, if you want to fight, then fight; if you want to call the police, then go to the police station!" He Yuzhu's voice exploded, his gaze like a nail, piercing back and forth between Jia Dongxu and Yi Zhonghai. "Today, whoever dares to cause trouble, I'm going to take the fight!"

He slowly moved his wrists, a cracking sound coming from his neck, his eyes as dark as night:

"You can also find someone to come and try—see if my head is hard enough, He Yuzhu's head."

Even if I die, I'll take someone down with me!

"What are you hitting me for? Zhu Zi, we just came to ask if you know about this, that's all."

Now that you know, it's all good. Today was just a misunderstanding, don't take it to heart.

Yan Bugui slowly stepped forward, his tone softening, adopting the posture of a peacemaker, thus offering a way out.

Yi Zhonghai stood aside, snorted heavily through his nose, and simply shut up—if he opened his mouth again, he would probably be roasted by He Yuzhu again, one sentence from He Yuzhu would be worth three sentences from He Yuzhu, and he was too tired to do that.

Jia Dongxu didn't dare to move at all.

Really fight? He knew perfectly well: he couldn't win.

I have to work the early shift tomorrow. If I get a bad beating today, I won't be able to get up tomorrow. Who will do the work for me then?

"Zhu Zi, you're back so late, you must have something to do. Hurry up and take Yu Shui home." Yan Bugui continued to smooth things over, his voice turning serious. "Everyone, let's all go home. We've made things clear, don't stay like this. Let's all go home."

Upon hearing this, the crowd nodded in agreement and went back to their houses, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

After all, they just wanted to have some fun. If Yi Zhonghai could really beat He Yuzhu up, then they could look forward to the days of freeloading meals, borrowing pots and pans, and taking advantage of others.

It's a pity it didn't happen.

Xu Damao was eager to try and almost rushed out to challenge him, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his father, Xu Fugui, grabbed him by the back of the collar and pulled him back.

Looking up, He Yuzhu's eyes were like knives, and he looked like a ferocious tiger with its fur standing on end, exuding murderous intent.

He immediately cowered, shrinking back and not daring to utter a sound.

"Rain, go home."

He Yuzhu coldly glanced around at the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai, then turned around, took his sister's hand, and strode into the house.

His back was straight, his steps were steady, and he showed no sign of backing down.

Once inside, he turned around and saw He Yushui's pale face, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, and her eyes slightly red; she was clearly terrified.

How old is she? She's been protected by He Daqing since she was little, she's never seen anything like this before.

"Don't be afraid." He Yuzhu squatted down, gently stroking her hair with his palm, his voice softening. "From now on, just let what these people say go in one ear and out the other."

Make good friends at school. If anyone dares to bully you, tell me, and I'll stand up for you. None of them will get away with it!

As he spoke, he took two pieces of milk candy from the drawer and stuffed them into her hand.

The little girl's eyes lit up, and she finally calmed down.

But he immediately put on a stern face and warned, "No eating tonight. Don't come crying to me if you get cavities. If you dare to sneak a bite again, I won't give you a single piece in the future."

The lights went out, and the person lay down.

But He Yuzhu stared at the dark roof beams with his eyes open, his thoughts churning.

In this life, he no longer wanted to endure it.

Yi Zhonghai? A deaf old lady? Expecting him to bow his head and call you "uncle" or "grandma" is just a pipe dream.

He saw through the people in the courtyard who were all smiles on the surface but scheming against each other behind the scenes. He had suffered for decades in his previous life.

Fortunately, he and Yu Shui were both out on weekdays, working at the steel mill and attending school, and were nowhere to be seen all day.

It's so convenient not having to see those kinds of faces every day.

By Sunday, he already had plans—to take Yushui to the library to read, or to go fishing by the lake, or simply go to his master Li Yuan's house for a free meal and stay for a day.

This peace and quiet is a hundred times better than being stuck in this dilapidated courtyard house.

After making his plans, he felt drowsy, turned over, and fell into a deep sleep.

-

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, He Yuzhu got up to wash and cook.

She moved swiftly at the stove, frying the dough sticks until they were crispy and fragrant, and cooking the porridge until it was smooth and soft.

When he went out to get water, the other people in the yard would avoid his gaze, either taking a detour or glancing at him before lowering their heads and slipping away.

That shout last night really put some people in their place.

He couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

These people, he couldn't have a single word to say to them.

The most important thing right now is to focus on improving my skills and activate the system space as soon as possible.

Saving money, becoming stronger, and getting married—that's what really matters.

As for his father, He Daqing, who had run away without a word... He Yuzhu sneered inwardly.

He tried to persuade him to sever ties with the White Widow and find a new widow to live with, promising that he wouldn't object and could even help him convince Rainwater.

If all else fails, moving out of Beijing and buying another house is fine, it's better than leaving your two children behind and running off to Baoding!

But He Daqing was determined, having set his sights on Widow Bai, and left without looking back.

He was left behind as a sixteen-year-old boy, struggling to survive in this complex and unpredictable courtyard with his younger sister.

However… He Yuzhu narrowed his eyes, suddenly remembering something.

In his previous life, he was called "Silly Pillar" because of the nickname he got from selling steamed buns.

However, the family background information is now listed as "three generations of farmers".

Who can hire farmers to sell steamed buns for several months in a row and still make a fortune?

Moreover, the craftsmanship is simply superb; the neighbors all say, "Old He's steamed buns are about to become famous."

Two rooms, property and business... If this were assessed according to the standards, it would definitely be classified as petty bourgeoisie, at most semi-proletarian, and certainly not a worker.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

The reason He Daqing left so decisively was probably not just because of love, but also because of fear—fear of his identity being exposed and fear of getting into trouble.

But in the end, it's because he's too timid.

Having lived through that era, he knew that as long as he honestly clung to powerful figures like Deputy Factory Director Li and behaved himself, nothing would happen.

"Rain, time for school!"

He pushed out his bicycle and called out into the house.

They happened to run into Jia Dongxu leaving the house, and their eyes met, instantly filling the air with tension.

Jia Dongxu's eyes darkened, he snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

He Yuzhu sneered, his inward sneer growing even stronger:

"Pah, what is that?"

You're going to die young, let's see how long you can keep jumping around!

This guy has disliked him since he was a child, and the root of the problem lies in the previous generation.

His father, He Daqing, looked down on the Jia family, especially hating Jia Zhangshi's meanness and snobbishness.

Conversely, from a young age, Jia Zhangshi instilled in Jia Dongxu the idea that "the He family father and son are no good!"

When they were kids, Jia Dongxu would always be pinned to the ground and beaten by him until he was completely submissive.

He only stopped making moves after he started working at the factory and married Qin Huairu.

But that hatred had long been ingrained in his bones.

However, that's how the feud began.

……

In the fitter's workshop of the steel rolling mill, iron filings flew everywhere, and the smell of machine oil mixed with the pungent odor of metal friction filled the air.

Jia Dongxu had just finished machining the parts in his hand when he took out calipers to measure them—they were off-standard again.

His vision went black, and his hands trembled so much that he almost threw the piece of scrap metal to the ground.

But in the end, he held back, gritted his teeth, and swallowed his anger.

It really broke? The rice bowl will shatter immediately.

Just as I was feeling frustrated, Yi Zhonghai next to me had finished working on a high-precision part and was wiping his hands and taking a break.

A quick glance caught sight of the broken part in Jia Dongxu's hand, and his brows furrowed immediately.

"Dongxu, another one ruined?" He paced over, his tone turning somber. "This is the third one, isn't it?"

Jia Dongxu's face was ashen, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Master... I just can't swallow this! What is Sha Zhu? A bastard child unloved by his parents, how dare he insult my mother?"

The air seemed to grow colder after those words were spoken.

Although He Daqing only resigned and left, the rumors in the factory had already spread like wildfire—it was said that he had eloped with a woman to Baoding.

After all, everyone in the factory knew about his skills. The small kitchens were not for ordinary workers, but he could also make the big pot dishes shiny, flavorful, and delicious, making people slap their thighs and cheer after just one meal.

But now? In just one day, the food is like it was cooked by a completely different person; it's bland and tasteless, and even the soup tastes like pot wash water.

The workers didn't say it aloud, but they were cursing him to death in their hearts.

The rumors grew increasingly outlandish, with claims that "He Daqing was driven away by anger" and that "his son is even more powerful, possessing a unique skill passed down through generations."

Various versions are circulating, causing public anxiety.

Yi Zhonghai was also displeased after hearing these words.

It was one thing when He Daqing's scoundrel father was still alive, but now that his son is young and doesn't know any respect for elders, how dare he talk back to his elders? If those young punks in the compound learn this, who will listen to the elders in the future?

"Don't worry about your work," Yi Zhonghai said, patting Jia Dongxu on the shoulder. He lowered his voice and said, "That kid Sha Zhu will be kneeling and begging for forgiveness one day."

His eyes were gloomy, and he had already started making plans in his mind.

Of course, he wouldn't really expect Sha Zhu to support him in his old age, but his apprentice Jia Dongxu is obedient, sensible, and never misses bringing snacks to his door during holidays. He's much better than those troublesome younger generations.

"What can a little brat like him do in a courtyard house?" Yi Zhonghai sneered, turned and walked towards the machine tool, his back exuding the confidence of an old fox.