Courtyard Houses: From Families of Martyrs and Orphans to Giants of the Times

Winter 1952.

The north wind blew like a knife through Nanluoguxiang.

In an old courtyard house, white smoke billows from the chimneys of every household, but the west wing in the backyard is deserted and quiet.

In the room.

Twelve-year-old Lin Jian'an squatted beside the stove, using fire tongs to sift through the coal briquettes.

pity.

The fire in the stove had long since gone out.

He stared at the empty rice jar, his lips turning pale.

"Jian'an..."

A weak voice came from the kang (a heated brick bed).

Lin Jian'an hurriedly got up.

"Mom, you're awake?"

The woman on the kang (a heated brick bed) had a sallow complexion, a burning forehead, and was so thin she was just skin and bones.

Her name is Yi Xiulan.

She was once a famously beautiful girl in the courtyard house.

But now, it seems like it would scatter with a gust of wind.

She was devastated after the news of her husband Lin Weiguo's sacrifice came back.

In just two months.

He's lost weight.

"How many food coupons do you have left?"

Lin Jian'an remained silent for a moment.

"There are still two pounds of cornmeal left."

Yi Xiulan's eyes dimmed.

she knows.

Her son was lying to her.

We've been out of food for a long time.

These days, I've been relying entirely on Yi Zhonghai's secret assistance.

But Yi Zhonghai is, after all, his uncle, not his biological father.

and.

People in the courtyard have already started gossiping.

"Jian'an..."

"From now on... don't blame your uncle."

"Your uncle...he's had a tough time too..."

Lin Jian'an kept his head down.

He didn't speak.

He is not the original Lin Jian'an.

three days ago.

He crossed.

In his previous life, he was a small business owner in the antique market, making a living by finding bargains.

As a result, during one delivery, they were involved in a car accident.

Open your eyes again.

He became a boy in a courtyard house in 1952.

Moreover, she is the orphan of a martyr.

"Mom, don't say anything yet, I'll go get you something to eat."

Yi Xiulan grabbed him.

That hand was frighteningly cold.

"Jian'an..."

"Your dad... is a hero..."

"From now on... don't ever lower your head..."

Done.

The woman started coughing violently.

He even coughed up blood.

Lin Jian'an's heart sank.

broken.

This is a lung disease.

It might be curable in later generations.

But now...

Just then.

A sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"Xiulan!"

"Jian'an!"

The curtain was lifted.

A middle-aged man strode into the house.

He had a square face and was wearing blue overalls.

It was Yi Zhonghai.

As soon as he entered the room, he smelled the chill in the air and his brows furrowed immediately.

"How come even the stove went out?"

talking.

He pulled half a bag of cornmeal from his pocket.

"Let's just eat this for now."

Lin Jian'an took the grain bag.

heavy.

At least five pounds.

These days, five catties of grain is not a small amount.

Yi Zhonghai sighed and looked at his younger sister on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Xiulan, I asked the neighborhood office, and the subsidy for families of martyrs will have to wait."

Yi Xiulan forced a smile.

"Brother, thank you for your help..."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Yi Zhonghai's eyes were slightly red.

"Wei Guo is a hero, and you and your daughter cannot be left unattended."

Just then.

A sharp sound suddenly rang out from outside.

"Oh! Another grain delivery?"

"Yi Zhonghai, you're really willing to sacrifice yourself!"

Outside.

Jia Zhangshi was cracking melon seeds, speaking in a sarcastic tone.

"So many people in the courtyard are starving, and you're here delivering food to this house every day."

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened.

"Jia Zhangshi, shut up!"

Did I say something wrong?

"A widow with a child, eating and drinking for free every day—"

"Shut up!"

A childish yet cold voice rang out.

Everyone was stunned.

Lin Jian'an slowly stood up.

Those eyes were cold, unlike those of a child.

"My father was a martyr."

"If you dare say another word, I'll tear your mouth apart."

The air fell silent instantly.

Madam Jia felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze.

"You...you little brat..."

"Alright!"

Yi Zhonghai shouted.

"Go back, all of you!"

Jia Zhangshi left, cursing and swearing.

The room fell silent again.

But no one noticed.

A strange light flashed in Lin Jian'an's eyes.

Just now.

In his mind.

Suddenly, a cold, mechanical voice rang out.

[Host's emotional fluctuations have reached the target level]

[The Multiverse Procurement System is now binding]

[Binding progress 1%...]

Lin Jian'an was shocked.

system!

It's really coming!