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

Early the next morning.

It wasn't fully light yet, but it was already getting quite bright, and the courtyard was already bustling with activity.

Beside the only pool in the middle courtyard.

Several middle-aged women, each carrying a vintage enamel basin, washed their faces and chatted as they did so.

"Have you heard? Xiulan in the backyard coughed up blood again last night, and it was worse than usual."

"Sigh, her health has been deteriorating day by day ever since Old Lin from the backyard passed away. She probably won't last much longer."

"What a pity for Jian'an, such a good boy, he's only this old."

"Without parents, how will we survive in the future..."

These days.

Life is tough for everyone.

Even if things aren't great, nobody wants to be burdened with a burden.

Especially since he was still a teenager, after all, a teenager can eat his father out of house and home.

Just then.

An impatient voice rang out.

"Are you all just bored out of your minds?"

"Instead of wasting time gossiping, you'd be better off washing a few more clothes."

Everyone looked up.

He Yuzhu came out carrying a toothbrush cup, sporting his signature messy hair, and wearing a cotton-padded coat stained with oil.

That's what everyone later called "Silly Zhu".

He was only in his early twenties at the time.

I worked as an apprentice in the kitchen canteen of a steel rolling mill.

He has a bad temper and a foul mouth.

But everyone in the compound knows.

This kid is really fierce when it comes to protecting his own.

I especially hate it when people gossip behind my back.

Jia Zhangshi rolled her eyes.

"Did I say something wrong, you silly Zhu?"

"Now that Xiulan is gone, won't that child still have to rely on the people in the yard for help?"

"These days, whose grain comes from a strong wind?"

Sha Zhu chuckled.

"Your grain didn't come from a windfall, but your shamelessness certainly does."

"Who was complaining about being poor in our yard yesterday, only to secretly boil eggs and eat them in the middle of the night?"

"It's late at night, but I can smell it, Aunt Jia."

"you--"

Jia Zhangshi's face immediately turned red.

The people around almost burst out laughing.

Sha Zhu was too lazy to pay her any attention.

He quickly rinsed his mouth, wiped his face, and turned to go back inside.

backyard.

Lin Jian'an had already woken up.

In fact, he barely slept a wink all night.

He was incredibly excited after the system was activated.

Especially the shopping mall in my mind.

He became more and more excited as he looked at it.

Although right now you can only redeem the most basic items.

But the problem is—

These things are considered hard currency in this era.

food.

drug.

Coal briquettes.

There may even be industrial products later on.

This is no longer a cheat code.

This is practically a life-saving cheat code, the foundation for survival.

"system."

[Host, please speak]

"Besides redeeming points, how else can I earn them?"

[Currently, only used item recycling is available.]

[Further upgrades will unlock features such as quests, trading, and historical collections]

Lin Jian'an narrowed his eyes.

really.

The system doesn't send supplies indefinitely for no reason.

I want to redeem something.

You have to accumulate points.

The points are derived from old items.

What others see as junk.

It's with him.

It's all treasures.

Thinking about this...

He subconsciously looked into the old wooden box on the kang (a heated brick bed).

There are also a few things left by my father inside.

An enamel mug.

A yellowed notebook.

There are also a few old copper coins.

"System, check."

next second.

A notification sound plays.

Old copper coins: recyclable

[Value: 2 points]

Enameled mug: Recyclable

[Value: 1 points]

[Martyr's Notes: Not Recyclable]

[Hint: Special emotional items]

Lin Jian'an let out a soft breath.

This system is quite user-friendly.

At least he wasn't allowed to sell all of his father's belongings.

Just then.

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Jian'an, are you up?"

It was Yi Zhonghai. Lin Jian'an went to open the door.

The door opened.

Yi Zhonghai was taken aback at first.

"Has your mom's fever broken?"

Yesterday, Yi Xiulan was so feverish that she was talking nonsense.

But now her complexion is noticeably better.

Lin Jian'an nodded.

"I took the medicine last night and I don't feel as bad anymore."

Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He then handed over the cloth bag in his hand.

"This is two jin of thin cornmeal."

"There are still a few lumps of coal left."

"Just hang in there and get through these next few days."

Lin Jian'an didn't act coy.

Given the current situation at home.

Face is the least valuable thing.

He took the bag from Yi Zhonghai's hand.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Yi Zhonghai paused, his expression momentarily stunned.

His eyes immediately became complicated.

From yesterday to today.

This was the second time Lin Jian'an had called him "uncle".

This child used to be introverted, thoughtful, and quiet.

I always feel like I'm living under someone else's roof.

I'm hardly close to him.

Yi Zhonghai sighed.

"Even though your father is gone, you still have your uncle."

"Your uncle and aunt will take care of you from now on."

"If anyone in the neighborhood bullies you, just tell your uncle, and he'll stand up for you."

Lin Jian'an nodded.

But deep down, I knew very well.

Yi Zhonghai is now sincere.

But people change.

Especially in places like courtyard houses.

Every day is filled with trivial matters.

Even the best relationships can slowly sour as things go on.

He can't really put all his future on someone else's shoulders; it's not a safe bet.

Just then.

Suddenly, a wail came from the middle court.

"Ouch!"

"I'm out of eggs!"

"We've been robbed, everyone!"

The whole courtyard suddenly became lively.

Yi Zhonghai frowned.

"It's that Jia Zhangshi again."

Lin Jian'an couldn't help but squint.

He remembered the original text.

The only son of the Jia family is definitely a winner in life.

However, he was always dishonest from a young age and was known as the "Holy Thief".

I bet that kid Banggeng ate it secretly again.

Then blame others.

really.

Not long after.

Jia Zhangshi's loud voice echoed throughout the entire courtyard.

"Which bastard stole my eggs?!"

"You have to investigate this for me today!"