Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house): Don't touch my parents!

The porridge was so clear you could almost see your reflection in it, and there were so few grains of rice in it that you could count them all if you shook it.

He Yuzhu held a large bowl made of rough porcelain, his mind racing with various thoughts.

How can we openly and legitimately use all those milk powders and bottles stored in the space?

This matter was fraught with difficulties, leaving him scratching his head in frustration and helplessness.

"I have to go out today." He Daqing finished the last mouthful of porridge in his bowl.

He placed the empty bowl steadily on the table, his tone revealing a hint of weariness.

"Stay home and take good care of your mother and sister."

"Dad, where are you going? Are you going to work?" He Yuzhu asked, looking up at him.

"Sigh..." He Daqing let out a long sigh, his chest heaving a few times.

His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the rough rim of the bowl repeatedly, his expression so solemn it seemed like water could be squeezed out of him.

"Your sister has no milk to drink now, and she's so hungry she keeps crying at the top of her lungs."

"I went out and wandered around, hoping to find a ewe to bring back."

Chen Shuxiang frowned slightly and quietly took over the conversation.

"Honey, you have to be very careful when you go out, don't let anyone keep an eye on you."

"Maybe in a couple of days, my milk will come out on its own."

"Besides, sheep aren't exactly easy to find."

"I just went for a walk around the neighborhood, I didn't have high hopes," He Daqing said as he stood up.

He reached out and grabbed the heavy cotton-padded coat draped over the back of the chair, wrapping it tightly around his body to keep warm.

Then I pushed open the door and stepped into the icy, biting air outside.

The biting cold wind rushed into the room, carrying a chill that seeped into people's necks.

He Yuzhu subconsciously shrank his neck and pulled his body even deeper into his clothes.

After He Daqing's footsteps completely disappeared around the corner of the alley, He Yuzhu felt stuffy in the room again.

He ran into the yard, got into a stance, and intended to stretch his stiff muscles.

He then performed a complete set of Bajiquan moves with utmost seriousness, demonstrating precision in every single one.

The sound of their punches and kicks was powerful and fierce, each move exuding a hard, unyielding force.

The shaking caused the remaining snow on the branches to fall down in a soft, rustling sound.

A crisp "whoosh" sound suddenly came from the side.

The window of the Jia family's house was suddenly pushed open from the inside, making an abrupt sound.

Jia Zhangshi's usually mean and ungrateful face peered out of the window, her eyes sharp as if they were poisoned knives.

"Hey, Zhu Zi, in these days when we can't even get enough to eat, what's the point of practicing martial arts?" she shouted in a high-pitched voice.

His words were like poison, each one sharp and venomous.

"Wouldn't it be better to save that energy for feeding your own family?"

"Why not just give it to our Dongxu family?"

"My son Dongxu is an excellent child, excelling in everything he does in his studies."

"She's also exceptionally filial to her elders, a hundred times better than some people!"

One sarcastic remark after another came raining down on me like a barrage of bullets.

Every sentence seems to deliberately poke at the deepest sore spots in people's hearts, stabbing them hard in the most offensive places.

He Yuzhu didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he hadn't heard these bastards at all.

He continued to throw punches steadily and rhythmically, following the same moves as before.

As the force of the punch swept across the ground, it stirred up fine dust that swirled and flew through the air.

Inside the room, Chen Shuxiang was so angry that her teeth were itching and her chest was heaving.

If she weren't in postpartum confinement and unable to get out of bed, she would have rushed out and torn that foul mouth apart long ago.

She really wanted to tear apart Jia Zhangshi's mouth, which was full of vicious words, so that she could never say anything hurtful again.

The Jia family was the family she hated and loathed the most, without exception.

Unfortunately, the courtyard was owned by the old lady, and she refused to evict anyone.

Even if she was furious and filled with rage, she was ultimately helpless and could only stare blankly.

Just then, the door to the Yi family's house creaked open a crack.

Yi Lishi, holding onto the door frame, slowly moved out of the house.

She spoke in the direction of Jia Zhangshi, with a hint of reproach.

"Jia family daughter-in-law, can't you say less harsh words?"

"Doesn't your Dongxu take advantage of Zhu enough every day?"

These words were like a lit match, tossed into a powder keg with a "whoosh".

Jia Zhangshi's anger was completely ignited, and she immediately erupted into a rage.

"You wretched, childless man! You can't stand to see my Dongxu doing well, can you?" She stood with her hands on her hips, jumping up and down as she cursed.

His spittle nearly splattered onto Yi Li's face, and he looked so fierce he looked like he wanted to devour someone.

"If you're so capable, why don't you give birth to a son yourself!"

"What if we can't have another son?"

"Just shut your stinking mouth and mind your own business!"

"You—!" Yi Li's face flushed a deep purplish-red.

She pointed at Jia Zhangshi, her lips trembling so badly that she couldn't utter a coherent sentence for a long time.

Finally, in a fit of anger, he stomped his foot and slammed the door shut.

It made a loud "bang," so I decided to just ignore it and not bother myself.

Madam Jia Zhang gave a smug snort, a provocative smile playing on her lips.

She slowly closed the open window again, looking just like a victorious general.

He Yuzhu watched quietly from the side, secretly marveling at the sight.

Such a fighting spirit in an argument is probably unmatched by anyone in the entire courtyard.

In a corner near the hanging flower gate in the backyard, Madam Xu Zhao and her son Xu Damao were peeking out, watching the commotion.

After watching the heated argument, Madam Xu Zhao gently tugged at her son's sleeve.

She lowered her voice and advised, "Alright, alright, watching this will only make you more upset. Go back inside."

Xu Damao's little face clearly showed his displeasure. He pouted like a sulking little duck and refused to budge no matter who tried to persuade him.

He was so bored at home that he felt like he was going to rot, and he hadn't stepped out of the door for a full 24 hours. At this moment, he really resisted going back.

Having finally managed to sneak out for some fresh air while her mother turned to go into the kitchen, she wasn't about to surrender so easily.

"He Yuzhu!" he shouted in his clear, bright voice towards the courtyard.

His voice was filled with barely concealed curiosity and long-suppressed excitement, like he was holding a fluttering little sparrow in his arms.

"What was that set of punches you just practiced? It looked really cool, so impressive!"

He Yuzhu stopped his last parry, firmly planted himself in a horse stance, and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

He glanced at Xu Damao sideways, his tone as calm as the wind under the eaves, and began to speak slowly and deliberately.

"Strike Maoquan."

"Maoquan?" Xu Damao was taken aback, his eyebrows furrowing into a small knot.

He raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, momentarily confused, his eyes full of bewilderment.

"There's not a single cat hair around here, and you want me to go and catch a cat?"