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

Chen Shuxiang stepped in with a smile to smooth things over.

It's alright, Auntie. If Brother Zhuzi has finished cooking, I'll just take some back with me. It won't take up much space.

Xu Damao quickly responded.

You little rascal, you're quite the schemer, managing to profit from both sides.

Chen Shuxiang was amused by his appearance.

Of course, I, Xu Damao, have always been this clever.

He spoke with a strong tone, but his eyes secretly glanced at He Yuzhu.

Seeing He Yuzhu looking at him with a half-smile, he immediately changed his tune and said with a grin:

Of course, compared to Brother Zhu, I'm still a bit lacking.

As soon as he said that, everyone inside and outside the house burst into laughter.

This kid's ability to read people's expressions and to take advantage of situations is truly unmatched.

After lunch, He Yuzhu first took the deaf old lady back to the back room, and then asked Xu Damao to wait in his side room, saying that he would come to play with him later.

After settling the old lady in, he returned to the kitchen, added a few pieces of coal to the stove, adjusted the fire of the fish soup he was keeping warm for He Yushui, and then slowly strolled into the main room.

Tell me, where did you go all morning?

Once Chen Shuxiang saw that her son had finished his work, she immediately began interrogating him.

Hehe, Mom, I brought back some good stuff for you.

He Yuzhu leaned closer mysteriously, a mischievous grin on his face.

Oh, you've gotten quite the skills?

Come on, tell your mother, what treasure did you get?

Chen Shuxiang wanted to put on a stern face, but when she saw his expression, she couldn't help but smile.

Is baby formula considered a good thing?

What?! You little brat, come here right now!

I think you're itching for a beating again, aren't you? Tell me honestly, where did you get this stuff?

Chen Shuxiang's expression changed, and she reprimanded sharply.

I won't go over there, Mom, you're going to pinch my ear again.

He Yuzhu shook his head like a rattle-drum, refusing to budge an inch.

Hmph, I'll remember this debt and settle it with you later!

Tell me quickly, where did the money come from? Didn't you already give all the money to Dr. Lin?

Chen Shuxiang pressed on, asking again and again.

I found a money bag when I went out.

He Yuzhu remained calm and took out the cloth bag he had prepared beforehand from his pocket and gently placed it on the table.

Really?

Chen Shuxiang looked at her son suspiciously, then at the cloth bag on the table.

It's absolutely true, Mother. How could I dare to lie to you?

He Yuzhu looked serious, his eyes filled with sincerity.

How much did it cost in total? What did you buy?

Chen Shuxiang continued her questioning.

It's all gone, a full twenty silver dollars!

Besides the formula, I also bought two baby bottles.

He Yuzhu proudly waved the empty bag in his hand, the meaning of which was clear: all the money was spent here, including the expenses for buying fish and snacks.

Hmph, you're lucky, you're even a little clever.

Where is it? Where is it hidden?

Chen Shuxiang had a headache. Her son rarely spoke the truth. Finding twenty silver dollars on the street? That kind of nonsense could only fool a ghost.

But he was very tight-lipped, and no matter how you asked him, you couldn't get any answers.

Now that she is physically unable to do anything, she wants to teach him a lesson but is powerless to do so.

I hid inside the big snowman in the front yard. When Dad comes back, he can go and get it.

He Yuzhu answered honestly.

Are you really my own son, Zhu'er?

Chen Shuxiang stared at him intently, as if trying to see right through him.

In the past, this kid would have swaggered in with his stuff to show off, wanting the whole world to know. He was the epitome of being smug and overconfident.

He Yuzhu's pupils contracted slightly, then his face broke into a憨厚 (honest and simple) smile:

Mother, if I'm not your Zhu'er, then who am I? Did I fall from the sky?

Alright, alright, go find Da Mao and have some fun.

When your dad comes back, remember to tell him where the snowman is hiding.

Chen Shuxiang waved her hand impatiently, shooing him away like a fly.

In fact, Chen Shuxiang had considered other possibilities, after all, the events of the past few days were too strange.

But who else could this half-grown boy with that simple-minded look be but his own mentally challenged son?

He Yuzhu smiled and replied, "Then Mother, you should rest well. I'm going out now. Please call me anytime if you need anything."

Go ahead, go ahead!

Chen Shuxiang felt inexplicably irritated. This kid was getting more and more cunning and harder to manage.

Back in the side room, Xu Damao, like a child showing off a treasure, eagerly pulled a small cloth bag from his pocket, carefully opened it layer by layer, revealing a small bag of bright yellow iron pellets.

Hey Zhu, look! How about we use this to shoot slingshots?

He Yuzhu took the bag and looked at it. The iron beads inside were actually the size of soybeans, and he couldn't help but secretly marvel.

He thought to himself: Xu Damao's father is too careless. Isn't he afraid that this kid will hurt someone by hitting them randomly?

Sure, if we can shoot down a few sparrows, we'll roast them and eat them, that'll add some oil to our diet.

He Yuzhu replied casually.

Great! Shall we go now?

Xu Damao's eyes lit up with excitement.

I'm tired after running around all morning, let's rest for a while before we go.

He Yuzhu yawned.

Ok……

Xu Damao's enthusiasm deflated instantly, like a punctured balloon.

Listening to Xu Damao's incessant complaints, He Yuzhu dozed off on the bed for about half an hour.

Unable to bear the endless grumbling any longer, he sat up and called to the enthusiastic Xu Damao to come out the door.

The two of them quietly slipped into the kitchen and grabbed a handful of millet and some corn stubble.

Chen Shuxiang instructed from behind: Don't go out the gate, just play in the yard.

I understand, Mother!

He Yuzhu gave a crisp reply and led Xu Damao straight to the front yard.

After scattering some bait on the ground in the front yard, He Yuzhu and Xu Damao crouched down in the shadows under the eaves to keep watch.

Xu Damao was an impatient person; he kept peeking around and asking questions.

Brother Zhu, why isn't Sparrow here yet? I can't wait any longer.

The noise annoyed He Yuzhu, so he raised his hand and flicked the back of his head with a flick:

Do you still want to eat meat? If you do, shut up and stay put!

Oh, oh, I see.

Xu Damao pursed his lips, looking aggrieved, and obediently watched the commotion in the yard.

Not long after, several sparrows hopped into the yard and pecked at the scattered grains on the ground.

Xu Damao was so excited he almost jumped up, and he pointed in that direction, shouting urgently in a low voice, "Brother Zhu, hurry up and attack! Hurry up and attack!"

The sudden shout startled the sparrows, which flapped their wings and took flight at the same time, circling above the front yard and refusing to come down.

He Yuzhu looked utterly helpless and scolded impatiently, "Are you a sparrow? Can't you keep your mouth shut? You've scared them all away!"

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more, okay? Brother Zhu, please don't be angry." Xu Damao knew he was in the wrong, so he shrank his neck and looked at He Yuzhu with pleading eyes.

"Just keep your voice down, it's fine. If you startle people like that, even they'll run away," He Yuzhu's tone softened slightly.