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

He Daqing immediately dropped his joking expression, let out a heavy sigh, and even carried a hint of undisguised frustration in his tone.

His Bajiquan was so skillful that it was almost supernatural, and his style was even a bit unorthodox. I used all my strength, and I could only barely beat him by half a move.

And... I really don't have the ability to get my hands on the things he brought back.

He Daqing shook his head dejectedly and slowly untied the bundle that He Yuzhu had placed on the kang table.

As the wrapping fabric slowly unfurled, several brand-new, shiny glass baby bottles were revealed, along with several tin cans of milk powder printed with foreign words.

Looking at these items, which are considered luxurious and rare in this day and age, He Daqing's expression became extremely complex and difficult to read.

Shock, confusion, and helplessness intertwined and surged on his face, lingering for a long time.

Chen Shuxiang was startled at first, glanced at her son who was staring at her expectantly, and then her gaze slowly fell on the pile of exquisite and rare items.

Her tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a proud smile unconsciously appeared on her lips, her eyes filled with the joy and pride of being a mother.

But the next moment, Chen Shuxiang put on a stern face again, her gaze fixed on He Yuzhu, her voice filled with urgency and scrutiny.

Zhu'er, where did you learn this sudden skill from?

Are you... still the same Zhu'er that your mother had?

He Yuzhu blinked gently, and his signature honest smile slowly returned to his face.

Mother, if I'm not your son, whose son could I be?

Are you and Dad hiding something from me?

Could it be... that I'm not your biological child, but a child you picked up from outside back then?

As soon as he finished speaking, the smile on his face vanished instantly, and he even deliberately winked and pretended to wipe away tears.

Chen Shuxiang couldn't bear her son's words. Her eyes reddened, and two lines of tears streamed down her face.

When He Daqing saw that his wife had been made to cry by his son's words, he immediately slapped He Yuzhu hard across the neck.

He snapped at him impatiently: "You little brat! If you can't speak properly, then shut up! What kind of nonsense are you spouting!"

If you are not my son, He Daqing's son, then whose son could you be?

You are your own flesh and blood, the very child who crawled out of your mother's womb!

Hurry up and apologize to your mother!

He Yuzhu exclaimed "Ouch!" and quickly ran to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

He leaped onto the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), spread his arms wide, and rushed straight into Chen Shuxiang's arms.

Seeing this, He Daqing hurriedly tried to step forward to stop him, but he was too slow and couldn't stop his son in time.

Mother! I am your own son, Zhu'er! How can you say that I am not your son?

Mom, do you hate me and don't want me anymore... Waaaaaah...

While pretending to cry loudly, He Yuzhu buried his face deeply in Chen Shuxiang's arms and rubbed it against her gently.

Waaaaah... My dear Zhu'er, it's not that I don't want you, it's that I'm scared!

Mother is afraid that you might have bumped into something unclean outside and become possessed by something evil... Waaah...

Chen Shuxiang also began to sob sadly, gently patting her son's back while tears streamed down her face.

He Daqing stood aside, completely stunned by the back-and-forth between the mother and daughter.

His original plan was to have his son admit his mistake and apologize to the family.

Who could have predicted that, in the blink of an eye, the scene would turn into the mother and daughter hugging each other and crying their hearts out.

The mother and son embraced and wept bitterly for a long time.

Only after Chen Shuxiang's emotions gradually calmed down did she suddenly extend a hand.

She grabbed He Yuzhu's ear tightly, her tone suddenly changing as she scolded him in a sweet voice:

You little brat! You deliberately made up lies to make your mother cry, aren't you feeling especially smug and pleased with yourself?

Tell me the truth right now, what exactly happened in this whole series of events?

He Yuzhu immediately put on a bitter face and looked utterly pitiful.

He grimaced in pain and begged for mercy, crying out, "Mother, Mother, it hurts, it really hurts!"

Please let go of my ear. I'll tell you everything honestly, okay?

"Hmph, hurry up and tell me!" Chen Shuxiang snorted coldly.

If you dare to deliberately make me cry again, I'll beat your butt until it's bruised and battered!

Despite her harsh and threatening words, Chen Shuxiang slowly released her grip on his ear.

Mother, I really don't know what's going on.

He Yuzhu quickly began to explain.

On the day you gave birth to Rainwater Sister, didn't you specifically ask me to go out and find my father to bring him back?

I had just stepped out of my house when my foot suddenly slipped, and I fell hard, immediately losing consciousness.

In my hazy state, I seemed to see an old man with a white beard reach out and gently tap the top of my forehead.

Then he popped a sweet candy into my mouth, and finally said something to me—

"The doctor in Dongtangzi Hutong can save your mother's life."

When I woke up again, I felt like I had inexhaustible energy.

After that, I immediately went to Dongtangzi Hutong and saw that there was a clinic there, so I invited the doctor to my home.

And then what happened? Where did you learn your skillful boxing techniques?

Chen Shuxiang frowned and immediately pressed for an answer.

After that old man tapped his head, the image of a little person practicing moves kept popping into his mind.

He Yuzhu scratched the back of his head, his face showing a completely innocent expression.

These past few days I couldn't resist and started mimicking the movements of the little figures in my head.

Unexpectedly, as I practiced, I somehow learned them all.

"You dare to keep lying to me?" Chen Shuxiang was clearly not buying it, her eyes full of disbelief.

Where did you learn that fighting stance you and your dad had before you went out to fight?

Don't tell me that was taught to you by the little devil in your head?

Um... it's no fun practicing by yourself. You can't just practice aimlessly in front of thin air every day, can you?

He Yuzhu's eyes darted around quickly, and he immediately came up with another excuse to smooth things over.

Before those two little figures in your head take action, don't they always first get into position and make preparations?

Haha, He Daqing, do you believe all this nonsense and rubbish your son is spouting?

Chen Shuxiang gave a cold laugh, then turned to look at her husband beside her.

He Daqing opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

He first shook his head vigorously, then nodded hesitantly.

He himself was secretly wondering why the whole thing was so bizarre and strange that it couldn't be explained by common sense.

But if you don't believe it at all, how can you explain your son's sudden and amazing abilities?

He even secretly complained to himself, "Why did such a great opportunity never fall into my lap?"

Why didn't any white-bearded old men come over and tap their heads like that?

Why are you shaking your head and nodding? What do you mean by that? Can you give me a straight answer?

Chen Shuxiang was very dissatisfied with her husband's ambiguous attitude.

Let's just assume for now that everything Zhu Zi said is true.

He Daqing spoke haltingly, his tone full of uncertainty.

If someone asks about this in the future, will our explanation be able to cover it up smoothly?

Chen Shuxiang frowned deeply and asked with a worried expression.

It should... probably... maybe... work!

He Daqing himself had no idea what to do, so he could only give vague answers.

"Then it's settled!" Chen Shuxiang thought for a moment and made the decision on the spot.

Zhu Zi, you remember this well. From now on, no matter who asks about this, you must say the same thing, understand?

"Oh, oh, I understand, I'll remember." He Yuzhu nodded quickly in agreement.

I wasn't lying at all; everything I said was the truth.

"Hmph, you know perfectly well whether it's the truth or not. I won't hold it against you, otherwise I would have had your father go and ask a shaman to exorcise the evil spirits for you long ago." Chen Shuxiang snorted.

He Yuzhu understood immediately. In his mother's mind, his rapidly improving abilities were probably due to being possessed by some "dirty thing." But he couldn't explain it. With the system's "golden shield" protecting him, even a terrestrial immortal wouldn't be able to see through the origin of his abilities.

What does a fortune teller do? He Yuzhu deliberately feigned innocence.

You don't need to worry about that. Remember, if no one asks, pretend this never happened, and don't let a word of it out. If anyone does ask, just repeat the same story as before. Chen Shuxiang repeatedly reminded her.

"Don't listen to your mother!" He Daqing immediately interjected, offering a safer excuse: "If someone asks, don't mention any old man or candy. Just say it's your father who secretly taught you this!"

Those pills were something I went to great lengths to find. I didn't just take one; I took one a day for three years straight, you hear me?

"Understood, Dad." He Yuzhu mentally gave his father a big thumbs up. That's what you call a legitimate "origin," able to withstand questioning and investigation.

As for where the pills came from—whether they were bought, passed down from ancestors, or fell from the sky—any excuse will do. As long as there is no concrete evidence, no one can investigate further.

He Daqing's Tongbei Fist technique wasn't just for show; if you learn it from him, your skills will be legitimate.

Listen to your father. Your mother is just a woman, her perspective is limited, and she can't think things through so thoroughly. Chen Shuxiang thought about it and also felt that her husband's opinion was more prudent. Those superstitious rumors, if they got out, would only cause trouble and bring no benefit whatsoever.

Although she didn't believe her son's explanation at all, she had no better explanation at the moment, so she could only try to get by with it for now.

He Daqing looked at his wife, then at his son, as if he had made a huge decision. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Alright, it's settled then. Shuxiang, Zhuzi is capable now, and his mind is sharper than before. I think it's time to tell our son about our family's secrets."

"You're the head of the household, you're in charge." Chen Shuxiang glanced at her son and replied calmly.

"Then I will speak. Zhu Zi, you must remember every word your father says to you today, and keep it to yourself. Do not let a single word escape your notice, understand?" He Daqing's expression was more serious than ever before.

"I understand, Dad." He Yuzhu also put away his playful smile and nodded solemnly.

"Sigh, I originally just wanted you to be a chef for the rest of your life. Even if you don't make a fortune, at least you can live a peaceful and comfortable life. I never imagined that you would have your own destiny, and this destiny... is not simple."

"I'm going to have a serious talk with you today."

"Our He family originally had some history. Our ancestors had some connection with the palace and were considered a family of imperial chefs. Later, the family fell into decline, and your grandfather used his last bit of connections to get a job as a chef at the Tan family's restaurant."

When the Qing Dynasty is over, your grandfather will take your grandmother and me when I was young, leave the Tan family mansion, and make a living on our own.

This Tongbei Fist is also a family heirloom. I originally didn't plan to pass it on to you; I just wanted you to focus on learning to cook and live a peaceful life.

I never imagined you'd have such good fortune. From now on, you'll have to diligently learn my martial arts and culinary skills.

"What is the relationship between the old lady who lives in the backyard and our family? She also has the surname He, so why does she call me grandson?" He Yuzhu seized the opportunity to ask the biggest question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Why are you suddenly asking about this... Sigh, that old lady has had a hard life. You should let your mother tell you about this." He Daqing sighed and handed the conversation over to his wife.

"Oh," He Yuzhu responded, but his curiosity only grew stronger.

"Zhu'er, come, sit next to your mother," Chen Shuxiang called softly.

"Hey!" He Yuzhu obediently got off the edge of the kang and sat down next to Chen Shuxiang again.

Chen Shuxiang gently stroked his hair and slowly said, "The old lady in the backyard, according to seniority, you should call her Great Great Aunt. She is my mother's own aunt."

He Yuzhu's eyes widened suddenly, and a gossip-filled fire instantly ignited in them—this was some serious juicy gossip!

Chen Shuxiang assumed he was stunned by the sudden connection and continued to explain, "Your great-aunt has indeed had a hard life. She married into an official's family and became a concubine, and she never had any children in her life."

Later, that family suffered misfortune; they were killed when the Qing army entered the city. Only your great-aunt survived because she lived alone in this secluded courtyard.

"When your mother was young, her hometown suffered a natural disaster, and her family could no longer survive. When your maternal grandfather learned that there was such a distant relative, he gritted his teeth and sent me here. It's better to live than to starve to death outside."

After I arrived, your great-aunt treated me like her own daughter. At first, there were quite a few people in this courtyard, but as the years went by, almost everyone left, leaving only my mother and me to depend on each other.

"So, how did you and my father meet?"

"Once, your great-aunt had a craving and specially hired a cook, and it turned out to be your grandfather. As soon as your grandfather saw me, he took a liking to me on the spot and insisted that I become your family's daughter-in-law."

"From then on, he would always bring your father to our house to show off his cooking skills, preparing all sorts of delicious dishes. Before long, I naturally married your father." Chen Shuxiang said, her face flushing red, and she lowered her head shyly.