Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

February, 1945, Beiping (Beijing).

The chill of early spring is more biting than that of deep winter.

The gale, mixed with snowflakes, was like countless tiny knives, piercing straight into people's flesh.

The old courtyard house's blue tiles were covered with a layer of pale white frost and snow.

The icicles hanging from the eaves resembled frozen tear stains, exuding an ominous aura under the gloomy sky.

The cotton curtain in the main room was suddenly lifted, and ten-year-old Shazhu came out clutching a steaming white steamed bun.

This is his prize from checking in on the "check-in system" this morning.

Three days have passed since he traveled from the modern society of 2025 to this chaotic old era. He has finally adapted to the body of a half-grown child and his personal cheat ability.

However, before he could even take a bite of the steamed bun, a heart-wrenching groan suddenly came from the inner room.

Sha Zhu froze, and the word "Mother" almost slipped out of his mouth, carrying an urgency he himself didn't even realize.

This is the instinct that remains in the original owner's body.

He turned and rushed into the house, where he saw his mother, He Chenshi, curled up in pain on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Her protruding belly stood out starkly under her thin blue cotton-padded jacket. Large beads of sweat rolled down her pale face, and her hands gripped the edge of the kang tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

"Zhu'er...go...go to Fengzeyuan..."

He Chenshi spoke in a barely audible voice, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth, "Find your father..."

The intense pain caused her to arch her back again before she could finish speaking, letting out a suppressed whimper.

Sha Zhu's mind went blank for a second.

In his previous life, as a bachelor, he had never seen anything like this.

But the original owner's memories flooded back instantly—although his father, He Daqing, was the head chef of Fengzeyuan, he was urgently summoned by his employer early this morning to serve the banquet of the Japanese city defense commander. At this critical moment, who would dare to provoke the Japanese?

Just then, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in my mind:

[Warning: The host mother is experiencing a difficult labor, the baby is breech, and her life is in imminent danger.]

Side Quest: Head quickly to Dongtangzi Hutong to find Lin Wanqiu, the "Goddess of Mercy Who Grants Children"...

Sha Zhu shuddered.

Yes, you can't look for your father...

Even if Dad comes back, it won't help; we need to find a professional...

"Mother, hold on... I'll go get help right away..."

He turned and rushed out, heading straight for the east wing next door, where he pounded hard on the door of Yi Zhonghai's house.

"Who is it? So early in the morning..."

"Aunt Yi...it's me...my mother is about to give birth, and my father isn't home. Please come and help out..."

The door creaked open, and Yi Lishi, wearing a cotton-padded coat, didn't even bother to wash her face.

Upon hearing this, he ran to the He family's house without even putting on his shoes properly.

"Zhu Zi, don't panic... I'll go keep an eye on things first. You hurry over to the Jia family across the street and ask them to call a midwife..."

"good……"

Sha Zhu charged towards the Jia family's house across the street. Just as he raised his hand, a sharp, sarcastic voice came from inside.

"Who is it? It's freezing cold, don't you know people are sleeping?"

Sha Zhu's heart sank.

This is Jia Zhangshi, a notorious shrew in the courtyard.

"Aunt Jia, it's me, Zhu Zi... My mother is having a difficult childbirth, and Aunt Yi asked you to help me call a midwife..."

The door was slowly opened a crack, revealing Jia Zhangshi's mean face, followed by Jia Dongxu, who was as thin as a bamboo pole.

She sized up Sha Zhu, noticing his empty hands and the twitching of his face, and said sarcastically, "You can't even get a word in edgewise when I need a favor? Why should I run errands in this freezing weather?"

Sha Zhu, his face flushed with anxiety, cried out, "Auntie, this is a matter of life and death! Please go quickly..."

"Smack..."

With a sharp crack, Jia Zhangshi made a move to strike.

"stop……"

A dull thud came from the backyard as a cane struck the ground.

The deaf old lady came out with the help of Xu Zhaoshi. Her full head of silver hair was neatly combed, and her seemingly cloudy old eyes were now shining with a sharp light as she stared intently at Jia Zhangshi.

"Why are you throwing a tantrum in front of the child? Go away right now..."

Upon seeing the old lady, Jia Zhangshi's arrogance immediately diminished, and she gave an embarrassed smile: "Look at what you're saying, I'll go right away, I'll go right away."

After saying that, she turned and yelled at Jia Dongxu, "You keep a close eye on this little brat..."

Watching Jia Zhangshi sway away into the distance, the deaf old lady sighed and said to Sha Zhu, "Zhu Zi, it's chaotic outside. Go stay at Dongxu's house and don't wander off."

"No, ma'am, I have to go find my father..."

Sha Zhu knew that time was of the essence. The system task specified that he needed to find Lin Wanqiu. Relying on that unreliable Jia Zhangshi would take who knows how long.

"Come back..." The old lady stamped her feet anxiously.

"The area outside is full of Japanese patrols. Are you, a mere teenager, going out to your death?"

Sha Zhu ignored them and, taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, turned around and rushed out the door.

Sha Zhu ran wildly all the way to the entrance of the alley.

There were few pedestrians on the street, and only a few rickshaws shivered in the cold wind.

He stopped a car.

"Sir, how much for Dongtangzi Hutong?"

The driver was an old man in his fifties, his face red from the cold.

Upon hearing the destination, he shook his head vigorously.

"No, no... That area is Japanese territory, and the military police are always patrolling there. I'm an old man and I don't want to cause trouble..."

Sha Zhu was extremely anxious; his mother's screams seemed to still echo in his ears.

He gritted his teeth, pulled out the white steamed bun from his pocket, and then took out a heavy silver dollar—this was a newbie perk from the system, only two dollars in total.

"Sir, please take this steamed bun, plus double the fare. My dad is the head chef at Fengzeyuan Restaurant. If you give me this ride, I'll cover all the catering for your family's weddings and funerals from now on..."

Those white steamed buns were incredibly expensive during those famine years.

The driver's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.

Seeing the determined look in Sha Zhu's eyes, he finally stamped his foot and said, "Fine, for the sake of your filial piety, get in the car..."

Sha Zhu jumped into the car.

"Hurry...the faster the better..."

The wheels rolled on, and the cold wind howled.

Sha Zhu huddled in the truck bed, closed his eyes, and brought up the system panel in his mind.

[Host: Sha Zhu]

[Status: 10 years old (under the influence of enhancement potions, physique comparable to a strong adult male)]

Martial Arts: Bajiquan (Perfected), Liuhe Spear (Perfected)

Life Skills: Cooking (Beginner)

Storage space: 1000 cubic meters

[Items held: 9 white steamed buns, 2 silver dollars]

[Current Mission: Find a doctor to save your mother]

[Countdown: Lin Wanqiu's life is hanging by a thread, please find her as soon as possible...]

Sha Zhu clenched his fist, his nails digging deep into his palm.

No matter what, he absolutely must not let the tragedy repeat itself in this lifetime...