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

"Bang bang bang!"

"Zhu Zi! The sun's already high in the sky, still sleeping! Get up right now!"

The loud knocking, accompanied by He Daqing's booming voice, slammed into the door like a hammer, making He Yuzhu's eardrums ring.

He struggled to open his eyelids.

I felt my eyelids were as heavy as if they were made of lead, and my entire body felt as if it had been disassembled and reassembled, leaving me in unbearable pain.

Last night's intense killing spree and long-distance raid had almost completely drained his strength.

"Dad, I know, I'll get up right away!"

He replied in a hoarse voice, still heavy with sleepiness.

I reluctantly crawled out of my warm bed.

A bone-chilling cold instantly enveloped his entire body, making him shiver.

Before getting dressed.

He carefully checked his cuffs, front, and trouser legs to make sure there were no bloodstains before he breathed a sigh of relief.

These days, even a small wolfhound has a very keen sense of smell. If it detects even a hint of blood, it could be a fatal disaster.

Stir the stove.

Two more pieces of coal were added, and the flames shot up.

I boiled a kettle of water.

I quickly washed my face and rinsed my mouth with salt water.

"I wish I had a toothbrush."

He Yuzhu smacked his lips, savoring the astringent taste in his mouth.

These days, toothbrushes are a rarity in foreign firms and Japanese trading companies; ordinary people can't afford them.

Enter the main house.

He Daqing was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), holding a small spoon in his hand, carefully feeding He Yushui rice soup.

The little guy didn't seem to like the bland taste; he sucked on it with great effort, his little face scrunched up, and his brows furrowed.

Chen Lanxiang leaned against the headboard, her face still pale, her eyes revealing a hint of anxiety.

It seems the milk hasn't come in yet.

Breakfast was a pot of corn porridge so thin you could see your reflection in it, served with a dish of dark, shredded mustard greens.

He Yuzhu was holding a bowl.

While drinking the bland porridge, he was rapidly calculating in his mind.

How can I reasonably retrieve those cans of milk powder and several baby bottles from the system space?

Taking it out directly is definitely not an option; it's too conspicuous.

"It's difficult."

He sighed.

"I have to go out again today."

After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, He Daqing put the bowl on the table, wiped his mouth, and said...

"Dad, where are you going? Aren't you still on vacation?"

He Yuzhu asked.

"What vacation are you talking about!"

He Daqing sighed, his gaze falling on his baby daughter in swaddling clothes, filled with heartache.

"Your sister has no milk to drink and is crying from hunger. I'll go out and see if I can find someone to bring back a ewe. Goat's milk is good for you, it's better than rice water."

Chen Lanxiang frowned and said with concern.

"Honey, things are so chaotic outside, you have to be careful. Besides, with all this war and chaos, how easy is it to get sheep? If all else fails, I'll try to find a lactation-inducing formula in a couple of days."

"I'll go take a look and try my luck."

He Daqing got up and put on his cotton-padded coat.

"I don't have high hopes, but I have to give it a try."

As He Daqing pushed open the door and went out, a cold wind rushed into the room, and He Yuzhu shrank his neck.

With his father gone, his mother in confinement after childbirth, and his younger sister asleep, He Yuzhu had nothing to do again.

He ran into the yard, stretched his arms and legs, got into a stance, and performed a round of Bajiquan.

This fist technique is fierce and violent, with each move carrying a gust of wind, making a "whooshing" sound as it cuts through the air in the quiet courtyard.

With a "whoosh".

The window of the Jia family next door was suddenly pushed open.

Jia Zhangshi's mean face peeked out, scanning the courtyard like a radar.

"Hey, isn't that the pillar?"

She spoke in a sarcastic tone, her voice high-pitched and thin.

"You're already starving, and you still have the energy to practice martial arts? I think you're just wasting your time! With that energy, you should earn more work points! With that grain, you should feed our Dongxu! Our Dongxu is a good boy, good at studying, and filial. He's destined to be a high-ranking official!"

That's like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—it's clearly up to no good.

He Yuzhu pretended not to hear and continued punching, his movements not slowing down at all.

Chen Lanxiang, who was inside the house, heard everything clearly and was so angry that she gritted her teeth.

If she weren't so weak from postpartum confinement, she would have rushed out long ago and torn apart Jia Zhangshi's foul mouth.

The Jia family was truly the family she hated the most.

But the house belongs to the old lady, and since the old lady won't kick her out, there's nothing she can do.

With a creak, the door to the Yi family's house opened.

Yi Li came out.

Looking at Jia Zhangshi's face, she couldn't help but retort, "Jia family daughter-in-law, you should say less. Hasn't your Dongxu taken advantage of Zhu enough times? Eating and drinking at other people's expense, and now you're making sarcastic remarks."

These words stirred up a hornet's nest.

Madam Jia immediately unleashed her fury, pointing her finger at Madam Yi's nose and yelling, "You wretched child! You can't even bear a son yourself, so you can't stand seeing my Dongxu doing well, can you? If you're so capable, then you should give birth to a son! If you can't, then shut your stinking mouth and stop embarrassing yourself here!"

"you--!"

Yi Li's sore spot was touched, and her face turned bright red.

He was trembling with anger, but he couldn't argue with this shrew, so he could only glare at her fiercely, turn around and slam the door shut with a "bang".

Out of sight, out of mind.

Madam Jia snorted triumphantly, as if she had won a battle, and slammed the window shut, retreating back into the room.

He Yuzhu secretly admired him; this fighting power was unmatched in the entire academy.

In the backyard, near the hanging flower gate, Madam Xu Zhao was leading Xu Damao to watch the excitement.

Seeing that the play was over, Madam Xu Zhao pulled her son away, saying, "Let's go, Da Mao, back inside. Don't linger here watching nonsense."

Xu Damao was furious. He had been cooped up at home all day and had finally gotten out for some fresh air; how could he go back so soon?

"He Yuzhu!" he called out to the middle of the courtyard.

"What kind of boxing style were you practicing just now? It looked pretty impressive."

He Yuzhu stopped his stance, wiped his sweat, glanced at him, and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

"This is called Maoquan (打茂拳)."

"Cat punching?"

Xu Damao paused for a moment, scratched his head, and looked confused.

"Where are you going to find a cat to hit?"

"Fool!"

A shrill voice came from the doorway of the Jia family's house. Jia Dongxu was leaning against the door frame, looking at him with disdain.

"He's talking about Maoquan! A style of boxing specifically designed to target you, Xu Damao!"

Jia Dongxu is four years older than He Yuzhu and six years older than Xu Damao.

But the food at home was poor, and he didn't get enough nutrition. He grew up looking like a bean sprout, with thin arms and legs, and was only half a head taller than He Yuzhu.

Xu Damao glared at him and said angrily.

"You're talking nonsense! Are you trying to get He Yuzhu to hit me again? I'm telling my mother, and she'll beat you up!"

"Oh ho? You dare threaten me?"

Jia Dongxu got excited and started arguing with He Yuzhu.

"Zhu Zi, look at how cowardly he is. What do you think we should do?"

He Yuzhu glanced at Jia Dongxu, his eyes revealing a hint of coldness.

This kid always used him as a pawn, bullying Xu Damao and then making him take the blame.

"Cold salad."

He Yuzhu uttered two words calmly.

"If you don't like him, go and do it yourself. Don't always hide behind me."

Jia Dongxu was stunned, seemingly not expecting that "Silly Zhu," who always obeyed him, would say such a thing.

"Zhu Zi, what's wrong with you?"

His expression was not good, and his tone became harsh.

"You don't even listen to your brother anymore? Have you forgotten how good I've always been to you? I always think of you when there's something good to eat."

He Yuzhu felt a wave of nausea.

Be good to him?

She saw that he had some good food and wanted to squeeze more out of him, and also wanted to trick him out of his meager allowance.

"That's fine with you, but I can't afford it."

He Yuzhu's voice was indifferent.

"Keep it to support your mother; she has good teeth and a good appetite."

Madam Jia Zhang, who was inside the house, heard everything clearly and wanted to rush out and yell at them.

But then I thought, my son will still have to take advantage of this silly guy in the future, and those sarcastic words I just said might have really angered him.

She suppressed her anger and shouted outside, "Dongxu! What are you doing standing at the door in this freezing weather? Aren't you cold? Come back inside!"

"Why!"

Jia Dongxu responded, glared at Xu Damao, and turned to go inside.

Xu Damao shrank back, realizing there was no more excitement to be had, and wanted to slip away as well.

"Da Mao," He Yuzhu called out to him.

Xu Damao stiffened, turned around suspiciously, and looked at him warily: "What?"

"It's nothing, I was just teasing you."

He Yuzhu smiled, revealing a set of bright white teeth, looking completely harmless.

"That's proper Bajiquan, not some kind of Da Mao Quan."

He wanted to see if Xu Damao, who hadn't yet grown into that big, narrow-faced boy and hadn't yet developed so many malicious intentions, was as annoying as he had been since childhood.

"real?"

Xu Damao was still not quite convinced and took two steps back.

"You're not trying to trick me into coming over to beat me up, are you? My mother's inside!"

Believe it or not.

He Yuzhu waved his hand dismissively.

"It's cold outside, I'm going back inside. You should go back too, or you'll get in trouble if you're late."

"My mom wouldn't have the heart to punish me!"

Xu Damao stubbornly insisted.

His mother really spoiled him; he was a little tyrant at home, and his father would only spank him a couple of times when he got angry.

"hehe."

He Yuzhu smiled, said nothing more, and turned to walk home.

"He Yuzhu!"

Xu Damao suddenly shouted, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

"Can we build a snowman together this afternoon?"

After saying this, he was stunned, not knowing where he got the courage from.

Perhaps it was because He Yuzhu wasn't instigated by Jia Dongxu to hit him as usual.

He Yuzhu paused, then spoke without turning his head.

"It depends on my mood. If I'm happy, I'll build one for you; if I'm not, you can go somewhere cool and stay put."

"Okay! Then take that as a yes!"

Xu Damao, however, seemed to have received a pardon. He shouted happily and ran towards the backyard with his short legs, afraid that He Yuzhu would change his mind.

He Yuzhu shook his head.

When I was a child, I thought they were quite innocent and cute.

But just thinking about how this kid will behave when he grows up makes me want to avoid him even like a dog.

Pushing open the door, I saw Chen Lanxiang leaning against the headboard, sewing shoe soles.

Seeing her son return, she chuckled and teased, "Zhu'er, have you changed your ways? You usually fight with Da Mao after just a few words, why are you so patient with him today, even talking to him?"

"I had nothing to do, so I teased him a bit."

He Yuzhu took off his shoes, climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), and sat down cross-legged.

"Besides, he didn't really provoke me."

"But that boy from the Jia family," Chen Lanxiang said, putting down her work and frowning slightly.

"Weren't we best friends before? Why are you being so sarcastic today? It's really unpleasant to hear."

"I'm being kind by not cursing him directly after his mother said those things to me," He Yuzhu said, pursing his lips.

Chen Lanxiang was amused.

"You child. Jia Zhangshi's mouth is truly foul; everyone in the courtyard knows it. From now on, don't pay any attention to her, lest you get yourself into trouble. Once I've finished my postpartum confinement and recovered, I'll definitely find a chance to teach her a lesson."

"fine."

He Yuzhu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

"Let her nag if she wants to; it doesn't bother her. Is she going to bite me?"

"Hey, you think you can just ignore me?"

Chen Lanxiang's eyes widened, and she spoke with a serious expression.

"That Zhang Ruhua got really angry and bit someone! Back in our hometown, she got into a fight and bit someone's arm until it bled! She was incredibly fierce!"

He Yuzhu was stunned, his mouth agape.

"Huh? Really? That's incredible!"