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

Old Jia clutched the heavy ten silver dollars.

My fingertips repeatedly rubbed the cool surface of the coin.

Every touch felt like cutting into his flesh.

He dawdled as he walked to the He family mansion, his steps heavy as if they were made of lead, the blue bricks outside the gate making a dull thud under his feet.

In fact, the commotion at the Jia family's house was extremely loud; the crying, shouting, and smashing sounds could be clearly heard by the He family in the middle courtyard, even through the courtyard wall.

He was already waiting in the courtyard early in the morning.

Upon seeing Jia Laonian enter, her gaze first fell on his face, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing, her tone somewhat teasing.

"Old Nian, what happened to your face? Look at these four bloody scratches, did someone's cat scratch you?"

Jia Laonian's face instantly turned bright red, his ears burned, and he avoided looking at He Daqing.

She unconsciously covered her face with her hand and mumbled, "No...it's nothing, I just accidentally brushed against the pile of firewood."

"Oh?"

He Daqing raised an eyebrow and deliberately moved closer to get a clearer view.

"Whose woodpile could have four such neat marks? It must be a cat that's become a spirit!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Laonian's face instantly darkened, turning as black as the bottom of a pot, and his lips pressed tightly together.

He couldn't utter a word for a long time, so embarrassed he wanted to disappear into the ground.

"Alright, Qing Dynasty."

The old lady's voice came from the main room, neither too loud nor too soft, but carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Stop teasing Lao Nian, let's get down to business."

"Okay, sure."

He Daqing smiled and responded, taking two steps back to make way for Jia Laonian.

"Yes, yes, let's get down to business."

As if grasping at a straw, Jia Laonian quickly turned to the old lady at the entrance of the main room and handed her the silver coins with both hands.

The posture was as if he were holding some rare treasure, his eyes were full of reluctance, and even his fingers were trembling slightly.

"Grandma, here are the ten silver dollars we agreed on. Please count them."

The old lady glanced at the silver dollar and said to He Daqing, "Daqing, keep it."

"Yes, ma'am."

He Daqing stepped forward and took the silver dollar from Jia Laonian's hand.

It felt heavy in his hand, and the cool touch traveled up his fingertips. He deliberately counted them one by one in front of Jia Laonian.

"One, two, three... ten, no more, no less, exactly ten."

As Jia Laonian watched those silver dollars fall into He Daqing's hands, his heart ached so much that his eyes twitched, as if a piece of his heart had been ripped out.

"So you know how to feel sorry for yourself now?"

The old lady looked up at Jia Laonian, her tone was indifferent, yet it carried considerable weight.

"If you know how to be frugal, then you'd better keep a close eye on your wife and children from now on. If you dare to be dishonest again, next time it won't be as simple as ten silver dollars."

"Yes, yes, the old lady's teachings are correct."

Old Jia nodded repeatedly, bending even lower.

"I will definitely discipline them properly when I get back, and I will never let them cause you any more trouble, nor will I do any more petty theft."

"Alright, let's go back."

The old lady waved her hand.

"Apply some medicine to the wound on your face to prevent infection."

"Oh, thank you, ma'am."

Grandpa Jia clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply to the old lady and He Daqing, his tone full of remorse.

"Grandma, Brother Daqing, what happened before was our fault. On behalf of my husband and children, I apologize to you."

He Daqing didn't speak, but simply nodded in response.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with his back hunched over, Jia Laonian left the He family home, turning back every few steps, his back view conveying an indescribable sense of frustration and heartache.

After Jia Laonian left, the old lady sighed.

She looked at He Daqing and said, "Luckily, my eldest grandson has finally come to his senses and no longer plays with that Jia family boy. Otherwise, who knows what kind of person that shrew would have turned him into."

"That's right." He Daqing frowned and said with some doubt.

"Dongxu used to be a pretty honest kid, how did he end up following his mother's bad ways? I've heard the neighbors talk about Jia Zhangshi's shady reputation before, but I've never seen her doing anything underhanded in our yard."

"Hmph, that's because you didn't pay close attention."

The old lady glared at him with displeasure.

"This kind of person pretends to be honest on the surface, but who knows how many petty thefts she's done behind the scenes. If I hadn't happened to catch her yesterday, she would have stolen a lot of our eggs."

"You're right."

He Daqing quickly agreed.

"Alright, help me back."

The old lady stood up, leaning on her cane.

"Also, call Zhuzi back. It's getting late, don't let him run wild outside."

"Alright, ma'am." He Daqing quickly stepped forward to help the old lady.

"Lanxiang, ah..."

The old lady walked to the door of the inner room and called out to it.

"Grandma, I'm going back to my room to rest."

"Okay, ma'am, please walk slowly and watch your step."

Chen Lanxiang's voice came from the inner room, carrying a hint of concern.

"Da Qing, please take good care of the old lady. It's dark outside and the roads are slippery."

"I understand, wife. Don't worry," He Daqing replied.

Meanwhile, a dim oil lamp was still lit inside the Yi family's house.

Yi Zhonghai sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), holding a rough porcelain bowl in his hand, which contained bulk white liquor.

He drank slowly, his brows furrowed, his face so somber it seemed to drip water; he was clearly drinking alone in silence.

When he returned home from get off work in the evening, his wife, Li Guihua, recounted in detail what had happened during the day: the Jia family stealing eggs and being manipulated by the old lady.

He had clearly heard the earth-shattering cries and sounds of smashing things from the Jia family.

Yi Zhonghai knew all too well who Jia Laonian was.

He was a notoriously honest, cowardly, and incompetent man who was completely controlled by Jia Zhangshi his whole life. He wouldn't even dare to raise his voice at Jia Zhangshi, let alone hit her.

But today, he actually hit Jia Zhangshi, and hit her so hard, he was clearly really angry.

This sent a chill down Yi Zhonghai's spine, and he secretly rejoiced that he had never had a conflict with the He family.

He Daqing wasn't too afraid of him; he was just a cook who knew a little martial arts. If a fight broke out, he might very well come out on top.

But the old lady in the backyard was someone he was wary of from the bottom of his heart.

To be able to protect such a large mansion in this chaotic world and keep the neighbors in line is definitely not a simple matter.

He didn't want to mess with such a ruthless character.

Meanwhile, back at the Jia family, Old Master Jia returned home with empty pockets.

The room was still pitch black, with only the outlines of the kang (a heated brick bed) visible in the moonlight streaming through the window.

Jia Dongxu huddled under the covers, his stomach growling with hunger. He couldn't bear it any longer and cautiously poked his head out.

He said softly, "Dad... I'm hungry. Could you make me something to eat? I didn't eat much at noon."

"What are you eating! All you ever think about is eating!"

Madam Jia was heartbroken over the ten silver dollars and had nowhere to vent her anger.

Upon hearing this, he raised his hand and slapped Jia Dongxu hard across the neck, making Jia Dongxu cry out "Ouch!"

"Your father took all our money to pay compensation! Now we don't have a single penny left! We won't die from missing a couple of meals!"

After saying that, she couldn't help but gasp.

The sound of someone gasping for breath was particularly clear in the quiet room.

The injury on her face was aggravated, causing her to grimace in pain.

"Alright, stop arguing with the child."

"I'm annoyed," Jia Laonian said, his tone laced with anger.

"How can you sleep at night if you don't eat anything? I'll go cook some cornmeal porridge."

After he finished speaking, he turned around, walked to the stove, picked up the flint and steel, and poked the fire with a "click-clack" sound.

Sparks danced in the darkness, illuminating his dark face.

He added some firewood, and the flames gradually grew stronger. The water in the pot soon boiled, bubbling and gurgling.

Madam Jia dared not talk back now. She still remembered the force of those slaps and was afraid of angering Old Man Jia again and getting beaten up again.

She sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and by the light of the stove fire, she could see her face, which was swollen very badly.

Her already chubby face was now swollen like a pleated bun, with all her features squeezed together, making her look extremely unsightly.

Meanwhile, He Yuzhu and Xu Damao had been at the Xu family's house for quite a while.

Xu Damao's mother, Zhao Cuifeng, carrying a cloth bag, pushed open the door and came in.

As soon as she entered, she saw He Yuzhu there and immediately smiled, asking warmly, "Zhuzi, you're here too? Did Da Mao cause you any trouble today? Was he obedient?"

"Auntie, Da Mao is very obedient. He's very well-behaved when he's with me."

He Yuzhu stood up with a smile, picked up a ceramic bowl from the table next to him, and handed it over.

"Auntie, I went hunting in the countryside with Da Mao this afternoon. We caught a few sparrows and made a sparrow soup. You can heat it up and drink it later to nourish your body."

"You went hunting? And you even caught a sparrow?"

Zhao Cuifeng opened her eyes wide in surprise, took the earthenware bowl and looked at it. The sparrow soup in the bowl was still steaming and smelled delicious.

"Auntie has already eaten dinner. You can save this soup for lunch tomorrow. It's good for the children to drink more soup as they are growing."

Xu Damao sat to the side, his face full of pride, his chest puffed out high. He was itching to show off his achievements to his mother today—he had helped He Yuzhu pick up quite a few sparrows.

But just as he was about to speak, Zhao Cuifeng glared at him, her eyes carrying a hint of warning, telling him to keep quiet.

Xu Damao pursed his lips, swallowing back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. His little eyes were full of resentment as he looked at his mother with a pitiful expression, like a wronged little wife.

Zhao Cuifeng pretended not to notice her son's slight irritation and continued to smile as she said to He Yuzhu, "Zhuzi, since you've already cooked it, Auntie won't stand on ceremony. But you young people should drink this soup; it's a waste for Auntie to drink it at her age."

"Auntie, please don't be so polite."

He Yuzhu said.

"We caught quite a few sparrows, and we've already eaten dinner. This bowl was specially saved for you; please have it as a late-night snack. It's getting late, and I should head back now; my mother is waiting for me at home."

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Play with Damao a little longer."

Zhao Cuifeng grabbed He Yuzhu's arm and said enthusiastically.

"Your aunt went to the market today and brought back some pastries for the children. You two can have some before you go."

"No need, Auntie, leave the pastries for Damao," He Yuzhu said, standing up.

"These days, pastries are so expensive, I can't bear to eat them."

"Why are you being so polite with your aunt, child?"

Zhao Cuifeng smiled and took out an oil paper package from her cloth bag. Inside were several exquisite osmanthus cakes, with a rich aroma.

"Da Mao has been eating and drinking at your house for the past two days, and I've even troubled you to take care of him. What's a few pastries? Here, take them."

As she spoke, she cut the oil paper package in two, handing one half to He Yuzhu and the other half to Xu Damao.

Xu Damao took the pastries, but instead of wolfing them down as usual, he seemed rather generous.

In the past, he would have already taken the pastries and run back to his little house to enjoy them all by himself.

"Thank you, Auntie."

He Yuzhu accepted the pastries, feeling a warm glow in his heart.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, I'll head back now."

"Drive carefully on the road, watch your step when you go out. It's dark at night, so don't fall," Zhao Cuifeng instructed.

"I understand, Auntie. Don't worry," He Yuzhu replied.

"Goodbye, Brother Pillar!"

Xu Damao finally got a chance to speak and quickly called out.

"I'll come find you again tomorrow to play together!"

"Okay! I'll be waiting for you at home tomorrow!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand, turned around and left the Xu family.

Upon returning home, the first thing He Yuzhu did was hand the osmanthus cake in his hand to his mother, Chen Lanxiang.

"Mom, these are pastries from Xu Damao's mother. Try them, they're delicious."

Chen Lanxiang took the pastry, smelled it, and smiled, but then pushed it back to He Yuzhu: "You eat it yourself, Mother doesn't like sweets."

He Yuzhu rolled his eyes, thinking to himself: Women don't like sweets? Who would believe that? You're kidding me!

"What kind of look is that?"

Chen Lanxiang saw through her son's thoughts at a glance, glared at him, and said.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

He Yuzhu quickly looked away and turned to He Daqing with a smile.

"Dad, didn't Mom always love sweets? How come she doesn't like pastries?"

"Of course," He Daqing chuckled, putting down his teacup.

"When your mother was young, she loved sweets the most. She often asked me to buy her snacks and candies. Sometimes she would even make brown sugar cakes herself."

"He Daqing!"

Chen Lanxiang blushed, glared at He Daqing, and spoke with a hint of reproach.

"Huh? Did I say something wrong?" He Daqing looked at Chen Lanxiang with an innocent expression.

"I'm telling the truth. Weren't you just like that when you were young?"

"hey-hey!"

He Yuzhu couldn't help but chuckle as he watched his parents bickering, instantly making the atmosphere in the room warm and lively.

The family chatted and joked for a while longer, when He Daqing suddenly remembered the Jia family's affairs and felt a little strange.

With all that commotion outside, He Yuzhu didn't ask a single question when he came back, which isn't like him at all.

So he couldn't help but ask, "Zhu Zi, didn't you hear anything from the Jia family on your way back?"

He Yuzhu shook his head blankly: "No, I was just focused on the road when I came back, I didn't pay attention. What happened to the Jia family? What's wrong?"

He Daqing first glanced at Chen Lanxiang, his eyes questioning.

Chen Lanxiang nodded, indicating that he could tell his son.

He Daqing then told He Yuzhu the whole story: "Jia Zhangshi from the Jia family stole our eggs with her son, and the old lady found out."

The old lady made them pay her ten silver dollars and also made the mother and son apologize.

After Jia Laonian returned home, he had a huge argument with Jia Zhangshi and even hit her. The crying and screaming he heard earlier could be heard throughout half the courtyard.

He Yuzhu wasn't surprised to hear that the Jia family had paid compensation. He knew the old lady's methods; if Jia Zhangshi was caught stealing, she would definitely suffer the consequences.

He was somewhat surprised to hear that Jia Zhangshi had been beaten, and his eyes lit up immediately.

"They really hit her? Old Man Jia actually dared to hit Jia Zhangshi? How badly did they hit her?"

"You silly child, why are you acting like an old woman, so gossipy?"

He Daqing was amused by his son's reaction. "Judging from the crying and screaming, the beating must have been quite severe. Jia Zhangshi's screams were so pitiful, heartbreaking."

"Alright, alright, you two should stop talking."

Chen Lanxiang glared at them.

"Why are you saying all this so late at night? Go to sleep, Zhu Zi has to get up early tomorrow."

The father and son exchanged a glance, both seeing the smile in each other's eyes, and then fell silent.

Then, He Daqing remembered that He Yuzhu had been going out a lot lately.

He couldn't help but ask, "Zhu Zi, you've been going out a lot lately. What have you been up to? Are you doing any of that dangerous stuff?"

He Yuzhu naturally couldn't tell his parents about having a system.

He could only vaguely reply, "There's no danger. We're just going to the countryside to hunt some game and gather some wild vegetables to supplement our household income."

He Daqing naturally didn't believe it, and his brows furrowed even more.

"Are you sure there's no danger? No, next time you go out, I'll go with you. I'm an adult, after all, and I can take care of you."

"No need, Father."

He Yuzhu quickly refused.

"I always go during the day, and I always go to crowded places, so there's no danger. You have to work during the day, how can you have time to go out with me?"

"Besides, I'm just a kid, people won't be wary of me. If you come along, it will only attract attention."

He Daqing knew his son was stubborn; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

Moreover, He Yuzhu's words made sense; he did have to work during the day and simply didn't have time to take his son out.

Left with no other choice, he could only advise, "You must be careful. Try not to go to remote places. If it's not necessary, don't go out anymore. There's enough food at home, so you don't need to work so hard."

"I know, Dad. I'll be careful."

He Yuzhu agreed verbally, but in his heart he was already planning to go out and take another look tomorrow, as the tasks assigned by the system had not yet been completed.

After chatting about everyday things for a while, Chen Lanxiang couldn't take it anymore and spent the whole day coaxing the little girl.

I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyelids open, and I kept yawning.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu said, "Father, Mother, you should get some rest. I'm going back to my room too."

"Go on, go on, go to sleep early," Chen Lanxiang said, waving her hand.

He Yuzhu turned around and went back to the side room. After washing up, he lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), but he couldn't fall asleep no matter what.

The excitement of hunting with Xu Damao during the day hadn't worn off yet, but other things were on her mind, and she kept tossing and turning in her thoughts.

Out of boredom, he had a sudden thought and brought up the system panel again.

The panel remained pale blue, floating in front of him, visible only to him.

His gaze fell on the task section, and after seeing the contents, his eyes widened instantly, his heart pounded wildly, and he almost jumped out of bed.

The panel clearly stated:

[Mission: Please retrieve a large quantity of national treasures, antiques, and gold hidden at the Mitsui & Co. building at No. 1 Wangfujing Street. These items will be transported in three days!]

He Yuzhu's breathing became rapid instantly, and cold sweat broke out on his palms.

He knew about Mitsui & Co., a trading company run by the Japanese. It was hiding so many treasures and was going to be transported away. This was absolutely intolerable!

However, the Mitsui & Co. company was heavily guarded. How could a little boy like him possibly retrieve those things?

This is undoubtedly a huge challenge.