Courtyard House: Jia Zhangshi! How dare you hit my sister?

In his dream, he saw Yi Zhonghai standing on a bench at a hospital-wide meeting, apologizing tearfully and taking out his savings account to compensate him.

Just as he was about to take it, Yi Zhonghai's face suddenly changed, and he lunged at him menacingly...

He Yuzhu woke up with a start.

It was already daylight outside the window, and the sounds of washing up could be heard from the courtyard.

There was also a noisy chatter from several middle-aged women asking each other at the top of their lungs, "What vegetables are we buying today?"

The morning at No. 95 Courtyard was as lively as usual.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, sat up, took out a cigarette case from the bedside table, shook out a cigarette, and lit it.

Smoke rose in the morning light, and he stared blankly at the wisp of smoke, the狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face of Yi Zhonghai from his dream still vividly lingering in his mind...

He Yuzhu glanced at the time. He had originally wanted to go back to sleep, but Qin Huai'an's words from a few days ago suddenly popped into his mind.

"Want to marry my sister? You'd better take good care of your own sister first."

He Yuzhu clicked his tongue, stubbed out his cigarette, threw it on the ground, and slipped on his shoes to get out of bed.

He went to check next door first and found that Rainwater was still fast asleep.

He figured the girl must have stayed up late doing her homework again last night. He quietly closed the door and went into the small kitchen.

How long has it been since I made breakfast for Yushui?

He Yuzhu pondered as he sifted through the corn husks.

It seems to have started when I was in elementary school during the rainy season, Yi Zhonghai said in the courtyard one day.

"Zhu Zi, the rain is getting heavy. As a young lady, you need to learn to cook and manage the household."

"You're such a spoiled older brother, what will you do after you get married?"

He felt that the old man's words made sense, so he gradually let go.

Looking back now, that old man was afraid that if he focused all his attention on Yushui, he wouldn't have much free time to "take care" of the Jia family and help Qin Huairu, right?

"I'm a fucking bastard."

He Yuzhu cursed himself under his breath, then slammed the cleaver on the cutting board with a "thud," splitting a cabbage in two.

The porridge was bubbling on the stove, and he boiled another pot of water.

Once the water boiled, he carried the thermos to the door of the east wing room and gently knocked.

"Rainfall? Are you up yet?"

There were rustling sounds coming from inside, followed by a sleepy response.

"…elder brother?"

"Get up quickly, dinner is ready."

He Yuzhu's voice was very soft and gentle.

"Come and eat after you wash your face, don't dawdle."

There was a moment of silence in the room, followed by a surprised voice.

"knew!"

He Yuzhu returned to the main room, picked up an egg from the bowl, tapped it on the rim of the bowl, and began to carefully peel it.

Eggshells fell one by one onto the table, revealing smooth egg whites.

He stared at the egg for a while, thinking.

When was the last time Rain Water ate eggs? Last month? Or the month before last?

Lost in thought, the curtain was suddenly lifted.

He Yushui stood at the door, dressed neatly, her two braids tied a little crooked.

She saw the steaming porridge on the table, the warm water laid out on the washstand, and the peeled egg in her brother's hand. She froze, blinking her eyes repeatedly.

Brother, are you... possessed?

He Yuzhu looked up and saw his sister's expression. His heart ached. He quickly put the egg into the porridge bowl, got up, and pushed the rainwater to the washstand.

"What are you standing there for? Go wash your face, the porridge is getting cold."

After saying that, he picked up the aluminum lunchbox on the table, put it in the mesh bag, and walked out.

But as soon as he stepped out of the threshold, he stopped.

He looked down at the lunchbox in the net bag; it was for Qin Huairu.

I used to take care of them every day without fail. Sister Qin's family was poor, and Bang Geng was growing, so Xiao Dang and Huai Hua also needed to eat.

Yi Zhonghai always said, "Zhu Zi, you're a cook, you don't need this food. It's only right that you help out your neighbors."

That's bullshit.

He Yuzhu gritted his teeth, turned around and went back into the house, slamming the lunchbox back onto the table with a thud, the empty net bag swaying back and forth.

"Brother, aren't you bringing lunch?"

While wiping her face, Yushui asked, her mouth still full of toothbrush.

"I'm not bringing it."

He Yuzhu's voice was muffled.

"I won't bring it anymore."

After saying that, he strode out the door.

The morning breeze made my mind much clearer.

Just as I reached the moon gate of the central courtyard, I heard a voice behind me.

"Zhu Zi, so early today?"

It is Yi Zhonghai.

He Yuzhu's muscles tensed, and his molars clenched so tightly they made a grinding sound.

He really didn't dare to turn around now. He was afraid that if he turned around and saw that sanctimonious face, he wouldn't be able to resist throwing a punch at him.

He took a deep breath, didn't reply, and continued walking forward with his head down.

"Idiot Zhu! My master is talking to you! What the hell are you pretending to be deaf for?"

Suddenly another carefree voice rang out; it was Jia Dongxu's voice.

He Yuzhu's steps did not stop.

Jia Dongxu got excited and raised his voice even higher.

"Hey, you think you're so great? You really think that just because you licked that slut Qin Huairu a few times, that bastard Qin Huai'an is your brother-in-law? Let me tell you..."

But he didn't finish his sentence.

He Yuzhu suddenly turned around and rushed forward in one stride, his movements so fast that they created a gust of wind.

Before Jia Dongxu could react, everything went black, and he was slammed to the ground by a powerful force.

The back of his head hit the blue brick floor with a dull thud.

"You fucking—"

Just as Jia Dongxu was about to curse, a hand like an iron clamp grabbed his neck.

He Yuzhu pressed one knee against his chest, his left hand firmly against his neck, and his right hand raised high—

"Snapped!"

A slap, crisp and loud.

Everyone in the courtyard—those washing up, getting ready to go out, and hanging up clothes—stopped what they were doing and all looked over.

"I'll teach you to be so foul-mouthed!"

He Yuzhu's eyes were bloodshot, and he slapped her again.

"You dare spout nonsense!"

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Slaps rained down, from both hands.

At first, Jia Dongxu could still struggle a bit, but later he could only groan. His face visibly swelled up, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Pillar! Stop!"

Yi Zhonghai then realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward to break up the fight.

He Yuzhu swung his arm, sending Yi Zhonghai staggering.

His mind was buzzing right now; he'd completely forgotten all about being an old man and respecting elders.

My mind was filled with only one thought—beat him! Beat this bastard into a pig's head!

"Rebellion! Rebellion!"

Yi Zhonghai regained his footing, his face turning ashen.

"He Yuzhu! Stop right there! Do you hear me?!"

Several neighbors gathered around, but no one dared to actually step forward—He Yuzhu's posture made it seem like he was about to devour someone.

"Pillar! Stop hitting him!"

A woman's voice suddenly rang out.

He Yuzhu paused.

Qin Huairu stood in the courtyard, holding a washbasin in her hand.

She looked at Jia Dongxu, who was lying on the ground with a bruised and swollen face, and then at He Yuzhu, whose face was contorted with rage, and bit her lip.

"If we keep fighting... something bad will happen."