He Yuyang: The tough eldest brother of the courtyard house

The lingering heat of late summer hadn't completely dissipated; the afternoon sun was like a red-hot iron, scorching the bluestone slabs of the courtyard. The old locust tree leaves drooped listlessly, and the cicadas chirped weakly in the trees, their long, drawn-out calls adding to the oppressive heat.

He Yuyang sat on the doorstep, holding a twig in his hand, idly drawing circles on the ground. He had just sneaked into the spiritual spring space while his family was taking their afternoon nap.

Nourished by the spiritual spring water over the past few days, the plot of land he had chosen in the space had become increasingly fertile, its black surface gleaming. The bok choy seeds he had sown yesterday had already sprouted tender green shoots at a time flow rate of 1:5000, a truly delightful sight. He estimated that the first batch of vegetables would be ready for harvest in a couple of days at most.

"Brother, look!"

A clear, childlike voice interrupted his thoughts. He Yuzhu came running over, clutching an oil paper package in his little hand, his face beaming with joy, his eyes sparkling like two little stars.

He Yuyang looked up and saw her younger brother carefully opening the oil paper package. Inside were several pieces of oily meat scraps, emitting a rich meaty aroma. In this era of scarcity, the aroma was simply irresistible.

"Dad brought this back today. He said it was leftover braised pork from the guests, and the shopkeeper gave it to him as a reward." He Yuzhu presented the oil paper package to He Yuyang like a treasure. "Mom told me to save two big pieces for you."

He Yuyang's heart skipped a beat. These past few days, his father had indeed listened to his advice and rarely brought anything back; it seemed he really couldn't refuse today. He looked at the scraps of meat, then at his younger brother's drooling face, and his heart softened: "You eat it, I'm not hungry."

"No, Mother said to save it for Brother." He Yuzhu insisted, picking up the biggest piece of meat scrap and stuffing it into He Yuyang's mouth. "Brother, you eat this, it's delicious!"

The meat scraps, with their slightly sweet and savory soy sauce flavor, were delicious without being greasy. He Yuyang chewed them and nodded, "Mmm, really good. You should have some too."

He Yuzhu then picked up a piece, sipped it slowly, and ate with a satisfied look on his face, with a few drops of oil on the corner of his mouth.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate, and Jia Dongxu walked in carrying a basket. He was twelve years old this year, taller than other children his age, but as thin as a bean sprout. He was wearing a faded short-sleeved shirt, and the basket was half full of wild vegetables, which looked freshly picked.

"Hey, what good stuff are you eating?" Jia Dongxu's sharp eyes spotted the oil paper package in He Yuzhu's hand immediately. He sniffed it hard. "Is it meat?"

He Yuzhu was enjoying his meal when he was asked this question. He subconsciously hid the oil paper package behind his back, but couldn't help showing off: "These are meat scraps that my dad brought back. They smell so good!" As he spoke, he deliberately chewed the meat scraps in his mouth even more.

Children are simple-minded; when they get something good, they want to show it off, especially in front of Jia Dongxu, who usually bullies them.

Jia Dongxu's face darkened, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes. His family was poor; they had to be frugal with even cornbread, let alone scraps of meat. Looking at the greasy scraps of meat in He Yuzhu's hand, his stomach rumbled loudly.

"What's so great about it? It's just some scraps of meat," Jia Dongxu retorted stubbornly. "My mother said that eating too much meat will cause indigestion, and the wild vegetables I dig up are much healthier."

"No way!" He Yuzhu retorted stubbornly. "Meat tastes better than wild vegetables! My dad said that eating more meat will make you stronger!"

"Your dad's a cook, of course he'll side with the meat!" Jia Dongxu retorted angrily. "I think you're just a little glutton; you won't grow tall even if you eat meat!"

"I'm not a little glutton!" He Yuzhu exclaimed, clutching the oil-paper package to her chest. "My brother ate it too, and he'll grow taller!"

Two teenagers started arguing, their voices growing louder and attracting a lot of attention. Yan Bugui, who was in the west wing, peeked out, saw that it was just two children arguing, and then shrank back in, but his gaze lingered on the oil paper package in He Yuzhu's hand for a few more seconds.

He Yuyang frowned, about to stop his younger brother from arguing with Jia Dongxu, when a sharp curse came from the courtyard gate:

"Alright! I thought it was someone making a racket in the yard, turns out it's you, you little brat, showing off your wealth!"

Jia Zhangshi suddenly appeared out of nowhere, holding a half-stitched shoe sole in her hand. When she saw the oil paper package in He Yuzhu's hand, her eyes widened instantly, like a hungry wolf seeing meat, and she rushed over in a few steps.

"Aunt Jia..." He Yuzhu was startled by her aggressive appearance, shrank back, and hugged the oil paper package tightly.

Jia Zhangshi ignored him completely, snatched the oil paper package, opened it, and saw that it indeed contained a few scraps of meat. She immediately flew into a rage, pointed at He Yuzhu's nose, and scolded, "You little glutton! You think you're so rich just because you have a little money? Showing off these scraps of meat in the yard, as if you're afraid people won't know your family can afford meat? I think you deserve a beating!"

As she cursed, she tried to hit He Yuzhu, as if she wanted to vent all her resentment from not getting any benefits these past few days on the child.

"Jia Zhangshi! What are you doing!"

Hearing the commotion, Liu Yan ran out of the house. Seeing that Jia Zhangshi was about to hit He Yuzhu, she rushed over to shield her son behind her. Her face was pale, and her lips trembled, but she still mustered her courage and said, "Don't hit the child! It's just a few scraps of meat! I'll make it up to you, okay?"

"Compensate? Can you afford to compensate?" Jia Zhangshi stood with her hands on her hips, spitting all over Liu Yan's face. "Let me tell you, Liu Yan, I'm not trying to criticize you, but now that your family is better off, you think you're something special? Letting your child flaunt scraps of meat in the yard, are you trying to make someone jealous? Or are you trying to show off how capable your family is?"

"I didn't..." Liu Yan was on the verge of tears. She was naturally gentle and not good at arguing. After being scolded by Jia Zhangshi, her mind went blank. She just instinctively hugged He Yuzhu tighter. "Zhuzi is ignorant. Don't hold it against him. I'll take him back to the house right now..."

As she spoke, she tried to pull He Yuzhu into the house to settle things peacefully.

He Yuzhu protested, struggling in Liu Yan's arms and crying, "Mother! That's the scraps of meat my father gave you to nourish your body! She's stealing our meat!"

"How dare you say that!" Jia Zhangshi was provoked by the words "nourish the body," her eyes widening even further. "I think your mother has been spoiled rotten by you two. Nourishing the body? I think she's just greedy! A cook's wife, does she deserve to eat such good meat?"

These words were so harsh, not only insulting He Yuzhu but also dragging He Daqing and Liu Yan into it. Liu Yan's face turned red and white, tears welling up in her eyes, but she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

A crowd of onlookers gathered. Yi Zhonghai stood at his doorway, frowning, looking like he wanted to get involved but didn't want to. Liu Haizhong crossed his arms, a smug smile playing on his lips, as if watching the He family make a fool of themselves. Yan Bugui simply moved a small stool to the doorway, holding an abacus and typing away, glancing up every now and then, his eyes clearly waiting to see how this drama would end.

He Yuzhu cried even harder, Liu Yan was at a loss, and Jia Zhangshi cursed even more loudly. The entire courtyard was filled with this noisy sound.

Just then, a clear yet undeniable voice rang out:

"Aunt Jia, you can't say that."

He Yuyang stepped out from behind Liu Yan, her small body standing straight, her face showing no fear. Her bright black eyes were fixed on Jia Zhangshi, without the timidity of a child, but with a calmness beyond her years.

All eyes were on him, including He Yuzhu, who was crying, and Liu Yan, who was so anxious she was shedding tears.

Madam Jia was stunned for a moment, then snapped angrily, "You little brat, who gives you the right to speak here? Get out of here!"

"Why can't I speak?" He Yuyang tilted her head back, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "You insulted my mother, you insulted my father, and you even stole scraps of meat from my family. Why can't I speak out?"

"So what if I cursed your mother? So what if I stole your scraps of meat?" Jia Zhangshi, feeling humiliated by being questioned by an eight-year-old child, became even more aggressive. "Who gave you the right to flaunt those scraps of meat in the yard? You deserve it!"

"We weren't showing off," He Yuyang said clearly. "My brother just exchanged a few words with Jia Dongxu. This meat scraps were brought back by my father to nourish my mother. My mother isn't in good health, and my father felt sorry for her, so he brought it back especially for her. My brother only tasted a small bite, and the rest was saved for my mother."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the oil paper package in Jia Zhangshi's hand, and continued, "This scrap of meat was earned by my father through his own hard work; it was a reward from the shopkeeper. It's clean and honest. My mother is weak; what's wrong with her eating some scraps to nourish herself? Just because your family can't afford it, does that mean our family can't eat it?"

These words were like a slap in the face, striking Jia Zhangshi hard, and also the faces of those around her who were watching the spectacle with envy in their hearts.

Jia Zhangshi's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, and she pointed at He Yuyang, speechless: "You...you little brat...who taught you to be so sharp-tongued?"

"I learned it from my dad." He Yuyang said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My dad said that one should be reasonable, not unreasonable, and even more so, one should not be jealous of others' success."

"You're talking nonsense!" Jia Zhangshi was so angry that she raised her hand to hit He Yuyang.

"You dare!" He Yuyang not only didn't dodge, but took a small step forward, looking at her coldly. "If you dare to hit me, I'll go find my father and have him take me to the restaurant to reason with the manager. I'll let everyone in the restaurant know that you, Jia Zhangshi, snatched scraps of a child's flesh and even hit someone! Let's see who dares to do business with your family after this!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a fierce edge. The determination and coldness in his eyes made Jia Zhangshi's hand freeze in mid-air.

She wasn't afraid of Liu Yan's weakness, nor He Daqing's forbearance, but she was stunned by the imposing aura of the eight-year-old child before her. The child's eyes were terrifying; he didn't seem like a child, but rather like an adult holding some kind of leverage, which made her feel apprehensive.

Moreover, He Yuyang's words struck a nerve. Her husband was trying to establish a connection with the restaurant where He Daqing worked to supply food to them. If things escalated and affected their business, her husband would skin her alive!

Those around were stunned. No one expected that the usually quiet eldest son of the He family would be so eloquent and bold, managing to silence the domineering Madam Jia with just a few words.

Yi Zhonghai raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards He Yuyang becoming more inquisitive; Liu Haizhong pursed his lips, feeling a pang of jealousy, but he had to admit that the kid had some ability; Yan Bugui's calculations quickened, as if he were plotting something.

Liu Yan was also stunned. She looked at her eldest son, who was standing in front of her, his small figure exuding a reassuring strength. Her eyes welled up, and tears almost fell. This was her son, so sensible that it broke her heart.

He Yuzhu stopped crying. He peeked out from behind his mother and watched his older brother, who had silenced Jia Zhangshi like a little adult. His eyes were full of admiration. He thought his brother was even more capable than their father! More capable than all the adults in the courtyard!

After standing frozen for a long time, looking into He Yuyang's fearless eyes, Jia Zhangshi finally reluctantly lowered her hand, threw the oil paper package on the ground, and, forcing a smile, cursed, "Who cares about your scraps of meat! You reek of poverty! Dongxu, let's go home!"

As she spoke, she grabbed Jia Dongxu, who was still in a daze, and pulled him away. She staggered as she walked, clearly very angry, and even forgot to say the polite words she usually liked to say.

The oil paper package fell to the ground, and a few pieces of meat rolled out, covered in dust.

He Yuzhu quickly ran over, carefully picked up the meat scraps, blew off the dirt, and looked at He Yuyang with a wronged expression: "Brother, the meat scraps are dirty..."

"It's okay, it'll still be edible after washing." He Yuyang patted her younger brother's head, her voice softening. "Don't show off your things outside, okay? Not everyone is like our family. There are plenty of people who can't stand seeing others do well."

"Yes!" He Yuzhu nodded heavily, clutching the scraps of meat he had picked up tightly in his hand. He looked up at his brother, his eyes filled with dependence. "Brother, I'll listen to you from now on."

"Alright, let's go inside, it's hot." He Yuyang smiled, took her younger brother's hand, and looked at her mother who was still in a daze, "Mom, let's go."

Liu Yan then came to her senses, wiped her eyes, and quickly followed her two sons into the house.

The people in the courtyard dispersed when they saw there was no more excitement, but their gazes towards the He family's house held a more complex expression. There was surprise, apprehension, and a hint of barely perceptible... wariness.

Yan Bugui watched as the He family's door closed, put away his abacus, stroked his chin, and whispered to the three women inside, "This eldest son of the He family is probably not simple..."

Yi Zhonghai also returned to the room. He sat down in a chair, picked up his teacup, took a sip, but his brows were slightly furrowed. He Yuyang's performance today had exceeded his expectations. For an eight-year-old child to have such clear thinking and a calm demeanor, and to know how to use the restaurant's affairs to manipulate Jia Zhangshi, was no ordinary child.

Liu Haizhong sighed as he looked at the Analects, wondering if he should be more polite to the He family in the future. He Yuyang was young, but he was quite cunning; he didn't want to be tricked by the child one day.

Inside the house, Liu Yan washed the meat scraps she had collected with clean water, wrapped them again in oil paper, and carefully put them away, planning to make meat scrap fried rice for He Yuyang and He Yuzhu that evening.

"Yangyang, thank you so much for today." Liu Yan held He Yuyang's hand, her eyes filled with gratitude and worry. "But... after what you said about Jia Zhangshi, won't she hold a grudge against our family?"

"Mom, don't worry," He Yuyang comforted her. "She's just a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong. This time I stood up to her, so she won't dare to bully our family so easily in the future. If we keep tolerating her, she'll only take advantage of us."

He paused, then continued, "Besides, Dad's business at the restaurant is her weakness; she wouldn't dare do anything to us."

Watching her son analyze the situation so clearly, Liu Yan felt both proud and heartbroken: "How do you know so much, child?"

"I read it in a book." He Yuyang made up an excuse casually. He couldn't very well say that he was a time traveler. "Mom, if anyone bullies us again, just tell me and I'll handle it."

"Okay, okay..." Liu Yan nodded with tears in her eyes, hugged her son tightly, and gently patted his back. Having such a son was her blessing.

He Yuzhu also leaned closer to her brother, whispering, "Brother, you were amazing just now! Like a chivalrous hero from a play!"

He Yuyang smiled and patted her younger brother's head: "You have to learn to be more assertive in the future, so you can't always be bullied."

"Yes!" He Yuzhu nodded vigorously.

The afternoon sun streamed through the window into the room, falling on the three people and bringing a faint warmth. He Yuyang leaned against his mother's chest, feeling the warmth of her embrace, and silently made a vow in his heart.

This is just the beginning. He not only has to protect his mother, but also teach his younger brother so that he won't be bullied and schemed against like in the original story because of his soft heart. He wants He Yuzhu to know that kindness must have an edge, and tolerance must have its limits.

An elder brother's responsibility is not only to protect, but also to guide.

He looked out the window; the courtyard was quiet, save for the cicadas' tireless chirping. He knew that after today's incident, the way the people in the courtyard looked at their family would definitely be different.

But that's okay.

What he wanted was this difference. He wanted everyone to know that the He family was not to be trifled with, and that the name He Yuyang would henceforth be the He family's talisman.

In the evening, He Daqing returned. Liu Yan told him what had happened that afternoon. After listening, He Daqing remained silent for a long time, then walked up to He Yuyang, squatted down, and looked at him solemnly: "Yangyang, it's my fault for being useless and causing you and your mother to suffer."

"Dad, don't say that." He Yuyang shook his head. "It's not easy for you to earn money to support the family. As the older brother, it's my duty to protect Mom and my younger brother."

Looking at his son's maturity and composure beyond his years, He Daqing felt a pang of sadness mixed with pride. He patted He Yuyang's shoulder heavily: "Good son! With your words, all the hardship and toil of my life is worthwhile. If anything happens at home in the future, just tell me, and I'll back you up!"

"Yes!" He Yuyang nodded.

Dinner was fried rice with minced meat. Although there wasn't much minced meat, the fragrant aroma still made He Yuzhu eat with gusto. Liu Yan watched her two sons eat happily, and a long-lost smile appeared on her face. She ate half a bowl more rice than usual.

Looking at his family's smiling faces, He Yuyang felt a warm glow in his heart. He secretly added a drop of spiritual spring water to each of his mother's and younger brother's bowls, and seeing them eat with relish, he felt that all the hard work was worthwhile.

As night deepened, He Yuyang lay in bed, circulating his internal energy. The warm current in his dantian had grown stronger than it had been a few days ago. He knew that his journey was still long, and the troubles in the courtyard were numerous, but he was confident and capable of leading his family to make a name for themselves in this chaotic world.

He can and must shoulder the responsibilities of an elder brother.