Courtyard House: Starting by inheriting the tradition and suppressing the barbarians.

Li Xuan took He Yushui and temporarily returned to the Li family.

Su Yun immediately tidied up the room where clutter was stored.

They laid out thick mattresses and turned on the stove.

Although the place wasn't big, it was many times warmer than He Yushui's drafty little house.

These past few days, He Yushui has been living a life she never dared to dream of before.

In the morning, there's hot soy milk and fried dough sticks, or nutritious porridge made by Li Xuan.

There are stir-fried dishes with a mix of meat and vegetables for dinner.

Su Yun doted on her like a daughter, and even made her new clothes.

There was no idiot Zhu's smelly socks, and no Qin Huairu's calculating eyes.

There was no bottomless pit like the Jia family's that could never be filled!

For the first time, she experienced the warmth of "home".

That evening, after dinner...

Su Yun took Xiao Tian and Xiao Yu to the inner room to do needlework, leaving Li Xuan alone in the main room reading under the lamp.

He Yushui watched silently from the side.

The lights were dim and warm.

He Yushui secretly raised her head and looked at Li Xuan's focused profile, with its distinct features and deep eyes.

In the past few days, the seed in her heart has been growing wildly in this warm environment.

If it weren't for Li Xuan, she would still be crying in despair in that cold home.

If it weren't for Li Xuan, she might have been sucked dry by Sha Zhu for the rest of her life.

Finally, she might just marry anyone and live a hasty life.

He was her light, her salvation!

"Brother Li Xuan..."

He Yushui suddenly spoke, her voice trembling slightly.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Which question do you not know how to answer?

Li Xuan put down the book, turned around and asked.

He Yushui put down her pen and mustered all her courage.

Her delicate face flushed red, and her fingers twisted the hem of her clothes tightly.

"Brother Li Xuan, thank you... thank you for your family being so kind to me."

"I...I have nothing to repay you with."

"But I can do laundry, cook, and tidy up the house..."

"If you don't mind... when I grow up, I want... I want..."

She was too embarrassed to say what came next.

But those big, watery eyes were filled with the purest love and expectation of a young girl.

In this reserved era, this is already the boldest confession.

Li Xuan looked at the little girl in front of him, who was so nervous she was about to faint, and sighed inwardly.

He's not made of wood, how could he not see through He Yushui's thoughts?

But he has the soul of an adult and his own principles.

He Yushui is only fifteen years old, which is a critical period for the formation of her outlook on life and values.

Her feelings for herself were more of a dependence and gratitude, like clinging to a piece of driftwood in a desperate situation.

It may not be true love.

Moreover, he already has Hua Youlin.

Although it hasn't been explicitly stated, they are kindred spirits who are mutually devoted to each other.

If I accept He Yushui at this time, it would be taking advantage of someone in distress.

If I directly refuse, I'm afraid of hurting this sensitive girl's feelings.

Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then reached out and gently ruffled He Yushui's hair, as he always did.

This gesture, though tinged with affection, is more like the care and love an elder has for a younger person.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking about?"

Li Xuan's voice was gentle yet firm, "How old are you now?"

"You're not allowed to think about anything other than studying."

"Our task now is to pass the high school entrance exam, then the university entrance exam, and become a useful person for the country in the future."

"As for repaying me... your greatest repayment is to live a good life, live a wonderful life, and live better than anyone else."

"But..."

He Yushui's eyes reddened; she sensed the rejection in Li Xuan's words.

"rainwater."

Li Xuan interrupted her and said seriously, "I know your feelings."

"But in my heart, you are just like Xiaotian and Xiaoyu, my younger brother and sister."

"That bastard Shazhu doesn't deserve to be a brother; he lost you."

"But Li Xuan picked you up."

"From this day forward, you are my, Li Xuan's, own sister!"

"As long as I have food to eat, I'll never let you go hungry. As long as I'm here, no one will dare to bully you!"

"Sister...sister?"

He Yushui was stunned.

Although it wasn't the kind of relationship she was hoping for.

But the words "my dear sister" felt like a warm current.

It instantly filled the black hole in her heart left by the lack of family affection.

Looking into Li Xuan's open and concerned eyes, she suddenly felt relieved.

Yes, what's wrong with being a younger sister?

As his younger sister, I can rely on him for life, be protected by him, and be family forever.

This made her feel more grounded than that elusive love.

"Wow!"

He Yushui could no longer hold back and threw herself into Li Xuan's arms, bursting into tears.

"Brother! From now on, you're my real brother! My only real brother!"

"Ah, that's right."

Li Xuan gently patted her back, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Taking this sister as a confidante was not just to appease He Yushui.

It was also to completely cut off Sha Zhu's escape route!

Early the next morning.

It was peak time for going to work and school, and the courtyard was bustling with people.

Sha Zhu, with his messy hair, was carrying a net bag and getting ready to go out.

Just then, they saw Li Xuan pushing a cart, with He Yushui following behind with her schoolbag on her back, the two chatting and laughing.

Seeing this, Sha Zhu felt incredibly bitter and angry.

"Rain! You brat! You still dare to come out?"

"Come home with me right now! That guy surnamed Li is up to no good..."

Sha Zhu rushed forward to pull He Yushui away.

"Snapped!"

Li Xuan slapped Sha Zhu's hand away with such force that it turned the back of Sha Zhu's hand red.

He shielded He Yushui behind him, his voice cold and clear, echoing throughout the front yard:

"He Yuzhu, take your dirty hands off me!"

"Yushui is now my god-sister! She's a member of the Li family!"

"Since you're willing to kick your own sister out of the house for Qin Huairu, don't blame others for raising her for you!"

"I'm putting this out there: from now on, Yushui's tuition, living expenses..."

"Even your future dowry, I, Li Xuan, will cover it all! You won't have to pay a single penny!"

"but!"

Li Xuan's eyes were like knives, piercing deeply into Sha Zhu's face:

"You won't be able to suck a single drop of blood from the rain!"

"Don't try to use your sibling relationship to morally blackmail her into helping the Jia family!"

"She has no further connection with you or the Jia family!"

"You...you..."

Sha Zhu was so angry that he trembled all over, pointing at Li Xuan but unable to speak.

The neighbors around also started pointing and whispering.

"That's called karma!"

"He doesn't love his own sister, but loves someone else's wife. Now look what's happened, Li Xuan has recognized her as his godmother."

"Silly Zhu is now completely all alone!"

"Li Xuan handled this matter with style and integrity! He's a true man!"

He Yushui hid behind Li Xuan, looking at the brother who was once familiar but now felt completely unfamiliar.

The last trace of hesitation vanished from his eyes.

She poked her head out and said coldly, "Silly Zhu, Brother Li Xuan is right."

From now on, you cross your narrow bridge, and I'll walk my sunny path.

"Stop bothering me!"

After saying that, she jumped onto the back of Li Xuan's bicycle.

"Brother, let's go! We're going to be late for school!"

"Hold on tight!"

Li Xuan pushed off the pedal, and the bicycle shot out of the courtyard like an arrow.

Only Shazhu was left standing in the cold wind, and he felt as if he really... had nothing left.

......