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

Time flies like water.

Before we knew it, it was the height of summer in 1963.

Because of the "confiscation of property" incident, Xu Damao became a complete outsider in the factory.

He had to keep a low profile every day, and he almost lost his job as a projectionist. He became quite depressed.

But a joyous occasion is about to unfold in the courtyard.

On this day, the sun was blazing, and cicadas were chirping incessantly in the trees.

The postman's green uniform was like a cool breeze blowing into Nanluoguxiang.

"He Yushui!"

Is He Yushui home?

The postman, pushing his cart, excitedly called out at the gate, "Your registered mail is here! From Beijing Normal University!"

"What? A teachers' college?"

Yan Bugui, who was enjoying the cool air in the front yard, suddenly stood up.

"Is this an acceptance letter?"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire courtyard.

The backyard, the Li family's house.

He Yushui was helping Su Yun pick vegetables when she heard the shout, and she dropped the vegetable basket in her hand.

"Rainwater, go check it out!"

"It must be the acceptance letter!" Su Yun urged with a smile.

Li Xuan put down the medical book in his hand and smiled, "Come on, I'll go with you to get it."

When He Yushui tore open the envelope with trembling hands and saw the gold-embossed admission letter, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Brother...Godmother...I passed the exam! I really passed!"

In this era, college students are truly the pride of heaven, like carp leaping over the dragon gate!

What's more, it's a prestigious university like Beijing Normal University!

"Good! Well done!"

Li Xuan patted her head, his eyes filled with relief.

In recent years, He Yushui has been trying to avoid that awful home.

He devoted almost all his energy to studying.

In addition, Li Xuan would occasionally give her special tutoring and nourish her brain with spiritual spring water.

Getting into a prestigious university is undoubtedly a natural outcome.

The neighbors in the courtyard all gathered around.

Although they each have their own calculations.

But this is a joyous occasion, as it is the descent of the God of Literature, so everyone still came to share in the good fortune.

"Rainwater is really something!"

"Our department has produced two college graduates! The feng shui is amazing!"

"The Li family really knows how to support people."

"Ever since Yushui went to the backyard, her complexion and grades have improved dramatically!"

Just as everyone was surrounding He Yushui like a star was the moon.

A figure dressed in greasy overalls slowly squeezed in.

It's Sha Zhu.

In the past two years, Sha Zhu's life has become worse day by day.

Qin Huairu had schemed to swindle him out of every penny of his salary, and even the canteen's lucrative side was gone.

She has lost a lot of weight, her back is a bit hunched, and she looks ten years older than her actual age.

Upon hearing the news that his younger sister had been admitted to university, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared in Sha Zhu's cloudy eyes.

College students!

His sister is a college student!

From then on, those who were assigned jobs would be cadres!

As the older brother of a college student, shouldn't He Yuzhu stand up straight?

Who will dare to look down on him in the factory after this?

Would Sister Qin also think more highly of him?

Thinking of this, Sha Zhu forced a fawning smile onto his face, rubbed his hands together, and stepped forward.

"Rain! Good! Great! It brings honor to the He family!"

"I knew you'd amount to something!"

"I'll cook you a nice meal tonight, let's celebrate!"

"What would you like to eat? Braised pork belly or four-happiness meatballs?"

"I'll go buy some meat right now!"

He adopted the demeanor of an elder brother who was like a father to his children.

It was as if they were about to take He Yushui home so she could enjoy this honor.

The originally lively scene instantly quieted down because of Sha Zhu's appearance.

Everyone's eyes darted back and forth between Sha Zhu and He Yushui, their expressions strange.

He Yushui looked at the disheveled, old man with a forced smile on his face.

This is her older brother.

But why does it feel so unfamiliar and disgusting?

"celebrate?"

He Yushui's smile vanished, her gaze turning as cold as if she were looking at a passerby.

"Master He, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"

"What does my getting into university have to do with you?"

Sha Zhu's smile froze: "Rain, how dare you talk to me like that?"

"I'm your brother! Your own brother! We were born of the same parents!"

"My own brother?"

He Yushui sneered, "Since junior high school, my tuition has been paid by Brother Li Xuan."

My clothes were made by my godmother.

"When I was hungry, the Li family fed me!"

What were you doing back then?

"You're bringing lunch to Qin Huairu! You're paying Banggeng's tuition! You're raising the Jia family's child!"

"When I was going through the toughest time, please give me two dollars to buy study materials."

"But you said you had no money, then immediately gave Qin Huairu five yuan to buy meat!"

"Why didn't you say you were my brother back then?"

These words were like slaps to the face, each one a sharp blow to Sha Zhu's heart.

The neighbors around shook their heads at the sound of it.

"Yeah, that's a bit shameless of Sha Zhu."

"You ignored her when she was going through the toughest time, and now that she's successful, you want to reap the benefits?"

"What kind of good thing is that!"

"That fool Zhu deserves it. He can't tell the difference between family and friends. Now he's all alone, and it's his own fault."

Sha Zhu blushed and felt extremely ashamed and indignant after being talked about.

But he still wanted to struggle a bit: "Rain, let me explain."

"Brother, that was...that was to help the neighbors. I still care about you..."

"shut up!"

He Yushui interrupted him and took a step closer to Li Xuan.

Then, she took Li Xuan's arm, her face resolute: "I only have one brother, and that's Li Xuan!"

"As for you..."

"Master He, please have some self-respect."

"I don't want to upset my godmother and brother."

"Rain...you..."

Sha Zhu looked at He Yushui's resolute eyes.

She glanced again at Li Xuan, who stood to the side with a calm expression, as if watching a play.

He suddenly realized that he had completely lost his sister.

He lost his only family member in the world because of a widow who could never be fed.

"Okay...okay..."

"You've made something of yourself, you don't even acknowledge your poor brother anymore!"

Sha Zhu's lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something harsh to get back at Sha Zhu.

But the words that came out of his mouth turned into a weak groan.

He lowered his head, like a dog whose spine had been broken.

He staggered back to his musty-smelling room.

"Brother Li Xuan, let's go home."

He Yushui turned her head away, no longer looking at Sha Zhu, and a bright smile returned to her face.

"Okay, let's go home. I'll cook you a big meal tonight!"

Li Xuan smiled and patted her hand.

That night.

The Li family was filled with laughter and joy as they celebrated He Yushui's academic success.

Inside the house of the idiot Zhu in the middle courtyard, it was pitch black.

Sha Zhu squatted in the corner and smoked all night.

Amidst the swirling smoke, he seemed to see the scene from his childhood where Yushui would follow him around calling "Brother."

But all of that is gone forever.

He glanced at the lights on in the Jia family's house across the street, and listened to Qin Huairu and Banggeng's laughter inside.

Suddenly I feel like my whole life has been a complete joke!

......