Courtyard House: Ten-year-old Master Zhu reorganizes the entire courtyard

Interrogation room of the Special Higher Police Section of the Japanese Military Police.

The light shone on only one spot, illuminating the servile Jia Zhangshi, whose face, twisted by greed and flattery, appeared particularly ugly in the light and shadow.

Sitting in the shadows was Ichiro Watanabe, the head of the Special Higher Police. He wasn't wearing a military uniform, but rather a well-tailored suit, with a cigar between his fingers, the smoke obscuring his expression.

"You mean that kid named He Yuzhu confessed to killing an Imperial soldier?" Watanabe's voice was calm, as if he were discussing the weather.

"Yes! Absolutely! Lord Watanabe!" Madam Jia bent even lower, almost prostrating herself. "I heard it with my own ears! He said he killed six! Three Imperial Army soldiers, two detectives, and one cart puller! He also robbed money; otherwise, where would his family have gotten the money to move into the large courtyard in the west of the city!"

As she spoke, she glanced at Watanabe out of the corner of her eye, her mind racing with calculations. If the Japanese believed her and arrested the He family, wouldn't the main house in house number 95 be hers? Maybe even a reward! Gold bars!

"Oh? What else did he say?" Watanabe Ichiro flicked his cigarette ash lightly.

"He also said..." Jia Zhangshi's eyes darted around, and she began to embellish the story, "He also said that the Japanese were utterly defeated! He said he could kill whomever he wanted! He was incredibly arrogant! He didn't take the Imperial Army seriously at all! This kind of person is an anti-Japanese element! He must be arrested, and his whole family should be arrested and shot!"

Her words were filled with malicious glee, as if she could already see the He family members' heads rolling.

A barely perceptible smile curved Watanabe Ichiro's lips. He'd seen plenty of fools, but few were as purely and viciously stupid as Jia Zhangshi. Of course, he wouldn't believe this shrew entirely—a ten-year-old child killing six adults, including three trained military police? It sounded like a fantasy.

However, the case in Dongtangzi Hutong was indeed strange in every way. The scene was handled too cleanly; the incompetent police headquarters and the detective team investigated for a long time, only to hastily conclude that "the murderer has left Beijing." This in itself was abnormal.

This woman named Jia Zhangshi was like a mad dog that smelled blood; although she was mad, a dog's nose could sometimes be very sharp.

"What do you want?" Watanabe Ichiro suddenly asked.

Madam Jia was taken aback, then overjoyed; she knew the real show was about to begin. "Sir! I don't want anything! I just hate those anti-Japanese elements and want to do my part for the Imperial Army! Of course… if you could award me the three main rooms of the He family, and give me some reward money, that would be even better…"

"Very good." Watanabe Ichiro stood up, walked over to her, and gently tapped her shoulder with his cigar. "The Empire will remember your loyalty."

He turned to his men and ordered, "Give her twenty dollars and tell her to get lost. Remember, if she dares to utter a single word about what happened today, your family will sew her mouth shut."

"Yes, yes, yes! I won't say a word! Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" After receiving the money, Madam Jia was led away with profuse thanks.

Watching her disappearing figure, the smile on Watanabe Ichiro's face vanished instantly, replaced by a venomous coldness.

"Tanaka."

"Hai!" A sharp-looking agent stepped out of the shadows.

"Send two teams. One team to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, keep a close watch on that courtyard, and find out who is currently living in the He family's house. The other team to Rongxian Hutong in Xicheng District, find the He family's new residence." Watanabe Ichiro's eyes sharpened. "Don't alert the target. I need to know who that kid named He Yuzhu sees every day, what he does, even how many bowls of rice he eats each day. I need a detailed report down to the size of his shoes."

"Hai!"

"This Jia Zhangshi," Watanabe Ichiro paused, "have someone keep an eye on her. This dog might still be useful."

He returned to his seat, watching the smoke from his cigar swirle in the lamplight. A ten-year-old child? If this was true, then the child wasn't human, but a ghost. If this was false, then there must be a deeper secret hidden behind it.

Regardless, he had caught the scent of his prey. And he, Watanabe Ichiro, was the best hunter in Beiping.

……

Xicheng District, Rongxian Hutong.

It's not as bustling as Nanluoguxiang; it's mostly inhabited by ordinary residents, and the alleyways are quiet and peaceful.

The He family's new courtyard wasn't large, but it was an independent entrance. It had two main rooms, a side room, and a small kitchen. Though small, it had everything you needed. Most importantly, it was safe and secluded.

Chen Lanxiang was busy in the kitchen, a long-lost smile on her face. He Daqing sat on a small stool in the yard, holding a pipe, but couldn't light it for a long time, just staring blankly at the old locust tree in the yard.

He still felt like he was dreaming.

Just a few days ago, they were living in that dilapidated temple outside the city, constantly fearful. Now, they've not only returned to the city, but also moved into such a nice courtyard. All of this is thanks to their son, whom they understand less and less.

"Dad, what are you thinking about?" He Yuzhu came out of the house, holding a book in his hand.

"Zhu Zi..." He Daqing looked at his son, his lips moved, wanting to ask something, but he didn't know where to begin. He wanted to ask who that woman named Lin Wanqiu was, and how capable their organization was to arrange everything so quietly.

He Yuzhu seemed to read his mind and said calmly, "Dad, don't overthink it. We're safe now. The manager... who is Dr. Lin's superior, has found you a job at a restaurant in Xidan as a head chef. You can start work tomorrow."

"What?" He Daqing jumped up, his pipe falling to the ground. "He...he can be a cook?"

"Of course." He Yuzhu smiled. "With your skills, you'll never go hungry. But remember, as I said before, only show 30% of your skills, don't be too conspicuous."

He Daqing's eyes welled up with tears. Being able to pick up a wok again was like regaining his soul, a true inspiration for him as a cook. He nodded vigorously, "Father knows! Father will listen to you!"

Chen Lanxiang, who was standing nearby, came out carrying a plate of steaming dumplings. Looking at the father and son, she smiled with satisfaction: "Alright, alright, come and eat. Today is our first meal in our new house, let's have dumplings!"

He Yushui was sleeping soundly in her swaddling clothes, sunlight streaming through the window onto her rosy little face.

The family sat around a small table, eating steaming hot dumplings. As He Daqing ate, tears welled up in his eyes. He felt that he had never eaten such delicious dumplings in his life.

These peaceful days are so precious.

However, beneath this stability lay a turbulent storm that He Yuzhu had single-handedly weathered.

After finishing his meal, He Yuzhu made an excuse to go for a walk to digest. He didn't go far, just strolled around Rongxian Hutong. His steps seemed casual, but his eyes were constantly scanning his surroundings out of the corner of his eye.

His enhanced perception allowed him to easily distinguish discordant notes in the environment.

For example, the man selling candied hawthorns at the entrance of the alley has been there since the day he moved in, but his eyes always inadvertently glance in the direction of his own courtyard gate.

For example, there was a shoe repair stall not far away. The stall owner's hands were very clean, not at all like someone who deals with leather all year round.

Also, a rickshaw had been parked on the street corner for half a day, and the driver had been dozing off, but every time someone passed by his door, his eyelids would twitch slightly.

He Yuzhu's heart sank.

He knew he was being watched.

Watanabe's hunting dogs have already found their way here, following the scent. This seemingly peaceful and tranquil new home has actually fallen into the hunters' trap.