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

Three days later, one morning, the atmosphere at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang was somewhat unusual.

Yi Zhonghai got up early and, as usual, carried his birdcage, pacing around the stone table in the center of the courtyard. However, his eyes weren't fixed on the thrush in the cage as usual; instead, they kept glancing towards the backyard. Ever since He Yuzhu's last return, he had felt an invisible pressure. That ten-year-old child's eyes held a depth that even someone as experienced as him couldn't fathom. His rumors about the old lady's treasure hadn't exposed the He family's true colors; instead, they'd caused Xu Zhaoshi, that gossipy woman, to run into obstacles everywhere, ultimately leading to Jia Dongxu's disgraceful nighttime chicken-stealing spree—a classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the bait instead.

This fueled a fire within him, along with a sense of uncontrollable frustration. He felt that the authority he had cultivated for half his life was being slowly eroded by a mere child. He had to do something to reclaim his power.

Xu Fugui also got up early. Instead of going out, he squatted on his doorstep, smoking a pipe and keeping a close watch on everything. He was more direct than Yi Zhonghai; he firmly believed that He Yuzhu must have a powerful backer. What he needed to do now was to cling tightly to this potential benefactor. As for Yi Zhonghai's petty schemes, he saw right through them and thought only one word: foolish. Fighting a little monster who could make the Japanese suffer was practically suicide.

Jia Dongxu hid behind the window of the east wing, his eyes filled with resentment as he stared at the courtyard. His knee had ached for days after he was hit by a slingshot that night, and he had lost face terribly. The children in the courtyard all laughed at him, saying he'd tried to steal the old lady's steamed buns and been scratched by a night owl. He held a deep grudge against He Yuzhu. He was now like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, waiting for his chance to strike.

Just after nine o'clock in the morning, there was a knock on the gate of the courtyard house.

"Thump, thump, thump."

His voice was neither hurried nor slow, but steady and powerful.

Xu Damao, being the closest, rushed over and unlatched the door. Three people stood in the doorway. The leader was a middle-aged man around forty, wearing a slightly worn Zhongshan suit, black-rimmed glasses, and carrying a briefcase; he had a refined air, like a schoolteacher. Behind him was a young man who looked like an apprentice or assistant. Next to him stood a clerk in uniform, a real estate agent, wearing a badge on his chest.

"Excuse me, is this No. 95 Nanluoguxiang? We're looking for the deaf old lady," the leading man said in a gentle, scholarly voice.

"Yes, yes, please come in." Xu Damao nodded and bowed hurriedly.

The commotion startled the entire courtyard. Yi Zhonghai straightened up, his brow furrowed. Xu Fugui stubbed out his pipe and stood up. Jia Dongxu pressed his face even closer to the window.

Led by Xu Damao, the three of them passed through the middle courtyard and headed directly to the backyard. Yi Zhonghai could no longer sit still; he coughed and followed. Xu Fugui's eyes darted around, and he quietly followed behind as well.

In the backyard, the deaf old lady was already dressed and seated in the main seat of the hall. He Yuzhu stood beside her, his expression calm.

"Teacher Fang, you've arrived." He Yuzhu nodded slightly when he saw the person who came.

The man addressed as "Teacher Fang" nodded to him, a hint of approval in his eyes. Then, he turned to the deaf old woman and bowed respectfully: "Madam, I am Fang Wenlin. I have been asked to come and handle the property transfer. This is Liu, the clerk from the real estate agency, who is in charge of witnessing the transaction."

"Property transfer?"

These four words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the ears of Yi Zhonghai and Xu Fugui who followed in. Yi Zhonghai's face turned deathly pale instantly. He stared intently at Teacher Fang, then glanced at He Yuzhu, his mind buzzing.

"Come in, all of you. Don't just stand there." The deaf old woman's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "It's time to settle things here."

Yi Zhonghai, Xu Fugui, Xu Zhaoshi who rushed over upon hearing the commotion, and even Jia Dongxu couldn't help but peek out from inside the house, all crowding around the backyard entrance.

Clerk Liu opened his briefcase, took out several documents, cleared his throat, and read aloud: "The owner of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, through voluntary negotiation among the three parties, hereby transfers all ownership rights of his property, including three rear rooms in the backyard, three east and west wing rooms in the central courtyard, and four street-facing rooms, to Mr. Fang Wenlin for the market price of five hundred silver dollars. This agreement is effective immediately upon signature and seal by both parties and is protected by law!"

Five hundred silver dollars!

The entire property rights of the hospital!

Transferred to an outsider!

Yi Zhonghai felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and he managed to stay upright by grabbing the doorframe. He had schemed his whole life, hoping to acquire this courtyard naturally after the old lady passed away. But now, everything had vanished! A "Teacher Fang" he had never met before had snatched the peach he had long coveted.

"This...this won't do!" Yi Zhonghui blurted out instinctively, his voice trembling. "Grandma, how...how could you sell the house to an outsider? Were you scammed? He Yuzhu, was it you who pulled this trick behind the scenes?"

He panicked, he panicked completely, and he didn't even bother to put on his mask of hypocrisy anymore.

Before He Yuzhu could speak, the deaf old lady slammed her cane on the ground with a dull thud.

"Yi Zhonghai." The old woman raised her eyelids, her cloudy eyes flashing with cold light. "I'm selling my own house. What does it have to do with who I'm messing with? Do I need your approval?"

"That's not what I meant..." Yi Zhonghai's arrogance immediately diminished. "I was afraid you'd become senile. Do you know this Teacher Fang? Don't waste your life's work on a swindler!"

"Teacher Fang is a teacher at Beiping Normal School, with countless students. He's an upright person, and I trust him," the deaf old woman said calmly. "But you, Yi Zhonghai, I'm not even dead yet, and you're already eyeing my meager possessions, spreading rumors, and sowing discord. What are you up to?"

These words left Yi Zhonghai blushing and speechless.

Just then, Clerk Liu produced another document and continued reading: "Furthermore, the new owner, Mr. Fang Wenlin, has signed a long-term care and lease agreement with the He family, residents of this compound. The He family will be fully responsible for all aspects of the deaf elderly woman's life, including her diet, daily living, health, and death. In return, the He family will permanently acquire the right to reside in three rooms of the main house in the central courtyard and will manage other rental matters within the compound. This agreement will take effect simultaneously with the property transfer."

Even Xu Fugui was stunned.

He finally understood He Yuzhu's plan. This move was brilliant! Absolutely flawless!

On the surface, the house was sold to an outsider—a schoolteacher whom no one dared to offend—completely extinguishing any hopes of Yi Zhonghai and his associates. In reality, through a "support agreement," the He family legitimately gained actual control of the courtyard and the permanent right to use the core residence. They gained both substance and reputation, leaving no room for complaint. What's this called? This is killing three birds with one stone!

Yi Zhonghai was utterly desperate. Looking at He Yuzhu, a frail ten-year-old boy standing beside the old woman, a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He had lost, utterly and completely. He hadn't lost to a child, but to a prodigy.

Behind the window, Jia Dongxu dug his nails into his flesh. The hatred in his eyes was almost tangible. The house was gone, the treasure was gone, and he felt abandoned by the whole world. He stared intently at He Yuzhu's back, a crazy idea sprouting in his mind.

Fang Wenlin and the deaf old lady signed and affixed their fingerprints to the document. Clerk Liu stamped it with the official seal and handed a land deed to Fang Wenlin. Without even glancing at it, Fang Wenlin put the deed directly into an envelope and solemnly handed it to He Yuzhu.

"Comrade apprentice, this is something the organization asked me to give you. From today onwards, this will be an important contact point and shelter for us. You must protect it well," Fang Wenlin said in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

He Yuzhu took the envelope; it felt heavy in his hand. He knew that this was not just a property, but also a responsibility.

"Yes, the shopkeeper asked me to give you his regards," He Yuzhu replied in a low voice.

A storm that had shaken the entire courtyard was brought to a close in broad daylight in a way no one could have imagined.