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

the end of April.

Poplar catkins began to fill the air in Beiping (Beijing).

Annoying.

Just like Xu Fugui's feelings at this moment.

Late at night.

Nanluoguxiang was quiet; even the dogs were asleep.

There was a knock on Xu Fugui's door.

Thump. Thump thump.

The sound wasn't loud, but in the deathly still night, it felt like a blow to the heart.

Xu Fugui jolted awake and sat up in bed.

"Who is it? In the middle of the night!"

His wife, Xu Zhaoshi, muttered something and turned over.

Xu Fugui's heart skipped a beat.

A sense of foreboding washed over me.

He put on his clothes, tiptoed to the door, and peeked out through the crack.

There were two people standing outside.

He was wearing a black Zhongshan suit and a top hat with the brim pulled low, obscuring his face.

But that chilling aura could seep in even through the door.

Xu Fugui's hands began to tremble.

"Who?" he asked in a low voice.

"Open the door."

The sounds outside were even colder, devoid of any emotion.

Xu Fugui dared not refuse.

He shakily pulled open the door latch.

As soon as the door opened, the two people squeezed in and closed the door behind them.

One of the tall men pulled out an ID from his pocket and flashed it in front of Xu Fugui.

"Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Zhongtong)".

Xu Fugui's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down.

"Sirs... what... what misunderstanding is this?"

"No misunderstanding." The tall man took back his ID, his eyes scanning Xu Fugui like a snake. "Xu Fugui, you've been... quite dishonest lately."

Another shorter man walked to the table, poured himself a glass of water, and took a sip.

"Our 'Viper' commander is very dissatisfied with you." The short man put down his teacup with a soft thud. "Last time we asked you to do something, you gave us a bunch of trivial matters to fob us off. Do you think the Party and the State are garbage collectors?"

The word "venomous snake" struck Xu Fugui's heart like a heavy hammer.

He remembered.

It was the same spy chief who had asked him to inquire about the underground Communist Party's radio station last time.

He was scared at the time and didn't dare to offend anyone, so he made up some gossip about the Zhangs and Lis in the alley and handed it in, thinking he could get away with it.

Unexpectedly, they still came knocking on our door.

"Sir! I'm innocent!" Xu Fugui cried, practically begging for mercy. "I... I'm just a movie projectionist, how would I know anything about national affairs!"

"Don't know?" The tall man sneered, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Xu Fugui by the neck, slamming him against the wall.

Xu Fugui instantly felt short of breath, and his face turned a deep liver color.

"I'm giving you one last chance." The tall man's voice sounded like it was being squeezed out between clenched teeth. "Three days. Within three days, get me one piece of valuable intelligence. Whether it's about those communists or that kid surnamed He in your courtyard."

"He...He Yuzhu?" Xu Fugui was dumbfounded.

"Yes." The tall man released his grip, and Xu Fugui collapsed to the ground, coughing like a dead dog. "Commander 'Viper' is very interested in him. You keep a close eye on him. If he dares to try anything again..."

The tall man didn't continue.

He simply pulled a dagger from his pocket and slowly wiped it with a handkerchief.

The blade gleamed with a chilling white light in the dim lamplight.

The meaning of the threat is self-evident.

The two people left.

Just like when they came, they did so silently.

Xu Fugui collapsed to the ground and couldn't get up for a long time.

His underwear was soaked with cold sweat.

It’s over.

This time it's really over.

Sending him to gather intelligence is practically asking for his life.

In particular... he was also tasked with keeping an eye on He Yuzhu.

The thought of He Yuzhu's calm face and unfathomable eyes sent chills down Xu Fugui's spine.

That kid is really wicked.

Go and keep an eye on him? He'd probably die without even knowing how.

But if I don't go...

Xu Fugui touched his neck, where clear fingerprints were still visible.

He knew better than anyone the methods of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS).

Once you're in their prison, you'll be lucky to escape with your life, if not dead.

What should I do?

He paced around the room like a wild beast trapped in a cage.

Xu Zhaoshi and Xu Damao were also awakened. Seeing his distraught appearance, they were too frightened to speak.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Xu Damao asked in a low voice.

"roll!"

Xu Fugui kicked the stool next to him, causing it to overturn with a loud bang.

He was agitated, fearful, and desperate.

He sat there with his eyes open all night until dawn.

The next day, he wandered around the alley with dark circles under his eyes, looking like a lost soul.

He considered running away.

But this city of Beijing is a vast and inescapable trap; where could he possibly run to?

He even considered going to the police.

ridiculous.

Police officers had to bow and scrape when they saw members of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS).

There was no way out.

These four words were like a boulder, pressing down on him and making it hard for him to breathe.

Just when he was on the verge of collapse, he saw He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu was returning from outside, carrying two fish in his hands.

Seeing Xu Fugui's expression as if his parents had died, he paused for a moment.

"Uncle Xu, have you lost your mind?"

Just this one ordinary sentence.

But it was like a lifeline, instantly illuminating Xu Fugui's desperate eyes.

Correct!

Find him!

Looking for He Yuzhu!

In this courtyard, in this city of Beiping, if there is anyone else who can save him, it is only this kid!

Xu Fugui seemed to have grasped the last glimmer of hope and rushed over in a few steps.

He Yuzhu looked on in astonishment.

With a "plop".

He knelt down straight down.

A man in his forties knelt down in front of a ten-year-old child in front of his neighbors.

"Pillar!"

He didn't call him "Uncle Xu" or "kid".

He shouted "Pillar".

But the voice carried a sob, a plea, and even a hint of... flattery.

"No! Master Zhu!"

Xu Fugui raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face.

"Master Zhu! Save me! Save my whole family! If you're willing to save me, from this day forward, my life, Xu Fugui's life, is yours! I'll be your slave! I'll be your dog!"

As he spoke, he kowtowed repeatedly.

His forehead slammed into the bluestone slab, and blood appeared in just a few moments.

The entire alley was quiet.

Everyone was stunned by what they saw.

He Yuzhu stood there, holding two lively fish in his hands.

He looked at Xu Fugui, who was kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down his face, looking like a madman, with no expression on his face.

In his mind, however, he was making rapid calculations.

Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS).

"Viper".

interesting.

The snake finally flicked its tongue towards its side.

He handed the fish to He Yushui, who was staring in disbelief.

Then, he bent down and helped Xu Fugui up.

"Uncle Xu, stand up and speak."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power.

"If you have something to say, come inside and we'll talk."

He Yuzhu looked at Xu Fugui with a calm expression.

"The sky won't fall down."