Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

He Yuzhu raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, his fingertips brushing against his coarse hair. He put on an innocent and harmless look, but his eyes secretly glanced at his parents on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

He spoke with a hint of uncertainty: "Um... how can you practice punches and kicks by yourself? The two little voices in my head are like this, testing each other and getting into stances before a fight. I just copied them."

He blinked, his lips slightly downturned, giving off an innocent look that seemed to say, "I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?" Even the back of his ear exuded a sense of frankness.

"hehe."

Chen Lanxiang let out a meaningful, cold laugh.

He shifted his gaze from his son's face to He Daqing, who was puffing on a cigarette beside him, and asked in a tone that was both mocking and questioning: "Okay?"

"He Daqing, do you believe your son's story? That a white-bearded old man can grant superhuman abilities with a mere tap, or that a single candy can make someone incredibly strong? Is this some kind of storyteller's tale?"

He Daqing's hand holding the cigarette froze in mid-air, his brows furrowed into a deep frown. He shook his head first, then suddenly nodded halfway through, his movements stiff as if they had rusted.

He stared at the glass baby bottle on the kang table, his eyes filled with complex emotions—to believe it or not, this was too bizarre, like a scene from a play, and it was hard to believe.

If you don't believe it, your son's Bajiquan skills are undeniable, and these rare items that money can't buy are inexplicable by common sense.

He couldn't help but have a ridiculous thought pop into his mind: Why isn't there an old man to give me some pointers?

If I could have had such a wonderful encounter, I wouldn't have suffered so much indignity in the restaurant back then.

"What do you mean by nodding and shaking your head? Give me a straight answer!"

Seeing his ambiguous attitude, Chen Lanxiang was immediately dissatisfied and pinched his arm.

"hiss--"

He Daqing gasped and stammered.

"Let's just assume what Zhu Zi said is true. What other explanation is there? We can't exactly say he's possessed by a monster, can we?"

"If outsiders ask, can this explanation be convincing?"

Chen Lanxiang pressed for details, her eyes filled with worry.

"Those people in the courtyard, their eyes are like searchlights, they can spread anything and distort it. Who knows what they'll say about our family then."

"Probably... probably... maybe."

He Daqing's tone became increasingly uncertain, and he tapped his cigarette butt against the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) again and again.

"If all else fails, just say that the old man was a wandering master who, by chance, enlightened Zhuzi. In these chaotic times, it's not impossible for a master to hide in the city."

"Let's leave it like this then."

Chen Lanxiang sighed, turned to look at He Yuzhu, and her eyes became serious.

"Zhu Zi, listen carefully. From now on, no matter who asks you about the origin of your skills, you must say exactly what you just said. Don't change a single word. Understand?"

"oh oh."

He Yuzhu nodded repeatedly, his face still bearing that simple and honest expression, but he was thinking to himself.

"What I said was the truth, I just didn't mention the system part."

"snort."

Chen Lanxiang glanced at him, her tone knowing.

"Whether it's the truth or not, you know it in your heart. I won't argue with you about these roundabout ways—otherwise, I would have had your father go and invite a shaman to see if you've been possessed by some evil spirit."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat—oh well, so his mother still didn't completely believe him; she was categorizing his extraordinary adventure as "heretical or crooked."

However, he didn't argue. Anyway, with the system around, even if a fortune teller came, she probably wouldn't be able to figure it out. At most, she would just pretend to be a fortune teller and fool him.

He pretended to be clueless and tilted his head to ask.

"What's a shaman? Is it like the witches in operas, who can exorcise demons?"

"Why are you asking so many questions, child?"

Chen Lanxiang waved her hand, her tone tinged with impatience yet also tenderness.

"Just remember what your mother said. If no one asks, just pretend this never happened and don't tell anyone. If someone asks, just tell the story you just made up."

"Don't listen to your mother."

He Daqing suddenly interrupted, stubbed out his cigarette in the ash basin under the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and his eyes sharpened.

"Zhu Zi, listen to your father. No matter who asks you, don't mention that white-bearded old man."

"Tell me about your skills, I secretly taught you—those health-enhancing pills, I had someone find them for me. You didn't just take one, you took one every day for three whole years to develop this strength and boxing technique. Got it?"

"Understood, Father!"

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up, and he nodded quickly, secretly giving He Daqing a thumbs up in his heart—Dad is still the most reliable. His explanation is both reasonable and can withstand scrutiny, much better than Mom's "expert advice."

Where did the pills come from?

You can just make up any story—it was bought, it's an heirloom, it was a gift from a friend—no matter how you say it, there's no way to verify it.

He was taught boxing by his father, which was only natural. He Daqing himself was skilled in martial arts, so no one could find fault with him.

As for Tongbei Quan, he'll go back and learn it properly from his father. Once he's mastered the form, no one will doubt him anymore.

"Listen to your father; he's more thorough than your mother."

Chen Lanxiang sighed, a look of relief on her face.

"Your mother is just a woman, and her perspective is limited. She didn't think of so many things. Your father's explanation is more reliable and will save you a lot of trouble."

She knew in her heart that if her son's explanation got out, it would cause a lot of trouble, and he might even be regarded as a "monster" or "outcast". He Daqing's explanation was reasonable and could protect her son, so it was indeed the best choice.

Although she still didn't believe that He Daqing had taught her son his skills, as long as her son was safe and sound, none of that mattered anymore.

He Daqing looked at his wife, then at his obedient son, and clenched his teeth as if he had made a major decision.

She said in a deep voice, "Alright, it's settled then. Lanxiang, our son is so capable now, and his mind is much sharper than before... I think it's time to tell him about the family's secrets."

"You're the head of the household, so you can make the decision. I have no objections."

Chen Lanxiang glanced at her son, her eyes full of expectation. She also wanted her son to know about her family's origins so that he would have some understanding.

"Alright, I'll tell you then."

He Daqing turned to He Yuzhu, his expression more serious than ever before, even somewhat solemn.

"Zhu Zi, remember what I'm telling you today. From now on, no matter who you meet, keep it to yourself and never utter a single word. Understand?"

"Understood, Father!"

He Yuzhu also dropped his playful smile and nodded solemnly. He could sense that what his father was about to say was definitely about the core secret of the He family.

"Eh..."

He Daqing sighed deeply, his gaze drifting to the window, as if he had traveled through time and returned to the past.

"I had hoped you could settle down and be a chef for the rest of your life—it wouldn't be very successful or make you a lot of money, but you could still live a comfortable and peaceful life. I never imagined that you would have your own destiny... and this destiny doesn't seem so simple."

He paused, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice so that only the father and son could hear him.

"Our He family wasn't an ordinary family to begin with; we have quite a history. Our ancestors had connections with the palace and were imperial chefs, cooking for the emperor and the ladies of the harem. Back then, we were quite famous in the capital."

"Later, the world changed, and our family fell into decline, with each generation worse than the last... When your grandfather was young, he used the last bit of our family connections to get a job as a chef at the Tan family's restaurant. The Tan family's dishes were among the best in the capital."

"Later, the Qing Dynasty fell, the world was in chaos, and the Tan family was not as prosperous as before. Your grandfather took your grandmother and me and left the Tan family to make a living on our own."

"The back punch you just sparred with me wasn't something I learned casually. It's a family skill passed down in our family, originally used for protecting the house and self-defense."

"Originally, I didn't want to pass it on to you—I just wanted you to learn cooking skills in peace and quiet, so you could earn a living with your skills in the future, without getting involved in these fighting and killings."

He looked at his son, his eyes filled with complex emotions—gratification, expectation, and a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"I never imagined that you, child, would have such good fortune and develop such skills."

"From now on... I will pass on all my knowledge of Tongbei Kung Fu and my culinary skills to you. You can learn them all."

"If you learn it well, you can not only defend yourself but also make a living. No matter what happens in the future, you will have a way out."

He Yuzhu's heart stirred, and he seized the opportunity to ask the question that had been on his mind for a long time:

"Dad, what's the relationship between that old lady in the backyard and our family? She's also surnamed He? Why does she always call me 'grandson' and treat our family so well?"

He Daqing was taken aback, clearly not expecting his son to suddenly ask about this.

He paused for a moment, then sighed: "Okay."

"Why did you suddenly ask this? Well... that old lady had a tough life too, and the story behind it is a long one."

"Let your mother tell you; she knows better than I do."

"oh."

He Yuzhu obediently responded, then turned to look at Chen Lanxiang, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, like a child waiting to hear a story.

"Zhu'er, come here."

Chen Lanxiang waved to him, her voice gentle.

"Sit next to me, and I'll tell you slowly."

He Yuzhu immediately obediently climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), sat down next to Chen Lanxiang, and even moved closer to her, looking like he was all ears.

Chen Lanxiang reached out and gently stroked her son's dark hair.

Her fingertips were warm as she spoke slowly, "The old lady in the backyard, according to seniority, you should call her Great Great Aunt—she is my aunt, which is also your maternal grandfather's older sister."

"What? My own great-aunt?"

He Yuzhu's eyes widened suddenly, his face full of surprise, but he was also puzzled.

Wow, they're really close! No wonder the old lady takes such good care of our family; it turns out they're related. This is quite interesting.

Chen Lanxiang thought her son was shocked by the sudden amount of information, so she gently patted his back.

She continued, "Your great-aunt, according to your father, is indeed a pitiful person."

"When she was young, she married into an official's family as a concubine. Although she was well-off, she was never able to have children."

"Later, when the army with queues entered the city, they looted, burned, and destroyed everything. The family she married into suffered a disaster. The male head of the household and the rest of the family did not escape. Only your great-aunt survived because she was living alone in this courtyard at the time."

Her voice gradually softened, tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"When I was a child, my hometown suffered a natural disaster. The crops failed completely, and my family could no longer survive. There were people fleeing the famine everywhere, and countless people starved to death."

"When your maternal grandfather found out that he had such a relative in the capital, he thought it over and made a tough decision to send me to my great-aunt's place—it was better to give me a way to survive than to starve to death at home."

"When I first came here, I was only seven or eight years old and didn't know anything. But my great-aunt didn't dislike me at all. She treated me like her own daughter, always giving me the best food and drinks first. She also taught me to read and do needlework."

"At first, many families lived in this courtyard. They were all distant relatives or refugees taken in by my great-aunt. Later, as the world gradually stabilized, everyone left one by one to pursue their own futures..."

In the end, only my great-aunt and I were left to guard this courtyard.

"So how did you and my dad meet?"

He Yuzhu listened with great interest and couldn't help but ask another question, his eyes gleaming with gossip.

Chen Lanxiang's cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes softened, revealing a hint of girlish shyness.

She said softly, "Once, your great-aunt was craving some authentic hometown food, so she asked someone to hire a cook to come to our house to cook—that person was your grandfather."

"Your grandfather took a liking to me at first sight, thinking I was hardworking and honest, and a good match for your father. Later, he would often bring your father over to cook us a delicious meal, and sometimes he would bring me some little trinkets."

"After a while, your father and I got to know each other. I thought he was a reliable and dependable person. Your great-aunt was also quite satisfied, so we got engaged. Later, I married your father."

He Yuzhu couldn't help but turn to look at He Daqing. He saw that He Daqing's face was red for once, his eyes were somewhat evasive, and he glared at him fiercely, as if to say, "You little brat, don't ask questions."

He Yuzhu couldn't help but chuckle to himself, then quickly turned his head back to listen to his mother's story.

"Mom, what happened to Grandpa and the others? And what about my uncles and aunts?"

He Yuzhu then asked a crucial question, his tone tinged with caution.

"Eh..."

Chen Lanxiang's eyes dimmed instantly, her smile vanished, and her voice was filled with undisguised sadness.

"They're probably all gone. After I was sent to the capital, I exchanged a few letters with my family, but then we lost contact."

"Your father went back to his hometown to look for them, but the house had long since collapsed. The villagers also said that your maternal grandfather's family did not survive a famine and all of them perished... Otherwise, they would have come looking for them all these years ago."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, her voice choked with emotion.

"Mother, don't cry."

He Yuzhu quickly reached out and gently hugged Chen Lanxiang's arm, softly comforting her.

"In these chaotic times of war, it's not easy to survive. If Grandpa and Grandma are watching from heaven, they would surely want our family to be safe and sound. Living a good life now is the best way to comfort them."

"Hey, hey... my son is so sensible and knows how to talk."

Chen Lanxiang felt a warmth in her heart from her son's comfort, and patted his hand with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.

"You're right, as long as our family is doing well, that's more important than anything else."

He Daqing sat to the side, took a deep look at his son, his eyes filled with surprise and relief.

He increasingly doubted whether the sensible, insightful, and capable son in front of him was the same simple-minded, foolish Zhu Zi he used to know.

Even if someone has suddenly become enlightened, they shouldn't be this enlightened. Not only has their martial arts become highly proficient and their strength is comparable to that of an adult, but they can also speak eloquently and comfort people. The change is too great.

However, he quickly shook his head, suppressing these doubts—no matter how his son changed, he was still his own son.

As long as they still acknowledge him as their father and still love their mother and sister, that's enough.

I can't control that much, and I don't want to control it anymore.

He Yuzhu was unaware of his father's thoughts; the fire of gossip in his heart had not yet been extinguished.

Just as I was about to ask my great-aunt more about her youth, I was suddenly interrupted by a loud cry—He Yushui had woken up and was crying incessantly.

Chen Lanxiang immediately snapped out of her sadness, leaned over, lifted the blanket to check, and breathed a sigh of relief when she found the diaper was dry.

"It's not that he peed, it looks like he's hungry."

She pointed to the milk powder can and baby bottle on the kang table and looked at He Yuzhu: "Okay."

"Zhu Zi, where did you buy this formula and bottle? These things look expensive. How do you prepare them? Do you know how to make them?"

He Yuzhu patted his chest, looking confident and assured.

"Mom, don't worry about that! Even if you haven't eaten pork, you've still seen pigs run, right? The shopkeeper even taught me how to make formula and how to sterilize bottles, I remember it all!"