Courtyard House: He Yuzhu started in 1948

He Yuzhu lives in 95 Qingyun Hutong, which is adjacent to Dongzhimen and Chongwenmen. 49 years later, this area was incorporated into Chongwen District. In 2025, it was uniformly called Dongcheng District... Looking at the gray scene, it is full of the weight of history. The trees on both sides of the street have begun to sprout green buds.

Spring is coming soon.

Qingyun Hutong is a densely populated area with few clean streets; dirt and disorder are the norm. He Yuzhu no longer wanders around the streets selling steamed buns like before, nor does he go to the market. Instead, he strolls from one hutong to another, selling when someone buys and not hawking his wares when no one does.

Soon, He Yuzhu appeared in Xiguan Hutong.

There was a school here called Beiping Municipal Fifth Middle School. In September 49, the school was renamed Yanjing Fifth Middle School... He Yuzhu had naturally heard of this future legendary school.

Founded in 1928, the school was originally named "Pingmin Middle School" and was located in a hutong (alleyway). After the victory of the War of Resistance against Japan, the Nationalist government issued an order prohibiting the construction of schools on the original site, so the school moved to No. 13 Xiguan Hutong.

The area around the school will become a hub for celebrities in the future, and the famous musician Master Tian will live in a courtyard house next door.

And this is also where He Yuzhu's target is.

This is No. 5 Middle School, the most solid and profound high school, and also the high school with the highest administrative level in the future.

It's the best!

The First, Second, and Third Middle Schools belonged to the Zongxue (宗学) system. According to the order, the current Shuntian Middle School is ranked fourth, but it has not yet been renamed. Shuntian Middle School is a place for the children of high-ranking officials and nobles. Only the Fifth Middle School has always adhered to the concept of "a middle school for the common people". The tuition fees here are the lowest in the entire Beiping City, two silver dollars for junior high school and four silver dollars for senior high school.

If I could study here... no, even if I were to work as a handyman, it would be an incredibly proud thing.

He Yuzhu's wooden box for selling steamed buns was wrapped in cotton quilts on all sides. Touching it, he found it still steaming hot. He Yuzhu found a rock near the school gate and squatted down. When he saw students or teachers coming out, he would approach and call out, "Steamed buns! Hot, big meat buns... Hey student, buy a bun! Sir, how about a big bun? Two buns for one copper coin, buy five get one free..."

If no one was around, he would squat quietly to the side and wait.

The students who come here to study... no, the students who are still in school, all come from families with some money, so they can afford to buy a steamed bun.

Besides, He Yuzhu came here not just to sell steamed buns, but for other purposes as well.

Because this is a school, there are no thugs or shady police officers around to cause trouble, so He Yuzhu's safety will not be affected. The students will not try to fool him with counterfeit money, and He Yuzhu only accepts copper coins, which greatly reduces the chance of receiving counterfeit money and having bad luck.

After a while, a middle-aged man in a gray robe and black-rimmed glasses walked out of the school, carrying a briefcase. He Yuzhu immediately went up to him: "Sir, would you like to buy some steamed buns? These are piping hot meat buns, all made by me. Would you like to try some? If you don't like them, you don't have to pay!"

Hearing He Yuzhu's call and seeing his appearance, the middle-aged man immediately became interested: "Kid, how did you know I'm a teacher?"

"You wear glasses and your clothes are neatly starched; you look like a well-read and cultured person, so I should naturally address you as 'Sir'."

He Yuzhu's eyes revealed envy for the cultured man. "Sir, buy some steamed buns. They're so delicious they're juicy, you don't have to pay if you don't like them."

Lü Qinghuan laughed and said to He Yuzhu, "Kid, there's no way to do business like this. If it's not good, you don't charge... What if people try it and say it's not good?"

He Yuzhu blinked: "A person's integrity is paramount. Sir, you are a teacher and educator; you certainly wouldn't stoop to losing your integrity over a steamed bun!"

Seeing that He Yuzhu was becoming increasingly interested, Lü Qinghuang took out three copper coins and bought six steamed buns. He Yuzhu accepted the coins, wrapped the buns in oil paper, and took the opportunity to ask him, "Child, have you been to school?"

"I studied for half a year, and then I went to work as a kitchen helper. My mother passed away, and as an adult, I had to help my father take care of my younger sister so that she could go to school in the future."

He Yuzhu revealed his eagerness to study, then handed the wrapped buns to Lü Qinghuan: "Sir, are you a teacher here? Can I sell buns at the school?"

Lü Qinghuan understood the underlying meaning in He Yuzhu's words: "You want to study?"

"No, no, no, I don't want to. I only want to go to school to sell steamed buns."

He Yuzhu waved his hands repeatedly, as if afraid that Lü Qinghuan would misunderstand: "It's too chaotic outside. I think it would be safer at school. Yesterday, some thugs tried to steal my steamed buns, and someone gave me counterfeit money and tricked me out of a whole basket of steamed buns. My dad scolded me for it and called me 'Silly Zhu'... Sir, do you think I wouldn't be tricked if I went to school?"

He said he wasn't going to school to study, but his last sentence revealed his longing for education. He Yuzhu expressed himself so frankly, which was just right for his age of thirteen.

I have a purpose, but I've hidden it. It's your business if you can figure it out; it has nothing to do with me!

Lu Qinghuan is an adult; how could he not understand He Yuzhu's thoughts?

He Yuzhu wanted to study, but he couldn't because of his family situation. Now the world is not peaceful, and he was bullied when he did business outside... Lu Qinghuan looked at He Yuzhu, a look of pity flashing in his eyes.

What a wonderful child!

In the new world of the future, every child must have access to books.

On the surface, Lü Qinghuan was a teacher, and he was a teacher wholeheartedly dedicated to his profession. However, he also had his own responsibilities. While teaching at the school, he also dissected the corruption of the Nationalist government and subtly taught his students progressive ideas.

In the new world of the future, everyone will be equal! Everyone will be like a dragon!

If a child like He Yuzhu lived in a new world, he would definitely be able to make his life better through his own efforts!

"Honey, how many steamed buns are left? I'll buy them all!"

Lü Qinghuan decided to help He Yuzhu and took out his only silver dollar: "Is this enough to buy some steamed buns?"

"Uh... not enough, we need to add ten more copper coins."

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he thought for a moment and said, "But if you buy them all for me at once, saving me time, I can sell them to you for one silver dollar."

"Hmm, this child is teachable."

Seeing that He Yuzhu was clear-headed, Lü Qinghuan felt that he had great potential and decided to take a liking to him: "If you're free this afternoon, come to the school and find me. I'll help you find a job so you can earn money to support your family and also learn something."

"Oh? Really...?"

He Yuzhu looked as if he had been hit by a pie, and was about to kneel down and kowtow when Lü Qinghuan stopped him: "Child, we don't do that."

"Since you are the master, the apprenticeship ceremony should naturally be formal."

He Yuzhu insisted on bowing, saying, "Sir, student He Yuzhu pays his respects to you!"

"I……"

Lü Qinghuan was both amused and exasperated.

When did I agree to be your husband?

But from He Yuzhu's actions, he could see He Yuzhu's thirst for knowledge, so he said to him, "Come find me this afternoon. My name is Lü Qinghuan."

Holy crap!

Lü Qinghan?

He Yuzhu was stunned when he heard the name.

If there's no one with the same name as him at No. 5 Middle School, then he's about to witness history.