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

The two brothers sat on benches in the main room, chatting back and forth.

From the trivial matters on the battlefield to the major and minor changes in the family over the years of separation.

The more they talked, the more compatible they became, and before they knew it, the sun had climbed high in the sky.

As lunchtime drew ever closer, the warmth in the house was enveloped in a deep sense of family affection.

Normally, according to the usual practice, it was Chen Lanxiang who would cook and prepare meals for the whole family.

After all, there were many people in the family, and Chen Lanxiang always took care of all the chores, such as preparing three meals a day.

However, He Yuzhu stood up and stopped Chen Lanxiang, who was about to walk into the kitchen.

He smiled and scratched his head, his tone earnest.

"Mother, you should rest. My skills have been rusty for years, so I'll take this opportunity to practice today."

"I'm still the most comfortable cooking at home."

Looking at her healthy son, Chen Lanxiang felt a surge of joy and immediately nodded.

She also wanted to taste the food her son cooked himself; she had been longing for this for several years.

When Xu Damao heard that He Yuzhu was going to cook, his eyes lit up instantly.

He immediately moved closer to He Yuzhu, patted his chest, and volunteered to help out.

"Brother Zhu, I'll help you out. I can do everything, from picking and washing the vegetables!"

He hadn't eaten He Yuzhu's cooking for far too long.

Back then, the food He Yuzhu cooked was among the best in the entire courtyard.

Just thinking about it made Xu Damao's mouth water.

As for Xu Damao's mother, he had already made plans in his mind.

Just let your mother eat whatever she wants at home, make do with a simple lunch.

There are old neighbors on both sides, so there's no need to be too particular.

Speaking of the interactions between the Xu family and the He family in recent years, it was all because of the unpleasantness caused by Xu Fugui.

Ever since the incident with Xu Fugui, Zhao Cuifeng has rarely set foot in the He family's courtyard.

The two families almost completely stopped interacting, and their meetings were always somewhat awkward.

Xu Damao took the initiative to visit because of the news brought by Xiaoman.

Xiaoman immediately found Xu Damao and told him the good news that He Yuzhu was still alive.

He also said, word by word, that He Yuzhu had made great contributions on the battlefield and had now returned safely.

Upon learning the news, Xu Damao felt both guilty and remorseful.

He immediately took his sister and went to the He family to apologize sincerely.

Back then, he often joined others in discussing the He family, and even said many unpleasant things.

Now that he has sincerely admitted his mistake, he hopes that the Ho family can forgive him.

The elderly couple in the He family were both soft-hearted and never liked to argue with the younger generation.

Chen Lanxiang and He Daqing both accepted Xu Damao's apology with smiles.

They were unwilling to dwell on past unpleasantness.

He Daqing, however, always had a rather unfriendly expression whenever he saw Xu Fugui.

After all, what Xu Fugui did back then was really too much, and he was still angry.

Although the He family has not lived a very comfortable life in recent years, they still have enough to eat.

With He Yuzhu now safely back, the meals at home have become even more upscale.

He Yuzhu deliberately turned around and went back to the east wing, where he rummaged through his luggage and found canned food.

There are heavy cans of meat, as well as canned fruits that are rarely seen on the market.

He laid out the canned goods one by one on the table, smiling and inviting his family to try them.

"Everyone, please don't be shy. These are rare treats, so please try them."

Before He Yuzhu sent his letter home, the He family lived a very difficult life.

The family basically lived off their previous savings and possessions.

When He Yuzhu went to the battlefield, he left money, food and belongings for his family.

Over the past few years, the family has eaten almost all of it.

He Daqing's life became increasingly difficult, and he could hardly find any odd jobs outside.

Even his colleagues in the steel mill canteen gradually stopped giving him face.

The procurement channels he had previously established through his connections have also been completely cut off.

The availability of ingredients and rare items is naturally decreasing.

Wang Cuiping is so busy with work that she has no time to take care of household chores.

She would bring money home every month to help support her family.

Unfortunately, there are too many people in the family to feed, and no amount of money can last forever.

Life was tough; just being able to fill our stomachs was already a struggle.

The family sat together and enjoyed a lively lunch.

The moment the food entered their mouths, everyone in the He family truly felt it.

Their pillars truly returned home safely.

Because the dinner table was filled with familiar flavors that belonged only to He Yuzhu.

That's the warmest and most comforting taste etched in the family's memory.

Little Wang Siyu sat on a small stool, picking at the food in her bowl.

Her big, round eyes were fixed on He Yuzhu with curiosity.

When He Yuzhu left home, Wang Siyu was too young.

She had absolutely no memory of her older brother.

Xiaoman sat next to Wang Siyu and patiently told her about the past.

The story recounts He Yuzhu's connection with his family, detailing their kinship.

Regardless of whether Wang Siyu could truly understand the deeper meaning behind it.

After hearing what was said, little Wang Siyu finally understood.

The tall older brother in front of me is just as close to Xiaoman as she is to me.

He is someone you can rely on and be close to like a biological brother.

The family leisurely finished their lunch and cleaned up the dishes on the table.

He Yuzhu turned his head and saw Chen Lanxiang holding a bowl of rice soup, feeding the two little brothers in the family.

Seeing the two little ones sipping rice porridge, He Yuzhu felt a pang of anxiety.

Only then did he belatedly realize that Chen Lanxiang's breast milk had never been very good.

The two younger sons in the family are often not getting enough to eat and are not developing well.

We do keep some malted milk powder at home, but we only dare to give it to our child occasionally.

Feeding the child malted milk powder at every meal is simply unaffordable for our family.

He Yuzhu looked at his two thin younger brothers and felt a pang of heartache.

Without saying a word, he turned around and went back to the east wing.

The large package he brought back has been sitting by the kang (a heated brick bed) and hasn't been unpacked yet.

For He Yuzhu now, taking out a few cans of milk powder is no big deal.

He rummaged through the package for a while and pulled out several heavy cans of milk powder.

Holding the milk powder can, He Yuzhu strode back to the main room.

Chen Lanxiang looked at the unfamiliar jar in He Yuzhu's arms with a face full of doubt.

She reached out and gently touched the milk powder can, then asked softly.

"Pillar, what's in this jar?"

He Yuzhu gently placed the milk powder can on the table and responded with a smile.

"This is milk powder, something I captured from the battlefield, from the Bald Eagles."

"I never had a chance to drink it when I was in the army."

After hearing this, Chen Lanxiang's face was full of surprise, and she couldn't help but ask another question.

"Huh? Soldiers from the Bald Eagle carry this thing into battle?"

In her mind, the battlefield was always harsh and cruel, and she never thought of these things.

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu couldn't help but smile and patiently explained to his mother.

"They brought a lot more with them to the battlefield than just these."

"The canned meat and canned fruit we just ate were all theirs."

"There are also compressed biscuits, candy, chocolate, egg powder, coffee, and so on—the list goes on and on."

Chen Lanxiang listened with repeated exclamations of amazement and couldn't help but mutter something under her breath.

"This isn't going to the battlefield to fight; it's clearly going out to have fun."

He Yuzhu could only smile helplessly at his mother's words, offering no further explanation.

He knew perfectly well that the enemy's supplies were already plentiful.

It was precisely because they ate well and received adequate nutrition that the enemy soldiers were in such good physical condition.

In the extremely cold weather, the number of soldiers who froze to death or suffered frostbite was much lower than that of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

This is an indisputable fact, and it is also the most realistic difference on the battlefield.

He Yuzhu looked at the baby bottle next to him, then turned to Chen Lanxiang and asked.

"Mom, do you still have the baby bottles at home? I'll make formula for Xiaoxin and Xiaolei."

Chen Lanxiang nodded quickly and pointed towards the cabinet.

"They're all on the cabinet; not a single one is missing."

"Those glass baby bottles you brought back back then were of very good quality; they could be passed down as family heirlooms."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu picked up the milk powder can and walked towards the stove in the main room.

He planned to boil water and prepare formula for his two younger brothers.

Watching her son's busy figure, Chen Lanxiang stood there, tears welling up in her eyes.

She raised her hand and gently wiped the corner of her eye, murmuring softly to herself.

"It still has to be my eldest son. With him around, there's finally hope for the future at home."

He Yushui, who was standing nearby, walked into the house and saw the tears in her mother's eyes. She quickly spoke up.

"Mom, why are you crying again? My brother came back safe and sound."

Chen Lanxiang quickly composed herself, waved her hands repeatedly, and responded to her daughter with a smile.

"Don't cry, don't cry, Mother, these are tears of joy, tears of happiness."

She quickly wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, afraid that her child would see.

He Yushui looked at her brother's back and said with a smile.

"I'll go help my brother so he can manage on his own."

Chen Lanxiang quickly grabbed her daughter and gently patted her hand.

"Don't cause trouble. It's boiling hot water; you can't just touch it like that."

"Just stay inside and take good care of the children."

When little Wang Siyu saw that no one was paying attention to her, she immediately pouted.

She took short strides, ran to He Yushui's side, and tugged at her clothes, calling out.

"Sister Rain, please play with me, okay?"

He Yushui looked down at the cute little girl and immediately smiled and agreed.

"Okay, I'll play with you. How about we play beanbag toss?"

On the other side, He Yuzhu quickly prepared the formula and carried the bottle into the house.

Chen Lanxiang quickly took the bottle and first dripped a drop on her wrist to test the temperature.

After confirming that the temperature was just right, I held my two young sons and slowly breastfed them.

Wang Siyu was playing with He Yushui on the side, but her little nose kept sniffing.

She smelled the faint milky aroma of the milk powder, and her eyes were full of envy.

He Yushui looked at the little girl and smiled as she comforted her.

"We're big kids now, we can't take milk from the little ones."

Upon hearing this, Wang Siyu's head drooped instantly, her face full of dejection.

Seeing the little guy's disappointed look, He Yuzhu's heart softened.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out two dark chocolates, handing them to the two children.

"Come on, don't be sad, here's some candy for you."

He Yushui looked at the dark chocolate with a puzzled expression and couldn't help but ask.

"Brother, why is this candy black? It looks weird, is it edible?"

He Yuzhu smiled and ruffled his sister's hair, responding softly.

"Try it and you'll know if it's good or not; this is a rare kind of candy."

Wang Siyu had been craving it for a long time and couldn't wait to take a small bite.

The chocolate melts in your mouth, and the sweet taste instantly fills your taste buds.

Her eyes immediately narrowed into small crescent moons, her face full of satisfaction.

"Mmm, so sweet! It's so delicious!"

Seeing Wang Siyu eating with relish, He Yushui also carefully took a small bite.

After chewing slowly, she nodded and said with a smile.

"It's delicious, even better than the fruit candies we make at home."

To outsiders, chocolate may have a slightly bitter taste.

In this era of scarcity, being able to eat a bite of candy was already an immense happiness.

No one would complain about the taste of the sugar; they would just find it sweet.

He Yuzhu took out another piece of chocolate from his pocket and handed it to Chen Lanxiang.

"Mom, have a piece too, and taste this rare candy."

Chen Lanxiang smiled and waved her hand, quickly refusing.

"Mom doesn't like sweets, so let's save them for the children."

He Yuzhu insisted on stuffing the chocolate into his mother's hand, his tone firm.

"There's plenty more, just try a little bit, it's not like there's not enough to eat."

Seeing her son's stubborn look, Chen Lanxiang had no choice but to smile and accept it.

"Okay, okay, Mother will listen to you, I'll try a piece."

She put the chocolate in her mouth and slowly savored the taste.

After finishing his meal, he asked, his face full of confusion.

"Why does this candy taste completely different from the candy sold outside?"

He Yuzhu explained with a smile, "This is called chocolate, and it's something from the Bald Eagle."

Chen Lanxiang couldn't help but sigh, "Those people over there really know how to enjoy life."

He Yuzhu looked at his mother and spoke with a firm gaze.

"Mother, don't worry, as our country gets better, we'll have it too."

"In the future, we will not only be able to eat it, but also eat it produced in our own country."

After listening, Chen Lanxiang nodded repeatedly, her face full of anticipation.

"Yes, yes, from now on we'll eat what we produce ourselves and live a good life."

In the afternoon, the family was busy with their own chores.

He Yuzhu lay on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east wing and drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

He was constantly on edge on the battlefield, so it was rare for him to have such a peaceful sleep.

His family knew he had been traveling a long and tiring journey, and no one wanted to bother him.

Let him get some quiet sleep and relieve his fatigue.

In his sleep, He Yuzhu suddenly felt a hand gently touching his face.

His heightened alertness, honed over years on the battlefield, instantly jolted him awake.

His hands, as if by reflex, quickly began to grope his body.

He was touching the gun he carried with him; it was an instinct ingrained in his very being.

But when he reached out, he found nothing; there were no weapons around.

The next second, he clenched his fist and swung it hard at the person in front of him.

Just as the fist was about to land on the opponent, it was firmly grabbed by a hand.

He Daqing's slightly angry voice rang out in the room instantly.

"You brat, what are you touching? And you even dare to hit someone?"

"Open your eyes and look carefully, I'm your father!"

He Yuzhu slowly opened his sleepy eyes and carefully looked at the person in front of him.

Upon recognizing He Daqing, his tense nerves instantly relaxed.

The vigilance and murderous intent in his heart gradually dissipated.

He let out a long sigh and spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"Dad, why did you touch my face for no reason? I thought the enemy had broken in."

He Daqing glared at her with his big eyes and began to scold her in an annoyed tone.

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean'? This is Beijing, this is our home!"

"You really think the enemy can come to your house and even think about touching a gun?"

Seeing his father's angry expression, He Yuzhu could only scratch his head and chuckle foolishly.

"Hey, you'd better get rid of this habit and pay more attention in the future."

"If it's like this at home, what will it be like outside? What if it hurts someone else?"

He Yuzhu quickly suppressed his smile and obediently nodded in agreement.

"I understand, Dad. I will definitely pay attention in the future and correct this bad habit."

He Daqing's expression softened slightly when he saw his son's obedient demeanor.

"Wake up, dinner is ready, the whole family is waiting for you to eat."

He Yuzhu quickly got up from the kang (a heated brick bed) and straightened his clothes.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Let's eat right away."

The family sat together and enjoyed a pleasant dinner.

The dinner table was filled with laughter and joy, and a long-lost warmth enveloped the entire He family.

Unlike the lively atmosphere at the He family's house, the other families in the front yard were in a particularly bad mood.

The news that He Yuzhu had returned safely and made a great contribution had already spread throughout the entire courtyard.

The women from those houses in the front yard had been gossiping about the He family behind their backs for a long time.

They spread rumors everywhere, saying that He Yuzhu had died on the battlefield long ago.

Now that the truth has come out, they are all too scared to go out.

The men in those families each harbored their own ulterior motives and had different thoughts.

But the vast majority of people are filled with intense jealousy.

He was jealous of He Yuzhu's good luck in escaping death on the battlefield.

They were even more jealous of He Daqing for having such a promising and meritorious son.

The He family finished their dinner peacefully and chatted in the main room.

He Daqing suddenly became interested, grabbed He Yuzhu's hand, and spoke urgently.

"Zhu Zi, take out the medals you earned on the battlefield and let your father take a good look at them."

Since his father made the request, He Yuzhu naturally couldn't refuse.

He smiled helplessly, turned around and went back into the house to take out his medals.

The family gathered carefully, passing around their medals one by one.

Everyone moved with exceptional gentleness, their eyes filled with reverence.

They were afraid that they might accidentally damage their medals.

Finally, the medal was passed on to the old lady of the He family.

The old lady took a clean cloth and carefully wiped each one clean.

He carefully wrapped it in layers of cloth before handing it back to He Yuzhu.

The old lady, holding the wrapped-up medals, suddenly spoke with a puzzled look.

"Zhu Zi, I counted them, and there's one extra medal here!"

He Yuzhu accepted the medal and responded casually.

"After our main force withdrew back to China, I went to other units to help out in some small ways."

"I did a small favor and that's how I got this medal."

He spoke of it casually, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

But the old lady, Chen Lanxiang, and He Daqing present were not so easily fooled.

They had specifically asked Wang Cuiping about it when He Yuzhu sent his letter home.

Wang Cuiping worked hard at her workplace for so many years, risking her life to finally earn second-class and third-class merit awards.

Moreover, her second-class merit is incomparable to the merits she earned on the battlefield.

Although Wang Cuiping did not explicitly say that first-class merit awards are mostly awarded to martyrs.

But she also clearly told her family how difficult it was to earn merit on the battlefield.

In her unit, there were many soldiers who had retired from regular battlefield troops.

Every time Wang Cuiping talked about He Yuzhu's military achievements, those people's eyes would turn red.

My heart was filled with envy and admiration; I couldn't feel a trace of jealousy.

Because they all knew how difficult it was to have the ability to earn merit on the battlefield and come back alive.

After looking at the military medals, He Daqing still felt it wasn't enough and spoke up again.

"Zhu Zi, show me your military merit certificates too."

He had seen Wang Cuiping's military merit certificate and also wanted to see his son's.

However, He Yuzhu shook his head directly and refused his father's request.

Because his military merit certificate clearly states his battle record and specific contributions.

If my family saw those bloody and brutal battle records, they would definitely be worried and terrified.

He didn't want his family to worry about his past.

As night fell, Wang Cuiping finished her work and returned to the courtyard house very late.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw the light on in the east wing.

Wang Cuiping was overjoyed and rushed straight into the east wing without even going home.

At this moment, in the east wing, He Yuzhu and his father He Daqing were sitting at the kang table, having a drink.

This is the first time in all their lives that the father and son have sat down and drunk together.

He Daqing specially brought out his fine wine, which he had kept for many years.

He was overjoyed that his son had returned safely and had even performed a great service.

The snacks on the kang table were simple: a plate of fried peanuts and a plate of cold cabbage hearts.

The door was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang.

The father and son, who were drinking inside, were startled by the sudden commotion.

Before He Yuzhu could react, someone grabbed him by the back of the neck.

Wang Cuiping's voice, a mixture of anger and joy, rang in his ears.

"You little brat, you actually know how to come back? Can't you give your mother a break!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Wang Cuiping's fist slammed hard into He Yuzhu's shoulder.

The punch was delivered with full force, causing He Yuzhu to grimace in pain.

He quickly put on a pained expression and begged for mercy.

"Aunt Ping, I barely survived on the battlefield, but you almost killed me."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping released her grip on his collar.

She sat down at the kang table without any hesitation, showing no politeness whatsoever.

"I know your personality too well, so don't try to talk back to me."

"Get me a cup too, I want to have a couple of drinks."

He Yuzhu turned to look at He Daqing, his eyes asking for his father's opinion.

He Daqing smiled and nodded, indicating that he should do as he was told.

He Yuzhu then got up and took three large tea mugs from the cabinet.

He also casually pulled out two bottles of foreign liquor from his bag.

Wang Cuiping glanced at the foreign liquor on the table and said irritably.

"What, you think you can get revenge by getting your aunt drunk after I punched you?"

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand, his face full of a forced smile.

"No way, Aunt Ping, I just wanted you all to try something new."

"This is liquor I captured on the battlefield, from the Bald Eagles."

Wang Cuiping picked up the foreign liquor, looked at the liquid in the bottle, and looked puzzled.

"What kind of wine is this? Why is the color of the wine so strange?"

He Daqing stared at the wine for a moment before slowly speaking.

"I think it was called some kind of red wine. I saw it when I worked at a big restaurant years ago."

"But back then I was of low status and had never drunk it before."

He Yuzhu picked up a dagger and cleanly sliced ​​off the neck of the wine bottle.

He poured half a mug of red wine into each of the three mugs.

He Daqing quickly looked at He Yuzhu and began to give him instructions.

"Zhu Zi, you should toast your Aunt Ping first."

"If it weren't for Aunt Ping's help over the years, I don't know what would have become of our family."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately picked up the teacup in front of him.

He looked at Wang Cuiping and spoke sincerely.

"Aunt Ping, thank you for all these years of hard work. I salute you and thank you!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and gulped down the entire vat of red wine.

Wang Cuiping has always been a forthright and outgoing person, and she has never been shy or timid.

Over the years, she has attended countless celebration banquets, and has drunk countless grown men under the table.

She simply picked up the teacup, tilted her head back, and drank it down.

But as soon as she took a sip of the red wine, her brows furrowed tightly.

I almost threw up; the taste was just too weird.

She forced down a large mouthful and immediately put down the teacup.

He reached out and grabbed a handful of peanuts, stuffed them into his mouth, and chewed them vigorously, trying to suppress the strange taste in his mouth.

Wang Cuiping frowned and began to complain.

"What is this rubbish? It's so sour, and you call this wine?"

He Yuzhu scratched his head and responded with a smile.

"This is my first time trying this stuff too, I just wanted to let everyone try something new."

Wang Cuiping glared at him and said irritably.

"You can down half a teacup on your first drink? You're not picky at all."

He Yuzhu said earnestly, "When toasting Aunt Ping, you should naturally finish the drink."

Looking at his sincere expression, Wang Cuiping shook her head helplessly.

"You child, I just can't do anything with you."

He Daqing also picked up his teacup and took a small sip of red wine.

After all, he had seen the world in big restaurants in his early years, so he knew a thing or two.

After tasting it, he spoke tactfully.

"This liquor doesn't taste as good as our local baijiu."

After saying that, he pushed the large tea mug in front of him directly to He Yuzhu.

It was obvious that he didn't want to drink that sour foreign liquor anymore.

He Daqing put down his teacup, got up, and walked outside.

"You guys keep chatting, I'll go get another bottle of baijiu. This foreign liquor isn't quite satisfying."

He actually wanted to give Wang Cuiping and He Yuzhu some time to talk alone.

There are some things that the two younger people find inconvenient to say when he's present.

After He Daqing left, Wang Cuiping immediately lowered her voice and looked at He Yuzhu.

"Zhu Zi, you've really gotten quite capable."

"A first-class combat hero, and a special-class merit? What exactly did you do on the northern battlefield?"

He Yuzhu picked up his teacup, took a sip of wine, and spoke in a calm tone.

"I didn't do anything earth-shattering, I just killed a few more enemies."

Wang Cuiping frowned immediately when she saw his nonchalant manner.

"Killed some? You might fool the others in the yard, but you think you can fool me?"

Despite Wang Cuiping's serious expression, He Yuzhu persisted.

"It's really nothing serious, just killed a few more enemies."

Wang Cuiping leaned forward and lowered her voice even further.

"How many did you kill? Tell your aunt the truth, I won't tell anyone else."

He Yuzhu was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice in response.

"There must be at least a hundred or so."

After hearing this, Wang Cuiping couldn't help but gasp.

She looked at He Yuzhu with shock in her eyes, her tone complicated.

"Hiss... I didn't realize you were such a killing machine on the battlefield!"

"It's truly remarkable that you came back alive from the battlefield. Were you injured?"

He Yuzhu nodded slightly, without hiding anything.

Wang Cuiping's eyes instantly tensed up, and she quickly pressed for answers.

"Where are you injured? How serious is the injury? Will it leave any lasting health problems?"

He Yuzhu spoke calmly and casually, "It's all better now, it's nothing serious."

Wang Cuiping looked at him and asked again, "Did you come back this time to visit relatives?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and slowly said, "I've already transferred to civilian work and I'm not going back to the army."

Wang Cuiping's eyes lit up, and she quickly confirmed, "You're not leaving? You're staying in Beijing from now on?"

He Yuzhu nodded firmly: "Yes, I will stay at home from now on and keep my parents company."

Wang Cuiping recalled the contents of the letter from home and asked again.

"You mentioned in your letter that you were a company commander in the army?"

He Yuzhu responded casually: "It was mentioned later, and now he's the deputy battalion commander."

Wang Cuiping looked at him with admiration in her eyes and immediately extended an invitation.

"Why don't you stop waiting for your company to assign you a job and work for me instead?"

"I'm exactly short of someone as capable as you under my command."

He Yuzhu shook his head gently, his tone tinged with weariness.

"I want to rest for a bit. I'm a little tired after so many years on the battlefield."

Just then, the door to the east wing was gently pushed open.

He Daqing walked in carrying a bottle of baijiu and two new wine cups.

Behind him followed Xu Damao, who looked flustered.

It turned out that Xu Damao had been standing at the door, hesitating and not daring to come in.

He had no idea how much conversation he overheard at the door; his face was deathly pale.

He Daqing couldn't stand it anymore and gently kicked him, which brought him back to his senses.

He Daqing walked into the room and said with a smile.

"What were you two whispering about in the room? You scared this kid half to death."

Wang Cuiping smiled and responded casually.

"I just wanted to ask about what happened on the battlefield. Da Mao is still a child, so it's normal for him to be scared."

He Daqing glanced at Xu Damao and couldn't help but speak.

"When Zhuzi left, he was about the same age as he is now; he was still a child."

"I think he should go out and gain some experience to temper his temper."

He Daqing had always looked down on Xu Damao's skill in projecting movies.

I feel this skill is more tiring than being a chef, and the people you have to serve are all sorts of people, so there's not much of a future in it.

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping quickly tried to dissuade him.

"Isn't it enough that one pillar of our family has already gone to the battlefield to fight?"

"Let the child stay home safely and don't take that risk."

He Yuzhu looked at Xu Damao, whose face was pale, and smiled as he pulled him to sit down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Da Mao, sit down and have a drink to calm your nerves."

He handed the red wine and tea mug that He Daqing had pushed over to Xu Damao.

At this moment, Xu Damao's eyes still held a hint of fear when he looked at He Yuzhu.

He instinctively took the teacup, assuming it contained ordinary water.

Without a second thought, he tilted his head back and gulped down the entire vat of red wine.

After finishing his drink, he let out a satisfied burp.

Xu Damao smacked his lips, looking at He Yuzhu with a face full of doubt.

"This isn't water, why does it taste sour? Brother Zhu, you didn't give me vinegar to drink, did you?"

He Yuzhu couldn't help but laugh out loud and began to explain.

"This is a foreign contraption, red wine captured on the battlefield, not vinegar."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly spoke up.

"Shall I have another tub? I drank it too fast earlier and didn't really taste it."

He Yuzhu looked at him and asked seriously, "Are you sure you want to drink this? This wine has a strong aftereffect."

Xu Damao nodded heavily, his tone firm.

"I'm sure, I really couldn't taste it just now. Let me try it again."

He Yuzhu didn't refuse and picked up the wine bottle.

After a few quick pats, he poured Xu Damao half a teacup of red wine.

This time, Xu Damao didn't dare to drink too much; he took a small sip instead.

Then, imitating Wang Cuiping, he picked up some peanuts and chewed them slowly.

He Yuzhu watched as the peanuts on the table were almost gone.

He got up and went back to the east wing, where he brought out two more cans of meat.

Use a dagger to pry open the can lid and place it directly on the kang table.

He Daqing looked at the canned meat, then turned to look at Wang Cuiping.

"Aunt Ping, what were you two talking about in the room that scared Da Mao like this?"

Wang Cuiping smiled and responded casually.

"Just ask about Zhu Zi's war achievements, and then ask him if he'll leave again in the future."

"He said he wasn't leaving, so I invited him to work with me. This kid is a real pro."

"He's much more reliable and capable than my subordinates at work."

Upon hearing this, He Daqing's mind immediately became active, and he quickly pressed for more information.

"How did Zhu Zi respond to you? Is he willing?"

In fact, He Daqing has been worrying about his son's job after he comes back these days.

He knew in his heart that his son would definitely not go back to being a cook.

Leaving aside his son's education, his status as a military officer and his distinguished military achievements are remarkable.

After being demobilized, I'm sure I'll be assigned to a good unit.

But he himself didn't have any connections or resources, so he couldn't help his son at all.

Now that Wang Cuiping has taken the initiative to extend an invitation, he is naturally overjoyed.

Wang Cuiping glanced at He Yuzhu and slowly spoke.

"Zhu Zi said there's no rush. He just came back from the battlefield and wants to rest for a while."

After listening, He Daqing nodded and did not insist any further.

"Oh, taking a break is fine, to get some rest and adjust your condition."

Wang Cuiping looked at He Daqing and couldn't help but ask again.

"Stop changing the subject. I still want to know, what exactly happened on the battlefield?"

Wang Cuiping turned to look at He Yuzhu, asking him for his opinion with her eyes.

He Yuzhu gently shook his head, signaling her not to say anything more.

No matter how bold He Daqing was, he was still just an ordinary citizen.

If you knew the brutal truth about the battlefield, you would definitely be horrified.

As for Xu Damao, who was standing to the side, he had overheard some of it.

There was nothing we could do about it; he had to come over so late at night.

Wang Cuiping understood He Yuzhu's gaze and said no more.

"Nothing special, anyway, it wasn't easy for Zhuzi to come back."

After Wang Cuiping finished speaking, she picked up a glass of baijiu (Chinese liquor), tilted her head back, and drank it down.

After finishing her drink, she got up to leave.

"You guys can chat all you want. I have work to do tomorrow, so I'm heading back now."

Before leaving, she looked at He Yuzhu and gave him a serious warning.

"Zhu Zi, you stay home and behave yourself. Don't go out and cause trouble."

Wang Cuiping's words were actually pointed.

She has seen too many soldiers who have returned from the battlefield, all of whom have post-traumatic stress disorder.

Moreover, He Yuzhu is a killing god who has killed hundreds of enemies.

She felt that He Yuzhu wasn't telling the truth about the numbers he had just given.

His actual record is probably even more astonishing than he claims.

He Yuzhu looked at Wang Cuiping and obediently nodded in agreement.

"I understand, Aunt Ping. I will stay home obediently and won't cause any trouble."

Seeing his obedient demeanor, Wang Cuiping felt relieved and left.

"You know that's good. I'm leaving. You guys keep drinking."

After Wang Cuiping left, only the three of them remained in the room, continuing to drink and chat.

He Daqing was curious and then tentatively asked about the battlefield several more times.

He Yuzhu brushed it off lightly with a few words and didn't say anything more.

He Daqing could tell that his son didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't press the matter further.

He secretly planned to find an opportunity to ask Xu Damao alone later.

Let's see if we can get some truth out of Xu Damao.

Xu Damao sat quietly to the side the whole time, drinking with the father and son.

He already had a low alcohol tolerance, and the red wine had a strong aftereffect.

As he drank, he felt dizzy and slid under the table, completely drunk.

He Daqing looked at Xu Damao, who was drunk and passed out on the ground, and said helplessly.

"This kid has such a low alcohol tolerance, yet he still insists on drinking. You should send him back to the Xu family."

He Yuzhu bent down and glanced at the sleeping Xu Damao, then shook his head.

"No need to send him off, my kang is big enough, he can sleep here."

He Daqing thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Alright, then go outside the Xu family's house later and tell Zhao Cuifeng."

"Don't make people worry, thinking something happened to the child."

He Yuzhu nodded repeatedly: "Okay, I'll go and tell them in a bit."

He Daqing had also drunk quite a bit and said with a yawn.

"I'm not drinking anymore. I have to go to work at the factory tomorrow, so I need to get some rest."

Seeing that his father reeked of alcohol, He Yuzhu tried to persuade him to stay.

"You reek of alcohol, it's inconvenient for you to run around at night, why don't you sleep here with me?"

He Daqing thought about it and felt that his son made sense.

"Alright, I'll go back and tell your mother, then I'll come over."

He Yuzhu bent down and laboriously helped Xu Damao lie down on the kang (a heated brick bed).

After settling Xu Damao in, he got up and walked to the Xu family's door.

He called out into the courtyard to tell Zhao Cuifeng that Xu Damao was staying at the He family's house.

Zhao Cuifeng responded from inside the house, and He Yuzhu turned around and went back to the He family home.

When he returned to the east wing, He Daqing had already come back and was washing his feet by the kang (a heated brick bed).

After He Da washed his feet, He Yuzhu quickly got up and helped his father pour out the foot-washing water.

Afterwards, he fetched some hot water and soaked his feet comfortably.

After finishing everything, the father and son lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed) and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

He Yuzhu had long been accustomed to all kinds of noisy environments on the battlefield.

Even though He Daqing and Xu Damao were snoring loudly, it didn't affect him at all.

He quickly fell into a deep sleep and slept soundly until dawn.

The next morning, when He Yuzhu woke up...

He Daqing, who was standing next to me, had already left home early in the morning to go to work at the steel rolling mill.

Xu Damao lay on the other end of the kang (a heated brick bed), still sleeping like a dead pig.

He Yuzhu looked at him sleeping soundly and couldn't bear to wake him.

He quietly got up, went out of the house to wash his face and brush his teeth, and prepared to have breakfast.

He had just finished washing up when He Yushui came skipping over.

"Brother, breakfast is ready, come and eat."

Xiaoman and Wang Siyu were already seated at the dinner table.

Breakfast was simple: a pot of hot porridge, a few steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and water, and a dish of pickled vegetables.

The meal was simple, but the family ate it with exceptional relish.

After finishing breakfast, He Yuzhu sat in the courtyard, unsure of what to do.

He was bored at home when he suddenly remembered that the Chinese New Year was just around the corner.

So he looked at Chen Lanxiang and asked her a question.

"Mom, the New Year is almost here. How's the preparation for the New Year going?"

Chen Lanxiang looked at her son and saw right through his thoughts.

She knew her son wanted to go out and contact old friends to buy New Year's goods.

Chen Lanxiang smiled and shook her head, then began to comfort her son.

"Don't worry about things at home, your dad is taking care of the New Year's supplies."

"You've just gotten back, don't think about anything, just stay home and relax."

Seeing his mother's resolute expression, He Yuzhu had no choice but to nod obediently.

"Okay, I understand, Mother. I won't go out; I'll stay home with you."

Since he wasn't planning to go out, He Yuzhu stayed home and focused on playing with the children.

The two girls in the family are well-behaved and relatively easy to take care of.

But those two little brothers who are crying for milk are really a headache.

The two little ones almost drove He Yuzhu crazy; they were exceptionally loud.

It cries when it's hungry, it cries when it wets itself, it cries as much as it feels uncomfortable.

No matter how He Yuzhu tried to coax her, it had no effect; the crying continued unabated.

In the end, He Yuzhu had no choice but to hand the two children over to Chen Lanxiang.

He himself fled in panic, turning around and running to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

During this trip home, He Yuzhu also noticed that Xiaoman had become unusually shy.

She would always secretly stare at He Yuzhu when no one was looking.

Every time she talks to He Yuzhu, her face turns red instantly to the roots of her ears.

This girlish attitude left He Yuzhu feeling particularly helpless.

But they couldn't say much, so they could only pretend they didn't know.

Xu Damao slept until almost noon before waking up.

He opened his eyes and felt as if his head was about to explode.

I sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) feeling dizzy and couldn't recover for a long time.

Just then, He Yuzhu walked into the house and called him to eat with a smile.

"Da Mao, get up quickly when you're awake, lunch is ready."

Xu Damao rubbed his aching head and said with a pained expression.

"Brother Zhu, that liquor you're using is way too strong! My head is throbbing."

He Yuzhu couldn't help but laugh when he saw his disheveled appearance.

"Is it because the alcohol was strong? You drank like crazy, you drank so much."

"I asked you before, didn't you say it didn't taste good?"

Xu Damao scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.

"This is a rare imported liquor; most people don't have the chance to drink it."

"If I drink more, I'll have something to brag about to everyone in the neighborhood!"

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly and began to scold.

"Stop bragging! Go wash your face and come eat."

Xu Damao nodded quickly and agreed repeatedly.

"Okay, okay, I'll go right away and be right back."

He quickly got off the kang (a heated brick bed), put on his shoes, and without even going back into the house, ran straight to the water tap in the yard.

After quickly washing up, I had lunch with He Yuzhu.

After a peaceful lunch, He Yuzhu returned to the east wing.

He planned to organize the things he had brought back from the battlefield.

He had just opened the package and hadn't had time to unpack it yet.

Then, the sound of gongs and drums could be heard coming from outside the courtyard.

The sound of gongs and drums was deafening, and it grew closer and closer, coming towards the courtyard.

Before He Yuzhu could react, Xu Damao rushed into the east wing in a panic.

He ran breathlessly, shouting excitedly.

"Brother Zhu! Brother Zhu! Something terrible has happened!"

Seeing his flustered appearance, He Yuzhu quickly asked him what was wrong.

"What's wrong, Da Mao? Don't panic, tell me slowly, what happened?"

Xu Damao, panting heavily, quickly said.

"The neighborhood committee people are here! It was Director Wang personally leading the group to present you with a banner!"

He Yuzhu looked puzzled and subconsciously asked in return.

"The neighborhood committee? Why would they suddenly come to give me a banner?"

Xu Damao nodded repeatedly, his tone urgent.

"Yes, yes! It was Director Wang Hongxia from the neighborhood committee who personally led the team!"

"Hurry up and get ready, they're about to enter the Intermediate People's Court!"

He Yuzhu then realized what was happening and quickly spoke up.

"Okay, I'll change my clothes right away and head out."

He Yuzhu was at home today, dressed in loose casual clothes.

I wasn't wearing a military uniform, since I was staying at home and there was no need to wear one all the time.

But now the neighborhood committee has come to present us with a banner, which is a formal occasion.

He had to change into military uniform to appear dignified and proper.

The sounds of gongs, drums, and noise outside grew louder and louder.

He Yuzhu quickly changed into his military uniform, tidied his appearance, and strode out of the east wing.

As soon as he arrived at the Intermediate Court, he saw that the courtyard was crowded with dozens of people.

The person in charge was Wang Hongxia, the director of the subdistrict office.

The people who came included not only the neighbors of the courtyard house, but also the elderly and children from the neighboring courtyards.

They all gathered around to watch the spectacle, completely surrounding the central courtyard.

The faces of the families in the front yard were all extremely grim.

The old lady of the He family, Chen Lanxiang, Xiaoman, Xu Damao, and He Yushui.

They all smiled broadly, feeling triumphant and indescribably happy.

When Wang Hongxia saw He Yuzhu come out, she immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Zhu Zi, you've finally come out! Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"

"Over the years, I've had people inquiring about you everywhere, and I've put in a lot of effort."

"If your Aunt Ping hadn't called me specifically, I wouldn't have known you were back."

"Come here quickly, let Aunt Xia take a good look at you. You've lost weight and gotten darker."

He Yuzhu looked at Wang Hongxia and greeted her sincerely.

"Hello Aunt Xia, I came back in such a hurry that I didn't have time to tell you. I'm so sorry to have troubled you!"

Wang Hongxia smiled and waved her hand, her gaze falling on his crisp military uniform.

"Changing into a military uniform is the right thing to do; you look really smart in it!"

"You've changed a lot in the past few years. I've heard some things about what happened on the battlefield."

"You did a great job, you didn't let the people of Beijing down!"

As Wang Hongxia spoke, she gently punched He Yuzhu's shoulder.

His tone was full of appreciation and satisfaction.

He Yuzhu straightened up and spoke with a smile.

"I just did my job as a soldier."

"Aunt Xia, why are you making such a big fuss? You're too kind."

Wang Hongxia spoke with a smile, her tone full of solemnity.

"Is this considered a big deal? Presenting banners to our combat heroes should be a grand affair!"

"You've really brought honor to our Jiaodaokou!"

He Yuzhu looked puzzled and subconsciously uttered a question.

"what?"

Wang Hongxia looked at him and said with a smile.

"First-class combat hero, special-class meritorious service recipient, isn't this enough to bring honor?"

"Alright, let's stop standing around and chat. Let's finish the ceremony first, and then we can catch up later."

He Yuzhu nodded immediately, his expression becoming solemn.

"Okay, I'll do whatever Aunt Xia says."

Wang Hongxia turned around and, in front of everyone in the courtyard, took out a piece of paper.

She cleared her throat and solemnly read out He Yuzhu's achievements, word by word.

After reading the announcement, she held the banner and certificate in both hands and solemnly handed them to He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu accepted the salute with both hands, straightened his back, and returned the salute to everyone.

Wang Hongxia was so aware of He Yuzhu's contributions.

It was because after she learned the news, she not only rushed to make a banner and a certificate of merit.

They even made a special call to the Military Control Commission's Resettlement Office.

They asked He Yuzhu about all his circumstances in detail.

She even questioned why He Yuzhu's transfer to civilian work was not notified to the neighborhood office.

The response from the other side was that they would wait for He Yuzhu to handle the formalities himself.

In addition, the subdistrict office has just been established, and many procedures are not yet perfect.

The staff were also unsure whether or not the neighborhood office should be notified about this matter.

When Wang Hongxia read out He Yuzhu's merits.

The entire He family had tears in their eyes, feeling both proud and heartbroken.

Meanwhile, Jia Zhangshi in the front yard wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

She stayed behind Qin Huairu the whole time, trying her best to minimize her presence.

I felt both fear and regret, wishing I hadn't done it.

She never expected that He Yuzhu would "disappear" back then.

He actually went to the battlefield and made one merit after another.

She felt dizzy listening to it, and even had a fleeting, unrealistic fantasy.

He fantasized that these illustrious military achievements were made by his own son.

But she never considered what kind of person her own son really was.

There is absolutely no way they could have such ability or courage.

Yang Ruihua was also one of those who spread rumors along with Jia Zhangshi.

At this moment, she stood in the crowd, her legs weak, and she could barely stand.

He could only barely stand by reaching out and holding onto Yan Jiecheng tightly.

He was filled with fear, afraid that He Yuzhu would come after him.

Liu Haizhong's wife, on the other hand, remained relatively calm.

But his son, Liu Guangqi, looked at He Yuzhu with those eyes.

His face was terribly gloomy, filled with intense jealousy and resentment.

Before He Yuzhu was gone, he was the only vocational school graduate in the entire courtyard.

He was praised wherever he went, and was the talk of the town.

But now He Yuzhu has returned and has made so many outstanding contributions.

He became a war hero admired by everyone, which made him feel like he had been severely humiliated.

When he was admitted to a vocational school, his father, Liu Haizhong, even held a banquet to celebrate.

Looking back now, compared to He Yuzhu's glory...

His so-called glory is nothing but a publicity stunt and not worth mentioning.

The children in the courtyard watched He Yushui being surrounded by a crowd.

Her eyes were full of envy, but also a hint of fear.

They used to bully He Yushui a lot in the courtyard.

Now that He Yushui's brother has become a great hero, they are afraid that He Yuzhu will come looking for trouble.

The entire ceremony of presenting the banner was completed in a lively and enthusiastic manner.

Wang Hongxia did not ask the onlookers to disperse immediately.

She stood in the center of the crowd and began to speak in a serious tone.

It was specifically emphasized that slandering meritorious soldiers is a violation of regulations and will have corresponding consequences.

She demanded that everyone in the compound watch what they said.

Stop gossiping and spreading rumors behind people's backs.

If she finds anyone daring to talk nonsense again, she will definitely let them off easily.

As Wang Hongxia spoke, her gaze deliberately swept over the people in the front yard.

They spent a particularly long time focusing on Jia Zhangshi.

It was almost as if they were directly naming her and criticizing her actions.

The subdistrict office has just been officially established.

But before that, staff had already started going from courtyard to courtyard to explain the policy.

Everyone in the courtyard knew that, except for major criminal incidents, this would be the case from now on.

The big and small matters in the courtyard, including the house, work, children's schooling, etc.

All of them are under the management of the subdistrict office, and each one is a major event concerning the family.

Who dares to offend the neighborhood committee? Who dares to disobey Wang Hongxia?

Wang Hongxia's words sent a shiver down the spines of the gossipers in the front yard.

They were all terrified, their faces turning pale, fearing that this incident would affect their family members' future work and schooling.

That would be something you'd truly regret.

Jia Zhangshi was so frightened that her whole body went limp, and she could only stand by holding tightly to Qin Huairu.

Yang Ruihua was so frightened that her legs went weak and she sat down on the ground with a thud.

She was in a sorry state, but no one dared to step forward to help her.

Most of the staff at the neighborhood office were aware of what these people in the front yard had been doing.

Their eyes were filled with contempt and anger; they disdained to associate with them.

After Wang Hongxia finished speaking, she told everyone to disperse.

Those people in the front yard were treated as if they had been granted a pardon.

They were all relieved, and with their heads down, they quickly ran back to their homes.

Gone is the arrogance and meanness of the past.

Wang Hongxia then told the other staff members from the subdistrict office to go back first.

She herself planned to stay and have a good talk with He Yuzhu.

In the courtyard, Chen Lanxiang had already asked Xu Damao for help.

The banner sent by the neighborhood committee was hung high on the wall of the main room.

It hung right next to the portrait in the main room, making it particularly eye-catching and prestigious.

The certificate was carefully pasted next to the banner, filling the room with glory.

Wang Hongxia held He Yuzhu's hand and sat in the courtyard, asking him all sorts of questions.

Because his family was with him, He Yuzhu still did not talk about the cruel details of the battlefield.

Like Wang Cuiping, Wang Hongxia was well aware of the dangers of the battlefield.

She held He Yuzhu's hand tightly, her voice full of emotion.

"Pillars, you are all great, true heroes."

"I never imagined that the soldiers on the front lines were suffering so much."

"We who work in logistics feel really ashamed that we haven't been able to help much."

Seeing her guilty expression, He Yuzhu quickly offered words of comfort.

"Aunt Xia, this isn't entirely a logistical issue."

"The enemy's aircraft firepower is too strong, and supplies simply cannot be delivered smoothly."

Wang Hongxia nodded and then asked another question.

"I heard from your Aunt Ping that you're not going back to the army. What kind of work do you plan to do in the future?"

Hearing this, He Yuzhu felt helpless but remained gentle on the surface.

"I haven't decided yet. These past few years on the battlefield, I've been constantly on edge."

"I'm really too tired. I plan to rest at home for a while before making any further plans."

After listening, Wang Hongxia nodded in complete understanding.

"That's good, you really should take a good rest and adjust your condition."

"However, there is one thing you should keep in mind: make time to go to the Military Control Commission first."

"After completing all the necessary procedures for the transfer, there's no rush to find a job."

"If you've decided what you want to do in the future, just tell your aunt."

"Aunt Xia is now in charge of the neighborhood office, so she'll definitely help you if she can."

He Yuzhu nodded quickly and said sincerely, "Okay, I'll remember, Aunt Xia. I'll go to the Military Control Commission to complete the formalities another day."

Wang Hongxia chatted with He Yuzhu about everyday things for a while before getting up to leave.

Before leaving, she gave He Yuzhu some special instructions.

"By the way, Zhuzi, your Uncle Zhao has been transferred back and is now working in the Dongcheng District."

"When you have time, remember to visit the Zhao family and give them a chat."

He Yuzhu readily agreed without any hesitation.

"Okay, Aunt Xia, I'll visit Uncle Zhao and you in a few days."

That evening, Wang Hongxia returned home and told Zhao Fengnian about He Yuzhu's return.

After hearing this, Zhao Fengnian couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

He secretly admired He Yuzhu, thinking to himself that he was indeed destined for great things.

I was right about him back then; he's a responsible and capable young man.

The next day, staff from the district's publicity department took the initiative to approach Zhao Fengnian.

They had also heard that a combat hero who had made great contributions had returned to the Dongcheng District.

Everyone wanted to use He Yuzhu's story to promote the entire district.

What happened next was completely beyond He Yuzhu's expectations.

This also made him a household name in Beijing.

He Yuzhu represents Dongcheng District, and possibly even the entire old city of Beijing.

The only special-class combat hero to return alive from the battlefield.

First, he was invited by the district committee to give a report on heroic deeds.

Subsequently, he was invited by various factories in Beijing to give speeches.

As for the schools, since it was during the holiday period, they all made reservations in advance.

They all wanted to invite He Yuzhu to give a speech to the students after the start of the school year.

He Yuzhu initially had no intention of giving these speeches.

He didn't want to reopen his wounds and relive the cruelty of the battlefield.

However, Wang Hongxia and Zhao Fengnian, a married couple, personally visited him to persuade him to change his mindset.

Unable to resist the two's persuasion, He Yuzhu reluctantly agreed.

Then a dedicated staff member came to coordinate with him and asked him to prepare his speech.

However, He Yuzhu never wrote any scripts; he always gave speeches without notes.

He would always wear a crisp military uniform when giving a report.

He pinned all his medals to his chest.

It shines so brightly that it inspires awe in those who see it.

During his speeches, he never mentioned his own achievements.

They only recount the heroic deeds of their comrades on the battlefield.

He described the volunteer soldiers as wearing only thin, single-layer clothing.

They marched hundreds of miles through freezing snow and ice, never complaining of hardship or fatigue.

He said that the enemy's planes and artillery bombarded the troops in turn, but they could not break the iron will of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in the slightest.

He recounted the Battle of Chyongcheon River, in which the soldiers of the First Company independently resisted the enemy.

In the end, only one platoon of soldiers remained in the entire company, yet they still held their ground.

He recounted the Battle of Shuimen Bridge, in which the soldiers of the 6th and 7th Companies risked their lives to blow up the bridge.

The soldiers of four companies worked together to hold off half a division of the enemy forces.

After the battle, fewer than 50 people remained.

He recounted the Battle of Shangganling, during which the soldiers had no water to drink and no food to eat.

Under extremely difficult conditions, they held out for more than 40 days and nights, tenaciously negotiating with the enemy.

The once towering mountain peaks were blasted down several meters by enemy artillery fire.

In his speech, He Yuzhu made no mention of his own contributions and achievements.

In his heart, there are those martyrs who rest in peace on the Korean Peninsula.

They are the heroes who deserve the most respect and the most remembrance.

Every one of his speeches was sincere and deeply moving.

The audience members were all moved to tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

After the speech, the entire audience will stand up.

The applause was thunderous and lasted for a long time.

Everyone will raise their fists and shout loudly.

"Down with imperialism! Long live the Chinese People's Volunteer Army! The Chinese People's Volunteer Army will surely win!"

Zhao Fengnian from the district would always sit not far from the audience during his speeches.

Even though he was a veteran underground party member who had weathered countless storms.

After listening to He Yuzhu's speech, I was also shocked and deeply moved.

Wang Hongxia from the subdistrict office was present at every speech to organize the event.

All the residents of the courtyard house at No. 95 were required to attend every event.

Firstly, it was to receive education and correct the habit of gossiping.

Secondly, it was also because of the He family that they became the typical example for the entire courtyard.

The old lady of the He family, Chen Lanxiang, and Xiaoman always sat in the audience.

Everyone listened with tears streaming down their faces, constantly wiping away their tears.

She felt both proud of her son and heartbroken for what he had endured on the battlefield.

Every time Xu Damao finished listening, he was filled with excitement and longed for the battlefield.

He Yushui cried so hard that tears streamed down her face, and her little hands clapped until they were red and sore.

Wang Siyu is too young to hear these cruel stories.

The old lady and Chen Lanxiang took turns caring for her at home and did not go to the scene.

Actually, according to the requirements, one visit from the He family would be enough.

But they stubbornly insisted on attending every single speech.

Wang Cuiping from the Public Security Bureau listened to the speech.

He immediately summoned all staff members of the unit and gave them serious instructions.

Let everyone learn from the heroes of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and cherish the life we ​​have now.

He Daqing from the steel rolling mill always sat in the audience.

They clapped their hands until they were red, their faces full of pride.

He kept showing off to his coworkers.

"Look, that's my son on stage! My son, He Yuzhu!"

He Yuzhu was known to all his former colleagues at the steel rolling mill canteen.

Far from being annoyed by He Daqing's repeated boasting, they were not bothered by it.

Instead, she was filled with envy, envying him for having such a successful son.

At the same time, they also felt lingering fear about the incident where they had ostracized He Daqing in the cafeteria.

Those who deliberately cut off He Daqing's path to hosting banquets back then are now filled with anxiety and regret.

If they hadn't deliberately caused trouble and spread rumors about the He family, ruining He Daqing's business...

The neighbors wouldn't have avoided the He family so quickly, leaving He Daqing to suffer injustice at home for several years.

But now everything has changed, and He Yuzhu has returned from the battlefield in triumph.

Not only did he return alive, but he also became a first-class combat hero and a special-class meritorious individual, revered by everyone.

With boundless glory and honor, no one in the entire courtyard or even the entire alley could compare to him.

Those who had previously made things difficult for and ostracized He Daqing now felt ashamed to even step out the door.

Fearing that He Yuzhu would hold a grudge and settle old scores, they were all filled with anxiety.

Liu Haizhong sat below the podium, listening to He Yuzhu recount his heroic deeds on the battlefield.

On the surface, he seemed to be listening along with the crowd, his heart pounding with excitement and his expression deeply moved.

But when his gaze fell on the stage and fell upon the rows of gleaming military medals on He Yuzhu's chest...

An indescribable feeling of suffocation welled up in his chest, making him feel anxious.

Jealousy, resentment, and a hint of barely perceptible fear intertwined, making his face look exceptionally grim.

He just couldn't understand how He Yuzhu, who was once an inconspicuous person in the courtyard, could have such overwhelming glory.

Yan Bugui sat in the crowd, his expression quite different from the others, secretly plotting his own scheme.

Like everyone else present, he was deeply moved by the deeds of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

A firm thought also emerged in his mind: the He family should never be messed with from now on.

Especially He Yuzhu, who had narrowly escaped death on the battlefield, was someone you absolutely couldn't touch.

In Yan Bugui's view, He Yuzhu was a killing god who had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood.

He Yuzhu never talks about his own achievements when he gives speeches, but every battle he participated in was extremely dangerous.

He survived such a brutal battle and made countless outstanding contributions.

Anyone with half a brain could guess what He Yuzhu went through on the battlefield and how much he sacrificed.

As shrewd as Yan Bugui was, he had already made up his mind that he could only befriend the He family from now on and would never offend them.

These speeches about heroic deeds continued until the eve of the Lunar New Year.

The continuous speeches left He Yuzhu physically and mentally exhausted.

Every time he stands on the podium, it is not a display of glory for him, but a repeated exposure of the scars in his heart.

The gunfire on the battlefield, the sacrifice of comrades, and the bloodshed replayed in my mind again and again.

That kind of exhaustion and pain that penetrates to the bone is something no one can truly understand.

Finally, He Yuzhu could no longer hold on and took the initiative to find Wang Hongxia and Zhao Fengnian, a married couple.

He made his stance clear: he was unwilling to give any more speeches and had completely given up.

Wang Hongxia and Zhao Fengnian initially thought that having He Yuzhu give a speech was a great thing.

Publicizing the heroic deeds of the volunteer soldiers on the front lines greatly assists local recruitment and logistical support efforts.

It can help ordinary people better understand national and familial responsibilities and support the country's various initiatives.

But they ignored He Yuzhu's own feelings from beginning to end.

They only saw the hero's glory, but not the pain He Yuzhu endured behind it.

Looking at the deep weariness and pain in He Yuzhu's eyes, the couple calmed down and reflected on their actions repeatedly.

The more she thought about it, the more ashamed she felt, blaming herself for causing He Yuzhu to suffer repeatedly for the sake of work.

It was precisely because of this sense of guilt that He Yuzhu was always invited to give speeches by organizations after the New Year.

Except for a very few official arrangements that were impossible to refuse, the couple turned down all the others.

They didn't want this hero, who had returned from the battlefield, to suffer even more.

Before the Lunar New Year, Principal Wang specifically asked Wang Hongxia to find He Yuzhu and personally visit him to discuss a matter.

Wang Hongxia smiled and relayed Principal Wang's message: "Zhuzi, Principal Wang from your alma mater asked if you could take some time to return to the school and give a speech to the younger students?"

He Yuzhu was deeply grateful for the nurturing he received from his alma mater and found it difficult to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.

"Aunt Xia, I understand. Since it's my alma mater's request, I'll go."

He had just accepted his alma mater's invitation to give a speech when the elementary and middle schools he had attended started contacting him.

They all spoke earnestly, inviting him to tell the students about the hero's deeds.

Since they were both his alma mater, He Yuzhu couldn't bring himself to refuse directly.

He could only agree to each one, forcing himself to endure his physical and mental discomfort, and completed one campus speech after another.

Later, in order to avoid the endless invitations to give speeches and to prevent himself from being bothered by this matter any longer.

He Yuzhu would leave home before dawn every day, deliberately hiding outside until mealtime before returning home.

These days of hiding and fleeing continued peacefully until the Lunar New Year.

The eve of the Lunar New Year in 1953 was the most lively and comfortable year that the He family had experienced in recent years.

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat—a truly abundant display.

The house was filled with laughter and warmth, and the gloom of the past was swept away.

The He family finally held their heads high and had a peaceful and fulfilling New Year.

The old lady in the family was so happy that she couldn't help but drink two more cups of her homemade rice wine.

By the end, he was completely drunk and didn't even have the energy to stay up all night making dumplings.

He Yuzhu looked at his elderly grandmother, who was drunk and looked quite charming, and his eyes were full of tenderness.

He carefully bent down, gently carried the old lady on his back, and carried her back to the house to rest step by step.

Xu Damao excitedly ran to the He family's house to find He Yuzhu to go out and set off firecrackers together, to have some fun.

"Brother Zhu, it's Chinese New Year! Let's go out and set off firecrackers and have some fun!"

He Yuzhu shook his head without hesitation and directly rejected Xu Damao's invitation.

He didn't offer any further explanation, turned around and went back to his east wing alone, not wanting to go out.

He had been listening to the deafening, continuous gunfire on the battlefield for several years.

I've had enough of it; I have an instinctive aversion to this kind of sound.

The crackling sound of firecrackers outside was particularly jarring to him, even making him uneasy.

The familiar yet noisy sound instantly pulled his thoughts back to the distant Korean Peninsula.

He knew in his heart that even though they were celebrating the New Year happily here, the war over there was not completely over yet.

However, compared to the fierce fighting before, the current situation has eased considerably.

Amidst the sound of firecrackers, he once again uncontrollably thought of his comrades-in-arms who had fought alongside him.

Leaving aside other units, he always kept his brothers-in-arms in the First Company of the Sixth Army in his heart.

He secretly made up his mind that once he had some free time after the New Year, he would try every means to find out where the 6th Army was.

I want to know where my comrades from the first company are now, and whether they are doing well.

Before leaving, Wu Qianli and his group did leave him a contact address.

But He Yuzhu knew in his heart that this was an elite force with extremely strong combat capabilities.

It is simply impossible for them to remain stationed in one place indefinitely, let alone lay down their weapons to engage in production.

With such a strong military, the country will surely entrust them with even more important tasks.

He Yuzhu was filled with longing for his comrades from the 7th and 8th Companies of the 15th Army.

He didn't know if he would ever have the chance to reunite with these comrades again.

With too many longings and exhaustion in his heart, He Yuzhu fell into a deep sleep.

In his dream, he seemed to return to the battlefield amidst the chaos of battle and see his former comrades-in-arms.

Outside, He Yushui held Wang Siyu's little hand and followed Xu Damao and the others to set off firecrackers.

The two little girls had a great time playing until they had set off all the firecrackers before they were willing to go home.

When they skipped and hopped back into the yard, their hands and faces were covered in black soot.

It looks dirty, but it's full of childlike joy and doesn't care at all.

After drinking the New Year's feast at the He family's house and helping Chen Lanxiang wrap the dumplings for the New Year, Wang Cuiping got up and went home.

When the night was deep and quiet, Xiaoman and Wang Siyu were both asleep.

She hid alone under the thick blankets, covered her mouth, and cried silently.

Tears soaked my pillowcase, my heart filled with sorrow and longing.

She thought of Yu Zecheng, who was far away on a deserted island, and her heart was filled with heartache and regret.

She often thought, what if Yu Zecheng could be like He Yuzhu?

How wonderful it would be to stand openly in the sunlight, receiving everyone's respect and support.

Given Yu Zecheng's quiet dedication and unsung contributions over the years, he fully deserves this honor.

But reality never quite works out, and this grievance and longing can only be kept hidden in my heart, with no one to confide in.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, He Yuzhu was awakened by his younger sister He Yushui's clear voice.

"Brother, get up! It's New Year's Day, we need to visit our elders!"

He Yuzhu rubbed his sleepy eyes, got up, changed into new clothes, and joined his family in paying New Year's visits.

When he visited relatives and friends to offer New Year's greetings, he also received several red envelopes from his elders.

After paying his New Year's respects, he took out the red envelopes he had prepared in advance and distributed them to his younger siblings.

Chen Lanxiang knew that her son had some savings on him when he came back this time, so she did not stop him.

Let your son give red envelopes to the children, hoping for a joyous and auspicious New Year.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, He Yuzhu went to the Wang family again, as previously agreed.

It just so happened that Wang Hongxia's whole family was having a family reunion at Principal Wang's house, which saved him the trouble of making two more trips.

The whole family gathered together, chatting and laughing, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.

According to the rules, the old lady of the Wang family absolutely refused to let He Yuzhu, a guest, cook.

"Zhu Zi, you're a guest. There's no reason for you to cook. Sit down and rest."

But the Wang family children were all little gluttons, clamoring to eat the food He Yuzhu cooked.

In addition, the Wang family had all tasted He Yuzhu's cooking and were all looking forward to it.

Left with no other choice, He Yuzhu rolled up his sleeves and once again showed off his culinary skills in the Wang family's kitchen.

One after another, the dishes, each with its own unique color, aroma, and flavor, were served, instantly captivating everyone's taste buds.

The Wang family ate with great relish, giving He Yuzhu a thumbs-up and praising him incessantly.

"Zhu Zi's cooking skills are absolutely amazing! It tastes even better than what chefs in big restaurants make!"

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Fengnian was in high spirits and kept drinking and chatting with He Yuzhu.

Zhao Fengnian was not a big drinker to begin with, and He Yuzhu had developed a higher alcohol tolerance on the battlefield.

Before long, Zhao Fengnian was completely drunk by He Yuzhu and fell asleep on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Principal Wang also drank quite a bit with the two of them, his face flushed and showing signs of intoxication.

Wang Hongxia looked at her drunken husband, and then at He Yuzhu, who was still sober.

She couldn't help but gently complain, "You child, you don't even know how to control your drinking. You've even drunk your Uncle Zhao under the table."

The tone was full of reproach, but not a trace of real blame; it was all the affection of an elder for a younger person.

He Yuzhu scratched his head, smiled somewhat embarrassedly, and apologized repeatedly.