Little Fool Overpowers Military Hero

Sha Zhu stood on the bluestone bricks under the corridor, the morning breeze brushing against his slightly immature yet angular face.

He gazed at the old woman before him, whose temples were streaked with gray but whose eyes remained clear and bright, and a soft sigh rose in his heart.

He is a spirit reborn from decades in the future. Logically speaking, he should be well aware of the policy trends and changes of the times in the coming decades. However, when asked to explain it in detail, he is speechless.

Policies are never static rules. He can grasp the general direction, but how can he remember every detail clearly, such as the differences in local implementation, the temporary detailed rules, and the silent adjustments?

He only vaguely remembered that in the early days of the People's Republic of China, large mansions, shops and workshops in Beijing were gradually nationalized. Private property was not completely prohibited, but if the amount exceeded the limit or was too conspicuous, it would be a disaster if it caught the eye of someone with ulterior motives.

He is just a teenager, around thirteen or fourteen years old, without any official position, power, or influence. He is all alone. Even if the old lady were to sincerely give him the entire courtyard for free, he simply wouldn't be able to accept it or keep it.

A small house is enough to live in, low-key and peaceful, and you can live a safe and peaceful life without any problems; but a whole courtyard house? That's not a blessing, it's a deadly disaster.

Without a powerful background to back you up, even with a huge business empire, you'll only be treated like a fat sheep to be slaughtered, devoured until nothing is left.

Sha Zhu raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, his tone sincere and steady, without a trace of youthful frivolity.

"Madam, I really can't say for sure how the rules will change in the next few decades, so I dare not make any promises for you. Please keep this courtyard safe for now, and we'll make plans after we find an opportunity to find out the policies and understand the details. It's always better to be safe than sorry."

The old lady squinted her eyes, carefully examining Sha Zhu, and nodded inwardly.

This child is young, but he speaks and acts with composure and moderation. He is not rash or arrogant, but has a sense of propriety and foresight. He is more insightful and reliable than many adult men in the compound.

She slowly nodded, tapping her ebony cane lightly on the blue brick floor, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable certainty.

"Alright, I'll keep it firmly in your possession. Whenever you want it, just ask, and I'll never refuse or hesitate."

"Alright!" Sha Zhu grinned, revealing a set of neat, white teeth, exuding youthful energy. "I really won't hold back then!"

"I'm being polite with my wife, but you're not my beloved grandson anymore? I'll give you a good beating!"

The old lady gave him a stern look, but the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes revealed an unconcealed loving smile.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The hearty laughter of the old woman and the child echoed in the courtyard. After a short while, the old woman suddenly stopped laughing, her expression turned slightly serious, and she lowered her voice, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry: "By the way, Madam has something else to ask you."

"Ask away, I'll answer anything I know!" Sha Zhu replied, straightening his back.

"That Wang family girl who lives in the west wing, she's no ordinary girl, is she?" The old lady lowered her voice even further, her eyes sharp as torches.

Sha Zhu paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and asked with a smile, "Why would Madam say that?"

"Didn't you say before that Xiao Zhao, who lived in the connecting room, got a job as a government employee in the military control commission?"

The old lady said, word by word, "Isn't that Wang family girl's behavior similar to that of the Military Control Commission and those revolutionary comrades?"

Sha Zhu was stunned on the spot, thinking to himself how impressive it was.

It's often said that old people become wiser, and that's absolutely true.

The old lady usually seemed to live a secluded life, detached from worldly affairs, but she had a keen eye and a sharp mind; nothing, no matter how small, happened inside or outside the courtyard, could escape her keen observation.

Sha Zhu immediately gave a thumbs up and sincerely exclaimed, "Madam, you're amazing! Nothing escapes your eyes!"

"Stop joking with your wife." The old lady glared at him. "Did you already know her background? Tell your wife the truth."

Silly Zhu teased, a smile playing on his lips, "What, is Madam trying to build a good relationship beforehand, paving the way for the future?"

"You smooth talker! I think you're asking for a beating!" The old lady raised her cane and gently tapped Sha Zhu's arm. The force was so light that it was like a feather brushing against him, without causing him any pain.

Sha Zhu quickly clasped his hands in apology, his joking expression vanished, and his tone became serious.

"Actually, I don't know much either. Aunt Wang is going to Tianjin on a secret mission this time, but I don't know the specifics. As for her identity... Madam, have you ever heard of the guerrillas who fought against the Japanese and reactionaries back then?"

"How could I not have heard of them! Back then, there were guerrilla fighters everywhere outside Beijing, and the people regarded them as their benefactors!" The old lady's tone instantly became more respectful.

"Then I don't need to explain any further."

Sha Zhu lowered his voice to a very low level, "Aunt Wang is a legitimate guerrilla leader. As for which area she leads the operation, that's an absolute secret, and I have no way of knowing."

The old lady gasped, a look of surprise flashing in her cloudy eyes, which quickly turned into deep emotion.

"Looking at that quiet, gentle, and seemingly frail girl from the Wang family, she's actually the captain leading a battle team... Truly, appearances can be deceiving, and one cannot judge a book by its cover!"

"Hehe, if her identity were immediately obvious, would she be allowed to go to Tianjin alone on a secret mission?" Sha Zhu chuckled. "The more inconspicuous she is, the safer she is."

The old woman stared at Sha Zhu, then suddenly spoke again: "Did you already know her identity, which is why you brought her back to our courtyard house to settle her in?"

Sha Zhu paused for a moment, then his eyes softened, and his tone was filled with genuine pity: "It wasn't exactly a special arrangement... Aunt Wang, she's a pitiful person with a tragic fate."

These words came from the bottom of his heart. In his previous life, he lived in a daze, being schemed against by Qin Huairu's family for half his life, and ended up with a miserable end. Now that he has been given a second chance at life, he cannot bear to see the unfortunate people repeat the same mistakes, and he will protect them as much as he can.

The old lady immediately instructed with a serious expression, "You should only tell this to your mother, and absolutely not mention it to the Wang family girl, lest it ruin her plans, understand?"

"Don't worry, I know what's important and what's urgent, and I won't dare to say anything more!" Sha Zhu nodded solemnly in his promise.

"Alright, Madam has asked all the questions you wanted to know." The old lady slowly stood up, leaning on her cane.

"You promised to take your wife to Wangfujing and to the Military Control Commission, you can't go back on your word."

"I can't forget it!"

Sha Zhu quickly stepped forward and gently supported the old woman's thin but strong arm. "Would you like to go to the central courtyard or somewhere else?"

"Come on, help your wife to your house! She's bored being alone. Go talk to your mother and aunts."

"Okay!"

Sha Zhu helped the old lady gently step into the He family's house, and the house was instantly filled with the lively atmosphere of cooking.

Four teenagers sat neatly on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), huddled together, engrossed in reading comic books, their little heads bobbing up and down. They were so absorbed that they didn't even notice when the adults entered the room.

Chen Lanxiang, Zhao Cuifeng, and other women sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), sewing shoe soles while chatting gently. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, filled with the peaceful atmosphere of daily life.

When He Daqing saw his son helping the old lady into the house, he quickly got up to greet her warmly. After the old lady was seated and the women resumed their casual conversation, he called Sha Zhu to the main room to discuss some serious matters privately.

He Daqing had clearly discussed this with Chen Lanxiang beforehand, and he went straight to the point: "I've heard news about your two senior brothers recently; they're doing well and have stable jobs in the factory canteen. Let me ask you, do you want to work as a cook in the factory? I'll use my connections to get you a position; it's a sure thing, a secure job."

In those days, being a cook in a factory canteen was a coveted job—it was stable, respectable, provided you with plenty of food, and paid a fixed salary. Countless people would fight tooth and nail to get one.

He Daqing was genuinely planning for his son's future, fearing that Sha Zhu, being young, might take the wrong path.

But Sha Zhu didn't hesitate for a second, shaking his head decisively: "I'm not going."

He Daqing was taken aback, his brows furrowing. "Why? This is such a good job; others would kill for it!"

"I don't want to cook large batches of food for hundreds of people. That's just filling your stomach, not cooking skills."

Sha Zhu spoke calmly, yet with the unique confidence and arrogance of a young man: "If I'm going to do it, I'll do exquisite dishes, and I'll do unique skills that others can't do. That way, my skills won't have been wasted."

He Daqing opened his mouth, wanting to say a few words of advice, but swallowed the words back down.

He really couldn't control his son anymore.

He used to be the pillar of the family, and his cooking skills far surpassed those of Sha Zhu. But now, Sha Zhu's skills have improved by leaps and bounds. Apart from the Tan family cuisine which he has not yet fully mastered, he has either caught up with or surpassed Sha Zhu in the major cuisines of Shandong, Sichuan, and Huaiyang.

When a son grows up, he is no longer under his father's control. If he becomes more capable than his father, what can the father say?

He Daqing sighed helplessly and stopped mentioning the matter of becoming a cook in the factory.

Seeing this, Sha Zhu changed the subject, his tone tinged with delight.

"By the way, Dad, I asked a friend in the south to send me a batch of dried seafood a while ago. It should arrive at home in a few days."

Upon hearing the words "dried seafood," He Daqing's eyes lit up instantly, like stars shining in the darkness.

Tan Family Cuisine!

That was the He family's ancestral dish, a dish used by the second-place official in the imperial examinations. It was once incredibly prestigious and famous throughout Beijing. However, in recent years, due to war and chaos, ingredients have become scarce and the environment has become tense. He hasn't been able to properly demonstrate his skills for many years, and his hands have almost become rusty.

He was unwilling to let his family's unique skills die out in his generation!

He Daqing immediately slapped his thigh, his voice trembling with excitement: "Once the dried goods arrive, your old man will personally cook for you and let you taste what real ancestral official cuisine is like!"

Sha Zhu's expression turned serious, and he quickly lowered his voice to remind him, "Please don't say such things in front of outsiders in the future."

He Daqing looked puzzled: "What's wrong? Can't we even mention our family's traditional craft?"

"This is a new society now, and the new government represents the people," Sha Zhu explained earnestly. "You keep talking about 'second-place scholar's dishes' and 'official dishes,' aren't you just asking for trouble?"

He Daqing's expression changed slightly, and he hesitated: "Is it really that serious?"

"Whether it's serious or not, it's always better to keep a low profile," Sha Zhu said. "We'll keep our skills to ourselves, cook at home, and not flaunt them."

"I've been saying this for half my life, and nothing's ever happened," He Daqing muttered under his breath.

"Times have changed."

Sha Zhu's tone was firm.

"From now on, when you're in front of strangers, just say you're a Shandong cuisine chef. It'll be safe and sound. By the way, I've never asked who my grandmaster was."

He Daqing raised his hand and gave Sha Zhu a light slap on the neck, scolding him irritably, "You brat, your grandpa's the same as your own grandfather!"

Sha Zhu was stunned for a moment, his face full of surprise.

"You never told me that! Besides Tan family cuisine, did my grandfather know any other cooking skills? Did he leave behind any family heirlooms like recipes?"

He Daqing was both amused and annoyed: "You're not satisfied with just learning all my skills? Now you're eyeing your grandfather's special tricks?"

"Just tell me if you have it or not!" Sha Zhu pressed.

"have!"

He Daqing nodded, his tone suddenly becoming extremely solemn, "These are imperial dishes, only a few in total, passed down from your great-grandfather. I've never had the chance to make them in my entire life."

Sha Zhu instantly perked up, his eyes widening in surprise: "Huh? What dish is it? How come you've never made it before?"

He Daqing glared at him, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Bear paws and deer tails! These are top-grade imperial ingredients. Do you think your father has the means or the opportunity to obtain them?"

Sha Zhu gasped, utterly shocked. That was a genuine royal dish!

He immediately pressed on impatiently, "Where's the recipe? Show it to me quickly! Maybe I'll stumble upon these ingredients someday!"

"I'll give it to you when it's late at night and everyone's alone."

He Daqing solemnly instructed, "Be extremely careful not to lose the recipe; it's the lifeblood of our He family, passed down through generations!"

"Don't worry, I guarantee it won't be lost!" Sha Zhu nodded emphatically. "I'm just observing and learning first. What if I actually come across the ingredients someday and don't know how to cook them? Wouldn't that be a disgrace to the He family?"

He Daqing curled his lip in disdain: "You? You don't go to restaurants or factories. You're lucky if you can keep your skills from getting rusty. You think you can find such top-quality ingredients? That's wishful thinking."

Sha Zhu raised his chin defiantly: "You're just looking down on people! Ingredients aren't only available in restaurants and wealthy families. Things are unpredictable; who can say for sure?"

"Fine, fine, you're always right, I can't argue with you." He Daqing waved his hand, too lazy to argue with him.

"You'll be in charge of the cooking at noon today. Make a few new dishes that I've never seen or tasted before, so I can see what kind of crazy ideas you've come up with lately."

Sha Zhu grinned confidently, "Alright! Just wait and see what delicious food you can enjoy!"

He turned and strode into the kitchen, deftly preparing the ingredients and heating the oil in the wok. His movements were skillful and fluid, unlike those of a teenager.

In less than half an hour, a dish with a rich, tangy aroma was served.

Sauerkraut fish!

In this era, let alone in a small courtyard house, very few people in the entire city of Beijing had ever seen this dish. It was a unique dish that Sha Zhu created on his own, based on his memories from later generations.

Looking at the tender, smooth fish slices, the golden, crisp pickled cabbage, and the bright red, tempting chili oil in the casserole, He Daqing frowned slightly: "Who did you learn this dish from? It doesn't look like Sichuan cuisine, nor Shandong cuisine; it's a hodgepodge."

"I figured it out myself." Sha Zhu proudly raised his chin. "How about it? Not bad, right?"

"It looks quite professional, but I don't know if it will taste good," He Daqing said casually.

"Take a bite and you'll see, I guarantee it'll amaze you!"

He Daqing picked up his chopsticks with some skepticism, took a slice of fish, put it in his mouth, and gently sipped it.

The fish fillets are tender and boneless, and fully flavorful. The pickled cabbage is fresh and refreshing, and the soup is sour but not astringent, and spicy but not overpowering. With one sip, it feels like every pore on your body is relaxed.

His eyes widened instantly, his face filled with shock.

"Delicious! Absolutely delicious!" He Daqing exclaimed, his voice full of praise. "This dish is simply amazing!"

Sha Zhu laughed and said, "If you think it tastes good, I'll teach you how. This dish is inexpensive and uses common ingredients. If you put it in a factory canteen, it would definitely be a hit."

"It's a deal then! You can't hold back!" He Daqing quickly grabbed him. "I'm your father, after all. You can't be stingy when I learn a dish from you!"

Sha Zhu rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Do you think I'm that petty?!"

The entire courtyard was completely won over by this sauerkraut fish at lunchtime.

The tangy and appetizing aroma immediately whetted everyone's appetite. The ordinary steamed buns made from two kinds of dough were brought to the table one tray after another and were quickly devoured. The soup in the casserole was completely cleaned up, leaving not a single crumb.

He Daqing patted his round belly and muttered softly, "It's really delicious, but it uses up too much food..."

Xu Damao and his sister, who stayed at the He family's house for dinner, were so full that they were groaning and didn't even have the strength to walk. They simply stayed at the He family's house and didn't want to leave, continuing to play with the children.

Because of her pregnancy, Wang Cuiping always felt bland and tasteless, but she had a special fondness for this tangy and fragrant pickled fish. She ate one bite after another without being able to stop. Finally, she was so full that Sha Zhu carefully helped her back to the west wing to rest.

He Yushui's originally round belly swelled up into a small ball, and she tugged at Sha Zhu's arm, asking questions in a coquettish manner.

"Brother, brother! When are you going to make sauerkraut fish for dinner next time? I want to eat it again, it's so delicious!"

Sha Zhu, unable to resist his sister's nagging, could only smile and repeatedly agree, "In a couple of days, I'll make you plenty, as much as you want!"

The afternoon was as peaceful as the morning. The women gathered to chat and do chores, the children read and played, and the men gossiped about everyday things. The courtyard was quiet, yet it exuded a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

Because they ate too much at noon, they only had a few bites for dinner and went to bed early.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was time for He Daqing to return to work. After He Daqing left for work, Sha Zhu took Wang Cuiping and Xiaoman to the Military Control Commission to complete the formalities.

Since you plan to live in Beijing long-term, you must get things sorted out as soon as possible, including your household registration, identity documents, and school registration.

However, when they arrived at the Military Control Commission, they learned that the new household registration system had not yet been officially implemented, and they could only issue two certificates to prioritize solving Xiaoman's schooling problem.

When it was Wang Cuiping's turn, she handed her supporting documents to the staff.

The clerk glanced at the documents quickly, his expression changed abruptly, and without saying a word, he hurriedly ran into the inner hall with the documents.

Sha Zhu's heart skipped a beat and jumped into his throat.

Not long after, several staff members strode out of the inner hall, walked straight to Wang Cuiping, whispered a few words to her, and then led her into the inner hall.

Sha Zhu immediately stepped forward, spreading his arms to block her way, his tone urgent and serious: "Wait! Where are you taking her? You need to explain yourself!"

Wang Cuiping gently stopped him with her eyes and shook her head slightly, indicating that he should not ask any more questions.

Sha Zhu frowned, filled with worry, but still slowly stepped aside.

Unbeknownst to him, Wang Cuiping harbored a colossal secret unknown to everyone—the top-secret intelligence that Yu Zecheng had risked his life to obtain was currently on her person, and Yu Zecheng had repeatedly instructed that this intelligence could only be given to the contact person codenamed "Farmer."

Although Lao Zhao was one of her own, they hadn't known each other long enough to trust each other, so she didn't dare take the risk.

Sha Zhu and Xiao Man could only sit anxiously in the hall of the Military Control Commission, and every minute and every second felt incredibly long.

Not long after, a series of rapid car engine sounds came from outside the courtyard. Several dark green jeeps stopped directly at the gate. The doors opened, and several people dressed in formal attire, who looked like leaders, got out. They had serious expressions and walked quickly into the inner hall.

Sha Zhu's heart sank lower and lower, and his palms were sweating.

After waiting a while, a staff member came out of the inner room and said to Sha Zhu, "You two go back first. Comrade Wang Cuiping has an important mission. We will escort her home safely after the mission is completed."

Sha Zhu didn't ask any more questions. He nodded slightly, grabbed Xiao Man who still wanted to ask more, and turned to walk out of the military control committee.

As soon as they stepped out the door, Xiaoman's eyes reddened. She gripped Shazhu's arm tightly with her little hands, her voice trembling with worry, "Brother Zhu, will Aunt Wang be alright? Will they bully her?"

Sha Zhu squatted down and gently stroked Xiao Man's head. His tone was steady and strong, giving her a sense of security: "It's okay. When Aunt Wang got there, she felt like she was back home. Everyone there is family, and they will never make things difficult for her."

"Then... shall we wait outside for Aunt Wang to come back?" Xiaoman said, her voice choked with emotion.

"No need to wait." Sha Zhu looked up at the gate of the Military Control Commission, his tone resolute.

"Those leaders who just went in all came in cars. Maybe Aunt Wang will also come back in a car later, and she'll get home even earlier than us."

Xiaoman nodded as if she understood, and obediently followed Shazhu toward the courtyard house.

The moment the two stepped into the courtyard, they were stared at by a pair of eyes.

Madam Jia Zhang had nothing to do all day, so she stood guard at the gate like a door god, and no movement in the courtyard could escape her eyes.

Seeing that three people went out and only Sha Zhu and Xiao Man returned, with Xiao Man wiping away tears with red eyes, Jia Zhangshi's eyes lit up instantly, and a greedy sense of joy welled up in her heart.

—Wang Cuiping didn't come back!

—Has he been arrested?

—Did we make a big mistake?

—So, will the west wing room be vacated soon?

The more she thought about it, the more excited and thrilled she became. She couldn't wait to spread the "good news" throughout the yard, but she didn't dare to openly ask. She could only keep it to herself, feeling restless and uneasy, eagerly waiting to see the Liu family make a fool of themselves and to seize the vacant house.

But to her utter surprise, her beautiful dream lasted only half a day before being completely shattered.

In the afternoon, before the sun had even begun to set, the sound of orderly and powerful footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard gate.

When Jia Zhangshi peeked out, she was terrified and turned deathly pale.

Wang Cuiping walked in the middle, accompanied by three soldiers: one with a pistol at his waist, exuding a tough and sharp aura; the other two carried long guns, their expressions dignified and their presence imposing.

Thinking they were there to arrest someone, Jia Zhangshi screamed "Oh my god!" and ran back into the house.

She was short and stout, like a round earthenware jar, but she ran as fast as a startled rabbit, completely disproportionate to her size.

All the onlookers saw was a fat figure flash by, followed by two ear-piercing loud noises:

"Bang—!"

"Clatter—!"

The heavy slamming of the door and the swift locking of the bolt rang out in quick succession.

The soldiers who came with Wang Cuiping were stunned on the spot, their faces full of astonishment.

The leading officer couldn't help but speak up, his tone full of doubt: "Comrade Wang, what... what's going on?"

Wang Cuiping was also amused by this scene and said helplessly, "It's probably because they're afraid of being soldiers."

"Are we that scary?" the officer asked, looking puzzled.

"The people here are terrified by the Kuomintang's military exploits. They instinctively avoid people in military uniforms," ​​Wang Cuiping explained softly.

The officer sighed deeply, his expression extremely solemn: "Alas, liberation is only the first step. The road ahead is long and arduous, and the Military Control Commission still has a lot of work to do."

"yes."

Wang Cuiping nodded gently.

"This place is not like the west; we have a weak foundation among the people, and they don't know us well enough."

"Let's go, our mission will be successfully completed once we get you to your doorstep."

Wang Cuiping said helplessly, "Actually, just dropping us off at the gate would have been enough; there's no need to go to such trouble."

"This is an order from above, and it must be carried out."

The group walked into the central courtyard together. Wang Cuiping pointed to the west wing and said softly, "I live here."

The leading officer surveyed the house and nodded slightly: "The living conditions are not bad."

He then asked, "Should I speak to the neighbors in the courtyard and ask them to look after you?"

Wang Cuiping quickly shook her head and refused, "No need, the neighbors in the courtyard are all very friendly."

She was genuinely afraid of frightening Jia Zhangshi into making an even bigger fool of herself and causing unnecessary trouble.

In fact, at this moment, the old lady, Chen Lanxiang, Zhao Cuifeng and others were all staying in the He family's house. It was not that they were unfriendly, but their deep-seated fear of soldiers made them afraid to go out and meet them.

Only Sha Zhu showed no fear whatsoever.

He strode out of his house and went to greet her, his tone concerned: "Aunt Wang, you're back. Have you finished everything?"

"It's done, Zhuzi." When Wang Cuiping saw Sha Zhu, her tense expression finally relaxed, and she revealed a faint smile.

The leading officer looked at Sha Zhu, his face full of doubt, and asked Wang Cuiping, "Comrade Wang, is this the young comrade Sha Zhu you often mention?"

"Yes, that's Sha Zhu." Wang Cuiping nodded.

The officer looked Sha Zhu up and down, completely stunned, his face filled with disbelief: "He...is he really only thirteen years old?"

The boy in front of him was a head taller than him, with broad shoulders, strong arms, and a straight back. He exuded a vigorous sense of power. Apart from the trace of boyishness in his face, he didn't look like a thirteen-year-old child at all.

Sha Zhu spoke calmly, "I have a birth certificate from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. My parents paid for my delivery, and it's officially recorded."

"Ahem..." The officer coughed awkwardly twice, then quickly extended his hand and introduced himself, "That's not what I meant. Hello, Comrade Xiao He, my name is Meng Yutang, and I will be Comrade Wang Cuiping's colleague from now on."

"Colleague?" Sha Zhu raised an eyebrow and politely extended his hand.

He originally intended to just give it a light squeeze and then let go, but as soon as they made contact, he clearly felt the other person's hand suddenly exert force, with a probing and competitive force.

Meng Yutang was a regular soldier who had practiced martial arts since childhood. Seeing that Sha Zhu was strong and had a powerful presence despite his young age, he subconsciously wanted to test his strength and couldn't help but feel itchy to fight.

Sha Zhu's lips curled up slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Want to challenge me? I'll see you through to the end!

His hands were already one-fifth larger than Meng Yutang's, with large joints and deep strength. His hands, honed through years of boxing practice, possessed power far exceeding that of ordinary people.

Sha Zhu remained calm and slowly increased the pressure on his hand.

Meng Yutang's smile froze instantly. At first, he could barely hold on, but in a short while, his face turned from white to red, then from red to purple, and the veins on his forehead bulged. A piercing pain came from his palms, making his whole body numb.

Sha Zhu still wore a faint smile on his face, his tone calm but carrying an unyielding protectiveness.

"From now on, I'll have to trouble Comrade Meng to take good care of my Aunt Wang. It's not easy for her, a woman working in your department. If anyone dares to bully her, I, as her nephew, won't stand for it. I'll go directly to your superiors to report the situation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sha Zhu subtly increased the pressure on his hand.

Meng Yutang was in so much pain he almost cried out, but because of his status, he could only grit his teeth and endure it, not daring to lose his composure.

Upon seeing this, the two soldiers next to him immediately placed their hands on the buttocks of their guns, their expressions tense, and they were about to step forward and attack.

"Pillar!" Wang Cuiping called out promptly.

Sha Zhu slowly released his grip, his smile unchanged: "Hey, Aunt Wang, I was just saying hello to Comrade Meng, asking him to take good care of you in the future. Your department's work is always dangerous."

Meng Yutang immediately withdrew his hand, hid it behind his back and gently shook it. He let out a long sigh of relief, feeling numbness and pain in his palm. If he gripped it any longer, he was afraid that his hand bones would be broken.

He looked at Sha Zhu, his eyes no longer showing any probing or contempt, only deep apprehension and a hint of resentment: "Yes...yes, it was just a greeting. But with a nephew as capable as you, Comrade Wang doesn't need my help at all."

He finally understood completely: this kid was deliberately trying to intimidate him, blatantly protecting his own.

Meng Yutang knew in his heart that he had indeed looked down on Wang Cuiping from the bottom of his heart, thinking that a female guerrilla captain was not worthy of entering such a key unit as the public security department. However, he did not know that Wang Cuiping had been dealing with the secret service in Tianjin for many years and was very familiar with the methods of spies. She was a person who had made great contributions. It was precisely because her superiors valued her abilities that they agreed to let her join the company.

What he didn't know was that Sha Zhu was no ordinary teenager. This kid had secretly helped the underground party in Beijing and Tianjin and had made contributions. He had official proof of his merits. If he weren't too young, he would have been specially recruited into the department and become his colleague long ago.

Sha Zhu spoke casually, his tone matter-of-fact: "That's different. At work, she relies on you men to take care of her; at home, of course I'll protect her."

Meng Yutang smiled wryly and nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, yes... Comrade Xiao He, how about we have a chance to spar?"

He was still unconvinced and was thinking of finding an opportunity to get revenge.

Sha Zhu raised an eyebrow, his tone relaxed yet undeniably domineering: "No problem, Comrade Meng. I'm usually very free; I'm always available!"

"Okay, I will definitely find you, Comrade Xiao He!" Meng Yutang said through gritted teeth.

"Stop arguing with me!" Wang Cuiping interrupted them helplessly. "Comrade Meng Yutang, you should go back and report for duty. I'll be reporting to my unit in a few days."

"Alright, then we'll take our leave now."

Meng Yutang gave Sha Zhu a deep look, then turned and quickly left the courtyard with two soldiers.

Only after the soldiers completely disappeared from the alleyway did the courtyard regain its vitality. The women of the He family came out one after another, surrounding Wang Cuiping and asking her all sorts of questions with concern on their faces.

Madam Jia hid in the crack of the door and secretly observed for a long time. Only after confirming that they were not there to arrest anyone did she dare to cautiously open the door a crack. She patted her chest with lingering fear, still unable to recover from the shock for a long time.

Sha Zhu stood under the corridor, watching Wang Cuiping's unharmed figure, a slight smile on his lips, and a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

In this life, he is no longer the foolish Zhu who can be manipulated and schemed against. He possesses ancestral culinary skills, extraordinary strength, the insight of someone reborn, and a strong sense of loyalty. Anyone who dares to bully those around him will have to ask his own hands for permission first!

What about the people from the Military Control Commission?

If you push him too far, he still won't give you any face!