Sister-in-law Cuiping

Sha Zhu gripped the short knife hidden at his waist, and with light steps, he bypassed the two swaying puppet soldiers at the alley entrance, and familiarly made his way to the small blue-brick courtyard in the west of the city.

The purpose of this trip was simple—to pick up Wang Cuiping and, incidentally, retrieve her personal belongings left at the host's house.

I thought it would take some effort to explain things, and I might even encounter difficulties from the host, but the process went much more smoothly than I expected.

When the old servant at the gate saw that it was Sha Zhu, he didn't even bother to question him. He simply pulled out a small blue cloth bundle from the side room and handed it to him, muttering to himself.

"Sister-in-law Cuiping left in a hurry, and the mistress of the house specifically instructed that all her belongings be packed up and ready for someone to come and collect them."

Sha Zhu took the bundle and weighed it in his hand. He felt its solid weight and muttered to himself.

In the end, this family only hired Wang Cuiping to look after their house. In terms of status, Wang Cuiping could freely enter and leave the inner courtyard, so she could be considered a confidante. But what the servants in the outer courtyard really thought about her, whether they respected her or were jealous, no one could say for sure.

After all, in the chaotic world of Tianjin, servants who could enter the inner quarters were bound to be secretly suspected.

He slung the bundle over his arm, thanked the old servant, and turned to walk out of the alley.

Wang Cuiping was waiting under the old locust tree at the entrance of the alley. Her plain clothes were washed until they were almost white. Her eyes showed a hint of relaxation as she had just escaped the life of living under someone else's roof, but deep in her eyes, there was still a trace of lingering wariness.

"Auntie, we got the stuff, let's go." Sha Zhu walked quickly to her side and said in a low voice.

Wang Cuiping nodded, reached out and took her bundle. Her fingertips touched the hard object inside the bundle, and she pursed her lips slightly. She didn't say anything, but just followed Sha Zhu towards the courtyard.

Few pedestrians were on the road, and the cold wind swirled the withered leaves on the ground. Sha Zhu walked on the outside, discreetly protecting Wang Cuiping on the inside, and casually asked as they walked, "Auntie, didn't the master leave you anything to rely on? You and the child in your belly, you can't be left without a place to live, can you?"

His question was direct and without any beating around the bush. In this chaotic world, there were orphans and widows.

(Although he was not yet born, Sha Zhu knew very well) that to survive, money and supplies were indispensable, and he was really worried about it.

Wang Cuiping patted the bundle, her voice carrying an indescribable emotion, and slowly said, "Keep it; it's not a loss for us, mother and daughter."

Sha Zhu raised an eyebrow and didn't press the matter further. He knew in his heart that Wang Cuiping had been with Yu Zecheng for so long, even if the master didn't keep her, Yu Zecheng would never let her end up on the streets.

He wasn't sure whether the contents of the bundle were a gift from the master or something she had secretly retrieved from Yu Zecheng's residence, so he stopped guessing and focused on leading the way.

Actually, the reason Wang Cuiping was willing to follow Sha Zhu was not only because she trusted the boy, but also because the letter Sha Zhu had given her earlier had played a significant role.

Yu Zecheng had slipped a small note into the gold bars he left for her. It contained only eight words, but each word struck her heart: "Wait for me to come back to Luogu Lane in southern Beijing!"

Back then, Wang Cuiping was an illiterate guerrilla captain in the mountains. She was skilled at everything from carrying a gun and fighting to crawling and rolling, but she couldn't recognize a few words.

Later, she learned some everyday writing from Chen Lanxiang, and was taught to read and write by Yu Zecheng. Now she is no longer the illiterate, rough woman she once was.

She held the note in her hand, turning it over and over countless times, her mind filled with doubt.

When she came to Tianjin, she never mentioned to anyone that she had stayed in the old city. How could Yu Zecheng accurately name Nanluoguxiang?

After thinking it over, she concluded that Old Zhao had informed Yu Zecheng in advance, revealing her whereabouts.

She would never have imagined that this seemingly casually mentioned address was actually a foreshadowing secretly planted by the thirteen-year-old boy beside her.

For these eight words, Wang Cuiping struggled countless times in her heart—should she return to her hometown in the mountains to find her former comrades and live a peaceful life, or stay in this chaotic Tianjin and wait for a person who would return in the distant future?

Ultimately, her obsession with Yu Zecheng overcame everything else.

She gritted her teeth and made up her mind.

She wouldn't go back to her hometown. No matter how hard life was in Beijing or Tianjin, she would stay at that address and wait for him to come back.

They walked in silence until they reached the small courtyard that Sha Zhu had bought in Tianjin.

The courtyard is small, with a gray tiled roof and a half-closed wooden door. It looks inconspicuous, but it is hidden in a quiet alley in the middle of the hustle and bustle, and is extremely safe.

As soon as Wang Cuiping reached the courtyard gate, her gaze swept over the unlocked wooden door, and her muscles tensed instantly, her previously relaxed expression turning cold.

She subconsciously took a half step back, her right hand quietly reaching for her waist—where the short knife that Sha Zhu had given her earlier was hidden. Her eyes were sharp as knives, scanning every corner of the courtyard gate, and she exuded an aura of wariness from someone who had been through many battles, as if she were about to deal with a sudden danger at any moment.

Sha Zhu immediately saw through her wariness, quickly stepped forward, gently pressed her arm, and reassured her repeatedly, "Auntie, Auntie, don't get agitated! Don't get agitated! There are other people in the yard, they're our own people, you're absolutely safe!"

Wang Cuiping frowned, her eyes full of suspicion, and questioned in a low voice, "One of our own? Didn't you say you came to Tianjin alone to make a living? Who else are you hiding at home? I've never heard you mention them before?"

Her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction, and a touch of annoyance at being kept in the dark.

In this chaotic world, any unfamiliar presence could become a deadly threat, so she had to be cautious.

"It's not what you think!" Sha Zhu quickly waved his hand to explain, a helpless smile on his face.

"We just took in a helpless little girl in Tianjin. She's very young and pitiful. You'll see when you meet her. She's definitely one of our own and won't cause us any trouble."

"Little girl?"

Wang Cuiping frowned even more, looked Sha Zhu up and down, and gave him a serious warning in her tone.

"Zhu Zi, you're only thirteen years old! This is the age when you're growing and learning new skills. Don't learn to be like those street thugs. If you don't learn good things at such a young age, what will become of you in the future?"

Hearing this, Sha Zhu was completely bewildered, his face darkening. He quickly waved his hands, protesting his innocence: "Auntie! What are you thinking! Chun Chun just kindly took me in; she had no ulterior motives whatsoever! Don't wrong me!"

Seeing that Wang Cuiping was still skeptical, Sha Zhu stopped explaining, raised his hand, and gently knocked three times on the courtyard gate, his palm making a soft "tap tap tap" sound on the wooden door. At the same time, he called out, "Xiaoman! I'm back! Open the door!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than light footsteps sounded from inside the courtyard gate, accompanied by a soft, clear female voice: "Coming! Coming! Brother Zhu!"

The next second, the wooden door creaked open, and a little girl with her hair in two buns and wearing a light-colored cloth shirt peeked out. It was Xiaoman.

Xiaoman looked up and first saw Shazhu. A sweet smile immediately bloomed on her face. But when she turned her gaze and saw Wang Cuiping standing next to Shazhu, her smile froze on her face. Her eyes widened and she stood there stunned.

Her mind went completely blank for a moment, with only one thought swirling in her head: Why did Brother Zhu bring a woman back? Who is this woman? What is her relationship with Brother Zhu?

The moment Wang Cuiping saw Xiaoman, her eyes lit up, and she looked the little girl up and down. Xiaoman was pretty with delicate features, fair skin, and big, watery eyes. She looked well-behaved and sensible, and was very beautiful.

Wang Cuiping was overjoyed and thought to herself: Zhu Zi has good taste!

This little girl is so pretty and seems to have a gentle personality. In the future, Sister Chen Lanxiang will have no trouble finding a satisfactory daughter-in-law!

The two of them stood there at the gate of the courtyard, staring at each other, their eyes meeting, and the atmosphere became a little awkward.

Sha Zhu, standing in the middle, seeing the two women sizing each other up, quickly tried to smooth things over: "Don't just stand there! It's windy outside, let's talk inside!"

"Oh...oh!" Xiaoman finally came to her senses and quickly moved aside, her little hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her eyes filled with a hint of unease and anxiety.

"Okay!" Wang Cuiping withdrew her gaze, took a step and walked into the courtyard, her steps steady and exuding an aura.

Sha Zhu followed behind the two, gently closing the courtyard gate behind him and locking it with a wooden bolt to keep out the noise and danger outside.

As soon as Wang Cuiping entered the courtyard, she began to subtly look around.

The courtyard wasn't large, with three main rooms and a side room on the east and west sides. The courtyard was swept clean, and several pots of hardy flowers and plants were placed in the corners, making it look warm and tidy.

Instead of heading straight for the main house, she turned and walked directly towards the side room on the west side.

Reaching the door of the side room, she gently pushed it open and glanced inside—the bedding was neatly folded, and there were hair ties, handkerchiefs, and a small wooden dressing box on the bedside table, all bearing traces of a young girl's life.

Seeing this, Wang Cuiping slowly nodded, the last trace of doubt in her heart dissipating. It seemed that Zhu Zi hadn't lied to her; this little girl really did live here alone, and the child hadn't gone astray or misbehaved.

But Xiaoman saw her series of actions in a completely different light.

Xiaoman stood there, watching Wang Cuiping walk straight to her room and even push the door open to check. Her heart skipped a beat, and she panicked instantly.

A terrible thought came to mind: Did Brother Zhu bring this woman back to get rid of me?

Do they think I eat too much and am useless, and want to kick me out?

The moment the thought crossed Xiaoman's mind, her eyes instantly reddened, her nose tingled, and tears streamed down her face like broken beads, falling onto her clothes and leaving a small wet patch.

She bit her lip tightly, afraid to cry out, her shoulders trembling, looking extremely pitiful.

Wang Cuiping had just come out of the side room when she saw Xiaoman standing in the courtyard crying. She froze on the spot, looking at Shazhu with a bewildered expression, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with this child? Why is she crying all of a sudden? I didn't say or do anything!"

Sha Zhu was also completely bewildered. Seeing Xiao Man crying with tears streaming down her face, he quickly stepped forward and asked softly, "Xiao Man, what's wrong? Why are you crying for no reason? Who bullied you?"

Upon hearing Sha Zhu's voice, Xiao Man could no longer hold back. She rushed over and grabbed Sha Zhu's arm tightly, crying her heart out. She choked out, "Brother Zhu... Waaah... Brother Zhu! Please don't send me away! I eat very little! I only eat one bowl of rice per meal! I can still work! I can do laundry, cook, and sweep! I can sleep in the kitchen! I can sleep in the woodshed! Please don't send me away..."

These words left Sha Zhu completely bewildered, his face darkening with exasperation. He thought to himself, "What on earth is this?! This is just too much!"

Wang Cuiping, being a woman, was perceptive and had a keen sixth sense. After a moment's thought, she immediately understood—this little girl had misunderstood! She thought she had come to take over her place and that Brother Zhu had led her there to drive her away!

Wang Cuiping couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to gently poke Sha Zhu's arm, teasingly saying, "Zhu Zi, look at you! You didn't even introduce us beforehand, scaring the child like this! Aren't you going to introduce us to each other?"

Sha Zhu sighed helplessly, then quickly pulled Xiao Man aside and said to Wang Cuiping, "Let's go inside and talk. It's windy in the yard, don't get cold."

As he spoke, he reached out and led Wang Cuiping toward the main room. Xiaoman clung tightly to Shazhu's clothes, refusing to let go even for a moment, her head bowed low, occasionally glancing up at Wang Cuiping with eyes full of fear and unease.

"Don't overthink it, you silly girl!" Sha Zhu lowered his head and gently rubbed Xiao Man's head, explaining softly.

"Who's trying to kick you out? This is my aunt, my own aunt, from our hometown! She just went to your room to check on you because she was worried you weren't comfortable. It was for your own good, not to kick you out! Now hurry up and call someone!"

Hearing this, Xiaoman's heart eased a little. She timidly raised her head, looked at Wang Cuiping, and softly greeted, "Hello, Auntie..."

"Hey! Xiaoman, hello here too! Come here and let Auntie take a good look at you!" Wang Cuiping waved to Xiaoman with a gentle smile on her face and a friendly tone, without any airs.

Xiaoman hesitated for a moment, then looked at Shazhu with pleading eyes.

Sha Zhu gently pushed her and whispered, "Go ahead, Auntie is a very nice person, don't be afraid."

"Oh..." Xiaoman then took small steps and slowly walked to Wang Cuiping's side.

Seeing this, Sha Zhu quickly added, "Auntie, please don't take offense. This girl is shy around strangers. All her family members passed away early, and she has been alone since childhood. She's a bit sensitive and tends to overthink things, even at the slightest noise."

"It's okay, it's okay, I understand."

Wang Cuiping held Xiaoman's little hand and patted it gently, her voice full of heartache. "When I first came to the city, I was even more panicked than her. I saw everyone as a bad person, and I would be frightened by the slightest sound. These are children who have suffered hardships."

Seeing that the two women were starting to get to know each other, Sha Zhu made an excuse to give them some alone time to develop their relationship.

"You two chat for a while, I'll go to the kitchen and get busy making you a nice meal."

As he spoke, he turned to walk towards the kitchen.

"Zhu Zi! Wait a minute!" Wang Cuiping suddenly called out to him, her eyes lighting up, her tone tinged with nostalgia, "You probably don't have any mutton in your yard, right? Do you have any chili peppers? If you do, just make Auntie a bowl of oil-splashed noodles! I've been craving your handmade noodles for so long!"

She still vividly remembers the mutton noodles with minced meat sauce that Sha Zhu made back in her hometown; the taste is etched into her very bones.

Who is Sha Zhu?

He was a natural-born chef, and later apprenticed under two renowned masters, and now his skills have far surpassed theirs.

In a chef's home, other things might be lacking, but flour, chili peppers, and seasonings will never be scarce.

On the way, he had already told Wang Cuiping about his experiences over the past six months—he had apprenticed with two masters and had now graduated from both, working as a chef in a famous halal restaurant in Tianjin. Wang Cuiping was stunned and exclaimed that it was unbelievable.

Sha Zhu chuckled and turned back: "We don't have mutton, but we have plenty of mutton fat. Today we're not having oil-splashed noodles, we're having minced meat noodles instead, I guarantee it'll be even better than before!"

"Okay! Then Auntie will be looking forward to your delicious cooking!"

Wang Cuiping readily agreed.

She knew that Sha Zhu worked at a halal restaurant, so it was perfectly normal for him to have mutton fat on him; she didn't think much of it at all.

Sha Zhu turned and went to the kitchen, leaving only Wang Cuiping and Xiao Man in the yard.

Wang Cuiping took the initiative to pull Xiaoman to sit on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), held her cold little hand, and asked her about her background in a soft voice.

From where her hometown was, to how her parents died, to how she ended up in Tianjin, and how she met Sha Zhu, she asked about each and every matter in detail and with gentleness.

Xiaoman was a little reserved at first, but as she talked, she couldn't help but shed tears when she thought about her tragic past.

Wang Cuiping felt heartbroken upon hearing this, and her eyes also reddened. She took out a handkerchief to wipe Xiaoman's tears and gently comforted her, just like she would her own daughter.

When Sha Zhu returned from the kitchen with flour and seasonings, he had just entered the main room when he heard the two women laughing and talking inside.

Xiaoman leaned against Wang Cuiping's chest, her eyes crinkling with laughter. Wang Cuiping also looked at her with affection, and the two were as close as aunt and niece.

Sha Zhu stood at the door, unable to help but sigh.

Communication between women is so simple!

Just a moment ago they were suspicious of each other and crying at the door, but in such a short time, they're as good as family!

"You two seem to be having a good chat?" Sha Zhu said with a smile as he walked into the house.

"That's right! Xiaoman is a good child with a hard life, sensible and well-behaved." Wang Cuiping patted Xiaoman's hand, looked at Shazhu, and solemnly instructed him.

"Zhu Zi, you'd better treat her better from now on. Don't bully her, understand?"

"Auntie..." Upon hearing this, Xiaoman's face instantly turned red. She shook Wang Cuiping's arm shyly and called out in a coquettish manner.

"Alright, alright, stop shaking me!" Wang Cuiping laughed as she was shaken, and pointed her fist at Sha Zhu, pretending to be fierce.

"If Zhu Zi dares to bully you again, just tell Auntie, and Auntie will teach him a lesson! Let's see if he dares to disobey!"

"Auntie, Brother Zhu would never bully me! Brother Zhu is amazing!" Xiaoman looked up at Sha Zhu with admiration, her eyes sparkling.

"Tch! So what if he's tough?" Wang Cuiping laughed and scolded. "I'll teach him a lesson, what makes him think he'll fight back? He's gone too far!"

"No, no, I absolutely wouldn't!" Sha Zhu quickly raised his hands in surrender, laughing as he said, "You guys keep chatting, I'm going to the kitchen to roll out some dough. If I'm late, you'll all go hungry!"

After saying that, he turned around and ran away in a flash, afraid that if he was a step too late, Wang Cuiping would "deal with" him.

Seeing Sha Zhu flee in panic, Wang Cuiping and Xiaoman exchanged a smile, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Before long, a rich aroma wafted from the kitchen. The fragrance was so strong that it filled the nostrils and made one's stomach rumble.

Wang Cuiping and Xiaoman were sitting in the house, smelling the delicious aroma. They couldn't sit still any longer and got up at the same time, heading to the kitchen together.

The kitchen wasn't big, and Sha Zhu was busy working in front of the stove.

He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms, and skillfully kneaded the dough with both hands until it became smooth and elastic.

Today, he stir-fried diced cured pork with mutton fat. The fresh, savory aroma of the mutton mixed with the salty fragrance of the cured pork, creating a unique and enticing aroma that permeated the entire courtyard.

Actually, this was the first time Sha Zhu had tried this method. He didn't have any fresh mutton, and he didn't want to make Wang Cuiping and Xiaoman suffer. So, he had a brilliant idea: he would use mutton fat to make cured meat. Unexpectedly, the effect was surprisingly good.

The vegetable basket next to the stove was filled with side dishes such as cabbage, potatoes, and green beans, all of which Sha Zhu had stocked up in advance.

Now that it's getting cooler, the vegetables will keep well and will be enough for the three of us to eat for a while.

Wang Cuiping and Xiaoman leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching Shazhu cook with unblinking eyes, their gazes full of anticipation.

The aroma was so tempting that neither of them wanted to go back inside and suffer the agonizing wait. So they simply stood at the kitchen door, waiting for the food to be cooked.

Sha Zhu didn't care and let the two of them watch, his hands continuing their work without stopping.

Rolling out the dough, cutting it, and cooking it—he did it all in one smooth, effortless motion, which drew admiration from Xiaoman.

He made extra dough and cooked extra food, afraid that the two women wouldn't have enough to eat.

Strangely enough, Wang Cuiping had been suffering from morning sickness lately and couldn't stand the slightest greasy or fishy smell. But at this moment, smelling the aroma of mutton and chili peppers, she didn't feel nauseous at all. Instead, she had a great appetite and swallowed hard.

After the noodles are cooked, Sha Zhu scoops a generous spoonful of meat sauce, pours hot oil over it, and sprinkles on chopped green onions and chili peppers. Bowls of fragrant meat sauce noodles are ready.

The three of them sat down at the kang table in the main room with their bowls in their hands. Wang Cuiping picked up her chopsticks and ate half a bowl in small bites. She found the noodles to be chewy, the meat sauce to be fresh and fragrant, and the spiciness to be just right. She felt comfortable all over.

She'd been suffering from morning sickness lately, vomiting everything she ate and never having a proper meal. This bowl of noodles was just what she needed.

Unable to resist, she picked up the bowl again and ate about half of it before putting down her chopsticks. She let out a long sigh of relief and said contentedly, "So good! So good! Zhu Zi, your cooking is just as good as your father's! I haven't had a decent meal in ages!"

"Auntie, you flatter me. I'm still far from it." Sha Zhu smiled modestly, but couldn't hide his pride.

When Xiaoman first came back with Shazhu, she wouldn't eat any mutton at all; the smell of mutton made her want to vomit.

But Sha Zhu had been working at the halal restaurant, and the food she brought back was always beef or mutton. Over time, her appetite was also developed.

Looking at the large bowl of noodles, she devoured it, finishing every last drop, licking the bowl clean, as if she wanted more.

After dinner, Xiaoman volunteered to wash the dishes, not letting Shazhu and Wang Cuiping do it.

Sha Zhu went back into the house and started packing his quilt and change of clothes, then carried them to the side room.

Watching him bustling around, Wang Cuiping asked in confusion, "Zhuzi, what are you doing? Why aren't you sleeping in the main room? What are you doing moving things around?"

Sha Zhu said without turning his head, "The bed in the main room is big and warm. Auntie, you and Xiaoman can sleep in the main room. I'm young and not afraid of the cold, so I can sleep in the side room."

"How can that be!" Wang Cuiping immediately stood up and stopped him.

"Auntie is a guest. How can a guest sleep in the main room while the host sleeps in the side room? Wouldn't people laugh at us if word got out? No, no, you sleep in the main room, and I'll sleep in the side room!"

"Auntie, don't refuse me!" Sha Zhu put the quilt on the table and looked at Wang Cuiping seriously.

"I'm just a kid, it doesn't matter where I sleep. The side room is a bit small, but it's enough for me by myself. You're pregnant, and Xiaoman is still young, so the main room is spacious and warm, which is most suitable for the two of you. There are extra blankets in the house, in Xiaoman's old room, I'll bring them over later."

Looking at the sensible child in front of her, Wang Cuiping felt a warmth in her heart, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Since leaving her hometown, she had always lived under the roof of others, having to be mindful of their moods, and had never experienced being cared for and looked after like this.

Every move the child made made her feel a long-lost warmth, like that of family.

"You're such a sensible child..." Wang Cuiping's voice choked with emotion as she patted Sha Zhu's shoulder, unable to utter another word of refusal.

Sha Zhu grinned: "Auntie, why are you being so polite with me? Just stay here and relax. When the situation in Tianjin stabilizes and we can leave the city, we'll go back to Beijing together. When we get there, we'll stay in our old compound. My mother will be home, and you two can talk to each other and keep each other company."

"Okay!" Wang Cuiping nodded emphatically, her heart filled with anticipation.

When Xiaoman returned after washing the dishes, she realized she had moved. The bed in the side room was indeed too small for two people to sleep comfortably, and she was not happy at all about sleeping in the main room with Wang Cuiping; on the contrary, she felt particularly at ease.

And so, Wang Cuiping officially settled down in Sha Zhu's courtyard, and the three of them formed a temporary but cozy little home.

As the days went by, the situation in Tianjin became increasingly tense, with more and more puppet troops and spies appearing on the streets, and arrests and inspections occurring from time to time.

Sha Zhu became exceptionally busy, going out every now and then. Each time he returned, he would bring back a lot of food, cloth, medicine, as well as some herbs and food to relieve Wang Cuiping's morning sickness, filling the small courtyard to the brim.

Wang Cuiping watched all this, and her curiosity and doubts about Sha Zhu grew deeper and deeper.

When I first met this child outside the city, I only thought he was clever and sensible, a good prospect for learning to cook.

Later, Lao Zhao told her that Sha Zhu came to Tianjin to learn cooking at a big restaurant and had learned the skills very well.

If he's learning to cook, why does he frequently leave the city? What is he doing there? How can a restaurant apprentice obtain so many scarce supplies, including rare herbs to relieve morning sickness?

These questions had been swirling in her mind for a long time, but she had never dared to ask them.

She knew that if Sha Zhu didn't want to talk about something, she wouldn't get an answer no matter how much she asked.

On this day, the atmosphere in Tianjin was extremely tense. Soldiers under martial law were everywhere on the streets, and every household stayed indoors. The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder.

That evening, Sha Zhu returned home with an unusually grave expression.

He closed the courtyard gate, bolted it, turned around and went into the main house. He took out a shiny little pistol from his pocket and gently placed it on the table in front of Wang Cuiping.

This gun is small and exquisite, exactly the same as the one Yu Zecheng once used.

The moment Wang Cuiping saw the gun, her expression changed drastically. She stood up abruptly, pointed at the gun, and her voice trembled slightly.

"Zhu Zi! Where did you get this gun? This isn't some ordinary civilian gadget; it's a legitimate military pistol! Where did you get it? Won't someone be watching you? Won't you get yourself killed?"

She was filled with worry. In this chaotic world, possessing firearms was a capital offense, and the consequences would be unimaginable if discovered.

Sha Zhu sat on the stool, his expression calm, and said indifferently, "The city is too chaotic, there's looting and arson everywhere. I asked a friend to get this. In this world, you can trade for food and guns. As long as you have the connections, there's nothing you can't get. Aunt, you should know how to use this, right? Keep it for self-defense; it can save your life in a critical moment."

"That guy also had the exact same one. I played with it a few times." Wang Cuiping mentioned Yu Zecheng, deliberately keeping her tone calm and pretending not to care. But deep in her eyes, a trace of tenderness still flashed.

"That's good." Sha Zhu nodded, pointed to the pistol, and said, "The safety is on. Do you want me to teach you how to use it?"

"No need, I will." Wang Cuiping waved her hand, then looked at Sha Zhu and asked, "What about yourself? Don't you keep one for self-defense?"

Sha Zhu smirked, reached behind his back and pulled out a Mauser pistol, slamming it onto the table with a "bang".

The Mauser C96 was jet black and shiny, with a sleek barrel and an aura of fierce killing intent, making it far more imposing than that small pistol.

Wang Cuiping's eyes lit up instantly!

She was a guerrilla leader from the mountains, used to long guns and heavy rifles, and had a special fondness for the powerful and long-range Mauser pistol.

As for that little pistol, she always thought it was a woman's thing, good for scaring people, but in a real war it wouldn't kill anyone.

Wang Cuiping stared intently at the Mauser C96 pistol, her eyes glued to it. She said impatiently, "Zhu Zi! How about we switch? You give me this big thing, and you can keep the little pistol for yourself!"

Sha Zhu paused for a moment, looking at her with some surprise: "Auntie, you know how to use this? This is no joke, the recoil is huge."

"Yes! Of course I can!"

Wang Cuiping blurted it out unconsciously, and only realized she had let something slip as soon as she finished speaking, so she quickly tried to cover it up.

"Well... I've seen other people use it, and it seems to work fine when firing a gun."

Sha Zhu looked at her with a half-smile, his eyes clear yet seemingly able to see through people's hearts.

Wang Cuiping felt uneasy under his gaze, her whole body aching. She couldn't help but frown and ask sharply, "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, not at all." Sha Zhu withdrew his gaze, spoke slowly, his tone calm yet certain, "I know you can use it, and not just any ordinary user. Because I know you are this kind of person."

As he spoke, he stretched out his right hand and made an "eight" gesture.

The moment this gesture was made, Wang Cuiping's aura changed drastically!

Her gentle gaze instantly turned cold and sharp, radiating an aura of battle-hardened ruthlessness. She abruptly grabbed the small pistol on the table, her fingers swiftly flicking the safety. With two crisp "clicks," the gun was chambered, its dark muzzle pointed directly at Sha Zhu!

"How did you know? Tell me! Who are you? What do you want?"

Her voice was icy cold, filled with murderous intent, and completely devoid of the gentleness she had shown moments before.

She knew all too well that her identity was top secret; if exposed, not only would she be doomed, but countless comrades would also be implicated. This child before her had actually seen through her secret—it was impossible for her not to be nervous!

Seeing this, Sha Zhu quickly hid by the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), his expression turning serious.

He knew in his heart that Wang Cuiping was not joking. If he couldn't give a reasonable explanation, given her guerrilla captain's personality, she really would dare to shoot!

"Auntie! Don't get excited! This is no joke! If the gun goes off accidentally, it's no laughing matter!" Sha Zhu quickly shouted to calm her down.

"Who's joking with you!" Wang Cuiping gritted her teeth, the gun still pointed at him, and shouted sharply, "Tell me! How did you know my identity? Are you a spy? Are you here to arrest me?"

She was extremely agitated, and her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Seeing her agitated state, Sha Zhu suddenly remembered that she was pregnant and quickly reminded her, "Auntie! Calm down! Calm down! You have a baby in your belly! It wouldn't be good if you upset the baby!"

That really worked.

Wang Cuiping glanced down at her slightly protruding belly, her tense body relaxing slightly. She pressed the gun barrel down a little, took a deep breath, and forced herself to calm down: "Okay, I won't get agitated. You speak! Explain yourself clearly!"

Sha Zhu slowly stood up from the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), sat back down on the stool, and said slowly, "Didn't Old Zhao tell you that he and I came to Tianjin on the same train?"

"A train?"

Wang Cuiping frowned and shook her head. "No! He never mentioned it! What does this have to do with my identity?"

"It's a very big deal," Sha Zhu said, keeping a little suspense.

"Stop talking nonsense! Tell me!" Wang Cuiping glared at him immediately, her tone becoming stern again.

"Yes, I will tell you, I will tell you right now."

Sha Zhu quickly composed himself and recounted in detail how he had met Lao Zhao on the train.

He told Wang Cuiping how Old Zhao was vigilant on the train, how he hid his identity, and how he took special care of her while being wary of her at every turn.

He added that he had observed Zhao all along and had long realized that Zhao was no ordinary person.

In fact, Sha Zhu's decision to reveal this matter at this time was the result of countless careful considerations.

With war imminent in Tianjin, the city is extremely unsafe, and hiding will only increase the danger.

Only by speaking openly and honestly can we work together and support each other in the face of danger in the future.

Beyond that, he had deeper considerations—paving the way for the future after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Given his family's wealth, when class assignments were made, some people would inevitably become envious and cause trouble. Wang Cuiping was the first pawn he had planted, and if Lao Zhao could return safely to Beijing, that would be the second. As for his other trump cards, he would never easily reveal them unless it was a matter of life and death.

There's another thing: with the recent outbreak of war, correspondence has completely ceased, and he has no idea what's happening inside the compound in Beijing.

Has Qin Huairu's family moved in?

What is the attitude of the people in the courtyard? It's always better to be prepared than not.

After hearing Sha Zhu's words, Wang Cuiping remained skeptical, frowning as she asked, "You can guess I'm from that side just from what happened on the train? That's a bit far-fetched!"

"Of course not."

Sha Zhu shook his head and continued, "Old Zhao has lived in our compound for over a year. He's always been a loner, never making close friends, and quite withdrawn. But after you arrived, he took the initiative to call you his cousin and even brought you to the host's house to guard it. Don't you find it strange that a loner like him suddenly has a cousin?"

Wang Cuiping's heart tightened, and she quickly asked, "So, everyone in our compound has noticed something's wrong? They're all suspecting us?"

"No, not at all." Sha Zhu waved his hand.

"I only found out by chance when I overheard Yi Zhonghai talking in his sleep next door. He mumbled in his sleep that he had secretly followed Lao Zhao, but he didn't find anything out and ended up being blamed by everyone."

"Even so, that doesn't prove that Lao Zhao is one of your people, does it?" Wang Cuiping remained stubborn and refused to admit it.

"Of course not." Sha Zhu calmly offered his final, bombshell reason.

"The key is still with you, Aunt. You married a high-ranking official of the Kuomintang, right? When he retreated south, he took countless confidants and their families with him, but not you. With his status and power, he couldn't protect you? That in itself doesn't make sense, doesn't it?

"you……"

Wang Cuiping was speechless, looking at the thirteen-year-old boy in front of her, her heart filled with shock and disbelief.

"Are you a little monster? How can you be so meticulous? Nothing escapes your eyes!"

"I'm not a monster," Sha Zhu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and said casually.

"Ever since my mother had a difficult childbirth and I was frightened, it seems like I suddenly became smarter than other children, just a little bit smarter than others."

"A little bit?" Wang Cuiping rolled her eyes and said irritably.

"You're not just a little bit clever! You're ten times smarter than the average adult! With fur on you, you're even more cunning than a monkey from the mountains!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Auntie!" Sha Zhu said with a grin, bowing without the slightest hint of modesty.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Wang Cuiping glared at him and asked in a serious tone.

"Speak! You've been pretending you knew nothing all this time, but today you've given me a gun and exposed my identity. What exactly are you trying to do?"

Sha Zhu's smile gradually faded, and he became serious.

"It doesn't mean anything else. The city is getting more and more chaotic, and I'm afraid you'll overthink it. This gun is for survival, not just for decoration. It's for you and Xiaoman, to protect your lives."

Wang Cuiping felt a warmth in her heart, lowered the gun completely, and asked softly, "Are you still going out? Are you still going to do those dangerous things?"

"Uncertain, let's see how things go," Sha Zhu said calmly.

Wang Cuiping looked at him with a hint of inquiry in her eyes and asked cautiously, "Zhuzi, tell your aunt honestly, you...you're also one of our comrades, right?"

Sha Zhu laughed at her question and waved his hand, "No. At my age, I could at most join a children's corps, I'm not qualified to be a comrade."

"Bullshit!" Wang Cuiping cursed, looking at him with disbelief.

"With your skills and brains, if you were in our guerrilla unit, I'd put you as a vice-captain right away! Who wouldn't trust you?"

"Oh, I didn't realize you used to be an official, Auntie!" Sha Zhu said, feigning surprise.

"What official position? He's just a guerrilla captain." Wang Cuiping waved her hand, her tone carrying a hint of her former pride.

"How many brothers are there?" Sha Zhu asked curiously.

"Dozens of brothers, all of them were brothers who fought alongside me through thick and thin, risking their lives together!" Wang Cuiping said, her eyes filled with nostalgia as she spoke of her former comrades.

"Auntie, you are this!" Sha Zhu gave a thumbs up without hesitation, his face full of admiration.

"How about it? Do you want me to introduce you to someone and have you join us?" Wang Cuiping asked tentatively.

"Let's talk about it later. I'm still young. I need to learn to cook first and save my life," Sha Zhu politely declined.

"I don't believe you!" Wang Cuiping pointed at the Mauser C96 on the table, her face full of disdain.

"This is something a teenager could get their hands on? Do you think I'm a three-year-old?"

Sha Zhu smiled, didn't argue, and simply pushed the Mauser pistol in front of Wang Cuiping.

"Okay, Auntie likes it, so you can have this big thing. Anyway, I'm not used to using it, and the small pistol is much lighter."

Wang Cuiping picked up the Mauser pistol, lovingly stroking the gun, but still asked with unease, "Are you sure these guns came from somewhere legitimate? They weren't stolen, or robbed from ordinary people?"

Sha Zhu looked at her and said a blunt truth: "It was taken from her when she was little, do you think there's anything wrong with that?"

"A little life?" Wang Cuiping suddenly stood up, her eyes bloodshot, and a strong killing intent instantly erupted from her body. She gripped her Mauser pistol and was about to rush out.

"Where are they? Where are those scoundrels? I'm going to go and wipe them out right now! To avenge our dead fellow villagers!"

Her hatred for the mundane life was ingrained in her bones; she couldn't control her emotions at the mere mention of those three words.

"Auntie! Auntie! Don't get agitated! Sit down quickly!"

Sha Zhu rushed over and grabbed her arm tightly, pleading urgently.

"You're pregnant! Don't get angry! Besides, even if I were pregnant, would I have waited until now? It would have been cleaned up long ago!"

He pulled Wang Cuiping along, and after struggling for a few moments, she slowly calmed down and asked, panting, "You've killed someone? You've killed Xiao Rizi?"

She simply couldn't believe that this thirteen-year-old child would dare to kill someone.

Sha Zhu shrugged indifferently, his tone as flat as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Humans? Do those people who live mundane lives even qualify as human beings? In my eyes, they're nothing but beasts."

Wang Cuiping paused for a moment, then nodded emphatically, deeply agreeing.

"Yeah, that's right! Those days were inhuman!"

She recalled the days when she first arrived in Tianjin and saw the prisoners living on the streets. She wanted to rush up, grab a gun, and shoot them. If she hadn't been held back, she would have done it long ago.

Looking at the young, yet composed, decisive, and meticulous Sha Zhu in front of him.

Wang Cuiping's heart was filled with complex emotions—admiration, heartache, and a deep sense of relief.