Volume One Chapter One: The Scent of Wine

Page (1/3)

A winter day in the 1960s, within the old city of Beijing.

Outside, the wind howled like blades, beating against the window frames, but inside, what was harder to endure than the cold was the pungent scent of alcohol.

Su Jian was awakened by the wind outside, shivering in the darkness, his brows furrowed, body trembling—partly from the cold, partly from confusion.

"I…"
"Did I… travel through time?"

After a long while, Su Jian rubbed his forehead, finally accepting his new identity.

He had arrived in the world of "Love in the Courtyard," finding himself inhabiting one of the dwellings within this courtyard.

According to the memories fused in his mind, he was not only a worker at the Red Star Steel Mill but also had a younger sister—Chu Yan.

This sister was not related by blood, but had been rescued by his mother during a famine. His mother cherished her, even to the point that his former self developed jealousy.

Chu Yan took his mother's surname, and her name was bestowed by someone at his mother's request.

The past years had been peaceful, but fate proved unpredictable. His mother had died of illness, and his former self drowned his sorrows in drink, dying in a drunken stupor.

"So it seems I've not only traveled through time, but now own two rooms and gained a younger sister?"

Dawn was breaking.

Before Su Jian could examine his surroundings, the door behind him creaked open, letting the cold wind sweep away the smell of alcohol.

"Brother Jian, you're awake!"

A voice of gentle warmth sounded behind him, drawing his attention.

Turning, he saw before him a woman of stunning beauty, with a purity and a blush unique to this era. Though clad in a shabby cotton coat, her voluptuous grace could not be concealed, leaving Su Jian momentarily entranced.

"It's a bit cold," he said, shrinking his neck, seeking warmth, perhaps in Chu Yan's delicate hands, which were most tempting.

"Wait a moment, I'll start the fire. Once the stove is lit, it'll be warm," Chu Yan replied, shyly withdrawing her hand, her cheeks reddening.

She recalled her mother's dying words—not only revealing her origins, but hoping Chu Yan would be joined with Brother Jian.

To accompany Brother Jian…
It seemed not unreasonable.

Lost in thought, she hurried away, perhaps to hide her embarrassment, or perhaps to seek the warmth of the stove.

The morning light grew, and the courtyard gradually became lively.

Residents emerged to wash and begin their day.

Su Jian took the opportunity to stroll within the courtyard, meeting Qin Huai, He Yuzhu, Yi Zhonghai, and others.

"Living among these companions, the days ahead will surely not be dull!"

He smiled, unconcerned, and returned home for warmth.

Unnoticed, across from him, the old deaf lady remained seated at the door, her gaze fixed on the busy Chu Yan.

"Chu Yan is literate, gentle, and full-bodied—a perfect wife. How could she be married to Su Jian? She ought to join my grandson!"

The old deaf lady mused, tapping her cane on the ground, and slowly entered her house.

"Where's my lock? I remember putting it in the cabinet…"

After searching, she found the lock, muttering to herself, "Dare to refuse my proposal, not letting Chu Yan marry into my family—damnable!"

"Now with no obstacles, once my grandson and Chu Yan are forced together, let's see what Su Jian can do!"

"Zhuzi, you must work hard and give your grandma a big, fat grandson!"

"Right, I still have sleeping pills—I'll use them all!"

…

When Su Jian returned home, Chu Yan had prepared breakfast: two bowls of thin rice porridge, a few strands of pickled vegetables, and three steamed corn buns.

He said little—for this era, such a meal was already a luxury.

"Brother Jian, come eat. You have to go to the steel mill soon."

"Alright!"

Su Jian was gradually adapting, nodding in agreement.

During the meal, after a brief silence, he spoke:

"Yan, perhaps mother's words are hard for you to accept, but they were her last wish."

"I hope that, after some time… I can marry you."

Whoosh!

Chu Yan, sipping her thin porridge, could hardly bear such words. Instantly, her face blushed like a crimson cloud, head bowed, not daring to meet Su Jian's gaze.

Su Jian smiled faintly—it seemed this sister had quite a fondness for his former self.

After all, he had been tall and handsome.

After breakfast, he hurried to his workplace.

At home, only Chu Yan remained, her face still flushed, busy tidying up.

"Brother Jian… seems like a different person. The things he says are so embarrassing!"

Yet, the smile at the corner of her mouth betrayed her true feelings.

The steel mill was not close to the courtyard, and Su Jian chose not to walk with the others.

Page (2/3)

Knowing their backgrounds well, he understood these seemingly upright fellows were actually full of hidden motives.

Unexpectedly, he saw Qin Huai.

"It seems Jia Xudong is doomed, but that's none of my business. I refuse to be anyone's backup plan."

Su Jian glanced disdainfully at He Yuzhu standing beside Qin Huai, then strode directly to his post.

No sooner had he arrived than a mechanical voice sounded in his mind.

"Ding! It's eight o'clock. Please check in!"

A system!?

Su Jian's face lit up with joy, and he quickly responded in his mind.

"Check in!"

"Congratulations, host, check-in successful. You have gained proficiency in Bajiquan!"

He hadn't even entered the workshop before feeling his mind heavy.

"Bajiquan mastery?"

Suddenly, his head was filled with martial arts techniques, his muscles tensed, his body felt lighter.

He was confident he could take on a hundred men himself!

Even his senses became astonishingly sharp!

At that moment, Su Jian's brows quivered as two workers approached, one muttering:

"The food in the canteen today probably won't taste good."

"What's going on? Did they change cooks? That's no good—He Yuzhu's cooking is superb…"

"No, it's because He Yuzhu was urgently called home. Apparently, something happened at home, so he took leave. An old lady insisted on bringing him back. With no choice, he left early."

"Well, as long as the chef doesn't change, it's fine. We'll just eat a bit less today…"

As the workers left, Su Jian's brows furrowed deeply.

"He Yuzhu was called back by the old deaf lady?"

He remembered that the old deaf lady had specifically asked his sister to help at her house before he left.

A sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

"Didn't the old lady already ask Yan to help? Why call He Yuzhu home from work too?"

"Something's off!"

Suddenly, a thought flashed in Su Jian's mind.

In the past, the old lady had set her sights on his sister, even trying to arrange for He Yuzhu and his sister to marry, working through his former mother.

Neither his mother nor his former self favored He Yuzhu, and their rejection was clear.

"Could the old lady still be scheming?"

At this, Su Jian's eyes flashed coldly, and he quickly turned to leave.

"Dead old woman! Best not to cause trouble, or I'll see that your last days are miserable and your body left in the wild!"

…

In the courtyard, Chu Yan was cheerfully helping the old deaf lady sort vegetables.

The old lady, sitting nearby, watched the gentle and virtuous Chu Yan with delight, her wrinkles gathered in a smile.

He Yuzhu was meanwhile grumbling as he tidied up the next room for her.

"Old lady, there's nothing much in here, you called me back so urgently—I thought something serious happened!"

He muttered as he rummaged through things.

The old lady remained at ease.

"Chu Yan, have some water, then go check the room—why hasn't He Yuzhu come out yet?"

Chu Yan, simple-minded, drank her bowl of water and walked straight to the room.

"He Yuzhu, the old lady wants to know why you haven't found the thing yet," Chu Yan said politely to the cook.

"Nothing's here. The old lady said there were things, but there's nothing," He Yuzhu sneaked a glance at Chu Yan, thinking, "Chu Yan is even prettier than Sister Qin! If only I could marry her!"

Resentment toward Su's mother and Su Jian rose in He Yuzhu's heart. When the old lady had proposed, he'd been delighted, thinking the marriage was settled, only to be rejected and ridiculed by the entire courtyard.

"Still haven't found it?" As they spoke, the sound of the door being locked came from behind.

Chu Yan was startled, pushing the door with all her strength, but it wouldn't budge.

"Old lady, why are you locking the door?" Chu Yan called anxiously.

Outside, the old lady smiled as she hid the key, "He Yuzhu, Chu Yan is the granddaughter-in-law I've chosen—beautiful and virtuous! Su Jian is at work, you must seize the opportunity."

Hearing this, Chu Yan grew even more anxious, pounding the door, "Old lady, open the door! If you don't, I'll break it down!" Before she finished, she suddenly felt dizzy, her body swaying.

"It was the old lady's water!" Chu Yan despaired, losing even the strength to pound the door.

He Yuzhu watched Chu Yan's weakened state, swallowing hard.

…

At the courtyard gate, Su Jian's face was grim as he strode in.

The women at the gate looked at him in surprise, whispering, "What's wrong with that drunkard, Su Jian?"

"No idea. Running home during work hours, he'll be criticized for sure!"

"He doesn't look well, does he?"

"Really? Let's go see!"

Page (3/3)

The love of excitement is only human—several aunties quickly gathered, following Su Jian to the rear courtyard.

The old deaf lady was startled by the sound of footsteps.

Few people usually visited the rear courtyard.

Su Jian hurried on, arriving at the rear courtyard, glaring at the astonished old lady, demanding loudly, "Where is my sister?"

"What? What did you say? I can't hear you!" The old lady pretended not to hear, picking up her stool and sitting at the door.

Just as Su Jian was about to speak again, a faint voice called from inside, "Brother, I'm in the room. I feel terribly dizzy—she drugged me…"

Instantly, Su Jian was ablaze with fury!

"I knew you weren't so kind!"

"Let my sister out!"

Hearing his sister's voice, Su Jian roared at the old lady, unable to contain his rage.

He never expected the old lady to be so brazen—to lock the door and drug his sister in broad daylight!

Yet, instead of opening the door, the old lady threw her cane, aiming to strike Su Jian.

"Sister? What sister?"

"You rascal, how can you speak like that? When your mother was alive, you owed me respect as an elder!"

"You little bastard!"

"Such insolence!"

Su Jian sneered coldly, scanning the crowd—suddenly realizing.

"This old deaf lady is the biggest troublemaker in the courtyard!"

She continued to rant, accusing him of disrespect, ignoring Chu Yan's cries inside.

"You old witch, still cursing?"

Su Jian knew well that He Yuzhu must be inside too!

The thought of his sister being trapped with that sycophant burned his fury brighter.

"You old witch, if my sister comes out unharmed, fine—but if not, I'll never forgive you!"

Bang!

He kicked the old lady, sending her stumbling several meters!

Cries of "Aiyo, aiyo!" rang out.

"Su Jian, if you dare lay a hand on the old lady, I won't let you off!" He Yuzhu shouted from inside.

As the courtyard's muscle, He Yuzhu's words made the surrounding aunties pale, all urging:

"Su Jian, help the old lady up!"

"Yes, she didn't do anything to you. Pick her up, apologize, pay twenty or thirty yuan, and be done with it."

"Jian, this isn't right. The old lady once cradled you as a child—how could you hit her?"

Su Jian paid no heed.

"Sister, stand back—don't get too close to the door!"

Chu Yan, disgusted with He Yuzhu inside, sidestepped and grabbed a rolling pin.

He Yuzhu, focused on the old lady, didn't notice.

"Break!"

Su Jian shouted, kicking the solid wooden door.

Bang!

With a thunderous crash, the door collapsed—the lock nowhere to be found.

Su Jian dashed into the room.

"Yan, Yan—are you alright?"

Seeing his sister dazed and unsteady, Su Jian glared fiercely at He Yuzhu, scooped her up, and prepared to leave.

He Yuzhu, cowed by Su Jian's glare, swallowed hard, not daring to stop him.

On one hand, he knew he was in the wrong; on the other, Su Jian's rage was terrifying—his strength evident in breaking down the door.

Meanwhile, the old deaf lady, finally sitting up, seemed to come to her senses.

"Come see! Su Jian, the wretch, is a beast—he laid hands on me, an old woman!" Her shrill cries quickly drew the courtyard's busybody women.

Most men were out working, leaving only children and a few like Jia Xudong, sluggish and listless.

"Mother, that's the old deaf lady's voice—something's happened in the rear courtyard."

"That's right, it's her—something's definitely up. Let's go and see!" Jia Zhang leapt off the kang, pushing her son outside, eager not to miss the spectacle.

…