Siheyuan: From Refugee to Big Shot in the Art Troupe

Winter of 1959. I walked into Courtyard No. 95 with a letter of introduction.

I borrowed bedding from Third Master Yan's family, and they still charged me interest.

The neighbors in the front courtyard were polite. The middle and back courtyards were nothing but drama.

Yi Zhonghai sat with his tea mug, acting like a paragon of virtue.

Jia Zhangshi bared her teeth and cursed out the whole courtyard.

I was just a little cook in a humble rear room.

But I could cook, catch thieves, and write songs.

Han Minsheng said I was the best chef in the kitchen.

Officer Liu said I was too good at catching thieves not to be made permanent.

But they didn't know I could write songs, too.

When Yan Bugui saw me in the newspaper, his glasses nearly fell off.

Feng Yong told everyone he met, "That's my brother."

From refugee to big shot in the cultural troupe: that's quite a career change.

But what can you do? You can't hide talent.

I just want to ask one thing: Third Master, can I tear up the IOU now?

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Please do not imitate.