Siheyuan: He Yuzhu’s Road of Choices

In 1955, just after the End of Heat, the autumn heat trapped the city of Beijing in a cage. It was dry, hot, and fierce. Mornings and evenings were cool enough to call for a jacket, but the midday heat could make the freshly laid bluestone road in the hutong buckle.

At No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, in the main room of the middle courtyard.

He slowly opened his eyes, finally feeling like he could breathe again.

Wait, where was he? What was this place? This wasn't his home.

A washbasin? A thermos? A square table and long benches? A flashlight? An enamel mug for rinsing his mouth?

None of these looked like things people would still use in the 2020s. Even in the countryside, people probably wouldn't use them anymore, would they?

Before he could think it through, a flood of memories surged into his mind.

He was no longer He Yu, a small-time businessman living life with easygoing flair. He had become He Yuzhu, Silly Zhu, from his favorite TV drama, Love Fills the Courtyard.