siheyuan: I transmigrated into love in courtyard

Morning sunlight barely seeped through the small window of my room as I lay on my wooden bed, adjusting to my new reality. The air was cold, carrying the scent of old wood and damp clothes. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that in this world, food wasn't as abundant as in the modern era I had come from.

But hunger was the least of my concerns. If I was going to live here, I needed to understand the people around me. This courtyard was a battlefield, and only the strong—or the cunning—could survive.

I started recalling the characters from Love in a Courtyard and how they had shaped the story.

Qin Huairu: The Cold-Blooded White Lotus

A beauty wrapped in poison. That was the simplest way to describe Qin Huairu. With her delicate features, sorrowful eyes, and gentle demeanor, she could make any man's heart ache for her. But beneath that fragile mask was a manipulative, calculating woman who only cared about her own survival.

She had married Jia Dongxu, a lazy, selfish man, hoping for a stable life. But after his death, she quickly realized that his family was nothing but a burden. Her mother-in-law, Jia Zhang, did nothing but complain and demand, while her three children—Jia Beng, Xiaodong, and Hiahua—were selfish and ungrateful.

Instead of working hard, Qin Huairu chose the easy way out—using men. And her favorite target? He Yuzhu (Shazhu), the ultimate fool.

With just a few tears, a sigh, or a sad look, she could make Shazhu willingly give her food, money, and even do work for her. She never outright asked, but her actions always hinted at her suffering, making men feel guilty for not helping. She was a cold-blooded vampire—sucking others dry while maintaining the image of a pitiful widow.

But to me, her tricks were useless.

Jia Zhang: The Greedy Parasite

If Qin Huairu was a vampire, then Jia Zhang was a demon.

She was loud, aggressive, and greedy, always acting as if the world owed her something. Despite doing nothing to contribute, she always had demands—more food, more money, more favors.

She treated Qin Huairu like a servant, yet expected everyone in the courtyard to pity their family. She was the biggest reason why Shazhu was drained dry—always scolding him, cursing him, and guilt-tripping him into helping.

She was also a hypocrite—she claimed to be a suffering widow, but in reality, she was just a lazy, hateful woman who enjoyed making others miserable.

The Ungrateful Jia Children

Then there were Jia Dongxu's children. They had grown up watching their mother and grandmother manipulate others, so they learned the same tricks.

1. Jia Beng (Son, Eldest) – A spoiled, greedy brat who believed that everyone should take care of him. Instead of being grateful, he acted entitled, always demanding more from others.

2. Jia Xiaodong (Daughter, Middle) – A sneaky and selfish girl who took after her mother. She knew how to act pitiful and get what she wanted, but deep down, she had no gratitude.

3. Jia Hiahua (Daughter, Youngest) – The youngest but already showing signs of her family's rotten nature. She would cry, throw tantrums, and demand attention whenever things didn't go her way.

These children were raised to take without giving. They expected food, clothes, and care from others, but never once thought about repaying kindness.

He Yuzhu (Shazhu): The Ultimate Simp

And then there was Shazhu.

A man who should have been strong and independent, but instead became a tool for others. He was skilled in cooking and martial arts, had a stable job, and earned decent money, yet he wasted all of it on Qin Huairu's family.

Whenever Qin Huairu sighed, he rushed to help.

Whenever Jia Zhang scolded him, he lowered his head and endured.

Whenever the Jia children needed food, he gave up his own rations for them.

And what did he get in return? Nothing.

By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late. His youth was gone, his money was gone, and his reputation was ruined. He ended up alone, old, and broken.

Watching him in the show had made me furious. A man with his skills could have built a great life—but instead, he let himself be used like a fool.

I refused to be like him.

My Goal: Power, Wealth, and Women

I took a deep breath, clenching my fists. This world was harsh.

Men like Shazhu were used and discarded.

Men like Yi Zhonghai manipulated others for their own benefit.

Men like Jia Dongxu lived selfishly, taking from others without remorse.

I wouldn't be any of them.

I wasn't here to suffer like Shazhu.

I wasn't here to be used like a fool.

I wasn't here to play fair in a world where fairness didn't exist.

I wanted power. I wanted money. I wanted women.

But unlike Shazhu, I wouldn't let women use me.

Unlike Yi Zhonghai, I wouldn't play the long game and rely on others.

Unlike Jia Dongxu, I wouldn't sit around and expect things to fall into my lap.

I had a system, future knowledge, and the intelligence to use them wisely.

From now on, I would carve out my own fate.

No one in this courtyard would step on me.

No one in this courtyard would use me.

I would be the one in control.

Smirking, I got up and stretched. Today, I would report to the steel mill kitchen and sign in for my first reward.