Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1009 A Helpless Choice
The four kids' first robbery was so magical; it ended before it even started. Even the security guards said they were four stupid thieves who didn't know this alley was where the neighborhood office was located, and wondered who would rob someone here.

On the night of the 29th of the lunar year, the No. 95 courtyard was in an uproar. Four children from three families had gone missing, including the eldest son of the Yan family, who was already twenty years old and engaged.

Yan Bugui wandered around the courtyard and found Liu Haizhong. Liu Haizhong's child was also missing, as was Liu Ergou from the front yard. This alarmed everyone in the courtyard, and Yi Zhonghai, the eldest uncle, had no choice but to show himself.

After asking around, they finally concluded that the children had gone out together that afternoon. Sha Zhu, arms crossed, watched from the side and said, "Do you think it's possible that the four children felt things weren't good at home and ran away?"

Upon hearing this, the neighbors in the courtyard fell silent. It was true, these families were indeed quite strict with their children; such a possibility was real. The adults in Liu Haizhong's, Yan Bugui's, and Liu Ergou's families were all a little angry. This silly Zhu was just making things worse; in the current situation, running away from home was tantamount to starving to death.

Yi Zhonghai scolded Sha Zhu, saying, "Don't talk nonsense if you don't know. There aren't even enough rations right now. What's the difference between running away from home and courting death?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu realized it was true, stuck out his tongue, and fell silent.

Xu Damao watched for a long time and was really worried about the intelligence of these old men. He said, "Gentlemen, shouldn't we call the police at this point? It's much better to let the police find us than to wander around aimlessly. Besides, there are joint defense teams outside. It's not good for us to wander around aimlessly."

The three old men looked at each other, and sure enough, Xu Damao had hit the nail on the head. Yi Zhonghai wiped away a cold sweat. Luckily, he hadn't let the man out yet. If the joint defense team found out, he would be in real trouble.

Yi Zhonghai said loudly, "Da Mao is right. You all go back and rest. It's just the three aggrieved parties and me. We'll go to the police station to report the case. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

Just as everyone turned to go home, an untimely voice said, "These four lads are obviously up to no good. They've probably gone to the Eight Great Hutongs."

Without even turning their heads, everyone recognized Jia Zhangshi's voice. The parents of the three aggrieved families looked extremely grim upon hearing it.

But the group was in a hurry to leave and ignored them. As soon as they opened the gate, they saw four policemen standing there. Yi Zhonghai and the three victims were stunned. The leader said, "Are you from this compound? Do you know if Liu Guangtian, Liu Guangfu, Liu Ergou, and Yan Jiecheng's parents are here?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts skipped a beat, and the parents of the three aggrieved families quickly identified themselves.

The lead policeman said, "That's perfect, you're all here. Those four lads were caught red-handed robbing people on the street. They're at the Dongcheng branch now. We're officially informing you that this case needs to be reviewed. They've been sent to the Artillery Bureau. Go and deliver their bedding and toiletries. Okay, that's all."

Four policemen and two dilapidated three-wheeled motorcycles disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving behind three families who still couldn't believe it.

Yi Zhonghai was also stunned. He had watched those four children grow up. He could believe that Sha Zhu had the guts to rob someone, but these four cowardly people actually went to rob someone. He was dumbfounded.

On New Year's Eve, the incident involving the four little ones was just a minor episode for the other neighbors. Apart from those three families who looked worried, the other families were not affected and continued to celebrate the New Year as usual.

This year marks the first time that the deaf old lady, Yi Zhonghai's family, the Jia family, and the He family are celebrating the New Year together. In fact, at the beginning, Yi Zhonghai was unsure whether Sha Zhu wanted to come and celebrate the New Year with them. But before Yi Zhonghai could even bring it up, Sha Zhu took the initiative to come to their door and asked to celebrate the New Year with them. At this point, Yi Zhonghai had already realized that Sha Zhu was after Qin Huairu, so he went along with it and agreed.

Wang Zhan and Wang Li had already discussed it and decided that to avoid unnecessary trouble, they would have their New Year's Eve dinner in the Jade Void Space, and spend the rest of the time outside. The two of them started getting busy, and Wang Li became quite diligent at this point, starting to help her brother. In any case, she could be of some help.

Wang Zhan prepared ten dishes, a soup, a fruit platter, and a dessert. This year's New Year's Eve dinner was very sumptuous, and Wang Li looked on with anticipation.

After having breakfast, it wasn't until around 2 PM that Wang Zhan started heating the oil in the wok and preparing the dishes.

Wang Li kept running around with a plate, occasionally sneaking a bite, which made Wang Zhan laugh in the kitchen. Dayu, Xiaoyu, and Jinbao were all let out. Wang Zhan prepared all kinds of small fish and shrimp, as well as big bones, and a special bowl of fruit for them.

Unfortunately, Jinbao was not lucky enough to get a taste of the food. As soon as it got close, Dayu and Xiaoyu simultaneously issued warnings, forbidding it from going any closer, which made Jinbao jump around wildly.

This morning, three pairs of parents from courtyard number 95 went to the police station to find out what was going on. They were stunned when they heard what the community security officers told them.

According to their understanding, it was just children playing around, but when they heard the truth, it was not like that at all. The four children disguised themselves and attempted to rob someone with weapons. Although they did not succeed in doing so, it was because the joint defense team happened to be passing by and caught them in the act.

Despite his usual arrogant and authoritative demeanor, Liu Haizhong was at a loss in this situation and looked pitifully at Yan Bugui. After weighing the pros and cons, Yan Bugui decided that he should find the aggrieved party and seek their forgiveness, as this would offer a glimmer of hope. On the other hand, he still needed to ask Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady for help, since the deaf old lady had very strong connections in the neighborhood committee.

Once the families met, they each made their own preparations. That evening, the three families, carrying gifts, went to the deaf old lady's house.

The deaf old lady didn't want to bother with these families, but unexpectedly, an older woman named Li Cuilan opened the door for her. The deaf old lady glared at her but didn't say anything.

Li Cuilan didn't take any photos either. She was listening to Yi Zhonghai. A few of them had gone to Yi Zhonghai's house and whispered about it for a long time. When they came back, they received an instruction that they shouldn't stop Liu Haizhong and the others from going there that night.

Li Cuilan quietly left the deaf old lady's house and went home alone; she really didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing.

When she got home, she saw Yi Zhonghai drinking alone with his eyes half-closed. Li Cuilan couldn't understand her husband. She always felt that her husband hadn't told her many things and was a little wary of her.

"They're back. Did Lao Liu and the others go over there?" Yi Zhonghai asked casually.

"Yes, it's over. It seems the old lady is upset with me for opening the door for them," Li Cuilan said.

"This is none of your business. Whether you can control this courtyard or not depends on this one time, haha. Alright, go and rest." Yi Zhonghai said with a hint of smugness.

(End of this chapter)