Courtyard House: Starting as an engineer, crushing a yard full of poultry

Yi Zhonghai calmed himself down, knowing that if he lost his temper, he would have already lost half the battle.

"First of all, I want to apologize to Li Xiangdong!" Yan Bugui stood up, his lean, knife-like face filled with a sinister expression: "I shouldn't have joked with Comrade Li Xiangdong, letting him believe it..."

Yan Bugui's statement implies that Li Xiangdong is difficult to get along with, even to the point of being unapproachable. He's adept at setting traps and smearing others through words.

"Wait, are you kidding me? You think you can just joke around like that?" Li Xiangdong snorted coldly.

"Do you think we know each other well? I've only been in this compound for less than twenty minutes, and you're already joking with me about four yuan? You really are a joke!"

"Uh, this... this..." Yan Bugui wanted to argue but didn't know how to say it, so he quickly changed the subject, saying, "Let's just forget about this matter, but you insulted my character, saying my handwriting is like a dog's scratch! You need to sincerely apologize to me and compensate me!"

Chapter Four: Crushing Yan Bugui (Seeking flowers and ratings!)

"Yes, they need to compensate for emotional distress!"

Yan Jiecheng jumped up.

Yan Jiecheng was not married at this time and was preparing for a blind date. He was thinking that if he could extort some money from her, he could have a couple more dishes on the table to make the blind date look better.

"Li Xiangdong, you said Teacher Yan's handwriting looks like a dog's scribbles. Lao Liu and I were both there at the time." Yi Zhonghai said calmly, "Apologize, just pay ten yuan."

Yi Zhonghai still has this "I'm doing this for your own good" look on his face.

"I already said, Yan Bugui's handwriting looks like a dog's scribbles. Posting it on my door is an insult to me." Li Xiangdong sneered, "And I'll say it again: Yan Bugui, your handwriting is like a dog's scribbles!"

"You...you're arrogant! Do you even know what calligraphy is..."

Yan Bugui jumped up, just like a big monkey.

“I know what calligraphy is, so I’ll show you what calligraphy is!” Li Xiangdong said coldly, “Wait, I’ll go get the brush, ink, paper and inkstone.”

Li Xiangdong turned and left, heading back to his room. He went back into that mysterious place, took out his writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and publicly slapped Yan Bugui's face until it was swollen.

Li Xiangdong has beautiful handwriting. In the past, when he gave out red envelopes during live streams, he would sometimes write couplets on the spot and mail them to the winners.

Li Xiangdong's calligraphy is also very popular among his fans.

Upon entering the villa in the mysterious space, he took out some pre-cut red paper sprinkled with gold leaf, along with writing brush, ink, and an inkstone, before hurriedly returning to the central courtyard meeting hall.

"Move aside, give me the table!"

Li Xiangdong spoke bluntly to Yi Zhonghai, putting down his writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone as he spoke. This made Yan Bugui stare in disbelief.

The red paper with irregular gold flecks, and the calligraphy brush with its jade handle—this shows that Li Xiangdong is playing with very high-end items.

Furthermore, this inkstick is also gilded, making it look like a high-end, sophisticated inkstone. It's from a completely different world than the bottled, foul-smelling ink he uses.

Li Xiangdong was about to grind the ink when he realized he hadn't brought any water. Just then, Yi Zhonghai came with a large tea mug. He snatched it from Li and poured the dark brown tea into the inkwell.

Ink ground with tea has a particularly glossy finish. It's much better than ink ground with water.

Li Xiangdong was grinding ink, and everyone in the courtyard was waiting. Some wanted to see how good his handwriting was, and others knew that few people could read these days. Everyone held cultural activities in high regard, so no one was impatient.

Yan Bugui was starting to panic. He had wanted to squeeze some money out of this kid so he could use it for his son's blind date, but things were about to go wrong.

After grinding the ink, Li Xiangdong picked up his brush, dipped it in the ink, and began to write with flowing, elegant strokes.

The first line reads: "On this auspicious day, many distinguished people move in, bringing prosperity and longevity." The second line reads: "At this auspicious time, outstanding people and a blessed land move in, ensuring a long and prosperous life." The horizontal scroll reads: "Congratulations on your move!"

Li Xiangdong used the calligraphy style of the great teacher, and he has learned about six or seven tenths of its essence.

"Damn, what kind of handwriting is this? It looks like a dog's scribbles! This is dog-scratching handwriting!" Sha Zhu laughed loudly. "Hurry up and give ten yuan to Uncle San! Your handwriting is nowhere near as good as Uncle San's!"

Sha Zhu's old face was full of smugness; in his eyes, Li Xiangdong's handwriting was worse than a dog's scribbles. As he spoke, Sha Zhu glanced smugly at a vixen-like woman beside him.

"Shut up, you idiot! You're trying to kill me!" Yan Bugui said in terror.

"You're really brave, ignorance is bliss!" Li Xiangdong said calmly, "This is a font created by our great teacher. I've learned it and I've captured about 60 or 70% of its essence."

"Silly Zhu, what's your opinion?"

The fool was completely stunned. Even if he weren't stupid, he would know that trouble was imminent. A major disaster would be the least of his worries.

Yi Zhonghai frowned, knowing the situation was dire. He couldn't let his long-term backup player be wasted like this.

"Zhu Zi, why don't you slap yourself in the face!" Yi Zhonghai roared. "What do you know, you illiterate man? What are you doing meddling in the affairs of scholars? Is this something you can interfere in?"

Sha Zhu snapped out of his daze and immediately realized what he'd said: "I have a foul mouth! I spouted nonsense without knowing anything! I'll slap myself... *smack*!"

Sha Zhu slapped himself twice, drawing blood from his lip. The handprints were clearly imprinted on Sha Zhu's ugly old face.

Sha Zhu knew this was the only way to get himself out of trouble; he wasn't stupid at all!

"Silly Zhu? Hehe, you're not silly at all. You're quite clever! It's just now. If the timing were right, those few words you just said would have gotten you shot." Li Xiangdong shook his head and said.

Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, this matter is over. Now we will proceed to the third item on the agenda..."

“Wait a minute, Yan Bugui, I said your handwriting looks like a dog’s scribbles. Is that right?” Li Xiangdong stared at Yan Bugui and said.

"Yes, my handwriting is truly as bad as a dog's crawling in front of you." Yan Bugui gritted his teeth and said, "I want to say sorry to you!"

Li Xiangdong nodded and began tidying up the things on the table. Just as he reached out, a short, horse-faced man with a mustache ran over.

"Let me help you, the ink on the couplet isn't dry yet." Horse Face said to Li Xiangdong, "My name is Xu Damao, and I live in the backyard."

Yi Zhonghai glared at Xu Damao, watching him fawn over him as he moved the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone aside.

"The third item on the agenda is the housing issue raised by the Dongxu family." Yi Zhonghai's square face was full of righteousness: "It's too inconvenient for so many people in their family to sit in one house."

"So I'm asking to switch places with you, Li Xiangdong. You're all alone, so one room is just right. Otherwise, you'll be living in three empty rooms."

"We are an advanced compound; we can't just think of ourselves!"

Li Xiangdong never expected Yi Zhonghai to be so shameless, able to utter such despicable words so matter-of-factly. He coldly asked, "Yi Zhonghai, who are you? What is your identity?"

"You're just an ordinary worker, and the coordinator is even less of a threat!"

Liu Haizhong's face turned pale upon hearing this. The status of his second uncle, which he valued so much, was utterly worthless to Li Xiangyang?

“Well, as neighbors, we should help each other,” Yi Zhonghai said righteously. “Can you just stand by and watch them live in such a small house…”

"No, if you can't stand it, then go and trade with them," Li Xiangdong said calmly. "What right do you have to use other people's things to curry favor with yourself?"

"Besides, I don't want to be childless. I still need to get married and have children. Three houses might not even be enough. By the way, if you, Yi Zhonghai, are not satisfied, I'll go to the neighborhood committee tomorrow and talk about it!"

Yi Zhonghai was so taken aback by that cry of "no descendants," he clutched his chest and couldn't utter a single word.

"No need, no need to go to the street office. We're discussing this, and there's no way to force you if you don't agree," Yan Bugui quickly said, trying to smooth things over.

"You'd better have the ability to use force," Li Xiangdong said dismissively, raising an eyebrow.

Just then, a squeal like that of a sow rang out: "Old Jia, come up from underground quickly! Someone's bullying your wife and children! Bullying orphans and widows..."

"Tsk tsk, blatantly promoting feudal superstition. And this is considered an entry into the compound?" Li Xiangdong said disdainfully, "What, you three coordinators just stand by and watch?"

"Jia Zhangshi, shut up right now!"

Yan Bugui was the first to scream.

If this advanced compound is lost, then the year-end bonus of five yuan and some melon seeds and peanuts will be gone. That would break Yan Bugui's heart.

“Jia Zhangshi, you’re being ridiculous! I’ll send you to the cowshed!” Liu Haizhong shouted.

Liu Haizhong was afraid this matter would affect his career. He was convinced he was destined for high office.

"Dongxu, quickly help your mother back home," Yi Zhonghai said with a dark face.

Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu walked forward, each supporting one of Jia Zhangshi's arms, trying with difficulty to help her up.

Sha Zhu was just a meter away from them, his gaze fixed on Qin Huairu's plump, protruding buttocks.

No one knows what Sha Zhu is thinking, but Li Xiangdong saw that Sha Zhu's face turned red.

"I won't shout anymore!" Madam Jia said to her son and daughter-in-law, "You two go to the side."

Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu exchanged a glance, then released Jia Zhangshi. They wanted to see what kind of trouble she could cause.

"You little beast who brought death to your parents!" Jia Zhangshi roared, "You're going to move the house today, whether you like it or not. Otherwise, I'll smash my head against your door and die!"

Li Xiangyang stepped forward, grabbed Jia Zhangshi by the collar, and lifted her up in one go.

"Crack!"

Two slaps landed loudly on Jia Zhangshi's face.

Li Xiangyang's two slaps broke Jia Zhangshi's lip. Her plump face swelled up, leaving clear finger marks.

The two slaps stunned Jia Zhangshi, and she didn't even scream when she was thrown to the ground.

Everyone present stared wide-eyed; they never expected Li Xiangdong to be so fierce!

Yi Zhonghai was the first to react, slamming his hand on the table and jumping up: "Li Xiangdong, how could you hit an elderly person? Jia Zhangshi is still your elder! How could you..."

"Yi Zhonghai, you're talking nonsense! You're not even fifty yet and you're considered an old woman?" Li Xiangdong shouted angrily. "An elder? Is this old hag your elder? Then take her home and worship her!"

"They're just neighbors I'm not very familiar with, what are you talking about!"

Liu Haizhong jumped up: "Li Xiangdong, you actually hit someone! Get out of here, this compound can't contain you..."

"Shut up! Who do you think you are? This is a state compound, and you've turned it into your private stronghold, Liu Haizhong? You think you can just kick anyone out whenever you want?" Li Xiangdong said sternly.