The Courtyard House: He Yuzhu Returns with Boundless Hatred for Revenge

Director Liu and his entourage finally left, and everyone in the courtyard breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the Women's Federation's intimidation was too strong, making everyone afraid to even breathe. These Women's Federation cadres were too terrifying, unlike the kind and approachable street office leaders who had come to inspect before.

These people all turned their gazes to He Yuzhu, who was chatting and laughing with his sister. Their eyes were filled with complex emotions, almost a collection of negative feelings: fear, hostility, contempt, and dread... and so on. After all, a cotton ball jumping out of the gutter is an anomaly, and no one in their courtyard would be happy to have a traitor who would tattle on others.

Yi Zhonghai clutched his chest, pointing at He Yuzhu, stammering for a long time, but ultimately didn't dare utter a single word. At this moment, besides overwhelming hatred, he also felt a deep-seated fear of He Yuzhu. He had to admit that He Yuzhu was now terrifying.

This person is completely different from the simple-minded Zhu of last year. In his memory, only the young He Daqing could rival him. Unruly, unreasonable, and operating on both the legal and illegal sides of the law. It could be said that before the founding of the People's Republic of China, He Daqing was the person he and the deaf old lady feared most in the entire courtyard. With him around, the deaf old lady never dared to set foot in the central courtyard, let alone put on any airs of an ancestor. Back then, all she could think about was how He Daqing would exploit her and leave her without an heir.

They ultimately managed to force He Daqing to leave thanks to the new China; they had all the advantages of timing, location, and popular support. In the old days, they wouldn't have dared to do that even if they had a hundred times the courage.

And now, his son has risen to power again in this courtyard. Where is this the same simple-minded, impulsive, and easily manipulated simpleton he once was? This is a complete devil! In terms of physical strength, he's practically possessed by a martial god; the entire courtyard tied together wouldn't be enough to defeat him with one hand. In terms of verbal sparring, his twisted logic and ability to label people are enough to drive the living to their deaths and even make the dead speak. Now, he's even adept at intrigue and scheming, fanning the flames, kicking someone when they're down, one scheme after another, insidious, vicious, and ruthless—he'll stop at nothing!

"Despicable! The worst of the worst!" Yi Zhonghai roared inwardly, but dared not utter it aloud. If it weren't for the country's current crackdown on feudal superstition, back in the old days, he would have spread the word everywhere that He Yuzhu was possessed by an evil spirit, that his body had been taken over by a mountain demon! Otherwise, there would be no way to explain how a perfectly normal, easily manipulated, simple-minded boy could suddenly become like this overnight.

How could he possibly be neighbors with someone like that? Was he destined to live in his shadow forever, being bullied to death? The words "extinction of the family line" echoed repeatedly in Yi Zhonghai's mind, filling him with despair and fear. Was this fool really planning to take advantage of his family's extinction? That would be the biggest joke in the entire courtyard, a complete rebellion against the Heavenly Gang. Remember, their initial plan was to take advantage of the He family's extinction.

The neighbors around them began to gather in twos and threes, pointing and whispering about He Yuzhu. Although no one dared to speak loudly, their words still reached He Yuzhu's ears clearly.

"Bringing in the Women's Federation will only make the whole hospital's reputation worse."

"Even with the Jia family in such dire straits, he still kicks them while they're down..."

"Who would dare to associate with him after this? He might snitch on you any day now."

"Ha," He Yuzhu scoffed, completely unconcerned. He couldn't be more eager to sever ties with this group and never have anything to do with them again. There weren't any good people in the whole courtyard; the only difference was how ungrateful they were.

"Let's go, Rain Water, go home and cook."

What made the old man even more distressed wasn't just He Yuzhu's situation. Normally, Zhang Guifen would have come to help him back home by now, but the situation had completely changed, and Zhang Guifen was walking home on her own.

After so many years of marriage, how could they not sense it? Yi Zhonghai inwardly cried out in alarm; this was the beginning of trouble at home. He knew what would happen if the curse of infertility were broken, and the cage that had imprisoned Zhang Guifen for so many years were truly breached... Yi Zhonghai dared not think any further. He could only pray to the gods and Buddhas that tomorrow's examination wouldn't reveal his problem.

She staggered into the house and closed the door behind her. Zhang Guifen sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) in the inner room, head down, motionless, lost in thought. Normally, she would have already started boiling water, cooking, and doing housework by this time.

Yi Zhonghai didn't dare say a word. He was already in a lot of trouble, and he couldn't afford to push Zhang Guifen to the opposite side. If even this woman took the opposite side, he would truly be all alone, and would have no place to stand in this courtyard.

An unprecedented panic. All their support had collapsed, the caregiver was useless, the thugs had turned against them, and morale within the facility had crumbled. Now, even this woman, whom they had previously abused and manipulated at will, was showing signs of slipping out of their control.

Yi Zhonghai silently walked to the table and sat down, without lighting a fire, just sitting there. The room was eerily quiet. The couple, one in the inner room and the other in the outer room, were each lost in their own thoughts, and neither of them spoke again.

That night was exceptionally long and agonizing for Yi Zhonghai. He barely slept a wink, his mind replaying the inspection scheduled for tomorrow. He even began to regret ever provoking He Yuzhu in the first place. If he hadn't coveted those three rooms and hadn't tried to completely control this fool, would things have turned out differently?

But there's no going back. As soon as it was light, Yi Zhonghai got up. He had to sweep his assigned section of the street first—a hard and fast rule set by the street office.

After sweeping the streets, he hurried to the steel rolling mill. He greeted the security guards at the gate, which was considered asking for leave. The security guards all knew these rightists, and they clearly didn't have a friendly look on their faces. They recorded the matter in a businesslike manner, but their eyes made Yi Zhonghai very uncomfortable.

After leaving the steel mill, he hesitated for a long time on the road, but finally gritted his teeth and quickened his pace, heading towards the neighborhood office. He knew there was no way to avoid this. Either way, he'd be in trouble. Besides, Zhang Guifen had gotten up early today and, unusually, was wearing her best clothes; she was probably already waiting for him at the Women's Federation.

"Throughout my life, Yi Zhonghai has acted with integrity and uprightness, prioritizing righteousness and upholding filial piety. The world is foolish; I will use morality to educate all beings. Even if I am slandered throughout the land, what do I have to fear? If Heaven had not created a sage, the world would be plunged into eternal darkness. I will emulate the ancient sages, forging ahead despite countless difficulties and dangers. If Heaven has compassion, it will protect me—truly, good people are often deceived, but Heaven will not!"

In an instant, a golden light of morality shone forth, blinding the onlookers (just as the sun was rising). "It's definitely not me, I can give birth!" Yi Zhonghai declared firmly, his eyes resolute, as he strode toward the street office.