Courtyard House: Inheriting the Restaurant, the Jia Family Wants to Get It for Free

Jia Dongxu's psychological defenses actually crumbled the moment he entered.

His mind is now filled with the wink his master, Yi Zhonghai, gave him before he was taken away.

He took on all the burdens himself.

Only if his master is outside can he find a way to save him.

This is his only hope now.

"Name?"

Finally, Zheng Chaoyang spoke, breaking the silence.

"Jia... Jia Dongxu." Jia Dongxu's voice trembled.

"age?"

"Work unit?"

……

A series of routine questions made Jia Dongxu relax a little.

"Tell me, why did you send people to cause trouble at Cheng Shuhai's restaurant?"

Zheng Chaoyang put the pen on the table, leaned forward slightly, and looked directly into Jia Dongxu's eyes.

coming!

Jia Dongxu's heart tightened, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead again.

"Yes... I did it all by myself."

"My mom... my mom had an argument with Cheng Shuhai a few days ago, and she was... she was reported and sent to labor camp."

"I hated him. I felt that he had harmed my mother and ruined my wedding. In a moment of confusion, I wanted to find someone to teach him a lesson, smash his restaurant, and make him taste what it's like to suffer."

He spoke haltingly, but his attitude was very "sincere," perfectly portraying the image of someone who impulsively made a mistake because of filial piety towards his mother.

"Oh? Just because of that?" Zheng Chaoyang raised an eyebrow noncommittally. "Where did you get the money to hire someone to cause trouble? You're just an apprentice, your monthly salary is only 180,000. But Brother Tiger said you gave him 300,000."

"The money... the money was lent to me by my master," Jia Dongxu quickly said. "My mother went to jail, my wife just got married, and we were broke, so I borrowed 500,000 from my master to tide me over. I originally wanted to send some things to my mother... but the more I thought about it, the angrier I got, so... so I took the money to Brother Hu."

"So, your master, Yi Zhonghai, was completely unaware of your hiring of thugs to cause trouble?"

Zheng Chaoyang pressed for an answer.

"I have no idea! I have absolutely no idea!" Jia Dongxu shook his head vigorously. "This whole thing was my idea from beginning to end, it has nothing to do with my master! I lied to him! I'm the one who let him down!"

As he spoke, he even managed to squeeze out a few tears of regret, his acting skills were truly superb.

Zheng Chaoyang and Bai Ling exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of understanding in each other's eyes.

This explanation is perfect.

The motives, sources of funding, and individual responsibility form a complete and seamless logical chain.

However, they also knew that without other evidence, they could not convict Yi Zhonghai based on mere speculation.

As long as Jia Dongxu insists that he did it himself, Yi Zhonghai will not be affected at all.

"Okay, we understand your situation." Zheng Chaoyang nodded, not pressing further, and then turned to Bai Ling, saying, "Is it all recorded?"

"Alright." Bai Ling closed the notebook.

"Take him away."

Two police officers stepped forward and led Jia Dongxu out of the interrogation room.

……

In the other room, Yi Zhonghai was treated much better.

There were no handcuffs, and they even poured me a cup of hot water.

The questioning was conducted by two other police officers.

Yi Zhonghai was very polite and answered all questions, portraying himself as a good master who was deceived by his apprentice and was disappointed in him.

His account largely matched Jia Dongxu's.

"Comrade, I really didn't know! If I had known he would dare to take the money I gave him to do such illegal and disorderly things, I would have broken his legs!"

"This child grew up without a father, and his mother is a muddle-headed woman. It's my fault for not raising him well; I bear the responsibility, and I'm willing to accept any criticism from the organization!"

He beat his chest and stamped his feet, his face filled with heartache and indignation.

The police officers who were questioning him were all shrewd; they could easily tell he was acting.

But just as Zheng Chaoyang thought, without evidence, they couldn't do anything to him.

Just then, Zheng Chaoyang pushed open the door and walked in.

He placed an interrogation record in front of Yi Zhonghai.

"Comrade Yi Zhonghai, this is Jia Dongxu's confession. He has admitted to everything and has repeatedly emphasized that this matter has nothing to do with you."

Looking at the record, Yi Zhonghai finally felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders.

He breathed a sigh of relief, a look of "gratification" on his face: "This fool, at least he still has some conscience and didn't wrong his master."

"Alright, stop acting." Zheng Chaoyang interrupted him impatiently. "Yi Zhonghai, I don't care what role you played in this. But I have to warn you!"

Zheng Chaoyang's expression turned serious.

"This is a new society, not the time for you to act like a senior citizen, form cliques, and behave lawlessly!"

"In this case, considering that Jia Dongxu has already compensated the victim and obtained their forgiveness, we can handle it leniently."

"After you go back, write a thorough self-criticism and submit it to your factory's security department and the military control committee! Furthermore, we will also report your situation to the leadership of your steel rolling mill!"

"This is a warning! If there's a next time, it won't be as simple as just sitting here drinking tea!"

Zheng Chaoyang's words were increasingly heavy, striking Yi Zhonghai's heart like a hammer.

Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Yes, yes, yes, the police officer's criticism is correct. I will definitely reflect deeply on my actions and learn from this lesson!"

He knew that although he was unharmed, his reputation and status had been severely damaged.

The factory issued a notice, and the military control commission kept a record of it; these are all stains on the personnel files.

"Alright, you can go now."

Zheng Chaoyang waved his hand.

Yi Zhonghai felt as if he had been granted a pardon and stood up to leave.

"Wait a minute," Zheng Chaoyang called out to him again.

Yi Zhonghai felt a chill run down his spine and turned around.

"Officer, is there anything else?"

"Jia Dongxu wants to see you."

Yi Zhonghai was taken aback, but then he understood.

He nodded: "Okay, I'll go see him."

Led by the police, Yi Zhonghai arrived at the temporary detention cell where Jia Dongxu was being held.

The master and apprentice met through the iron bars.

The detention cell was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a damp, musty smell.

Jia Dongxu huddled alone on a bench in the corner, hugging his knees and staring blankly at the wall.

Hearing footsteps and the sound of the iron gate opening, he suddenly looked up, and when he saw Yi Zhonghai standing outside the railing, his eyes instantly lit up with hope.

"Master!"

He jumped up, rushed to the railing, grabbed the cold iron bars with both hands, and shouted excitedly.

"Master, are you alright? You're out?"

"Hmm." Yi Zhonghai looked at his disheveled appearance and felt a mix of emotions.

"Master..." Jia Dongxu's voice trembled with tears, "Our house is gone, my mother is back...where are we going to live?"

He thought of his shrewish mother; if she found out the house was gone, she would definitely turn the world upside down.

This is exactly what Yi Zhonghai was waiting for.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes, but his face remained etched with a sorrowful and helpless expression.

He sighed, patted Jia Dongxu on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Dongxu, don't worry. As long as your master is here, he won't let your family end up on the streets."

"I have a small room at home, isn't it? It's a bit small, but you can squeeze in. Once this is over, you can move in with me."

"I won't charge you rent; consider it a favor from your master."

"You are my only disciple. If I don't help you, who will?"

These words were spoken with such deep affection and profound meaning that they were truly moving.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu was moved to tears.

He felt that, apart from his own mother, the person who was the best to him in this world was his master.

Not only did his master lend him money, but he also went to great lengths to help him after he got into trouble, and now he has even arranged a place for him to stay.

He could never repay such a great debt of gratitude in his lifetime!

"Master!" Jia Dongxu choked up, unable to speak.

He secretly vowed that once he got out, he would take good care of his master, provide for him in his old age and see him off in his final days, and repay his great kindness!

Little did he know that all of this was part of Yi Zhonghai's plan.

This is exactly the effect Yi Zhonghai wanted.

Demolish the Jia family's house and let them move into your own, thus incurring a huge debt of gratitude.

In this way, Jia Dongxu's family was completely under his control.

When the time comes, let alone taking care of him in his old age and seeing him off in death, even if we make him work like a slave, would Jia Dongxu dare to say "no"?

If he dared to disobey, Yi Zhonghai could kick him, his wife, and his mother out of the house.

At that point, the spittle from the neighbors would drown Jia Dongxu.

This plan was undeniably shrewd.

"Alright, stop crying, act like a man!" Yi Zhonghai said in a deep voice. "It's settled then. You stay here and behave yourself; your master will take care of the rest."

With tears in his eyes, Jia Dongxu nodded heavily.

"Master, I'll do whatever you say!"

Yi Zhonghai received a satisfactory answer and felt a great weight lifted from his heart.

He greeted the police officer next to him, then turned and left the detention room.

Watching his master's departing figure, Jia Dongxu seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

He had no idea that from the moment he nodded, his life had embarked on a path of no return, one where he would be completely controlled by others.