Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

In reality, the lightest sentence in such cases is criticism and supervision within the workplace and neighborhood. The next best is that the police station or public security organ directly decides to send the person to a labor camp for an indefinite period of reform, and if the person behaves well, they can be released early.

However, if the court intervenes, and the amount involved is huge and the circumstances are egregious, then the sentence could be several years in prison.

If the Jia family wants to appeal, Director Chen would be happy to see it happen, since that's a matter for the court.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai suddenly stood up and asked a question.

"If there's a letter of understanding, could the sentence be shortened?"

[A letter of understanding?]

Jia Dongxu's eyes lit up!

Everyone looked at Zhang Dabiao, who was still smoking, and the young people automatically moved closer to him.

"Why are you looking at me?"

He originally wanted to say directly that the letter of understanding did not exist, but he had just said that he would listen to the police station.

You can't just contradict yourself right away, can you?

So he still said arrogantly, "I'll listen to the police station."

Letter of Understanding?

I've never seen this before!

How about Director Chen or that neighbor (big shot) get me a copy to broaden my horizons?

"Zhang Dabiao, one shouldn't be too selfish. Jia Zhangshi is getting old; she definitely won't be able to stand it on the farm."

"Besides putting the facts aside, you also bear some responsibility. Why didn't we just discuss and resolve this in the yard? How are we going to clean this up now?"

"Originally, we could have just compensated you for the items and that would have been enough, but now we've forced Jia Zhangshi into labor reform. She's your third aunt!"

"Stop spouting nonsense! Selfish my ass! Ignoring the facts my ass! If you say another word, I'll sue you!"

Yi Zhonghai immediately fell silent. If he spoke again and Zhang Dabiao filed a lawsuit, and Jia Zhangshi was sentenced to a few more years, Jia Dongxu would hate him to death, and if Jia Zhangshi came back after being released from prison, she would tear him apart.

So everyone looked at Director Chen.

Chief Chen could tell that Zhang Dabiao was very impatient and somewhat unwilling. Moreover, these neighbors were being a bit aggressive. If they didn't clarify the matter today, Zhang Dabiao was just a child, and if these adults forced him to sign a letter of understanding, it would be a dereliction of duty on the part of their police station.

He then explained to everyone, "A letter of understanding is only valid if the victim consents."

"In addition, the amount of compensation can also be used as a reference for the length of time the penalty is waived."

"Simply put, the more compensation you pay, the more our police station will consider the length of your labor reform sentence when sentencing you, but it's impossible to get a complete exemption. You have to be prepared for that."

He was indirectly telling Zhang Dabiao that it wasn't wrong to take the opportunity to ask for more benefits, and also warning the people in the compound not to think about coercing a teenager.

Jia Dongxu's eyes darted around, and he said with a smirk, "Brother Da Biao, you know my family situation. My ration supports a family of five. We're even related."

"How about I give you an extra 5...10 yuan?"

The abacus beads were practically bouncing off Zhang Dabiao's face, and Zhang Dabiao just rolled his eyes.

"Not very good!"

"If you're not being sincere, then let's not even talk about this."

"It's perfect timing that your mother goes to the labor camp for a year, so the place will be quiet for a year, and you'll have one less person to feed. Isn't that a good thing?"

"A perfect solution!"

Zhang Dabiao's thinking was simple: "I'd be willing to give up these few dozen yuan for a year of peace and quiet!"

But Jia Dongxu refused. He may be lazy and stupid, but there was one thing Yi Zhonghai admired about him—this kid was filial!

This borders on blind filial piety!

Actually, he's just a mama's boy. He panics when his mother isn't around and has no confidence in anything.

Furthermore, the family's finances were controlled by Jia Zhangshi, so he didn't even know where the money was hidden.

How can you live without money?

But it's obvious that Zhang Dabiao doesn't want to.

"I'll pay you back, double!"

Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth and held up two fingers.

For some reason, Zhang Dabiao blurted out something—

I don't have the option to borrow one and return three.

"I'll borrow one and return four!" Jia Dongxu followed suit, perhaps—

Have you been borrowing too much on a regular basis? Is it just a habit?

Zhang Dabiao was referring to a classic line from the movie "Devils on the Doorstep," specifically the scene where Ma Dasan borrows flour from Aunt Ba.

"I have no face to refuse a loan of five times the original amount!"

"Then I'll have to borrow one and return six?"

"Borrow one, return seven... I won't lend it!"

Jia Dongxu was furious. He slammed his hand on the table and then held up his fingers to make a big "eight" shape!

"I'll borrow one and return eight!"

At that moment, a weak voice came from the side: "Dongxu..."

"We're losing money, not saving face..."

……

------------

Ultimately, under the Jia family's sincere offer of "borrowing one and repaying eight," and with the persuasion of the neighbors and Director Chen, Zhang Dabiao reluctantly agreed. With such a large loss, the receipts were no longer counted; the entire hospital couldn't possibly collect enough receipts.

Director Chen meant that you're just a kid, and you still have to live here. Don't push things too far; it won't be good for you.

If the neighbors and residents of the alley spread the word that you are too ruthless, it will be very detrimental to your studies, work, and marriage.

These days, people value their reputation extremely much, and Jia Zhangshi's crime doesn't warrant death. It's really not worth ruining your reputation for her sake.

With things said to this extent, what else could Zhang Dabiao do?

You could sell the house and run away, but firstly, that would be so stifling, and secondly, if you encounter someone like Jia Zhangshi again, would you have to kill her and then buy a house and run away again?

Not getting married or having children?

So Zhang Dabiao had no choice but to reluctantly agree, though he was very unhappy. He needed the money, but he still had to find a solution for the Jia family.

损失总计60块5，8倍就是484块，再加上赔偿的10块，一共494块。

He did want to multiply the 10 yuan compensation offered by the police station by eight times, but that was going too far, and even Chief Chen couldn't stand it.

Finally, Zhang Dabiao generously said, "I'll round it down for you since we're relatives, so it'll be 500 yuan in total."

"Once the compensation is paid, I will immediately write a letter of understanding in front of Director Chen."

"We're doing this to give Director Chen face today; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

[Did 494 become 500 after rounding down?]

[Zhang Dabiao, did your PE teacher teach you arithmetic?]

Jia Dongxu wanted to stand up for himself; that was 6 yuan!

But he couldn't be tough, because what if Zhang Dabiao suddenly got angry again and actually appealed?

Moreover, Jia Dongxu didn't even have ten yuan on him at that moment!

We have no choice but to endure it!

"Da Biao, how about I write you an IOU first?"

"You know our family's situation, we really can't afford it..."

Zhang Dabiao didn't have time to waste with him, because he was hungry.

"While Director Chen is still here, I will write a letter of understanding after receiving the money."

"Now that Director Chen is gone, I'm not admitting to this."

"An IOU?"

"Has your Jia family ever repaid any of the IOUs you issued?"

"Do you guys think I'm a fool?"

Sha Zhu's face immediately darkened: "Zhang Dabiao, if you have something to say, say it. Don't drag me into this!"

"Hahahahaha—"

Everyone burst into laughter. Everyone knew more or less about the Jia family borrowing money from Sha Zhu, but they had never heard of the Jia family ever repaying the money.

Bringing this up now would be using Sha Zhu as a negative example.

Even a fool like Zhu has a sense of shame.

After Zhang Dabiao finished speaking, he went straight back to his house, called Qin Jingru, and went to light the stove and cook. He didn't have time to waste with the Jia family. Whether they compensated or not was fine with him!

Die!