The Courtyard House: The story begins with He Yuzhu beating up the White Widow.

He Yushui nodded first, then shook her head.

He Yuzhu handed the photo to He Yushui and said, "Yushui, the person in this photo is our mother. When she passed away, your biggest worry was you. Between us siblings, I inherited our father's and mother's flaws, while you inherited their good qualities."

He Yushui took the photo, looked at her mother in it, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her face. She asked, "Brother, can I have this photo?!"

"Keep these! Look at them when you miss your mother! Don't forget her!" With that, He Yuzhu took out three more photos. One was a family photo taken when He Yushui was a month old; another was a family photo taken when Zhang Dabiao had just become a platoon leader, along with a picture of Zhang Dabiao and his sister. He Yuzhu put the photos away, glanced at the other items in the box, and then put the box away. While He Yushui wasn't looking, He Yuzhu put the box into his spatial storage.

"Old Yan, what's wrong with you?!" At the same time, Xu Wude pushed his bicycle into the courtyard gate and saw Yan Bugui looking dejected as he tended to his "private plot," and asked with a smile.

"Old Xu's back!" Yan Bugui greeted Xu Wude, then sighed and recounted what had just happened. After hearing Yan Bugui's account, Xu Wude thought he'd misheard! He unconsciously rubbed his ear and asked, "Old Yan, am I hearing things?! Or are you delirious?! That kid Shazhu has such audacity?! Daring to send Jia Zhangshi to jail?!"

Yan Bugui sighed and said, "Who knows?! Anyway, He Yuzhu has completely changed since he came back from Baocheng. I think Jia Zhangshi is in grave danger this time. Things are about to change in our courtyard!"

Xu Wude's mind raced as he pondered why He Yuzhu had changed so drastically. However, as the saying goes, seeing is believing, and hearing is deceiving. Xu Wude decided to find an opportunity to meet with He Yuzhu.

As Xu Wude pushed his bicycle into the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai sat at the table, his hand trembling slightly as he lit a cigarette. Seeing her husband like this, Zhao Shufen's eyes welled with tears. Her voice choked with sobs, she said, "Old Yi, it's all my fault! All these years I haven't given your family a son or daughter. Old Yi, why don't we get a divorce, and you can find someone younger and more fertile to marry!"

Yi Zhonghai snapped out of his daze, glared at Zhao Shufen, and said, "What nonsense are you spouting?! Don't ever mention it again if you tell me to divorce and remarry." Actually, Yi Zhonghai knew perfectly well which of his spouses was infertile. He appeared honest and devoted in relationships, but only he knew how promiscuous he was behind the scenes. It was the kind of thing that could only be understood, not spoken. He had tried with other women, with Jia Zhangshi, and even with the widow Bai. But the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. None of them had a child.

Yi Zhonghai threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stomped on it with his toe and twisted it, then stood up, walked to the cabinet, and took out an iron box from it.

Zhao Shufen asked, "Old Yi, what are you going to do with the money?!"

Yi Zhonghai sighed and said, "I really didn't expect He Daqing to tell He Yuzhu that he left money and a job recommendation letter with me. I don't know how that kid found out that I gave the recommendation letter away."

Zhao Shufen's expression changed slightly, and she asked, "Old Yi, how much money did He Yuzhu ask you for?!"

Yi Zhonghai's eyes suddenly lit up. It's said that a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. Since He Yuzhu was disobedient, he couldn't deal with him directly. However, as long as he publicized that He Yuzhu had 1200 yuan, someone would cause trouble for him. Yi Zhonghai knew exactly who lived in the courtyard. As long as their interests weren't involved, no one would bother He Yuzhu and his sister. Then, he, Yi Zhonghai, would step in and help them. The situation would then return to normal. Perhaps even further.

Yi Zhonghai snapped out of his daze and said, "Shufen, find a chance to quietly spread the word that He Yuzhu swindled 1,200 yuan from me."

"What?!" Zhao Shufen's face changed drastically when she heard He Yuzhu ask Yi Zhonghai for 1,200 yuan. She questioned, "How dare he ask us for so much money?!"

Yi Zhonghai glared at his wife and said, "When He Daqing left, he left the job in the steel mill's canteen kitchen to He Yuzhu. When Dongxu became a permanent employee, I owed the workshop director a favor. I repaid that favor with that job recommendation letter. Money is nothing compared to a favor. Also, go buy some meat tomorrow, cook it, and take it to the deaf old lady." After saying that, Yi Zhonghai opened the tin box, counted out seven hundred yuan, put it in his pocket, and then put the tin box back in the cabinet.

As Yi Zhonghai came out of his house, Jia Dongxu walked in. Seeing Jia Dongxu, Yi Zhonghai asked, "Dongxu, what did the police say?!"

Jia Dongxu replied, "The police said my mother's case is serious this time. If we don't compensate He Yuzhu for the lost items, she'll probably be in jail for quite a while."

Yi Zhonghai sighed and comforted her, "Go back and rest first. I'll go talk to He Yuzhu. We're neighbors in the same courtyard. Hopefully, he can be magnanimous and let your mother off the hook."

Jia Dongxu pleaded, "Master, I know my mother went too far this time. But she's still my mother! I can't just ignore her. Master, you must talk to He Yuzhu for me and ask him to let my mother off the hook."

Yi Zhonghai took a deep breath and said meaningfully, "Dongxu! You saw what happened today. But don't worry! I will do my best to persuade He Yuzhu."

"Okay!" Jia Dongxu obediently agreed and walked home. Yi Zhonghai watched Jia Dongxu go home before heading towards He Yuzhu's house.

Reaching He Yuzhu's door, Yi Zhonghai habitually pushed it open. Just as Yi Zhonghai stepped inside, He Yuzhu's icy voice rang out: "Yi Zhonghai, didn't your elders teach you to knock before entering someone else's home?!"

Yi Zhonghai froze for a few seconds. Although somewhat embarrassed, he was still unable to suppress his anger. However, Yi Zhonghai's nickname, Yi Buqun, wasn't given lightly. He quickly calmed down, forcing a smile, and said, "Zhu Zi, I wasn't paying attention!" Then, Yi Zhonghai took out a wad of cash from his pocket and handed it to He Yuzhu, saying, "Here's 1200 yuan."