Kill the beasts in the courtyard, I fled to Hong Kong, surrounded by beauties on both sides.

"He has no choice but to agree!" Jia Zhangshi sneered. "Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui have all nodded. What can a little kid like him do? If all else fails, let Sha Zhu scare him a bit."

Chen Fei continued walking forward, his killing intent growing stronger.

As he walked to the front yard and passed Yan Bugui's house, he heard the sound of an abacus being used inside. Yan Bugui was a primary school teacher, and he was still preparing lessons—or rather, calculating—at night.

"...Those three industrial vouchers from the Chen family can be exchanged for quite a few things. And Chen Xiaoyu's school spot will come in handy for Jie Kuang. But Yi Zhonghai wants a house, and Liu Haizhong wants a workstation... I need to carefully calculate how to get the most..."

Chen Fei walked past without expression.

This courtyard is rotten to the core, inside and out.

Everyone was scheming, everyone was sucking their blood. And the Chen family was the fat sheep they had chosen.

Stepping out of the courtyard gate, Chen Fei took a deep breath of the cold air, and only then did he feel the tightness in his chest dissipate slightly.

The night in Longcheng was quiet; the streets were almost deserted. There was no nightlife in this era; by nine o'clock it was already late. The streetlights were dim, and in many places, there were no lights at all.

Using the original owner's memories, Chen Fei headed towards Dongdan.

After walking for about half an hour, he arrived at a relatively secluded area. It was near the city wall, with a few dilapidated houses, and not many people usually came here.

But at that moment, a figure was moving in the darkness.

Chen Fei knew that this was the black market.

He walked closer and saw a figure crouching in the corner. The person was wrapped in a tattered cotton-padded coat, huddled up in a ball, with a small cloth bag in front of them.

"What is it?" Chen Fei asked in a low voice.

The man looked up; he was an elderly man in his fifties, his eyes wary. "What do you want?"

"Food."

The old man lifted a corner of the cloth bag, revealing its contents: several sweet potatoes and a small bag of cornmeal.

"How do I change it?"

"Sweet potatoes are 15 cents a pound, no coupons required. Cornmeal is 12 cents a pound, also no coupons required."

Chen Fei calculated in his mind. The black market price was almost double that of the Ming market, but no tickets were required. He still had a little over three yuan in his pocket—this was the last bit of cash the original owner of the body had.

"Two sweet potatoes and a pound of cornmeal, please."

"Three mao plus one mao 2, that's forty mao 2."

Chen Fei took out his money, counted out 42 cents, and handed it to the old man. The old man took the money, examined it carefully by the moonlight, and then quickly weighed out sweet potatoes and cornmeal, wrapped them in old newspaper, and handed them to Chen Fei.

The transaction was completed, and the two turned and left without exchanging any further words.

The rule of the black market: don't ask where it came from, don't ask where it's going.

Chen Fei, clutching the paper package, continued wandering around the black market. He wanted to see what else he could buy.

After looking around, he found that there wasn't much on the black market, mainly grain, eggs, and occasionally some meat. The prices were outrageously high: eggs were five cents each (three cents in the city, but required egg coupons), and pork was one dollar and twenty cents a pound (seventy-eight cents in the city, but required meat coupons).

Chen Fei didn't have enough money to buy meat, so he had to give up.

Just as he was about to leave, he saw a stall selling pickled vegetables. The stall owner was a middle-aged woman, and there were several jars in front of her.

"How much are the pickled vegetables?"

"Dried radish is five cents a pound, and pickled cucumber is eight cents."

Chen Fei thought for a moment and then spent another dime to buy two jin of dried radish. That way, he would have sweet potatoes, cornmeal, and pickled vegetables, enough to last him for a few days if he was careful with his food.

As Chen Fei carried his things back, his mind raced.

The situation is dire: money is running out, only three food coupons remain, I'm physically weak, and the beasts in the yard are eyeing me covetously.

Tomorrow, Yi Zhonghai will definitely talk to him about the "college-wide meeting." How will he handle being surrounded by a bunch of beasts all by himself?

Should he confront them head-on? No, he doesn't have the strength right now.

Giving in? That's even worse; that would be like handing over your family fortune.

"I need to think of a way..." Chen Fei murmured.

He needs a breakthrough.

Just then, I tripped and almost fell. Looking down, I saw a stone on the road.

Chen Fei cursed and was about to continue walking when a sudden idea flashed into his mind.

Stone……

He crouched down and picked up the stone. The stone was about the size of a fist, with sharp edges.

A plan slowly took shape in his mind.

"Yi Zhonghai, didn't you want to hold a college-wide meeting?" Chen Fei looked at the stone in his hand, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Then go ahead and hold it. But how you conduct this meeting is not up to you."

He tucked the stone into his pocket, grabbed the grain, and hurried toward the courtyard.

The night was deeper.

The courtyard was deathly silent, save for the occasional snore.

Chen Fei returned to his room and closed the door. He didn't light a lamp, but groped in the dark to hide the grain—in a broken earthenware jar under the bed, covered with straw.

Then, he took the stone out of his pocket.

By the moonlight, he carefully examined the stone. Its edges were sharp, and its size was just right for his hand.

"Tomorrow..." Chen Fei said in a low voice, "Tomorrow I'll show you what it means to have nothing to lose and nothing to fear."

He put the stone under his pillow and lay down fully clothed.

I closed my eyes, and the faces of my parents and sister appeared in my mind. They were still smiling, smiling so warmly.

"Dad, Mom, Xiaoyu," Chen Fei said in his heart, "Don't worry, I won't let those people succeed. No one can take anything from the Chen family. I will collect every debt owed to the Chen family, one by one."

"Starting tomorrow, it's time for a change of scenery in this courtyard."

Outside the window, the moon was obscured by dark clouds, plunging the courtyard into complete darkness.

Chen Fei used the stone as a pillow and slowly fell asleep.

Unbeknownst to him, a faint golden light suddenly appeared on his chest after he fell asleep. The golden light flickered a few times and then quietly disappeared.

The gears of fate begin to turn slowly at this moment.

Chen Fei woke up before dawn.

I didn't wake up naturally; I woke up because I was hungry.

His stomach felt empty, and waves of spasmodic pain shot through it. He opened his eyes, staring at the dark rafters, and it took him a while to realize where he was.

1961, Longcheng, a courtyard house.

Not a dream.

He sat up and rubbed his stiff neck. Sleeping on a hard bed and being hungry made for an extremely uncomfortable night. But more than the physical discomfort, the hatred in his heart kept him awake.

Chen Fei threw off the covers and got out of bed, walking to the water vat. The vat was almost empty; he scooped up the last ladleful and gulped it down. The cold water temporarily suppressed his hunger.

Time to cook.

He took out the sweet potatoes, cornmeal, and pickled vegetables he had bought the night before from under the bed. The kitchen was outside—the kitchens in the courtyard houses were all communal, located next to the east wing of the central courtyard, shared by several families.

When Chen Fei left with his things, it was just dawn. The courtyard was quiet; most people were still asleep.

He went into the kitchen, which was very simple: two coal stoves, an old table, and a few cupboards. The fire in the stoves had gone out and needed to be relit.

Although Chen Fei was a hoodlum in modern times, he grew up at his grandmother's house in the countryside and still knew basic skills like starting a fire and cooking. He found matches and scrap paper, and then took a few briquettes from the corner of the wall.

Starting a fire is a skill. Chen Fei tried twice before he finally got the fire going, and twenty minutes had passed by the time the coal briquettes were red-hot.

He cut a sweet potato into small pieces, put it in a small pot, added water, and boiled it. He saved the other sweet potato for lunch. He mixed cornmeal with boiling water to make a paste and sprinkled some salt on it.

While waiting for the sweet potatoes to cook, Chen Fei leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching the courtyard gradually brighten.

The door to Yi Zhonghai's house in the east wing opened, and an older woman came out carrying a spittoon, emptying it into the public toilet. Seeing Chen Fei in the kitchen, she paused for a moment, then her face broke into a smile: "Little Chen, up so early?"

Chen Fei nodded without saying anything.

The older woman didn't seem to care and continued, "Your uncle said today he's holding a general meeting for the whole neighborhood to discuss your family's affairs. You'd better listen to him; he's doing this for your own good."

Chen Fei's lips twitched, but he didn't reply.

The old woman, feeling awkward, went home with her empty spittoon.

Then, the door to the Jia family's west wing opened. Qin Huairu came out carrying a basin to fetch water. When she saw Chen Fei, she paused, her usual gentle smile appearing on her face: "Little Chen, cooking? Do you need Sister Qin's help?"

"No need," Chen Fei said coldly.

Qin Huairu's smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned: "Then be careful not to burn yourself."

When she returned after fetching water, Chen Fei heard Jia Zhangshi ask from inside the house, "Is that brat cooking?"

"Mmm." Qin Huairu's voice.

"What are you doing?"

"It looks like boiled sweet potatoes."

"Sweet potatoes?" Jia Zhangshi's voice shrilly. "They still have sweet potatoes? Did they steal them?"

"Mom, don't talk nonsense."

"Am I talking nonsense? Old Yan took all the Chen family's grain coupons, where did he get the money to buy sweet potatoes? He must have stolen them! I'm telling Yi Zhonghai in a bit!"

Chen Fei listened from the kitchen, his eyes growing colder and colder.

Stealing? These people are really just looking for a pretext to frame someone!

The sweet potatoes were cooked, and Chen Fei took the pot off the stove and ate them straight from the pot. The sweet potatoes were very sweet, and the corn porridge was very fragrant; he devoured them. After being hungry for two days, this was his first proper meal.

Just then, Sha Zhu sauntered out. He was wearing blue overalls and carrying a net bag containing a lunchbox—he was on his way to work at the factory.

Seeing Chen Fei eating in the kitchen, Sha Zhu grinned and said, "Oh, you're eating? You seem to be enjoying it."

Chen Fei ignored him.

Sha Zhu didn't mind. He walked to the water vat, scooped water to wash his face, and said as he washed, "Kid, I heard you're having a big meeting today? I advise you to be smart. Whatever your master says goes. Don't go against him. Otherwise..."

He turned and glanced at Chen Fei, his eyes filled with threat.

Chen Fei put down his bowl, looked up, and calmly stared at Sha Zhu: "What else?"

Sha Zhu was taken aback by his gaze. The Chen Fei of the past would always lower his head and speak softly in his presence. What was wrong with him today?

"Otherwise...otherwise you'll be in big trouble!" Sha Zhu snorted.

Chen Fei laughed: "Shazhu, you're just a cook, yet you're meddling in everything. What right do you have to speak on my family matters?"

Sha Zhu choked, his face turning red: "You..."

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, '?'" Chen Fei stood up. Although he was half a head shorter than Sha Zhu, his imposing manner was in no way inferior. "Who do you think you are? You dare to lecture me?"

"Damn it..." Sha Zhu rolled up his sleeves, ready to take action.

Just then, Yi Zhonghai's voice came from behind: "Zhu Zi! What are you doing!"

Sha Zhu froze, turned around and saw Yi Zhonghai standing at his door, frowning as he looked at him.

"Grandpa, this kid..."

"Alright, go to work." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand. "Don't delay."

Sha Zhu glared at Chen Fei, then picked up his lunchbox and left.

Yi Zhonghai then looked at Chen Fei, a familiar "kind" smile on his face: "Little Chen, you're up? Time for dinner?"

Chen Fei didn't say anything and continued eating his sweet potato.

Yi Zhonghai didn't seem to mind. He walked to the kitchen doorway and sighed, "Xiao Chen, I know you're upset. Such a big thing happened in the family; nobody's going to be happy. But life goes on, don't you think?"

Chen Fei looked up at him: "What does this old man want to say?"

"I want to say that everyone in the compound cares about you," Yi Zhonghai said earnestly. "Look at your family's current situation, it's too difficult for you to live alone. We've discussed it and want to make some arrangements for you."

"How should we arrange it?"

"Well... let's talk about that during the meeting tonight." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand. "You eat first, then come to my room and we'll chat."

After saying that, he turned and went back.

Chen Fei watched his retreating figure and sneered.

Let's have a chat? I'm afraid we need to "do some ideological work" beforehand.

He finished his meal in a few bites, washed the pot, and went back to his room.

Sitting on the bed, Chen Fei reached under his pillow and pulled out the stone. The stone was cold and its sharp edges were rough to the touch.

"Yi Zhonghai, you want to talk?" Chen Fei weighed the stone in his hand. "Then I'll have a good chat with you."

He put the stone in his pocket, straightened his clothes, and went out the door.

Arriving at Yi Zhonghai's door, Chen Fei knocked.

"Come in," came Yi Zhonghai's voice from inside.

Chen Fei pushed open the door and went in. Yi Zhonghai's house was much more spacious than Chen's, with two main rooms and complete furniture. A teapot and teacups were placed on the octagonal table, and Yi Zhonghai was sitting at the table drinking tea.

"You're here? Have a seat." Yi Zhonghai gestured to the chair opposite him.

Chen Fei sat down without saying a word.

Yi Zhonghai poured him a cup of tea: "Xiao Chen, the main reason I'm talking to you today is to discuss the conference tonight."

"Um."

"You know your family's situation is special right now," Yi Zhonghai sighed. "Your father is gone, your mother is gone, and Xiaoyu is gone too. You're all alone now, and you're still young, so there are many things you can't handle."

Chen Fei listened quietly.

"We old men discussed it and felt we should help you organize your belongings," Yi Zhonghai continued. "For example, your pension; it's not safe for you to keep so much money there. And your food coupons, property deeds—someone needs to take care of them for you."

"How do we manage it?" Chen Fei asked.

"I'll deposit your pension in the bank and keep the passbook. Old Yan will manage your grain coupons and pay them to you every month. As for the property certificate... I'll leave it with the neighborhood office for now and give it to you when you come of age." Yi Zhonghai said it very naturally, as if it were a matter of course.

Chen Fei laughed: "Uncle, I'm nineteen, I'm an adult."

"Nineteen is still a child." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand. "Besides, it's a waste for you to live in two rooms by yourself. It's too difficult for the Jia family of five to squeeze into one room. What I mean is, you should move to the factory dormitory first, and the house will be available for the Jia family to live in for a while. It will be returned to you after Jia Dongxu gets married."

"And what about the workstation?"

"Workstation..." Yi Zhonghai paused, "Your dad is a level six worker, and you, as an apprentice, can't fill that position. The factory's idea is to let someone else fill in first, and you can find an easy job in the canteen or warehouse."

As Chen Fei listened, the anger in his heart flared up again.

He suppressed his anger and asked, "Uncle, is this your idea, or the courtyard's idea?"

"Of course it's the hospital's decision," Yi Zhonghai said seriously. "We're all doing this for your own good. Think about it, you're all alone, with so much money and living in such a big house, aren't you just attracting unwanted attention? We're helping you deal with this to protect you."

Protect me? Chen Fei really wanted to spit in his face.

This is blatant robbery! And they're making it sound so noble!

"Uncle," Chen Fei said slowly, "what if I don't agree?"

Yi Zhonghai's smile faded slightly: "Xiao Chen, don't be stubborn. This is the best arrangement for you that everyone has discussed."

"The best arrangement for me is to divide up all my family's belongings?" Chen Fei's voice turned cold. "You keep the pension, Yan Bugui keeps the grain coupons, the house goes to the Jia family, and the work station goes to someone else—what am I left?"

"You still have a job," Yi Zhonghai said. "The factory has arranged work for you, and you get a salary, enough for you to live on."

"That's a job my dad risked his life for!" Chen Fei stood up abruptly. "Why should it be given to someone else!"

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened: "Chen Fei, how can you be so insensible! Your father's workstation belongs to the factory, not your family! The factory can't just give it to whomever they want!"

"The factory said it was for me!" Chen Fei stared at him. "Before my father passed away, the factory leader personally said that immediate family members could take over the work positions! I'm his son, so the work position should be mine!"

"You..." Yi Zhonghai was speechless for a moment after being rebuked.

He hadn't expected Chen Fei, who was usually timid, to be so tough today.

"Xiao Chen, calm down," Yi Zhonghai said, softening his tone. "Sit down and let's talk."

Chen Fei didn't sit down; he just stood there, coldly watching him.

Yi Zhonghai felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze. He took a sip of tea before saying, "Even if you were given the workstation, could you handle it? A level six fitter is a skilled job. If an apprentice like you goes up there, wouldn't you be delaying production?"

"I can learn!"

"Learn? How many years would that take?" Yi Zhonghai shook his head. "The factory can't wait. Production is heavy right now, and we need skilled workers."

"So you're going to give my workstation to Jia Dongxu?" Chen Fei sneered. "Grandpa, Jia Dongxu is your apprentice, of course you're siding with him."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Yi Zhonghai slammed his fist on the table. "I'm doing this for the factory's sake!"

"For the factory? Or for yourself?" Chen Fei retorted, "If you give your workstation to Jia Dongxu, the Jia family will be grateful and will take care of you in your old age. If you let the Jia family live in your house, they will be even more grateful. You took my pension, saying you were holding it for me, but what are you really doing? Waiting for me to get married? Who knows when I'll ever get married!"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen: "Chen Fei! You've gone too far! I was just trying to help you out of kindness, and this is how you treat me!"

"Kindness?" Chen Fei laughed, a sarcastic laugh. "Old man, your kindness means scheming to take everything from other people's homes? Your kindness means causing their ruin and leaving them with nothing?"

"You...you..." Yi Zhonghai was so angry he couldn't speak.

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, ''?" Chen Fei stepped forward. "Yi Zhonghai, I'm telling you right now: no one is allowed to touch anything belonging to the Chen family! The pension, food coupons, property deeds, workstations—they're all mine! Anyone who wants them will have to step over my dead body!"

He spoke with unwavering resolve, his eyes fierce.

Yi Zhonghai was stunned. He hadn't expected Chen Fei to be so resolute.

But he quickly regained his composure. What trouble could a mere kid possibly cause?

"Chen Fei, don't be impulsive," Yi Zhonghai said in a deep voice. "There's a meeting tonight, everyone in the institute has to attend. Everyone will be talking about your family's affairs. Do you think you can stand up to the whole institute by yourself?"

He is threatening.

Chen Fei understood. It meant that if he didn't obey, the entire hospital would target him.

What a blatant example of moral blackmail! What a display of the violence of the majority!

"Then let's hold a big meeting," Chen Fei said calmly. "I want to see what you can do to me."

After saying that, he turned and left.

As he reached the door, he stopped and turned to look at Yi Zhonghai: "Uncle, let me give you a piece of advice: Don't be too ruthless in your dealings with others, and don't be too greedy in your actions. Otherwise, you'll face retribution."

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen, and he remained silent.

Chen Fei pushed the door open, then slammed it shut behind him.

Inside the room, Yi Zhonghai sat in a chair, trembling with anger.

"He's rebelled! He's rebelled!" he gritted his teeth. "This kid needs to be taught a lesson!"

Outside, Chen Fei walked into the courtyard and looked up at the gray sky.

He knew that tonight's conference would be a tough battle.

But he wasn't afraid.

He carried stones in his pocket and harbored hatred in his heart.

"Come on," Chen Fei murmured, "let the storm rage on."

He went back to his room and closed the door.

From today onwards, he is no longer Chen Fei, whom anyone can bully.

He is an avenger who crawled back from hell.

And this is just the beginning.