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

Qin Huairu got up as soon as it was light.

She barely slept all night; her eyes were red and swollen like peaches, with dark circles under them. She mechanically started a fire, boiled water, and cooked porridge—still the same clear cornmeal porridge that reflected your image, but today there wasn't even any pickled vegetables.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua huddled in the corner of the kang (a heated brick bed). The two little girls had heard the commotion outside last night. Although they didn't understand what "dead" meant, they knew that their grandmother was missing and their mother had been crying. They didn't dare to speak, but just stared at Qin Huairu with wide, terrified eyes.

"Eat." Qin Huairu placed two bowls of porridge on the kang table, her voice hoarse.

Little Dang asked timidly, "Mommy, where's Grandma?"

Qin Huairu's hand trembled, and some porridge spilled from the bowl: "Grandma... went to a very far place."

"Will you give it back?"

"...I'm not coming back."

Huaihua burst into tears: "I want my grandma..."

Qin Huairu hugged her two daughters, tears welling up in her eyes again: "Don't cry...don't cry...Mommy's here..."

The room was filled with sorrow.

In the courtyard, other families were also starting to prepare breakfast. Wisps of smoke rose from their chimneys, and the aroma of food wafted through the air—a few families had made steamed cornbread today, a rare occurrence, and one even had the smell of scrambled eggs wafting out.

These scents pierced Qin Huairu's heart like knives.

The Jia family can't even afford cornbread anymore. They don't know where Jia Zhangshi's secret stash of money is hidden, and Banggeng's schoolbag only contains a few expired grain coupons. Qin Huairu hasn't received her own salary for this month; her grain ration book is with Yi Zhonghai—Jia Zhangshi used to collect it, but now that Jia Zhangshi is dead, she has to go get it herself.

Will Yi Zhonghai give it to me?

Qin Huairu was unsure of herself.

Morning: Yi Zhonghai's Abacus

At nine o'clock in the morning, Qin Huairu knocked on Yi Zhonghai's door.

Yi Zhonghai was drinking tea when he saw her, and a look of "sympathy" appeared on his face: "Huai Ru, please accept my condolences."

"Uncle," Qin Huairu said softly, her head bowed, "I want to... take my family's ration book to collect this month's rations."

Yi Zhonghai put down his teacup and sighed, "Huai Ru, it's not that I don't want to give it to you. It's just that the situation is special right now."

"Special?" Qin Huairu looked up, her eyes full of confusion.

"Your mother-in-law just passed away, and the police are still investigating," Yi Zhonghai said in a low voice. "The grain register is in Jia Zhangshi's name. Now that she's gone, the grain register can only be used after the household registration is changed at the street office."

Qin Huairu was stunned: "Change the head of household? How do I do that?"

"You need a certificate from the subdistrict office, a death certificate from the police station, and then you have to go to the grain station to process it," Yi Zhonghai said. "The procedures are very complicated and take a while."

"Then... what will my family eat this month?" Qin Huairu asked anxiously.

Yi Zhonghai shook his head: "We can only try to get through this for now. Everyone in the hospital is having a tough time, you..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear: no one will help you.

Qin Huairu's heart sank.

She knew Yi Zhonghai was just giving her the runaround. Changing the household registration for a grain ration certificate did require paperwork, but it wasn't unusable. Yi Zhonghai simply didn't want to give it to her.

Why?

Because she's no longer useful.

Previously, the Jia family still had Banggeng as their "hope," and Jia Zhangshi could still throw tantrums. Now that Banggeng is dead and Jia Zhangshi is dead, the Jia family is left with only her as a widow with two daughters, who, in Yi Zhonghai's eyes, has no value anymore.

It might even be a burden.

Qin Huairu bit her lip, turned around and left.

As she left Yi Zhonghai's house, she heard an older woman's voice coming from inside: "Old Yi, are you really not going to give her her food ration book?"

"Give what?" Yi Zhonghai's voice was cold. "The Jia family is a bottomless pit now. Bang Geng is dead, Jia Zhangshi is dead, and Qin Huairu is a woman with two children. What can she do? Sooner or later she'll have to ask for help. If I give her the ration book now, she'll take the rations, eat them, and then come back to me. It's better not to give it to her in the first place, let her know how difficult things are, and then it'll be easier to manipulate her later."

Qin Huairu stood outside the door, her whole body ice-cold.

She finally understood.

In this courtyard, no one genuinely helps her. Yi Zhonghai used to help her because she was useful—she could help him maintain his image as a "moral exemplar" and help him control Sha Zhu. Now that the Jia family has fallen, she is no longer useful.

In fact, Yi Zhonghai might even be hoping she would collapse so he could better control her.

Qin Huairu clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.

She cannot collapse.

She also has Xiaodang and Huaihua.

Noon: Sha Zhu's hesitation

At noon, Sha Zhu returned from the factory carrying his lunchbox.

When he arrived at the middle courtyard, he saw Qin Huairu squatting by the pool washing clothes—clothes that Bang Geng and Jia Zhangshi had worn before their deaths. She was washing very hard, her hands were red from the cold, and her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Sha Zhu felt a pang of pain in his heart.

He walked over and handed her the lunchbox: "Sister Qin, this... is for you."

Qin Huairu looked up at him, her eyes still red and swollen: "Zhuzi, no need. You keep it for yourself."

"I've already eaten," Sha Zhu said, forcefully shoving the lunchbox into her hand. "The factory had braised pork today, so I got an extra portion."

Braised pork belly. Qin Huairu swallowed hard. She hadn't eaten meat in a long time.

But she still declined, saying, "Really, it's not necessary. Zhu Zi, you've had it tough too."

"Take it," said Sha Zhu. "Xiao Dang and Huaihua are growing, they need to eat something good."

When her daughter was mentioned, Qin Huairu stopped refusing. She took the lunchbox and said softly, "Thank you."

Sha Zhu looked at her, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

He wanted to ask about last night, about the things in Banggeng's backpack, and about what exactly happened to Xu Damao. But looking at Qin Huairu's haggard face, he couldn't bring himself to ask.

"Sister Qin," he finally spoke, "do you...do you know what's in Bang Geng's backpack?"

Qin Huairu's hand trembled, and the lunchbox almost fell to the ground: "Wh...what is this?"

"It's... a fountain pen, aphrodisiacs and stuff," Sha Zhu said in a low voice, "an old man found it in Bang Geng's schoolbag last night, saying it belonged to Xu Damao."

Qin Huairu's face turned deathly pale: "I...I don't know..."

"You really don't know?" Sha Zhu stared at her. "Sister Qin, tell me the truth. That kid Bang Geng... wasn't he corrupted by Xu Damao?"

"I don't know..." Qin Huairu shook her head, tears welling up again. "Zhuzi, I really don't know... Banggeng... he never tells me these things..."

Seeing her crying so hard, Sha Zhu's heart softened again: "Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore. Don't cry."

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sister Qin, be careful of Xu Damao. That bastard is no good. And... don't trust Uncle Yi too much either. He..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but he conveyed the meaning.

Qin Huairu nodded: "I know."

Sha Zhu sighed, turned around, and went back into the house.

Qin Huairu stood there, holding the lunchbox, watching his back with a complicated expression.

She knew that Sha Zhu was genuinely good to her. But how long could that kindness last?

If Sha Zhu knew about those notes, knew that Jia Zhangshi's death might be related to Xu Damao, and that Xu Damao had connections with her family...

What will he think?

Qin Huairu dared not think any further.

Afternoon: Chen Fei's strategy

In the afternoon, Chen Fei stayed at home to "recuperate".

He closed his eyes, seemingly sleeping, but was actually listening to the sounds coming from the courtyard.

He overheard Yi Zhonghai's conversation with an older woman.

He also overheard the conversation between Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu.

Everything is proceeding according to his plan.

Yi Zhonghai abandoned Qin Huairu, Sha Zhu began to suspect Qin Huairu, and Xu Damao was terrified...

Next, it's time to move on to the next step.

According to the outline, to make Qin Huairu suffer the consequences of her actions, it is necessary to destroy her relationship with Sha Zhu.

How to destroy it?

Chen Fei came up with a solution.

What Qin Huairu needs most right now? Money, food, and a sense of security.

What can Sha Zhu give her? A lunchbox, some small favors, but nothing of real security.

If, at this moment, an "opportunity" arises that allows Qin Huairu to get what she wants, but at a price she must pay...

What will she do?

Chen Fei took out a piece of paper from the system space and wrote a few lines in a crooked hand with his left hand:

"Tomorrow night at eight o'clock, in the woodshed in the backyard. Bring twenty yuan; I sell grain coupons and meat coupons. Just you."

Then, he folded the note and placed it in Qin Huairu's sewing basket with his mind—right under the ball of thread.

After doing all that, he wrote another note:

"Qin Huairu is making a secret deal, reselling tickets and vouchers. Tomorrow night at eight o'clock, in the woodshed in the backyard."

He placed the note under Sha Zhu's pillow.

Finally, he wrote a note:

"Someone has reported Qin Huairu for speculation and profiteering, with a transaction scheduled for tomorrow night at 8 PM in the woodshed in the backyard. Please handle this immediately."

He placed the note on Yi Zhonghai's desk.

Three notes, three people.

Tomorrow night at 8 PM, in the woodshed in the backyard.

There's going to be a good show.

Chen Fei put away the paper and pen, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Qin Huairu, didn't you want food coupons? I'll give you a "chance".

Sha Zhu, didn't you suspect Qin Huairu? I'll show you with your own eyes.

Yi Zhonghai, didn't you want to control the situation? I'll let you "uphold justice."

Killing three birds with one stone.

Evening: The Discovery of Qin Huairu

In the evening, Qin Huairu found the note while doing needlework.

She picked up the note, opened it, and froze.

Tomorrow night at 8 PM, in the woodshed in the backyard. Bring 20 yuan; I sell grain coupons and meat coupons.

The handwriting was crooked and messy, as if written with a left hand. There was no signature.

who is it?

Are they from the black market? Or from the compound?

Qin Huairu's heart raced.

Food coupons and meat coupons... that's what she needs most right now. Xiao Dang and Huaihua haven't eaten proper food for two days, just thin porridge, and the children are crying from hunger.

Twenty yuan... she had it. Although she didn't know where Jia Zhangshi hid her private stash of money, she had some savings of her own, and with this month's salary advance, she could scrape together the money.

To go or not to go?

Qin Huairu hesitated.

She knew that trading ration coupons privately was illegal and would land her in jail. But she had no other choice. She couldn't get her ration book from Yi Zhonghai, no one in the compound was helping her, and Sha Zhu's lunchbox could only provide temporary relief…

She gritted her teeth.

go with!

I'll just be careful. I only brought twenty yuan; I'll buy it and leave.

She burned the note and threw the ashes into the stove.

Late at night: The discovery of Sha Zhu and Yi Zhonghai

Late at night, when Sha Zhu was getting ready to go to sleep, he found the note under his pillow.

He opened it and frowned.

Qin Huairu is secretly trading tickets and vouchers? Tomorrow night at 8 PM, in the woodshed in the backyard?

His first reaction was disbelief. Qin Huairu wasn't that kind of person.

But the writing on the note was very similar to the previous notes; it was all written with the left hand.

Is it true?

Sha Zhu's mind was in complete turmoil.

If Qin Huairu is indeed reselling tickets, that's illegal. If caught, she could face anything from a reprimand to imprisonment.

What should he do? Stop her? Or pretend he doesn't know?

Sha Zhu lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

On the other side, Yi Zhonghai also discovered the note on the desk.

He picked up the note and his expression changed.

Someone reported Qin Huairu for speculation and profiteering? The transaction will take place tomorrow night at 8 PM in the woodshed in the backyard?

Who wrote this? Was it Xu Damao? Or someone else in the courtyard?

Yi Zhonghai quickly made a mental calculation.

If Qin Huairu is indeed engaging in speculation and profiteering, and is caught, then this old man also bears responsibility—for inadequate supervision.

Moreover, Qin Huairu is now a pawn in his game; although her value has diminished, she is still usable. If something happens to her, he will lose one of his bargaining chips.

It needs to be dealt with.

But how do we handle it?

Yi Zhonghai came up with a solution.

Tomorrow night at eight o'clock, he will lead his men to "catch them in the act." Then he will "treat them leniently," making Qin Huairu write a self-criticism and promise not to do it again. That way, Qin Huairu will be grateful to him and listen to him more in the future.

perfect.

Yi Zhonghai put the note away, already having a plan in mind.

Late at night: Chen Fei's eavesdropping

Chen Fei lay on the bed, listening to the sounds coming from the courtyard.

He heard Sha Zhu tossing and turning in bed.

He overheard Yi Zhonghai's plans.

All three fish have taken the bait.

Tomorrow night at 8 PM, in the woodshed in the backyard.

There will be a great show.

Chen Fei closed his eyes and began practicing breathing techniques.

The resentment in my chest dissipated somewhat.

He seemed to hear his mother Li Xiulan's voice: "My son...be careful..."

Chen Fei replied in his heart, "Mom, I know. I'll be careful."

Outside the window, the moonlight was hazy.

The courtyard house was shrouded in an eerie silence.

But everyone knows that beneath this silence, undercurrents are surging.

An even bigger storm is coming tomorrow night.