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

In this day and age, what is integrity worth?

Chen Fei didn't know.

But he knew that if he bowed his head now, he would never be able to hold it up again. The Chen family's possessions would be divided up, he would be driven out of the courtyard like a dog, and he might not even be able to survive.

"I can't bow my head," Chen Fei murmured. "I'd rather die than bow my head."

He continued walking forward, his steps firm.

It was noon when we got back to the courtyard house.

In the courtyard, several families were cooking. The aroma of food wafted from the communal kitchen in the middle courtyard—stir-fried cabbage, stewed potatoes, and steamed cornbread.

Chen Fei's stomach rumbled. He had only eaten a sweet potato that morning and was starving.

But instead of going to the kitchen, he went straight back to his room.

He closed the door and took out the cornmeal and pickled vegetables he had bought the night before from under the bed. There was still half a pound of cornmeal left. He scooped out two spoonfuls, mixed it with boiling water to make a paste, and ate it with the pickled vegetables.

The food was terrible, but he ate it very quickly.

After finishing his meal, he sat on the bed and began to think about his strategy for the evening.

A direct confrontation won't work. Yi Zhonghai will mobilize the entire hospital to criticize and denounce him; everyone's spittle could drown him.

Giving in is even worse. That would be tantamount to handing over one's entire fortune.

We need to find a way that we can neither stand firm nor back down.

Chen Fei's gaze fell on the stone in the corner.

He picked it up last night, intending to use it for self-defense.

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Since you're forcing me..." Chen Fei looked at the stone, his eyes gradually turning fierce, "then I'll show you what it means to have nothing to lose."

He had a plan.

A crazy plan.

In the afternoon, Chen Fei didn't go out. He stayed inside, conserving his energy.

The courtyard was quiet; those who had gone to work hadn't returned, and those who had gone to school hadn't finished. Only Jia Zhangshi occasionally muttered curses in the courtyard, though it was unclear who she was cursing at.

Chen Fei ignored her and closed his eyes to rest.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, the courtyard began to liven up. People who went to work returned one after another, and students left school.

Chen Fei heard Yi Zhonghai's voice, talking to someone in the courtyard. Then he heard Liu Haizhong's voice, followed by Yan Bugui's voice.

They were discussing the meeting that evening.

Chen Fei opened his eyes and sat up in bed.

The time is almost here.

He walked to the water vat, scooped up some water, and washed his face. The water was cool, which invigorated him.

Then, he straightened his clothes and put the stone in his pocket.

Push the door open and go out.

In the courtyard, almost everyone had gathered. Several long benches were set up in the middle, with three elderly men sitting in the center and the others sitting or standing in a circle.

When Chen Fei came out, everyone's eyes were focused on him.

There was sympathy, indifference, and schadenfreude.

Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat: "Everyone's here, let's begin."

The college-wide meeting has begun.

The atmosphere in the Intermediate Court was so heavy it was almost palpable.

Three long benches were placed side by side, with Yi Zhonghai in the middle, Liu Haizhong on the left, and Yan Bugui on the right. The three old men sat upright with serious expressions. In front of them was a worn-out square table with a teapot and several enamel mugs on it.

There were more than thirty people in the courtyard, some sitting and some standing, forming a semicircle. Most of the men were squatting and smoking, while the women were holding children. The children were weaving in and out of the crowd, only to shrink back after being scolded by the adults.

Chen Fei stood alone on the opposite side of the crowd.

His back was ramrod straight, his eyes were calm, and his emotions were unreadable.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at everyone, coughed, and began, "The main purpose of today's meeting is to discuss Chen Fei's family situation. As everyone knows, the Chen family has suffered a tragedy. Brother Jianguo, Sister Xiulan, and Xiaoyu are all gone. Only Chen Fei is left."

He paused, his tone heavy: "As one of the oldest residents in the compound, I have a responsibility to help Chen Fei through this difficult time. That's why I've gathered everyone here today to discuss how to arrange Chen Fei's future life."

The words sounded grand and dignified, but Chen Fei could only laugh.

Helping? Making arrangements? It's clearly a way to divide up the spoils!

"The old man is right," Liu Haizhong chimed in. "The Chen family's affairs are all our affairs. Our courtyard has always been united and helpful; we can't just watch Chen Fei suffer alone."

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses and said slowly, "Chen Fei is young and inexperienced. He can't manage all the things in the house by himself. As elders, we have an obligation to help him."

The three of them, working together, portrayed "seizing family property" as "helping out voluntarily."

Chen Fei listened quietly without saying a word.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at him and continued, "After discussing it with us old men, we have a preliminary plan. First, I will keep Chen Fei's pension of eight hundred yuan in trust. We will give it to him when he gets married and starts a family."

People below were whispering among themselves.

"Eight hundred dollars! That's quite a lot!"

"Is Yi Zhonghai trying to swallow it up?"

"Shh, keep your voice down..."

Yi Zhonghai seemed not to hear him and continued, "Secondly, the Chen family's grain ration book and grain coupons are kept by the Third Uncle, who will distribute grain to Chen Fei on time every month."

Yan Bugui nodded, his face showing an expression of "it is my duty".

"Third," Yi Zhonghai raised his voice, "the Chen family's house. Chen Fei is currently living in two rooms by himself, which is too wasteful. And the Jia family of five is crammed into one room, which is very difficult. So my suggestion is that Chen Fei temporarily move to the factory dormitory, and the house is temporarily lent to the Jia family. It can be returned after Jia Dongxu gets married."

Madam Jia Zhang immediately chimed in, "Uncle is right! My house is too crowded; even the rice stalks are almost out of room to sleep!"

Qin Huairu lowered her head and said softly, "Thank you, sir, thank you everyone."

Sha Zhu chimed in from the side, "Exactly! Chen Fei is taking up two rooms all by himself, is that reasonable?"

Chen Fei remained silent.

Yi Zhonghai looked at him for a while, and seeing that he didn't react, he frowned and continued, "Fourth, Comrade Chen Jianguo's work position. The factory promised to give him a substitute position, but Chen Fei is only an apprentice and doesn't have the necessary skills. So the factory has decided to let Qin Huairu take his place. As for Chen Fei, the factory will arrange other positions for him, such as in the canteen or warehouse."

These words sparked even louder discussions below.

"The workstation was given to the Jia family?"

"What about Chen Fei?"

"Yi Zhonghai is trying to bankrupt the Chen family!"

Yi Zhonghai tapped on the table: "Quiet! Quiet!"

Once the murmurs subsided, he looked at Chen Fei and asked, "Chen Fei, what are your opinions on this plan?"

All eyes were on Chen Fei.

Chen Fei slowly raised his head, looked at Yi Zhonghai, glanced at the others, and finally spoke: "I have a few questions."

"Go ahead," Yi Zhonghai said.

"First," Chen Fei said calmly, "why are you keeping my father's pension? I'm nineteen, an adult, and can keep it myself."

Yi Zhonghai frowned: "You're young, and with so much money, you're prone to spending it recklessly and being easily scammed."

"So, if you keep it for me, do you have any proof?" Chen Fei asked. "Whose name is on the passbook? Who knows the password? Do I need to sign it when I withdraw money?"

Yi Zhonghai's expression changed: "You...you don't trust me?"

"It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I need some security," Chen Fei said. "Eight hundred yuan is not a small amount. If it gets lost, or if someone uses it, it's hard to say."

"You!" Yi Zhonghai was so angry that his face turned pale.

Someone whispered from below, "Chen Fei has a point..."

Yi Zhonghai glared at the man, and the man immediately shut up.

"Secondly," Chen Fei continued, "why should my third uncle keep my family's ration books and food coupons? Can't I collect my own rations?"

Yan Bugui quickly said, "Xiao Chen, I'm afraid you'll lose it. Losing the grain ration book is a big problem."

"You can get a replacement if you lose it," Chen Fei said. "Besides, Uncle, you kept these for me for three months. What have my family eaten during these three months? The sweet potatoes I ate yesterday were bought with borrowed money. What happened to the food coupons you kept?"

Yan Bugui stammered, "Um... your family had some stored grain before..."

"The grain reserves were all stolen by the thieves long ago." Chen Fei looked in the direction of the Jia family.

Banggeng immediately jumped up: "You're lying! I didn't steal it!"

"You didn't steal it?" Chen Fei sneered. "Then how come my sister's pen was in your bag? And how come her red hair clip was on Xiao Dang's head?"

Xiao Xia subconsciously touched the hair clip on her head; it was a gift from her brother.

Qin Huairu's face paled, and she quickly took the hair clip off Xiao Dang's head: "This... I picked this up on the street..."

"Found it?" Chen Fei stared at her. "Sister Qin, can you really find the exact same hair clip on the street? It's a birthday present my mom bought for Xiaoyu at the department store for 1.2 yuan. Why don't you go and pick one up so I can see?"

Qin Huairu was speechless, tears welling up in her eyes.

Sha Zhu felt sorry for Qin Jie and stood up, pointing at Chen Fei: "Chen Fei! How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know how hard it is for Sister Qin? What kind of skill is it to bully a woman?"

Chen Fei looked at Sha Zhu: "Sha Zhu, let me ask you, it's your right to help Sister Qin's family when they're in trouble. But why should I have to sacrifice myself? My house is for her family to live in, my workstation is for her husband, my food stamps are for her family to eat—why?"

Sha Zhu was stumped by the question; he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

"Third," Chen Fei turned to Yi Zhonghai, "it's about the house. My family's house is a public housing unit allocated by my father's work unit, and the property certificate is in Chen Jianguo's name. My father is gone, and I am his son, legally residing there. Why should I move out and let the Jia family live there?"

Jia Zhangshi jumped up: "Because your house is empty! What a waste!"

"Even if it's empty, it's still my family's house," Chen Fei said, emphasizing each word. "The Jia family is struggling financially; they can apply for housing from their work unit, rent a place, or even go back to their hometown in the countryside. Why should they occupy my house?"

"You...you're inhuman!" Jia Zhangshi screamed. "My family is in such dire straits, and you won't even help! Are you even human?"

"Helping is a favor, not helping is my right," Chen Fei said coldly. "I have no obligation to let you live in my house. Just like you, Jia Zhangshi, you receive a pension and a neighborhood subsidy every month, why don't you use that money to rent out a place? Why do you have to take advantage of other people?"

"You're talking nonsense!" Jia Zhangshi cursed, "What can I do with my little bit of money? You heartless little beast! Your parents deserved to die! Your sister deserved to die! Why don't you just die!"