Courtyard House: I fish in the heavens, a professional bird abuser.

"Yes! It's him! Professor Shen Molin from Tsinghua and Peking Universities! Dad! You've heard of him too? I'm not lying! It's absolutely true!"

Seeing his father's reaction, Yan Jiecheng grasped at a straw, his voice filled with a sob of urgency and grievance.

"hiss--"

Yan Bugui gasped, his body swayed, and he almost lost his balance.

He abruptly grabbed Yan Jiefang, who was equally stunned, his fingers trembling.

Shen Molin!

This name was like a lightning bolt, cleaving through the fog in Yan Bugui's mind!

That's a true academic giant!

A national treasure!

His name occasionally appears in the culture section of the People's Daily, a figure that grassroots teachers like Yan Bugui can only admire from afar!

He's a living legend!

How could his son, Yan Jiecheng, an ordinary worker, possibly know this name?

And they even fabricated it in such detail and with such vividness?

Location, event, people, evaluation... everything is accurate!

Yan Bugui's mind went blank for a moment, and an uncontrollable thought popped into his head that sent chills down his spine:

Could it be... that what Jie Cheng said... is true?!

He suddenly turned his head, his gaze like a searchlight, towards He Yuanchao, who stood calmly beside the bicycle.

His eyes were filled with horror, scrutiny, and a hint of awe at an unknown power that even he himself was unaware of.

He Yuanchao… this fifth-level fitter at the steel rolling mill… when did he… acquire such extraordinary abilities?!

Yan Jiecheng's poisonous oath, coupled with Yan Bugui's sudden change in expression as if he had seen a ghost and the name he blurted out,

It was like a bucket of ice water mixture being poured over the once noisy and bustling courtyard.

The laughter and mockery stopped abruptly, like a duck being choked.

Instead, there was an eerie silence, and countless pairs of eyes that suddenly became suspicious and uncertain, exchanging glances.

The air seemed to freeze, with only Yan Bugui's heavy breathing and Yan Jiecheng's excited lingering echoes in the air.

Jia Zhangshi's mouth was agape, her sharp mockery frozen on her face, and a barely perceptible hint of panic flashed in her triangular eyes.

She didn't know anything about Tsinghua and Peking University professors, but Yan Bugui's look of seeing a ghost couldn't be faked!

Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be... that this childless man had really gotten incredibly lucky? Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

The composure on Yi Zhonghai's face shattered completely.

He stared intently at Yan Bugui, then glanced at Yan Jiecheng, whose face was deathly pale but whose eyes were unusually resolute.

Looking at He Yuanchao, who remained eerily calm, a tremendous unease, like a cold, venomous snake, instantly coiled around his heart.

Shen Molin?

He vaguely recognized the name!

Those are truly people from the clouds!

It's something that ordinary people like them can never reach in their entire lives!

If... if He Yuanchao really did cross paths with such a person...

Even if it's just a fleeting encounter... what does that mean?

Yi Zhonghai felt a cold sweat instantly seep out from his back.

For the first time, he realized with absolute clarity that the young fitter in front of him seemed to have reached a height that he could not comprehend at all, or even look up to!

Their hospital-wide meeting today, this so-called "search," is nothing more than a group of ants discussing how to move a sleeping dragon!

What if... what if it really is true?

A strong sense of apprehension and fear, like an icy tide, instantly overwhelmed Yi Zhonghai's heart, which had just been plotting how to seize the opportunity to regain his prestige.

"Shen...Shen Molin?"

Even the "official air" on Liu Haizhong's chubby face couldn't be maintained anymore.

He subconsciously repeated the name, his small eyes darting around, looking at Yi Zhonghai and then at He Yuanchao, his heart pounding with anxiety.

He instinctively felt that things seemed to be getting out of hand.

Xu Damao's laughter sounded stuck in his throat, his expression frozen comically, his eyes filled with bewilderment and a hint of belated fear.

Four hundred yuan?

Professor from Tsinghua or Peking University?

Priceless treasure?

These words, put together, seemed like a fantasy to him, but the expressions on Yan Bugui and Yi Zhonghai's faces told him that it seemed... not fake.

Sha Zhu's disdain froze. He looked at Yan Jiecheng's fierce expression as he swore an oath, and then at the dejected look of Third Uncle Yan Bugui. An extremely uncomfortable feeling welled up inside him.

Damn it, this family line has no heirs... Could it be that we just got incredibly lucky?

In the suffocating silence and under the scrutiny of countless suspicious gazes, Jia Zhangshi's deep-rooted shrewish nature was completely ignited by a poisonous fire called "jealousy" and "fear".

She can't accept it!

She absolutely refused to believe that the childless man who had killed his parents and deserved to be trampled underfoot by the Jia family for the rest of his life could climb any high branch!

What a load of bullshit professor!

They must have conspired to put on an act!

"Pooh!"

Madam Jia suddenly spat out a mouthful of thick phlegm; her yellow teeth gleamed maliciously under the oil lamp. She stood with her hands on her hips.

The sound became even sharper and more piercing due to extreme resentment and forced elevation, like a rusty file scraping against sheet metal:

"Bullshit! Yan Jiecheng! Yan Bugui! Are you two trying to fool us with this charade?!"

A professor from Tsinghua or Peking University? And four hundred yuan? Pah! He Yuanchao! If you have the guts, hand over that four hundred yuan! Let everyone see for themselves!

Let us see your so-called "priceless treasure" that you've bought with your supposed unity! If you can't produce it, it's because you've all conspired to brag! You're hiding something! You stole the chicken but won't admit it!

Like a mad gambler, she staked everything on this final gamble, her triangular eyes fixed on He Yuanchao, flashing with a crazed light:

"Show it! You bastard! Show us your four hundred dollars! Let everyone be the judge! Let's see if your lousy handwriting can really conjure up gold nuggets!"

All eyes turned to He Yuanchao once again.

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Xu Damao, Shazhu... even the Yan Bugui family, who had just been filled with doubt, all held their breath.

The air was so tense it felt like you could wring water out of it.

He Yuanchao finally made a move.

He slowly raised his eyelids, his deep, calm eyes like two ancient wells, reflecting the dim light and Jia Zhangshi's ugly face twisted with jealousy.

He slightly tugged upwards at the corners of his mouth, forming a cold, emotionless arc.

That gaze was terrifyingly calm, yet it carried a kind of indifference as if looking down on ants.

"Oh."

A very soft chuckle, like an ice bead hitting a bluestone slab, echoed clearly in the deathly silent courtyard.

He Yuanchao's voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a peculiar penetrating power and an icy quality, each word striking clearly against everyone's eardrums:

"Why should I show you my money?"

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze like a tangible icicle, piercing directly into Jia Zhangshi's triangular eyes, which were filled with greed and malice:

"Do I, He Yuanchao, need to prove to you that my calligraphy copybook is worth four hundred yuan?"

He paused, the cold curve of his lips deepening, his tone filled with undisguised contempt and a condescending judgment:

"Who do you think you are?"

"boom--!"

This statement was even more explosive than Yan Jiecheng's shout of "four hundred yuan"!

It was like an invisible bomb, instantly shattering all of Jia Zhangshi's madness and clamor!

"You...you..."

It was as if an invisible hand had gripped Jia Zhangshi's throat tightly.

Her old face first turned a deep purplish-red, then paled completely. She pointed at He Yuanchao.

His fingers trembled violently, his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single complete word for a long time.

A powerful sense of humiliation and utterly ignored anger erupted like magma in her narrow heart!

"Ah—!!! He Yuanchao! You damned little bastard! You murderous beast! How dare you insult me?! I'll fight you to the death!"

Jia Zhangshi went completely mad. She let out a shrill, inhuman scream, like an old cat whose tail had been stepped on, baring her teeth and claws as she lunged at He Yuanchao!

Forget about Tsinghua and Peking University professors, forget about four hundred yuan; she had only one thought in her mind—to tear this childless man's mouth apart!

"Mom! Mom! Calm down!"

Qin Huairu's face turned deathly pale. She rushed over and hugged the seemingly crazed Jia Zhangshi tightly, her heart filled with shock and fear.

Looking at He Yuanchao's cold and calm face, a chill ran from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

He's changed!

It has really changed completely!

It became something that made her feel strange and afraid!

"Enough!!!"

A loud shout rang out like a thunderclap!

Yi Zhonghai's face was ashen, and the veins on his forehead throbbed. He took a step forward and stood between Jia Zhangshi and He Yuanchao, who were on the verge of losing control.

Those cloudy old eyes were now filled with anger at being offended and a restlessness of forcibly maintaining authority.

While Jia Zhangshi's tantrums annoyed him, He Yuanchao's merciless and incisive words were even more irritating.

"Who do you think you are?" was like a resounding slap across the face of this "old man"!

He absolutely cannot let the situation spiral out of control!

We must not allow He Yuanchao to use this "four hundred yuan" as an excuse to completely overturn the college-wide meeting that he had worked so hard to reorganize!

"What's all the noise about?! Shut up, all of you!"

Yi Zhonghai's voice carried the oppressive force of years of accumulated power, his stern gaze sweeping over Jia Zhangshi and He Yuanchao.

Finally, the voice fell on He Yuanchao. Forcibly suppressing the fear and lingering apprehension in his heart, he raised his voice, carrying an undeniable determination:

"Comrade He Yuanchao! Comrade Jia Zhangshi! Now it's time to resolve Comrade Xu Damao's problem of losing his chicken!"

This is not the time to discuss whether your calligraphy practice book is worth four hundred yuan! It's certainly not the time for a shrewish outburst!

He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound "fair" and "authoritative," and once again brought out his greatest reliance:

"The resolution of the general meeting has been passed! The majority of residents agree to search your room for clues about the stolen hen!"

This is to find out the truth as soon as possible and give everyone justice! It's also to maintain the stability and unity of our courtyard!

He straightened his back, trying to use the name of the collective to subdue the increasingly uncontrollable young man before him:

"The minority must obey the majority! That's the rule! Old Liu! The keys!"

Liu Haizhong was still feeling a bit uneasy after He Yuanchao's cold "Who do you think you are?" Hearing Yi Zhonghai call his name, he jumped in surprise.

He subconsciously gripped the heavy bunch of keys in his hand tighter, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he replied:

"Hey! The key...the key is here!"

He took a small step forward, but his gaze flickered as he looked at He Yuanchao, clearly lacking confidence.

"Bullshit! Yi Zhonghai! You're talking nonsense!"

Before He Yuanchao could even speak, Yan Bugui had already lost his temper completely!

He witnessed firsthand the fierce determination his son displayed when he swore an oath, and coupled with the immense impact of the name "Shen Molin," he had completely sided with He Yuanchao!

"What kind of bullshit rules are these! What kind of majority rule is this!"

Yan Bugui shoved aside Yan Jiefang, who was supporting him, rushed up to Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, and roared, his face red and neck thick, spitting all over Yi Zhonghai's face:

"You're acting like a lawless rioter! Trespassing is illegal! Don't you understand?!"

Article 13 of the Constitution clearly states: The State protects the citizens' right to their lawful income, savings, houses and other lawful property!

Citizens' homes are inviolable! Unlawful searches or intrusions into citizens' homes are prohibited! You are knowingly breaking the law!

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his finger trembling as he pointed at Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong:

"On what grounds did you search He Yuanchao's house? Just because of Jia Zhangshi's foul mouth? Just because Xu Damao lost a chicken?"

You think you can just hold a meeting and vote like a bunch of big shots?

Can that ticket be used as an arrest warrant? Can it be used as a search warrant? Who do you think you are? The magistrates of the old society?!

Yan Bugui, being an educated man, delivered a scathing recitation of legal provisions that left Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong completely stunned.

"Dad's right!"

Yan Jiefang also stood up, blocking He Yuanchao's bicycle, and glared angrily at Yi Zhonghai.

"Uncle, Uncle! What you're doing is wrong! What right do you have to search Brother He's house?"

Although the three women were afraid, they still mustered up their courage and echoed:

"Exactly! You can't bully people like this! Yuan Chao is a good person!"

Yan Jiecheng was even more energized, all his previous frustration and anger transformed into fighting spirit. He jumped up and down, pointing at Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, his voice booming:

"Did you hear that?! It's illegal! You dare touch Brother He's door again? I, Yan Jiecheng, will be the first to report you to the police station!"

We're suing you for trespassing! We're suing you for violating your private property! Let's see if the police arrest you!

Brother He's calligraphy can sell for four hundred yuan! He knows professors from Tsinghua and Peking Universities! Do you think you can afford to mess with him?!

The sudden outburst from the Yan family of three, coupled with their resounding legal basis, was like pouring a bucket of cold water into a pot of boiling oil.

This instantly reignited the commotion in the courtyard that Yi Zhonghai had just forcibly suppressed!

"Yeah... what Uncle San said... seems to make sense?"

"This...this search...seems inappropriate..."

"Is that really illegal?"

"Then... what should we do?"

"If He Yuanchao really knew such a big professor..."

Whispers arose, and many people who had initially raised their hands to agree to the search now showed hesitation and reluctance on their faces.

Yan Bugui's phrase "the yamen officials of the old society" was like a thorn, making Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong's faces turn pale and then red.

He Yuanchao watched all this coldly, his gaze sweeping over Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, whose faces were pale, before finally landing on Qin Huairu in the crowd.

Qin Huairu was holding Jia Zhangshi tightly, who was still struggling and cursing. Her face was as pale as paper, and her eyes were darting around in panic.

Just as He Yuanchao's gaze swept over her, a furtive little head quickly darted back behind the window of the Jia family's house, which was covered with tattered newspapers.

Great!

A cold glint flashed in He Yuanchao's eyes, and he sneered inwardly.

It really is that legendary thief!

A leopard can't change its spots!

Even with a broken leg, he still won't stop!

It seems the lesson learned last time was too lenient!