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

"Rebellion! Outrageous!"

Yi Zhonghai trembled with rage. The words of Yan Bugui's family were like whips lashing his face, especially the phrase "the yamen officials of the old society," which struck at his deepest, most hidden pain.

He pointed at Yan Bugui, his finger trembling:

"Yan Bugui! You...you stop trying to confuse the issue and distort the facts! We're here to resolve a neighborhood dispute!"

It was to protect the collective interest! It was to catch the thief! How did it become trespassing?! This is covering up for someone! This is undermining unity!

He forcefully suppressed his surging anger, attempting to reclaim the moral high ground, his voice carrying a sense of indignation at being "misunderstood":

"Comrade He Yuanchao! An upright person has nothing to fear!"

If you are truly innocent, wouldn't it be better to let everyone in to see for themselves and clear your name? Why are you obstructing me in every way?

Could it be... could it be that there's something shameful that you're afraid to let anyone see?!

His last words were almost shouted, filled with a desperate, all-or-nothing urgency.

Sha Zhu immediately chimed in, having been thoroughly annoyed by He Yuanchao's earlier retort, "Who do you think you are?" He now found an outlet for his frustration:

"He Yuanchao! You're just fucking guilty! If you're so capable, let an old man in to search you!"

"What are you afraid of if you didn't steal anything? Hiding things means you have something to hide! I bet those chicken feathers and bones are still hidden in your doghouse!"

He Yuanchao slowly turned his head, his cold gaze like two solid icicles, instantly nailing to the face of Sha Zhu, who was jumping the most enthusiastically.

The chill in that gaze made Sha Zhu instinctively shrink back, and the words he was about to say got stuck in his throat.

"search?"

He Yuanchao's voice rang out clearly, as if tempered by ice, carrying a power that pierced through people's hearts: "Okay."

Everyone was stunned when those two words were uttered.

A glint of wild joy and knowing "as expected" flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes. Sha Zhu revealed a smug grin, and Jia Zhangshi stopped struggling, her triangular eyes gleaming with malicious anticipation.

Yan Bugui's family panicked: "Support Korea! No..."

He Yuanchao raised his hand, stopping them from speaking.

His lips curled into that cold, mocking smile once more, his gaze sharp as a blade.

The gaze slowly swept over Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Xu Damao, and Shazhu, finally settling on Yi Zhonghai's old face, which was trying to appear calm.

"Search, okay."

He Yuanchao spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice not loud, yet it possessed a strange penetrating power, clearly striking the hearts of everyone present.

"But what happens after you've finished searching?"

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes sharp as a hawk's:

"If the search doesn't find it, or if it proves I didn't steal the chicken..."

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, his gaze fixed on Yi Zhonghai's suddenly contracting pupils, "Then what should we do?"

"this……"

Yi Zhonghai was speechless when asked the question. He was only thinking about how to put pressure on them to search the place, solidify He Yuanchao's "criminal evidence" and restore his authority. He never thought about the consequences of not finding anything!

Or rather, he subconsciously believed that He Yuanchao was a thief!

"If they can't find anything, then... then that proves your innocence, right? Everyone's happy!"

Liu Haizhong rushed to answer, trying to smooth things over.

"A happy ending for everyone?"

He Yuanchao laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. The chill in his laughter made the fat on Liu Haizhong's chubby face tremble.

"Second Uncle makes it sound so easy."

He took a step forward, and the invisible pressure caused Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong to unconsciously take a half step back.

"You bunch of people, based on the false accusations of a shrew and a so-called 'vote' with no legal validity, dared to forcibly search my home! Search a worker's legal residence!"

He Yuanchao's voice suddenly rose, carrying a stern questioning tone:

"After the search, is a simple 'prove your innocence' all that's left? What will outsiders think of me, He Yuanchao? Will they think I'm completely innocent?"

Will they still think that I, He Yuanchao, "might have stolen something, but it just wasn't found during the search"? Who will compensate me for the damage to my reputation? Who will bear the humiliation I've suffered?!

His gaze was like lightning, piercing straight at Yi Zhonghai:

"Yi Zhonghai, old man! You keep talking about working for the collective and for justice. Fine! For the sake of fairness, I'll make the same suggestion now!"

Let's have another vote! Let's vote to take out your monthly pension of a few dozen yuan, Yi Zhonghai, and distribute it to the most needy residents in the facility!

Take the Jia family, for example! Anyway, your uncle is a man of high moral character; it's only right that he sacrifices some personal property for the collective good!

The minority must submit to the majority! Do you dare let everyone vote on this?!

"You...you...how dare you!"

Yi Zhonghai was so angry at these words that his vision blurred and his whole body trembled violently. He pointed at He Yuanchao, his lips trembling, and he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

He Yuanchao's move to undermine his cause directly exposed the hypocrisy of his "collective interests" and blatantly threatened the very foundation of his livelihood—money!

Yi Zhonghai may scheme against others for the sake of his reputation, but if anyone touches his pension, it's like taking his life!

"He Yuanchao! What the hell are you spouting?!"

Sha Zhu understood, and immediately flew into a rage. This was practically digging up the root of the old man's life!

"What business is it of yours what an old man's pension is!"

Xu Damao felt sorry for his chickens and was even more jealous that He Yuanchao's brand-new bicycle had stolen his thunder as the "only person in the entire hospital with a bicycle." Seeing He Yuanchao being so "arrogant," he added fuel to the fire, jumping up and down and cursing:

"He Yuanchao! Stop rambling and changing the subject! I think you're just guilty for stealing the chicken and don't dare let anyone search you!"

What bullshit about reputational damage? If you didn't steal anything, and they didn't find anything during the search, I'll apologize to you! Alright? Open the door now!

"Apologize?"

He Yuanchao seemed to have heard something utterly ridiculous, and his icy gaze turned to Xu Damao.

"Xu Damao, how much is your apology worth? Can it buy back my reputation? Can it silence the gossip in this courtyard?"

He sneered, "Search? Sure. The conditions are simple."

He held up one finger, his gaze sweeping over Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Xu Damao like the surface of a frozen lake:

"First, if no evidence is found related to Xu Damao's missing chicken, it proves my innocence."

Then, Xu Damao, bow to me in public and apologize, admitting that you framed an innocent person!

Furthermore, compensate me for defamation—fifty yuan! Not a penny less!

"Fifty?!"

Xu Damao's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

He Yuanchao completely ignored him, raised his second finger, and fixed his gaze on Yi Zhonghai's ashen old face:

"Secondly, you, Yi Zhonghai, as the person in charge, failed to investigate the evidence or distinguish right from wrong. Based solely on suspicion and so-called voting, you led the way in infringing on citizens' legitimate rights!"

You must publicly admit your mistake and resign from your position as "Old Man"!

From this day forward, he is forbidden from interfering in any private matters within the compound as the "manager" he once was!

"third,"

He Yuanchao's gaze swept over Liu Haizhong one last time, with a hint of disdain.

"As an accomplice, you, Liu Haizhong, also need to apologize publicly!"

These three conditions are all incredibly harsh!

Like three heavy hammers, they slammed into the hearts of Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Xu Damao!

In particular, he was forced to resign!

This is simply uprooting the reputation and foundation that Yi Zhonghai has built up over decades in the courtyard house business!

"He Yuanchao! You...you've gone too far!"

Yi Zhonghai was so angry that he trembled all over, his blood pressure soared, and his vision blurred.

"Bullshit! Fifty dollars? Why don't you just rob someone?"

Xu Damao's face contorted with pain.

Liu Haizhong was both shocked and furious: "Why should I apologize?!"

"You dare not?"

The mockery at the corner of He Yuanchao's mouth almost materialized.

"Since you're afraid to bear the consequences of not finding anything, what gives you the right to search my house? Is it because you're arrogant? Or because you're... shameless?"

"you……!"

Yi Zhonghai was so choked that he almost passed out.

"Search! An old man! Agree to his request! Search!"

Just then, as if injected with adrenaline, Jia Zhangshi suddenly broke free from Qin Huairu's grasp, letting out a shrill scream. Her triangular eyes gleamed with madness and a desperate, all-or-nothing light.

"What are you afraid of?! The chicken feather is definitely with him! I saw it with my own eyes... uh!"

She suddenly realized her slip of the tongue and quickly slammed on the brakes, but her certainty and malice were already unmistakable.

"Yes! Search him! Say yes!"

Sha Zhu also shouted, his neck stiff, that he absolutely did not believe He Yuanchao could turn things around!

He was determined to see this childless man utterly disgraced!

"Grandpa! Agree to his demands! Search him and make him pay with ten chickens! Get him out of the courtyard house!"

Yi Zhonghai was put on the hot seat.

Jia Zhangshi's slip of the tongue and her resolute gaze were like a shot of adrenaline, making his heart pound wildly!

Could it be... that Jia Zhangshi really did something? That brat Banggeng...?

The immense temptation to overthrow He Yuanchao and rebuild his authority, along with the "evidence" implied by Jia Zhangshi, overwhelmed the fear and anger caused by the harsh conditions proposed by He Yuanchao.

He steeled his resolve, gritted his teeth, and his eyes instantly turned fierce and resolute!

"Okay! He Yuanchao! I promise you!"

Yi Zhonghai's voice was hoarse with a sense of desperation as he stared intently at He Yuanchao.

"If evidence is found proving that you stole the chickens, you will not only have to compensate Xu Damao for the cost of ten chickens, but you will also have to publicly apologize to the entire hospital and make a profound self-criticism!"

If we can't find it... I, Yi Zhonghai, will do as you say! I'll apologize and resign! Xu Damao, you'll also apologize and pay compensation as you said!

"An old man!"

Xu Damao became anxious.

"Shut up! It's settled then!"

Yi Zhonghai shouted sternly. At this moment, he was like a gambler who had lost everything and had placed all his chips on Jia Zhangshi's mysterious "stove"!

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai was going all out, Liu Haizhong had no choice but to bite the bullet and go along with it.

"Fine...fine! Search! Find it first, then we'll talk!"

"Open! The door!"

Yi Zhonghai practically spat out those two words through gritted teeth as he roared at Liu Haizhong.

He Yuanchao looked at Yi Zhonghai's desperate, crazed eyes, then glanced at Jia Zhangshi's undisguised malicious smugness.

Finally, my gaze swept over the small head that flashed by again behind the window of the Jia family's house.

His heart was ice-cold, but a cold, unsmiling smile slowly curved his lips.

That smile, like a Siberian chill, made Yan Bugui and Yan Jiecheng, who had been watching him intently, shiver involuntarily.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, some tense, some expectant, some gloating, and some worried, He Yuanchao remained silent and reached into his pocket to pull out the brass key.

"Click".

With a crisp click, the lock opened.

He Yuanchao grasped the cold doorknob and gently turned it.

"Squeak—"

The old wooden door groaned painfully as it slowly opened inward.

A faint scent, unique to a single man's room, mingled with the aroma of ink, wafted out.

Inside the door, it was dark.

"Chicken feathers! There must be chicken feathers inside!"

Like a shark smelling blood, Xu Damao couldn't contain himself any longer. With a strange cry, he forcefully pushed aside Yan Jiecheng, who was blocking the doorway.

Like a cannonball, it plunged headfirst into the dark doorway!

Immediately afterwards, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Sha Zhu, and several other young men who wanted to watch the excitement all rushed forward.

Instantly, the entrance was completely blocked, and people scrambled to squeeze into the narrow side room.

The beam of the flashlight swirled wildly in the darkness, illuminating the swirling dust.

The sounds of rummaging through drawers and cabinets, the clattering of footsteps, and the urging and cursing instantly filled the small room.

"It's in the cupboard! Look in the cupboard!"

"Under the bed! Quick, look under the bed!"

"The stove! The stove! Pay close attention to the stove!"

This was the sound of Jia Zhangshi squeezing through the doorway, clinging to the doorframe, craning her neck and shouting inside, filled with impatient excitement.

Yan Bugui's family stood nervously beside He Yuanchao. Yan Jiecheng was so anxious that he scratched his head and tried to rush in several times, but was stopped by a cold look from He Yuanchao.

Qin Huairu held Jia Zhangshi, who was still muttering curses under her breath. Her face was pale, her body was trembling slightly, and her eyes were filled with complicated emotions as she looked at the chaotic doorway and He Yuanchao, who was still standing there calmly.

Time passed by, and the search inside seemed to yield no results.

"No……"

"There's nothing under the bed..."

"There are only a few old clothes in the closet..."

"The ashes in this broken stove are all cold..."

Disappointed and frustrated voices began to come from inside.

Yi Zhonghai's heart sank lower and lower, and sweat broke out on his forehead.

Sha Zhu kicked the low stool next to him in frustration.

Xu Damao was like a headless fly, shining a flashlight aimlessly around the small room, muttering to himself:

"Impossible! Impossible! It must be hidden!"

The smugness on Jia Zhangshi's face gradually froze, replaced by a hint of surprise and panic.

impossible!

The stick clearly said it was inserted!

It's packed very deep!

Just as Yi Zhonghai's heart sank to the bottom and he was almost in despair, the Yan family began to show joy. Jia Zhangshi glanced nervously towards the window—

"etc!"

A young resident, who was crowded around the stove opening, suddenly shouted. He seemed to have discovered something and used the fire tongs in his hand to vigorously rummage through the cooled ashes.

"Splash..."

Some ashes were brushed aside.

"What...what is this?"

He muttered in confusion, and carefully used fire tongs to pick out a small handful of something from the innermost corner of the stove.

Under the dim beam of the flashlight, the clump of things was pulled out.

A few reddish-brown feathers, covered in black ash but still retaining their vibrant color!

There was also a small tuft of fine, grayish-white down!

"Chicken feathers! It's chicken feathers!!!"

Xu Damao was the first to see it clearly, his eyes widened instantly, and he let out a deafening scream of ecstasy!

He lunged forward, snatched the fire tongs from the young man's hand, and trembled with excitement as he looked at the few feathers that were dazzling in the light.

Suddenly raising his head, his face, contorted with ecstatic joy, pierced through the gaps in the crowd and stared intently at He Yuanchao's still calm face in the doorway.

It let out a deafening roar:

"He Yuanchao! It was you! You stole it! The evidence is irrefutable! What else do you have to say?!"