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

He Yuanchao remained motionless, only slightly turning half of his face. Under the dim light, his eyes were as cold as ice-cold blades, sending a chill down Sha Zhu's spine and freezing him in place.

"What are you doing?"

He Yuanchao's lips curled into a cold, emotionless smile. His voice wasn't loud, but it pierced everyone's ears clearly.

"Naturally, we should call the police to investigate this whole farce of tonight—a thief crying 'stop thief,' framing, and cover-up—and get to the bottom of it! Let those who should be in jail be in jail, and those who should pay compensation pay compensation!"

"boom!"

These words were like pouring cold water into a pot of boiling oil, and the entire courtyard instantly erupted in chaos!

"Police? Call the police?!"

"Good heavens! Is this going to end up in jail?"

"A hamster... how old is a hamster?!"

"The Jia family has really messed up this time..."

Yi Zhonghai was utterly terrified; his old face instantly drained of all color!

Once the police arrive, his shameful deeds of leading the way in framing, covering up, and muddying the waters will be exposed!

His reputation and prestige, built up over decades, will be reduced to dust in an instant!

"Stop! He Yuanchao! Hang up the phone!"

Yi Zhonghai's voice cracked as he rushed forward, reaching out to grab He Yuanchao's hand holding the microphone, trying to use his "old man" title.

Their accumulated power was used to forcefully suppress them.

He Yuanchao raised his arm, easily dodging Yi Zhonghai's withered hand, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt:

"What, Yi Zhonghai, are you scared? Afraid that when the police come, you, this 'highly respected' old man, will be completely exposed for leading the way in framing innocent people, protecting the real culprit, and condoning the framing?"

"You...you're talking nonsense!"

Yi Zhonghai trembled with rage, his finger pointing at He Yuanchao shaking like a leaf in the wind. "What do you mean by framing? What do you mean by covering up? Didn't Sha Zhu already confess? He stole the chicken! Bang Geng only ate a bone he gave him!"

Although this matter is wrong in nature, Sha Zhu is willing to pay compensation, and Xu Damao also agrees to a settlement. What can't neighbors resolve internally?

Why do you have to take this to the police station? Making such a scene and damaging the reputation of our courtyard's "advanced and civilized" character? He Yuanchao, what are you up to!

He was breathing heavily, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart, and trying to once again raise the banner of "collective honor" and "neighborly harmony":

"Bang Geng is still a child! What does he know? Even if..."

Even if he was confused and talked nonsense because he was frightened, he was still frightened! Can you take a child's words seriously? Forgive and forget!

You, He Yuanchao, also grew up in this compound. Don't you care about the future of a child?

"It's just about one chicken! Pay up! Pay double! I'll make Sha Zhu pay Xu Damao for three chickens! Is that alright?"

"Oh!"

He Yuanchao seemed to have heard the most ridiculous joke in the world; his sneer was icy and chilling.

"Yi Zhonghai, you've mastered this art of smoothing things over and taking sides!"

His gaze was like lightning, piercing directly into Yi Zhonghai's evasive eyes:

"Shazhu admitted it? He fell into the cesspool one afternoon, became infamous throughout the factory for the stench, was personally brought back by the security department, and spent the whole afternoon lying dead in the room. How could he possibly steal chickens?"

How can you possibly finish a whole chicken? Do you think the police are like you, blind, stupid, and brain-dead?

"you……!"

Yi Zhonghai choked so badly that his noodles turned purple.

He Yuanchao gave him no chance to breathe, pressing forward relentlessly, his voice suddenly rising, his thunderous question resounding throughout the entire courtyard:

"Solve it internally? Easier said than done! What about me, He Yuanchao?!"

He suddenly raised his hand, his index finger like a javelin, and stabbed hard at Yi Zhonghai's nose:

"If I hadn't argued my case tonight, if I hadn't found real evidence, I wouldn't have forced Bang to confess!"

Under this "public trial" presided over by you, Yi Zhonghai, at the very moment you took the lead in raising your hand and holding the key to forcibly search my room!

"While you, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Jia Zhangshi, Shazhu, Xu Damao, and all the people you've incited in this courtyard, were pointing your fingers at me and cursing me as a 'chicken thief'!"

"Me! He Yuanchao! Haven't I already been nailed to the pillar of shame as a 'thief'?! My reputation, my character, how can I still hold my head high in this courtyard?!"

Who will solve this for me? Who will clear my name? When the time comes, will you, Yi Zhonghai, just dismiss me with a casual "misunderstanding" or simply say, "It's your fault for not letting people search you, it makes you look guilty"?

And then you expect me to carry this burden, living like a rat in the street in this courtyard?!

"Pah!"

He Yuanchao spat, the contempt in his eyes almost tangible.

"Is this the justice you, Yi Zhonghai, call fairness? Is this the justice you, the steward, uphold? You're allowed to throw dirty water, but others aren't allowed to seek justice?"

You're allowed to take sides and protect the real culprit, but the victims aren't allowed to seek legal protection? Yi Zhonghai, put away your hypocritical face!

You are not worthy to utter the word 'fairness'! You are only fit to serve as a fig leaf for this yard full of filthy beasts!

"Well said!"

Xu Damao finally realized what was happening and was furious!

He was almost fooled by Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu, and the real culprit, Bang Geng, and the instigator, Jia Zhangshi, almost got away with it!

And that little bastard Banggeng even called himself an idiot!

"Grandpa! Stop taking sides here! That idiot Zhu is no match for a jar!"

He clearly conspired with the Jia family to fool me! That brat Banggeng stole my chicken and even called me an idiot! This isn't over!

We must call the police! Get the police here! Put that bastard Banggeng in juvenile detention! And that old hag Jia Zhangshi too! She's an instigator! Arrest them both!

Xu Damao jumped up and down, pointing at Jia Zhangshi and the limp Banggeng on the ground, spitting far out.

"Yes! Call the police! Arrest them!"

Yan Jiecheng roared in response.

"Support He Yuanchao! Support reporting to the police! Clear his name!"

Yan Bugui immediately voiced his support, seeing this as a golden opportunity to bring down Yi Zhonghai and demonstrate his loyalty to He Yuanchao!

"No—! Don't call the police! Don't arrest my grandson!"

Upon hearing the words "juvenile detention center" and "arrest," Jia Zhangshi felt as if her spine had been ripped out. The shrewish energy she had been maintaining vanished instantly, and she collapsed with a "plop."

He collapsed to the ground with a desperate, pig-like scream, and tried to crawl towards He Yuanchao's feet.

"He Yuanchao! Grandpa He! I was wrong! This old woman was wrong! This old woman kowtows to you! I apologize to you! Please, please have mercy!"

Don't call the police! Don't arrest my grandson! He's just a child! He doesn't understand! Arrest me instead!

I ordered it all! I told him to steal the chicken! I told him to stuff the chicken feathers in!

It's all my fault! Arrest me! Arrest this old woman and put her in jail! Release my grandson!

She was crying so hard that her face was covered in snot and tears, her hair was disheveled and covered in dust. There was no trace of the fierceness she had shown earlier when she was throwing a tantrum. All that remained was the pitiful sight of someone completely defeated by fear.

As she cried and wailed, she actually started kowtowing repeatedly in the direction of He Yuanchao, her forehead hitting the cold bluestone slab with a dull thud.

Banggeng was terrified. Watching his grandmother kowtow and hearing shouts of "Take her to the juvenile detention center!" all around, the immense fear made him forget to even cry.

All that remained were the uncontrollable, violent convulsions of his body and the pervasive stench of incontinence; his crotch was soaked in patches, and his eyes were vacant and vacant, as if he had been terrified.

Sha Zhu watched as Qin Huairu held the terrified Xiao Dang and Huaihua, and gazed at the limp, kowtowing Jia Zhangshi.

Then look at the stick, its excrement and urine flowing freely, as if it had lost its soul.

Especially Qin Huairu's tearful, pleading, and desperate eyes, a surge of hot blood rushed to my head again.

The soul of a simp is burning brightly!

"Wait! Don't call the police!"

Sha Zhu suddenly jumped out again, spreading his arms to block Jia Zhangshi and Bang Geng, and roared at He Yuanchao and Xu Damao.

"He Yuanchao! Xu Damao! This... this matter, I, Shazhu, admit defeat! Banggeng is still a child! If he goes to juvenile detention, his life is over! Sister Qin... how will Sister Qin live!"

He stiffened his neck, veins bulging on his face, looking like he was ready to risk everything.

"Chicken! I admit it! I stole it! It has nothing to do with the pheasant! Xu Damao, how much do you want in compensation? I'll pay! I'll pay even if it means going bankrupt!"

He Yuanchao, I know you've been wronged! I, Shazhu, apologize to you! I apologize in public! I'll even kowtow! You want compensation for emotional distress? I'll pay you!

You name the price! Just don't call the police! Don't ruin a child's life! Is that okay?

I'm begging you, you idiot!

As Sha Zhu spoke, he actually made a gesture as if to kneel down in He Yuanchao's direction!

"Silly Zhu!"

Qin Huairu let out a pitiful cry. Seeing that Sha Zhu was about to kneel down for her son, she felt a mix of sorrow and emotion.

"snort!"

He Yuanchao snorted coldly, as if watching a clown jumping around.

"Silly Zhu, stop with your act! Want to be a hero now? Too late! You think you can get away?"

His gaze, cold as a knife, swept over Sha Zhu's flushed face:

"Protecting the real culprit, fabricating evidence, confusing the public, and obstructing judicial fairness! Do you think this is child's play?"

When you took the blame for Bang Geng, did you ever think about what legal responsibility you would bear? When the police arrive, the first person they'll question is you!

You won't escape this charge of harboring a criminal! Want to go to jail? I'll grant your wish!

"Buzz..."

Sha Zhu felt a sudden blankness in his mind, and his posture of kneeling froze in mid-air.

He Yuanchao's words, "the crime of harboring a criminal" and "being imprisoned," pierced his feverish mind like an ice pick.

Yes, the police aren't some big shot. They can't be fooled by throwing a tantrum, admitting their mistake, and paying some money!

If they really investigate, he, Shazhu, is also an accomplice! He got himself involved for the sake of Bang-ge?

Sha Zhu hesitated. His burning desire to please was extinguished by the cold reality, leaving only struggle and fear on his face.

Just then!

"Waaaaah—waaaah—"

The piercing, loud siren sounded from afar, growing louder as it approached, like an invisible hammer striking the hearts of every beast!

The sound grew clearer and clearer, finally stopping abruptly outside the courtyard gate!

"Creak!"

The hanging flower gate was suddenly pushed open!

Two police officers, dressed in crisp Type 65 grass-green uniforms, wearing peaked caps, belts, and bright red collar tabs and shield-shaped armbands, strode in!

The leader was about thirty years old, with a square face, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He had a serious expression and his gaze swept across the chaotic and messy scene like lightning.

The other person was younger, holding a notebook, and cautiously observing his surroundings.

"Who called the police? What happened?"

The lead officer's voice was loud and clear, carrying an unquestionable authority that instantly silenced the noise in the room.

His gaze swept over He Yuanchao, who was holding a phone; Jia Zhangshi, who was slumped on the ground; Bang Geng, who was urinating and defecating; Yi Zhonghai, whose face was ashen; and Sha Zhu, who was stiff and rigid, and his brows furrowed tightly.

The courtyard was deathly silent!

Those who were just shouting, crying, making excuses, and taking sides are now all like they've been choked, not daring to breathe.

The police officer's awe-inspiring righteousness, representing the state apparatus, completely crushed the beasts' pathetic schemes and their audacity to act recklessly.

The kowtowing of Jia Zhangshi stopped, leaving only a trembling, suppressed sobbing.

Bang Geng was so frightened that he fainted, but Qin Huairu held him tightly.

Sha Zhu's face turned pale, and he subconsciously took half a step back.

Yi Zhonghai felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and his hands and feet were icy cold.

"Officer! I'm the one who called the police!"

He Yuanchao put down the phone, calmly stepped forward, and said in a clear and steady voice, "I am He Yuanchao, a fifth-level fitter at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

A serious theft and framing incident occurred in our courtyard tonight. The suspect has confessed, and there is physical evidence.

However, the person in charge, Comrade Yi Zhonghai, took the lead in protecting the real culprit, trying to smooth things over and cover up the truth, and some even attempted to fabricate evidence to take the blame.

As a victim who was framed, my personal reputation has been severely damaged.

Unable to obtain a fair resolution under these circumstances, we have no choice but to seek assistance from the public security authorities. We urge the police officers to uphold justice!

He was clear and concise, instantly clarifying the nature of the event, the key figures, and his own stance.

Officer Zhang nodded, his sharp gaze fixed on Yi Zhonghai:

"Are you the person in charge? Comrade Yi Zhonghai?"

When Yi Zhonghai was called out, he shuddered, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. He forced himself to remain calm and forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace: "It's...it's me, Comrade Zhang."

This...this matter...is actually a misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstand?"

Officer Zhang raised an eyebrow and interrupted him.

"Comrade He Yuanchao just made it very clear: theft and framing, confession, conclusive physical evidence, and there's still a cover-up? How could this be a misunderstanding?"

Comrade Yi Zhonghai, you are the person in charge. It is your responsibility to assist the street in managing neighborhood disputes and maintaining public order and stability!

When faced with illegal or criminal activity, instead of actively cooperating with the investigation, you cover it up and condone it? What kind of person are you, acting like a boss?

Officer Zhang's voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a knife, carrying a powerful sense of oppression that made Yi Zhonghai's legs start to cramp.

"I...I..."

Yi Zhonghai was speechless, his face ashen, and he stammered for a long time, unable to utter a single complete sentence.

His excuses of "good neighborly relations," "the children are still young," and "paying compensation to settle the matter" seemed so pale and ridiculous in front of the police officers that he simply couldn't bring himself to say them.