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

"Officer! Officer! You must do us justice!"

Upon seeing the police arrive, Xu Damao immediately acted as if he had found a righteous judge. He rushed to Officer Zhang, pointed at the sticks and Jia Zhangshi on the ground, then at Sha Zhu and Yi Zhonghai, and began to accuse them with spittle flying:

"That little rascal Banggeng stole my egg-laying hen!"

That was the precious chicken my wife used to nourish herself after childbirth! Not only did he steal it, but he also cooked and ate it at his own house! The bones are buried in his stove!

Look! This is the evidence!

Xu Damao raised the chicken bones and feathers he had been clutching in his hand and waved them excitedly.

"And that old hag Jia Zhangshi! She's the one who instigated it!"

She's the one who got Banggeng to stuff chicken feathers into He Yuanchao's stove to frame him! Banggeng just confessed! The whole courtyard heard it!

And what happened? This old man, Yi Zhonghai, and this fool Zhu! They colluded to cover for each other! And that idiot Zhu even tried to take the blame!

Yi Zhonghai is trying to smooth things over! Officer, is there no justice left? Is there no law left? He must be severely punished! Send Bang Geng to the juvenile detention center!

Arrest that old instigator, Jia Zhangshi! And Sha Zhu, for harboring a criminal! Yi Zhonghai, for dereliction of duty! For harboring a criminal!

Xu Damao became more and more agitated as he spoke, venting all the pent-up frustration he had just endured.

Yan Bugui quickly stepped forward to add to the story, recounting how Bang Geng "frankly" confessed to stealing chickens and stuffing chicken feathers into their clothes, how Jia Zhangshi instigated the crime, and how Yi Zhonghai organized the vote to search He Yuanchao's house.

The process of how Sha Zhu took the blame and how He Yuanchao found the time loophole to expose Sha Zhu's lie was recounted in a clear and organized manner.

They also cited several legal provisions to support their claim that Jia Zhangshi instigated and that Yi Zhonghai's actions were inappropriate.

Officer Zhang and the young recorder, Xiao Chen, listened and quickly took notes, their expressions growing increasingly serious.

Xiao Chen went straight into Jia's house and quickly pulled out some chicken bone fragments that hadn't been completely gnawed out from deep inside the stove, which perfectly matched the ones in Xu Damao's hand.

The witnesses (Bang Geng's own confession, witnessed by the entire hospital), physical evidence (chicken bones and feathers), motive (the Jia family was poor and greedy, and Jia Zhangshi was jealous of He Yuanchao), the instigation details are clear, and the facts of framing are obvious!

In addition, there was Yi Zhonghai's serious dereliction of duty and even cover-up, and Sha Zhu's act of taking the blame and giving false testimony...

Officer Zhang's gaze, like a cold searchlight, finally locked onto Jia Zhangshi, who was pale as a ghost and trembling like a leaf!

"Jia Zhangshi!"

Officer Zhang's stern shout carried the authority of an interrogation.

"what!"

Madam Jia was so frightened that her whole body trembled violently, as if she had been whipped, and she almost collapsed to the ground.

"Did you instigate Banggeng to steal Xu Damao's chickens? Did you also instigate Banggeng to frame Comrade He Yuanchao? Speak!"

Officer Zhang's voice carried an undeniable penetrating power.

The lingering power of the "Truth-Spitting Talisman" seemed to still be present, or perhaps under the strong deterrent force of the police, Jia Zhangshi's pitiful will to resist collapsed instantly!

"It was...it was me...I made Bang Geng steal it..."

Jia Zhangshi cried out, her voice hoarse and desperate.

"I...I see He Yuanchao, that childless man, eating and drinking well every day...I'm so envious...I hate him! Why is it that he, a childless man, lives better than me..."

Bang Geng's leg is broken... He wants to eat meat... So... I had a wicked idea... I made Bang Geng steal Xu Damao's chicken... to stew it and help Bang Geng recover..."

She spilled the beans, explaining how she discovered the hole in Xu Damao's chicken coop, how she instigated Banggeng to steal chickens, and how they cooked and ate the chicken.

How did they fear being discovered, and how did they come up with the treacherous scheme to frame He Yuanchao?

The entire process of how Banggeng stuffed chicken feathers into the He family's stove in an attempt to frame someone and extort money was revealed in its entirety and without reservation!

"...I was thinking...if we throw the dirty water at He Yuanchao...Uncle Yi and Shazhu will definitely help us...then we won't have to pay for Xu Damao's chickens..."

He even managed to extort a huge sum of money from He Yuanchao... and Bang Geng could eat meat every day... I... I was so confused! Officer! I confess! I confess! Arrest me!

"Release my grandson! It was all my fault! It was all my idea! It had nothing to do with Bang Geng! He's just a child!"

Jia Zhangshi cried and wailed, kowtowing repeatedly in the direction of Officer Zhang, her forehead instantly turning bruised and purple.

The truth is revealed!

The proof is like a mountain!

The main culprit confessed and accepted punishment!

Officer Zhang's face was ashen, and his eyes were filled with disgust as he looked at Jia Zhangshi.

"Instigating minors to steal, involving a substantial amount of money, and then framing others afterward, is an extremely heinous act!"

Jia Zhangshi, you are suspected of instigating theft and framing others!

Come with us to the police station for questioning!

He waved his hand, signaling to Xiao Chen: "Handcuff her!"

"Snap!"

The cold, gleaming handcuffs instantly bound Jia Zhangshi's withered, dirty wrists!

"Ah—! I won't go! I won't go to the police station! Let me go! Let go of this old woman!"

Jia Zhangshi let out a desperate scream like a pig being slaughtered and struggled desperately, but how could she be a match for the young and strong police officer? She was firmly restrained by Xiao Chen.

"A great joke!"

Officer Zhang's gaze shifted to Banggeng, who had fainted from fright but was then choked awake and was now trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Banggeng met the policeman's stern gaze and burst into tears again, his crotch soaked once more.

"Jia Geng,"

Officer Zhang's tone softened slightly, but remained serious. "You stole other people's property; the facts are clear."

However, considering that you are under 14 years old and committed the theft at the instigation of your grandmother, and that transferring the stolen goods and framing the victim afterwards also constitutes instigation.

According to regulations, your theft will not be subject to criminal punishment.

However, your grandmother's actions constitute a crime. You must return with us to cooperate with the investigation. Furthermore, your guardian must strictly discipline you and compensate the victim for their losses! Any repeat offenses will be severely punished!

Although exempted from criminal liability, he/she is required to "cooperate with the investigation," "be strictly disciplined," and "compensate for losses."

A few words still plunged the Jia family into an icy abyss.

Bang Geng doesn't have to go to juvenile detention, but Jia Zhangshi is completely finished!

"Mother!"

Qin Huairu, holding her child, rushed to the handcuffed Jia Zhangshi, crying her heart out, "Police officers! Please! My mother-in-law is old!"

She's confused! Can...can you please not arrest her? We'll pay compensation! Double the compensation! Please, I beg you!

"Comrade! Officer!"

Inside the Jia family's window, Jia Dongxu, who had been paralyzed in bed, struggled to lean halfway out, screaming with all his might, his voice hoarse and desperate.

"Please! Let my mother go! She's so old... she can't take any more trouble... If you have to punish me, it's my fault for not raising my child well... I'm useless... Please..."

He shouted and coughed violently, his face ashen, and he looked like he was about to pass out.

When Sha Zhu saw this scene, especially Qin Huairu's desperate, helpless, and tearful appearance, his heart broke.

He didn't care about the crime of harboring a criminal anymore, rushed to Officer Zhang, and knelt down with a thud!

"Officer! Officer Zhang! It's all my fault, I'm such a fool! I shouldn't have gotten involved! I shouldn't have tried to take the blame!"

Sha Zhu kowtowed twice, his forehead immediately turning red. "Grandma Banggeng...she...she's confused! She was doing it for the children! Please have mercy! Don't arrest her! She's so old, going in there will be the end for her!"

He abruptly turned to Xu Damao and He Yuanchao, his face showing an unprecedented humility and pleading:

"Xu Damao! He Yuanchao! I beg you! For the sake of... for the sake of living in the same courtyard for so many years! You can't arrest Banggeng's grandma!"

Xu Damao, your chicken! I'll pay for it! I, Sha Zhu, will pay even if I lose everything! Name your price! I'll accept whatever it is! He Yuanchao! You've been wronged!

I'll pay you for your emotional distress! For your reputational damage! I'll do anything to compensate you! Please, please talk to the police! Don't arrest him!

"Let's settle this privately! Can't we settle this privately? I'm begging you!"

As Sha Zhu spoke, he banged his head several times in the direction of Xu Damao and He Yuanchao, blood mixed with dust flowing down his forehead, making him look extremely miserable.

For Qin Huairu, Sha Zhu is truly willing to risk everything this time, even his dignity.

Xu Damao looked at Sha Zhu, who was kneeling and kowtowing, and then at Jia Zhangshi, who was handcuffed and lying like a dead dog. His eyes darted around, and a greedy glint flashed in them.

While he felt relieved that Jia Zhangshi had been arrested, was that idiot Sha Zhu really willing to bleed money? This was a perfect opportunity to extort him!

"Hmph! Foolish Zhu, now you know to beg? Where were you before?"

Xu Damao crossed his arms, looking arrogant.

"Want to settle this privately? Fine! For the sake of the police officer, and for the sake of your filial piety, you silly Zhu! My golden hen lays an egg every day, it's very precious!"

I originally planned to help my future wife recover from childbirth by nourishing her body!

Now it's been stolen and eaten by you... oh no, by Bang Geng and his grandma, leaving my future wife without nutrition! What a loss..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, looked at Sha Zhu's nervous face, held up one finger, and made an outrageous demand:

"One hundred yuan! Not a penny less! Give me one hundred yuan! And this matter will be considered settled between me and the Jia family!"

Otherwise, handle it however you see fit! I support the police officers in acting in accordance with the law!

One hundred yuan! That's almost three months' salary for Sha Zhu! It's an astronomical sum!

Sha Zhu felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, his heart bleeding! But seeing Qin Huairu's pleading eyes, and then gritting his teeth at the handcuffed Jia Zhangshi:

"Fine! One hundred bucks! I'll pay! I accept it!"

He Yuanchao watched this farce with a cold expression, his face completely unmoved.

Only after Sha Zhu acknowledged Xu Damao's exorbitant demands did he slowly speak, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power:

"Comrade Zhang, my demands are very clear."

He looked directly at the police officer.

First, Jia Zhangshi instigated theft and framed someone; the facts are clear and the evidence is conclusive, and she must be dealt with according to the law! This is a matter of principle, and there is no room for private settlement!

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi let out another desperate wail, and Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu's hearts sank.

He Yuanchao then changed the subject: "However, I am willing to accept a civil settlement for the damage to my personal reputation and emotional distress."

His gaze, sharp as a knife, suddenly shot towards Yi Zhonghai, whose face was ashen, and Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and others beside him, whose expressions were shifting.

"Tonight, led by the head steward, Uncle Yi Zhonghai, and followed closely by Uncle Liu Haizhong, a so-called 'hospital-wide meeting' was organized."

Without any direct evidence, based solely on Jia Zhangshi's accusations and subjective conjectures, they forcibly passed a vote to search my legal residence!

Yi Zhonghai personally ordered Liu Haizhong to provide the keys! This constitutes leading the invasion of a citizen's residence and trampling on the dignity of the law!

"During the search, after they discovered the framed chicken feather, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Jia Zhangshi, Shazhu, Xu Damao and others unanimously launched a vicious personal attack and insult against me!"

They kept calling him a "chicken thief," a "scumbag," a "scoundrel," and saying he "should get out of the courtyard house!"

The language was foul and offensive! It has caused extremely serious damage to my character and reputation! All the neighbors in the building can testify to this!

"And the one who started all of this is you—Yi Zhonghai!"

He Yuanchao's fingers, like a spear of judgment, pierced Yi Zhonghai's heart.

"As the person in charge, you should have been fair and just, but instead you led the way in framing me, abusing your power, inciting the masses, and publicly and collectively slandering and persecuting me!"

How should this be settled?!

His voice suddenly rose, carrying the force of a thunderbolt:

"Two hundred yuan! Yi Zhonghai! I demand that you compensate me for damage to my reputation and for emotional distress, totaling two hundred yuan!"

Furthermore, you must personally bow and apologize to me in front of everyone in the entire hospital, admitting that you, Yi Zhonghai, are unable to distinguish right from wrong, frame innocent people, abuse your power, and lead the way in breaking the law!

If it costs even a penny less, or if we skip a single step, we'll follow the legal procedures and go to the police station to discuss this!

I want to see if your official hat, Steward Yi, can conceal your filthy heart!

"hiss--!"

Two hundred yuan! He bowed and apologized in public!

A collective gasp filled the courtyard! Everyone was stunned by He Yuanchao's ruthless counterattack and exorbitant demand for compensation!

Yi Zhonghai was struck dumb! His vision went black and his body swayed violently. If Liu Haizhong hadn't instinctively supported him, he would have collapsed to the ground!

"You...you...He Yuanchao! You've gone too far! This is extortion! This is blackmail!!"

Yi Zhonghai pointed at He Yuanchao, his fingers trembling like withered leaves in the wind. His face turned from white to green, then from green to purple. His lips trembled, and it took him a long time to squeeze out these few words through his teeth, his voice hoarse and desperate.

Two hundred yuan! That's almost half a year's worth of retirement savings for Yi Zhonghai if he didn't eat or drink!

He's supposed to bow and apologize to this junior in public? That's worse than death for him!

If he does that, Yi Zhonghai will become a laughing stock in this courtyard, on the street, and even in the entire steel mill residential area!

The prestige and reputation accumulated over decades will be completely lost!

"Extortion? Blackmail?"

He Yuanchao scoffed, his eyes icy. "Yi Zhonghai, this is a legitimate claim! You're the one who led the false accusations that caused me these losses! You won't compensate me? Fine!"

He turned to Officer Zhang, his tone firm and resolute:

"Comrade Zhang, as you have seen, Yi Zhonghai, as the person in charge, led the way in falsely accusing citizens and organizing illegal searches, causing me serious mental distress and reputational damage."

I demand that they be held civilly liable for false accusation and framing, and reserve the right to pursue legal action against them for abusing their power and infringing on citizens' rights!

Two hundred yuan in compensation and a public apology are my absolute bottom line!

If he refuses, I request the public security authorities to handle the matter according to law and support my decision to file a lawsuit in the People's Court for compensation!