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

Within the shimmering space of consciousness, He Yuanchao's spiritual phantom held a fishing rod, the golden fishing line silently sinking into that deep lake of consciousness.

Beneath the surface of the lake, dark currents surged, as if a colossal creature had silently slid past, stirring up a chilling undercurrent.

The fishing rod suddenly sank!

With a flick of its wrist, the phantom image produced a soft splash, and a glimmer of light broke through the water's surface—three square figures bearing the inscription "Special Supply of Red Star Ranch."

A thick, transparent plastic bag with the words "[illegible]" appeared out of nowhere, filled with a thick, milky white liquid.

[Ding! Fishing successful! You have won: 3L of pure milk!]

milk?

He Yuanchao was slightly taken aback, then a smile appeared on his lips.

This thing is an absolute rarity these days!

It was rationed and limited, and ordinary working-class families might not be able to afford it even once a year. It was a truly high-end nutritional product, exclusively for specific groups and foreign exchange shops.

Since it's produced by the system, there's no need to worry about its source.

With a slight thought, three heavy, 3L bags of pure milk appeared out of thin air in the enamel basin beside the bed, their rich milky aroma instantly dispelling the faint musty smell that lingered in the room.

The fishing rod was cast again.

This time, the undercurrents beneath the lake were even more turbulent, and the invisible fishing line was taut, conveying a strange, heavy sensation with a faint electrical pulse.

Whoosh!

As the light faded, a square, heavy cardboard box was "fished" up.

The box is a plain kraft paper color, with a line of eye-catching black characters printed on the front: "Peony Brand 14-inch Electron Tube Black and White Television Set", and a line of smaller characters next to it: "Capital Radio Manufacturing Plant".

[Ding! Fishing successful! You have won: a 14-inch Peony brand black and white TV (with a TV ticket)!]

Black and white television!

A sharp glint flashed in He Yuanchao's eyes.

This is an even more incredible bombshell!

Let alone this small courtyard house, even in the entire steel mill residential area, families with televisions are extremely rare, and are definitely a symbol of status and wealth.

A 14-inch Peony brand TV costs nearly 300 yuan on the market, and you also need an extremely rare TV ticket!

The system provides it directly in a package, saving you all the trouble.

He Yuanchao breathed a sigh of relief.

Milk provides nutrition, while television sets are the ultimate entertainment and information window in this information-isolated era, and also a status symbol.

These two fishing trips by the system were like a timely help in need, and the best of both worlds.

With a thought, the TV ticket and the bowl of milk stood silently facing each other.

The fatigue of the night seemed to be largely washed away by the bountiful harvest.

He ignored the faint lingering cries and chaos outside the door, quickly washed up, and went to sleep without any dreams that night.

The morning sunlight sparsely filtered through the cracks in the window covered with old newspapers, casting only a few dappled rays.

He Yuanchao stood up, feeling refreshed.

Inside, the rich aroma of milk mingled with the distinctive smell of ink and wood pulp from the cardboard boxes used for televisions, creating a strange yet comforting atmosphere.

He moved quickly.

The small coal stove was quickly lit, and the aluminum pot was placed on top, with golden millet grains tumbling in the clear water.

On the other side, a small iron pot is heated up, an egg is cracked into it, and with a "sizzle", the egg white quickly solidifies, and an enticing golden-brown crisp edge appears.

He carefully poured about a large bowl of pure milk from the enamel basin into another clean enamel mug, and placed it directly on the edge of the coal stove to heat it.

The pure white milk gradually warmed in the vat, and a thin layer of milk skin formed on the surface. The rich, naturally sweet milky aroma was irresistible.

It forcefully burst out of the small side room, its breath seeping into the cool air of the central courtyard.

"Glug...glug..."

The sound of milk gently boiling was especially clear in the stillness of the early morning.

The window of the main house of the Jia family was suddenly pushed open a crack, and Jia Zhangshi's swollen and sallow old face squeezed out.

Her triangular eyes were fixed on the white steam rising from the doorway of He Yuanchao's side room, her nostrils flaring wildly as she greedily captured the alluring milky aroma.

The fear of being handcuffed yesterday had not yet dissipated, but now it was completely ignited by an even stronger, instinctive jealousy and craving.

"Pah! You worthless wretch! Are you boiling horse piss to drink this early in the morning? It reeks of filth! Aren't you afraid of poisoning your black-hearted, rotten-lung self!"

A hoarse, venomous curse squeezed out from the crack in the window, carrying a heavy nasal tone and the resentment of someone who hadn't slept all night.

"God is blind! Why didn't he strike you dead with lightning! Drink! Drink yourself to death! Choke yourself to death! You deserve to die a horrible death, childless and without descendants..."

Malicious curses, like sewage, were splashed into the morning light.

He Yuanchao didn't even lift his eyelids.

He slowly scooped the golden-brown fried egg into a bowl, and then ladled out a bowl of thick, fragrant millet porridge.

Finally, I picked up the steaming, fragrant glass of milk, blew on it gently, and took a satisfying sip.

The warm, mellow, and naturally sweet milk glides down your throat, instantly spreading warmth throughout your body.

This is life.

As for the sewage outside the window, it's only fit to be used as fertilizer for the weeds in the yard.

He chewed slowly, savoring the aroma of the fried egg, the soft and glutinous millet porridge, and the rich flavor of the milk, until he finished the last sip of milk, feeling completely relaxed.

After eating and drinking his fill and getting ready, he picked up the canvas bag hanging behind the door, pushed open the door, and went out to go to work.

The morning sunlight streamed into the courtyard, and the air was fresh.

He Yuanchao was in a good mood, and his gaze habitually swept to the corner of the wall—where his beloved "28-inch" Forever brand bicycle was parked.

However, the moment his gaze fell on the tires, the relaxed expression on his face froze!

Yesterday, the front and rear tires were full and firm, but now they look like two dead snakes with their bones removed, limp and flat on the ground!

The car body tilted slightly as a result, losing its former upright and heroic posture.

He Yuanchao's eyes suddenly turned cold, and he stepped to the front of the car.

He crouched down and precisely pinched the valve core of the front wheel with his fingers—it was empty!

All that's left is a bare little copper mouth!

He quickly checked the rear wheels, and found the same thing!

The valve cores, both front and rear, were cleanly and neatly removed!

A surge of icy rage shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of He Yuan's head!

Yesterday, we tore off Yi Zhonghai's face and stomped it into the mud, sent Jia Zhangshi to the police station, and Bang Geng was so scared that he peed and defecated, while Sha Zhu suffered a huge hemorrhage and had to pay 100 yuan in compensation!

Only one night has passed!

These ignorant beasts dared to pull the valve core off his bicycle?

"Damn it! You're asking for it, aren't you?"

He Yuanchao squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, his eyes sharp as knives, slowly sweeping across the entire central courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet in the early morning, and everyone was busy preparing breakfast; everything seemed normal.

But he could sense that behind those tightly closed doors and windows, there must be eyes watching, waiting, and gloating!

This is not just a provocation, it's a blatant declaration of war!

It was those guys who were beaten down and were unwilling to accept defeat, so they used such despicable means to disgust him and test his bottom line!

Just then, a figure flashed at the moon gate leading from the front yard to the middle yard. It was Uncle Yan Bugui, the third uncle, with an old lesson plan book tucked under his arm, heading to the school.

He spotted He Yuanchao squatting next to the bicycle and the obviously flat tire at a glance.

"Oh, aiding Korea? What... what's going on?"

Yan Bugui pushed up his worn-out glasses and strode over. After seeing the situation, his expression changed. "The valve core... was pulled out?"

He Yuanchao stood up, his face so dark it could drip water, his voice filled with suppressed anger:

"Hmm, both ends were pulled out. Looks like last night's lesson wasn't learned enough; someone's itching for a beating again."

Yan Bugui's heart skipped a beat.

He Yuanchao's tone and eyes were exactly the same as when he accused Yi Zhonghai in front of the police last night!

This is the beginning of something big!

He knew He Yuanchao's methods all too well. If he were to investigate himself or call the police again... the courtyard that had just calmed down would be turned upside down again!

In a flash, Yan Bugui's mind raced.

With Yi Zhonghai down and his prestige completely destroyed, this is a golden opportunity for Yan Laoxi and his second uncle Liu Haizhong to climb up the ranks!

If we can "uphold justice" in this matter, we can not only quell He Yuanchao's anger, but also gain an advantage in the new round of power reshuffling, and do He Yuanchao a great favor. It's like killing three birds with one stone!

"This is outrageous! It's utterly lawless!"

Yan Bugui immediately adopted an indignant demeanor, raising his voice sharply to ensure that the nearby houses could hear him.

"In broad daylight, under the clear sky!"

How dare they engage in such a despicable act of vandalizing public property!

This is damaging collective property!

This is a disgrace to our civilized courtyard houses!

He leaned closer to He Yuanchao, lowered his voice, and said with utmost "sincerity": "Yuanchao, don't panic or get angry. This matter is extremely serious! I think we must hold a hospital-wide meeting!"

Let Second Uncle preside over this!

This bad apple must be found and severely punished!

We absolutely cannot allow this unhealthy trend to grow and spread in our hospital! What do you think?

He Yuanchao glanced coldly at Yan Bugui, instantly seeing through his little scheme.

However, he wanted to see what kind of "all-college meeting" would produce without Yi Zhonghai.

Let Liu Haizhong, this official-obsessed guy, have his fun, and see who the fool is behind this.

"Okay."

He Yuanchao's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable sense of pressure, "Then I'll trouble Third Uncle to invite Second Uncle."

Ten minutes later, a meeting will be held right here in the Intermediate People's Court.

I'd like to see who has the guts.

Yan Bugui was overjoyed and replied repeatedly:

"Alright! Alright! Don't worry, Yuanchao! This matter must be handled seriously! I'll go find Old Liu right now!"

After saying that, he grabbed his lesson plan book and hurriedly ran towards Liu Haizhong's house in the backyard, his back view revealing a hint of excitement at being about to take power.

The backyard, Liu Haizhong's house.

Liu Haizhong was holding a large enamel mug, slurping down cornmeal porridge.

The scene of Yi Zhonghai bowing and apologizing in public last night and paying two hundred yuan in compensation made him so excited that he couldn't sleep for half the night. In his dreams, he was sitting in the main seat of the hospital's general meeting, looking majestic and commanding.

"Old Liu! Old Liu! Hurry! Hurry!"

Yan Bugui burst in, panting, his face beaming with the excitement of discovering a new continent.

"What's all the panic about? Is the sky falling?"

Liu Haizhong slowly and deliberately put down the jar, speaking in a very official tone.

He's practically the "big boss" in the compound now, so he has to act all high and mighty.

"The sky hasn't fallen, but the opportunity has arrived!"

Yan Bugui leaned closer, lowered his voice, and spoke rapidly, "He Yuanchao's bicycle!"

Both the front and rear valve cores have been pulled out!

Just now! He's incredibly angry right now!

"What?!"

Liu Haizhong's small, beady eyes suddenly widened. "Who's got the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard?"

He was startled, then overjoyed!

This is just like a pillow delivered to someone who's sleepy!

"Yuan Chao said he's going to hold a full-court meeting! And you're to preside over it! It'll be in the central courtyard in ten minutes!"

Yan Bugui quickly relayed He Yuanchao's message: "Old Liu, this is a great opportunity for you to establish your authority!"

"Yi Zhonghai just fell from grace, and you've already upheld justice and handled this matter beautifully. From now on, who in this institution will dare to disobey you?"

Liu Hai was overjoyed, but he tried to keep a straight face and cleared his throat in a serious manner: "Hmm!"

This...this situation is indeed very serious!

The nature of this is extremely egregious!

This is blatant damage to other people's property and a provocation against the school rules!

As the second uncle in charge of the courtyard, I have an inescapable responsibility!

Old Yan, go and immediately notify every household to assemble at the Central Court! A general meeting is to be held immediately!

"Yes, sir!"

Yan Bugui responded loudly, then turned around and went out to knock on doors to inform everyone.

Liu Haizhong immediately put down his rice porridge, puffed out his signature potbelly, carefully smoothed the few sparse hairs on his head in front of the mirror, and changed into that "cadre uniform" that he kept at the bottom of his trunk and only wore on important occasions.

A blue cloth Zhongshan suit, with all the buttons fastened up to the top.

He looked at himself in the mirror from left to right, feeling an unprecedented sense of power surge within him.

"Hmph! Yi Zhonghai, you've finally met your match? Watch how I'll make this fire burn even brighter!"

Liu Haizhong looked at himself in the mirror and gave a smug smile.

The urgent knocking on the door and Yan Bugui's deliberately raised shouts of "All-courtyard assembly! Assemble in the middle courtyard!" broke the tranquility of the courtyard in the early morning.

One by one, the doors of each household opened, and faces filled with sleepiness, doubt, impatience, and even schadenfreude peeked out.

"Another meeting? Can't a person have a moment's peace?"

"What's up so early in the morning?"

"It can't be anything good..."

Despite their complaints, under Yan Bugui's persistent urging, people still slowly gathered in the central courtyard, carrying small stools and folding stools.

Yi Zhonghai also came.

He seemed to have aged ten years overnight, his back was hunched, his face was ashen, his eyes were puffy, and his gaze was empty.

He quietly moved a small stool and sat in the very back corner of the crowd, trying to minimize his presence.

Yesterday's public apology and the huge compensation of two hundred yuan completely drained his energy.

At that moment, he just wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Sha Zhu stood yawning, looking gloomy, at the base of the wall not far from Qin Huairu's window.

Qin Huairu looked haggard, with red and swollen eyes. She lowered her head and unconsciously rubbed the hem of her clothes in her hands.

Banggeng didn't show up; he's probably terrified and hiding at home, too scared to come out.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua timidly nestled against their mother's legs.

Xu Damao arrived quite quickly, carrying the hundred yuan he had extorted from Sha Zhu yesterday. He seemed to be in a good mood, standing in front of the crowd with his arms crossed, waiting to watch the show.

With his hands behind his back and his belly protruding, Liu Haizhong walked with measured steps to the old, worn-out octagonal table in the center of the courtyard—a table that used to be Yi Zhonghai's—under the curious, indifferent, or somewhat intrigued gazes of the residents.

He stood still, his gaze sweeping across the room with an air of authority—or at least he felt it was authoritative. He cleared his throat forcefully, his voice booming, carrying an unprecedented air of officialdom and a hint of barely concealed excitement:

"Ahem! Silence! Everyone, please be quiet!"