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

Sha Zhu's "defection" was like a heavy hammer blow, completely shattering the last glimmer of hope for the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai.

For the next few days, the courtyard fell into an eerie silence. The three families that used to be the most boisterous—the Jia family, the First Uncle's family, and the Silly Zhu's family—were now completely silent, like eggplants wilted by frost. And the wind in the courtyard had quietly shifted dramatically amidst this deathly stillness.

Jia Zhangshi met the most tragic end. Convicted of instigating theft and making false accusations, she was sentenced to six months of labor reform and was taken directly to a labor reform farm on the outskirts of Beijing by truck that very afternoon.

This was worse than death for this pampered, lazy old woman. It was said that on the farm, they had to get up before dawn every day to feed the pigs, carry manure, plant vegetables, and do all sorts of dirty and tiring work. They were fed cornbread mixed with bran and vegetable soup so clear you could see your reflection in it.

On the first night, she had two front teeth knocked out by her cellmate while fighting for food. She cried out that she wanted to see her son, but only received a cold reprimand from the prison guard.

The once arrogant and domineering patriarch of the Jia family, who was untouchable in the courtyard house, is now a prisoner who can be bullied by everyone. This is nothing short of a wonderful irony.

Although Banggeng's leg was set in the hospital, due to the delay in the best treatment time and improper initial treatment, the doctor told Qin Huairu with a serious expression when removing the temporary splint that the child's bones were somewhat misaligned. Even if it was fixed now, he would definitely walk with a limp in the future and become a little cripple.

The news struck like a bolt from the blue, causing Qin Huairu to collapse to the ground. Bang Geng himself was even more unable to accept it. He had gone from being a "little tyrant" pampered by his grandmother and mother to becoming a disabled person ridiculed by others. He harbored all his resentment towards He Yuanchao, lying on the hospital bed with a gloomy look in his eyes, like a wounded lone wolf.

The exorbitant medical expenses weighed heavily on the Jia family like a mountain.

Qin Huairu had no choice but to trample on her pitiful self-esteem. First, she humbly asked the factory for an advance of three months' wages, and then she shamelessly asked all her relatives and friends who could be related to her.

But nowadays no one is rich, and the Jia family has a bad reputation in the courtyard, so everyone avoids them like the plague. In the end, they could only borrow a few dollars here and there, which was barely enough to cover the surgery fee.

Xiao Dang and Huaihua were so frightened by the empty rice jar and their mother's increasingly haggard face that they dared not speak loudly.

Sha Zhu had completely changed. He was no longer the kind-hearted, meddlesome "Silly Master".

He stopped going to the Jia family's house and stopped joking around in the courtyard. He spent his days locking himself in his dark room, drinking alone. Occasionally, someone would see him go out; his eyes were bloodshot, he reeked of alcohol, his beard was unshaven, and he looked at everyone as if they were his enemies.

He couldn't understand why, after treating the Jia family with all his heart, he ended up being made a scapegoat.

He blamed all his resentment on He Yuanchao and the Jia family. On one hand, he hated the Jia family's heartlessness and ingratitude; on the other hand, he hated He Yuanchao even more for his "inhumanity" and "ruthlessness," which had ruined everything for him. He harbored a burning rage, yet he hesitated because he had witnessed He Yuanchao's terrifying skills and his current domineering presence in the courtyard.

They dared not make any rash moves and could only numb themselves with alcohol, suffering in a drunken stupor.

The elderly man, Yi Zhonghai, was completely dejected. He voluntarily resigned from his position as the head of the neighborhood committee, citing "old age, poor health, and lack of energy" as the reason.

From then on, he was like a different person. Every day, besides going to work, he would go home and stay inside, never coming out again.

He no longer paced around the courtyard with his signature square steps, nor did he ever again pontificate about other people's affairs with his hands behind his back.

When he encountered someone in the courtyard, he would lower his head and walk around them from a distance, like a defeated rooster, exuding a sense of weariness and having completely lost his former vigor. His carefully maintained retirement plan had become a joke with the "betrayal" of Sha Zhu and the collapse of the Jia family.

When the first uncle fell, the second uncle, Liu Haizhong, had his chance. He felt that after years of hard work, his day had finally come.

He began to wander around the yard more frequently, contrary to his usual behavior, with what he considered to be his most amiable smile on his face.

Today I help the neighbor check if the water pipes are leaking, tomorrow I'll mediate a trivial neighborhood dispute for the neighbor in the west. I greet everyone I meet with kindness and concern, striving to cultivate a new image of myself as "warm-hearted," "responsible," and "serving the people."

Although his meager fitter skills were utterly useless, and he only ever took sides when mediating disputes, his attitude was impeccable. He even went out of his way to save money, buying two bottles of cheap liquor and a bag of peanuts. One evening, he knocked on Sha Zhu's door, ostensibly to "care for wayward youths," but in reality, he wanted to recruit Sha Zhu, the neighborhood's undisputed "fighter," into his ranks.

"Zhu Zi, open the door! It's your Uncle Liu!" Liu Haizhong called from outside the door.

The sound of billiards came from inside the room, and after a while, the door creaked open. Sha Zhu, with bloodshot eyes and reeking of alcohol, looked at him.

"What is it?" Sha Zhu's voice was hoarse and cold.

"Hey, Zhu Zi, what are you talking about?" Liu Haizhong squeezed into the house as if they were old friends, put some wine and peanuts on the table, and said, "Uncle, I heard you've been in a bad mood lately, so I came to see you. Come on, let's have a drink!"

Sha Zhu didn't say anything, but simply sat back down on the small stool and poured himself another glass of wine.

Liu Haizhong wasn't embarrassed at all. He unscrewed the bottle cap, poured himself a full glass, sat on the small stool at Sha Zhu's house, and began his long-prepared speech, spittle flying everywhere: "Zhuzi, don't be discouraged! It's not a big deal! You can find another job! With your top-notch cooking skills, you won't starve anywhere! Let me tell you, you're just too honest and too kind, that's why you got scammed by Qin Huairu's family of ingrates!"

Look at how much you've sacrificed for their family! And what did you get in return? They turned around and sold you out! And that He Yuanchao, a mere brat, relying on his brute strength, gained a little power and became arrogant and overbearing! It's outrageous! Don't worry, from now on, with Liu Haizhong in charge of the courtyard, I'll stand up for you and never let him rule alone!

These words were like a key, precisely locking the lock of resentment in Sha Zhu's heart. He was drunk and bleary-eyed, listening to Liu Haizhong's "heartfelt words."

The pent-up resentment and anger in my heart seemed to have found an outlet.

He slammed his hand on the table, making the wine glasses jump. "Second Uncle E... no! Uncle Liu! You're right! Qin Huairu is inhuman! That bastard He Yuanchao, I'm not finished with him! From now on, if you need anything, just say the word! As long as you can deal with He Yuanchao, my life, Sha Zhu's life, is yours!"

Liu Haizhong wanted to hear those words. He was overjoyed, but his face showed a pained expression. He patted Shazhu's shoulder heavily and said earnestly, "Good boy, you have ambition! Don't worry, I won't treat you badly!" He felt that he had grasped the strongest "spear" in the courtyard and was one step closer to the "top leader" position he had always dreamed of.

Meanwhile, He Yuanchao's life became increasingly comfortable.

Every day, he rode his brand-new Forever 28-inch bicycle to and from get off work. Its glossy black paint and crisp, melodious bell gleamed in the sunlight, making all the young people in the courtyard and even the entire steel mill envious. When he got home in the evening, he never skimped on himself. One day he'd buy a piece of pork belly to make braised pork, the next day he'd get a live fish to simmer in a pot of milky-white fish soup. The rich aroma wafted unhindered throughout the courtyard, becoming a daily torment for all the beasts, especially the Jia family and Liu Haizhong, who could only smell the fragrance and eat cornbread.

After finishing his meal, he turned on the 14-inch black and white television and tuned it to a channel with a program.

The brothers Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang would arrive on time, one rushing to serve him tea and water, the other fawning over him, massaging his legs and shoulders, all the while showering him with flattery.

He Yuanchao kept his promise and would spend an hour every day after dinner teaching He Yushui to write under the lamp. He used the set of fine Huzhou brushes, Huizhou ink, Xuan paper, and Duan inkstone that the system had rewarded him with. His hand holding the brush was steady and strong, and the characters he wrote were powerful and elegant, with a sharp and vigorous style that made He Yushui, who was grinding ink beside him, dazzled.

The little girl studied with utmost seriousness, starting from the most basic pen-holding posture and the strokes of the pen, meticulously practicing each character. In her heart, this older brother not only protected her and provided for her needs, but also knew so many things she had never encountered before; he had become an omnipotent idol. The simple brotherly affection in her eyes had unknowingly been mixed with an increasingly bright light of admiration and love, shining astonishingly bright.

That evening, He Yuanchao had just finished a delicious meal of stewed beef with potatoes and was about to take out paper and pen to teach He Yushui calligraphy when a suppressed commotion and footsteps suddenly came from the courtyard.

It's Qin Huairu.

She actually came to the door on her own initiative, followed by a reluctant-looking man she was clinging to. At this moment, Qin Huairu was emaciated, her hair was disheveled, and her face was as pale as paper. She was completely different from the charming and shrewd widow she usually was.

"Brother Yuanchao..." Qin Huairu stood at the door, hesitant to enter, her lips trembling, her eyes filled with unspeakable humiliation, struggle, and pleading. "I...I came...to apologize to you on behalf of Bang Geng..."

As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed the man's arm and shouted with all her might, "You wretch! What are you standing there for when you see Uncle Yuanchao! Kneel down and apologize to Uncle Yuanchao right now!"

Bang Geng's leg was still in a thick cast. When his mother pulled him like that, his already unsteady body staggered and he almost fell. His face was instantly filled with resentment and bitterness. He hated He Yuanchao, and he hated his mother who was forcing him to bow his head even more, but looking at his mother's bloodshot eyes, he dared not resist.

He Yuanchao, arms crossed, leaned leisurely against the doorframe, coldly watching the mother and son perform at the doorway as if watching a play. A mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Apologize? Qin Huairu, your 'apology' is too precious for me. If you have something to say, say it. If not, don't stand at my door. It's bad luck."

Qin Huairu was choked by his barbed words, her face turning pale. All her mental fortitude crumbled at that moment, and tears welled up instantly, her voice trembling with sobs:

"Brother Yuanchao... I know we were wrong... We're not human... We're so sorry... But... But Banggeng... We still owe a lot on medical bills... The advance wages from the factory are almost gone... We're really starving... Look... Look how well you're doing... Could... Could you have some mercy... and lend us a little money? It's not much... just twenty yuan! I'll pay you back first thing next month when I get paid! I'll give you an IOU! I'll do anything for you!"

As she spoke, her knees buckled, and she was actually about to kneel down in front of the entire hospital.

He Yuanchao's eyes turned cold.

It's the same old trick again! Moral blackmail, playing the victim for personal gain! Same old recipe, same old taste!

Before he could speak, a crisp, angry voice, like a sharp sword, suddenly rang out from behind him.

"Qin Huairu! Have you no shame?!"

He Yushui had somehow appeared behind He Yuanchao. Her petite body trembled slightly with extreme anger, her face flushed red. Pointing at Qin Huairu's nose, she fearlessly shouted:

"Your son stole a chicken and framed someone, causing my brother Yuanchao to be wrongly accused by the entire hospital! Your mother-in-law falsely accused him and is now in a labor camp! After doing so many bad things, you still have the nerve to come to our door to borrow money? Do you think Brother Yuanchao's money comes from thin air? Or do you think he's as stupid as Shazhu, so easy to bully?!"

"I...I..." Qin Huairu was rendered speechless by the scolding from this usually quiet and introverted girl. Her face turned pale and then red, and she could only helplessly shed tears, making her look even more pitiful.

"Get out! Get out of here! Don't dirty Brother Yuanchao's eyes!" He Yushui shouted without any politeness, like a mother hen protecting her chicks, firmly blocking He Yuanchao's way.

Looking at He Yushui, who was sharp-tongued and full of deep-seated hostility towards her, and then at He Yuanchao, who remained indifferent and like an iceberg from beginning to end, Qin Huairu felt a chill in her heart.

She knew that this path was also blocked.

Just then, a sarcastic voice lazily rang out in the courtyard, adding fuel to the fire of this grand drama.

"Hey, it's quite lively here. Qin Huairu, what's up? No more money coming from that old man, and you can't get any more blood from Sha Zhu, so you've moved to a new place to develop new businesses? Your business scope is quite wide, and you're quite busy, aren't you?"

It was Xu Damao. He had just returned from outside and was leaning against the doorframe of his house with his arms crossed, a signature gloating and smug grin on his face.

These words were like a resounding slap across Qin Huairu's face. Her face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, filled with shame and indignation, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

He Yuanchao watched the farcical spectacle unfold before him, a cold smile playing on his lips. He leisurely pulled a piece of chewing gum wrapped in an elegant candy wrapper from his pocket—a rare find in this era, obtained from the system's in-game store. He casually unwrapped it, tossed the white film into his mouth, and began chewing slowly, oblivious to his surroundings.

Then, he said calmly to Xu Damao, who was about to continue making sarcastic remarks, "Xu Damao, you haven't even married your wife yet, and you're already so mean-spirited. Be careful, or you'll have a son without an anus."

The tone of the words was calm and indifferent, but the content was extremely malicious, hitting Xu Damao's sore spot directly.

Xu Damao instantly bristled, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, jumping up and down and cursing, "He Yuanchao! I'll fuck your grandpa! You..."

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuanchao, chewing gum, strolled leisurely towards him. He did nothing, simply gazing at him quietly with his calm, unfathomable eyes.

An invisible, icy pressure instantly enveloped Xu Damao. He recalled the terrifying power of He Yuanchao kicking Shazhu away, and the scene of him bending the steel pipe with his bare hands. The curses that followed seemed to be choked by an invisible hand, stuck in his throat, turning into strange "hoarse" sounds, and he couldn't utter a single word.

He Yuanchao ignored the coward and turned his gaze to the center of the courtyard. His voice wasn't loud, but because of the silence in the courtyard, it carried clearly to every corner and reached the ears of every neighbor who was peeking out.

"Neighbors, come out and see! Don't hide. The Jia family is in trouble. It's not easy for Comrade Qin Huairu to raise three children on her own. I, He Yuanchao, am not the kind of person who doesn't show compassion."

Everyone craned their necks at the sound, their faces filled with astonishment and confusion. What was going on? Was He Yuanchao about to do something charitable? Had the sun risen in the west?

Qin Huairu also suddenly raised her head, and an unbelievable light of hope burst forth in her desperate eyes, as if a drowning person had grasped at the last straw.

Meeting her expectant gaze, He Yuanchao's lips curled into a strange, chilling smile: "I can lend you the money. Twenty yuan is nothing to me. However, I have one condition."

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of everyone in the courtyard. Only after everyone had their appetite whetted and were craning their necks in curiosity did he turn back to Qin Huairu and speak clearly, word by word:

"You, Qin Huairu, in front of the entire hospital, tell us your truest thoughts. Tell us how you view your mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi; how you view your son, Banggeng; how you view Shazhu; how you view Uncle Yi; and how you view...me. As long as what you say is 'the truth,' I'll give you the twenty yuan!"