Courtyard House: My Hidden Wheat Seeds Caused a National Sensation

"Master! I'm so sorry! Comrade Li Jianye, I'm so sorry too! Oh my god, I'm even more ashamed to face you! It's all my fault for not teaching this little brat Banggeng properly, which led to this disaster... Waaah..."

He wept bitterly, tears streaming down his face, his emotions genuine and heartfelt.

The people in the courtyard, watching his behavior, felt a numb sense of absurdity creeping up from their feet to their heads, and they even forgot to discuss it.

"Jia Dongxu—!!"

A piercing, sharp scream tore through the stagnant air, startling everyone awake.

Qin Huairu, like an enraged mother beast, pounced out of the crowd and slapped Jia Dongxu hard across the face. Without even looking at him, she charged at the child lying on the ground like a madwoman.

"Bang! Bang!"

She collapsed to the ground, hugging her son tightly in her arms, her voice trembling and incoherent.

"Whoa—!"

Bang Geng finally snapped out of his extreme shock. The pain and fear transformed into a deafening wail that echoed shrilly through the suddenly silent courtyard.

Qin Huairu's slap was loud and clear. Jia Dongxu froze on the spot, his cheek burning, his mind blank.

After a long while, he suddenly woke up as if he had been branded with a hot iron, and his blood rushed to his head.

He let out a low growl and pounced on Qin Huairu like a trapped beast, slamming her to the ground and raining down punches.

"Jia Dongxu!"

Upon seeing this, He Yuzhu's eyes turned red.

Qin Huairu held such a high place in his heart; how could he allow others to treat her so disrespectfully? Even though it was her husband who laid the blow, the heart-wrenching pain still made him tremble all over.

He rushed forward and kicked Jia Dongxu in the side, sending him tumbling away.

"Sister Qin, are you hurt?"

He Yuzhu hurriedly helped Qin Huairu up, his voice filled with barely suppressed anxiety.

He gazed at her with the same focused attention he would show a family member.

The scene, witnessed by the surrounding neighbors, immediately stirred a subtle silence, with various gazes quietly shifting.

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened completely.

Jia Dongxu was the one he chose to rely on in his old age, while He Yuzhu was a backup plan he kept. Both of them were originally meant to be his pawns.

Now they're tearing each other apart in public over a woman, turning it into a farce of jealousy and rivalry, and even he feels ashamed.

"Stop it, all of you!"

Deputy Director Li shouted angrily, "Anyone who causes trouble again will be taken away!"

Director Wang crouched down to examine the scab that had been thrown aside. Seeing that the child was unharmed, he turned to Jia Dongxu and said sternly, "This isn't how you discipline your son! You don't know your own strength; what if something serious had happened?"

She shook her head and ultimately said nothing more.

These days, it's common for fathers to beat their sons; the saying goes, "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

Anyone can read those words; if Jia Dongxu's attack hadn't been so terrifying, no one else would have spoken.

"I'm sorry everyone,"

Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to step forward at this point, saying, "Dongxu was provoked today and acted impulsively."

We admit our mistake and are willing to clean the courtyard for three months as compensation.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Ultimately, it's a matter for the Jia family; outsiders are just watching the show.

Deputy Director Li walked up to Li Jianye, his tone softening slightly: "Comrade Li, is there anything else you want to say?"

"That's fine then."

Li Jianye waved his hand, "Today's objective has been achieved."

He originally wanted to bring down Yi Zhonghai so that the institute would be less troubled and he could concentrate on his work.

Director Wang then announced loudly: "From now on, there will be two stewards in charge of the courtyard: the first steward is Liu Haizhong, and the second steward is Yan Bugui."

Meeting adjourned!

Li Jianye saw the two cadres off at the gate. When he turned around, there were still many people gathered in the courtyard, whispering among themselves.

The Jia family has lost face today, and the ambiguous relationship between He Yuzhu and Qin Huairu has become the subject of whispers among the people.

The gazes directed at Jia Dongxu gradually turned to strange speculation, with some even whispering: Could Banggeng not be a member of the Jia family? Otherwise, how could his father be so ruthless?

……

Yan Bugui took off his glasses, slowly wiped them, and said seriously at home, "From now on, our family needs to get closer to Li Jianye."

This person has powerful backers and is quick-witted; he's likely to amount to something in the future.

"Build good relationships first; it will benefit you later."

Night had fallen, and the lights in the courtyard were gradually going out, except for the dim yellow light still shining in Yan Bugui's house.

The family members sitting around the table all nodded, their eyes fixed on him.

"Understood, Second Uncle."

This address made Yan Bugui's lips curl into a smile, and deep smile lines appeared at the corners of his eyes, as if these three simple words were more comforting than anything else.

At the same time, a similar atmosphere permeated the dining table at Liu Haizhong's home.

Slightly tipsy, Liu Haizhong picked up a piece of scrambled egg with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, squinting his eyes with a satisfied expression.

Although he had already eaten dinner, the joyous occasion today made him so happy that he had to have a few more drinks.

The eldest son, Liu Guangqi, stood by pouring wine, while the other two sat silently at the lower end of the table, listening to their father's slow and methodical admonition.

"We need to be more careful about Li Jianye from now on."

Liu Haizhong took a sip of his drink and said solemnly, "The people he knows are not simple."

If we get along well with him, our future will be brighter.

"Okay, sir."

Liu Guangqi responded nimbly, taking the egg his father handed him and thanking him repeatedly.

In the instant he lowered his head, a barely perceptible hint of annoyance and coldness flashed across his eyes.

On the other side, Xu Damao leaned back in his chair, beaming with joy.

He had always disliked Yi Zhonghai, and now that he saw the other party suffer a setback, he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

"Our new neighbors are really something else,"

He said to Lou Xiao'e, who was looking down at her book, "You've only been here a few days, and you've already made Yi Zhonghai suffer setbacks one after another."

What's most remarkable is that he didn't rely on any connections or backing; he relied entirely on his own abilities.

Such a person is worth getting to know better.

Lou Xiao'e didn't even look up, only replying softly, "Making friends is a matter for you men, what can a woman like me do..."

Before she finished speaking, a blush crept up her ears.

Xu Damao didn't notice, and was still happily planning how to drink and chat with Li Jianye in the future and pave the way for their future.

Meanwhile, inside the Jia family's house, the scene was quite different.

Jia Dongxu sat in the chair with a gloomy face, his gaze as sharp as a knife, fixed on Qin Huairu.

There was a sinister green light in his eyes, like a wild beast lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce at any moment.

"Qin Huairu,"

He spat out a few words through gritted teeth, "You tell me clearly, when exactly did you and Sha Zhu get together? Which of these two brats is his child?"

"Are you crazy, Jia Dongxu?"

Qin Huairu suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with tears as she glared at him. "I have nothing to hide with Sha Zhu, the child is all yours!"

"I don't believe it."

Jia Dongxu sneered, "You're always exchanging glances with him, and Sha Zhu brings us food every few days. Who would believe there's nothing fishy going on? Don't think I'm stupid!"

Seeing that he wouldn't let it go, Qin Huairu could only cover her face and sob, her shoulders trembling slightly, tears rolling down her swollen cheeks, looking pitiful and pathetic.

But this attitude only added fuel to the fire. Jia Dongxu suddenly recalled the kick He Yuzhu had given him during the day, and his anger instantly overwhelmed his reason.

"Cry? I'll teach you to cry! I'll teach you to flirt with him! I'll teach you to be ambiguous with him!"

He roared and lunged forward, his fists raining down like raindrops.

Qin Huairu initially struggled and resisted, but gradually lost her strength and could only curl up to protect her head and face, letting him vent his anger.

In the corner, Bang Geng bit his lip hard, staring at his father's violent figure, his eyes burning with hatred.

"You're not my father... My father wouldn't hit someone like this... Sha Zhu isn't my father either... My father isn't stupid... I hate you all..."

He muttered to himself, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Just then, a few light knocks came from outside the door.

The sound coming from the doorway made Li Jianye feel that it was somewhat inappropriate.

Jia Dongxu was making a move on Qin Huairu with the door wide open, and the noise could be heard throughout the entire corridor.

Li Jianye stood outside the threshold, where the light and shadow were half-bright and half-dark, unsure whether to go in or out, so he cleared his throat again.

Jia Dongxu abruptly turned his head, his eyes blazing with anger: "Li Jianye? What are you doing here?!"

"Qin Huairu helped me tidy up at my place just now. She ate a steamed bun and also had a few bites of vegetables."

Li Jianye spoke calmly, as if recounting someone else's story, "Just give me the fifty cents."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Jia Dongxu's face flushed red and then turned pale, so embarrassed that he couldn't lift his head.

Qin Huairu stared blankly at the person at the door, tears welling up silently—he actually came to her door for the money for a meal.

Li Jianye simply lowered his eyes.

When he got home and found that there were fewer steamed buns, he wasn't actually very angry.

It's just a steamed bun; it doesn't matter who eats it.

But he didn't want to have anything to do with this woman anymore.

Once the accounts are settled, everything will be clean from now on.

Jia Dongxu opened his mouth, as if he wanted to yell, "What's wrong with eating some of your food?"

But when her gaze met Li Jianye's expressionless face, she suddenly choked.

He thought of his elderly mother lying in the hospital, and then of his mentor Yi Zhonghai being stripped of his management title, and swallowed the words back down his throat.

"……for you."

Jia Dongxu took out five cents and stuffed it into his hand.

Li Jianye took it and nodded: "You can continue."

Before the sound of his footsteps as he turned to leave had faded into the distance, Jia Dongxu's muffled curses and even louder noises could be heard from inside the house.

*

He Yuzhu huddled behind the door of his room, his fists clenched so tightly they ached.

Every sound coming from next door felt like a blow to his heart.

But he could only listen and do nothing—Qin Huairu was someone else's wife, and no matter how much he loved or hated her, he couldn't cross that threshold.

*

In another room, Qin Jingru was looking around with curiosity, talking non-stop.

He Yushui lay beside her, responding with "uh-huhs," but her heart felt like it was stuffed with a wet cotton ball.

She was only thirteen years old and relied on her older brother He Yuzhu for food and clothing. No matter how unwilling she was, she had to talk to this distant cousin.

But that feeling of disgust seeped into her heart and unknowingly wove into resentment towards her own brother.

*

When Yi Zhonghai carried the oil paper package into the backyard, it was already dark.

The paper package contained a rare soft cake, a rarity in these days.

The deaf old woman sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), not even lifting her eyelids: "You've come because of Zhang's matter, haven't you?"

"Nothing can be hidden from you, sir."

Yi Zhonghai chuckled twice, gently placing the pastries on the table. "Grandma, what do you think about Jia Zhangshi's matter..."

"in spite of."

The old lady interrupted him, "My face gets thinner with each use, it's not worth wasting it on her."

He won't die; he'll just suffer for a few years and then be out.

There aren't many people she can hold in her heart. Her godson Yi Zhonghai is one, the old lady who has served her for many years is another, and then there's He Yuzhu, whom she dotes on like her own grandson.

As for Jia Zhangshi, whether it was a blessing or a curse, she couldn't be bothered to care.

"The new guy is not simple."

The old lady lifted her eyelids and said, "If you can avoid conflict, don't provoke them."

"I see."

Yi Zhonghai smiled bitterly, but he couldn't suppress the flame in his eyes. "It's just that I can't swallow this anger."

The reputation he had built up over most of his life was torn to shreds overnight by that young man named Li Jianye.

How could he accept this?

The old lady examined the warm porcelain cup in her hand. In the rising steam, her eyes were as deep as the water in an ancient well.

Yi Zhonghai stood to the side, his body hunched over, his tone carrying a hint of ruthlessness.

"Give me some advice on how to completely suppress Li Jianye."

The room was quiet for a moment, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire.

The old lady slowly put down the cup, the bottom of the cup lightly touching the table.

"It's difficult."

Her voice was hoarse, but her words were clear: "This person brought Feng Lei into the factory."

"Look at his momentum, do you think an ordinary trip would be enough to bring him down?"

Yi Zhonghai remained silent, waiting for what was to come.

"Three paths."

The old lady held up a withered finger. "The first one, the most upright and also the most difficult, is to wait for him to fall down on his own."

Isn't he tinkering with that new machine right now? You can just watch from the sidelines.