Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

"Rain, your brother-in-law is in this state, aren't you going to help him?"

Li Guotao sighed, his eyes filled with reluctance.

"What's wrong with that? This is his own business, and no one can help except him if he leaves."

He Yushui had already made her point clear: "I've advised her countless times."

"Didn't you always say that Lin Meili's family was sucking his blood? Is she willing to admit it?"

Li Guotao asked, frowning.

"That depends on whether he can grit his teeth or not."

"If it continues to be this weak, even a god couldn't lift it up."

He Yushui waved her hand, her tone turning somber.

She paused, then said softly, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Didn't you say you were planning to have a second child? Let's go inside."

As soon as Sha Zhu stepped into the courtyard, the old man and Lin Meili almost simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

The two even considered calling the police.

"Silly Zhu, where have you been?"

"Everyone was so worried!"

An old man came up to greet them, his voice filled with genuine anxiety.

"Yeah, Sha Zhu, we're all going crazy with worry!"

Lin Meili immediately took over, her face showing genuine concern.

After all, she was married, and Sha Zhu was the sky above her head; her anxiety was genuine.

Sha Zhu glanced at her but didn't reply. He turned to the old man and said, "Uncle, I was feeling down, so I went for a walk."

He didn't say it aloud, but suspicions were already forming in his mind—Yi Zhonghai might not be innocent. Yet, that warm concern was undeniably burning in his heart.

Ever since Jia Dongxu passed away, the old man treated him like a protective father, slowly piecing together the last vestiges of hope that He Daqing had shattered for him. That's why he could harden his heart against anyone else, but he just couldn't bring himself to be ruthless towards Yi Zhonghai.

"Silly Zhu, you're over thirty, married with a family, and young children to support. You need to act like a man. You can't just disappear like that. If something happens at home, who will take care of things?"

Yi Zhonghai's words sounded like advice, but in reality, he was pressuring him with the title of "head of the family"—forcing him to accept the family, to accept Lin Meili, and to accept the burdens he couldn't shake off.

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu's anger flared up instantly.

That's true, but the problem lies in the word "family-oriented"—whose family are they looking after? Whose child are they protecting?

Ever since he married Lin Meili, the old man's mouth hasn't stopped: "Gu Jia! Gu Jia! Gu Jia!"

Looking back and forth, is it all just about her and her two children?

"I left because of this 'home'."

Sha Zhu's throat tightened, and his voice became strained, attracting people in the courtyard to peek out one after another—Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Li Guoxian, Xu Damao, and everyone else gathered around.

"Silly Zhu, I understand how frustrated you are."

An old man quickly chimed in, "But look at Lin Meili, with three kids weighing on her shoulders, her back is about to break. Now, if another one is added, can you two really handle it?"

"Listen to the old man, let's wait a few years. When Banggeng is older and Xiaodang can lend a hand, it's not too late to have another child."

Yi Zhonghai delivered his message quickly and steadily—delaying was the only way out. If they could delay until Lin Meili got too old and her body couldn't take it anymore, she would naturally give up.

"Ha, delay? Delay until she's fifty?"

Xu Damao suddenly barged in, arms crossed, a smile on his lips.

He wasn't helping Sha Zhu; he was just waiting to see the drama escalate so he could have his fill of it.

"Xu Damao, stop spouting nonsense!"

The old man glared, unable to suppress his anger.

Damn it! Why did they have to pop up and cause trouble now of all times?!

He wished he could grab a handful of yellow earth and smear it right up to that rotten mouth!

"Lin Meili!"

Sha Zhu suddenly turned his head, his eyes fixed on her face. "You, in front of everyone, say it clearly—to have the baby or not?"

"Silly Zhu... how about we listen to Grandpa?"

Lin Meili's voice softened, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, "I won't wait for Xiaodang, I'll wait until the penis grows up, and then I'll give birth to your child."

Whether what she said was true or false, only she herself knew the truth.

"Did you hear that? The person has already agreed!"

An old man immediately stepped forward, speaking rapidly, as if afraid that Xu Damao would utter another word.

The old man and Lin Meili were singing in unison when Li Guoxian interrupted before they could finish their sentence.

"Hey, Banggeng is thirteen this year, right? He's still five years away from adulthood."

"Sister Lin is thirty-five now, and in five years she'll be forty—giving birth at forty is considered advanced maternal age, and the risks are considerable. Silly Zhu, you really need to think this through!"

These words, ostensibly out of concern, were actually a veiled attack on Sha Zhu: that in the future, the old man and Lin Meili would surely use "advanced age and its dangers" as a rope to wrap around his neck.

Sha Zhu understood.

Everyone in the room understood.

Upon hearing Li Guoxian speak, Xu Damao immediately put on a smile and leaned closer: "That's right, silly Zhu! At that time, when they keep saying 'for your safety' and 'afraid something will happen,' can you still stubbornly refuse to budge? If someone really dies, how will Banggeng, Xiaodang, and Huaihua live afterward?"

"Xu Damao, shut up! Nobody thinks you're mute!" an old man immediately interrupted.

But he didn't dare utter a single harsh word to Li Guoxian—he was Li Wenguo's son and Li Guotai's younger brother, someone he couldn't afford to offend.

Xu Damao glanced at him sideways, curled his lip, and didn't say a word, but his disdain was written all over his face.

Sha Zhu ignored Xu Damao and stared straight at the old man: "Uncle, I understand your intentions. You just want me to take care of you in your old age? Fine, I accept that. But tell me—who will take care of me in my old age?"

"Put yourself in their shoes. You can't just think of yourself and block everyone else's way out, can you?"

The old man immediately fell silent.

Yes, he kept urging Sha Zhu to fulfill his filial duties, but Sha Zhu is old and bedridden. Who will bring him water and medicine? Who will bathe him and change his clothes?

One cannot only consider one's own interests and treat one's conscience like a rag to be wiped clean and then thrown away.

Lin Meili immediately chimed in, "Silly Zhu, isn't there still Bang Geng? When you get old, you can have him take care of you!"

The moment the stick was lifted, Sha Zhu felt as if he had been hit in the chest with a hammer, and his anger flared up instantly.

"Will the pheasant support me?"

"Lin Meili, do you think I'm a fool to be fooled?"

He jabbed his finger hard into the tip of his nose, his voice trembling: "When have I ever treated a Korean guy badly?"

"Give him the most fragrant meat on the stove first."

"He got the newest toy in the yard first."

"The new jacket for the New Year, the size just right, was put on him."

"But what about him? He won't even give me a proper look, let alone call me 'Dad'—he just keeps calling me 'Silly Zhu, Silly Zhu,' he can't even speak a human word!"

"This child is worse than an ungrateful wretch."

"What I'm afraid of now is the day I'm bedridden and he kicks me out the door!"

"Kick him out!"

He shouted the last few words, and the whole alley heard them.

All the pent-up grievances, heartache, and disappointment from all these years exploded in those few sounds.

Everyone fell silent. It was clear to everyone that Sha Zhu wasn't just throwing a tantrum; his heart was completely broken.

Lin Meili added hastily, "...Bang Geng is still young, he'll naturally understand when he grows up."

But the more he spoke, the softer he became, until the last syllable almost disappeared into the air.

She felt uneasy—she knew her son's temperament better than anyone else.

That's because she spoiled him, pampered him, and let Sha Zhu indulge him, raising him to be completely out of control day by day.

When Sha Zhu first approached her, it was partly out of pity for her as a widow and orphan, and partly out of a desire to get close to her under the guise of caring for her and to gain some benefits. In the end, he didn't get much benefit, but instead spoiled Bang Geng into someone who would ask for things, curse at others, and turn away without ever showing gratitude.

"Thirteen is too young?" Sha Zhu sneered. "Qin Jie's son, Guo Xuan, is only thirteen! He respectfully called me 'Uncle,' and when I offered him a piece of candy, he waved it away, even bowing to thank me before leaving. And look at Bang Geng—does he even deserve to be called that?"

"What an ingrate!"

He suddenly raised his hand, pointed into the room, and shouted, his voice shaking the rooftops: "Lin Meili, divorce!"

His younger sister, He Yushui, said something else—just this morning, in her kitchen, Yushui had grabbed his sleeve and pleaded, "Brother, get a divorce! Leave while you can. Otherwise, you'll be worse off than that old man! At least he has a stick to hold him back, but what about you? You have no children, and people can get away with hitting or scolding you without anyone stopping you; but you have a stick—once you're unable to move, he might just punch you if he's in a bad mood!"

Rainwater is a judge of character, and she never makes a mistake. She can tell at a glance what kind of person is in their bones, what kind of bed they slept on as a child, and what kind of words they heard growing up.

Sha Zhu was just too soft-hearted and easily swayed. He couldn't resist the whispers of Lin Meili in his ear, and time and time again he swallowed his harsh words and trampled his bottom line into the mud.

When Lin Meili saw the resolute look in Sha Zhu's eyes, her legs went weak, and she quickly blinked at the old man, begging him to help her up.

He rushed forward, his voice trembling, "Silly Zhu, don't do this... I swear! I'll personally teach Bang Geng manners and filial piety, so he'll kneel and serve you tea and medicine in the future!"

"It's getting dark. You've been wandering around outside for two days, and you're starting to smell. I'll boil some water and give you a foot bath. Tonight... I'll pamper you properly."

The meaning behind "serving you to sleep" is clear to everyone. Lin Meili's plan was exactly that—to use her body to tie down Sha Zhu. She knew very well that Sha Zhu was extremely lusting after her appearance, and would pester her at least five times a week.

"Yes, Sha Zhu, it's already completely dark. You've just come in, why don't you rest for a bit? It's not urgent, we can talk about it tomorrow."

An old man immediately chimed in.

He knew perfectly well that Sha Zhu was furious right now, and he needed Lin Meili to calm him down and let him vent his anger. Maybe after a good night's sleep, his anger would dissipate, and he would return to being the easy-going Sha Zhu he used to be.

"Silly Zhu, things haven't reached the end of the road yet. You've only just stepped into the courtyard. Listen to your uncle's advice, and then listen to your wife's advice. Go back and get some rest. Get your energy back, and we can continue our discussion tomorrow."

Second Uncle Liu Haizhong also slowly spoke up.

"That's right! It's already this late, can't we wait until dawn to say what we need to say?"

The third uncle, Yan Bugui, chimed in.

The three of them deeply believed in an old saying: "It's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage." They believed that persuading people to break up was not as good as persuading them to back down; forcing a divorce was not as effective as giving them a helping hand or offering some advice.

These days, it's not easy to find a couple.

When the three stewards appointed by the courtyard spoke in unison, how could ordinary residents dare to disobey?

Sha Zhu clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his face turned ashen, like a piece of raw iron that had been frozen for three days.

Xu Damao stood to the side, sighing. Sha Zhu had long been completely under Lin Meili's thumb, and no one even spoke up for him.

Although the two had been at odds since childhood and harbored deep-seated grudges, Xu Damao could still sense a touch of desolation in Sha Zhu's current state.

Even Li Guoxian, who usually doesn't bother with other people's business, frowned deeply.

—They've practically stepped on your face, and you're still going to put up with it? Do you really think you're not a man?