Courtyard House: A Leisurely and Contented Life

Uncle Liu Haizhong was furious but also a little scared. His aunt was right!

If word gets out, how will my family's honorable son ever get married and bring glory to his ancestors?

Second Uncle is a typical chauvinistic old man who clings to the outdated notion that "elders are superior."

The eldest son, Liu Guangrong, was the apple of the family's eye. He was raised like a prince since childhood, and could not be beaten or scolded. He was given priority in food, clothing, and daily necessities, and the family hoped that he would take over the family business and bring glory to the family.

As for Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, the two younger ones, they were trained as "helpers" for their eldest son. When Guangrong returned after completing his studies, the two of them would have to help him support the Liu family and make them presentable to the world.

Getting married is a very important matter!

With his son's reputation ruined, what decent girl would want to marry him? This concerns the very foundation of his family's honor, it's more important than anything else. Now that someone wants to cut off that path for him, how could he not be furious?

The moment Second Uncle roared, Granny Jia immediately wilted.

Although she was foolish, she wasn't stupid. This situation had clearly angered everyone, and everyone was holding their breath!

Her second uncle was so angry; if she continued to make a scene, she wouldn't get away with it. She was extremely anxious, and tried several times to throw a tantrum to smooth things over, but every time it came to the crucial moment, someone would interfere.

The old man who used to favor her remained silent, and the others were all opportunists who fawned over the powerful and trampled on the weak. Seeing that the Jia family had no backing, they all rushed to kick them while they were down.

Granny Jia lowered her head and prepared herself. If anyone dared to mention her eldest grandson, she would lie down on the ground and throw a tantrum. No one would have a good time today!

"Alright, alright, what kind of behavior is this?" An old man slammed his hand on the table. "This is a business meeting, not a street fight. Zhu Zi, you're the one in charge, make a decision!"

An old man is an old man after all; his words carry weight. Sha Zhu, the person involved, hadn't said a word before, acting like nothing had happened, but he was perfectly aware of everything. He had seen and understood everything everyone was saying and doing, and was just waiting for his chance to speak.

"Uncle, everyone," Sha Zhu said, scanning the crowd, "none of us want to make a scene and become a laughingstock, right?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, even Granny Jia and Qin Huairu echoed, knowing that making a scene would benefit no one.

"But we have to follow the rules." Sha Zhu changed the subject. "According to the old rules, petty theft is punished, and serious theft can result in..." He paused deliberately, "...cutting off hands."

"Silly Zhu!" Qin Huairu's eyes widened, and her body trembled. Granny Jia was even worse off; she was completely terrified. Was this really the same simple-minded Zhu? But what's that old saying? Never let an honest person rise above their circumstances. And now, Silly Zhu had truly risen above his circumstances!

Even the seemingly innocent-looking Banggeng, who had been kneeling on the ground pretending to be harmless, was terrified. He turned around and hugged Qin Huairu's leg, wailing, "Mom! Mom, I don't want my hand cut off! Don't cut off my hand..."

"Zhu Zi, what kind of rule is this?" An old man wrung his hands anxiously. "This isn't allowed anymore, this is... this is vigilante justice, it's illegal!"

Uncle Yan Bugui was also shocked; Sha Zhu had changed so much! But seeing how terrified Jia Pozi was, he felt a bit of schadenfreude, but then he also felt a sense of shared sorrow.

"Zhu Zi, don't do anything foolish!" the third uncle quickly added, "Vigilante justice will land you in jail!"

These words brought Granny Jia back to her senses. With a ferocious expression, she lunged at Sha Zhu: "You heartless bastard! You want me dead?! I'll fight you to the death!" The bystanders quickly stopped her, and Sha Zhu took a few steps back to avoid provoking the madwoman.

"Oh, so you know you'll go to jail?" Sha Zhu grinned, sweeping his gaze across the crowd. "Since you know it's illegal, why not call the police instead of waiting until the New Year?"

The words "call the police" were like a bucket of ice water. Granny Jia nearly fainted with a gasp. This bastard was going to dig up the Jia family's ancestral graves! Qin Huairu cursed in a trembling voice, "Zhuzi, how cruel you are!" Banggeng also changed his tune: "I don't want the police! I don't want..."

Everyone was on edge. Wouldn't calling the police expose everything? The second and third uncles were anxious: "Don't call the police!" The eldest uncle also disagreed; he still had his pride! If this matter went to the police station, where would he put his face as the eldest uncle in the courtyard?

"Hey guys," Sha Zhu shrugged, "You're the ones who said 'teach children a lesson,' and now I'm doing it, but this won't work and that won't work either?" He raised his chin, "Why don't you do it?"

Who dares to come? Sha Zhu's eyes were blank and unfocused; he was clearly about to do something reckless!

"I think we should call the police," Xu Damao chimed in, eager to stir things up. He didn't want to let Sha Zhu get away with it, but he couldn't resist getting involved in such a commotion. "The last time Jianye's family did it too leniently! A grandmother teaching her grandson to steal, and all you get is an apology for something worth a few dollars? That's Jianye's magnanimity! But they didn't appreciate it!"

There are no secrets in the courtyard; everyone hears Granny Jia's cursing and swearing during the day. Xu Damao continued to fan the flames: "Only this child dares to be so brazen, sneaking into Sha Zhu's house again every few days..."

"You little bastard, call out again!" Sha Zhu raised his hand and walked forward, looking ready to strike.

"Pillar, Pillar, I was wrong, I was wrong!"

Xu Damao retreated repeatedly, forcing a smile: "I just blurted it out, it just slipped out, I really didn't mean it. I apologize, I apologize to you, okay?"

He didn't want to argue with Sha Zhu right now; the men in the courtyard, young and old, were waiting for him to "take charge"! It was rare to see so many people sitting quietly and listening to him speak, and Xu Damao was extremely proud: This time, we men really showed off!

"Zhu Zi, Da Mao has already apologized to you, so let him off this time." An old man spoke up, and Sha Zhu stopped. He was too lazy to waste words with this bastard; business was more important.

An old man raised his hand: "Da Mao, you continue."

"Hey!" Xu Damao stood in the middle, spitting as he spoke, "It's only been a few days, and he's already touching Zhu Zi's room? He's been spoiled rotten! Since his family can't teach him properly, then..."

Before she could finish speaking, a claw swooped down on her face. Granny Jia, like a vengeful demon, lunged forward, her face contorted in a ferocious grimace, yelling, "I'll tear your mouth apart! You despicable wretch..."

"Ouch, you damn old hag!" Xu Damao quickly dodged, shoving him back. "I'll teach you to curse again! Today, neither of us will get away with this, you shameless bastard... Call the police! I'm calling the police!"

The courtyard instantly descended into chaos. Yingzi, who was watching from the doorway, was filled with anxiety and wanted to step in to break up the fight, but Yang Jianye poked his head out from next door: "Yingzi, sit still, no one will die."

Aside from Sha Zhu, few in the courtyard could handle Granny Jia and Xu Damao's fighting prowess. Letting them fight would calm things down for a couple of days. Second Uncle? He's strong, but he wants to be a "cadre"—he wouldn't stoop to the level of a shrew.

"Mom!" Qin Huairu quickly stepped forward to stop them, and while the two were huddled together, she kicked Xu Damao twice. "Mom, stop it!"

After finally managing to pull the person away, Xu Damao's legs and waist were covered in shoe prints, and his face was even worse, with several finger-length cuts, blood gushing out, truly disfigured.

"You old hag, this isn't over!" Xu Damao touched his face with his fingertip, wincing in pain. "Call the police! I'm not letting this go today! You old hag, you just wait and see!"

"Pah! You despicable, heartless bastard, who are you calling 'old woman'?" Granny Jia cursed, hands on her hips. "I think you're the one who needs discipline. Let Old Xu take you back and give you a good talking to!"

Xu Damao straightened up, pointed at her, and said sternly, "Watch your tongue! Don't you know what kind of person your own grandson is?" He glanced at Qin Huairu, grinned, and said, "And there's a big thief here too! Oh my god!"

Before he could finish speaking, he covered his face, bent over, and squatted down. His expression was so dramatic that it aggravated his wound. "Karma, sigh!"

"Enough!" An old man slammed his hand on the table, which bounced with a loud bang. To be honest, things from that era were really sturdy. Nowadays, which table could withstand such daily abuse? It was made of ordinary wood, and its only advantage was that it was of high quality and genuine.

"Haven't you made enough of a scene? Aunt Zhang, look at the scratches Xu Damao has done! How is he supposed to face anyone now?" An old man pointed at Xu Damao, his tone stern. "Apologize right now and take him to the hospital! If this leaves a scar, how will he find a wife?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao broke out in a cold sweat. Indeed! He hadn't even married his wife yet, and her face was already scratched like this—Granny Jia was ruthless! He glared at Granny Jia, his eyes red and menacing: "Fine, you're something else! If this scar stays on my face..." His gaze shifted to Banggeng, "Just you wait! The Jia family will never have a peaceful life again!"

With a sudden flick of his wrist, he pushed through the crowd and walked out.

"Pah! Who are you trying to scare! Do you think I'm afraid of you..." Granny Jia put her hands on her hips and tilted her head back, looking like she was "not afraid of anything."

"Da Mao, Da Mao, wait a minute, listen to me..." Qin Huairu was anxious and tried to call out to him, but Xu Da Mao completely ignored her. All he could think about was getting to the hospital quickly, to avoid scarring, otherwise...

The hatred in Xu Damao's eyes was far more than just a minor squabble between neighbors.

"Hey Mom, why are you scratching someone's face?" Unable to stop Xu Damao, Qin Huairu vented all her panic on Granny Jia.

But this only made Granny Jia more displeased: "Hey, I've been wondering all along!" She grinned, her triangular eyes narrowing into slits, looking extremely vicious. "Whose wife are you, Qin Huairu? Which side are you on? Which side are you leaning towards?"

Qin Huairu stamped her foot anxiously: "Mom, didn't you see Da Mao's expression? He's got his eye on our Bang Geng! If you scratch him like that and he gets disfigured, he's got a heart of stone and is capable of anything!"

But how could she say that in front of everyone?

"Da Mao's face looks pretty bad; he might really be scarred! The system has matched you with the Infinite Heavens category. Click to view details." "A young, unmarried man, he's doomed!" "What girl would want to marry someone with a face full of scars?"

Someone in the courtyard was speaking in a strange and sarcastic tone. Qin Huairu stood there, feeling utterly alone. Her mother-in-law, whom she could rely on, treated her like a thief every day; her son was young and had been raised to cause trouble by his mother; and her simple-minded son, Sha Zhu, was cold-hearted. Looking around, a wave of sorrow washed over her, and her vision went black as she fainted.

"Oh dear, Widow Qin has fainted!"

"Pinch the philtrum! Quickly pinch the philtrum, use some force!"

"Quick, quick, hold her up, don't let her fall!"

"Have her lie down first, and find a mat!"

"Did she faint from a sudden surge of anger?"

"Make way! Don't crowd so tightly, let people breathe!"

"Didn't you hear me? Move aside, move aside, don't join in the fun!"

The old man snapped open his fan, shooing away the crowd that had gathered around him. He then turned and gently fanned Qin Huairu, who was lying on the ground, with the fan's surface. To be honest, this widow... was quite a sight to behold.

Qin Huairu had no desire to wake up and planned to pretend to be asleep. Today's events had caused quite a stir; first Sha Zhu, then Xu Damao—two of the most formidable figures in the courtyard—she'd offended them both. She was completely flustered and had no idea what to do!

But she didn't know who had pinched her so hard, her philtrum was almost swollen. Qin Huairu thought to herself, if she didn't open her eyes soon, her mouth would be poked into a walnut.

"Ouch, it hurts!" She finally couldn't hold on any longer, exhaled, and opened her eyes.

Seeing that she was awake, everyone in the courtyard finally breathed a sigh of relief. Whether they were there to sympathize or just to watch the spectacle, no one really wanted anything to happen. If nothing happened, it was a good time; if something did happen, it was just trouble.

"Nonsense! Absolutely nonsense!" An old man was so angry that he was blowing his beard and glaring. Just a few peanuts had caused such a commotion. Everyone felt that today was particularly unlucky, nothing went right, and everything was in chaos.

"Uncle, everyone's tired after all this commotion, why don't we call it a day?" someone tried to smooth things over, saying they had to get up early for work the next day.

"Don't do that." Sha Zhu raised his hand to stop him. "I know everyone is tired, but we still need to take two more minutes. I need to make things clear first." He turned to Qin Huairu and said, "Widow Qin, I won't make things difficult for you, a widow, or for the children."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in surprise. Qin Huairu was also stunned. She had originally planned to pretend to faint, but Sha Zhu did not play by the rules.

"So what do you want?" A glint flashed in her eyes. Could it be that Sha Zhu still had feelings for her? She had been upset by her mother-in-law before, but now that her anger had subsided, were the good days back?

Sha Zhu didn't mean it that way, and said, "Bang Geng is just a child after all. What bad intentions could a child have? But children are all taught by adults!"

He turned to the second uncle: "Second uncle, if your child steals something..."

Uncle Er jumped up, slammed his fist on the table, and roared, "He wouldn't dare! I'll break his legs, and he'll be bedridden from now on!" This wasn't an exaggeration. With his family's reputation, anyone who dared to steal a chicken or dog would have their legs broken, not even the eldest son, Liu Guangrong. Hoping to bring honor to the family and achieve glory, he did this? His crime was compounded—both legs would be broken! However, Uncle Er had a way of dealing with his eldest son. He gave him whatever he wanted, fearing he might have this problem. With plenty of food and clothing, why would he steal?

Sha Zhu then looked at the Third Uncle, who, without him needing to speak, said directly, "No family can have something like this! This is a matter of morality and character, a bottom line, a legal line! Whoever crosses it, I, Yan Bugui, will not have children like them!"

"Good!" Sha Zhu clapped his hands, which drew eye rolls from the crowd. They were just talking about the matter at hand, why were they praising him like a monkey show?

"It's thanks to the two old men's discipline that this petty theft problem hasn't arisen in our family," Sha Zhu pointed at Granny Jia. "But Aunt Zhang is different! Knowing her grandson steals, she even changes her tune to 'take'," he deliberately raised his voice, "not only does she not stop him, but she encourages Banggeng to steal from Jianye's house, telling him to only take milk candy, not anything expensive! A grandmother teaching her child to steal—isn't he just a thief? She's ruined this child!"

Sha Zhu grew angrier as he spoke, his true feelings finally showing. He had changed, but his core nature remained the same. He used to think it was no big deal if the child was hungry and craving something, but once he regained his senses and observed Jianye's words and actions, and how other people raised their children, he realized that he wasn't doing it for the child's good at all. He was clearly pushing Jia Pozi into a fire pit! And yet, he had previously thought he was being worthy of Old Uncle Jia's kindness from previous years... What a complete fool!

Granny Jia trembled with rage. This scoundrel actually dared to make a move on her! Well, Sha Zhu's got some nerve, isn't he? He's going to kick her out so he can get together with that slut Qin Huairu?

"You idiot Zhu, you shameless bastard..." She grinned, about to start cursing.

"Shut up!" Sha Zhu roared, his eyes wide. Jia Pozi was startled and trembled, unable to speak.

"You're the one who caused so much trouble in this courtyard! Everyone, tell me!" Sha Zhu pointed at her. "Since Brother Jia left, has there ever been a moment of peace in this courtyard?"

"Zhu Zi is right! There's been no peace since Dong Xu left. Before, Dong Xu was there to keep an eye on things, but now things are completely ruined!"

"Burnt? I think it's burnt!"

Everyone chimed in, getting more and more excited. Finally, Granny Jia couldn't hold back any longer and burst out cursing, "You're talking nonsense! I'm only doing this for my grandson's own good! You all can't stand to see our family doing well! There's not a single good person in this courtyard, they're all heartless..."

"Banggeng! You big rascal! Come here to Grandma!" She shouted, looking for her grandson, but Banggeng was so frightened by her crazy appearance that he backed away. This child was really scared today.

Chop off my hand... Call the police...

Granny Jia was like a madwoman, pacing around the yard with a face full of resentment and malice. Bang Geng used to think his grandmother was kind and gentle, but today he realized she was like a ghost, terrifying just to look at!

Looking around erratically, Banggeng's eyes locked onto Qin Huairu in the distance. He scrambled up against the wall and ran towards her, throwing himself into his mother's arms: "Mom, I'm scared!"

Bang Geng's "filial piety is powerful" really benefited Granny Jia. She watched helplessly as her eldest grandson avoided her like the plague, his feet feeling like they were stepping on cotton, and he stumbled and fell to the ground.

All around, pairs of eyes were like shards of ice, even Qin Huairu stood with her arms crossed, watching coldly. Granny Jia seemed to see a burning hope in her eyes; this was a life she'd probably dreamed of eight hundred times!

"Widow Qin, do you think what Zhu Zi said makes sense?" The old man had figured things out. Today, Sha Zhu Zi wasn't targeting Qin Huai Ru, nor Bang Geng; he was targeting Granny Jia from the very beginning. As for his intentions? He wanted to kick her out of the courtyard!

Second Uncle didn't have that kind of insight; he just thought that Sha Zhu wanted to teach this old woman a lesson. How could he teach his grandson to steal? He really deserved to be disciplined!

The old man, on the other hand, was calmly fanning himself on the day of Lidong (the beginning of winter), looking completely at ease. Had he drunk too much fake alcohol and messed up his brain?

"I'll listen to the three elders." Qin Huairu was so shrewd! She knew this was a rare opportunity, but she was afraid of saying too much and giving others cause for gossip, so she simply passed the buck to the three elders. Aren't you three the highly respected "judges" in the courtyard? I'll listen to you completely, that can't be wrong, right?

My heart was pounding as if I were getting into bed at night back when Dongxu was still alive.

"Zhu Zi, what do you think?" The old man's eyes were complicated. Sha Zhu didn't make things difficult for Qin Huairu and Bang Geng, he was a decent Zhu Zi; but the fact that he came for Jia Pozi made the old man wonder: We're all half-buried in the ground, what if I make a mistake one day and end up like this too?

"If you ask me, we should just send her back to the countryside." Sha Zhu waved his hand, his face full of impatience. That old hag should have been sent away long ago! He glanced at Qin Huairu as if possessed, and met her foxy eyes. He almost fell for them, but quickly pinched his thigh and turned his head away. Life had just started to look up; he couldn't afford to fall into another trap!

Qin Huairu felt like she'd swallowed a bitter pill: "You heartless bastard!" But in reality, Sha Zhu had only touched the back of her hand and didn't dare to pull her closer. In Qin Huairu's eyes, he was the unfaithful man; if Sha Zhu knew, he'd cry out, "Sir, I really didn't!"

Granny Jia collapsed to the ground, staring intently at Qin Huairu, her teeth itching with hatred. Looking at her eldest grandson hiding in his mother's arms, her heart turned as cold as an icebox. She had treated this only son of the Jia family with utmost sincerity, indulging in everything as long as it didn't cost her money, and what had she received in return? Her grandson wouldn't even look at her with disdain!

She knew perfectly well that she had offended everyone in the courtyard, and if she spoke again, she would only be disliked. She might as well wait for the three old men to speak. But she was also determined that if anyone dared to mention "going back to the countryside," she would kowtow to the edge of the stage and see who dared to force her!

"I agree!" Xu Damao came in with bandages on his face, looking disheveled, but no one laughed at him. Everyone was waiting for Granny Jia to make a scene!

"I agree to send her back to the countryside; the yard should be quiet now." Xu Damao's face was dark, his eyes even more ruthless than Granny Jia's. The doctor said he might have a scar, and the thought made him even more vicious. For the first time today, he felt that Sha Zhu had done something "humane"—that old hag should have been gotten rid of long ago!

An old man glanced at the crowd and made up his mind: "Such a big matter can't be decided in a single sentence. Same as always, vote!"

The second and third uncles nodded: "Okay."

"Raise your hand if you agree to send Jia Zhangshi back to the countryside."

Sha Zhu was the first to raise his hand, and Xu Damao followed almost simultaneously. Then… that was it.

Who would want to offend someone so badly over something so trivial? These days, no one's a fool. Everyone has a bit of a soft spot for her. Sending such an old woman back to the countryside is ultimately something they can't bear to do.

Sha Zhu, who had his hand raised, was stunned. Why was the result different from what he had expected?