Courtyard House: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick

Cola Novels: This is where dreams begin, and where dreams come true.

Urged on by Xu Damao's father, the four of them arrived at the door of Shazhu's house but did not dare to go in rashly.

An elderly man named Yi Zhonghai spoke first, his voice still as loud and clear as ever: "Zhu Zi, are you home?"

From the moment he decided to rely on Sha Zhu, he never called him "Sha Zhu" again, always calling him "Zhu Zi"—in this respect, he was better than the others in the courtyard.

"Hey, good heavens!" Sha Zhu lifted the curtain and peeked out cheerfully. "What are you old folks doing blocking my door today?"

"I need to talk to you about something. Are you free?" Yi Zhonghai ushered him inside.

"What are you busy with? Come on in!" Sha Zhu grabbed a broom and swept the edge of the kang (heated brick bed). "Sit down, everyone, have some water!"

Everyone sat down, and hot water was poured. Sha Zhu held his teacup silently, waiting for them to speak.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, and seeing the two of them picking at their nails, he had no choice but to say it himself: "You know about Xu Damao's matter, right?"

"I heard about it," Sha Zhu clicked his tongue, "and when I got back my wife said he got arrested for being a hooligan in public!" Even though Xu Damao's father was sitting right across from him, he still sounded cheerful.

From the moment he saw these people, he knew perfectly well—they were there for Xu Damao. After serving as the head of security for a few months, and now promoted to deputy factory director, his perspective had changed. People, once they've been in a high position for a while, even a blockhead can develop some humanity. The current Sha Zhu was no longer the naive young man who used to be flipping the ladle in the canteen.

"I came here today for this very matter," Yi Zhonghai nodded.

"Uncle, let's get this straight first," Sha Zhu slammed his teacup on the table. "Everything else is negotiable, but I can't handle Xu Damao's matter."

"It's not that I don't want to help, it's just that I really have no choice. These days, you can plead for petty theft, but public indecent assault? That's too serious, I can't say anything about it."

Yi Zhonghai sighed inwardly—he had expected this outcome. Recently, Sha Zhu had been getting close to Yang Wei, and rumors were circulating in the compound that Yang Wei had recommended Sha Zhu for the security chief position. Although they couldn't understand why Yang Wei would give such a good opportunity to Sha Zhu, the story was so convincing that everyone believed it. Now that Sha Zhu had directly refused, it was clear that it wasn't that he couldn't do it, but that he didn't want to—after all, Yang Wei had given him his current position, and he believed Sha Zhu was grateful.

Yi Zhonghai shook his head and said nothing more.

Xu Damao's father wrung his hands anxiously, "Director He, is there really no way? I'll do anything for you, even be your slave, as long as you can get Damao out!"

"It really won't work, Uncle Xu, I'm sorry." Sha Zhu still had that same smiling face.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui remained silent from the moment they entered the room until they left Shazhu's room, still without uttering a word.

Only Sha Zhu and Wu Xiuqin remained in the room. Xiuqin patted her chest and laughed, "I was so scared just now. I was afraid you would soften your heart and agree."

"When have I, Sha Zhu, ever been stupid?" Sha Zhu lit a cigarette. "Do you think I can't tell which way is closer and which way is farther? Xu Damao has stabbed Brother Yang in the back several times. If I help him, how can I face Brother Yang in the future? A person can't forget their roots."

Xiuqin tidied the table: "You know what's going on. It's getting late, close the door and go to sleep!"

Lately, whether it's because of pregnancy or something else, Xiuqin has been incredibly enthusiastic, urging him to get into bed as soon as dinner is over. Shazhu, rubbing his lower back, grinned and said, "Wife, can we take it easy? Are you treating me like a dairy cow? If this keeps up, I'll have to wean!"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Xiuqin glared. "Why weren't you so impatient before? Now that you're the deputy factory director, you look down on me?"

Sha Zhu immediately wilted and obediently closed the door and followed her into the house.

The next day, Xu Damao's father went to the police station to visit him in prison.

In the reception room, the father and son sat facing each other. Xu Damao had a black eye, and when he saw his father enter, he quickly turned his head and said, "Dad, you're here."

"What's wrong with your eyes?" His father leaned closer to look.

"I got up to use the bathroom last night and accidentally fell," Xu Damao said, his eyes darting around. "How's everything going outside? When can I leave?"

"I……"

"Just tell me!" Xu Damao said impatiently. "If Yang Wei doesn't take the bait, go find Sha Zhu! That idiot's got a soft heart; if you cry a couple of times, he'll come running to help you. He's the head of security; he definitely has connections at the station. It'll be a piece of cake for him!"

"I asked them," his father said, head drooping. "Yang Wei is cunning and won't take the bait. Sha Zhu also refused, saying he couldn't help. I asked the three old men in the courtyard, went to all of them, but he wouldn't give me the slightest face. I almost knelt down and kowtowed to him, but it was no use!"

Xu Damao's face turned deathly pale: "How could this happen? With no one to help, am I...?"

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. His legs went weak, and he slid down the chair to the ground like a boneless fish.

"Help! Someone help!" His father panicked and shouted at the top of his lungs.

The comrades rushed in and hurriedly carried him to the infirmary. After a long examination, the doctor said it was just from being frightened.

Looking at Xu Damao again, he lay on the bed with his eyes glazed over, completely devoid of energy. His father waited outside the door, his mind a complete blank, unsure of what to do next.

At this moment, the Xu father and son had completely lost hope.

After a week of development, Xu Damao's case has finally come to a conclusion.

After Xu Damao's father pleaded with her, the female colleague at the film studio finally agreed to a settlement and agreed to a lighter sentence.

In fact, when ordinary people hear the words "hooliganism," their first thought is of a man doing something indecent to a woman. But in the legal provisions at the time, the scope of this crime was far broader than imagined—it not only included insulting women, but also openly disregarding national laws and social morality, engaging in gang fights, provoking trouble, disrupting public order, and other egregious acts.

The scope is broad, and the penalties are severe. In cases of extremely egregious circumstances, the maximum penalty can be death.

In truth, Xu Damao's case didn't quite reach that level. However, the timing of his offense was extremely unfortunate—it occurred during working hours, when many people were watching. He not only insulted a woman but also allegedly disrupted public order and caused a disturbance. Therefore, even though the female colleague said she wouldn't pursue the matter further, Xu Damao was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison after a trial.

When the results came out, Xu Damao's father looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant, his energy and spirit vanishing completely. He had thought his son becoming a projectionist was a respectable job, one that would allow him to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Who would have thought it would end up like this?

He's convicted of hooliganism and sentenced to five years in prison—even if he gets out, he'll be ruined.

When Xu Damao learned the result, he collapsed to the ground and had to be carried out by two comrades. His legs were paralyzed.

After Xu Damao's matter was settled, the courtyard initially buzzed with discussion. But as time passed, the name Xu Damao, like water evaporating, slowly disappeared from everyone's conversations. No one remembered such a person anymore.

Xu Damao's father came a few more times afterward, wanting to confront Yang Wei. But Yang Wei scared him away with just one sentence, and he never dared to come back again.

"Do you want to end up like your son, spending a few years in jail?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's father immediately turned and left, not daring to say another word, for fear that he would also get involved.

Evil people will be punished by other evil people.

If you show the slightest weakness to this kind of person, they'll dare to come knocking on your door today, sit on your kang (heated brick bed) tomorrow, and eat at your stove the day after. So, you absolutely cannot give them the slightest chance.

That evening, after dinner, Yang Wei didn't go anywhere. He sat on his bed, flipping through books to broaden his knowledge and experience.

Lou Xiao'e chatted with the old lady for a while, helped her to rest, and then went back to her bedroom and closed the door.

"You mean, Xu Damao's case is over just like that?" Lou Xiao'e sat in front of the dressing table, combing her hair as she sighed. "Five years in prison, that's long enough."

"He deserved it, acting like a hooligan during work hours." Yang Wei curled his lip. "Let me tell you, it's only because the other party didn't pursue it; otherwise, he could have faced at least eight years, maybe even ten. Xu Damao should be grateful he met a kind-hearted person."

While Yang Wei was undoubtedly behind all of this, the final outcome was beyond his control. It was simply a matter of perfect timing, circumstances, and popular support converging; Xu Damao was destined to suffer this fate. Why did he have to offend Yang Wei, of all people, instead of everyone else? To say he deserved it wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"I still can't understand how a perfectly normal person could do something like that!" Lou Xiao'e put down the comb, turned to look at Yang Wei, and said, "To act like a hooligan in public like that, I really can't understand it!"

"If you can't figure it out, don't think about it. He deserved to die." Yang Wei turned a page of his book, his tone light. "Let me tell you, if I wasn't worried about the impact, I'd be happy to set off a string of firecrackers in the yard to celebrate. One of them smashed, and he dared to touch my wife."

"Oh, are you sure you're done?!" Lou Xiao'e turned and glared at him. "Everyone in the courtyard is looking at you strangely now, wondering if you're involved. If you set off firecrackers again, won't everyone assume you did it?"

Yang Wei had already explained to her that he hadn't directly intervened, but the people in the courtyard were all whispering behind her back—this matter was probably related to Yang Wei. After all, everyone knew that Yang Wei had powerful connections, and dealing with Xu Damao would be a piece of cake for him. But without evidence, everyone only dared to discuss it privately, and no one dared to ask him directly.

"The way they're looking at me isn't right? Do you think I don't know what they're thinking?" Yang Wei closed the book, sneered, "That's fine, I was just planning to renovate the courtyard house anyway."

"To avoid any more messy trouble later. Now that Zhu Zi has become the deputy factory director, even though I work in the canteen, I'm still the honorary deputy factory director. Once things calm down in a couple of days, I'll team up with Zhu Zi and replace all the people in charge of the courtyard."

Yang Wei snorted and revealed his plan.

These days, the courtyard is filled with gossipy old women. Public opinion is incredibly important. Having witnessed its power in his past life, he naturally can't let it go unchecked. Now that he has enough power and status, it's time to take action and make the courtyard his personal fiefdom. From now on, he won't have to worry about anything—just keep an eye on those few troublemakers.

"What are you going to do?" Lou Xiao'e walked up to him and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid people will talk badly about you?"

"What bad things are you saying?" Yang Wei stood up, brimming with confidence. "Not only will I change the person in charge of the courtyard, I'll also make everyone in the courtyard greet us with smiles every day. They'll have to be grateful to me from now on!"

If a courtyard house with only twenty-odd households and less than a hundred people can't manage all these people, then he has lived two lives in vain.

"Don't worry, don't you trust me?" Yang Wei put the book on the bedside table, got up to wash up, and said, "Alright, get ready to rest."

Lou Xiao'e nodded, then smiled gently, "Alright, let's get down to business then. These next few days are crucial; you might be pregnant."

Recently, Lou Xiao'e has acquired several pregnancy guides, which contain experiences with high success rates, and she has started experimenting on Yang Wei in various ways.

Yang Wei's face fell: "Wife, we can't do this! You're treating me like an animal!"

"Stop talking nonsense! Hurry up and wash up, let's get down to business!" In this matter, Lou Xiao'e had absolute authority.

Yang Wei had no choice but to dawdle as much as possible. However, Lou Xiao'e's face turned cold as she saw his movements: "If you dawdle any longer, believe me, I'll make sure you don't get any sleep tonight and have to work all night..."

Yang Wei dared not show off any longer, quickly finished washing up, and cheerfully turned off the light and went to bed.

sleep!

The night's "work" was indeed tiring, but Yang Wei still got up on time the next day to wash up, make breakfast, and wake Lou Xiao'e and the old lady. After breakfast, he went to the factory.

Life has been peaceful and uneventful lately. On Tuesdays and Fridays, I visit my grandfather, and Xue Hongmei sometimes sings a song for them in the evenings. The two of them drink a little wine, munch on peanuts, and listen quietly, finding it quite pleasant. On Wednesdays and Sundays, I cook at the home of the high-ranking official, Old Xu. Old Xu will sometimes bring out some documents or ask questions. Yang Wei, adhering to the principle of saying what he can and playing dumb about what he can't, easily handles these situations. Even so, Old Xu's regard for him is slowly increasing, and every time he mentions it—it's such a pity he's not leaving public life.

Ran Qiuye finally sent a letter last week. In it, she said she was no longer in Shandong Province, but had gone to Guangzhou with her professor for a research project. She told Yang Wei she missed him and wanted to come back, but her professor had been very kind to her, and she was too embarrassed to mention leaving, so she could only wait until the research project was finished. The letter also mentioned some things about Hong Kong—she said that during her research in Guangzhou, she saw that the local people were living in poverty, while Hong Kong across the river was a bustling metropolis, with its skyscrapers visible from afar, especially at night, brilliantly lit. She also said she wanted to visit sometime.

After reading the letter, Yang Wei immediately thought of one thing—the exodus to Hong Kong in 62. At that time, people from all walks of life tried every means to flee to Hong Kong, which even triggered policy changes in Hong Kong.

"This silly girl, she wouldn't impulsively run off to Hong Kong, would she?"

Yang Wei grew increasingly uneasy. If she really did run off, by the time he returned to Hong Kong, Ran Qiuye might already be married. Hong Kong was a paradise for the rich and a hell for the poor. Its economy appeared developed, but its growth was extremely distorted—the rich got richer, and the poor got poorer. Ten percent of the population controlled over ninety percent of the wealth, while the remaining nine fought tooth and nail for the scraps the rich didn't want.

It would be too difficult for a woman as intellectual and gentle as Ran Qiuye to gain a foothold over there.

Upon receiving the letter, Yang Wei immediately wrote back, repeatedly urging her not to risk going to Hong Kong. If conditions allowed, even if she couldn't return to Beijing, she should at least go back to Shandong Province. She absolutely mustn't act impulsively and head there.

Only now did Yang Wei truly understand the pain of underdeveloped communication. If transportation and communication were convenient, he would have loved to immediately fly to Guangzhou and explain the pros and cons to her in person. But now he could only write a letter. Furthermore, Ran Qiuye was out conducting research and he couldn't even contact her by phone, so he could only send the letter to an address she could receive. If something went wrong, this letter might never reach her.

This era, due to the backwardness of communication and transportation, has created countless tragedies—lovers unable to be together, parents dying without ever seeing their children, passing away in sorrow and without any news. And then there are those relatives separated by a river, who never saw each other again until their deaths.

Therefore, Yang Wei was genuinely afraid that Ran Qiuye might impulsively run off to Hong Kong. Even though he had planned to seek refuge and accumulate capital in Hong Kong before returning to develop his business after the domestic environment stabilized—that was five or six years from now, not now!

Thinking too much is pointless; all we can do is wait.

Time flew by, and December arrived in the blink of an eye. The entire factory began to ramp up production. Every year-end, the steel rolling mill operates at full capacity—partly to finish orders before the Spring Festival so they can take a few days off, and partly because production tasks have indeed increased. Recently, Yang Wei has been extremely busy, hosting three or four banquets every day, and also having to arrange two meals a day for everyone in the kitchen.

"Master, will you be this busy all month?" The chubby girl Han Rui leaned close to Yang Wei and asked in a low voice.

She seemed to have gained weight, noticeably rounder than when she first came to the cafeteria. But she had also become much fairer—after all, she spent every day in the kitchen, sheltered from the wind and rain, and with the good food in the kitchen, it was hard not to gain weight.

"You should lose some weight. Look how fat you've become!" Yang Wei didn't answer her question, but instead glanced at her and said.

"Oh dear, I want to lose weight too!" Han Rui exclaimed helplessly. "You have no idea, I gain three pounds just by drinking water. I really don't know what to do. Master, you're so knowledgeable, can you give me some advice?"

Some people are just naturally prone to weight gain; even if they reduce their calorie intake, they still gain weight just by drinking water.

"Half a bowl of vegetables and one steamed bun for each meal. Run to work every day, don't walk. Stick to this for a month, and you should be able to lose some weight."

Does it really work?

"Whether it works or not depends on persistence. If you only work on it sporadically, it definitely won't work. But if you can stick with it, you'll know for sure after a month."

"Okay, I'll listen to Master! What you say is absolutely right!" Han Rui nodded firmly, then looked aggrieved again, "You have no idea, because of my weight, none of the blind dates my family arranged for me were interested!"

Although she has a good job, she's so overweight that she hardly looks like a woman anymore. If a man like that is still interested in her, he's probably not a very good person.

Yang Wei nodded: "Then listen to me, hang in there. In a month, I guarantee you'll be completely transformed!"

"Yes! I believe in Master!" Han Rui smiled happily, as if she could already see herself looking beautiful after losing weight.

Yang Wei shook his head, turned to the crowd, and said, "Tonight is another big production night. We need to cook for the workers, so everyone be quick this afternoon. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go home. Alright—let's get to work!"

Cola Novels readers voted for the best novel in the multiverse of infinite realms, with "The Courtyard: The Fisherman Never Goes Airborne" ranking high!