Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

"No, what are you doing? Let go!"

Sha Zhu was pulled by Zhou Feng and almost lost his balance. He turned his head, glared, and clenched his fist.

But when he glanced at Ran Qiuye, who was standing to the side looking somewhat lost, it was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. His fighting spirit instantly dissipated, and he awkwardly loosened his fists, though his chest was still heaving.

But Zhou Feng had no intention of letting him off so easily. He glanced sideways at Sha Zhu's fist, which had just loosened and was still trembling, and a hint of sarcasm appeared on his lips.

"What's wrong, Comrade He Yuzhu? You were caught red-handed stealing by the victim, and you still want to punch someone?"

"It's a good thing I was out today. If I had caught you taking my car wheels off, it wouldn't just be stealing, it would be robbery, and that would be much worse."

"You son of a bitch..."

Sha Zhu was immediately choked, his face turning red, and the veins on his forehead bulged. However, because Ran Qiuye was present, he couldn't even finish a complete sentence.

"Old Yan, what are you yelling about in the yard? Who are you getting angry at?"

Hearing the commotion, the third aunt lifted the cotton curtain and peeked out of the house, followed by Yan Jiecheng, Yan Jiefang, and several other young boys, who also curiously gathered around.

"Who am I going to get angry with?"

When Yan Bugui saw his family members come out, he felt even more emboldened. The anger he'd been holding back for so long could no longer be contained. His finger trembled as he pointed at Sha Zhu, "Our bicycle! And that new bike that Comrade Zhou bought! Sha Zhu stole all the wheels!"

This time, Yan Bugui was really furious.

He usually treasured that old car like the back of his hand, polishing it until it gleamed, and even when he locked it, he wouldn't feel safe leaving it alone, so he would wrap it with an iron chain twice.

Imagine having a wheel snatched away like that, and even though Yi Zhonghai later helped find one back, it wasn't the original one. How could you not feel resentful?

Ran Qiuye finally understood, and looked at Yan Bugui with some embarrassment and apology: "Teacher Yan, so the wheel he was selling...it's from your family?"

The Yan family members gathered around and took a look, and immediately there was an uproar.

"Of course it's ours!"

"Good heavens, it turns out it was idiot Zhu who stole the wheel!"

"This is outrageous! How could such a scoundrel emerge from our compound!"

"Exactly! They act all high and mighty in public, but behind your back they're doing these petty thefts!"

...

Listening to the conversations of the Yan family members, Ran Qiuye felt embarrassed and wished she could disappear into the ground.

She had been praising Sha Zhu's good character and kind heart while she was at the Jia family's house, but as soon as she left the Jia family's house, before she even left the courtyard, she caused this mess!

Isn't this a slap in the face for her?

How can she, as a teacher, put her face down?

Looking at Sha Zhu, who was being dragged along by Zhou Feng and still stubbornly shouting, the goodwill that had arisen in her heart during the home visit vanished instantly.

"This...it's true what they say, you can judge a book by its cover. He looks so slick and polished, how could he be such a scoundrel!"

"Hey? Teacher Ran! You can't say that!"

When Sha Zhu heard Ran Qiuye's evaluation of him, he was even more anxious than when Zhou Feng grabbed him by the collar. His eyes widened, and he didn't care about Zhou Feng anymore. He started yelling at her.

"There's a reason for this! I... I delivered some things to Uncle San and asked him to introduce you to me! He accepted the things, but he didn't do anything about it! I'm just teaching him a lesson! To make him remember!"

Zhou Feng noticed Sha Zhu's menacing appearance, which made Ran Qiuye unconsciously shrink back.

He simply moved to the side, completely blocking Ran Qiuye and Sha Zhu, separating the two, before slowly speaking.

"Teach the Third Master a lesson? Then tell me, what about me? Did I also accept your gifts? Did I also promise to introduce you to young ladies?"

"You? You conspired with Third Uncle! You two are in cahoots, neither of you are good people! You teamed up to fool me!"

Sha Zhu got carried away, pointing at Zhou Feng and shouting at the same volume.

"Oh, so we're not good people, so you, the 'good person,' steal our tires to sell for money, right?"

Zhou Feng's tone remained calm. This is the most basic logic of arguing: no matter what emotions the other person is in or how agitated they are, you should keep a calm mind. The one who will break down will be the other person.

"I...I just wanted to teach you a lesson! To let you know that I, He Yuzhu, am not someone to be fooled!"

Sha Zhu became even more agitated by Zhou Feng's calm yet sarcastic tone.

Zhou Feng nodded, as if accepting this statement, but then immediately changed the subject.

"Then may I ask this 'not easily fooled' comrade, where did you go with the money you got from selling the cart wheels? Did you use it to pay for the tuition for Widow Qin's child?"

"You've already spent all the money on your godson's tuition, why are you still here trying so hard to get to know Teacher Ran?"

"You son of a bitch...you're talking nonsense! We're neighbors, let's help each other out! We're just neighbors!"

Although the words were spoken calmly, they really hit a nerve with Sha Zhu. He gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Zhou Feng, looking as if he wanted to rush up and bite him.