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

"Pillar…"

Yi Zhonghai didn't need to ask anything more; he knew what was going on just by looking at Sha Zhu's expression.

Besides, they clearly stated the time, place, and shop owner, so what can they possibly deny?

"Comrade Bai Ling! Zhu Zi was just confused for a moment. We've watched him grow up; he's not a bad person at heart!"

"Besides, he's the head chef at the steel mill's canteen. If we arrest him, what will happen to the canteen workers? And... not only will we lose our 'Civilized Courtyard' designation, but he'll also lose his job at the steel mill, ruining his life!"

Even now, he's still resorting to his most familiar tactic: moral blackmail. The reputation of the courtyard, the steel mill workers, and Sha Zhu's future are all his bargaining chips.

Unfortunately, Bai Ling's expression didn't change at all as she listened to Yi Zhonghai's words.

Perhaps Yi Zhonghai could use other methods to achieve some effect, but when it comes to moral blackmail, no one can blackmail Bai Ling!

After all, if we really talk about it, she, who is on Zhou Feng's side, can morally blackmail anyone!

For example: In order to make Zhou Feng feel better and bring back more technology that will benefit the entire Dragon Kingdom, it's not a big deal for the people in your courtyard to suffer a little grievance!

"Comrade Bai Ling, that old man is right! Sha Zhu is just straightforward, he's really not a bad person! Don't take it to heart, if he does something wrong, just make him pay for it, we'll accept whatever it costs!"

Qin Huairu also stepped forward, her eyes red-rimmed as she pleaded for Sha Zhu.

She was certain that this matter had nothing to do with her own family's cooking, but she absolutely couldn't let Shazhu lose his job as a cook!

His bonus for this month has already been deducted, and the only thing his family can rely on him for is the leftovers he brings back!

If they lose his job as a cook because of this, their family will suffer a huge loss!

"It's no use telling me this; we have to see what the victim wants."

Bai Ling frowned as she looked at Zhou Feng; ultimately, it was up to him to make the decision.

What Bai Ling couldn't understand was that Zhou Feng had access to things that could affect people's livelihoods and even major events that impacted the entire Dragon Kingdom!

Why insist on getting entangled with these ordinary people in this small courtyard?

What's the point of bullying them like this, watching them get embarrassed and break down?

"In that case, let's hold a hospital-wide meeting and hear the opinions of the staff. It's too late today, though; let's hold it tomorrow morning!"

Zhou Feng shrugged indifferently.

Of course, a hospital-wide meeting should be held. If Bai Ling manages to arrest Sha Zhu, it's no problem to sentence him. But then we'll lose a huge source of emotional value.

Moreover, with this matter hanging in the balance, it would be strange if Yi Zhonghai, Sha Zhu, and Qin Huairu could sleep tonight!

The anxiety and fear caused by not being able to sleep, don't they create value for him?

Sure enough, in just one night, Zhou Feng's double-door upgrade progress had already reached 30%!

Sha Zhu, a major producer, really shouldn't be killed for short-term gains!

The next morning, a plenary meeting was held in the central courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai was genuinely afraid that things might change if things dragged on. What if Zhou Feng and the others regretted it and got someone to kidnap Sha Zhu early in the morning?

The seats were still arranged in a circle, but this time Sha Zhu was standing all alone, while Zhou Feng sat opposite Yi Zhonghai as before.

This time, instead of Liu Haizhong starting, Yi Zhonghai took the lead himself, cleared his throat, and began to speak about what he had been thinking about all night.

"The reason we're having this whole-hoc meeting so early this morning is because the most shameful thing that's ever happened in our compound! He Yuzhu, a grown man, stole bicycle wheels from Uncle San and Zhou Feng!"

A buzz of discussion immediately filled the courtyard. Although many people had heard rumors yesterday, it still carried a different weight when said by an old man himself at the meeting.

Sha Zhu kept his head down and didn't say anything. Before the college-wide meeting, Yi Zhonghai had already talked to him and explained everything that was going to happen. He told him to just stay silent for now.

"However! There was a reason for this. He Yuzhu, Zhou Feng, and Uncle San had a conflict. To err is human."

"Zhu Zi is someone we've all watched grow up; he's an old neighbor on this street, so we should give him a chance to reform! My suggestion is: first, Zhu Zi should sincerely apologize to Comrade Zhou Feng; second, he should compensate for the damage to the tires; third, he should be punished by cleaning all the toilets in the courtyard for three months! What do you all think?"

"I agree with the old man! Young people make mistakes, but it's okay to correct them!"

Liu Haizhong, unusually, raised his hand to agree with Yi Zhonghai. Recently, Zhou Feng had been causing too much trouble in this courtyard, and even as the second uncle, he couldn't control him at all!

That won't do. He can't control it, so he'll team up with Yi Zhonghai. They have to keep Zhou Feng in check!

Yan Bugui didn't say anything, after all, he had already gotten back a bicycle wheel, and his family had decided to get closer to Zhou Feng, so they were waiting for the other party to make a statement.

"This is the best way to handle it! Zhu Zi, you should quickly apologize to Comrade Zhou Feng!"

Qin Huairu quickly responded, nudging the still-head-down Sha Zhu. Jia Zhangshi pursed her lips but said nothing.

She looked down on Sha Zhu, that simpleton, but she also knew how many good things her family had gotten from him!

In an instant, everyone in the hospital focused their attention on Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu slowly raised his head, stared at Qin Huairu for two seconds, and then, as if he had completed a task, turned his head to Zhou Feng, his lips moving slightly.

"sorry."

The sound was so faint, like the buzzing of a mosquito.

Zhou Feng suddenly laughed.

It wasn't a sneer, it was a genuine laugh that I found funny.

"He Yuzhu, when you said 'I'm sorry,' were you saying it to Sister Qin or to me? It seems to me that you were really targeting her."

"What did you do wrong to her? Did you apologize because you didn't give the Jia family the money from selling the cartwheel?"

"Looks like you two are really a good match. You're not even married yet, and you're already handing over your salaries?"

Sha Zhu was stunned, and his face immediately turned bright red.

"You're talking nonsense! I'm just close to Sister Qin, so I'm helping her family out. It's not as dirty as you think!"

"Am I dirty?"

Zhou Feng's lips curled into a mocking smile. "There are plenty of struggling families in this neighborhood, why haven't I seen you help them out? Do you know why you can't find a girlfriend? It's because you're entangled with a widow. What decent girl would want to date you!"

"I'll fucking kill you!"

Sha Zhu was completely enraged and roared as he tried to charge at Zhou Feng, but when he caught a glimpse of Bai Ling beside him out of the corner of his eye and remembered what had just happened, he gritted his teeth and stopped halfway.

But Zhou Feng had no intention of letting him off the hook: "Look at you, petty thieves, hot-tempered, and you even like to pull strings for widows. The key question is, would the Jia family even tolerate you? If they did, they would have been with you all these years ago. Look at you now, you call him He Yuzhu when you need him, and Sha Zhu when you don't. Don't you understand what's going on?"

"Shut up! No personal attacks!"

Yi Zhonghai slammed his hand on the table in front of him. Zhou Feng's words were too harsh; even he couldn't take it anymore.

Xu Damao was secretly amused, and he was happy to see Sha Zhu suffer or Zhou Feng get the short end of the stick.

Now that the two of them are arguing, he's the happiest person about it.

Zhou Feng didn't even glance at Yi Zhonghai; instead, he turned to Bai Ling.

"Comrade Bai Ling, look at Comrade He Yuzhu, he's really unlucky... he's quite pitiful. I think it's fine to just throw him in jail. But this matter definitely needs to be punished severely! I'll have to trouble you to discuss with the comrades in the neighborhood committee how to punish him. I trust the organization."