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

Xu Damao's face flushed red and then turned pale, as if he had opened a dye shop.

He pointed at Sha Zhu, his fingers trembling, "You, you, you..."

"What do you mean, 'what do I mean'?" Sha Zhu shrugged. "I already apologized, what more do you want? How about you apologize to me, and I'll learn from you?"

"He Yuzhu!" Liu Haizhong finally found a chance to speak. "You've gone too far! Is this an apology? This is sarcasm, ridicule, and an attack on revolutionary cadres!"

Sha Zhu tilted his head and looked at him: "Uncle, you're really good at putting on this label. Let me ask you something, who approved this title of 'revolutionary cadre' for you? The neighborhood committee? Do they know how capable you are of using someone else's influence to bully others?"

Liu Haizhong opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

Whether it was the second uncle before or the first uncle now, frankly speaking, they were all nominated by the courtyard itself, and the street office didn't even register them.

To put it nicely, it's called community self-governance; to put it bluntly, it's just a few old men appointing themselves officials.

Seeing that he had also fallen silent, Sha Zhu scoffed and turned to leave.

"Stop!" Xu Damao shouted again, oblivious to the danger. "Shazhu, don't go! I haven't settled the score with you for kicking me earlier!"

Sha Zhu stopped, turned around, and squinted at him.

"What are you trying to settle with me for? You were trying to take my things, what if you've dropped or broken them? Are you going to pay for them? What if people ask and say that Xu Damao was kicked by me, He Yuzhu? Why? What will you say? That you stole my things in the street?"

"I was... I was on official duty!" Xu Damao argued illogically. "I'm a leader in the institute; I have the right to inspect suspicious items!"

"Get out of here! Who do you think you are, a leader of no caliber? What can you possibly find out? Is there a spy or a bomb hidden in my suitcase?"

"you--"

"Alright, alright." Sha Zhu waved his hand. "Xu Damao, let me tell you the truth. You be your boss, I'll live my life, and we'll keep to ourselves. If you insist on causing trouble, don't blame me for being impolite."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

After he met that big leader, got his hands on a phonograph, and started listening to Tchaikovsky, Sha Zhu had already begun to see himself in a different light.

They're at least not on the same level as Sha Mao and his ilk.

Zhou Feng watched from inside the house and couldn't stop laughing.

He was all too familiar with Sha Zhu's slang.

Although it's different from the TV series, it seems like the criticism is even harsher.

"That silly Zhu, he really has a sharp tongue." Bai Ling shook her head with a smile.

"Absolutely." Qin Jingru covered her mouth and laughed. "Look at Xu Damao's face, it's as red as a pig's liver."

Zhou Feng didn't respond; his attention was entirely focused on his Shuangchuan Sect.

During the few minutes that Sha Zhu was arguing with people, the progress bar was visibly creeping forward.

Even though Sha Zhu has already left, the progress bar continues to rise as Liu Haizhong and the other two chirp crickets.

With 99% complete by now, Zhou Feng's heart had been racing for several minutes.

He couldn't help but stand up, walk to the door, and prepare to push it open and leave.

This matter needs to be set off immediately and resolved!

Neither Bai Ling nor Qin Jingru noticed his unusual behavior; the two were still discussing what was happening in the courtyard.

"Do you think Xu Damao can swallow this?" Qin Jingru asked.

"He has to swallow it even if he can't," Bai Ling said. "He can't beat Sha Zhu, and he can't win a lawsuit. What else can he do but endure it?"

"What about Liu Haizhong? He's a grown man now, do you think he can just let this go?"

Bai Ling thought for a moment: "Liu Haizhong is a proud man, but he's not very brave. If he were smart, he would have backed down early. But if he were smart, he wouldn't be trying to take the lead at this crucial moment."

Qin Jingru nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

After arriving in the city, she felt like her brain wasn't working properly anymore.

Whether it's Aunt Jia from the Zhongyuan Courtyard or Bai Ling by Zhou Feng's side, they both think much more comprehensively than her.

Compared to these people, Qin Jingru felt like she was a complete idiot.

Just as Zhou Feng was about to leave, Sha Zhu from the Intermediate People's Court came out again with an enamel basin.

There were towels in the basin, and water had been prepared in the middle courtyard; it looked like they were going to wash their faces.

Xu Damao glanced over there through the passageway from the front yard, his lips moved, but he didn't say anything.

Liu Haizhong, who was preparing to go home from the front yard, silently walked over and said, "Shazhu! Your behavior just now was very inappropriate. As the oldest resident of the compound, I am formally informing you that there will be a general meeting for the entire compound tomorrow, and you will have to make a self-criticism at the meeting."

After saying that, he walked straight past Sha Zhu, not giving Sha Zhu a chance to retort.

Having been the second-in-command for so many years, Liu Haizhong has finally been promoted to the first-in-command. How could he not hold a hospital-wide meeting to reward himself?

Sha Zhu chuckled, then raised his voice: "Alright, go ahead and start. I'll reflect on why I didn't kick Xu Damao into a eunuch. Anyway, he's married and has no kids, so he's useless."

Xu Damao's face turned pale instantly, and he felt like he was about to grind his back teeth to powder, but he still didn't have the courage to confront that strong and burly Sha Zhu.

The whole hospital erupted in laughter again.

Liu Haizhong suddenly turned around and glared at Sha Zhu: "He Yuzhu! Don't be so arrogant!"

"How am I arrogant?" Sha Zhu looked completely innocent. "I was just telling the truth. A self-criticism is just about saying what's on your mind, right? You asked me to do a self-criticism, so I'll do it properly, isn't that enough?"

"you--!"

"What do you mean 'you'? Hurry up and go home!"

Sha Zhu ignored him, turned on the tap, filled a basin with water, and hummed a little tune as he did so.

He's really happy today.

Not only did he get the phonograph and records from the big boss, but he also took a jab at the three people he hated most in the compound.

There is actually another one, but he is still too afraid to provoke that one, as if he has developed a psychological trauma from it.

Seeing that everyone in the courtyard had left, Zhou Feng sighed.

The progress was still 99%, but he really couldn't find any opportunities to stir up trouble.

Sha Zhu has already provoked the three of them so badly; if he were to go out and stir things up again, a fight might break out.

That would be difficult to handle. But right now, we're just one step away from success, so we have to push him to the limit!

Just as Zhou Feng was still hesitating about how to handle the matter, his gaze suddenly fell upon a figure appearing at the hanging flower gate.

Isn't that Yu Li?

Zhou Feng pursed his lips, glanced back at Bai Ling and Qin Jingru, and then opened the door and went out.

It's just like the tactics used by Pinduoduo in later generations.

The progress has already reached 99% in half a day, and it will definitely reach 100% soon. At this point, even if it requires paying a higher price, he can't wait any longer.

Yan Jiecheng has gone crazy these past two days.

It's not true madness, it's just a feeling of tightness in my chest, like a huge rock is pressing down on me, making it hard to even breathe.

Ever since Yu Li entered that hatchery and breeding farm, she's been like a completely different person.

Before, although I looked down on him for not having a job, I at least gave him some face and didn't say anything too harsh. Now, though, I don't even give him a second glance.

Eating? We eat at the factory.

Come back? He immediately went to sleep.

Forget about touching her, even if I just want to say a word to her, she finds it annoying.

"Stay away from me, you smell rotten."

Yu Li said that yesterday, and then she waved her hand in front of her nose. Her disgusted look almost made Yan Jiecheng hit her!

With nothing much happening at the factory these past few days, Yu Li has felt much more relaxed.

Yan Jiecheng had been thinking that this time there should be an opportunity, right?

Have a good talk with your wife, chat about everyday things, and if that doesn't work... well, you know, couples always make up after a fight.

The results of it?

Yu Li didn't give him a chance at all.

As soon as Yan Jiecheng got up in the morning, Yu Li took the washbasin and went out, not even eating with him.

When I get home from get off work in the evening, it will be even more amazing.

He would stroll around the hanging flower gate whenever he had free time, back and forth, like he was on patrol.

Walk from the front yard to the hanging flower gate, then walk back, then walk past it again.

A few days ago, Yan Jiecheng peered out the window countless times, her eyes practically popping out of their sockets, her gaze constantly drifting towards Zhou Feng's room!

He is not a fool.

He knew perfectly well what his wife's look meant.

But what could he do?

Who is Zhou Feng?

He was someone even the neighborhood committee fawned over. His factory distributed chickens to all the people in the city, and even people like Sha Zhu avoided him.

Who does Yan Jiecheng count for?

No job, no money, no skills, what do you have to compare with others?

Now Yu Li is standing at the hanging flower gate again, and Yan Jiecheng, who also wants to see the excitement, follows her.

She wore a floral blouse, her hair was neatly combed, and she had applied some face cream, giving off a pleasant fragrance that could be smelled from afar.

Yan Jiecheng followed behind, his face ashen.

They've been married for so long, and Yu Li has never dressed herself up like this before!

I finally dressed up nicely, but it had nothing to do with him. I'm so pissed off!

"Yu Li".

Seeing that the three people in the courtyard had finished their conversation, Yan Jiecheng lowered his voice and called out softly.

Yu Li didn't even look at him; her gaze remained fixed on the courtyard.

Fuck!

Yan Jiecheng cursed inwardly, but still took a deep breath: "Can't we talk this out? You've been ignoring me these past few days, and I'm getting impatient..."

"I'm not worried about anything," Yu Li interrupted him. "Have you found a job yet?"

Yan Jiecheng was taken aback: "Not...not yet..."

"What else is there to say? A grown man like you should go out and find a job to earn money instead of just whining at home all day."

Yu Li curled her lips, and the disdain in her expression and tone was almost overflowing.

This immediately made Yan Jiecheng's face turn bright red: "I'm looking for work, aren't I? I went to the new factory that was hiring, but they didn't want me. What could I do?"

"Why don't they want you?" Yu Li looked at him. "Don't you know why? You've been cheating and shirking responsibility! The neighborhood committee remembers it! Now you're worried? Where were you before?"

"No, this isn't over yet, is it? Let me tell you, I've been watching you these past few days, you..."

The two were arguing when Zhou Feng's door suddenly opened.

Zhou Feng came out of the house.

Yu Li's eyes lit up instantly.

In an instant, the person's entire spirit and energy changed.

Just a moment ago she was so angry her face turned red, but now the corners of her mouth are upturned, her eyes are curved, and she's smiling like a flower.

"Comrade Zhou Feng!" Yu Li's voice was eight degrees sweeter as she shook off Yan Jiecheng and went to greet Zhou Feng.

Yan Jiecheng stood there, his face as green as chives.

His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails were almost digging into his flesh.

"Comrade Zhou Feng, it's good to see you here." Yu Li walked up to Zhou Feng, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, but full of warmth. "There have been some changes at the factory these past few days, shall I tell you about them?"

Zhou Feng glanced at her and nodded seriously: "Okay, go ahead."

Yu Li stood there and recounted everything that had happened at the factory.

What? There's no work to do at the factory lately...

What? The cook and a female worker in the cafeteria got into an argument…

What? The deputy political commissar who had a conflict with Zhou Feng before is acting arrogantly again...

He described everything in great detail, down to the smallest detail.

Zhou Feng listened, occasionally humming in agreement or nodding, appearing quite casual.

But Yu Li didn't care.

As she spoke, she started to laugh, her eyes crinkling and the corners of her mouth turning up, looking like a young girl who had just met her sweetheart.

Yan Jiecheng watched from behind, feeling as if a fire was burning inside him.

What has been Yu Li's attitude towards him these past few days?

Cold and indifferent.

When he initiates conversation, people find it annoying; when he gets close, people move away.

Don't even joke about it, you didn't even give me a friendly look.

But what about Zhou Feng?

She smiled sweetly and couldn't stop laughing.

What the hell is going on?

Yan Jiecheng wanted to rush forward, to pull Yu Li back, and to point his finger at Zhou Feng and give him a piece of his mind.

But it was as if his feet were rooted to the ground, and he couldn't take another step.

He's scared!

While Zhou Feng was talking to Yu Li, his attention was actually still on Yan Jiecheng.

Given that guy's current state, anyone else would probably have already thrown a punch.

The emotional value provided is definitely high!

This kind of stimulation is probably almost as intense as what Xu Damao experienced earlier.

Finally, to Zhou Feng's expectant gaze, the progress bar for the pair of eyes passing through the door jumped again, becoming 100%!

hiss--

In this situation, Zhou Feng had no intention of being polite and diplomatic with Yu Li; he only wanted to get back and upgrade his double-penetration gate as soon as possible.

Yu Li's eyes were sharp, and she instantly noticed the change in Zhou Feng's emotions. Then she smiled sweetly and said, "Comrade Zhou Feng, if you have something to do, please go ahead and do it. I won't bother you any longer."

He then turned and walked back.

As she passed by Yan Jiecheng, the smile on her face vanished instantly, as if she had changed her expression, and she reverted to her previous indifferent demeanor.

"you…"

Yan Jiecheng was furious. His lips trembled for a long time before he finally managed to utter a single sentence.

But before he could finish speaking, Yu Li gave him a cold glance: "If you have something to say, go back and talk to me. Don't keep rambling on here."

After saying that, she walked past Yan Jiecheng without looking back.

Only Yan Jiecheng remained standing there, his face flushed red, then pale, then green, gritting his teeth, unsure of what to say.

"Hehehe, it's 100%! Let me see what new features are included!"