I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

Old Li was terrified by the two men's coordinated attack; his face turned deathly pale, and he waved his hands frantically, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "No, no, leaders, I really didn't mean that!"

"So what do you mean? You told your daughter's boyfriend that you were forced by the housing management office. I'm asking you, how exactly did they force you? Did they physically assault you, or did they verbally threaten you?" Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang leaned forward, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he pressed on with his questions.

"No, no. But exchanging houses really wasn't my choice. How could I be so stupid as to trade a big house for a small one? That house..." Old Li tried desperately to explain, but in the dead of winter, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it off.

"Oh? You say you were unwilling, then why did you sign it in the first place? Since no one forced you, and there was no actual coercion, you signed it and then went back on your word. How can I believe you based on your empty words? Let me tell you, framing a state official and going against state policy are serious crimes!" Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang spoke each word with a heavy tone, like a hammer striking Old Li's heart.

"I...I..." Old Li's face turned bright red, like a boiled shrimp. He was panicked and regretful, thinking to himself that he was completely finished. He shouldn't have let his daughter get involved in this. He had really been a show-off and tried to take the lead... He wished he could slap himself twice on the spot.

Don't you know your own family's background and social class?

"Hey, just tell us the whole story, and we won't deliberately make things difficult for you. After all, Comrade Xie works at our procuratorate. Although he's only recently transferred here, we have a good relationship with his colleagues, so I'll definitely give him face. I don't want him to get a disciplinary action at such a young age; he has a long road ahead of him. Besides, you don't want your daughter to fall out with Comrade Xie because of this, do you? Think it through and tell me the truth honestly." Deputy Procurator Huang's face broke into a smile again as he patiently coaxed Old Li, his tone seemingly gentle but carrying an undeniable pressure. He crossed his legs and casually flicked his cigarette ash.

"I...I...Boss, I was wrong. I'm getting senile. Nobody forced me. I moved to this house voluntarily." Old Li seemed to have all his strength drained away. His shoulders slumped, and he said weakly.

"That's right. To tell you the truth, out of respect for Xie Hui, we haven't officially filed a case or gone through the legal process yet. As long as you admit your mistake now, we can definitely turn a big problem into a small one and a small one into nothing. Did you regret it afterward and want to ask for compensation, so you made up the lie that you were forced?" Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang had an expression that said he had expected this, and his tone was light, but it sent a chill down Old Li's spine.

"Yes, yes, yes, you're absolutely right, boss. I regretted it afterwards and wanted to ask for some benefits from them. I was really out of my mind! Please be magnanimous and forgive me this time." Old Li could only go along with what the other party was saying, nodding his head like a chicken pecking at rice.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang and Section Chief Han exchanged a glance, a smug smile flashing in their eyes.

"Chief Prosecutor, you were right! Sure enough, the capitalist's inherent evil can't be hidden, it's been exposed all at once." Xiao Han quickly flattered him, then turned and glared at Lao Li, saying sternly, "If it weren't for the Chief Prosecutor's concern for Comrade Xie's future, I wouldn't be so polite to you. If I really arrested you for interrogation, you wouldn't have a choice but to confess everything! You remember this: you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. This time, our procuratorate is letting you off the hook, but there can't be a next time. You can't go back on your word!" As Xiao Han spoke, he tapped his fingers heavily on the table, making a dull sound.

Startled, Old Li immediately stood up and bowed repeatedly to the two men, his back almost touching his knees, sweat dripping from his forehead onto the ground: "Yes, yes, leaders, it's all my fault. I apologize, I repent! I was confused for a moment and forgot the Party's years of education and kindness. Rest assured, I will definitely study hard and be careful in my words and actions from now on!"

"Watch your mouth next time. If we hadn't come, do you know how big a mess you've made? Do you know who you've offended? Do you know what the consequences will be? This is false accusation, enough to ruin someone's reputation and future! Let me tell you, if you don't know the other party's background, shut your mouth. You can't afford to offend them. Once you do, not only will your whole family be implicated, but Xie Hui will also suffer because of you. Fortunately, no outsiders know about this now, but once it gets out, your whole family will be in big trouble, including Xie Hui—because the person you've offended is someone you absolutely cannot touch."

As Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang spoke, he repeatedly pointed to a long, folded newspaper he had brought with him, which contained an interview and report about Li Jing'an. Old Li followed his finger and looked down, his face instantly turning deathly pale. His lips trembled, unable to utter a word, his heart churning with lingering fear. He knew all too well how dire the consequences would be for someone of his family background who dared to have a dispute with a national model figure featured in the People's Daily.

As Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang watched Old Li bowing and begging for mercy, sweat dripping down his nose, a smug smile crept onto his lips.

"Alright, alright, since you've realized your mistake, then our trip wasn't in vain. That's enough. We still have official duties to attend to, and we've already wasted a lot of time on your matter. We need to go back and take care of other things." With that, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang stood up and casually stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the table.

"Leader, leader, I'm so sorry to have kept you so long. I feel really bad. It's getting late, please give me a chance to apologize. Let's find a place to have a simple meal, as a small token of my appreciation!" Old Li hurriedly stepped forward to persuade him to stay, clasping his hands together and plastering a fawning smile on his face.

"No need. We didn't come for a meal. We came here for Comrade Xie's sake, for his future. You should watch your mouth and be careful with your words in the future. That will be enough for you and me." Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang's face turned serious. He waved his hand firmly in refusal and then strode towards the door.

Xiao Han, who was standing to the side, was initially delighted when he heard that Lao Li was going to treat him to a meal. However, when Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang flatly refused, he immediately looked disappointed. He pouted and muttered to himself, "Why won't the leader even have a meal? Was this trip a waste?" He sighed inwardly.

Seeing that Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang had already stepped out of the courtyard, Xiao Han had no choice but to hurry after him, casually stuffing the opened box of Zhonghua cigarettes on the table into his pocket before leaving Old Li's house.

Walking through the alley, Xiao Han finally couldn't help but ask tentatively, "Chief Prosecutor, don't we need to rush? It's so late, it's just time for dinner, no one will gossip if we have a meal together." As he spoke, he couldn't help but look back in the direction of Old Li's house, still thinking about that meal.

"You don't know anything! If you want to eat, stay and eat by yourself. I'm not going to join you. I'm still waiting to eat Comrade Li Jing'an's meal. If you think his meal is more precious, feel free to stay. I won't stop you." Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang glanced at him as he walked away and snorted heavily through his nose.

"Ah... never mind then, I'll go with you." Xiao Han immediately shrank his neck and quickened his pace to catch up, afraid of being left behind.

"That's more like it. I told you long ago you can't prioritize. We handled this matter so well, Comrade Li will definitely invite us to dinner later. Tell me, which of these two meals is more important? Even if Old Li has Xie Hui backing him up, can he compare to Li Jing'an? Use your brain more when you do things!" Deputy Chief Prosecutor Huang lectured as he walked, tapping his temple with his finger. Xiao Han nodded and bowed repeatedly, agreeing.

None of them expected that Li Jing'an was about to travel to the Northeast. They didn't know when this planned drinking party would finally take place.