Courtyard House: The Frog Boy Brings Back a Genetic Potion at the Start

She screamed at the top of her lungs, like a mad dog, which drew frowns and disgust from many people around her.

Hao Jianguo merely watched her rage with amusement, and only spoke calmly after the shouting subsided:

"I harmed you? What makes you say that?"

I was just telling the truth; am I not even allowed to speak the truth?

"If you are truly upright and do well, why should you be afraid of what others say? What I just said to Xu Damao, which one of them wasn't true? If you think it's not true, you can refute it—as long as you can explain it clearly, Xu Damao can still keep you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Damao immediately nodded in agreement.

If he could come up with a decent explanation, he would naturally be happy to take Qin Huairu in.

Although she was already a mother of three, she still had a slender figure. Xu Damao had long harbored other thoughts in his heart, but he had never revealed them.

This is a cat; it can't resist the smell of fish.

The onlookers craned their necks, curious to see what Qin Huairu would say.

Qin Huairu stood there, her lips moved, but she couldn't utter a complete sentence.

She knew perfectly well that this might be her last chance; if she could come up with a plausible reason for staying, she could remain.

But the Jia family's affairs, Jia Dongxu's affairs, Sha Zhu's affairs... a tangled mess was swirling in my mind, and the more I thought about it, the more confused I became.

She almost wanted to burst into tears.

I racked my brains, but couldn't come up with even half an excuse.

"I...I..."

After stammering for a while, everyone understood what was going on when they saw her expression.

Hao Jianguo shrugged and turned to Xu Damao:

"See? I don't need to tell you how to choose."

After saying that, he looked at Qin Huairu with a cold smile, his voice as calm as if he were talking about the weather:

"Also, Qin Huairu, don't think too highly of yourself."

I no longer care about that marriage from back then.

To be honest, I was actually quite happy when you called off the engagement.

"I have to thank you—if you hadn't broken off the engagement, I wouldn't have the good life I have today. So, I really thank you."

That "thank you" was like a fine needle, piercing Qin Huairu's heart.

Such words are truly scathing.

Her eyes instantly blurred as she stared blankly at Hao Jianguo. His face held neither hatred nor anger, only an almost cruel indifference.

Qin Huairu once thought that she should have some place in Hao Jianguo's heart—when she proposed to break off the engagement, he should at least have some resentment towards her.

In this way, she might still leave a trace in his heart.

But only now did she realize that it was all just her own delusion.

Hao Jianguo never had her in his heart, nor was he ever moved by her breaking off the engagement; in his eyes, she was no different from an ant on the ground.

The second uncle strolled over at this moment, frowning as he glanced at Qin Huairu:

"Things have come to this point, what are you still making a fuss about? Can't you see the mess the yard is in?"

"Pack your things and go back to the countryside; there's no place for you here."

Although his words were firm, there was a hint of wariness in his eyes, as if he was afraid of getting tainted by Qin Huairu's bad luck.

Qin Huairu shook her head desperately, and decided to shamelessly refuse to move.

No matter how much criticism she received from those around her, she refused to move.

"I'm not leaving... I'm a resident of this compound too, why are you kicking me out? Just because Hao Jianguo said I'm a jinx? That's superstition! If you believe that and force me to leave, I... I'll go to the neighborhood committee and report you!"

"None of you will escape punishment then!"

She screamed hoarsely, looking almost insane.

Hao Jianguo merely gave a dismissive smirk.

"Qin Huairu, you've got one thing wrong—it's not 'rush,' it's 'invite.'"

The reason is simple: there's no home for you in this courtyard anymore.

"You're divorced from Jia Dongxu, so what business is it of yours here? You're a nobody with no connections, why should we take you in?"

Qin Huairu's face turned deathly pale instantly, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word of explanation.

"Anyway...anyway, I'm never leaving!"

Seeing her throwing a tantrum, a chorus of disgusted sighs rose from all around.

Everyone knows that even if you force her to leave, this woman will eventually find a way to sneak back.

It's impossible to prevent.

Just as Qin Huairu collapsed to the ground, crying and wailing, a calm voice broke in:

"You really want to stay? It's not that there's no way... and it seems like this is the only path left."

These words were like a lifeline, and Qin Huairu turned her head sharply—it was Yan Bugui who spoke.

Her eyes lit up, as if she had suddenly realized something, and she scrambled to her feet, rushing to Yan Bugui's side:

"I'm willing! I'll do anything! Just let me stay... Father-in-law!"

Yan Bugui was stunned for a moment, not yet understanding this "willingness".

Where to begin—he'd only gotten halfway through his sentence.

Upon hearing the word "father-in-law," his face instantly darkened.

It turned out that Qin Huairu thought he wanted her to marry into the Yan family and become his daughter-in-law.

After all, he has two unmarried sons at home.

Qin Huairu had indeed misunderstood.

The moment she heard Yan Bugui speak, all she could think about was marrying Yan Jiecheng and becoming a member of the Yan family, so that she could stay there legitimately.

Now she doesn't care anymore; as long as she can stay in the courtyard, it seems she's willing to marry anyone.

The gazes from all around were like needles, mixed with whispers and scorn.

"Pah, they're really not picky, they'll just stick to any guy?"

Someone let out a sarcastic sneer.

That makes sense. For her, being able to stay in the hospital is a blessing, and she really doesn't care who she marries anymore.

Qin Huairu's reputation is already ruined, so she wouldn't be picky anymore.

In an instant, murmurs arose all around, and many eyes turned toward that direction, their words becoming increasingly harsh.

Of course, many people began to look at Yan Bugui with strange eyes.

At first, no one thought of that, but then Qin Huairu called out "Father-in-law."

He shouted it out, and everyone was immediately speechless.

They stared at Yan Bugui, never expecting that this schoolteacher would be so uncouth, daring to welcome a daughter-in-law like Qin Huairu into his home.

"Tsk tsk, as expected of a scholar, he has no taboos."

"In the past, Uncle San always talked about being a materialist and not believing in superstitions. Now, he's personally demonstrating to everyone whether Qin Huairu is really a jinx to her husband and family."

"Although Yan Jiecheng is getting on in years, he can find someone better than Qin Huairu eventually. Why rush things? I really don't understand what Uncle San is after."

Those words pierced her ears, and Qin Huairu's face instantly turned ashen, but she pretended not to hear them.

As the people in the ward said, she could endure anything as long as she could stay.

She could tolerate it, but Yan Jiecheng could not.

Yan Jiecheng was furious. He rushed to Yan Bugui and glared at him with a mixture of anger and anxiety. For a moment, he even doubted whether he was his biological son.

"Dad, aren't you setting me up? I won't! Even if I remain a bachelor for life, I will never marry a woman like that!"

"Look at Qin Huairu, she's like a madwoman, she'll marry anyone she sees, her reputation is already ruined! And her past isn't clean either, if she really marries me, she might cuckold me one day!"

"It's not like I can't find a wife. I absolutely refuse to take this woman!"

Yan Jiecheng made his statement firm, his face full of disgust.

He looked down on Qin Huairu from the bottom of his heart.

Being called a "rotten person" to her face made Qin Huairu's face even more unpleasant.

But now she was willing to risk it all, so she just lowered her eyes and pretended not to hear.

Staying—that was her only thought.

Not to mention Yan Jiecheng, even Yan Bugui was a little embarrassed.

He glared at him a few times, annoyed, but was too lazy to argue with him anymore.

"Qin Huairu, what nonsense are you spouting! Who's your father-in-law? Who asked you to be their daughter-in-law? If you keep talking nonsense, I'll sue you for defamation!"

Yan Bugui quickly distanced himself, fearing that gossip among the idle people in the courtyard might tarnish his reputation.

Qin Huairu was taken aback and frowned in confusion.

"Uncle San, you...you didn't mean that? So what you just said was...that there are other ways besides this?"

She was actually a little disappointed.

Although Yan Bugui's family was not well-off and he was stingy, they were still a respectable family. Yan Jiecheng, on the other hand, was inexperienced.

If I could really be with him, it would be a great honor for me.

Qin Huairu knew that given her current situation, she would be lucky if someone was willing to marry her.

Yan Jiecheng, upon hearing his father's words, breathed a long sigh of relief and relaxed completely.

As long as he doesn't marry Qin Huairu, anything is negotiable.

Yan Bugui's face was stern, and his tone was harsh: "I kindly gave you advice, and you turn around and cause trouble for my family? What are you up to! Someone like you thinks you can enter the Yan family? Dream on!"

Although the Yan family lived a simple life, they never fell to such a state.

Yan Bugui was so angry that his face turned ashen, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

He always considered himself a scholar, but in the end, he was still flesh and blood, and he was deeply affected by Qin Huairu's "extreme disgrace to the family."

Despite the rumors, he still harbored some apprehension and dared not welcome her into his home.

Even if those words were just nonsense—considering Qin Huairu's current situation, Yan Bugui felt that she was not worthy of stepping into the Yan family.

"Uncle San, it was my fault, I misunderstood you."

Qin Huairu had no choice but to lower her head and admit her mistake.

Yan Bugui's scolding just now felt like needles pricking her heart, but she knew that now she could only rely on this Uncle San.

If she offends even him, then no one in this courtyard will tolerate her anymore.

Once she understood this, Qin Huairu immediately softened her stance and apologized repeatedly.

Seeing her humble appearance, people around her began to whisper and point, their eyes filled with contempt.

Yan Bugui glanced at her irritably before continuing, "The solution is still what you thought of before—get married."

But it's not about marrying my son.

Finally, he hurriedly added a sentence, as if afraid that Qin Huairu would become attached to the Yan family.

"Then...which household are you going to tell me about?"

Qin Huairu couldn't help but ask.

Not only her, but everyone in the courtyard looked at Yan Bugui with curiosity, wondering what he was up to.

Yan Bugui raised his hand and pointed towards the backyard: "Have you forgotten? There's an old man named Jin living in the backyard."

These words immediately caused a low murmur in the courtyard.

Even Hao Jianguo's gaze towards Yan Bugui became subtle—this move was truly cunning.

"Good heavens, it's Old Man Jin! Uncle San, your idea is brilliant!"

Liu Guangfu gave a thumbs up, but with a strange smile on his face.

Liu Haizhong gave Yan Bugui a deep look and shook his head, saying, "That old man Jin is poor and ugly, very old, blind, and has been a bachelor his whole life."

Would Qin Huairu be willing?

The crowd began to whisper among themselves. No one had expected that this usually scholarly old man could be so scathing when he started to insult people.

"Old Man Jin? You mean Old Man Jin?!"

Qin Huairu almost jumped up, her eyes filled with rage.

In her view, Yan Bugui was clearly humiliating her on purpose in order to curry favor with Hao Jianguo.

Such behavior is utterly despicable!

"What, is that not allowed?"

Yan Bugui, on the contrary, looked completely calm and even asked a question in return.

Qin Huairu trembled with anger: "Of course not! I absolutely refuse to marry that kind of person!"

Thinking of Old Man Jin's appearance, she felt as if she were about to fall into a mud pit.

In retrospect, Yan Bugui is even more despicable than Hao Jianguo!

Yan Bugui, however, put on a painstakingly earnest expression, as if he were doing it all for her sake.

He saw Qin Huairu's expression clearly, but he didn't care.

"Qin Huairu, do you think... I'm setting you up here?"

Yan Bugui stared straight at her, his voice low but clear.

Qin Huairu bit her lip and didn't answer, but her eyes revealed her thoughts.

Not only her, but most people in the courtyard, when they heard the name of that old man Jin, had the first thought that flashed through their minds—Yan Bugui's move was really too insidious.

Yan Laoxi sighed and shook his head, saying, "Huai Ru, how can you not appreciate kindness? Every word I said was for your benefit."

Qin Huairu's face was so dark it could drip water.

If she weren't now fallen from grace, in the past, if Yan Laoxi had dared to humiliate her like this to her face, she would have fought tooth and nail to tear his mouth apart.

"Don't glare at me yet,"

Old Yan waved his hand and said slowly, "Let me explain it to you, and you'll understand my good intentions."

"Huai Ru, consider your current situation—in this courtyard, which respectable family would dare to marry you?"

These words were like a blunt knife, piercing straight into Qin Huairu's heart.

She understood perfectly well. It was precisely this difficulty that bound her and prevented her from moving.