Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house): Don't touch my parents!

"Go ahead, as long as you can get out of the city."

"I'm not afraid even if your brother comes."

"As long as they don't kill me."

"Once they leave, I'll beat you up every day, you wretched woman."

For some reason, Jia Laonian suddenly understood.

Why have I swallowed my anger and endured so much humiliation for so many years?

After the occupation of Beijing, they were basically cut off from the outside world.

What do I have to be afraid of?

A thought even flashed through his mind.

Should we just kill this old woman?

If all else fails, I can just find another one.

With a proper job, why would I be afraid of not finding a wife?

Madam Jia looked at Old Man Jia's frighteningly red eyes.

I was genuinely scared.

She has been married to this man for so many years.

Bullying him had become a habit.

I never imagined that an honest person could be so terrifying when they get angry.

"I...I'm not going back to my parents' home."

"Please, please stop hitting me."

For the first time in her life, Jia Zhangshi yielded to Jia Laonian.

"Take out the money from your home."

"What? Jia Laonian, what do you need the money for?"

"You went to that old hag to beg for mercy, and all you got was money?"

"No, I won't give it to you! You spineless old Jia!"

Jia Zhangshi was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

She jumped and screamed.

"Should we give it to them or not?"

Jia Laonian raised his arm again.

"How much compensation?"

"Ten silver dollars."

"I said through gritted teeth," Jia Laonian said.

He was, of course, heartbroken.

But he was even more afraid of being kicked out of the yard.

He knew all too well how dilapidated and chaotic the factory dormitories were.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have spent nearly a fifth of my salary to rent a place here.

"Waaaaah!"

While crying, Jia Zhangshi pulled a tattered pillow from a box on the kang (a heated brick bed).

The pillow was already worn smooth and shiny.

She reached her hand through the tear.

After rummaging around for a while, he pulled out a small cloth bag.

Then, one by one, they counted out ten silver dollars.

She then hugged the money bag and burst into tears again.

After saving for so many years, I've finally managed to accumulate half of my savings.

That's it, gone.

Jia Laonian snatched the silver dollar.

He turned and walked towards the door.

After the sound of the door closing was heard.

Jia Dongxu then poked his head out from under the covers.

He called out softly, "Mother!"

"You good-for-nothing!"

"Why didn't you stop your father?"

"How could I have given birth to such a useless piece of trash!"

Jia Zhangshi slapped Jia Dongxu on the head.

She vented all her anger on her son.

Jia Dongxu was slapped.

She immediately shrank back into bed.

He muttered to himself, "I don't want to go out and get beaten up."

"You've really angered my dad."

"What did you say?"

Jia Zhangshi demanded an explanation in a stern voice.

"No, it's nothing, Mother."

"You'd better cover yourself up with the blanket, or you'll catch a cold and have to spend money on medicine."

Jia Dongxu quickly changed his tune.

That actually works.

When Jia Zhangshi heard that it would cost money...

Only then did I realize that I was almost naked.

She quickly scurried back into bed.

I was so excited just now that I didn't even feel cold.

After I crawled into bed, I realized my face was burning.

She hid under the covers and started crying again.

In all these years, when has she ever suffered such injustice?

Jia Laonian took the money and went to the He family again.

In fact, the commotion that the Jia family just caused...

The people inside the courtyard heard it all clearly.

As soon as Jia Laonian entered the door.

He Daqing couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Old Nian, did a stray cat scratch your face?"

Jia Laonian explained awkwardly, "I accidentally brushed against it."

"Who could leave four bloody marks from just a rub against someone's house?"

Old Jia's face darkened instantly.

"Alright, Great Qing, let's get down to business."

"Yes, yes, let's get down to business, ma'am."

"Here are the ten silver dollars we agreed on."

With great reluctance, Jia Laonian took out the silver dollar.

"Great Qing, please accept it."

"Yes, ma'am."

He Daqing stepped forward.

Under Jia Laonian's reluctant gaze, he accepted the silver dollar.

"So you know how to feel sorry for yourself now?"

"If you know how to be considerate, then you should discipline your wife and children properly."

The old lady looked at Jia Laonian and said in a calm tone.

"Yes, madam, I promise I will take good care of them, mother and son."

"Alright, you can go back now. Remember to put some medicine on your face."

"Then I'll take my leave, madam, and Brother Daqing."

"I'm so sorry about what happened today. I apologize on behalf of my wife and daughter."

As he spoke, Jia Laonian clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

He Daqing didn't say much, he just nodded slightly.

Old Jia immediately stood up.

He turned around, pushed open the door, and walked out.

"Sigh, thankfully my eldest grandson is sensible now."

"I'm not going to hang out with that kid from the Jia family anymore."

"Otherwise, who knows what kind of mess they would have gotten into."

"Dongxu wasn't like this before."

"I had heard rumors before that Jia Zhangshi was dishonest."

"But in our own yard, we've never actually been caught red-handed."

"Hmph, that's because you didn't see it or pay much attention."

The old lady responded with a dissatisfied tone.

"Alright, help me back to my room."

"And call Zhu Zi back while you're at it."

"Okay, ma'am."

"Shuxiang, I'm going back now!"

"Okay, ma'am, please take care."

"Da Qing, it's dark and slippery outside, be careful."

"Okay, honey!"

At this moment, inside the Yi family's house.

Yi Zhonghai was drinking alone, looking sullen.

After he got home, Li Guihua told him everything that had happened during the day.

Immediately afterwards, they heard a commotion coming from the Jia family.

Yi Zhonghai knew better than anyone what kind of person Jia Laonian was.

Even when he was very angry, he never laid a hand on Jia Zhangshi.

Today they actually resorted to violence, clearly they were driven to a corner and could no longer tolerate it.

This made him realize a harsh reality—the He family was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

Especially that old lady in the backyard, she's a person who really dares to take action and has real confidence.

As for He Daqing, he didn't care much about him.

He's just a cook who knows a few martial arts moves; he can't cause any trouble.

What he truly feared from the bottom of his heart was that reclusive old lady.

In these times, it's still a wonder that this big house can be kept from being forcibly occupied.

How could someone like that be an ordinary person?

As soon as Jia Laonian entered the house, Jia Dongxu cautiously approached him.

He lowered his voice and said with a hint of grievance, "Dad, get me something to eat. I haven't eaten since noon."

"Eat, eat, eat! All you ever do is eat!"

"Our family is so poor, where would we get the money to buy you food? You won't starve to death if you skip a couple of meals!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a hissing sound was heard.

Jia Zhangshi was still heartbroken over the ten silver dollars she had spent.

She raised her hand and slapped Jia Dongxu on the back of the neck.

After he finished cursing, he couldn't help but gasp repeatedly.

Waves of pain shot through her face, making her features contort in agony.

"At least cook some cornmeal porridge to fill your stomach; how can you sleep at night if you don't eat anything!"

Old Jia scolded him irritably, then turned and walked to the stove.

He reached into the stove and stirred up the firewood to start boiling water to cook porridge.

At this point, Jia Zhangshi dared not argue back.

She was terrified of angering Jia Laonian again and getting another beating and scolding.

At this moment, half of her face was swollen high.

Her already round and chubby cheeks are now so swollen that her facial features are all squeezed together.

It looks just like a wrinkled, fermented steamed bun.

He Yuzhu and Xu Damao did not stay at the Xu family's house for long.

Zhao Cuifeng returned from running errands outside and pushed open the door to enter the house.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu, Zhao Cuifeng immediately smiled and asked:

"Zhu Zi, was Da Mao well-behaved at your place today?"

"You're such an obedient auntie, I specially brought you a bowl of sparrow soup."

"Warm it up later and drink it while it's hot to nourish your body."

"You went to hunt sparrows again? Auntie has already eaten dinner."

"Keep this soup and cook it for yourselves for lunch tomorrow."

Xu Damao was holding back his energy, eager to make a good impression.

He also took the opportunity to show off what he and He Yuzhu had accomplished today.

But before he could speak, his mother, Zhao Cuifeng, glared at him and stopped him.

His small eyes were full of grievance, but he dared not say anything more.

Zhao Cuifeng pretended not to see it and her expression remained unchanged.

"Yes, we did administer some, even more than yesterday."

"Auntie, please don't refuse. Have it as a late-night snack. I'm going home now."

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave, child?"

"Play with Damao a little longer, Auntie brought back some pastries."

"You two should try it together."

"Let's save it for Damao. Pastries are so expensive these days, they're not cheap."

As He Yuzhu spoke, he stood up from his seat, preparing to take his leave.

"Then you should take some back with you, just to sweeten your mouth every now and then."

"Da Mao has been eating at your house for the past two days, and you've been taking him out to play every day."

"It's just a little snack, nothing special."

As Zhao Cuifeng spoke, she divided the exquisite pastries she had brought back into two portions.

Xu Damao watched from the side, showing no sign of reluctance whatsoever.

In the past, he would have already grabbed the snacks and disappeared in a flash.

"Thank you very much, Auntie. I'll head back now."

"Take your time when you go out, watch your step, don't fall."

"Okay, I understand, Auntie."

"Goodbye, Brother Zhu! I'll come see you again tomorrow!"

Xu Damao finally seized the opportunity and quickly spoke loudly.

"Okay, come tomorrow!" He Yuzhu readily agreed.

Upon returning to his own courtyard, He Yuzhu's first instinct was to give the snacks to his mother.

Chen Shuxiang waved her hand and said softly, "You eat it yourself, Mother doesn't like sweets."

He Yuzhu rolled his eyes inwardly.

There's no woman in the world who doesn't love sweets; who would believe that?

"What was that look you gave me just now? What were you thinking?"

Chen Shuxiang saw through her son's little trick at a glance and immediately asked him a question.

"N-nothing... Dad, does Mom like sweets or not?"

He Yuzhu quickly composed himself and turned to look at He Daqing.

"How could you not like them? You've made me buy you countless snacks and candies before."

He Daqing blurted it out without even thinking.

"He Daqing..." Chen Shuxiang glared at her husband immediately, her tone threatening.