Courtyard House: Starting as an eighth-grade worker, with too many wives.

"Director Li, please go first."

Li Jianguo nodded, watching Jia Zhangshi's retreating figure. His voice wasn't loud, but the whole courtyard could hear him:

"I said it's over?"

Jia Zhangshi stiffened. She slowly turned back, her legs trembling.

"What else do you want?"

Jia Dongxu also got angry, his neck stiffening: "My mother didn't steal from your family! Are you kidding me?! Our Jia family may be weak, but you can't bully us like this!"

He acted as if he was in the right because he was weak.

Li Jianguo was so angry he laughed.

There are plenty of exceptional people these days, but it's rare to see one as exceptional as the Jia family.

His gaze swept over them, sharp as a knife: "Weren't you the one shouting the loudest when Xiaomin was here?"

His gaze swept over the crowd: "The one who bullied Xiaomin earlier, come out here yourself."

Those who had spoken earlier immediately shrank back guiltily.

Xu Damao called out names one by one: "Uncle Yi, Uncle Er's daughter-in-law, Jia Dongxu, Jia Zhangshi..."

Those whose names were called were angry at Xu Damao for being so talkative, but they didn't dare to hide and reluctantly stepped forward.

The second uncle's daughter-in-law was quick-witted. She immediately bowed and said, "Director Li, I was just misled. I really didn't mean it. Comrade Jiang Min, I'm sorry, I misspoke. Please don't take it to heart."

She was sincere in her attitude, but she knew perfectly well that Li Jianguo was someone you couldn't afford to offend.

Li Jianguo looked at her: "Is an apology all you need? If I stab you, and then say sorry, is that enough?"

The second uncle's daughter-in-law shuddered: "Director Li, what do you suggest we do? I'll accept it."

"Are you satisfied with paying Comrade Jiang Min compensation for emotional distress?"

"Clothes!"

She pulled five yuan from her pocket: "That's all the money I earn, and I have to support my child... Could you possibly..."

Li Jianguo visits Jiang Min.

Jiang Min hesitated for a moment, then took the money: "Don't do this again next time."

The second uncle's daughter-in-law breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave.

Uncle Er squinted, his face not looking too good. He felt that Li Jianguo was disrespecting him—after all, he was now in charge of the courtyard.

But what could he say? He dared not say anything.

Jia Dongxu and Yi Zhonghai stood together, whispered a few words, and then came forward.

"sorry."

The two mumbled something indistinctly and then tried to finish.

Li Jianguo picked at his ear: "What? I can't hear you."

Yi Zhonghai's face flushed red: "We've already apologized, what more do you want?"

"Who heard that?" Li Jianguo asked the person next to him.

Xu Damao shook his head: "I didn't hear anything. I only heard a dog barking here."

"Xu Damao!"

Yi Zhonghai was so angry he was about to take action.

Li Jianguo glanced at him.

Just one glance.

Yi Zhonghai's fist froze in mid-air, unable to land.

"If you don't want to apologize properly, then get out of the yard."

Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale and then flushed.

Where could he go? He's staying at Sha Zhu's place now; all his money was stolen by that old lady. At the factory? Factory Director Yang is one of Li Jianguo's men; he won't help him.

He took a deep breath, walked up to Jiang Min, and shouted in a frustrated voice, "I'm sorry! I was wrong!"

That was quite comical.

Someone in the courtyard burst out laughing.

Jiang Min couldn't help but laugh, glancing at Li Jianguo with stars in her eyes.

This man is really good.

Li Jianguo felt her gaze and looked over.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Min blushed, quickly looking away.

Li Jianguo was quite pleased.

"Xiaomin, is this apology okay?"

Jiang Min nodded shyly, "I accept."

"Alright then." Li Jianguo looked at Yi Zhonghai. "Pay up the money."

"What money?"

"Compensation for emotional distress. You're a grown man, and you were just forcing yourself on that young girl. Isn't that excessive? Shouldn't you pay for this?"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned green: "I have no money!"

He looked at Chief Zhang: "Chief Zhang, are you just going to let him extort money? This kind of person should be arrested!"

Director Zhang smiled and said, "I think Director Li is right. Defamation is also a crime. Why don't we go back to the station and talk it over?"

He waved his hand, and a policeman next to him stepped forward with handcuffs.

Yi Zhonghai trembled in fright: "No, no, no, I accept!"

He pulled a handful of loose change from his pocket, a mix of coins and small bills.

During the divorce, an older woman stripped him bare.

If it weren't for some hidden savings, I'd be having trouble even drinking cold water these past few days.

Jiang Min looked at the wad of loose change in her hand, feeling a little reluctant: "Li Jianguo, this..."

"Take it."

Yi Zhonghai, that old fox, wouldn't carry all his money with him. But he certainly doesn't have much left.

That should keep him in line for a while.

In the end, only Jia Dongxu remained.

He watched Yi Zhonghai take out the money, his mind in turmoil. Gritting his teeth, he walked up to Jiang Min: "Comrade Jiang Min, I'm sorry, I was wrong today. Here's ten yuan, please don't hold it against me."

He was handed ten yuan, and his heart ached so much he almost cried.

But it's already here; we can't refuse it.

Jiang Min looked into his eyes and felt a chill run down her spine. Something was off about his gaze.

She didn't reach out to take it.

Jia Dongxu grew anxious, cursing inwardly: This brat, she thinks ten yuan isn't enough? How can she be so greedy?

He pulled out another five dollars: "This is all the money I have."

Jiang Min still didn't answer.

Li Jianguo sensed something was wrong: "What's going on?"

"His apology was completely insincere, and the look in his eyes gave me the creeps." Jiang Min looked at Director Zhang. "I'm afraid he'll retaliate if I come again. I've heard there are thugs hanging around this area lately..."

Director Zhang frowned: "Jia Dongxu! You dare to try something funny in front of so many people? Men, take him back and deal with him seriously!"

"Chief Zhang! I'm innocent!"

Jia Dongxu panicked immediately and bowed repeatedly to Jiang Min, his waist bent extremely low: "Comrade Jiang Min, I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!"

Jiang Min's lips moved slightly, but she didn't know what to say for a moment.

Li Jianguo stepped forward, blocking her way, and coldly stared at Jia Dongxu with his eyes lowered.

"That's it? Not enough."

Jia Dongxu looked up and met that gaze.

His legs buckled and he collapsed to his knees.

"I'm sorry! I was wrong!"

He slammed his head heavily onto the ground.

Li Jianguo was then somewhat satisfied.

Jiang Min hurriedly said, "That's enough, I accept the apology."

She took the money, feeling as if it were burning her hands, but seeing Jia Dongxu's frightened expression, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Get lost."

The group of people scrambled and stumbled as they fled in a panic.

Li Jianguo turned to look at Jiang Min, a warm, spring-like smile spreading across his face: "Come on in, have a seat."

The two went inside. Jiang Min placed the money on the table: "Take this money."

Although it felt awkward to hold it, I have to admit that seeing those people bow their heads and admit their mistakes was truly satisfying.

"This is your allowance. They owe you money, so keep it safe."

Jiang Min thought for a moment, then put the money away: "Next time we go to a state-run restaurant, we'll spend it all."

"it is good."

Li Jianguo smiled and agreed.

The two cooked a meal at home. Li Jianguo was a skilled cook, and the aroma of the food filled the entire yard.

But no one dared to gossip about it.

There were hardly any people even going out.

Today's events have brought back memories of the past—the days when Li Jianguo disciplined the Jia family and dealt with Yi Zhonghai.

After a few days of peace, I almost forgot that this person was not someone to be trifled with.

After dinner, Li Jianguo took Jiang Min home.

Hearing that there were thugs near her house, he escorted her all the way to the door before turning back.

Upon entering the room, one finds it neatly arranged and spotless.

He smiled slightly.

Having a woman in the house definitely makes a difference.

He truly likes Jiang Min.

In a good mood, he went into his study to attend to his own business.

Meanwhile, the Jia family next door was in complete chaos.