Courtyard House: He Daqing Forces Qin Huairu into Marrying at the Beginning

Lee Seungri followed suit, not wanting to make a fool of himself.

Watching the two flee in disarray, He Daqing couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

These two guys are really a handful; their moral character needs improvement.

With the grain price turmoil subsiding, the courtyard house returned to peace.

Having suffered a great loss, Yan Bugui did not continue his reckless actions, but instead tried to make up for his losses by taking advantage of his neighbors.

With limited family income, the frugal Yan Bugui, unable to increase his income, chose to cut back on spending.

The porridge the Yan family was serving each meal was getting thinner and thinner, and a spoonful didn't contain much grain.

Yan Jiefang and several other children were starving every day, and their bodies grew thinner and thinner until they had to dig up grass roots.

Even so, Yan Bugui still insisted on his frugal lifestyle and refused to increase his daily rations.

The discontent among the Yan family children began to rise sharply.

……

Days passed, autumn turned to winter, and the weather grew cold.

That afternoon, He Daqing had just returned to the Intermediate Courtyard after get off work when he saw a figure lying on the east side of the courtyard wall.

"Yan Jiecheng, what are you doing lying here?"

He Daqing walked closer and saw that it was Yan's eldest son.

"Grandpa, please have some kindness, could you give me some food?"

I'm starving..."

When Yan Jiecheng woke up, he was pale, his eyes were lifeless, and his cheeks were sunken, clearly indicating that he was very hungry.

"How did you get so hungry?"

Doesn't your dad do anything about you?

He Daqing's visit was merely a routine matter.

Yan Bugui was Yan Jiecheng's father, and He Daqing didn't want to meddle in his affairs.

"My dad is too cruel."

A bowl of thin porridge for one meal is hardly enough for a person.

I'm so hungry.

"Grandpa, please have mercy and give me some food."

Yan Jiecheng struggled to his feet, knelt shakily on the ground, and prepared to kowtow to He Daqing.

"Don't do that, stand up first."

I can't accept such a generous gift.

He Daqing quickly helped Yan Jiecheng up.

It seems Yan Jiecheng was really starving, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to such extremes as kneeling down.

"Wait outside for a moment, I'll be right back."

He Daqing pushed the cart back to the courtyard, took out half of the remaining cornbread from the kitchen, and handed it to Yan Jiecheng.

The moment Yan Jiecheng saw the steamed buns, his eyes lit up and he couldn't help but swallow.

After a moment of hesitation, he peeled off a piece of cornbread, stuffed it into his mouth, and began to chew it carefully.

After swallowing a mouthful of cornbread, Yan Jiecheng's expression softened considerably.

"Grandpa, you're truly my savior!"

Yan Jiecheng held the unfinished cornbread, tears streaming down his face.

I am a half-grown boy and a poor man.

Yan Jiecheng was at the age where he was growing, and a bowl of thin porridge was not enough to maintain his body's nutrition.

He's been suffering from hunger and malnutrition for a while now, and he's about to kick the bucket.

"I can't accept being called your benefactor."

They're all neighbors in the same courtyard, so it's only right to help each other out.

However, Yan Jiecheng, you should have a good talk with your dad when you get back.

It wouldn't be good to collapse from hunger in the yard.

He Daqing was well aware of Yan Jiecheng's ulterior motives.

He happened to faint outside the east courtyard, clearly intending to seek help from He Daqing.

However, the neighbors in the courtyard each lived their own lives, and He Daqing had no intention of interfering in the Yan family's affairs.

"Uncle, you are the manager of the courtyard."

You must help me get justice!

My dad only gives me this little bit of food at each meal, and I'm so hungry I can't stand it anymore.

Yan Jiecheng pleaded in a mournful voice.

"Please persuade my dad to stop being so stingy."

"Yan Jiecheng, I can't help you with this."

Your family matters are still decided by your dad.

"Even though I'm the head of the neighborhood, I can't interfere in other people's family affairs."

He Daqing immediately refused.

The door to interfering in other people's affairs should not be opened casually.

This concerns the fundamental rights and interests of the residents in the compound.

If He Daqing were to forcefully interfere in Yan Jiecheng's affairs, he would easily become the target of public criticism and get himself into a lot of trouble.

"What should I do then?"

If this continues, I really won't make it."

Yan Jiecheng wiped away his tears as he cried.

Teenagers are at a time when they have a strong sense of self-esteem.

Yan Jiecheng wouldn't have come out and made a fool of himself if he hadn't been so hungry.

"This matter is beyond my jurisdiction."

If you really can't stand it, you can report it to the Women's Federation.

Depriving someone of food is also a form of abuse.

The Women's Federation will stand up for you and give you justice.

Leave professional matters to professionals.

Faced with a serious situation like Yan Jiecheng's, He Daqing would never have stopped him.

"But... but if I complain to the Women's Federation, my dad will beat me to death..."

When the time came, Yan Jiecheng became somewhat timid.

Fathers have a natural power to control their sons.

Especially before the children leave home to live independently, the father holds the power of life and death in the family, and his intimidating influence is self-evident.

Whether you go or not is your choice.

Or you could go back and discuss it with your dad.

We're family, we can talk things out.

It's all over now, it's okay.

I have something to do, so I'll head back now.

After saying that, He Daqing turned and left, not giving Yan Jiecheng a chance to continue entangled.

A cold wind blew past the wall, making Yan Jiecheng shiver.

My dear, there is more to come after this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. There will be more exciting chapters later!

Clutching the gradually hardening cornbread in his hand, Yan Jiecheng finally made up his mind and turned to walk out of the courtyard.

……

As dusk fell, Yan Bugui and his family sat at a square table, all eyes fixed on the large basin of porridge in the center.

The porridge was very clear and moist, and it didn't look like it contained much solid food.

Even so, the Yan family still craved porridge.

Because this was their whole family's dinner.

"Ruihua, what about Jiecheng?"

Just as they were about to start dinner, Yan Bugui discovered that someone was missing from the house.

"Yes, what's the solution?"

Yang Ruihua asked in surprise.

Yan Jiecheng is usually the most enthusiastic eater, often sitting at the table early before mealtime.

But now there's no sign of them, which is very strange.

"They were just playing in the yard a moment ago, where did they go?"

During this period, Yan Jiecheng would go straight home after school and would never linger outside.

Because I was too hungry to play outside.

"Why don't we go out and look for it?"

"Hey, it's right in the yard, what's there to look for?"