Courtyard House: Drunk and barging into the Xu family's house, I woke up numb.

"This is the route I've marked out. Everyone should follow this route to find it. I won't force anyone not to go. As long as you feel that your conscience can live with you, then you can go."

He Yuzhu comforted Qin Huairu, who was still crying beside him, and said to the people around him.

"Neighbors, let's all gather back in the courtyard at noon. If there's still no news of Bang Geng by then..."

At this point, He Yuzhu glanced at Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui standing to the side.

"Second Uncle, Third Uncle, you won't need to report it to the police station then. I'll go to the police station myself to report it."

"I'd like to see if your two families can bear the shameful consequences!"

When He Yuzhu returned yesterday, he heard about everything that happened in the courtyard when they went to find Bang Geng, and he also knew that Liu Haizhong and the others were going to report Bang Geng to the police.

He now hates these two people to the core, and if Bang Geng really gets into trouble because of them, he will definitely fight them to the bitter end.

As for the things that Bang Geng did to him—cursing him, pushing him, overturning his table, and ruining his wedding—he has already put them all behind him. Nothing is more important than people.

Liu Haizhong was as assertive as he was yesterday, and he said in a deep voice.

“It’s not just your family’s dog that’s gone missing. My mistress was hung from the roof beam and beaten yesterday. She took a few clothes and ran away last night. I don’t know where she went.”

"Let's find the child first. As long as he comes back and doesn't cause any more trouble, I'll drop the case."

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui immediately cowered and looked at He Yuzhu.

"Silly Zhu, don't be angry. I've already punished Yan Jiekuang for this. He's still lying in bed."

"By the way, I asked around, and it was indeed Xu Damao who instructed them to do this, and he even gave each of them ten yuan."

"Don't worry, I've already confiscated my third son's money; he didn't get a single penny."

Cao Xu walked into the central courtyard and happened to hear what the third uncle, Yan Bugui, had said.

"Yes, Yan Jiekuang didn't keep a single penny; it all ended up in your hands, Third Uncle."

"Switching from left hand to right hand, no wonder he's the Third Uncle, he never forgets to scheme."

Yan Bugui looked somewhat embarrassed after being so ruthlessly exposed by Cao Xu. He forced a smile but said nothing.

When He Yuzhu saw Cao Xu come out, he hurriedly went up to greet him.

"Cao Xu, I want to ask you for a favor."

Cao Xu knew what he wanted to say, so he spoke directly.

"When I get to work, I'll tell the patrol officers that if they see Bang Geng, I'll have someone bring him back."

He Yuzhu grasped Cao Xu's hand, his face full of gratitude.

"Thank you, thank you Cao Xu."

"It's all our fault for not handling this matter well. We've let you down and caused you trouble."

Cao Xu looked at Qin Huairu, whose eyes were swollen from crying.

"If you still can't find him by noon, then go through the proper procedures and report it to the police. Remember to go to the factory this afternoon; this matter needs to be settled."

Cao Xu left for work, and Yi Zhonghai sent everyone who was at home in the compound out to contribute their remaining energy.

He Yuzhu patted Qin Huairu on the shoulder to comfort her.

"Don't worry, we'll find it."

"You must be exhausted after a long night. Go back to your room and lie down for a while."

Qin Huairu shook her head.

"What am I supposed to lie down on? I can't find any rice cakes, how can I sleep?"

"Silly Zhu, you absolutely have to help me find a good skewer."

Yi Zhonghai chimed in from the side.

"Zhu Zi, aren't you supposed to go to Fengzeyuan today?"

"Go and take a look first. This is an opportunity that your dad worked hard to get for you, so you can't let it go to waste."

Yi Zhonghai is absolutely right. This opportunity is a life-changing chance for He Yuzhu.

But He Yuzhu's heart was completely focused on Qin Huairu and Banggeng at that moment, and he didn't care about any opportunities.

"Grandpa, what time is it? Why would I go to Fengzeyuan?"

"If I can't find the person, the matter won't be resolved. Even if I go, I won't be able to calm down. It's better not to go."

"If my dad can arrange it once, he can arrange it a second time. At worst, I'll just have my dad go and beg the person in charge again."

As soon as He Yuzhu finished speaking, the door of the He family opened, and He Daqing came out of the house.

"I've already used up my face; I can't bring myself to ask for a second time."

“He Yuzhu, listen to me. If you don’t show up at Fengzeyuan today, you can forget about ever stepping into Fengzeyuan again.”

After saying that, He Daqing went out, leaving Sha Zhu standing there with a complicated expression on his face, as if he were facing a difficult choice.

"Shazhu, listen to your dad. Take the documents and report to Fengzeyuan first. I'll continue looking for Banggeng."

After saying this, Qin Huairu started walking outside, but she had only taken a couple of steps when she suddenly slumped to the side.

"Qin Huairu!"

Fortunately, Sha Zhu's heart was with Qin Huairu, and he reacted the moment she collapsed and ran over to her.

He finally caught her before she hit the ground and pulled her into his arms.

Seeing Qin Huairu faint in his arms, he could no longer care about anything else, picked her up and carried her into the house.

He knew that Qin Huairu was fine, most likely due to physical exhaustion and mental fatigue, and what she needed now was to eat something and rest.

Outside the courtyard, Liu Haizhong took out ten yuan from his pocket and handed it to Liu Guangtian beside him, instructing him to pay.

"Take the money to Guangfu and tell him to go to your second aunt's place in the countryside for a while and wait for my call before coming back."

Liu Guangtian asked, looking puzzled.

"Dad, what are you afraid of? Even if this gets out, Guangfu will only be locked up for two days at most."

With a slap in his hand, Liu Haizhong delivered a 900-fold blow.

"Are you stupid? Do you think I'm afraid he'll end up in the police station?"

"This joke has gotten into trouble. Do you think Sha Zhu will let it go?"

"If your brother stays in the capital, isn't he just a sitting duck waiting to be dealt with?"

Liu Guangtian suddenly realized what was happening, and he ran in the opposite direction, clutching the spot where his father had hit him.

The same scene unfolded at the Yan family's courtyard house, where Yan Bugui, who was always stingy, took out the ten yuan that had been confiscated.

"Third brother, stop lying on the bed and get up to pack your things."

"Take this ten yuan to your third uncle's house. If I don't call, you're not allowed to come back, understand?"

Yan Jiekuang was a bit smarter than those other people. He looked at his father, Yan Bugui, and asked.

"Dad, something happened to Bang Geng?"

Yan Bugui shook his head.

"No news yet, but once we do, you won't be able to leave."

"Listen to me, quickly pack a few clothes and go out to hide for a few days. I'll call your uncle's commune once things have calmed down."

And so, the three culprits, including Xu Damao, all escaped without a trace.

Xu Damao used the excuse of going with the factory to deliver production materials to the branch factory, while Liu Guangfu and Yan Jiekuang were both sent to their relatives' homes in the countryside.

At 12:30 pm, the people from the courtyard who had gone out to help search returned one after another, but there was still no news of Bang Geng.

By 1:30, after everyone who had gone out of the courtyard had returned, there was still no news of Bang Geng.

Left with no other option, Yi Zhonghai only allowed Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu to go to the police station to report the case.

The pheasant ran away from home and is lost!

Chapter 153 Qin Huairu's Punishment Decision: Dismissal? [Please Subscribe]

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Cao Xu left the Lou family home early in the morning and rode his bicycle to the steel rolling mill.

These past two days, Lou Wanshan and his wife have gone to deal with his things again, and some of them have already been transported out of Beijing.

Lou Wanshan and his wife said they would leave after all the supplies were transported out of Beijing in early February and go to the port city to avoid trouble.

Last night, Cao Xu and Lou Xiao'e spent the night together and agreed to wait for her parents to return so they could confront them about their relationship and set a wedding date.

Cao Xu will turn twenty after the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The two decided to get married before the Lou couple left, so that they could see their daughter get married and leave with peace of mind.

After all, if they were to leave, their family would have to wait until the 1980s when exchanges between the two places resumed.

The time span is as long as sixteen years, which is no less than the sixteen-year promise between Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu in the novel.

Cao Xu was in a great mood today, but some people were not so happy, especially Qin Huairu in the courtyard.

It has been three full days since Banggeng left the courtyard after causing a scene at the wedding on the tenth day of the first lunar month.