The Courtyard House: Xu Damao's Aunt is the Queen of Women

"You're sixteen years old, an adult, you have your own judgment!"

He Daqing roared, "You believe everything others say? You're stupid! You deserve it!"

"You dare call me stupid?"

Sha Zhu was completely enraged. He struggled against the chains and tried to kick He Daqing, but was stopped by Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai understands Sha Zhu very well, even better than his biological father He Daqing, because Sha Zhu's dog-like behavior was all cultivated by him.

To sum it up in one sentence: they're so proud they'd rather die than admit they're stupid.

"Zhu Zi, don't be impulsive. It's beneath you to argue with him. He's just upset about his own misfortune and wants to drag you down with him. The most important thing for us now is to figure out what to do when we get to the Northwest!"

Sha Zhu was pulled back by Yi Zhonghai. He struggled symbolically for a few moments, panting heavily, and glared at He Daqing.

"Once we get to the Northwest, I'm not finished with you!"

Yi Zhonghai gave He Daqing a mocking look and said earnestly, "Zhuzi, listen to me, don't get angry with him. The Northwest is a much harsher place than we imagine."

"It's desolate and uninhabited. You can freeze to death in winter and scorch to death in summer. The inmates are all vicious and ruthless. If you go alone, you'll definitely be bullied by them."

He paused, observing Sha Zhu's expression. Seeing the nervous look on Sha Zhu's face, he continued, "I'm sentenced to fifteen years. I'll get out before you. You'll come with me. We'll depend on each other for survival. I'll protect you."

"Besides, I'm an eighth-level fitter, so I'll definitely be valued. I'll find a way to get you assigned to work in the kitchen, where you won't have to do heavy work and you can sneak some food to fill your stomach from time to time."

"If anyone bullies you, I'll stand up for you!"

Upon hearing this, the deaf old woman quickly came over as well.

"Zhu Zi, don't listen to that beast Yi Zhonghai. He's just treating you like a fool. I'm different. Even though I'm old, I can still do your laundry and cook for you. That's better than you being all alone. Yi Zhonghai just wants to use you. Once he's done with you, he'll kick you to the curb!"

"You'd better save your breath!"

Yi Zhonghai scoffed, "You can't even take care of yourself. You walk unsteadily. When we get to the Northwest, Zhu Zi will have to take care of you. You're just a burden."

"Besides having Zhu Zi cook for you, what else can you do to help him? You might even team up with others to bully him and steal the benefits from him."

He turned to look at Sha Zhu, his eyes full of sincerity.

"Zhu Zi, think about it. How have I treated you all these years? When you were wronged in the hospital, didn't I stand up for you? When have I ever lied to you? When we get to the Northwest, I will definitely protect you and make sure you suffer less."

Sha Zhu frowned, looking somewhat hesitant.

He knew Yi Zhonghai was telling the truth; life in the Northwest must be tough, and it was indeed difficult for him to endure it alone.

But then he remembered how Yi Zhonghai had lied to him, fooled him, and treated him like a dog over the years, and he felt uneasy again.

Yi Zhonghai noticed Sha Zhu's hesitation and quickly added fuel to the fire.

"Zhu Zi, I promise you, when we get to the Northwest, I will definitely let you work in the kitchen and you won't have to do any heavy work. If anyone bullies you, I will be the first to rush up to help you. When I get out, I will definitely try to help you reduce your sentence so that you can get out sooner. It's better for us to depend on each other than to be bullied in there."

The deaf old woman grew anxious and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Zhu Zi, don't believe him! He's a cunning old scoundrel, full of evil intentions. If you follow him, you'll definitely end up badly!"

Sha Zhu glanced at the deaf old woman, a contemptuous sneer appearing on his lips.

That old bastard is just trying to fool him!

Yi Zhonghai is indeed a bad person, but the old man who has no descendants is only forty-nine years old this year and is still an eighth-level fitter, so he has value.

What about you?

They're all in their seventies or eighties, barely able to walk. I've had too much to eat. Why do I have to find some kind of ancestor to serve me instead of living an easy life?

After thinking it over, Sha Zhu turned to look at Yi Zhonghai and gritted his teeth.

"Okay, I'll go with you, but you have to keep your word. You must arrange for me to work in the kitchen, protect me, and help me get a reduced sentence. If you dare to lie to me, I won't let you off the hook."

Yi Zhonghai was overjoyed; his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally at ease.

Success! I've finally got this idiot under my control again.

He's a good cook, so when he's in the kitchen, I can benefit from his cooking and won't go hungry.

The deaf old woman was a burden; she was left to fend for herself in the Northwest.

He Daqing?

Even if Sha Zhu hates him so much, he can't cause any trouble.

Yi Zhonghai smiled with satisfaction and patted his chest to assure him.

"Don't worry, Zhuzi, I keep my word! From now on, we'll be father and son, looking after each other. We'll definitely get through our sentences safely and return to Beijing alive."

Looking at Sha Zhu's hopeless state, He Daqing's chest heaved violently, and suddenly he spat out a mouthful of blood.

He leaned against the carriage wall, breathing weakly, his heart filled with despair.

"Silly Zhu...you...you've ruined your life...Yi Zhonghai...he's just using you...you...you'll understand sooner or later..."

"What do I understand?"

Sha Zhu snorted coldly, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes.

For a fleeting moment, he even wanted to admit that I was wrong, that I had really been deceived by Yi Zhonghai, and that I was just stupid.

But as soon as he said those words, he suddenly felt a pang of panic, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

I dare not admit it, I cannot admit it, if I admit I am wrong, it will all be over.

Once he admits he's wrong, it's tantamount to admitting that he's been a fool who can be manipulated by others his whole life.

Yi Zhonghai coaxed him, deceived him, manipulated him, and treated him like a fool. He was truly stupid, foolish, and unable to see people's true nature.

All his pride, all his dignity, and all the confidence that kept him going would shatter into nothingness at this moment.

This was his last fig leaf, his last shred of dignity, and his last breath to keep him from collapsing.

Once you admit your mistake, you lose your fig leaf, your dignity, and your confidence.

He would break down on the spot, go crazy, and collapse to the ground, without even the strength to resist, glare, or argue.

By then, he would truly be nothing but a pile of mud, not even deserving of a living.

So he had to be stubborn and swallow his "I was wrong" back down.

He can suffer, he can endure hardship, he can be scolded, but he must never admit his mistakes!

Sha Zhu took a deep breath and silently repeated eight times, "I'm not wrong, I'm fine, I'm right," his eyes becoming sickly firm and arrogant.

"He Daqing, you abandoned me all these years, and I've still lived a good life. I'll continue to do so. I'll let you know that I, He Yuzhu, am a true man of Beijing, not the fool you portray me to be!"

Are you doing well?

If he were living a good life, and at twenty-nine years old he still couldn't find a wife, and like a fool he stole things to support the Jia family, he would be sentenced to twenty years in prison?

He Daqing laughed in anger, looking at Sha Zhu with a mixture of anger at his son's lack of ambition and pity for his misfortune. Just as he was about to open his mouth and berate his stupid son, a sentence suddenly popped into his mind.

Let go of your desire to help others and respect their fate!