Courtyard House: Inheriting the Restaurant, the Jia Family Wants to Get It for Free

Yan Bugui quickly stepped forward and recounted the whole story, embellishing it with his own words. Of course, he emphasized that it was Sha Zhu who had started the trouble by "making trouble unreasonably and causing malicious damage."

After listening, Cheng Shuhai looked at the Xu family's matchmaker, who also recounted the story of how the woman's family broke off the engagement.

Finally, Cheng Shuhai's gaze fell on Sha Zhu.

"Silly Zhu, is what they're saying true?"

Sha Zhu lowered his head and mumbled a "hmm".

"What evidence do you have to prove that Xu Damao has messed around with other girls?" Cheng Shuhai asked again.

Sha Zhu shook his head: "No... I just... I was just talking nonsense, trying to upset him."

These words immediately caused an uproar at the Xu family's place.

"Did you hear that! Did you hear that! He admitted it! He's spreading rumors! He's slandering me!" Xu Fugui shouted excitedly, pointing at Sha Zhu.

Cheng Shuhai raised his hand to stop Xu Fugui from shouting.

He looked at Sha Zhu, his tone becoming stern.

"Shazhu, I'm asking you, is it true that Xu Damao used to have a foul mouth?"

"Yes."

"Is it true that he fought with you before?"

"Yes."

"But," Cheng Shuhai changed the subject, "you fabricated stories about someone having problems with their conduct towards men and women. Was that right of you?"

Sha Zhu fell silent.

"Do you know how much damage such rumors can do to a young woman's reputation? Just because you were angry with Xu Damao, you almost ruined an innocent girl's life! Did you think about the consequences?"

Cheng Shuhai's voice grew heavier with each sentence.

Sha Zhu lowered his head further and further.

He was only thinking about how to anger Xu Damao, and never imagined that his words would have such a big impact on the girl he had only met once.

Now that Cheng Shuhai had pointed it out in front of the entire hospital, he realized for the first time that he had indeed made a mistake this time, and a huge one at that.

The neighbors around also started talking about it.

"Yeah, Sha Zhu went a bit too far this time."

"It's one thing to be argumentative, but you can't joke around with a young lady's reputation."

"If word gets to her workplace, how will that girl ever be able to face anyone again?"

Hearing the whispers around him, Sha Zhu's face turned bright red.

He knew that Cheng Shuhai had not shown him any favoritism this time.

Cheng Shuhai was reasoning with him, and also setting rules for everyone in the courtyard.

Seeing Sha Zhu's ashamed expression, Cheng Shuhai knew that the time was right.

He turned to Xu Damao.

"Xu Damao, Sha Zhu did something wrong, and he has to admit it. But you, from childhood to adulthood, have always been sharp-tongued and prone to picking fights. Isn't that also wrong?"

Xu Damao opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but looking at Cheng Shuhai's eyes, he ultimately didn't dare to utter a sound.

"It takes two to tango. You two are both at fault today," Cheng Shuhai made the final ruling.

"Shazhu, you, now, apologize to Xu Damao in front of the entire hospital."

Sha Zhu raised his head, though he was extremely unwilling, he gritted his teeth and said to Xu Damao in a muffled voice, "I'm sorry, Xu Damao. This was my fault."

"An apology isn't enough?" Xu Damao persisted. "He has to compensate me! He ruined my relationship; he has to give me a new one!"

Everyone in the courtyard laughed when he said that.

Even the foolish Zhu was pushed to the limit. He thumped his chest and shouted, "It's just a girlfriend? Fine! I'll introduce you to one! I guarantee she'll want to meet you!"

When Cheng Shuhai heard him agree so readily, he felt something was amiss.

He warned, "Shazhu, I'm warning you, don't joke about other people's marriages again! If I find out you're messing around again, I'll personally take you to the police station!"

"Don't worry, Director Cheng! This time, it'll be absolutely reliable!" Sha Zhu patted his chest and assured him.

Xu Damao looked at Sha Zhu's confident expression with some skepticism, but out of respect for Cheng Shuhai, he ultimately didn't cause any more trouble.

A dispute that was about to escalate to the police station was quelled by Cheng Shuhai's few words.

Everyone in the courtyard looked at Cheng Shuhai with secret admiration.

Look at Director Cheng, he handles things with such skill. He's impartial, reasonable, and evidence-based, and he doesn't show any leniency even when his own people make mistakes.

This is true "justice"!

Hiding inside the house, Yi Zhonghai listened to the commotion outside, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He discovered that Cheng Shuhai no longer needed to rely on Secretary Wang or anyone else.

He can manage this courtyard perfectly using the "rules" he sets for himself.

This understated approach is far superior to his previous method of lecturing from the perspective of an "old man."

Yi Zhonghai sighed deeply, completely giving up any thought of continuing the fight against Cheng Shuhai.

He knew that he had completely lost.

Since Sha Zhu made that boast in front of the whole hospital, he can't go back on his word.

But where is he supposed to find a partner for Xu Damao?

Apart from Wu Cuilan, he didn't know many girls.

This matter troubled him so much that he sighed and lamented for two days in a row.

Wu Cuilan looked at him and felt both annoyed and amused.

"Serves you right for being so stubborn! Now you know how to worry?"

"Wife, I've been pushed to the limit by him, haven't I?" Sha Zhu said with a bitter face. "Where am I supposed to find someone for him to see? And it has to be someone who's willing to see him."

Wu Cuilan thought for a moment and said, "I do know someone, but I don't know if Xu Damao would be interested in him."

"Who is it? Who is it?" Sha Zhu asked as if he had grasped at a straw.

"She works in our textile factory canteen, her name is Fatty. She's a nice person, but..." Wu Cuilan hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

"What is it?"

"He's just a bit too muscular and has a bigger appetite."

Sha Zhu's eyes lit up and he immediately had an idea.

"She's the one! Honey, go tell her I'm introducing her to someone, a projectionist at the steel mill, he's got great prospects!"

Wu Cuilan could tell from his expression that he had ill intentions.

"He Yuzhu, I'm warning you, don't you dare come up with any more crooked ideas!"

"No, no! Absolutely not!" Sha Zhu waved his hands repeatedly. "I just think that Fatty's straightforward personality complements Xu Damao's perfectly! Yes, complements him!"

Wu Cuilan was skeptical, but she couldn't resist Sha Zhu's persistent pleading and agreed to ask.

Unexpectedly, the girl named Fatty agreed as soon as she heard that he was a projectionist at the steel mill.

So, a few days later, Sha Zhu, all smiles, led Fatty to Xu Damao's house.

For this blind date, Xu Damao specially wore a new shirt and, for the first time ever, asked his mother to prepare melon seeds and candy.