Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Zhang Dabiao hesitated for a long time, then felt it was necessary to analyze the situation clearly with He Yushui: "Yushui, do you know what your brother's biggest problem is?"

He Yushui shook her head.

Zhang Dabiao said, "He's not stupid, he just trusts others too much."

"Or perhaps it's that they're too willing to trust others, willing to be needed and used."

"He has a people-pleasing personality. He may appear carefree on the outside, but he needs to be valued and needed by others to feel worthwhile."

He paused.

He thought that if he was kind to others, they would be kind to him. He thought that if he was open and honest, others would be open and honest with him. But not everyone in this world is like that.

He Yushui listened without saying a word.

Zhang Dabiao continued, "From Banggeng's perspective, Qin Huairu isn't a bad person. She always wants to give Banggeng the best, even the best things from other people's families. Her parenting methods are flawed."

"But from my perspective, if their family schemed against me, then they are all bad people. Of course, Xiao Dang is an exception; she's still young, and we can't tell what kind of person she is."

"Strictly speaking, she does have her difficulties. She has two children now, is pregnant with another one, her husband is dead, she has a wicked mother-in-law, and Yi Zhonghai is watching their family. She can't treat your brother the way he treated her."

"So if your brother marries her, the outcome is inevitable; he'll just be helping her family get involved."

He looked at He Yushui.

"Your brother wants to marry her, fine. But he needs to make things clear and understand the path ahead. He can't just jump in without thinking."

"I can say it in advance, but whether your brother listens or not is his own business."

He Yushui remained silent for a long while: "But he's my brother. He's my only brother."

Zhang Dabiao remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he laughed.

"OK."

He stood up.

"I'll figure something out."

He Yushui looked at him, her eyes slightly red.

"Da Biao, thank you."

Zhang Dabiao waved his hand.

"What are you thanking me for? We're practically family."

Everyone laughed.

The light bulb's voltage flickered, casting several shadows on the wall.

Although it was a bit dim, everyone felt that it had the warmth of a big family.

------------

After seeing He Yushui, Mu Wanqing, and Qin Jingru off, the warmth in the room hadn't dissipated yet, but Zhang Dabiao's irritation resurfaced.

I've taken on this responsibility.

But how to do it is a technical job.

He didn't go back inside, but wandered alone to the stable in the backyard. A night breeze blew by, carrying a mixture of the smells of hay, plants, and artificial fertilizer. Far from being unpleasant, it actually cleared his mind considerably.

He took out a cigarette, but didn't light it. He just put it in his mouth, leaned against the stable post, and looked at the half-moon in the sky.

There are three things in total.

First, Sha Zhu was determined to marry Qin Huairu. This was the root of the problem.

Secondly, Yi Zhonghai, having lost his position as a powerful figure, harbored resentment and dreamed of regaining his former post and becoming the local tyrant again. Although even if he were to return to power, he wouldn't be able to rule as freely as before, he still craved that empty title.

Thirdly, Zhang Dabiao himself was thoroughly fed up with all the trivial matters in the courtyard and just wanted to shut himself in and live his own quiet life. If these people could get what they wanted and roughly get back on track with the main storyline, he would have fewer troubles. There was no benefit to it, but since they were all busy fighting amongst themselves, it wouldn't be a loss for him to just sit back and watch the show.

Three things, three directions.

At first glance, it looks like a complete mess.

But who is the biggest obstacle for Sha Zhu to marry Qin Huairu? It's that old hag, Jia Zhangshi.

Who is the biggest obstacle to Yi Zhonghai's ambition to become a powerful figure? It's Zhang Dabiao. As long as Zhang Dabiao has any objections, Yi Zhonghai will never be able to take over.

He wants peace and quiet, but who's the biggest obstacle? It's the messy family drama involving Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu. As long as they remain restless, they'll inevitably drag him into it sooner or later. It's better to let them completely sever their love-hate relationship.

A tangled mess, but it seems we've finally found the starting point.

Who is Jia Zhangshi afraid of? She fears neither heaven nor earth, except for two people—Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old woman. Of course, the deaf old woman usually doesn't meddle in other people's business and is currently hiding in the backyard, keeping a low profile.

Who is Yi Zhonghai afraid of? What he fears most right now is that Zhang Dabiao won't give him face and make him work for nothing.

As for Zhang Dabiao... he's not afraid of anyone, he's just afraid of trouble.

A perfect closed loop.

Zhang Dabiao laughed—this game of chess was actually like the Huarong Road puzzle, not as difficult as he had imagined.

The next morning, Zhang Dabiao didn't wait for Sha Zhu to go to work; he cornered him in the house.

Sha Zhu was drinking cornmeal porridge from a large enamel mug when he saw Zhang Dabiao come in. He greeted him indistinctly, "Dabiao, have you eaten yet?"

"I've eaten." Zhang Dabiao pulled up a stool and sat down, getting straight to the point.

"Rain came to me yesterday."

Sha Zhu paused in his porridge-drinking motion and put the jar down: "What does she want with you?" Sha Zhu was a little confused.

"She saw you when you came looking for me, and came over to ask what was going on. I told her about your desire to marry Qin Huairu," Zhang Dabiao said casually, but Sha Zhu immediately exploded.

"Why are you telling her this? You... I, Da Biao, this isn't fair of you, you..." Sha Zhu was a little at a loss.

It's a bit embarrassing to talk about. He wanted to keep it a secret, but who knew that Zhang Dabiao would betray him like that?

Why don't you at least discuss this with me?

"Da Biao, I'm not trying to be mean, but you really shouldn't do things like this. I..."

Sha Zhu wanted to grab Zhang Dabiao and beat him up, but he couldn't win.

Zhang Dabiao rolled his eyes at him: "I don't want to get involved in this."

"Besides, Yushui is your sister, your own flesh and blood. She has no right to know about something this important."

Sha Zhu fell silent for a moment, then asked somewhat hesitantly, "What...what did she say to you?"

"What do you think she can say?" Zhang Dabiao lit a cigarette, the smoke swirling around him. "It's about you and Qin Huairu, Yushui doesn't trust you."

Sha Zhu's face flushed instantly, and he retorted, "What happened between Sister Qin and me is our own business! What is she, a young woman, meddling in for?!"

"She's your only family. If she doesn't get involved, who will?" Zhang Dabiao flicked his cigarette ash, his voice turning cold. "Or do you think what you've done is so clear-headed and transparent that nobody needs to worry about it?"

Sha Zhu was speechless for a long time before finally managing to stammer, "I...I just want to live a good life with Sister Qin."

"Dream on." Zhang Dabiao bluntly shattered his fantasy. "You want to marry Qin Huairu, but don't you know who the biggest obstacle is?"

Without even thinking, Sha Zhu blurted out, "Jia Zhangshi."

The old hag's face instantly flashed into his mind. Sharp-tongued, mean, greedy, and unreasonable. The thought of living under the same roof as such a person made even someone as strong as Sha Zhu's scalp tingle.

Zhang Dabiao nodded approvingly and continued, "Who is Jia Zhangshi most afraid of?"

Sha Zhu was stunned.

Jia Zhangshi had cursed almost everyone in the courtyard, and none of them were intimidating to her. Liu Haizhong? Yan Bugui? Those two were like grandsons in front of her. Xu Damao? Jia Zhangshi looked down on him.

Sha Zhu himself? Jia Zhangshi only instinctively resented and wanted to create a flying empire, but she was definitely not afraid of him.

Who else could it be?

Two names emerged.

Sha Zhu's expression turned strange, and he hesitated before saying—

"...Yi Zhonghai? Or perhaps the old lady?"