Courtyard House: Home Alone

"Am I selfish?"

Liu Haizhong laughed as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world. "My wife just gave birth and is weak. What's wrong with emptying some swill? Aunt Qian is meddling and thinks she's right? I think she's just jealous that we have a son!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Aunt Qian finally couldn't hold back anymore, her voice trembling with tears as she retorted, "I just told you to follow the rules of the compound, how could you talk like that!"

"What did I say? Did I say something wrong?" Liu Haizhong retorted, becoming even more arrogant. "The addition of a new member to our family is a joyous occasion! What does she, a mere woman, know!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yifan's eyes turned completely cold. He couldn't stand people who bullied the weak and spoke without restraint.

"Liu Haizhong, right? You seem pretty arrogant. Well then, I'll set a rule for you today: first, bow and apologize to Aunt Qian and the neighbors in the compound, then clean up the ground."

Furthermore, you, Liu Haizhong, are in charge of sanitation throughout the entire courtyard this year. If you can't even handle this small matter properly, or if you dare to abuse your position as a blacksmith to bully and oppress your neighbors, then don't blame me for being impolite.

"At that time, even if Lou Zhenhua himself came, he wouldn't be able to protect you, let alone you being a forger at the steel mill!" Lin Yifan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. His gaze swept over Liu Haizhong like an icy blade, making him involuntarily shiver.

Liu Haizhong was momentarily dazed and took a half step back, frightened by the coldness in Lin Yifan's eyes. But he quickly realized that the person in front of him was just a child of about ten years old. What was there to be afraid of?

What he didn't know was that Lin Yifan in front of him was only seven years old. However, after transmigrating, thanks to the system and the nourishment of the spiritual spring, he was much taller and stronger than the average child.

If he knew, he would probably be even more arrogant, because at this time, He Daqing, the troublemaker in the compound, had not yet returned, and Yi Zhonghai, who was about the same age as him, was still a little embarrassed because they worked in the same factory.

"Hey! Who accidentally kicked you out like that? You're so young, but you've got quite the nerve. You want me to be in charge of the compound's sanitation for a year? Who gave you the guts to talk to me like that?" Liu Haizhong bent down slightly and leaned close to Lin Yifan's face as he spoke.

Lin Yifan's eyes narrowed, and he slightly shifted his body, easily avoiding Liu Haizhong's sour-smelling face. He didn't retreat, but instead took half a step forward, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped Liu Haizhong.

"My courage? It's naturally given to me by people like you."

Lin Yifan's voice remained calm, yet carried a chilling coldness: "I'll say it again: apologize, clean up the mess, and be responsible for the hygiene for a year. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences."

Liu Haizhong, intimidated by Lin Yifan's imposing manner, subconsciously took a step back. He then flew into a rage: "You little brat, you dare scare me? Let me tell you, I, Liu Haizhong, am a big shot in the steel rolling mill. You believe I can get the factory gatekeeper to arrest you with a single word!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Lin Yifan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Then go and greet them now. I want to see just how capable the steel mill's gatekeeper really is. Also, you'd better call Lou Zhenhua over too."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, "You think you're so great because you're on brotherly terms with Boss Lou? In my eyes, Lou Zhenhua isn't even worthy."

Upon hearing this, not only was Liu Haizhong stunned, but even the surrounding neighbors gasped in shock.

Who is Boss Lou? He's the big boss of the steel rolling mill, known as Lou the Half-City, a big shot in Beijing. This young Fan is so arrogant!

He Yuzhu was also a little worried. He tugged at Lin Yifan's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Fan, that's enough. Don't make things worse."

Lin Yifan patted He Yuzhu's hand, signaling him to relax. He knew that dealing with a coward like Liu Haizhong, who bullied the weak and feared the strong, would only embolden him if he kept giving in; he had to subdue him once and for all.

"What? You're too scared to greet me?" Lin Yifan pressed on, "Or do you know in your heart that your so-called 'brotherly camaraderie' is just wishful thinking on your part?"

Liu Haizhong's face turned pale and then red; he really didn't dare to actually greet anyone.

Putting aside the fact that his relationship with Boss Lou was unlikely to stand up to scrutiny, just the look in Lin Yifan's eyes just now made him a little scared. In all his life, he had never seen a child with such a piercing gaze.

"You...you're going too far!" Liu Haizhong roared, his voice trembling despite his fierce but weak expression.

"This is going too far!"

Lin Yifan sneered, "Compared to you bullying Aunt Qian and her orphan, what am I? Today, you have to abide by these rules, whether you like it or not!" With that, he reached out and grabbed Liu Haizhong's wrist with lightning speed.

"Ah!" Liu Haizhong felt a sudden tightening on his wrist, a tremendous force coming through him, causing him to grimace in pain, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. He tried to struggle, but found his wrist clamped as if by iron clamps, unable to move an inch.

"Do you submit?" Lin Yifan slightly increased the pressure on his hand.

"Ouch! Ouch! I give up! I give up!" Liu Haizhong was in so much pain that tears were almost streaming down his face. He had completely lost his previous arrogance and quickly begged for mercy.

Lin Yifan then released his grip. Liu Haizhong clutched his swollen wrist, hissing in pain, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at Lin Yifan.

"Now, go apologize and clean up," Lin Yifan coldly ordered.

Liu Haizhong dared not hesitate any longer and quickly walked up to Aunt Qian, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Sister, I'm sorry, it was my fault. I shouldn't have scolded you, and I shouldn't have poured the swill on the ground." After saying that, he actually bowed to Aunt Qian and the surrounding neighbors.

Aunt Qian was taken aback when she realized that Lin Yifan could actually get Liu Haizhong to apologize. She just waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "It's alright, it's alright."

Liu Haizhong quickly found some tools, endured the pain, and obediently cleaned up the swill on the ground. He then rinsed it several times with clean water until he could no longer smell the odor.

After doing all this, he lowered his head, not daring to look at Lin Yifan, like a child who had done something wrong.

Lin Yifan glanced at the cleaned-up ground, then at the dejected Liu Haizhong, and said in a deep voice, "Remember your promise today: be responsible for the cleanliness of the yard for a year. If I find you bullying your neighbors or breaking the rules again, I'll cripple you."

"Yes, yes, I remember, I won't dare to do it again." Liu Haizhong nodded repeatedly, wishing he could escape from here immediately.

"Get lost." Lin Yifan waved his hand.

Liu Haizhong felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He practically fled back to his home, slammed the door shut, and dared not come out again.

The farce came to an end. The neighbors' gazes towards Lin Yifan changed, filled with awe and gratitude.

"Xiao Fan, thank you so much for today," Aunt Qian said to Lin Yifan, her eyes red with tears as she held the child.

"Aunt Qian, don't be so polite. We're all neighbors, it's only right that we help each other out." Lin Yifan smiled gently. "If he bullies you again in the future, just tell me."

"Okay, okay." Aunt Qian nodded gratefully.