Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

At this moment, He Yuzhu and Yi Zhonghai also entered the Intermediate People's Court one after the other.

When Sha Zhu saw Liu Jianguo, he greeted him in a muffled voice, "Director Liu is back."

Yi Zhonghai, adopting the demeanor of an elder, naturally interjected, "Jianguo, you're back from your business trip. You heard about Dongxu's wedding, right?" This address of "Jianguo" made Liu Jianguo pause slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable. He thought to himself, "Aren't we closer than that?"

But then I thought, Yi Zhonghai is old, so there's not much wrong with calling him that.

He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he sneered: "Fine, Lao Yi, trying to play these tricks on me, trying to use seniority to intimidate me?"

We were supposed to keep to ourselves, but you insist on coming along, so don't blame me for making things difficult for you.

He completely ignored Yi Zhonghai, turned to look at He Yuzhu, and spoke in a calm but barbed tone:

"Zhu Zi, your father, He Daqing, has been in Baoding for quite some time now, hasn't he? And we haven't heard a word from him since?"

He Yuzhu, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, immediately bristled and shouted, his neck stiff:

"Why bring him up! Let him come back if he wants! I'll just pretend I don't have a father!"

Liu Jianguo had been waiting for this line of dialogue, so he immediately chimed in, his voice not loud, but clearly carrying throughout the entire courtyard, with the seriousness of a cadre: "Zhuzi! You can't say that! I heard that although your father isn't here, he still sends you and your siblings living expenses every month. As an older brother, taking care of his sister is his duty. I still remember when I first moved here, in the dead of winter, seeing rainwater, I was so hungry I had to drink cold water to fill my stomach! I don't usually like to meddle in other people's business, but I'm a cadre in the factory, and I can't pretend I didn't see it! You need to think about what I'm saying, and don't mistreat the child!"

These words, ostensibly addressed to Sha Zhu, were in reality a barrage of venomous needles aimed at Yi Zhonghai.

After Liu Jianguo finished speaking, his gaze seemed to sweep over Yi Zhonghai unintentionally.

The usually dignified old man's facial muscles suddenly stiffened, the color draining from his face in an instant, before he forced himself to recover. A flicker of barely concealed panic flashed in his eyes, and his expression truly changed several times in a flash—a truly fascinating sight. He Yuzhu froze, as if struck on the head, his eyes wide with disbelief: "What? Sending money every month? I...I haven't seen it!"

He subconsciously turned to look at He Yushui beside him, his voice filled with confusion and a hint of anger at being misled, "Yushui is so hungry that she's drinking cold water? That can't be, right? Didn't the old man say he'd provide food for Yushui?"

This sudden information, completely contrary to what he had been told and believed, plunged him into immense confusion and bewilderment, his mind buzzing.

Liu Jianguo didn't give Yi Zhonghai a chance to interrupt or defend himself. He immediately took over the conversation in a resolute tone, his sharp gaze fixed on the flustered Yi Zhonghai:

"That can't be right, Zhu Zi! Have you forgotten? I'm the deputy director of the branch office. When your father went missing, I had the right to access the relevant investigation records and remittance receipts! It's all in black and white, crystal clear. Every single remittance was personally collected from the post office by Master Yi Zhonghai, with his seal and ID! There's even his handwritten signature on them! How could this be fake?"

His words were not only meant for He Yuzhu, but also like a knife, directly piercing through the lies that Yi Zhonghai was trying to weave.

He Yuzhu's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He turned sharply to Yi Zhonghai, his eyes filled with betrayal, doubt, and anger, his voice squeezed out through clenched teeth:

"Grandpa! Is...is this really real?!"

Yi Zhonghai trembled at the question, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. He stammered, trying to smooth things over:

"Hey! Zhu...Zhuzi, let me explain...Back then, when you and your dad had such a falling out, he was afraid you'd be stubborn and wouldn't want the money! That's why he entrusted me to keep it safe for you, and we'd find a way to give it to you later...later. I...I didn't dare touch a single penny of yours; I've kept it all safe for you!"

His words sounded weak and feeble, even to himself they seemed pale and powerless.

Liu Jianguo sneered, completely unmoved by his words, and continued to add fuel to the fire, his tone icy:

"Master Yi, I don't care how He Daqing entrusted this to you in the first place. The fact is, during the long period you were holding onto this living allowance, Comrade He Yushui almost starved to death, surviving on cold water in the dead of winter! If it weren't for the help from the neighbors, the consequences would have been unimaginable! Your behavior, at best, is serious dereliction of duty; at worst, it involves embezzlement and even suspected child abuse!"

He paused, then turned his gaze to He Yuzhu, whose face was ashen and fists were clenched, presenting him with a difficult problem that seemed like a choice but was actually forcing him to take a stand:

"Zhu Zi, what do you have to say about this? If you agree with Master Yi's explanation and think he has a valid reason, then this is an internal conflict within your compound, and I, as an outsider, won't interfere. If you think something is wrong and don't agree with his explanation, then it's easy. According to the rules, this kind of behavior involving embezzlement and potential illegality needs to be taken back to the security department for investigation. Fortunately, Li Bing and the others should be back soon. Let Master Yi go with them now and explain the whole story."

He Yuzhu's face was so gloomy it could drip water, and his chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that he was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Yi Zhonghai's hypocritical facade was suddenly exposed, which made him both angry and somewhat unable to accept it, after all, Yi Zhonghai had indeed shown him a lot of concern before.

He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words: "I...I need to think about it."

After saying that, he didn't look at Yi Zhonghai again, grabbed He Yushui who was still in shock and felt wronged, and growled, "Yushui, let's go home!"

The brother and sister walked quickly toward their home in a tense and silent atmosphere.

At this point, He Yuzhu's trust in Yi Zhonghai had been shaken, but it had not completely collapsed. He needed time to process this huge shock.

Liu Jianguo watched the He siblings leave, then glanced at Yi Zhonghai, who stood frozen in place with a deathly pale face, and snorted contemptuously.

He deliberately slowed his pace, and as he passed Yi Zhonghai, he said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for anyone who might be eavesdropping nearby to hear, "Master Yi, the way you handled this matter is really not very ethical."

After saying that, he didn't give Yi Zhonghai any chance to explain. Without turning back, he walked calmly towards his own east courtyard, leaving Yi Zhonghai alone in the gradually descending twilight, feeling cold all over.

Yi Zhonghai felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, a buzzing in his ears, and almost lost his balance.