Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

"Rules?" He Yuzhu scoffed and took a step closer.

Startled, Yan Bugui quickly backed away, shouting menacingly, "What...what do you want to do? Let me tell you, hitting someone is illegal! I...I can go to the police station and report you!"

"Go ahead!"

He Yuzhu stopped, crossed his arms, and looked at him with a leisurely air.

"You'd better go now, so the police can judge this and see what kind of behavior it is for a teacher to chase after a neighbor demanding something, and then threaten him if he doesn't get it."

"You... what nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever chase after you for it? That... that was..."

Yan Bugui was speechless and wanted to explain, but he found that the people in the surrounding courtyard were watching him with amusement.

The neighbors in the courtyard looked at Yan Bugui with disdain, contempt, and even a hint of schadenfreude.

Everyone was already aware of Yan Bugui's petty and stingy nature, but they were too embarrassed to say it out loud.

Today, with He Yuzhu publicly tearing away his fig leaf, Yan Bugui's little schemes were completely exposed in broad daylight.

He Yuzhu pointed at Yan Bugui and said, "I was in a good mood the first two times and didn't bother with you, but you really think you're something special, daring to block my way and ask me for things?"

These words were like a slap in the face, even harder than the previous one, striking Yan Bugui's face.

"You...you're spouting nonsense!"

Yan Bugui was trembling with rage, and he retorted loudly, "I...I was just concerned about you, reminding you to be polite. You...you're ungrateful and even hit me! I...I'm not done with you!"

"Not over yet?" He Yuzhu's eyes turned cold. "Fine, Yan Bugui, after the New Year and when school starts, I'll go to your school and ask if all their teachers are as shameless as you!"

Yan Bugui suddenly shivered, a chill instantly shooting from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He might not believe what others said, but he couldn't believe He Yuzhu.

He's a tough nut to crack now. If he really makes a scene at my school, not only will I be punished, but I might not even be able to keep my job...

Yan Bugui dared not think any further, turned around and ran back to his own house in the front yard.

He Yuzhu looked around, grinned at the still-dazed neighbors, and said, "Everyone, go home and do what you were doing."

After saying that, he picked up the cloth bag, ignored everyone, turned around and walked back to his house, took out his key, clicked open the door, and went inside.

"Clang!"

The door was closed, shutting out all gazes and whispers.

It wasn't until quite some time after He Yuzhu's door closed that the sound returned to the courtyard:

"Goodness... He Yuzhu is really ruthless, he even dared to hit Yan Bugui..."

"Well done! Old Yan deserves a beating. He's always scheming and plotting against everyone else. Does he really think everyone else is stupid?"

"That's true, but He Yuzhu's methods were a bit too much..."

"But with He Yuzhu's temper... who in this courtyard would dare to mess with him in the future?"

"I certainly wouldn't dare. Haven't you seen Yi Zhonghai hasn't gone to work for days?"

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The front yard, the Yan family's house.

As soon as Yan Bugui entered the room, he slumped into a chair, covered his face, and was both ashamed and angry.

Yang Ruihua was picking vegetables when he saw him come in looking like this and was startled: "Old Yan, what happened to your face? Did you get into a fight?"

"What are you hitting? I was hit by that little bastard He Yuzhu!" Yan Bugui growled in a frustrated voice.

"What?!" Yang Ruihua dropped the vegetables in her hands in shock. "He Yuzhu? He... what right did he have to hit you?"

"Why should I?" Yan Bugui slammed his fist on the table in anger. "I only said two words to him, asked him for something... and he... he slapped me across the face, in front of the whole hospital! I've lost all face!"

Yang Ruihua was both angry and anxious. "Is there no law anymore? How dare this brat hit a teacher? We...we're going to the police station to report him!"

"Sue him for what!" Yan Bugui was still relatively clear-headed. "Sue him for what? It was wrong of him to hit me, but... but I did stop him from asking for his things. What can the police say when they come?"

Yang Ruihua still felt lingering fear when she recalled He Yuzhu's fierce appearance that day, but she was unwilling to give up and said, "Then... then we'll just let it go like this? You took the beating for nothing?"

Yan Bugui lowered his head, gritting his teeth, and said, "Of course we can't let this go, but this kid is a tough nut to crack now; a head-on confrontation won't work... We'll wait for his chance; his time will come!"

He touched his burning cheek, cursing He Yuzhu's ancestors for eighteen generations in his mind.

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Inside He Yuzhu's house.

He Yuzhu placed the cloth bag on the table, his heart completely unmoved.

Reasoning with this kind of shameless old man is useless; you have to use the most direct method to make him feel pain and fear.

Besides, establishing authority isn't something that can be done in one go.

He needs to be reminded from time to time that He Yuzhu is no longer the foolish Zhu who can be manipulated at will.

After tidying up the things in the cloth bag, He Yuzhu looked at the sky, wondering when Matchmaker Wang would arrive.

Since he had nothing better to do, he took out the Sichuan cuisine notes that his master, Chen Baoguo, had given him and started reading them.

Just as I was engrossed in watching, I suddenly heard someone outside calling, "Zhu Zi, is Zhu Zi home?"

He Yuzhu quickly responded and went out.

With a smile on her face, Matchmaker Wang pulled him aside and whispered, "Zhu Zi, I've been to the He family's place, and the girl has agreed to be your prospective matchmaker!"

He Yuzhu was overjoyed and quickly asked, "When? Where?"

"The young lady is shy and doesn't want to be in crowded places," said Matchmaker Wang. "I've already arranged with the He family that you two will meet at the young lady's house the day after tomorrow morning."

"Go to her house?" He Yuzhu was taken aback. "Is that... appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Matchmaker Wang said dismissively. "He's parents are both home, so they can come and see you."

He Yuzhu only wanted to complete the task, so he nodded and agreed: "Okay, the day after tomorrow morning, right? I'll be there on time."

Matchmaker Wang gave the He family's address in detail, and then instructed, "Zhuzi, you should dress smartly. The girl is pretty and gentle, so make a good impression."

"Oh, Aunt Wang, don't worry, I'll definitely do my best!" He Yuzhu readily agreed.

After giving her some instructions, the matchmaker left.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Yi Zhonghai and Matchmaker Liu as soon as she reached the gate of the compound, and looked at the two of them with some surprise.

Yi Zhonghai has no children, so why would he need a matchmaker? Is he supposed to find one himself?

The thought flashed through Wang the matchmaker's mind, but she didn't pay much attention to it.

She put on a professional smile again and greeted them, "Oh, Master Yi, Sister Liu, what a coincidence."

When Liu the matchmaker saw Wang the matchmaker, a hint of guilt flashed across her face, and she quickly greeted her with a smile, "Sister Wang...you just finished your work?"