The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

He then remembered that he had indeed seen Sha Zhu's door open earlier, and thought that Sha Zhu had returned early. He never expected that it had been burgled.

"Call a hospital-wide meeting!"

He said decisively.

Losing eleven yuan is no small matter; it's equivalent to two people's food supply for a month.

The message has already been sent over to the backyard.

After dinner, Yang Ping and Yan Fugui were chatting as dusk settled over the courtyard.

"Third Uncle, hurry up! Call everyone in the front yard, we're having a meeting!"

"Yang Ping, you have to come too!"

Liu Guangfu's loud voice abruptly shattered the silence.

Yan Fugui was engrossed in his conversation when he was interrupted, and his brows furrowed: "What happened?"

"A thief broke into Shazhu's house and eleven yuan was stolen. An old man spoke up and called a meeting in the whole courtyard to catch the thief."

As Liu Guangfu answered, his gaze involuntarily drifted to the pile of chicken bones on the table, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

He might only get to eat such oily and juicy food a few times a year.

"Eleven yuan?"

Yan Fugui jolted awake, and the slight intoxication he felt instantly dissipated.

This amount is equivalent to almost half a month's wages for him. If he were the one who lost it, he probably wouldn't even be able to lie down comfortably on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Yes, hurry up, I still need to notify the other companies."

Liu Guangfu swallowed hard, turned around and left in a hurry.

Yan Fugui couldn't sit still any longer: "Yang Ping, I'll go and get the people ready."

"You're busy."

Yang Ping waved his hand casually.

He wasn't in a hurry; he slowly got up, neatly arranged the bowls and chopsticks, and wiped the table clean.

After everything was tidied up, he picked up his own little stool and strolled leisurely to the middle courtyard.

A large number of people had already gathered in the courtyard, with lights and shadows flickering around them.

Someone waved to him:

"Yang Ping, over here!"

He was greeted by Chen Aiguo, a fitter in the same workshop and someone he trusted.

Yang Ping responded and nodded as she walked over.

He had no intention of getting involved; he wasn't the main character in tonight's events.

When Yan Fugui saw him arrive, a faint smile flickered across his face, and he nodded slightly to him.

On the other side, however, his bangs revealed a perpetually stern face, which appeared particularly gloomy in the flickering lamplight.

The courtyard was nearly full of people, and the sky was gradually darkening.

As Yang Ping entered the central courtyard, he could feel several pairs of eyes fixed on him.

He smiled at Yan Fugui as a greeting, but he didn't even raise his eyelids at Liu Haizhong—that old man's thoughts were even more hidden than Yi Zhonghai's, and there would be a chance to settle accounts later.

Sha Zhu's eyes were like hot nails, never leaving Yang Ping from the moment Yang Ping stepped across the threshold, as if he wanted to burn two holes in him.

Yang Ping knew perfectly well: this fool was probably convinced that he was the one who stole the money.

Unfortunately, he wasn't the one who stole the money.

It's Jia Dongxu.

Yang Ping glanced in the direction of the Jia family and saw only Qin Huairu sitting alone on a small stool with her head down. Neither Jia Dongxu nor the swollen-faced old woman showed up.

At this moment, Jia Dongxu was probably out having fun with his money, while Jia Zhangshi's face was swollen like a steamed bun, probably too ashamed to show her face, and even more afraid that she would lose her temper and get another beating—the last hospital-wide meeting had taught her a lesson.

"Cough, cough!"

Liu Haizhong stood up, cleared his throat, and his voice echoed dryly in the courtyard. "Everyone's almost here, let's start the meeting now."

Now, let's have this gentleman tell us what happened today.

He finished speaking and sat down, striking a pose as if he were just going through the motions.

Yi Zhonghai then slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces. His voice was not loud, but it silenced the courtyard.

"A big thing happened in the hospital today."

Sha Zhu's money was stolen, a whole eleven yuan.

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of warning, "Whoever took it, step forward and return the money."

I can consider not involving the police.

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent, with only the faint sound of the evening breeze passing through the clothesline.

Yi Zhonghai stood there like a stone statue, waiting for someone to reveal a flaw in this silence.

The courtyard was silent; no one moved.

"Who did this? Step forward! Our compound has been around for years, not a single needle has gone missing. If you set this precedent today, don't blame my second uncle for being ruthless!"

Seeing that no one answered, Liu Haizhong strolled out with his hands behind his back, putting on a very official air.

Still no one answered.

That silence was like a wall, clearly indicating that they didn't take him seriously.

"Yang Ping, how long are you going to keep hiding?"

Sha Zhu suddenly roared.

He had Ma Hua cook for Yang Ping at the cafeteria during the day, and then a thief broke into his house that night. Who else could it be but this kid?

All eyes immediately turned to Yang Ping.

Xu Fugui and the others were all somewhat taken aback, never expecting that he would be involved.

"Silly Zhu, could there be... a mistake in this?"

Yan Fugui pushed up his glasses and asked hesitantly.

"It can't be wrong!"

Sha Zhu retorted, "I asked Ma Hua to serve him less food today, and that bastard held a grudge, so he came back to steal my money!"

Everyone then realized that such a thing had happened.

Yan Fugui also frowned.

Even if I took it, what could you do about it?

Yang Ping suddenly laughed and slowly asked in return.

"I'll kill you!"

Sha Zhu felt blood rush to his head, and he clenched his fists, ready to pounce.

But before he could even take a step, Chen Aiguo, sitting next to him, shouted...

He stood up.

Immediately afterwards, Ma Dachui and seven or eight other people also stood up in unison, and a dozen cold gazes were fixed on Sha Zhu's face.

Sha Zhu's face changed instantly.

The ground turned white, and he staggered back several steps, cold sweat beading on his forehead, no longer daring to go forward.

"An old man,"

Ma Dachui spoke in a deep voice, "Our institute values ​​unity and mutual assistance, not violence."

"Silly Zhu is ruining the harmony in the courtyard again. I think we need to give him a good beating."

Yi Zhonghai's temples throbbed.

Whenever someone mentions those four words, he feels a chill run down his spine, as if he's been pricked by a needle.

He made a firm mental note: he could never use that same excuse to manipulate the people in this courtyard again.

"cough……!"

He cleared his throat, deliberately lowering his voice:

"Zhu Zi, you go back first."

This is a different matter altogether; the court can't handle it, it has to be handed over to the police station.

If it were someone else, he might have gone with the flow and suppressed it within the courtyard.

But the person on the other side was Yang Ping—who was eager to make a big fuss and leave an indelible stain on the other party's file.

If the steel mill fires him because of this, that room might have a chance...

"Old Yi, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Yan Fugui quickly interjected,

"According to our institute's usual rules, having Yang Ping return the money and apologize would be sufficient."

Ultimately, it's nothing more than throwing a tantrum and picking a fight for revenge.

Although he had also received wine from Yang Ping, he was somewhat indebted to him, so he naturally had to lend a hand now.

More importantly, Yi Zhonghai's actions were clearly biased, and he couldn't help but feel uneasy about it.

"Finding fault and seeking revenge"

-

These four words reached Yi Zhonghai's ears, and his face darkened even more.

It was one thing for neighbors to gossip behind his back, but when even Yan Fugui spoke ill of him to his face, a nameless anger welled up inside him.

He turned his head to the side, his gaze falling on Liu Haizhong, who had been silent all along.

"Old Liu, what do you think?"

Liu Haizhong was secretly weighing the situation.

On one hand, there was the opportunity to deal with Yang Ping; on the other hand, there was the possibility of gaining the upper hand over Yi Zhonghai. Both sides were tempting, which made him hesitant.

His heart skipped a beat when Yi Zhonghai singled him out like that.

In the end, lust for power prevailed—only by bringing down Yi Zhonghai could he hope to take the top position in the entire hospital.

Even if one is only a minor ruler within this small world, one is still a ruler.

He slowly raised his eyelids, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Old Yi, this might not be the right thing to do.

Every time something happens in the courtyard, we always discuss it behind closed doors. This time should be no different.

The speaker's voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

Then tell me, what should be done?

Yi Zhonghai turned the tables on him.

He naturally wouldn't let Yan Fugui take the lead—if he let that man make the decision, he'd probably only get some half-hearted punishment.

In my opinion, he should be punished by cleaning public toilets for three months, and then he should return the eleven yuan to Sha Zhu and apologize in public.

Is this alright?

A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth amidst his bangs.

This arrangement couldn't be better.

He not only seized the power to handle the matter, but also curbed Yi Zhonghai's momentum and taught Yang Ping a real lesson, achieving two goals at once.

Isn't this... a bit too heavy?

Yan Fugui's expression changed.

not heavy.

I also have to keep the public toilets spotless inside and out, without leaving even a trace of odor—I check on them every day.

Liu Haizhong waved his hand, his tone resolute.

Clearly, he harbored considerable resentment towards Yang Ping, which is why he devised such a cunning punishment.

What's the state of public restrooms right now? Everyone in the hospital is urinating there; trying to make them completely odorless is simply wishful thinking.

Okay, it's settled then.

Yi Zhonghai immediately seconded the motion.

Yan Fugui opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything more.

Now that both of the people in charge have given their approval, it will be difficult for him to turn the tide on his own.

He glanced at Yang Ping, his eyes filled with a hint of apology.

Great! That's a satisfying punishment!

Sha Zhu also started yelling, finally feeling relieved.

He had wanted to beat up Yang Ping earlier, but was stopped by Ma Dachui and the others, and he had been holding a grudge ever since.

Now that Yang Ping has taken on such a daunting task, he is overjoyed—he can now stroll around the toilet every day and make sarcastic remarks, which will be quite amusing.

Yang Ping, what do you say?

Yi Zhonghai sought Yang Ping's opinion, intending to leave the young man with no excuse.

"The punishment is too lenient."

Yang Ping replied, "In my opinion, he should be made to clean toilets for a whole year and pay ten times the amount in compensation—the thief should be taught a lesson."

Upon hearing this, not only Yi Zhonghai was stunned, but everyone in the courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Everyone has seen people who are meticulous, but no one has ever seen someone put so much pressure on themselves like this.

Doubling the punishment would be tantamount to courting disaster.

Seeing the stunned expressions on everyone's faces, resembling a group of dumbfounded roe deer, Yang Ping couldn't help but smirk.

Anyway, he wasn't the one who stole it, so he can be punished however he pleases; it's none of my business.

In the end, the one who will suffer is Jia Dongxu, who is still living a carefree life outside.

No—to be precise, it was Jia Dongxu who was on his way home.

"What do you all think? Is my suggestion appropriate?"

Seeing that everyone remained silent, Yang Ping asked another question.

"Ahem... Yang Ping, you can't joke like that."

Yan Fugui quickly interrupted, "Let's do as Second Uncle says!"

If Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong really agree, Yang Ping will be finished: he'll have to clean the outhouses for a whole year and bear the burden of 1,100 yuan in compensation.

"That's right."

Liu Haizhong nodded.

Although he wanted to punish Yang Ping, he wanted even more to maintain his absolute authority.

Once the words have been spoken, they cannot be easily reversed.

Yi Zhonghai frowned.

He sensed something was wrong—why would an ordinary person punish themselves so severely?

He wasn't the only one who noticed something was wrong.

Xu Fugui looked at Yang Ping, his eyes filled with surprise.

He realized he had underestimated the kid—this was clearly another trap set for Yi Zhonghai.

He already had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on; the one with the dirty hands was probably Jia Dongxu.

They've been out of sight for so long; they've probably gone to lay low.

Yi Zhonghai was clearly still in the dark when he stepped into Yang Ping's mess.

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai remained silent, Liu Haizhong cleared his throat and took over the conversation.

He has always enjoyed the feeling of giving orders and being in control.

"Then it's settled."

He raised his voice a few decibels, with an unquestionable tone, "Yang Ping, give the money back to Sha Zhu."