Courtyard House: I'm surrounded by celestial beauties on either side.

The law enforcement officer frowned: "Those two are older than you. If something goes wrong, can you handle the consequences? Don't let a small matter cause a big problem!"

"If you insist on compensation, fine. I'll take you to the hospital right now for a full set of tests, which will cost at least ten or eight yuan."

"Ten yuan it is, let's go!" Yi Zhonghai said stubbornly.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Fang Chengxuan paid his parents' examination fees without saying a word.

Mr. and Mrs. Fang looked guilty: "We've caused our son so much trouble..."

"Mom and Dad, it's good for them to get checked out as they get older."

"Besides, you guys fought well today. Now no one in the backyard will dare to bully me in the name of their elders," Fang Chengxuan comforted him.

After the examination results came out, the doctor exclaimed, "Yi Zhonghai, you're fine. Just rub the bruises with an egg."

Then he called out again, "Are Fang Yongshou's family members here?"

"I am."

"The patient has lung problems and must quit smoking and drinking, otherwise his life is in danger."

Yi Zhonghai's expression changed, and he hurriedly said to the law enforcement officers, "His father's lung disease has nothing to do with me!"

Fang Chengxuan sneered: "What do you mean it's okay? Who knows if you hit my lung?"

"Aren't we supposed to pay each other's medical expenses? I'll pay you one yuan, and you pay my father double."

Before the law enforcement officers could mediate, Yi Zhonghai angrily pulled out ten yuan and threw it over.

The law enforcement officer was about to speak, but fell silent upon seeing this.

Fang Chengxuan took the ten yuan and handed one yuan to Yi Zhonghai.

An elderly man, his chest heaving, suppressed his anger and said, "Officer, we've settled this privately, can you leave now?"

The law enforcement officer nodded in acknowledgment.

After everyone left, the law enforcement officer turned to Fang Chengxuan: "You've got guts, kid, daring to ask for such an exorbitant amount right in front of me?"

"You know how many times they've caused trouble here. How can we not teach them a lesson?" Fang Chengxuan said frankly.

The law enforcement officer looked at him sympathetically: "Since we've reached a settlement, I'll be leaving now."

After seeing the law enforcement officers off, Fang Chengxuan went to pick up his parents.

Fang's mother was in good health, but Fang's father was a heavy smoker; he had never been without his pipe since Fang Chengxuan could remember.

I thought smoking was no big deal, but this checkup revealed that my lungs were already damaged.

Fortunately, today's farce actually led to my father getting a timely check-up.

After settling his parents in, Fang Chengxuan introduced, "Mom and Dad, this is Rong Wenyao, the older brother of my girlfriend Rong Xinrui. He came to visit you after hearing about your situation."

Mr. and Mrs. Fang were immediately at a loss, standing awkwardly on the spot, wishing they could disappear into the ground. "Please excuse us, we're not usually like this."

At this moment, Rong Xinrui walked in quickly. When she saw Rong Wenyao and Fang Chengxuan, her eyes lit up: "Big brother, Chengxuan!" She greeted Fang's parents with grace and poise: "Uncle and Aunt, I am Rong Xinrui, Chengxuan's girlfriend."

Mr. and Mrs. Fang were stunned.

The girl was so beautiful, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting. The two of them could only nod mechanically, "Okay, okay."

"Don't worry, everything's been taken care of," Fang Chengxuan said softly, holding Rong Xinrui's hand.

"I couldn't sit still when I heard about the incident, so I went to the law enforcement office first before rushing over." Rong Xinrui breathed a sigh of relief.

Rong Wenyao noticed that Fang's parents were uncomfortable, and said at the right time, "Let Chengxuan keep Uncle and Aunt company for a while, we'll go back first."

Rong Xinrui understood and obediently said goodbye, "Uncle and Aunt, Chengxuan, we'll be going now."

"I'm taking my parents to discuss the engagement tomorrow. Wait for me at home," Fang Chengxuan said with a gentle smile.

Rong Xinrui blushed slightly and softly hummed in agreement.

After seeing the two off, Leng Si also took his leave.

Fang Chengxuan helped his father up and said, "The doctor said you have some lung problems, you need to quit smoking and drinking." Fang's father nodded silently.

As they left the hospital, Mr. and Mrs. Fang exchanged a glance, finally unable to hold back their question: "Chengxuan, is that girl really your girlfriend?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Fang's mother nervously wrung her hands, asking, "We got into a fight today and ended up at the law enforcement station. Did we embarrass you? Will this affect you?"

"No, that won't happen," Fang Chengxuan reassured her. "Xinrui's family is very open-minded."

Besides, you stood up for me. Let's see who dares to bully me now that I don't have any elders to back me up.

The elderly couple were still uneasy: "What should we say when we go to the woman's house tomorrow?"

Just be natural, answer whatever you're asked.

If outsiders are gossipy, you should praise Xinrui as much as you can.

Fang's mother stroked the silver bracelet she had worn for half her life: "Why don't you give this to your boyfriend? It's not worth much..."

"Really, there's no need," Fang Chengxuan said with a smile. "They all know my situation."

Back at their lodgings, the elderly couple quietly discussed, "I think we should bring the silver bracelet and that two-hundred-year-old wild ginseng with us. We can't let people look down on Chengxuan." Mr. Fang smacked his lips on his empty cigarette and sighed, "If it weren't for us back then... we'd be hoping he could have a good life after he gets married." As Mrs. Fang spoke, she felt empty inside, feeling that her son was both familiar and unfamiliar.

The next morning.

After washing up, Fang Chengxuan said while having breakfast with his parents, "The Rong family said that the engagement ceremony will be a simple meal at their house."

The parents nodded in agreement.

When I arrived at the Rong family home, the whole family was there.

The Rong family's warm and thoughtful hospitality gradually put Mr. and Mrs. Fang at ease.

As the two families were discussing the details of the wedding, Fang Chengxuan quietly pulled Rong Xinrui aside.

He pulled a letter of engagement from his pocket, a gentle smile in his eyes: "I'm not very familiar with these formalities."

"But marrying you is a major life event, and it must be taken seriously."

Even if there are oversights in etiquette, the sentiment must not be lacking!

He gazed at Rong Xinrui with deep affection: "Comrade Rong Xinrui, will you be my wife?"

Rong Xinrui's eyes were slightly red, and her cheeks were flushed as she sweetly accepted the letter of appointment: "I do."

"And this too." Fang Chengxuan mysteriously took out a brocade box the size of a book.

The moment the box was opened, Rong Xinrui's eyes widened in surprise: "Where did you get these gold artifacts?"

"I secretly used my savings to exchange for gold and had it crafted by a master craftsman."

I originally wanted to make it bigger, but this is all I can give you for now.

The box contains eight exquisite gold artifacts: a phoenix gold comb, a ruyi gold abacus, a phoenix-patterned gold hairpin, a hollowed-out gold mirror, a descendant ruler, a concentric scale, and a wealth-bringing scissors, each only the size of a thumb.

"I've been preparing for this ever since the day you agreed to be with me," Fang Chengxuan said with a smile.

Rong Xinrui gazed at him intently, then suddenly threw herself into his arms: "Fang Chengxuan, the best decision I ever made was choosing you without hesitation."

Fang Chengxuan gently put his arm around her waist and said softly, "Me too."

"Be mindful of the impact, this is at home!" Rong Wenyao shouted from afar.

"If you're envious, brother, why don't you find yourself a sister-in-law too!" Rong Xinrui retorted playfully.

"Girls really are like that—once they grow up, they're gone!" Rong Wenyao shook his head and sighed.

"Dinner's ready." He turned and left with a sigh.

Rong Xinrui carefully put away the gift, and the two returned to the dining table.

At this moment, Mr. and Mrs. Fang had already relaxed under the warm hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Rong and were chatting about interesting things in the countryside.

After the engagement and wedding date were set, Fang Chengxuan took one last, reluctant look at Rong Xinrui as they parted in the afternoon before leaving with his parents.

The courtyard became lively as soon as they left.

"Is the Rong family holding an engagement banquet today? I saw that young man brought a radio to present his betrothal gifts?"

Rong's mother smiled broadly: "Let's get engaged first, and then get married in two years."

Xiao Fang insisted on having all the necessary items ("three turns and one sound") before he would agree to marry her, and we couldn't persuade him otherwise.

"This young man is really thoughtful," the neighbors praised.

Standing in the corner, Shu Qianxue curled her lip: "It's just ordinary betrothal gifts, why make such a fuss..."

At this moment, in the Rong family's living room, Rong Xinrui was showing her family the betrothal gifts sent by Fang Chengxuan.

"Brother, I've made up my mind," she said, gently stroking the gold jewelry, her gaze resolute. "I want to stay in the country."

Rong Wenyao looked at his grandparents and said, "Why don't you two come abroad with us?"

"We're getting old," the two elderly people said, their fingers intertwined. "This is where our roots are."

Mr. Rong said in a deep voice, "Everyone must be responsible for their own choices."

Late at night, Rong Wenyao found his father: "Dad, I'm very relieved that Xinrui is being taken care of by Fang Chengxuan."

But grandpa and grandma...

[End of full text]

Rong's father lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and said, "Don't you know your grandparents' tempers? Do you think we can persuade them?"

"Give Fang Chengxuan some hints during this time, and leave him some backup plans."

"After we leave, your grandparents and Xinrui will all need his care."

Amidst the swirling smoke, Rong's father said with a somber expression, "If we hadn't had no other choice, your mother and I wouldn't have taken this step."

Rong Wenyao sighed softly, "I understand."

"Leng Si, just stay here and help Fang Chengxuan. His courtyard..." He said, a complicated expression on his face.

Inside the courtyard house, Fang Chengxuan watched his parents packing their luggage: "Mom and Dad, are you sure you don't want to stay a few more days? I'll show you around."

"No, there's too much work to do in the fields, I can't rest easy," Mr. Fang shook his head.

Fang's mother chimed in, "We're used to life in the countryside; we don't feel comfortable staying in the city."

"Be careful on the road, and remember to call when you get home." Fang Chengxuan secretly slipped a box into the luggage while helping to pack.

After seeing his parents off, he found the box left by Fang's father in the quilt.

In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Fang opened the box and saw two ginseng roots. Their eyes reddened: "This child..." Recalling their indifference towards their son in the past, the two were filled with remorse.

On the other side, Fang Chengxuan also discovered the ginseng. Just as he was marveling at it, **Ying stood at the door holding Fang Lianyun: "Chengxuan, the old lady wants you to go over there."

"The old lady?" Fang Chengxuan frowned. "Who else is in her house?"

Lou Xiao'e is back, saying she wants to divorce Xu Damao.

"Heh, could it be that they're trying to set her up with He Yuzhu again?" Fang Chengxuan sneered. "Let's go see what kind of show they're putting on."

Upon entering the house, he asked directly, "What does the old lady want with me?" His gaze swept over Lou Xiao'e, whose eyes were red and swollen.

Xiao'e wants a divorce, and I want her to be paired with Zhuzi.

With someone in charge of the pillar from now on, he definitely won't dare to provoke you again.

"Do you think... could you write a letter of understanding?" the old lady asked tentatively.

Fang Chengxuan looked at Lou Xiao'e: "Are you really going to marry He Yuzhu?" Seeing her nod, he scoffed: "Would Xu Damao agree to that?"

Lou Xiao'e's face stiffened.

"Xu Damao has been threatening you with divorce to get money a lot lately, hasn't he?" Fang Chengxuan suddenly asked.

"How did you know?" Lou Xiao'e asked in shock.

"He's pursuing a girl who spends money extravagantly." Fang Chengxuan turned to the old lady. "I can write a letter of understanding, but don't come looking for me if he can get out."

After writing the letter of understanding, he stood up and said, "Starting tomorrow, I will no longer deliver your meals."

The old lady hurriedly said to Lou Xiao'e, "Go find Leng Si quickly, he has connections..."

Back inside, Fang Chengxuan had just finished instructing **Ying when Leng Si arrived: "The old lady asked me to take a letter of leniency to get people out of trouble."

"Is it possible?"

"No problem. Zhang Yangde and Yan Shuzhai performed well and were supposed to be out soon anyway."

"Then let's give them a hand." A dark glint flashed in Fang Chengxuan's eyes.

Leng Si frowned: "They'll definitely cause you trouble when they get out."

"Perfect." Fang Chengxuan chuckled. "How can we make them truly afraid if they don't come to me?"

"Why can't these people just live peacefully and keep to themselves? Most people would know better than to mess with you after being rejected, but they're so persistent and relentless, trying to drive you to your doom!"

Leng Si complained indignantly.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at him casually: "Who knows?"

"Maybe if you discipline them enough, they'll naturally behave themselves."

After a pause, Fang Chengxuan suddenly instructed, "He Yuzhu, Zhang Yangde, and the Third Uncle can be released early, but Qin Huairu must be imprisoned until her full sentence is served."

"clear."

"What kind of mess is this?!"

Leng Si muttered as he took his leave.

Fang Chengxuan watched him walk away, then finished washing up and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling thoughtfully.

"With Lin Qinqin keeping an eye on him, Zhang Yangde shouldn't be able to cause any trouble. In the end, he's just an insignificant passerby."

"As for the Third Uncle..."

"He'll probably cause a ruckus after losing his job, since his whole family's livelihood is now gone."

Thinking of He Yuzhu, Fang Chengxuan's eyes gleamed with amusement: "After he meets Lou Xiao'e, whom the deaf old lady introduced, will he still be so hung up on Qin Huairu?"

Times have changed. Is He Yuzhu still the same silly boy who was infatuated with Qin Huairu?

Fang Chengxuan smiled slightly: "The compound is going to be lively again. This time it's something to look forward to."

The following evening.

Whether it was because Leng Si had connections or because characters like Yan Shuzhai and He Yuzhu had their own aura, Fang Chengxuan actually saw the taciturn Third Master in the central courtyard when he got off work.

Walking into the backyard, I bumped into Zhang Yangde, who had just returned.