Siheyuan: I will never tolerate gambling and drugs!

In the evening, in the central courtyard of the siheyuan (traditional courtyard house)

"Xu Lin! This is none of your business, don't meddle," Yi Zhonghai said gruffly, glancing sideways at Xu Lin.

Seeing her old lover supporting him, Jia Zhangshi also started cursing, "That's right, what are you doing here? These are all longtime neighbors who came to judge our family, and you, a little beast who killed your parents..."

Before Jia Zhangshi could finish speaking, Xu Lin, who was more than a meter away, kicked her, sending her flying. She rolled several times on the ground before sitting down in a daze.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, not reacting immediately. After a while, Yi Zhonghai felt a chill run down his spine and realized what had happened.

"Xu Lin, what are you doing!" Yi Zhonghai shouted first. Jia Dongxu, realizing what was happening, clenched his fists and stood aside, not daring to step forward. He just glared and yelled, "Xu Lin, you fucking hit my mom!"

Xu Lin didn't even glance at Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu, nor did he reply to their words. Standing there, he took out a cigarette, lit it without a second thought, took a puff, and then coldly said to Jia Zhangshi, "If you, you old widow, utter another curse, I'll send you to see Old Jia right now, believe it or not."

"You..." Jia Zhangshi clutched her chest with one hand and stubbornly pointed at Xu Lin with the other. She was about to curse, but when she saw Xu Lin's cold eyes, she swallowed her words.

Yan Bugui was overjoyed, finally having caught this little bastard red-handed. "Jia Dongxu, quickly go to the neighborhood office and tell Director Wang that Xu Lin beat up an old man in the courtyard. Tell Director Wang to arrest him and kick him out of the courtyard..."

Just as Jia Dongxu realized what was happening and was about to go to the subdistrict office to call Director Wang, he saw Xu Lin calmly wave his hand.

"Go quickly, and we can make things clear about the forced women in your family and the things Jia Zhangshi said to me."

Xu Lin's voice wasn't loud, but every word was weighty and resounding. Those present—Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and even Jia Zhangshi sitting on the ground—all changed their expressions upon hearing it.

"Who forced a woman, you... explain yourself clearly!" Jia Zhangshi started to say, but the pain from being kicked in the chest immediately stopped her from uttering the curse.

Xu Lin walked up to Qin Huairu and patted her on the shoulder as she stood helplessly in the middle of the crowd. "Don't be afraid, I'll back you up. Explain the whole story clearly and boldly. No one will dare to spread rumors."

Qin Huairu wiped away the tears that had been welling up in her eyes from her grievances, nodded firmly to Xu Lin, and after organizing her thoughts, slowly began to speak.

"I was passing by the Intermediate People's Court this afternoon when I ran into Jia Dongxu and his mother standing at the door. Jia's aunt wanted to pull me inside to sit and chat, but I didn't agree."

Jia Dongxu came over and pushed me, insisting that I go in and say something to his mother. Seeing that it wouldn't be good to refuse, I stood at the door and chatted with Jia's aunt for a couple of minutes...

Upon hearing that Qin Huairu was about to expose the matter, Jia Zhangshi immediately stirred up trouble, "You're talking nonsense! Dongxu just came back, and you ran over to greet him. And you even said he pushed you, how shameless..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lin frowned, turned around, and glared at Jia Zhangshi, who was spitting as she spoke, his eyes narrowing in a warning.

"Old hag, shut up when I didn't tell you to. You'll have your turn to speak later. If you keep stirring things up, I'll hit you. Didn't you see your old lover listening quietly without daring to interrupt?"

Xu Lin's words caused an uproar. Jia Zhangshi and Yi Zhonghai broke out in a cold sweat; they couldn't understand how Xu Lin, who had only been there a short time, knew about their affair.

Jia Dongxu felt utterly ashamed and wished he could disappear into the ground. Seeing Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi's guilty expressions, he felt like stabbing them to death.

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao were amazed. They thought only they and Jia Dongxu knew about this, but they didn't expect Xu Lin to be in the know as well. This was going to be interesting.

The two of them hadn't spoken until now because they were thinking that it was better for Jia Dongxu to marry Qin Huairu than for her to be given away to someone else, since they had witnessed Jia Dongxu's impotence yesterday.

Although Jia Dongxu consistently denied it, these two were thinking that if Qin Huairu married him, since he wouldn't need her anyway, and even if she didn't become his mistress later, they could at least sneak into a vegetable cellar like Yi Zhonghai.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui were utterly shocked. This widow from the Jia family, Zhang Xiaohua, had an affair? And it was someone from our courtyard? Was she even one of the people at the scene?

The two men kept glancing at the faces of the onlookers, trying to find out who Jia Zhangshi's lover was by looking for clues.

They had long suspected that Jia Zhangshi was having an affair. Old Jia had just left before the founding of the People's Republic of China; although he hadn't left while working, the steel mill had still compensated him with two months' wages.

Zhang Xiaohua, a woman with no job, no income, and no savings, managed to raise Jia Dongxu. Who would believe she didn't have a lover? They just always thought it was someone else.

Well, that's great. Xu Lin directly revealed the truth in the courtyard. Although the two were also unhappy with Xu Lin, they still respected his character. So they believed what Xu Lin just said without a doubt. They were no longer interested in Qin Huairu's affairs. They just wanted Xu Lin to quickly reveal who his lover was!

Jia Zhangshi was afraid that Xu Lin would blurt out whatever came to mind without thinking. She wanted to defend herself, but she was also afraid that Xu Lin might have evidence and that if she provoked him, he would reveal everything, which would ruin her and Yi Zhonghai's relationship.

Therefore, at this moment, Jia Zhangshi made one of the most correct decisions of her life—"pretend not to hear".

Seeing that Jia Zhangshi had calmed down, Xu Lin nodded to Qin Huairu and said, "You can continue."

Seeing that Xu Lin had intimidated Jia Zhangshi with just one sentence, Qin Huairu felt even more emboldened.

"I had just chatted with Aunt Jia for a couple of minutes when Jia Zhangshi said that her son had taken a liking to me and asked if I would be willing to marry him. She said that if I married him, I wouldn't have to go back to the countryside to toil in the fields for a living anymore."

Halfway through her sentence, Qin Huairu glanced at Xu Lin's expression. Seeing that his expression remained unchanged and he wasn't angry with her, she breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little disappointed. She continued speaking.

"I did not agree, and I made it clear to the Jia family mother and son that I had someone I liked and had never thought of marrying into their Jia family. After saying that, I was about to leave."

But for some reason, Jia Zhangshi suddenly grabbed my arm and wouldn't let me leave, saying that since I had accepted the betrothal gifts, I had to marry her son. I was wondering what betrothal gifts were when Jia Dongxu took a red envelope out of my pocket, and then what you saw happened...

After saying that, he lowered his head and stood beside Xu Lin without saying another word. Xu Lin understood what he meant.

This was a scheme set up by the Jia family mother and son. The red envelope was probably secretly slipped into the bag by Jia Dongxu when he pushed Qin Huairu.

No wonder Jia Dongxu's son, Bang Geng, earned the title of "Thief Saint" in the original story; it turns out the lineage traces back to Jia Dongxu. Thinking this, Xu Lin silently scoffed to himself.

"Alright, everyone, have you heard me clearly now? From beginning to end, this whole thing was about the Jia family trying to force Qin Huairu to marry Jia Dongxu. As for that red envelope, it's nothing at all; it was definitely a trap set by Jia Dongxu."

Yan Bugui immediately stood up to oppose Xu Lin and started arguing with everyone, "You say the red envelopes were given by the Jia family, so that's it. That's just Qin Huairu's side of the story. If you want us to believe you, you have to provide evidence. We can't do it without evidence."

After all, Qin Huairu herself just said that the red envelope was found on her person. This can't be dismissed with a simple "I didn't know." Now there are only two options: either Qin Huairu marries Jia Dongxu, or Jia Dongxu reports Qin Huairu to the neighborhood committee for stealing the Jia family's betrothal money.

Liu Haizhong also stood up to support Yan Bugui, speaking in an official tone, "Old Yan is right. We must always rely on evidence when we do things. Although we can't beat you, we are still willing to sacrifice ourselves to uphold justice."

Xu Lin was both amused and exasperated by Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui's stance—a pretense of upholding justice while actually determined to fight him to the death.

"If what you're saying is true, and I secretly put the Jia family's dowry money into your wife's pocket, wouldn't your wife also have to divorce you and remarry Jia Dongxu, or call the police and have your wife arrested!"

As soon as Xu Lin said this, Xu Damao and Shazhu in the courtyard couldn't help but burst out laughing. Then Xu Damao added insult to injury, "Second Uncle, if that's the case, shouldn't you thank Xu Lin?"

"Ha ha ha ha"

Hearing the laughter, Liu Haizhong's wife, Gao, immediately started scolding, "Xu Damao, why don't you say you put it in your mother's pocket so your father can thank Xu Lin!" She then tried to scratch Xu Damao, but Xu Damao, experienced in such matters, sensed the danger and ran away.

Liu Haizhong, standing to the side, was also furious, his face turning red with anger.

"Don't talk nonsense. My wife and I are married and have a marriage certificate. Our situation is different from Qin Huairu's. What you're saying is utter rubbish..."

Xu Lin immediately seized on the loophole in Liu Haizhong's words, "So you mean if Qin Huairu gets engaged to someone else, then it'll be fine!"

"this……"

Liu Haizhong's mind went blank; he didn't know how to answer. He could only anxiously look at Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai didn't care whether Xu Lin had any evidence of his affair with Jia Zhangshi. Even if he did, if he presented it now, Yi Zhonghai could claim it was Xu Lin framing him as revenge. After thinking it through, he spoke.

"That's right. If Qin Huairu were already engaged to someone else, then this would just be a misunderstanding, and the Jia family wouldn't do something like this to steal her away."

Xu Lin nodded upon hearing Yi Zhonghai's words. Then, he pulled the bewildered Qin Huairu into his arms and said...

"That makes things easier. I haven't told anyone before, and Huai Ru was too embarrassed to say it either, but actually Qin Huai Ru and I have already secretly pledged our lives to each other."

I was planning to rest for a couple of days and then go home to see her parents. But since this happened today, I might as well announce it here. Huai Ru, you tell everyone, am I right?

Everyone was stunned, and Sha Zhu was heartbroken, exclaiming, "How could I not have thought of that!"

Qin Huairu, initially bewildered, was pulled into Xu Lin's arms. Hearing his words, she was instantly overjoyed, her eyes practically sparkling with Xu Lin's light. After a few seconds of stunned silence, she saw Xu Lin wink at her and immediately understood. Although still somewhat disappointed, she grasped Xu Lin's meaning.

"Yes...yes, Xu and I have already made a lifelong commitment. In a couple of days, he'll come back with me to meet my parents and discuss a wedding date..."

Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and Yi Zhonghai then realized they had been tricked by Xu Lin. This kid had deliberately led them this way. Liu Haizhong was furious.

"How can you prove that you two have secretly pledged your lives to each other?!"

Xu Lin retorted sharply, "Then how do you prove your wife is your wife?!"

"you……"

Liu Haizhong was speechless. He and Gao had married before the founding of the People's Republic of China. Although their files were later re-established at the local street office, they hadn't obtained a marriage certificate; they had only transferred their household registration there. Xu Lin knew this.

"If you can't prove that your wife is your wife, then can't I also say that your wife is actually Yan Bugui's wife?"

"Ha ha ha ha"

Everyone burst into laughter again at Xu Lin's antics. Seeing this, Liu Haizhong instinctively reached for his belt, but then realized that the person opposite him was Xu Lin. His face turned a deep shade of purplish-red, and he angrily turned and went back to the backyard, no longer wanting to get involved.

Yan Bugui and Yi Zhonghai exchanged a glance after seeing Liu Haizhong leave, then went their separate ways. How could they possibly continue? No matter what, Xu Lin kept asking if his wife would handle the situation the same way. He said his wife was his wife, and she couldn't possibly accept someone else's dowry, yet he wanted him to prove she was his wife. He couldn't possibly rush off to get a marriage certificate right now just for this…

Seeing the three managers leave, Xu Lin then said to the people in the courtyard, "Alright, alright, stop watching. This is the Jia family shamelessly trying to steal my wife, using underhanded tactics. Go back now, don't cause any more trouble, or I'll take you all down with me if I start beating people up."

Upon hearing Xu Lin's words and recalling his astonishing fighting prowess over the past few days, the people in the courtyard wisely dispersed and went home.

In the end, only Jia's mother and son, Xu Lin who kept his arm around Qin Huairu's slender waist, and Sha Zhu and Xu Damao, who were watching with envy, remained at the Jia family's door.

"Alright. This farce should end now. You and your son, tell me, should I lay a hand on you, or should you two be sensible and apologize to my fiancée and compensate her..."

Upon hearing that she was also required to apologize and pay compensation, Jia Zhangshi's triangular eyes widened in surprise.

"Xiao...no, Xu Lin. We didn't know Qin Huairu was already engaged to you. Besides, you two are supposed to be engaged, but you're not engaged yet. It's perfectly reasonable for Qin Huairu to take a liking to my son at this time..."

Hearing the old hag still arguing, Xu Lin released Qin Huairu, cracked his knuckles, and looked at Jia Zhangshi with disdain.

"It seems you won't listen to reason no matter what I say, but thankfully, as you know, although I'm a doctor, I also know a little bit of martial arts."

"You and your son should come at me together. I don't want people to say I'm bullying a widow who's been cheating on me."

Seeing Xu Lin like this, Jia Dongxu immediately recalled yesterday's scene and slid in to his knees in front of Xu Lin.

"No, Director Xu. We were wrong. I apologize to Qin Huairu." She immediately said this to Qin Huairu.

"Comrade Qin Huairu, I'm sorry. My mother misunderstood you today. She's getting old, so please don't take it to heart."

Hearing Jia Dongxu's words, Qin Huairu glanced at Xu Lin and nodded in forgiveness. Xu Lin, watching this, inwardly grumbled.

"If I were to take over Qin Huairu, the wife of the cuckolded king Jia Dongxu from the original story, then who would Jia Dongxu, the future master thief, find to father a child with...?"