Siheyuan: I will never tolerate gambling and drugs!

Xu Lin walked to the basin and slowly washed his hands, as if he had only brushed away some dust. Then he walked over to Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu. These two had attacked first, so they had taken the most damage.

One arm is dislocated, and one lower leg is dislocated.

"What are you doing! Director Wang will be here soon, if this continues, things will get out of hand!" Jia Dongxu looked flustered when he saw Xu Lin approaching, but unfortunately, his lower leg was dislocated and he couldn't stand up. He could only move backward by using his arms.

Sha Zhu didn't say anything; he hadn't recovered yet. He just stared blankly at Xu Lin with a vacant look in his eyes.

Xu Lin didn't reply, but grabbed Jia Dongxu's ankle with his large hand. With a twist of his wrist, he repositioned Jia Dongxu's dislocated leg amidst Jia Dongxu's screams, then released the ankle with a flick of his wrist. He then grabbed Sha Zhu's right arm.

"Ah~" Sha Zhu jolted back to his senses in pain, before he could even utter a curse.

With a "snap," his right arm, which had been hanging limply, suddenly swung up. After releasing his hands, Xu Lin disgustedly wiped them on the shirts of Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu, then, under the frightened gazes of the neighbors at the door, he closed the rickety door that Sha Zhu had knocked open.

Then he turned and walked to the only chair that was still intact. He casually took the packet of Daqianmen cigarettes from the pocket of Yan Bugui, who was lying on the ground pretending to be dead. He pulled one out, lit it, and then kicked Jia Zhangshi in disgust.

He took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke.

"Alright, everyone, stop lying down and get up. We're not allowed to sleep here!"

Let's talk about your attempted burglary. Otherwise, when Director Wang arrives, hmph...

Upon hearing this, the men present were so frustrated they were about to vomit blood! What the hell was going to happen? But they were too embarrassed to stay on the floor any longer, so one by one, with dark faces, they helped each other to their feet.

Jia Zhangshi, who had been kicked, stood up at this moment. Seeing the situation turning against her, the old woman immediately lay down and pretended to be dead. Hearing Jia Dongxu's cries of pain, she didn't dare make a sound, thinking to herself, "If I hit them, I can't be hit too! This kid looks so clean-cut, but he's so ruthless!"

Xu Wude stood up, his face full of frustration. Didn't these three old bastards do any research before they acted? With skills and words like that, do you think you can mess with them? This time, Liu Haizhong really got him into trouble. Thinking of this, he glared resentfully at Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui. Anyway, I was misled. I didn't know anything.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui were at a loss. They had thought that since they had captured and tied Xu Lin up in the street, it would be their doing. Since no one would give them a statement, they could just say that they saw the Jia family mother and son being bullied and that everyone in the courtyard was standing up for justice. If they went to the street office, they would definitely be in the right.

But this kid is so tough. He even closed the door after beating people up. When Director Wang arrives, no matter how he explains, he won't be able to explain why so many people broke into Xu Lin's house to fight.

Yi Zhonghai's face was also ashen, his expression stiff. His face was long and drawn, unsurprisingly, he hadn't recovered from the slap in the face. But he still had to step forward to resolve the issue and prevent it from escalating.

"What 'burglary'? We're all neighbors. Today, it was a misunderstanding caused by Jia Dongxu and his group of young people being hot-tempered and impulsive. We elders just saw them injured and acted rashly, trying to stop them, which led to the misunderstanding."

"How about this, I'll have a few of the younger ones apologize to you, and then we'll explain the situation to Director Wang in person later. What do you think..." He then gave the others a meaningful look.

"Yes, yes, it's all a misunderstanding. Let Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu apologize to you properly. Then, when Director Wang arrives, we'll explain things clearly..." Yan Bugui hurriedly explained, seeing Yi Zhonghai's gaze, after all, he was the one who started this whole thing.

Liu Haizhong and Xu Wude didn't respond; they simply turned their heads to the side.

Seeing their demeanor, Xu Lin leaned back in his chair, rubbed his temples with the hand holding a cigarette, and waved his other hand. "Fine, it seems you're not sincere about negotiating. You rushed in, lost, and now you're telling me it was a misunderstanding? Don't you guys know whether it was a misunderstanding or not?"

"Then you can wait for Director Wang to come and take you to jail. Let's see if you can still be so glib when you get to the labor camp."

At this point, Liu Haizhong couldn't hold back any longer; he was a career-obsessed man. He had been working hard to become a team leader, and it would be a huge loss if Yan Bugui and the Jia family benefited from it and it affected him.

"Xiao... Dr. Xu, this is really a misunderstanding. Please suggest a solution. After all, we'll be neighbors from now on, we'll see each other all the time. It doesn't have to be a fight to the death..."

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Xu Lin. Hearing Liu Haizhong's words, Xu Lin guessed that the old man was trying to trap him and then accuse him of extortion. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly, "Trying to play this on me? This old guy is too green."

If Liu Haizhong knew Xu Lin's thoughts, he would definitely seek revenge. But he's not that smart; he didn't even finish elementary school, how would he understand such things?

After listening, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but squint at Liu Haizhong, giving him a mental thumbs-up. He hadn't expected the old man to have this trick up his sleeve. If Xu Lin had spoken first, the situation would definitely have been different—how cunning!

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's expression, Xu Lin was even more convinced of his belief. There wasn't a single good person in this beastly academy! Thinking this, his eyes darted around, and he immediately spoke up.

"I don't have any solutions. Let the neighborhood committee handle it. I'll accept whatever they decide, even if it means paying your family 50 yuan in medical expenses."

Then the tone shifted.

"But don't come begging me to take you to jail later."

Initially, upon hearing that they would each receive 50 yuan for medical expenses, Jia Zhangshi, Yan Bugui, Jia Dongxu, and their group's eyes lit up, and they were all eager to ask for the money. However, upon hearing the rest, one by one they lowered their heads and gritted their teeth.

Yi Zhonghai was initially taken aback, but after hearing the explanation, he realized what was happening and secretly cursed in his heart.

"That kid's really cunning. He doesn't just ask for money directly, he forces us to hand it over without leaving any leverage. Just you wait, he'll be in trouble when I get my hands on him."

Although Yi Zhonghai was cursing inwardly, he still wore a peacemaker's expression and then said with a fawning smile.

"Dr. Xu, how about this? You just moved in today, and although it was a misunderstanding and things didn't go well, we neighbors still feel really bad."

Here's what we'll do: each of us will give you 50 yuan as a housewarming gift. We're all neighbors, so we'll all help each other out. And if anyone has a minor ailment like a headache or fever, Dr. Xu, please lend a hand. See...

After listening, Xu Lin smiled meaningfully at Yi Zhonghai's fawning expression. Thinking back to his own pretentious manner at the beginning, he couldn't help but want to slap Yi Zhonghai's old face a couple of times.

That old bastard's got some nerve. No wonder he's got the nerve to be the boss in this courtyard. His methods and shamelessness are something else. I was just about to nod and agree when he just let it go.

Jia Zhangshi, however, was displeased. Her small, triangular eyes narrowed, and she began to speak passionately, gesturing wildly.

"Why should we give him money? Dongxu was beaten up like that! Is there no justice? Let whoever wants to pay, pay up! We don't have any money!"

Xu Lin was amused and annoyed by the old woman's attitude. She really thought she could get away with being a rogue, huh? She really thought Yi Zhonghai would side with her because he cared about her son supporting her in her old age, and that he'd protect her this time too? Fine. Not willing to pay 50, huh? Then get ready to be bled dry!

"Yi Zhonghai, it seems you two haven't figured things out. No one's paying attention to your suggestion. I don't want the gift. We'll explain things clearly when Director Wang arrives and see how he resolves it."

Without waiting for anyone else to speak, he walked to the door, opened the rickety door, kicked aside Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu, and sat down on the threshold to refill a Daqianmen cigarette.

The two men initially wanted to argue, but seeing Xu Lin tilt his head from side to side, they both chose to remain silent.

Yi Zhonghai initially wanted to explain further, but seeing that Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong remained silent and acted like cowards, he figured these two old bastards probably didn't want to pay either, so he simply kept quiet. After all, he hadn't started this whole thing.

When Yan Bugui and the others saw the door open, they wanted to leave this place of trouble. However, they were afraid that they would appear guilty if Director Wang came and they were not there, so they all stood still and did not leave.

The crowd that had come to watch the commotion at the entrance had dispersed, leaving only the wives of the three stewards and a small, thin girl of about seven or eight years old named He Yushui.

Seeing that everyone inside was alright, he didn't come over and chose to observe. Xu Wude's wife was still a servant in the Lou family at the time, so she wasn't present.

On the other side, when Director Wang heard Liu Guangqi say that Xu Lin had gotten into a fight with people from the hospital, he was also taken aback. Fearing something serious might happen, he rushed over without asking for details, and he didn't even notice that Liu Guangqi had wet his pants.

Rushing to the scene, he breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Xu Lin was unharmed, but the sight of the rickety door and the broken table inside made him tense again.

"Xu Lin, come quick, let me see if you're hurt! How did you suddenly start fighting with them?" Xu Lin was about to speak.

"Director Wang, it's this little..." Jia Zhangshi shouted at the top of her lungs, running up to Director Wang, ready to stir up trouble.

Director Wang glanced at Jia Zhangshi, his eyes narrowing. Knowing the old woman's character, Director Wang didn't give her a chance to speak, and sternly addressed Yi Zhonghai.

"Yi Zhonghai, you're the head of the compound, tell me what happened."

Yi Zhonghai had originally planned to watch the show, thinking that with Jia Zhangshi involved and smoothing things over, he could simply lend a hand and avoid taking responsibility. Unexpectedly, Director Wang completely ignored Jia Zhangshi and told him to speak. Seeing that he couldn't easily refuse, he had no choice but to speak evasively.

"Director Wang, it's like this: Dr. Xu Lin just moved here today, and everyone in the hospital wanted to come over and get to know him. We started talking about the Jia family and Uncle San's family having housing difficulties, and Dr. Xu Lin was very enthusiastic about helping both families."

Later, Jia Zhangshi said a few unpleasant things, which displeased Dr. Xu Lin, who then hit her twice. When Jia Dongxu found out, he started fighting with Dr. Xu Lin. The other people in the hospital, unaware of the situation, assumed that the widow and her child from the Jia family had been bullied, and thus also clashed with Xu Lin...

"Yes, yes, it was all a misunderstanding."

"Yes, Director Wang, although Dr. Xu Lin was quite rough and everyone was injured, we didn't blame him. After all, young people are prone to impulsiveness."

Yan Bugui, Liu Haizhong, and the others echoed his sentiments. After speaking, they all gave Xu Lin a defiant look, as if asserting their dominance and right to speak in the courtyard.

After listening, Director Wang frowned. Seeing that so many people were pushing all the blame onto Xu Lin, he was at a loss for what to do.

Although she thought highly of Xu Lin, she didn't know him well enough to know much about his character. After hearing the descriptions from this group of people, she hesitated and became troubled.

Xu Lin was speechless after listening. He couldn't help but laugh at their provocative expressions. They really thought he was a three-year-old child to be easily manipulated. Then he turned to the hesitant Director Wang and said...

"Director Wang, I want to report to the neighborhood committee and my work unit that Jia Zhangshi and Yan Bugui are embezzling public funds and attempting to seize public housing. I also want to report that Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and others are illegally trespassing on private property, acting as protectors of organized crime, undermining worker unity, inciting young people to engage in fights, and damaging public property."

Hiss~

As soon as Xu Lin finished speaking, Yi Zhonghai and the others gasped. Where did this kid learn to label people like that? He was trying to ruin everyone in the compound! These days, whether it's over-the-top corruption, being a protector of organized crime, or inciting mob violence, anyone can get shot.

Director Wang was taken aback. Was it really that serious? If so, she couldn't handle it; it would require the military control department. However, considering the situation of the people in the compound, she figured they probably didn't have the ability to deal with it either.

"You're talking nonsense! You little beast, who's over-paying? Old Yan and I both said we'd pay for the rent. What makes you think we're over-paying!" Jia Zhangshi, startled, quickly retorted.

"If it's not about taking more than your share, then why did you disagree when I said I'd provide the house and others would pay for the renovation and partitioning? You even called me an animal. My parents sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, so why do you accuse me of harming them?"

Even if you're allowed to insult me, the many orphans of martyrs in Beijing won't tolerate your nonsense. You're undermining the unity between the military and the people, and you deserve to be shot!

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi turned pale with fright, trembling and cowering behind Yi Zhonghai, unsure how to refute him. Seeing Jia Zhangshi's defeat, Liu Haizhong quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Dr. Xu, Jia Zhangshi is uneducated. She's used to speaking without thinking. She didn't mean it that way. She didn't know your situation. Ignorance is no excuse..."

"Shut up! If you hadn't instigated it, would those people in the yard have stormed into my house and started fighting with me? They even threatened to tie me up and take me to the street if I didn't pay compensation! Look at the state of my table, it's all smashed, the door's broken. If I didn't know a little kung fu, I don't know if I'd still be alive."

You dare to stand up for Jia Zhangshi? You and Yi Zhonghai are the protectors of illegal activities in the compound; your actions are even more egregious. You two should be shot at in front of Jia Zhangshi and Yan Bugui!

Xu Linyi's righteous and impassioned voice stunned everyone present. The room was so quiet that Jia Zhangshi's heavy breathing could be heard.

Director Wang finally understood, and feeling ashamed of his earlier suspicions about Xu Lin, he immediately glared angrily at Yi Zhonghai.

"Well, I never would have guessed. You lot in charge are really lawless. You don't have enough room in your own house, so you have to rent from others? And when you can't reach an agreement, you resort to beatings and verbal abuse?"

Instead of reporting the incident to the neighborhood committee, you acted recklessly on your own. Who do you think you are? Local tyrants from the old society? Come with me to the neighborhood committee! I want to see how many heads you have!

Everyone present felt a chill run down their spines, their foreheads covered in cold sweat, and they stood frozen in place, at a loss for what to do. Jia Zhangshi's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. No one present had expected the usually easy-going Director Wang to lose his temper so fiercely.

These days, the neighborhood committees really had the power to send you out for target practice and parade you through the streets. Back then, when many reactionary elements and bad elements were caught and executed by the neighborhood committees, there was absolutely no hesitation.

The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense. No one dared to look directly at Director Wang's anger; everyone kept their heads down and didn't dare to utter a sound.

Only Xu Lin watched the crowd with a half-smile. Xu Lin knew perfectly well that Director Wang's words were merely a bluff; he didn't want to see these people continue to stir up trouble and engage in endless, unreasonable arguments.

At that moment, an aged voice came from the central courtyard, accompanied by a rapid series of taps from a cane.

"Director Wang, it's not that serious..."

When Director Wang arrived, an older woman quietly went to the backyard to ask the deaf old lady for help. She explained the situation and thought that since the deaf old lady was also a family member of a martyr and a lonely elderly person, the neighborhood committee would probably take care of her.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the Intermediate People's Court, she heard Director Wang erupt in anger. Realizing that the people in the court had escalated the situation, the deaf old lady quickly spoke up to persuade Director Wang, trembling as she approached him, saying...

"Director Wang, you know me. I'm just an old woman, and I've only survived this long thanks to the care I received at the hospital."

The people in the hospital had always taken good care of the Jia family's orphans and widows. Yi Zhonghai and his group were only involved in the misunderstanding because they were instigated by Jia Zhangshi. Fortunately, the newly arrived Dr. Xu didn't suffer any losses.

"How about we have the families who just attacked her all compensate Dr. Xu as a form of punishment? What do you think, Director Wang?" She finished speaking while rubbing her knee and stealing glances at Director Wang's expression.

Director Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had said those words in anger, simply because he was furious at the group's reckless behavior. He knew that if things continued, things would get out of hand, so he wisely relinquished the initiative to Xu Lin.

"Xiao Xu, you tell us what's going on. You're the victim. Speak your mind, I want to see what kind of weird wind is blowing in this yard." After saying this, Director Wang glared at the three stewards.

Yi Zhonghai and his companions, relieved to have escaped such a calamity, wiped the cold sweat from their brows and looked gratefully at the deaf old woman.

Xu Lin also gave the deaf old woman a meaningful look. This old woman was quite shrewd; she had everyone in the courtyard completely under her thumb. No wonder she was the only one in the courtyard to die peacefully. He then looked away and cleared his throat.

"After all, I'm a new resident too. Since everyone recognizes their mistake, how about this: the three resident managers, along with the Xu and Jia families, each donate 100 yuan to the neighborhood office to be donated to the front lines."

The other residents who broke into my house each donated 50. The soldiers on the front lines are still fighting bravely; we, who are simply reaping the benefits, should also contribute our share…