Sha Zhu's Rebirth in the Courtyard: Starting with Hitting Someone in the Head

Chapter 313 All for One's Life

That evening, with nothing to do, He Yuzhu habitually spread his senses, covering the west wing of the front yard. The Yan family's light was on; Yan Jiekuang lay on the bed, his body covered in bruises, plasters on his back, cursing Liu Guangtian: "That idiot... a pervert, he hit so hard, damn it..."

He cursed a few times, then slapped himself. "How could I be such a coward? I got scared when Liu Guangtian drew his knife. Did they really dare to kill me? I even peed myself and told them everything. Now the photos are gone. I hope they take back the Andingmen statue after a while."

He rolled over, bumped his injury, hissed, sat up, and slapped his thigh, finally understanding.

"Damn it, this is a charade put on by those two. I've been fooled. Director Wang is trying to gag me with the junk from Andingmen."

He Yuzhu listened to Yan Jiekuang muttering to himself. He hadn't expected Yan Jiekuang to be such a useless piece of trash. He'd only been beaten up and had already given up all the photos. What good was regretting it now? Since this good-for-nothing was useless, he'd have to take matters into his own hands.

The next morning, before dawn, those photos were plastered all over utility poles, walls, and bus stop signs in Dongcheng District. Some of the photos even had the caption: Deputy Director Wang of the Dongcheng District Sanitation Bureau.

When it got light, the early risers saw it and gathered around, discussing it animatedly. They had never seen such big news before; they had only heard of "Rabbit Master" and "Second Chair" during the Republic of China era.

The news spread like wildfire. The entire neighborhood of Nanluoguxiang was buzzing with discussion. Many recognized the rabbit in the photo as Liu Guangtian, the one who lived in the backyard of No. 95 courtyard and was known for his effeminate manner.

Someone whispered, "I knew he was walking strangely. I always thought it was odd, and now I know." Someone else chimed in, "Well, it's not his fault. He's already cleaned up his genitals; it's normal for him to find someone to settle down with. It's just that this Deputy Director Wang… he's got some nerve."

Liu Guangfu finished sorting through the scrap he had brought back early in the morning and went out to buy breakfast for his brother. As he passed the utility pole in Qianmen Hutong, he saw a group of people gathered around. He took a closer look and froze. The face in the photo was his second brother; even though the photo was blurry, he recognized him.

He didn't look at it a second time, pushed the tricycle around and walked back, still shaking when he got back to the recycling station.

After washing his hands, Liu Guangtian asked, "Guangfu, is breakfast ready?"

"Brother..." Liu Guangfu walked to his side, his voice low, "The photos... are posted."

Liu Guangtian was stunned. "Me... with Director Wang?"

Liu Guangfu nodded, and Guangtian's body went limp, collapsing to the ground.

That morning, people from the Municipal Sanitation Bureau came. Two men in white shirts entered Deputy Director Wang's office, and the door remained closed for a long time. When Deputy Director Wang was taken away, he kept his head down, his lips pressed tightly together, and he didn't say a word.

Liu Guangtian was also taken away to the police station.

The police officer showed his identification: "Liu Guangtian, come with us to assist with the investigation."

Liu Guangtian got out of bed, dressed, and followed the police officers out. Liu Guangfu stood at the door, watching his second brother's back as he passed through the doorway in the wall.

At the police station, Liu Guangtian was locked in a small room. Two police officers sat opposite him and asked him many questions: Who took the photos? How did you meet Deputy Director Wang? How did the sanitation department get its business?

Liu Guangtian lowered his head and said he didn't take the photos; he was bribed by Deputy Director Wang, who gave him the sanitation department's business. He had been locked in that small room all night, knowing that Deputy Director Wang was finished and the sanitation department's business was gone. He didn't know how he would face the pointing fingers and whispers of others in the future.

After understanding the situation, the police station released Liu Guangtian in the afternoon. Before leaving, they warned him to stay put and not cause any more trouble.

Liu Guangtian walked back to courtyard number 95 with his head down the whole way. He could only pretend not to hear or see the pointing and whispering of others.

All afternoon, Liu Guangtian wondered if Yan Jiekuang was behind it. If the person who took the photo wanted to expose it, they would have done it already; why would they give the photo to Yan Jiekuang?

The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. That bastard Yan Jiekuang probably saw through his and Director Huang's charade a long time ago; that peeing was intentional. It was definitely him; I'll make him pay.

Liu Guangtian took the dagger and went to the front yard.

The door to the west wing was open, and Yan Jiekuang was sitting in the main room, with a plaster on his shoulder, applying medicated wine. When he saw Liu Guangtian enter, Yan Jiekuang immediately stood up and took a step back, afraid that Liu would pull out his knife again.

"What do you want to do?"

Liu Guangtian stared at Yan Jiekuang. "Did you post the photos?"

"Are you crazy? I've already handed over the photos, what are you going to use to paste them?"

Yan Jiekuang quickly explained, "What benefit would it do me to put it on?"

"Who else could it be but you?" Liu Guangtian took two steps forward. "If the person who took the photo wanted to expose this, they would have done it already. You threatened me before that you would post the photos on the streets of Dongcheng District."

Yan Jiekuang was now in a difficult position; he had said those words before. For every step Liu Guangtian took forward, Yan Jiekuang took a step back, his back slamming against the wall.

He could only plead, "Brother Guangtian, it really wasn't me, you have to believe me. I'm already very grateful that Deputy Director Wang didn't cancel the business at Andingmen. You have to believe me, I really didn't do it."

Seeing this cowardly appearance, Liu Guangtian realized it didn't seem like he was acting.

Yan Jiekuang retreated to the wall with nowhere to escape. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his palms waving outwards incessantly, begging for mercy, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Liu Guangtian saw a corner of Yan Jiekuang's pants pocket sticking out. He stepped forward, took out a stack of photos, and many more were scattered on the ground. The photos showed him and Deputy Director Wang.

Yan Jiekuang looked down at the photo on the ground, his mind blank for a few seconds before he came to his senses and hurriedly explained, "This isn't mine! I don't know how it got in my pocket."

Liu Guangtian looked at him, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes vanishing. He pulled the dagger from his lower back and plunged it into Yan Jiekuang's ribs below the waist, inserting it diagonally.

Yan Jiekuang looked down and saw the hilt of the knife in his stomach. He slid down the wall. Blood gushed from between his fingers. Xiao Dang happened to return to bring Jiekuang food and screamed loudly.

Liu Guangtian drew his knife, and Xiao Dang lunged forward to stop him. Liu Guangtian raised his knife and swung it at Xiao Dang. Xiao Dang was so frightened that he stepped back and fell to the ground. His body froze, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a sound.

Liu Guangtian gripped the knife, drops of blood dripping from its tip onto the ground. He watched as Yan Jiekuang lay on the ground, clutching his stomach, blood gushing from the wound, forming a large pool on the floor.

"Yan Jiekuang, you forced me to this." Liu Guangtian turned to look at Xiao Dang. "I won't kill you; I have no grudge against you. Tell Guangfu that this matter ends here and let him live a good life."

He raised his hand and plunged the knife into his chest. The blade sank completely in, and he fell forward, kneeling on the ground with his forehead touching the earth, his hand slowly loosening its grip on the hilt.

Xiao Dang struggled to run out, screaming loudly for help at the courtyard gate.

He Yuzhu watched all this from the main room. Liu Guangtian behaved well; even in his dying moments, he was thinking of his younger brother. "Master Zhu respects your last wish; spare Liu Guangfu."