Courtyard House: In this life, I have a new home!

15

He turned to the law enforcement officers and said, "Comrades, I acknowledge that my parents were violent. We'll mediate if necessary, and we'll pay compensation if required. But who started this whole thing today? It was Yi Zhonghai."

"I'll pay whatever medical expenses he asks for, but after it's all over, my parents also need to go to the hospital for a full check-up, and he'll have to pay for that too."

Fang Chengxuan spoke these words slowly and deliberately, without even raising an eyebrow.

He certainly doesn't lack that little bit of money, but to give it away to that old fox Yi Zhonghai for free and take advantage of him? No way.

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai became anxious and immediately replied, "Comrade, I have to investigate too! Look at the injury on my face—"

The law enforcement officer glanced at both sides, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, I don't see anything serious about you. Let's each pay our own medical expenses, and that's the end of it."

"No!"

Yi Zhonghai stubbornly refused, saying, "They both ganged up on me, and look at the scratches on my face—they're much worse than theirs!"

Having finally found an opportunity to control Fang Chengxuan, Yi Zhonghai was not about to give in easily.

The law enforcement officer glanced at him: "Those two over there are older than you. If they really go to the hospital and get checked from head to toe, and something bad is found, can you take the responsibility? Don't lose the big picture for a small gain."

"Of course, if you insist on being serious about this, that's fine too—I'll have someone take you both for a full set of tests."

"A complete set of those things would probably cost at least ten yuan."

The law enforcement officers' eyes were fixed on Yi Zhonghai's face.

"Ten bucks it is, let's go!"

The doctor came out of the examination room and called out, "Yi Zhonghai, the examination is over, he's fine. Just roll hot eggs over the bruises, and the scratches will fade in a few days."

A moment later, the doctor called out again, "Are Fang Yongshou's family members here?"

"Yes, I am."

"Your father has some lung problems and must quit smoking and drinking from now on, otherwise something bad could happen at any time."

After saying that, the doctor walked away without looking back.

Without saying a word, Fang Chengxuan paid for a full medical check-up for the two elderly people. Fang's parents stood in the corridor, their faces full of guilt.

They were afraid they had caused trouble for their son.

"Dad, Mom, you're getting old, it won't hurt to get checked out. I can afford this little bit of money."

"Besides, you were right to fight today."

"With your intervention, who in the entire courtyard will dare to use their seniority to intimidate me from now on?"

Fang Chengxuan's words were like a knife, crisp and clean.

The old man, Yi Zhonghai, had a long face, his eyes darting around, and after a few utterances, he looked up and stared at the investigators.

"Comrade, his father already had a lung problem, so this isn't my fault, is it?"

Fang Chengxuan grinned: "How can you deny it? Of all places to throw a punch, you had to aim for the chest. Who can say for sure?"

"Fine, you want to pay for the medical expenses, right? I'll give your dad a dollar, and you double that amount to pay me back."

Fang Chengxuan gouged out an old man's eyeballs.

Yi Zhonghai felt a tightness in his chest. Before the investigator could speak, he took out ten yuan and threw it at him.

The investigators, who had been about to say something, were now speechless.

Fang Chengxuan took the money, pulled out a one-yuan note, and handed it back. Yi Zhonghai's chest heaved violently: "Comrade, if we settle this privately, you should let me go, right?"

The investigator nodded.

After everyone had walked away, the officer turned to Fang Chengxuan and said, "You've got some nerve, kid. You dare to ask for ten yuan right in front of me?"

"As you can see, these people cause me trouble every now and then. If I don't teach them a lesson, they'll cause trouble again next time."

The officer sighed, glanced at him, and said, "Alright, that's settled. I'm leaving."

As soon as the person left, Fang Chengxuan went to pick up his parents.

Fang's mother was still in good health, but Fang's father had a real fondness for tobacco. Ever since Fang Chengxuan could remember, he had seen the old man with his pipe always in his mouth.

I didn't take it seriously at first; after all, what man doesn't have his own hobbies?

Who knew that this examination would reveal a real problem with my lungs? If it weren't for this incident today, it would have been a lucky accident.

After settling the elderly couple in, Fang Chengxuan introduced them: "Dad, Mom, this is my partner's older brother, Rong Wenyao. He heard about your situation and came to visit."

Mr. and Mrs. Fang immediately became nervous, not knowing what to do with their hands and feet, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Please excuse us, we don't usually act like this."

Looking at Rong Wenyao, who was tall, handsome, and exuded an imposing aura, the elderly couple finally understood that their son's girlfriend came from a truly exceptional family.

As they were talking.

Rong Xinrui came in from outside and saw Rong Wenyao and Fang Chengxuan. She quickly ran over and said, "Big brother, Chengxuan."

"These must be your parents, Uncle and Aunt? Hello, my name is Rong Xinrui, and I'm Chengxuan's boyfriend!"

Rong Xinrui introduced herself in a graceful and generous manner, and the two nodded politely to her.

Mr. and Mrs. Fang stood there, stunned.

This girl is like a fairy.

"Okay."

The elderly couple responded, their eyes darting back and forth between Rong Xinrui, Fang Chengxuan, and Rong Wenyao, completely bewildered.

"I'm sorry to have worried you, but it's nothing."

Fang Chengxuan held Rong Xinrui's hand and said softly.

"When I heard about the incident, I couldn't calm down, so I went to the law enforcement office first before rushing over. I'm glad everyone is alright."

Rong Xinrui breathed a long sigh of relief.

Rong Wenyao noticed that the Fang family elders were uncomfortable and said directly, "Alright, let Chengxuan stay with Mom and Dad, let's leave first."

Rong Xinrui also noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Fang clearly had something to say to their son, and nodded.

"Uncle and Aunt, Chengxuan, we'll be going now."

Fang Chengxuan smiled at her: "Yes, I'll bring my parents over tomorrow to discuss the engagement. They can wait for me at home."

Rong Xinrui's face flushed, and she couldn't suppress a smile as she softly replied, "Okay."

After seeing his brother-in-law and girlfriend off, Fang Chengxuan turned back to his parents and sighed inwardly. He had told them countless times not to be so reserved, but the two of them still couldn't let loose.

Leng Si also spoke up: "Then I'll be going too."

Fang Chengxuan nodded, walked over and took his father's arm: "Dad, the doctor said you have a problem with your lungs, it's not serious, but you have to quit smoking and drinking."

"From now on, just play with that pipe; don't actually smoke it."

Mr. Fang nodded, as the doctor had previously explained.

The family of three walked towards the hospital entrance. Mr. and Mrs. Fang exchanged a glance, hesitated for a while, and then Mrs. Fang spoke first: "Um... Chengxuan, was that girl really your girlfriend?"

"Um."

Fang Chengxuan responded very softly.

Fang's mother's palms were sweaty, and she wiped them on her clothes, her voice very low: "We got arrested by the law enforcement team for fighting today. Won't that embarrass you? Won't it make your boyfriend look down on you?"

The two of them had never even considered this possibility before.

Their son's girlfriend looks like she stepped out of a TV show, and they can't find a decent way to describe her. They just feel that she's not like them at all.

"Won't."

"My partner's family is very easy to talk to, so don't be nervous. Xinrui and I have already discussed it, and my family has given their approval, which is why I went back to my hometown to pick you up."

"Besides, you didn't embarrass me."

"You all fought for me, protecting me. After this commotion, who dares to think I have no parents to back me up, and use their seniority to intimidate me? Aren't you afraid of getting beaten up?"

"You guys, don't scare yourselves. You can make things up even when there's nothing wrong."

Fang Chengxuan tried to put things in a lighthearted tone, hoping to reassure the two of them.

Mr. and Mrs. Fang exchanged a glance and remained silent. Their youngest son's girlfriend was better than they had ever imagined.

After a moment of silence, Mr. Fang asked, "So, what should we say when we go to the girl's house tomorrow?"

"You don't need to say anything special. Just answer whatever the Rong family asks. As for what those outsiders in the Rong family say, just praise Xinrui and say she's a good girl, that's all."

Fang Chengxuan thought of Rong Xinrui's relatives in the compound and gave his parents a heads-up.

The two nodded, finally feeling a little more at ease. But when they thought of the girl from earlier that day, who was as beautiful as a fairy from a painting, they were still a little worried.

"Well... should we prepare something for your boyfriend? We don't want him to think you're rude or that his family will look down on you."

The Fang family was poor. The nine large tile-roofed houses they now live in were all renovated with money paid for by the other side after Fang Chengxuan was adopted.

I searched high and low at home, but couldn't find anything decent to look at.

After pondering for a long time, Fang's mother looked down at the silver bracelet on her wrist—a gift from her family when she got married, which she had worn for most of her life and couldn't bear to take off.

She thought the item was quite valuable, but she was also worried that the pretty girl wouldn't be interested in it.

"No, they know my situation very well. Mom and Dad, don't worry about it, just relax."

Fang Chengxuan smiled and offered his advice, his voice gentle and soft.

It took a while of talking to finally calm the elderly couple down.

In the afternoon, Fang Chengxuan went to the department store, picked up a radio, and bought some other gifts as well.

Mr. and Mrs. Fang huddled together in his room, whispering amongst themselves.

Mother Fang spoke first: "Chengxuan said his girlfriend's family is well-off, and I didn't take it seriously at first. But when I saw that girl today, she was as beautiful as a painting. How could an ordinary family raise such a girl? I'm thinking, we should give her the silver bracelet, so that they won't feel that our family has neglected their daughter."

Mr. Fang smacked his lips, wanting to reach for a cigarette, but then remembered the doctor's words and could only chew a couple of times of tobacco.

"I'm afraid they won't even be interested in a silver bracelet."

He paused, then continued, "Luckily, I had a backup plan; I brought that two-hundred-year-old wild ginseng with me. A life-saving item is worth far more than gold or silver!"

"Give them all. I'll give up this bracelet too."

Mother Fang sighed, "In the end, it's our family that has let Chengxuan down. We just hoped that once he got married, his life would go smoothly."

She said that, but she felt empty inside—her son had clearly grown up and was capable of handling things, but she always felt that this child was no longer hers.

Early the next morning.

After brushing his teeth and washing his face, Fang Chengxuan sat down to have breakfast with his parents.

"The Rong family said that we'll have a simple meal at their house on the day of the engagement."

The elderly couple nodded.

When they arrived at the Rong family's house, everyone was there. The Rong family was very hospitable and didn't give them any disdain, which finally put Fang's parents at ease.

The two families sat down to discuss serious matters.

Fang Chengxuan pulled Rong Xinrui aside, took out the betrothal letter from his pocket and handed it over, his eyes and brows full of smiles.

"I don't really understand these rules either."

"But I thought that since I was going to marry you, I had to act the proper way. Even if I didn't follow all the proper etiquette, I couldn't skimp on it."

He stared at her, his eyes shining brightly and intensely.

"Comrade Rong Xinrui, would you be willing to marry me and become my daughter-in-law?"

Rong Xinrui's nose tingled, her eyes glistened, her cheeks flushed, and she couldn't suppress the urge to smile.