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

22

Leng Si tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Finally, he got up, walked to the front yard in the dark, and knocked on the window of Uncle Yan's study.

"Who?"

An alarming voice came from inside.

Uncle, this is Leng Si. I just got word that the gang you took money from threatened to cripple your leg. Don't cling to that little bit of money anymore.

Leng Si said this and turned to leave.

Yan Shuzhai, still wearing his clothes, pushed open the door and only caught a glimpse of a dark figure. The third aunt followed behind him, whispering, "Old Yan, maybe... we should return the money?"

Yan Shuzhai snorted: "Retreat for what? What's in my hands is mine. They want to break my legs? If they had the guts, they would have done it already."

He paused, then said, "Leng Si is close to Fang Chengxuan. This is probably Fang Chengxuan's idea to scare me."

Yan Shuzhai didn't take it seriously at all—in all his years, he had never actually seen anyone have their legs broken.

Hearing this, the third aunt felt a little more at ease, but the unease still lingered. She opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing more.

Fang Chengxuan had no idea about this.

The next morning, as he was pushing his bicycle toward the front yard, Yan Shuzhai splashed a basin of water on him, almost getting him wet.

"Fang Chengxuan, don't think that just because you had Leng Si pretend to be a good guy and say a few words to me, I'll cough up the money!"

Yan Shuzhai yelled at the top of his lungs, "What do you mean, break a leg? Come and try it yourself if you dare!"

Fang Chengxuan turned to look at Leng Si. Leng Si looked embarrassed and speechless.

"I really didn't mention you, and I don't know what Third Uncle was thinking—"

He just couldn't bear to see an elderly person suffer like that, so he kindly offered a reminder, only to be misunderstood as Fang Chengxuan instigating it.

"I know."

Fang Chengxuan's tone was very indifferent.

"Then let me tell you, the people in this courtyard aren't worth your kindness. Save your goodwill for those outside."

He glanced at Yan Shuzhai's room and shook his head slightly—disaster was imminent, and this man knew nothing at all.

Fang Chengxuan had been busy all day, staying in the kitchen. Leng Si felt uneasy—she had tried to help, but ended up getting Fang Chengxuan into trouble instead.

"I'm so sorry, I really didn't expect it to turn out like this."

Leng Si admitted his mistake in a low voice.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at him: "It's nothing, I didn't take it to heart. I know better than you what kind of people those in the courtyard are."

"I'm letting you speak because I know your personality. I don't want you to hold it in and develop a grudge about it later."

Leng Si's nose stung with tears, and she glanced at Fang Chengxuan: "I'm sorry. I will never sympathize with the people in this courtyard again. You're right, we're all adults, we should take responsibility for our own actions."

Fang Chengxuan glanced at Leng Si—this kid seemed rather sullen.

After a busy day, it was evening.

Fang Chengxuan didn't go looking for Rong Xinrui; the group walked back together. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw law enforcement officers again, standing in the yard asking questions.

The law enforcement officer stared at the three people in front of him and went straight to the point: "Where were you during the day?"

Fang Chengxuan replied first: "We're all staying at the steel rolling mill. I'm in the kitchen, and I haven't been apart from Leng Si for a single day. Everyone in the kitchen can testify to that."

Leng Si nodded, which was considered an admission of his statement.

Yang Yuande chimed in, "I've been in the workshop the whole time, I haven't missed a meal, and I haven't left the factory all day."

The law enforcement officers asked a few more questions about the details.

Fang Chengxuan countered with a question: "Comrade, has something happened again?"

"Yan Shuzhai was intercepted on the road from Shichahai back to the courtyard house. Both of his legs were broken. A kind person reported the incident and sent him to the hospital."

"They confessed that you hired someone to do it. They also said that Leng Si knocked on the window last night and passed him a message."

These words struck Leng Si with immense regret—he shouldn't have bothered with Third Uncle's mess in the first place.

He quickly chimed in, "Comrade, this has nothing to do with Fang Chengxuan. I heard it myself. Those who were taken money by the Third Uncle before are holding a grudge against him for not paying back and have reported him to the police. They're planning to take advantage of him when he's alone. I'm just trying to give him a heads-up."

The law enforcement officer replied casually, "Yes, this matter will continue to be investigated."

On the other side, the law enforcement officers were questioning the old woman. With tears streaming down her face, she confessed everything about the old man accepting gifts—the more than three hundred yuan hidden among the items, along with various receipts and certificates.

Follow this line downwards.

Law enforcement quickly identified the perpetrators. The men who committed the assault admitted to it, saying they were determined to retaliate against Yan Shuzhai and force him to repay the money.

They only resorted to violence because he refused to pay.

After a thorough investigation, they found absolutely no connection to Fang Chengxuan or Zheng Feng. In the end, they arrested the two who had their legs broken.

Yan Shuzhai lay in the hospital, money flowing out of his pocket.

The two sons also figured out what had happened and were furious – their father was willing to take any money, and they couldn't even be bothered to look at him twice.

The three aunties cried so much that their eyes were swollen like walnuts.

The courtyard suddenly became eerily quiet; no one dared to make a fuss anymore.

Days passed by one by one.

Fang Chengxuan noticed that Xu Damao would bring back wine and food every night, and then head straight to his second uncle Liu Haizhong's house.

A few days later, Liu Haizhong went to Xu Damao's house.

Looking at the scene, Fang Chengxuan sighed and shook his head: "These people, one act ends and another begins, one after another."

Half a month passed just like that.

He Yuzhu pushed a bicycle into the yard with a big smile on his face.

Xu Damao glanced at it and then looked away.

The next evening, when Fang Chengxuan returned home from get off work, he heard that He Yuzhu had also been admitted to the hospital.

He was robbed of his car and money on the way to Lou Xiao'e's house. He struggled for a moment, and the robber stabbed his right hand with an iron awl. Even if it heals, he probably won't be able to hold heavy objects properly.

Leng Si clicked his tongue and said, "That He Yuzhu is really unlucky!"

Yang Yuande chimed in sarcastically from the side, "Who told him to think he's all that just because he got a bicycle? He's got what he deserved!"

Fang Chengxuan remained silent.

His gaze lingered on Xu Damao for a few moments longer than usual when it swept over him.

The dark, gloomy look between Xu Damao's brows was gone.

Fang Chengxuan had a hunch: "It's highly likely that Xu Damao was behind He Yuzhu's affair."

Xu Damao noticed him staring at him, rolled his eyes, and looked away.

Just then, Lou Xiao'e burst in from outside, her face full of anger.

"Xu Damao, was it you who exposed my family's wrongdoing?"

Lou Xiao'e gritted her teeth, her voice trembling.

Xu Damao sneered, "If I really wanted to take action against your family, I would have done it long ago. Why would I wait until today?"

"I'm going to marry Qianxue. Do you think everyone's like you, throwing themselves at someone and still no one wants them?"

"Lou Xiao'e, think this through. If it's true, I know just as much about your family's mess as you do. You know what will happen to you. Don't you dare spout nonsense in front of Qianxue, or don't blame me for being impolite."

After saying that, he turned around and pushed open the door to go inside.

The door slammed shut.

Lou Xiao'e stood there, covering her face, and burst into tears.

She walked towards He Yuzhu's house while crying.

A neighbor, seeing her calling He Yuzhu's name, quickly stopped her: "Stop calling! He Yuzhu's bicycle was stolen, and his right hand is injured. He's in the hospital now!"

Lou Xiao'e's steps froze.

She stood there, as if nailed to the ground.

After a long while, she suddenly turned around, her back view exuding an indescribable determination.

the next day.

Fang Chengxuan took a vacation and spent the whole day at home with Rong Xinrui.

After dinner, the two walked back to the courtyard house.

Fang Chengxuan looked up and saw the back of a person in front of him, and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Lou Xiao'e?"

He muttered something under his breath.

Rong Xinrui followed his gaze and was taken aback: "Isn't that someone from your compound? Xu Damao's wife?"

The two exchanged a glance.

At the same time, he turned his head to look in the direction of Shu Qianxue's house.

Shu Qianxue had a bright red handprint on her face, her eyes were red, and she ran towards the gate of the compound while wiping away tears.

She stopped when she saw Rong Xinrui and Fang Chengxuan.

He vigorously wiped his face.

Her voice was tinged with grievance, yet also held a hint of aggressiveness: "Rong Xinrui, was it you?"

"You really want to break me up with Xu Damao?"

"Let me tell you, forget about it. I'm definitely marrying Xu Damao!"

Done.

Shu Qianxue glared at Rong Xinrui fiercely, as if she wanted to devour her whole, then turned and ran away.

Fang Chengxuan shielded Rong Xinrui behind him, watching Shu Qianxue's retreating figure, and whispered to the bewildered Rong Xinrui, "It has nothing to do with you."

"It must have been those people from the compound who caused this."

Rong Xinrui thought for a moment, then, remembering Lou Xiao'e, nodded: "It's alright, that's just how Shu Qianxue is."

Their eyes met, and they both smiled slightly.

When we parted ways at the gate of the compound, I was a little reluctant to leave.

Fang Chengxuan glanced around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he leaned over and quickly pecked her cheek. "I'm leaving now."

Rong Xinrui's face flushed, her eyelashes trembled, and she softly replied, "Mm."

He stared at her for a few seconds, his heart skipped a beat, and he thought that the marriage could not be delayed any longer—dating was good, but it would be more reassuring to marry her as soon as possible.

I rode my bicycle into the courtyard house.

As Fang Chengxuan passed the Intermediate People's Court, he glanced towards He Yuzhu's house. He didn't see Lou Xiao'e, but he did see He Yuzhu returning from the hospital.

He glanced over there, and He Yuzhu happened to see him as well.

He Yuzhu felt a tightness in his chest, and after a couple of breaths, he couldn't hold back any longer: "Fang Chengxuan, were you the one who stole my car and beat me up?"

"He Yuzhu, if you're not thinking straight, then stay put. If you were, would I have let you behave so well before?"

Fang Chengxuan made no attempt to hide the disdain in his eyes, and his words were barbed.

They act without thinking, and when something happens, they immediately ask if you did it. Why don't they come up with some explanation?

He shook his head inwardly and pushed the cart toward the backyard.

He Yuzhu was speechless, his face turning pale and then flushed, his chest heaving several times, but he didn't make a move. He just muttered to himself: What did Fang Chengxuan mean by that?

not him?

He glanced at Xu Damao's room and wondered to himself: Could it be Xu Damao? That bastard is cunning.

This cannot be determined.

Although a police report was filed, the man, who was masked and didn't say a word, only stole the bicycle and assaulted the person.

This kind of thing happens all the time.

It might not be found out in a short time, and in the end, it might not even be found out at all.

He Yuzhu held his breath, carrying the food that his neighbor had prepared, and walked towards the deaf old lady's room in the backyard.

Push the door open and go inside.