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

27

The deaf old woman's voice trembled, her eyes reddened, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Fang Chengxuan, please help him. Only you can stop him now."

Fang Chengxuan stared at the tearful old woman before him, his face darkening. He winked at Ying and then patted Fang Lianyun's head: "Lianyun, come inside with your aunt for a while."

Fang Lianyun nodded obediently and was carried into the house.

After the door closed, Fang Chengxuan turned to look at the deaf old woman, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, his tone sarcastic: "Deaf old woman, where do you get the confidence to think I'd interfere in He Yuzhu's affairs?"

The deaf old woman frowned: "Fang Chengxuan, to put it bluntly, for you, getting Sha Zhu to obey is just a matter of a word."

"So what?"

"There are plenty of people in this world who can control He Yuzhu, but do they all want to take advantage of him? Old lady, you've been in this compound for too long, and you've been pampered by everyone on this street, so you really think you're something special."

"Have you forgotten who you are?"

Fang Chengxuan's voice was cold, his words like knives.

The deaf old woman's lips trembled: "Fang Chengxuan, I didn't mean anything by it. But if no one takes care of Sha Zhu, his life is truly over."

"What does his downfall have to do with me?"

Fang Chengxuan's tone was stiff, and his whole demeanor exuded resistance.

Seeing his attitude, the deaf old woman's legs went weak, and she knelt down directly: "Fang Chengxuan, I, an old woman, am kneeling down to you. I really have no other choice."

"If we don't pull Sha Zhu back from this state soon, he'll really be beyond saving."

"I don't expect you to go to great lengths; just let him live a peaceful and stable life like Yang Yuande!"

The deaf old woman knelt on the ground, her hunched body making her look old and pitiful.

Fang Chengxuan's face turned completely black.

"Deaf old lady, it's one thing for you to act like you're old and take advantage of your age, but now you're kneeling down and trying to force me like this? You may be old, but you don't want to end up in the police station with me, do you?"

The deaf old woman didn't get up; instead, she reached out and tugged at Fang Chengxuan's trouser leg: "Fang Chengxuan, I really have no other choice, I beg you..."

"snort."

Fang Chengxuan snorted coldly and turned around.

The courtyard was packed with people, all craning their necks to look this way, mouths agape but unable to speak, their eyes darting around.

His gaze shifted and landed on the archway—Yang Yuande stood there, not daring to step inside, and immediately saw the scene from just now.

"Yang Yuande, go to the law enforcement office and report the case."

Fang Chengxuan's voice was icy cold.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Yang Yuande's face. After all, she was a deaf old lady, and she had watched all the younger generation in the courtyard grow up.

But after hesitating for a few seconds, he gritted his teeth, turned around, and left.

The deaf old woman knelt there, tears streaming down her face.

"Fang Chengxuan, are you really that ruthless? You could have done this with just a few words."

"It's my business if I can do it, what's it to anyone else?"

Fang Chengxuan stared at her, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

"Old lady, you don't appreciate my kindness, so don't blame me for tearing your face off. No one in this courtyard can force me, Fang Chengxuan."

The deaf old lady was still kneeling there.

One of the neighbors couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "Fang Chengxuan, the old lady is so old, why don't you just go along with what she says?"

"You're so kind? Fine, give up the steel rolling mill location and divorce your wife. If you can do that, I'll agree immediately. How about it?"

Fang Chengxuan glanced at him coldly.

The man's lips moved, and he muttered, "How can you calculate it like that..."

Before he could finish speaking, his wife pinched the soft flesh of his waist, silencing him instantly.

"Is there anyone still willing to speak up for the deaf old lady?"

Fang Chengxuan's gaze swept across the faces of everyone in the courtyard. Those he looked at all unconsciously looked away and pursed their lips.

Lin Qinqin gave Zhang Yangde a push and winked at him.

Zhang Yangde's expression changed. He recalled when he was detained in the law enforcement center, the deaf old lady went to see He Yuzhu, but didn't even glance at him. He almost lost his job, but neither the deaf old lady nor the old man cared. In the end, it was Fang Chengxuan, whom he considered an enemy, who saved his job.

He took a step forward.

"Deaf old lady, what you're doing is dishonest, that's called being a scoundrel!"

"In this courtyard, which family doesn't have someone to take care of? Whose life is easy? Why should Fang Chengxuan be the one to take care of Sha Zhu?"

"that is."

Lin Qinqin chimed in from the side.

Zhang Yangde got more and more excited as he spoke.

"You treat Sha Zhu like your own grandson, always thinking of him first—that's your business. Why drag others into it?"

"If you kneel down and say something, does that mean the whole hospital has to deal with Sha Zhu? Sha Zhu isn't a three-year-old child."

"Besides, when Old Master Fang passed away, he asked someone to take care of Fang Lianyun, and that was someone from his own family. Fang Chengxuan and Sha Zhu's family aren't related at all. Even if they were, Sha Zhu's own father and sister don't care about him, so why should you ask Fang Chengxuan?"

Once Zhang Yangde gets into trouble, he can say things that are absolutely infuriating.

He spread his hands and shouted at everyone, "Everyone, please be the judge! Was what this deaf old lady did appropriate?"

"When it's your turn next, will she also have to kneel at your door and force you to send your own daughter or sister to Sha Zhu's house? If you don't do it, won't you be considered heartless and unjust? How can you face people if you make an old lady kneel before you?"

Someone immediately chimed in, "That won't do! We have absolutely nothing to do with Sha Zhu, why are you dragging us into this?"

"Deaf old lady, please get up first."

"How old is Sha Zhu? If he really needs someone to take care of him, he should go find his own father or sister. What's the point of asking Fang Chengxuan?"

"yes!"

Many people have finally realized what's going on.

If they had actually joined in the commotion and forced Fang Chengxuan to agree, Fang Chengxuan could have used that against them later.

They demanded jobs and housing from them, forcing them to push their daughters and sisters into He Yuzhu's arms. If they didn't agree, would Fang Chengxuan simply abandon them and refuse to help?

At that time, will the deaf old lady also have to kneel down in front of them?

If they criticize Fang Chengxuan now, will they be criticized back exactly the same way later?

There weren't many fools present. From the moment Fang Chengxuan asked the first person to speak for a job at the steel mill, those smart people had already shut their mouths.

In an instant, more and more voices urged the deaf old lady to get up.

Several men nudged their wives or mothers, signaling them to go and help the person up.

"Grandma, Sha Zhu and Fang Chengxuan have no real relationship. It's normal that they don't want to get involved. Everyone in this courtyard knows that Sha Zhu treats Fang Chengxuan like an enemy. Why should they suffer in silence?"

The deaf old woman listened to the overwhelming advice from those around her, and stood there stunned for a long time, her face full of bitterness.

At this moment, Yang Yuande arrived with the law enforcement officers.

The law enforcement officer walked up to Fang Chengxuan in a few steps and asked, "What happened now?"

"Officer, you'll have to ask my old lady about this. Without saying a word, she came up with a box full of gold and jade, and knelt down in front of me. What does she want?"

"I clearly said no, but she still refuses to leave."

"She's getting on in years. If something were to happen to her, could you bear the responsibility, or could I?"

Fang Chengxuan glanced at the law enforcement officer.

The two were so familiar with each other that they could exchange a few jokes.

The law enforcement officer understood immediately. After hearing what had happened, he frowned and gave Fang Chengxuan a look—you're really unlucky, everything seems to happen to you.

Then he turned to look at the deaf old lady.

"Grandma, what you're doing is wrong."

"Leaving aside the fact that Fang Chengxuan told you about that silly Zhu who is not related to you, even if they were brothers, there is no reason to force one of them to take care of the other."

The law enforcement officers began to patiently persuade the person.

Those in uniform certainly carry more weight. The old woman, clutching the box, stood there, her lips moving slightly, her voice muffled: "But for Fang Chengxuan, isn't this just a matter of lifting a finger?"

The law enforcement officer laughed: "Even if it's just a simple matter of lifting a finger, it has to be something the person is willing to do. You can't force someone to do it."

"Besides, ma'am, is it really reasonable to ask a young man in his early twenties to take care of a thirty-one-year-old?"

"You can't do that again."

The person is gone and everything is clean.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at Zhang Yangde and nodded: "Thank you for your first words today, Brother Zhang."

"No need to thank me, Qinqin already told me that you helped me with that job."

Zhang Yangde grinned, rubbed the back of his head, and his tone was much softer than before.

Fang Chengxuan's face remained expressionless: "Brother Zhang has married a good wife, so we must treat her well."

Zhang Yangde turned to his wife and exchanged a glance, then immediately became smug: "That's right! Back in the day, everyone in our area praised how capable your sister-in-law was. If I hadn't been quick, someone would have snatched her away long ago..."

Fang Chengxuan looked at Zhang Yangde's overly optimistic attitude and remained silent. As long as Zhang Yangde didn't cause any more trouble, he wouldn't mind indulging him a little.

The conversation turned.

He fixed his gaze on Yang Yuande: "This is the last time. Remember, I can make you stand up, and I can make you go back."

Yang Yuande quickly lowered his head: "Brother Fang, I'm sorry. The deaf old lady watched me grow up..."

"That has nothing to do with me."

Seeing that Fang Chengxuan's face had turned completely cold, Yang Yuande dared not say another word.

Zhang Yangde glanced at him and couldn't help but spit out, "Hey Yang Yuande, did you get your head stuck in a door?"

"The deaf old lady asked Brother Fang to take care of you, but what for? To make you a slave to Sha Zhu? All the benefits go to Sha Zhu, what business is it of yours?"

"I see now. Who in this courtyard didn't grow up under the old lady's watchful eye? But in her heart, there's only Shazhu. She doesn't care whether anyone else lives or dies."

Yang Yuande finally realized what was happening, his eyes widened, and a surge of anger welled up in his chest.

Not long after.

The law enforcement officer emerged from the deaf old woman's house, sweating profusely. He looked up and met three pairs of eyes. He chuckled dryly and wiped his sweat.

"Tell me, what kind of life is this? Why do you always have to get involved?"

The law enforcement officer sat down on a stool nearby.

Fang Chengxuan poured a cup of iced tea and handed it to him: "You watched the whole thing today, so tell me the truth, is this my fault?"

The law enforcement officer took a sip of tea, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"I may have some skills, but just because everyone's making a fuss like this, I'm supposed to agree? What would happen to my life then?"

"I'm about to get married, so I have to ask my wife if she'll agree."

Fang Chengxuan muttered a couple of irritating words, showing little restraint in front of the law enforcement officers.