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

Chapter 226

The little doubt in his heart shattered into pieces.

A month later, something even more ruthless came.

The young couple knelt down as soon as they entered the door.

The woman is really pregnant! Her belly is still flat, but the pregnancy test result is bright red.

Yi Zhonghai's hands trembled as he reached for the cigarette; he tried to light it on his third try.

The day before yesterday, he was still saying at the factory that he would deal with Yi Hongmei and, incidentally, put Wang Aiguo in a bad position.

As a result, the other party didn't even raise an eyelid, and nailed him to the pillar of shame based solely on their own abilities.

It's clear now—this job really works!

He was in his early fifties, his back was a little sagging, but his kidneys were still healthy.

Men should give it their all; they can still be fathers at sixty!

Unlike Aunt Yi, there's really no hope for her.

He lay in bed staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night, counting sheep until he reached 320, becoming more and more awake as he counted.

The Yi family had only one son for eight generations, but the line ended with him.

Even if you die, your ancestors will chase you out of the ancestral hall with a broom!

Two of his ancestral graves collapsed recently, but he didn't even dare to make a fuss about repairing them.

The key to turning things around is now in the hands of Wang Aiguo next door.

The two of them clashed the moment they met. Giving gifts? They'd probably just get thrown at the door if they did.

But he gritted his teeth and bought eight expensive items—Moutai liquor, bird's nest, American ginseng, Dongshan lobster…

Carrying large and small bags, my palms were sweaty.

As soon as Yi Zhonghai stepped across the threshold, he bowed lower than a shrimp: "Patriotism, I was wrong! I've become senile! I've been bewitched! You're a respectable person, don't hold it against an old man like me..."

Wang Aiguo gently placed the baby on the kang (a heated brick bed) in the inner room, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The fish has taken the bait?

Clang! Clang!

He grabbed the gift box that Yi Zhonghai had brought and threw it all out of the courtyard!

"roll!"

"Get lost!"

"What do I care if you can't have children?"

The courtyard house instantly erupted in chaos!

Grandpa Yi actually bowed his head and begged for peace?!

Everyone was waiting to see the tough battle at the steel mill come to an end—it was said that he had just given Yi Hongmei a hard time and was clearly trying to strangle Wang Aiguo!

How did they suddenly kneel down?

They also brought a bunch of enamel mugs, polyester fabric, and malted milk powder, all of which were thrown into the mud.

That old face was practically rubbing against the ground.

Someone scratched their head and muttered, "What's going on?"

Until I heard Wang Aiguo's light-hearted words...

The entire venue was silent for three seconds, then erupted in a buzzing sound.

Infertility? Uncle Yi?!

The longtime residents all remembered—back then, the couple had no children, and the neighbors gossiped behind their backs, their spittle practically drowning them.

It was always the older woman who got scolded, but Yi Zhonghai stood up for her every day, slamming his fist on the table and yelling, "She didn't lay a finger on me! Come at me if you dare!"

It was this ruthlessness that allowed him to secure his position as the eldest uncle.

But now... is Wang Aiguo's statement a bombshell, or a revelation?

Yi Zhonghai's face turned a deep purplish-red, his teeth clenched until they bled, and without even glancing at what was on the ground, he turned and ran.

"Bang!"

With a loud bang, the courtyard gate shook so badly that dust fell off.

Grandpa Yi's house was in complete chaos.

He looked up and bumped into an old lady with red, tear-filled eyes, staring intently at him.

How many years!

He told me this himself when we went for a medical check-up together back then!

This is outrageous!

This is absolutely outrageous!

For this, how many cold shoulders and hurtful words did she endure?

Relatives point fingers, neighbors roll their eyes, friends avoid you...

But at that moment, he stood ramrod straight, holding her hand tightly, protecting her completely.

Her heart warmed, and she gritted her teeth, convinced that this was the person she had chosen.

For decades afterward, through wind and rain, she never let go.

As a result today—

now--

He actually...

It's been there for a while.

If Yi Zhonghai hadn't been so physically weak, would he have had the audacity to approach Wang Aiguo?

I was just talking to Aunt Yi a while ago, saying that I wanted to isolate Yi Hongmei to death in the factory.

She tried to persuade him, but he waved his hand and wouldn't listen; he was determined.

It's only been a few days? Their attitude has completely changed.

It's all because Wang Aiguo showed off his "family heirloom" skill.

ability!

Now, the young couple who come to express their gratitude are blocking Wang Aiguo's door every day.

Yi Zhonghai's face flushed red and then turned pale, and he became restless.

His wife was right in front of him, but he didn't even dare to look her in the eye.

Nobody knows how he managed to appease her.

The neighbors only knew that the two of them argued quietly that night, but it didn't get very loud and they quieted down around midnight.

The next morning, as soon as the courtyard gate opened—

An older woman followed behind him with her hands hanging down, without saying a word.

Yi Zhonghai suddenly lunged forward a few steps, "thump."

He knelt down at Wang Aiguo's door.

"patriotic!"

"It was all my fault!"

"Please, have mercy and save my life!"

Hey!

As soon as it was light, the courtyard house was in an uproar!

This is tantamount to publicly admitting that the problem lies with him!

In those earlier years...

Gee...

So much time has passed, who's still holding onto this?

But look at him, his hair is gray, his back is hunched, and he's kneeling there stiffly.

The neighbors also felt bad.

Someone sighed, "Sigh, it's really tough being an old man."

"That's right! I heard that his family had only one son for three generations, and the family line ended with him. It's really tough."

"If patriotism can cure this, then let's lend a hand?"

"Shh—you forgot? They've fought several times already, their faces are practically torn apart!"

So what? We've already knelt!

My head is practically on the ground, and you still won't give me this much face?

Makes sense!

Isn't this how you treat and save lives? If you don't have any humanity, what kind of doctor are you?

Show him! Patriotism? Give me a straight answer!

Young people shouldn't be too tough; it won't hurt you to soften your heart once.

It's just a trivial squabble, isn't it? When it comes to patriotism, we need to be more magnanimous...

Yi Zhonghai lowered his head, his back slightly hunched, but the corners of his mouth subtly twitched upwards.

Become!

He's used this trick for decades; he's very familiar with it.

He's already mastered the art of morality.

Now it's Wang Aiguo's turn to shoulder the pressure.

No matter how powerful you are, you still live in this courtyard, don't you?

If your neighbor is sick, and you have medicine on hand and know the right treatment, why would you pretend not to see it?

That doesn't make sense!

Can't we just let bygones be bygones?

Your family is thriving, and you have two children, so why can't you lend a hand?

The shouting grew louder and louder.

The door hinge clicked—

Wang Aiguo opened the door.

Yi Zhonghai's heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head even further.

Wang Aiguo stared at him for two seconds, his brows furrowing: "Come in, give it a try. Don't blame me if you can't cure me."

"Thank you, Patriot! Thank you!"

His voice trembled, but his hands were rubbing together in his sleeves until they were hot.

Won!

No matter how arrogant you are, Wang Aiguo, you can't win against the opinions of everyone in the hospital!

What's with the pretense of being high and mighty?

When he entered, he deliberately slowed down by a half-beat, rubbing the soles of his shoes against the threshold.

Wang Aiguo's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Hey, I was secretly overjoyed.

No matter how shrewd you are, you still have to bow your head.

Everyone in the alley was watching!

"Uncle Yi,"

Wang Aiguo sighed, "At your age, what are you still doing?"

"I've lived my whole life like this, and it's been pretty good."

"Besides... Auntie Yi is almost sixty, her body probably doesn't work as well anymore, right?"

"If it really could cure it, what would you be after?"

What's the goal? Of course, there's a goal!

Yi Zhonghai held his breath, his palms sweating, but his voice was low and menacing: "Once this is done, we'll settle all our old scores! I'll take responsibility for anything that happens in the compound!"

Wang Aiguo almost burst out laughing.

Settle accounts? Dream on!

Look at the state he's in now—who would respect him anymore?

He rolled his eyes inwardly, then stabbed himself with the needle—quick, accurate, and ruthless.

"Is that... all done?"

Yi Zhonghai's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Two minutes? You're not kidding, are you?

The disease that couldn't be cured by visiting hospitals all over Beijing back then was actually cured with a few silver needles?

Believe it or not, go check it out.

Wang Aiguo, with his legs crossed, said, "Still not convinced? Why don't you ask Aunt Yi to try it again?"

"Believe! Believe! Believe!"

Yi Zhonghai nodded vigorously.

They were respectful on the surface, but their minds were already wandering far away.

Looking for Auntie Yi? Are you kidding me!

She ended that affair a long time ago, but I'm different!

We must have a son! This one child is all we need to bring honor to our ancestors!

He tiptoed straight to the hospital for a full check-up, and found himself exactly the same as he had been thirty years ago.

As soon as he held the order in his hand, he leaned against the wall and started wiping away tears.

"Hey bro, what's up?"

Someone nearby leaned over and sighed, "Is it... that you have problems in that area? Sigh, it's tough for everyone."

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened, and he turned and left.

He's someone to rely on now!

Back in the courtyard house, I stood up straight, walked with a swagger, and felt even more spirited than when I was an eighth-grade worker.

Forget steel mills and old men, step aside!

Son! It has to be a son!

The candidate? He had already planned it out.

"Huai Ru!"

He blocked Qin Huairu's doorway.

She was carrying her lunchbox to work when her hand froze in mid-air.

Qin Huairu rubbed the hem of her apron, her throat dry: "Master Yi, can we talk about this tonight? My kids are all eagerly waiting for dinner!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yi Zhonghai stretched out his hand and slapped twenty yuan directly into her palm.

"Your family is in trouble, and I, as the elder, haven't taken good care of them. It's my fault."

Qin Huairu froze on the spot, her fingertips burning as she gripped the bill.

Twenty yuan? Jia Dongxu only earned thirty yuan back then, working himself to the bone!

Before he could even finish three sentences, the money was already shoved into his hand?

She looked down at the green bill, her palms sweating.

I heard that he was swindled out of all his savings by a scoundrel from out of town a while ago, and he's now surviving on his monthly salary of ninety-nine yuan.

Now look at him, throwing out twenty dollars without even blinking?

Helping others? That doesn't sound right.

Yi Zhonghai stared at her reddened hand, his Adam's apple bobbing.

These hands are much softer and warmer than my wife's wrinkled hands.

Though old in years, young at heart, the flame of life spontaneously ignites.

Marrying a wife is for carrying on the family line, but this body is really something!

Qin Huairu pulled her hand back, saying, "This is too much, I really can't accept it!"

In the past, when the courtyard raised funds, he would only contribute ten yuan at most, and he would always stand under the big locust tree and shout a couple of times.

Is he hiding under the wall and slipping money here today?

That's too unusual.

"Take it!"

He grabbed her wrist, then released it, his fingertip brushing against her little finger.

The little noise in his pocket startled him.

Sixty years old? He's still steaming from his bones!

I, Yi Zhonghai, am still that upright man!

Qin Huairu's wrist tightened, and she couldn't move it at all.

What are you doing, pulling at each other in broad daylight? It would be so embarrassing if someone saw you.

She had no choice but to agree: "Okay, sir... I'll take it... please let go..."

"hey-hey!"

Yi Zhonghai chuckled twice, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and then said in a low voice, "Huai Ru, I'm cured! Completely cured!"