Courtyard House: In times of famine, my hamster became a spirit.

The label of "capitalists bullying the working class" is a devastating blow in this era.

Forget about divorce, just the accusation itself would be enough to drown Lou Xiao'e in a torrent of criticism.

Sure enough, the uninformed onlookers instantly went wild, and Xu Damao completely took over the situation.

"What? The capitalist's daughter?"

"No wonder she's dressed so smartly and even dumped her own man. She's trying to humiliate us workers!"

"This is outrageous! This is a serious issue of class stance! It must be criticized! We absolutely cannot let her get away!"

Several middle-aged women carrying vegetable baskets, bursting with a sense of righteousness, pointed at Lou Xiao'e with disdain in their eyes.

Lou Xiao'e, being a lady from a respectable family, had never seen such a scene of alleyway aunties collectively attacking.

She was trembling with anger, pointing at Xu Damao, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time: "You...you're slandering me! It was clearly you..."

"Am I making baseless accusations?"

Upon seeing the reversal in public opinion, Xu Damao immediately sprang to his feet.

He stopped pretending his leg hurt, pointed at Zhou Jianguo's nose, his face contorted with rage, looking like a gambler about to overturn the table:

"Everyone saw that, right? This is that adulterer! Zhou Jianguo, the notorious bastard in our neighborhood! Comrades, I'm not getting a divorce! I'm going to the police station right now to report this adulterous couple for having an affair! I'm also going to report the Lou family for transferring assets and concealing evidence!"

Xu Damao had a clear plan in mind: since he had been taken away for questioning by the security department last night anyway, rather than waiting to die, he might as well stir things up! As long as he insisted that this was a family dispute and class persecution, he might be able to earn merit and save his life!

Faced with the torrent of dirty water, Zhou Jianguo didn't even lift an eyelid.

He simply stepped aside to block Lou Xiao'e's view and casually waved to the Jeep that had been parked by the roadside for a long time.

"Section Chief Zhao, have you had enough of the show? It's time to wrap things up."

"Bang--!"

The car door was violently pushed open, and a military boot slammed heavily onto the ground.

Zhao Gang was dressed in a crisp uniform, followed by four security officers with menacing expressions.

The aunties who were just moments ago filled with righteous indignation suddenly went silent and voluntarily made way for each other.

Zhao Gang, his face ashen, walked up to Xu Damao, who was still throwing a tantrum, and looked down at him.

"Not bad acting, Xu Damao. You weren't done crying in the interrogation room, and now you're here trying to soothe our security department?"

Zhao Gang's voice brooked no argument: "Yesterday we took you away for quarantine and investigation. We gave you the honor of letting you handle your family matters, and what do you do? Trying to cause trouble in front of the crowd?"

Xu Damao's cursing stopped abruptly, a strange "clucking" sound coming from his throat: "Zhao... Section Chief Zhao? You... you let me explain..."

"Snapped!"

A document bearing a bright red seal was thrown directly at his face, interrupting his attempts to argue.

Zhao Gang looked around, his voice booming like a bell, each word like thunder, as if he were speaking to everyone:

"Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill Announcement! Projectionist Xu Damao is suspected of abusing his position to solicit bribes from commune members over a long period! He is also suspected of engaging in feudal superstition and repeatedly insulting women under the guise of filming! The investigation has confirmed the facts are clear and the evidence is conclusive!"

"With the approval of the factory's Party Committee last night, he is now—formally arrested!"

This is not as simple as taking them away for investigation; this is a direct conviction, and they'll be going to jail!

These few words completely stunned everyone present.

"Soliciting bribes? And insulting women?"

"Pah! Turns out he's just an old scoundrel!"

"We almost got used as pawns by this bastard! What bad luck!"

Public opinion has reversed from one extreme to the other.

The aunties who had just been supporting him changed their tune faster than flipping through a book, spitting at Xu Damao's feet.

Xu Damao's legs went weak, and he completely broke down.

Once the formal arrest warrant was issued, all his little schemes were shattered.

"Take him away!" Zhao Gang waved his hand, too lazy to waste any more words.

"etc."

Zhou Jianguo stepped forward, smiling as he blocked Zhao Gang's path, and offered him a cigarette.

"Section Chief Zhao, let's handle this officially. But this personal matter isn't over yet." Zhou Jianguo pointed to Lou Xiao'e, who was standing behind him dumbfounded. "This woman is also a victim. Since the man committed a crime, in order not to affect innocent people, shouldn't they get a divorce first? We can't resort to the kind of guilt by association and make this young woman carry the stigma of being the wife of a convict for the rest of her life, can we?"

Zhao Gang glanced at his watch and understood immediately: "Okay, I'll give you five minutes. I'll make an exception."

Zhou Jianguo walked up to Xu Damao, who was limp as a rag doll, and squatted down.

With an innocent smile on his face, he leaned close to Xu Damao's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Brother Da Mao, stop looking, this is a dead end. But for the sake of being neighbors, I'll try to give you a chance."

Zhou Jianguo gently patted Xu Damao's face:

"Section Chief Zhao said that if you cooperate and sign now, it will be considered that you have a good attitude in admitting your guilt and are actively cooperating with the organization to resolve the outstanding issues. After you go in, we can arrange a single room for you."

At this point, his tone suddenly changed, becoming sinister and chilling:

"Otherwise... you should know what kind of people those thugs in prison hate the most, right? Especially someone like you... someone who's missing a part. If they found out you're a eunuch without genitals, tsk tsk..."

"I heard they love using metal eating spoons to examine your body; that experience is more thrilling than going to the eighteenth level of hell..."

These words precisely pierced through Xu Damao's last psychological defenses.

It was an extreme fear of having one's physical defects exposed, and an instinctive tremor at the prospect of prison bullying.

His mind was filled with terrifying images of himself being surrounded by a group of burly men.

"I'll sign! I'll sign! I want a private room! Don't let them touch me!"

Xu Damao grabbed a pen like a madman and scribbled his name on the divorce agreement.

"Bang!"

The stamp was applied.

The bright red mark signaled the complete end of their relationship.

Zhou Jianguo took the dark green divorce certificate and handed it to Lou Xiao'e: "Sister Xiao'e, take this."

Lou Xiao'e accepted it with trembling hands, and tears streamed down her face once again.

However, the next second, a very dramatic scene unfolded.

The moment the divorce certificate was in hand, Zhao Gang's silver handcuffs snapped shut, locking Xu Damao's hand that had just finished signing.

One second he's her ex-husband after their divorce, the next he's a prisoner awaiting trial.

A divorce certificate in her left hand, a silver bracelet in her right.

This seamless operation left everyone present gasping in astonishment!

"Alright, the formalities are done." Zhao Gang sneered, his eyes mocking. "Xu Damao, I was just teasing you. There's no such thing as a single room. That's only for hardened criminals. Once inside, enjoy the hospitality of sleeping in a communal dormitory with dozens of other people. Take him away!"

"What?!"

Xu Damao was struck dumb, and turned to glare at Zhou Jianguo, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.

"No! I'm not leaving! Zhou Jianguo, you liar! You cheated me! What happened to the promised private room! Section Chief Zhao! I'm reporting you! This guy isn't a good person either..."

Xu Damao then realized that Zhou Jianguo had tricked him; the so-called single room was complete nonsense! He was being tricked into signing the document!

He struggled frantically, his piercing screams echoing through the lobby of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

But it was all too late.

The two burly men shoved him into the back seat of the jeep.

The jeep sped away, leaving behind a trail of exhaust fumes and the utter social death of Xu Damao.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for directing the "Prisoner's Divorce" drama, completely severing the villain Xu Damao's luck, achieving the accomplishment "Send the Buddha to the West, send the man to prison."]

[Rewards: Upgrade your portable farm (Aquatic Products Area + 100 Fish Fry); 2 bottles of premium Moutai; 200 RMB cash; Special item: Truth or Dare Bad Luck Sticker!]

Zhou Jianguo turned off the system panel, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This wave of wins is overwhelming.

Lou Xiao'e clutched the divorce certificate, watching the direction the jeep had disappeared in.

Suddenly, she turned and bowed deeply to Zhou Jianguo in the direction Zhao Gang had left.

She didn't speak, but for the first time, a light shone in her swollen, tear-filled eyes.

"Jianguo," Lou Xiao'e wiped away her tears, "Come on, I'll treat you to breakfast! To Quanjude! To celebrate that I'm no longer a widow for this childless bastard!"

"Great, Sister E, you've broadened your horizons. But we need to hurry."

He gazed in the direction of Nanluoguxiang, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"There's probably a good show waiting for us in that courtyard house."