Courtyard House: The Frog Boy Brings Back a Genetic Potion at the Start

Although she couldn't guess what Jia Zhangshi was planning at that moment, based on her past understanding of this mother-in-law, that look in her eyes was definitely not a sign of goodwill.

"Qin Huairu, just tell me, when are you going to bring that child here?"

Jia Zhangshi's sudden question caught Qin Huairu off guard.

"But...but aren't there those things near Hao Jianguo's place? If I go there again, I don't know if I can save my life..."

Qin Huairu's voice trembled, and she spoke haltingly.

To be honest, after the close call last time, she was absolutely unwilling to go near Hao Jianguo's courtyard again.

In secret, she had cursed Jia Zhangshi countless times—this old woman dared not touch Hao Jianguo herself, yet she repeatedly forced her to steal children; she was utterly inhuman.

The mere thought of those swarming poisonous insects sent chills down Qin Huairu's spine; for her, that place had become a place she could never set foot in.

But Jia Zhangshi refused to budge an inch.

"Idiot! Who told you to go out at night?"

Jia Zhangshi glared at her fiercely, her tone resolute.

These words stunned Qin Huairu—if not at night, were they going to make their move during the day?

In broad daylight, with so many people around, if someone were to catch her stealing a child, everyone in this yard would tear her apart.

However, Madam Jia actually nodded.

"Go during the day."

She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, her gaze fixed firmly on Qin Huairu's face.

"I've been wondering before: if there really were poisonous insects in that yard, how could no one have noticed during the day? But in fact, apart from that night, no one has ever seen those things."

If you ask me, there's probably only one reason—

At this point, Madam Jia paused deliberately, looking at Jia Dongxu with a knowing expression.

Qin Huairu subconsciously took two steps back.

She never expected that Madam Jia would be so crazy—she had only asked her to act secretly at night before, but now she was being asked to do it openly in broad daylight.

This is practically driving her to the brink of despair!

Qin Huairu knew very well that Hao Jianguo had a very high reputation in the courtyard. If her theft of his child were exposed, she would be drowned in the spittle of everyone in the courtyard.

"How can we do it in broad daylight? What if someone sees us..."

She hesitated and tried to refuse, but underestimated Jia Zhangshi's obsession at that moment.

Before he could finish speaking, he was met with a fierce glare from the other party.

"Shut up! If you know you're afraid of getting caught, won't you be more careful?"

Madam Jia cut her off rudely, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Hearing such unreasonable rebukes, Qin Huairu could only smile bitterly to herself—how could one be so careful as to be foolproof in such matters?

"But--"

Before she could even open her mouth, Jia Zhangshi's piercing gaze came at her again, startling her into swallowing all her words.

"Alright, stop beating around the bush. I'm telling you, there's absolutely nothing to hesitate about!"

Before Qin Huairu could finish speaking, Jia Zhangshi abruptly cut her off, leaving her no room for maneuver.

"You understand? Daytime is the most suitable time."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu frowned, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes, as if she couldn't understand why Jia Zhangshi was so certain.

"Those insects only come out at night. They must have been knocked unconscious by Hao Jianguo during the day, which is why we haven't been able to see them."

To avoid those things, the only way is to take action during the day.

Besides, haven't you been keeping an eye on things lately? As long as you find a moment when Hao Jianguo isn't home and Yu Li is chatting with someone in the front yard, sneaking into their house and taking the child away isn't difficult at all.

Jia Zhangshi spoke with absolute certainty, as if it were as easy as going out to buy a bottle of soy sauce.

Clearly, she was determined and left Qin Huairu no way out.

Whether you go or not, you have to go; there's absolutely no room for negotiation.

"Qin Huairu, you'd better think this through. Right now, in this courtyard, you're someone everyone hates."

If it weren't for my tolerance, you wouldn't even have the right to stay.

I've put the opportunity right in front of you. As long as you're quick, getting the baby out of there won't be a big deal.

"If you're unwilling, then there's no need for you to help me at all. Get out of here now."

Jia Zhangshi's words carried a threat, clearly indicating that she had accurately identified Qin Huairu's weakness.

Having spent these days together, she had long since figured out Qin Huairu's personality—this woman was willing to do anything to stay in the courtyard house.

In fact, Madam Jia knew perfectly well that if things continued like this, Jia Dongxu might not survive.

That was her only son, and the last of her blood relatives in this courtyard.

Despite the recent controversy surrounding that "blind date charm"

Due to the influence of the situation, she lost her composure towards Jia Dongxu and Sha Zhu, but deep down, she still couldn't let go of her son.

Especially when she thought about what she had done to Jia Dongxu those days, Jia Zhangshi felt extremely guilty, which is why she was even more eager to save her son's life.

Thinking of this, Jia Zhangshi couldn't help but reveal a hint of resentment in her eyes as she looked at Qin Huairu.

In her view, if Jia Dongxu died because Qin Huairu refused to steal the child, then Qin Huairu would be an accomplice.

"Qin Huairu, I'm not joking with you."

I'm telling you this: if Dongxu is gone, I'll make sure you suffer!

Before she finished speaking, Jia Zhangshi suddenly turned around and rushed into the kitchen, grabbing the cleaver from the cutting board and holding it tightly in her hand.

His fierce posture made it seem as if he was about to pounce and fight to the death at any moment.

Qin Huairu bit her lip, her face turning pale and then red, her heart filled with struggle and resentment.

But seeing Jia Zhangshi's desperate look and recalling her earlier words, she ultimately chickened out.

Having spent so many years together, she knew all too well how much Jia Dongxu meant to Jia Zhangshi.

"Okay...I...I'll do it!"

In the end, Qin Huairu managed to squeeze out those words through gritted teeth.

In order to suffer less and to stay in this courtyard, she knew she had no way out.

What frustrated Qin Huairu was that even though she agreed, Jia Zhangshi still didn't let her go.

Ever since Jia Dongxu was bitten by a venomous snake, the wound has been festering and oozing pus.

When Qin Huairu left the Jia family before, she naturally didn't need to worry about this matter anymore. But now that she's back, Madam Jia Zhang has brought it up again, asking her to continue sucking out the pus and blood for Jia Dongxu.

Just imagining that scene made Qin Huairu's stomach churn, and she felt so nauseous that she wanted to dry heave.

"I……"

She instinctively opened her mouth to refuse; for her, this was even more unbearable than stealing a child.

"Snapped!"

Before she could finish speaking, Jia Zhangshi slapped her hard across the face.

Qin Huairu's face, which was already swollen from being bitten by poisonous insects, was instantly flushed red with blood after Jia Zhangshi slapped her.

She staggered a few steps and fell to the ground.

"You shameless bastard! I showed you a little decency, and now you think you have a choice? Do as I say right now!"

Jia Zhangshi screamed almost maniacally.

At this point, Qin Huairu understood that if she didn't comply, she would likely face a severe beating today.

She subconsciously glanced at Jia Dongxu standing to the side, only to see that his face bore the same resentment and malice as Jia Zhangshi's.

"Did you hear me? Don't push your luck! Don't you know who you are now? I'm already doing you a huge favor by letting you stay."

Jia Dongxu also started cursing in a shrill voice, behaving like a shrew from the streets, "Who in this courtyard doesn't treat you like a rat in the street? If we hadn't taken you in, you would have been kicked out long ago! Now we're asking you to do this little thing, and you dare to make excuses?"

Qin Huairu could only lower her head again and continue that disgusting task.

"I know you're a hundred times unwilling."

Jia Zhangshi's icy voice rang out again, "But the more unwilling you are, the more you have to do it."

Only when Dongxu recovers will you be free.

otherwise……"

A cold snort, but the unspoken words were crystal clear.

Qin Huairu understood what that threat meant—for Jia Dongxu's sake, and for her own future, she had no other choice.

……

For several days in a row, Qin Huairu secretly waited for the right opportunity.

She plotted to sneak into Hao Jian's house and steal the child, and the opportunity finally came.

That day, Yan Bugui approached Hao Jianguo.

"Jianguo, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together, his face plastered with a fawning smile.

Lately, he has been trying to get close to Hao Jianguo whenever he has the chance, doing everything he can to flatter him – everyone knows that Hao Jianguo is currently very popular, and if he can get on his good side, his own situation might improve.

Many people in the courtyard secretly sneered when they saw Yan Bugui's behavior.

"See? Yan Bugui has become Hao Jianguo's lapdog."

Some people sneered, but their words carried a hint of sourness.

"Absolutely. These past few days, he's practically wearing the word 'fawning' on his face, as if he's afraid people won't know he's trying to curry favor."

Xu Damao was also somewhat displeased. In his opinion, Yan Bugui's eagerness was simply stealing his thunder.

Although the words were harsh, everyone knew in their hearts that they would probably have done the same thing if they were in that situation.

Yan Bugui was not unaware of what others were saying, but he didn't care at all.

The shrewd man had already figured it out—what did all the gossip in the courtyard matter? Only by clinging tightly to Hao Jianguo, this big tree, could he live a comfortable life from now on.

"Third Uncle, what's the matter today?"

Hao Jianguo looked at Yan Bugui, his tone tinged with helplessness.

The frequent visits from the other party these past few days have left him quite overwhelmed.

"I do need your help with something."

Yan Bugui quickly explained his purpose: "It's like this, our school is going to hold a speech event soon, and we would like to invite you, a celebrity, to make an appearance."

(He was a leader in the factory and the youngest workshop director in the factory's history.)

The school wants to invite Hao Jianguo to give a speech to encourage the students.

Yan Bugui was always good at flattery, and he thought that this matter could both make Hao Jianguo famous and make him remember a favor, so he happily ran over to deliver the message.

Hao Jianguo was slightly surprised, not expecting the school to contact him.

On second thought, it would be good to help the students cheer up, so I agreed.

After he left, Yu Haitang was left alone in the house.

Yu Li was washing clothes in the yard at that moment—she was quick and efficient and often helped with Hao Jianguo's chores.

Unbeknownst to anyone, a sinister gaze was fixed intently on them from the shadows.

Jia Zhangshi grabbed Qin Huairu and gestured towards Hao Jianguo's house, saying, "See? Now's the best opportunity! Go and get the child out!"

Her voice trembled, revealing a desperate urgency.

"Yes, go now! If you dawdle any longer and ruin my plans, I'll be dead, and you won't get away with it either!"

Jia Dongxu was also anxious. His life was at stake, and seeing Qin Huairu still hesitating, he became furious.

"...Okay, I'll go."

Pressed repeatedly by the mother and son, Qin Huairu had no choice but to nod.

She had rehearsed the plan in her mind many times, but when it came to actually doing it, fear still gripped her heart—in broad daylight, the slightest mistake would mean utter ruin.

She moved slowly and quietly approached the entrance to Hao Jian's house.

The shadow of those poisonous insects from last time had not yet dissipated, and she couldn't help but shiver as she stood in front of the door.

Looking around, he saw no insects and breathed a sigh of relief: it seemed that Jia Zhangshi was right, those things wouldn't come out during the day.

With her mind calmed down, she pushed open the door and went in.

But as soon as I stepped into the house, I saw Yu Haitang bending down to play with the child.

Qin Huairu froze on the spot—this was a ruthless character; even Sha Zhu had suffered at her hands. If she fell into her hands, she would probably be in for a beating.

Qin Huairu cursed Jia Zhangshi's ancestors in her heart: This old woman, knowing that Yu Haitang was in the house, still forced her to come and die!

Yu Haitang had heard the commotion earlier and looked up to see Qin Huairu standing blankly at the door.

She already knew about the entanglements between Hao Jianguo and the Jia family, so she naturally didn't give Qin Huairu a friendly look, especially since this person barged in without knocking.

"Who gave you permission to come in?"

Yu Haitang's expression turned cold. "Get out!"

The voice wasn't loud, but it felt like a whip lashing at Qin Huairu.

She shuddered in fright and, not daring to linger any longer, turned and fled as if fleeing.

Watching that hasty retreating figure, Yu Haitang snorted softly, her eyes full of disdain.

Looking at Qin Huairu's appearance, Yu Haitang immediately laughed contemptuously.

In her eyes, Qin Huairu had clearly come forward to invite a scolding.

Although Yu Haitang had some doubts, she didn't take it too seriously—she didn't believe that anyone would dare to cause trouble for them right now.