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

Inside and outside the factory, on the streets and alleys, and even in this compound, everyone who sees him greets him warmly and tries their best to flatter him.

"Look at Hao Jianguo, he's really something now."

Someone watching him from afar couldn't help but give him a thumbs up.

Those familiar with the old stories of courtyard houses nodded in agreement:

"If you ask me, the people in that courtyard were really foolish—they actually offended such a person."

If it were me, I would have rushed to befriend them long ago.

"It's not too late to step forward now."

I think he's feeling stifled staying in that yard; he might move out any day.

"It would be best if he could be moved to our courtyard; I would treat him like a Buddha."

Amidst the various discussions, the original residents of the courtyard house were filled with regret.

They knew perfectly well that they had missed the best opportunity to befriend Hao Jianguo.

If we had been closer to him before he became famous, we might have benefited from his influence now.

However, Yan Bugui was secretly relieved.

He has always stood firmly by Hao Jianguo's side, and now his life is indeed much better.

Seeing his situation, the others in the courtyard were even more envious and regretful, lamenting that there was no medicine for regret in the world.

Four days after Jia Zhangshi's arrest, the verdict was handed down.

The news spread throughout the compound, and everyone sneered at her.

Everyone says that today's ending is entirely her own doing. If she hadn't been so arrogant and domineering, she wouldn't have ended up like this.

"Pah! If you ask me, she deserves it!"

Xu Damao was the first to shout, feeling quite pleased with himself.

He contributed a lot to this matter, and I expect Hao Jianguo will remember his kindness.

Liu Guangfu clapped his hands, saying, "It's a pity the sentence is too lenient. Only two years for attempted child abduction? In my opinion, she should serve her life!"

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Having had a disagreement with Hao Jianguo over his father's matter, he now expressed his stance on this issue, which should ease tensions.

Yan Jiecheng chimed in with a sneer:

"I heard that the old woman fainted on the spot when she heard the sentence of two years in court."

After waking up, he still threw a tantrum and cried foul. Don't you think that's ridiculous?

"She's used to being bossy in the yard, and thinks everyone outside will give in to her."

"If you ask me, the court is too lenient."

If I were to sentence him, it would be life imprisonment.

Xu Damao suddenly turned his head and glanced in the direction of the Jia family, his eyes darting around with a hint of mockery:

"Jia Dongxu must have known this long ago."

Do you think he'll faint from frustration?

Liu Guangfu shrugged nonchalantly: "I can't say whether he'll be furious or not, but his health is definitely failing him now. By the time Jia Zhangshi is released, Jia Dongxu will probably be buried in the ground by now."

Someone nearby clicked their tongue and said, "Wouldn't that be like an old person outliving their young? No, that's not right—Jia Zhangshi's white hair probably won't even be able to keep up with him."

A burst of laughter immediately filled the courtyard.

Normally, even if these neighbors think this way, they would still show some politeness in their words.

But ever since those things happened in the Jia family, especially Jia Zhangshi daring to steal other people's children—such abduction behavior has disgusted everyone in the courtyard.

Nowadays, people talk about the Jia family without any reservations, regardless of whether Jia Dongxu feels embarrassed or not.

Sure enough, when Jia Dongxu heard the news, his vision went black and he almost fainted.

He never expected that his mother would actually go to jail.

He still held onto a sliver of hope: since the child abduction attempt had failed and his attitude in admitting his mistake was good, the court would likely give him a lenient sentence, considering his mother's advanced age and the family's dire circumstances.

Little did he know that a two-year sentence was already a lenient one—if things were really taken seriously, Jia Zhangshi, at her age, might spend the rest of her life in prison.

The gloating whispers outside pierced Jia Dongxu's ears like needles.

He was already feeling extremely frustrated, and now his blood was boiling even more. He pointed at the roof beam and started crying and cursing, saying that Heaven was blind and was trying to force the entire Jia family to their deaths.

He cried and screamed until his voice cracked, then suddenly his eyes rolled back and he fell straight down.

Seeing him faint, Qin Huairu was overjoyed and even secretly hoped that he would die—if he could really die of anger, it would save her from having to get involved in the future.

The loss of a life is ultimately an ominous sign.

Unfortunately, Jia Dongxu eventually recovered.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he started pounding the bed and crying and cursing again, which annoyed Qin Huairu.

Although she appeared calm, she was secretly overjoyed.

The two years that Jia Zhangshi spent in prison were a godsend for her.

Even if Jia Dongxu doesn't die in these two years, she can still have a few days of peace and quiet; by the time that old woman comes out, the Jia family will have already changed, so what waves can she stir up?

"You old hag, what are you glaring at me for! Look how happy you are!"

Jia Dongxu suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.

Qin Huairu's face darkened.

Before the verdict, she might have been more tolerant, fearing that Jia Zhangshi would come out and settle scores.

But now, two whole years have passed—enough time for many things to happen.

It's hard to say whether Jia Dongxu will still be around then, so why should she pretend anymore?

"Jia Dongxu,"

She sneered, her gaze as if she were watching a joke. "Watch your mouth."

"Don't forget, your mother still has to stay inside for two more years."

These past two years, you've had to rely on me for everything, from food and drink to basic necessities. If you keep putting on airs with me, I'll fight you to the death, and nobody will get away with it.

"I can still find a place to stay without you; but without me, who will care whether you live or die? If you know what's good for you, you'd better keep quiet."

"A cripple, paralyzed on one side, not even a real man, yet you dare to boss me around? Jia Dongxu, I think you're just like your mother who's been in prison, your brain is full of mush!"

Now Qin Huairu has no more scruples. When facing Jia Dongxu, she even tore off the last veil of pretense and launched into a tirade of vicious insults.

She glanced down at the person on the kang (a heated brick bed), her gaze filled with condescending contempt, as if she were looking at a still-breathing, decaying corpse.

In Qin Huairu's mind, the fact that Jia Dongxu could still breathe and struggle in front of her was already a sign of her mercy.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu's eyes widened so much they almost popped out of their sockets.

He stared intently at the woman before him, never expecting that his once meek and submissive wife could utter such heart-wrenching and cruel words.

She used to be indifferent, but she always left some face. Now, the naked disgust in her eyes is like looking at a lame old dog.

His body was ruined, but his mind was still sharp.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he understood why Qin Huairu had suddenly become so arrogant.

A surge of rage rushed to Jia Dongxu's head, and he felt an urge to pounce on her and tear her mouth apart.

But with his mutilated body nailed to the kang (a heated brick bed), it was difficult to move even an inch, let alone lift a finger.

If things really escalate, you'll only be the one who suffers.

But that word "eunuch" was like a rusty, dull knife, relentlessly stabbing and grinding into his heart.

"Qin Huairu...don't be so arrogant! You'll be struck by lightning sooner or later for committing such wicked deeds!"

He forced out a hoarse curse through clenched teeth, only to be met with a sneer.

"retribution?"

Qin Huairu curled her lip, as if she had heard some absurd joke, "If there really is retribution, the first thing that should be done is to smash up your Jia family's ancestral home! Don't you know how many despicable things you've done over the years? I'll tell you right now: if you behave yourself from now on, you'll still have food to eat; if you dare to talk back to me again—"

She suddenly approached, her eyes flashing with malice.

"The deed is in your name, so of course you can kick me out."

But I can also just walk away and ignore it.

If you want soup to be served to you every day, then you should keep that smelly mouth shut.

If I hear another unpleasant word...

Before he could finish speaking, a cold gaze swept over his withered body.

Jia Dongxu's chest heaved violently, but he ultimately remained silent.

That fleeting thought of clinging to life acted like a thin thread, holding back his almost exploding rage.

Yes, he's crippled and doesn't have many days left to live, but even if it's just to breathe one more breath... he can't bear to die.

After saying that, Qin Huairu slammed the door and left without looking back.

Jia Dongxu stared wide-eyed at her arrogant departing figure, his chest almost bursting.

Only after the door closed did he dare to unleash a suppressed roar in the empty room.

Qin Huairu, who hadn't gone far outside the door, heard the roar and only gave a contemptuous sneer.

To her, this impotent rage was utterly ridiculous.

She quickened her pace and headed straight for Sha Zhu's residence.

At this moment, her heart was filled with turmoil.

The verdict from Madam Jia was like a godsend, allowing her to more calmly carry out her plan—to make Jia Dongxu disappear from this world.

The biggest variable was when Jia Zhangshi would return; if they were to bump into her, everything would fall apart.

Now that two full years have passed, she feels that every moment is precious and can't wait to push forward with the destined ending.

"You've all heard about what happened to Jia Zhangshi, haven't you?"

As soon as she stepped inside, Qin Huairu got straight to the point.

Her brows furrowed with anxiety, an anxiety that mirrored that of Sha Zhu—though their reasons differed.

Upon seeing her arrive, Sha Zhu brazenly pulled her into his arms.

Qin Huairu tacitly approved of this intimacy without even the slightest rejection, while He Yushui, standing to the side, felt her cheeks flush.

"Brother, tone it down."

He Yushui couldn't help but scold him.

Although she was happy to see the two getting close, their uninhibited intimacy made the unmarried young woman feel quite uncomfortable.

She thought to herself that if she hadn't been there, who knows what other outrageous things this silly brother might have done.

As she had predicted, things turned out just as she had expected.

Qin Huairu's indulgence these past few days has emboldened Sha Zhu.

Even in front of his sister, his hand, which was wrapped around Qin Huairu's waist, still wandered restlessly.

Qin Huairu glanced at him but did not stop him.

Now that we've come this far, what do a few physical concessions matter? If we want this fool to help us wholeheartedly, we have to give him some incentive.

"Rainwater, what's there to be ashamed of?"

Sha Zhu said smugly, "Your sister-in-law and I will be family sooner or later. What's wrong with being close? You'll understand when you find your husband's family."

He Yushui rolled her eyes several times, but didn't say anything more.

She turned to Qin Huairu and nodded knowingly.

Recalling those words, a gleam of excitement appeared in her eyes.

"Sister Qin, it's like God is helping us."

Two years is enough time for us to slowly deal with Jia Dongxu.

Without that old hag causing trouble, taking his life would be a piece of cake.

She lowered her voice, as if afraid of being overheard.

A sinister look, completely out of character for his age, appeared on his youthful face, like a poisoned bud.

Even Qin Huairu couldn't help but feel a chill upon seeing He Yushui's expression and actions, secretly astonished by that almost unfamiliar decisiveness.

She never imagined that this girl, who was always seen as clueless and confused by others, could reveal such a sharp and fierce side.

But on second thought, the more ruthless He Yushui showed, the better it was for Qin Huairu.

Ultimately, all of He Yushui's current busy work is for her benefit.

No matter how much this girl caused trouble, she was still firmly under his control.

The three of them immediately huddled together and eagerly discussed how to deal with Jia Dongxu.

The original plan always involved Jia Zhangshi, but now that Jia Zhangshi is imprisoned for two years, many aspects can be handled more decisively and thoroughly—at least in Qin Huairu's own view, things are moving in a perfect direction.

After careful consideration, the three of them felt much more at ease and even started planning a grand celebration in a few days.

Once Jia Dongxu dies, the heavy weight on my heart will be lifted, and there will be no more obstacles between Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu.

"Um... Rainwater, if you have other things to do, go ahead and take care of them."

Your sister-in-law and I are here to take care of things."

Sha Zhu chuckled and spoke, his tone revealing an irrepressible intimacy.

He's become increasingly uninhibited these days, readily calling her "sister-in-law."

The title was given to Qin Huairu.

Jia Dongxu was still panting, but Sha Zhu had already come to regard Qin Huairu as his wife.

If Jia Dongxu knew about these plans, he would probably die of anger before anyone else could even make a move.

Anyone with eyes could see that Sha Zhu was annoyed by He Yushui's presence and was eager to get rid of her.

He didn't want to waste a single second of the time he could spend alone with Qin Huairu, but with such a bright "lantern" standing next to him, he couldn't really let loose.

He Yushui understood the meaning behind those words perfectly.

She glared at Sha Zhu with annoyance, thinking to herself that this silly brother of hers was really ungrateful and made her feel like an outsider.

However, she was not really angry. Instead, she felt a little relieved—her brother’s behavior showed that his relationship with his sister-in-law was a done deal.

"Brother, sister-in-law, you should also be careful, walls have ears."

Besides... Jia Dongxu isn't dead yet.