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

Now that Hao Jianguo has arrived, all those rumors have vanished as if blown away by the wind, and no one mentions them anymore.

With a son-in-law like this, what's the point of having a son? Yu Li's father was so happy that he pulled Hao Jianguo to drink several more cups of wine, and the atmosphere at the dinner table was warm and joyful.

Perhaps due to the influence of alcohol, the old man urged the two of them to get their marriage certificate right in front of them.

Actually, the elderly couple were extremely anxious.

Although it was the first time she had met Hao Jianguo, judging from his demeanor and the generous gifts he had brought, she knew that this son-in-law was one in a million, and if she missed him, she might never meet another like him.

Yu Li's mother quickly chimed in, offering repeated words of advice.

"You two have been together for a while now, isn't it just a matter of time before you get your marriage certificate?"

"Get things done quickly and efficiently so we can be together every day and avoid gossip from others."

Urged on by her parents, Yu Li's cheeks flushed red. "Mom... isn't this a bit too much of a rush? I..."

Her father glared at her, looking anxious: "What's the rush? Your mother had you by now when she was your age!"

The mother decisively said, "I think it's settled then. We'll register after the New Year."

Your father and I are really looking forward to having a grandchild.

After saying that, she didn't forget to look at Hao Jianguo, since it would only count if the man nodded.

Hao Jianguo found it amusing, but his face remained smiling.

He reached out and took Yu Li's hand, readily agreeing, "Okay, I also want to marry Yu Li as soon as possible."

These words delighted the elderly couple.

Yu Li lowered her head, too shy to look up, her heart pounding wildly, yet filled with sweet anticipation.

Hao Jianguo didn't get up to say goodbye until 2 p.m.

Yu Li saw him off to the gate of the courtyard, and reluctantly reminded him, "Be careful on the way."

Hao Jianguo's eyes crinkled into a smile, and he suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice to chuckle, "A farewell kiss before you go?"

Yu Li hadn't expected him to be so bold, and her face instantly turned bright red. "Don't be silly... it would be so embarrassing if someone saw us... oh dear!"

Before she could finish speaking, Hao Jianguo had already put his arm around her waist and gently pulled her away.

Without a word, he lowered his head and touched her lips, his eyes smiling as he released hers.

"We're practically family now, who are we afraid of seeing?"

After saying that, he turned and left under Yu Li's shy and timid gaze.

Yu Li, covering her burning face, was about to go back inside when she turned around and saw Yu Haitang leaning against the door, blinking her eyes and smiling at her, even mimicking her in a high-pitched voice:

"Sister, you're so shy! You were kissing your husband at the door... Ouch! Sister, I was wrong, please don't pinch my ear!"

The courtyard was immediately filled with the sounds of the two sisters chasing each other, laughing and joking.

The Yu sisters chased and laughed in the house, while their parents sat watching, their eyes and brows full of smiles.

The table was piled with all sorts of gifts that Hao Jianguo had brought. The elderly couple felt a warm glow in their hearts, and suddenly their lives seemed brighter.

"Old man, our son-in-law is so thoughtful."

"My mother said softly, stroking the new fabric in her hands."

The father nodded with a smile: "Yes, yes, our family will be enjoying a life of luxury from now on."

After the two sisters bickered for a while, Yu Haitang went back to her room to study.

When I opened my workbook, the questions that I used to know so well were now a blur.

The pen tip hovered over the paper for a long time, unable to fall, and the image of Hao Jianguo speaking appeared before my eyes.

She rested her chin on her hand and sighed softly, "My sister is so lucky... I hope I can meet someone as good as her someday..."

The light outside the window gradually dimmed.

Meanwhile, Yi Zhonghai walked into the street office with something on his mind.

When Director Liu heard him explain his purpose, his expression immediately turned serious—speculation and profiteering were exactly the behaviors he hated most.

Before leaving, Yi Zhonghai placed some more gifts on the table, and as he turned around, a confident smile appeared on his lips.

He thought that Hao's glorious days were coming to an end.

Director Liu was about to organize manpower immediately when an urgent message came from home: his daughter had fallen into an ice hole and was being rescued at the hospital.

He grabbed his coat and rushed out, forgetting all about the investigation and the report.

When Yi Zhonghai learned of this, he felt a little regretful, but then he thought: it's only a day or two late, I don't think he can cause any trouble.

In the hospital ward, the little girl had woken up, but her face was still a little pale.

When Director Liu arrived, his wife, Wang Yanan, was sitting by his bedside with red eyes.

"How is the child?"

Director Liu asked in a low voice.

"Luckily, I met a kind person..."

Wang Yanan choked up again as she spoke, "If it had been any later, I really don't want to think about it..."

The couple only had this one daughter, whom they doted on like the apple of their eye.

Director Liu put his arm around his wife's shoulder, offered a few words of gentle comfort, and then asked, "Where are the comrades who saved people? We must thank them properly."

"He left without leaving his name. I had to ask around to find out that he was from our area and his name was Hao Jianguo."

Wang Yanan wiped her eyes. "I heard he's been very proactive at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill and gets along well with his coworkers. The factory is planning to promote him."

By the way, he and Yi Zhonghai, that level eight fitter from your factory, live in the same hospital.

Director Liu was taken aback upon hearing this.

Wang Yanan thought her husband didn't know this person and was about to continue explaining when she saw Director Liu shake his head with a wry smile: "I just heard Yi Zhonghai report this morning... that he's a speculator."

"That's impossible!"

Wang Yanan blurted it out.

"Old Liu, you can't believe that."

"If Hao Jianguo had really gone astray, why would he have risked his life to save our daughter? There must be something wrong here."

The woman spoke resolutely, forgetting to put down the rag she was holding.

Director Liu sat in his chair, his brow furrowed, his knuckles unconsciously tapping his knee. "That's the truth, and we must remember the kindness shown to us."

But what if... what if he really breaks the rules? I can't just turn a blind eye in my position.

Wang Yanan sighed, not offering any further advice, and only asked, "Yi Zhonghai's accusation is baseless; does he have any evidence?"

"Certificates..."

Director Liu shook his head thoughtfully. "He didn't produce anything substantial, only saying that he suspected Hao Jianguo's assets were of dubious origin."

When they left, they even insisted on giving them two packs of cigarettes.

Look!

Wang Yanan's eyes lit up, and her voice rose, "If he were really confident, would he need to send you something? Isn't it obvious that he wants to use you as a tool? I also asked around at the neighborhood committee. Hao Jianguo's bicycle has all the necessary paperwork. It was registered by Aunt Zhao herself, and everything is clear."

The more she talked, the more she felt it made sense. "If you ask me, it's just envy."

When it came to promoting Hao Jianguo to deputy director, it was more popular than him, who was only an eighth-grade worker.

He was seething with anger, so he threw dirty water on someone.

Director Liu listened without saying a word.

He understood that Wang Yanan was deeply grateful for being saved and that her words were always on Hao Jianguo's side.

But he had also secretly inquired and found that the young man had a good reputation in the factory; he was hardworking and reliable, not frivolous.

"Hmph, he calls himself a big shot in the courtyard, yet he resorts to such underhanded tactics."

Wang Yanan curled her lips, full of disdain, "I think it's time to change his 'big shot' title."

"A perfectly good young man, being watched and attacked like this, who will dare to step forward and work in the future?"

Director Liu looked a little embarrassed and coughed, "I had some people investigate before, and I did hear some other things."

"What?"

Wang Yanan moved closer.

"It is said that Hao Jianguo made a girl surnamed Qin break off her engagement some years ago."

The family that girl later married spread a lot of bad rumors about him in the neighborhood.

Over time, Hao Jianguo suffered quite a bit of mistreatment in that courtyard.

As Wang Yanan listened, her brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and she couldn't help but shake her head, "What kind of nonsense is this! Is there anything else?"

"besides……"

Director Liu lowered his voice and said, "Some people say that Yi Zhonghai was once seen in the cellar late at night with that woman surnamed Qin."

No one knows exactly what happened.

Hao Jianguo's life has just started to improve; he bought a car, and now the rumors are starting again.

Wang Yanan's face darkened. "Old Liu, don't you understand? This is just someone who can't stand seeing others do well."

If you have ulterior motives, everyone will seem like a thief.

"It's entirely possible that Yi Zhonghai's whistleblowing was instigated by that family."

Director Liu nodded.

These situations are not difficult to clarify if you really want to investigate.

"And then there's speculation and profiteering."

Wang Yanan, with a clear mind, continued her analysis, "Wasn't Yi Zhonghai implying that Hao Jianguo was active in 'that place'? Lao Liu, you've led people to investigate there more than once. Have you seen Hao Jianguo? Among the people you've arrested before, has anyone with that name been caught?"

Director Liu paused for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

It really doesn't.

Not even once.

So,

Wang Yanan said firmly, "This is a false accusation."

Yi Zhonghai not only falsely accused innocent people, but also bribed you.

He cannot be let off lightly in either of these matters.

Director Liu was silent for a moment, then looked up again, his eyes filled with determination. "You're right."

This Yi Zhonghai needs to be taught a lesson.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai was completely unaware that Director Liu was holding a grudge against him.

He confidently strode into Sha Zhu's house, discussing with him the impending misfortune that was about to befall Hao Jianguo.

The two were confident that Director Liu would come to arrest Hao Jianguo, and they were certain that Hao Jianguo would not escape this time.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu got up.

The news that Director Liu would be leading a team to investigate Hao Jianguo today kept the two of them up all night, filled with excitement.

Seeing Sha Zhu grinning so wide his mouth almost reached his ears, Yi Zhonghai glared at him irritably: "Keep it down! Don't be too conspicuous, or the plan will fall apart if word gets out."

Sha Zhu quickly pursed his lips, but his eyes still couldn't hide his joy, which made Yi Zhonghai shake his head.

In truth, he was also excited, but he just pretended to be calm.

"Remember, today we'll just cooperate from the sidelines and not try to stand out."

As for throwing dirty water on Hao Jianguo... we'll have to find someone else to do it."

Yi Zhonghai pondered for a moment, then whispered his instructions.

He had clearly learned his lesson from his previous reckless actions and was now wiser, no longer willing to personally lead the charge.

Moreover, in his view, that kind of filthy affair was unrelated to his "Uncle Yi".

His identity is truly incongruous—although he has completely forgotten that when he reported Hao Jianguo, wasn't he also the one who stood up for him? Such a contradiction can only be described as a naive thought that arises when a person begins to deceive himself.

Sha Zhu didn't think that far ahead. As soon as he heard that they were going to find someone to smear Hao Jianguo, a figure immediately popped into his mind.

"Hehe, if we're talking about who's the best at insulting people in the courtyard, it's definitely Jia Zhangshi! The moment she starts cursing, she makes Hao Jianguo lose face, and it's satisfying to watch!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction and unconsciously straightened his back.

We must use this incident to rebuild our prestige and regain the face we have lost during this period.

Thinking of this, he breathed a long sigh of relief, as if he could already see the dark clouds dissipate and the blue sky reappear.

Once a person is convinced of a certain idea, they are prone to getting stuck on it.

Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu only suspected Hao Jianguo of speculation and profiteering, but now they have already confirmed the crime in their hearts. Just like suspecting a neighbor of stealing an axe, the more they look, the more real it seems.

Sha Zhu was in high spirits and turned around to run to the Jia family to discuss the matter with Jia Zhangshi.

Strangely, Jia Zhangshi, who usually gets up early, is still fast asleep on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Sha Zhu called out several times, but there was no response.

Just then, Qin Huairu came out of the inner room, and Sha Zhu stepped forward and asked, "Sister Qin, what's wrong with Grandma Zhang?"

Qin Huairu's face was pale, and her gaze toward Jia Zhangshi showed a hint of fear: "I don't know either... My mother-in-law seemed to be possessed last night. She talked in her sleep and wandered around all night, which scared me a lot."

They made noise until almost dawn before finally settling down and falling asleep.

She still felt lingering fear when she recalled how Jia Zhangshi nearly fell into the latrine again while sleepwalking last night.

Sha Zhu was taken aback upon hearing this: "I've never heard of her having this problem before..."

He frowned, his heart sinking: if Jia Zhangshi couldn't be relied upon, who could he turn to to smear Hao Jianguo?

Sha Zhu slapped his thigh suddenly, and the name Jia Dongxu popped into his mind.

He had recently experienced firsthand the power of Jia Dongxu's tongue—although the man's lower body was paralyzed, his tongue was even sharper than before, and his insults were always piercing.

Why hasn't Dongxu made a move today?

Sha Zhu asked casually.

Normally, Jia Dongxu would have been moved outside to bask in the sun by now, but today the inner room remained quiet.

Upon mentioning her husband, Qin Huairu's already ashen face darkened even further.

"Don't even mention it, I must have been possessed last night."