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

After much persuasion, Yi Zhonghai finally managed to suppress Sha Zhu's thoughts.

From then on, he also tried to keep a close eye on Sha Zhu so that his apprentice's life wouldn't be too difficult.

In stark contrast to Sha Zhu's predicament, Hao Jianguo has been enjoying a period of great success lately.

The Lantern Festival had just passed a few days ago, and the factory leaders invited him over again.

Such a commotion naturally drew everyone's attention, and they were all secretly speculating about what it was all about.

When everyone realized that the person who had come to invite Hao Jianguo was Director Liu, who was in charge of personnel, they had a vague idea of ​​what was going on—most likely, this young deputy director was about to be promoted again.

"No way, it's only been a short time, and he's already moving up again? Our deputy director is really capable."

"Don't rush to conclusions. Let's wait for the deputy director to return and clarify things before making a fool of ourselves."

"In any case, it's a good thing that the leader came to see us specifically."

The buzzing of voices around them reached Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu's ears, making their faces so dark they looked like they could wring water out of them.

In fact, not only his coworkers in the workshop, but even Hao Jianguo himself had some doubts. He carefully recalled all the recent events and it seemed that there was nothing particularly important that the factory leaders should pay attention to.

Upon entering the office and seeing Deputy Factory Director Liu, Hao Jianguo went straight to the point, asking, "Director Liu, do you have any new task for me?"

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Liu burst into laughter, stepped forward, and patted Hao Jianguo on the shoulder affectionately. "Good lad, you've really made our factory proud! Remember when that imported piece of equipment in your workshop suddenly broke down a while ago? You were the one who stepped in and fixed it in time!"

He looked at Hao Jianguo with a smile, his eyes full of approval.

Hao Jianguo nodded.

That matter was just a minor problem that he could easily solve, but he never expected there to be a follow-up.

"After careful calculation by the finance department, your intervention saved the factory over ten thousand US dollars!"

Deputy Factory Director Liu continued, "This is no small amount."

Although you were commended in a factory-wide announcement before, the factory decided after discussion that the reward was not commensurate with your contributions.

Therefore, the leadership team has held a special meeting to discuss this matter recently.

Hao Jianguo was slightly surprised.

He hadn't expected that a special meeting would be held for this matter, but he was quite gratified that he could save the country valuable foreign exchange.

"The factory has initially decided that, in addition to awarding you the title of Outstanding Employee for this quarter, you will also receive other recognition."

Deputy Factory Director Liu paused, his tone becoming meaningful, "With your current level of technical skill, it's really a waste of your talent to only serve as a deputy director."

Speaking of which, Old Niu is almost at retirement age.

The words were spoken subtly, but Hao Jianguo was perceptive and could easily discern the deeper meaning behind them.

Old Niu was the director of their workshop, and Deputy Factory Director Liu's words were clearly an implication that he would soon take over Director Niu's position.

"I'm just giving you a heads-up today. Just keep it to yourself and don't tell anyone else for now."

Deputy Factory Director Liu gave his final instructions.

That being said, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever.

Before long, the news that Hao Jianguo was about to be promoted quietly spread throughout the workshop.

"He's getting promoted again? And to the vacant position of Director Dingniu? This...this God is so unfair! How come all the good things happen to Hao Jianguo!"

Yi Zhonghai felt a tightness in his chest and couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Of course, in the workshop right now, he dared not openly say a bad word about Hao Jianguo, for fear of angering the other workers around him.

Sha Zhu, standing to the side, had bloodshot eyes that looked like they were about to spit fire.

These days, he has been plotting how to bring Hao Jianguo down, but he never expected that before he could find an opportunity to make a move, the other party would take another step forward.

This sudden news hit him like a blunt object, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. A mix of intense jealousy and helplessness nearly drove him mad.

The workers in the workshop flocked to congratulate Hao Jianguo, and compliments rose and fell.

This lively scene, as seen by Sha Zhu and Yi Zhonghai, was like a needle piercing their hearts.

After get off work, the two found a quiet corner, sat facing each other with their wine jugs in hand.

After a few cups of strong liquor, the resentment that had been suppressed all day burst forth like a flood.

Foul language gushed from between their teeth as they cursed each and every one of Hao's ancestors.

Her pounding-the-table and glaring manner was no different from that of a shrew from the streets.

The old lady stood by the door, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

In her memory, her husband was always concerned with appearances and always spoke and acted with tact and propriety.

But the man in front of her, spitting as he spoke, made her feel somewhat unfamiliar with him.

Aunt Yi shook her head inwardly, thinking that Sha Zhu had corrupted Yi Zhonghai, and her gaze swept over Sha Zhu with a hint of disgust.

She eventually turned around and closed the door, locking the room full of alcohol fumes and curses behind her.

The two people inside had long since forgotten about everyone else.

Sha Zhu tilted his head back and gulped down half a bowl of liquor. As his Adam's apple bobbed, he suddenly remembered something and asked in a low voice, "Uncle Yi, have you made any progress on those tricks that the deaf old lady mentioned? When are we finally going to deal with that kid?"

The alcohol burned in my stomach, but it couldn't extinguish the raging fire in my heart.

The image of Hao Jianguo's triumphant success at the factory kept flashing before his eyes, making his internal organs churn.

Yi Zhonghai held his wine glass and pondered for a long time before tapping his knuckles on the edge of the table: "This time, the old lady is probably serious."

When I visited her yesterday, I sounded out her intentions, and she only mentioned that she wanted to hire a capable person, making it sound very mysterious.

"A capable person?"

Sha Zhu's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had spotted a lantern on a dark road.

Although he couldn't figure out what extraordinary abilities that person possessed, since the old lady had invited him, he must be no ordinary person.

This thought made him feel great, and he downed three glasses of wine in a row. His cheeks flushed with excitement, as if he could already see Hao Jianguo begging for mercy in a sorry state.

"Don't be too impatient."

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Sha Zhu's grinning face, slowly poured himself a glass of wine, and said, "The higher you climb, the more painful it is when you fall."

But this matter…

He changed the subject, his eyes flashing with warning, "We need to cover it up tightly."

Sha Zhu immediately pounded his chest loudly: "Although I, Sha Zhu, am muddle-headed, I still know what's important!"

Yi Zhonghai didn't reply, but simply drank the remaining wine in his glass in one gulp.

As dusk deepened outside the window, the shadows of the trees swayed on the glass, forming a blurry inky pattern.

At this moment, the stone steps of Jade Emperor Mountain were shrouded in the vast twilight.

The old lady, leaning on her jujube wood cane, climbed the last few steps of the green staircase, panting with each step.

The vermilion doors of the Taoist temple were half-closed. She shakily stepped over the threshold and called out to the figure under the old locust tree in the courtyard, "Master Wang, it's been many years."

However, given the current state of affairs, all demons and monsters must be overthrown. Years ago, the old lady was afraid that if she had too close a relationship with Wang Daoren, she would also be dragged into criticism and struggle sessions, so she ruthlessly severed ties with him.

After all, these are all superstitions, and one should not be tainted by them in the slightest.

Actually, the old lady didn't really believe it in the past either.

But ever since a series of strange things happened in the courtyard, especially after a shaman was called in to "exorcise ghosts"...

That time, it almost completely overturned her understanding of ghosts and gods.

She came to believe in these mystical things, which is why she sought out the Taoist temple again, hoping to find that Taoist priest Wang.

The temple had long been cleared of everything, the incense smoke had dissipated, and it looked desolate and deserted.

Now the place is overgrown with weeds, and at a glance, it looks like it has been desolate for a long time.

Before coming, the old lady wondered to herself: After so many years, it's hard to say whether Master Wang is still around.

People and things change; this is a natural phenomenon.

But in order to deal with Hao Jianguo, the old lady felt that she had to come this time.

Unexpectedly, as they were looking around, an old man slowly walked out of the temple.

Time has etched its marks on him, making him look much older.

But the old lady recognized him at a glance—it was the very same Wang Daoren she was looking for.

Now that feudal superstitions have been eradicated, Wang Daoren naturally dared not wear a Taoist robe anymore. Instead, he wore a Zhongshan suit covered in patches, with rough stitches and faded color, showing that he had lived a hard life over the years.

When Wang Daoren saw the deaf old woman, he was also slightly taken aback.

He was somewhat surprised to reunite with an old acquaintance he hadn't seen for so many years.

"Are you...A-Juan?"

Wang Daoren murmured the nickname in a low voice, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

The old lady was very frail, so he couldn't help but hesitate.

"Ah Juan"

It was the deaf old woman's childhood nickname, but over the years, she had become so accustomed to being the "old matriarch" in the courtyard that everyone called her "Old Lady."

"The deaf old lady"—even she herself had almost forgotten this name.

Suddenly awakened to this thought, I felt a moment of disorientation and couldn't help but sigh at the fleeting nature of time.

Those of his generation have long since passed away.

Naturally, the old lady did not forget the purpose of her trip.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he nodded.

When Wang Daoren saw her coming, he actually understood a bit of what was going on.

Although he was secretly annoyed by the old lady's decisive break back then, he has long since let it go over the years.

Given the state of the world, if it were him, he would probably also choose to protect himself.

The two chatted about old times in the temple, reminiscing about the past and sighing about how time had passed.

"Ah Juan, it's been so many years since we last met. You must have something you need my help with, right?"

After chatting for a while, Wang Daoren directly pointed out the truth.

He didn't think the old lady would come to his door for no reason.

He wouldn't visit a temple without a reason, and during their conversation, he noticed that she had something on her mind.

Wang Daoren was also puzzled: the old lady's father was a martyr, and in this day and age, as long as she didn't cause trouble, her life should be peaceful.

But upon hearing his question, the old lady let out a long sigh.

Especially now, Hao Jianguo's face is flashing before her eyes again, making her feel suffocated.

"I've come here because I really want to ask you for a favor."

She lowered her voice.

"To deal with one of the guys in our compound... his name is Hao Jianguo."

The deaf old woman made no attempt to conceal her purpose; since she had come to ask for a favor, there was no need for her to beat around the bush.

Wang Daoren shook his head with a wry smile: "What help can my old bones possibly be?"

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Daoren caught a glimpse of a sinister glint in the old woman's eyes.

After listening to her finish recounting her grievances with Hao Jianguo, Wang Daoren understood why she was so furious.

"Now you're the only one who can help me, so let's do this..."

The old lady lowered her voice and explained her plan one by one.

The more Wang Daoren listened, the more his brows furrowed—this was clearly an instruction to harm people.

He sighed inwardly, never expecting that "Ah Juan," whom he hadn't seen for many years, would present him with such a difficult problem on their first reunion.

"Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing."

If this works out, I'll give you fifty dollars.

The old lady really went all out this time.

She knew in her heart that after so many years, the feelings of the past had long faded, and how could she persuade Wang Daoren to frame Hao Jianguo based on friendship alone?

Only real money can open this door.

Seeing Wang Daoren's current impoverished state, she was even more certain that the money would be enough to sway him.

In fact, she thought that even if he only offered ten or twenty yuan, Wang Daoren might agree, but he would inevitably hesitate and waver, which could easily lead to mistakes.

She was determined to offer him a price he couldn't refuse, thus ending any hesitation he might have.

"this……"

Wang Daoren gasped.

He never expected the old lady to be so crazy, willing to take out such a huge sum of money just to deal with a junior.

But one has to admit, the old lady really hit his weak spot.

Fifty yuan is not a small amount these days, especially since Wang Daoren is now struggling to make ends meet and sometimes has to dig up some wild vegetables to fill his stomach.

This money is enough for him to live a comfortable life for a long time.

In the end, Wang Daoren nodded.

That evening, the deaf old woman returned to the courtyard with a beaming smile and went straight to Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu.

"The old lady seems so happy; could it be that she already has a plan to deal with Hao Jianguo?"

"By the way, who exactly is that expert you mentioned earlier? Have you made contact with him? You were out for a long time today, was it because of this?"

As soon as Sha Zhu saw her, he bombarded her with questions.

Although Yi Zhonghai did not speak, his eyes were full of inquiry.

But the old lady didn't reveal anything at all. Instead, she kept them in suspense, only saying mysteriously with a smile, "Hao Jianguo is doomed this time. He'll definitely suffer the consequences."

Seeing her act like this, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but frown.

In his mind, the old lady's wariness clearly showed that she didn't trust them and was even wary of her own people, afraid that the news would leak out.