Courtyard House: My System - Artificial Human

"You're talking nonsense!" Yang Ruihua's face turned red with anger upon hearing this.

You're trying to take advantage of the Yan family? Have you lost your mind?!

"Everyone knows how frugal my husband is. How could he bear to spill water? If you're trying to extort money, at least come up with a better excuse. I even helped you out, ugh!"

Yang Ruihua's self-disclosure immediately cleared him of suspicion.

Everyone around nodded in agreement. Indeed, given Yan Bugui's stingy nature, he wouldn't even waste plain water.

So everyone turned their anger towards Jia Zhangshi.

"Aunt Jia, you're being a bit ungrateful. Old Yan's wife just helped you up."

"Jia Zhangshi, stop accusing people! Maybe your Dongxu just splashed water on his face after washing it this morning. Don't you realize that everyone splashes water like that in this freezing weather? Why are you blaming someone else?"

The surrounding women were all criticizing her, but Jia Zhangshi kept grabbing Yang Ruihua and wouldn't let go; she had indeed seen everything clearly.

Yan Bugui didn't go to work in the morning. Instead, he was walking around in front of his house with a tea mug in his hand. Who else could it be but him, looking like a guilty thief?

"Aunt Jia! I don't think you should ask Aunt Yan about this! You should ask yourself! Why is Teacher Yan loitering around your house instead of other people's? He must want to... hehehehe!"

A loud, hoarse voice rang out from the crowd. Lin Weidong looked over and saw Xu Damao making a scene with a high-pitched voice.

Those watching the commotion in the courtyard couldn't stop laughing; those words were so sarcastic!

Madam Jia was so angry that she felt as if two Buddhas were born and ascended to heaven.

She yelled and cursed, her triangular eyes scanning the crowd.

"Which little brat dared to talk nonsense about me? You son without an anus, you dare step forward! I'll tear your stinking mouth apart!"

At this moment, Xu Damao had already shrunk down and squeezed in front of Lin Weidong.

"Hey! Don't tell anyone, buddy. By the way, you look unfamiliar. When did you come to our compound?"

"You came yesterday, do you have a grudge against this Jia Zhangshi?"

Xu Damao looked around and, seeing that no one else was paying attention, chuckled and whispered.

"You're new here, so you don't know. The Jia and Yan families are the most annoying in this courtyard. That Jia Zhangshi is a real scoundrel, always acting tough. And Old Man Yan is even worse; he's always blocking the entrance like a gatekeeper, always trying to steal anything good from anyone. He's shameless! Ugh! It would be good if they fought!"

"Having you here is a blessing for this courtyard!" Lin Weidong pretended to suddenly realize something and lit a cigarette.

Xu Damao was staring at him expectantly.

"How old are you? Whose child are you?"

"Um... I'm 15! I can smoke!" Xu Damao said with a fawning smile.

He wasn't lying; he said it in all forms—truth 13, falsehood 14, and misleading 15.

Lin Weidong then lit a match and saw Xu Damao deftly pull a match out of his pocket.

"Hey! Daqianmen! You smoked something really good!" Xu Damao exclaimed, striking a famous match and lighting Lin Weidong's cigarette first. "What should I call you, sir? I'm Xu Damao, I live in the backyard."

"Lin Weidong, you live in the east courtyard. Oh, I remember you didn't go to school today, it's a weekday?"

"Hey! I need to take a day off! I got hurt yesterday, all because of that bastard Zhu! I'll get him when I get the chance! Oh, and let me tell you, buddy, the He family too..."

"What did you call me? According to seniority, you should call me uncle. Don't be out of line." Lin Weidong, harboring a mischievous intent, interrupted him before he could finish speaking.

"...Uncle!" Xu Damao looked dejected, glanced at the cigarette in his hand, and called out against his will.

"Hey! Go ahead and tell me, nephew!" Lin Weidong nodded in satisfaction, finally agreeing to listen to his nonsense.

Once again, Jia Zhangshi in the courtyard was spouting vulgarities, engaging in a heated debate with the scholars.

Not only did he angrily drive Yang Ruihua away, but he also angered and drove away several women who were standing nearby.

Jia Zhangshi snorted twice smugly, patted her bottom, and went into the house.

She wanted to extort a couple of cents, but knowing the Yan family's character, she decided to just vent her anger.

Lin Weidong acknowledged Jia Zhangshi's fighting prowess.

Bored, he continued chatting with Xu Damao and learned a lot of news about the hospital from him.

As the two were talking, Lin Weidong saw his older brother carrying a package walk in through the hanging flower gate.

Beside him was a dignified and capable female comrade, wearing a dark gray Lenin suit, covered with a woolen overcoat of the same color, and a light gray scarf covering half of her face.

The two figures walking together looked out of place in the crowded courtyard.

This feels like something out of a novel about high-ranking officials!

Lin Weidong secretly clicked his tongue in amazement; this cheap older brother of his was eating quite well!

As Lin Weidong looked at his elder brother and sister-in-law, Lin Weiguo simultaneously pointed to Lin Weidong introducing them to his wife, Fang Qin.

Actually, Fang Qin is recognizable even without introduction, compared to the horse-faced boy standing next to her with a sleazy posture and a crooked neck.

The neatly dressed, upright young man was much more suitable, not at all like someone who had just come from the countryside, which made him quite likable.

When the person in charge arrived, Lin Weidong stopped chatting with Xu Damao and went to take the package from his elder brother's hands.

"Brother, sister-in-law."

He greeted them verbally, but his mind was focused on his hands. Using the package to block his view, he quickly replaced the teacup with an identical one, except that it was filled with plain water.

The three walked towards the courtyard. Fang Qin tugged at Lin Weidong's thin sweater, her tone concerned.

"Weidong, why are you walking around outside dressed so lightly? What if you catch a cold? Your brother is really something, leaving you here alone last night! Did you warm the kang (heated brick bed) last night? Weren't you cold while sleeping?"

"It's alright, it's fine, it's quite warm inside."

Lin Weidong tried to cope, but he didn't actually feel cold.

Lin Weiguo felt comfortable seeing his wife's caring attitude towards his younger brother, but he did not agree with what his wife said.

The father-in-law's family and the Lin family should not be confused. The father-in-law is in charge of the household, and he would not do anything without tact.

Now is just right, his wife is caring and affectionate. Although his father-in-law jokingly scolded him for being too formal, he immediately analyzed current affairs and recommended a career path for his younger brother. Before leaving, his mother-in-law repeatedly reminded him to bring his younger brother home for dinner.

Reversing the order elevates the level of importance placed on the results to a whole new level.

As Lin Weiguo entered the main room, he asked questions while warming himself by the fire.

"Wei Dong, wasn't that the kid from the Xu family in the backyard you were talking to just now?"

Lin Weidong nodded, put down the package, picked up two teacups from the square table, and carried the kettle to the door.

"I went to the courtyard to see what was going on, and I chatted with Xu Damao for a while, asking about the neighbors in the courtyard."

Lin Weidong rinsed the cups and poured water for the two of them.

"You do need to be careful. With so many people in this courtyard, there are bound to be a lot of petty squabbles, and neighbors can even be backstabbing each other. But just relax and let me know if you need anything. We don't need to be afraid of trouble."

"I think Weidong should move to our place! There are more rooms, heating, and we don't have to worry about meals. How can Weidong live alone when he just arrived?" Fang Qin said, her voice filled with dissatisfaction as she came out of the bedroom.

She touched the kang (heated brick bed) just now, and it was cold!

They're not even changing their ways now that they're trapped; they're just looking for trouble.

She felt that her husband was being a bit distant. He was her own brother, and there was no awkwardness between them since he lived at home. Besides, she felt quite close to Lin Weidong, her brother.

"It's alright, sister-in-law. I'm not young anymore, it's more convenient for me to live alone."

"Let him live there by himself. It's not easy to find a house in the city. If he doesn't live there, we'll have to hand it over. If he just occupies it, people will complain."

Lin Weidong refused very decisively, and Lin Weiguo also had his own reasons.

Besides occupying the house, Lin Weiguo also had to maintain proper decorum in front of his father-in-law, and his wife's attitude was enough to make him feel gratified.

As for whether his younger brother would be bullied if he lived in this courtyard, Lin Weiguo smiled disdainfully to himself.