All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

But Cheng Jianjun, that cunning old bastard, naturally wouldn't let go of such a good opportunity to humiliate Han Chunming.

Cheng Jianjun immediately called the food factory to inquire and learned that Han Chunming had been caught stealing bread and had been fired that same day. He was overjoyed.

He knew that Su Meng still had feelings for Han Chunming, so he took the opportunity of going home with Su Meng after get off work to tell her the news directly.

Who is Su Meng?

Hearing that Han Chunming had been fired from the food factory for stealing bread, she felt even more disappointed in him.

Seeing the disappointment in Su Meng's eyes, Cheng Jianjun felt even more delighted. He didn't forget to say some bad things about Han Chunming, and coupled with the news that Han Chunming had been fired for petty theft, Han Chunming's image in Su Meng's mind became even worse.

When the two returned to the courtyard, they saw Han's mother and the elderly people in the courtyard doing laundry. Cheng Jianjun spoke to everyone with a regretful tone.

“Auntie, you really have to have a good talk with Chunming. My dad finally found him a job at a food factory, but he only worked there for a few days before he was fired for stealing bread. The factory even called my dad and complained about him, saying, ‘What kind of person did they hire? They have no moral character!’”

Cheng Jianjun's words were like a knife to the heart. Upon hearing them, Han's mother's blood pressure instantly rose, and she staggered unsteadily, feeling dizzy. She was quickly helped into the house by the others.

After Han's mother left, the surrounding old women immediately started gossiping.

Cheng Jianjun smiled without saying a word and pushed the cart back into the house.

With those old women around, Han Chunming's reputation as a thief would spread throughout the entire courtyard in less than a day, and throughout several surrounding streets in a week.

Cheng Jianjun wanted to let Han Chunming know that without his father's help, Han Chunming was nothing.

Now that he has a reputation as a thief, who around him would dare to introduce Han Chunming to a job?

With the reputation of being a thief, Su Meng dared not associate with Han Chunming anymore; even if Su Meng was willing, her whole family would not be.

Sure enough, that evening, at the dinner table at Su Meng's house, Su Meng's grandmother was the first to bring up the topic openly, mentioning the news that Han Chunming had been fired.

Su Meng's parents are both teachers, and they are even more sensitive to the reputation of being a thief. They already knew that Su Meng and Han Chunming had an unusual relationship, and after hearing about this, they both expressed their opposition to Su Meng contacting Han Chunming again.

Grandma Su Meng was even more stern, saying that she would definitely keep a close eye on the two of them from now on.

Su Meng was furious after this commotion. She had very mixed feelings about Han Chunming. She was disappointed in his lack of ambition and wanted to find an opportunity to have a good talk with him so that he would realize his mistake and stop going down the wrong path.

That evening, at Han Chunming's home, there was a joint hearing involving three families. Han's mother called all her children back home. The older siblings were shocked to hear that Han Chunming had been expelled for stealing bread, and they prepared to discuss how to educate their younger brother.

Han Chunming didn't go home until after 8 o'clock. After resigning in the afternoon, he didn't go home. Instead, he went to Xiao Qiao's place and bought some groceries.

Now that Master Huang is gone, Xiao Qiao has moved into the house he left behind. Now that no one is bothering them, the two can enjoy their time together in peace and quiet.

Although no one bothered them, Han Chunming did not force Xiao Qiao to do anything. Instead, he took it one step at a time, just like any ordinary couple who had just started dating: first holding hands, then hugging, then kissing, and finally...!

So far, they've only gone as far as hugging. Han Chunming can clearly sense that Xiao Qiao is still somewhat resistant to overly intimate behavior, so Han Chunming isn't in a hurry. She's his, she can't possibly run away.

After the two of them had a sweet meal together, Han Chunming gave Xiao Qiao some instructions.

Now that he has more free time, he will take the time to find all the high school textbooks, and the two of them will review them together, setting a schedule for the review.

Xiao Qiao had no objections and followed Han Chunming's arrangements in everything. Before leaving, at Han Chunming's request, she even kissed him on the cheek.

After leaving Xiao Qiao's house, Han Chunming went to the place of the ragpicker Hou.

The ragpicker Hou took Han Chunming out for another drink, and this time the ragpicker Hou was much more enthusiastic towards Han Chunming.

Relationships between people are reciprocal. Although Polanhou and Han Chunming had only met a few times, Han Chunming had helped him every single time.

For Hou, who never liked owing favors, this time, however, he owed Han Chunming a favor that he couldn't repay in a short time.

After his relationship with his daughter Hou Su'e improved, the heartache that had been weighing on his heart for many years seemed to ease considerably.

Although the father and daughter can no longer have the same kind of affection as ordinary fathers and daughters, at least they don't have to hate each other anymore. He has also fulfilled his responsibilities as a father and has helped as much as he could.

The ragpicker Hou genuinely wanted to thank Han Chunming, and he tried to give him money and antiques, but Han Chunming refused them all.

Han Chunming even noticed the hesitation in the eyes of the ragpicker, perhaps he was considering whether to give him the family heirloom Ge kiln octagonal cup.

Han Chunming naturally wouldn't steal what belonged to someone else, and he took the initiative to say that he really didn't need the ragpicker Hou's gratitude for the time being. He didn't care whether his friends were rich or not, since he knew that in the future, no one would be as rich as him.

The ragpicker also sensed Han Chunming's sincerity and couldn't help but think more highly of him. He had never seen a young man like this before, and this was the kind of young man who was truly worth befriending.

Thus, Han Chunming and Polanhou became close friends despite their age difference, and Polanhou shared some of his innermost thoughts with Han Chunming without reservation.

Han Chunming drank until 8 p.m. before remembering to go home. When he got home, he opened the door and saw his whole family waiting for him with solemn expressions.

Han Chunming chuckled and said with a smile.

"What are you all doing? Why are you all so nervous? I'm going to take a shower!"

With a stern face, Han's mother spoke first, shouting loudly.

"Come sit down!"

Besides Han's mother, who held the highest prestige in the Han family, the eldest son, Han, was the only other member. Han was twenty years older than Han Chunming, and for Han Chunming, he was the eldest brother who acted as a father figure.

Hearing his elder brother's serious expression, Han Chunming immediately realized he was in trouble. Judging from this, everyone probably already knew that he had resigned from the food factory.

I only resigned this afternoon, how come everyone knows now?

Han Chunming thought for a moment and guessed the reason. It must be that old sly Cheng Jianjun who was plotting behind the scenes.

Well, what's done is done, so we can only face it.

After figuring it out, Han Chunming strode to the table and sat down. Before anyone could ask him anything, he spoke up.

"Mom, do you know that I resigned from the factory?"

Han's mother and the others nodded, and Han Chunming smiled and said casually.

"Is it that gossipy Cheng Jianjun again, spreading rumors behind my back? Mom, don't listen to his nonsense. I wasn't fired from the factory; I resigned on my own. Really, if you don't believe me, you can go to the factory and ask!"

Han's mother snorted and then asked.

"What happened with the stolen bread?"

Upon hearing this, Han Chunming sighed helplessly. That bastard Cheng Jianjun really leaves no room for compromise in his actions.

Han Chunming shook his head helplessly and said.

"Mom, to be honest, I did steal two loaves of bread from the factory and got caught by the security department. I could have just written a self-criticism and been fine, but I decided to resign and leave!"

As soon as Han Chunming said this, his older siblings started chattering away, all criticizing him for acting without thinking. They said that jobs are so hard to find these days, and he had finally gotten one, yet he acted impulsively.

Boss Han reprimanded him with a stern expression.

"Xiao Wu, I can let you do whatever you want all the time, but now you dare to make decisions on your own about something as important as work? You've gone too far! You know how much trouble your mother has gone to ask for help for your job, so you should appreciate her efforts!"

Han Chunming shook his head with a wry smile, quickly interrupting the crowd's condemnation, and said helplessly.

"Mom, and older brother, and older sister, listen to me, I have a reason for resigning!"

Upon hearing this, Boss Han became displeased and reprimanded him.

"What reason could be better than a formal job? At this point, you still want to make excuses?"

Han's mother, however, looked serious and shouted at Han's eldest son.

"Boss, let him speak!"

Han Chunming glanced gratefully at his mother and then said.

"Mom, do you know why I got caught stealing bread today?"

The group looked at each other, not quite understanding what Han Chunming meant.

Han Chunming continued.

"Today, the security guards were waiting for me at the main gate. Someone must have reported me. But our factory is a bread factory. Which of our workers hasn't taken bread? Why are they targeting me specifically?"

Han's mother looked at Han Chunming with some confusion.

Han Chunming gave a wry smile and said.

"Someone must have reported it today. You can probably guess who it is!"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. After a long while, Han's mother suddenly spoke.

"Is it Jianjun?"

Han Chunming nodded.

The eldest son of the Han family asked in confusion.

Why did Cheng Jianjun report you?

Han Chunming explained with a smile.

"It's just a matter of reciprocity, Mom. A while ago, Cheng Jianjun's father was suspended from his job because I reported him."

Everyone was shocked and even more confused; they still didn't understand what was going on.

Han Chunming then explained the whole story to everyone.

From the moment Cheng Jianjun made the report and asked the police to summon Han Chunming to the food factory for questioning, Han Chunming spread rumors in the yard that he had been detained by the police, which angered his mother to the point of hospitalization. So, he took the opportunity to report Cheng Jianjun's father, which naturally made Cheng Jianjun hold a grudge. Now he's done this again.

The crowd finally understood the whole story. It turned out that Cheng Jianjun was such a treacherous villain who had repeatedly reported Han Chunming.

After seeing the expressions of sudden realization on everyone's faces, Han Chunming continued to add.

"Mom, think about it. I got this job because of Cheng Jianjun's father's connections. Now he's reported me repeatedly. If I stay at the food factory, he'll definitely ruin me sooner or later. Besides, he can use the excuse that his father found me a job to slander me all over the yard. So I might as well just leave!"

Han's mother nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with Han Chunming's point of view.

Several of Han Chunming's older brothers and sisters were also convinced by his reasoning, but Han's second sister suddenly spoke up.

"Xiao Wu, haven't you and Cheng Jianjun always had a good relationship? Why is he constantly reporting you?"

Han Chunming smiled and shook his head.

“It’s true that we grew up together, but Cheng Jianjun is the kind of person who likes to compete with me and fight with me. Didn’t I get along better with Su Meng from the backyard a few days ago? He’s also pursuing Su Meng, so naturally he can’t stand to see me doing well and wants to bring me down!”

Upon hearing this reason, everyone was immediately filled with indignation and cursed Cheng Jianjun, calling him a bastard who was not human.

Now everyone completely believed Han Chunming's words, and even said that Han Chunming's resignation was the right thing to do. Wasn't he just relying on his father's connections? Our Han family will not accept his favors!

Han's mother said that Han Chunming did a good job, and that the Han family should avoid associating with people like the Cheng family in the future. Han's children immediately nodded in agreement.

Seeing that everyone's emotions had been stirred up, Han Chunming's eyes lit up, and he said something.

"Mom, it's like this, actually I'm just taking two loaves of bread, it's not a big deal, and I don't really like that stuff anyway, I'm mainly giving them to my girlfriend!"

Han Chunming's words immediately caused everyone present to stop their discussion and stare at him, as if they had misheard.

Han's mother's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked.

"Xiao Wu, are you dating someone?"