The entire courtyard is full of villains

"Great, really great." Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth, his anger rising. They used to call him "Brother Jia" so affectionately, but now that he'd lost Yi Zhonghai's backing, they treated him like a drowning dog. But what was this little bit of anger? Ever since hearing the news of Yi Zhonghai's arrest yesterday, that pent-up frustration hadn't dissipated, especially when he thought of Zhang Erhe's words about bullying men and women; he wanted nothing more than to punch him.

"Zhang Erhe, I'll make sure you die!" These words churned in his mind, but he knew he was no match for Zhang Erhe if it came to a fight. Looking for someone on the street? Forget it; he'd probably find someone and be handed over to Zhang Erhe the moment he turned around.

"Damn it!" Jia Dongxu cursed under his breath, pulling out his cigarette case and shaking it; it was empty. "Damn!" he muttered under his breath. Before, he never needed to buy cigarettes himself. The apprentices would eagerly offer them to him, and a pack could last him half a month. But ever since Yi Zhonghai's incident, with rumors spreading that he was going to be executed, those who had been trying to curry favor with him had scattered, and his cigarettes were going through much faster.

He straightened up and walked towards the group of apprentices. As his footsteps drew closer, the murmurs abruptly ceased; seeing him approach, the group awkwardly tried to hide. Jia Dongxu ignored them, but suddenly overheard the youngest apprentice whisper, "There used to be a guy in my alley who killed someone, got reported, and the police arrested him as soon as they arrived. They were even taken to be shot at target practice; I heard his brains were splattered out..."

"Murder? Reported?" These words struck Jia Dongxu like a bolt of lightning. He stopped abruptly, his eyes lighting up instantly. That's right! That bastard Zhang Erhe had a criminal record in his younger days; he'd vaguely heard rumors about it! If this were reported to the police, given the current regulations, wouldn't Zhang Erhe be executed? Then, if he was gone, wouldn't his family be able to fight for that house? If they couldn't deal with Zhang Erhe, they could at least control his widow and her orphan family.

With his mind racing, Jia Dongxu turned and headed towards the workshop office. Guo Da Piezi was hunched over his desk writing reports. Seeing him enter, he didn't even look up: "What is it?" "Director Guo, I have something urgent to attend to and would like to ask for half a day off." He suppressed his excitement, trying to keep his tone calm. After much haggling, he finally got the leave slip. Clutching the slip, he strode quickly out of the steel rolling mill, his steps lighter—heading straight for the police station.

But as soon as Jia Dongxu reached the police station entrance, he froze. Zhang Erhe was standing there, smiling and talking to a man in police uniform, offering him a cigarette; the two seemed quite familiar with each other. His heart skipped a beat—he'd forgotten that Chief Zhang of Jiaodaokou Police Station had a connection with Zhang Erhe! Going in to report him now would likely result in him getting himself arrested before he could even bring the other person down.

"No, not here." He shrank back, hiding in the corner. Dongcheng Branch! Those four words popped into his mind. No matter how capable Zhang Erhe was, could he have pulled strings at the branch office? He gritted his teeth, glared at Zhang Erhe's retreating figure as he walked into the police station, then turned and strode quickly towards the Dongcheng Branch.

The sun was high in the sky. Jia Dongxu walked briskly, his stomach growling loudly. His chest and back felt like they were pressed together. Finally, he spotted the sign for the Dongcheng Branch Bureau. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and, panting heavily, moved toward the door.

"Hey, stop! What are you doing?" The old man in the gatehouse poked his head out, his voice booming.

"I...I want to report this!" Jia Dongxu said, leaning against the door frame, his words barely coherent.

"No matter what you're reporting, come and register first." The old man waved his hand and pointed to the registration book on the table. "Write down your name. If you're reporting something, go to the east wing and find the reception room."

"Thank you, sir!" Jia Dongxu replied quickly, writing down the three characters "Jia Dongxu" stroke by stroke, and walked into the courtyard clutching the registration slip.

A wooden sign that read "Reception Room" hung on the door of the east wing. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A woman's voice came from inside: "Come in."

He pushed open the door and entered. The female officer in police uniform glanced at him, flipping through her notebook: "Comrade, what's the matter?"

"Hello, officer, I want to report something..."

The policewoman glanced at him, took a notebook from the cabinet, and opened it. "Go ahead and speak!"

"I...I'll report the murder!" Jia Dongxu steeled his heart, and as soon as he said it, he tensed up.

"What? Reporting murder?" The policewoman stood up abruptly, her eyes instantly turning serious. "Wait a moment, I'll go get our supervisor."

A moment later, the policewoman led in a middle-aged man with a square face, his epaulets gleaming. "Captain, he's the one who wants to report a murder case."

The captain walked to the table and sat down, his gaze falling on Jia Dongxu's face. He said in a calm tone, "Comrade, please introduce yourself first."

"Hello, leader. My name is Jia Dongxu. I am a level-two fitter at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. I live in the west wing of the central courtyard of a courtyard house at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang." He spoke slowly, trying to make his point clear. "I want to report my neighbor in this courtyard, Zhang Erhe. He committed murder."

"Murder?" The captain tapped his finger on the table. "Tell me specifically, where did he kill someone? Who did he kill?"

Jia Dongxu swallowed hard and leaned forward: "Zhang Erhe used to be a black market thug who bullied the neighbors in the yard. He only got this job at the steel mill a couple of years ago, and a few days ago someone even broke his head..."

"Comrade, get to the point, talk about the murder." The captain interrupted him, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes.

"Oh, yes!" Jia Dongxu quickly stopped talking. "I heard about this from my mother. At that time, my mother saw Zhang Erhe covered in blood with a knife in his mouth. The next day, she heard that someone had died at the entrance of the alley."

The captain raised his hand and gestured, "Xiao Li, check if any murder cases have been reported in Jiaodaokou recently?"

"Not these past few days! It was before liberation, at the end of 48!" Jia Dongxu hurriedly waved his hand to explain.

"48 years?" The captain frowned. "Who died?"

"They look like Zhang Dequan's men!"

"Zhang Dequan?" the policewoman whispered beside her, leaning close to the captain's ear. "Captain, isn't Zhang Dequan the former 'Eastern Overlord'?"

Chapter 33 Drawing a Pie in the Sky

"Nonsense!" The captain slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups shake. "A case from 48 years ago, and you're only reporting it now? Didn't you see it with your own eyes? Isn't this just making things up!"

He turned and shouted towards the door, "Xiao Li! Take him out!"

"No, sir!" Jia Dongxu stamped his feet anxiously, taking half a step forward before being stopped by the policewoman. "Zhang Erhe really killed someone! My mother saw it with her own eyes. She saw Zhang Erhe covered in blood with a knife in his mouth! If you don't believe me, I'll take you to my mother right now!"

The captain waved his hand, signaling the policewoman to handle the situation quickly. "Come on, comrade, I'll take you out." The policewoman reached out to pull him away, but Jia Dongxu's eyes reddened, and he broke free, shouting, "You're all protecting each other! You just know Zhang Erhe has a good relationship with Chief Zhang of Jiaodaokou Police Station, right? You're shielding him! None of you are good people! Zhang Erhe killed someone, and you didn't do anything about it!"

"Who?" The captain, who had just turned to leave, suddenly stopped, turned back sharply, and his eyes were as sharp as knives. "Who did you just say was related to Zhang Erhe?"

Jia Dongxu, with his neck stiff, decided to go all out, "It's Director Zhang from Jiaodaokou Police Station! You're protecting Director Zhang, you're in cahoots with him!"

The captain stared at him for a few seconds, then his anger vanished, replaced by a slow smile. Jia Dongxu felt uneasy under his gaze, and the anger that had just surged within him was swallowed back. "Are you saying I'm protecting Director Zhang?" the captain retorted.

"Otherwise, why not arrest Zhang Erhe?" Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth, his heart pounding – those words he just said were probably going to cause trouble.

"Who told you I wasn't going to arrest him?" The captain suddenly stepped forward and stood in front of him, his tone resolute. "Arrest him now! You're coming with me, and we'll bring your mother along too. As long as she can testify, I will definitely handle Zhang Erhe's case according to the law!"

"Really? Really?" Jia Dongxu was stunned. The regret he felt after cursing hadn't dissipated, and he was now completely bewildered.

“Absolutely true.” The captain patted his arm, interrupting him. “No need to talk about what happened before, let’s go now and arrest the people in your yard!”

Jia Dongxu was taken to a jeep in a daze, with the captain from before sitting in the passenger seat. The car drove straight to the courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang.

"Comrade Jia Dongxu, is Director Zhang of Jiaodaokou Police Station on good terms with Zhang Erhe?" the captain asked.

“Okay, Zhang Erhe calls him Uncle Zhang.”

What is their relationship?

Jia Dongxu thought for a moment, "I heard that Zhang Erhe's older brother fought the Japanese alongside Director Zhang and died on the battlefield. In 53, Zhang Erhe got into a fight and sent the person to the hospital. In the end, it was his father who found Director Zhang and saved him."

"Looks like a repeat offender," the captain commented.

“That’s right!” Jia Dongxu quickly chimed in, “Zhang Erhe was no good when he was in school. He was always getting into fights and flirting with women. He only became a little more restrained in the last two years after he started working in the factory. But he’s still secretly running a black market. Just a few days ago, someone broke his head. The Jiaodaokou Police Station has been investigating for a long time but hasn’t found anything.”

He glanced at the captain and said, "To be honest, I originally wanted to go to the police station to report it, but when I got to the door, I saw Zhang Erhe chatting with someone inside, so I didn't dare to go in, so..."

"That's why you came to the Dongcheng branch." The captain continued.

"Correct."

"Don't worry, Comrade Jia Dongxu. As long as it is verified that Zhang Erhe really killed someone, he won't get away with it, and Director Zhang who protected him will definitely go to jail as well."

"Huh?" Jia Dongxu opened his mouth, somewhat frightened. "Boss, what if they retaliate against me if this is found out?"

"Don't worry, as long as the report is verified, they will definitely not have a good ending, and no one can retaliate against you. Besides, if it is really found that they committed murder and covered it up, you will definitely get a reward." The captain coaxed from the side.

Jia Dongxu was still somewhat hesitant: "You really won't retaliate against me?"

"Definitely not," the captain reassured him the whole way.

Before Jia Dongxu could fully process what was happening, the car had already arrived at the courtyard house. He got out, still worried, and suddenly looked up to see Zhang Erhe staring at them from the gate. In a moment of impulsiveness, he blurted out, "Comrade, that's Zhang Erhe! That's the murderer Zhang Erhe!"

As soon as Zhang Erhe heard this, several policemen surrounded him. The captain in charge immediately raised his gun and shouted sternly, "Stop! Hands up!"

Zhang Erhe raised an eyebrow, first giving Jia Dongxu a cold glance, then slowly raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "Police officers, what kind of show are you putting on?"

"Enough nonsense! Someone reported you for murder. Come with us!" The captain waved to the side. "Wang Gang, Li Dapeng, handcuff him!"

The two policemen immediately pulled out brass handcuffs and stepped forward to restrain Zhang Erhe.

"Wait a minute." Zhang Erhe chuckled, his gaze sweeping over Jia Dongxu, who stood beside him, his face deathly pale. "Who did I kill? Who reported me? Did they see it with their own eyes, or is there evidence?" He paused, staring intently at Jia Dongxu. "Jia Dongxu, it couldn't be you, could it?"

Jia Dongxu glanced at the captain, as if he had gained confidence, and shouted with a forced smile, "Yes, it was me who reported it! Zhang Erhe, you killed Zhang Dequan's lackey at the alley entrance in 48, my mother saw it with her own eyes!"

"Your mom saw it?" Zhang Erhe raised an eyebrow. "Then let your mom come out and confront you."

The captain gestured to Jia Dongxu, "Go and call your mother." After Jia Dongxu ran off, he turned to Zhang Erhe and said, "You'd better confess now, that'll count as turning yourself in. Once the witnesses come and testify, it won't be so easy."

"Tch!" Zhang Erhe scoffed. "I'll wait for her to testify against me."

"Alright, since you won't give up until you see the Yellow River, then don't blame us." The captain waved his hand. "Wang Gang, Li Dapeng, take him inside and wait."

"Good!" Zhang Erhe stretched out his hand, his eyes cold. "Remember, these handcuffs are easy to put on, but taking them off won't be so simple."

"Such arrogance!" the captain sneered, leading the way into the courtyard. Two policemen followed on either side, while Zhang Erhe trailed behind at a leisurely pace.

At the entrance of the east wing, Guan Xue was chatting with Yang Ruihua, while Zhang Jiao and Li Xiaoyu were throwing pebbles nearby. Looking up, she saw a group of police officers enter, with Zhang Erhe in handcuffs at the back. Guan Xue jumped to her feet, her voice trembling, "Erhe, are you... alright?"

"Daddy!" Zhang Jiao rushed over, hugging Zhang Erhe's leg and crying, "Don't grab my daddy! You're bad people! Let him go!"

Zhang Erhe's heart softened at the tearful cry of "Dad." The original owner of this body had always been distant from this girl, but he had only changed his attitude to be a little gentler, and she was protecting him so fiercely.

"You little brat, get out of here!" he snapped, but a hint of tenderness flickered in his eyes as he turned to Guan Xue: "Pull her away, I'm fine."

"Still being stubborn even when you're about to die!" The captain spat as he turned around, his gaze sweeping across the front yard. "Just wait here. I want to see how long you, Zhang Erhe, can keep up your stubbornness."

Zhang Erhe didn't reply, but just turned his head slightly, watching as Guan Xue half-persuaded and half-pulled Zhang Jiao to the corridor. The little girl was still struggling to rush over, and her weak sobs were like a thread, gently tugging at his heart.

Chapter 34 Old Stories

In the west wing of the central courtyard, Madam Jia was lying on the bed, intending to catch up on her sleep, adhering to her belief that "eating well and then sleeping is better than being a god."

With a loud bang, the door was pushed open, and Jia Dongxu rushed in: "Mom! Are you there? Come out with me!"

Startled, Madam Jia sat up and asked, "Dongxu, what's wrong with you?"

"Wake up, Mom! The police are waiting outside!"

"What? Why does the police want to see me?" Jia Zhangshi jumped up, her face full of panic.

"I'm not trying to cause you trouble, I just want you to testify!" Jia Dongxu grabbed her and pulled her outside. "I went to the police station to report Zhang Erhe for murder. The police have already arrested him. If you testify, he can go to jail!"

"What? You reported it?" Jia Zhangshi's legs went weak.

"Didn't you say he killed someone?" Jia Dongxu said anxiously. "We can finally get our revenge, Mom, hurry up!"

Helpless, Jia Zhangshi, wearing slippers, was dragged to the front yard by Jia Dongxu.

“Captain Wang, this is my mother, Jia Zhangshi. She saw it with her own eyes,” Jia Dongxu said to the leading policeman.

"Hello, ma'am, I'm Wang Zhian from the Dongcheng Branch Security Team." The captain looked at Jia Zhangshi, "Did you see Zhang Erhe commit murder?"

Jia Zhangshi shook her head vigorously: "No, I didn't see any murder... I just saw Zhang Erhe covered in blood, with a knife in his mouth, climbing over the wall. The next day, someone died at the house at the alley entrance..."

Wang Zhian frowned, somewhat disappointed: "You didn't see him kill anyone with your own eyes?"

"But what can I do at night with a knife and covered in blood if I don't kill someone?" Jia Zhangshi said, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Hahahaha!" Zhang Erhe suddenly laughed. "Did you hear that? This is what you call a muddle-headed official handling a muddle-headed case!"

Wang Zhian turned and glared at him: "Zhang Erhe, I'm asking you, what were you doing with a knife in the middle of the night?"

“You’re helping people slaughter pigs and sheep, what else could you be doing?” Zhang Erhe retorted, leaving Wang Zhian speechless.

"Take them all back to the station!" Wang Zhian ordered, his face grim.

"Wait!" A loud voice came from the gate. Zhang Guowei led two policemen over at a jog. "Captain Wang, you came to our jurisdiction to handle a case, why didn't you give us a heads-up?"

Wang Zhian glanced at him indifferently: "Someone reported this to the bureau, so I came over to take a look first."