Chapter Fifteen: Xu Damou Admits Defeat

“Stop, Shazhu.”

Yi Zhonghai waited until it seemed enough before speaking to halt Shazhu. Although Shazhu was thrilled to have beaten Xu Damao, he still heeded Yi Zhonghai’s words.

Shazhu stood up, looked down at the bedraggled Xu Damao lying on the ground, and spat directly at him.

“Xu Damao, let’s see if you dare disrespect Yi Zhonghai again next time.”

Then Shazhu returned to his seat.

Qin Huairu whispered into Wang Lin’s ear, “Husband, doesn’t Shazhu’s look toward Xu Damao seem a bit off?”

Wang Lin chuckled softly and explained quietly to Qin Huairu. After hearing Wang Lin’s explanation, Qin Huairu was stunned. She never could have imagined that this seemingly respectable Yi Zhonghai would stoop to such cruel and heartless acts just to secure someone to care for him in his old age.

Though Wang Lin's voice was low and ordinary people wouldn’t have heard, there were two others present who were not ordinary: Shazhu and Jia Dongxu.

At this moment, Shazhu’s world seemed to collapse. He never expected that he, who would not have become a eunuch under normal circumstances, was now a victim. It wasn’t that he wanted to believe Wang Lin, but as a martial cultivator of considerable strength, he knew well that even he could control his strength perfectly—let alone someone stronger like Wang Lin.

However, after what had happened previously, Shazhu was no longer so impulsive. As a martial cultivator, he had long sensed something unusual about Jia Dongxu. Originally just a normal person, but after spending only one day at the police station, he emerged with formidable power. There was no way it was without some trickery—Shazhu wasn’t naive.

Meanwhile, Jia Dongxu was inwardly gloating. “Shazhu, oh Shazhu, I told you you were foolish. After spending so long in the courtyard, you still didn’t realize Yi Zhonghai is a true villain.”

Yi Zhonghai could never have imagined that the two people he had arranged to care for him in his old age had both disappeared today. Especially Jia Dongxu, who had seen through his true nature from the start. If Yi Zhonghai ever found out, who knew what he would think.

Xu Damao struggled painfully to get up from the ground. His injuries were severe, and any slight movement caused sharp pain, yet no one stepped forward to help him.

“You beasts, just standing there watching me get beaten without a single person stepping in. I’m going to call the police and have you all arrested!”

Xu Damao spoke with venom. If curses could kill, he would have cursed endlessly.

Seeing someone insult them, Jia Zhangshi was no longer willing to remain silent.

“Xu Damao, who are you cursing? Did I hit you? Your foul mouth needs cleaning up. So what if I don’t help you? What of it?”

Xu Damao looked up, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely at Jia Zhangshi.

“You old hag, just wait. I’ll make sure you end up barren like Yi Zhonghai.”

Those words ignited anger in everyone present. Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened to a deep purple, Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu’s expressions turned grim, and so did Shazhu’s.

Especially Shazhu—upon hearing “barren,” he instinctively touched the place that once housed his most precious treasure, now empty.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai stepped forward.

“Xu Damao, if you keep slandering the people in this courtyard recklessly, do you want to be kicked out?”

Xu Damao’s expression turned crazed.

“Yi Zhonghai, you dare?”

There was no denying Xu Damao was truly agitated. His house was different from Wang Lin’s—it was allocated by the steel mill. If a vote was held in the courtyard and Yi Zhonghai reported to the neighborhood committee, he could very well be evicted.

Losing the house wasn’t the worst part; after all, his parents had another residence. But if he was truly kicked out, his dignity would be shattered, and he would never be able to work at the steel mill again.

At this point, Third Uncle Yan Bugui knew it was time for him to speak.

“Damao, don’t be so anxious. After all, you were at fault here. Why don’t you apologize to Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi, and let this matter drop? How does that sound?”

Hearing Yan Bugui’s words, Xu Damao’s expression softened somewhat.

But Jia Zhangshi was far from done.

“Third Uncle, an apology alone won’t do. He has to pay compensation.”

Jia Zhangshi was very pleased with herself and cast a sly glance at her powerful benefactor, Yi Zhonghai. Seeing Yi Zhonghai nod, she grew even more arrogant.

“I’m not asking for much—just ten yuan. Isn’t that right, Yi Zhonghai?”

Yi Zhonghai, wanting to punish Xu Damao, chimed in.

“Xu Damao, buy some meat with that compensation and share it with the people in the courtyard.”

Xu Damao’s face fell again. He hadn’t even agreed, yet Yi Zhonghai had already settled the matter and told him to buy meat.

He wanted to protest—why should he pay when he was the one beaten?

But Yi Zhonghai lived up to his reputation as a respected elder.

“Damao, this compensation isn’t meant to punish you. It’s to teach you not to spread rumors recklessly in the future. You must understand the serious consequences of slander. Otherwise, if everyone in the courtyard spread rumors at will, wouldn’t it become chaos?”

Yi Zhonghai paused, then, seeing Xu Damao’s increasingly sullen expression, decided to pile on.

“What do you all say?”

With that, Yi Zhonghai placed Xu Damao in direct opposition to everyone else, implying that if Xu Damao refused, he might continue his reckless gossip.

Xu Damao was so angry he was out of breath. Pointing at Yi Zhonghai, his speech faltered.

“You, you, fine, I’ll pay.”

He pulled twenty yuan from his pocket and threw it on the ground, then turned and left without another word.

Seeing the money, Jia Zhangshi pounced like a starving wolf on a tender lamb, drooling as she lunged.

Her hands were quick, precise, and merciless. Before anyone could react, she snatched the two ten-yuan bills from the ground.

Yi Zhonghai’s expression darkened.

“Jia Zhangshi, the other ten-yuan bill isn’t yours; it was meant for everyone to buy meat.”

Jia Zhangshi refused to listen. In her eyes, once she held something, it belonged to her.

“Yi Zhonghai, don’t say that again. I picked up this money off the ground, finders keepers.”

She was very pleased with herself, unaware that her action had offended everyone.

What kind of people lived in this courtyard? They were all savages. If she wanted them to suffer losses, it was impossible.

“Jia Zhangshi, that money belongs to everyone. Are you trying to keep it all for yourself?”

“Yeah, Jia Zhangshi, give the money to Yi Zhonghai. It’s meant for buying meat for the whole courtyard.”

Jia Zhangshi ignored them and clutched the money as if about to run off.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai spoke again.

“Auntie Jia, if you keep this up, I’ll have to report you to the neighborhood committee so they can send you back to the countryside.”

Jia Zhangshi’s footsteps instantly froze.

“Yi Zhonghai, don’t say that recklessly. I’m holding the money and I’ll have Dongxu buy the meat. Who cares who buys it? Isn’t it the same if my family buys it?”