Chapter 40: Xu Damao Develops a Deep Hatred for Sha Zhu

As the sun set, every household in the No. 95 courtyard began to light their stoves for dinner. Wang Lin’s family, as usual, was eating food purchased from outside. Just as Wang Lin and his two wives began to eat, a sudden knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?" Lou Xiaoe asked, hurrying to the door to open it.

Upon seeing Xu Damao, she immediately furrowed her brows. "Why are you here?"

She had no favorable impression of Xu Damao. Moreover, she knew that his mother had once proposed a marriage to hers; had it not been for Wang Lin, she might have ended up with him. Everyone in the courtyard and the rolling mill knew what kind of man Xu Damao was—a total degenerate who engaged in illicit affairs while traveling to show films in the countryside and flirted indiscriminately with women at the factory.

"Um, Sister Lou, I’m looking for Brother Lin."

"Come in." Though she despised him, they were neighbors, and she would not prevent Wang Lin from dealing with him just because of her own dislike.

"Brother Lin, you have to save me!" As soon as Xu Damao saw Wang Lin, he rushed over, knelt down, and grabbed onto his leg.

Wang Lin looked at him and teased, "There is nothing I can do for that part of you. Even if it grew back, you’d still be infertile."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao stopped crying. He remained hugging Wang Lin’s leg, looking dazed and completely devoid of spirit. Seeing this, Wang Lin continued to taunt him. "Honestly, why do you always provoke Sha Zhu? In this courtyard, every man your age—except for Sha Zhu—is infertile."

Wang Lin laughed dismissively and added, "And it was caused by someone poisoning them. You, however, are different; yours was caused by Sha Zhu’s beating. I suspect the only reason you weren't poisoned is that your father protected you well."

When Xu Damao heard that it was Sha Zhu who had caused his condition, his spirit instantly returned. His eyes turned bloodshot, and rage surged to his head. "Sha Zhu, you bastard, I’ll kill you!"

He no longer cared about recovering his "treasure"; he got up, intent on finding Sha Zhu for a death match. Lou Xiaoe and Qin Huairu were stunned; they never imagined that every man in the courtyard was infertile. Recalling what Wang Lin had just said, they both shivered.

"Who could be so heartless as to poison the people in this courtyard with infertility drugs?"

Wang Lin chuckled softly. "Who else could it be but the Deaf Old Lady? Have you forgotten the bottles and jars the police confiscated from her place a while back? One of them contained the infertility poison—men who drink it become sterile."

Xu Damao paused his steps, turned to Wang Lin, and asked, "Is Yi Zhonghai also sterile because of the Deaf Old Lady?"

Wang Lin looked at him in surprise, never expecting Xu Damao to make that connection. "You guessed right."

Xu Damao’s eyes darted around as he immediately formulated a plan to deal with Sha Zhu. He left Wang Lin’s home and went straight to Yi Zhonghai’s.

"Uncle Yi, I have something to discuss with you."

Yi Zhonghai was surprised that Xu Damao had business with him. "What is it?"

Xu Damao didn't speak immediately, instead glancing at Sha Zhu, who was sitting in the room. The implication was clear: he didn't want to talk in front of him. Curious about what Xu Damao wanted, Yi Zhonghai told Sha Zhu to leave. "Sha Zhu, go home for now; I have something to discuss with Xu Damao."

Sha Zhu glared at Xu Damao before getting up and leaving. Xu Damao watched him secretly to ensure he had returned home, then closed the door to speak with Yi Zhonghai.

"Are you sure about what you’re saying?" Yi Zhonghai’s expression was grim, yet he struggled to believe Xu Damao’s claims. How he had treated the Deaf Old Lady over the years was common knowledge in the courtyard, yet he never imagined she was the one who had made him infertile.

Xu Damao insisted firmly, "If you don't believe me, go ask the police station; they certainly know what those drugs do. And my being kicked by Sha Zhu? That was surely at the old woman's instigation as well."

Hearing that, Yi Zhonghai fell into deep thought. He had indeed ordered Sha Zhu to kick Xu Damao, but upon reflection, he realized that he had been heavily influenced by the Deaf Old Lady.

Yi Zhonghai began to curse her. "That damned old hag, how dare she plot against me!"

Regardless of his hatred, there was nothing he could do about her for now. "Go, inform everyone that there will be a full courtyard meeting tonight."

"Understood." Xu Damao trotted off to notify the residents. He had already guessed what Yi Zhonghai intended—to verify if the others, like Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangqi, were also infertile. Xu Damao wore a sinister smile; thinking of the mocking gazes the others had cast at him, he felt a thrill of revenge.

"Hmph, if I’m not going to have a good time, none of you will either."

Xu Damao was feeling quite pleased with himself. His mood improved, and his mind grew sharp. *Wang Lin could tell at a glance that the people in the yard were poisoned. Does that mean he has a way to cure it?*

He began to recall Wang Lin’s words. *If he can cure the poisoning, he never said my 'treasure' couldn't be restored.* A wave of excitement washed over him. *That means Wang Lin can not only make it grow back but can also restore my fertility.*

He was eager to beg Wang Lin again, but stopped himself. *No, if I go empty-handed, he definitely won't help me. I need to come up with something.*

It had to be said that among all the residents in the No. 95 courtyard, Xu Damao was arguably the cleverest. He quickly thought of a way to curry favor with Wang Lin. After notifying everyone about the meeting, he rode his bike out of the courtyard. He planned to bring Wang Lin a surprise that night, believing that with this gesture, Wang Lin would surely treat him and restore his manhood.

Sha Zhu, just coming out of the restroom, saw Xu Damao riding off in high spirits. For no reason, he felt annoyed and wanted to sabotage him. Ignoring his own fatigue, he began to secretly follow Xu Damao on foot. Fortunately, Xu Damao wasn't riding fast, and the busy streets helped him remain undetected.

Back home, Wang Lin was enjoying the company of his two wives. Lou Xiaoe, however, looked a bit troubled. "Husband, why is it that I still haven't conceived a child?"

Wang Lin felt awkward. He couldn't tell the truth—that he was intentionally preventing her from getting pregnant. If he said that, she would surely weep.