Yi Zhonghai really wanted to give Ma Hua a good beating and leave, but as a senior resident of the compound, he couldn't just watch Ma Hua call the police. He quickly suppressed his anger and comforted Ma Hua, saying, "Ma Hua, don't worry..."

Our courtyard is a model courtyard in Nanluoguxiang, a morally exemplary courtyard. This kind of situation definitely wouldn't happen. I guess the kids just took it by mistake while playing. Tomorrow, I promise I'll find it for you tomorrow.”

{Ding-dong}

{Given that the host's home was burglarized, and Yi Zhonghai, knowing about it, failed to report it and even protected the thief, a god-level choice is activated.}

{Option 1: Follow Yi Zhonghai's arrangement, postpone it to tomorrow, and receive two tons of honeycomb briquettes as a reward.}

{Option 2: Go straight for the kill! If I'm gone, none of you will get away with it. Reward: Two tons of honeycomb briquettes.}

{Option 3: Do as you please, follow the arrangements of Uncle Yi Zhonghai, cause trouble in the courtyard, and you'll be rewarded with a ton of honeycomb briquettes.}

Ma Hua glanced at the system's reward in his mind with some surprise. "What's wrong? Am I short of that ton of honeycomb briquettes?" "If I'm not happy, nobody else will be," Ma Hua thought, immediately selecting option three in his mind.

Ma Hua clicked his tongue and said, "Alright, since the old man has said so, I'll give him face. If I don't see my coal by tomorrow morning, don't blame me for being impolite."

“Yes, sir, you can’t just bully Ma Hua like this just because he’s new here. As the oldest person in the compound, you have to stand up for Ma Hua.” Xu Damao chimed in with a smile, but no matter how you listened, you could tell that Xu Damao had ulterior motives.

"Okay, that's settled then. Also, Ma Hua, stop shouting in the yard. Everyone in the yard has to go to work tomorrow. It would be a sin if it delayed production," Yi Zhonghai said before leaving, not forgetting to put a big accusation on Ma Hua.

"Alright, you're right, sir. You understand kids best." Ma Hua didn't mince words, directly making a sarcastic remark.

Xu Damao and Ma Hua stumbled slightly when they saw Yi Zhonghai's back. They looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Master Ma, you're amazing! I didn't realize you were this kind of person!" Xu Damao gave Ma Hua a thumbs-up in praise.

Ma Hua didn't say anything, but simply waved his hand and said, "Master Xu, it's getting late, I'm going home to rest."

"Don't be like that. I think Master Ma is younger than me, but we get along so well. If you don't mind, Master Ma, come to my house for a couple of drinks?" Xu Damao thought to himself, "Strike while the iron is hot, and keep pushing the lever up. If I let you go now, how can I expect you to remember my favor?"

“This…” Ma Hua hesitated for a moment. Xu Damao seemed to see Ma Hua’s doubt and waved his hand directly, saying, “Master Ma, don’t worry, it’s fine. Just come on over. You have no idea how much fun I had today.”

"Alright then," Ma Hua finally agreed after repeatedly declining. He had originally wanted to go home and get a bottle of wine, but Xu Damao said directly, "Master Ma, are you looking down on me? I, Xu Damao, have plenty of good wine at home, to say the least."

Seeing this, Ma Hua stopped hesitating and followed Xu Damao to his home. After they crossed the moon gate together, Ma Hua couldn't help but exclaim, "Master He, this is truly your place! There's a courtyard within a courtyard. It's really nice!"

Although both Xu Damao's and Ma Hua's houses are located in the back section of a traditional courtyard house, Xu Damao's house is separated by a wall. One can only enter through a moon gate in the wall, making it not only quiet but also comfortable.

Xu Damao noticed the envy in Ma Hua's eyes and immediately said proudly, "Of course! Don't look down on Sha Zhu just because he lives in the main house in the central courtyard. It's nowhere near as good as mine!"

After Xu Damao finished speaking, he called into the house: "E'zi, E'zi, quickly bring out my treasured wine that I've kept for many years. I want to drink with Master Ma until we're completely drunk."

After Xu Damao entered the house, he realized that Ma Hua hadn't followed him in, and immediately called out, "Master Ma, come quickly!"

Ma Hua then stepped inside. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Lou Xiao'e sitting in a chair with a stern face, staring at Xu Damao with an unfriendly expression.

Seeing Lou Xiao'e sitting motionless in her chair, Xu Damao felt he had lost face in front of Ma Hua. He directly scolded Lou Xiao'e, "Hurry up and get the wine!"

Upon hearing Xu Damao's words, Lou Xiao'e first glared at Ma Hua with an unfriendly look before getting up to get the wine. The old lady had told her that Ma Hua was not a good person.

After scolding Lou Xiao'e, he said to Ma Hua, "Master Ma, please have a seat," and then walked towards the kitchen cabinet, fiddling with something.

A moment later, Xu Damao came over carrying a plate of fried peanuts and a plate of sausages, and said directly to Ma Hua, "Master Ma, I didn't have time to prepare anything fancy this time, please forgive me."

Ma Hua pointed to the dishes on the table and laughed, "Master Xu, you're too kind." This stingy guy is showing off to himself. Don't think I didn't see your proud expression, Xu Damao. These are top-notch things in this day and age.

Xu Damao took the wine from Lou Xiao'e and said mysteriously, "Master Ma, we're happy today, so let's drink a lot!" As he spoke, he waved the wine in his hand at Ma Hua.

Ma Hua immediately chimed in, "Wow, Master Xu, you don't need to be so polite. This is Fenjiu, you should keep it. We can just have a little bit."

Ma Hua wasn't bragging; he genuinely wanted to drink it. He'd tried several times at the supply and marketing cooperative but couldn't find any. These days, Fenjiu is considered the national liquor, much harder to buy than Moutai.

"Master Ma, what are you saying? You're slapping me, Xu Damao, in the face! We're happy today, let's drink to that!" Xu Damao was already overjoyed at Ma Hua's flattery; it wasn't a waste of his time bringing out the wine.

After the two finished their drink, Xu Damao slowly said, "Master Ma, you have no idea how happy I am today. So many years..."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!