Qiao Jie shook his head. "His wife is back, so we don't need to help anymore. If Haozi sends money again, buy them something. Those two were almost killed by the child's antics. Sigh, what a misfortune for the family to have such a troublesome daughter. It's enough to give us a headache."

However, I heard that Ning Hao's father will arrive tonight. If he comes, the other party might have some reservations.

"It's hard to say. Who knows what Ning Hao's father is like? Grandpa, let's eat."

The old man didn't make much porridge, but there was some dry food at home. Jiang Qiao made some milk powder and ate cornbread with pickled vegetables, which she enjoyed quite a bit.

"Clang—"

A loud bang suddenly came from outside, startling Jiang Qiao and his grandson. The pickled vegetables they were holding with their chopsticks fell directly into their bowl.

Qiao Jie glanced outside unhappily. "Who is this? What are they doing, causing all this trouble? Isn't it scary?"

Jiang Qiao put down her chopsticks and was about to get up and go out to take a look when Qiao Jie grabbed her. "Girl, don't go. Things have been quite tense in our courtyard these past two days because of the construction of the small house. Everyone has their opinions. If you go out, it will give the Zheng family an excuse to vent their anger on you."

"Uncle Zheng, you're not having an easy time either. You're forced into this situation. There's simply no space in your house for your son's wedding, but if you occupy public space, people won't be able to pass through to haul honeycomb briquettes. I understand everyone's complaints. Sigh, it's tough for everyone."

Jiang Qiao snorted and said impatiently, "If they don't have a house, why don't they rent one? Why are they picking on their old neighbors? They're used to taking advantage of others, and they think they can't even voice their opinions? How can they be so domineering?"

Qiao Jie sighed, "Your Uncle Zheng is a little better, at most he's just calculating and a bit stingy. But you haven't met his sons, and none of them are easy to deal with. What do you think everyone will say? They're just trying to save a little money, but that affects everyone's interests. Who would do that?"

There are only the two of us in our family, so it's better to avoid trouble. Sigh—

Jiang Qiao sat down again after being told off by the old man, but the noise outside continued. Of course, there were also those who were unhappy, such as Li Meilan. They all lived in the front yard, but the Zheng family was like this. Who were they trying to impress?

She came out swaying her hips. Although her complexion was no longer as fair as before, it was much better than when her son had taken her in.

"Hey, Zheng Laosan, what do you mean? You're ignoring what the neighborhood committee comrades said? What, you want to cause more trouble and make everyone go to the police station or your workplace for an explanation?"

Zheng Yuanfeng glared at Li Meilan. "What's it to you? I'm free to do what I want. When did it become your business to interfere? If you're so capable, you should take better care of your three sons. Don't be fooled by their release; they might end up in jail later."

Li Meilan angrily pointed at Zheng Yuanfeng, "You idiot, you really think I'm easy to bully—"

After saying that, she picked up the broom handle next to her and swung it at Zheng Yuanfeng. Zheng Yuanfeng dodged while scolding, "Li Meilan, don't think that just because you're a woman, I won't hit you. If you don't stop, I'll fight back."

Li Meilan's three sons also came out at this moment, each glaring angrily at Zheng Yuanfeng, saying, "You bastard, you dare to lay a finger on my mother—"

The Zheng family wasn't without members; there were four brothers, but the eldest was married and living elsewhere, so there were still three younger brothers. When the fighting broke out outside, all of their family members came out.

The two sides were arguing at each other at their respective doorways. Qiao Jie sighed, put down his chopsticks, and went outside.

He shouted angrily at both sides, "What are you doing? Are you all just bored and have nothing better to do? It seems that everyone has food and is not hungry, otherwise they would not have the strength to fight. Put your things down."

"We're all neighbors, how dare you lay a hand on me? Will we ever see each other again?"

Li Meilan angrily put down the broom, pointed at Zheng Yuanfeng, and complained to the old man, "Uncle Qiao, it's not that I want to cause trouble, but look at the Zheng family, they're just too outrageous. They're always breaking and fighting, who are they trying to impress? It's not just me who's against it, everyone has opinions. What, you're occupying our courtyard's public space, and we can't even speak up or what?"

The neighborhood committee and residents' committee are here. What did you say to them before? You made such good promises, so why are you causing all this fighting every day? If you have any complaints, go to the residents' committee. What kind of behavior is this, throwing a tantrum here?

Qiao Jie frowned. "Say less, Lao Zheng. This matter in your family has already been settled. You should have done your part. We all live in the same courtyard. Even distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. If we want to save money, we can't infringe on everyone's interests. Since everyone disagrees, there's nothing more to say. Alright, everyone go back."

The Zheng family seemed somewhat displeased, and the old lady of the Zheng family spoke directly to Qiao Jie.

"Uncle Qiao, that makes sense, but Li Meilan is going too far. She has no right to hit our son. Does she really think we have no one to rely on? We have more sons than they do. If our child really wants to fight back, do you think those three in their family are enough?"

Jiang Qiao followed behind Qiao Jie, gave a wry smile, and then sighed, "Grandpa Qiao, you came here to mediate a fight, how did you end up in legal trouble?"

Alright, since you all find my grandfather's words unpleasant to hear, then we'll stop caring. You can continue, beat him to death. In a bit, I'll call the police for you and see what they say about you. If there are deaths and injuries, you'll all be satisfied.

Alright, you guys fight it out, I'll watch from here—"

The old lady of the Zheng family was displeased. "What are you saying, child? If you hurt someone, no one will be happy."

Jiang Qiao shrugged. "That settles it then. My Grandpa Qiao just told you not to make a move. Can't we talk things out properly?"

I heard that the neighborhood committee and the street administration have already intervened. What else do you have to say? Just live your lives as usual. What, do you have to make a scene?

Zhao Jian walked in at that moment, and seeing the situation in the courtyard, there was nothing he couldn't understand.

"Hey, you're starting a fight? What's wrong? Didn't the neighborhood committee mediate for you last time? Still not satisfied?"

Seeing the police arrive, even if they were resentful, they didn't dare say a word. Everyone was afraid of those in uniform, especially the three from Li Meilan's family. They all quietly slipped into the house and never showed their faces again.

"Let me tell you, gang fights are severely punished. The document just came out, and don't say I didn't tell you. They'll arrest anyone they see, and they'll be dealt with severely."

Go back and think about it yourselves. Is it more comfortable to stay in prison, or is it more free to go to work honestly?

The old lady of the Zheng family quickly scolded her sons a few times and told them to go back to their room.

"Comrade Xiao Zhao, what do you mean by gang fighting? We're all neighbors, what could we possibly do? It was just the kids arguing a bit, nothing serious. You're busy, we're going back to eat."