Hua Xiangyun also wanted a private space, but given the current situation, that was out of the question. Everyone was short of housing, so who would sell their property? Even renting was difficult.

"You'll get used to it. It's just that it's rarely this noisy so early in the morning," Hua Xiangyun tried to strain her ears to listen, but there were so many people talking outside the courtyard that she couldn't hear anything clearly.

"I'll go out and see," Hua Zhian said. He saw his sister prick up her ears to listen to the noise. Tian Guihua and the others weren't home either; they must have gone out to see what was going on. Besides, he was also curious about what could be making such a commotion so early in the morning.

Hua Zhiping also opened the door and came out, his face sour. His wife had gone to bed so late last night, and now they were making noise again so early in the morning.

"These people are really idle, making a racket all day long. Is it really that interesting?" Hua Zhiping went to the kitchen to pour a glass of water, complained, and went back to his room.

Hua Zhian was also curious about the argument that happened so early. He hadn't walked around the yard in the two days since he got home, so he thought he might as well go out and see how much his neighbors had changed.

Hua Xiangyun wrapped her coat tighter and followed behind, saying, "Our grandparents must have gone out. Let's go look for them."

Hua Zhian, “…” My little sister has really changed a lot. Now she can even talk about watching the fun in such a high-class way.

"Tell me, if petty thieves start living in our yard, who can live in peace anymore?"

I'm not exaggerating, but if they can steal from our house today, they might steal from yours tomorrow.

As soon as Hua Xiangyun arrived in the courtyard, she heard Xie Shengnan standing at the gate, shouting in a shrill voice.

Many families had already come out. Hua Xiangyun spotted Tian Guihua in the crowd and immediately dragged Hua Zhian over.

"Grandma," Hua Xiangyun called softly, holding Tian Guihua's arm.

“You’ve been woken up too. What are you doing getting up in this cold weather? Go back to your beds and hide under the covers.” Tian Guihua said softly, touching her granddaughter’s warm hand.

Hua Xiangyun shook her head, watching as more and more people gathered around, and even people from the opposite courtyard came to join in the fun.

"What's going on here? Why are you making such a racket so early in the morning? Isn't it more comfortable to be under the covers in the middle of winter?" The newcomer asked loudly, full of curiosity.

As more and more people gathered, Xie Shengnan raised her voice even louder, "I'm saying there's been a thief in our yard. I just bought New Year's goods from the supply and marketing cooperative yesterday. There were so many things, and they were all mixed up. I hadn't sorted them out or locked them in the cabinet yet, and when I woke up this morning, I found that everything was gone."

“You locked him in the house, how could he not be seen? It’s not like he was left in the yard, why are you making such a fuss here? Go back and ask your husband if he put him away.” Liu Tiezhu said irritably, “If you catch him in the act, we won’t say a word, we’ll even help you tie him up.”

"We haven't even caught the thief. And you're here cursing and swearing in the yard. What? Does the thief necessarily appear in our yard?" Xie Shengnan is really too stupid. She's proud that a thief appeared in the yard and she's making it known to everyone.

"Uncle Liu, the compound was locked before I went to sleep last night."

When I got up, the gate wasn't open yet. Surely the thief wouldn't have climbed over such a high wall and run into our yard?

I'm telling you, this thief appeared in our yard. Everyone, please help me think, was there any unusual noise last night?

Xie Shengnan spoke with absolute certainty: they had bought this thing and then thrown it away before they even had a chance to enjoy it; their family didn't have that much money or coupons to buy another one.

“Now that you mention it, I think I vaguely remember it,” Aunt Tian suddenly said, standing next to her.

Xie Shengnan asked urgently, "Did you see that thief? Who is he?"

Startled, Sister Tian took two steps back before waving her hand and saying, "I didn't see anyone who was a thief. I just thought I heard a noise."

As you know, I don't have a watch at home, but I have a habit of getting up at night, usually around two or three in the morning. I heard some noise in the yard, but I was too cold to go out.

"Tch..." someone jeered, "Sister Tian, ​​you're talking nonsense. There are so many people in our yard, it's impossible that there's not a sound. You got up in the middle of the night, but can't others get up in the middle of the night?"

"But Sister-in-law He, you should go back and ask if you forgot what you took."

Xie Shengnan glanced back at He Laicai, whose two sons were standing beside him. "They're both here. I'm sure they didn't take it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come here to ask. I have that much sense of responsibility."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt that Xie Shengnan was probably not lying. The question then became: who was this thief?

While everyone was arguing, Hua Xiangyun touched her chin, feeling somewhat relieved.

Fortunately, she had made some progress in her cultivation during this time, and she was also extra careful when entering and leaving the courtyard.

She was also thinking back to whether she had encountered anything unusual when she went in and out last night.

"Grandma, let's go back. He Ping'an and his family are no good people." Hua Zhian had been listening for a long time, and it was all this nonsense again. Who knows if the He family was just putting on a show?

If it were really stolen, that would be good; that would be karma.

Tian Guihua has been out for a while now, and no one has seen her despite the discussions. This is yet another unsolved mystery.

In large, mixed-use courtyards like theirs, such incidents happen frequently. Today one family loses a melon, tomorrow another loses a piece of string. Without evidence, even calling the police is futile.

As the grandmother and grandson were about to leave, Xie Shengnan suddenly stared in their direction and said, "Hey, Hua Zhian, I heard you came back the day before yesterday. Why are you only showing up now?"

Tian Guihua had long harbored resentment towards the He family. Back then, she named her eldest grandson Zhiping, while the He family's eldest son was born with the name Pinghe.

They thought it was just a coincidence, but when it came to Zhi'an, they married He Ping'an, which was practically a direct challenge to their family.

Adding to Xiangyun's injury, and now that she's bumped into her, Tian Guihua is furious. "You're so nosy! What, are you planning to run rampant in our yard? Do you think everyone has to report to you?"

"May I ask who you are now? My child still greets you when they come home?"

Xie Shengnan said, "Don't get entangled with me about this. I just want to ask one question: why does he never come back earlier or later, and as soon as he does, my things are gone."

I have reason to suspect that our two families have a history of conflict, and that he came here specifically to cause trouble.

Tian Guihua's eyes were like knives. "If you're going to say that, then produce some evidence. Otherwise, I'll go to your factory and ask your leaders to judge this matter."

With that red mouth and white teeth, spitting out all sorts of filthy, foul-smelling things, you've already convicted him? What's the point of having police then?

Xie Shenglan shouted to the people around her, "Think about it, everyone, this yard is so big, why would a thief steal from us instead of other people?"

There must be some personal grudge involved. When our two families had a falling out before, everyone in the courtyard knew about it.

"Even though we've already paid compensation, some people are still relentlessly pursuing the matter."