Sha Zhu sneered and squinted at Xu Damao.
"Hey Xu, do you think I don't know what you're up to? Don't think I don't know how you made things difficult for Sister Qin before. You're the most cunning guy in this compound, threatening people over the smallest things. If I find out you're up to no good with Sister Qin next time, I'll kill you, you son of a bitch."
"Shazhu, don't make false accusations. When did I ever make things difficult for her?"
Xu Damao's face turned pale and then red. He stood up abruptly, pulling his coat sleeves up to his elbows. "You idiot Zhu, if you don't give me some answers today, we're not done yet."
“I have never done anything wrong before, and now as a mediator in the compound, I am fair and just, which is beyond reproach.”
"All of you, shut up."
Liu Haizhong stood up, his cheeks trembling. He pointed at Shazhu and then at Xu Damao, "Neither of you should talk about the other. Neither of you has good intentions. Don't think the people in this compound are blind. Ever since Qin Huairu married into our compound, you two have been up to no good.
"What's this? Now that Jia Dongxu is paralyzed, you two think your chance has come, so you're starting to compete to undermine each other, aren't you?!"
"Let me tell you, we old folks aren't dead yet, we can still manage things in this compound!!"
Yan Bugui came over and pulled Liu Haizhong aside: "Alright, Lao Liu, calm down. But these two kids really need to be taught a lesson. Do you really think we can't see what they're thinking?"
“Shazhu and Damao, listen up. Put away your little schemes and stop acting like peacocks with their tails spread. Everyone in this courtyard is watching. You need to know what you can and cannot do.”
“Now that we’ve come this far, you two shouldn’t argue about this. Go home and think it over.” Yi Zhonghai’s face was grave, and he seemed to have regained some of his old man’s vigor. “Get rid of your crooked thoughts. You’re both young men of marriageable age. You should think about your future and not ruin your life because of a moment of impulse.”
"Hey hey hey..."
Xu Damao shook his head and waved his hand at Liu, Yan, and Yi. "Hey you three, we came here to persuade Shazhu, why are you bringing me into this? I went on a blind date a while ago, and I'm still keeping in touch with that girl. Maybe we'll end up together."
"You can talk things out, but please don't drag me into it. I, Xu Damao, am not that kind of person."
Liu Haizhong sighed; he had really angered himself just now.
However, judging from Xu Damao's words, even if he had those thoughts before, he won't have them anymore.
And Shazhu agreed as soon as he saw it.
"Anyway, we've said everything we needed to say. You two can decide what to do next."
Liu Haizhong got up and went to the door. "If anyone dares to cause trouble in the yard in the future, don't blame me, Liu Haizhong, for being ruthless. If they are taken to the police station, they can't blame anyone else."
Seeing Liu Haizhong turn and leave Sha Zhu's house, Yan Bugui and Yi Zhonghai exchanged a glance and also headed towards the door.
Xu Damao glanced at Sha Zhu and slowly took two steps forward.
"Shazhu, the old man has already made his decision, so there's nothing for us to argue about. Let's just live in peace from now on. Anyway, I have no feelings for Qin Huairu."
"You better... oh my god..."
Just as Sha Zhu was about to utter some harsh words, Xu Damao suddenly hooked Sha Zhu's leg in the groin, then turned and ran.
Sha Zhu was writhing in pain inside the house, clutching his crotch, but he gritted his teeth and didn't utter a sound.
It wasn't until five or six minutes later that a shout of "Sha Zhu" came from inside the courtyard.
"Xu Damao, you son of a bitch, you just wait..."
Back home, Xu Damao quickly locked the door and leaned against it, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
...... ......
That night, Sha Zhu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
He thought of Qin Huairu's usual gentle demeanor, and then of the aggrieved look in her eyes when she ran out the door with red eyes that afternoon, and he felt terrible.
Although he had agreed to Liu Haizhong and the others' request, and although he wanted to stop himself from getting close to Qin Huairu, he was really torn. Did he really want Qin Huairu to suffer in the Jia family for the rest of her life?
In the quiet night, the howling cries of the two brothers, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, could be heard from time to time.
The deaf old woman peered out the window at the Liu family's house, which was still lit up, and kept cursing. She was already old and needed little sleep, and she had just fallen asleep when she was woken up by the Liu family's noise. It would be difficult for her to fall back asleep anytime soon.
Now, the only thing the deaf old woman hopes for is that this sound can also wake up Wang Dabao next door.
Let Wang Dabao go to Liu Haizhong's house and make a scene; maybe that will calm things down.
However, Wang Dabao was fast asleep on the beach at that moment.
In his dream, he seemed to see himself getting married, having two big, healthy sons, and living a happy and fulfilling life.
A sea breeze blew in, and Wang Dabao woke up with a frown.
Looking at the familiar island scenery around him, he stretched and led the two puppies back to the farm cabin.
The next morning, Sha Zhu got up very early because he hadn't slept at all the night before.
Last night, Sha Zhu's mind was filled with all sorts of random thoughts. One moment he was reminiscing about his past with Qin Huairu, and the next he was imagining himself and Qin Huairu running hand in hand across the fields of hope.
A moment later, he vaguely saw himself marrying a woman he had never met. The girl had a rather large face, which wasn't his type, but in the end, the two had a big, healthy son.
Finally, he dreamed of his father, He Daqing.
He Daqing pointed his finger at him and cursed him, saying he had disgraced the He family, followed others into a gang, raised three children for someone else, and that he would not have a good end.
Sha Zhu was angry and, in a half-dreaming state, he exchanged insults with He Daqing.
They cursed He Daqing as a beast, saying he would abandon his own son and daughter for a widow.
Finally, Shazhu opened his eyes; it was dawn.
When the door opened, Sha Zhu, with red eyes, was carrying a bucket to fetch some water when he looked up and saw Qin Huairu there getting water.
Sha Zhu, who had just smiled, was about to say hello when he saw Qin Huairu and quickly lowered her head.
Sha Zhu felt a tightness in his chest, and the words he had prepared got stuck in his throat.
He silently walked to Qin Huairu's side and said in a low voice, "Sister Qin, don't take yesterday's matter to heart. Uncle Yi didn't mean anything by it."
Qin Huairu's hand trembled slightly, splashing a little water. "Yes, I know."
After saying that, he picked up the basin and left in a hurry.
Sha Zhu stared blankly at Qin Huairu's retreating figure. Just then, Xu Damao walked by carrying a bucket, humming a little tune, and deliberately bumped Sha Zhu with the edge of the bucket. "You've forgotten what we talked about last night. I'll let you off the hook this time and won't tattle on you. Be more careful next time."
Sha Zhu clenched his fists, remembering the kick he received last night. He really wanted to shove Xu Damao into the pool, but he held back.
After filling the pool with water, Sha Zhu deliberately bumped into the edge of the cement pool, splashing water all over Xu Damao's feet.
"Hey, hey, you silly Zhu, are you doing this on purpose? Are you looking for trouble?"
Sha Zhu ignored Xu Damao completely, picked up the bucket, and headed home.
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