Courtyard Chronicles: Engineer's Ascent
Chapter 17

Crucifixion Lock, Dislocation! Silly Zhu Is Now Honest

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Silly Zhu's unorthodox training methods were no match for Lin Zhen, a true martial artist.

Bang Geng was pinned to the ground by Lin Jia after only a few exchanges.

Lin Jia pressed one leg on Bang Geng's chest and the other on his neck.

He grabbed Bang Geng's wrists, clamped them tightly, and then pushed back.

The two children formed a crucifix on the ground.

Bang Geng's right hand was held fast by Lin Jia, and his upper body was pinned by Lin Jia's legs, preventing him from getting up.

When he tried to struggle, his entire right arm ached.

"Ah... Yah!"

Bang Geng cried out twice but couldn't get up. Exhausted, he looked towards Silly Zhu.

Silly Zhu was so anxious he wished he could jump in himself.

"Oh dear, Bang Geng, where's your left hand? Roll over, roll to the right, use your left hand to push up!"

"I'm being crushed! I can't roll over!"

"You ate the food I brought back for free, so put some effort into it! Don't embarrass your master!"

"I can't, Uncle Silly, I want to surrender."

"No surrendering! Keep going!"

Silly Zhu felt as if Lin Jia and Bang Geng on the ground were actually Lin Zhen and himself.

He anxiously exerted force from the sidelines.

However, once a ground grappling technique like the Crucifixion Lock was successfully applied, it was difficult to escape.

Especially for Bang Geng, who had never seen such a move and panicked immediately.

He could only shout desperately, as there was nothing else he could do.

In contrast, Lin Jia remained calm, gritting his teeth and refusing to let go.

Yi Zhonghai couldn't watch any longer and said in a hoarse voice, "That's enough... that's enough..."

Silly Zhu impatiently flicked his hand, "First Elder, get out of the way. The children are practicing their skills, why are you interfering? Go back inside and drink your senna broth!"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen with anger, thinking, Is he acting foolish again?

With all the shouting and commotion, Second Elder Liu Haizhong from the back courtyard and Third Master Yan Bugui from the front courtyard also came to watch the spectacle.

Yan Bugui looked at the scene and exclaimed happily, "The children of today are truly promising, so full of life and vigor."

Liu Haizhong chuckled, "Indeed, wrestling strengthens the body. Old Yan, your elementary school should add a wrestling course."

Yan Bugui smiled, "I don't have the final say on that; it needs to be proposed by the physical education teacher."

Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru, the sisters, also ran out from the house.

Qin Jingru clapped her hands as if watching something novel.

Qin Huairu saw at a glance that Bang Geng couldn't hold on any longer and rushed to pull him away.

"Alright, alright, get up quickly. Who came up with this stupid idea? Everyone just watches the fun without caring about the consequences."

Silly Zhu quickly reached out to stop her.

"No, no! Don't disturb them. Bang Geng is my disciple, and he hasn't surrendered yet. Come on, Bang Geng, put in some effort!"

Bang Geng's vision went black from Lin Jia's hold, and coupled with being watched by everyone in the courtyard, he was already furious.

Anxiously, he shouted, "Lin Er, I'm going to make you cry! Ah!"

"Hey! Well done, Bang Geng!"

The onlookers also cheered him on.

But in the next second.

"Ah... Woo woo woo..."

Bang Geng started crying.

As he tried to roll over with all his might, Lin Jia tightened his grip.

Then, with a crack, Bang Geng's right arm dislocated, dangling like a dead snake.

Lin Jia was stunned. He sprang up like a carp and cautiously stood beside Lin Zhen, waiting to be scolded.

This scene greatly alarmed Qin Huairu.

"Bang Geng, what's wrong?"

"Ah... woo woo woo, my arm is broken..."

"What?!!! Silly Zhu! This is all your fault! What were you instigating?"

Silly Zhu was stunned, "This, this, this..."

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui also panicked. They had just come to watch the fun, and they didn't expect to break Bang Geng's arm.

If Jia Zhangshi found out first thing tomorrow morning, she'd surely raise hell.

Yi Zhonghai quickly said, "Hurry and carry him to the hospital!"

Seeing them all so anxious, Lin Zhen waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, it's just dislocated. A quick adjustment will fix it."

As he spoke, he squatted down, grabbing Bang Geng's shoulder with one hand and his arm with the other.

With a strong push and twist, Bang Geng's arm was instantly reset.

"Is that better?"

Bang Geng moved his arm. Though it still hurt, he could move it, and the pain was slowly subsiding.

"It's better, thank you, Uncle Lin."

"You kid, you're so stubborn. If you lose, just surrender. Why tough it out? Silly Zhu, you too. Kids playing a game, stop when it's enough. You, on the other hand, kept egging him on, shouting nonsense from the side? Now that Bang Geng is dislocated, are you satisfied?"

Silly Zhu looked helpless, "I... I, I didn't expect your son to be so strong!"

"Ah!!! Sister Qin, spare me..."

Qin Huairu, angered, fiercely pinched Silly Zhu's arm.

The pain made Silly Zhu grit his teeth.

"Hmph! Let's see if you learn your lesson next time!" First Elder Yi Zhonghai also scolded.

"Uncle Silly, it's all your fault for not letting me surrender!" Bang Geng didn't say anything nice either.

Qin Jingru covered her mouth and chuckled, wondering if Silly Zhu was genuinely silly or just pretending.

"Alright, alright! It's all my fault, okay! Sigh! I'm so angry I could die!" Silly Zhu became honest, angrily threw his hand, and went back inside.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui also quickly and sheepishly retreated.

Lin Zhen pretended to pat Lin Jia on the back.

"You really don't know your limits. Go apologize to Bang Geng quickly!"

Lin Jia went over respectfully and said, "Sorry Bang Geng, sorry Aunt Qin."

"It's okay, just be careful next time."

Lin Zhen smiled faintly, having achieved a great victory, and led his four sons home.

Qin Huairu rubbed Bang Geng's shoulder, "Don't fight with Lin Guo and Lin Jia anymore, do you hear me? You can't beat them."

"Got it, Mom."

"Alright, let's go home. Dinner will be soon."

Qin Huairu sighed deeply and prepared to take Bang Geng home.

Yi Zhonghai called out, "Huairu, don't sigh. There's something I haven't told you yet."

"What is it, First Elder?"

"The matter of Dongxu's job position has been handled. You can start working after you give birth and finish your confinement period."

Qin Huairu's face lit up with joy, "Really?"

"Yes, Deputy Director Li is personally in charge. However, you need to ensure the production output for these few months."

"Oh! But how can I guarantee the output? I can't work right now!"

"I've already made arrangements for that, so you don't need to worry. I asked Lin Zhen to find an apprentice in the kitchen who can cover until you return to work. They'll go back to the cafeteria afterwards."

Qin Huairu's eyes reddened with emotion, "He's still willing to help me after all."

Yi Zhonghai frowned.

He thought, Why did Qin Huairu suddenly say that?

If I hadn't sacrificed March's salary, would Lin Zhen have helped you?

I came here to claim credit and get some favor, and you're only thinking of Lin Zhen?

Oh dear, my chest is starting to hurt again.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's expression change, Qin Huairu immediately understood.

She smiled and said, "First Elder, my family is so fortunate to have a good neighbor like you. Our courtyard is fortunate to have a good leader like you."

Yi Zhonghai's expression softened a little.

"Alright, life has to go on. Try to think on the bright side, don't be sighing all day."

"Okay, thank you!"

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand and turned back to his house.

Seeing the roof ridge of Lin Zhen's house, he couldn't help but sigh.

Qin Huairu muttered to herself, You tell me not to sigh, but you turn around and sigh yourself!

End of Chapter
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