Jia Zhangshi's Wall Collapses, Everyone Pushes

"I... I, I didn't! Lin, you're talking nonsense!"

Jia Zhangshi was truly a little scared. If this label stuck, her future days would be even harder.

She hadn't expected Lin Zhen not only to dare to hit people but also to accuse them so readily.

He could fight and he could write, so to speak.

Whereas she only knew how to throw a tantrum and act unreasonably.

Only now did Jia Zhangshi realize that she was no match for Lin Zhen.

Jia Zhangshi quickly looked to Yi Zhonghai for help with pleading eyes.

Yi Zhonghai immediately put on an expression of upright impartiality. "Lin Zhen, don't speak carelessly! You can't just throw labels around!"

Jia Zhangshi quickly chimed in, "Regardless, Bang Geng's hand was broken by your family's rat trap, so you have to pay for his medical expenses!"

Lin Zhen said calmly, "Grandma Jia, if I were to go into your house while you were away, grab a kitchen knife, and chop off my own hand, would you then have to pay me medical expenses?"

"Pah! Why should I pay you? You deserve it!"

"So there you have it. Moreover, the real reason Bang Geng's finger was broken was the secondary injury caused by you and First Aunt. I heard that Bang Geng's hand could have been bandaged properly at the time, but you pried open the rat trap and hit it again, which broke it."

"You... Who told you that? Who was it that gossiped?"

Third Mistress snorted from the side without speaking.

Lin Zhen continued, "You don't discipline your Bang Geng for stealing, but you're blaming others for setting rat traps? You need to understand that today's meeting isn't about favoring Bang Geng; it's about a courtyard-wide criticism of theft!"

"You... you... Bang Geng is just a child. What's wrong with him having long fingers? Why are you so unforgiving when you're in the right?"

Jia Zhangshi had gone from aggressively questioning to weakly covering up.

"If a child doesn't know any better, it's up to adults like you to educate them. If adults fail to educate them properly, they must take responsibility. And you have the nerve to ask me to pay for medical expenses? I should be asking you to pay me for a new trap!"

"Lin Zhen! Today's meeting is to mediate the conflict between your two families, not to interrogate one person. Don't dwell on the child's mistake."

First Elder Yi Zhonghai was clearly trying to smooth things over.

Lin Zhen turned back and said calmly, "First Elder, if you're going to smooth things over like this without distinguishing right from wrong, then let's not have this meeting. You should step down from your position as First Elder!"

"You..."

Third Master Yan Bugui quickly interjected, "Old Yi, this matter needs to be discussed properly. We can't favor anyone, right, Old Liu?"

Liu Haizhong nodded. "Regarding Bang Geng stealing and getting caught by the rat trap, Lin Zhen really can't be blamed. After all, his trap was placed inside his house, and the broken finger was a result of secondary human interference."

Yan Bugui said, "This matter is actually easy to mediate. As long as Lin Zhen doesn't pursue accountability, a dark cloud will dissipate."

Liu Haizhong said, "Lin Zhen, set a good example. Don't ask Grandma Jia to pay for the rat trap, and don't pursue Bang Geng for stealing. After all, he only stole one rat trap."

Lin Zhen smiled slightly. "It's still Second Elder and Third Master who are handling matters impartially. I forgive Bang Geng. Just be more honest next time."

The three of them, working in concert, completely sidelined Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen. He had indeed been too obviously biased just now.

Moreover, Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui were now furious with Jia Zhangshi, and the people in the courtyard were not siding with the Jia family either.

Even if it came to a vote, he wouldn't win.

Yi Zhonghai's mind raced, and a smile immediately appeared on his square, stubble-covered face.

"This solution is good. Neighbors should understand each other. Old sister-in-law, let's go with this!"

"Ah? I... you!"

Jia Zhangshi had completely lost her confidence.

Qin Huairu stood up and said, "Thank you to the three elders for mediating. I will keep Bang Geng in line."

Silly Zhu sighed angrily from the side. There was nothing he could do; Bang Geng was indeed in the wrong.

Xu Damao couldn't stop laughing smugly.

Qin Huairu sat down, tears in her eyes. Jia Zhangshi puffed out her cheeks in anger, and Bang Geng lowered his head obediently.

Seeing this scene, Lin Zhen shook his head slightly.

"Sigh, we're all neighbors in this courtyard. Honestly, I don't want to see this. Bang Geng's matter is in the past, but Grandma Jia must apologize to my wife, Lou Xiao'e!"

"What? Lin Zhen, you're not letting this go?" Silly Zhu was the first to erupt, his sense of justice kicking in.

"Lin Zhen, don't push it when you're in the right. Are you not letting us mediate the conflict between your two families?" Yi Zhonghai frowned deeply.

Lin Zhen ignored them and said calmly to Jia Zhangshi, "Because your grandson was caught stealing and injured his hand, you blocked my door all day without regard for right or wrong, preventing my wife and child from coming home. I can make concessions regarding Bang Geng's theft, but I will never compromise on bullying my wife and child. Apologize!"

Jia Zhangshi shivered from Lin Zhen's words.

Yi Zhonghai fell silent. If he spoke again, it would be overt favoritism.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui smiled slightly, staring at Jia Zhangshi.

A crowd of onlookers in the courtyard were enjoying the spectacle, all thinking Jia Zhangshi was too detestable.

Silly Zhu chuckled, "Hey! That's enough, Lin Zhen. Why stoop to her level?"

"Silly Zhu, get lost! I haven't settled the score with you yet. You taught Bang Geng how to pry open windows, didn't you? No one can say anything today. My wife and child aren't to be bullied by anyone!"

"Fine, consider me a busybody." Silly Zhu stopped talking and looked down at his toes.

Jia Zhangshi couldn't bring herself to apologize at the full courtyard meeting.

Qin Huairu said with red eyes, "Lin Zhen, please stop. I'll apologize to you on behalf of Mom."

"No! Not even First Elder can do it for you; it has to be her, Jia Zhangshi! Don't force me to take action!"

"Sister-in-law, a mistake is a mistake. It's not shameful to apologize to a child."

Yi Zhonghai recognized the situation. If Jia Zhangshi didn't apologize tonight, Lin Zhen would truly not let it go. He quickly offered Jia Zhangshi a way out.

Jia Zhangshi stood up and stammered, "Lou Xiao'e, I'm sorry!"

Lou Xiao'e was deeply moved by her husband's domineering attitude.

Her husband was her pillar of support. With him around, she wouldn't be in danger even in the chaotic Siheyuan.

Her eyes welled up, and she quickly stood up, saying, "It's okay, Grandma Jia. As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up."

Jia Zhangshi was stunned. She thought Lou Xiao'e was moved by her, and a sliver of guilt flickered within her, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Just as she pouted and sat down, Lin Zhen spoke again.

"Grandma Jia spat in Third Mistress's face for no reason, and she needs to apologize for that too. Of course, I'm not one of the three managing elders, so I can only suggest it. The rest is up to the three elders."

Lin Zhen was a person who repaid kindness.

Although Third Mistress had tipped off Lou Xiao'e out of spite towards Jia Zhangshi, if she hadn't waited outside the courtyard beforehand, Lou Xiao'e would have been bullied by Jia Zhangshi the moment she entered.

His wife was a refined lady and no match for a shrew like Jia Zhangshi.

Lin Guo, Lin Jia's eldest of their four sons, was only five years old. He could handle Bang Geng, but dealing with Jia Zhangshi was uncertain.

At that time, regardless of whether the three mistresses in the courtyard would intervene to pull Jia Zhangshi away, his wife and child would definitely be frightened.

Therefore, as a return favor, Lin Zhen supported Third Mistress.

Third Mistress was overjoyed to hear this and quickly said, "That's right! I kindly reminded her, and she spat in my face. I'm also a person in my sixties; I have my dignity!"

Third Master Yan Bugui hurriedly said, "Neighbors, to avoid suspicion, I will remain silent on this matter, but please help me judge the situation."

The people in the courtyard started pointing and murmuring.

Yi Zhonghai sighed and said, "Sister-in-law, apologizing one more time won't hurt. You, please continue..."