Silly Zhu Acts Up, The Entire Courtyard Criticizes

Xu Damao did indeed go and buy half a pound of goji berries after work.

In reality, goji berries aren't aphrodisiacs; on the contrary, they are Yin tonics.

Xu Damao already had insufficient Yang energy, and after the recent overexertion, he was already suffering from a deficiency of Yang and an excess of Yin.

If he were to further nourish his Yin, he would develop symptoms of excessive Yin fire, leading to thirst and dryness.

Furthermore, his desire for intimacy would become an obsession, like a moth drawn to a flame.

However, this condition wouldn't be life-threatening in the short term. As long as he exercised restraint, he could gradually recover.

Conversely, for Xu Damao's physical condition, exhausting himself might have the opposite effect. It all depended on his fate.

It was just that he would have to endure some suffering during this period.

Lin Zhen thought to himself, The outcome depends on your attitude towards me, kid.

It was past midnight that night.

Most of the courtyard residents had fallen asleep.

Silly Zhu put on his clothes and shoes, gently pushed open his door, and headed towards the back courtyard.

He finally understood what the Deaf Old Lady meant by "disturbing the public."

He then quietly approached Xu Damao's house in the back courtyard.

As soon as he reached the window, he heard sounds filled with the atmosphere of spring coming from inside.

"Oh! I need to wash my ears out!"

The thought of the Deaf Old Lady being violated instantly ignited Silly Zhu's anger.

He had been bullying Xu Damao since he was a child, and he didn't mind doing it again now that they were grown.

Smash!

Silly Zhu threw half a brick and ran.

"Ah!!!" Qin Jingru screamed in fright.

Xu Damao was so startled he almost passed out.

"Who! Who the hell is so unethical! Silly Zhu! Is it you!"

The only person in this courtyard capable of such unethical behavior was truly Silly Zhu.

Ten minutes later, the entire siheyuan was roused by Xu Damao's shouting.

Lou Xiao'e, who had just fallen asleep, mumbled groggily, "What's wrong with Xu Damao?"

Lin Zhen frowned, "I just heard the back courtyard window shatter. It's highly likely Silly Zhu acted impulsively and actually listened to the Deaf Old Lady, smashing Xu Damao's window."

Lou Xiao'e exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? This... Even if Xu Damao and Qin Jingru are indiscreet, they shouldn't be smashing windows at such a critical moment, should they? Someone could get killed!"

"This is the consequence of the Deaf Old Lady spoiling Silly Zhu, no different from Jia Zhangshi spoiling Bang Geng. Sometimes I suspect Xu Damao's unethical behavior was driven by Silly Zhu. Just you wait, there'll be a courtyard meeting tomorrow."

"Aren't you going to the back courtyard to take a look?"

"No, we'll sleep in our own beds. We'll see at the meeting tomorrow."

It was so comfortable to be with his wife, snuggled up by the warm stove. He wasn't going to participate in the chaos in the back courtyard.

In the back courtyard.

The Liu brothers, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, chuckled. The Yan brothers, Yan Jiecheng and his siblings, covered their mouths.

Xu Damao was furious.

"Silly Zhu! Don't you dare do it and not own up to it, was it you!"

Yi Zhonghai, after understanding the situation, also asked with a dark expression, "Zhu, did you act foolishly?"

Silly Zhu just chuckled, "First Elder, why aren't you managing him for disturbing the public?"

Qin Jingru angrily retorted, "Pfft! We're trying to have a child. Couples do this. You can't disturb the public like this!"

Qin Huairu frowned, "Qin Jingru, go back to your room. What are you saying? It's embarrassing!"

Qin Jingru was unconcerned, "Hmph! They should arrest Silly Zhu!"

Xu Damao slapped his thigh, "Right! Let's report him to the police!"

"Enough!"

Yi Zhonghai quickly stopped them, "This is unacceptable. With me, Old Liu, and Old Yan here, we'll resolve this within the courtyard. You two also need to know some restraint!"

Xu Damao wasn't backing down this time. This was a matter of privacy and dignity. He glared and shouted, "Old Yi, don't be biased! I respect you as the First Elder, but you can't always protect Silly Zhu. This matter isn't over today!"

Liu Haizhong said with annoyance, "There will be a courtyard meeting tomorrow, specifically to criticize He Yuzhu!"

Silly Zhu glared, "Why! I'm eliminating harm for the people!"

Yan Bugui shook his head, "As of now, you are the harm!"

"Hey! Third Master, are you targeting me too?"

The Deaf Old Lady tapped her cane and shouted, "Alright, alright! Are you going to let this old woman sleep or not? It's already past one in the morning. Can't you talk about this tomorrow!"

Yi Zhonghai quickly waved everyone away, "Go back to your rooms, everyone! Tomorrow is Sunday, we'll have a full courtyard meeting in the morning!"

Silly Zhu was still unwilling and wanted to argue, but the Deaf Old Lady gave him a look. Only then did he turn his head and go back.

Xu Damao went back to his room and found a wooden board to temporarily block the window. He lay there fuming for a few hours before finally falling asleep.

The next morning.

Before any of the households had started making breakfast, Xu Damao had already moved his large dining table into the central courtyard.

He went from house to house calling people to the meeting.

"Lin Zhen, Lou Xiao'e, hurry, stop cooking for now, there's a meeting!"

Lin Zhen deliberately asked, "Xu Damao, what happened last night? You were shouting so loud I couldn't sleep past midnight!"

Xu Damao said angrily, "That bastard Silly Zhu smashed my window. I was so scared I almost passed out!"

Lin Zhen couldn't help but chuckle, "At a critical moment?"

Xu Damao gritted his teeth, "If I ever become useless later, I'll definitely settle this with Silly Zhu!"

In a short while, dozens of people, old and young, from the courtyard gathered in the central courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai sat at the north side of the large dining table with a stern expression, holding a porcelain enamel mug.

Liu Haizhong sat at the east side of the table with a serious face, also holding a porcelain enamel mug by his side, looking at Silly Zhu with pursed lips.

Yan Bugui sat at the west side of the table, leisurely drinking hot water.

Xu Damao's dark circles were even more pronounced. Qin Jingru sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the long bench in the front row. Qin Jingru, however, looked quite comfortable.

The two of them were holding a grudge, wishing they could tear Silly Zhu apart.

Silly Zhu, completely unfazed, crossed his legs, tilted his head, and looked up at the sky.

The Deaf Old Lady sat not far from Yan Bugui, smiling as she observed everyone in the courtyard.

Some people in the courtyard were whispering quietly, while others were lowering their heads and secretly chuckling.

Lin Zhen's family of six found an empty spot and sat down, joining the gossip.

"Yan Jiecheng, you went to see last night? What happened?"

"Heh! By the time I got there, it was all over. I don't know what the scene was like back then. I guess Xu Damao was already beaten down."

"Tch, of course you wouldn't see the scene, it wasn't live. I'm asking if Silly Zhu and Xu Damao fought afterward?"

"No, they didn't. Silly Zhu was in the wrong and playing dumb."

Lou Xiao'e chuckled, "You two keep your voices down."

Yu Li said, "Exactly. What if Silly Zhu and Xu Damao hear us?"

Lin Zhen laughed, "We men are talking about our own business, you women don't need to worry. Hey, Liu Guangtian, have you felt disturbed by the noise these past few days?"

Liu Guangtian chuckled, "Occasionally, I can hear 'Singing Goose'."

"Oh! Really? Xu Damao is quite something!"

Lou Xiao'e was amused by her husband's words and pinched his arm, "The children are right here, don't talk nonsense!"

Clang, clang, clang!

"Quiet, quiet!"

Yi Zhonghai tapped the table, looked around, and then stood up to speak.

"I've called everyone together for this full courtyard meeting today mainly to criticize He Yuzhu. As for the reasons and the process, I find it embarrassing to recount, and I believe everyone already knows. Those who don't know can ask the person next to them later. First, let's hear the opinions of Xu Damao and Qin Jingru."